No abstract

The purpose of this paper is to propose a practical and simple framework of engineering employability skills that will allow the concept to be explained easily and that can be used as a framework for working with engineering graduates to develop their employability before entering workforce. The framework was developed from existing researches on engineering employability skills issues and the requirement of the accreditation of engineering programme. The various skills of employability skills related to engineering included in the framework are discussed and their criteria justified bases on literature review of existing studies. The framework sets out exactly what is meant by engineering employability, in clear and simple terms, and the framework suggests directions for interaction between the various skills. The relationships between the skills within the framework remain theoretical. Further research to test the framework is planned and will be reported in future paper. The framework can be used to explain the concept of employability to those new to the subject, and particularly to engineering students and their future employer. It will be a useful tool for lecturers, careers advisors, trainers, employers and any other practitioners involved in employability skills. It will also be used to develop a model and a measurement tool for engineering employability skills. This paper contributes insights into the linking of graduate attributes, using national accreditation criteria and the framework of engineering employability skills from locally and globally expectation. It will be of value to anybody with an interest in employability issues.

Background: This study was proposed to develop a composite of outcome measures using forced expiratory volume percentage of predicted, exercise capacity and quality of life scores for assessment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) severity. Materials and methods: Eighty-six patients with COPD were enrolled into a prospective, observational study at the respiratory outpatient clinic, National University Hospital Malaysia (Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia -HUKM), Kuala Lumpur. Results: Our study found modest correlation between the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV 1 ), 6 min walk distance and the SGRQ scores with mean (SD) values of 0.97 (0.56) litres/s, 322 (87) m and 43.7 (23.6)%, respectively. K-Means cluster analysis identified four distinct clusters which reached statistical significance which was refined to develop a new cumulative staging system. The SAFE Index score correlated with the number of exacerbations in 2 years (r = 0.497, p,0.001). Conclusion: We have developed the SGRQ, Air-Flow limitation and Exercise tolerance Index (SAFE Index) for the stratification of severity in COPD. This index incorporates the SGRQ score, the FEV 1 % predicted and the 6 min walk distance. The SAFE Index is moderately correlated with the number of disease exacerbations.

Malaysia is currently a member of Washington Accord which recognises substantial equivalence in the accreditation of qualifications for engineering programme among member countries. Under this agreement, assessment of programme outcomes (PO) is now mandatory for all engineering programmes in Malaysia. However, the typical PO assessment model practised by many engineering programmes resulted in vague assessment methods and as a result failed to show concrete continual quality improvement (CQI). The major issues with the model are with regard to the aspect of unclear performance criteria, grades as measurement indicators, lack of evidence, detached used of indirect methods and unclear CQI. A new model which is more holistic and based on looking at each PO as a major thrust with specific performance criteria is proposed. It is expected that the new model will allow one to objectively evaluate whether the students have achieved the criteria, subsequently facilitating CQI implementation within the programme and produced quality engineering graduates.

No abstract