A New Challenge: Designing METE1153 for the Short Semester

Posted on August 3, 2025 ·

About three weeks ago, I received unexpected news: students had registered to take Occupational Safety in Energy Systems (METE1153) during the short semester break. I was honestly quite shocked, as I had been hoping for a well-deserved academic break—especially considering the heavy administrative workload currently on my plate.

Over the past academic year, my teaching responsibilities have been intense. I taught 6 credits in Session 1, followed by another 6 credits in Session 2. Last year during Session 2 alone, I carried a 12-credit load, which included multiple versions of METE1153 (full-time, part-time, and ODL) along with METW1153: Quality Management. Given that context, it’s clear why I was hoping for some breathing space this time around.

However, as it turns out, this will be my first time teaching a course during the short semester. My goal is to structure the course in a self-learning format, allowing students greater flexibility while managing the compressed timeline. There are currently 7 to 9 students enrolled in the course, and I’m hopeful this approach will work well for them.

Today, I spent some time setting up the eLearning platform for METE1153, using the ODL model as my reference. In fact, I’m also working on enhancing the full METE1153 ODL version in parallel. Should I be assigned to this course again next year, it would mark my third time handling METE1153—but that’s still eight months away.

Right now, the pressing challenge is how to compress a traditionally 14-week syllabus into just 8 weeks, without compromising learning quality. I believe I’ve managed to prepare at least 50% of the content and structure for students to begin their self-learning journey today. I hope that they’ll find the materials engaging and beneficial, and that this short semester will still provide meaningful learning, despite its condensed format.

Other official tasks today include coming out with a new novel review paper idea to collaborate with someone from Australia. InsyaAllah.

#20242025 Day 034

#Sunday

Filed Under: 1 Academic, 1 Activity 1 Day, 10 Administrative, 11 Personal, 2 Research Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Mock VIVA of our PhD Student on a Sunday

Posted on July 27, 2025 ·

Today is my day off (Sunday), but I’ve set a few important tasks to accomplish. First on the list is to complete the marking for my METE1153 ODL course. I also have a mock PhD viva session scheduled with Tan, which I hope will be a valuable preparation for his actual defense. Additionally, I need to prepare for the RMC Strategic Planning meeting, which is scheduled for tomorrow. There are a few other tasks that I plan to tackle as well, depending on how much time I have left in the day.

Because of time limitations and my intention to attend the Pengajian Kitab after Subuh, I brought my laptop to the surau. While listening to the pengajian—specifically the Kitab Faridatul Faraid—I took the opportunity to continue my marking tasks simultaneously. It was a meaningful way to balance both spiritual enrichment and academic responsibilities.

Other tasks performed on this off-day:

  • Submit ICLCA2025 paper correction
  • Insert METE1153 student mark
  • Read/check Izwan’s draft thesis
  • Read/check Suhaila’s paper

#20242025 Day 027

#Sunday

Filed Under: 1 Academic, 1 Activity 1 Day, 2 Research, 6 Supervision Tagged With: , , , , ,

Invigilating Final Exam for METE1153 ODL: Occupational Safety for Energy System

Posted on July 13, 2025 ·

It’s a peaceful and fulfilling Sunday, a day off in the calendar. My day began with attending the Pengajian Kitab (Kitab Faridatul Faraid) at my local surau after Subuh. I returned home shortly after 8:00 a.m., mentally preparing for the final examination of METE1153 – Occupational Safety in Energy Systems, which I am conducting for the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) cohort.

This semester, 28 students are enrolled in the course, spread across various parts of Malaysia, with one student even based in Europe. I initiated our Webex session at 8:35 a.m., and to my pleasant surprise, half the students were already present, waiting patiently and punctually for the session to begin.

By 8:45 a.m., I conducted a short briefing on the final exam procedures, ensuring clarity and alignment with the students. Since everyone was ready and there were no pending issues, we agreed to start the exam slightly earlier at 8:55 a.m., with a scheduled end time at 11:55 a.m.

Delivering ODL for METE1153 this time has been both rewarding and challenging. One major challenge was the fact that both the students and I are still relatively new to the ODL format. In addition, my hectic academic and administrative schedule added complexity to planning and execution.

However, there is much to be grateful for. I now have a clearer vision of what needs to be improved. With the help of:

Past trainings I’ve attended,

  • Feedback and support from the METE course coordinator,
  • Comments from students, and
  • My own reflections from two years of teaching experience in ODL,

…I am confident that I am better equipped to deliver an improved ODL experience in the next cycle. InsyaAllah, the next offering of this course will be a significantly enhanced version.

So, stay tuned. Better things are on the horizon.

#20242025 Day 013

#Sunday

Filed Under: 1 Academic, 1 Activity 1 Day Tagged With: , , , ,