Dean Faculty of Engineering and Computer Technology

Job Summary:

The Dean, Faculty of Engineering is responsible for academic leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight of the Faculty of Engineering. The Dean ensures that all engineering programs meet the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM), Engineering Accreditation Council (EAC), and Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) requirements while fostering excellence in teaching, research, innovation, and industry engagement.

The role involves faculty development, student success strategies, accreditation compliance, financial sustainability, and industry partnerships to position the Universityas a leading institution in engineering education and technological innovation. The Dean must also align engineering education with national policies, sustainability goals, and industry advancements to prepare students for Malaysia's evolving engineering landscape.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Strategic Planning

1. Develop and implement a strategic vision for the Faculty of Engineering, ensuring alignment with mission and Malaysia's higher education policies.
2. Oversee academic program development, faculty recruitment, research strategies, and student success initiatives.
3. Ensure compliance with BEM, EAC, MQA, and MoHE for engineering program accreditation and governance.
4. Foster a culture of academic excellence, research innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
5. Promote engineering ethics, sustainability, and global best practices in education and research.
6. Establish partnerships with industries, research institutions, and government agencies to enhance engineering education and employability.

Academic Program Development & Accreditation

1. Oversee the development, review, and accreditation of engineering programs (e.g., Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Computer, and other engineering disciplines).
2. Ensure all engineering programs meet the standards set by the Engineering Accreditation Council (EAC) under BEM and MQA.
3. Implement and monitor Outcome-Based Education (OBE) frameworks to improve student learning outcomes.
4. Develop and introduce new engineering programs, ensuring relevance to industrial needs, technological advancements, and global trends.
5. Ensure MQA, EAC, and MoHE compliance in program structure, curriculum, faculty qualifications, and assessment methods.
6. Work with faculty members to continuously enhance engineering curricula, laboratory facilities, and research capabilities.

Faculty Development & Research Excellence

1. Recruit, mentor, and retain highly qualified faculty members with expertise in engineering education and research.
2. Encourage faculty members to engage in research, consultancy, and industrial collaborations.
3. Promote faculty involvement in publishing research in Scopus-indexed journals, securing grants, and participating in professional societies.
4. Ensure faculty meet BEM and MQA academic qualifications and professional engineering registration requirements.
5. Organize faculty development programs to improve pedagogical skills, research capabilities, and industry engagement.

Industry Engagement & Student Employability

1. Establish partnerships with engineering companies, professional bodies (e.g., IEM, IEEE), and government agencies to enhance student employability.
2. Develop industrial training, internship programs, and professional certification courses to prepare students for engineering careers.
3. Work with career placement services to ensure graduates achieve high employability rates in the engineering sector.
4. Promote industry-driven projects, competitions, hackathons, and real-world problem-solving experiences for students.
5. Establish and strengthen student exchange programs, joint research initiatives, and industry-based learning experiences.

Research, Innovation & Technology Transfer

1. Promote engineering research and innovation aligned with Malaysias IR4.0, Smart Manufacturing, Green Technology, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
2. Collaborate with industries, government, and international universities for funded research projects, technology transfer, and product commercialization.
3. Facilitate multi-disciplinary engineering research collaborations across faculties.
4. Ensure faculty and students contribute to patents, intellectual property (IP) rights, and research publications.
5. Encourage participation in national and international research conferences, technology expos, and engineering summits.

Student Development & Academic Excellence

1. Design new strategies for student admissions, academic performance, and overall learning experiences to ensure high graduation and retention rates.
2. Implement mentorship and academic advising programs to guide students in career and research paths.
3. Support student-led engineering clubs, professional societies, innovation challenges, and leadership programs.
4. Promote student involvement in engineering competitions, innovation hackathons, and community-based engineering projects.
5. Ensure engineering students receive adequate laboratory exposure, technical skill training, and real-world engineering applications.

Financial Sustainability & Resource Management

1. Develop strategies to ensure the financial sustainability and growth of the Faculty of Engineering.
2. Manage the facultys budget, ensuring optimal resource allocation for laboratories, research facilities, and faculty development.
3. Secure grants, sponsorships, and funding from government agencies and industry partners.
4. Oversee the development of high-quality online, blended, and executive engineering programs as revenue-generating initiatives.

Engineering Ethics, Sustainability & National Policies Compliance

1. Ensure compliance with national policies such as the Malaysian Education Blueprint (Higher Education), Industry 4.0 (IR4.0), and National Policy on Science, Technology & Innovation (DSTIN).
2. Promote engineering ethics and sustainability in line with BEMs Code of Professional Conduct.
3. Implement Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) initiatives supporting Malaysias Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Graduate Registration & Professional Certification Pathways

1. Facilitate student registration with BEM as Graduate Engineers upon graduation.
2. Develop structured pathways for Professional Engineer (Ir.) certification, working closely with IEM and BEM.
3. Establish collaborations with professional accreditation bodies for industry-recognized certifications (e.g., ISO, Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, and AI in Engineering).

Strengthening Technical & Vocational Pathways (TVET) & Lifelong Learning

1. Develop and expand Technical & Vocational Education & Training (TVET) pathways within engineering programs.
2. Promote micro-credentials, part-time engineering programs, and executive education for lifelong learning.
3. Strengthen partnerships with TVET institutions, polytechnics, and engineering skills development centres.

Required Educational Qualification & Key Skills

Educational Qualification:

1. PhD in an Engineering discipline (Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, Electronics, Computer Engineering, AI-ML, Data Science, Robotics or a related field).
2. Professional Engineer (Ir.) registration with the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) is mandatory.
3. Must meet Engineering Accreditation Council (EAC) Malaysias academic staff qualification criteria.
4. Additional certifications in Higher Education Leadership, Accreditation, or Technology Management are preferred.
5. Membership in professional organizations such as Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM), IEEE, or equivalent international bodies is an added advantage.

Key Skills & Competencies:

• Strategic Leadership & Vision Ability to develop and execute faculty-wide academic and research strategies.
• Regulatory & Accreditation Expertise Strong knowledge of EAC, BEM, MQA, and MoHE accreditation standards.
• Engineering Curriculum Development Experience in Outcome-Based Education (OBE), accreditation frameworks, and industry-aligned curriculum design.
• Research & Innovation Management Ability to secure grants, lead research teams, and drive technology transfer initiatives.
• Industry & Government Collaboration Established network with engineering industries, professional bodies, and regulatory agencies.
• Student & Faculty Development Strong focus on mentoring, professional development, and academic excellence.
• Financial & Resource Management Experience in budgeting, optimizing lab facilities, and sustainable faculty growth.
• Technical & Digital Proficiency Knowledge of Industry 4.0 technologies, AI, IoT, smart manufacturing, and engineering simulation tools.
• Problem-Solving & Decision-Making Strong analytical and leadership skills to address academic, administrative, and regulatory challenges.
• Communication & Stakeholder Engagement Ability to interact effectively with effectively with students, faculty, industry leaders, and government bodies.