Hands-on route to higher education

He likes to get his hands dirty if it helps solving problems. Mr Au Wei Keong, 22, likes to put his practical knowledge to good use under such circumstances.

That was why he chose to study engineering after his O l evels.Mr Au, who graduated with a diploma in Bioengineering from Singapore Polytechnic (SP) in 2009, is now a full-time student at Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS).

He is in the second year of the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering programme at MDIS.The degree is awarded by the University of Bradford, UK.

Mr Au was granted exemption from the first year because of his polytechnic diploma.He enrolled in the three-year programme in September last year and will graduate next year.Mr Au said: 

“I like maths and did well in the subject at school. “I also like a more practical approach to solving problems.“

I did not study biology before enrolling in the polytechnic,but after my diploma course, I realised biology or biology-related courses were not for me.So I switched to a more conventional engineering field when I enrolled at MDIS.”

QUALITY LECTURERS 

After graduating from SP, Mr Au chose to further his education at MDIS because of the quality of the lecturers and the fact that they were able to offer a full-time engineering degree programme. 

He said: “After my national service, I looked for engineering courses at other private educational institutions but suitable full-time ones were hard to find.“

My parents did not wantmeto work and study at the same time, but I had not much of a choice.“Then I heard about the University of Bradford programme at MDIS and I liked it very much.” 

Mr Au attends classes at MDIS from 3.30pm to 6.30pm, four days a week.“

The lecturers are very experienced and share many of their work experiences during their lectures. “For example, our Technology Operation Management lecturer shares with us about the various methods of single and mass-production of building materials, where each method is used, and how these materials are later used in projects like buildings, houses, etc.“

Thanks to her detailed explanations, I have a better understanding of production methods and the various steps involved in mass production or customised production of materials.“This will be useful if I go into business later,” he said.

After graduation, Mr Au plans to become a teacher as heloves working with children. He said: “My learning experience at MDIS has been very enjoyable.“If anyone is considering pursuing an engineering degree programme overseas, I would ask him or her to consider MDIS first, as you can pursue a similar course within Singapore and be close to friends and family.”

Why MDIS

For Mr Au Wei Keong, 22, the Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS) is his choice for higher education in Singapore. He feels it equips him well for the workforce in future. The MDIS Campus in Stirling Road has state-of-the-art classrooms, life sciences and computer laboratories, a hospitality training centre, a mass communications studio, engineering laboratory and a gymnasium.

 It is also Wi-Fi enabled, allowing students access to the Net anywhere on campus.The MDIS Campus at Dhoby Ghaut, another learning centre, is also well-equipped.MDIS also enhances students’ learning experiences with the Blackboard Learning System and video streaming technology which allow online access to lecture notes, learning resources and recorded lessons, any time and anywhere.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants for Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Electricaland Electronic Engineering must have:

 - A levels with at least three Cs, including Mathematics andPhysics

-  MDIS Diploma or Higher Diploma in Engineering

-  Polytechnic graduates with a diploma in a relevant discipline maye nter at Year 2

- Other equivalent qualifications from recognisedinstitutions will be considered on a case-by-case basis

For morei nformation on the programmes, call 6247-9111 or 6372-1000, e-mail etc@mdis.edu.sg or visit www.mdis.edu.sg.

By: Managment Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS)

Source:[The New Paper 27032012] © Singapore Press Holdings Limited. 

Reproduced with permission.