Curtin Sarawak students visit Penang Free Industrial Zone

Miri – 21 October 2015 – The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) of Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) and the university’s Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (IEEE) student branch jointly organised a study trip for 17 students to the Penang Free Industrial Zone recently.

The students who comprised fourth-year electrical power engineering and electronic and communication engineering students and members of the IEEE Curtin Sarawak Student Branch committee, were accompanied by Dr. Lenin Gopal and Dr. Garenth Lim King Hann, senior lecturers from the ECE Department.

They visited three companies there, namely ViTrox Technologies Sdn. Bhd., Keysight Technologies (M) Sdn. Bhd. and Intel Technology Sdn. Bhd.

While the trip was primarily to expose the students to electrical and electronics industries on the island, it was also meant to promote technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity in line with IEEE’s motto: Advancing Technology for Humanity.

“Changes in the digital electronic field happens at such a rapid pace that we, as academics, need to organise frequent field trips like these to ensure that the graduates we produce fulfill the needs of industry,” said Dr. Lenin.

ViTrox Technologies is a company specialising in the design and development of automated vision inspection systems and equipment testers for semiconductor and electronic packaging industries, as well as electronic communications equipment. It is recognised as one of the world’s leading automated machine vision inspection solution providers.

Following their visit to ViTrox, the group visited Keysight Technologies, the world’s leading electronic measurement company, where they were welcomed by human resource manager Cheah Kah-In. With its Hewlett-Packard and Agilent legacy, Keysight Technologies delivers solutions to the wireless communications, aerospace and defence industries, and world-class platforms, software, and consistent measurement science to the semiconductor market.

At Intel Technology Sdn. Bhd. the following day, the group was received by Hoe Kah Wai and his team from the company’s talent acquisition division. During the visit, the students learned about the development of Intel’s Internet of Things (IoT) and RealSense Camera Technology. Intel Technology Sdn. Bhd. is a subsidiary of the Intel Corporation, an American multinational and the world’s largest semiconductor chip maker.

On-the-spot interviews were part of the students’ visits, which fourth year electronic and communication engineering student Chai Kah Hieng described as a great experience. Chai and ECE postgraduate Chua Shin Cheng and were issued letters of intent for employment right after their interviews.

Apart from the visits to the companies, the group had a teambuilding session at the Penang Escape Theme Park where the strength, stamina, and problem-solving skills of the students and lecturers were put to the test in several outdoor activities.

The IEEE Student Branch at Curtin Sarawak was established in 2008 and currently has about 50 members. For more information on the student branch, e-mail ieee.curtinsarawak@gmail.com or visit issbwebsite.wix.com/ieeecurtinsarawak or its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CurtinSarawak.IEEE.

The group at ViTrox Technologies.

The group poses for a photo after touring Keysight Technologies’ facilities.

Group photo at Intel Technology.

The IEEE group before their teambuilding session.