THE STAR, TUESDAY 25 APRIL 2017
COURSE FOCUS
FOREIGN DEGREES & BRANCH CAMPUSES
MANIPAL International
Universitys (MIU) School of Science
and Engineering aims to be at the
forefront of scientific and technical
education and research in the
region.
Students who have completed
their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM)
or equivalent and intend to pursue
a career in engineering are
equipped with the necessary
theoretical and practical
knowledge before they pursue a
bachelors degree.
Besides the fundamental training
in science, mathematics and
humanities, students are exposed
to various development activities
designed to improve their critical
thinking skills and advance their
personal development.
MIUs engineering students are
exposed to the fundamentals of
engineering that provide them
with the working knowledge for
industries such as manufacturing,
transportation, plant engineering,
oil and gas, process engineering,
telecommunications, systems and
architecture, software, and
networking and security.
The curriculum ensures that
graduates are well versed in
technical knowledge with
necessary skill sets required by
the industry.
MIU laboratories
are equipped
with the latest
technology and
equipment for
effective practical
learning.
Engineers of tomorrow
Engineering students are
groomed with the necessary soft
skills to be high achievers in this
competitive field and have the
advantage of becoming industrial
professionals.
Engineering provides job
opportunities and specialties.
Graduates are spoilt for career
choices such as project engineers,
instrumentation engineers,
robotics engineers, system analysts
and petroleum engineers.
MIU is committed to building a
campus based on the best green
building technology and has
registered to comply with the
United States LEED (Leadership in
Energy & Environmental Design)
Platinum green building index.
MIU is a member of the Manipal
Global Education Group, offering
engineers to have hands-on
scholarships on tuition fees for
scholarship for MIUs diploma
multidisciplinary programmes
with focus in the fields of science,
engineering, and management and
business.
The Manipal Education Group is
responsible for producing some of
the brightest minds in Asia for the
past 60 years. The Group has a
network of six campuses and
affiliations with 30 universities
worldwide.
It is imperative for future
experience for their career
advancement.
That is why MIU engineering
students are given the exposure
via structured internships and
on-the-job training even before
they graduate. This propels their
confidence and exposure that are
needed to prepare them for their
working life.
MIU is providing full
foundation programme students
who have achieved straight As in
their SPM along with sponsored
accommodation (hostel) for one
year.
Students with three credits for
their SPM will receive a 40%
programmes. Students are also
eligible for 50% sponsorships on
bachelors degrees, depending on
their CGPA. Terms and conditions
apply.
Students and parents can visit
the MIU campus for consultation
at its lakeside campus in Nilai from
Monday to Friday at 10am to 6pm.
Registration is open on weekends.
n For more information, visit
www.miu.edu.my or call the
toll-free line at 1800 222 648.
2 Course Focus
LAST year, Monashs genomics
team of Malaysian and Australian
researchers sequenced and
published the first Malaysian fish
genome the Asian arowanas full
set of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
patterns.
Monash professors are not the
only ones publishing scientific
discoveries. Last year, second-year
undergraduate medical bioscience
student, Nguyen Phuong Tran,
published a study based on
research she conducted during an
internship with Monash University
Malayias Genomics Facility.
Her paper, accepted by the
journal Genome Announcements,
examines 11 types of bacteria that
dwell on the poison ivy plant.
Her research was born from a
partnership between Monash
University Malaysia and Rochester
Institute of Technology (RIT),
New York.
Nguyen learnt about
genomics during a first-semester
biotechnology unit. Interning has
brought the theories to life.
I learnt about the principles
of several techniques used in
sequencing bacterial genomes such
Hands-on genomics
as assembling contig files and the
chain-termination method known
as Sanger sequencing. However,
these theories did not sound
interesting and felt dry to me until
I had a chance to apply them in my
research, she adds.
Genomics Cluster leader and
professor of tropical biology Prof
genomics laboratory manager
Dr Han Ming Gan involved Nguyen
in a project studying bacterial DNA
Equipped
based on samples from RIT.
with
He says, We sequenced the
advanced genomes of bacteria living in close
technology, association with the poison ivy and
the Monash passed the data to Nguyen. She did
Genomics everything from there assembling
Facility allows the genomes, analysing the
students to sequences and comparing the
have hands- species with those that had been
on experience published.
in sequencing The Monash Genomics Facility
genomes. is equipped to perform DNA
isolation, sequencing, assembly,
and analysis the entire process
Christopher M. Austin says, Its a required to put a genome together.
nice example of how you can When DNA comes out of the
integrate undergraduate teaching sequencer, we dont know what it
and research and have tangible is other than lots of fragments
outcomes for the students and the consisting of different sequences of
university. the chemical building blocks of
He adds that it is never too early DNA, abbreviated as A, G, T and C.
to introduce students to research. These bits of DNA have many
Postdoctoral research fellow and overlapping copies that must be
Study abroad
at a low cost
WITH its students future in
mind and a strong affiliation
with universities in the United
Kingdom, Australia, New
Zealand, the Netherlands and
China, Infrastructure University
Kuala Lumpur (IUKL) offers a
more affordable choice for them
to pursue a recognised degree
overseas.
IUKL provides two options
to study abroad through its
collaborative and credit transfer
programmes.
One of the collaborative
programmes that IUKL offers is
the one-year top-up UK degree
for IUKL diploma holders.
IUKL collaborates with the
University of South Wales (USW),
which is one of the UKs largest
universities.
This collaboration allows
IUKLs diploma graduates to
complete their bachelors degree
in just one year.
USW offers the one-year (two
semesters) top-up degree
programme for selected
diplomas at IUKL. These include
Diploma in Accounting, Diploma
in Business Administration and
Diploma in Information
Technology.
This gives students the
opportunity to complete their
degree abroad in just one year.
This would cut the cost of study
and, at the same time, enable
students to take advantage of the
cross-cultural experience.
IUKL also offers 2+1 or 1+2
collaborative programmes for
the bachelors degree
programmes, which enable
students to study for between
one and two years at IUKL and
complete the rest of their study
THE STAR, TUESDAY 25 APRIL 2017
put together like a jigsaw puzzle so
that we can make sense of it,
identify proteins, and working out
the structure and order of genes.
These are done on powerful
computers, explains Prof Austin.
Students such as Nguyen are
being trained in this cutting-edge
research, which is called
bioinformatics. They are
encouraged to analyse data on
their own, then write and submit
an article for publication in
international genomics journals.
Dr Gan and Prof Austin hope the
Genomics Facility will expand to
accommodate growing student
interest, which could lead to more
publications for the laboratory.
The possibility of introducing
a genomics major at Monash
University Malaysia is in
discussion.
n For more information, visit
www.sci.monash.edu.my.
At IUKL,
students
get the
opportunity
to complete
their degree
abroad in
just one
year.
at one of the partner universities
abroad. Universities are selected
based on students preferences.
Students can also progress
from the foundation or diploma
level at IUKL to a degree
programme overseas through
the credit transfer programmes
offered. Students who wish to
further their studies overseas at
universities other than those
listed will be assisted by the
IUKL Placement Centre.
The IUKL programmes are
approved by the Education
Ministry and Malaysian
Qualifications Agency (MQA).
Two of the universitys degree
programmes, the Bachelor of
Civil Engineering (Hons) and the
Bachelor of Electronics
Engineering (Hons), are
recognised by the Board of
Engineers Malaysia (BEM) and
the Washington Accord, an
international agreement among
bodies responsible for
accrediting engineering degree
programmes.
IUKL has also received
recognition from various local
and international professional
bodies such as the Board of
Architects Malaysia (LAM), Land
Surveyors Board (LJT), Royal
Institution of Surveyors Malaysia
(RISM), CISCO, International
Organization for Standardization
(ISO) and Association of
Chartered Certified Accountants
(ACCA), among others.
Call the office to book a
consultation. The June intake is
in progress.
n For more information,
call 1800 88 STUDY (78839)
or visit www.IUKL.edu.my.
THE STAR, TUESDAY 25 APRIL 2017
Communicating
your purpose
WHEN Piya Raj Sukhani stepped into the
seminar room on her first day as a BA
(Hons) International Communications
Studies with English Language and
Literature student at The University of
Nottingham Malaysia Campus (UNMC), she
realised it was going to be a life-changing
journey.
She remembers being challenged by her
lecturer to use knowledge to make an
impact in the world and change
perspectives.
She has since been embracing this
challenge with much fervour Piya
represented the university at the
International Student Summit held in the
United Kingdom this year and was awarded
Best Delegate for topics related to the global
student in a technology age, on the merit of
constructive and extraordinary
contribution, analytical debating, and
diplomatic performance.
In addition, Piya will be fully sponsored to
participate as a student journalist at the
Unesco World Press Freedom Day in Jakarta
next month.
Her involvement in these reputable
events bear evidence to the value-added
learning opportunities offered to students at
UNMCs School of Modern Languages and
Cultures (SMLC).
Pursuing this degree has made me
realise that education is more than just
absorbing information, she says, adding
that the wholesome education she receives
has led to self-discovery, personal growth
and deep reflection.
This is in line with the ethos SMLC strives
to uphold to empower students to think
critically and analytically as well as be able
to identify ways of communicating their
thoughts effectively.
Zamir Ariff Zainal, who is pursuing
the BA (Hons) International Communication
Studies, testifies, I am now a confident and
more insightful person. Through internship
opportunities, guest seminars from industry
experts, and being given real-life scenarios,
exciting trends and case studies to work
with, I know I am well equipped to take on
most challenges in life and at work.
SMLC actively engages with an industry
network that includes organisations such as
Leo Burnett, Al-Jazeera, Channel News Asia,
20th Century Fox, Southeast Asian Press
Alliance, CNN, Astro, BFM and Unesco.
Zamir adds that the ability to speak a
foreign language at the advanced level upon
graduation is an added advantage, setting
him apart from students with similar
qualifications.
This is what makes my degree
international. Furthermore, when you learn
one of the six languages on offer (French,
Course Focus 3
Spanish, German, Japanese, Korean or
Mandarin), you learn more than the
language itself it opens your mind and you
begin to recognise that theres so much more
to understanding humankind and our
(shared) cultures, values and beliefs, he
says.
In addition to having the option of going
on a student exchange programme to the UK
and Ningbo (China) campuses while
maintaining the payment in local fees,
students can choose to embark on mobility
programmes at any one of Nottinghams
Universitas 21 (U21) partner universities as
well as higher education institutions in
Japan, Taiwan, France, Berlin and Spain,
among others.
SMLC students have the ability to stand
up and stand out in their given social
environment, says head of school Dr
Joanne Lim, citing graduates who have won
scholarships to further their studies at high-
ranking universities, including the London
School of Economics and the National
University of Singapore, while others hold
significant job positions in multinational
companies.
BA (Hons) International Communication
Studies with Film and TV Studies student
Putri Elissa Denney says, Completing the
foundation programme leading up to this
degree has led me to discover a new sense
of curiosity.
Coming from a system where
information is always either spoon-fed or
deemed taboo, it is highly empowering
when we are encouraged to ask questions
and address difficult topics. I also enjoy
finding different ways to solve a problem.
Putri Elissa and her peers believe that
UNMCs tranquil location makes it the ideal
centre of academia.
The environment you study in affects
your psychological state you can be sure
that the breathtaking nature and lush
greenery surrounding the university
encourages productivity and positivity, says
Piya.
The Times Good University Guide 2015
describes the university as the nearest
Britain has to a truly global university, with
campuses in China and Malaysia enabling
more people to obtain a British education
for a fraction of the cost of studying in the
UK.
The university offers courses at the
foundation, undergraduate and
postgraduate levels within its 17 schools and
departments across the Faculty of Arts and
Social Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and
Faculty of Science.
n For more information, visit
www.nottingham.edu.my.
4 Course Focus
Smart pathway
TUNKU Abdul Rahman University
College (TAR UC) ensures that its
school-leavers are well prepared for
academia and the industry.
TAR UCs foundation programme
is a one-year programme while its
A-Levels takes 1.5 years. Both
programmes prepare students to
progress seamlessly into TAR UCs
bachelors degree programmes.
Upon completion of either TAR
UCs foundation or A-Levels
programme, students can proceed to
Year 1 of TAR UCs three- or four-
year bachelors degree programme,
subject to meeting the minimum
entry requirements.
The duration of the diploma
programmes ranges from two to 2.5
years. Upon completion of the
diploma programme, students can
proceed to Year 2 of the
corresponding bachelors degree
programme, subject to meeting the
minimum entry requirements. This
pathway shortens students duration
in completing their bachelors
degree programme at TAR UC.
The diploma and bachelors
degree programmes are intensive,
equipping students with critical
skills required by the industry.
These programmes are also
accredited by many global and
local professional bodies.
School-leavers with STPM (Sijil
Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia) or
UEC (Unified Examination
Certificate) qualifications have the
advantage of proceeding directly to
Year 1 of the bachelors degree
programme in TAR UC, subject to
meeting the minimum entry
requirements of the programme.
With the dual-award arrangement,
students obtain two bachelors
degrees one from TAR UC and the
other from the partner university.
They can do so by completing the
programme in TAR UC or spending
one semester at the partner
university overseas. TAR UC also
THE STAR, TUESDAY 25 APRIL 2017
TAR UC provides serene surroundings
for its students.
offers the Master of Business
Administration (MBA) and Master of
Science.
The MBA is a taught programme
while the two Master of Science
programmes are research-based.
Attractive scholarships are also
available at TAR UC for qualified
students based on academic merit.
n For more information, visit the
Kuala Lumpur Main Campus or
branches in Penang, Perak, Johor,
Pahang and Sabah or log on to
www.tarc.edu.my.