Students from the School of Computing and Data Science (SCDS), Xiamen University Malaysia, recently had the opportunity to participate in a company visit to Western Digital on the 5 May 2026. The visit was organised with the objective of providing students with greater exposure to real-world industry practices, emerging technologies, and potential career opportunities within the technology sector.

As one of the world's leading data storage companies, Western Digital is widely recognised for its innovations in hard disk drives, solid-state drives, flash memory, and data infrastructure solutions. The visit allowed students to gain first-hand insights into how large-scale technology companies operate while learning about the important role data storage plays in today's digital world.

During the visit, students were introduced to the company through an insightful sharing session, which included an overview of Western Digital, its RAMP and LAUNCH programs, as well as a briefing on firmware engineering. This session allowed students to gain a better understanding of career pathways, graduate opportunities, and the technical roles available within the company.

A key highlight of the visit was the Hard Disk Drive (HDD) teardown workshop, where students were divided into groups of three to four to carefully dismantle HDDs step by step under the guidance of engineers from Western Digital. Throughout the session, students were introduced to the internal components of a hard disk drive, including the platters, actuator arm, spindle motor, and read/write heads, while learning about the function and importance of each part in data storage and retrieval.

In addition, students toured multiple laboratories and gained first-hand exposure to various aspects of Western Digital's operational environment. Engineers stationed at each lab were patient and approachable in answering students' enquiries, providing detailed explanations about their work processes and responsibilities. This experience offered valuable insight into workplace culture, industrial workflows, and professional practices that extend beyond the traditional classroom environment, helping students bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world industry applications.

Overall, the company visit to Western Digital was a meaningful and enriching experience for SCDS students. Beyond expanding their knowledge of the technology industry, the visit also inspired students to explore future career possibilities and strengthened the connection between academic learning and industry practice.

Group Picture of Western Digital Company Visit