General Interest
Effort to boost graduates employability - Ministry of Higher Education establishes pact with German engineering giant Siemens
Siemens Mechatronic Systems Certification Program to be taught in 10 polytechnics and community colleges in Malaysia, the third country in Asia to introduce the course.
Subang Jaya, Apr 7, 2009
Subang Jaya: Lending a helping hand to better equip fresh grads seeking employment in a bleak economy, the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) will introduce the Siemens Mechatronics Systems Certification Program (SMSCP) in 10 local polytechnics in Malaysia.
A total of 20 local lecturers have been chosen to attend the 3 week-long course at Siemens’ own elite international technical college- the Siemens Technik Akademie in Berlin, Germany. The lecturers will be trained by the German technology experts on being “Handlungskompetenz” – where a skilled worker is able to adapt to a new situation in a self independent, flexible and fast way of working. Upon return, the lecturers will impart the knowledge they gained by training other lecturers, and then passed on again to the students.
Mechatronics is a marriage of systems integrating electrical, mechanical and computer engineering. The partner schools for the course are selected and certified in partnership with a local Siemens operating company. In this case, the industry partners are Amatrol Inc and VCAT Consulting GmbH.
Siemens is the world leader in mechanics and automated systems technologies, and has over 100 years of experience in technical education. In Germany alone, Siemens is one of the largest education providers. The SMSCP course has been established by Siemens engineers who have over 25 years of experience, and so far, more than 168 students have benefited from the course since it was launched in March 2007 in USA, China and Singapore.
“The first batch of 10 lecturers will leave to Berlin this month. Once certified as SMSCP instructors, the lecturers have an opportunity to become Certified Instructor Trainers, who may then give some SMSCP ICP courses back home. For the students, they can receive both an industry certification and a Polytechnic diploma. For those who have already left their schools for a while, they can enroll in this course to update themselves and better equip themselves in a turbulent economy,” said the Secretary General of MoHE, Datuk Dr.Zulkefli A.Hassan at the signing ceremony between the Department of Polytechnic and Community College Education (DPCCE), MoHE, and Siemens Malaysia at the Holiday Villa Hotel today.
Also present were President & CEO of Siemens Malaysia, Tan Sri Rainer Althoff, Derrick Koo, Senior Vice President of Siemens Industry Automation, Drive Technologies and Building Technologies, Martin Stoeckmann, Director of Education and Training, Siemens Professional Education, Siemens Technik Akademie Berlin and Dato’ Hj Imran bin Idris, Director General, DPCCE, MoHE
Said Tan Sri Althoff: “There is a growing need for solid, up-to-date, industry focused qualification in integrated mechatronics system, both for new entrants to the field, as well as for professionals who need to bring their system awareness to the current standards. We have a large range of manufacturers in Malaysia equipped with Siemens technology and the tie up with a local Siemens operating company increases their chances of securing an employment since he or she will be familiar with their operating system. The certified job seeker will also be more hands on. Sharing our knowledge and expertise is a part of Siemens corporate responsibility”.
The 10 institutions offering the course are Politeknik Ungku Omar, Politeknik Sultan Azlan Shah ( Perak), Politeknik Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah, Politeknik Tuanku Sultanah Bahiyah (Kedah), Politeknik Kota Bharu (Kelantan), Politeknik Port Dickson (Negri Sembilan), Politeknik Johor Bahru (Johor), Politeknik Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin (terengganu), Politeknik Merlimau (Melaka) and Politeknik Kota Kinabalu (Sabah).
Malaysia is the third Asian country to introduce the course, after Singapore and China. China had begun the course in March 2007, while Singapore launched the course in October 2008.
About Siemens
Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a global powerhouse in electronics and electrical engineering, operating in the industry, energy and healthcare sectors. The company has around 430,000 employees (in continuing operations) working to develop and manufacture products, design and install complex systems and projects, and tailor a wide range of solutions for individual requirements. For over 160 years, Siemens has stood for technical achievements, innovation, quality, reliability and internationality. In fiscal 2008, Siemens had revenue of €77.3 billion and a net income of €5.9 billion (IFRS).
Since its inception into Malaysia in 1972, Siemens has actively participated in Malaysia's dynamic economic and social growth. With close to 4,000 staff strength, it has grown to become the second largest German company in Malaysia. Backed by its global network of innovation, Siemens Malaysia assures its customers of international expertise localized and tailor-made to suit their business needs. Today, it is one of the leading technology providers in the country with comprehensive products, services and solutions for various sectors in the Malaysian of economy such as oil and gas, power, water, process industries, ports, airports, rail, healthcare and hospitality.
Siemens Group of Companies in Malaysia includes Siemens Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Siemens Industrial Workshop Sdn Bhd, Siemens Multimedia Sdn Bhd, OSRAM (M) Sdn Bhd and OSRAM Opto Semiconductors (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd. For more information, visit www.siemens.com.my.
Corporate Responsibility
As a committed corporate citizen, Siemens Malaysia has actively participated in various local corporate responsibility activities, focusing on the areas of arts and culture, sports, and charity. Siemens champions the local performing arts scene by being a founding sponsor of the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre. Siemens reaffirmed its commitment towards sports and charity through Siemens Run 2007, an annual run whereby proceeds of the recent run were channeled to the National Cancer Society of Malaysia, the Malaysian Paralympics Council and the School for the Blind, Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan Jalan Batu. Bringing technological innovation for the betterment of lives, the company also recently donated to a 150 underprivileged children with hearing impairment received Siemens Hearing Aids.
About Siemens Healthcare
Siemens Healthcare is one of the world’s largest suppliers to the healthcare industry. The company is a renowned medical solutions provider with core competence and innovative strength in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies as well as in knowledge engineering, including information technology and system integration. With its laboratory diagnostics acquisitions, Siemens Healthcare will be the first fully integrated diagnostics company, bringing together imaging and lab diagnostics, therapy, and healthcare information technology solutions, supplemented by consulting and support services. Siemens Healthcare delivers solutions across the entire continuum of care -- from prevention and early detection, to diagnosis, therapy and care. The company employs more than 49,000 people worldwide and operates in 130 countries. In the fiscal year 2007 (Sept. 30), Siemens Healthcare reported sales of €9.85 billion (on a pro forma basis including Dade Behring roughly €11 billion), orders of €10.27 billion, and group profit of €1.32 billion. Further information can be found by visiting http://www.siemens.com/healthcare.
This press release has been published by the Communications Department, Siemens Malaysia Sdn Bhd
Your contact at Siemens Malaysia:-
Ms Vasanthe Narayanasamy
Head, Communications
Siemens Malaysia Sdn Bhd
DL: 03 -7952 4180
M: 012 – 315 0515
Email: vasanthe.narayanasamy@siemens.com
Ms Ranjini Thangaraju
Executive, Communications
Siemens Malaysia Sdn Bhd
DL: 03-7952 5164
M: 017-294 5717
Email: ranjini.thangaraju@siemens.com
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