Curtin Sarawak organises Brunei study trip for engineering students

Miri – 28 May 2013 – Students of the School of Engineering and Science at Curtin University Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) recently went on a study trip to the Oil and Gas Discovery Centre (OGDC) in Seria, Brunei Darussalam.

The OGDC promotes the importance of science, engineering and technology education through hands-on learning experiences such as science, technology, robotic and motivational workshops, Young Scientist field trips and camps.

The trip, jointly organised by the school and the Institution of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Student Branch of Curtin Sarawak, involved 35 engineering students who are in their second, third and fourth-year of study at the university.

They were accompanied by lecturer of electrical and computer engineering Dr. Garenth Lim King Hann, associate lecturer of electrical and computer engineering Suresh Reuben and lecturer of chemical engineering Dr. John Lau Sie Yon.

The students were taken on a technical tour of the centre, during which they were briefed on the Bruneian oil and gas industry and the drilling equipment used. In addition, they attended a ‘Route to Professional Engineer’ talk presented by Mike Bridgefoot, registration and standards manager of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), and also visited the Billionth Barrel Monument.

In his talk, Bridgefoot briefed them on the background of IET, the membership benefits it offers and how it provides students alternative routes to becoming professional engineer upon graduation.

IET is a professional body based in the United Kingdom that leads the development of an international engineering and technology community, as well as shares knowledge to promote science, engineering and technology worldwide.

Third-year electrical power engineering student Nicole Chan Yu Lynn and second-year chemical engineering student Irene Mong commented that the trip was very interesting and they learned a lot about the oil and gas industry.

The IEEE Student Branch of Curtin Sarawak actively organises annual exhibitions, community outreach activities and educational visits for its members. In September last year, the club organised its largest-ever electronic exhibition which attracted more than 700 staff and students of the varsity, students of local secondary schools and members of the public. Future plans include a visit to semiconductor factories Agilent Technologies and Altera Corporation (M) Sdn. Bhd. in Penang this coming September.

For more information on the IEEE Student Branch of Curtin Sarawak, e-mail ieee.curtinsarawak@gmail.com or visit its website at ewh.ieee.org/sb/malaysia/curtinsarawak. One can also visit its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CurtinSarawak.IEEE.

Mike Bridgefoot of the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) presenting his talk.

The students and staff posing for a group photo at the Billionth Barrel Monument.