Asia-Pacific: Leaders of Electrical Engineering

“There’s nothing I believe in more strongly than getting young people interested in science and engineering, for a better tomorrow, for all humankind.” – Bill Nye

According to data from Engineers Australia, there’s never been a better time to pursue a career in engineering then now. The forum states that out of all the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects, engineering graduates seem to boast the best prospects, with almost 79 percent finding full-time work within four months of graduation. In addition to finding work, graduate engineers are able to command a higher starting salary, which certainly serves as an incentive to advance through this dynamic field.

Despite being one of the world’s oldest known professions, engineering still thrives in the digital age. The Wall Street Journal reports, for example, that demand for engineers in Germany has surpassed the nation’s supply, paving the way for foreign-born students to study and enter the field. Meanwhile, in emerging countries like India and beyond, demand for electrical engineers continues to grow as these countries keep pace with the world’s rapid technological advances.

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Though the field is historically dominated by men, more and more women are urged to pursue a meaningful career in the field. According to the Australian government, strategies that encourage girls to study STEM-based subjects have been designed and implemented. As of now, only one in four IT graduates and fewer than one in 10 engineering graduates are of the female sex; the new strategies seek to alter these figures by supporting primary school students, post-graduates, and women in pursuit of valuable STEM careers.

According to Prospects UK, an engineering education – particularly one specialising in the electrical field – can be extremely versatile, allowing you to work in several areas relating to your field. “Electronic and electrical engineers are highly employable and can find work in many industries, including electronics, automotive, IT, telecoms, manufacturing, power, transport, utilities and construction,” the website cites.

So, if you have an interest in problem-solving and developing new gadgets, it’s worth considering the pursuit of a degree in electrical engineering. Here are some leading universities in the Asia-Pacific that could help you make that leap into the diverse world of engineering…

SCHOOL OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING, THE UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE – AUSTRALIA

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Achieving a five star QS rating, the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering is known worldwide for its innovative teaching methods, research-driven projects, and ability to produce work-ready graduates with high employment rates. Accredited by Engineers Australia, the undergraduate and postgraduate course work qualifications* on offer are highly ranked and internationally-recognised, allowing you to work as an engineer anywhere in the world.

Students pursuing an undergraduate Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering can choose from five majors: Autonomous Systems, Biomedical Engineering, Communication Systems, Computer Engineering and Renewable Energy. All students complete a major design project and showcase their research at Ingenuity – an exhibition that celebrates tomorrow’s technology leaders.

The school also offers postgraduate course work degrees in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, as well as research degrees that can lead to a Master or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree. Postgraduate students in Electrical and Electronic Engineering benefit from the strong support provided by academic staff in both coursework and research. The School’s programmes are further strengthened by world-class research conducted by staff and students.

Pursuing an engineering degree at the University of Adelaide gives students opportunities to build a network of industry links via internships, scholarships, and the chance to work alongside award-winning researchers. To top it off, you’ll be studying in a vibrant, affordable city in one of the world’s most beautiful countries.

*The postgraduate Master of Engineering programs are provisionally accredited by Engineers Australia.

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG

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Serving Hong Kong since 1961, the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Hong Kong has been making an impact on the well-being and development of the country through the creation and improvement of power systems, computers and information processing. The Department offers three undergraduate programmes which are Computer Engineering, Electronic Engineering and Electrical Engineering, as well as several minors.

The School also offers numerous taught postgraduate degrees including MSc (Eng) in Energy Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Building Services Engineering, and Electronic Commerce and Internet Computing. There are also options to study a research degree at both the Master and PhD level in the following areas: Biomedical Engineering in Communications and Networking Systems, Electronics and Optics, Energy Systems and Electric Vehicles, and Signal Processing and Control Systems. The institution is well-known for producing academics whose publications have attracted top citations, landing it among the top one percent of most cited scholars in the field.

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND – NEW ZEALAND

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Research is at the core of Auckland’s Engineering School, enabling staff and students to participate in interdisciplinary projects and collaborate with public and private organisations, research institutions, and industry at large. The School builds on experience and innovation of researchers to provide students with the best in learning and research. Students can choose from three comprehensive and flexible undergraduate degree, including Computer Systems, Electrical and Electronic, and Software Engineering.

Both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees are accredited by the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ), meaning your education will be recognised anywhere overseas. The School also offers a Master of Engineering, Master of Engineering Studies and Doctor of Philosophy in several areas. Some of the top-notch research resources provided include the Robotics and Intelligent Systems Laboratory, Industrial Automation and Informatics Laboratory, Centre for Automation and Robotic Engineering Science (CARES), and Distributed Embedded Intelligence Room (DEIR).

SCHOOL OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND (UQ) – AUSTRALIA

Offering an expansive choice of engineering specialisations, the University of Queensland’s nationally- and internationally-accredited Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) degrees are great for students seeking a wider range of majors. Specialisations offered include Mining, and Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering. First-year students are also given the flexibility to experience the core engineering courses before deciding on a specialisation during Year Two.

Image courtesy of the University of Queensland

Besides a great variety of academic programmes, the School is known for its industry collaboration and outstanding student facilities. All participants are required to complete a professional practice placement prior to graduation to get them ready for the real, working world. The University is a popular choice among women considering a career in engineering due to its innovative UQ Women in Engineering programme; created to support prospective and current female engineering students, the programme gives women access to scholarships, guest lectures and leadership opportunities.

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING, SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY – SOUTH KOREA

This University provides so much more than a well-balanced, research-orientated education for all students; according to Prof. Byoungho Lee, Chairman of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, the Department aims to nurture the creative minds of students while equipping them with the skill set needed to succeed in the fields of electronics, electrical, or computer engineering.

Students who pursue an undergraduate degree learn the basics of mathematics and physics before choosing a specific major. And if you’ve dreamed of being able to travel while you, the Department boasts student exchange programmes with several universities including Stanford, Harvard, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Additionally, if you’re truly serious about pursuing higher education, the school offers several scholarships, before and after admission, for those who may not have access to sufficient funds.

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International

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