Hi all,

I'm interested in enrolling Doctor of Engineering/Engineering Doctorate (EngD)/Industrial PhD in IPTA at Malaysia.

Anyone knows which universities offers best academic experiences with flexibility of studying part time?

Also whether is it worth to do it for next 5-10 years careers?

As I'm currently working full time, cant commit full time PhD.

Thanks in advance!

Im not sure about the Eng.D

My personal experience of PhD in Engineering is... probably not worth it, but it depends.

This is why I think it's not worth it.

1. Time wasted. Experience worth more in engineering. Unless you want to become professor.
2. Money wasted. If you have GRA, it will be good, but those investment won't give better salary in my opinion. Not much benefit you got from your PhD.
3. Overqualified. Unless you have a job already. Else, if you study full time and then find a job, hard already. Nobody wants to pay you for something Master/B.Eng can do.
4. Lecturer position is hard to obtain. Teaching experience and good publication records required, not industrial experience.

However, if you can manage to skip Master, straight away go to PhD with GRA enough to cover your living expenses, and you can finish that PhD within 3 years, and you can secure a lecturer job with at least 5k salary, Yes, that PhD is worth it.

What engineering?

Based on my current experience, PhD is not for industrial practitioners. If you want to study PhD, the academic route should be your ultimate career. PhD explores the knowledge which the industry lacks knowledge on, which also means where the industry is currently not spending money on. Applying whatever you studied in the industry is usually not met with warm reception.

Also, it is generally not recommended to study PhD on a part-time basis. It'll take too long, it will distract you from getting fundings and sponsorships, and your budget will overblow due to inflationary pressure over the years, not to mention it'll be very physically and mentally taxing to do a 8-year (on average) part-time PhD while juggling with a full-time job.

But if you want to do it because you enjoy doing research, then go for it. But I'll still not recommend doing it on a part-time basis.

Need to verify this. If I am not mistaken, even if you want to study as a part-time in IPTA, you will still be registered as a full-time student.

Go ahead lah bro, I know you have done your research on the programme itself so dont stop yourself if you are able to. Never think is that worth or not just think you can or cannot.

Nope. For PhD studies, they allow you to take the part-time route. I did my PhD in UPSI (IPTA) and was registered as part-time.

*4. Lecturer position is hard to obtain. Teaching experience and good publication records required, not industrial experience.*

Actually not entirely true. It depends on the university - some IPTA even prefer a mix of academic qualification AND industry experience. IPTS we prefer having BOTH if possible. I speak from experience especially when hiring candidates.

For engineering especially, under EAC rules - each programme MUST have a certain number of Professional Engineers. If you have that together with your PhD - you are good to go. The only problem is whether your asking salary is too high for the university to pay.

What is your motivation for doing PhD? Is it for the sheer challenge of it or to open opportunities in academia one day.

Either way, if you have the time, money and motivation to do so - go for it. However, it is a VERY long journey and you are expected to keep your focus on the research at all times. Find a good supervisor rather than a good university. That will make your life easier.

Btw - in PhD, there is not really an academic experience per se. It's more of a learning, knowledge and research journey between you and your supervisor. It might be a real lonely path as you do not have classes nor classmates in that sense.

Depends on unis then. I know for certain that one of the IPTA will still register you as full-time.

I'm aware of the long journey, but willing to do so for my own interests (For my personal growth).

Will be in Electronic Engineering (Major in Internet of Things) or Computer Science (Major in Data Science). Still wondering which one to go for.

I'm aware of the long journey, but willing to do so for my own interests (Not for academic route since I'm still in industry).

Noted, will check on this. Thank you!

Thank you!

This post has been edited by cnvery: Dec 21 2022, 03:19 PM

Thanks for the information.

Thanks for the information.

Currently I don't have Professional Engineer title yet (Either Ir. or Ts.).

Do you think is it worth to pursue Doctor of Engineering/Engineering Doctorate (EngD)/Industrial PhD in this case?

I'm looking to force myself solve critical issues in Malaysia, but of course open opportunities in the future

I'm aware of the long lonely journey, but willing to do so for my own interests (Not for academic route since I'm still in industry).

Thanks for sharing.

What's real difference registering as full-time student in this case?

More tuition fees per semester?

Yeah - cause PhD has no need for classes i guess - so no difference between full time and part-time. Trying to find if there is a maximum duration stated anywhere. I remember there was a MQA document that stated it but for the life of me, I cannot find it. The 2021 Standards for Master's and DOctoral Degree only stated the typical duration of study for full-time and part-time candidates AND not the maximum. If theer is no difference between both modes of study, maybe that's why there are no differentiation.

Parking. I'm interested in doing second masters program and subsequently PHD but not looking to be an academia.

Do you think is it worth to pursue Doctor of Engineering/Engineering Doctorate (EngD)/Industrial PhD in this case?

It really depends. If you want to keep the option open one day for a career in academia - then go for PhD. I am not sure about EngD or Doctor by Practice in Engineering btw. Maybe someone more well-versed in this area can assist.

However, the danger with Industrial Doctoral Degrees is that once you are no longer with the certain company, there could be some risks in the research continuity. If it is the same thing as DBa, then not an issue as it is not tied to an organization.

From MQA Standards - Master's and Doctotal Degrees 2021.
Industrial PhDs are, by and large, research degrees where the industry partners i.e., employers or a consortium of employers co-determine the objects of the doctoral study which are typically applied in nature.

'Expected' duration to graduate, see explanation by ike.tan below too. I did not check on if there is any difference in tutition fees per sem.

You are right, there is no maximum stated. Just a vague normal duration referred to as GOT (Graduate On Time)

Ah - Maximum duration is prescribed by HEP not MQA.

Thanks for the advices.

You highlight a good point, I cannot leave the company during Industrial Doctoral Degrees.

Will consider this part.

Thanks for your advices =)

Thanks for sharing

why the need for Engineering PhD? You want to become an academician is it?

If you are in the education line... then yes... give you a higher chance to be associate professor or professor in the future...

If you are in every other line then no.... it doesn't help SHIT.... you are better off getting CEng title..

For own interest. I can get another PhD qualitfication despite can do without it. Getting into academic field is really optional for me.

For my case, CEng title does not really helps in my current field.