Imerys Minerals Malaysia Sdn Bhd Perak has been hosting visits by university students to its work site at Simpang Pulai since 2011. The latest to take advantage of this on-going programme was third-year students from the School of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). The students visited the company’s quarry recently as part of their study tour.
Mohd Yazid bin Mohd Dan, the company’s quarry and crushing line manager told Ipoh Echo that his duty was to explain to the students the working of industrial equipment and the importance of keeping them in running condition. He also touched on the expectations of operators from fresh graduates.
Lecturer Dr Suhaina Ismail said that USM is the only university offering a programme related to the mining industry in the country. The programme prepares graduates for employment in the mining sector as quarry or mineral processing engineers.
Student Muhanmmad Fitri Mohd Akhir, 22, said that knowledge gained during the visit was essential as it complemented those acquired in classrooms. What he saw and experienced in the field was an eye-opener. “It brings a whole new perspective regarding challenges a young engineer would face in the working world.”
Another student, Noor Zuriati Shahirah Zubir, 22, felt that the visit was beneficial as it provided a broader outlook of the demands one would expect from companies like their host. “We learn about skills, demands and work ethics while allowing us the opportunity to put into practice what we’ve learned at the university.”
Nantini
