As technology advances, industries around the world are undergoing significant transformation. Skilled professionals have become the driving force behind social progress and industrial innovation. With a well-developed education system and forward-looking educational philosophy, the University of Macau (UM) nurtures professionals in the vital field of electromechanical engineering, contributing to the development of related industries.
Progressive Learning Across Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD Programmes
The bachelor’s programme in electromechanical engineering at UM features a curriculum that emphasises both diversity and practicality. As an interdisciplinary field, electromechanical engineering ocuses on mechanical design, combining knowledge of mechanics, thermo-fluid engineering, materials, and manufacturing with mechatronics and control. Given the wide scope of the field, UM’s electromechanical engineering education is divided into four core areas: robotics and intelligent systems, advanced materials and manufacturing, thermo-fluid engineering, and building services. ‘Electromechanical engineering encompasses the essential systems of buildings which include HAVC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), fire protection, water supply and drainage, and electrical systems,’ explains Prof Kwok Chi Tat, head of the Department of Electromechanical Engineering. Undergraduate students are encouraged to explore all four areas to develop a broad skill set.
The master’s programme in electromechanical engineering focuses on specialised topics such as robotics and control, advanced materials and manufacturing, advanced thermo-fluid engineering, energy, and automotive engineering. Students can choose between a project report or an internship to fulfil their graduation requirement, reflecting the programme’s commitment to connecting theoretical knowledge with practical experience. At the PhD level, the emphasis shifts to research innovation in electromechanical engineering. Students have opportunities to collaborate with industry partners to enhance the practical value of their research. ‘The bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD programmes are closely connected, allowing students to progressively develop their applied professional skills at each stage,’ says Prof Kwok.
To keep pace with technological advancements, UM launched a master’s degree programme in robotics and autonomous systems in the 2023/2024 academic year. The programme covers cutting-edge fields such as mobile robotics, sensor technology, and artificial intelligence. A related bachelor’s degree programme is also under development, aiming to systematically cultivate related professionals for the electromechanical engineering field.
Building Diverse Practice Platforms
UM currently has 17 electromechanical engineering laboratories, including an intelligent unmanned systems laboratory, an automotive engineering laboratory, a robotics laboratory, and a solar energy laboratory. Prof Kwok explains, ‘The laboratories are essential facilities that support academic research. They also serve as platforms for students to practice and develop diverse skills.’
UM alumna Wong Po Kee began her academic journey at UM as an undergraduate and went on to earn a master’s degree and a PhD in electromechanical engineering. She is now working as an officer for laboratory and administrative affairs at UM, where she is responsible for laboratory management. Reflecting on her studies at the university, Wong credits group projects, presentations, experiments and visits with significantly improving her academic communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, all of which are essential skills for her current role. She also gained valuable hands-on experience through internships in Malta and Macao, where she worked on system design, production processes, facility maintenance, equipment management, and warehouse operations. ‘The Department of Electromechanical Engineering ensures that every theoretical concept is reinforced through practical application, which not only fosters innovative thinking and problem-solving skills, but also enables research outcomes to be applied in real-world contexts, making research more practical and relevant. This approach highlights the importance of combining theory with practice, and showcases UM’s outstanding achievements in developing students’ professional skills,’ Wong shares.
As head of the department, Prof Kwok encourages students to improve their professional skills. Since 2022, the department has organised students to take the National Building Information Modeling (BIM) Skill Level Exam to enhance their professional competence. Notably, faculty members who teach this area hold advanced BIM qualifications, allowing them to provide targeted student training. Professors also support students in national and international competitions as well as international conferences, where students consistently achieve outstanding results.
Diverse and High-Demand Career Opportunities
‘It is natural for engineering students to aspire to become engineers. However, obtaining professional certification requires recognised work experience. To address this, we work closely with industry partners to make it easier for students to achieve certification,’ says Prof Kwok. A good example of this collaboration is the success of nine UM graduates currently employed as engineers at Galaxy Macau. These graduates completed the two-year Scheme ‘A’ Training Programme developed by the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, where they gained practical experience through job rotations. The working hours they accumulated in the programme allowed them to fast-track their path to obtaining the internationally recognised qualification of registered engineer.
In addition to traditional engineering roles, graduates of UM’s electromechanical engineering programmes enjoy diverse career opportunities. According to tracking data from the past three years, 61% of graduates secured full-time employment within three months of graduation, 31% pursued further studies, and 1% started their own businesses. The remaining 7% were employed within six months of graduation. Key employment sectors included engineering contracting (42%), facility management (13%), and engineering consultancy (15%). Many graduates work in Macao government departments, public utilities, integrated resort engineering departments, and private engineering firms. Others have joined multinational corporations such as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Arup.
Lam Wai I, a second-year doctoral student at UM, sees her studies as a gateway to diverse career opportunities in professional equipment and system design, facilities management and maintenance, technical support, construction, large-scale electromechanical project design and management, construction drawing design, and on-site coordination. Previously, she interned in the sustainability department at Wynn Palace, where she gained valuable practical experience in the field. Now, as a doctoral student, she focuses on research on additive manufacturing, materials characterisation and their applications to prepare herself for real-world projects. ‘UM frequently organises events like Electromechanical Engineering Day, alumni sharing sessions, career talks, and industry visits. These activities not only broaden our perspectives but also help us build industry networks, which are valuable for students, whether they plan to enter the job market or start their own business,’ she shares.
Through specialised training and strong industry-academia collaboration, UM is dedicated to meeting industry needs. By integrating cutting-edge research and advanced technologies, the university strives to cultivate high-quality, practical talent for the engineering sector.
Text: Stella Kuan
Photo: Jack Ho, with some provided by the interviewees
English Translation: Gloria Kuok, Bess Che
Source: UMagazine ISSUE 31
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