Promoting problem-based learning in engineering courses at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

Abstract

In this paper, the authors describe efforts in promoting the implementation of problem-based learning (PBL) in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Johor Bahru, Malaysia, which is essentially the groundwork phase of the university-wide PBL project. The move to train a core-group of lecturers to implement PBL was initiated in 2002. The litmus test on the effectiveness and the possible applicability of PBL in engineering courses at UTM was conducted in the 2003/04-1 semester in Process Control and Dynamics, a required subject for fourth year students in the Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Chemical and Natural Resources Engineering. The outcome of the pilot implementation was highly successful, that the department allowed PBL to be implemented in other classes. This also encouraged other faculties to promote PBL implementations. Since then, there have been several implementations in the Faculty of Chemical and Natural Resources Engineering, the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and the Faculty of Civil Engineering.