A recent visit to technology powerhouse Dell proved to be an educational and enlightening experience for students of WOU’s School of Digital Technology (DiGiT). After the tour, they were able to gain a better understanding of industry standards, emerging trends and market expectations in a real-world manufacturing setting.
Twenty students from DiGiT’s Bachelor of Software Engineering and Bachelor of Digital Business programmes, together with lecturer Dr Lau Pei Mey and senior lecturer Dr Jayaeswari Sangaralingam, were hosted at Dell’s Asia Pacific Customer Center 2 Plant in Bukit Minyak, Penang on 10 November 2023.
The WOU delegation was welcomed by Leonard Tan, Director for Client BIOS RTS Development and Chew Poey Poey, Dell Engagement Manager. During his briefing on Dell’s production processes, Tan gave a thorough overview into important aspects such as product assembly, quality control and testing, supply chain management as well as logistics and planning.
Following that, the students were taken on a guided tour of the facility where they witnessed the assembly line’s detailed workflow, from the initial stages of component integration to the testing of the final product.
The visit provided the students a rare opportunity to observe and learn about industry best practices in manufacturing and production, particularly in using cutting-edge technologies and efficient production processes. Educational visits like this truly benefit the students and are a valuable component of WOU’s industrial immersion programme.
Students also gained invaluable knowledge of Dell’s adept use of the latest technologies, stringent quality assurance measures and effective management of its production pipeline.
According to Head of DiGiT, Dr Lee Heng Wei, the visit was specifically organised to enable students to witness first-hand how theoretical concepts taught in the classroom are applied in a ‘real life’ manufacturing setting. “This hands-on experience helps close the knowledge gap between theory and practice, offering a deeper understanding of engineering principles in action,” he added.
During the visit, students also had the privilege to engage in conversations with Dell professionals to explore internship and future career options within the organisation. Students left the facility with a clearer picture of the relevant skills and knowledge required, which helped them align their academic pursuits with real-world demands.