Trends and Challenges in Wood Science and Technology Education
Global trends in Wood Science and Technology programs show varied situations across different regions, with closures in North America and the UK, incorporation of engineering in Europe, decline in programs in Australia and Japan, and steady enrollment in China. The Bachelor of Wood Science and Technology program at the Faculty of Forestry, UPM, reveals fluctuating enrollment trends in recruitment sources over the years.
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INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON FUTURE OF INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON FUTURE OF WOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION 2021 WOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION 2021 (FWSTE2021) (FWSTE2021) THURSDAY, 27 THURSDAY, 27TH Jointly organized by: Jointly organized by: TH May 2021 May 2021 TRENDS AND CHALLENGES IN ENROLLMENT FOR WOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM IN UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA Kamziah Abd Kudus Faculty of Forestry and Environment Universiti Putra Malaysia
Introduction Introduction Global trend in Wood Science and Technology program. Current status: North America 17 programs on Wood Science & Technology closed since 2010. The notable ones that are still running include the programs in Oregon State University, Virginia Tech., and Mississippi State University. Other minor programs have merged with other departments or have been completely rebranded.
Introduction Introduction United Kingdom Closure of almost all Wood Science and Technology programs. Europe Western Europe and Eastern Europe have incorporated engineering courses into Wood Science & Technology programs to make it unique, and a special emphasis on wood for construction and low carbon energy material.
Introduction Introduction Australia Most Wood Science & Technology programs have ceased to operate. Japan A notable decline in the number of active Wood Science & Technology programs in Japan. Enrollment has also been steadily declining.
Introduction Introduction China The 5 forestry-based universities in China continue to hold steady with their enrollment in the Wood Science and Technology programs. The demand for such graduates are high, especially as many Chinese companies are moving their operations abroad. Source: IFT (2020).
Bachelor of Wood Science and Technology Bachelor of Wood Science and Technology with Honors at the Faculty of Forestry, UPM at the Faculty of Forestry, UPM with Honors Trends in enrolment 2016/2017 2017/2018 2018/2019 2019/2020 2020/2021 Recruitment 41 39 47 32 34 Ex-diploma 12 9 22 22 17 Matriculation 11 25 15 5 11 Higher School Certificate (STPM) 18 5 10 5 6
Bachelor of Wood Science and Technology Bachelor of Wood Science and Technology with Honors at the Faculty of Forestry, UPM at the Faculty of Forestry, UPM with Honors Challenges faced in recruitment low interests among students labelled as non-marketable program too many such programs in the country Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS)
Bachelor of Wood Science and Technology Bachelor of Wood Science and Technology with Honors at the Faculty of Forestry, UPM at the Faculty of Forestry, UPM with Honors Challenges faced in recruitment In 2003, starting salary for fresh graduate was RM 1500 per month, in 2020, starting salary is RM 2000 ..clearly shows that wage increment is very low (MPC, 2019). Students have negative perception that working in the wood industry has 3D stigma dangerous, dirty and difficult. Vocational training centers, such as IKM and poly-technics graduates, with their hands-on training are preferred by the industry. Lack of awareness to the public The word WOOD or in BM KAYU is not well received in the society. Most students have not listed the WST program as their first choice. The industry is perceived to be more handy-craft and not high-tech industry. Entry barrier into the industry is very low so formal qualification is not necessary.
Bachelor of Wood Science and Technology Bachelor of Wood Science and Technology with Honors at the Faculty of Forestry, UPM at the Faculty of Forestry, UPM with Honors Graduate employability six month after graduating 2015/ 2016 2016/ 2017 2017/ 2018 2018/ 2019 2019/ 2020 Employed 50% 52.6% 76.9% 52.6% 75.9% Others** 33.3% 28.9% 15.4% 31.6% 20.7% Unemployed 16.7% 18.4% 7.7% 15.8% 3.4% ** further study, waiting for work placement, taking courses
Bachelor of Wood Science and Technology Bachelor of Wood Science and Technology with Honors at the Faculty of Forestry, UPM at the Faculty of Forestry, UPM with Honors Strategies to promote the program Intensive marketing effort with industry partners and agencies such as MTIB and MTC. Establish wider industry engagement and program awareness day Revise curriculum Revise the program to make it more relevant and industry-centric Increase the courses to be exempted for students from Diploma programs Entry qualifications to be more flexible, especially to attract industry personnel with years of experience Transformation from conventional wood science curricula into work-based or industry- based curricula Develop hybrid programs, to include more engineering and manufacturing courses Consider rebranding the program to have a catchy name, such as Biofiber or Bioresources .
Bachelor of Wood Science and Technology Bachelor of Wood Science and Technology with Honors at the Faculty of Forestry, UPM at the Faculty of Forestry, UPM with Honors Strategies to promote the program - Flexible curriculum that allows students to take up 40% of the courses from other faculties, especially from manufacturing technology, industrial management, etc. - Encourage exchange of students between universities in Malaysia offering similar program. Mutual recognition of courses from other universities as being equivalent. (JISA is in talk with UTHM to work on such a program). - Allow the recognition of vocational/SKM Level III certificates are entry requirements into the program. (JISA is in negotiation with the Labor Ministry of Malaysia & HRDF). - Incorporate student mobility/exchange opportunities with overseas partner universities. - Participation in relevant industry trade fairs in Malaysia, to increase the awareness and promote the program among the general public.
Bachelor of Wood Science and Technology Bachelor of Wood Science and Technology with Honors at the Faculty of Forestry, UPM at the Faculty of Forestry, UPM with Honors Strategies to promote the program - Greater engagement with alumni of the FHAS, and WST program - Open days to show-case products, innovations, facilities and information on the programs. - Radio/TV talk show by lecturers/academics to promote the program, such as in Selamat Pagi Malaysia . - Produce information pamphlets to be distributed to school leavers, ex-Diploma students, and public. - Create a IndustryChair and appoint a leading industry expert to promote the program.
