Synopsis of Lecture

With the advancement of internet, e-learning has become easy and popular. It is not just putting a video clip from a recording of a lecture. Sophisticated tools are available to make e-learning interactive.

E-learning makes use of technology to facilitate the teaching and learning of degree programs for working adults. The courses are designed to allow students to learn at any time, in any place and at their own pace. One of the universities in Singapore approved by the Government and catering entirely to working adults uses such technology.

Continuing education for practicing engineers in countries such as Malaysia can make use of e-learning. The fact that Malaysian engineers are found all over Malaysia makes it difficult to conduct many face-to-face courses especially with the less populated states. Through e-learning engineers all over Malaysia can be kept up to date on the good practice of engineering.

Key Words: e-learning, internet, education, engineers


C.V. of the Speaker

Professor Dr. Cham Tao Soon is a distinguished academician and has devoted many years of his life towards education and its promotion. He holds a BE (Malaya, 1964), BSc (London, 1967), PhD (Cambridge, 1968) and five honorary degrees from the Universities of Strathclyde (1994), Surrey (1995), Loughborough (1996), Soka (1997), and Sheffield (2002) and was also made an Honorary Fellow of St Catharine's College, University of Cambridge, in 1996.

Professor Cham is presently the Chancellor and Chairman of SIM University, Singapore, and also sits on its Board of Trustees. His career in the development of tertiary education began when he became the Founding President of Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, in 1981, a post he held until 2002. He later became NTU's President Emeritus in 2007. Professor Cham is also a Member of Harvard Singapore Foundation's Advisory Board.

Undoubtedly, Professor Cham's many contributions towards the field of engineering have made him one of Singapore's most accomplished and conspicuous members of this esteemed profession. He is a: Fellow of the Institution of Engineers, Singapore; Professional Engineer (Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Marine Engineering); and Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, UK. He is also the President of the Academy of Engineering, Singapore.

In recognition of his contribution, he was bestowed the honour of the Chevalier des Palmes Academiques of France in 1979. He was also inducted into the Foreign Academy of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences (IVA) in 1984 and the Royal Academy of Engineering, UK (FREng) in 1998. The latter organisation awarded Professor Cham the Royal Academy of Engineering International Medal in 2006.

Professor Cham's leadership is well recognised and he sits in the top management of various listed companies in Singapore, among them: NSL Ltd as its Chairman; Singapore Press Holdings Ltd as its Deputy Chairman; and United Overseas Bank Ltd as its Director.

An accomplished musician himself, Professor Cham is the Chairman of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) Council. His magnanimous nature also extends into worthy causes such as the Singapore International Foundation, where he serves as its Governor.