Taylor's University's Two New Programmes Are Designed To Foster Digital Talent
The new programmes are offered under the Faculty of Innovation and Technology.
By Marion Fernando — 20 Jan 2023, 02:36 PM
From spatial technologies to sustainable construction management practices, Taylor's University is raising the bar for digital talent with two new future-focused programmes
Offered under the Faculty of Innovation and Technology, the recently launched programmes — Bachelor of Interactive Spatial Design (Honours) and Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Sustainable Digital Construction Management — are the first of their kind in Malaysia.
The two new programmes offered by Taylor's are set to produce future-ready graduates, in parallel with the rising demand for digital talent, both locally and worldwide.
This comes as enterprises are predicted to delve into immersive technologies like augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and extended reality (XR), while nations look towards sustainable building practices, including the goal of erecting 1,750 green buildings found in Malaysia's Green Technology Master Plan.
(Left to right) Present at the launch were Dr Soon Lam Tatt, Senior Lecturer in the School of Architecture, Building and Design; Dr Charles Sharma Naidu, Director of VORTEX XR Lab; Din Tan Chin Seng, Programme Director of the Bachelor of Interactive Spatial Design (Honours); Dr Pouline Koh Chai Lin, Head of School for The Design School; Professor Dr David Asirvatham, Executive Dean, Faculty of Innovation and Technology; Dr Sujatavani Gunasagaran, Programme Director of the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Sustainable Digital Construction Management; Associate Professor Dr Veronica Ng, Head of School for the School of Architecture, Building and Design and Faisal Athar Mohd Fadzil, XR Specialist of VORTEX XR Lab.
Image via Taylor's University (Provided to SAYS)In the midst of deciding what to study for your degree? Here's a closer look at the new programmes from Taylor's:
First up, the Bachelor of Interactive Spatial Design (Honours) will teach the theoretical foundations of spatial design alongside immersive technology and automation content for indoor and outdoor environments
Din Tan Chin Seng, Programme Director of the Bachelor of Interactive Spatial Design (Honours) showcasing ways we interact with our surroundings through 3D Projection Mapping artworks to promote play, engagement, and communication.
Image via Taylor's University (Provided to SAYS)Students will be able to choose from two specialisations — Smart Homes Design and Smart Environment Design in this three-year full-time degree programme.
The Smart Homes Design specialisation produces designers who create personalised smart living spaces that can operate automatically, catering to individual needs and living styles, while the Smart Environment Design specialisation focuses on changing the way we interact with products and consume information using spatial technologies.
Taylor's Bachelor of Interactive Spatial Design (Honours) work-based learning industry partner Ministry XR exhibiting their interactive project using HoloLens.
Image via Taylor's University (Provided to SAYS)There are three learning track options students can pursue, one being a conventional internship with a multidisciplinary project.
The other two comprise a work-based learning experience with industry partners such as FrameMotion Studio Sdn Bhd, Virtual X Malaysia, Ministry XR, HONOR, and IMT Smart Home, as well as a technopreneurship mode, which provides students with an opportunity to start a business with mentorship by Taylor's University's entrepreneur start-up incubator, BizPod.
The Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Sustainable Digital Construction Management programme, on the other hand, aims to prepare graduates in addressing the challenges of sustainability and digital transformation in the construction industry
VORTEX XR Lab crew member demonstrating real time environment scanning around Taylor's Lakeside Campus using a Matterport, and how it captures and connects spaces recreating interactive 3D construction sites.
Image via Taylor's University (Provided to SAYS)Students can expect to be co-led by industry leaders and partners such as Eco World Development Group Berhad and Green Quarter Sdn Bhd, allowing for practical experience in the built environment and industrial relevance throughout the curriculum.
It is also well-mapped to align with the competency standard and educational framework by the Construction Industry Development Board and Chartered Institute of Building.
Along with helping students embrace the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the programme also incorporates digital technology like laser scanning, drones, artificial intelligence, AR, and 3D printing.
With two learning track options to choose from, students can opt for a conventional internship or a year-long work-based learning experience with reputable industry partners to prepare them for the local and global Architecture, Engineering, and Construction industry.
Dr Sujatavani Gunasagaran, Programme Director of the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Sustainable Digital Construction Management sharing the practice of 3D Printing Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA).
Image via Taylor's University (Provided to SAYS)The programme offers two specialisations, Smart Construction and Green Construction.
Through the former, students will discover how the Internet of Things, Advanced Building Information Modelling (BIM), and extended reality can be used to improve construction management practices, while the latter promotes energy conservation, waste reduction, and recycling with an emphasis on sustainability approaches.
"An Industry Advisory Panel will work closely to facilitate the exchange of information and ideas between the board members to ensure industrial relevance is kept," said Programme Director of the Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Digital Construction Management Dr Sujatavani Gunasagaran.
"They will also provide advice and assistance on curriculum development according to the latest needs, trends, and employment skills of graduates to become a Green Building Construction Manager, Sustainability Analyst, Digital Technologist, or Smart Technologist among others," added the programme director.
Both the Bachelor of Interactive Spatial Design (Honours) and Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Sustainable Digital Construction Management programmes are complemented with Southeast Asia's world-class future of XR learning centre, Taylor's VORTEX XR Lab
Dr Son Lam Tatt, Senior Lecturer in the School of Architecture, Building and Design conducting a virtual site visit and inspection at VORTEX XR Lab.
Image via Taylor's University (Provided to SAYS)With an investment of more than RM1.2 million, Taylor's University offers access to the latest XR equipment and specialised skills. These will prove to be useful for ideation, designing, and prototyping immersive experiences, increasingly in-demand skills for graduates in this day and age.
Post-studies, Bachelor of Interactive Spatial Design and Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Digital Construction Management graduates will be ready for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0), thus fulfilling Malaysia's 2050 vision for highly functional living.
According to Faculty of Innovation & Technology Executive Dean Professor Dr David Asirvatham, "The blistering pace of digital economy will open up more job opportunities, and while digital transformation is less about technology and more about people today, the ability to develop the next generation of skills, closing the gap between talent supply and demand by introducing futuristic focused programmes is essential. Such graduates then accelerate the nation's digital economy for business continuity, recovery, and resilience."
Sounds like a future you look forward to? Find out more about your desired programme by visiting Taylor's University's website today!
Taylor's University's new programmes will be open for its first intake of students in March 2023, and has two intakes yearly in March and August.
