John Premkumar

John Premkumar is a full-time oil, gas, and mining professional who still finds time to pursue his Professional Certificate of Competency in Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning. We chatted with him to find out how he does it.

What inspired you to pursue the Professional Certificate of Competency in (HVAC) Heating, Ventilation & Air-Conditioning, and how will it benefit your career?

I’m a Study/Project Manager/Design Manager working on various oil, gas, and mining projects. There is a need to design various heating and cooling systems for the industry. As a Design Manager, I have acquired the essential knowledge to appreciate and plan the requirements for designing HVAC systems through this coursework.

Through this coursework, I have acquired the essential knowledge to appreciate and plan the requirements for designing HVAC systems. This knowledge has also been shared with the clients for them to get a gauge of the level of effort required.

Balancing work and home life can be challenging. How do you find time for studying while fulfilling your work and family responsibilities?

EIT’s program for online learning at hours conducive for me has allowed me to balance my studies, work, and family responsibilities well. The study schedule has been well planned to allow me to manage my time efficiently.

What essential skills and knowledge are required to succeed in the HVAC industry, and how does this course help you acquire them?

The technical coverage of fundamentals such as latent and specific heat requirements, Heating and Cooling Load Calculation Procedure, and ducting design has been applied in my projects such as the BHP Olympic Dam Purge Air Fan Upgrade project, design of the HVAC system for BHP’s Underground Equipment Rooms.

How has the format of this course (online, self-paced, etc.) helped you balance your studies with other commitments?

The online schedule of the program is fantastic; students also have the flexibility to request extensions, if necessary, which is hugely beneficial if any emergent works need to be attended to.

What challenges have you faced while studying for the Professional Certificate of Competency in HVAC, and how have you overcome them?

It is always challenging to comprehend new concepts. Getting my head around the Variable Air Volume (Vav) Systems was a challenge. However, the additional reading materials and references provided were excellent; there were links to simulations to help.

What motivated you to choose the Engineering Institute of Technology (EIT) to pursue your Professional Certificate of Competency in HVAC, and how has your experience with EIT been so far?

I have been an active student of EIT since 2016, it started with my quest to gain more technical knowledge in new fields to keep myself abreast with new technologies. I have completed more than 8 Professional Certificates thus far and plan to do more. I greatly encourage the industry to explore this pathway to expand its knowledge in various fields.

Can you describe your experience with EIT’s teaching methods, faculty, and support services and how they have helped you succeed in your studies?

The program’s online schedule is highly impressive. The quizzes and assignments are well covered in the coursework, plus there are opportunities to ask queries relating to any sections of the materials. The course coordinator promptly answers these.

How do you stay motivated and focused on your studies, especially when you have other pressing responsibilities and distractions?

Like all other commitments, it requires a bit of discipline, but this is manageable with a little scheduling, a few hours a week set aside will be sufficient to understand and master the materials.

Can you share tips for other students to balance their studies, work, and home life?

The program has been tailored well for a self-learning approach; it provides all the essential tools to manage your time. The staff are approachable and flexible and are willing to assist you in any way they can. By setting aside a few hours a week, you can sail through the coursework and, at the end of 3 months, will be rewarded with a valuable recognized certificate, adding value to your CV/resume.

What are some of the key benefits of obtaining a Professional Certificate of Competency in HVAC, and would you recommend this course to others in the industry?

Through this course, I have gained a much better understanding of the requirements of designing HVAC systems, an essential element in designing and mining plants for oil, gas, and mining. I encourage others to take this pathway as well.