Arhum Alam MEng Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE)

The University of Southampton is an established name among universities in the UK, and is known especially for its engineering degrees. The reason I joined UoSM was because it allowed me to spend the 1st and 2nd years of my degree in Malaysia and stay close to home, while still getting the chance to study in the UK for the 3rd and 4th years.

What course are you studying?

I am studying MEng Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE).

Why did you choose your course?

I have always been interested in Physics and Maths, so engineering was a rather straightforward choice. The reason I chose Electrical and Electronics Engineering in specific was because of the wide range of industries it is applicable to: from communications and artificial intelligence to power generation and robotics, electricity is integral to every aspect of our day to day life.

What do you enjoy most about your course?

The course provides the perfect balance between theoretical and practical sessions. As I learnt the fundamentals of electricity and electronics, I also got to undertake labs and projects that enhanced my understanding of the subject matter.

Would you recommend your course to other students?

Definitely! The course is a great way to understand the underlying physics behind many practical applications we see in our everyday life. Additionally, this course has not only given me knowledge relating to engineering, but it has also prepared me to be a diligent and well-rounded professional once I graduate.

Why did you choose the University of Southampton Malaysia (UoSM)?

What are the best things about studying at UoSM and the UK Campus?

One of my favourite things about UoSM (which I miss in the UK) was its high staff-to-student ratio. Every student gets individual support from the lecturers, as they are very approachable and class sizes are small. Additionally, because of the small campus, the student community is very well knit together. It’s easy to make acquaintances with batch mates, seniors and juniors alike.

One of my favourite things about the UK campus has been the multiracial culture present here. I have interacted with students from various national and religious backgrounds. This has developed a sense of respect and inclusiveness, both of which are highly important in the workplace. Additionally, there is an abundance of clubs and societies which makes student life a whole lot more enjoyable.

Have you had the opportunity to study modules outside of your core subject area?

Yes, there have been modules that cover a variety of subjects outside engineering. These include project management, report writing, cultural studies and engineering law.

Have you joined any clubs or societies in the UK? Please tell us more about this.

I have joined the Pakistan Society (as I’m originally from Pakistan) and the Malaysian Students’ Association (as I have spent more than half my life in Malaysia). Both these societies are highly active in the university, organising various activities and events all year round.

I have also joined the Model United Nations (MUN) society, which is dedicated to discussing current affairs from the perspective of individual countries. Additionally, I am part of the Business and Marketing team with the Southampton University Formula Student Team (SUFST). Through the year, the team designs, builds and races single-seater race cars across a number of competitions

How did you find the transition to the UK Campus?

Because of the constant guidance from the UoSM staff and seniors, my transition to the UK Campus went very smoothly. When I joined UoSM 3 years ago, I was rather apprehensive of how the transition would take place and how I would cope with homesickness. But thankfully, the environment at the UK Campus has been welcoming and it doesn’t even feel like my first semester here is nearing its end!

What networking, employment and work experience opportunities have you undertaken?

In UoSM, the clubs and student chapters often organise skills workshops and career talks by inviting professionals from the industry. During my time there, I got to interact with engineers from a number of companies including Dyson, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), RS Components and Chumbaka.

Since the UK campus is much bigger than UoSM, the networking and employment opportunities here are ampler as well. In the past two months, I have attended career talks by JP Morgan, Starling Bank, McLaren Racing, Red Bull Racing and ARM among many others. Through these talks, I was able to analyse which companies I should aim for when applying for internships. I also got to attend a Careers’ Fair where numerous companies introduced their internship and graduate programs. Additionally, the Fish on Toast society organises a number of speeches and events all through the year aimed at encouraging entrepreneurship. They invite startup founders to introduce how their businesses started, and provide students with networking opportunities to brainstorm ideas.

If you could give prospective students one piece of advice, what would it be?

One piece of advice I would give prospective students would be highlighting the importance of stepping out of your comfort zone. If you are an international student like me, coming over to the UK may be the first time you are travelling independently. In order to fully enjoy your time here, make sure you try new experiences: meet new people, sign up for a variety of societies (we have about 300 societies at UK Campus!) and explore the places around you. Learn to manage your workload so that you can allow time for some social, extra-curricular activities during your week.