The international community program (I-SULAM) themed “Sustainable Engineering In Society 5.0” was successfully held on May 29, 2024, and May 30, 2024, at Azizstan Foundation School, Pattani, Thailand. This program is based on SULAM (Service-Learning Malaysia University for Society), which is an innovative teaching and learning strategy or pedagogy that integrates course learning objectives with community service, involving students interacting with the community to solve local problems using the knowledge and skills they learn in class. This program is a collaboration between ICAN College of Engineering Studies UiTM Shah Alam, HEP College of Engineering Studies UiTM Shah Alam, lecturers, and students of the College of Engineering Studies UiTM Shah Alam.
There were 5 lecturers involved in this program: Professor Ir. Dr. Mohd Fadzil Bin Arshad and Dr. Norazlan Bin Khalid from the School of Civil Engineering, Ir. Dr. Wan Norsyafizan Binti W. Muhamad from the School of Electrical Engineering, Dr. Asdarina Binti Yahya from the School of Chemical Engineering, and Associate Professor Ir. Ts. Dr. Bulan Binti Abdullah from the School of Mechanical Engineering Studies. There were also 5 students from each of the school involved as participants in this I-SULAM. The I-SULAM program aims to provide explanations and share knowledge in the field of engineering with students of Azizstan Pattani School Thailand. It can have a very good impact on students and attract students’ interest in the field of engineering. This international interaction can also strengthen relationships between different countries, Malaysia and Thailand.
This program has received a warm welcome from teachers and students of Azizstan school. The program was conducted according to groups of Azistan school students who had been divided into several groups. Each group chose one engineering specialization of interest, either civil engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, or mechanical engineering. Each school of engineering brought different project titles during the session with students at Azizstan school. Students from the School of Civil Engineering brought a project titled “Concrete Structure Integrity Assessment”. This project is a study and investigation of the integrity of concrete structures in school-owned buildings. A comprehensive explanation about the importance and methods of the study was implemented, such as visual inspection, concrete structure strength level testing (NDT Test), and data analysis. Next, students from the School of Chemical Engineering brought a project titled “Waste to Worth: Navigating Sustainability in Today’s World”.
This project is about how to turn waste disposal into something worthwhile, such as making soap from used oil and building bridges using used materials. Knowledge of chemical engineering is also used in relation to material mechanics, loading, pressure, and so on. Students from the School of Mechanical Engineering carried their project, “Renewable and Efficiency Energy”. This project explains the use of solar and air conditioning in using energy wisely. A more in-depth explanation about the advantages and disadvantages of solar was also given to Azizstan students. A practical session on how to handle and service air-conditioning was also implemented. Students from the School of Electrical Engineering presented the project “Empowering Students with IoT Driven Aquaponics System,” which is about an aquaponics project that can help communities in cultivating plants and fish even without agricultural land. This project is suitable for those who have limited agricultural land. The Azizstan school students who participated in this program were able to explore knowledge about each division of the engineering field. They also had the opportunity to conduct hands-on sessions with facilitators consisting of UiTM Shah Alam students and lecturers. There were also quiz activities provided to students to test their understanding of the engineering field. Each school of engineering studies had prepared prizes and project contributions to Azizstan school, Pattani Thailand for their willingness to receive the visit from UiTM and provide an opportunity to expand engineering knowledge to the students.
During the program, the delegation from UiTM also received a visit from the Thailand Education Department, to monitor the sharing session being conducted. This program ended successfully and had a positive impact on Azistan school students as well as students of the college of Engineering UiTM Shah Alam. There were several positive feedbacks from Azistan school students, namely that they admitted they were attracted to the field of engineering and wanted to continue their studies in engineering at the university level later and contribute to national development. They also felt excited because they could participate in an interesting program with international students. In conclusion, this program has had a very big impact on the College of Engineering UiTM Shah Alam and Azizstan Foundation School in collaborating to foster engineering knowledge and produce many graduates and students who are active in conducting international community activities.