Koleg Universiti Teknologi Tun Hussein Onn
Mechanical Engineering Department
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Faculty & Students -- 1995-96

I worked at KUiTTHO for about a year and a half. I was one of several Americans teaching electrical engineering to mechanical engineering students. Our students had two-year degrees and at least three years of industrial experience. The group picture above shows the entire department -- Malaysian students, Malaysian faculty and American faculty. The University is named after Tun Hussein Onn -- the third prime minister of Malaysia.

At KUiTTHO, the students are able to earn a BS in Engineering after three years of study. In return for their scholarships, the students will have to work for the government of Malaysia for five years. Most will be teaching at polytechnic (i.e., two-year) schools. Some will work for various ministries (i.e., cabinets) within the Malaysian government.

In the Malaysian system, all universities are run by the government, although private universities and colleges are now being encouraged. Together, the public and private universities and colleges provide many educational opportunities for the people of Malaysia. Education is taken very seriously in Malaysia and throughout Asia, and the progress that the "Asian tiger countries" -- Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand -- have made is truly amazing.

For my family and I, living in Malaysia was the most significant event in our lives. My wife and I and our four children -- ages 6, 11, 13 and 19 -- all fell in love with the people and the land of Malaysia. The people are friendly and eager to talk to "foreigners." The country is virtually crime-free. The cost of living is a bargain. The pace of life is more peaceful. Following our return home, we are now homesick for this beautiful land where "monsoons meet."

Last Modified: December 21, 2002 by C. J. Smith
Please send comments and suggestions to me at csmith@pnc.edu