Engineering the needs of industry

Leading the way: Professor Serge Demidenko with students Mr Ng Eng Hsiung and Ms Asmah Truky.

An agreement between Monash University Malaysia and Motorola is helping meet industry needs while developing the campus as a centre of excellence in electronic design. RAHMAH DAUD reports.

Professor Serge Demidenko had always believed that by working together, universities and industry could better meet the needs of the electronic sector. So when he was invited to tour the Motorola Semiconductor Products Sector Facilities in Petaling Jaya last year, he didn't hesitate.

The visit helped establish a strong collaboration between Motorola and Monash University Malaysia and sparked a range of joint initiatives that included the introduction of a new elective in electronic test technology for final-year engineering students and increased industrial placements of students with the company. It also provided industry-inspired topics for final-year undergraduate projects and postgraduate theses as well as quality co-supervision by industry specialists.

Professor Demidenko said such linkages were a means of addressing industry needs while sustaining the university's competitive advantage.

"This symbiotic approach will definitely create a win-win situation for both Monash and Motorola," he said. "The university will benefit tremendously from the collaboration, as it provides students with specialised skills while preparing them for the workplace."

Professor Demidenko said that when he joined Monash in June 2003, he was excited by the tremendous opportunities for strategic partnering between academia and the electronics industry due to the sector's growth potential.

Now chair of electrical and computer systems engineering at Monash Malaysia, he is currently working towards establishing links with Intel and other major world semiconductor and electronic companies represented in Malaysia.

"The semiconductor industry is doing very well in that country, contributing about 30 per cent of the total manufactured exports in that country over the past 20 years."

Professor Demidenko said the collaboration with Motorola, Malaysia's largest integrated circuit fabrication facility, has provided Monash Malaysia with training and laboratory equipment to facilitate the delivery of the electronic test technology course, while the university has contributed curriculum development, teaching and strong industry-oriented research.

"As high-end industrial test equipment is extremely expensive, Motorola has provided the university with the special simulator software and hardware components to train students on the theory and techniques of electronic testing," he said. "Student interest in signing up for the elective has been overwhelming."

The new elective involves 13 weeks of lectures and six laboratory sessions, as well as practical sessions at Motorola's plant.

As part of a long-term strategy, Motorola has indicated that it would be interested in extending the program by offering postgraduate scholarships for research in the area of test technology. It is also keen to support research by Monash academics in areas relevant to the industry.

Professor Demidenko said that by positioning Monash Malaysia as a centre of excellence in electronics research, it was hoped the best brains from around the region would be attracted to undertake research at the campus.

"This will also be in line with Malaysia's strategic drive from pure manufacturing towards high value-added areas such as electronic design and advanced packaging technology, as well as research and development in microsystems."

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For more information, email Professor Serge Demidenko at serge.demidenko@engsci.monash.edu.my.