INGENIEUR
and former Chairman of the Institution of Chemical Engineers Malaysia , shared his views on how the chemical engineer is able to work in multiple industries as we are trained to apply the fundamentals and solve problems in a very systematic way .
Professor Ir . Dr Abdul Aziz explained , “ We are process driven and value adding . What we study are fundamentals that can be applied in various industries . The core syllabus does not change . We add in enablers such as the application of software and new technologies .”
He added an analogy in how producing undergraduates is similar to the chemical engineering processes : The students are raw materials in a chemical reactor ( university ). We will have a residence time ( the time spent in the programme ) and the right pressure ( assignments , projects ), volume ( breadth of syllabus ) and temperature ( the author still recalls the heat of deadlines and exams ...) to produce the final product ( a graduate ). There is even a relief valve for the pressure in social activities !
Chemical Engineers are Everywhere Along my own career , I have encountered chemical engineers in these ponds : 1 . Manufacturing and Production ; 2 . Research and Development ; 3 . Engineering Consultancy , Design and
Services ; 4 . Contracting ; 5 . Risk Management ; 6 . Environmental Sustainability and Green
Technology ; 7 . Health and Safety ; 8 . Education ; 9 . Digital technology ; and 10 . Regulatory services . Ts Tania Jessica Lai , a chemical engineering graduate of Curtin University , shared , “ We can experience major career shifts and yet still be in chemical engineering . It is so diverse and flexible that you can be in process engineering or environmental engineering or even engineering flavours for the kitchen !”
Ts . Tania ’ s career started in Quality Assurance and eventually moved into Environmental , Health and Safety . She reflected , “ I have worked in industries such as feed production , insulator technology and building solutions . I am still able to touch these industries by solving problems in the chemical engineering way . This is what I call versatile .” Today , Ts . Tania is an Industry Advisory Panel member in Taylor ’ s University School of Computer Science and Engineering .
Bringing Versatility to Industry I tapped Ir . Dr Yeoh Hak Koon , an Engineering Manager and a former lecturer in chemical engineering for his insights into the needs of academia and industry .
“ I think the syllabus varies between universities . Some allow a wider latitude while others are more focused . Mass and energy balance , equipment design and selection , plant design , control loop development , are the core courses that enhance such versatility . Beyond these , computer programming , strength of materials , corrosion , introduction to civil and structural engineering , biotechnology , design codes , laws , finance , human factors , the arts of communication complement the wider reach ,” he elaborated .
In industry , he reminded , “ Although , we cannot do all the engineering calculations , we are more keenly aware of the needs and constraints posed by other dimensions of engineering . In short , systems thinking , and multi-disciplinary exposure makes chemical engineers versatile .”
Ir . Dr Yeoh did caution that we should guard against over-reaching and end up being jacks of all trade and experts of none . The core competency of mass and energy balance , control loop development , equipment design and selection must remain the chemical engineering specialty .
His comments struck a chord , as I reflected my days running projects — chemical engineers need to understand for example : foundations but not enough to design a plinth ; area classification but not enough to design electrical systems ; piping and instrumentation diagrams ( P & ID ) but not enough to design the instruments ; etc .
Preparing Future Chemical Engineers Professor Ir . Dr Abdul Aziz ’ s comment : “ We add in enablers such as application of software and new technologies ” echoed in my mind . How do we enable chemical engineers for the future ?
20 VOL 86 APRIL-JUNE 2021