pg - 15 july 2014

THE STAR Tuesday 15 July 2014

Striking the right balance > 10 Keeping pace with business leaders > 13

Research and study in health sciences.

In support of life

StarSpecial

2 POSTGRADUATE StarSpecial, Tuesday 15 July 2014

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Multi-faceted HIV researchto include social education

BY TINA CARMILLA

THIS years Global AIDS Response Progress Report for Malaysia, coordinated and produced by the HIV/STI Section of the Ministry of Health, shows that the country has managed to stabilise or reduce the rate of new HIV infections from 24.8 per 100,000 population in 2000 to 11.4 per 100,000 last year.

At the end of last year, the Ministry of Health estimated that Malaysia had 86,324 people living with HIV (PLHIV), 101,672 HIV cumulative cases since it was first detected in the country, 20,235 AIDS cases and 16,340 HIV/AIDS-related deaths.

According to the Director-General of Health, Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, the implementation of various screening programmes, prevention of mother-to-child transmission, the Ministry of Healths Harm Reduction Programme, provision of free antiretroviral treatment (ART) and the prevention methods of sexual transmissions were among the turning points that lead to the significant reductions of new infections among adults and children.

Since its first clinical observation in 1981 in the United States, HIV/AIDS has become a global pandemic. As of 2012, approximately 35.3 million people worldwide have HIV, with new infections of 2.3 million in that year alone that resulted in roughly 1.6 million deaths.

This virus that leads to immunodeficiency is transmitted primarily through unprotected sexual intercourse, transfusion of contaminated blood and from hypodermic needles. It can also be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy, delivery and breastfeeding.

There is no cure or vaccine at the moment; however, ART is used to slow down the course of the infection. Effective ART can lead to a near-normal life expectancy but without treatment many of those infected with HIV will develop AIDS within a decade.

While the virus itself does not kill, PLHIV die due to complications from the disease as it attacks the immune system, making the body unable to fight infections.

Cooperation vital to progress

Biomedical and behavioural advances to prevent, diagnose and treat HIV infections have taken place over the last 28 years since the first case was reported in Malaysia in 1986.

Although in the beginning, the Ministry of Health was solely responsible for this task, over the years, a wider group of stakeholders were included.

Today, the ministry works closely with both the health and

non-health sectors, including government agencies such as the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, NGOs such as PT Foundation and Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC), and private agencies and research institutions at the local, national and international level.

This move is an important stepping stone as it changes the socio-economic impact of the HIV/AIDS landscape in the country. One area of HIV/AIDS management is HIV/AIDS research.

This involves medical research that tries to prevent, treat or cure HIV/AIDS as well as fundamental studies about the nature of the virus and disease.

In 2008, the Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERiA) was established in Universiti Malaya (UM) and is the countrys leading research centre for HIV/AIDS studies.

At the helm is Prof Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman, who is also the dean of the Faculty of Medicine in UM. The centre focuses on both clinical and behavioural research besides providing training and care services.

Quality of life possiblefor PLHIV

In Malaysia, the focus of HIV/AIDS research is on the social and behavioural aspects of the affected population. The pressing concern is for immediate benefits

for the affected community and assistance for NGOs in providing care services in Malaysia through studies in behaviour, social and operational research.

The aim of this is to understand why PLHIV are being stigmatised and discriminated against such that they cannot gain access to health care services.

This is important because of the fact that over the years, ART has become a more reliable treatment for HIV and it has helped PLHIV tremendously in suppressing the virus, thus prolonging their lives.

As PLHIV now live longer, the quality of life becomes a pertinent issue since HIV is no longer seen as an acute infection but a chronic life-long disease.

As such, various lifestyle factors such as psychosocial, behavioural and nutritional aspects now play a more active role in the lives of PLHIV than before. It is interesting to understand how these factors are related and function in association with the immune status, says Jason Yeo, public health researcher at the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences in Universiti Putra Malaysia.

Raymond Tai, who is the marketing and communications director at PT Foundation, agrees with this view. Clinical research is not very relevant to NGOs as it goes to the health care sector to

trial for many years. But I dont think we do enough research to guide us in our HIV and AIDS programme in Malaysia, specifically in the social sciences such as behavioural studies and population mapping. We are not doing enough to understand why this community is being marginalised.

Care and support research typically involve consultations with NGOs because they are the closest to the affected population and have an understanding of the immediate impact of the research, which a researcher may not have direct knowledge of.

We are an organisation that believes strongly in evidence-based programming. In order for us to get good evidence, we need good research. Our challenge is of course that we do not have the capacity to conduct our own research but we are a good place for researchers to collect data from because of our close ties to the affected communities, explains Tai.

NGOs like PT Foundation rely on collaborations with researchers and academics to make sense of the data in a way that is credible and worthy of publication in scientific journals.

One of PT Foundations long-time collaborators is CERiA and it also had past collaborations with the Ministry of Health such as with the bio-behavioural surveillance studies.

Support, dont punish

It is not just in bioscience and sociology that HIV research is important. Research efforts in governance and policy studies also play a role. For example, the Malaysian Dangerous Drugs Act (DDA) 1952 needs revision as it criminalises people who use drugs without understanding and providing access to rehabilitation.

In the recent global advocacy campaign, Prof Adeeba, alongside representatives from the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) and MAC, reiterated the importance of tackling the HIV epidemic with a holistic and non-discriminatory approach.

The people must realise that drug addiction needs to be seen as a medical condition that uses a medical approach to treat it, explains Prof Adeeba during the Support, Dont Punish campaign in conjunction with the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking last month.

The lack of treatment and rehabilitation cause addicts to go on a never-ending cycle of abuse, which would finally end in death, she says.

It is estimated by the Ministry of Healths report that there are about 170,000 injecting drug users or people who inject drugs (PWID). PWID make up the largest key population affected by HIV/AIDS ahead of female sex workers, men who have sex with men and transgender people in the ministrys Most at Risk Populations (MARPS) survey in Klang Valley last year.

Academicians play an important role in creating awareness on issues pertaining to HIV/AIDS primarily through disseminating information to the students.

It is crucial to ensure that correct information is delivered not just for awareness but also for the knowledge so that they can protect themselves and people around them from HIV. Besides that, such awareness will also help to reduce and eventually eliminate stigma and discrimination against PLHIV.

The current education syllabus teaches about HIV/AIDS primarily through the biological or scientific aspect and very little on the social, cultural and mental-emotional aspects of the epidemic.

StarSpecial 3Tuesday 15 July 2014


Dr Lai Fong Woon (seated, fifth from left) says the MBA-EM programme learning process is supported by highly qualified, experienced academics and with strong linkages to industry experts from the energy sector.

Educators need to empower students.

Developing leadersfor the energy industry IN the coming decade, the growth of Malaysias oil and gas industry, which has been named as a National Key Economic Area under the governments Economic Transformation Programme, is set to witness a rise in the size of its workforce.

It is estimated that 52,300 jobs will be created within the oil, gas and energy industry.

Many roles in the energy industry will continue to require technical background and skill.

However, energy companies are acknowledging the importance of having high-quality leaders who are equipped with the necessary expertise to manage their global energy business sustainably.

As it is a complex industry that deals with regulatory challenges, geopolitical pressures and environmental issues, energy companies have begun asking themselves if they have the leadership talent that is required for todays needs, and more crucially, if they possess talent in the pipeline to meet the future demands of the industry.

In a landscape characterised by new regulations, cutting-edge technology, and emerging threats and opportunities, energy companies cannot afford to pour resources into generalised talent development and expect to end up with leaders with the mettle and vision to drive the business forward in a sustainable manner.

Increasingly, energy companies have acknowledged that the proven business aptitude of MBA graduates makes them perfect recruits for positions in their corporate finance and business development functions.

UTPs initiative

Recognising the importance of MBA talent and as one of Petronas four learning institutions spearheading the organisations aspiration for people development, Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) through its Department of Management and Humanities is now offering an MBA with specialisation in energy management (MBA-EM).

The programmes goal is to develop leaders who are competent in driving and sustaining the global energy business.

At the end of the course, graduates are

expected to be able to effectively analyse current and emerging trends in the global energy sector, to develop and implement effective energy management strategies, evaluate business decisions to ensure efficient and sustainable management of resources and the environment, and integrate management, leadership, business principles and technology to perform strategic roles in energy management.

The programme is the first of its kind in Malaysia and the curriculum was designed rigourously using numerous internal curriculum reviews, expert panel workshops and industry stakeholder engagements to ensure that the content is comprehensive and relevant to the oil and gas industry.

Programme manager for the MBA-EM at UTP, Dr Lai Fong Woon, says the programme is highly relevant to business executives as well as professionals in the technical line who are going into management and need to sharpen their business acumen and managerial capability for the industry.

He adds that the MBA-EM programme aims to attract top talents from the energy sector as well as other professionals serving the sector such as bankers, lawyers and regulators.

The entire learning process is supported by highly qualified, experienced academics and with strong linkages to industry experts from the energy sector. We emphasise case studies and analysis to enhance the teaching and learning process, adds Dr Lai.

In terms of structure, the 50 credit hours (spread over 20 months) feature a comprehensive curriculum, which includes nine core business and five energy management specialisation modules including energy value chain, energy management, energy technology and innovation, low carbon economy, and sustainability, energy regulations and policies.

In addition, the programme also incorporates modules on business research methodology and consultancy management, and a project report.

n For more information, e-mail [email protected] visit www.utp.edu.my/MBA

Working towards smart educationCONSULTANTS and management gurus often exhort us to work smarter not harder, emphasising the importance of identifying and adopting processes, which are both efficient and also effective. And the phrase has given rise to the idea of smart education.

But all too often the use of this term focuses simply on being efficient with particular emphasis being placed on the role of technology to help us do more of the same.

Smart education has to focus on how we improve quality at all levels and technology plays a role as an enabler but smart education is really concerned with the processes of teaching and learning.

To adopt another piece of jargon from the management literature, it is really about how we enable students to become co-producers of knowledge and skills. Smart education is student-centred, it encourages critical and independent thinking, deep rather than shallow learning.

In the words of Plutarch, the Greek historian, the mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled and the challenge to educators is around kindling the fire.

Now some would argue that the best education has always been smart. Going back to ancient Greece, we encounter the Socratic method of learning a process of learning through question and answer, discussion and debate, challenge and defence. And great universities around the world have long been characterised by their highly individualised and active approaches to learning.

This can be a highly effective approach to education but is difficult to operate at any scale and as the more developed economies around the world increase their dependence on knowledge, scale matters.

So the challenge of smart education is really about how to deliver a personalised or individualised and active approach to learning at scale.

It is concerned with ensuring genuine active engagement on the part of students in co-producing the knowledge and skills that they need in order to develop productive and rewarding careers.

Inevitably, technology has a role to play but the key to developing smarter

By PROF CHRISTINE ENNEW

VC COLUMN

education is about changing behaviour. Smarter education is not about simply

automating established behaviours; it is not about using virtual learning environment to make lecture notes available to students; it is about doing things differently in a way that adds value and using technology to support that process.

But what does this mean in practice? It means that educators need to be willing to let go of their power and control in the classroom and empower students to take responsibility for their own learning.

It requires a tolerance of uncertainty and ambiguity about how the learning process will progress as well as educators allowing students to learn in multiple ways, to access a range of resources and evaluate their relative merits.

Increasingly, educators have been talking about the idea of flipped classrooms.

The classroom transforms from being a place in which specific knowledge is imparted to students and becomes instead, a forum for discussion, debate and collaborative learning.

Educators transform from being primarily creators of content to being curators.

The range of learning resources is growing exponentially (both paid for and free); the smart educator does not necessarily worry about building content but rather identifies and evaluates the resources available and uses her or his expertise to help students to select, use and evaluate content (and its sources). And the process here is as important as the information that is acquired.

In many respects the essence of smart education is not the acquisition of specific knowledge; it is about learning how to learn.

n Prof Christine Ennew is the chief executive officer and provost of The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus.


Masteringthe legal systemTHE implementation of the first Entry Point Project of the National Key Economic Areas, which aims to profile the greater Kuala Lumpur area as a magnet for business in South-East Asia, has been attracting foreign entities to Malaysia who are keen to tap into the countrys potential.

InvestKL Malaysia, which was set up in August 2011 as a government entity under the Economic Transformation Programme, has managed to bring in 27 global companies to set up their regional headquarters in the greater Kuala Lumpur area. This achievement has seen a total investment of RM800mil in the country.

The 27 companies that are moving their regional base to greater Kuala Lumpur include Schlumberger, Vale, IBM, Darden, Cargill, Naton, Colas Rail, Linde and Rentokil.

Hence, there is a need for aspiring and current legal practitioners to be well-versed in international business and trade law to be capable of facilitating business dealings of multinational corporations and large-scale local businesses that are shifting their businesses to the greater Kuala Lumpur area.

As a result of this, Taylors University introduced the International Business and Trade Law (IBTL) Postgraduate Certificate in Laws and Master of Laws (LLM) programmes in 2012 to meet the future needs of the local business scene.

The IBTL programme aims to produce highly proficient graduates who are well-versed with the various laws related to business from around the world.

Dean of Taylors Law School, Harmahinder Singh, says that having a mix of students and lecturers of different countries and legal cultures gives the programmes a global touch.

The lecturers in the programme are also highly qualified legal academics and legal practitioners.

We also invite practising lawyers from leading law firms, retired judges and legal advisors

who are affiliated to the Taylors Law School participating in the programme as guest lecturers, says Harmahinder.

The Master of Laws (LLM) and Postgraduate Certificate in International Business and Trade Law programmes provide an understanding of the impact of international law and institutions such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), as well as the legal rules that regulate business activities worldwide.

Other programmes offered by Taylors University are the Master of Laws (Healthcare and Medical Law) and Postgraduate Certificate of Laws (Healthcare and Medical Law) programmes.

They focus primarily on health care provisions in the Federal Constitution, the Medical Act and all ancillary laws and regulations, the concept of informed consent in the Malaysian context, the broader aspects of medical negligence and the duty of local authorities in providing a healthy environment.

Harmahinder says that this programme came as a result of a huge demand for legal professionals in the health care industry in Malaysia.

The 18-month Master of Laws and 12-month Postgraduate Certificate of Laws are specialised programmes that provide a thorough grounding in legal knowledge and skills, which will fill the gap and the need for legal practitioners in the health care and business sector.

The modules of these postgraduate programmes are closely linked with the ground conditions of local health care centres as well, giving its jurisprudence a Malaysian flavour.

The postgraduate programmes are open to medical and para-medical officers in the health care industry and other professionals with a bachelors degree (basic entry requirement).

n For more information, call 03-5629 5000, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.taylors.edu.my

Postgraduate students of the Taylors Graduate School are equipped with sound understanding of local and international legal systems.

UUM is at the forefront of pioneering innovative and gainful partnerships with the industry.

Addressing graduate employabilityYOUTH unemployment is a pressing national concern. According to a 2012 report by the then Ministry of Higher Education, a quarter of all graduates were not able to secure employment upon graduation.

It is more appalling that public university graduates make up the majority of this troubling statistics. Last year, between 30% and 40% of graduates from public universities in Malaysia were either jobless or stuck in unfulfilling jobs that did not match their qualifications.

Graduate employability (GE) is a very important agenda at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM). One of our strategies to increase GE has been to strengthen the partnership between UUM and the industry through the Centre for University-Industry Collaboration (CUIC).

CUIC is currently responsible for building industrial networking and collaboration between academia and industries, student internship and practical training placement, industrial attachment for UUM staff, promotion of the Doctor of Management programme, community engagement and corporate social responsibility activities, as well as research, consultation and commercialisation activities involving industry players.

Besides these, CUIC is also responsible for the Ministry of Educations National Projects through Industry Centres of Excellence (ICoE) for wholesale and retail and ICoE for hospitality and tourism.

In addition, several programmes have been developed to address the unemployment issue, namely Nelsons SME (small-medium enterprises) Self-rating System, the Structured Internship Programme, the Sustainable Suppliers Development Programme, Academia-Industry Collaboration, and the International Industrial Attachment programme for students.

Nelsons SME Self-Rating System is a programme that helps SMEs address issues pertaining to their poor performances. The students get exposure to real-world business and gain relevant skills such as problem-solving and critical thinking, negotiation, and performance assessment.

The Structured Internship

Programme refers to an internship programme where students are placed in various participating SMEs. Here they assist the SMEs in managing matters pertaining to halal certifications, processing, packaging and branding.

The Sustainable Suppliers Development Programme is a collaborative undertaking with Aeon, a reputable hypermarket. The students under this programme assist Aeon in monitoring the quality of food products supplied by SMEs to Aeon.

Academia-Industry Collaboration involves a pioneer project with Setia Haruman, which aims to supply talented students to fill the manpower needs in Cyberjaya. The programme seeks to hone the students soft skills as well as the other competencies required for the performance of their functions.

Finally, the International Industrial Attachment programme for students centres on providing exposure to students with regards to international business.

The preparation involves a three-month Mandarin language course and an attachment for another three months to an organisation involved in international business activities in wholesale and retail.

The programmes outlined above were developed by keeping abreast of contemporary trends in the industry and the global business environment.

They arose from the need to merge the best academic curricula with ready practical skills that would help students meet the demands of the workplace upon graduation.

The mandatory undergraduate internship programme, or practicum, is therefore crucial to the happy marriage of the theoretical and practical aspects of the business world and the workplace. This concept of studying-at-the-workplace works at multiple levels it ensures that the value of the curricula is experienced firsthand by students through the awareness of their

By PROF DATUK WIRA DR MOHAMED MUSTAFA ISHAK

practicality and at the same time helps various companies scout for promising talent among the students for employment upon their graduation.

Every year, UUM sends an average of 4,000 students for their practicum. The entire arrangement is carried out by CUIC, which is ever vigilant in looking out for committed industry players who provide quality training and jobs. CUIC takes pains to ensure that the internship placements are relevant and beneficial to both the students and the host companies.

As institutions of higher learning, universities should always be aware of the requirements of the industry so as to produce graduates who can readily fill the economic and social needs upon graduation.

The collaboration between UUM and the industry has been around for quite a long time, but the rise of a global knowledge economy has intensified the need for strategic partnerships that go beyond the conventional funding of research projects as well as the offering of academic programmes.

Our strategy of reading the relevant trends and innovatively preparing for the demands of the world of work seems to have paid off handsomely.

I am happy to say that we have achieved our GE target. A study conducted last year showed that 81% of our graduates had found job placements within six months of their graduation. This has clearly surpassed the national target of 75%.

UUM is at the forefront of pioneering innovative and gainful partnerships with the industry. Being keenly aware of the demands of the industry gives us better insights into effectively tailoring the human resource under our care to meet its expectations.

We will continue to forge more partnerships and collaborative undertakings with industry at every opportunity to ensure mutual gain and to effectively address the GE issue at large.

n Prof Datuk Wira Dr Mohamed Mustafa Ishak is the vice-chancellor of Universiti Utara Malaysia.

VC COLUMN


IMU students get to establish connections with a network of researchers working in a range of medical and scientific disciplines.

A promisingfuture in health careTHE International Medical University (IMU) is Malaysias first private medical and health care university and has more than 22 years of dedicated focus on health care education.

With its main campus in Bukit Jalil, IMU offers a growing range of postgraduate programmes at masters and doctorate levels as well as pre-university and undergraduate programmes.

These programmes are offered in a number of subject areas related to health and health care and are either research-based, involving only the completion of a thesis, or a combination of coursework and a research-based thesis.

The postgraduate programmes at IMU include programmes by research: MSc and PhD in Medical and Health Sciences (By Research) and taught programmes: MSc in Analytical and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Master of Formulation Science, MSc in Molecular Medicine and MSc in Public Health.

The duration of these programmes varies in length depending on the qualification and the mode of study involved. As a student of IMU, you get a learning experience of the highest quality that will further advance your knowledge in your chosen career.

Whether you choose a taught postgraduate programme or undertake a research degree, you will be supported and supervised by staff who are highly qualified in their fields of expertise with well-established reputations nationally and internationally.

The academic community of IMU pursues and achieves excellence in a wide range of research activities.

Many of them present their findings at international conferences to keep up-to-date with the latest development in specialised areas. They also publish their findings in international peer-reviewed journals.

Students of IMU get to be at the heart of a network of researchers working in a range of medical and scientific disciplines and learn how to make an impact on the health

and well-being of society. Students will also be part

of IMUs vibrant university community that facilitates and coordinates its research via its Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI).

Postgraduate students at IMU benefit from the universitys research collaborations with various local and foreign institutions in areas such as cancer, bioactive molecules, nutrition and environmental health.

Close links have also been established with local hospitals, particularly Hospital Tuanku Jaafar for clinical research.

With the universitys strong global network of more than 30 partner institutions of higher learning, postgraduate students in IMU are jointly supervised by faculty from IMU and its partner universities.

Students will also have the opportunity to conduct part of their research at one of these partner universities under the universitys Student Mobility Programme.

Postgraduate students are able

to interact closely with the faculty as a result of IMUs emphasis on small group learning. This enhances students teaching and learning experience.

They have flexible study options, either as full-time or part-time.

This gives students the opportunity to organise their studies around their work, family and other commitments.

There are different commencement dates for IMUs postgraduate programmes. The MSc and PhD in Medical and Health Sciences (By Research) at IMU commences anytime during the year while the postgraduate taught programmes commence in March and September.

Interested students can make an application at the Postgraduate Education Fair 2014 held fromSept 5 to 7.

It will also be an opportunity for you to obtain additional information on IMUs postgraduate programmes.

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

> FROM PAGE 2

It is definitely not helpful to continue with penalising and condemning PLHIV; instead, people should be made to feel safe and supported in order to come forward for HIV testing and seek treatment.

When Eleanor H (not her real name) discovered she had HIV, she sought immediate treatment.

The doctors and NGOs here have done a remarkable job. There are many well-trained doctors. ART is more than affordable it is free at general hospitals and we pay only under some circumstances, she shares.

However, not all PLHIV are as fortunate as Eleanor. After all, the majority of PLHIV are marginalised members of society and need to be reached out to, as many of them are unaware of the treatment and care services that are available to them. Additionally, Eleanor

Awareness still lacking

> TURN TO PAGE 17

calls for better counselling and non-medical support to assist the health care providers in HIV/AIDS management.

What we are lacking is counselling and support, both of which are being handled by NGOs. But these NGOs are not receiving effective support and are depending on volunteers. Many volunteers are paid an allowance, but we need country-wide full-time support staff who can support the doctors, she says.

This is a vital point as the Ministry of Healths National Strategic Plan on HIV/AIDS includes making comprehensive HIV prevention programmes available to effectively cover 80% of MARPS

and to provide access to services for at least 80% of PLHIV who are eligible for non-discriminatory and professional ART treatment, care and support.

However, the ministry also pointed out that one of the key challenges is the gap in accurate knowledge within the young general population and key affected population about HIV and AIDS, which is worrying.

Additionally, the report stated that plans for scaling up testing and treatment will need adequate (sic) trained human resources, appropriate infrastructure and consistent budget allocation.

StarSpecial, Tuesday 15 July 2014 POSTGRADUATE 9

Postgrad hubMALAYSIA has more than 30 years of experience in international education and accounts for around 2% of the international student population worldwide.

Many foreign students seeking an overseas education experience that is both affordable and thrilling have turned to Malaysia as the ideal choice in attaining a quality and internationally recognised higher education.

Malaysias ascension to becoming one of the regional hubs of higher education has not gone unnoticed. The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) has ranked Malaysia as the 11th most preferred country as a study destination.

According to the Ministry of Higher Education, there are more than 120,000 international students from more than 100 countries who have enrolled in the country. The government aims to attract up to 200,000 international students by 2020.

One of the immediate issues faced by students who opt for international study is cost. The majority of international students gravitate towards Malaysia to further their education because the cost of living is affordable.

Coupled with relatively lower tuition fees, there are considerable savings involved in studying in Malaysia.

Malaysia has a well-developed infrastructure within South-East Asia. Visitors to the city of Kuala Lumpur are instantly engulfed in one of Asias modern cities. It is one of the regions commercial, business, social and cultural hub.

Based on a recent research by hotcoursesabroad.com, an online site that provides information to students about studing aboard, studying in Malaysia could potentially save you up to US$9,200 (RM29,200) on tuition fees, accommodation, and commuting every year.

This alone makes it an economical choice in addition to the affordable food and entertainment available.

With about 70 public and private universities combined, Malaysia offers flexibility, options and a range of study modes for postgraduate courses.

With a healthy mix of local and foreign academia involved in research and coursework, a postgraduate student can be guaranteed a wider exposure

to a range of industrial experts, both local and international.

From the United Arab Emirates to Kazakhstan and then China, I am buoyed up by the reception of others towards our higher education system.Though internally, some remain cynical towards our education system, I firmly believe that we have many good things going for us, and we continuously work hard to improve, said Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, Second Education Minister, upon his return from the three countries.

A number of scholarship initiatives were launched by the government to draw and retain academically gifted international students.

For example, the Malaysian International Scholarship, Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme and Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan are among the scholarships available to outstanding students.

Monash University is one of several foreign universities in Malaysia. The Australian institution, which places 91st in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2013-2014, established its campus in Sunway in 1998 as the first foreign university campus in Malaysia.

The university offers doctoral and masters level research programmes in several study areas. Students offered a place at Monash University Malaysia to pursue a research degree are entitled to apply for one of four postgraduate research degree scholarships.

Similarly, other foreign university campuses in Malaysia include Curtin University Sarawak, University of Southampton Malaysia Campus, Heriot-Watt University Malaysia and The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus.

In addition, local universities such as Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) are also gaining recognition.

Since achieving APEX status in 2008, USM has been provided substantial funding for its transformation into a world-class university.

The business schools of UPM and UKM also offer attractive MBA programmes that are fairly priced and include various areas of specialisation, placing the business schools on par with other universities that offer quality postgraduate programmes.

Malaysia offers several higher education opportunities.


Striking theright balanceTHE only business school in Malaysia with a comprehensive pool of faculty members in each and every aspect of business management aims to use this advantage to produce future business leaders with international outlooks, excellent decision-making abilities, and the capability to execute changes for the betterment of business, society and the environment.

This is the goal of Othman Yeop Abdullah Graduate School of Business (OYA Graduate School of Business) at Universiti Utara Malaysia, which was established to provide innovative and effective business management-related education.

The vast experience and expertise of the faculty members at the OYA Graduate School of Business encompass the fields of accounting, banking and finance, entrepreneurship, human resource, international business, marketing, production and operations. On the basis of this academic strength, OYA Graduate School of Business offers the Master of Business Administration and the Doctor of Business Administration programmes as well as the Executive Diploma Programme.

Apart from these, in collaboration with the College of Business, it also offers the Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy and Diploma in Management programmes.

Students who enrol at the school can expect at least five unique experiences during and after the completion of their programmes, including experiential learning, entrepreneurship and innovation, international exposure, alumni relationship, as well as publication and resources, says Prof Dr Noor Azizi Ismail, who has been the dean of OYA Graduate School of Business since 2010.

Experiential learning, or real-world challenges, is presented with the intensive use of case studies that combine Harvard, Emerald and local cases. Stanford management CDs are also used to enhance the students learning.

Presently, students study an average of 10 cases per subject or a total of 140 for the MBA programme. According to Prof Azizi, this will be increased to 20 cases per subject by next year. This means that MBA students will be exposed to up to 280 case studies.

In terms of entrepreneurship and innovation, the school conducts the BizTalk series once or twice a month, featuring prominent speakers from the industry who share their knowledge and experiences with students.

Being the first business school in the country to introduce adjunct professors, the theoretical knowledge of students is further augmented by periodical talks given by these adjunct professors on the real-life features of the business world.

At present, the school is also in the process of setting up a Business Incubator and Accelerator Centre in cooperation with several agencies including SME Corp and Mara. Through this centre, along with the professors, students will be part of a team that will provide consultancy services to businesses.

The OYA Graduate School of Business has also forged strong networks with several associations and professional bodies, including the Malaysian Institute of Management, the Institute of Marketing Malaysia and the Malaysian Advertisers Association.

Prof Azizi explains that these moves reflect the important link between academia and the industry: Business in itself is a practice, while the school deals with the theoretical aspect of the field. The key to staying relevant is finding the balance between theory and practice.

This balance is also represented in the demography of the faculty, where 40% of the 30 faculty members are from nine different countries. While each faculty member holds a PhD or DBA, none of them are pure academicians. In fact, 50% of the faculty has more than five years of industry experience.

With Prof Azizis leadership, OYA Graduate School of Business is grounded in a value-led management philosophy that focuses on the issues of growth and sustainability.

By offering relevant curricula, the school aims to develop future business leaders who can demonstrate moral humility leaders who are not only responsive and responsible for their businesses but also mindful of the social and environmental consequences of their actions.

Prof Azizis management philosophies and values have been proven to be successful. In 2012, OYA Graduate School of Business was awarded the Business School Leadership Award by the World Education Congress.

As the dean, Prof Azizi has also been awarded the Innovation Leadership Award and Education Leadership Award by CMO Asia Best B-School Award in 2011 and 2013 respectively.

We aspire to see OYA Graduate School of Business recognised as a place where noble ideas flourish and where great minds meet, innovate and create. We want our students to leave us as sustainable business leaders whom the nation can be proud of, says Prof Azizi of his future outlook for OYA Graduate School of Business.

There is no doubt that OYA Graduate School of Business will continue to produce innovative and effective business management-related education and meet its goals of becoming one of the top business schools in Asean and the Asia-Pacific region by 2015 and 2020 respectively.

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

Prof Dr Noor Azizi Ismail, dean of the OYA Graduate School of Business.

Business in itself is a practice, while the school deals with the theoretical aspect of the field. The key to staying relevant is finding the balance between theory and practice.


www.facebook.com/UTPOffi cial www.twitter.com/UTPOffi cal

5 Star Rating for Research,Development and Commercialisation

The only Malaysias PrivateUniversity in the top 200 in

Malaysias first purpose-built, Green Building Index-compliant campus and Putrajayas first university campus, Heriot-Watt University Malaysias campus features an outstanding arching green roof.

Unleashing hiscreative business side

EDINBURGH Business School MBA graduate Kelvin Ling loves the creativity of the business world and has never regretted swapping his career in engineering for a career in business.

Ling, the sales and marketing manager for the greater Asia region with Breezway (M) Sdn Bhd, a market leader in window louvres, gained a BEng (Hon) Civil Engineering from Universiti Putra Malaysia in 2001 but felt unfulfilled and realised his creative side was being left untapped.

As a civil engineer I was not given the opportunity to think outside of the box. Engineers are not usually creative people. Their work is very important and very technical but I have always had a creative side and I love the creativity of business. It gives me the opportunity to think laterally about problems and to create scenarios where great things are possible, he says.

I love the many opportunities business brings as it is always exciting. I love the whole process of building businesses and watching them become profitable and successful.

The MBA I was awarded from the Edinburgh Business School, the Graduate School of Business of Heriot-Watt University, has helped me gain the extra knowledge, skill and business contacts I needed to help me achieve my goals.

Ling graduated with his Edinburgh Business School MBA in 2005. He liked the flexibility

of the Edinburgh Business School MBA programme, which he said was vital, given his demanding work schedule.

I pursued my MBA through distance learning. I was able to plan my week and study while I travel for work.

Ling says his role as the head of the sales and marketing department at Breezway required leadership, vision and creative energy as well as a strong understanding of the main disciplines of business. Ling developed these qualities as a result of his Edinburgh Business School MBA studies.

I aspire to become a CEO and a business owner who is renowned for his commitment

to developing and empowering employees to think creatively and to make the right decisions. Employing and retaining committed employees is paramount to the success of any business.

My Edinburgh Business School MBA has certainly opened doors for me. I love my work immensely and this has been made possible because of my Edinburgh Business School MBA.

The world-renowned MBA programme developed by Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University UK has been available at the universitys brand new campus in Malaysia since January last year.

The programme is designed for practising senior managers and comprises a series of weekend seminars that is spread over a two-year period.

The flexibility of the programme enables students to put their learning into practice immediately.

Beginning September, the MBA and all other programmes from Heriot-Watt University will be taught at Heriot-Watt Universitys new state-of-the-art campus in Putrajaya.

n For more information, call 03-8881 0918, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.ebsglobal.net/studying-globally/malaysia

Health updatesAS a result of technological innovation and scientific research, the health sciences field has seen several important breakthroughs.

Surgeons to get mechanical help from robotsl A 15-year-old surgical robot named Da Vinci has greatly aided surgeons around the world in millions of successful tumour removal surgeries.l Da Vinci gives surgeons incredible precision, allowing them to make fine incisions on a patient.

Friendly microorganisms that protect your skinl According to an article in The Scientist, recent discoveries suggest that commensal skin bacteria can both guard us from pathogens and aid the immune system in maintaining a well-protected skin.l For example, Staphylococcus epidermis produces antimicrobial substances that fight pathogens and Propionibacterium acnes use the skins lipids to generate short-chain fatty acids to prevent microbial threats.

Severe obesity may shorten lifespan by 14 yearsl According to an article in Science Daily, adults with extreme obesity may die young due to several illnesses caused by obesity. Illnesses include cancer, heart disease, stroke and liver and lung disease.l In the study that involved 20 participants, researchers found that class III obese individuals were most likely to develop serious illnesses.

In the news


Dr Anbalagan Krishnan (left) and Dr Dhanuskodi Rengasamy

Higher degreeby researchA HIGHER degree by research (HDR) is a research study recognised by a university or any higher learning institutions around the world. In this field of study, a doctor of philosophy (PhD) is the top research academic degree in which candidates need to invest a considerable amount of work and commitment as well as have a keen interest in the field of research and development.

A research degree involves completing a dissertation, a document submitted by candidates for the attainment of an academic degree or professional qualification. A dissertation differs from a thesis where the latter is used for the partial fulfilment of a bachelors or masters degree and the former for the attainment of a doctorate degree.

The admission requirements for HDR students vary significantly from one country to another. In the United States, a candidate is expected to have pre-requisite study beyond the basic graduate qualification while in other countries, admission to a HDR programme is based on the candidates graduate programme background.

Generally, HDR can be classified into three categories PhD, Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and research masters degrees.

A PhD involves independent research study where the candidate is expected to conduct research that contributes to his chosen field of study.

An MPhil may lead to a PhD while research masters degrees are similar to MPhil programmes in which candidates are required to submit their theses for evaluation.

At Curtin Sarawak, we have significantly

developed our HDR programmes over the past few years and are well on our way towards fulfilling our ambition of becoming a research-focused university. We currently have almost 70 postgraduate research students in our MPhil and PhD programmes.

At our School of Business, research can be undertaken in various areas of research such as tourism and hospitality, entrepreneurship, human resources and marketing, financial accounting, managerial accounting and auditing, corporate governance, economics, finance and banking, media, Borneo and indigenous studies, public relations and corporate social responsibility, corporate and social law, and learning pedagogy. - By Dr Anbalagan Krishnan and Dr Dhanuskodi Rengasamy

n Dr Anbalagan Krishnan is the Associate Dean of Research and Development at Curtin Sarawaks School of Business while Dr Dhanuskodi Rengasamy is a senior lecturer in accounting at Curtin Sarawaks School of Business. For more information, visit www.curtin.edu.my

Shaping business professionalsTHE degree of Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) prepares leaders to shape the world of business. DBA is a research doctorate in business administration that is equivalent to aPhD in business administration.

A DBA programme tends to be more towards applied research rather than theoretical research, especially during the thesis-writing phase. It can be completed on full-time or part-time basis for working individuals.

The accredited AeU DBA programme is administered by the School of Management (SOM) to prepare future managers with the in-depth knowledge and research skills required for business administration and management fields.

SOM offers a three- and four-year doctoral programmes that encompass 10 core subjects of modular type coursework during the first year and a dissertation that covers an eight-stage structured research monitoring programme and close supervision for 36 to 48 months.

The core subjects include leadership, economics, accounting and finance,

Christopher Chew, a Doctor of Business Adminstration student at AeU.

marketing, statistics, international business, business strategy and policy, new business venture, and research methodology.

Similar to other DBA programmes, AeUs DBA serves dual purposes. The first is to contribute to both theory and practice in relation to business and management. The second is to develop professional practice and to contribute to professional knowledge.

Christopher Chew, a DBA student at AeU, says, I am enjoying my DBA studies at AeU, which provides a wealth of knowledge and stimulating discussions. The programme inculcates unique approach and allows me to combine my expertise in academic research and working knowledge to come up with innovative solutions that are applicable at my workplace.

Prof Dr Juhary Ali, the dean of the School of Management at AeU, says, The AeU DBA programme is appropriate for professionals who are pursuing career advancement. Its practical-oriented approach allows the immediate integration of knowledge and critical thinking skills into the workplace.

AeUs flexible learning offers students the ease of studying online at home or at work as the DBA programme is available via part-time mode through its fully online and blended learning, where learning materials are easily accessed by students anytime.

n For more information, call1300 300 238 or visit www.aeu.edu.my


Universiti Utara Malaysias MBA and DBA graduates at its recent convocation ceremony.

Leveraging on learning centres SINCE 1983, Universiti Utara Malaysia has pioneered collaborative study centres for its MBA and DBA students in Kuala Lumpur and Penang with one of its collaborating partners, Rezzen Sdn Bhd, an e-learning company.

Starting with 14 students in Penang, the number of its students has increased to nearly 1,000.

This collaboration is entering its next phase as more and more students are applying with Rezzen. Some students from its first phase are now completing their studies through a teach-out phase.

Keeping pace with business leadersTO meet the demands of various industries, SEGi University offers a wide range of MBAs for tomorrows business leaders. MBA candidates have three options for specialisation: global business, entrepreneurship or general management.

The SEGi University MBA (Global Business) prepares its graduates for todays competitive global business environment. In addition, graduates will learn how to solve business problems with international implications.

Through SEGis qualified academicians and renowned business leaders and advisors, graduates of the SEGi University MBA (Entrepreneurship) will learn how to launch their own start-up companies and begin their careers in the venture capital industry.

To enhance competency in strategic management in the corporate world, individuals can take up the SEGi University MBA (General Management).

Graduates of this course will be taught to manage the various departments of a company, including sales, human resources, finance and economics while learning the latest theories and best practices in business.

SEGi now offers a new method of learning that enables those who intend to pursue the SEGi University MBA (General Management) at their own convenience, regardless of time and location.

PACE (Professional and Continuing Education) is SEGi Universitys online learning campus that enables students to learn at their own pace and complete their studies while having a fulfilling work-life balance.

Instead of attending scheduled classes at a physical venue that requires additional time, cost and effort to commute, students can log in to their classes at any time and at

Rezzen ensures that it students are the best in the industry and past intakes have included students from a wide range of management levels and fields.

The classes conducted at Rezzen are lively and interactive. Students take an active role in discussions while its academicians are always willing to lend a helping hand to students with their syllabus.

Many students are industry professionals and they bring with them years of experience and knowledge.

It is not unusual for discussions to evolve around actual case studies contributed by students. Presentations in class always provide students with a variety of different experiences.

Many students have recommended their friends to enrol at Rezzen and this is one of the most effective marketing tools. Students also foster a close bond among one another and are always willing to help each other.

Rezzen recruits lecturers from more than a dozen countries and its textbooks are selected from around the world with case studies chosen from a host of well-known universities, including Harvard University, Thunderbird University in Arizona and the Esade Business Schoolin Barcelona.

n For more information, call 03-2261 4248, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.rezzen.com.my

any location with access to the Internet.Through PACE, students can study

through the guided learning method and independent learning method. This means that students attend classes once a month and revision classes are also provided for one weekend per semester for one particular subject.

This will give students the opportunity to network with fellow coursemates, meet their lecturers and gain additional support they may need.

Students will also have the option to complete their studies as quickly as they want to as the number of subjects taken in a semester is up to them.

SEGi also provides a guided learning plan to ensure students can get the best from the lessons, including study guides and strategies for coping with coursework and exams.

n For more information, call 03-6145 1777, 1800 887 344, e-mail to [email protected] or visit www.segi.edu.my

PACE is SEGi Universitys online learning campus that enables students to learn at their own pace and complete their studies with assurance that they will be able to have a fulfilling work-life balance.


Reena Chandra Bose (left) says taking on an MBA has given her a sense of confidence and freedom to take on new challenges.

Revisiting theacademic world

I DECIDED to take on an MBA six years after I left university. Going back to school was definitely a challenge, especially when you are trying to balance work and a personal life. Thankfully, I had a good support network consisting of my family and friends who made it less of a struggle.

I am glad that I embarked on this journey because it widened my horizon in a world where business and academia come together.

Having studied and worked in a technical environment, I was on a personal quest to gain insight into the business world.

I enjoyed taking real-life scenarios from the business world and applying academic theories to them. I had many moments of revelation when I realised that many of these theories had scientific explanations behind them.

I was looking for a reputable and well known business school that offered an MBA programme at a reasonable price. I wanted to get a balanced view of

Exploring education opportunitiesTHE upcoming Higher Education Fair 2014 would interest SPM, STPM and UEC school-leavers, parents, teachers, university students, working adults, members of the industry and the general public seeking higher education opportunities.

This is a chance that is not to be missed by enthusiastic students who intend to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate studies, says Datin Jercy Choo, project consultant of the Higher Education Fair 2014.

Visitors will also be able to obtain the best advice from educationists and counsellors on the types of specialised training and academic courses available in Malaysia and overseas.

They will also be able to gain information from a wide

Schedule for Career Talk (at Function Room B)

Sunday, 20 July 2014

Time

12.00noon 12.30pm Careers in banking

12.40pm - 1.40pm Personality test

1.50pm - 2.20pm Careers in science and technology

2.30pm - 3pm Scholarships

3.10pm - 3.40pm Careers in psychology

3.50pm - 4.20pm PTPTN loans

4.30pm - 5pm Careers in education

5.10pm - 5.40pm Options after SPM

Topic

range of courses, including hotel management, accountancy, aviation, baking, cooking, beauty, business studies, broadcasting, law, applied sciences, communication studies, engineering, multimedia, IT and computer science, medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, marketing, music, tourism studies, advertising,

graphic design, architecture, interior design, dance, nursing, automotive, hair-styling, early childhood education, cabin crew training, skill training options and aptitude and course counselling.

At this one-stop education fair, visitors can discover many new education options. The fair will also host career talks

that will provide visitors with valuable career information and advice, directly from experienced industry leaders and practitioners.

Covering a wide range of topics, the workshops and talks will give students a clearer picture of their courses and careers of choice while preparing them for the challenges ahead.

Seats for these talks are limited and are on a first-come, first-served basis. The Higher Education Fair will be held on July 19 and 20 (Saturday and Sunday) at the Mid Valley Exhibition Centre, Kuala Lumpur. It is open from 11am to 6pm. The fair is opened to the public and admission is free.

n For more information,call 03-6156 1500 or visitwww.sureworks.info

At this one-stop education fair visitors can discover many new education options.

the business world and the University of Strathclyde provided this by allowing me to meet and interact with lecturers from the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates and Malaysia.

I take away with me new knowledge and skills that are the result of close interactions with heavy weights in both business and academia and working together with course mates from various backgrounds and industries.

This opportunity has given me a sense of confidence and freedom to take on new challenges.

To those of you who are considering venturing back into the academic world, I would strongly advise you to do so. It is not going to be an easy ride but you will certainly derive plenty of satisfaction from it.

Whether you are looking for personal or career fulfilment, you will gain depth and maturity that will alter the way you look at the world and translate into the decisions that you make and the actions that you take.

The more you know, the more you are aware of what you do not know.

n For more information, call 03-7660 8950 or visitwww.cdc.edu.my

Reena Chandra Bose, a University of Strathclyde student, talks about her MBA journey.


Knowing how to understand the people of your organisation is crucial in creating a work environment conducive for success.

Psychedup for workIN an ever-changing landscape of workplace management, there is a need for organisation leaders to understand their people well.

More and more organisations are hiring people with psychology backgrounds and this contributes to a good leadership culture.

Many organisation leaders and managers are looking for opportunities to study psychology at a masters level to apply it at their workplace.

To meet this demand, the Faculty of Behavioural Sciences at HELP University offers the Master of Managerial Psychology and the Master of Applied Psychology in Coaching, with the latter offered in collaboration with the Corporate Coach Academy of Malaysia. The Master of Managerial Psychology Programme focuses on the psychology of people management.

The modules teach leaders how to create a work environment that brings out the best in their people and includes subjects such as psychology of change management, psychology of performance, cross-cultural psychology, stress management, workplace conflict, organisational behaviour and talent management.

We currently have more than 70 students in our programme with most being in middle management positions in multinational companies, consulting firms or government-linked corporations.

Many opt for the Master of Managerial Psychology because they have a strong background in business and finance and feel that a programme in psychology would complement their existing skill sets, says Dr Goh Chee Leong, dean of the Faculty of Behavioural Sciences at Help University and president of the Asean Union of Psychological Societies.

The modules are designed specifically for working adults. Classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday nights while assignments are designed to give students flexibility

in managing their work and studies.

The Faculty of Behavioural Sciences at HELP University also offers the Master of Applied Psychology in Coaching, jointly developed with the Corporate Coach Academy of Malaysia, one of the two coaching schools in Asia with the International Coach Federation (ICF) accredited with the ICF-ACTP status for its high-quality in coaching education.

The ICF-ACTP status is recognised for its globally recognised ICF Professional Certified Coaches. With its unique blend of psychological principles and coaching skills, this programme develops coaches with the ability to understand people and help them reach their full potential in a powerful and structured way.

Dr Michael Heah, founder and chief executive officer of Corporate Coach Academy, is the first Malaysian to earn this global-class credential from ICF, the worlds largest coaching body. Dr Heah believes there is a high demand for coaches due to several factors.

Coaching is preferred because it is done in real time and is highly practical. It does not equip someone with skills applicable only in the future but provides what is needed immediately, making results quickly visible. Coaching is also more cost-effective than many other intervention methods because there is no need for an extended period of sessions as they are focused and address the groups or individuals needs, says Dr Heah.

He adds, Just learning in the classroom and addressing the extrinsic aspects of skills alone cannot drive positive changes in people and sustain them over long periods of time.

It is intrinsic skills that are crucial to a persons emotional state, inner motivations and special abilities as well as their self-limiting beliefs.

n For more information on the postgraduate psychology courses offered at HELP University, call 03-2094 2000or visit www.help.edu.my

Boosting your medical knowledgeAS a professional medical practitioner, there is always a need to improve and expand on your skills as well as medical knowledge. This include attending industry-related seminars and conferences, such as continuing professional development (CPD) programmes that can keep you updated on the latest trends and practicesin the medical world.

The International Conference on X-ray and Related Techniquesin Research and Industry (ICXRI)

Malaysian Society of Intensive Care Annual Scientific Meeting2014 (ASMIC 2014)

Date: August 11 to 13 Time: 8.30am to 5pm Venue: KSL Hotel, Johor BaruThe conference organised by Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia will cover areas such as materials characterisation, medical/life sciences, quantitative and qualitative X-ray diffraction, X-ray flourescence analysis, semiconductor and thin films. For more information, visit www.10times.com/icxri

The Edinburgh MRCS OSCE Preparation Course

Date: August 16 and 17 Time: 8.30am to 4.30pm Venue: Advanced Skills Centre, UKM Medical Centre This course prepares candidates for their Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) Part B examinations. Attendees will be exposed to ways in approaching the examination more confidently.For more information, visit www.rcsed.ac.uk

Date: August 15 to 17 Time: 8am to 6.30pm Venue: Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala LumpurThe ASMIC conference aims to help clinicians, nurses and allied health professionals keep up-to-date with thedevelopments and evidence-based practices in the field of intensive care. For more information, visit www.misc.org.my

University Sains Malaysia (USM) InternationalNursing Conference

Date: August 17 and 18 Time: 7.30am to 4.30pmVenue: Renaissance Hotel and Hotel Perdana, Kota Baru This is the second International Nursing Conference organised by University Sains Malaysia. It gives a platform for nurses and allied health professionals to voice their opinions and share ideas related to the issues of nursing and health care services.For more information, visit www.10times.com/nursing-conferance


Education that crosses borders

(From left, seated) Stanley Arua, Second Secretary, Papua New Guinea; Dayangku Hajah Jabaidah Pengiran Haji Sulaiman, Attache (Education & Cultural) Brunei Darussalam; Mohamed Fahmy Hassan, Deputy High Commissioner, Republic of Maldives; Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Anuwar Ali; Olivia K. Gablah, First Secretary/Head Chancery, Republic of Ghana and Dhananjoy Kumar Das, First Secretary (Commercial), Republic of Bangladesh with other attendees at the event.

MORE often than not blurring the border lines between countries, especially if they are quite a distance away, is challenging. However, Open University Malaysia (OUM) has risen above this challenge and has pitched its tent in 10 different countries, offering academic as well as consultancy and capacity building programmes that cater mainly to working adults, professionals and industry employees.

OUMs affiliations with foreign universities began in 2005 with the University of Science and Technology (USTY) in Yemen. An affiliation with the Arab Open University in Bahrain soon followed.

To date, various institutions of higher learning in Somalia, Hungary, Bahrain, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Ghana, Zambia, China, Laos and Indonesia have felt OUMs presence in one way or another.

These institutions now offer a wide range of programmes from bachelors level up to doctorate levels to their international learners in areas such as business administration, information technology and management.

Staff and learners from these institutions have also been sent to Malaysia to attend short-term courses and training sessions at OUM.

Visitors from various institutions from across the world have also come to Malaysia to study the open and distance approach with OUM, learning its ways and practices as a blended learning provider.

Spurred by our motto University for All, we seek to bring higher education and continuing professional development to different categories of learners, including civil servants, white collar and blue collar employees, entrepreneurs, housewives, retirees and those with special needs.

They come from all over Malaysia, including rural and urban areas and are of various socio-economic backgrounds. Our target base is so wide that we believe that crossing borders would prove educational, even for us, said Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Anuwar Ali, vice chancellor of OUM, during an evening of networking and internationalising that was held with foreign delegates recently.

The event saw a gathering of key officials from foreign embassies, high commissions and consulates. It was organised as a way of expressing OUMs appreciation to the support given by its foreign partners over the years.

We are most honoured with your presence today and hope that through your continuous support, OUM will experience further growth in your respective countries, said Prof Anuwar.

During a summary briefing, OUMs vice president Prof Dr Mansor Fadzil provided

statistics from all its partners across the world.

He said that OUM has collectively seen more than 8,000 students graduate over the years, adding that its partner in Villa College in the Maldives is the most active member to date, with more than 2,000 students studying OUMs programmes at the moment.

Also at the event was Mohamed Fahmy Hassan, deputy high commissioner for the Republic of Maldives. He was impressed with his compatriots back home and at how well they were coping with the tailor-made programmes that OUM designed for them.

Prof Anuwar added that all this was possible because of OUMs flexible and blended learning approach that requires students to only spend a few hours each semester on each of their subjects.

This flexibility has also led OUM to assist the government in developing Malaysian public school teachers to further their studies.

As these lessons only require tutorial attendance a few times every semester, OUM is able to reach out to a global audience without requiring them to be physically present in Malaysia.

This has been made possible through the deployment of ICT, which has not only facilitated effective programme delivery but also improved staff productivity.

It is not just about empowering individuals with knowledge anymore. On a larger scale, it is about helping countries become more competitive in the global knowledge economy by educating their workforce. Malaysia has the resources, manpower and technology. Why not use it to help the development of other countries? Prof Anuwar said.

He added that to date, OUMs most popular programme, locally and globally, is its MBA.

Also present at the event was Stanley Arua, Second Secretary of Papua New Guinea. Arua and his team are looking to establish an open university with a similar approach to learning in Papua New Guinea. He was at the event to learn from OUM and establish ties with the university for the future.

OUMs other foreign affiliates are: l Accra Institute of Technology, Ghanal Eszterhazy Karoly College, Hungaryl Graduate School of Management,Sri Lankal IDM Group of Companies, Sri Lankal Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH), Vietnaml Mogadishu University, Somalial Simad University, Somalial NIEC School of Management Trust, Zambia

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

In line with our University for All motto, we seek to bring higher education and continuing professional development to all categories of learners, said Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Anuwar Ali.


Programmes :

MSc in Medical and Health Sciences(by research)KPM/JPT(R/720/7/0049)6/2019

Throughout the year

PhD in Medical and Health Sciences(by research)KP/JPS(KR10625)01/2015

Throughout the year

MSc in Public Health KP/JPS(KA10261)09/2015

Mar & Sep

MSc in Analytical & Pharmaceutical ChemistryKPT/JPS(N/442/7/0001)01/2017

Mar & Sep

MSc in Molecular Medicine KPT/JPS(N/421/7/0010)07/2017

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Master in Formulation ScienceKPT/JPS(N/545/7/0021)1/2018

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International Medical University126, Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil,57000 Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaKP/JPS/5195/US/2, KP(JPS)/DFT/US/W03

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High-speed Internetfor rural areasSLOW dial-up Internet connection can be infuriating. Unfortunately, for many people living in rural areas, only dial-up Internet has been made available for Internet access. Whether you live in the city, suburb or in a rural area, you should not have to endure slow Internet service.

A team of researchers at The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, led byDr Amin Malek Mohammadi, has developed a simple, high speed and cost-effective transmission system for the Radio over Fiber (RoF) transmission system to bridge the digital divide.

RoF refers to a technology where light is modulated by a radio signal and transmitted over an optical fibre link to facilitate wireless access such as 3G and Wi-Fi simultaneously from the same antenna.

Recently, RoF has been receiving considerable attention because it requires fewer infrastructures compared to wire-line alternatives such as Unifi, xDSL and cable mode networks, resulting in a cost-effective solution to Internet access especially for rural areas.

Funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation Malaysia along with a collaboration with Photonic Research Centre, University Malaya, this project focuses on the two main areas of RoF: l Design and development of new

multiplexing techniqueIn the RoF system, the RF (radio

frequency) signal is a carrier of information. As the RF signal modulates a light wave,

the light wave becomes a carrier and consequently, the RF signal becomes a subcarrier.

In the proposed multiplexing technique based on the novel mapping algorithm, bits from different users will be converted to unique symbols and unique symbols will be converted to RF carriers at different frequencies to provide the sharing of bandwidth between operators and users.

These signals at different RF carrier frequencies can be combined to form a subcarrier multiplex in RoF system. l Design and development of novel

embroidery antennaThe antenna is essential in a transmission

system. To improve its conformity and durability, a novel class of embroidery patch antenna on polymer composite polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) has been proposed. The antenna performance will be enhanced with different embroidery structures and conductive layers dyed with various nanomaterial.

In short, the new design of the RoF technique that aims to benefit people living in rural areas has huge potential and needs to be developed and researched further.

People in rural areas can have access to high speed and constantly available Internet, no matter how far they are from town.

n For more information on courses offered by The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.nottingham.edu.my

Dr Amin Malek setting up the horn-shaped antenna for measurement in the anechoic chamber.

> FROM PAGE 8

Eradication of HIV/AIDS possibleIt is clear that combating HIV/AIDS is a multi-sectorial responsibility that requires cooperation and smart partnership to successfully eradicate new HIV infections, AIDS-related deaths and stigma associated with it all of which are in line with the United Nations Millennium Development Goal.

It is my hope that HIV/AIDS research continues to seek for breakthrough, especially in finding a cure for HIV. While waiting for that to materialise, it is important to pay equal attention in research to address the numerous issues such as prevention of HIV, medication,

psychology, nutrition, stigma and discrimination faced by PLHIV, says Yeo.

For Malaysia, there is still a long road ahead but the establishing of research centres such as CERiA is definitely one of the ways forward. Besides that, for research findings to be translated into beneficial measures for the community, it is desirable to adopt more best practices that may include programmes such as Needle and Syringe Exchange Programme (NSEP) and Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT) in the years to come in collaboration with government agencies, research institutions and NGOs.


Merrill J. Fernando (second from right), the founder of Dilmah Tea, and his son, Dilhan C. Fernando (right) presenting a token of appreciation to BERJAYA UCH representatives Mae Ho, chief operating officer (second from left) and Chef Jochen Kern, director of School of Culinary Arts.

All about making tea to a teeTHE transformation of a humble leaf of the Camellia Sinensis plant into a beverage crafted by tea masters provided the aesthetic inspiration for the first ever Dilmah Real High Tea Challenge Malaysia held recently at Berjaya University College of Hospitality (Berjaya UCH).

The Dilmah Real High Tea Challenge explored the harmony between tea gastronomy and mixology.

Fourteen professional culinary and beverage teams from hotels and resorts in Malaysia competed to create exquisite high tea recipes using Dilmah tea as the key ingredient.

Motivated by the theme of putting tea back in high tea, the teams were appraised by a judging panel comprising Dilhan C. Fernando, the son of Dilmah Founder Merrill J. Fernando and director of MJF Holdings Ltd, Chef Bernd Uber (the Black Hat Chef), Chef Malcolm Goh (who is a featured chef of Berjaya UCH who is also featured on the Asian Food Channel), and Chef K.K. Yau, executive chef of Dorsett Regency Hotel KL.

The participants were judged on tea preparation (technical skills, brewing and knowledge of the tea used).

They also had to conceptualise a tea-pairing menu to produce quality and harmony in flavours while incorporating the teams expertise, knowledge and presentation.

The exquisite menu of tea and food pairings by Shangri-La KL gave the team the winning edge over other competitors. Gold

medals were also awarded to the Datai Langkawi and Dorsett Regency KL.

As an institution that provides hospitality training, hosting the first Dilmah Real High Tea Challenge Malaysia was a great

experience for Berjaya UCH.The students and staff learned

the many facets of tea service, including knowledge of types of tea, skills on tea preparation and how tea-infused desserts/canaps redefine the idea of high

tea, thereby providing a totally different experience, says Ronald Binati, beverage lecturer from the School of Hospitality at BERJAYA UCH and current president of the Sommeliers Association of Malaysia (SOMLAY).

We are also privileged to have the founder of Dilmah Tea and his son officiating the launch of Dilmah Tea facilities in our Tea and Coffee Academy.

Mae Ho, chief operating officer of Berjaya UCH, says, We are honoured to be the chosen venue for the first Dilmah Real High Tea Challenge Malaysia.

The application of theory in a practical setting, otherwise known as the BERJAYA Immersion Methodology, offers an alternative approach to education.

Our students enjoy high levels of engagement through events like this.

All of us were excited to learn more about tea education, entrepreneurship and their CSR endeavours, she adds.

Dilhan Fernando explains, Our teas are single origin. They are grown, hand-picked and packed at source.

They are manufactured the traditional way to ensure that the delicate flavours of the tea leaves are retained.

Dilmah is a family business. It was natural for us to join the family business because we understood the social, economic, sensorial and consumer benefits of Dilmahs tea.

n For more information about Berjaya UCH, visitwww.berjaya.edu.my


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KBUs masters programme is specifically designed to facilitate executives who want to move from their specialist position to a more senior role in their organisation.

Getting to the topof the corporate ladder

ACCORDING to the QS Intelligence Unit, a distinct and autonomous department of the QS World University Rankings, there was a 14% increase in MBA job opportunities last year.

I think this is a good time for ambitious executives to enrol in an MBA programme to leverage and capitalise on job opportunities, says Low Hong Keng, head of the School of Business, Hospitality and Tourism Management at KBU.

A bachelors degree is not enough for those who want to move up the corporate ladder and to facilitate this, KBU International College offers a time-tested, rigorous and prestigious MBA programme in collaboration with the Lord Ashcroft International Business School of Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), United Kingdom.

The masters programme has a far more general and strategic approach than those focused on specific subject areas.

KBUs MBA is an ideal choice for students as it is internationally recognised and accredited by the Association of Business Schools, a body representing leading business schools in the UK.

It is also an authoritative voice of business and management education in the UK.

Besides being tutored by a highly qualified teaching team comprising doctorate holders with industry experience, students can also benefit from lectures presented by visiting UK academics, live lectures via video conferencing by the professors from UK and guest lectures by

industry specialists. Flexibility is another advantage

of the programme as students will get to choose from either full-time or part-time classes.

The part-time classes are held on Saturdays and Sundays. The full-time classes cater mainly to international students.

The programme that stretches

over four semesters focuses on producing well-rounded graduates.

The academic calendar consists of two semesters a year (January to April and September to December) to allow students an optimal balance of professional, personal and university life.

Students also do not have to

worry about preparing for exams as the course is 100% assignment-based.

They also have access to the Emerald database, the worlds leading scholarly publisher of journals and books in business and management, and ARUs extensive e-library, making researching much easier.

ACCA and CIMA members will be exempted from four out of 11 modules. These modules are organisational behaviour, decision-making and problem-solving, marketing management, and strategic financial analysis.

l For more information, call 03-7727 3200, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.kbu.edu.my

KBUs MBA is an ideal choice for students as it is internationally recognised and accredited by the Association of Business Schools, a body representing leading business schools in the UK.

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Prof Dr Joshua Li believes that LEP technology can complement the weaknesses of LED techn

pg - 15 july 2014

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