Exposing Student to Industry Experience Through Design Competition and Experience Talk

mohd khairulanwar mohd dahuri

On 14th July 2020, Bachelor of Science (Industrial Design) program under Razak Faculty of Technology and Informatics (RFTI), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) had organized a Smart Home Organizer Design Competition, a furniture design related competition as part of the academic requirement for its 2nd-year students.

The furniture design competition was a collaborative project between Infinite Flexible PLT and Bachelor of Science (Industrial Design) program . One of the Executive Directors of Infinite Flexible PLT, Mr. Woo Han Sian is the alumni from the same program who graduated in 2014.

The main objective of the competition was to provide a platform to expose students with real industry experience and at the same time build their confidence in showcasing their own work. The competition was also expected to encourage students to enhance their creativity and innovativeness mainly in furniture design.

The submission by all 2nd-year students for the competition successfully displayed their creativity and innovation ability.

All of the evaluation processes were done online via WEBEX. The panels of the evaluation were Mr. Woo Han Sian from Infinite Flexible PLT and two lecturers from the Industrial Design Program, Associate Professor Ahmad bin Khalid and Dr. Mohd Khairulanwar bin Mohd Dahuri.

The judging criteria for the competition were based on several aspects namely, innovation, aesthetic, functionality, ergonomics, durability, impact, utility, ecological compatibility, and reality of production.

Mr. Woo Han Sian and another Executive Director of Infinite Flexible PLT,Mr. Sim Kon Weu had also shared some of their experiences with the students during a short session on preparing self to become INNOPRENEUR.

This session highlighted the requirements, and preparations needed by the students in entering the real working environment. Students were accentuated to be more independent and equipped themselves with the necessary soft skills to secure a job upon graduation.

Additional knowledge in using software such as Computer Aided Industrial Design and Computer Aided Drafting will be a great advantage for students to be accepted for employment, particularly in the furniture and product design industry.

During an online welcoming session before the announcement of the winners, the Dean of RFTI, Associate Professor Dr. Astuty binti Amrin had expressed her thanks and gratitude to both Executive Directors of Infinite Flexible PLT in realizing the collaboration between university-industry and specifically to Mr. Woo Han Sian for his strong support in “giving back” to the university as the alumni.

The Dean also expressed her full appreciation for the time and energy spent, and not to forget the prizes given to students in helping the university to produce graduates that meet the industry needs. It is hoped that this kind of program will continue with the help of alumni and industry in preparing students with real-life reality.

The program continued with the winner announcement and prize-giving ceremony at 4.40 pm. The winner announcement session showcased the list of winners starting with the 3 consolation prize recipients followed by the third and second place winners.

Overall, a total of six winners were selected for the competition where the first three winners had respectively won cash (RM300, RM200, and RM100), trophy, and certificate. Meanwhile, another three winners were given RM 50 and a certificate each as the consolation prize. Certificates of participation were also given to all participants of the competition.