IED Pilot Tests Set a Bold Standard for Future-Ready Learning
Students experimenting with ‘Drinking Bird’ during the Thermodynamics pilot test
June 6, 2025 – The Integrated Engineering Department (IED) at Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) has taken a major step forward with the successful completion of its Year 1 pilot tests, conducted between 16 May and 10 June 2025. These pilots marked the first practical trial of the university’s new Bachelor of Integrated Engineering curriculum - Malaysia’s first undergraduate programme that blends mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineering into a single, interdisciplinary experience.
Spanning six foundational modules, including Introduction to Integrated Engineering, Quantitative Engineering Analysis 1 & 2, Fluid Synergy, Thermodynamics, Solid Mechanics, and Reimagine Engineer, the pilot tests gave students a taste of the IED way of learning - active, applied, and authentic.
Among the highlights were:
• Replicating the Saloma Bridge using only Pringles
• Building a floating boat based on mathematical principles
• Applying the double diamond design method
• Assembling a functional solar car and Arduino board
• Hands-on experiments with the ‘Drinking Bird’
These activities were more than just engaging - they were engineered to foster systems thinking, creativity, teamwork, and confidence. Students weren’t merely solving problems; they were becoming engineers. They responded with enthusiasm, noting how the pilot tasks allowed them to explore, brainstorm, and create - giving them a sense of ownership and joy in learning.
Here's a testimony from student survey form:
“I never thought building a bridge out of chips would teach me so much about load distribution and teamwork. It made me feel like a real engineer.”
– Pilot Test Participant
Observers from across faculties affirmed the instructional quality, highlighting:
• Clear objectives and purposeful learning
• Structured, well-organised activities
• High levels of student participation and enthusiasm
• Real-world relevance in tasks and challenges
• Effective use of tools and materials
These pilot tests reflect more than a trial run, they represent IED’s commitment to developing graduates who are not just job-ready, but future-ready. Aligned with global engineering trends and input from industry, the programme nurtures vital 21st-century skills: collaboration, design thinking, AI literacy, and sustainability awareness.
As the department now moves into Year 2 and Year 3 curriculum development, feedback from these pilots will be used to refine learning experiences and elevate instructional design. Each iteration strengthens the programme’s goal, to produce engineers who are adaptable, interdisciplinary, and capable of leading change.
