Institution news
Student Chapters are a vital part of IMechE as it consists of a group of student Affiliate members of the Institution studying at one IHL who work together to promote the Institution and engage the IMechE members based in the particular IHL. Apart from that, Student Chapters can engage with their Members, with volunteers organising various events that could bring benefit towards the technical knowledge and career development of these Affiliates, at the same time providing an initial reason for them to become a member while at university.
By increasing the students’ link with the Institution, this increases the likelihood of students upgrading their membership upon graduation. Student Chapters shall also aim to raise the profile of the Institution and the engineering profession in their respective IHL and also with the local community whenever possible.
The inaugural IMechE Malaysia Branch Student Chapter Volunteers’ Conference was a conference exclusive for all IMechE Malaysia Branch Student Chapter (SC) Volunteers by the Malaysia Branch Young Member Section Committee to streamline operations of all 21 Student Chapters (SC) in Malaysia. Initiated by the newly elected Chair of IMechE Malaysia Branch Young Members Section, Ms. Pooi Ying Choong and supported by the IMechE Malaysia Committee, IMechE SEAR Young Member (YM) Representative, Ir. Dr. Yaw Long Chua, and SEA and Oceania Business Development Manager, Mr. Zen Teng, the conference is focused on operational matters of SCs and attendees will be provided with networking opportunity during the session.
A range of topics were discussed during the volunteers’ conference, which includes:
- What is a Student Chapter and its operations
- Organising events
- Reporting Events
- Handover Process
- Benefits for IMechE Student Chapters
- Best Practices for Student Chapters
During the conference, the volunteers were briefed of all the dos and don’ts while managing a Student Chapter to ensure that every Student Chapter is able to deliver quality contents and benefit all Affiliate Members, at the same time to ensure that the good name of the Institution is being upheld. Volunteers were also taught on how to engage with its members and also exposed to all available resources that could assist them in managing the Student Chapter. Towards the end of the event, volunteers from various Student Chapters across Malaysia exchanged their ideas on how to manage and bring more benefit to members and discussed about any available collaboration opportunities with other Student Chapters.
An Academic Liaison Officer (ALO) workshop was also held exclusively for all ALOs in Malaysia. The workshop was initiated by Ir. Dr. Yaw Long Chua, IMechE SEAR Young Member (YM) Representative and past ALO for IMechE Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN), assisted by Mr. Zen Teng the SEA and Oceania Business Development Manager and Ms. Pooi Ying. During the workshop, all attendees were briefed of the responsibilities of an ALO, available resources, support, and benefits for ALOs and Student Chapters. This is to ensure that all ALOs are well aware of their responsibilities and available resources to guide their respective Student Chapters, ensuring that all Student Chapters are receiving adequate guidance, support and resources. Towards the end of the workshop, a session to discuss about the challenges faces as an ALO and their respective Student Chapters were held to understand the situation faced by ALO and their Student Chapters better, providing a platform to exchange ideas amongst one another.
By having such sessions to systematically provide guidance to both ALOs and Student Chapters, it is hoped that all IMechE Volunteers involved in the IHL level are well aware of all support and benefit available, ensuring all members in their respective IHL can gain benefit from the initiatives held by each respective Student Chapters. At the same time, grooming the Student Chapter Volunteers into leaders of tomorrow.