Study of Critical Success Factors in Engineering Education Curriculum Development Using Six-Sigma Methodology

Highly skilful and competent human capital especially engineers are critically needed to accelerate and contribute efficiently towards the development of technology in view of spearheading much of Malaysia’s transformation agendas. Hence, Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) are required to play a pivotal role to produce graduates, who are equipped with sound engineering based knowledge, technical competencies along with related desired attributes to support the nation’s transformation roadmap. As employability of graduates forms as one of the important Key Result Areas (KRA) of all IHL, interesting active learners teaching methodologies such as Outcome Based Education (OBE), Problem Based Learning (PBL), Project Base Learning, Case Based Learning (CBL) and TRIZ has been infused in the curriculum to ensure that connectivity prevails between classroom instructions and the curriculum contents besides producing industry ready graduates. However, rapid technological development at work front has created an impact towards employment of graduates, which calls for an immediate redefining of current technical attributes to cultivate elements of creativity or “out of box” thinking approach to spark ideas of highly innovative that are of commercial value to generate revenue for the sustainability of businesses. Hence, this study is to determine the critical success factors required in engineering education curriculum to produce engineering graduates of global minded workforce where adaptability to new conditions and creativity for innovations are much sought after by industries. (Abstract by authors

Critical Success Factors in Six Sigma Implementation - A Case Study of MNCs in Malaysia

Research objective is to survey Six Sigma implementation in Malaysian Multinational Corporation (MNCs) and identify the Critical Success Factors (CSFs) these companies use in ensuring its successful implementation. Research is anchored to the method of exploratory survey conducted via online among MNCs using Six Sigma in Malaysia. Preliminary findings of influence breakdown of each CSF results in with Management Commitment (85%), Absorption (95%), Cultural Influence (85%), Project/Process Assessment (100%) and Training & Awareness (100%). Detailed statistical analysis concluded CSFs that have direct impact in Six Sigma implementation are Management Commitment, Absorption, Project/Process Assessment and Training & Awareness. We have through this study established a clear guideline on CSFs necessary to adopt in order to ensure the correct implementation of Six Sigma in organizations. It is envisaged that local Malaysian companies’ will use these findings as reference on the initiative of implementing Six Sigma methodologies in their business.(Abstract by authors

Impact of International Environmental Management System on Sustainability Index benchmarking for Small and Medium Enterprise

Sustainability is becoming an important tool towards our better future. More and more companies are looking into sustainability as their prime focus. Sustainability encompasses responsibilities towards social, energy, water, pollution and economic factors. Sustainability is the ability to sustain. One of the key factors considered for Sustainability Index (SI) is the implementation of international environmental management system, typically ISO 14001 system. As per Malaysian government estimates, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) contribute 37 per cent in the gross domestic product (GDP) of Malaysia by 2010.The objective of the study is to understand the impact of international environmental management system implementation by SME on sustainability index benchmarking. Positive and negative impacts besides concerns for implementing ISO 14001 management system were evaluated. Major barriers were identified as training, resources and cost. Recommendations for implementing environmental management system for SMEs include integration of management systems, eco-mapping, greening of supply chain and corporate reporting. Implementation of environmental management system has a strong bearing on the sustainability index benchmarking. (Abstract by authors

Classifying Quality Attributes Using Service Gaps and Kano's Method

This paper attempts to compare the classification of quality attributes using and Kano's method and the service gaps method proposed by Kong and Muthusamy (2011). Expectation and perception data from 80 articles were systematically reviewed. Only two articles with classification of quality's attributes by Kano's method were identified. Four service quality factors were apparent from this study, and eight of the quality attributes were found to be the same by both methods. Service gaps could indeed be used to classify quality attributes, besides for evaluation of service quality and customer satisfaction. (Abstract by authors

Study of the Effectiveness of the Implementation of Washington Accord in Malaysia's Engineering Undergraduate Programme Using SEM

Transformation of engineering undergraduate programs towards global practice of outcomes based accreditation (OBA) entails a huge challenge to universities as there is mounting pressure for infusion of desirable and yet measurable graduate competencies into its offered programs in order to fulfil professional bodies accreditation criteria. Hence, in view of providing a sense of direction to the local engineering education community, Washington Accord (WA) ensures that accredited programmes synonymously mean that its graduates are equipped with 12 professional abilities obtained through an innovative outcomes-based engineering programme. However, further complication unfolds as industries are continuously evolving to meet rapid global demand and practice; hence defining set of competencies that can accurately map attributes outlined by industry with the aim of addressing “skill-gap” will continue to be a challenging endeavour for higher education sector. This paper intends to investigate the effectiveness of the OBA criteria outlined by WA in terms of attainment of graduate attributes which would enable graduates to take on challenging careers in the industry. Hence, the study will focus on identifying the relationship between the five outcome-based accredited criteria and the attainment of twelve graduate attributes outlined by WA in view of producing a conceptual framework which are then tested using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). (Abstract by authors

Criteria's for E-Learning Delivery Platform (ELDP) for Open and Distance Learning (ODL)

Open and Distance Learning (ODL) has been widely discussed by academicians and Information Technology (IT) personnel's in recent years. In an ODL system, E-Learning Delivery Platform (ELDP) plays an integral part that ensures learning materials delivered to users in the most effective and efficient manner. Identifyingth the selection criteria is very important and vital for a suitable ELDP system that will enhance and enrich the ODL At the same time, evaluation formats or check-sheets can be developed using the criteria's to evaluate various ELDP providers by the ODL provider. The criteria's can also be used to help the ELDP developer or provider to develop new systems and make further improvements from time to time. This paper gives a brief summary of the criteria's to select an ELDP system for delivering education via ODL envimment The criteria are required to satisfy the requirements hr courses such as arts, social science, business, management, IT, engineering, science, and so on. It also repments the multiple perspectives of the course developer, the course leaming-ware developer, the course lecturerhtor, the course e-learning administrive staff, the technical support stat the student and the ' university administration. (Authors' abstract

Soft technology transfer for Japanese MNCs in Malaysia : a conceptual model

This article examines the soft technology transfer for Japanese MNCs in Malaysia, based on knowledge-view model. The objective of this study is to verify the factors causing of soft technology transfer, technologists’ absorptive capacity and social capital. The interrelationships between absorptive capacity, social capital and soft technology transfer are formulated as conceptual models. (Abstract by authors

Computer Simulations of Pulsatile Blood Flow in Fusiform Models of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Flow dynamics have been investigated in model aneurysms under physiologically realistic pulsatile flow condition via computational modeling techniques. The computer simulations are based on finite element method. Vortex pattern emergence and evolution were evaluated. Throughout the bulge in all models regardless of size, the systolic flow was found to be forward-directed. Vortices were initially evident in the bulge during deceleration from peak systole and further expanded during the retrograde flow phase. Flow in larger models become increasingly unstable compared to smaller models. It was also noted that these unstable flow fields were much significant towards the distal half of the bulge models. This increased intensity of turbulent flow fields in larger models may contribute significantly to wall shear stress magnitude and subsequently contributing to higher rupture risks. (Abstract by authors