Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS Hosted it's 11th 'Technology, Education and Career' (6-7 Apr 2011)

Technology, Education and Career is an annual event of Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, organised by Students Representative Council (SRCUTP) and the Career Advisory Services Unit of Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS since 2001. Prof. Dr. Zakaria Abas, Special Advisor for Minister of Higher Education Malaysia officiated the annual event representing Y.B. Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled Bin Nordin, Minister of Higher Education. The purposes of organising TEC are manyfolds and they are, amongst others, as follows: To strengthen the University's relationship with the industries mainly in the areas of human capital development; To provide the opportunities for our students to acquire first-hand information regarding the participating companies - this in turn will assist the students in charting their future career; To provide our students the opportunity to interact with the participating companies' personnel and gain inside knowledge on the criteria demanded by employers in selecting prospective employees; To allow our students, especially those who are involved in organising this event, the opportunity to learn the experience of organising an event. This is more so since the students are fully responsible in organising TEC 2009 from the planning stage up to its execution level. The pre-TEC programme was held from the month of January until March. The activities that make up the first stage of TEC were Educational Trip and Strategic Planning, Academic Seminars, Job Interview Workshop, Career Talks, Intern-share Forum, Career Seed and interview sessions by corporate companies. Students were exposed to the career opportunities available at the corporate companies and were given tips on preparing resumes and cover letters. The second stage of TEC, conducted from 6 to 7 April, 2011, started with the Officiating Ceremony and followed by the exhibition by the sponsors of TEC XI. The event was held to give an overall view about the real scenario of the working world to the undergraduates while generating independent UTP graduates in their future professions. Independent graduates are graduates that are flexible and possess multi-skills to satisfy the current job market expectations. TEC XI was based on the theme “The Gateway to Success” to commemorate its 11th year of establishment. The events in TEC XI were provided as platforms for undergraduates from UTP as well as other universities and school students to develop their soft skill, improve their competency and interact with each other. TEC XI also aimed to realise UTP's vision as a higher learning institution where methods of shaping intellectual and competitive society in this globalise and K-Economy world are practised. The programmes in TEC were designed to increase interaction between undergraduates and representatives from various industry sectors. This would help our future graduates to find suitable employers and industries that are relevant to their qualifications and interests. Besides that, it is also an opportunity for employers from government agencies and private firms to explain the job prospects offered at their respective companies. Students, especially those going for their industrial training and those who are graduating are encouraged to come for the interview sessions to expose themselves to the proper techniques of job application and the preparations needed to go into interviews. This is very much stressed as it plays a big part in determining whether they will secure a job or not. Through TEC, it is hoped that students’ preference towards technology and gaining knowledge on applying technology will be boosted. The current job trend is to seek more professionals in the engineering and technology fields as these fields are identified as the main drive in economy that is based on knowledge economy. Also present at the event were Yang Berbahagia Datuk Dr. Zainal Abidin Hj. Kasim, Vice Chancellor of UTP as well as UTP management, exhibitors, staff and students. Besides the UTP community, approximately 1500 visitors from other universities, polytechnics, secondary and primary schools also attended this event.    Among the companies that took part in TEC XI were PETRONAS, SHELL, TALISMAN, TECHNIP Geoproduction, SBM Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Cameron International Malaysia System Sdn Bhd and Sapura Crest Petroleum Berhad.