THE STAR, TUESDAY 21 AUGUST 2018

Mapping out your

professional plan
Education is key to a better life. Realise your career potential by
choosing the ideal professional development route for you.
2 Postgraduate
LE Corbusier, one of the founding
fathers of modern architecture
who was also a prolific painter,
once famously exclaimed that “A
house is a machine for living in.”
Of the many professions one could
choose from, architecture stands
out in how it blends art with
technological science, bringing a
careful balance of both worlds to
functional human existence.
Look at the many great buildings
around the globe and you will find
this notion to be true. The creations
of architects are designed for
practical use yet are touched by the
prevailing art movements of their
time.
Modern architecture, for
example, has roots in the
modernist Bauhaus movement and
cubism. Prior to that, buildings
were influenced by the many
passing artistic periods such as art
deco, art nouveau, gothic and
classical.
Zahimi Zaiton Ibrahim, a
registered member of the
Malaysian Institute of Architects
and a licensed architect with 30
years of experience, says,
“Architecture is an aesthetic art
that involves working on an
awkward canvas.
Our raw material is space, not
bricks, steel or glass. Our art is the
manipulation of that space to
create living, working and
recreational spaces that a user will
enjoy.”
Though many are attracted to
this industry because of its
allowance for creativity, students
who pursue this line of work are
often not fully aware of the
realities that take place in actual
practice.
“In the real world, what we are
trained for is not always what we
end up having to do,” says Zahimi.
Training to be an architect
Architects are instructed
differently depending on the
higher education institution they
attend. Regardless, what they
have in common is a deep-rooted
sense of responsibility to create
beauty and balance in the built
environment – be it in an urban
setting or within natural
landscapes.
To qualify as an architect in
Malaysia, students must pass two
parts. Part 1 involves pursuing a
bachelor’s degree in architecture,
which usually lasts three years,
while Part 2 consists of either a
postgraduate diploma or master’s
degree in architecture. Between
these two phases is the “year out”,
during which aspiring architects
obtain attachments at various
firms.
Part 2 is followed by two years
Islamic influences in architecture are prevalent in Malaysia, but the trend is slowly shifting towards more modern
designs.
Artists in a pragmatic world
of working under supervision
before the final hurdle – the Part
3 examination that will grant
architects the licence to practise.
The examination is concerned
mostly with candidates’ knowledge
of building regulations, fire codes,
housing regulations, codes of
practice and administering
building contracts.
The average pass rate for the
Part 3 examination is between 6%
and 8%, which means that many
will have to undergo several resits
before passing.
“Students who enter the Part 1
bachelor’s course tend to come in
thinking that architecture is a
glamorous profession, then find
that it is not.
“It is a hard and competitive
grind, even in college. Some
misconceptions are dispelled after
the ‘year out’ and Part 2 students
know more of what to expect by
the time they graduate and start
working.
“Still, most new graduates
are only given design tasks and
rarely deal with real-world
problems involving difficult
clients, authorities or contractors.
“Most offices will start them
this way before exposing them
to clients or allowing them to
deal with contractors,” says
Zahimi.
In Part 1 and Part 2, architecture
students are given project briefs
for which they must propose
design solutions. The briefs get
more complex as they go up
the academic ladder while the
proposed solutions are expected to
get smarter and more creative.
Architecture graduates often
hold the mistaken belief that this
freedom of applying new and
creative ideas will still be granted
to them once they start working for
actual clients.
“Most clients are quite
conservative in taste and many
bosses are risk-averse, preferring
tried-and-tested solutions rather
than something risky that may
fail.
They build what they know has
worked before. This is
understandable because a lot of
money is involved in any building
project.
“This misconception is what
leads to frustration. Graduates
are trained to be creative in
architecture school but often end
up doing ordinary, repetitive,
humdrum stuff.
This is just the way the industry
works,” shares Zahimi.
Upon leaving university,
graduates will find that almost any
project is a four- to five-year
marathon with a thousand tiny
details, tedious paperwork and red
tape to resolve – not the quick
sprints they enjoyed in architecture
school.
Current state of affairs
Client, societal and human
needs, space constraints, costs,
inflexible government regulations
and technological limits – all of
which are interrelated – must be
considered in reaching the right
architectural solution.
In terms of the actual creative
freedom a professional architect
has, it can vary from client to client
and project to project.
Zahimi explains that developer
clients for houses, condominiums
and apartments can dictate the
style and planning for design
according to how they read current
market trends – which, at present,
favours a more modern style.
For residential bungalows,
owners will usually have their own
ideas stemming from personal
travels, magazines or other houses
they have visited.
According to Zahimi, this can be
a good or bad thing. The difficulty
is that some homeowners may
want a house aesthetic that is not
suitable for the immediate
environment.
For example, the classical
European style that evolved in a
cooler climate is not particularly
suitable for tropical Malaysia.
Often, architects are required to
dance to the tune of local
authorities who wish to highlight a
certain aesthetic style.
Art has always been a means of
expressing the values and identity
of society, and architectural design
is an achievable platform for this
purpose.
Islamic design, for example, is
still enforced onto architects for
educational buildings by
authorities keen on reflecting
Islamic values – albeit in a
superficial way.
In fact, this design style only
communicates Arabic architecture,
which emerged from the climate
and materials available in the
Middle East and is mostly unsuited
to the tropics.
“In the past, the traditional
Malay roof was enforced by Dewan
Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur, even
for high-rise offices, but this era
has passed.
The building of Putrajaya has
opened the eyes of many
politicians and government
officials previously stuck in Islamic
and Malay symbolism, as they now
see contemporary architecture as
forward-looking,” shares Zahimi.
No matter the case, architects
must accept that they create work
to fulfil the wants of others. Their
creations are brought to life
because of their clients.
Zahimi points out how ironic
it is that the most successful
THE STAR, TUESDAY 21 AUGUST 2018
architectural works usually come
from small projects. One would
think that big projects would
achieve the best results, yet the
truth is that they often fall victim
to over-complexity and heavy
commercialisation – making
any kind of real art difficult to
achieve.
Adapting to reality
Architecture is no walk in the
park, but it can be a lifelong,
fulfilling career for many. To be
successful, graduates have to be
well-equipped for professional
practice. Fortunately, Zahimi
believes that most local graduates
have the right skills to enter the
industry.
“What we expect from fresh
graduates is skill in design-related
problem solving, which they
usually deliver. Of course, some
graduates are better and faster
than others, but we do not expect
them to have the experience or
confidence to deal with clients or
contractors,” he says.
As 3D design and presentation
software are essential tools for
architects, graduates also have to
ensure that they are up-to-date
with the latest advancements.
Universities that use cutting-edge
methods will naturally give their
graduates the leg-up they need.
“New 3D software allows many
different design ideas to be visually
tested on the computer screen
before being approved to develop
in detail. This is why familiarity
with 3D software has become
increasingly important.
“Although local universities
tend to deliver students that are
technically sound, they are usually
rigid in design. Graduates from
overseas tend to be better at
coming up with imaginative and
fresh new design concepts,” Zahimi
explains.
Despite this, he thinks that
local graduates can be better at
initially fitting into the office
environment. This is because the
more experienced architects can
provide overall direction while
new graduates work out the
smaller design details.
At the end of the day, if you
have a goal, it is up to you to work
towards it. Just remember, as
much as architects exist to design
buildings for clients, they also
serve as artistic hands. As Zahimi’s
tutor used to tell him, “Any monkey
can draw a plan, but a true
architect will create beauty.”
THE STAR, TUESDAY 21 AUGUST 2018 3
4 Postgraduate THE STAR, TUESDAY 21 AUGUST 2018

Reaping successful gains

UNIVERSITY of Nottingham Malaysia
recently hosted receptions for its alumni and
current MBA students in Kuala Lumpur and
Singapore, bringing together graduates from
business and other disciplines as well as
industry professionals and university staff.
The university has hosted similar events
in London, but this is the first time the
networking series – dubbed Nottingham in
the City – has been held outside the United
Kingdom.
Nottingham in the City Kuala Lumpur was
held at Bridge Bar in GTower and attended
by students and alumni of the university,
chief executive officers and managing
directors of multinational corporations and
local business organisations, and founders of
start-ups.
The evening kicked off with an opening
address by Prof Chew Ging Lee, dean of
University of Nottingham Malaysia’s Faculty
of Arts and Social Sciences, and Prof James
Devlin, dean of Nottingham University
Business School (NUBS). Prof Graham
Kendall, provost, CEO and pro-vice-
chancellor of University of Nottingham
Malaysia, was also present and welcomed
attendees to the gathering.
The highlight of the event was
“Conversations with Datuk Dr Geoffrey Tan”,
a panel discussion moderated by NUBS
Malaysia’s acting dean Dr Avvari V. Mohan. (From left) Prof Devlin, MBA alumna and Mission Esprit Venture Sdn Bhd's group CEO Datuk Grace Chia, MBA alumna and Rampai Niaga Sdn Bhd's
The dialogue covered current issues in CEO Molly Fong, and MBA alumnus, Institut Jantung Negara Sdn Bhd's COO and IJN Holdings Sdn Bhd's group COO Akmal Arief Fauzi.
branding, firm valuations and organisation
development, featuring prominent said, “It was an excellent opportunity to community as well. It is this network that The gathering featured a lively panel
Malaysian entrepreneur, Nottingham network with fellow alumni, especially with makes the University of Nottingham a world- discussion on innovations in business and
alumnus and founder and CEO of GM Capital those who have now established themselves class institution.” business sustainability, featuring the founder
Ltd Datuk Dr Geoffrey Tan. as successful entrepreneurs and corporate Krishna Kodoth, MBA alumnus and of Big Tiny eco-friendly homes company
For many alumni, it was an opportunity to leaders. The panel session was insightful and general manager at Waters Corporation, Adrian Chia, The Economist publication
reconnect and reminisce about their student fun, and I look forward to more such said, “It was a great opportunity to have met director Scott Munday and Grab Singapore
days. According to Sherlyn Neoh, MBA gatherings.” and conversed with the best minds in the director Ee Ling See. The session was
alumna and channel and category MBA alumnus and Axiata Digital’s regional business world and gain broader moderated by Dr Avvari V. Mohan.
development manager at Unilever Malaysia, development director Ahmad Kashfi Alwi perspectives, all that with a sense of pride University of Nottingham Malaysia offers
“It was a fantastic evening of reunion and commented, “The event was a platform for knowing that we all share a common foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate
networking. I caught up with former the alumni to give back to the university. connection and value system – that of the courses for its September intake.
coursemates and met many interesting and “The alumni, which is a strong global University of Nottingham.”
like-minded folks.” network, opens up a wealth of partnership Nottingham in the City Singapore was held n For more information, e-mail
Satpal Singh, MBA alumnus of NUBS opportunities not only with the university at the City Campus of PSB Academy, the study@nottingham.edu.my or visit
Malaysia and legal counsel for AirAsia BIG, but between captains of the business university’s partner institution in Singapore. www.nottingham.edu.my

Inspiration to creativity
IT is an exciting time to unleash your
creativity, because the latest design trends of
this year are all about celebrating originality
and individuality.
There is growing indifference to flat
designs as we embrace more classic
ones by giving them modern, updated
looks.

l Simplification and minimalism are

here to stay
The swift growth of smart and hand-held
devices have brought with it usability
challenges of traditional websites.
Responsive design was created as a solution
to this problem, acting as a one-design-fits-all
approach.
However, as part of responsive design,
brands needed to update their logos for a
more minimalist look. Hence, the previously
unthinkable – simplifying the look of brand
logos – is one of the latest design trends this
year.

l Shadows to give dimension to

designs
The rise of semi-flat designs derived from
the flat design movement brings with it
more use of shadows as a tool to help users
determine input fields, calls to action and
visual hierarchy. The modern shadows are
soft, gradated and sometimes coloured, and
add a subtle depth to designs unlike their
harsher predecessors.

l Duotones to complement semi-flat
designs
Traditionally, duotones were created with
halftone printing techniques where one
colour is printed on a contrasting one to
produce the effect.
This method got a whiff of fresh air with
digital design methods that made creation of
tinted images much easier. With beautiful
imagery possible even with limited colour
palettes, duotones are one of the hottest
design trends of 2018.
l Ombre effect or the traditional colour
gradient technique
Colour transitions were the hotcakes
before flat design took over in 2007. Now, the
ombre effect is regaining popularity in the
shift from flat to semi-flat design.
Thus far, we have seen a rise in the use of
gradients – or colour transitions, as they are
interchangeably called – in backgrounds,
user interfaces and overlays. Expect to see a
lot more vivid and bright colours as well as
interesting textures with this trend.
l Typography with digital art
When it comes to designing typography,
the mindset behind the latest trends for
this year seems to be “the bolder, the better.”
Artistic effects created with digital paint
brushes and extra-large fonts combined with
modern, aesthetically pleasing patterns is a
trend that many designers are churning out
this year.
With prominent brands such as Nike and
Adobe putting it to good use in their
branding, this is one trend that is here to
stay.
l The “other” reality
With augmented reality (AR) becoming a
norm thanks to innovations in technology, it
is to be expected that the latest design trends
would feel the impact of AR in the form of
3D animations incorporated into semi-flat
designs and GIFs.
Also known as microinteractions, the
addition of animations and GIFs into design
elements can let users feel more engaged
with how interfaces seem to respond to their
manipulations. Intriguing designs can be
created for logos, newsletters and icons with
this trend.
l The comeback of geometric patterns
and retro colour palettes
Moving into mainstream design from the
sidelines are the colour palettes and patterns
of the 1980s and 1990s.
Snatching the limelight away from flat
designs, the abstract, eccentric geometric
patterns in pretty pastels are expected to
provide visual excitements to users and
design fans this year.
With the visual arts being revitalised by
digital media, the field of design is getting
more interesting as time goes by. The
modern is merging with the past, indicating
that 2018 is a year of breaking moulds to
herald a new dawn of design that shatters
boundaries.
THE STAR, TUESDAY 21 AUGUST 2018 5
6 Postgraduate
UNIVERSITY of Nottingham Malaysia is
fortunate to be working with Panyathip
International School in Laos. Next month,
the university starts delivering its foundation
programme in Laos, giving students the
opportunity to study at a top 100 university.
Students can gain direct entry to
University of Nottingham’s undergraduate
courses at its Malaysia campus and have
options to study at the United Kingdom and
China campuses as well.
A significant benefit of the programme is
that it enables students to study in their own
country without incurring the additional
expense of travel and accommodation in a
foreign country or having to make the
transition to living abroad for at least
another year.
Another benefit is that students can
complete the foundation programme in a
year rather than study for two years under
entry routes such as the A-Levels.
In Malaysia’s Education Blueprint 2015-
2025, the 10th shift aims to transform higher
education delivery. The blueprint states that
“The Malaysian higher education system
needs to undergo comprehensive
transformation if it is to rise to meet the
nation’s ambitious vision and aspirations.”
We believe that University of Nottingham
Malaysia, by reaching out into the Asean
Transforming Malaysia’s
higher education
region, is contributing in some small way to
help Malaysia realise its plans to be the
regional education hub.
This is a challenging ambition for the
country but the significant achievements
it has made, such as University of Malaya
being ranked as a top 100 university
globally, suggests that Malaysia is well
on its way to achieving its objectives
although we recognise that it cannot rest on
its laurels and will have to double its efforts
to further improve.
The blueprint also states that Malaysia
aims to become a top destination for
international students. This is a competitive
area, with every country wanting to increase
its number of international students.
Malaysia has set itself challenging targets
and it should continue to refine its processes
to make it as easy as possible for
international students to enter Malaysia to
study.
With multiple stakeholders and competing
objectives, it is a complex undertaking, but
Malaysia is well placed to simplify its
processes and robust enough to ensure that
only students with necessary qualifications
are able to enter the country.
University of Nottingham Malaysia hopes
that its partnership with Panyathip
International School will help Malaysia
achieve its international student targets. Any
student studying in Laos is eligible for
admission to our undergraduate degrees as
long as they pass the foundation course.
As we begin our programme in Laos, we
hope that we can have the same
collaborative and supportive relationship
with the Lao Ministry of Education and
Sports that we enjoy with Malaysia’s
Education Ministry, and that any successes
will be reflected to all stakeholders.
We are also fully supported by the British
Ambassador to Laos Hugh Evans and his
team in Vientiane as well as the UK
government.
Last year, Ed Vaizey, member of
parliament (MP) and the UK’s trade envoy to
Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, visited Laos
and was encouraging of this initiative. Later
this month, MP and Minister of State for the
Foreign and Commonwealth Office Mark
Field will also visit Laos, which will coincide
with an event to promote this new initiative.
We must include an honourable mention
of Vicki Treadell, the UK High Commissioner
to Malaysia and her team in Kuala Lumpur.
Their support and help has been
instrumental in helping us reach out into
Laos.
We are very excited about this initiative.
We established our campus in Malaysia in
2000, becoming the first British university to
establish a foreign branch campus in
Malaysia, and are excited to be celebrating
Prof Graham Kendall (right) hopes that through University of Nottingham Malaysia's partnership
with Panyathip International School in Laos, the university is contributing in some small way to
help Malaysia realise its plans to be the regional education hub.
THE STAR, TUESDAY 21 AUGUST 2018
University of
Nottingham Malaysia
hopes that its
partnership with
Panyathip International
School will help Malaysia
achieve its international
student targets. Any
student studying in Laos
is eligible for admission
to our undergraduate
degrees as long as they
pass the foundation
course.
Prof Graham Kendall
our 18th year in Malaysia this month.
It did not escape our notice that we are
celebrating our 18th year in Malaysia in
2018 in the eighth month. We hope that this
is a good omen for our new initiative in
Laos.
University of Nottingham Malaysia is
reaching out into the Asean region from
our Malaysia campus in the same way that
the UK campus reached out into Asia almost
20 years ago.
Having a greater Asean presence is a key
objective for us as we see this as a win-win
for Nottingham, our Asean partners and the
higher education sector in Malaysia.
It also captures the essence of Malaysia’s
higher education blueprint by helping
transform the educational landscape and
cementing the country’s reputation as it
continues on its journey to be the leading
regional education hub.
n Prof Graham Kendall is the chief executive
officer, provost and pro-vice-chancellor of
University of Nottingham Malaysia.
Twitter: @Graham_Kendall
THE STAR, TUESDAY 21 AUGUST 2018
The flexible curriculum in IMU's MSc in Public Health programme
enables graduates to leverage on the knowledge and skills they learnt
at undergraduate level.
Creating a
positive impact
in communities
IMU’s MSc in Public Health
graduates are helping to build
happier, healthier communities.
From Nigerian villages to the
Kuala Lumpur metropolis, these
students are transforming the
lives of the people they serve.
Although the MSc in Public
Health taught course only began
in 2011, its graduates are already
making their presence felt in a
wide variety of public health,
research and disease prevention
initiatives in Malaysia, Nigeria,
Bangladesh, Myanmar, India and
Tanzania.
The programme’s broad-based,
flexible curriculum has allowed
these graduates to leverage
on the knowledge and skills
they learnt at undergraduate
level. This lets them upgrade
their competencies in their
preferred fields and apply
those competencies to the
communities they serve.
Coupled with input from
faculty members, who have
years of public health experience
at national and international
levels, it is no wonder that the
MSc in Public Health is the most
popular postgraduate taught
programme at IMU.
Throughout the curriculum,
communication skills are
enhanced with face-to-face
presentations, seminars and
written assignments. Research
is given due prominence and
students are required to explore
research subjects, complete
project proposals, obtain
approval for their projects from
an ethics committee, develop
instruments for data collection,
carry out analyses, and complete
their theses.
In the past, students have
carried out their studies in
Bangladesh, Nigeria and India.
The completed studies wcover a
wide range of subjects – from
condom use among sex workers
in Bangladesh to the usage of
complementary and alternative
Postgraduate 7
medicine in Teluk Intan,
Malaysia.
IMU’s MSc in Public Health
is the only postgraduate
programme from a private
university that is recognised by
the Public Service Department
(JPA) for employment in the
government sector, provided
that the student’s undergraduate
degree is also recognised by JPA.
Studying the MSc in Public
Health at IMU is a unique,
rewarding journey that prepares
students for a successful
vocation to gainfully serve the
community.
In addition to the research
module, the programme includes
modules in epidemiology,
biostatistics, environmental,
occupational and population
health, medical sociology, health
promotion, and public health
practice. Furthermore, students
have the opportunity to go on
field visits and benefit from a
two-week attachment with a
government public health
organisation.
IMU is Malaysia’s first and
most established private medical
and health sciences university
with more than 26 years of
dedicated focus in healthcare
education.
Established in 1992, IMU
pioneered the world’s first
Partner Medical School
programme and has since
gained international recognition
with more than 30 world-class
university partners in Australia,
New Zealand, the United
Kingdom, Canada, Ireland and
China.
IMU’s main campus is located
in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur,
with clinical school branches
in Seremban, Kuala Pilah, Batu
Pahat and Kluang.
n For more information,
call 03-2731 7272, e-mail
postgraduate@imu.edu.my
or visit www.imu.edu.my
8 Postgraduate
Quality – a
driver in higher
education
WHAT comes to mind when we
talk about quality?
In the context of higher
education, quality is often
described as a university’s
output. In other words, an
institution’s mark of excellence is
in its graduates.
However, quality must
encompass more than that. It
must be present in an
institution’s work processes
across all levels of operations,
from the moment a learner
enrols to the moment he or she
graduates.
The European Commission
(EC) states that learners must
have the necessary knowledge,
skills and transferrable
competencies needed to succeed
after graduation, and this must
be supported by the right
learning environment that
recognises and supports good
teaching.
Like the EC, Malaysia promotes
a comprehensive concept of
quality. As outlined in the
current national higher
education blueprint, this concept
encapsulates graduates,
institutions and the overall
higher education system.
Quality is also represented
by other factors, such as
leadership, research output,
delivery and an institution’s
ability to support disadvantaged
individuals.
At Open University Malaysia
(OUM), we adopt a
comprehensive approach to
quality. I believe quality input
and processes will lead to quality
output.
Excellent and employable
graduates can only be produced
through quality curriculum,
pedagogy, faculty members,
learning materials, assessment,
support services and various
other elements in an academic
programme.
Thus, I see quality not only as
part of OUM’s efforts toward
becoming a learner-centred
institution, but also a way to
“future-proof” our position as
Malaysia’s premier open and
distance learning (ODL)
institution.
This is why OUM emphasises
accessibility, affordability and
flexibility as three key
advantages for those who choose
to study with us.
OUM’s nationwide presence
through its 32 learning centres in
major towns and cities as well as
our use of e-learning and online
platforms mean that our
programmes are accessible to
anyone, at any time and from
any location.
Our commitment to cost-
effective measures, maintaining
reasonable fees, and offering
discounts, bursaries and
financial aid means that
academic programmes at all
levels are affordable to most
Malaysians seeking a tertiary
qualification.
Likewise, combining the
convenience of online course
materials, a user-friendly
THE STAR, TUESDAY 21 AUGUST 2018
By PROF
DATUK DR
MANSOR
FADZIL
To enhance
and improve
the quality of
our offering to
working adults,
there needs to be
a commitment to
constant checks
and balances
through proactive
measures.
Prof Datuk Dr Mansor Fadzil
learning management system,
and a blended pedagogy
comprising face-to-face meetings,
e-learning and independent
study allows for flexibility in
teaching and learning.
These features are meant
to cater to working adults who
juggle multiple commitments
as they undergo studies at
OUM.
To enhance and improve the
quality of our offering to this
segment of society, there needs to
be a commitment to constant
checks and balances through
proactive measures.
One example where quality is
constantly evaluated is the
teaching staff.
OUM not only relies on a pool
of internal faculty members but
also employs academics from
public and private institutions as
well as the industry.
This way, our learners will
benefit from teaching staff who
can draw from a broad range of
knowledge and experiences.
Our more recent quality
enhancement initiative involves
appointing mystery shoppers
to engage with frontliners across
OUM’s learning centres. The
results have been very
encouraging, with the shoppers
giving an average rating of 5.6
out of a maximum score of 6.
In summary, OUM’s quality
initiative is spurred by an
aspiration towards excellence
in all aspects of the ODL
experience.
While graduates certainly
reflect an institution’s quality, we
believe quality higher education
must also be determined by
measures to ensure an
accessible, affordable and
flexible learning opportunity to
anyone who seeks it.
n Prof Datuk Dr Mansor Fadzil is
the president and vice-chancellor
of OUM.
THE STAR, TUESDAY 21 AUGUST 2018
Offering globally
recognised subjects
FOUR subjects offered by Curtin University
Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) are now ranked
among the top 100 in the world.
According to Global Ranking of Academic
Subjects 2018 by ShanghaiRanking
Consultancy, Curtin University is in 14th
place in the Mining & Mineral Engineering
category. The university was in 19th place in
the same category last year.
Prof Jim Mienczakowski, Curtin Malaysia’s
pro-vice-chancellor, president and chief
executive, says that the university’s mining
and mineral engineering, chemical
engineering, earth sciences, and hospitality
and tourism management subjects being
ranked in the top 100 in
their respective
categories will further
strengthen the
courses offered at
Curtin Malaysia.
“The latest Global
Ranking of Academic
Subjects indicates
that Curtin University
continues to
improve on the
world stage.
“We are
delighted
Prof Jim
Mienczakowski.
New course for
the changing markets
OVER the years, awareness of
environmental problems has risen
significantly. Issues such as climate
change, pollution and depletion of natural
resources have been known to adversely
affect human health and bring about dire
consequences if left unchecked.
These have given rise to the emergence of
environmental protection legislations
related to the control of hazardous
substances, green technologies, green
materials and waste treatment technologies.
Since the Occupational Safety and Health
Act 1994 was passed, Malaysia has been
increasingly attentive to safety at work. This
has resulted in most employers looking into
safety procedures and measures meant to
protect employees from potential workplace
hazards.
As a university committed to offering
strong undergraduate programmes that
The new Bachelor of Science (Hons) Environmental, Occupational Safety and Health programme
offered by UTAR prepares students to fulfil industry demand.
Postgraduate 9
that Curtin continues to climb these
prestigious world rankings as the university
expands its global footprint with campuses
across Western Australia, Malaysia,
Singapore, Dubai and Mauritius,” says Prof
Mienczakowski.
Curtin Malaysia is the largest of Curtin’s
international campuses and functions as its
global hub in Asia. It is also the largest
Australian international campus in the
world, delivering a wide range of courses in
engineering, science, business and
humanities to students from more than 50
countries.
Many Curtin Malaysia students choose to
complete their final year at Curtin’s main
campus in Perth while an increasing number
of students from the main campus have
undergone short courses at Curtin Malaysia
over the past three years.
Overall, Curtin being ranked in 33
Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2018
categories is a significant improvement from
last year’s results (21 categories). The Global
Ranking of Academic Subjects collects and
evaluates data from more than 4,000
universities across 54 subjects, which are
grouped into five categories – engineering,
life sciences, medical sciences, natural
sciences and social sciences.
Established in 1999, Curtin Malaysia is the
first foreign branch campus in Malaysia and
was initiated in partnership with the
Sarawak state government and other
Sarawak-based stakeholders. Curtin
Malaysia offers courses at undergraduate
and postgraduate levels that are identical to
those offered at its main campus.
n For more information, visit www.curtin.
edu.my
encourage the intellectual and personal
developments of students, Universiti Tunku
Abdul Rahman (UTAR), through its Faculty
of Engineering and Green Technology
(FEGT), is unveiling a new multidisciplinary
programme integrating environmental
health and occupational safety and
health.
“We believe that safety measures can be
taken to prevent risks and untoward
disasters at the workplace,” says Assoc Prof
Dr Mohammed J.K. Bashir, FEGT’s head of
Department of Environmental Engineering.
He explains that as such, environmental
and occupational safety and health (EOSH)
professionals are frontliners who ensure
that workers are shielded from potential
harm, injuries and illnesses, and that the
working environment is safe.
> TURN TO PAGE 11
10 Postgraduate
Solutions for the
ageing population
MONASH University Malaysia’s Plenary
Theatre was a hive of activity on Aug 4
as seven finalists of the inaugural
Gerontechnology Challenge 2018 presented
their ideas on how they could improve the
lives of older people to a panel of judges at
the grand finals.
The challenge, which was held in
partnership between Monash University
Malaysia’s Gerontechnology Laboratory and
Petrosains, was open to those residing in
Malaysia aged 18 and above or those aged 13
to 17 (with adult supervision). Individuals
and teams of up to four members were
eligible to participate in the challenge.
Participants must propose product ideas
such as mobile applications, wearable
devices or assistive devices for older people
within the following domains of human
activity – health and self-esteem, housing
and daily living, mobility and transport,
communication and governance, and work
and leisure.
Applications opened in March this year
and semi-finalists were chosen in April. In
May, participants attended a Design Thinking
Workshop to meet up with mentors and
experts for advice and idea refinement. The
participants received a RM200 seed fund to
work on their final product, which were
presented at the grand finals.
In his opening address during the event,
Monash University Malaysia’s vice-president
of research and development Prof
Mahendhiran Nair highlighted that ageing is
a major issue across the globe that needs to
be addressed, and more work needs to be
done in Malaysia as well as the Asean and
Asia-Pacific region to help the ageing
population integrate, assimilate and
contribute.
Prof Mahendhiran added that the
challenge was about pushing the next
generation of leaders to think about
solutions to this problem, and perhaps come
up with an innovation that will transcend
other developing countries.
Chief executive officer of Petrosains
Tengku Nasariah Tengku Syed Ibrahim
highlighted that no aspect of modern life is
untouched by technology but noted that
many of the older generation are not
adopting technology into their
lives.
“We cannot assume that it is because they
are technophobes or traditionalists. Most of
them are not, according to current research,”
she said, adding that many of today’s
products or services are targeted at specific
demographics when they should be adopting
Universal Design Principles or designed for
inclusivity to enable people of all abilities to
benefit from what is being offered.
“Many of us have yet to fully explore the
potential of how products can be
appropriated into our lives,” she said,
adding that Petrosains believes in igniting
the passion for lifelong knowledge, hence its
Tengku Nasariah (right) awarding Team Drop the Stick – winner of Gerontechnology Challenge
2018 – a certificate from Petrosains.
THE STAR, TUESDAY 21 AUGUST 2018
Ageing is a major
issue across the globe that
needs to be addressed,
and more work needs to
be done in Malaysia as
well as the Asean and
Asia-Pacific region to help
the ageing population
integrate, assimilate and
contribute.
Prof Mahendhiran Nair
partnership with Monash University
Malaysia's Gerontechnology Laboratory to do
more for older people.
The seven teams presented their ideas to
the panel of judges, which included Assoc
Prof Dr Teh Pei Lee from Monash Malaysia,
Tengku Nasariah, Prof Dr Tengku Aizan
Hamid from University Putra Malaysia and
Prof Lee Chien Sing from Malaysian Chapter
of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Engineers’ Technology and Engineering
Management Society (IEEE Malaysia TEMS).
Team Drop the Stick’s prototype of an
improved version of a walking stick, which
has wheels, can detect dangerous surfaces
and limit the need for excessive hand
movements required by a traditional
walking stick, impressed the judges, who
awarded them the grand prize of RM5,000.
Based on their research, the team
discovered that falling is the No.1 cause of
accidental death among senior citizens while
people who use walking aids are four times
more likely to fall compared to those who do
not use them. They noted that some common
walking aid problems include lifting and
excessive arm movements, which are known
to cause fatigue and increase the risk of
falling.
Team Ergonomers came in second with
their smart portable walking chair idea
while Team 0 (1) came in third with their
Gold Buddy mobile application that
functions as a data collection portal to make
the lives of older people simpler. The two
teams walked away with RM3,000 and
RM1,000 respectively. All winners received a
certificate from Petrosains.
The event was chaired by Assoc Prof Teh
and supported by IEEE Malaysia TEMS and
the Health and Wellbeing cluster of Global
Asia in the 21st Century multidisciplinary
research platform.
n For more information on the
gerontechnology laboratory at Monash
Malaysia, visit www.monash.edu.my/research
THE STAR, TUESDAY 21 AUGUST 2018 Postgraduate 11

WITH the rising demand for quality

information control in organisations, the
Master of Information & Communication
Technology Management (MICTM) has
become globally recognised.
Those seeking to advance their managerial
skills in fields related to information
technology (IT) in business can enrol in Asia
e University’s (AeU) MICTM programme,
which is structured to equip students with
interdisciplinary skills and offers a reliable
link between the dynamics of technology
and business management.
Through this programme, IT professionals
can improve their leadership techniques,
apply their skills in forward-thinking,
innovative ways, and develop a more
strategic and entrepreneurial approach to
deal with today’s tech-savvy markets.
Ken Lim Kim Son is a final-year, fully
online student of AeU’s MICTM programme.
He has been an IT manager for the last
decade with Imperium Solutions, a system
integrator in Singapore.
Lim says, “AeU was my preferred choice
after some online research. I like that the
programme subjects are relevant to my
work. Its mode of delivery is suited to my
lifestyle as I can study off-campus in
Singapore, where I work and live.
“Another plus point is that AeU’s MICTM is Lim (standing, second from right) with Ng (standing, second from left) and the team that won Imperium Solutions an Enterprise 50 Award.

Better career prospects

internationally benchmarked and approved.
It is also recognised by the Education
Ministry and accredited by the Malaysian
Qualifications Agency.
“As a technical team leader, I often felt

that I lacked management skills, which
prompted me to choose the MICTM
programme to upgrade myself. AeU’s flexible
learning mode has certainly altered my
perception of learning.
“Over the past two years, I have developed
more skills and in-depth expertise in
information management. The knowledge I
have gained continues to be useful and
applicable in my current working
environment.
“I was enlightened about the many aspects
of business planning, strategy and improved
communications, which are central to
various technological solutions that the
company I work at specialises in.
“The programme is designed with up-to-
date material, and online resources taught
me better concepts in IT-based business
management.
“I am now able to deal with strategies in
business growth and technological
implementation on existing competencies,
while simultaneously developing new skills
in complementary areas.
“I am also able to generate more ideas for
work on various tasks and projects. The
familiarisation I gained from my studies on
information society policies and their
interrelation with economics enabled me to
generate higher productivity within my
department.
“Besides that, I developed better time
management skills in managing my work,
family obligations and studies.”
As a strong believer in lifelong learning,
Lim adds, “The values and experience of
studying the MICTM programme at AeU are
rewarding as they have given me better
career prospects and opportunities.
and opportunities
“The enhancement of IT communication and Africa. in regular entry requirements.
and strategic knowledge I contributed to my Admission to AeU’s master’s programmes
organisation has absolutely brought me can be through regular entry or n To apply for the September intake
success in my career. Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning or for more details, call 03-5022 3567/
“I am proud of having led a team to assist (APEL), which accepts candidates even if 013-350 7270, e-mail enquiries@aeu.edu.my
my chief executive officer Leman Ng in they lack the paper qualifications stipulated or visit www.aeu.edu.my
winning an Enterprise 50 Award. The
company was chosen from about 1,000 other
nominated Singaporean organisations in the
2016/2017 term.”
About AeU
AeU is a collaborative, multi-mode
university that was established in 2008
under the auspices of the 34 countries in
Asia Cooperation Dialogue.
It has been awarded 4 Star: Very Good
status in the Rating for Higher Education
Institutions in Malaysia 2017 – the best
among open and distance learning
universities in the country.
In just a decade, AeU’s cumulative student
population, which is spread over 84
countries, has exceeded 29,000.
The students of AeU enjoy an immersive
personalised education experience that
delivers flexibility, quality and relevance
regardless of geographical location. Besides
that, more than 3,000 students are enrolled
in AeU’s programmes at its collaborative
partner learning centres in Europe, Asia

Tailored EOSH training

> FROM PAGE 9
“UTAR’s Bachelor of Science (Hons)
Environmental, Occupational Safety and
Health programme is designed to respond to
the impact of local occupation and safety
and health issues as well as environmental
legislation on the working environment of
institutions and industries.
“Our graduates will be able to recognise,
develop and apply good EOSH practices and
technologies based on sound scientific
principles and legislative requirements,”
says Assoc Prof Mohammed.
In line with UTAR’s vision to be a
university of educational excellence with
transformative societal impact, the four-year
undergraduate programme provides a
coherent body of professional knowledge,
technical skills and soft skills with the aim to
produce competent, versatile professionals
who can adapt to the diverse roles and
responsibilities in a challenging and dynamic
work environment.
Besides learning from seasoned academics
with extensive industry backgrounds, the
students are further groomed by undergoing
intensive industrial training at clinical
setups, government agencies or in the
private sector.
UTAR has been awarded self-accreditation
status by the Malaysian Qualifications
Agency. It was ranked 501-600 in the Times
Higher Education World University Rankings
2018 and placed 99th in the Times Higher
Education Asia University Rankings 2018.
Open Days will be held on Sept 22 and 23
at UTAR’s Sungai Long and Kampar
campuses. Counselling is available from 9am
to 5pm daily, except on public holidays.
n For more information, call 05-468 8888
(Kampar Campus)/03-9086 0288 (Sungai
Long Campus) or visit www.utar.edu.my
12 Postgraduate THE STAR, TUESDAY 21 AUGUST 2018

THE economic dynamics of the 21st

century have changed the business
landscape at home and abroad.
Global organisations and
establishments at all levels of
management in corporate and
industrial sectors seek cost-
effective ways to stay afloat in the
red ocean.
However, one vital question
remains: Is the current human
capital able to adopt and adapt to
the megatrends of disruptive
changes?
Management & Science
University’s (MSU) approach to 21st
century learning and industry-
driven education has built strong
traditions that enhance current
and future pools of human capital
to address the challenges of today’s
knowledge economy.
Multinational companies in
Malaysia, the ASEAN Economic

Meeting market demand

Community and the Asia-Pacific
region are constantly on the
lookout for innovative approaches
to talent enhancement to sustain
business leadership beyond
national boundaries.
Offered by its Graduate School of
Management, the MSU Master of
Business Administration (MBA) is
geared towards providing only the
most critical skills in talent
creation for the business and
management marketplace.
The MSU MBA remains an
important provider of 21st century
education for professionals and
leaders, as it helps students
generate business-centric skills that
meet the demand for human
capital who understand new
business perspectives around the
globe.
Adopting global standards of the
industry’s best practices, the MSU
MBA modules pioneer new
directions in enhancing key
abilities for all levels across the
management spectrum, including
from the entrepreneurial,
managerial, financial,
technological, governance and
human resource perspectives.
The MSU MBA seeks to integrate
real-world practices in the
classroom to achieve an immersive
and exciting 360° learning
experience.
Advocating the United Nations
Sustainability Goals, the MSU MBA
incorporates practical dimensions
in developing top-tier management
skills, which encompass
entrepreneurial leadership,
strategic management, Islamic
finance, project management, and
key business and management
knowledge for the 21st century
market.
The MSU MBA’s combination of
affordable fees, world-class
teaching and leading industry
collaborations has created a
sustainable network of graduates
and managers who are well
prepared to meet the demands of
the business world.
MSU’s CEO Talks and
Entrepreneur Talks series
provides MBA students with the
opportunity to get up close and
personal with chief executive
officers of international
corporations to better understand
cross-sectional approaches across
the business and management
spectrum.
The university is accredited by
the Malaysian Qualifications
Agency and the United Kingdom’s
Accreditation Service for
International Schools, Colleges &
Universities.
MSU has achieved 6 Star:
Excellent status in the Education
Ministry’s Rating for Higher
Education Institutions in Malaysia.
It also attained 5 Stars in the QS
Stars University Ratings 2016 for
excellence in the Teaching,
Employability, Facilities, Social
Responsibility and Inclusiveness
categories.
This year, MSU placed 217th in
the QS World University Rankings
and among the top 1.8% of all
universities in the QS Asia
University Rankings.
It was crowned The Most
Entrepreneurial Private University
in 2016 and is the first non-
Japanese university to be
accredited by the Alliance on
Business Education and
Scholarship for Tomorrow
(ABEST21).
Besides the MBA programme,
MSU’s Graduate School of
Management offers postgraduate
programmes in management and
business, accounting and finance,
management, educational
management and leadership,
education (Teaching of English as a
Second Language), international
business, fashion business,
international hospitality and
tourism management, and early
childhood education.
These programmes are offered
as weekend or weekday classes,
giving students flexibility in
pursuing their studies.
n For more information on
MSU’s programmes for the
upcoming intakes, call 03-5521
6868, e-mail enquiry@msu.edu.my
or visit www.msu.edu.my

Learning opportunities up north

WITH its motto “Dare to Dream”,
Open University Malaysia (OUM)
aims to make tertiary education
accessible to everyone. This
endeavour is realised through
open and distance learning (ODL),
which leverages on flexible entry
requirements, accessible learning
centres (LCs), innovative teaching
and learning methods, engaging
learning materials, and affordable
tuition fees.
OUM’s efforts to provide the best
learning experience reflect the
university’s commitment to the
democratisation of education and
lifelong learning in Malaysia.
Through the establishment of 33
LCs throughout the country, OUM
has the capacity to deliver a wide
spectrum of programmes to the
masses.
Those in Perak can attend
the Ipoh, Greenhill, Manjung or
Tanjung Malim LCs while those
in Kedah can enrol in the Sungai
Petani or Alor
Setar LCs.
Mohd
Zaki
Zakaria.
OUM's vast reach has enabled learners in Malaysia's northern region to benefit from its innovative programmes.
Penangites can attend the Seberang
Jaya LC.
The northern zone has seen a
cumulative enrolment of more
than 26,000 learners, with 11,000
graduates thus far.
Mohd Zaki Zakaria, who
completed the Master of
Occupational Safety and Health
Risk Management programme last
year, was enrolled at the Seberang
Jaya LC.
Of the six northern LCs, the
Seberang Jaya one has the
highest cumulative intake,
exceeding 7,500 learners.
As one of the top achievers
in the programme, Mohd
Zaki remembers his
experience studying there
as a positive one.
He says, “The lecturers and
tutors are experienced and well
versed in their respective fields.
Besides that, the support staff are
friendly and helpful. This definitely
made my learning experience a
meaningful one.”
Corresponding with OUM’s
aim to provide convenience for
its learners, the six northern LCs
have been set up in strategic
locations close to major towns and
cities.
Like other LCs nationwide, the
ones in Perak, Kedah and Penang
are fully equipped with facilities
that contribute towards
maintaining an environment
conducive to learning such as
tutorial and meeting rooms,
computer laboratories, and reading
areas.
“The Seberang Jaya LC is
convenient for learners as it has
ample parking space and many
shops and eateries nearby,” shares
Mohd Zaki.
With an enrolment of more than
4,000 learners, the Bachelor of
Teaching (Primary Education)
programme is the top choice
among learners in Ipoh, Alor Setar
and Sungai Petani. At Greenhill,
Manjung, Tanjung Malim and
Seberang Jaya, the most popular
offering is the Bachelor of
Management programme.
In addition to the two
programmes, the northern LCs
The lecturers
and tutors are
experienced
and well versed
in their respective
fields. Besides that,
the support staff are
friendly and helpful.
This definitely
made my learning
experience a
meaningful one.
Mohd Zaki Zakaria
offer 18 other programmes at
diploma and bachelor’s levels.
These centres can be contacted at
the following numbers.
l Ipoh and Greenhill: 05-254
6006
l Manjung: 05-688 7576
l Tanjung Malim: 05-458 1855
l Alor Setar: 04-720 1001
l Sungai Petani: 04-441 8582
l Seberang Jaya: 04-390 2006
n For more information on
OUM’s programmes and
September 2018 intake, call the
Speed Line at 03-2773 2121,
e-mail enquiries@oum.edu.my
or visit www.oum.edu.my