Electronic & electrical engineering: APAC’s spark of innovation

Information technology as a discipline is experiencing explosive growth. We create 2.5 quintillion bytes of data each day. From 2016 to 2018, we generated 90 percent of the world’s data. By 2020, the World Economic Forum projects that the entire digital world is expected to reach 44 zettabytes – that’s 21 zeroes altogether.  With the Internet of Things (IoT) and automation hot on our heels, things will only accelerate.

A big part of the credit for the infrastructure that makes all this possible goes to electrical and electronic engineers. These are the very people designing, developing, testing, and supervising the manufacturing of electrical equipment, from electric motors to Global Positioning System (GPS) devices, from communications systems to power generation equipment. The transformative epoch we live in was built on their backs.

The roles of these technologies will continue to be vital as we head into the Fourth Industrial Revolution, transforming how we live, work and relate to one another. At the forefront of the revolution will be the key people driving this change, and that includes experts in electrical and electronic engineering.

According to research by UK job search engine Adzuna, those who graduate with a degree in electronic engineering are set to power ahead of competition and secure a job related to their course soon after graduation. As the study states, “Electronics engineering graduates can choose from the highest number of job opportunities directly related to their course, with 15,101 job vacancies currently on offer linked to this qualification.”

Source: NUS, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

As Singapore swings into full Smart Nation mode – a national initiative to harness infocomm technologies, networks and big data to create tech-enabled solutions – it will need 1,000 new engineers every year just for public infrastructure projects. With IoT an essential element of the project, the country is planning to make “every lamp post a smart lamp post” with sensors. Together with autonomous vehicles, this will create a huge demand for microelectronics – the brain of these devices.

What this growth means for postgraduate students is more jobs, more diverse roles, greater demand and more investment in new research areas for electronic engineering in APAC. It’s the perfect time to advance one’s qualifications in this field.

These are the top four universities well-renowned for electronic engineering in APAC:

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONIC AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING – HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (HKUST)

HKUST’s Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering (ECE) is part of an international research university with strong ties to global thought leaders. All courses are conducted in English, the university’s medium of instruction.

Source: HKUST, Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering

Offering three types of Master of Science – Telecommunications, IC Design Engineering, Electronic Engineering – as well as MPhil and PhD in ECE, future industry leaders receive training and knowledge that benefit from a strong research culture. HKUST is ranked 16^th in 2018 Global University Employability Ranking, 2^nd in Hong Kong and 37^th globally in the 2019 QS World University Rankings. In the 2019 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, it is ranked 23^rd globally in Engineering & Technology.

When you study with the Department of ECE, you will have access to advanced research facilities and world-class teaching from a distinguished faculty with extensive experience and intellectual rigour. Its ideal location in Hong Kong means students and researchers benefit from a Western-style education, academic freedom and free access to information. At the same time, it benefits from strong links with industry, including those in Mainland China, the largest and most technologically-advanced economy in the world.

These comprehensive educational strategies highlight HKUST’s commitment in producing well-rounded graduates, with strong entrepreneurial spirits and innovative thinking – the necessary foundation and skills for the changing world.

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING – NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE

Established in 1969, the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering has empowered thousands of leaders for electronic engineering in APAC. What started with just 30 students and 10-15 academic staff members is now one of the foremost leaders in electrical and computer engineering education.

Source: NUS, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Through its undergraduate and postgraduate courses, the Department provides students the scientific and engineering fundamentals, as well as unique business and research opportunities. Over 80 tenure-track and teaching faculty teach and train the 1700 undergraduate, masters, and doctoral students here.

Two full-time and one part-time degree programmes are offered at the undergraduate level: Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical Engineering) and Bachelor of Engineering (Computer Engineering), with the option to specialise in the Internet-of-Things, and in Robotics. The part-time programme is the Bachelor of Technology (Electronics Engineering).

At the postgraduate level, there are three research degrees: Master of Engineering (MEng), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Engineering Doctorate (EngD), and a coursework-based degree, Master of Science (Electrical Engineering). Areas of specialisation to choose from include Automation & Control Engineering, Communications Engineering, Computer Engineering, Nanoelectronics, or Power & Energy Systems.

SCHOOL OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING – UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE

Ranked 43^rd in the world in the discipline, Adelaide’s School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering and part of Australia’s prestigious Group of Eight, this university is the ideal setting for those looking for a world-class education in electronic engineering in APAC.

Source: University of Adelaide, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Choose from the Double Degrees (Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) with Bachelor of Finance, Science or Mathematical and Computer Sciences), a Combined Degree (Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)(Electrical and Electronic) and Bachelor of Arts) or the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)(Electrical and Electronic).

For postgraduate studies, choose either Graduate Diplomas (Engineering (Electrical) or Engineering (Electronic)) or Masters by Coursework (Engineering (Electrical) or Engineering (Electronic)).

At the beautiful North Terrace campus, students can also choose from a range of exciting, industry-relevant majors and minors. Majors designed to enhance your knowledge and practical skills include Communication Systems, Defence Systems and Medical Technologies. Meanwhile, you can pursue minors in Entrepreneurship and Humanitarian.

Vaishali Ghosh, Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Electrical and Electronic) student, said: “The University of Adelaide has helped me bridge the gap between high school and work life and equipped me with skills that set me apart and make me a success in the workforce.”

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING – UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND

At Auckland, three specialisations are key to the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering: Computer Systems, Electrical and Electronic, and Software Engineering, You can pursue a Bachelor of Engineering and Master of Engineering Studies (MEngSt) in these three major areas.

Source: University of Auckland, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

For the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, students cover the discipline’s foundations so they can adapt to the industry’s rapid pace of change. Commencing in the second year of the BE(Hons), students will be exposed to essential skills in electrical materials and electronic devices, circuit theory, software design and mathematical modelling tools.

Meanwhile, the Master of Engineering in Electrical and Electronic Engineering comes with many opportunities to undertake projects in collaboration with world-class and internationally recognised researchers involved in designing real-world applications in areas such as Forensics, Audio and Biometrics, as well as power electronics.

Student can expect an active method of teaching and learning here. The Part IV Project, where students tackle significant problems as they would in a professional career, encourages independent thought and action. For an average about 10 hours per week on the project from early March to end of September, students work in groups of two under the direction and continuing guidance of a project supervisor and a co-supervisor.

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

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