cf - april 15, 2014

StarSpecialTHE STAR Tuesday 15 April 2014

COURSE FOCUS:COMPUTING, ARTS & DESIGN

Explore realms of creativity

Strong passion for fashion > 3 On track for a career in computing > 6

2 COURSE FOCUS StarSpecial, Tuesday 15 April 2014

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The right time to buy > 6-7

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Calling for artistic,tech-savvy talents

THE rapid rate at which technology continues to grow is a clear indication that this is a booming field and graduates of technology-related programmes can be assured a range of job prospects. The courses listed below are some of the opportunities and specialisations that are available in this growing field. l Stop motion animationStop motion is an animation technique that requires physical manipulation of objects to create a sequence of movement in a video. The animator moves each object in small increments between each captured frame. These frames are then put together and played in a continuous sequence. Clay figurines are popularly used for this style of animation because of the ease of repositioning and handling them. Whether applied in the entertainment or education industry, this unique approach to visual media is a fulfilling career option for those who enjoy combining hands-on work with virtual delivery. l Graphic designGraphic design is a form of visual communication that combines art and technology. When words fail to deliver the intended message, visual solutions come into play with the use of colour, typography and illustrations to get the message across. Graphic designers combine basic methods such as pencil sketching and other traditional approaches with computer and software applications to create illustrations that communicate ideas and market a product.l ICTICT involves finding ways to perform everyday tasks with the assistance of computers and technology. ICT is beneficial especially in combination with another field such as business management. For example, ICT graduates can apply their skills in the corporate sector to create customer feedback programmes that keep track of connections between business and customers and help businesses provide better after sale and customer services. l Computer engineeringComputers, mobile phones, tablet devices and game consoles are products of computer engineering. Most often, computer engineers integrate related fields into their work, including electrical engineering and software design. Since it is a wide and growing field, job opportunities are plentiful for graduates. To widen their job prospects or to specialise in niche areas within this field, graduates often enrol in upskilling programmes, postgraduate courses or apply for professional accreditation.

Computing your career options

IT is an exciting time for Malaysia’s creative multimedia industry as it is becoming one of the most sought-after

industries in the world. It is a unique industry that cuts across the arts, sciences and business, creating unprecedented connectivity, driving innovation and new business models.

The country’s creative multimedia industry is estimated to be worth RM4.2tril, reports PwC, a leading auditing firm. Contributing to this revenue are feature films (RM288bil), animated content (RM270bil), video games (RM192bil) and mobile applications (RM88.5bil).

Hands that shape the future

Designers influence almost everything around us. They design the smartphones we use, the websites we visit, the chairs we sit on and even the mugs we sip our coffee from. Designers make engineered creations desirable.

The advent of 3D printing technology or additive manufacturing, which is a process that transforms digital images to solid three-dimensional models, is expected to boost the need for designers who can take a product idea and transform it into something feasible and applicable.

With the possibility of being able to manufacture and market products easily, the demand for 3D printed objects is expected to grow. Moreover, its increasing applications across different sectors, including automotive, education, construction and architecture, medical and electronics will attract more people to its practical uses.

According to industry observers, 3D printing will create jobs for 3D designers at 3D printing firms, manufacturing and

creative firms and as freelancers. Freelancer.com, a website for small businesses and entrepreneurs, listed careers in 3D printing as one of the top 50 fastest growing online job areas last year.

In the report, 3D rendering, 3D modelling and even 3D animation showed significant growth.

Furthermore, online design jobs such as illustration, Photoshop design, banner design and logo design showed an increase as more businesses outsource their designs to freelancers.

Designing user experience

Like good design, sound is also central to our daily lives. The songs we download to our smartphones, sound effects and the surround sound that makes movie viewing a pleasure are some of what audio engineers, recording engineers and equipment engineers are involved in creating.

The BBC, a leading broadcasting company in the United Kingdom, observed a shortage of highly skilled graduates who specialise in video and audio systems. Similarly, institutions of music education in Malaysia such as International College of Music observed a shortage of practitioners and intelligent users of audio technologies who can work at live venues, in recording studios and for film and TV companies.

President and chief executive officer of the International College of Music Irene Savaree says that most people who study recording and audio engineering are musicians or audiophiles who have decided to enter this highly competitive industry.

Aside from having excellent aural and communication skills and the ability to work conceptually and creatively over a

tight deadline, Savaree believes that having an entrepreneurial mindset is a bonus.

“Many of our graduates start their own business by working as freelancers, so basic business skills such as planning and financial skills are important,” she adds. There is no set career route but most people in this industry have a bachelor’s qualification and it is common for beginners to do unpaid work to gain experience.

A future in apps

The demand for more apps that run on iOS, Android and other mobile phone operating systems is continuously growing. However, Malaysia is short of mobile application development talent. For students planning to take up IT with programming skills, this gap represents a fresh opportunity to embark on an exciting career.

With IT budgets getting leaner, most tech, product and service companies are outsourcing mobile app development projects to consulting firms and boutique development shops. Some of these local companies have begun training their interns to learn new skills in mobile app development.

As the field is relatively new, not all computer and IT graduates can make the transition so certificate courses are offered by institutions to graduates who want to embark on this business venture.

For those without a computer or IT background, entering this segment is still possible. This industry needs content creators who can create compelling content and research.

Graphic designers who have strong visual designs, typography, composition and colour skills are welcome to apply.

StarSpecial, Tuesday 15 April 2014 COURSE FOCUS 3

UCSI fashion student Worood Abdul Karim (left) posing with her mock cheque with ICAD head (fashion department) Nur Mashita Kamalun Ariffin at the bridal competition and exhibition.

FOR Worood Abdul Karim, a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Fashion Design with Marketing student at UCSI University,

fashion is who she is. A trendsetter among her friends, she loves wearing what she designs.

Her dream of becoming a fashion designer began when she was watching TV shows like Project Runway. Now, she is on the road to fulfil her dream and credits UCSI for giving her the avenue to step into the fashion world.

Her first fashion show took her to Johor Baru, where she participated in a bridal competition and exhibition themed Victorian High Tea Time. She clinched the second runner-up title and received a cash prize of RM2,000 at the event.

Inspired by classic designs that exude sophistication and femininity, Worood designed a vintage-inspired wedding dress that combined a white wedding dress with black lace gloves and a belt.

“The defining moments for me was seeing my design on stage and receiving my prize. It is an experience I will not forget,” she says.

At UCSI University’s De Institute-of- Creative Arts and Design (ICAD), fashion students like Worood are encouraged to showcase their work at fashion shows and competitions.

Passion is the key factor to any great design and ICAD advocates this by ensuring its students are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to produce stunning collections. The process of producing a garment – from idea conception to actual production – is not complex.

Students are first given a theme to work on before they create a customer board and

Strong passion for fashion

ABDUL Rashid Hamid is a lecturer at UCSI University’s De Institute-of-Creative Arts and Design (ICAD) with almost 15 years of experience in the fashion world. His passion for the arts knows no boundaries and he is keen to impart his knowledge to his students. He explains that many fashion designers are self taught and as such, are not well-versed in the basics of fashion designing.

“To be a good fashion designer, you need to understand colours, the basics of art, the cut and such. By knowing these things, your design will speak for itself,” says Abdul Rashid.

For Abdul Rashid, teaching fashion is all about guidance. For example, during his fashion marketing class, he helps his students understand market demands by visualising and conducting research on

their customers. “In fashion marketing, you need to

have a good understanding of your customers and their lifestyles. When you do, you know what your price range should be and what to sell,” he explains.

“I teach because I want to share my experiences with my students. It is fun to work with young people and understand what inspires them.”

With lecturers like Rashid who love what they do, ICAD has created a place where students are encouraged to shine and to thrive in the world of fashion.

UCSI’s information days will take place on April 19 and 20 from 9am to 5pm.

n For more information,call 03-9101 8882 or visitwww.ucsiuniversity.edu.my/onlineenquiry

Nurturing young talent

sketches. Once their designs are finalised, the students decide on the colours to use and proceed to the pattern drafting stage, where they draft a paper pattern for sewing. Fabric is cut according to the pattern and sewn before being presented to the lecturer.

Through UCSI’s co-op programme, fashion students are placed at companies for two months each year. Worood was placed at the Valiram Group, a leading luxury goods and specialist retailer with more than 100 stores in South-East Asia.

There, she deepened her knowledge in marketing fashion goods and is glad that she can apply what she studied at UCSI to practice. UCSI strongly embraces holistic learning and the testimonies from students like Worood illustrate this.

A model parading the winning wedding dress designed by Worood Abdul Karim.


Transport design programme isthe country’s first

Limkokwing’s new programme will produce designers who can transform creative ideas into the stylish vehicles we see on the road.

LIMKOKWING University’s new transport design course is the first of its kind in the country.

It gives students the opportunity to break the mould by coming up with Malaysia’s own original equipment manufacturers design (OEM). This degree programme is aimed at producing designers who will contribute to Malaysia’s automotive industry.

Graduates of this degree will fill a critical vacuum in the country’s automotive sector, which has a vision of becoming totally independent but needs capable knowledge workers to realise this.

Their skills will be much sought after not only locally, but also globally in advanced nations such as the United States, Japan and South Korea and also across Europe where the transport industry is booming.

From transit and urban planning, which is in huge demand in metropolitan cities, to recreational vehicle design and alternative personal transportation design, which are exciting new fields in the automotive industry, the high-income career pathways that this degree opens up are varied, and demand for graduates is

always on the rise as the transport industry continues evolving.

Transport designs begin as creative ideas that transform to become the stylish vehicles we see on the road.

While Malaysia has already shown its prowess in manufacturing vehicles locally, there remains a distinct need for graduates who are adept in the designing and innovation process. Here there is opportunity for innovation through designs that stand out.

Presently, the need to outsource for original designs hinders uniqueness. Through Limkokwing, transport design graduates will challenge this notion, equipped with the freedom of mind and infused with a blend of cultures, to create award-winning designs.

While transport design may not be the most popular field in design, many forget that it is an indispensable element of the modern economy, especially since the success or failure of transportation and logistics can make or break an industry.

A modernised, urban system of transport is the bedrock of a high-income developed country and

it is an important consideration for foreign investors wishing to inject money into the country. It is also important to remember that this is an industry that is heavily dependent on technology. It constantly changes and therefore needs manpower equipped with an innovative and adaptive mindset.

n For more information, call 03-8317 8652 or visitwww.limkokwing.net

Limkokwing University is an international university with a presence across three continents. It has more than 30,000 students from more than 150 countries studying in its 12 campuses in Botswana, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Lesotho, Malaysia, Swaziland and the United Kingdom. The university has gained worldwide recognition through its innovative brand of creative education, merging the best of eastern and western education.

About Limkokwing University Of Creative Technology


New partnerships that spell successSEGi University Group’s ICT and Creative

Arts and Design programmes are among the most popular with students.

They are designed to meet stringent industry demands while providing students an environment conducive to learning, which includes state-of-the-art learning tools on campus.

For those who want to be successful in the competitive ICT career, SEGi University’s School of Technology and Innovation is the right place to start. There is a wide variety of ICT programmes that will interest any tech-savvy person and meet the needs of the ICT industry. Innovative partnerships with leading ICT companies ensure students are well-equipped for the working world.

Recently, SEGi entered a partnership with ICT giant Huawei, which will provide internship placements for the university’s

ICT students as well as employment opportunities in the organisations of the corporation’s eco-partners. Students will get the chance to gain practical experience from a world-leading ICT company. Huawei will also help ensure that SEGi’s syllabi comply with current market demands and hold periodic talks on campus to help students realise their full potential.

The School of Technology and Innovation is also equipped with a RM125,000 Macintosh Lab at the new SEGi Tower at Kota Damansara in Selangor, where students can learn about iOS development and gain certification related to the Apple organisation.

The school also collaborates with Oracle to honour the top Bachelor of Information Technology graduates with the Oracle-SEGi Top Student Award.

SEGi’s Faculty of Creative Arts and Design is also leading innovation with its range of programmes that bring out the creativity and excellence of its students.

Recently, SEGi appointed one of Malaysia’s leading creative personalities, Marini Ramlan, as industry advisor to the faculty.

Marini is the head of Content Innovation at Primeworks Studios, a TV production company and subsidiary of Media Prima. She also paints, illustrates, designs and creates new projects.

Marini spent a few hours with creative arts and design students at SEGi College Subang Jaya recently. She shared stories about her journey and encouraged students to grow their passion for art, trust themselves, do what is right and most importantly, achieve self-satisfaction.

n For more information on Faculty of Creative Arts and Design programmes, call 03-6145 1777 or 1800 887 344, or e-mail [email protected] or visitwww.segi.edu.my

Students pursuing ICT and creative arts programmes at SEGi University will gain exposure to marketplace practices.

A colourful day in theOrang Asli communityA GROUP of students from the Faculty of Creative Art and Design (FOCAD), SEGi College Subang Jaya, recently spent a morning at Kampung Hulu Tamu, Batang Kali, with Orang Asli pre-school children.

With the theme Making Rainbows, the FOCAD students shared their creativity through various activities involving art, language and music. Some of the activities that took place included making rainbow musical shakers, a colouring contest, hand painting and a quiz titled Identify the Colours.

This effort is part of FOCAD’s corporate social responsibility module and a faculty effort to inculcate the importance of contributing to sustainable development of communities among students.

This outing also enabled students to learn important skills such as finance management, research, event planning and logistics.

At the end of the event, the children received stationery, books and food from various sponsors, including SEGi, Nestle and Karangkraf.

The SEGi College Subang Jaya FOCAD students, the children and their teachers posing for a group photo after a great morning together.


Transforming the young generationNELSON David Bassey, who recently graduated with a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, says he was shy and reserved when he first enrolled at Nilai U.

To help him come out of his shell, Bassey began reading lots of self-development books.

“It was then that I thought I would try to write a book in simple English to help other students,” he says.

Bassey approached Prof Dr Logeswaran Rajasvaran, dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Science and Technology, to help with this ambitious project.

“When he approached me, he had already started on the first draft and I encouraged him as this is a worthwhile effort,” says Prof Logeswaran, who helped Bassey co-author the book.

Now, 23-year-old Bassey is the proud author of The

New Generation of Leadership: Transforming Ordinary Young People into Outstanding and Growing Leaders.

He was invited to launch his book at SMK Sultan Abdul Samad, Petaling Jaya, by the secondary school’s principal, Sarawasthy Narayanasamy.

The principal says she hand-picked the students to attend the launch, which comprised senior prefects, presidents of clubs and societies and members of the school debating team.

Having read the book, Saraswathy says she finds the contents to be extremely helpful.

Its easy-to-digest language allows secondary school students to comprehend the lessons contained within. As a young author, Bassey is a great role model to her students.

From left: Prof Dr Logeswaran, Bassey, Prof Datuk Dr Megat Burhainuddin Megat Abdul Rahman, vice-chancellor of Nilai U and Saraswathy at the book launch in SMK Sultan Abdul Samad.

On track for a career in computing NG Kang Wei, who is in his

final semester of the Bachelor of Computer Science (Hons)

programme at Nilai University (Nilai U), applied for scholarships from a number of institutions after his STPM.

He received a number of positive responses but opted for Nilai U because of its location.

Having scored 3As in his STPM, Ng was offered a High Achievers Scholarship by the university, which covered his tuition and accommodation fees.

“I am very thankful for the scholarship as it greatly reduces the financial burden on my retired parents,” says the former student of SMJK Yu Hua, Kajang.

Ng says it made sense that he settled for an institution outside the city. “The cost of living in Putra Nilai is affordable. The campus is also peaceful and the environment

is conducive to higher studies. There are very few distractions here unlike in big city campuses,” he says.

The 23-year-old had narrowed his choices to actuarial science, civil engineering and computer sciences after his STPM before finally deciding on computing studies.

Although he had heard about reports of unemployed computing graduates, Ng was undeterred. “I firmly believe that if you do your best and achieve good results, you will be able to find a job, no matter how tough the economic climate and how many graduates you are competing with.”

Ng is on track academically as he is currently maintaining a CGPA of 3.7, which will allow him to graduate with a first class honours if he maintains it to the end of his course.

It is something that he is hoping to achieve as he is aware that blue-chip companies are always on the lookout for academic high achievers.

He attributes his success thus far to his experienced lecturers.

“They are always available to help students who do not understand the lessons. Their guidance has really benefited many students,” Ng says.

Nilai U’s small class sizes enable students to get plenty of guidance and attention from their lecturers.

“I have noticed that computing students at Nilai U are very good at programming. This is because the lecturers ensure we are given a solid foundation in this area. We are drilled in the programming languages of C++ and Java, allowing us to be confident with our programming skills,” he says.

Having successfully applied to the Malaysian Institute of Microelectronic Systems (MIMOS) for an internship, he is

hoping he will be retained for a full-time position.

With his good grades and firm grasp of the essentials of programming language, Ng feels he is poised to make an

impact and carve out a lucrative career

for himself.

n For more information,call 06-850 2308 or visit www.nilai.edu.

my

I have noticed that computing students at Nilai U are very good at programming. This is because the lecturers ensure we are given a solid foundation in this area.

— Ng Kang Wei


Understanding theaspects of graphic designTHE field of graphic design

is projected to be one of the fastest growing fields.

Reports on employment trends indicate that professions related to graphic design have seen a positive growth in recent years.

Graphic design is an interdisciplinary, problem-solving activity, which combines visual sensitivity with skill and knowledge in the areas of communications, technology and business. The graphic design professional specialises in the structuring of visual information to aid communication and orientation.

The Management & Science University (MSU) through its Faculty of Information Sciences & Engineering (FISE) aims to produce highly skilled experts in the graphic design field by offering both degree and diploma programmes.

A graduate in this specialisation will be equipped with skills in advertising, art directing, brand consulting, coordinating, costing, design and aesthetic judgment, web designing, illustrating, project management, quality control and research.

Having knowledge of the graphic design process, as well as

MSU aims to produce highly skilled graduates in the field of graphic design through its programmes.

fundamental design skills, enable graduates to develop, suggest and implement solutions that are effective.

The scope of the graphic designer’s job covers all ends of the creative spectrum, including

that of creative/art directors, layout artists, brand identity designers, logo designers, flash designers, illustrators, photo editing/Photoshop artists, multimedia designers, photographers and web designers.

MSU is committed to ensuring the best for its students. A comprehensive range of visiting professors who conduct regular semester visits provide valuable input to students.

Recognition and quality

academic programmes coupled with extensive efforts at enhancing the students’ soft-skills have resulted in the high employability rates of its graduates.

Extensive international collaborations with partner universities across the globe through the Global Mobility Programme (GMP) have significantly positioned MSU as an emerging institution within the region.

In addition to the graphic design programme, MSU through FISE also offers bachelor’s and diploma programmes in the areas of information and communication technology, games design and animation, creative video and photography, instructional multimedia, visual communication and marketing, creative multimedia and media science.

These specialisations are enriched with industry-relevant components to ensure that students know the needs of the industry.

n For more information, call 03-5521 6868, e-mail [email protected] or visitwww.msu.edu.my


Plenty to gain at design conference

Dr Debbie Gan: ‘The conference will inspire students on the relevance of local culture in a globalised world.’

KBU International College will be hosting a design conference titled

Emerging Asian Identities in collaboration with Central Academy of Fine Arts Beijing (CAFA).

The conference will take place on April 29 from 9.30am to 5pm.

It will showcase experienced and renowned speakers, including Eddin Khoo, founder of Pusaka; Elizabeth Cardosa, executive director of Badan Warisan; Eric Cruz, executive creative director of Leo Burnett Malaysia; and Prof Xiao Yong of CAFA Beijing.

“The KBU x CAFA Design Conference is for those who are passionate about design, the latest trends in design

and its relation to cultural diversity. The conference will be a distinct contemporary exploration of design and cultural identities,” says Dr Debbie Gan, deputy head of the School of Design.

She says the conference will pave the way for students to learn from the experience and creative practices of experts.

“We are expecting about 200 participants for the conference. Entrance is free and those who are interested can send us an RSVP by April 23,” says Dr Gan.

Books and magazine booths will be set up to showcase and sell design books. Items handmade in KBU will also be on sale on that day.

KBU’s School of Design

cultivates top and award-winning designers through its industry-based teaching and learning.

These include collaborative projects such as BROS bottles design, new product designs for Stainless Steel Industries and Ralph Lauren’s The Big Pony Collection.

The school is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including a large studio space, advanced computer hardware and software, a printing studio, 3D workshops and a range of equipment.

In recent years, KBU design students clinched numerous awards.

These include the Philips Lightover Challenge, MIFF Furniture Design Competition, Hyundai Rev-Up InterCollege

Competition, Malaysian Society of Interior Design Awards, Asia Pacific Designers Awards and International Design Awards.

In 2012, the school won all the awards in the Nippon Paint Young Designer Competition for the Interior Architecture category.

KBU’s School of Design also offers BA (Hons) Interior Architecture & Design (3+0), BA (Hons) Graphic Design, BA (Hons) Furniture & Product Design, Foundation in Art & Design, Diploma in Interior Design and Diploma in Interactive Design.

n To book a spot for the conference, contact Priya Mogan at 03-7727 3200 ext 186.

ARE you interested in getting into the video game industry?

Game developers specialise in the creation and production of a video game. These games can be for computers, handhelds, consoles, arcades or the Internet.

As a game developer, you may find yourself wearing several hats.

In the game development industry, taking on more roles will mean higher earnings and greater ownership of the games produced.

If you are an artistic person, you could look into the idea generation stage of a game where you will be required to sketch potential characters and brainstorm ideas for several aspects of the game, including the game’s storyline and design or sometimes even the gameplay and interface.

These are some of the roles that you can fill as a game developer:

Are you game?• Programmer: Game programmers are mainly divided into four categories – graphic programmers, sound programmers, user interface programmers and game scripters. Generally, if the producer needs the user interface changed, the programmer will work on it. Programmers are the most important people in the game development process.• Producer: Game development is overseen by producers who ensure that the process goes smoothly. Some of the producer’s tasks are acquiring resources for the programmers and artists, delegating duties to people under him and arranging for beta testing and focus groups.• Artist: Artists create 2D and 3D elements in a game and decide how the game will look. Elements such as the characters, objects, environment and lighting are rendered by artists.

All of these are built using art software applications such

as Maya, Photoshop, Modo, Softimage and Zbrush.

As an artist, you can also consider doing animation.In animation, the

focus is on movement, an important aspect to

any game. The applications used may be similar to the ones used by artists and may include motion-capture equipment.


MeaningfulEarth Hour celebration

About 350 students, alumni, staff and guests gathered at The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus to observe Earth Hour.

THE Earth Hour Carnival at The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus (UNMC) featured a mini

concert and exhibition on environmental awareness.

Organised by the UNMC’s Nature Club, this is the fourth year that the university has participated in Earth Hour.

Some 350 students, alumni, staff and guests attended the event and joined in a candlelit walk around the campus.

Initiated by Chen Siang Hui, the president of UNMC’s Nature Club, and Mabel Lim Tze Jia, the vice president of the club, the duo also conducted informal workshops to increase awareness on energy conservation among UNMC students.

Creating awareness

The carnival featured food stalls, sale of eco-friendly products, games with recyclable materials, donations of recyclable items and information booths on how to save energy. Attendees also pledged to adopt energy-efficient habits in their daily lives.

“We received very encouraging attendance at this event compared to the previous years and this is a clear indication

that our community at UNMC is becoming more aware that personal efforts are needed to conserve the environment,” says Chen, a third year civil engineering student at UNMC.

“The countdown to Earth Hour saw performances by UNMC student bands.

The event ended with a performance of Michael Jackson’s Heal The World by Jason Ong, a member of the Nature Club and also a foundation in business and management student at the university.

A university of quality

The University of Nottingham has 42,000 students with campuses in the United Kingdom, China and Malaysia.

It is also one of the most popular universities among graduate employers, one of the world’s greenest universities and winner of the Times Higher Education Award for Outstanding Contribution to Sustainable Development.

It is ranked in the World’s Top 75 universities by the QS World University Rankings.

n For more information on courses offered at UNMC, visit www.nottingham.edu.my

A KEEN eye for fashion does not happen overnight. It takes years for a designer to differentiate a good design from a mediocre one. A fashion designer must have the passion to create and showcase his personality in his designs.

Fashion designers must be able to match colours, choose the right materials and know how to match a design with the right body type.

To succeed in the fashion world, a designer needs to have a great passion and strong commitment to fashion.

One’s passion for fashion can be cultivated in various ways, including scoping out current fashions in the shops, and watching TV shows on fashion and

conducting research. The fashion industry in Malaysia is

one that is booming and is expected to contribute RM9.6bil to the country’s export revenue and investment in the next six years.

Some of the country’s biggest names in fashion include Datuk Bernard Chandran, Datuk Prof Jimmy Choo and Melinda Looi. Their designs have been worn at many red carpet events by both local and international stars.

This list of fashion designers is expected to grow as the perception of the fashion industry is changing and more and more people are starting to see it as a lucrative and influential industry.

A flair for fashion


A student demonstrating the clinically pre-commercialised prototype of the BCI wheelchair.

Research project that benefits mankindTHERE is no current cure for

movement-impaired or motor neuron disease (MND).

Some patients cannot even speak. So this project aims to improve the quality of their lives by providing better mobility,” says Prof Ir Datuk Goh Sing Yau, lecturer at the Department of Mechanical and Material Engineering at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR).

Prof Goh was speaking about UTAR’s Brain Computer-Interface (BCI) wheelchair project, which was awarded RM2.79mil under the Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation Flagship Project.

The live demonstration of the clinically pre-commercialised prototype of the BCI wheelchair is a research project that reflects UTAR’s commitment to excellence in education and research.

Achieving excellence

With UTAR’s engineering discipline achieving a rating of Tier 5 Excellence in the Discipline-Based Rating System (D-SETARA), it is not surprising to see excellence in engineering research projects the university achieved.

Currently, the Faculty of Engineering and Science (FES) offers seven degree programmes in the field of science and nine programmes in the field of engineering.

The faculty’s teaching and research

are complemented by a range of excellent facilities such as science laboratories, engineering laboratories and research centres, including the Centre for Computing Intelligent System (CCIS) and Centre for Information System and Software Technologies (CISST).

In addition to preparing engineering students to be academically qualified, the exemplary leadership of lecturers and the practical knowledge imparted to students are also spurring them to be proactively involved in industry competitions.

UTAR’s team Ottobot exemplified this when it competed in the annual Shell Eco-marathon Asia 2014.

The team was made up of Vishant Selvarajah, an FES mechatronics engineering student and team Ottobot’s manager; Lim Pok Sheen, an architecture student; and mechanical engineering students Poh Hou Wei and Lee Jia Qi.

Electronic and communications engineering student Loh Hong Khai also did the faculty proud when he won the prestigious Bayer Young Environmental Envoy Award 2013.

An elated Loh attributed his success to the support and encouragement of his lecturers and the faculty and hopes that his achievement will inspire more students to strive to do their best.

n For more information, visitwww.utar.edu.my

Be tomorrow’s IT innovators

Multimedia is a popular choice among students because of its interesting subjects and the wide range of careers it offers.

INFRASTRUCTURE University Kuala Lumpur (IUKL) offers a wide range of programmes that focuses on the principles and practical skills of IT and multimedia.

It is aimed at establishing for its students the foundation for a successful career in this field.

“As it is so useful in our society, multimedia is among the most popular fields of study in IT for its interesting range of subjects and career prospects.

“As multimedia becomes increasingly important to businesses, both from marketing and operational standpoints, opportunities in this field continue to grow,” says Robiatul A’dawiah Jamaluddin, head of the computer science department at IUKL’s Faculty of Creative Media and Innovative Technology.

At IUKL, the Bachelor of Multimedia (Hons) programme is designed to produce competent graduates in a variety of fields associated with design, media, the creative arts, and information and communication technologies.

These graduates are able to integrate various technologies in multimedia design,

production, management and evaluation skills. Students will be equipped with strong knowledge of the authoring process and creative media production through a combination of individual and practical group projects and lecture materials.

In this degree programme, students are also exposed to a broad range of subjects that reflects the best practices of established and emerging industries.

“An important feature is practical problem-solving in multi-disciplinary teams using current and emerging technologies.

Students will also be able to transform 2D graphics into 3D and incorporate them into games, mobile applications and computer programmes,” says Robiatul.

Upon graduation, students can begin their career in the multimedia and animation industry. Being in this field and working in this area allow graduates to balance their creative side with their skills in technology.

n For more information, call 1800 88 STUDY (78839) or visit www.IUKL.edu.my

Tuesday 15 April 2014 StarSpecial 11


Specialising in mobileapplication development

Mobile application development exposes students to the latest trends in mobile platforms as well as the latest tools available for mobile development.

THE computing landscape is currently dominated by mobile devices. There is a

growing demand for expertise and highly specialised professionals in mobile application development to fulfil this market need.

To prepare aspiring innovators for this fast-growing sector, INTI International University offers a specialisation in mobile application development in its Bachelor of Computer Science (Hons) degree, which incorporates international exposure, innovative learning and individual development.

“Research has shown that mobile phones have overtaken the use of personal computers as the most popular way to access the Internet. Looking at recent trends, more and more users are using their smartphones to access the web, check e-mails, go on social networking sites, play games, listen to music and more.

“Our mobile application development specialisation allows more students to be trained and qualified to produce mobile apps for individual consumers and enterprises,” says Assoc Prof Goh Poh Kim, head of discipline – computer science at INTI International University.

Apart from mobile application development, students of the

THE performing arts is a broad category that comprises theatre, music, dance and radio. In addition to having talent and interest in the performing arts, it is essential for you to be able to perform under pressure and in front of an audience. Going into the performing arts, you need to be committed to practices, rehearsals and performances.

Malaysians are becoming more affluent. The demand for better quality entertainment has increased, making performing arts a viable career option.

Below are a few job options to consider:l Theatre stage managerStage managers need to be able to manage the people involved in the production of a show. The stage manager coordinates every aspect of the production from the actors to the props required for the performance. As a stage manager, you will need to coordinate rehearsals, technicians, actors, props and costume fittings. Stage managers need to meet the requirements of the director and ensure that performances are understood technically and artistically.l Orchestrator/music arranger This is known as one of the more refined careers in the music business. It involves writing scores for orchestras, choral groups, bands, vocalists and individual instrumentalists. You will also need to transpose a song into a key that the vocalist is comfortable with.Orchestrators sometimes work as arrangers when they are required to transcribe a composition and change it to another genre.

l Choreographer A choreographer has many duties and tasks to carry out. In addition to directing and instructing dancers, choreographers need to read and study musical scores to determine the kind of dance moves that suit the music and mood of a performance. An experienced choreographer can instruct dancers on the many ways to stand and move and also correct techniques of dance to prevent injuries.l Disc jockeyDisc jockeys, or DJs are the voices behind the programmes on our radio stations. A DJ’s responsibilities include introducing singles, albums, reading the news and making public announcements. In order to enjoy a successful career with loyal listeners, you should have a unique and likeable personality.

Is a stage life for you?

AS an interior designer, you need to be creative, artistic and imaginative as well as disciplined and organised. Interior designing involves the enhancement of an interior space through the use of colour, furniture, texture and lighting.

The interior designer must know what materials and products to use in addition to understanding the health and safety issues that are involved in the process of working on a design project.

Another aspect of interior designing is the ability to communicate well with clients about their vision for the room. An interior designer needs to be a good team leader and team player as they will be communicating and dealing with clients, architects and contractors.

Interior designers must have their designs approved by an architect before any work is done because some walls may

require important wiring or piping.

Specialised interior design

You can choose to specialise in residential or commercial design.Residential design involves the design of private residences. The interior designer will need to work very closely with the owner of the space as the needs and wants of the owner are very important.

Commercial designs is a specialisation that encompasses a wider range of sub- specialities such as retail, visual and spatial branding, corporate, health care, hospitality and recreation, institutional and industrial facilities.

Just like most fields, interior designers can also opt to teach interior design at a tertiary level or start their own interior design business.

The inner workingsof interior design

Bachelor of Computer Science (Hons) degree can specialise in digital marketing, network and mobile computing, network security and software engineering.

They can choose their specialisation in the second year of the programme.

Emphasis is placed on applied knowledge with 50% of the curriculum based on practical application. Employer

projects as well as internships at organisations such as INTEL Technology, Sony, CSC Malaysia, Khind Holdings and Silverlake Sprints provide strong innovative learning and individual development opportunities.

The Bachelor of Computer Science degree is validated by Coventry University, UK, and dual awards are conferred to graduates by both Coventry University and INTI International University.

Rated the “Modern University of the Year” by The Times Good University Guide 2014, Coventry University was also the winner of Times Higher Education’s 2011 awards for “Entrepreneurial University of the Year” and “Outstanding Students Support”.

Coventry University’s computing and IT programmes are also accredited by the British Computer Society.

“Mobile application

development exposes students to the latest trends in mobile platforms such as iOS and Android as well as the latest tools available for mobile development. This specialisation is designed to equip students with the fundamental theories and practical skills to develop mobile applications in various platforms.

“Immersion in real employer projects will make their transition to the actual workplace a smooth and seamless one,” says Assoc Prof Jasmine Low from the Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics at INTI International University.

More than 80 organisations, including software houses and multinational companies, have come on board to work with students on employer projects that develop students’ problem solving, collaboration, communication and critical thinking skills.

These will help them gain the experience and readiness for global employability.

In return, INTI students provide fresh, innovative and applicable ideas and solutions that organisations are able to adopt and apply in their businesses.

n For more information, call 06-798 2000 or visitwww.newinti.edu.my

The conductor in an orchestra plays a key role.


Music education at its finest WALKING through

the corridors of the International College of

Music (ICOM) in Kuala Lumpur, one can sense how dynamic the mood is inside its rooms. In one room, a student skips over piano keys with his fingers to produce a classic by Beethoven. In the recording studio, two students are working on a new track and further down, a lecture is going on about the qualities of a hit song.

This is the usual affair at ICOM, a premier college of contemporary music in Malaysia. The college has strong ties with Berklee College of Music in Boston, the United States, and through this partnership, hundreds of students have studied at Berklee, which has produced legendary alumni such as Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock and John Mayer.

Students can opt for the one-year Foundation in Music programme and transfer credits to Berklee’s third and fourth year degree programmes in 12 different majors. Facilitating this cost-effective opportunity is the college’s president and chief executive officer, Irene Savaree, who is also an alumna of the Berklee College of Music.

Through her tutelage, ICOM remains a highly respected institution known for offering the highest quality music education for students of all ages and levels of ability.

When it comes to musical exposure, it is common knowledge that one should start early with music lessons. However, this perception can be limiting to those who realise their passion in music at an older age.

“Music is uncontainable. It is a language that springs from your soul and speaks to the heart. It’s never too late. We have had students who enrolled in the Bachelor of Music (Hons) Professional Music after their retirement,” says Savaree.

She adds that not all students at ICOM enrol for music or audio programmes. Many apply their passion for music by enrolling in the Diploma in Business – Music Industry (DBMI), which is a

Innovation takes centre stageA SHOWCASE of the most innovative and impactful research accomplishments of 20 selected PhD students from the Faculty of Information Technology, Monash University Malaysia, was held late last year at the Australian Centre for the Moving Images (ACMI), Federation Square in Melbourne, Australia.

This inaugural Faculty of Information Technology (FIT) Innovation day attracted a number of industry and company chief technical officers and chief information officers.

This provided an opportunity for the guests to engage with the students about their PhD research.

It also gave students the opportunity to develop and

build rapport with the industry and the wider community. As a result of the event, students secured interviews and collaborative research projects.

An independent panel of industry judges comprising Judith Bennett, Business 4Group; Luke Visser, Agilent Technologies; Patrick Maes, ANZ; and Richard Ferrers, ANDS, selected the best of the PhD poster presentations. The award went to Eranda Lakshantha from Monash University Malaysia for his research on the Intuitive Human Robot Interaction with Augmented Reality.

“There is an increasing use of robots in our every day environment. In many cases, robots are operated by people who have little experience

with these complex machines. Through my research, I am looking at creating a successful human robot interface (HRI) system that will reduce the workload of the one operating it. It will also make the collaboration between humans and robots easy and seamless,” explains Lakshantha, a second year PhD student at the School of IT, Monash University Malaysia.

Building on the event’s theme, the topic of the keynote address given by Dr Chris Behrenbruch, co-founder and chief executive officer ImaginAb, was Innovating with Industry.

Dr Behrenbruch spoke on the ways industry and academic researchers can engage with each other, citing

examples including that of Genii. Founded by Prof Ingrid Zukerman and Dr Masud Moshtaghi, researchers from the Faculty of IT, Genii is a health care IT company that develops innovative technology solutions for the aged care and assisted living environment.

The event was hosted by Prof Freider Seible, dean Faculty of Information Technology and dean Faculty of Engineering; Prof Maria Garcia de la Banda, deputy dean of the Faculty of Information Technology; and Prof Kai Ming Ting, assoc dean research and training.

The faculty will run a similar research industry innovation event later this year.

n For more information, visit www.infotech.monash.edu.my

PhD student Eranda Lakshantha with his robot that was used in his research on Intuitive Human Robot Interaction with Augmented Reality.

programme for non-musicians. This three-year programme

combines core business subjects such as principles of marketing, economics and financial accounting with specialist music industry subjects such as record company operations, artiste management or music publishing that help students carve a business career in the music industry.

Students who successfully complete the diploma have the option to do a one-year, top-up degree in music and entertainment industry management at the University of Hertfordshire, United Kingdom.

“There are myriad career options for students, including managing events, promoting concerts and live sound, distribution and licensing, working with record labels and even representing artistes as managers,” says Savaree.

An invigorating learning environment

Studying music is not just a matter of having qualified lecturers, but also having an environment that nurtures the study and practices of contemporary music.

ICOM is known to have the best music facility in the Asia Pacific region. The college invested

in facilities worth more than RM50mil, which include a recital hall that can seat 150 people, a library, a synthesiser laboratory, ensemble rooms, a recording studio, a surround sound production suite and more than 38 private practice rooms.

The teaching and learning methods developed by the college’s professional music educators cater to students of various backgrounds and experiences. For instance, the methods used to integrate students who read music notation with those that play by ear in one classroom challenge both these groups to hone in on new knowledge and understand the craft of music.

According to Savaree, this works very well for both groups of students, and she adds that these methods are continually researched and improved upon to make learning music more enjoyable at ICOM.

“The local music industry is segmented according to ethnicity and taste. The music market comprises the Malay, Chinese, Tamil and English music segments and beyond that, there is indie and hip-hop music,” says Savaree.

She adds that segmentation is one of the many factors why Malaysians may know very little about artistes or music

development happening in another ethnic community within the overall music industry in Malaysia. There is nevertheless, an active ongoing collaboration.

To emphasise the point, she cites the performance of Malaysian Shila Amzah in the Chinese reality singing competition, Asian Wave in Shanghai. “Shila was able to endear herself to the Chinese audience with her perfect rendition of a Mandarin song. Through this endeavour, Shila is now known and has a following from among the Malaysian Chinese audiences.”

Savaree also stresses the importance of capturing the hearts of audiences and the only way to do so is to get music students exposed to different music genres and technologies.

“Education expands one’s ideas and capabilities in the practice of the arts and the science of music. Students are continuously urged to be true to the art form rather than compromise it.

“Students must realise that there is more to music than just performance. Other lucrative career options are in composition, sound design, film scoring and music production. Film projects involve scoring music according to the right period and one must be knowledgeable about music history, style idioms and compositional techniques in order

to score music or write songs that can be featured in that film,” she says.

Technology’s influence on music making

Every day, millions of people engage with the arts and culture through digital media. This engagement comes in different forms and is constantly changing due to technological advancements.

“The number of ways you can now access music has mushroomed,” reflects Savaree. Years ago, listeners accessed music through radio, CDs or by watching music videos. Today, listeners can listen to songs, follow their artistes or watch videos online or through their mobile devices.

“This kind of engagement complements, rather than replaces, the consumer’s music experience. With so many ways to market and share your music, not just domestically but globally, this is an exciting time to be in the music industry.”

To make music more relevant to today’s learners, students at ICOM, especially those taking the bachelor of music degree, experience interactive learning through ICOM’s m-Mobility programme.

In the course of this programme, students use cutting-edge music software on their Apple Mac Book Pro laptops to compose, arrange, record, edit and mix their original tracks. Students can also share their music directly with their fan base over the Internet.

“The m-Mobility programme is designed to make our students more independent and to work with the emerging technologies used worldwide. This gives ICOM students an advantage and an edge to succeed in their careers in the music industry,” concludes Savaree.

ICOM July semester is now open for enrolment.

n For more information, call 03-4023 6000 or visitwww.icom.edu.my

ICOM has invested in facilities worth more than RM50mil for the benefit of its students.

ICOM students have the advantage and edge to succeed in the music industry.

StarSpecial 16 Tuesday 15 April 2014

cf - april 15, 2014

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