KYOTO, Aug 28 – Dr. Nurzal Effiyana Ghazali, Director of the Centre for Engineering Education (CEE), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), was invited as a plenary speaker at the Japanese Society of Engineering Education (JSEE) Annual Conference. Representing the Society of Engineering Education Malaysia (SEEM) as its current President, she joined distinguished speakers from the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) and the Korean Society for Engineering Education (KSEE).

In her address, Dr. Effiyana outlined SEEM’s history and highlighted UTM CEE’s pivotal role in advancing engineering education nationwide. She discussed key trends reshaping the field, with a focus on curriculum reforms guided by the latest Engineering Accreditation Council (EAC) manual. The revised curriculum emphasizes the integration of social sciences, ethics, inclusivity, sustainability, and data literacy into engineering programs, alongside nurturing critical thinking, innovation, and adaptability to emerging technologies.

She stressed that engineering programs must embrace interdisciplinarity to meet current EAC requirements, integrating diverse fields while preparing students to collaborate effectively in multicultural and technology-enabled environments.

Her message resonated with fellow plenary speakers. Dr. Christi Patton Luks (ASEE) introduced the University 4.0 paradigm, emphasizing AI-enhanced learning and virtual laboratories, while Assoc. Prof. Dr. Younghoon Park (KSEE)shared innovative oral examination methods for programming courses—sparking discussion on the urgent need for fresh approaches to assessment.

Dr. Effiyana also showcased UTM CEE’s training modules, developed as research-based products to address evolving needs in engineering education, covering student-centered learning, alternative assessments, and educational research. Following her presentation, several deans and lecturers expressed strong interest in UTM CEE’s expertise in Outcome-Based Education (OBE) and training programs, underscoring the centre’s evidence-driven approach.

The conference concluded with a clear consensus: international collaboration is essential to advancing engineering education and preparing globally competent, socially responsible engineers equipped for the challenges of Industry 4.0.

Source: UTM NewsHub