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The Marina Pangkor Excursion Project was conducted from 13 to 15 March 2024 in collaboration with Harvey Mudd College (HMC), USA. Led by Assistant Professor Dr Yew Weng Kean from the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences (EPS), the project was participated by 10 fourth-year Mechanical Engineering (MEng) Electrical and Electronics Engineering students from our Malaysia campus and seven Engineering students from Harvey Mudd College (HMC), USA, together with Associate Professor Jenni Rinker from Technical University, Denmark (DTU) as the Project Co-lead, and Professor Dre Helmns from HMC as HMC Student’s supervisor.
The three-day Marina Pangkor excursion project was a significant collaborative effort between students from our Malaysia campus and HMC. It was centred around the practical application and discussion of a Vertical-axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) and served as a technical exercise and cultural and academic exchange. Despite encountering unexpected challenges, the project was marked by innovative problem-solving and successful teamwork.
The project began with an introductory brunch, fostering initial connections between the Malaysian and American students. This was followed by the assembly of the wind turbine at Marina Pangkor, an essential hands-on experience for all involved. This setup phase was foundational not only for the students’ learning experience but also for assessing the site’s wind energy potential through direct data collection. The day’s work was met with challenges: suboptimal wind conditions led to lower-than-expected power output, and damage to a microcontroller during transit posed additional hurdles.
On the second day, a workshop hosted by the Harvey Mudd team at the Marina Pangkor Hotel was the day’s highlight. This session offered deep insights into the complexities of designing the VAWT and stimulated a rich exchange of ideas on overcoming the project’s technical difficulties. Adjustments to the turbine’s configuration were made in anticipation of better wind conditions. The setback with the microcontroller required a shift to manual data recording, emphasising adaptability in the face of unforeseen issues. The turbine’s successful operation in the late afternoon was a testament to the team’s perseverance. The day concluded with a celebratory dinner at Hilton Damai Laut, recognising the efforts and spirit of collaboration. The final day involved the deconstruction of the turbine, a process as educational as its assembly. It was a moment to reflect on the learnings and accomplishments of the past few days.
The Marina Pangkor Student Excursion stands as a testament to the enriching experience that cross-cultural collaboration and practical, hands-on projects can provide to engineering students. The venture offered an invaluable opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in a real-world setting, enhancing their understanding of renewable energy technologies. Beyond the technical skills gained through addressing the unforeseen challenges of wind turbine installation, the students benefitted immensely from working alongside peers from HMC. This interaction broadened their perspectives on diverse approaches to engineering problems and honed their communication and teamwork skills in a multicultural environment. Such experiences are crucial in preparing students for the global workforce, where the ability to navigate and collaborate across cultural boundaries is increasingly essential.