The world depends on engineers

An engineering degree will give you the skills to solve difficult technological problems. And demand for good engineers is always high, in every country around the world.

The foundation of a brilliant career

According to blogger (and engineering graduate) Brian Hollar, engineering is the most common undergraduate degree amongst Fortune 500 CEOs. Want to be a business leader with a high graduate starting salary? Engineering is proven to provide the skills you need – problem solving and quantitative skills are good background for business, public sector, IT or research careers.

In the UK alone, engineering-led industry accounts for 40% of its gross domestic product. And constant increases in new technology and consumer demand will drive further growth.

Types of engineering degrees

Engineering is an incredibly broad discipline, and it’s important to consider which areas you are interested in before you make your choice of university or degree. Generally, you can choose from five areas of study:

• Chemical engineering
• Industrial and aeronautical engineering
• Civil and infrastructure engineering
• Electrical and electronic engineering
• Mechanical and Mining engineering

Within each group there are many specialisations, as diverse as nuclear, ocean, robotics or biotechnology.

If you aren’t sure which area appeals most, choose an undergraduate degree with general engineering studies in the first year, so you can transfer as you learn more about the areas that excite you most. Make sure your program is recognised by the relevant professional body in that country.

No longer a subject for boys…

Traditionally, engineering has been a male-dominated area. But many women are now choosing to study all branches of engineering. Huddersfield University, in Britain’s north, offers two 50% fee scholarships each year to Chinese women who will study undergraduate engineering. Professor Xiang Jiang, a world famous metrologist and the first female from the Chinese mainland to become a Professor in the UK, generously funds this scholarship.

Mohammed Burhanuddin, from Hyderabad, also studied at Huddersfield, completing a degree in Engineering Control Systems and Instrumentation. “Huddersfield is one of the best towns in the UK, with people from all different cultural backgrounds. I could complete this degree in one year, and the UK offered international students a one-year work permit to build up useful work experience,” he says.

Closer to London, Kingston University offers over twenty different engineering courses, including software, civil and construction and aerospace. It is also London’s top-ranked modern university. Jeyaram Deivachandran studied a BSc (Hons) in Software Engineering at Kingston, and found the year-long work placement at Sun Microsystems an excellent way to get hands-on experience in the workplace. “I’ve come out of university with good grades and the job I wanted (as a software engineer at IT company Accenture). Things couldn’t be better!”

Also in London, the University of Westminster offers excellent research opportunities in the School of Informatics, including wireless communications, grid computing and ultra-low-power digital signal processing. All science and technology courses are held on the Cavendish campus in the heart of London, and are supported by a fantastic library, computing and lab facilities.

Emphasising the support Westminster provides to international students, it’s scholarships office has received and award from the Times Higher Education Supplement for ‘Outstanding Support for Overseas Students’.

Parisa Cheraghi, from Iran, received a diplomatic scholarship from the University of Westminster to study electronic engineering. As a child, she used to break her electronic toys to find circuits to play with.

Parisa says one of the best experiences of her degree was a practical group project. They had to build an robot mouse which could find its way through a maze using robot sensors – the group stayed up all night working on the project. “It was tough, but it wasn’t tiring,” she says.

If you are interested in computer engineering, the University of Houston-Clear Lake offers a Computer Engineering Master of Science (as well as a bachelor program) through their School of Science and Computer Engineering. The program focuses on evaluation, design, and implementation of computers and networks, and you could design and customise software for a range of applications.

You can specialise in telecommunications, computer control systems or advanced system architecture. It’s a practical course with plenty of time in the lab, and guided research in your chosen field.

On the other side of the world, the University of Canterbury (UC) in New Zealand is at the forefront of bioengineering research. Its Centre for Bioengineering aims to solve of the world’s biggest challenges in the 21st Century – such as heart disease. By bringing the world’s best mind from a range of disciplines (mathematics, cell physiology, engineering) the Centre may find solutions that could literally change lives.

Luis Toranzo studied Civil Engineering at UC, specialising in earthquake engineering research – an area where UC is also a world leader. “In New Zealand you are always looking for new solutions, instead of just building on the old ways,” he says.

So whether you want to be the CEO of a major banking organisation, or develop groundbreaking and life-saving products and technologies, engineering will set you on the right path for success.

To find out more about the range of engineering courses available, talk with one of our student counsellors.

Gain industry experience during your degree

Engineering is a highly practical discipline, so it’s no surprise that many degrees include an internship or industrial placement.

Often known as ‘sandwich courses’, or ‘co-operative education programs’ in the US, placements are nothing like work experience at school. They usually last a year, and involve doing a real job in a real company for a real salary. You won’t be making tea or photocopying – but you might develop new products or represent your company at conferences around the world!

Bhavit Singh, from India, studied a BSc(Hons) in Software Engineering at Kingston University. He strongly believes in the importance of applying university knowledge in a practical way, so he took a placement at Merrill Lynch as an analyst developer for 15 months during his degree.

“It’s great to know that the application I developed is still being used in more than 16 offices across Europe and the Middle East. The placement completely changed my views and learning style. Once I returned to Kingston for my final year, I started thinking about the practical implementation of each subject,” he says.

The importance of industry experience

Sandwich courses allow you to:

• Add work experience to your CV
• Get better results in your final year of study (it’s a proven fact!)
• Develop your professional skills
• Build your confidence
• Provide you with valuable industry contacts for your future career.

All this, and you get paid too – which may help reduce your student debt.

Get a competitive advantage

Graduate employers looks for industry experience when they are recruiting. Sukaina Dharas from Accenture Technology Solutions says; “We find that candidate who have completed a placement tend to perform better in graduate interviews. They have a clearer understanding of what is involved on a client project.”

About a quarter of all students at the Russ College of Engineering and Technology at the University of Ohio participate in their Co-op program. Over 240 different employers offer paid, career-related work experience, including Boeing, BP America and IBM. All majors except aviation can participate.

In London, all electronic engineering courses at the University of Westminster offer a sandwich placement opportunity. Recent graduates from the program have gone on to have successful global careers at companies such as WAIRD Telecom in Pakistan, Network Rail in the UK and Nigerian telecommunications Ltd.

At the University of Portsmouth, in the south of England, all undergraduate degree courses have an optional sandwich year, where students can spend their third year in a work placement in England, Germany or France. You can choose from over 20 engineering course specialisations, including Building Services Technology, Computer Engineering and Product Design and Innovation.

Portsmouth’s Engineering Department has close links with employers, ensuring a wide range of ‘real-life’ company based final year projects as well as work placements. And the University’s Industrial Advisory Board, which includes senior members of industry and academic staff, meet regularly to develop courses as the industry’s requirements are constantly evolving.

To learn more about the ways an engineering degree industry placement could help you, talk with one of our student counsellors.

Polytechnic University teams up with NYU

Polytechnic University in Brooklyn, NY is now an affiliate of New York University (NYU), creating a dynamic school of engineering, applied science and technology.  It is now known as Polytechnic Institute of NYU (NYU-Poly). The affiliation gives New York University a high-powered engineering and technology program, and offers Polytechnic students and faculty access to additional academic and research resources. The two institutions sit across the bridge from each other in Greenwich Village in Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn, just a ten minute ride away from each other on New York City’s historic ‘A’ subway train line.

NYU-Poly’s unique vision is simply referred to as i2e – invention, innovation and entrepreneurship.  Based in one of the world’s most vibrant cities with plenty of resources and business opportunities, the new Polytechnic Institute of NYU will focus on creating change in three key areas:

• The global information economy
• Health and wellness
• Urban systems

Polytechnic Institute of NYU has had 154-years’ experience in teaching engineering, applied sciences, technology and innovative research. The i2e vision comes to life in the Institute’s many research centers , as well as its Brooklyn Enterprise for Science and Technology (BEST) business incubator.

Jerry M. Hultin, President of Polytechnic Institute of NYU, says:  “This perfect fit between two great universities will preserve and enhance Polytechnic's commitment to top-tier technology education and research, contribute to the economic vitality of New York City and to our students' ability to compete in the 21st century global economy."

Altaf Hajiyani will complete his MS in Management at the Polytechnic Institute of NYU this year. “There is a something for everyone here. We are a large community of domestic and international students working towards a common goal to excel,” he says.  “Entrepreneurial spirit is a part of our culture here. The Time-Warner sponsored ‘Innovention’ competition is one such platform which helped me professionally. Competitions encourage students to develop entrepreneurial skills as a part of the i2e culture that NYU-Poly has. It’s a whole new way of defining technological education.”

Since the affiliation was announced, student interest has increased substantially.  Inquiries, applications and enrollments are all on an upswing.

For more information visit: http://www.poly.edu/admissions/graduate?r=studylink

The best of both worlds: new postgrad options at UQ

The University of Queensland

If you are looking for a postgraduate program that will enhance your skills in engineering or information technology, and give you the management skills you need to be a future industry leader, then The University of Queensland's School of Information Technology & Electrical Engineering (ITEE) has just announced the perfect program for you.

The new two-year programs include the Master of Engineering (Management) and the Master of Information Technology (Management).

The Master of Engineering (Management) combines postgraduate studies in selected fields of Engineering (electrical and software) with studies in business management.

"This new program will assist students with their future personal and professional career development," the Head of UQ's School of ITEE, Professor Paul Bailes, said.

"Students can become future engineering industry leaders by combining their engineering skills with key business management skills," he said.

The Master of Engineering (Management) allows students to study software engineering or electrical engineering in the fields of biomedical, power systems or microwave telecommunications.

The Master of Information Technology (Management) aims to broaden students' career opportunities by developing their skills in IT application development in combination with key business management skills.

Professor Bailes said that the program had especially been designed for students who wanted to develop new IT skills and become inspirational IT business leaders of the future.

You can tailor your own study plan and undertake IT courses including web design, information systems development or database technology. You can also undertake business courses such as accounting, human resource management or information analysis and design.

This program is ideal for students who already hold a bachelors degree in any field that did not focus on core Information Technology courses.

You can begin your studies at UQ as soon as Febuary or July 2009 - applications are now open for both programs.

For more information visit  www.study.itee.uq.edu.au/mitm or www.study.itee.uq.edu.au/mem.

CRICOS: ME (Mgmt) 065384G
CRICOS: MInfTech (Mgmt) 064995M

 

 

Brunel University project takes on the universe

The School of Engineering and Design at Brunel University in West London is one of the largest, and most successful, engineering and design schools in the UK.

With extensive links with industry and incredible facilities (including a state –of-the-art flight simulator and advanced visualisation and multimedia equipment), it provides undergraduate and postgraduate students with the practical design and engineering skills they need to solve the problems of the 21st century.

Two Brunel academics recently saw their work launched into space. Dr David Smith and PhD student Jason Gow were involved in the development of the Chandrayaan-1 X-ray Spectrometer (C1XS) lunar science instrument. It was launched on India’s first unmanned Moon mission on October 22nd this year.

The instrument will record X-ray fluorescence spectra from the surface of the moon, and will help solve the mystery of the Moon’s evolution and the way Earth, Mars, Venus and Mercury developed within the Earth-Moon system.

It is the first time the UK and India have worked together in space science.  But it’s just one of many successful postgraduate research projects for Brunel University, which is named after the famous Victorian engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

Hamid Zolfagharinia is a recent Biomedical Engineering graduate. He found the wide range of subjects in his chosen specialisation helped him stand out as a job candidate once he graduated.  “At interview, I was asked about all different fields of biomedical engineering, including medical imaging, signal processing, biofluid mechanics… It was then I realized I had made the right choice to come to Brunel to study the MSc in Biomedical Engineering!”

Contact Brunel to find out more about the wide range of engineering and design subjects.

Finance for Engineers?

The Macquarie University Master of Applied Finance program is suited for professionals who are keen to enhance their core and specialised skills in applied finance for their continued career progression. It is a good entry point for those wanting increased involvement in the financial services sector and especially useful for those considering a change of career from other industries such as Engineering.

Testimonial from graduate who had engineering background

Tomas Vasquez - Associate Analyst, Small/Mid Caps, ABN AMRO Australia

"Macquarie’s Master of Applied Finance Program has certainly helped my career progression. I decided to change my career from Engineer to Finance, and I was looking for a postgraduate qualification which could assist me to find a job in the finance sector. With lectures based on industry experience, the course materials were practical and directly relevant to the real market place. In addition, it was a great networking opportunity for me to meet Australian students who were already working in Australian finance sector."

Source: http://www.mafc.mq.edu.au/testimonials.htm

Unique Offshore Delivery Points

Students may take the program in any one of the 5 delivery points:

1. Beijing, China
   http://www.mafc.mq.edu.au/files/brochures/brochure_Beijing_2008.pdf
2. Tokyo, Japan
   http://www.mafc.mq.edu.au/files/brochures/brochure_Tokyo_2008.pdf
3. Also available in Singapore, Melbourne and Sydney.

Master of Applied Finance – specialisations in

- Funds Management
- Corporate Finance
- Instruments and Valuation
- Risk Management

• Portable between centres (Beijing, Tokyo, Singapore, Sydney, Melbourne)
• Flexible program structure
• Practical and "Applied" Finance taught by industry Experts
• Educational Partner with the CFA and the PRMIA Institute
• Extensive range of topical elective units
• Graduate with a sound knowledge of financial instruments including derivatives, financial risk management techniques, capital market operations, corporate & project finance, portfolio analysis, investment management techniques, and legal issues in finance.
• Pre-requisites: 2 years work experience, bachelor’s degree, English proficiency.

A world of choice

Once you’ve made the life-changing decisions to study overseas, the next question is, of course, where? And the choice can take you far beyond the traditional international education hubs of the US, UK and Australia.

In fact, a recent UNESCO publication estimated that there are more than 70 countries with significant international student populations. And with so many of these countries teaching in English, you can study just about anywhere in the world.

So, how do you decide where to study? Is it more important to study in a country where English is spoken as its first language? Or do ‘non-traditional’ education destinations, such as China, France, Turkey and Japan (to name just a few) offer better value for money?

Four reasons for study

The actual decision of ‘where do I study?’ usually comes down to four key criteria:

International recognition and reputation: Will your qualification be recognised in other countries? Will it help you get a better job?

Culture and lifestyle: What will student life be like? What kind of cultural experience will you have? Will you have the chance to make friends from around the world?

Financial: Are tuition and living expenses affordable? What sort of financial aid or scholarships are available?

Languages: What language will you be taught in? Do you speak it well enough to study well? What other languages can you learn while you study? Will you be able to practice these languages in real life situations?

A world-class degree, closer to home

According to the recent QS Graduate application research report, for over 70% of international graduate students international recognition is the most important factor. But within each country there is an abundance of choice: universities and colleges with different rankings, reputations and areas of expertise. And now that many American, English and Australian universities have campuses in ‘off-shore’ locations, the choice is even broader.

For example, you can study for a Canadian MBA through McGill’s Tokyo campus. Or graduate with a Business Degree from Australia’s Edith Cowan University by studying in Kenya or Zambia. Or fast-track your way through one of the world’s best, and most global, MBA Programs at any of the Hult International Business School campuses: Boston, London, Dubai or Shanghai.

These ‘off-shore’ campuses give students access to the same world-class teachers and support team as their on-campus students. They can also provide opportunities to continue your study in other countries, or immigration credit points to help you work abroad. And by studying closer to home, geographically, you can save money on travel and also combine work or other family commitments with your study.

For Takashi Tsutsumi, studying with McGill in Japan provided two key benefits: “I was able to work and get my MBA at the same time and had no need to go to North America for a North American MBA.  I'm happy with my decision to join the program, due to the quality of the professors and classmates, the reputation of McGill and the fact that there is no compromise in the content versus what I would find in North America."

Around half the students in Takashi’s class were English-speaking Japanese, and the half came from countries as diverse as Canada, Brazil, Belgium and India. As well as studying a high-ranking North American MBA, they had a unique cultural experience in Japan, and the opportunity to also learn a second (or third) language. And this is, ultimately, what many more employers look for in an increasingly global economy.

Learn another language (or two!)

It is becoming more common for international students to get their bachelor degree in their own country, a postgraduate qualification in another country, and then work in a third country. So, on top of studying both your qualification and improving your English, it pays to learn a third or fourth language too.

Sounds exhausting? It doesn’t have to be – by studying in a country where English is not spoken in everyday life, you’ll acquire it out of school hours without much effort. This is one reason why more international students study in Europe than any other region. And France is leading the way in providing English-language tuition, especially at its many business schools.

Vatel International Business School offers international hotel management and tourism degrees at 21 schools on four continents. Its main campus is in Paris, and all three levels of degree (bachelor, master or MBA) are taught in English.

Sharda, from India, graduated with a Masters degree in international hotel management from Vatel in France: “I looked into the possibility of studying in the USA, Canada and Switzerland, but I finally chose France. With 75 million foreign tourists per year, it is the most visited country in the world. For me, it was therefore the best place to learn all the ins-and-outs of the art of receiving guests, Western style.

I chose to come and study at Vatel because the teaching is in English, but I also have the opportunity to learn French. I also knew that I would have the opportunity to study with students who come from the four corners of the world, and this is important for those of us who want to work in hotel or tourism management, as we need to familiarise ourselves with other cultures.”

A truly global future for education

The world is shrinking. More businesses, of all sizes, need employees with language skills and an understanding and awareness of different cultures. And the same applies to non-business careers – research, government, science and design all look to the world.

No matter where you choose to study, you’ll have a competitive edge in this new world. A world where we all think and talk in the same language, and understand the same values. A world without borders? It may just be possible.

Meet, share and learn: join the StudyLink networks

Like millions of people worldwide you probably already have a Facebook, Orkut or Friendster page (or maybe all three!)

So next time you’re online checking out what your friends are up to, make sure you also visit the StudyLink forums on these sites. It’s a quick and simple way to get the information and advice you need to study overseas.

The StudyLink social networking sites are designed for you – to connect you with other international students who have the same plans, hopes and dreams.

By joining our virtual student community you can:

• Share ideas and information about studying overseas
• Meet students who have similar interests. You may even get to meet them in real life when you reach your study destination!
• Ask our student counsellors a quick question
• Discuss your successes and challenges as your plan your study abroad
• Get quick links to useful information about studying overseas and upcoming online events

To get the most from your StudyLink membership, make sure you:

• Check in regularly to see what’s new
• Post comments and answers
• Encourage your other friends to join in the fun
• Remember it’s a public space – if you have a private question or concern, just email one of our student counsellors.

How do I join?
It's very simple - follow the instructions below if you are already a member of Facebook, Orkut or Friendster. If you are not a member of any group yet, it is simple to sign up - just choose the network you would like to join and then follow the instructions below. Of course, you don't have to join them all!

Facebook
If you are already a member, just follow the link to the StudyLink Facebook page.
If you are not a member you need to sign up for Facebook, then search for StudyLink using the search box.

Orkut
If you are already a member, just follow the link to the StudyLink Orkut page .
If you are not a member you need to sign up for Orkut , then search for StudyLink using the search box.

Friendster
If you are already a member, log in to Friendster then search for StudyLink by clicking explore > search groups > and then type 'StudyLink' into the search box
If you are not a member you need to sign up for Friendster , then search for StudyLink by clicking explore > search groups > type 'StudyLink'

It’s easy and it’s free! We look forward to welcoming you to our wider StudyLink student community!

Global students look to Japan

Looking for a different kind of humanities education, and a second language that will really advance your career? The new Tama University School of Global Studies in Japan may be just what you are looking for.

Japanese is quickly becoming an important language skill in the global market of the 21st century. At the Japan Education Fair in Pune this month, over 1,000 prospective students talked with representatives from 13 national universities from Japan.

Pune, an IT and automobile hub in India, has been targeted by the Japanese Government as a potential education market. A growing number of Indian IT firms have also set up bases in Japan – in particular the Minato Mirai district, which is near the Tama University campus.

Tata Consultancy Services and Wipro Technologies, both among the top information technology companies in India, have operated from this city since 2002. “There are very good opportunities in terms of employment after graduation in Japan. But many Indian students don’t know about it,” said Umesh Joshi, vice-president of MOSAI (Mombusho Scholars Association of India).

Tama University’s School of Global Studies is located in the beachside neighbourhood of Shonan, south of Tokyo and Yokohama. The India International school is also in the same prefecture: a new school designed for the growing number of children of Indian nationals who are studying and working in Japan.

The School of Global Studies offers quite a different style of education in Japan. Modelled on American and European liberal arts university degrees, students are expected to participate in challenging class discussions, and develop both their knowledge and analytical skills. All classes are conducted in English, and there is opportunity to become fluent in Japanese while you study.

For more information on the courses available at the Tama University School of Global Business, talk with one our student counsellors.

Get the study/life balance right in Perth

For almost 60% of graduate students, culture and lifestyle is the second most important factor when it comes to choosing a study destination. And for undergraduate or English language students, it can be even more important.

When it comes to climate and lifestyle, it’s hard to beat Perth, the capital of Western Australia. With a Mediterranean climate, sandy beaches, vineyards, unique local animals and a safe, cosmopolitan city, it offers something for all interests. And it’s in the same time zone as Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong, and has only a one-hour time difference to Indonesia, Thailand, Korea and Japan.

All this – in one of the most affordable places to study in Australia. Perth’s living costs and tuition fees are lower than other Australian cities, and all international students receive a 40% discount on all public transport.

Richard Geddes, from Malawi, chose to do his MBA at Curtin University in Perth. “I had always wanted to travel to Australia and to experience the Australian culture and lifestyle… (plus) it was relatively cheaper to do my MBA in Perth when compared with other cities. Perth is a laid back city, where everyone is friendly to one another.”

Curtin offers a wide range of scholarships for international students, You can even subscribe online with Curtin, and receive updates on scholarships that are appropriate for your planned study. Curtain is also part of three AUSAid scholarship programs, and provides additional support for these students.

Azzaya Lkhachin, from Mongolia, was impressed by Curtin’s Introductory Academic Program. “Each of us at the program thought that we were the only ones who had problems speaking English understanding lecturers. We shared ideas and experiences on how to deal with these.”

The University of Western Australia (UWA) is one of the most prestigious universities in Australia. Amongst its many scholarships, it offers scholarships to Chinese students studying a PhD degree. The scholarships covers tuition fees, and may also include a living allowance.

Great climate, affordable study and the possibility of financial aid? Perth has it all. To find out which courses in Perth suit you, talk with one of our student counsellors.