On my first day in UTM as Faculty of Electrical Engineering student, I imagine that I would see UTM or FKE branded phone, computer or vending machine. I imagine everything electronics would have been designed by the faculty and be used widely around the faculty.
After 4 years in UTM, I found out that the main focus of the University is to create something new, something nobody has ever designed before. However, I feel that this is a waste of manpower.
We have the capability and knowledge of making our own computer, mobile phone, vending machine, and everything electronics. I think we should have a unit that designs and commercializes common electrical/mechanical products and have that be one of the endowment contributors.
I know of a Singapore polytechnic that is using their students to make mechanical and electrical machinery for company under supervision of their lecturer. These are machines that cost hundreds and thousands of dollars.
Some people might say that we do not want to make things that has already been made by someone because these are not research materials. Why should we make things like that? That will be their query.
But I remember listening to a story that a Korean University once developed a motherboard, then they ask everyone in the university to use that motherboard to support the university. Now the motherboard is worldwide. They are proud of Korean made stuff. Why are we not trying to make everything Malaysian even though it is already available.
A UTM branded MP3 player, mouse, keyboard, speaker, motherboard would bring UTM in the eyes of Malaysia.
Regarding business model, why don’t we do what everybody does. I have heard a quote before, “Whether it’s Apple or Samsung, both are made in China”. Apple product is only designed in California but Made in China.
This will equip our students with real world production process even though they are making something that is already available. This can contribute to endowment as well.
Basically, I would like to see real product design and fabrication in the University. That is what I hope to have during my studies. That would have been real experience for students before sending them to the real world.