post graduate - 17 may 2016

8/17/2019 Post Graduate - 17 May 2016

1/12

THE STAR, TUESDAY 17 MAY 2016

special

Piecing

togethersolutions


2/12

confidence in local highereducation institutions.

“Research is the academic armfor universities to reach out tosociety and, in a way, amanifestation of integrity.

“The public expects universitiesto contribute in many aspects andbe the problem solvers to thenation’s economic, cultural and

social crises,” says Prof Bujang.Prof Graham Kendall, vice

provost (research and knowledgetransfer) at The University ofNottingham Malaysia Campus,says intellectual property by

universities will help thelocal and

postgraduateTHE STAR,

TUESDAY 17 MAY 2016

All research, even blue skies, is important for the betterment of society, so universities should not let a lack offunding discourage progress in higher education.

Maximising research potentialTH more than 300 publishedentific papers to his name,ert Einstein is not only regarded

one of the greatest geniuses tove contributed to the knowledgecience but his findings continue

be the foundations for muchdern research.

Among his most famous quotesWisdom is not a product ofooling but of the lifelong

empt to acquire it”.t is for this ongoing quest of

dom that universities the worldr invest a substantial amount ofe, energy and resources intoir research activities.n October last year, however,Malaysian Government

nounced as part of Budget 2016M2.4bil reduction in annualocations for institutions ofher learning (from RM15.78bilyear to RM13.37bil this year),

nalling a massive blow to theministrative functionalities and,re importantly, researchabilities of local publicversities.

Upon the announcement,dent groups and educators werevous about the move as it could

versely impact student anddemic faculty development,se tuition fees, impedeversities’ competitiveness onglobal stage and in the long run

wart quality research outcomes.

lue of imperativeudyrof Azirah Hashim, executive

ector of the Asia-Europetitute at University of Malaya,s, “The ethos of universities is

be at the forefront of research,ching, human resource, talentduction and problem-solving.”

Very often, though, qualityearch outcomes go hand in

nd with having a sufficientdget to fund extensive researchne of the deciding factors thatarate distinguished universitiesm the rest.

This phenomenon can beresented in a circular chain ofnts where significant research

dings will lead to internationalognition, more lucrative grants

d funds, the ability to improveversity facilities and educationgrammes, more students anddemicians, and resources toarhead more compellingearch activities.

But besides the monetary aspect,d research contributes ideas

d solutions at the societal

el for the betterment

of humankind.According to Prof Azirah,

producing research that is of highquality and integrity as well asbetter understanding of society’sneeds and finding suitablesolutions are important in aglobalised and competitive world.

“It is the task of researchers anduniversities to develop research

that is important to society, justifythis importance to fundingcommittees and ensure that moneyis spent on projects that are trulybeneficial to the society,” says ProfAzirah.

Prof Bujang B. K. Huat, dean ofthe School of Graduate Studiesat Universiti PutraMalaysia, agrees withthis statement andsays quality researchwill help buildsociety’s trust and

national economy, paving the wayfor job creation throughmechanisms such as spin-outcompanies.

James Then Khong Lek,managing director of CryoCord,a stem cell bank that has asubsidiary collaborating with localuniversities in stem cell researchfor therapy in non-communicable

diseases, says, “I am particularlyconcerned when research fundsare cut as good research is thefoundation for the country’s future.

“Researchers who face limitedfunding often need to shareresources, lengthen the researchtimeframe or cut down on theirscope of study,” says Then.

Sustainable procedures

Prof Bujang believes universitiesmust not concentrate too much onthe negative effects of a budget cutnor allow it to deter them frommaking progress in highereducation but instead act uponcontingency plans to achieve set

research goals and optimiseproductivity while operating onminimal funds.

“What the budget cut means forthe wider university communityis that we must look upon suchchallenges as a test of ourresilience in finding othersolutions,” he says.

Prof Azirah echoes Prof Bujang’sview and says, “Universities mustnot be reliant on a single source of

funding as there are many grant-giving bodies prepared to fund

worthwhile research.“Budget cuts encourageresearchers and universities tolook for other sources of funding,be it the private sector, foreigncountries or internationalorganisations, and engage more ina competitive and transparentresearch funding environment,”says Prof Azirah.

> SEE PAGE 5

IAN JEROME LEONG

Sufficient monetary resources are important to boost compelling research activities.

AMONG the biggest challengesresearchers face when attainingsufficient research funding isconvincing potential investorsthat their studies will indeed bebeneficial to society.

But it is only throughadequate funding thatresearchers can bring forthdiscoveries in their respectiveresearch fields.

This has been a persistentproblem throughout history asin the case of AlexanderGraham Bell in the 1870s, whoresorted to borrowing moneyfrom the wealthy father of oneof his students at BostonUniversity as well as hisassistant Thomas Watson todevelop his harmonic telegraph.

In current times, the problemlies particularly true for blue-skies research, where theresults of studies are notimmediately apparent, whenthe research is purelyscientifically and curiositydriven, or when the researchdoes not have a clear goal.

Apart from factors thatinclude timeliness, discussionopportunity or the failure topresent research ideaseffectively, if the ambitions ofthe study seem too grand or ifthe ideas seem toounconventional, there is astrong chance that the researchproposal will be scrapped.

As research proposals areexpected to specify definitivegoals, there is a possibility thatcompanies and funding bodiesaccept proposals that aredeemed safe or likely to yieldshort-term results, and perhapsfavour mediocrity.

Thankfully, blue-sky research

is still ongoing and there arecompanies and funders willingto provide monetary aid to lesspopular research ideas, be it forbeneficial returns in the longrun or as a form of corporateresponsibility.

However, not only mustcompanies and funderscontinue to support and beopen to such research but moregrants are needed to enable thepossibility of genuine scientificleaps.

Contesting for funds


3/12


postgraduate 3

Real-world skills

A MASTER’S in businessadministration (MBA) is the mostsought after programme in theworld today. Factors such aseconomic globalisation andchallenging economicenvironments in respectivecountries have contributedsubstantially to increasing itssignificance.

While working experience offerswonderful knowledge, an MBAprogramme relevant to one’sindustry will help sharpenmanagerial and soft skillsnecessary for management.

A university of educationalexcellence with transformativesocietal impact, Universiti TunkuAbdul Rahman’s (UTAR)Faculty of Accountancy andManagement (FAM) offers theMaster of Business Administration,Master of Business Administration

(Building Management) and Masterof Business Administration(Corporate Governance).

Dr Pok Wei Fong, UTAR FAM’shead of programme for MBA, saysthat the programme provides astrong platform in learning a widerange of management issues,techniques and practices as well asspecialised knowledge in manyareas of today’s global businessenvironment.

“As part of the university’s visionand mission, it offers candidates abalance of theoretical andexperiential learning, thusenabling students to develop

The UTAR MBA programmes enable students to develop business and leadership skills.

business and leadership skills andan appreciation for goodmanagement practices in achallenging and turbulentglobalised world,” she continues.

“Case studies, businesspresentations and the curriculuminvolved in UTAR’s MBAprogramme helped me developcritical and analytical thinking.These skills are essential inmanaging business issues anddecision-making,” enthuses Yuan

Bing, a UTAR MBA graduate fromChina.

“Studying in UTAR also helpedme gain access to the extensivealumni network of that particularMBA programme and of others.”

For students from non-businessbackgrounds, earning an MBAdegree increases practicalknowledge in businessadministration.

The skills acquired are alsotransferable to other roles, as

evidenced by the MBA’s strongrepresentation in other sectorssuch as fast-paced consumer goods(FMCG), healthcare, public sector,finance and consulting.

The skill sets taught in MBAprovide you with hands-on trainingfor dealing with real businessproblems. In addition, it canenhance your soft skills such asleadership, cross-culturalunderstanding and teamwork,which are important

characteristics in future businessleaders. Certified by the MalaysianInstitute of Chartered Secretariesand Administrators (Maicsa), UTARFAM’s MBA (CorporateGovernance) programme ensuresexcellent standards in its entirecurriculum.

To safeguard the programmes’quality and excellence, externalexaminers from renowneduniversities overseas are roped into ensure the examinationquestions are parallel to those ofthe universities.

The programmes’ externalexaminers also contribute byreviewing all aspects of theprogramme to ensure theprogrammes are kept abreast oflatest trends and developments inthe industry.

An MBA is ideal for those lookingforward to improve themselves in

handling the myriad challenges ofholding leadership positions andseeking strategic solutions. All MBAprogrammes at UTAR are availablein full-time or part-time mode.

UTAR is having its extendedcounselling hours at the SungaiLong and Kampar campuses dailytill June 12 from 9am to 5pm(excluding public holidays).

n For more information, call03-9086 0288/016-2233 559(Sungai Long campus),05-468 8888/016-2233 557 (Kamparcampus), e-mail [email protected] or visit www.utar.edu.my.


4/12


TUESDAY 17 MAY 2016

Quality education and facilitiesRSUING postgraduate study is aious undertaking as peopleen identify you based on yourice of study and it provides ahway for specialisation.

Here are seven things to look outin a university when choosing atgraduate programme and whyiversiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)uld be your institution ofice.l Known for its researchengths – Pursuing postgraduatedy is mainly about doingearch, so choose a universityown for its research strengths.ind out whether the researcha you wish to pursue is within

niche teaching areas of theversity, and seek outolarships and grants.

UPM is one of Malaysia’s fiveearch universities. It is rankedong the top 150 universities thatnder 50 years old in the Worldversity Rankings 2015-2016 by

mes Higher Education and listedong the best 100 universities iniculture and forestry, accordinghe QS World University RankingSubjects 2015.

UPM was also ranked first inlaysia and Asia and 17th in therld in the UI GreenMetric Worldiversity Ranking 2015.

UPM’s recent achievementsinclude securing two long-termresearch grants under its Instituteof Tropical Agriculture (to bere-established as Institute of FoodSecurity).

l Known for its internationalcollaborations – Internationalcollaborations mean that theuniversity is recognised by otherinstitutions of good standing andthat the university has attainedinternational standards.

To date, UPM has 18collaborative programmes inthe forms of double, dual, jointly

awarded and cotutelle (co-tutoring)research degree programmes withuniversities from the UnitedKingdom, Australia, Japan, SouthKorea, France, Canada andThailand.

l Received awards andrecognition from famousinstitutions – This means theuniversity has been recognised andscored highly by international andnational accreditation bodies for itsprogrammes.

UPM offers postgraduateprogrammes in 265 fields ofgraduate study in agriculture,

science and engineering, andsocial science and humanities.

Its programmes have beenaccredited by internationalaccreditation bodies such as theRoyal Society of Chemistry, UnitedKingdom, the Association toAdvance Collegiate Schools ofBusiness (AACSB), the WashingtonAccord through the EngineeringAccreditation Council (EAC),the Chartered Institute ofEnvironmental Health and theTeacher Education AccreditationCouncil (TEAC), the United States.

l Academic staff who arerenowned in their areas of

specialisation – An importantconsideration when selecting auniversity for postgraduate studyis your potential supervisor. Asupervisor who is renowned in hisor her field will be able to connectyou to a good network ofrespectable academics and canguide you well in your research.

l Excellent student supportsystem – UPM offers acomprehensive supervisorysupport programme run by thePutra Sarjana unit of the School ofGraduate Studies. The programmeprovides support for both students

and supervisors in terms ofmanaging the supervisoryrelationships and ensuringsuccessful completion of the thesis.

l Offering programmes thatare relevant to the industry –When you apply for jobs after yourpostgraduate degree, yourprospective employer will want toknow if you are up to date with thelatest developments in your areaand if your skills are applicableand beneficial to the workplace.

l Great learning environmentand research facilities – Doesthe university have a nice campus

that is well equipped for researchand provides recreationalopportunities? Is the library well-stocked with the latest publicationsin your field of study?

UPM’s green campus is designedwith quality research andrecreational facilities. Apart fromstate-of-the-art research facilities,UPM staff and students also haveaccess to an 18-hole golf course,equestrian centre and forestreserve for recreational activities.

n For more information, [email protected] or visitwww.sgs.upm.edu.my.

Among the strengths of Universiti Putra Malaysia is the range of qualitypostgraduate programmes, including those in the field of agriculture.


5/12

Stepping upamid adversity

Funding cuts may very well lead to a more competitive researchenvironment.

Collaborations betweenuniversities and externalfunders will create a win-winsituation for all who areinvolved in the partnership.

According to Then, private

companies and small mediumenterprises are not wellequipped and do not possessthe expertise of universities.

He says, “Collaborations arethe natural pathways for privatecompanies to advance and becompetitive, enabling access toadvanced technology andtechnical know-how.”

Current undertakings

Fortunately, public andprivate universities in Malaysiaare adjusting to the cutback offunds.

These efforts includesynchronising internal

operations and income-generating entities to strengthenuniversities’ financial systems,motivating and encouragingcreativity among researchers, aswell as intensifying involvementin both local and internationalgrant processes, collaborationsand environments.

Although the budget cut hasno direct effect on privateuniversities, Prof Kendall saysworking within a tight budget ishow many companies operateand private higher learninginstitutions are no different.

He adds that thoughcompetitive, opportunities forgovernment research grants

are available, motivating privateuniversities to increase thenumber and quality of researchproposals as having theseadditional funds will make adifference.

“We are always seeking todiversify our income streamsas we need to provide valuefor money as well as a goodexperience for anybody whowishes to invest in the

university – whether they arestudents investing in theirfuture, or governments andbusinesses investing in researchand development,” saysProf Kendall.

Forthcomingpossibilities

While a reduction in fundscan weaken the growth ofMalaysian research, there maybe a reason to be optimisticabout the health of highereducation in Malaysia and itsresearch findings in the longrun.

Prof Bujang believesuniversities of the 21st centurythat claim to be among globaleducational players willstrengthen internal incomegeneration capabilities and notbe pessimistic in conforming

or adapting to new rules andpolicies, be it due to internalor external factors.

Prof Azirah says the budgetcut may very well forceuniversities and researchers tobe more competitive and thosewho are willing to step up to thechallenge should at the end findtheir efforts rewarded in termsof higher quality output.

She also believes the moreuniversities are able to diversifyin their grants and funding, thebroader the research horizons,possibly expanding to includemore internationally focusedresearch ventures.

Five months into the year, it

is still too soon to conclude if theoverall reduction in funding hasaffected the general researchquality of universities inMalaysia.

Nonetheless, universitiesthat place high importance onresearch will be able to findnew pathways and strategiesto overcome such challengesas it is part of their culture andmission to contribute to society.


postgraduate 5

> FROM PAGE 2


6/12


TUESDAY 17 MAY 2016

Building aglobal networkTHE Management & ScienceUniversity (MSU) is one ofMalaysia’s top universities thatfocuses on the critical areas ofstudies that encompassesmedicine, health sciences,pharmacy, information sciencesand engineering, businessmanagement and professionalstudies, education and socialsciences, hospitality andculinary, and music and fashion.

As one of Malaysia’s leading

U’s Global Mobility Programme enables MBA candidates to experience otherural and political environments, such as this attachment in Nanjing University,na.

teaching and learninguniversities, MSU gives priorityto quality education and creativeteaching methodologies toproduce quality and holisticgraduates.

Besides incorporatinginternational exposure in thestudents’ learning experience,extensive industrial trainingcomponents and personalenrichment competencyelements are also part of the

programme of study, ensuringhigh graduate employability.

MSU through the GraduateSchool of Management (GSM)recognises that today’s globalcompanies require managerswith a broader outlook. Throughits internationalisation efforts,MSU attracts top students,employs faculty members withoverseas experience and formseffective links with businesses.

The MSU-MBA programmeoffers students an experientiallearning experience in cross-cultural communications,opportunities to build a globalnetwork and find futureinternational career options.

In addition, students will havethe opportunities to developmanagement skills andtechniques, obtain strategicorientation, and implementthe strategies formulated.

The MSU-MBA programmehelps student develop skills inleadership, entrepreneurship,strategic management anddecision-making, which trainthem to become successfulleaders in their area of expertiseand entrepreneurial thinkers inthe most competitive markets.

This programme also providessufficient knowledge forstudents to understand the

various facets of an organisationto formulate successfulstrategies.

Active Learning Exercises actas a basis for verbal analysis anddiscussion, allowing a richlearning environment byintegrating real-worldexperiences in the classroom.

This broadens students’understanding of issues byinviting them to think beyondtext materials. New terms and

concepts are defined in themargins to facilitate learning.

MSU-GSM has establishedcollaborative educational linkswith a number of top overseasuniversities in the UnitedKingdom, the United States,Australia, New Zealand, SouthKorea, Japan, Germany, Russia,China and others.

The Global MobilityProgramme (GMP) willprovide the opportunity forpostgraduates to develop anawareness and appreciation ofother cultures, political andeconomic environments andapproaches of doing business.

Professors of the MSU-MBA

are accomplished educationistswho have made significantcontributions to the businessworld, both as academics andworking professionals.

They conduct research andpublish articles across a broadrange of business andprofessional areas. They havealso taught university-levelbusiness courses abroad, thusbringing their rich multiculturalheritage to our country.

n For more information, call03-2718 4302/2718 4300/2718 4301or e-mail [email protected] orvisit www.msu.edu.my.

Insights for humanityLED by experienced scientistsand experts in the given fields,research universities in Malaysiaare contributing valuableknowledge to the internationalresearch community, thuscreating the foundations formore in-depth studies, newapplications and inventions thatbenefit mankind as a whole.

Here is some research that iseither being carried out or hasrecently concluded in Malaysianuniversities.

l Experienced peersIn a collaborative effort

between the Asia-EuropeInstitute at University of Malayaand the Technische UniversitatIlmenau (Ilmenau University ofTechnology) of Germany,researchers analysed thecorrelations between thenetworking of scientists workingon the Hantavirus and theirresearch performance.

This study concludedHantavirus researchers arelikely to produce higher researchperformance should they havenetworks with key researchcommunities within the studyarea, signalling immenserelevance and importance tohealth and researchpolicymakers.

l Enhancing renewableenergy

Researchers at UniversitiTunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR)

realised conventional solarenergy converter designshave limited efficiency, highproduction costs and theirapplications are often morecostly than fossil fuels, callingfor a more advanced systemto improve the conversionefficiency of current solarenergy converters.

> SEE PAGE 11


7/12


postgraduate 7

DiversityinspiresideasIN March this year, the premierdual-award Master of BusinessAdministration (MBA)programme at SunwayUniversity welcomed its latestintake of students from a diversepool of backgrounds andnationalities.

On the first day of orientation,MBA programme chair ofSunway University MichaelDent stressed the importance ofhaving a good mixture of localand international students.

According to Dent, studentsfrom diverse backgrounds oftenmake a huge difference in theprogramme as the diversityallows them to gain new ideasand perform better.

Using Nottingham ForestFootball Club as an example, hesaid the perfect combination ofage and experience among itsplayers contributed to its successin winning the European Cuptwice.

“The combination of age andexperience is what we need inan MBA class but with the addeddimensions of culture andgender as well,” he said.

Dent believes that in the 21stcentury, a good MBA candidatemust have teamwork values andbe culturally sensitive as manycompanies today cater tocustomers from all over theworld.

Even the employees of acompany may come fromdifferent cultural backgrounds,meaning students must learnto work effectively in aninternational team to succeed.

Among the students at the

orientation was Zoe Tysoe, aBriton with more than 10 yearsof work experience in Englisheducation around the world.

Tysoe, who is fromWorcestershire in the UnitedKingdom, is currently ane-learning consultant for aBritish organisation in KualaLumpur.

She completed her

Sunway University welcomes its latest intake of students for the MBA programme.

undergraduate studies in 2008with Lancaster University, UK,majoring in European studies.

Tysoe, who fell in love withteaching when she was with theBritish Council in Mexico,pursued other qualifications forteaching prior to her admission

into the MBA programme.Aside from progressing further

in the MBA programme, shealso hopes to gain a betterunderstanding of her current job.

“Although I have lots ofexperience working with mycurrent organisation, it is amassive and complex structure.I am always discovering newthings at different departments,which is why I want to betterunderstand my organisationand other organisations.

“Besides, I have only been ina managerial position for aboutfour years and I like to learnabout what I am doing. I thinkthis is the right time to study and

learn more about theory and toconnect with other people. Thisseems like quite a diverseprogramme that comprisespeople from differentorganisations,” she says.

The MBA programme atSunway University providescutting-edge businessmanagement theories and tools.

It aims to provide studentssuch as Tysoe the opportunityto experience personaltransformations by buildingand honing a set of skills thatthey can use for a lifetime.

This personal transformationstarts the moment students stepinto the university. Sunway

University’s state-of-the-artGraduate Centre, where MBAclasses are delivered, houses afaculty of the best managementconsultants, educators andresearch scholars in the world.

With the partnership betweenSunway University (a leadingMalaysian private university)and Lancaster University (rankedin the top 1% of universitiesglobally), a large contingent ofUK-based educators anddistinguished lecturers arebrought in to deliver world-classlearning experience at Sunway.

To discover how you canmaximise your career potentialwith Sunway University’s dual-

award premier MBA, join thepreview session on May 28 at12.30pm and June 8 at 6.30pm.

The preview session will beheld at the Sunway UniversityGraduate Centre.

n To reserve a place at thepreview or to find out more aboutthe programme, call 03-7491 8701or visit www.sunway.edu.my/ university/MBA.

Zoe Tysoe,MBA student atSunwayUniversity, hopesto gain a betterunderstanding ofworking in anorganisationthrough the MBAprogramme.


8/12


TUESDAY 17 MAY 2016

Asia Graduate School of Business (AGSB) at Unitar collaborates with Frost &Sullivan Malaysia to be part of the teaching team of AGSB.

Making the most of your MBAMASTER’S in businessministration (MBA) is one ofmost popular postgraduateurses in Malaysia.The postgraduate businessucation market in Malaysia ishly competitive as there areny local public and privateversities offering MBAgrammes.urthermore, new MBAgrammes were launchedently by many internationalnch campuses from the Unitedgdom and Australia.

To stay relevant to the industry,A courses should emphasise actical approach by using many

al and international case studieshat students can examinel-life situations that businessese. In addition, lecturers shouldvide networking opportunitiesonnect MBA students.

An MBA course is a postgraduategree in business administrationt focuses on developing a goodderstanding of the complexanisational issues managersounter.t is delivered through a blendace-to-face workshops, a web-ed learning system andivities involving peer grouprning.

MBA courses differ fromconventional courses as studentsneed to meet certain criteria beforeenrolling in the programme and, tobenefit from the MBA programme,are required to have prior full-timebusiness experience.

Among the qualities of a goodMBA course is that it provides acomprehensive grounding ingeneral management theory,focusing particularly on therelationship between theory andpractice.

Furthermore, it enhances theability of managers to applyknowledge, theories and skills to

meet the business needs oforganisations.

Besides that, a good MBAcourse helps produce effectiveand well-rounded students whoare capable of contributingeffectively at a strategic levelacross functional areas. An MBAcourse also develops effectiveverbal and written communicationskills.

There are many ways studentscan use their MBA qualification toupgrade and advance their career.As networking is central to theMBA programme, participantsforge invaluable connections that

stay with them as their careerprogresses. These connections areimportant for their future careerdevelopment.

Pursuing an MBA is a life-changing and enriching experiencethat could maximise participants’true potential in careeradvancement.

With an MBA, participants couldalso demand a higher salary fortheir higher skills and knowledge.

Pursuing an MBA opens the doorto a career switch. As an MBAallows individuals to focus on anew specialisation, some peopleenrol in the programme to preparefor their chosen career.

Like all postgraduate courses,students will face some commonchallenges when pursuing theirMBA.

These can be time management,balancing between work, studyand family, punctuality, financingthe MBA programme, returning tostudy many years after graduating,and cultural challenges such asworking with other MBA studentsof various backgrounds.

Students can overcome each ofthese challenges by having goodmotivation, staying focused andsetting goals.

Asia Graduate School of Business

(AGSB) at Unitar InternationalUniversity collaborates withrelevant industry partners indelivering the curriculum.

Recently, one of Unitar’s industrypartners, Frost & Sullivan Malaysia,collaborated with AGSB to be partof the teaching team of AGSB.

The collaboration involvesexperts from Frost & Sullivangiving lectures and assessment inclass.

AGSB offers both businessadministration and managementprogrammes at two levels –master’s and doctor of philosophy(PhD).

The business administration

programmes cover areas infinance and marketing whilethe management programmesfocus on people management,including leadership, psychology,organisational developmentand ethics.

Registration for Unitar’s Juneintake will be open from May 21to June 13. For the October intake,registration will be open fromSept 10 to Oct 15.

n For more information,visit www.unitar.my ore-mail [email protected] call 03-7627 7200.


9/12


postgraduate 9

AEI aims tointegrateknowledgefrom Asia andEurope toproduce

specialisedresearch.

Students at the Curtin Sarawak GraduateSchool will receive high-quality support andresearch training.

GrowingpotentialCURTIN Sarawak offers different levels ofpostgraduate study and industry-alignedprogrammes by coursework or researchunder its Faculty of Engineering and Science,Faculty of Business, and Faculty of

Humanities in collaboration with itsGraduate School.

In the research programmes, the CurtinSarawak Graduate School aims to providehigh-quality support and research training tostudents and supervisors besides assisting inthe growth of a vibrant research culture.

Postgraduate qualifications gained at theuniversity are widely accepted globallythrough professional accreditation andgovernment recognition of the programmesas well as through international joint-recognition agreements such as theWashington Accord.

In addition, students can benefit fromlearning from highly experienced academicstaff who work closely with theircounterparts in Perth in teaching andresearch to ensure that the quality of

provision reaches the same high standards.Curtin Sarawak’s location within the hubof the oil and gas industry in East Malaysiaand its proximity to the Sarawak Corridor ofRenewable Energy (Score) also gives studentsopportunities to interact and network with avariety of industry experts.

Postgraduate programmes at CurtinSarawak are identical to those at Curtin’smain campus in Perth, hence the degreesearned at the Sarawak campus are conferreddirectly by Curtin Perth.

BridgingcontinentsASIA and Europe have plenty to learn fromeach other in terms of politics, culture,economics, business and legal practices.

At the first Summit of the Asia-EuropeMeeting (Asem) held in Bangkok in 1996, the

then Prime Minister of Malaysia Tun DrMahathir Mohamad highlighted the needfor cooperation between the two continentsin the field of higher education.

On this recommendation, the AsiaEurope Centre was created. The centre wasupgraded to a full-fledged postgraduateinstitute in 2000 and was renamed theAsia-Europe Institute (AEI).

Priority research areas at AEI includeAsean-European relations, regionalintegration, Asean studies, multiculturalism,regional networks and comparativeregionalism. AEI’s PhD programme mirrorsthis focus and the institute welcomesapplicants interested in pursuing researchin these areas.

Candidates are assigned up to twosupervisors whose expertise fit closely with

their chosen field of study. These supervisorscan be from the University of Malaya facultyor one of the renowned international visitingprofessors at AEI.

This allows students to tap into the

The master’s and doctoral programmescan be taken up as full time or part time.

Curtin Sarawak offers a number of PhDand Master of Philosophy researchscholarships for eligible candidates.

The current development of an RM50milBiotechnology Centre, which is due forcompletion next year, will significantly boostresearch and development as well asknowledge accumulation in Sarawak.

This can aid in supporting small andmedium enterprises to develop andcommercialise new products and processesand maintain quality assurance throughproduct analysis.

Curtin Sarawak also continues to createnew learning spaces equipped with the latesttechnological advances in teaching andlearning, including distributed learning

technology, aimed at increasing studentengagement, fostering collaboration betweenstaff and students and providing flexible,technology-rich environments.

The completion of a new four-storeyFaculty of Engineering and Science buildingthis year will see the addition of even moreinnovative learning facilities.

n For more information on Curtin Sarawak’spostgraduate programmes, call 08-544 3939or e-mail [email protected].

expertise of the best academicians fromAsia and Europe. Candidates are furthersupported with research methods coursesand other research skills programmesoffered by the University of Malaya’s

Institute of Postgraduate Studies.The Institute also offers three

international master’s programmes in Aseanstudies, regional integration as well as smalland medium enterprises, which also containa strong research element in the form of aresearch project paper.

Furthermore, the integrated two-monthinternship makes the master’s programmesrelevant.

Both master’s and PhD students who havegraduated from AEI have gone on to pursuesuccessful careers in academia, governmentand the private sector.

Apart from its academic programmes, theinstitute actively organises seminars,lectures and conferences with various Asianand European universities, and embassiesand ministries.

These contribute to making AEI a uniquehub for specialised postgraduate studies.

n For more information, visitwww.aei.um.edu.my.


10/12

with coursemates, meet theirlecturers and gain any additionalsupport they may need whilecompleting their studies.

There is a wide range of businessprogrammes to pursue under PACE

0 postgraduateTHE STAR,

TUESDAY 17 MAY 2016

PACE allows students to pursue a wide range of business programmes at their own convenience and earnqualifications from SEGi University or any of its partner universities.

Ch’ng Poh Leong, MBA graduate from theUniversity of Strathclyde.

Advance at your own paceGI University and Colleges hasn equipping bright young

nds of the nation for nearly 40rs since its early days as avider of business education.

As a result of its legacy, it nowers one of the widest rangesbusiness programmes in thentry.

To meet the rising demandscapable globalised businessders, SEGi offers a newakthrough method to enable

ult learners to pursue a businessalification at their ownnvenience, anywhere andytime.ACE (Professional and

ntinuing Education) is ansortium of global universitiest enables mature students torn at their own pace as well as

mplete their studies with theurance that they can still attend

other obligations and have afilling work-life balance.tudents can select the modetudy that suits them best.dents are able to attend classes

her on weekends or in thenings.n the supported learning mode,tead of attending scheduledsses at a physical venue,dents can log in to their onlinesses at any time of the day. Theyy need to attend workshops atir nearest authorised SEGiation twice a month.

The other mode is independentrning, where students study

mostly online and only need toattend intensive revisions at theirnearest authorised SEGi locationonce a month.

With these choices, studentshave the opportunity to network

from executive diploma topostgraduate qualifications.

Students graduate withqualifications from either SEGiUniversity or one of its partneruniversities – University of

Southern Queensland (Australia),University of Sunderland (UK),University of Greenwich (UK) or York St John University (UK).

n For more information onPACE, call SEGi University (03-6145 1777 or 1800 887 344), SEGiCollege Subang Jaya (03-86001888 or 1800 888 622), SEGiCollege Kuala Lumpur (03-20702078 or 1800 888 028), SEGiCollege Penang (04-263 3888) orSEGi College Sarawak (1300 887344), e-mail [email protected] visit www.segi.edu.my.

Upskill with MBAI WAS into my second year as a seniormanager when I decided to pursue amaster’s degree in business administration(MBA).

Prior to assuming this senior role, mydecade-long career had centred onmanaging manufacturing operations.

Having been given a wider scope ofresponsibility and significant influence onthe direction of the business, I realised thatmore was required of me than what myaccumulated knowledge and managementexperience in operations could offer.

I began looking for an MBA programme

that would help me understand businessand strategy, strengthen my grasp on keymanagement disciplines and provide what Ineeded to become a better business leader.

Deciding which MBA to take up turned outto be relatively straightforward. I wanted anMBA programme of reputable standing thatcould deliver what I had hoped to achieve.

Only two MBAs administered in Malaysiaat the time were ranked in the world’s top100 and one of them, University ofStrathclyde’s triple-accredited MBA, is widelyregarded as one of the best in corporatestrategy.

The university’s strong reputation forresearch excellence in strategic managementwas a major pull factor for me.

I had the privilege of learning fromacademics who are not only at the forefront

of their disciplines, but who possess a wealthof international experience in business andindustry.

Throughout the programme, localcounsellors with solid academic andprofessional credentials provided effectivesupport and good group dynamics withfellow professionals enriched my exposureand learning experience.

Putting newly acquired knowledge intopractice helped me bring about changes inthe company that led to unprecedented

revenue, profit and growth.The business continues to thrive to this

day on the back of these initiatives and Ihave since moved on.

The lessons gleaned from my MBAexperience continue to prove invaluable inmy current role as country manager.

It was a pleasant surprise finishing as theTop Malaysian MBA Student in 2015 andreceiving the Dean’s Commendation forProject in the process.

These are the icing on the cake becausethe knowledge, experience and friendships

gained throughout the journey define thetrue value of this MBA.I believe that it will continue to prove its

worth, professionally and personally, to allwho choose to pursue it. – By Ch’ng PohLeong

Ch’ng Poh Leong is a Distinction MBAgraduate from the University of Strathclyde.

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

SEGi oers a newbreakthroughmethod to enableadult learners topursue a businessqualifcationat their ownconvenience,anywhere andanytime.


11/12


postgraduate 11

Driving innovations> FROM PAGE 6

The study included various reflective andrefractive solar concentrator designs thatwill help improve the maximum energyoutput. The technology opens the door tofurther development and integration forcommercial and residential use.

Future applications of this technologyinclude solar plants to increase the quota ofrenewable energy source, single-modulegenerators to produce hot water, small-scalestand-alone systems to power rural areasthat are not connected to power grids, andenergy storage systems for street lighting andtelecommunication systems.l Maintaining sufficient power usageIn addition to solar energy, researchers at

UTAR also work on the development of acost-effective and intelligent activemanagement system to accommodate theintegration of renewable energy sources andcharging electric vehicles in low-voltagepower grids or networks.

The management system, called a fuzzycontroller, is used to reduce any voltageexcursions with the use of real and reactive

power from the energy storage, hencereducing the voltage unbalance andimproving the power factor.

The experimental results show that thevoltage unbalance and power factors areconstantly maintained below the thresholdsunder the high intermittent power output ofthe solar systems.

l Maximising biomass resourcesThe palm oil industry is a main economic

driver in Malaysia. Universiti Putra Malaysia

(UPM) is further developing this industry byusing palm biomass to create new bio-basedindustries, new jobs in rural areas, zero-emission systems and biodiversityconservation.

This five-year project that will last until2018 is an international collaborationbetween UPM, Universiti Malaysia Sabah

and three Japanese institutions – KyushuInstitute of Technology, Kyushu Universityand Advanced Industrial Science andTechnology Institute Japan.

Results from this biodiversity conservationproject include more than 40 publishedresearch papers, a prototype pilot plant inSabah, and the dissemination of findings tothe industry through seminars andworkshops.

The continuous research is aimed atmodernising the palm oil industry, making itmore profitable, cleaner and sustainable.

l Saving livesCancer-related research is very important

and all efforts to ensure the effectiveness ofdiagnostics and treatments must beemphasised for the benefit of all.

Another outstanding research conductedat UPM in its faculty of engineering is thedevelopment of a new gamma camera,which is used in the detection of cancer cells.

This wire mesh collimator structurewithin the camera is able to pick up extrainformation of cancer cells, yield higherresolution and maintain higher sensitivitythan the previous camera model, allowingsmaller tumours to be detected at an earlierstage and ensuring earlier treatment that iscrucial to saving lives.

Experiential,vital learning THERE are more than 70 universities andcolleges that provide the master’s in businessadministration (MBA) programme inMalaysia.

The distinguishing factors that set theMonash MBA apart from the rest are thequality and experience of its teaching faculty,teaching approach and international studentcohort.

Prof Richard Hall, deputy dean ofleadership and executive education atMonash University, says, “Monash University

has offered the MBA programme since 1968and the programme has quality accreditationin the region.

“The learning outcomes, standards andachievements are equivalent in both MonashAustralia and Monash Malaysia.”

One of the distinguishing features of theMBA programme is the ExperientialLearning Project.

Students participate in an experientiallearning component during the final quarterof their MBA studies, working on majorprojects at their place of work or for clientcompanies.

The project adds immediate impact asstudents garner powerful experiences fromengaging in innovative thinking.

The applied business projects honequalitative and analytical skills covered in

the preceding units of the programmethrough practical, real-life activities.

“The nature of managerial work has

Prof Patrick Butler, director of MBA programmes at Monash Business School.

evolved. Managers are required andexpected to run businesses and manageprojects.

“That is exactly what MBA studentswill be doing as a formal part of theprogramme,” says Prof Patrick Butler,director of MBA programmes at MonashBusiness School.

Another distinctive factor that separates aMonash MBA from the rest is that it developsresponsible and ethical corporate andcommunity leaders. This means students are

successfully prepared to solve the nextgeneration of problems.

Leadership and personal developmentactivities complement the academic unitsand are an integral part of the MBAprogramme.

The programme also gives students theopportunity to learn from world-classacademics and leaders of the industry.

Keeping in mind that professionalrelationships are the catalyst for success,each group of students attends the sameclasses, providing students with ampleopportunities to form invaluableprofessional networks.

The Monash MBA is internationallyaccredited by AMBA (Association of MBAs)and the Monash Business School isaccredited by AACSB (the Association to

Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) andEQUIS (European Quality ImprovementSystem), ensuring the highest standard of

postgraduate business education.By choosing Monash to pursue your MBA,

you become part of one of the world’s eliteinstitutions, simultaneously paving apathway to make a positive impact on your

career and the world.

n For more information on the MonashUniversity Malaysia’s MBA programme,visit www.buseco.monash.edu.my/mba.


12/12

2 postgraduateTHE STAR, TUESDAY 17 MAY 2016

By PROFCHRISTINEENNEW

COLUMN

High value in all research

ME of the most dramaticovations – innovations that

ve fundamentally changed they in which we live – haveerged as a result of researchdertaken in universities.Ultrasound, MRI, pacemakers,

seatbelt, broad spectrumibiotics, LCD and DNAgerprinting are just a fewmples of the many and major

ntributions to society that haveerged from research activities

universities worldwide.University research takes manyms, ranging from work that isrely curiosity-driven (blue-skiesearch) to highly applied projectst focus on providing newutions to well-known problems.Governments and other research

ding bodies are often attractedhighly applied and problem-ented research because it

nerates solutions to recognisableblems and does so in relativelyrt timescales.nvestment in research to

velop the right delivery systema new compound to kill cancers or in mechanisms to improveefficiency of wind turbines is

ely to have a relatively quickyback.n contrast, investment inculative research that does notessarily seek to address aognisable problem may be seenmore risky with much lesstainty of positive outcomes.

Both academics and policy-

makers debate the relative merit ofthese different types of research –often in quite emotive terms.

Academics emphasise theimportance of their freedom topursue interesting topics driven bytheir curiosity alone rather thanany immediate commercialisationopportunity.

Policymakers stress the limitedfunds available to support researchand the need to allocate thosefunds in areas where the impact isgreatest. In many senses, this is afutile debate because, in reality, weneed both types of research.

Fundamental, curiosity-drivenor blue-skies research plays an

essential role in enhancing ourknowledge and understanding ofthe world around us. Research ofthis type gives rise to some of themost transformative innovations.

When my colleague and Nobelprize winner Sir Peter Mansfieldwas working on magneticresonance in the early 1970s, hewas driven by his innate desireto understand the interactionsbetween materials and magnets.

But the output of his work (andthose of his collaborators) were toresult in the development ofmagnetic resonance imaging – thebasis of the MRI scanner – a major

revolution in medical diagnostics.Without this fundamental

research, there would be nothingfor the more applied researchers –the individuals who take theprinciples of MRI and develop andrefine them to enable thewidespread application of thetechnique for medical imaging – towork with.

Equally, however, the

groundbreaking work thatdeveloped the laser in the 1950sand 1960s would have been wastedhad it not been for the imaginativeresearchers who developed thetechnology for application in areasas diverse as welding, printing,surgery, optical discs, barcodes andmissile targeting systems.

As a society, if we want toadvance and solve increasinglychallenging problems that confrontus, we must support bothfundamental and applied research.

That does not mean that everycountry or institution needs to doboth. Fundamental research is

costly with long-term anduncertain outcomes and there iscompelling evidence to argue thatsuch research is best concentratedin a small number of institutions.

In contrast, research that seeksto use fundamental discoveries todeliver social and economic impactis often best spread more widely toincrease the chances of success.

But even applied research can beexpensive and we increasingly seean emphasis on collaborationsacross institutional and nationalboundaries to bring togetherfunding from multiple sources andthe diversity of talent that isneeded to realise social and

commercial value from academicresearch.

While the impact of universityresearch is most apparent in termsof high-profile innovations andmajor discoveries, we should notunderestimate its broader value.

Worldwide, universities talkabout educating their students in aresearch-intensive environment ordelivering research-led teaching.

Such environments give studentsthe opportunity to work with andlearn from creative and innovativeacademics – people who areadvancing knowledge, changingthe world and inspiring futuregenerations to continue thisprocess.

Blue-skies research feedsproblem-oriented research andcurrent research inspires futureresearch. All have the potentialto be genuinely world changing.

Prof Christine Ennew is thechief executive officer and provostof The University of NottinghamMalaysia Campus.

n For more information,visit www.nottingham.edu.my.

Universities thatprovidestudents aresearch-intensiveenvironmentenable theadvancement ofknowledge.

post graduate - 17 may 2016

Documents