Syed Ahmad Helmi

• Doctor of Philosophy
• Professor (Full) at Purdue University West Lafayette

Online learning is becoming more prevalent in the academic sector, and many institutions have changed their teaching methodologies from face-to-face learning to online learning. However, the issue is whether all students are prepared for the changes in the learning method. This paper presents a study on students’ motivation in an online learning en...

This study aims to review literature in Technology Transfer Office (TTO) which identifies and analyzes the research trends, methods, and topics, and directions for future research. The methodology used in this paper is a systematic literature review, which collects data from the Scopus and Web of Science databases and based on the specified researc...

Purpose As university–industry collaboration (UIC) is associated to transfer of knowledge and technology, this collaboration is an extremely important field of study for the world's economies that helps industries become more competitive. UIC will assist universities in fine-tuning universities' educational programs to match with the industrial dem...

Background To fostering organizational improvement, the performance must be assessed. In the context of university-industry collaboration (UIC) in the technology transfer process, the performance of also must be assessed. However, the performance covers complex aspects which makes it difficult to be measured. This indicates the need to have a bette...

International Engineering Service Learning engages multi-disciplinary and cross-cultural engineeringstudents in experiential learning through structured community service. Through participation in this effective pedagogy approach, students is expected to gain first-hand knowledge of engineering practice, global competency, actively contribute to th...

The year 2020 witnessed several world transformations: from the new millennial of the 21st Century into the 4th Industrial Revolution, and now with the global pandemic of Covid-19. All these require educational transformations, especially in engineering. The challenging world requires new skills, particularly lifelong learning, complex problem solv...

This study applies main Lean Manufacturing (LM) techniques to investigate the accordance of an auto parts manufacturer from Iranian automotive industry. Although the concept of LM has been successfully applied in previous studies, concurrent investigation of its requirements is less examined, especially in developing countries. In addition, the maj...

The study was conducted in a data storage manufacturing company that currently produces more than ten types of hard disk component products both internal and external. Based on observations of their manufacturing lines, it indicates an imbalance in the production line. Balancing the production line minimizes idle time at all work stations. One comp...

This article proposes a multiobjective mathematical model to optimize the multiperiod aggregate production planning (APP) of multiproduct companies. Although there are many studies of lean manufacturing (LM), its integration with APP has not been studied. The present article is intended to integrate APP and LM, including an analysis of market winne...

Lean manufacturing is a powerful tool and the most effective way to utilize the resources and reduce the wastes of the production system. In order to tackle problems in a printer assembly company, the current value stream mapping was constructed and the solutions were proposed. In this study, the critical wastes were identified including waiting, t...

The objective of study is to identify the musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) experienced by particular workers who perform manual tasks. Improper working techniques and substandard while working, have exposed workers to occupational health risks especially in manufacturing factory. The study focused on the production line in the metal manufacturing c...

Supplier selection and order allocation is a complex managerial decision in today's competitive markets. As an important section of this area, green supplier section has been properly focused in previous literature. However, joint supplier selection and order allocation under stochastic demand is less investigated. Firstly, a fuzzy analytic hierarc...

Cooperative Problem-Based Learning (CPBL) is a highly Student-Centred Learning (SCL) method for students to develop self-directed learning skills. Previous studies show that CPBL succeeded in instilling environ-mental awareness, deep learning in Science, Technology and Mathematics (STEM) and 21st century skills among students. In this study, digita...

This paper develops a simulation model for determining safety inventory associated with a certain value of cycle service level in a fixed-time period system. The model takes into account actual amount of materials received from suppliers, and deviation from probability distribution of daily forecast demand. Constraints on order size are also embodi...

Manufacturing direct or indirect is accountable for almost one-third of carbon emission. Carbon eventually has trapped in the atmosphere in the shape of Co2; the dangerous gas that causes climate change and threatens human life. On the other hand, albeit the significant share of flexible job shops in manufacturing systems; few studies have been exe...

Green supplier ev

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose a framework to assess the agility of manufacturing companies. Design/methodology/approach Particularly, three supply chain logistic drivers (facility, transportation and inventory) along with three cross-functional drivers (information, sourcing and pricing) are selected as the main sets to classif...

The major aim of this research is to apply a Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) approach to rank the importance of Lean Manufacturing (LM) practices in the automotive industry. Although lean concept is widely investigated in previous literature, highlighting the most important practices of LM in automotive industry is not considered. To fill t...

Efficient supply chain distribution network design must consider various dimensions of performance and product characteristics. The appropriate choice of distribution network results in customer needs to be satisfied at the lowest possible cost. Investigators have recently begun to realize that the decision in the supply chain distribution network...

Solving design problems related to technical contradictions are very challenging for engineers. There are always design constraints which require engineers to compromise certain specifications and requirements. Trying to solve design problems traditionally is difficult and often lead to a trial-and-errors. This research is a study of systematic pro...

The world today is in the era of new technology and digital transformation. This new landscape is described as a combination of systems that blur the lines between physical, digital and biological fields. Similarly, the way we work will also be transformed; making it is a must to prepare for such transformations, particularly to prepare professiona...

The Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) methodology had been widely applied and accepted in businesses, industries and manufacturing sectors. However, there is a limitation of resources available on discussing the way of MCDM may applied in engineering education decision problems within university setting. The current economic crisis as well as t...

This study proposed an incorporated simulation–Taguchi model to optimize a petrol station sales rate. In addition, it provided a regression model to forecast the sales rate. Initially, Witness 2014 simulation software© was used to simulate the operating system of a petrol station. Next, the obtained simulation results were used as the input for Tag...

Student Centred Learning (SCL) approach is recommended worldwide in higher education. However, many engineering educators are reluctant to shift from teacher-centred to SCL approach because they perceive that effective teaching must heavily involve lectures and knowledge must be transmitted to the learners by the lecturer. This research seeks to id...

According to the Washington Accord, skills to solve complex problems in engineering are important in the curriculum of engineering education. To fulfill the accreditation exercise, engineering educators must be able to design complex engineering problems to assess the learning of this important skill. Therefore, this research was conducted to explo...

Motivation is essential for successful engagement in learning. This factor is especially important in courses that are considered difficult and require high cognitive engagement such as computer programming. One of the approaches to motivate engineering students in learning is to create an effective learning environment. This paper presents a quali...

The main objective of this study is to develop a framework to assess the leanness of companies in the automotive industry. Although lean manufacturing (LM) has been discussed in previous studies, leanness assessment is less investigated. Therefore, to fill this gap, this study is conducted to assess the leanness of three manufacturing companies wit...

Integration of Poka Yoke and TRIZ is a method of solving problems by using a different approach. Poka Yoke is a trial and error method while TRIZ is using a systematic approach. The main purpose of this technique is to get rid of product defects by preventing or correcting errors as soon as possible. Blame the workers for their mistakes is not the...

The main goal of this study was to propose a new framework to assess the operational activities of lean manufacturing (LM). Lean-related activities of supply chain drivers are less investigated in previous literature. To fill this gap, the operational activities of logistic (facility, transportation and inventory) and cross-functional (information,...

This paper presents a study of the enhancement of team-based problem solving skills among engineering students who undergo Cooperative Problem-Based Learning (CPBL) in an engineering course. The design of the CPBL framework aims to promote team-based learning and enhance problem solving skills. The CPBL cycle and engineering problem solving cycle e...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose a new assessment tool for Leagility. Design/methodology/approach – This research was carried out to systematically propose the operational activities of Leagile supply chains (SCs) with regard to SC drivers. Particularly, SC logistic (facility, transportation and inventory) and cross-functional dri...

The main aim of this study is to propose an incorporated model to evaluate suppliers using a lean manufacturing perspective. Although lean manufacturing has achieved an extensive amount of attention in previous studies, its integration with supplier selection is less investigated. To fill this gap, this study was conducted to systematically propose...

The major objective of this research is to suggest an integrated model to assess suppliers from an agile manufacturing viewpoint. Agile manufacturing has attained a broad quantity of attention in preceding researches. However, its incorporation with supplier selection is less inspected. To consider this ignorance, this research proposed an incorpor...

This study proposed an integrated Balanced Scorecard–Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchical Process (BSC–FAHP) model to select suppliers in the automotive industry. In spite of the vast amount of studies on supplier selection, the evaluation and selection of suppliers using the specific measures of the automotive industry are less investigated. In order to fi...

The main objective of this research is to develop a Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) for the aim of conducting feasibility study in the electrical industries. Regardless of the numerous quantity of researches on feasibility study and related techniques, proposing an integrated approach to combine and unify critical factors of feasibility wit...

According to the number of competitors in the global marketplace, it is important for companies to reduce their costs and expenses in order to be a sustainable competitor. As a case study, a company producing meatball and soup paste located at Bayan Lepas, Penang was selected with a view of finding a sustainable layout that minimizes travel distanc...

Engineering schools today are facing challenges they have never faced before to produce graduates who are relevant in the 21st Century. Today’s engineers are entering into a world marked by rapid and global change, exponential advancement in information and computer technologies, complex ethical issues, borderless global competition, changing demog...

Performance measurement plays an important role in today's competitive market due to its direct effect on supply chain's profitability. Many approaches have been applied for evaluating performance of firms, including financial, operational and balanced frameworks. Companies peruse to find the best fit performance measurement framework due to a vari...

In spite of the vast amount of studies on green supplier selection and related methods and approaches, the evaluation of green supply chain performance indicators aligned with classic measures is less investigated. Therefore, this research attempted to provide an integrated step by step procedure to consider both classical and green key performance...

The blood supply chain is a complex system with a multi-echelon structure. Hence, the integration of various interconnected elements, which should be synchronized appropriately, is a necessity to meet the patients’ requirements. The performance of the blood supply chain is a function of different variables that are dependent of each other. Therefor...

Supply chain is a network of different business units which focuses on integration among all units in order to produce and distribute end products to the customer. Nowadays, due to increased uncertainty in customer demand, it is necessary to be sure that the supply chain networks operate as efficient as possible in order to satisfy the customer dem...

Port container terminal is one of the important transition points in the shipping industry. Competitiveness is an important factor for port container terminal with the increase in the number of port terminals globally. Vessel processing time port terminals is one of the important factors that influence the port terminal attractiveness. In addition,...

Supply chain is a complex system with many challenges to accomplish an important goal. Since the dynamical essence of supply chain is stemmed from the customer demands so decision making will be a major issue in this particular topic. However the decisions wont be usually in an optimum level because of the higher complexity of the system. In additi...

Supply chain is a complex system with many challenges to accomplish an important goal. Since the dynamical essence of supply chain is stemmed from the customer demands so decision making will be a major issue in this particular topic. However the decisions won't be usually in an optimum level because of the higher complexity of the system. In addit...

Supply chain is a network of different business units which focuses on integration among all units in order to produce and distribute end products to the customer. Nowadays, due to increased uncertainty in customer demand, it is necessary to be sure that the supply chain networks operate as efficient as possible in order to satisfy the customer dem...

An engineering overview assignment given in the Introduction to Engineering course aims to support first year students to learn about engineering, and motivate them to see it as their future career. In addition to learning from the literature, students also interviewed at least two practicing engineers to produce the group report and presentation f...

Demand prediction is one of most sophisticated steps in planning and investments. Although many studies are conducted to find the appropriate forecasting models, dynamic nature of forecasted parameters and their effecting factors are apparent evidences for continuous researches. ARIMA, Artificial Neural Network (ANN), and ARIMA-ANN hybrid model are...

Third-party reverse logistics providers (3PRLPs) selection has become an important logistics function which can help companies to maintain their competitive edge. Traditionally, companies solely considered economic aspects for selecting their 3PRLPs. However, due to increased pressure from different types of stakeholders regarding environmental and...

Problem solving has been identified as the top priority attribute in engineering graduates for the 21st century. Nevertheless, the question remains on how to actually develop skills for solving real world problem in engineering students. Cooperative problem based learning (CPBL) has been shown to significantly enhance problem-solving skills among e...

There are many layout problems in various kinds of manufacturing systems. Commonly, these layout problems are associated with the determination of the place where facilities such as machines and departments are in the factory. In fact, manufacturers are imposed high costs because of high levels of material handling. Therefore, minimizing the materi...

Educating engineering students on sustainable development (SD) is a major concern in the 21st Century. Without the inculcation of SD, the students, as future innovators and problem solvers, may well be part of the problem, instead of providing the solution. Problem based learning is a possible approach to inculcate SD to have a deep impact on stude...

T his study aims to select supplier for electrical manufacturing companies based on their different supply chain strategies. A balanced score card (BSC) approach is deployed to assess companies performance. The result of performance measurement is used to compare companies based on lean and agile manufacturer's supply chain strategy. Supplier selec...

This paper presents an intensive study on gaining the understanding on how Cooperative Problem-Based Learning (CPBL) enhances complex problem solving skills among engineering students. The epistemology of the study is based upon interpretivist perspective. The research used the grounded theory approach to study the process, or look for explanation...

This paper presents a qualitative study to understand how Cooperative Problem-Based Learning (CPBL) enhances team working skills among engineering students. The epistemology of the study is based upon interpretivist perspective. The research used the grounded theory approach to study the process, or look for explanation of the process, if it is in...

Solving complex engineering problems is an essential skill that must be developed among graduates of the new millennia. Issues facing the world today are very challenging, and will become more challenging in the future. Thus, to become good problem solvers, graduate engineers of today must be motivated and equipped with learning strategies that wil...

Supply chain strategy aims to determine the benefit of operation, distribution, services and all activities an organization is using based on its specific strategy. With the high increasing rate of competitiveness in today’s markets, companies must know about their supply chain strategy to survive and win the market versus their competitors. Studie...

An effective problem is the heart of problem-based learning (PBL). Crafting problems according to effective PBL problems criteria is a challenging task to problem crafters especially in engineering. The aim of this paper is to describe a guided technique for crafting PBL problems based on the experience implementing PBL at Universiti Teknologi Mala...

Cooperative problem based learning (CPBL) integrates cooperative learning principles into the problem based learning (PBL) cycle. To successfully support students in attaining the desired outcomes, the CPBL learning environment must be properly designed and planned. This paper explains the philosophies and principles in designing CPBL learning envi...

Students’ motivation is a key to success in problem-based learning (PBL) implementation. Transition from conventional teaching method to PBL infuses negative mindsets towards PBL among students who are not familiar with inductive learning methods. This paper describes the approaches in motivating students to learn in a cooperative problem-based lea...

This paper explains methods used in determining enhancement of problem solving skills in engineering students undergoing Cooperative Problem-Based Learning (CPBL). The transformation of learning maturity, from novice to expert, is examined using both, quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The process of enhancing problem solving skills is exa...

To face the challenges of the 21st Century, problem-based learning (PBL) is touted as one of the effective teaching and learning methodology. In engineering education, where the enrolment and class size is high, PBL is more practical although the implementation is difficult to monitor. Cooperative learning (CL) is identified to have the added eleme...

Cooperative problem-based learning (CPBL) has been proven to be a powerful technique in engaging and developing students in learning, as well as a multitude of professional skills. Nevertheless, academic staff in engineering who are new to conducting CPBL may face difficulties because students who are new to this inquiry based technique will normal...

An effective problem is the heart of problem-based learning (PBL). Problems play an important role in delivering learning outcomes, assessing learning process, providing learning context, stimulating thinking skills, and catering for teaching and learning activities. Although a number of criteria that characterise effective PBL problems have been i...

Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is an inductive learning approach that uses a realistic problem as the starting point of learning. Unlike in medical education, which is more easily adaptable to PBL, implementing PBL in engineering courses in the traditional semester system set-up is challenging. While PBL is normally implemented in small groups of up...

Motivation and engagement in learning is very important for students to understand challenging engineering content. Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is well known for engaging students in learning. However, the small group PBL tutorials with up to ten students assigned to a dedicated tutor to facilitate learning common in medical schools is not practic...

The development of an instrument that can be used to study students’ ability in their problem solving skills while undergoing cooperative problem-based learning (CPBL) in engineering classrooms is reported. The instrument combines Philip’s flowchart of traditional engineering problem solving model which was divided into definition, strategy and sol...

Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is an inductive learning approach that uses a realistic problem as the starting point of learning. Unlike in medical education, which is more easily adaptable to PBL, implementing PBL in engineering courses in the traditional semester system set-up is challenging. While PBL is normally implemented in small groups of up...

Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is an inductive learning approach that uses a realistic problem as the starting point of learning. Unlike in medical education, which is more easily adaptable to PBL, implementing PBL in engineering courses in the traditional semester system setup is challenging. While PBL is normally implemented in small groups of up t...

E-learning, through any Learning Management Systems (LMS), can be used to enhance and aid the implementation of problem-based learning (PBL). In UTM, an open-source LMS, Moodle, is being used. Through e-learning, learning can take place anywhere and anytime through the communication tools that it has. This feature provides a channel of communicatio...

In this paper, the authors describe the efforts in promoting the implementation of Problem-Based Learning (PBL) at the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Johor Bahru, Malaysia, which is essentially the groundwork phase of the University-wide PBL project. The move to train a core group of lecturers to implement PBL was initiated in 2002. The litmu...

In Problem-Based Learning (PBL), complex, real-world and ill-structured problems are used to motivate students to identify and research the concepts and principles they need to work through those problems. It is the key point to implement a successful PBL instruction. However, crafting a good PBL problem is a challenge for instructors in most disci...

Problem-based Learning (PBL) is known to develop and enhance generic skills. The prevailing question is whether the same benefits can be seen for "passive" Malaysian students. In the 2004/05-2 semester, fourth year chemical engineering undergraduates who took Process Control and Dynamics, which was taught using PBL, were surveyed at the end of the...

The paradigm shifts from traditional chalk-and-talk teaching method to a more innovative teaching style and method in engineering education is the key in transforming the way engineers are prepared to solve complex problems for the 21st century. Rather than presenting the content first, PBL presents the students with an ill-structured, ambiguous, c...

In Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Problem Based Learning (PBL) is proposed as an alternative to lectures in moulding engineering graduates to acquire attributes that are required to excel in today's k-economy. To investigate if PBL is viable for undergraduates in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, a pilot implementation of PBL in Facilities Pla...

This paper gives a review of Problem-Based Learning (PBL) applied in engineering courses worldwide, and a survey of academic staff who have implemented PBL in engineering classes in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. The review of PBL application illustrates the extent of acceptance and success of PBL in schools of engineering in the international aren...

Engineering educators are faced with demands from various sectors to produce graduates who can be effective in today's borderless k-economy. To accommodate these demands and adapt to changes in the 21 st century, Problem Based Learning (PBL) is proposed as an alternative to traditional lectures in moulding engineering graduates to acquire the desir...