postgraduate - 21 july 2015

THE STAR, TUESDAY 21 JULY 2015

special

Old schoolvs new school

2 postgraduateTHE STAR, TUESDAY 21 JULY 2015

Humans essential to businessTHE historical role of a business school was to train managers to be more intellectual and scientific in the execution of their jobs and management policies.

With mechanisms, processes and regulations in place to control and direct corporations, this approach is still used today to ensure that the decision-making process and policies made are aligned with the interests of the businesses and stakeholders.

While business is more commonly linked with stakeholders interests, asset growth, profit maximisation and ensuring the returns of investment, Prof Dr Arfah Salleh, president and chief executive officer of Putra Business School, believes that the human aspect of it has long been left out and forgotten.

Corporate scandals such as Enron and World Com as well as the 2008 financial crisis are the result of the failures of corporate governance that has long been used to govern corporations, says Prof Arfah.

The weakness of this approach is its focus on the corporations instead of the behaviour of the humans within the corporations. While these companies rank high on the corporate governance index, the ends justify the means for them to get there.

After all, incidents of corporate misdeeds from the last decade were committed mainly by MBA holders from Ivy League business schools. This revelation suggests that business schools are not exhibiting positive effects on student values and attitudes.

Business education focuses too much on achieving business targets and other measurable objectives but disregards beliefs and morals. We need human values in our human leaders to be able to make decisions that can positively impact the world, says Prof Arfah.

However, the business sector does not have to be at odds with the human conscience.

Putra Business School is committed to the belief in human governance as the framework of a sound, realistic, forward-looking business and corporate philosophy.

Oneness, wholeness and excellence is the philosophical bedrock upon which the framework rests.

Human governance is not about governance; it is about humans. We are making the bold claim that this is the answer to past corporate scandals and financial crises that will ensure they do not recur, says Prof Arfah.

Human governance Putra Business School has

questioned the current business education paradigm by bringing in an alternative framework through human governance to propagate new ethical principles for contemporary business and management.

In the old paradigm, people are treated as resources instead of humans. When we talk about business administration, we talk about the chief executive officer, the managing director and such, which are merely roles that we take up.

We often think of them in nouns rather than verbs. We dont speak of them as humans, so gone are the compassion, care and concern, shares Suleyman Tan Eng Tong, chief operating and finance officer at Putra Business School.

If you are human, you care about other humans, the environment and the future. We need to bring humans back into organisations so that people can use their businesses to make positive decisions.

Human governance is a

philosophy that captures the essence of the human spirit and internal conscience. It stems from the acknowledgement that everyone is a human and should treat each other as such within their personal and professional capacities.

It seeks to shift from the emphasis on external rules and processes to an emphasis on the internal constitution of humans, where management is centred on humans role first.

Human governance recognises that businesses are more than just profit-making machines but are enablers of social well-being.

Good governance should focus on governing the behaviour of the humans. Human governance is an internal guiding light within every individual at all decision-making levels from the executives to the chief executives that emphasises ethical conduct through good values and principles, says Prof Arfah.

Once human governance is actualised, good corporate governance will ensue; profit and business sustainability, too, will become a consequence of that.

Balancing theory and practiceTHE Putra Business Schools Master of Business Administration (MBA) is the programme of choice for students who are keen to equip themselves with the ability to effectively and efficiently manage people and ideas, and to think strategically to move their organisations forward.

While the MBA in Putra Business School appeals to those interested in entry-level management roles, Putra Business School also has a home-grown programme that focuses on practising management and leadership skills, catering to the needs of top managers.

The Practising Leader Master of Business Administration (PLMBA) is a whole-person curriculum based on the human governance philosophy. The PLMBA was created in response to a call for a

PLMBA graduates are whole human beings who bring the entirety of their selves to any situation. They demonstrate the ability to balance deep thought, keen observation, childlike wonder, healthy doubt and purposeful passion.

Integrated

PLMBA graduates exemplify honesty and integrity in their very being. They model the ability to hold themselves accountable to the same standards they expect others to meet and to be able to identify and accept inconsistencies in their own thinking.

Intellectual integrity

PLMBA graduates are creative thinkers who continually challenge and expand their knowledge base. They have the ability to find knowledge resources that go beyond the norm to continuously challenge, inspire and empower themselves.

Resourceful

PLMBA graduates build organisations that exist to nurture its ecosystem. They have the desire to generously share their knowledge, experience, ideas and questionings with the sincere intent to benefit the greater good.

A heart of service

PLMBA graduates leverage their impact by building inclusive communities.They believe that their interconnectedness gives rise to a collective wisdom where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Communal-minded

fundamental reconception of the entire premise of an MBA.

Each course will have two co-instructors an academic and an experienced senior executive from the industry.

Putra Business Schools aspiration is for every PLMBA graduate to exemplify the following traits:

As a business education provider, Putra Business School ensures that it champions human governance and nurtures human leaders through its business programmes.

Putra Business School is the first dedicated graduate business school in the country to earn accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, which represents the highest achievement for an educational institution that awards business degrees.

It is also accredited by ABEST21 (The Alliance on Business Education and Scholarship for Tomorrow, a 21st Century Organisation).

Being human againHuman governance does not

stop short at businesses and corporations. The application of human governance beyond business and management so that

it is practised by policy-makers, government agencies and other institutions creates the potential for a community and nation of morality, integrity and accountability.

The fundamentals of human governance are not limited to a specific subject and transcend all boundaries. Having a conscience enables us to tell right from wrong, thus, human governance is vital in personal development towards becoming a better human, says Prof Arfah.

Even scientists are questioning, What does it mean to be human? and exploring the idea of the conscience.

Members of the public who are interested to learn more about Putra Business Schools PLMBA and its philosophy on human governance can attend a preview course on July 28.

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

King to lead

Ears to hear

Eyes to see

Undivided attention to focus

Heart to feel

Prof Dr Arfah Salleh, president and chief executive officer of Putra Business School.

operating and finance officer, Putra Business School.

But beyond that, when we notice something of interest, we should also pay undivided attention to consider our options before we take action to lead on this information.

When put in the context of business, this motto ensures that a human who practises human governance understands a situation before acting.

THE motto at Putra Business School is listen in traditional Chinese written form, pronounced as ting.

We chose the Chinese written form for listening because it captures the traits that humans need to be able to understand a situation before acting. The most common faculties a human uses are the eyes and ears to see and hear our surroundings, explains Suleyman Tan Eng Tong, chief

PUTRA Business School adopts the mangroves as its mascot. Although a peculiar choice at first thought, the mangroves, in fact, represent the philosophy of the business school aptly.

Whether the tide is high or low and whether the waves are strong or calm, the mangroves stand tall and, most importantly, they stand together to weather whatever elements thrown at them and are never found alone, explains Prof Dr Arfah Salleh, president and chief executive officer at Putra Business School.

The mangroves show that togetherness is better and offer resilience even in harsh conditions.

Besides that, the mangroves provide a thriving ecosystem for a diverse range of flora and fauna.

That is the spirit of our business school to nurture resilient human leaders who are good-hearted people in the harsh reality of the world, says Prof Arfah.

The art of listening

purposefullyLiving

The Chinese written form of ting, which means to listen.

3THE STAR, TUESDAY 21 JULY 2015


SUNWAY Universitys premier dual-award Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a postgraduate programme that provides a solid academic base, practical knowledge and corporate networks for aspiring leaders in the ever-changing business world.

The programme strengthens and develops students knowledge, skills, competencies and attitudes, which enables them to achieve their highest potential in their personal life and the professional arena of the business world.

The two-year part-time MBA programme offers a high degree of flexibility suitable for busy working adults of any industry.

Subash Raj Krishnan is one of the first few students enrolled in the programme and is now part of an intellectually invigorating learning community.

His experience with the programme thus far has been positive and rewarding.

It has been challenging but the effects and impacts of the programme are almost immediate. The business knowledge that I have picked up supplements my work.

For example, from the corporate finance and the management accounting modules, I have learnt profit and loss statement, net present value and accounting directives, which I can apply at work to forecast my project to the sales and finance team in the company, says Subash.

Sunways dual-award MBA

Learning while working

To advance his career, Subash Raj Krishnan chose to pursue Sunway Universitys dual-award Master of Business Administration to enhance his knowledge in business.

involves careful selection of its students to ensure that there is diversity in the students background, age and experience.

This allows an intellectually gifted and capable cohort of students to work and learn in a multidisciplinary environment, thus strengthening their networks.

Subashs peers include bankers, accountants, engineers and many other high-calibre individuals of various professions.

Subash is a masters degree graduate specialising in telecommunication engineering with more than six years of project management experience working in an international telecommunication company tbased in Selangor.

His industrial experience has helped contribute to his interaction and discussions with others in the programme, where he has met peers of diverse backgrounds who share similar high levels of intellectual capability.

Regarding the reason for his pursuit of another postgraduate degree, Subash says, I felt a need to pursue an MBA as I was lacking business knowledge essential for my career advancement.

I chose Sunway University because of its reputation and partnership with

Lancaster University. The initial stage of the

programme was tough, having to juggle work and study.

Eventually, I managed to adapt to it with assistance from the people I knew at Sunway University.

The Sunway University MBA is a dual-award programme that awards graduates with two scrolls one from Sunway University and another from Lancaster University.

Sunway University is a renowned provider of business education within Malaysia and has been awarded Setara 5 (Excellent) rating by the Education Ministry. Lancaster University is ranked in the top 1% of universities globally.

Lancaster University MBA programmes are triple accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) and the Association of MBAs (AMBA).

To experience this world-class dual-award MBA, join the Preview Session on July 25 at Sunway University Graduate Centre. Reservation for a place at the session can be made beforehand.

n For more information, call 03-7491 8701 or visit www.sunway.edu.my/MBA

conferencing and guest lectures by industry specialists.

Flexibility is another strong point of KBUs MBA programme.

Students are able to plan their schedules around full-time or part-time classes.

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

The programme, which stretches over four semesters, focuses on producing all-rounded graduates.

The academic calendar consists of two semesters in a year: January to April and September to December.

This allows students to reach an optimal balance of professional, personal and university life.

Students do not have to worry about preparing for exams as the course is 100% assignment-based.

They also have access to the Emerald database (for full text articles) and ARUs extensive e-library, making research much more efficent and easier.

Members of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) can look forward to four exemptions out of 11 modules.

These modules are the organisational behaviour, decision-making and problem-solving, marketing management, and strategic financial analysis modules.

If you are interested in KBUs MBA programme, check out the MBA previews that are scheduled to take place on the following dates:

Date Time

Aug 17 (Monday) 6.30pm

Sept 5 (Saturday) 10am

Sept 11 (Friday) 6.30pm

The previews are designed to give students insight into the masters programme.

The September intake is in progress.

n For more information, callKBU International College,Bandar Utama at 03-7727 3200 or e-mail [email protected] orvisit www.kbu.edu.my


postgraduate 5

(From left) Director of International Partnerships Dr Simon Evans, dean and pro vice-chancellor of ARUs Lord Ashcroft International Business School Prof Gary Packham, head of KBUs School of Business, Hospitality and Tourism Management Low Hong Keng and course coordinator Kellie Tan Ai Li at KBU International College.

Alliancesfor successAS a premier tertiary education provider, KBU International College has strategic alliances with several UK-based universities.Among them is the Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), one of the biggest universities in the east of England with 155 years of excellent academic track record.

In 2014, ARU was awarded the highly acclaimed Entrepreneurial University of the Year 2014 accolade by Times Higher Education.

ARU was praised for its MedTech Campus, the works carried out by the university and the support provided to 5,000 start-up businesses. MedTech Campus is one of the worlds largest innovation spaces.

In addition, the universitys academic excellence was recognised by the UKs Higher Education funding bodies, with 12 areas classed as generating world-leading research.

Involving more than 52,000 academics from 154 UK universities, the results of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014 showed that ARU made a significant impact on economies, societies, the environment and cultures in all corners of the world.

REF 2014 is the biggest research assessment exercise in the world.

The results generated from this assessment exercise are used to allocate around 2bil (RM11.9bil) of research funding every year.

A successful relationshipRecently, dean and pro vice-chancellor of

ARUs Lord Ashcroft International Business School Prof Gary Packham anzzzd director of International Partnerships Dr Simon Evans visited KBU to pay tribute to ARUs 22-year relationship with the college.

They were deeply impressed with the high standard and quality of the college academic staff, students, and the teaching and learning facilities.

On the coveted awards won by ARU in 2014, Prof Packham said his business faculty championed research that cut across disciplines and challenged preconceptions.

He highlighted its successful work-based learning model that has won wide acceptance and support from companies such as Barclays, Harrods and Volvo.

Regarding the MBA programme at KBU, Prof Packham was happy to see that the colleges enrolment numbers have been on the ascent since classes commenced five years ago.

He assured that ARU would continue to lend maximum support to the college.

Prestigious MBA programme

KBU offers a time-tested, rigorous and prestigious MBA programme in collaboration with the Lord Ashcroft International Business School.

KBUs MBA is an internationally recognised programme.

It is accredited by the Association of Business Schools, a body representing the leading business schools in the UK.

The body is an authoritative voice of business and management education there.

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

KBUs MBA is an internationally recognised programme.It is accredited by the Association of Business Schools, a body representing the leading business schools in the UK.


By PROF CHRISTINE ENNEW

Determining the value of an MBA

ALTHOUGH challenging, making the right choice of institution and programme is important when deciding on a masters of business administration (MBA) programme.

The number of programmes available has grown dramatically; there are one-year and two-year programmes, offline and online options, specialist versus general programmes, standard and executive versions, full-time and part-time modes, and domestic and overseas opportunities.

Some programmes require four or five years of work experience, while others accept candidates who have worked for only a year or two.

Regardless of the prerequisites, most institutions claim their programmes to be international, excellent, leading-edge or career advancing.

What factors should you consider when choosing an MBA? Ultimately, you need to think about value the benefits the programme delivers relative to its costs.

The main cost of postgraduate education is the programme fee. Besides that, there are significant time costs, which include the duration of the course, total hours in the classroom, independent study time and travel time.

An online programme may be more flexible but presents a greater risk of dropping out due to isolation from peers. A programme that can be completed in a shorter time may be cheaper but not better in quality.

Moreover, while part-time study may spread the financial costs of an MBA over a longer term, it also adds to the duration of time one

The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus offers the highly sought-after MBA programme.

VC COLUMN

needs to stay committed to ones formal education.

One of the biggest aspects to be considered in the value equation of an MBA programme is the programmes impact on an individuals managerial capabilities and performance.

However, as this is extremely difficult to judge in advance, we can rely instead on proxy variables such as institutional reputation and ranking, reported salary enhancement rate of past graduates and the programmes accreditation.

Whether MBA-specific or generic, university rankings are a useful starting point in gauging an institutions quality, particularly if you focus on the disaggregated information. This involves the assessment of various aspects of the programme or institution.

MBA rankings typically cover only the top 100 programmes worldwide, so it is likely that many of the institutions you are considering are not in the MBA rankings.

They may not appear in broader university rankings as well, which include less than 10% of universities worldwide.

While accreditation is useful in giving you confidence about the quality of a programme, many good institutions may choose not to apply for accreditation because of

the constraints it can impose on the way they run their programmes.

MBA previews provide a valuable opportunity for potential students to assess the quality of a programme. Through these previews, they can find out about the academic staff and enquire about the alumnis success.

Some previews will also give you the chance to see your potential learning environment. This is an opportunity to get to know the backgrounds of students in the institution as you want to make sure you fit into the demographics of the student body.

For example, as it is important that you learn from the experiences of your peers, you may not want to join a programme where the average work experience of its students are two to three years when you have been working for ten years.

In many respects, choosing an MBA is a business decision and like any good business decision, it needs to be done with careful analysis.

The key to making a good decision is to collect a range of data from various sources, understand their limitations and systematically evaluate what they tell you about the value of the different educational options available.

Only then can you hope to have a good chance of selecting an MBA programme that delivers the right value for you.

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


State-of-the-art laboratory equiment assists UMP researchers in their studies.

Develop a distinctive careerTHE Institute of Postgraduate Studies (IPS) at Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) offers graduate studies by research and coursework modes at the masters and doctoral levels.

Candidates for the doctoral level are admitted into one of the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programmes offered through several academic faculties in UMP.

Some of the programme specialisations offered are biotechnology, industrial chemistry, mechanical engineering, production engineering, civil engineering, computer science, technology management, industrial safety and health, project management and operations management.

To ensure graduates meet the needs of the present job market, the universitys curricula are designed to fulfil the requirements of the Education Ministry, the Malaysian Qualifications Agency and the Engineering Accreditation Council.

Operating from its Gambang and Pekan campuses, UMP adopts a student-centred learning approach.

The university utilises web-based e-learning applications and library to create an enjoyable learning environment so that students are eager to attend classes.

The universitys engineering

and science laboratories are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment that resemble those used in the industries.

Through graduate studies, IPS is committed to guiding highly motivated individuals to develop distinctive careers.

The advanced knowledge and skills acquired at UMP prepare them to be leading researchers in their respective fields.

UMP nurtures its graduate students to be confident and independent, thus enabling them to spearhead entrepreneurial activities.

Industrial PhD at UMP

The Industrial PhD programmes combination of doctoral studies and business experience generates value innovation and high-level satisfaction.

Graduates of the programme do not encounter problems in finding employment; rather, they quickly find exciting jobs as managers in the research areas of private enterprises and enjoy handsome salaries.

Industrial PhD featuresl Research focus is based on

industrial issues or problems

l The student benefits from joint supervision by experts from the university and industryl Research is conducted within

the industry , the candidate does not have to leave his workplacel It is distinct from the

conventional PhD degree in terms of mode of research but preserves the mark of original or innovative research and scholarship expected of a doctoral studyl The candidates company

benefits from access to innovative and valuable knowledge acquired by the student during his studies. In return, the university gains access to new knowledge provided by the private company l The student is employed by a

private company during the entire course.

Benefitsl Allocation of fees funded

by MyBrain15 of RM50,000 to the potential candidate from the industryl Research is conducted at the

workplace

Roles of the universityl Identifies an academic

supervisorl Provides accredited quality

academic programmel Provides necessary training of

research methodologies and skills

and supervision

Roles of the companyl Identifies projects in the

industryl Ensures continuous

commitment to the candidate for project sustainabilityl Provides resources for the

research and an industry supervisor for the student

Duration of programmel Full-time programme for

students working in their respective organisations while pursuing their PhD degree l Students are given a minimum

of two years and a maximum of six years to complete the Industrial PhD programme l Early completion can be

considered for some impact factor publications

Supervisionl Each student will be assigned

to a minimum of two supervisors one from the university and one from the industry with substantial experience or expertise in the relevant areas of the research topicl Supervision and monitoring

processes are the responsibility of the supervisors

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


Well-rounded professionalsTHE Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme at Universiti Tenaga Nasional (Uniten) aims to produce postgraduate business leaders who are confident, energised and entrepreneurially empowered to create value across businesses and industries in the global marketplace.

In realising this, a paradigm of deep and holistic business understanding is duly emphasised throughout its MBA programme.

The course clearly and consciously examines the internal workings of a business model and its interactions together with interrelated synchronisations within the market place.

The Uniten MBA programme is focused on creating and nurturing value for business enterprises by transmuting business know-how and business understanding into effective and timely decision-making.

Towards this end, managers need to engage in critical thinking, creative thinking as well as good writing and oral communication skills.

They should also be sensitive to the cultural dimensions found in the workplace.

To equip individuals with these

key characteristics and give them a great MBA experience while bearing in mind the need for effective learning, the MBA programme at Uniten consists of interactive lecture sessions, written assignments, verbal presentations, case studies, external guest speaker

sessions and hands-on experiential learning methods.

With a healthy mix of both foreign and local students and faculty members, cross-cultural interactions are a prominent feature here.

The Uniten MBA programme

includes the following core modules:l Organisational behaviour and

managementl Managerial economicsl Accounting and finance

for managersl Marketing management

l Operations managementl Human resources

managementl Management information

systems and competitive intelligencel Strategic managementl Business research methodsl MBA project paper

The elective modules are:l International financel Valuation and investment

analysisl Manpower development and

trainingl Business law and ethicsl Knowledge managementl International businessl Strategic marketingl Innovation managementl Mergers and acquisitions

Notably, the business research methods module and the MBA project paper allow MBA candidates to independently examine and demonstrate an understanding of business issues, which will develop their thinking and motivate them to pursue lifelong learning and future learning endeavours.

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

The MBA programme at Uniten nurtures businesses leaders who are ready to create value across business and industries in the global marketplace.


postgraduate 11

Malaysian students now have the opportunity to pursue the Edinburgh Business School MBA programme at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia.

A wider management perspectiveTHE Edinburgh Business School is renowned for its globally successful Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme.

Its MBA programme is the most flexible and popular in the world with a global network of more than 11,800 current students and 18,000 graduates.

The programme has been carefully designed to meet the needs of busy professionals seeking an internationally recognised qualification as well as the necessary practical and applied skills to navigate through todays ever-changing business world.

We take a practical, applied approach to the curriculum, one where you can apply a theory or provide real examples to support it, says Craig Robinson, course leader for Strategic Planning, Edinburgh Business School.

Its MBA programme has been available in Malaysia since 1992. Subsequently, with the recent opening of Heriot-Watt University Malaysia in Putrajaya, students have easy access to this renowned MBA programme, which has been delivered in Malaysia by top UK and Asian faculties since January 2013.

The MBA was the first programme made available at the university when it was first established in Malaysia.

Our MBA is designed for working professionals who want to get a wider perspective on management, says Robinson.

Many people are functional specialists. They work in information technology, human resources, operations or accounts and tend to have a fairly narrow view of the business world.

This MBA introduces participants to all the core business disciplines and provides them with the broader perspectives they need if they want to progress to higher levels of management, he says.

This part-time MBA programme offers participants the freedom to study on their own terms. It is delivered on a part-time basis, over a series of two-day weekend seminars and revision classes across two years.

Participants will study a total of nine courses, each of which is assessed by a three-hour exam.

Participants can study with us during the weekend and then apply what they have learnt during the week, says Robinson.

The programme covers a wide range of

fields, including economics, marketing, finance, project management, accounting, organisational behaviour and strategic planning.

The programme will give students a more structured and comprehensive view of the business world, which will enable them to make better management decisions. Being able to approach complex business problems that senior managers face on a daily basis in a structured and systematic manner is a valuable asset in a dynamic business environment, says Robinson.

Heriot-Watt University is one of the leading universities in the UK in fields such as engineering, business and the built environment.

Its legacy of excellence has earned it numerous accolades, which include being ranked 13th in the UK and second in Scotland by The Guardian University Guide 2015, as well as placing 47th in the world, third in the UK and first in Scotland according to the QS University Rankings Top 50 under 50 2014.

Heriot-Watt University has grown over the years and now operates out of five campuses three in the UK, one in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and one in Putrajaya, Malaysia.

n For more information, call 03-8894 3888or e-mail [email protected] orvisit www.ebsglobal.net/malaysia

Craig Robinson, course leader for Strategic Planning at Edinburgh Business School.


The MSc in Actuarial Management Structure B & C and MSc in Logistics Management programmes incorporate both technical know-how and management expertise.

Pursuing a managerial positionIT is only after working for a few years that some people gain a clear understanding of their interests and strengths, thus prompting them to pursue a career that gives them greater satisfaction.

To switch careers, one needs to obtain the relevant qualification. Pursuing a postgraduate degree will not only allow you to utilise any prior knowledge or work experience, but also give you a greater focus in your life and career.

Actuarial science and logistics-related professions are among the ideal careers that offer high job satisfaction, which may include factors such as a good work-life balance, high salaries, excellent career growth and high demand.

To meet the demands of individuals who wish to pursue a career in these two areas, UCSI University, through its Faculty of Business and Information Science, has launched two new postgraduate Master of Science programmes MSc in Actuarial Management Structure B & C and MSc in Logistics Management.

Both are designed for graduate executives who aim to venture into these fields as well as those who have relevant prior qualifications who would like to enhance their specialisations.

UCSI is the first private university in Malaysia endorsed by the Society of Actuaries (SoA) under its list of Universities & Colleges with Actuarial Programs (UCAP).

Being on par with institutions in

the UCAP list such as the University of California, Los Angeles (the United States) and the University of Toronto (Canada) indicates that UCSI shows notable expertise in actuarial science.

The MSc in Actuarial Management programme emphasises the theoretical fundamentals of the disciplines involved.

In addition, this masters programme offers two structures

(C and B) to meet the different needs of learners.

Structure C is ideal for professionals such as mathematics teachers, engineers or economists who wish to pursue a career in actuarial science.

It equips them with essential technical knowledge required for the SoA exams and education up to the associate level.

It provides essential management know-how for

technicians to succeed in ascending the corporate ladder.

Structure B, on the other hand, is designed for those who have completed a degree in actuarial science or a related area who wish to boost their theoretical foundation and develop skills for research.

Structure B is ideal for those who are interested to venture into academia or a management role that involves more rigorous,

investigative tasks.UCSI logistics expertise is

respected and recognised by professional bodies as well.

The university is a corporate affiliate member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Malaysia the Malaysian arm of the international professional body for all sectors of the transport industry.

UCSI understands the various requirements and needs of professionals in the industry and the MSc in Logistics Management programme is designed to address these needs and equip learners with the competitive advantage that they require to advance in their careers towards managerial levels.

The programme focuses on the knowledge and application of the pertinent concepts, techniques and principles that underlie logistics and supply chain management.

It covers the management aspects of the logistics and supply chain industry and includes topics such as operations and logistics, inventory, import and export management and logistics strategy.

Changing careers takes focus and commitment but is highly rewarding.

You can now get a head start in the fields of actuarial science and logistics with UCSIs postgraduate programmes.

n For more information,call 03-9102 4739 or visitwww.ucsiuniversity.edu.my/onlineenquiry


postgraduate 13

Enjoy your free timeBALANCING work, family time and studies can be stressful for many postgraduates. The situation can be further exacerbated if you are the main bread winner of your family.

However, apart from allocating time to attend lectures or spending countless hours researching, you should also take some time to relax.

Make it a point to recharge your batteries after a long and gruelling week as you will be able to progress faster and better in your assignments with a clear mind.

Step outside and try one of these fun and free activities over the weekend. You may even discover a source of inspiration for your thesis.

Day tripSpend your weekend on a day trip to Batu

Caves, a limestone hill with a series of cave temples located in the Gombak district. This famous tourist attraction is also one of the worlds most popular Hindu shrines dedicated to Lord Murugan. While it is most visited during Thaipusam, the cave receives visitors year-round.

Witness devotees making their offerings or count the number of monkeys you can spot as you climb the 272 concrete steps into the main shrine.

Walk in the parkDespite being the busiest city in the

country, Kuala Lumpur is not merely a concrete jungle. Find refuge from the bustling city life in the Perdana Botanical Garden, a large-scale urban park along Jalan Perdana.

Stroll along the many trails that cut through beautifully landscaped gardens and admire the colourful flowers and tropical trees that surround the park.

Free guided walks are held every working day from 8am to 10am. The park is situated in the Heritage Park of Kuala Lumpur and is within walking distance to other attractions, including the National Monument, National Planetarium and Bird Park.

Enjoy spoken word poetryPoetry Cafe KL is a virtual cafe that

organises spoken word poetry performances, workshops and meet-ups. Since its inception in 2009, the movement organises an event at least once a month in and around the Klang Valley.

Whether you are a supporter or a performer of the art of spoken word poetry, follow them on Facebook at Poetry Cafe KL

MBA with dual awardIN the past, the primary reason for getting a masters of business administration (MBA) was to increase your salary or move up the career ladder.

Today, employability is a valued virtue in graduates.

The founding universities of International University of Malaya-Wales (IUMW) the University of Malaya (UM) and the University of Wales (UW) offer high-calibre programmes and award degrees of great standards. These standards have been adopted by IUMW.

We aim to produce graduates who meet the stringent expectations of todays highly competitive business world, says Dr Chong Aik Lee, dean of Faculty of Business and Law, IUMW.

The universitys combined credentials of UM and UW ensure the quality of its

to know where and when the next group of performers are taking the stage.

Pick up a new sportExercise is one of the best ways to release

stress and studies have indicated that physical activity releases endorphins, hormones that lead to the feeling of euphoria.

If conventional sports such as badminton or football are not your cup of tea, perhaps you may like to try the sport of muggle quidditch, which is based on a game in the Harry Potter novels by J.K Rowling

Widely played in universities across North America, the sport has found its way to South-East Asia, including countries such as the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia.

Malaysias first quidditch team, the Damansara Dementors, has been actively playing since 2013 and is always looking for new players.

If you are interested, you can join one of the teams pick-up games at Central Park Bandar Utama every Sunday or visit its Facebook page for more information.

KL Car Free MorningOn the first and third Sunday of every

month, the Kuala Lumpur City Council holds a car-free morning on major streets of the Golden Triangle called KL Car Free Morning.

Start your week among hundreds of cyclists, joggers, skaters and walkers as they take over the streets of the capital. The 7km route passes some of the citys famous landmarks, including luxury hotels, old shop houses and the Petronas Twin Towers.

The two-hour event begins at 7am and participants can gather at the DBKL square for a fair-like atmosphere with music and lucky draw prizes at stake.

Offer your help If you are passionate about social issues

such as animal welfare, poverty and human rights, why not join a volunteering programme? Non-governmental and private organisations are always grateful for an extra pair of hands.

From visiting sick children to helping out at soup kitchens, there are numerous opportunities for you to offer your time and effort. Do Something Good is a volunteering network currently set up in Malaysia. Find out how you can get involved by checking its website and Facebook page, which is constantly updated with information on the latest events.

(From left) The Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia Rod Smith PSM, International University of Malaya-Wales registrar and head manager Mariati Shakor and the universitys Faculty of Business and Law dean Dr Chong Aik Lee.

programme delivery and the standards of the degrees awarded.

The IUMW MBA programme is taught by highly qualified academic experts.

In addition, the universitys MBA and other postgraduate students have access to UMs digital library, online databases and other facilities.

IUMW is the first university in South-East Asia to be accepted as a member of the United Kingdoms Higher Education Academy (HEA)

The HEA formally recognises and rewards excellent teaching practices.

The MBA programme is accredited by the Education Ministry and the Malaysian Qualifications Agency.

IUMW MBA is recognised by the University of Wales and its students have the advantage of graduating with a dual-MBA

award from International University of Malaya-Wales and University of Wales, UK.

The idea behind this collaboration is to offer local and international students the best of Malaysian-Welsh hybrid higher education.

IUMW also values its staff development, as shown by Dr Chong being awarded the prestigious 2015 Australia Endeavour Fellowships Award.

The Endeavour Scholarships and Fellowships are the Australian governments internationally competitive, merit-based scholarships aimed at developing on-going educational, research and professional links between individuals and organisations in Australia.

n For more information, call 03-2617 3000 or visit iumw.edu.my


A valued qualificationTHE Management & Science University (MSU) is one of the best teaching and learning universities in Malaysia.

It focuses strongly on in-demand areas of study, which encompass medicine, health sciences, pharmacy, information sciences and engineering, business management and professional studies, education and social sciences, and hospitality.

MSU has received much recognition from Malaysian and international independent bodies.

It has been rated an Excellent Status University twice by the former Higher Education Ministry through a rating system for all universities in Malaysia.

MSU is also accredited by the Accreditation Services for International Colleges (ASIC), United Kingdom, and the Alliance on Business Education and Scholarship for Tomorrow (ABEST21), Japan.

MSUs Graduate School of Management (GSM) recognises that todays global companies require managers with a broader outlook.

The university attracts top students through its internationalisation effort of employing faculty members with overseas experience and forming effective links with businesses.

The Master in Business Administration by MSU (MSU-MBA) offers students an experiential learning opportunity in cross-cultural communications,building a global network and possibly creating a future international career.

In addition, students are able to develop management skills and techniques, obtain strategic orientation and implement the strategies formulated.

The MSU-MBA helps students develop skills in leadership, entrepreneurship, strategic management and decision-making so that they become successful leaders in the most competitive markets.

The programme aims to build on the foundations of work experience and, by equipping students with new skills and knowledge, enable students to make a smooth transition to a higher level of responsibility.

The MSU-MBA provides sufficient knowledge for students to understand the various facets of an organisation to formulate successful strategies. It also instils confidence in them.

The MSU-MBA is popular with employers

as it is a recognised currency in the human resources marketplace. Employers know the value of the qualification and what they can expect from an MBA graduate.

They also recognise the commitment shown by MSU-MBA students in investing heavily in their careers. Such candidates are likely to be dynamic self-starters who will be an asset to any organisation.

There is a multitude of reasons so many students now consider an MSU-MBA to be an integral step in their career paths.

Having an MSU-MBA can be the determinant in getting a high-paying and high-power job.

Active learning exercises within the programme act as a basis for verbal analysis and discussion, allowing for a rich learning environment by integrating the classroom with the real world.

These exercises broaden students understanding of issues by inviting them to think beyond the text material. New terms and concepts are defined in the margins to facilitate learning.

The GSM has established collaborative educational links with a number of top overseas universities, including in the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Germany, Russia and China.

The Global Mobility Programme is a means to provide MSU postgraduate students with international exposure.

Through this programme, students have the opportunity to develop an awareness and appreciation of other cultures, political and economic environments, and approaches of doing business.

Professors of the MSU-MBA are accomplished teachers who have made significant contributions to the business world, both as academics and working professionals.

They have conducted research and published articles across a broad range of business and professional areas. They have also taught university-level business courses abroad, thus bringing their rich multicultural heritage to Malaysia.

Professors at MSU are selected worldwide from among the best consultants and professionals in their fields.

n For more information, call 03-2718 4310/2718 4311 or e-mail [email protected] or visit www.msu.edu.my

By building on the foundations of work experience, MSUs Master in Business Administration enables students to make a smooth transition to a higher level of responsibility at work.


postgraduate 15

Zeroing in on what matters

By TINA CARMILLIA

WHEN the masters in business administration programme was first developed at the start of the 20th century in the United States, its purpose was to meet the demand of the industrialising country a scientific approach to management so that production is more efficient and effective even at a large scale.

As the United States started becoming industrialised, labour was being managed by machinery rather than manual labour.

Revolutionary manufacturing practices meant that the manual labour force had to evolve to develop new skills to effectively manage the company by incorporating science and business practices.

An MBA used to be an advanced yet general management course that was wide-ranging to cover various areas of business such as accounting, finance, marketing and human resources.

It especially benefited senior executives without a business or management degree who were keen to take up a leadership role in a corporation.

Even the traditional elective courses were broad, such as international business, market research and project management.

As business schools mushroom, many try to differentiate their programmes by offering niche industry or sectoral-specific MBA programmes to target students based on the business schools speciality and expertise, strategic partnerships with selected industries as well as to cater to the needs of particular trades.

When a programme is so unique that candidates cannot get the same learning and education anywhere else, the programme becomes more attractive.

While the MBAs general idea is to groom all-rounded business leaders in any industry, the trend now is evolving so that there are niche MBA programmes such as healthcare, techno entrepreneurship, aviation and engineering management to cater to this group of potential corporate leaders who is not academically

trained in business and management.

Based on data from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), an accrediting body for schools of business, the enrolment in specialised MBA programmes is on the rise while enrolment in general MBA programmes worldwide has declined.

Why does business education have to change? Business itself is constantly changing and the traditional MBA itself was the result of universities catering to industry needs, explains Assoc Prof Dr Vikram Bansal, MBA programmes coordinator, Lincoln University College.

He continues: It is clear that the industry demands this trend. As the industries are expecting more specialised managers, business schools do not have much alternative but to change the modules, add more specialised subjects and seek industry experts as lecturers in moulding these highly educated managers to better manage their organisations.

For example, fresh graduates may begin their career as engineers in a software development firm before they climb the career ladder as a supervisor, manager or head of the engineering department.

An engineer who also has a business background, such as with an MBA qualification, would certainly have the edge to take up that leadership or management role.

However, not everyone agrees with the business schools inclination to niche specialisations for MBAs.

Soon Thiam Lam, chief executive officer of CDC Management Development, Strathclyde MBA, believes that an MBA programme that teaches the elements of leadership, ethics and interpersonal skills with a global approach is sufficient to provide integrated understanding of the various management functions. Specialisations and sector-specific programmes, on the other hand, may give a candidate the upper hand in a single sector but little to no advantage at all in others.

> SEE PAGE 16

MBA enrolment

Asia

Europe

North America

World**

19%

7%

-3%

-0.5%

1,600

2,646

-4,024

-815

21%

21%

38%

37%

1,460

13,079

13,879

29,495

Net change Specialised mastersenrolment

Net change

*Controlled set comparison of 2008-2009 and 2012-2013 AACSB Business School Questionnaire (BSQ) data for respective regional enrolment at AACSB-accredited institutions.**World includes data from regions of Latin America, Oceania and Africa, which are not reported separately due to small data set.

Source: AACSB DataDirect

MBA versus specialised Masters of Arts enrolment changes at AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate School of Business)-accredited schools, 2008-09 to 2012-13*


Collaborative educationA LARGE cohort of Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) students recently graduated from their Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) programmes.

Many of these graduates pursued their degrees at urban study centres at the UUM campus. Few educational efforts are as inspiring as those of UUMs in broadening its base of adult students through collaborative study centres all over the country.

Since 1983, UUM has pioneered about a dozen such centres, including in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, by teaming up with one of its collaborating partners, Rezzen Sdn Bhd.

Rezzen was incorporated about 12 years ago to provide convenient delivery of higher degrees (mainly MBA and DBA) from UUM to students in urban areas who only have time to attend weekend classes.

From a small number of 14 students in 1983 in Penang, the number has grown to nearly 1,000 students in the 12 years that the classes have been running.

The collaboration is now entering its next phase with more and more students enrolling.

Picking students from the crme de la crme, the intakes have included individuals from various management levels and fields.

Rezzens classes are lively and interactive.

Students play an active role in discussions while staff members perform multiple functions to ensure the education journey for every student is smooth.

Experienced businessmen who enrol in the programme bring their business expertise into classroom discussions. It is not unusual to have students contribute actual case studies during these sessions.

For the first time, at least four or five veteran businessmen in the programme are in their 70s and 30 to 40 students are chief executive officers, directors or board members.

For working adults, maintaining a balance while pursuing a higher degree requires careful planning. This is why students grades are monitored by the centre.

Individuals facing difficulty in balancing their workload or not performing well academically are advised to defer to less busy work periods so that they can maintain high average scores and remain in good standing.

Fees are prorated for those paying by instalments, while appropriate documents are provided to students applying for various funding sources.

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

Universiti Utara Malaysias MBA graduates benefit from the universitys collaboration with Rezzen Sdn Bhd.

Be it traditional or niche, the masters in business administration programmes serve the needs of society through the business world.

Finding niche appeal> FROM PAGE 15 The focus on a single industry and specialised concentrations defeat the very purpose of an MBA.

These programmes are merely specialised masters programmes with some business subjects added as electives into the programme.

Conversely, the traditional MBA prepares and grooms the individual with the breadth and depth of knowledge to be an all-rounded business leader in any industry, says Soon.

With the breadth and depth of knowledge gained through the traditional MBA, candidates will be able to apply their knowledge in any industry that they may be assigned to in the future.

Soon adds that in a good MBA programme, there are usually optional electives and specialised projects that the students can choose to study and specialise in.

Senior lecturer and programme manager for MBA in Energy Management at Universiti Teknologi Petronas, Dr Lai Fong Woon, however, contends that there is no conflict between the designs of a specialised programme structure and that of a traditional MBA programme.

Rather, niche programmes are an enhanced version of the MBA. The curriculum still covers all critical aspects of business functional knowledge, he says.

Dr Lai reasons that niche MBA programmes will persist as most students who enrol in this type of programme are working

professionals in middle or higher level management positions who hope the specialisation will help them move up the corporate ladder they are already on.

In other words, the students most likely already have a clear

career path when they sign up for the niche MBA programme, says Dr Lai.

Undeniably, a niche concentration in a specific industry means the MBA candidate will have in-depth business

administration knowledge in that industry and that industry alone.

For that reason, it should be the MBA of choice for only those who are certain that they would like to remain in the same industry.

Candidates should only

consider a niche MBA programme if they feel that they would like to specialise only in that particular trade. The only edge is that they will study and know a little more about that particular industry, says Soon.

The flip side is that they will be less flexible and versatile when their career takes them to other industries that are different from their area of specialisation.

For those who are more open to opportunities outside of a single industry, the traditional MBA is still the way to go.

Fortunately, despite the increased diversity of specialised MBA programmes, the traditional MBA is here to stay and business schools will still cater to both types of MBA candidates while remaining relevant to industries.

By offering specialised MBAs alongside the traditional MBA, both will indeed complement the variety of demands of high-level education, says Assoc Prof Bansal.

The traditional MBA has always provided managers with the skills to manage organisations.

The MBA has served its purpose in the developments of technology, society, healthcare and so on and can still play a huge role even or rather, especially in todays ever-changing corporate scenario.

Liow Zen Min is pursuing the Master in Education at AeU, specialising in early childhood education.


postgraduate 17

Lifelong education enhances careerLIOW Zen Min enrolled in Asia e University (AeU) in January last year to pursue the Master of Education, specialising in early childhood education.

Being a believer in lifelong learning, she says, My dream and ambition is to become a specialist in early childhood education and a motivational speaker.

I wish to inspire women to overcome their hardships, live independently and have the determination to pursue their dreams.

Having completed the Bachelor of Commerce and Management at Lincoln University in New Zealand, Liow wanted to pursue a postgraduate programme at a reputable university that would accommodate her working life.

She is an entrepreneur who is currently running two businesses the first involves teaching young children to be independent readers and the second is a school for special needs children located in Kulai, Johor.

Her days are usually packed

with work, studies and spending time with her family.

Every evening after work, I spend time with my daughter going through her schoolwork. I will then do the housework and prepare teaching materials for the classes at school. It is after this is done that I start on my assignments and that takes up the whole night, she says.

I chose AeU because it provides me with the flexibility to study anywhere and anytime, which allows me to structure my learning around my busy life, she says.

Although I am a fully online student from Johor, I attend most of the AeU seminars at the Kuala Lumpur campus. The seminars are interesting, help me develop a deeper understanding of my studies and enable me to network with professors, academic facilitators and other coursemates, says Liow.

Despite her busy schedule, Liow manages to submit her assignments on time. She scored GPA 3.33 in her first semester, GPA

4.00 in her second semester and GPA 3.92 in her third semester. She has completed her fourth semester exam and is now waiting for her results. She has two more semesters of the programme left to complete.

Liow says, I have benefited from this programme because the theories I learnt are relevant and applicable to my work.

I am also pursuing my goal of earning a valuable Master in Education to enhance my career and, at the same time, fulfil my ambition.

Liow is grateful to those who support her in her education, including her family and the universitys professors, lecturers, academic facilitators and staff.

In the future, I hope to inspire people around me, especially single mothers and those who are less fortunate, to not give up but strive to achieve their dreams in life, she says.

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


MBA with convenienceSEGi University and Colleges offers a wide range of programmes under its Faculty of Business and Accounting, including the Masters of Business Administration (MBA).

The postgraduate programmes are suited to high-level business individuals and enables them to pursue a programme at their own convenience.

Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) is a consortium of global universities that enables adult learners to study at their own pace while being able to attend to other obligations and achieve a fulfilling work-life balance.

There are three modes of learning offered to students:l Weekend or evening classes at a

physical venuel Supported learning Students log in to

online classes at any time of the day and attend a workshop twice a monthl Independent learning Students study

online and attend intensive revisions once a month

Students are also in control of how fast they wish to complete their studies as they can determine how many subjects to pursue in a semester.

There is a wide range of postgraduate business programmes available under PACE that offers qualifications from either SEGi University or the University of Southern Queensland (Australia), University of Sunderland (UK), University of Greenwich (UK) or York St John University (UK).

l Master in Business Administration Students can opt to major in either

general management or global business or specialise in strategic human resource management, project management, strategic marketing, finance or digital transformation.

Graduates are equipped with the various aspects of sales, finance and economics while learning the latest theories and best

practices in business.

l Master in Business Administration (International Business)/Master in Arts International Business

The course focuses on responsible leadership and equips graduates with creativity, practicality and social resourcefulness.

This MBA also features integrative disciplines of business strategy and the management of change in an increasingly global business environment.

l Master in Financial PlanningThe Master in Financial Planning is for

professionals who wish to acquire a broad range of financial planning skills.

This programme provides students with essential background knowledge to conduct businesses and financial planning alignments. Graduates are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to support business financial planning analyses and function as wealth planners.

The programme also incorporates modules from the CFP (Certified Financial Planner) certification programme.

n For more information, [email protected] or visit www.segi.edu.my or www.pace.edu.my

Working adults can select which mode of study suits them best through SEGi Universitys PACE programme.

Towards ethical transformationFORMALLY established in 2010, the Graduate School of Muamalat (GS-Muamalat) is positioned under the umbrella of the Faculty of Economics and Muamalat (FEM) at Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM).

GS-Muamalat is innovative, engaging and has an international and Islamic orientation to create ethical global leaders who uphold human values based on the syariah law.

The academia of GS-Muamalat consists of not only exceptional educators but also active researchers involved in leading investigations within businesses and government bodies.

The school offers PhD and masters programmes in the areas of economics, management, accounting, Islamic finance, Islamic banking, takaful and syariah audit.

The full range of programme offerings integrates contemporary knowledge and practices on Islamic foundations.

Each programme is carefully designed to cater to the career aspirations and backgrounds of the graduate student.

It is compulsory for those who do not have knowledge about Islamic business or conventional business and management to undergo a foundation programme.

This is essential so that

candidates are better prepared to cope with university level study.

The programmes offered are: l Master of Economics and

Muamalat Administration This masters by research programme offers rigorous training in qualitative and quantitative research methodologies in an intellectually stimulating environment.l Master of Muamalat

Administration This programme is designed for graduate students who wish to study a broad range of topics in Islamic management and not be restricted to one specific

functional area. Throughout the course of study, there is an emphasis on leadership and strategic change and implementation, all from an Islamic perspective.l Master of Muamalat

Administration (Halal Product) With a growing Muslim consumer market across the globe, annual trade in halal products and services is a multi-trillion-dollar industry. To address this, GS-Muamalat has structured a masters programme targeted at increasing the number of knowledgeable and competent

personnel in syariah compliance, industry and science to serve companies in the halal industry.l Master of Islamic Finance

This programme provides individuals with a critical understanding of vital components of the Islamic finance theory and associated current research while developing their capability to apply both general and Islamic financial concepts to the analysis of corporate circumstances. This programme is conducted from a managerial perspective.l Master of Islamic Banking

This course has been designed to provide students with the skills and in-depth knowledge required to work in this growing banking sector. It offers a comprehensive curriculum encompassing both classic and contemporary areas of Islamic banking.l Master of Accounting and

Shariah Audit This programme was created to meet the demand for graduates who are able to conduct syariah audit to ensure that the activities and operations of an Islamic financial institution are in adherence to the syariah law.l PhD in Economics and

Muamalat Administration A PhD candidate can choose to undertake philosophical or applied research. The philosophical research mode is for candidates

who wish to pursue or continue a career as an academician or researcher.

The applied research mode is new but similar to the Industry PhD programme offered in other universities. This mode is for individuals who intend to be a consultant, advisor or decision maker. The research undertaken must be relevant to the employer of the PhD candidate and the series of problems to be solved have to be current to the organisation.

Programme learning outcome

Graduates of the masters programmes are equipped with the ability to:l Lead and engage in team

problem-solving tasks across disciplines through effective managerial and communicative abilities in a competitive environmentl Provide quality services with

ethical and professional values to the stakeholders in the industries l Perform the aforementioned

by integrating knowledge of Islamic principles, incorporating the revealed (Naqli) and researched (Aqli) knowledge.

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

The programmes offered at the Graduate School of Muamalat are catered to various student backgrounds and aspirations.


postgraduate 19

Traits of effective leadershipBEING promoted to a leadership position is something most graduates aspire to achieve, but not many are aware of the intricate behavioural and psychological characteristics that make up effective and inspiring leaders.

There are so many key characteristics that make up a great leader, depending on the level of leadership, the business environment and so on.

Ive always been interested in looking at executive leadership, and how a leader influences peoples discretionary behaviour, says Prof Iain Densten, a prominent leadership scholar for more than 20 years and director of the Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme at Monash University Malaysia.

Prof Densten says that at an executive leadership level, one of the challenges was finding the right motivation for employees.

If I tell students that Ill give them one extra point every time they come to my class 10 minutes early, students will surely come early.

But once I stop, it is highly likely that they wont come early anymore. Thats a transactional way of looking at how to lead people.

This is not a sustainable method because youll need to keep giving rewards to motivate people. Soon, youll run out of rewards.

So what leaders need to do is inspire people to do things without rewards, to rise above having money as a source of motivation, he says.

Prof Denstens current research interest lies in the study of the use of gazes in achieving leadership goals.

A person can actually influence another by just looking at him or her.

So when you have a leader who has to talk to three or four people, how the leader uses his gaze to communicate with all these people at one time is what Im currently looking into now, he says.

His field of research is closely related to psychology and neuroscience.

With modern technology, we can conduct experiments to see if people use gazes in a certain way to achieve certain end results.

We can also electronically track the differences in a gaze if a group that is being addressed was all female, or all males, or of

The Monash Malaysia MBA programme prepares students to be leaders in an ever-changing global business environment.

different religious and cultural backgrounds, says Prof Densten, adding that this area is relatively new and holds much potential, especially with the advent of newer and more detailed ways to track gazes.

He also plans to merge his current study interest with an area he has worked on for many years, which is understanding executive leadership at the chief executive officer (CEO) level.

One of the interesting aspects I am looking at is social desirability. As social creatures, we have a tendency to say things that make us socially desirable.

But for a leader, having the need to be socially desirable can actually be a handicap.

If you always need to have everybody take a liking to you even when you have to tell people off when something is wrong, theres definitely going to be a conflict there, he says.

Prof Densten emphasises that whatever the organisation, a leaders inherent role is to mould the culture of an organisation by creating the right climate.

When a person first enters an organisation, he or she adheres to a previously a fixed culture that cannot be easily changed, but a leader can change the climate.

If the employee is exposed to this climate every day, it will eventually affect his or her mindset as well as the organisation.

Leadership is about changing the culture of an organisation through how the leaders act, behave and so on. For example, if the CEO of a company is less compassionate, the organisation will be less compassionate.

With the inaugural batch of Monash Malaysia MBA students beginning this year, Prof Densten says he is excited about the programme, which will prepare students to lead in an ever-changing global business environment.

Leaders need to be able to be flexible in the way they lead at times, because its only through them that an organisation will be able to change and adapt to changing business environments, he says.

We believe that the work we do here at Monash for our business students will prepare them for such an environment.

n For more information, visit www.buseco.monash.edu.my/mba


UKM organises activities such as Innovation Bootcamp to nurture innovation and creativity in its students.

New students attending Orientation Day at UKM.

Team-building exercise is part of UKM-GSBs programme to groom leaders.

Leaders in the makingAS its mission, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysias Graduate School of Business (UKM-GSB) advocates pragmatic management ideas and solutions through research and consulting. It also aims to groom responsible and adept leaders through academic programmes and executive training sessions.

The schools academic programmes comprise Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master by Research, Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

Besides academic programmes, UKM-GSB also runs Leadership Academy, which is responsible for managing executive training, leadership development, project management training and certification programmes in the MBA.

Four strategic centres form part of UKM-GSBs areas of interest cultural management, Islamic wealth management, regional risk monitoring and public policy.

Master of Business Administration

UKMs MBA programmes adopt a flexible credit-based modular system delivered via 48-credit-hour courses.

These recently revised MBA programmes, which have been co-developed with industrial partners, better fulfil the requirements of the industry and working students.

While strongly grounded in academic theory, the MBA emphasises practical learning where the transfer of industry-relevant knowledge provides real management solutions and techniques for the MBA graduates to apply in their respective organisations.

Aligned with the European lock-step modular approach, the MBA programmes are offered in several flexible modes:l MBA 12-month programme

for full-time students.l MBAC 18-month programme

for full-time students without working experience. Selected students are offered places in the Corporate Employment Learning Programme (CELP).l MBAL 18-month programme

for full-time students, consisting of a 12-month MBA programme and a six-month (one semester) Certificate in Leadership (CiL) programme.l MBAP 18-month programme

for full-time students, consisting of a 12-month MBA programme and a six-month Certificate in Project Management (CiPM) programme.l MBAL+P 24-month

programme for full-time students,

consisting of a 12-month MBA programme and six months each of CiL and CiPM programmes.l MBAPT 24-month programme

with classes conducted every alternate weekend for part-time students.

Students of UKM-GSBs MBA programmes will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the academic rigours of the programmes as well as the industrial relevancy of the learning process through the modules freshly introduced by UKM-GSB.

The core courses in the programmes are designed to provide students with specific key management competencies that form the building blocks of a company in bringing added value and improving business performance as well as human capital development.

The courses align performances for success through organisational awareness, strategic thinking, decision-making, marketing communication, problem-solving and functional technical business knowledge.

The core courses are Business Economics, Managerial Accounting, Managerial Finance, Strategic Marketing, Organizational and Human Resources Development, Operation Management and Decision Analysis, Business Ethics and Governance, and Corporate Strategy.

The MBA programmes modules are developed by industrial experts based on the specific and relevant

industrial knowledge, abilities and skill sets required for managers to compete globally.

These customised courses provide the necessary practical knowledge and application for various career paths in specific industries with transferable skills across various industries.

They promote marketable skill sets and competencies that are crucial to building a globally competitive workforce.

The specialisations currently available in the MBA programmes are management, marketing, Islamic finance and banking, finance, public management, healthcare management, higher education management and tax management.

Action learningThe eight-credit-hour leadership

course focuses on personal development and leadership skill enhancement towards excellence.

It is conducted throughout the academic period and designed to help develop leadership talent and create a cultural shift towards excellent leadership in any organisation.

The course includes large group discussions, small group works, projects management, chief executive officer lecture series, case studies and many other experiential learning initiatives.

The components in the course include leadership in action, business networking, managerial communication, contemporary business theories, critical issues in

management, business trends and outlook, business models and structures, professional golf training, and Toastmaster Club.

This programme consists of three major components:l Research methodology A

systematic way to solve a problem is by studying and understanding research techniques.

Students will be exposed to various methods in addressing research questions and hypotheses, with special focus on descriptive and causal studies, sampling and measurements, data analyses and interpretations, and report writing.

l Project management Students are introduced to concepts, methods and techniques in project management. They will learn proper techniques and the best practices in managing and delivering projects within deadlines and budgets.

l MBA projects Actual projects are undertaken by students as part of their practical learning experience. The projects focused on are those that provide maximum social benefits in line with the concept of social business and entrepreneurship.

Several innovative projects within the framework of social businesses are available for students participation.

Corporate Employment Learning Programme

An interesting feature in the leadership course is the CELP,

which allows students to start their probationary employment while studying.

The CELP is essentially an industry-based employment programme that focuses on developing specific industrial competencies among MBA students.

This programme is offered to selected full-time students without working experience.

It involves sending students on a 12-month probationary full-time employment in selected participating companies at the beginning of their second semester studies to expose them to a real work environment.

The aim of the CELP is to ensure that the students set of knowledge in business foundations and managerial competencies gained through earlier semesters can be practised immediately in the marketplace and increase their potential for employment.

More than a dozen major corporations have agreed to be part of the CELP.

Certificate in LeadershipCiL is one of the certification

programmes offered in the MBA. It provides a solid foundation of leadership competencies that can be applied immediately in the workplace.

It has been crafted to help students in facing and responding to the ever-increasing competitive environment that requires effective leaders.

In this programme, students learn, discuss and experience the fundamentals and advanced approaches of leadership to prepare them to thrive in todays dynamic workplace.

Through this programme series, students master techniques for creating a high-performance culture, enhancing the performance of their teams, balancing competing organisational demands and driving strategic change within the organisation.

Certificate in Project Management

Another certification programme offered in the MBA, CiPM is a great way to build the skills needed in meeting the growing demand for project management expertise in organisations.

This certificate programme provides the knowledge and techniques necessary to operate successfully as a project manager.

Students will learn how to keep projects on task, on time and within budget as well as how to successfully apply project management practices in various industries.

The certificate is awarded to students who have successfully completed certain required courses and managed actual projects developed by UKM-GSB that were initiated by students themselves or assigned by their work organisations.

n For more information,visit gsb.ukm.my


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Datuk Ghazali Mohd Yusoff (centre, light-coloured shirt) and Datuk Razali Mahfar (left of Datuk Ghazali) sharing their experience with students and professors of the International Business Schoool of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM IBS) in one of its leadership luncheon series.

Cultivating lifelong learningLEARNING should be experienced throughout life and involve social inclusion, being an active citizen, personal development and self-sustainability.

This concept of lifelong learning is practised at the International Business School of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM IBS).

Being one of the prominent postgraduate business schools in Malaysia, UTM IBS aims to become a leading business school in the emerging market and contribute to the existing wealth of knowledge in the industry.

The MBA programme offered at UTM IBS is designed to develop managerial leaders who are equipped with relevant and contemporary knowledge and skills to relate to stakeholders interests.

Using case studies and research approaches, students gain skills such as personal and organisational resilience, strategic thinking, leadership and calibre in handling organisational changes effectively and other skills that are required within the 21st century landscape.

On top of relevant learning methodologies in normal classrooms, UTM IBS students are exposed to new commercialised venture creation projects and social entrepreneurship workshops.

Furthermore, UTM IBS offers opportunities to students to consistently engage with industry leaders and renowned professors from various industries.

Many adjunct professors and industry associates work hand-in-hand with UTM IBS scholars to give relevant exposure and skills that enrich students.

UTM IBS does not only focus on ensuring students graduate successfully and on time,

but also strives to help them achieve a balanced ability to lead, manage and innovate.

This combination of skills coupled with the right mindset will prepare them to stand out in the workforce.

The series of lifelong learning agenda are presented within the four MBA concentrations strategic management, techno-entrepreneuship, healthcare management and Islamic finance (to commence in September).

Among the industry leaders who have engaged with UTM IBS are Datuk Anuar Mohd Noor (founder and chief executive officer of Bison Consulting), Dr Dolly Amy Harold (director, IT division, Ministry of Women, Family & Community Development), Prof Dr Basil Mustafa (professor at Oxford Islamic Centre, United Kingdom), Captain Zalina Sungip, also known as the first female pilot to fly a CL415MP (aircraft) around the world, Datuk Razali Mahfar (chief consulting officer of MYiLEAP Sdn Bhd) and Datuk Ghazali Mohd Yusoff (executive chairman of Nusantara Technologies Sdn Bhd).

Besides the MBA programme, UTM IBS also offers a doctorate in business administration (DBA).

DBA courses are based on industry-driven and practical concepts that focus on sharpening learners managerial, entrepreneurial and leadership skills.

UTM IBS strives to provide relevant and contemporary DBA programmes that focus on business innovation and strategies.

The next intake for UTM IBS is in September.

n For more information, [email protected] or visit www.ibs.utm.my


Future management professionalsAs one of the premier private institutions of higher education approved by the Education Ministry and Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), Lincoln University College (LUC) provides the public with easy access to learning through its effective method of delivery.

The institution offers a variety of programmes, including a number of specialisations that make up its range of Master of Business Administration (MBA) programmes.

According to LUC pro-chancellor Datuk Dr Hajjah Bibi Florina Abdullah, LUC sets students on the right path for a successful career.

LUC vice-chancellor Prof Dr Amiya Bhaumik says the courses offered are practical-oriented and revolve around evolving concepts and theories that have deep roots in the corporate world.

Therefore, the knowledge that students gain from the MBA programmes has great value and can be practised in the real corporate world.

The beauty of LUCs MBA programmes lies in the fact that all of the programmes are taught by leading academics who are specialists in their respective fields of study. This means LUC professors and academics have the right balance of industrial exposure and academic knowledge.

The LUC MBA programmes help budding managers interpret and create corporate management strategies through the application of practical skills. Students will also gain clarity in both conceptual and application-oriented business skills.

Upon completing one of the MBA programmes, students will be prepared for leadership and transformational roles in global business development. They will

postgraduate - 21 july 2015

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