Postgraduate Engineering Programme, Univeriti Selangor MALAYSIA
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In the Fast Lane of Engineering Experts…. Automotive engineering summons up the image of fast cars, lots of grease and monkey wrenches – not exactly the truth behind this gritty but lesser known aspect of vehicular engineering. Dealing with the most noble of transports consisting of cars, bikes, trucks and other heavy vehicles, this area of engineering takes into account the many aspects that make a vehicle roadworthy. When you choose your first car, admiring the panels, the sleek body, the USB ports attached to the radio, the silent engine, the voice activated windows or steering wheel or navigation system, you are actually admiring the handiwork of the automotive engineers who spent hours poring over the design, the finished product, the systems that have been installed and the equipment that gives the car that extra bling. In fact, you have to thank the engineers for everything about your car besides the desirable new car smell. If you find yourself suddenly realising that you have been in the wrong line all along and wish to undertake the grooming required to become an automotive engineer – or if you are already one or how to become a specialised engineer – Universiti Selangor is one of the few institutions of higher learning that offer a specialisation in that field, thanks to experienced supervisors and a history of automotive powered research. Offered under the Faculty of Engineering’s Master in Engineering (by research) and Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering (by research), the Dean expects this automotive experience to be one of the most sought after specialisations in engineering. “Our students in this field have been in constant demand from both corporations and research centres,” avers Prof. Ir. Dr. Jamaludin Mat, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering. “I believe it is partly due to the new technology that is cropping up every other day – all automobile makers have to take this into account and find ways to apply them, as the motoring public in Malaysia becomes savvier about what to expect from a vehicle. There is also a need to develop more sustainable systems for automobiles, which includes eco-friendly and hybrid engines. With all the fumes clogging up the roads, we have realised it is about time that we have to look at something greener.” Automotive Research at UNISEL UNISEL has a constant flow of research going on when it comes to automotive engineering. One of the major projects is the annual Perodua Eco-Challenge (PeC) that the university has participated in ever since its inception three years ago. “The challenge is to come up with a car that is eco-friendly and fuel efficient, to work in a team and to test the innovative boundaries of automotive engineering as we know it,” Jamaludin explains. “We have consistently position our self in the top three in the competition for the past three years.” Universities and other institutions of higher learning send in proposals every year, but only a handful are selected to take part in the event. The latest edition of the challenge 1
was really tough – the participants were provided with only a 660cc three-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual gear transmission, whereas in previous years they had been given a Myvi and subsequently a Viva. Compared to the previous challenges where the teams were only required to plan and implement modifications that would make the car more sustainable, this added on a second objective for the students, staff and lecturers that made up the crew; they had to construct their own chassis and shell for their car. A summary of the featured modifications that helped them win second place would be certain modification and upgrading engine systems that would increase the productivity of the engine leading to perfect combustion of fuel, an upgrade in the fuel line system to maintain a constant fuel supply at both idle and accelerated speeds, as well as an air throttle device that is activated by a vacuum system hooked up to the cars RPM, ensuring better fuel consumption even at higher speeds. “Another exciting venture that we have recently taken part in is the PETRONAS Cub Prix, where we are the only university based team participating,” Prof. Ir. Dr. Jamaludin says confidently. “Our team works on customising and modifying the motorcycle engine for winning. We think it is a good way to get the attention of the younger crowd who may be interested in this field.” The faculty has realised the importance of applied research and intends to focus more on industry related projects with commercial values. One of the industry-based research undertakings is a collaboration with TN Engineering Sdn. Bhd., an engineering, service and maintenance company that deals with trucks, prime movers and car carriers. Here the researchers are installing compressed natural gas (CNG) converted engines into regular diesel powered trucks. Currently they are collecting data on the 42 lorries with successfully converted combustion systems, and since the inception of the project in 2009 which generates several doctorate in the pipe line. Postgraduate Engineering Programmes Automotive engineering is not the only post-graduate degree in engineering offered by the Faculty of Engineering, UNISEL. Other focal points range from electrical and electronic, to mechatronic and mechanical, as well as the evergreen civil engineering. “Mechatronics is a combination of mechanical and electronic engineering,” says Taufik Ridzuan, Lecturer at the Faculty of Engineering. “Those in the field would apply their skills in manufacturing companies, especially in situations where robotic applications are concerned. I believe that we are one of the few universities that offer this specialisation.” As the focal point of universities shift from undergraduate to postgraduate students, UNISEL is prepared to accommodate students with advising professors with lengthy resumes of experience, as well as crucial contacts within the industry that could mean the difference between a run-of-the-mill paper and a groundbreaking one.
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was really tough – the participants were provided with only a 660cc three-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual gear transmission, whereas in previous years they had been given a Myvi and subsequently a Viva. Compared to the previous challenges where the teams were only required to plan and implement modifications that would make the car more sustainable, this added on a second objective for the students, staff and lecturers that made up the crew; they had to construct their own chassis and shell for their car. A summary of the featured modifications that helped them win second place would be certain modification and upgrading engine systems that would increase the productivity of the engine leading to perfect combustion of fuel, an upgrade in the fuel line system to maintain a constant fuel supply at both idle and accelerated speeds, as well as an air throttle device that is activated by a vacuum system hooked up to the cars RPM, ensuring better fuel consumption even at higher speeds. “Another exciting venture that we have recently taken part in is the PETRONAS Cub Prix, where we are the only university based team participating,” Prof. Ir. Dr. Jamaludin says confidently. “Our team works on customising and modifying the motorcycle engine for winning. We think it is a good way to get the attention of the younger crowd who may be interested in this field.” The faculty has realised the importance of applied research and intends to focus more on industry related projects with commercial values. One of the industry-based research undertakings is a collaboration with TN Engineering Sdn. Bhd., an engineering, service and maintenance company that deals with trucks, prime movers and car carriers. Here the researchers are installing compressed natural gas (CNG) converted engines into regular diesel powered trucks. Currently they are collecting data on the 42 lorries with successfully converted combustion systems, and since the inception of the project in 2009 which generates several doctorate in the pipe line. Postgraduate Engineering Programmes Automotive engineering is not the only post-graduate degree in engineering offered by the Faculty of Engineering, UNISEL. Other focal points range from electrical and electronic, to mechatronic and mechanical, as well as the evergreen civil engineering. “Mechatronics is a combination of mechanical and electronic engineering,” says Taufik Ridzuan, Lecturer at the Faculty of Engineering. “Those in the field would apply their skills in manufacturing companies, especially in situations where robotic applications are concerned. I believe that we are one of the few universities that offer this specialisation.” As the focal point of universities shift from undergraduate to postgraduate students, UNISEL is prepared to accommodate students with advising professors with lengthy resumes of experience, as well as crucial contacts within the industry that could mean the difference between a run-of-the-mill paper and a groundbreaking one.
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