RMIT Hosts Residential Visit for Students from Singapore and Hong Kong
The School of Engineering has hosted 38 students from partner institution Kaplan Singapore, and a further 51 from School for Higher and Professional Education, Vocational Training Council (SHAPE VTC) in Hong Kong, for a one-week learning program.
Kaplan Singapore has been an international partner of RMIT since 2015, with a strong focus on the field of engineering, while the University’s partnership with SHAPE VTC goes back to 2003.
As part of this partnership, students from both partner institutions can come on a one-week residential visit to RMIT’s Bundoora and City campuses, complete with on-campus workshops and field trips to RMIT’s industry partners.
Dr Neng Zhang, a research assistant in the School of Engineering, coordinated the one-week learning program. He highlighted the benefits of the residential visit for the students from Kaplan Singapore.
“For a complete industry-relevant experience, RMIT has incorporated a residential visit as a means for students to observe firsthand how theoretical concepts are applied in real-world situations,” he said.
“This is a vital learning initiative that brings offshore mechanical and automotive engineering students from RMIT’s international partners.
“This program involves engaging in various lab demonstrations, computer workshops, and industry visits, which are mandatory requirements for their graduation.
“This visit provides valuable, hands-on experiences and demonstrations, essential to enhancing student learning and future employability.”
Students from RMIT’s international partners were excited to visit our Melbourne campuses.Dr Zhang explained that the residential visit, a unique program in RMIT’s STEM College, offers students the opportunity to witness the practical application of theoretical concepts in real-world scenarios.
“This immersive experience not only enhances their learning but also boosts their future employability by exposing them to advanced technologies and potential career paths,” he explained.
“Moreover, the residential visit fosters a culture of hands-on, practical learning, which is a point of difference for RMIT.
“The program exemplifies the College’s commitment to educational excellence and serves as a model for potential overseas partnerships, contributing significantly to the College’s broader strategic goals.”
The week-long visits resumed last year after a three-year, COVID-induced hiatus.
In 2024, a new cohort of students were welcomed to Melbourne, where they explored RMIT’s Bundoora and City campus, gained practical hands-on experience in the exciting Control and Dynamics, Thermodynamics and Vibration laboratories, and toured the RMIT Advanced Manufacturing Precinct (AMP) and Virtual Experience Lab – a key feature of the residential visit.
The visit provided hands-on learning experiences and demonstrations at RMIT facilities.The visiting students stayed in student residential accommodation in Bundoora, gaining the experience of a locally based RMIT student, and were allowed to explore parts of Melbourne after their experiences each day.
Ho Lam Chan, who studies Mechanical Engineering in Hong Kong, said he learned a lot during the visit by getting access to technology not available in Hong Kong.
“RMIT has some experimental devices that help to visualise the results of the experiments,” he said.
“These show the results directly to prove what we have learned, which is much better than imagining based on some descriptions.”
Chan also found talking and sharing experiences with Australian educators illuminating for his own studies.
“The most memorable experience of the visit was that I had the opportunity to talk with the local tutors and share each other’s cultures,” he said.
“The issues they have encountered and their experiences as the PhD students are invaluable to me. I recommend students to join this unique journey!”
His fellow Mechanical Engineering student, Kam Ho Chong, also found the experiences with local educators “invaluable”.
“The lab tutors and educators are so friendly!” he said.
“They took the time to show us each experiment with new technology, step by step. Seldom do we get to go through both the theory and practical elements of experiments at once.
“I’ve enjoyed Melbourne, too. It’s so connected to nature, which is different to Hong Kong.”
This residential visit represents the strength of RMIT’s international collaboration and footprint in Asia.
“The residential visit provides students with a culture of hands-on and practical learning, which is very important for a successful career,” said Dr Zhang.