BITZER Award Ceremony showcases students' innovation

Fifth from left: LKC FES Dean Prof Ts Dr Yap Wun She, BITZER Vice President Sales Asia–Pacific (APAC) Mr Luca Bernini, Bitzer (South East Asia) Sdn Bhd General Manager Mr Kwan Chee Wei and Bitzer (South East Asia) Sdn Bhd Senior Application Sales Engineer Mr Chia Seng Lai with UTAR staff and students

The BITZER Award Ceremony took place at UTAR Sungai Long Campus on 10 September 2024. Sponsored by Bitzer (South East Asia) Sdn Bhd, the event recognised outstanding students from the Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science (LKC FES) Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering (DMME) in key engineering subjects, notably Engineering Thermodynamics II, Principles of Refrigeration, and Integrated Design Project. The ceremony highlighted both academic and practical achievements of the students and reinforced the strong partnership between academia and industry.

The award celebrated excellence in engineering innovation, providing students with the opportunity to showcase their skills and creativity in projects directly sponsored by Bitzer, with prizes and materials covered to support student initiatives.

Winners of UEME2153 Engineering Thermodynamics II

Winners of UEME4313 Principles of Refrigeration

The awards were presented across several categories, recognising students’ achievements in core engineering subjects. In UEME2153 Engineering Thermodynamics II, the champion team consisted of Elijah Lim, Lean Xin Hui, and Lee Zhao Ming, followed by the 1st runner-up team comprising Sim Buo Jian, Liaw Ming Sen, and Alexander Amboros. The 2nd runner-up team included Bryan Wong, Mar Kah Heng, and Chan En Kee. For UEME4313 Principles of Refrigeration, Group 2, comprising Siew Ming Hui, Huang Kee Kee, Ryan Wong Kok Seng, and Tey Shu Qi, emerged as champions. The 1st runner-up was Group 4, featuring William Wee Pheng Fatt, Koo Jun Sheng, Chan Jia Bin, and Leong Weng Yuan, while Group 6, consisting of Ling Dai Hong, Kee Khai Shen, Tang Khai Loong, and Chua Zhi Qian, secured the 2nd runner-up position.

Winners of Bitzer EV Competition

The ceremony also featured the results of the highly anticipated Bitzer EV Competition, part of the UEME3318 Integrated Design Project. The competition saw students designing and building electric vehicles, as well as applying their theoretical knowledge in a practical, hands-on challenge. Between the two teams, Team B emerged victorious with an impressive score of 99.4 points.

The BITZER Award Ceremony is a testament to the ongoing collaboration between UTAR and Bitzer (South East Asia) Sdn Bhd, which plays a crucial role in fostering engineering innovation. Assoc Prof Ts Dr Yeo Wei Hong, Head of DMME, expressed gratitude for Bitzer’s continued support. “This partnership helps bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world application, offering students invaluable experience and recognition in their field,” said Dr Yeo.

The event not only rewarded student excellence but also underscored the importance of industry support in academic growth, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

The day concluded with a celebratory photo session, marking the success of yet another milestone in UTAR’s journey towards fostering future engineers.