THE STAR, TUESDAY 19 MAY 2020
POSTGRADUATE
The future with fully online learning
THERE is something about Sir Isaac Newton
that many people may not know: the man
who introduced the world to gravity was
working from home when he discovered
calculus and the laws of motion. This was
because in 1665, Cambridge University,
where he worked, had to close following
the bubonic plague outbreak.
While the Covid-19 pandemic has been
an enormous challenge for organisations,
employees, consumers, businesses and
families, Newton proved that there are silver
linings even in such difficult situations. For
higher education today, the silver lining is
online learning.
Over the past few years, there has been
a considerable shift in which the proportion
of people opting for online education has
grown significantly, proving that learners of
different age groups and backgrounds have
increased and have better experiences with
online learning nowadays.
While the current pandemic has forced
many conventional institutions to consider
technology-led solutions, Open University
Malaysia (OUM) has been delivering quality
programmes online since its establishment
as Malaysia’s first open and distance
learning institution almost 20 years ago.
We have placed OUM ahead of the
education technology curve with our own
learning management system called
myINSPIRE. Through a comprehensive
e-learning approach, learners can access
learning materials such as e-modules and
video lectures, resources from the digital
library, quizzes and more via their
computers, tablets and smartphones.
They can set their own pace so their
personal responsibilities or work duties are
not neglected. They can connect with
lecturers and peers via online discussion
forums, which are monitored by e-tutors and
accessible around-the-clock for them to post
For today’s engineers
“FOR engineers progressing towards or
having attained managerial responsibilities,
pursuing a Master of Engineering
Management is appreciated as a far more
logical choice than an MBA,” says Prof
Muhammad Ekhlasur Rahman,
Department of Civil and Construction
Engineering head at Curtin University
Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia).
He says engineering managers combine
management expertise with engineering
knowledge to lead teams of specialists who
may work on highly technical tasks. An
engineering manager’s role may focus
more on the processes and procedures of
project realisation and budgets rather than
technical input.
Prof Muhammad shares that Curtin
University, which is based in Perth,
Australia, has been offering its Master in
Engineering Management programme
for more than 18 years to meet this
demand. For some two years now, Curtin
Malaysia has been offering the course to
meet the needs of the Malaysian and
international industries.
Incorporating the engineering expertise
of Curtin Malaysia’s Faculty of Engineering
and Science and the business leadership of
its Faculty of Business, the course equips
students with management skills highly
relevant to their engineering careers. The
course has been systematically reviewed
and modified to suit the needs of modern
engineering management and the
coursework is relevant to all
OUM is forging through this time of crisis with its well-established online learning infrastructure,
which has allowed the university to offer all of its programmes via fully online mode.
questions and responses as well as share
information. OUM activated the fully online
mode for all programmes on March 27 and
final examinations for the January semester
were also conducted online.
Learners in postgraduate programmes
such as Master of Business Administration,
Master of Management, Master of Human
Resource Management, Doctor of Business
Adminsitration and PhD (Arts) can now
submit their theses as soft copies. This May,
engineering disciplines.
The course includes attractive features
to suit the diverse needs and work
schedules of practising engineers. Part-time
students can complete the course over a
minimum period of two years while full-
time students can complete the course in
one year. Intakes are open in January, May
and September.
As Curtin’s largest international campus,
Curtin Malaysia offers students the same
widely recognised undergraduate and
postgraduate coursework and research
degrees as its parent campus in Australia.
Its degree programmes are closely linked
with corporate businesses, industries,
governments and communities, enabling
students to gain valuable work experience
and lead them to opportunities in career
development, travel and further study.
Besides meeting Curtin’s minimum
English language entry requirements,
applicants require a bachelor’s degree in
engineering or an equivalent qualification
in a recognised discipline of engineering
with at least one year of relevant work
experience since graduation. Practical
engineering experience will be beneficial.
More information on the course can be
obtained at courses.curtin.edu.my or by
emailing enquiries@curtin.edu.my.
n For more information on Curtin
Malaysia, visit curtin.edu.my or its
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and
LinkedIn pages.
we will also introduce online viva voce
sessions as well. This truly makes it possible
for anyone, anywhere to learn with us.
Meanwhile, face-to-face interaction is
currently suspended, but learners still get to
interact virtually with their peers and tutors
through video conferencing.
We see this global health crisis as an
opportunity for more online programmes to
take root in the near future. OUM is ready to
take on the challenge as we introduced two
Producing competent
counsellors for the nation
IT has been more than two months since
the start of the Movement Control Order to
curb the spread of Covid-19. In light of this
crisis, the Government and multiple non-
governmental organisations have started
to reach out to Malaysians to ensure
psychological well-being.
In times of uncertainty, many counsellors
are called upon to provide support to
frontliners and affected individuals. This
pandemic has highlighted the vital role of
counsellors in times of crisis.
Unfortunately, Malaysia is still facing a
shortage of counsellors to cater to the growing
population. Presently, the estimated ratio is
one counsellor to every 5,000 individuals.
This is far short of the target of 11,000
counsellors nationwide, with a targeted ratio
of one counsellor to every 2,945 individuals.
As such, the Government has issued a call
to produce more counsellors to ensure that
counselling services can be widely available.
In responding to the demand for more
counsellors, International Medical University
(IMU) is proud to announce the launch of its
Master of Counselling programme, which is
designed to fulfil the needs of the country.
The IMU Master of Counselling programme
has received provisional accreditation by the
Malaysian Qualifications Agency and fulfils
required standards established by the Board
of Counsellors of Malaysia (Lembaga
Kaunselor Malaysia). Therefore, graduates of
By PROF
DATUK DR
MANSOR
FADZIL
Through a comprehensive
e-learning approach,
learners can access learning
materials such as e-modules
and video lectures, resources
from the digital library,
quizzes and more via their
computers, tablets and
smartphones.
fully online programmes last year. This
March, we forged ahead with micro-
credential courses, which allows anyone to
try out a small portion of OUM courses for
free through an online platform.
Hence, while you are at home, take the
time to browse our website and learn about
the 50 programmes currently on offer.
Famed American football coach George Allen
was right when he said, “The future
is now”. For us, now is the time to embrace
online learning and make the most of our
opportunities, even in these tough times.
n Prof Datuk Dr Mansor Fadzil is president
and vice-chancellor of OUM.
the IMU Master of Counselling programme
will be eligible to become registered,
licensed counsellors.
This programme adopts a blended
learning method to accommodate a wider
range of learning styles and offer
individuals the flexibility to obtain a
professional qualification while juggling
work and family responsibilities.
Full-time students can complete the
programme in two years while part-time
students can take up to four years. This
programme is open to individuals with a
degree from any field. In addition, students
will learn from licensed counsellors with
years of experience in practice, teaching,
supervision and research. The highlights
of the IMU Master of Counselling
programme are:
l Specialty training
l Serving the community
l Multidisciplinary learning
l Platform to practice
The inaugural intake for this programme
is in September. If you are interested in this
programme, apply online at www.imu.edu.
my today.
n For more information about this or other
IMU postgraduate programmes, visit www.
imu.edu.my, email postgraduate@imu.edu.
my or call 03-2731 7272.
10 Postgraduate
Modern
education for
global success
THERE is no doubt that 21st century
economic dynamics have changed the
landscape of business at home and abroad.
Global organisations and establishments at
all levels of management in corporate and
industrial sectors are seeking cost-effective
ways to stay afloat in the red ocean. One
vital question remains: Is the current
human capital or talent resource able to
adopt and adapt to the megatrends of
disruptive changes?
The combined approaches Management
& Science University (MSU) takes with 21st
century learning and industry-driven
education have built strong traditions that
enhance current and future pools of human
capital assets to address the challenges of
the 21st century knowledge economy.
Global companies in Malaysia, the Asean
Economic Community and the Asia-Pacific
region are constantly on the lookout for
innovative approaches to talent
enhancement in sustaining business
leadership beyond national boundaries.
MSU’s Master of Business Administration
(MBA), centred on its Graduate School of
Management (GSM), is geared towards
providing only the most critical skills for
talent creation in the business and
management marketplace. The MSU MBA
remains high on the priority list for
professionals and leaders in generating
business-centric skills to meet human
MSU’s Master of Business
Administration (MBA),
centred on its Graduate
School of Management
(GSM), is geared towards
providing only the most
critical skills for talent
creation in the business
and management
marketplace.
capital demands for new business
perspectives around the globe.
Adopting global standards of industry
best practices, the MSU MBA modules
pioneer new directions in building capacity
and enhancing key abilities for all levels
across the management spectrum – in
business innovation, strategy and decision-
making skills – and entrepreneurial,
managerial, financial, ICT, governance and
human resource spectra.
The MSU MBA seeks to transform real-
world practice into classrooms for
The university’s approach to 21st century learning and industry-driven education have built
strong traditions that enhance current and future pools of human capital assets to address
modern challenges.
immersive 360° experiential learning that
excites. Advocating the United Nations
Sustainable Development Goals, the MSU
MBA incorporates practical dimensions in
developing top-tier management skills
encompassing 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 enabled the
creation of a sustainable network of
graduates and managers who are well
prepared to meet the demands of today’s
business world. The MSU series of CEO Talks
and Entrepreneur Talks provide MBA
students with the opportunity to be up close
and personal with leading CEOs on cross-
sectional approaches across the business and
management spectrum.
Besides the MBA programme, the GSM
also offers PhD and master’s programmes in
THE STAR, TUESDAY 19 MAY 2020
management/business, accounting/finance,
management, educational management and
leadership, education (Teaching English as a
Second Language), international business,
counselling and guidance, fashion business,
international hospitality and tourism
management and early childhood education.
These programmes are offered as
weekend or weekday classes, in flexible
timeframes and for all management levels
with a variety of study modes, be it weekday,
weekend, evening or virtual learning classes,
which are conducted via video conference
and supported with online discussion.
Lifelong learning is vital for everybody,
not just the insatiably curious. Make
lifelong learning a part of yourself, advance
in your professional life, and gain immense
personal fulfilment.
n For more information on the postgraduate
programmes offered at MSU, call 03-5521
6868, email enquiry@msu.edu.my or visit
www.msu.edu.my
THE STAR, TUESDAY 19 MAY 2020 11
12 Postgraduate
Light at the end of the tunnel
I am writing this on May 4, as Malaysia
transitions from the Movement Control
Order to the Conditional Movement Control
Order (CMCO). As we enter this phase of
containing Covid-19, how is this affecting
higher education? In this article, I would
like to focus on just two aspects.
Programme delivery
We are unable to conduct face-to-face
teaching at the moment. This is the correct
decision, not only from a social distancing
point of view, but also as many students
have now returned home or are in the
process of doing so, it would be difficult,
indeed impossible, to ask them to return
to campus to receive face-to-face lectures,
workshops and seminars.
International students would be
especially affected. Many of them have
spent a lot of time, energy and money
getting home to their respective countries.
Even if they wanted to, they may not be
able to get back to Malaysia due to airline
schedules, visas and financial costs. It is
only right that we support them through
an online environment, at least for the next
few months.
The University of Nottingham Malaysia,
along with most institutions, will continue
to deliver our programmes through an
online platform. Our guided learning
approach is working well, and feedback
suggests that many students have taken
easily to this way of learning, with many
actually preferring it.
I believe that online delivery, and only
online delivery, will be required until at
least the end of this academic year, but I
fear that no face-to-face teaching will be
possible for the rest of this calendar year.
This does present some problems in
certain areas such as laboratory-based
The University of Nottingham Malaysia’s first batch of students leaving campus to their homes.
classes, PhD students who require access to
labs and those that must have face-to-face
interaction as part of an accredited
programme where a professional body has
certain requirements that need to be met.
These challenges are being discussed at
the moment and I am confident that the
Education Ministry, universities and many
other stakeholders will find a solution to
this issue.
Students travelling home
The University of Nottingham Malaysia,
at the time restricted movement was first
introduced, had about 700 students in its
student accommodation and about 200
students living in accommodation in close
vicinity to the campus. This has been a
difficult time for the students concerned, as
they were not allowed to leave the campus
and those living off campus were not
allowed to enter the campus. This did create
some frustration but students were largely
accepting and appreciative of the measures
we had to enforce.
Thankfully, even before CMCO was
announced, students were starting to return
home. Whether you are a home (Malaysian)
student or an international student, after
spending six weeks having your movement
restricted, it must be a relief that you will
THE STAR, TUESDAY 19 MAY 2020
soon be able to return home and be with
family once again. Of course, a sudden
movement of all the students in Malaysia,
whether internally or at KLIA, would
potentially create more issues than it solves.
It was right that a strict SOP was put in place
and we have been working within that SOP
in helping our students return home.
Students are given different departure
points based on where they will be travelling
to and all students need to pass medical
screening in order to travel. We would like to
express our thanks to both the Education
Ministry and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
(our zone leader) for the help and support
they have given us, and our students, during
this difficult time.
Programme delivery and students
returning home are just two challenges that
the higher education sector is addressing. As
with all sectors, Covid-19 presents a
significant effect on higher education. I have
just drawn out two examples here, but please
get in touch if you would like more details.
We are confident that we will emerge
from Covid-19 and fitter and stronger than
before, and what we thought was an
approaching train was actually a light at
the end of the tunnel.
n Prof Graham Kendall is the chief executive
officer, provost and pro-vice-chancellor of
the University of Nottingham Malaysia.
Twitter: @Graham_Kendall
THE STAR, TUESDAY 19 MAY 2020
Stand out with a DBA
FOR ambitious and dedicated professionals
who want to set themselves apart from the
crowd with a professional doctoral degree,
the Doctor in Business Administration (DBA)
at Open University Malaysia (OUM) may be
the programme for you.
“The DBA programme is accredited by
the Malaysian Qualifications Agency and
Education Ministry. It is specifically designed
to create holistic leaders and academicians
who are able to think strategically and
innovatively as well as possess the ability
to deliver unique solutions and decisions
based on research findings and facts,” says
programme director Assoc Prof Dr Raemah
Abdullah Hashim.
With more than 20 years of experience in
the field of education, especially in business
administration, Assoc Prof Raemah had
served as acting dean, deputy dean and
academic head at several other institutions
prior to joining OUM. She received her
bachelor’s and master’s degrees in
business management from Ohio
University in the United States and
Doctoral in Business Administration
from a local university.
Assoc Prof Dr Raemah
Abdullah Hashim.
DBA learners have to complete 80 credit
hours of core courses, electives and research
components to graduate. There are four
specialisations to choose from, namely
marketing, human resource, management
and finance. The programme is divided
into three parts – coursework and
elective subjects, doctoral concept paper
and dissertation.
Assoc Prof Raemah explains, “The first
part consists of nine coursework and three
elective subjects. Learners will be introduced
to formal knowledge of a wide variety of
business courses and subjects. After their
thesis proposals are accepted, they will begin
writing their theses with the help of
supervisors of their choice. This may take
about 1.5 to two years to compete.”
OUM has several experienced
professors and academics who
are well versed in the field to
ensure learners have enough
support and guidance
throughout their studies.
Under the current
Movement Control
Order (MCO), the
university has activated the fully online
mode for all programmes on offer, from
diploma to doctorate levels.
Assoc Prof Raemah says, “OUM’s tutors
and lecturers are already familiar with
online teaching and learning since
e-learning has been the university’s practice
ever since its establishment. As the MCO
was the catalyst that turned blended
learning to fully online learning, we are
ready to embrace it.”
She tried a few platforms before deciding
to use Google Meet, a business-oriented
video-conferencing app. “To facilitate
learning for a course such as applied
statistics, it actually works best with hands-
on teaching. I experienced technical issues
for a while before getting used to it. A good
thing about being an OUM academic is that
I already have a strong foundation in
teaching online.”
Postgraduate 13
Together with OUM’s learning
management system, myINSPIRE, this
unified approach to online teaching and
learning has strengthened OUM even more
as the leading open and distance learning
university in the country, particularly
during this time. Assoc Prof Raemah says
that the MCO has created the opportunity
for the university to go fully online and
possibly offer the programme globally.
“If you are a leader or academician who
wants to enhance and advance your
knowledge, skills and capability holistically
in all critical disciplines of business
administration, the DBA is the right
programme for you,” Dr Raemah concludes.
n For more information about other
programmes, call or WhatsApp 012-303
9935/019-357 9074, visit www.oum.edu.my or
e-mail enquiries@oum.edu.my