UTP WILL BE LIKE MIT IN 5 YEARS

A friend who read my FB status about UTP will be like MIT in 5 years time asked, what is the plan, what is the mechanism that going to make this possible?

I answered by telling that it is the dynamic environment at UTP that going to make it possible.

You see, people at UTP are small in numbers thus it is easier to build the momentum and the momentum is there already.

Based on my observation, people in UTP are trained to work towards a common goal and it has been emphasized that along the away, continuos knowledge acquirement is one of the important keys to success.

Thus, wanting to learn more has been in the DNA of UTP and walla! this what we need.

So here is the plan. Me and my colleagues will make REVISION amongst ourselves on the fundamental topics i.e. engineering mathematics, mechanics and dynamics, finite element method and some computer programming. This all we need because other research knowledge and experience we got already.

With full commitment (not full time though, we will find times for this full commitment), we can cover these topics in two years. Meaning, after two years we will be equipped with the knowledge possesed by the supervisors at MIT.

The next three years is when we are going to put the knoweldge into action through research supervision and by the end of fifth year we can expect research output of MIT level.

So this is the plan. It is possible/feasible because of the dynamic environment at UTP that emphasizes on:

1. Working towards a common goal

2. The importance of continuous learning

On top, we are small in numbers, JUST LIKE MIT.

*for the time being, UTP referred herein specifically means Civil and Environmental Dept. of UTP.

WOKE TO A BEAUTIFUL MORNING

(Note: This article was written on 1st may, Labour day in FB)

I woke up to a happy morning all because of yesterday's events.

1. The department, during our meeting, has agreed to the proposal which Dr Ibrisam Akbar and I have prepared regarding the establishment of syllabus benchmarking committee. The department has also agreed that the benchmark will be made against Imperial College syllabus.

2. A senior staff has requested me to hold a workshop on Finite Element Method specially for the academic staff to which I immediately agreed.InsyaAllah we are going to have this end of May.

I am so happy because these only reinforced the fact that I have truely made a right and timely decision to be in UTP. To be in a progressive group where everybody wants to move forward as a team and at the same time knows what it takes and the quality to be aimed, is all I need, is where I want to be.

I told a colleague that our UTP will be like MIT in 5 years time. When asked how do I know? I answered, I know because I am going to work for it, we are going to work for it.

And the third event that made me a happy man today is when I was contacted by my very capable ex-student late last night, a very2 capable one indeed. She is so capable I was sad letting her go before (she was planning to study overseas). But now, she wants to be with me in UTP for her postgrad study.

I woke up to a happy morning today because things are falling into places and the dots are connecting, alhamdullillah.