Recently, Associate Professor Dr. Douglas Ruth, Dean of the Engineering Faculty of University Manitoba (UoM) held a talk for students interested in studying at the University.

Dr. Ruth told e-News that the University of Manitoba began their partnership with UCSI University some 20 years ago and their relationship has continued until today with students sent to the Canadian university through UCSI University’s International Degree Pathway.

Dr. Ruth said that many of UCSI University students studied engineering at the University of Manitoba through the years and that the university was preferred by many international students as it had a very strong research focus. All its lecturers must maintain an externally funded research while employed at the university which is also a Member of the Canadian Board which governs the quality and standards of teaching at Canadian Universities.

In terms of Engineering programmes, Dr. Ruth said that UoM is the leader in Engineering Design and in the last 5 to 10 years. Companies who employed UoM engineering graduates have found all of them work ready. This iconic faculty holds the distinction of being the oldest engineering faculty in Canada, having celebrated its 100-year anniversary in 2007. It has invested $56 million (Canadian) to build a state-of-the-art Teaching and Research Centre and Engineering & Information Technology Centre, and has produced more than 10,000 engineers.

Dr. Ruth also mentioned that many UCSI University students who have gone on to study at UoM have done very well, some of whom have settled in Canada and also some of whom have returned to Malaysia to build successful careers. A case in point is the Executive Deputy Chairman of MESDAQ-listed company, GDEX Sdn. Bhd., Mr. Teong Teck Lean and Mr. Vincent Lee both of whom run the medical gas equipment company. According to Dr. Ruth, quite often, students who have studied at UoM have had one sibling after another following them to study at the same place. This also explains the strong Malaysian Student Association at UoM.

Dr. Ruth has said that previously UCSI University was a feeder for UoM, but with the great improvements done to the university in terms of both hardware and software, UoM sees UCSI University as equal partners. He advocates that the 2 universities adopt each other’s curriculum especially for the engineering field and hoped that staff exchanges could also be made to look into issues such as climate change and sustainability of buildings.

“UoM is also keen to develop post-graduate programmes in the Engineering field with UCSI University,” said Dr. Ruth. He believes this is a good time for both parties to collaborate in this area as more and more students are going back to school to acquire postgraduate degrees in efforts to advance their careers and expand their knowledge.

Students who are interested to further their studies overseas should utilize the support services provided through the International University Pathway Centre (IUPC) at UCSI University. IUPC provides not only personalised and detailed counselling of students’ choices of universities, but also assists students with their application processes and follow-ups with other universities. Apart from providing advice on their application processes and assisting in decision-making, the IUPC also acts as the intermediary between students and partner universities. In addition, the centre also liaises with partner universities abroad to help students with accommodation arrangements, visa applications, flight bookings, as well as, airport pick-ups upon arrival there.