5 APAC Schools that are improving prospects for graduate engineers
Image courtesy of Monash University Malaysia

“Engineering is quite different from science. Scientists try to understand nature. Engineers try to make things that do not exist in nature. Engineers stress invention.” – Yuan-Cheng Fung

Last year, Engineers Australia declared engineering graduates benefit from better than average prospects in terms of securing employment after graduation.

The recent Graduate Careers Australia report analysed graduates of all four STEM-based disciplines, including Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

While 62.2 percent of qualified maths graduates enter full-time work within four months of graduation, graduates of the sciences fared even worse, with 48.7 percent of life science graduates achieving the same feat, compared with 53.9 percent of those from the physical sciences, 50.3 percent from chemistry and 55.4 percent from geology-focused subjects.

But for engineering graduates, the market has never looked so bright, with 77.7 percent of graduates from civil engineering; 78. 1 percent from electrical engineering; 78.5 percent from electronic and computer engineering; plus 76.3 percent of mining engineering graduates finding meaningful full-time employment within the same four-month period.

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And with the Institute of Electronics and Electrical Engineers (IEEE) predicting that Asia-Pacific (APAC) region will lead the global development population over the next few years, APAC Schools are lauded and admired for their ability to significantly bolster future career prospects for their graduate engineers.

“The current mismatch and shortage of engineering talent in the region has resulted in more companies creating programs aimed at upgrading the skills of engineers and related tech disciplines,” Ron Schneiderman writes for the IEEE JobSite.

“Google recently listed 55 job openings across the Asia Pacific, mostly for software engineers to test, field deployment, network, and systems engineers,” he adds. “Singapore is a key hiring target for young engineers for Google, which says it is looking for ‘talented students’… to join its 12 week engineering internship program, which takes place in Australia. Google said it would also welcome engineers from across the world…”

But Google isn’t the only tech giant seeking to innovate through the recruitment of specialised recent graduates; Schneiderman notes that Microsoft, Rohde & Schwarz, and HTC Corp. are also driving major recruitment strategies within this diverse region.

And with the global development of the mobile applications industry, as well as the invention of the Internet of Things (IoT) and the progression of the cybersecurity sector, APAC universities recognise that the graduate market is thriving. In response, they are working to provide the most sought-after and up-to-date training to ensure graduates soar to the top of the employment heap.

And with education here typically costing less than in the West, all while maintaining outstanding levels of professional prestige, where better to invest in your world-class engineering expertise?

Eager to learn more? Here are 5 APAC Schools that are improving prospects for graduate engineers…

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, MONASH UNIVERSITY – MALAYSIA

Monash University Malaysia

Image courtesy of Monash University Malaysia

The School of Engineering at Monash Malaysia is the only institution in the region to receive full-accreditation from both Engineers Australia (EA) and the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM), with its Chemical Engineering program also receiving recognition from IChemE UK, highlighting the resounding global prominence of Monash Engineering programmes.

Through undifferentiated programmes, comprehensive further study options, and the invaluable option to pursue a placement in one of over 100 global industry partners, students of Monash Engineering are shaped into competent and internationally-minded professionals long before they graduate.

“The enhanced learning initiatives such as EILP, EDC and EWB provide tremendous experiential learning opportunities that benefit students, not only in complementing what they learn in the core curriculum, but also in strengthening their soft skills,” explains Professor Anthony Guo, Head, School of Engineering.

“Students’ experience will be much enriched, and they are better equipped with skills which are highly desired by employers, particularly global and multinational companies,” he adds. “In the long-term, [these initiatives] will help students to achieve their career objectives; whether it is working in a global environment or advancing their studies.”

Click here to find out more about Monash University Malaysia’s School of Engineering.

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURE AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND – AUSTRALIA

Cruising to 60th position in the most recent QS World University Rankings, the stellar education provided by the Faculty of Engineering at Queensland has earned the institution a global reputation for excellence.

The faculty boasts a long-held tradition of innovation and leadership across student education and research, seeking to be universally-recognised as an outstanding provider of education in engineering, design and technology. Dedicated to the success of its students, the faculty strives to influence the world through creative thinking, innovative technologies, and distinguished staff, students and alumni.

UQ Engineering and Technology

Image courtesy of University of Queensland

“In just over a century, more than 27,000 Faculty graduates have gone on to use their UQ education to have significant impact on our state, our nation and across the world,” says Simon Biggs, the Faculty’s Executive Dean.

“From novel hydrogen storage and next generation polymers to biomedical engineering and mining safety, our research outcomes are solving problems for local and international communities, and our industry partners.”

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING, HONG KONG UNIVERSITY (HKU) – HONG KONG

Established in 1912, the Faculty of Engineering at HKU boasts a heritage of professionalism and prestige. Delivering world-class academics for more than a century, the faculty has consistently kept pace with the industry’s most cutting-edge developments, standing at the forefront of ground-breaking research in the global engineering field.

Offering a holistic education to students of every level, the faculty strives to instil students with the competence to handle the sector’s most current technologies, inspiring them to nurture positive- and lateral-thinking skills, on top of flexibility in approach, professional integrity, and global exposure – all of which are sought-after skills in the graduate recruitment sphere.

“The faculty aims to provide a contemporary curriculum and stimulating learning environment for educating well-rounded engineers with specialty expertise critical at the present time and beyond,” says Norman Tien, Dean of HKU’s Engineering Faculty.

“Over the course of the next four years, students acquire a special blend of professional knowledge, analytic and leadership skills with a practical and entrepreneurial focus so that they may become globally competitive future leaders in the field of engineering,” the Dean concludes.

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES (UNSW) – AUSTRALIA

University of New South Wales

Image courtesy of University of New South Wales

As the largest specialised Engineering Faculty in Australia, students of UNSW’s elite Engineering programmes benefit from an esteemed reputation that resonates worldwide.

With nine comprehensive schools and 66 years of experience, UNSW brings together the sector’s most innovative researchers and engineers to foster unparalleled partnerships with government and industry, both on the continent and overseas.

“UNSW Engineering is consistently ranked as the number one engineering faculty in Australia and one of the top 50 in the world,” says Professor Mark Hoffman, Dean of UNSW Engineering.

“…Career opportunities for our students are enhanced through our strong industry partnerships and extensive international alumni network,” he explains. “We have an absolute focus on providing a well-rounded student experience. Our graduates emerge from their studies with theoretical and technical ability along with skills in problem solving and management,” the Dean concludes.

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND – NEW ZEALAND

University Of Auckland

Image courtesy of University of Auckland

University of Auckland’s cutting-edge engineering faculty boasts more than 3,900 students; 2,900 at undergraduate level, 430 in taught postgraduate programmes, plus more than 500 research postgraduate students, all of whom lead the world with their ground-breaking discoveries and developments.

Student life within the faculty is vibrant and exciting, with state-of-the-art facilities that are virtually unparalleled. The Engineering Atrium, for example, includes a 250-seat, oval-shaped lecture theatre, four new computer labs and a quirky café. It is widely regarded as a hub of student activity and provides a relaxed and conducive environment in which students can both socialise and learn.

“Our strong links with industry mean your degree has the right mix of theory and practice,” says Professor Nic Smith, Dean of the Faculty.

“With a BE(Hons) degree from the University of Auckland, you will be recognised and sought after by employers here and around the world.”

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International

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