THE STAR Tuesday 20 May 2014

StarSpecial

A progressive society Cultivating a vibrant research culture in .

Postgraduate degree for career boost > 9 Flexibility: Key to opportunities > 10 2 POSTGRADUATE StarSpecial, Tuesday 20 May 2014 Propagating research-driven academia

By TINA CARMILLIA network between university and community.” ITH the country’s goal of She encourages the nurturing becoming a developed and development of research Wnation by 2020, one culture among university students of its biggest challenges is the even at the undergraduate level establishing of a scientifically because it broadens the learning advanced and progressive society. experience in higher learning Such a society will not just be a institutions. consumer of technology but an “More importantly, the New innovative contributor to scientific Economic Model demands a and technological efforts. human capital workforce that The Ministry of Science, provides both quality and quantity Technology and Innovation in the knowledge economy,” she realises that to propel the nation’s adds. socio-economic landscape, it “Research efforts might not has to play an important role in be ‘felt’ by the society and it is strengthening the field of science, understandable if people question technology and innovation (STI) the emphasis given to it. The truth in all sectors through research is the outcome can be seen in the and development as outlined in commercialisation of products and the National Policy on Science, job creation. Research doesn’t just Technology and Innovation Policy build the country, it also builds (NPSTI). This research culture is our higher education system and slowly budding within the young its international reputation,” says academic community in the Doria. country. The entry point for most Efforts to boost RSE research work is through cultural community, climate and Malaysian their own measures to improve institutions of higher education, affordable living costs makes the standings and prestige of the It is obvious that the particularly at the postgraduate Malaysia an attractive destination academics universities. government plays an active level. One of the goals of for foreign students. With autonomy over their role in shaping the country’s postgraduate studies is to produce It is no surprise that Malaysia produced more academic, administrative and research culture, including graduates who are capable also hosts a good number of than 14,000 financial matters, the five through initiatives like the NPSTI of designing, conducting and prestigious universities through research universities in Malaysia and MyBrain15 scholarship analysing a piece of scientific their branch campuses, including research papers – Universiti Sains Malaysia, programme. study. Monash University Malaysia, between 1996 and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, The MyBrain15 programme Fundamental and applied The University of Nottingham Universiti Malaya, Universiti Putra is one of the critical agenda research drives economic Malaysia Campus and Heriot-Watt 2012. Malaysia and Universiti Teknologi projects under the National Higher development. Fundamental University Malaysia. Malaysia – are expected to be Education Strategic Plan to create research focuses on discovering In its 2011 survey, the Ministry This compares catalysts to make the country’s a pool of highly knowledgeable new theories, ideas or concepts of Higher Education, which has favourably to their higher education industry people as a catalyst for research, while applied research solves now been absorbed into the innovative and competitive. development and innovation to practical problems and improves Ministry of Education, found Singaporean and Additionally, the prestige of drive Malaysia into a high income processes. that Malaysia was ranked 11th Thai counterparts these research universities will nation. Doria Abdullah, academic worldwide as a destination among attract not just its graduates to The government anticipates a fellow in Universiti Teknologi international students. who produced return for postgraduate education, ratio of 72 research scientists and Malaysia’s School of Science, Nonetheless, the research but also students from abroad to engineers (RSE) for every 10,000 Technology and Innovation effort in academia faces its own 12,000 and pursue their postgraduate studies people in the workforce by 2020. Policy, explains: “Both types of challenges. Funding is one of the 8,000 research in the country. The current ratio is 58.2 for every research are equally important. biggest constraints. While it is one of the country’s 10,000 workers. For example, an understanding of The government – through publications, aspirations to be the regional The government also aims to how the Nipah virus spreads and grants such as InnoFund for respectively, hub of higher education, with the produce 60,000 Malaysian PhD mutates is a fundamental research development or improvement trend towards research studies, it holders by 2023. effort. With this knowledge, of new or existing products, within the same will not be far-fetched to expect It is therefore a university’s role researchers are able to identify ScienceFund for new ideas and the research culture to flourish to respond to the government’s the right vaccines through applied advancements of knowledge, and period. among students. call and attract students into its research. TechnoFund to stimulate growth In fact, some academics are postgraduate programmes as “Another example would be and successful innovation for of the opinion that the emphasis well as to build relationships with how social studies were carried commercialisation – attempts to given to the research culture the industry, particularly in the out to understand the function address this issue. should begin at the undergraduate research and development sector. and operations of sekolah pondok, According to Scopus statistics, journals, the government level. When the nations research which is a form of fundamental which is the world’s largest announced earlier this year that it This opinion is shared by senior culture matures, it will research. abstract and citation database of will continue to provide grants for lecturer Dr Habibah Ahmad, who, contribute to economic growth “Applied research improves the peer-reviewed research literature, public universities. with colleagues Hamzah Jusoh through innovative product sustainability of this education Malaysian academics produced In the last two federal budgets, and Amriah Buang of Universiti commercialisation besides system and provides suggestions more than 14,000 research papers RM600mil was allocated as Kebangsaan Malaysia, published a attracting international students on how best to help the schools between 1996 and 2012. research grants for public study on the nurturing of research to the postgraduate research move with current development This compares favourably institutions of higher learning. culture in Malaysia in 2011. programmes offered in the trends such as using IT in teaching to their Singaporean and Thai “It is timely that research institutions of higher learning and and learning.” counterparts who produced Research universities lead universities take the role of making the country the region’s 12,000 and 8,000 research the way educating students to become research hub. Vibrant research publications, respectively, within researchers at the undergraduate Without the cooperation environment the same period. The government has also issued level. A reward system in an between the government, Encouraged by the improved full autonomy to the five research innovative learning environment universities and industry, the The country’s higher education performance of local academics universities in Malaysia in order must include elements of only culture the research field can industry is one of the most vibrant in research and academic to allow greater flexibility for exposure to real situations and boast is the type found in petri in the region as the mix of a multi- publications in international the universities to implement issues through fieldwork and dishes in dingy laboratories.

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N early 2011, Universiti Utara Malaysia devised a strategic plan to consolidate By PROF Iour position and reputation as the leading DATUK WIRA university for management and business DR MOHAMED studies at the national level. MUSTAFA ISHAK We are now moving towards the second phase (2016-2020) of our strategic plan, in which we intend to seize opportunities that UUM is ranked 1,652nd out of 22,000 may arise on the Asian and international participating universities. stage. This is a great improvement on the One of the key markers used to guide us 2,214th position held last year. in this process is the global rankings criteria We are also ranked 54th in the South- used by international ranking bodies. East Asia ranking, an encouraging jump Since the emergence of global rankings, from the 83rd position held in July last year. there has been a heightened awareness In Malaysia, we are ranked 8th, which is an among institutions of higher learning at improvement of four positions from that both the national and international levels of attained in July last year. the pursuit of prominence. UUM has certainly taken huge strides It is now imperative that universities in its progress since first joining the measure their performance against ranking international ranking agenda barely a year criteria. ago. The world university rankings are one However, we are aware that our efforts of the primary sources of reference that have to be doubled to realise our targeted influence prospective students and their position in the world rankings. parents on the choice of a study destination Towards this end, we are intensifying our and the basis upon which the government focus on the current staples of academia, determines funding allocations and namely research and publication, teaching develops higher education policies. and learning, leadership, and innovation They affect university-industry and commercialisation. partnerships, which are crucial to funding We aim to increase the quantity and and shaping the even more direct and quality of the research and publication pragmatic contribution of academia to activities undertaken by UUM academics. nation building. To encourage a rise in the number of UUM Given the immense importance vested academics published in SCOPUS, ISI and in world university rankings, we aim to other scholarly high impact publications, gain a deeper understanding of ranking we have instituted a schedule of incentives methodologies to improve our practices, to motivate authors. consolidate our strengths and make In addition, we aim to fulfil the myriad of substantial progress through the ranking needs of our increasingly diverse population system. of staff and students by harnessing the The Ministry of Education Malaysia properties of ICT in a campaign to place recognises four world-ranking bodies: QS ourselves at the forefront of technological World University Rankings, Times Higher trends in education and enterprise. Education World University Rankings, We also plan to initiate a more Academic Ranking of World Universities comprehensive use of technology in (ARWU) and Webometrics Ranking of education by way of e-learning powered by World Universities. Web 2.0. We also intend to implement the Currently, UUM is listed in the QS and use of Open Educational Resources (OER) to Webometrics rankings. The results of promote the sharing of teaching-learning the ranking exercise exemplify UUM’s materials among academics. promising progress in both rankings. To position UUM as the hub of excellence In the QS ranking among Malaysian in the region, we have begun our drive universities, UUM’s position improved from to raise the capacity of our schools and 15th in 2012 to 9th last year. In the Asian institutes at UUM to become Centres of ranking, we attained the 224th rank last Excellence (CoE) that specialise in their own year, a higher rank compared to our 299th core competencies. rank in 2012. We believe that such focus on our At present, based on the Webometrics strengths will help us grow in stature and ranking published in January this year, attract more private investments, making us a formidable force and a serious global contender. We have never lost sight of our primary product – our human capital. We have always prided ourselves on nurturing well- rounded students. We will also continue to focus on and maximise our capability to promote ethics and noble, humanitarian values among our students in an effort to mould resilient future leaders. Our aim to raise our world ranking position will never be done at the expense of our self-esteem or the principles underpinning the vision and mission of the university. Our efforts towards hoisting the UUM flag in the arena of Asia’s Top 50 Universities go hand-in-hand with our efforts to transform ourselves into an internationally celebrated high performance Eminent Management University by 2020.

UUM aims to increase the quality and quantity n Prof Datuk Wira Dr Mohamed Mustafa of research and publication activities by its Ishak is the vice- of Universiti academics. Utara Malaysia. StarSpecial, Tuesday 20 May 2014 POSTGRADUATE 5

HE University of Wollongong’s Sydney TBusiness School (UOW- SBS), one of the best emerging Australian business schools, Aussie MBA offered locally offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme that meets the growing need for high-quality postgraduate programmes for working professionals. The UOW-SBS MBA, which is available at INTI International College , enables students and professionals to expand and advance in their respective areas of expertise, to build professional excellence and to enhance their leadership capabilities. The programme comprises 11 core units and one elective unit. Each of the core units is designed to develop students’ core competencies such as strategic analysis, decision- making and appreciation of global business challenges, which INTI’s campus in Menara KH, Kuala are complemented by people, Lumpur, provides a stimulating learning financial, marketing and system The UOW-SBS MBA will help learners develop global business, people, financial, marketing and system analysis skills. environment. analysis skills. An overarching theme of the will be taught by UOW-SBS’ own business-related disciplines. the online platform and also to real-world situations. Students programme is an emphasis on MBA professors and lecturers Offered at INTI’s campus in correspond on a one-to-one basis are presented with workplace analytical thinking, innovation from abroad. Menara KH, Jalan Sultan Ismail, with instructors. scenarios and required to find and creativity, which are areas Sydney Business School Kuala Lumpur, the UOW-SBS MBA Other advanced software possible solutions to the problems critical for entrepreneurial and is a graduate faculty of the is conducted in a stimulating available include Epson’s Easy that arise. business success. University of Wollongong, which learning environment afforded by Interactive Tools, which allows Innovation also brings about Included in the UOW-SBS is in the top 2% of universities the new campus. instructors and students to multiple industry projects, which MBA are six master classes worldwide. The school has a Blended learning at INTI highlight documents and images enable students to work with on contemporary Australian, strong and dynamic faculty incorporates lectures and in various Microsoft formats employers on real business issues Asian and global issues with committed to excellence in innovative technologies that on a projection screen, making and solutions to gain experience focus on topics of leadership, teaching and research, and to include online tools, multimedia presentations and lessons more and readiness for global entrepreneurship, business risk, strengthening its partnership content and the Blackboard compelling. employability. adapting to change, corporate with the industry, government learning system. Blackboard Among the most innovative social responsibility and and businesses. UOW-SBS has enables students to access online learning activities is n For more information, call sustainability. also built a strong research focus course material, lecture notes, the simulation programme, 03- 2052 2888 or visit Half the programme modules with diverse interests across assignments and tutorials from where students are exposed to www.newinti.edu.my 6 POSTGRADUATE StarSpecial, Tuesday 20 May 2014 VC COLUMN Place for drivers of research

OME of the most dramatic transformative innovations. to do both. innovations – innovations When my colleague, the On the contrary, we Sthat have fundamentally Nobel prize winner Sir Peter increasingly see an emphasis changed the way in which we Mansfield, was working on on the collaboration across live – have emerged as a result magnetic resonance in the early institutional and national of research undertaken in 1970s, he was driven by his own boundaries to bring together universities. innate curiosity and his desire funding from multiple sources Ultrasound, MRI, pacemakers, to understand the interactions and the diversity of talent that the seat-belt, broad spectrum between materials and magnets. is needed to realise social and antibiotics, LCDs and DNA But the outputs of his work (and commercial value from academic fingerprinting are just a few those of his collaborators) were research. examples of the many and major to result in the development of While the impact of university contributions to society that magnetic resonance imaging – the research is apparent mostly in have come from research activity basis of the MRI scanner – a major terms of high profile innovations undertaken by universities revolution in medical diagnostics. and major discoveries, we worldwide. Without this fundamental should not underestimate its University research takes many research, research individuals who broader value. Around the world, forms, ranging from work that take the principles of MRI and universities talk about educating is purely curiosity-driven (blue- Research that is both curiosity-driven and applicable is required to provide new develop and refine them to enable their students in a research- skies) through to projects that solutions to well-known problems. the widespread application of the intensive environment or about may be applied and focused on technique for medical imaging delivering research-led teaching. providing new solutions to well- are driven by their curiosity would have no foundation to work An education environment known problems. By PROF alone rather than any immediate with. such as this gives students the Governments and other CHRISTINE commercialisation opportunity. Equally, however, the ground opportunity to work with and to research funding bodies are ENNEW On the other hand, breaking work that developed the learn from academics who are often particularly attracted policymakers stress the limited laser in the 1950s and 60s would creative and innovative – people to research that is highly funds available to support have been wasted had it not been who are advancing knowledge, applicable and problem-oriented research as well as the need to for the imaginative researchers changing the world and inspiring because it generates solutions not necessarily seek to address allocate those funds in areas who developed the technology for future generations to continue this to recognisable problems in a recognisable problem may be where the impact is greatest. application in areas as diverse as process. relatively short timescales. seen as more risky with much less In many senses, this is a futile welding, printing, surgery, optical Blue-skies research feeds Investment in research to certainty about positive outcomes. debate because we need both discs, barcodes, lighting displays problem-oriented research and develop the right delivery system Both academics and types of research. and missile targeting systems. current research inspires future of a new compound that kills policymakers debate the relative Fundamental, curiosity-driven As a society, if we want to research, and both have the cancer cells or in mechanisms that merit of these different types or blue-skies research plays an advance and solve the increasingly potential to be genuinely world- improve the efficiency of wind of research and often in quite essential role in enhancing our challenging problems that changing. turbines is likely to have relatively emotive terms. knowledge and understanding of confront us, we must support both quick pay-back. Academics emphasise the the world around us. fundamental and applied research. n Prof Christine Ennew is the CEO In contrast, investment in importance of their freedom to It is research of this type that That does not mean that every and provost of The Nottingham speculative research that does pursue interesting topics that gives rise to some of the most country or every institution needs University Malaysia Campus. Building excellence in education SEGi University Group (SEGi) recently won a Silver award during the prestigious Putra Brand Awards – a clear recognition of its commitment to quality education. The award was presented to SEGi’s vice-chancellor, Emeritus Prof Dr Muhamad Awang. Since its founding in 1977, SEGi has held to its core belief of bringing out the best in all individuals, whether they be students or employees. The university strives to provide a complete learning experience to encourage natural talents in a holistic setting. This is why SEGi is one of the few private Emeritus Prof Dr Muhamad Awang (centre), higher learning institutions that provide a vice-chancellor of SEGi University, accepting the wide range of programmes that range from Silver trophy from 4As council member Omar medicine to creative arts from certificate to Shaari (left) and Astro chief commercial officer PhD levels. Liew Swee Lin. The objective of having five campuses at strategic locations in the Klang Valley, also attracted many international learners Penang and is to make quality to pursue further studies at SEGi. As a education accessible. With the widespread result, local students get a head start at use of the Internet, SEGi is making full use collaborating with fellow peers of various of technology to close the qualifications gap. nationalities and backgrounds, which SEGi’s PACE (Professional and Continuing effectively prepares them for work at Education) is a programme that enables multinational corporations. students to learn at their own pace and To motivate all Segians to be at their very complete their studies while being able best, SEGi holds a series of motivational to attend to other obligations and have a talks inspired by the world-renowned fulfilling work-life balance. TEDTalks. Named Segian Talks, it gathers Instead of attending scheduled classes at the best minds in various industries to a venue, students can conveniently log on to share their ideas to improve and impact their virtual classes from anywhere and at lives. anytime. Currently, programmes included SEGi also partners with prominent in the PACE programme are Master in multinational companies to provide its Business Administration (MBA), Bachelor of students a learning experience beyond Business Management (Hons) and Executive academics. Partners include Huawei, Oracle Diploma in Business Administration. and Media Prima. Well-known universities in the United SEGi is steadfast in its quest to make Kingdom, the United States and Australia education accessible to all and will continue have established strong ties with SEGi. to raise the bar for education excellence in These connections offer students a wide Malaysia. variety of internationally recognised qualifications that can be completed locally. n For more information, visit These international partnerships have www.segi.edu.my Tuesday 20 May 2014 StarSpecial 7 8 POSTGRADUATE StarSpecial, Tuesday 20 May 2014

NIVERSITY of Malaya (UM) has numerous patents in reaffirmed its status as the photonic products. The photonics Upremier research university laboratory of UM is one of the in Malaysia for the fourth year most sophisticated photonics running when it achieved its laboratories in the region. best ever position in the QS Asian The Department of Medical University Rankings 2013, placing Microbiology was awarded the 33rd overall and first among all Nikkei Asia Prize in 2002 for its universities in Malaysia. role in discovering the Nipah For the QS World University virus. Ranking 2013, UM was at the The Nipah Virus Research team 167th place. Recently, QS Stars received the Charles C. Shepard conducted an independent audit Award for best publication under of UM’s performance and the the Laboratory Research Methods university achieved an overall category from the Centre for maximum rating of five stars. Disease Control (CDC Atlanta, US). QS Stars rates universities The Combinatorial Technologies across the world against 30 criteria Universiti Malaya is set to become a major global player in research, publication, innovation and teaching. and Catalyst Research Centre grouped into eight categories (COMBICAT) is among the most – research, employability, equipped catalysis research teaching, infrastructure, centres in the region and the only internationalisation, innovation, combinatorial technology centre engagement and the university’s in South-East Asia. standing in specialist subjects. Leading the way in Breakthroughs and discoveries Currently, with more than in science, technology, humanities 150 postgraduate programmes and in the arts and social sciences including 30 master’s and take place through collaborative three doctorate by research efforts with several institutions programmes being offered in across the region. various fields at 20 faculties, UM research excellence UM has also produced a total is set to become a major global of 11,813 papers in high impact player in research, publication, access to not only supervisors but the Nanotechnology & Catalysis The complex houses units that journals in the Web of Science innovation and teaching. also facilities from both partner Research Centre and Photonics manage research, innovation and (WoS), an online subscription- Students have rated teaching universities. The setting up of the Research Centre were named commercialisation under one roof based scientific citation indexing highly at UM and the increasing Dual PhD programme provides a potential HiCoEs in 2011 and 2012, to provide the best management service maintained by Thomson number of postgraduates every means of developing a long-term respectively. UM also has the facility to advance research and Reuters, and a total of 15,038 year is testament to the quality of research partnership between support of more than 60 research innovation. papers for Scopus, a bibliographic the research supervision provided. institutions. centres covering a wide range of Six research clusters, including database containing abstracts Research students at UM Recognising the impressive research subjects. equitable society, frontier and citations for academic journal are not limited to supervision work UM has accomplished, in Located next to the Institute of science, innovative technology, articles, from 2005 to March this from just UM lecturers. UM has 2010, then Ministry of Higher Graduate Studies is a brand new sustainability science, wellness, year. established Dual PhD programmes Education (MOHE) selected the complex that houses the Research and humanities support the UM UM’s research value is further with 12 reputable universities UM Power Energy Dedicated Management and Monitoring centres of excellence (CoE). reflected by the number of from all over the world beginning Advance Centre as one of the Institute. UM research has made a mark citations received at 52,151 for with the University of Sydney six Higher Institutions’ Centre This institute is a centralised in several fields in terms of its ISI WoS and 68,259 for Scopus. in 2009 and more recently with of Excellence (HiCoE) with research management facility for achievements. UM is the National the University of Nottingham, focus on the development of researchers within and out of the Centre for Research on the n For more information, visit UK. This allows students to have renewable energy. In addition, campus. Antarctic. The Physics Department www.um.edu.my StarSpecial, Tuesday 20 May 2014 POSTGRADUATE 9

Prof Robert Craik, chief executive officer and provost of Heriot-Watt University Malaysia, leads the university’s push to provide quality British education through its branch campus in Malaysia. Postgraduate degree for career boost

OSTGRADUATE beyond to experience its award- qualifications are highly winning innovative British Pfavoured in industries education system. such as engineering, finance Postgraduate classes and management as well as in renewable energy health and science. In fact, engineering, energy, petroleum postgraduate qualifications are engineering, construction mandatory in some industries project management, business and specialised jobs. psychology and international Having better career business management prospects or a better salary with marketing are already package are not the only underway at the university, reasons why people should with upcoming intakes in pursue a postgraduate degree. September this year. One should consider it as Other postgraduate a way to increase knowledge programmes available at the and expertise, which can include actuarial in completing the specialised science, master of business tasks and challenges in a job. administration and quantity There are many scholarship surveying. opportunities to consider if A British education has you are thinking of pursuing a proven to be a solid investment postgraduate degree. in terms of employability rates, Your current employer might earning power and career already have a scholarship advancement. The academic programme in place, especially excellence of the British if you have a highly specialised education system is recognised and technical job. internationally. Other sources of funds Heriot-Watt University include companies, the Malaysia employs a student- government, employment centred approach to learning, provident fund and universities. which encourages students to Heriot-Watt University develop independence, self- Malaysia offers scholarships discipline and analytical skills, for postgraduate degrees in which are sought after by business, built environment and employers. engineering. The university’s ambition The university is awarding is to provide quality British all high-achieving graduates education that extends beyond who have obtained a bachelor’s the lecture halls, and this is best degree of second class upper expressed by its state-of-the-art and above a chance to apply for green campus in Putrajaya. up to 20% off total tuition fees, The purpose-built Green subject to an interview and Building Index-compliant panel assessment. campus has a lakeside frontage Further scholarships are also and is eco-friendly, being available from the university’s energy and water efficient. corporate and industry partners The Heriot-Watt University such as YTL Corporation Berhad, Putrajaya campus will be Great Eastern Life Malaysia and Malaysia’s first purpose-built MNRB Holdings Berhad. green campus. Heriot-Watt (HWUM), Heriot-Watt University a leading British university campuses reflect its strong with a 200-year education commitment to attain heritage, offers the same excellence in teaching core degree programme syllabus in disciplines, which contributes Malaysia as the one taught in its to a sustainable, resource main campus in Edinburgh. and energy-efficient built With campuses in the United environment. Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates, HWUM has expanded n For more information, its international presence by call 03-8881 0918, choosing Malaysia as a hub e-mail [email protected] or visit for students in the region and www. hwu.edu.my 10 POSTGRADUATE StarSpecial, Tuesday 20 May 2014

Open University Malaysia is a well-known provider of part-time programmes and caters mostly to adult learners. Flexibility: Key to opportunities

LEXIBLE Entry is an alternative The Flexible Entry pathway that allows individuals with Fwork experience to enrol in diploma, assessment is an bachelor’s and master’s programmes. The Open Entry Admission System instrument used was introduced by the then Ministry of to gauge the level Higher Education (MOHE) in 2006. (OUM) was the first of readiness and university to be granted approval by MOHE competency of the to accept students based on the Open Entry Admission criteria. Open Entry was later individual prior to renamed Flexible Entry by OUM. According to OUM’s vice-president joining a programme. Prof Ir Dr Rosli Hamir, MOHE outlined several criteria that must be met before — Prof Ir Dr Rosli Hamir students can be accepted into a programme. They include age, minimum academic qualifications and relevant work experience. For entry into a bachelor’s degree programme, a candidate must be at least 21 through this system. years old on Jan 1 of the year of application Additionally, OUM has played an active and must possess a minimum PMR/SRP/LCE role in the development of the National or its equivalent qualification. Blueprint of Lifelong Learning and is an The candidate must also have work active partner of MQA in the delivery of the experience that is relevant to the APEL nationwide. programme. OUM is a well-known provider of part- For a master’s degree programme, the time programmes and caters mostly to candidate must be at least 35 years old on adult learners. Jan 1 of the year of application and must “Our classes are only held twice a month have a minimum STPM/diploma/A-Levels or and eight times per semester. We are very its equivalent qualification. focused on online and self-learning. Adult The candidate must also have work learners usually have a lot of family and experience that is relevant to the work commitments that prevent them programme. from spending many hours in a classroom Upon fulfilling the criteria, students must during the weekend. This is why OUM’s then sit for the Flexible Entry assessment blended learning approach is a blessing for for a minimum fee prior to their admission. thousands of adult learners who want to There is a self-preparatory programme on further their studies,” says Prof Rosli. OUM’s website to help students with the assessment. n For more information, visit “The Flexible Entry assessment is an www.oum.edu.my instrument used to gauge the level of readiness and competency of the individual prior to joining a programme,” explains Prof Rosli. Recently, OUM was granted approval by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) to use the Accreditation of Prior Prof Ir Dr Rosli Experiential Learning (APEL) criteria Hamir. to enrol students into its diploma programmes. Generally, the process involves assessing prior experiential learning that can be obtained from various methods, including formal schooling, life experiences, job training, independent study, volunteer work and hobbies. Prof Rosli adds that all OUM’s programmes are open for flexible admission. Currently, 30% of OUM’s semester intake comprises these learners. Since it first started in 2006, more than 13,000 learners have been enrolled StarSpecial, Tuesday 20 May 2014 POSTGRADUATE 11 Enhancing quality of childhood education

HE Ministry of Education Malaysia proposed to Tenforce the rule that all private preschool teachers must have a minimum qualification of a diploma. This is geared towards streamlining the educational standards of all private preschool teachers by 2020. Currently, 26,810 early childhood education teachers in private preschools are registered with the ministry. Out of that number, only 2.6% possess a diploma in early childhood education. This is a figure to be concerned about, especially where special needs children are involved. According to Open University Malaysia’s vice-chancelor Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Anuwar Ali, OUM is one of 11 private institutions in Malaysia that offer a diploma programme in early childhood education. The programme aims Open University Malaysia’s to equip students with vice-chancelor Prof Emeritus Tan Sri the knowledge, skills and Anuwar Ali. competencies needed to be employed in the childcare The university makes it sector and in preschools. convenient for its students Despite not having the to further their studies. Its necessary early childhood programmes are accredited and education qualifications, many carried out bilingually. preschool teachers possess “English and Bahasa Malaysia substantial experience in i-tutorials and materials are teaching. available. Even exams are Due to this, the ministry has bilingual,” adds Dr Azhar. relaxed the minimum entry The Ministry of Education requirements to only two Malaysia (MoEM) is very credits in the SPM examination supportive of OUM in its bid plus three years of working to standardise the education experience or five years of level of the private preschool working experience for those workforce. with only one SPM credit. Beside lowering the entry This entry requirement, requirements, MoEM is also however, will be valid only providing financial aid of until 2018. This is to ensure RM1,000 per academic year for the success of the ministry’s three years to students who aim, that all private preschool maintain a CGPA of 2.5 and teachers have at least a diploma above. in early childhood education as Dr Azhar, the vice-president minimum qualification by 2020. of Early Childhood Care and Senior lecturer and Early Education (ECCE) Council Childhood Education (ECE) Malaysia, spent 10 years in the programme coordinator United Kingdom while doing his Dr Azhar Md Adnan says PhD that focused on parental that their students are given involvement in early childhood the opportunity to attend education. and obtain a certificate in He emphasises OUM’s Kursus Asuhan Awal Kanak- blended learning approach, Kanak Permata (Permata which gives its students the Early Childhood Education opportunity to study on their Programme). tablets and smartphones with “This is an added incentive videos, i-tutorials and study as they will be able to carry materials. out their practicum at their This guarantees students to respective preschool centres be exceedingly ICT-literate once without having to take an they complete their respective extended leave for it,” he says. courses. OUM is an educational institution that caters to n For more information, visit working adults. www.oum.edu.my 12 POSTGRADUATE StarSpecial, Tuesday 20 May 2014 Earn an MBA at your own PACE INCE its inception more attend classes once a month than three decades ago, and revision classes are also SSEGi University Group provided for one weekend per has been offering innovative semester for each subject. programmes to equip students Aspiring students need not with the knowledge and skills be concerned about being alone required by employers. while furthering their studies as With the Internet, SEGi is the online access will give them making superior education the opportunity to network within reach (by establishing) with fellow coursemates, an online university. meet their lecturers and gain Aptly named PACE additional support that they With SEGi PACE, students can obtain a qualification at their own pace and with assurance that they can still attend to other obligations (Professional and Continuing may need. and have a fulfilling work-life balance. Education), students can learn The number of subjects to at their own pace. pursue in a semester is entirely They are also able to up to the students. complete their studies with SEGi also provides a guided the assurance that they can learning plan to ensure students still attend to other obligations get the best out of their lessons, and have a fulfilling work-life where they are provided with balance. study guides and strategies for Instead of attending coping with coursework and scheduled classes at a venue exams. that can take up additional time, Graduates of the SEGi PACE cost and effort to commute, programme will obtain the students can conveniently log same qualification as a SEGi on to their classes at any time of on-campus student and they the day and at any location that also share the same lecturers. has access to the Internet. Unlike other online n For more information on programmes, PACE provides PACE, call 03-6145 1777 or students with guided and 1800 887 344 or e-mail to independent learning. [email protected] or visit This means students www.segi.edu.my

There is a wide range of business programmes available under PACE:

Master in Business Administration (General Management)

This qualification enhances competency in strategic management in the corporate world. Students will be trained in the skills required by the various departments of a company such as sales, human resources, finance and economics while learning the latest theories and best practices in business.

Bachelor in Business Administration (Hons)

Students study the basics of business management for two years before selecting an area of specialisation in the final year, thus providing its graduates an in-depth study of whichever field they may select as a career. No other business degree offers as many options for specialisation, especially those that are delivered via a flexible mode such as PACE. Students can choose subjects in general management, financial management, human resource management, supply chain management and marketing management.

Executive Diploma in Business Administration

The executive diploma is the fastest route towards gaining a qualification. This is most suitable for working adults with a basic education qualification. This programme helps prepare its graduates for a successful career in the business world by instilling in them a holistic view of business administration, providing an understanding of management principles and guidance on how to think like a successful entrepreneur. The programme also sharpens core interpersonal skills. Graduates can also take the major step towards completing a bachelor’s degree.

Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication (Hons)

The programme focuses on bringing out the students’ best, making them expert communicators. It provides students the technological and methodological know-how, management foundations, as well as knowledge of the latest trends and developments in mass communication practices. Just like the business administration degree, students study the basics of mass communication for two years before selecting an area of specialisation in the final year. The specialisations include advertising, broadcasting, event management, journalism and public relations. StarSpecial, Tuesday 20 May 2014 POSTGRADUATE 13 Hone your teaching knowledge

N many countries, a master’s responses to the challenges of degree has become essential 21st century education,” says Ifor career advancement in Prof Dr John Arul Phillips, dean teaching and fosters continuous of the School of Education and personal improvement of an Cognitive Sciences. individual. A master’s degree in MEd learning outcomes education is often conferred to educators advancing in their The MEd seeks to provide field, where the objective is to students with the philosophical, equip learners with up-to-date sociological and psychological knowledge and specialised foundations of educational AeU seeks to provide students with the foundations of educational practice with its Master in Education programme. skills that enhance the practice. individual’s professional career. Students will acquire Inspired to become a leading competencies and skills for higher learning institution in solving particular educational education, problems, the principles and (AeU) has developed the Master techniques needed to work in Education (MEd) programme effectively in a wide range of to meet the growing needs educational settings, the ability of education experts in the to examine several models of industry. instruction that meet diverse learning needs, learn how to AeU’s Master in promote the effective use of Education (MEd) technology in a learner-centred environment and understand Driven by the market needs, the multiple means of assessing AeU’s School of Education and and evaluating diverse student Cognitive Sciences (SECS) offers learning. the two-year MEd programme with specialisations in teaching English as a second language It is highly (TESL), nursing education, early childhood education, flexible and educational psychology, instructional technology, accommodates educational management, science education, educational candidates from assessment and evaluation, curriculum and instruction, and all working higher education teaching. This programme is backgrounds. suited to the needs of the industry and aimed to hone students’ teaching knowledge, competencies as educators and their research skills. It is highly flexible and accommodates Quality programmes candidates from all working made accessible backgrounds. Non-graduates with lower Admissions for the MEd qualifications but with relevant programme can be applied experience can also apply for through the conventional the master’s degree programme normal entry path or open under the open entry path. entry path. For the normal entry The programme is delivered path, candidates should have a through either online or recognised bachelor’s degree or blended learning. Blended have two years of related work learning is a combination of experience. face-to-face tutorials and online AeU offers more than learning. Tutorial sessions 40 academic programmes are conducted by qualified at all levels, ranging from and experienced academic diplomas to PhDs. All academic facilitators. programmes are internationally Approved by the Ministry of benchmarked, approved by the Education (MOE) and accredited MoE accredited by MQA. by the Malaysian Qualifications AeU allows flexibility in Agency (MQA), AeU’s MEd is terms of payment of fees one of the few fully accredited and study options to tailor to master’s in education students’ learning process and programmes in Malaysia. their needs and lifestyle. “Our MEd equips students The university offers various with the relevant theory and financial aids and incentives practice to function in a global to assist students during their society and teach effectively in period of study, including AeU culturally and socially diverse Merit Scholarship for top- classrooms. The graduate performing students. programmes offered provide opportunities for advanced n For more information, call study and research that drive 1300 300 238 or visit the development of innovative www.aeu.edu.my 14 POSTGRADUATE StarSpecial, Tuesday 20 May 2014

PhD student Eranda Lakshantha with his robot that was used in his research project Intuitive Human Robot Interaction with Augmented Reality. Innovation takes centre stage

SHOWCASE of the most explains Lakshantha, a second year innovative and impactful research PhD student at the School of IT, Monash Aaccomplishments of 20 selected PhD University Malaysia. students from the Faculty of Information Building on the event’s theme, the topic Technology, Monash University Malaysia, of the keynote address given by was held late last year at the Australian Dr Chris Behrenbruch, co-founder and Centre for the Moving Images (ACMI), chief executive officer of ImaginAb, was Federation Square in Melbourne, Australia. Innovating with Industry. Dr Behrenbruch This inaugural Faculty of Information spoke on the ways industry and academic Technology (FIT) Innovation day attracted researchers can engage with each other, a number of industry and company chief citing examples, including that of Genii technical officers and chief information Medical, a health care IT company. officers. Founded by Prof Ingrid Zukerman and This provided an opportunity for Dr Masud Moshtaghi, researchers from the guests to engage with the students the Faculty of IT, Genii is a health care about their PhD research. It also gave IT company that develops innovative students the opportunity to develop technology solutions for the aged care and and build rapport with the industry and assisted living environment. the wider community. As a result of the Industry guests were also provided event, students secured interviews and an insight into Nodal, a generative collaborative research projects. music software, when Assoc Prof Jon An independent panel of industry McCormack from the Caulfield School of IT judges comprising Judith Bennett, demonstrated his research into the creative Business4Group; Luke Visser, Agilent possibilities of computers and computation Technologies; Patrick Maes, ANZ; and with a live generative music performance. Richard Ferrers, ANDS, selected the best of Nodal was recognised with the Eureka Prize the PhD poster presentations. for Innovation in Computer Science in 2012. The award went to Eranda Lakshantha The event was hosted by Prof Freider from Monash University Malaysia for his Seible, dean of the Faculty of Information research project Intuitive Human Robot Technology and dean of the Faculty of Interaction with Augmented Reality. Engineering; Prof Maria Garcia de la Banda, “There is an increasing use of robots deputy dean of the Faculty of Information in our every day environment. In many Technology; and Prof Kai Ming Ting, cases, robots are operated by people who associate dean of research and training. The have little experience with these complex faculty will run a similar research industry machines. Through my research, I am innovation event later this year. looking at creating a successful human robot interface (HRI) system that will n For more information on the School of IT reduce the workload of the one operating it. and its programmes at Monash It will also make the collaboration between University Malaysia, visit humans and robots easy and seamless,” www.infotech.monash.edu.my StarSpecial, Tuesday 20 May 2014 POSTGRADUATE 15 Taking the lead in the

Asian business UTAR BSc (Hons) Architecture students examining the design of a model building structure. Sound foundation in architecture revolution THE Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman students’ skills in presentation, computer Bachelor of Science (Hons) Architecture studies, management and practice. ELP’s ELM Graduate School (ELM-GS) In the last 27 years, HELP has degree course under the Faculty of The programme is recognised by introduces a creative way of thinking gathered a large alumni in Malaysia and Engineering and Science’s Department the Board of Architects Malaysia (LAM) Habout the three critical elements abroad, many of whom are successful of Architecture and Sustainable Design Part I programme. Upon completing the of entrepreneurship, leadership, and entrepreneurs in their own right, leading is a three-year course that consists of bachelor’s degree, students can opt for a management in an integrative manner. executives in multinational corporations, various inter-disciplinary subjects that master’s degree in architecture, which The ELM Framework provides senior government officials and provide students with a solid foundation will lead them to LAM Part II, part of a powerful understanding of the academics. in architectural design, architectural the requirement towards attaining a multifaceted role of individuals, teams and Master of Entrepreneurship graduate communication, construction, professional architect qualification. organisations and how they interplay to Melvin Koh says, “In today’s testing architectural practice, and architectural Upon completion of the UTAR create, manage and sustain a business over environment, we must learn to trust theory and history. Bachelor of Science (Hons) Architecture its different phases. our instincts yet remember our values, Head of the Department of Architecture programme, graduates can expect to The ELM Framework underlies the lead with wisdom, work thrice as hard and Sustainable Design, Dr Lim Poh Im, work in the building industry as assistant philosophy of the ELM Graduate School’s and, most importantly, apply and adapt explains that the programme is developed designers, architectural illustrators, project executive education and the way we teach into practice the advice, lessons, models, to expose students to integrated problem- supervisors, assistant project managers, and learn business in the HELP Group. knowledge and skills that we have gained solving environments that promote contractors, building materials sales Dean of ELM Graduate School Datin Dr from our lecturers. I know that ELM will analytical and creative thinking. executives and so on. Others may opt to Wendy Liow says, “The change in name be able to guide many individuals on their The programme provides sound further their education in other related has come along with a new mandate for journey towards a meaningful life”. technical knowledge in architectural fields such as architecture, urban planning, more academic support, more services Koh is a human performance coach and design, conceptual development, building landscape architecture, urban design and being offered to graduate research a certified knowledge manager from The construction, architectural detailing, interior design. candidates and more research into how International Knowledge Management structural design, building services, Institute of America. He has successfully architectural history and architectural n For more information, call 03-7958 2628 led various strategic business units (SBU) graphic communications. It also enhances (PJ campus) or visit www.utar.edu.my in the training & consulting industry, exhibition and MICE (industry, marketing and services industries), manufacturing, and interior fit out industry regionally. Koh is currently the general manager of Jalin Realty International, and is responsible for the company’s product offerings and brand across South-East Asia. Recognising the needs and demands of executive education, the School of Executive Education is dedicated in offering professional development training, customised short courses and certificate programmes in a broad range of disciplines. It draws from the breadth and depth Liow aims to make ELM-GS a success. of the expertise and experience of the HELP faculty members and that of HELP’s best to support our graduate research collaborators to develop programmes that community”. focus on providing the competencies to Dr Liow has 25 years of experience do business in a rapidly changing world. in senior management roles and Some of these collaborations responsibilities in four Fortune 500 include a recent collaboration with companies. Together with other faculty Pembangunan Sumber Manusia Berhad members, she aims to build a culture and SME Corp Malaysia via the SME@ of distributed leadership with a strong University programme. HELP also shared vision to make ELM-GS an works with various professional bodies, exemplary success. government-linked corporations and To actualise this, the ELM Graduate large multinational corporations for its School is led by a faculty of academic in-house training. experts and experienced industry practitioners. Within the ELM Framework, n For more information about ELM the faculty uses a variety of teaching Graduate School’s programmes, methods, including the case method, call 03-2711 2000 or visit problem-based learning, research-led elm.help.edu.my teaching and simulation studies. Group discussion is stressed. Formal lectures and class discussions are supported by interactions with C-1 executives in the ELM Executive Education Forum, where successful entrepreneurs and CEOs from Asia share their experiences. The ELM Graduate School offers 13 masters programmes with useful specialisations. They are capped by the DBA and the PhD by research. The DBA is a reflective learning experience for senior executives on practical and pragmatic issues. The PhD Koh: ‘I know that ELM will be able to guide many serves the needs for rigorous academic individuals on their journey towards a meaningful training in original research. life’. 16 POSTGRADUATE StarSpecial, Tuesday 20 May 2014

POSTGRADUATE qualification does not only A make one a standout, it also displays the commitment and dedication in keeping one’s Tailored to students’ needs knowledge and skills updated and it helps fast track one’s career. Taylor’s arranges its classes PhD programmes and three Taylor’s University vice- during weekends and weeknights postgraduate certificates in chancellor and president Prof and provides refreshments for seven major disciplines: business, Datuk Dr Hassan Said says, “The students to accommodate the biosciences, engineering, law, nation’s aspiration of having a working students. hospitality, tourism and culinary knowledge-based economy and As a hotelier, Foo shared that arts, communication and achieving high income status having classes on weekends education. begins with education. and weeknights was helpful in Taylor’s Graduate School “With that in mind, Taylor’s ensuring the day-to-day work programmes are divided into two Graduate School aims to enhance needs were met. main categories – coursework and the work and professional life “However, as a hotelier, our research. Postgraduate students of its students while creating an working requirements are unique have a flexible option of studying ideal platform for networking and as we need to be on standby. part-time, which takes one and exchange of ideas among peers As such, I had to be disciplined a half to six years to complete or from different countries, cultures and prioritise my time to meet a full-time course, which takes and professions. the demands of both work and between one and four years to “Taylor’s Graduate School studies,” he says. complete. specialises in research skills “While it was taxing and Research funding available development and sets itself required long hours, I achieved includes grants from the Ministry apart through its team of top it because I was focused and of Education MyBrain Scheme academicians, quality standards determined to achieve my and Taylor’s Research Grant and industry recognition. We aspiration of completing my Scheme. There are also attractive aim to develop productive Taylor’s Graduate School aims to enhance work and professional life. master’s degree.” scholarships and bursaries that professionals in specialised Taylor’s University is also in the cater to various learning needs of fields by offering them flexibility experiential learning. he was able to tap into the insight midst of 30% to 50% of e-learning students. in terms of the programme One of the alumni of Taylor’s of the industry professionals who content into its curriculum In particular, the Taylor’s structure,” continues Prof Hassan. Graduate School is Victor Foo, were his coursemates and engage to supplement face-to-face University PhD fellowship that He adds that Taylor’s vice-president of First World in intellectual discussions about interaction. awards a full tuition waiver for postgraduate programme students Hotels & Resorts Sdn Bhd. Foo, the benefits of theory versus With that, Taylor’s Graduate three years and other Taylor’s are employees from blue-chip who graduated with a Masters practical applications. School aspires to attract and research scholarships are now companies such as FGV (FELDA), in International Hospitality “This healthy exchange during develop the best young minds open for consideration. Citigroup and Public Bank. Management from Taylor’s classes facilitated the transfer of internationally through its With such input from people University recently, shared knowledge of the latest academic postgraduate programmes and n For more information, in the industry, interactions in his experience of pursuing his and industry trends. The excellent research training modules. call 03-5629 5000, e-mail classrooms are more meaningful master’s degree. campus facilities were also plus Taylor’s Graduate School has [email protected] or as students reflect upon their He described it as enjoyable as points for me,” says Foo. 11 master’s programmes, five visit www.taylors.edu.my Developing skills in education management IN an effort to develop education leadership and management skills, (WOU) is expanding its Master of Education programme to include education management. Offered through WOU’s School of Education, Languages and Communications (SELC), working professionals have the option of Prof Santhiram Raman, dean of SELC. pursuing the Master of Education (MEd) programme in education management education sectors,” he says. via open distance learning (ODL) for a Students will need to take three broader perspective into the issues and specialisation courses – Education challenges confronting education. Administration: Theory and Practice; The MEd in Education Management Education Leadership; and Educational is a 45-credit programme that can be Policy and Planning. completed in four semesters or spread “The courses look at key dimensions out according to a learner’s pace and of instructional and administrative schedule. It aims to provide students leadership, providing the knowledge with knowledge and skills in educational base and best practices associated with administration and management. leadership,” Prof Santhiram says. “Strong and knowledgeable school In addition to the Master of leadership is required to produce Education, WOU also offers the significant improvements in the following four master’s via ODL – local education system. The Malaysia Commonwealth Executive MBA (CeMBA), Education Blueprint 2013-2025 takes Commonwealth Executive Master of cognisance of this fact and calls for every Public Administration (CeMPA), MBA school to have a high-quality central and in Construction Management, and supporting leadership team to provide MBA in Manufacturing and Production instructional leadership and drive overall Management (MBA-MPM). school performance,” says Prof Santhiram WOU will be hosting its Open Day at Raman, dean of SELC. its main campus, regional centres and “This MEd particularly benefits people support centres on May 24 and 25. aspiring to be in administrative positions in the Ministry of Education or educators n For more information, call in the private education and higher 1300 888 968 or visit wou.edu.my

The MEd programme aims to upgrade those in the education industry.