The School of Engineering at RMIT has recently hosted a one-week learning program for 38 students from Kaplan Singapore and 51 students from the School for Higher and Professional Education, Vocational Training Council in Hong Kong. Kaplan Singapore has been an international partner of RMIT since 2015, with a focus on engineering, while the partnership with SHAPE VTC dates back to 2003. This program allows students from these institutions to have a one-week residential visit to RMIT's Bundoora and City campuses, including on-campus workshops and field trips to industry partners.
Dr. Neng Zhang, a research assistant in the School of Engineering, coordinated the program and emphasized the benefits of the residential visit for Kaplan Singapore students. The visit provides students with a firsthand experience of applying theoretical concepts in real-world situations, offering valuable hands-on experiences, lab demonstrations, computer workshops, and industry visits. Dr. Zhang highlighted that this immersive experience enhances learning and future employability by exposing students to advanced technologies and potential career paths.
The residential visit, a unique program in RMIT's STEM College, allows students to witness the practical application of theoretical concepts in real-world scenarios. Dr. Zhang explained that this hands-on, practical learning experience is a distinguishing factor for RMIT, contributing to the College's commitment to educational excellence and serving as a model for potential overseas partnerships. After a three-year hiatus due to COVID, the week-long visits resumed in 2023, welcoming a new cohort of students who explored RMIT's campuses, gained hands-on experience in laboratories, and toured the Advanced Manufacturing Precinct and Virtual Experience Lab.
During their stay in Melbourne, students had the opportunity to stay in student residential accommodation in Bundoora, providing them with a local student experience. Ho Lam Chan, a Mechanical Engineering student from Hong Kong, expressed how the visit allowed him to access technology not available in Hong Kong. He found the experimental devices at RMIT helpful in visualizing experiment results directly, enhancing his learning experience. Additionally, Chan valued the opportunity to interact with Australian educators, sharing cultural experiences and finding it illuminating for his studies.
