Mechatronics at Dubai Men's College

The programme is designed to cater to the needs of UAE industries

Many see the field of mechatronics as the future of engineering. There is a high demand for it in local industries; its graduates are easily absorbed into the marketplace, and their salaries are relatively high.

Nowadays, engineering systems, involving a combination of fields, require multi-disciplined engineers to understand them better. Mechatronics engineers are one of the best to do so.

Notes spoke to Brian Bustrak, supervisor of the Mechatronics Engineering Programme at the Higher Colleges of Technology Dubai Men's College (DMC), to learn more about what their programme has to offer.

"Mechatronics is a combination of mechanical, electronics and control engineering and information technology," Bustrak said. "These fields complement each other to maintain efficient systems."

Take a car for example. "There is a great amount of electronics and IT involved in it. A mechatronics engineer understands the interaction of its different sensors, transistors and various electrical, electronic and mechanical systems.

"This is an advantage over those who specialise in one engineering field only," he explained.

What makes the programme special

DMC offers a Diploma in Mechatronics Engineering Technology, a Certificate in Electromechanical Technology, and a Bachelor's Degree in Applied Sciences in Engineering Management.

In September 2006, the college will launch a Bachelor's of Mechatronics Engineering programme.

"Each programme has different admission requirements," said Bustrak. "Applicants must be UAE nationals and pass the minimum English and mathematics requirements."

But what makes this programme special?

"The HCT mechatronics programmes are designed around the needs of UAE industries," Bustrak explained.

Through the continuous input from the college's programme advisory committee and its relationship with the industry, Bustrak said the college was able to understand the needs of the market. "I believe that the best proof of that is the job offers our students receive after they graduate," he said.

More opportunities

The need for mechatronics engineers is growing in the UAE. "As more high-tech companies establish manufacturing and assembly operations here, the opportunities for mechatronics graduates will continue to increase as time goes by," said Bustrak.

"Currently, the majority of our graduates join the oil and gas sector, in aluminum smelting, maintenance, building design and maintenance, power generation, communications and manufacturing companies."

Despite demand the supply of graduates is relatively low. "As a result of the disparity between the supply and demand, salaries of mechatronics graduates are high," he said.

However, mechatronics as a field presents many challenges.

Bustrak said that new technologies and automation systems constantly enter the market, which means that mechatronics engineers are committed to "life-long" learning.

Bustrak said that the DMC Mechatronics Engineering department is continuously developing relationships with local industries to meet the field's challenges.

"It is through these relationships with employers that we are kept abreast of the changing technologies and needs of the workplace," he said.

"As part of our ongoing programme development, DMC quality assurance systems provide necessary feedback to ensure continuous and dynamic improvement."

He added: "As systems in the future become more automated, and require multi-disciplined engineers, I believe that mechatronics is the future of engineering."

HCT admission requirements
Applicants from government and private secondary schools are eligible for admission to the HCT provided they:

Diplomas offered
Diploma in Mechatronics Technology: Industrial Maintenance

Diploma in Mechatronics Technology: Manufacturing

Certificate in Electromechanical Technology

Bachelor of Applied Science (Engineering Management)
The Bachelors of Applied Science in Engineering Management programme prepares Higher Diploma Engineering Technology graduates to perform effectively in a global environment by developing an understanding of management principles as they pertain to engineering endeavours and concern for the environment, quality and ethics.