Pathway to secure your degree of choice
(The Star, 31 October 2021)
UTP centre for foundation studies engineering lab.
Students’ who would like to explore the opportunity to pursue an undergraduate degree in engineering, science, computing or business management and receive the required preparation for the rigours of higher education may want to look to Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP)’s foundation studies programme.
The university offers a pathway for students to secure the undergraduate degree of their choice from the get-go and encourages those who have completed their Sijil Peperiksaan Malaysia (SPM), O Level or other level that is equivalent to SPM, to give its foundation programme a shot.
“Once they have completed their 50 credit hours within the given period of one year and fulfil all stipulated requirements, they will have secured a place for their undergraduate studies of their choice. The transition will be seamless,” says UTP associate professor Dr Balbir Singh Mahinder Singh.
Balbir, who is the dean of centre for Foundation Studies, says the comprehensive pre-university academic programme – encompassing Foundation in Engineering and Science, Foundation in Technology and Business Management, and Foundation in Computer Science – prepares students with the fundamental knowledge and skills to pursue undergraduate degree programmes in the fields of engineering, science, technology and business management at UTP.
“They are subjected to the same vision and mission of the university, which is to produce well-rounded graduates,” he adds.
Under the Foundation in Engineering and Science, students will be able to proceed to any nine engineering degree programmes – namely Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, Computer Engineering and Materials Engineering as well as Applied Chemistry and Petroleum Geoscience.
For Foundation in Technology and Business Management, students can choose from Information Systems, Information Technology and Business Management.
Students who have completed the Foundation in Computer Science will be able to pursue a degree in Computer Science.
“That’s the advantage of the foundation programme. When they enrol in the programme they can choose at the onset the undergraduate programme of their choice and secure a place. And within a year they can commence their undergraduate studies.
“Compared to those who have completed STPM or matriculation programmes for example, the students will still need to compete with other candidates to secure a place for their undergraduate studies,” he says.
Building water rockets, one of the activities under the Down To Earth project carried out by UTP Foundation students at Yayasan Amanah An Nur Maisarah in Chemor, Perak.
Preparation for the degree programme
The goal of the preparatory programme, which was introduced in 2003 and enhanced over the years, is to build strong fundamental knowledge and understanding of the students’ respective courses.
“With a strong foundation, students will be able to apply their knowledge and skills of engineering, technology, science or management effectively.
“Students are given the opportunity to display their ability to communicate ideas effectively, analyse data and demonstrate good values,” says Balbir, pointing out that the process also prepares students for the challenges and expectations of the undergraduate programme.
About 90% of students enrolled in UTP’s undergraduate programmes hail from the foundation studies programme, which has three intakes per calendar year – January, May and September semesters.
The success of the programme and the ability of students to transition seamlessly to the undergraduate programmes are attributed to UTP’s academic strength, the dedicated labs and multimedia facilities available, the curriculum, and, teaching and learning method.
“We use various teaching and learning approaches and choose the best ones that suit students’ needs and interests. We also incorporate social innovation aspects such as the ‘Down to Earth’ programme, which is a community outreach programme in some of the foundation programme courses,” he adds.
“We’re also constantly improving our approach to ensure students get the best teaching and learning experience at UTP.
“We have external course examiners for quality assurance and to provide feedback,” he says, adding that both academic and industry representatives are also called to weigh in on the quality and relevance of its curriculum.
The ambassadors of the Centre for Foundation Studies (ACeFoS) contingent, an official student club for UTP foundation students, at the UTP Super Sports Day 2019.
Full support to ensure success
Through the Centre for Foundation Studies, students are provided full support from coaching on independent learning methods, thinking skills courses, motivational sessions, time management tips as well as counselling sessions to provide students with the best outcome.
UTP deputy vice chancellor (academic) Prof Ir Dr Hilmi Mukhtar also has engagement sessions with foundation students – offering an insight into what to expect of the undergraduate programme.
Sports and other extra-curricular activities as well as competitions – from Mathematics to Science and Engineering Design – also expose students to the world of undergraduate studies.
“These students will be leaders someday - of organisations, countries, and families, which is why we have embedded traits like integrity, visionary, courage, and humility into their curriculum and co-curricular activities,” he says.
He adds that UTP’s critically recognised undergraduate programmes with industry recognised curriculum contents with the unique seven-month internship and global exchange programme also enhance the marketability of UTP graduates.
For more information and to apply for UTP’s Foundation programme January 2022 intake, click
here. 
