Malaysia’s scientific contributions

Performance in Engineering Mathematics 5 (BA 601) has dropped in June 2014 session in Politeknik Merlimau, Melaka comparing to the previous semesters. This study is done to investigate the factors contributing to the poor performance and to establish the strategies that can be done to improve performance in Engineering Mathematics 5 (BA 601). This study is to determine the factors that lead to poor performance in Engineering Mathematics 5 (BA 601) from students’ perceptions. This study adopted descriptive survey type using frequency count and percentage for the analysis. A set of questionnaires was adopted from Favziah Nafiah and Noor Azilla Mohamed Nor (2011) for the study. The target population was among 36 students who failed in Engineering Mathematics 5, BA 601 in June 2014 session. Factors of the items in the questionnaire include : completing exercises/tutorial/assignment behavior, study method, attitude and motivation, personal problem, spiritual, and mathematics foundation. The response scales are Strongly Agree, Agree, Moderate, Disagree and Strongly Disagree. Findings indicate that weak in differentiation and integration foundation is the major factor that leads to poor performance in Engineering Mathematics 5 (BA 601) from students’ perception. Improve in this factor, students will be expected to benefit from the findings because improving Engineering Mathematics 5 (BA 601) will give them opportunities to pass this course and complete their diplomas.

The practical implementation of advanced controlled system for an industrial application involves a wide variety of integrated field such as control electronics, power electronics, electric machine and drives. The ball and beam educational tool presented here allows student to work with all different fields. The system includes a ball, a beam, a motor, several sensors, intelligent drive and PC as a host. This educational tool involves the modelling process, analysis and control of the ball and beam system using Matlab/Simulink and experimental hardware. The control is designed in closed-loop system using PID tuning method. This research presents the very useful and influential laboratory system that provides PC-based control software that enable student to compare the simulation and experiment. Thus, it is easier for students to relate the theoretical concepts that they have learned in class.