Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Laugh your
brain off
WHAT'S not to love about science? achievements that cannot or
Add a little humour and wild should not be reproduced, the
thinking and you have a recipe for prizes honour demonstrations of
some interesting, albeit wacky humour in science, medicine and
breakthroughs. technology.
Fondly referred to as The Igs, the The absurd nature of the Ig
Ig Nobel Prizes are a hilarious and Nobel Prizes is reflected in its
stimulating parody of the highly ironic title, coined from a
acclaimed Nobel Prizes. combination of the Nobel Prizes
Awarded each year for research and the word ignoble.
Stronger in partnership
CURTIN University, Malaysia
(Curtin Malaysia) and Novakey
Developers Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary
of the Episo Group of Companies,
recently signed three memoranda
to strengthen their academia-
industry partnership.
The documents included a
memorandum of understanding
for collaboration in education and
Funding
training, and two memoranda of
agreement for collaborative Representatives of Novakey and Curtin at the signing ceremony.
research.
Signing on behalf of Curtin Faculty of Engineering and Science in enhancing the Faculty of
your potential
Malaysia was pro-vice-chancellor, Industrial Advisory Committee Engineering and Sciences
president and chief executive Prof who will work with the university engagement with its industry
Jim Mienczakowski while to develop competitive engineering partners.
managing director Datuk David curricula and learning resources The initiatives include
Goh Kien Ping signed for Novakey relevant to industry requirements. establishment of the Curtin
Developers. In addition, the two Highway Infrastructure Research
Signing as witnesses were Curtin organisations will develop and Innovation Hub earlier this NO matter ones financial status, qualify for a fellowship from
Malaysias Faculty of Engineering industrial placement and graduate year, which will work with the scholarships are extremely helpful research universities are include:
and Science dean Prof Lau Hieng training programmes at Novakey industry to carry out research as for students and are the most well- l Malaysian candidate
Ho and Miri city councillor Ariffin Developers to groom talent for the well as provide technical services known form of financial aid they l Unemployed
Mohamad on behalf of Curtin civil and construction engineering and innovative solutions to support can apply for. l Looking to pursue
Malaysia and Novakey Developers sector in Sarawak. the ongoing development of the However, funding postgraduate full-time study in a masters
respectively. According to Goh, this is a good Pan-Borneo Highway. studies involves a lot more than or doctoral programme by
In his speech during the signing move as there is a growing The faculty received more than fulfilling course fees every research or coursework and
ceremony, Prof Mienczakowski demand for engineers to support RM650,000 in research funding semester, and different types of dissertation
commented that the signing was a the states development agenda, and RM1.08mil worth of donated scholarships are available for l Possess a bachelors degree
milestone for both organisations in especially mega infrastructure equipment from the industry this different needs. with minimum CGPA of 3.00 or its
their pursuit of producing projects such as the Pan-Borneo year. The following are a few equivalent or a masters degree
graduates in construction Highway. It also established a Keysight scholarship options for pursuing (for doctorate degree)
technology and civil engineering Under the research memoranda, Reference Lab with Keysight postgraduate studies. l Must not be older than 40
as well as collaboration in Novakey Developers will provide Technologies and a Digital Maker on application date
cutting-edge research to meet some RM230,000 as well as Hub with the Malaysia Digital
Fellowship scheme
market demands.
The collaboration will include
materials to conduct research on
high-performance concrete, which
Economy Corporation at the
campus. The four public research
Research assistant scheme
Novakey Developers sponsoring an holds great potential in Additionally, a biotechnology universities in Malaysia award Research supervisors, project
annual award of RM10,000 for the revolutionising the civil research centre will soon be financial assistantships to all local leaders or project heads are the
best project by final-year civil and engineering industry. completed. graduates to pursue postgraduate financial backing for this type of
construction engineering students. Prof Lau said signing the studies, particularly those pursuing postgraduate funding.
Novakey Developers will also memoranda with Novakey n For more information, visit doctorate degrees.
appoint a representative to the Developers was a significant step www.curtin.edu.my The usual requirements to > TURN TO PAGE 7
THE STAR, TUESDAY 12 DECEMBER 2017 5
6 Postgraduate THE STAR, TUESDAY 12 DECEMBER 2017
Furthering
education with
peace of mind
> FROM PAGE 4 - Relevant working experience
recognised by the Malaysian
The recipient of this aid is Qualifications Agency
enlisted to conduct certain
elements of the research project.
The project head must have a
National Science Fund
substantial amount of money (NSF)
left in his research grant to
appoint a research assistant This scholarship is awarded to
under the scheme. masters and doctorate students
Requirements for applicants undergoing full-time studies
are: based on research in local and
l Full-time research foreign higher education
postgraduate student institutions.
l No prior financial The scholarships cover
assistance tuition, examination fees and a
l Possess a degree with a monthly allowance (RM1,560 for
minimum CGPA of 3.00 masters candidates and
(bachelors degree for masters- RM2,300 for doctorate
level research and masters candidates).
degree for doctoral-level Prerequisites for applicants
research) or an equivalent are as detailed below.
qualification recognised by the l Applicants for masters
Malaysian Government level must not be older than 30
and applicants for doctoral level
MyBrain15 must not be older than 35 at
time of application.
This scheme aims to l Applicants may not be civil
alleviate some burdens from servants or tutors in local higher
postgraduate student life to education institutions.
allow these students to Successful applicants are not
concentrate on high-quality, allowed to receive any other
value-added research. Two source of funding or hold
programmes are offered under positions outside the stipulated
this scheme MyMaster and scope of work in the
MyPhD. programme.
l MyMaster scheme l Applicants for masters
eligibility criteria: degree must have a first class or
- Malaysian citizen second (upper) class with
- Not older than 35 at time honours at the bachelors level
of application with a minimum CGPA of 3.00
- Must be an unemployed or an equivalent qualification
graduate with no fixed income, recognised by the Government.
employed in the private sector l Applicants for doctoral
or lecture in a private institution degree must have a bachelors
of higher education degree with honours and a
- Not a recipient of any form masters specialising in fields
of financial aid for studies at the detailed in the NSF.
same level l Only candidates pursuing
- Not bonded to any party research in specific science and
during sponsorship period such technology fields may apply.
as commitments to previous
scholarships
- Possess a bachelors degree
Education loans
or Government-recognised A popular choice for financial
equivalent with a minimum aid even among undergraduate
CGPA of 2.75 students, the National Higher
Education Fund Corporation
l MyPhD scheme eligibility (PTPTN) is the main education
criteria: loan provider for Malaysian
- Malaysian citizen students pursuing studies locally
- Not older than 45 at time due to its low interest rates.
of application Recipients of this loan are
- Has obtained admission to expected to fulfil and maintain
or is already pursuing studies at certain academic achievements
a higher education institution to continue benefiting from the
- Not a recipient of any form loan. Loan repayment starts six
of financial aid for studies at the months after graduation or
same level when employment commences,
- Currently pursuing or whichever comes first.
intends to pursue full-time Students will not be bonded
postgraduate studies or required to serve the
- Possess a masters degree Government after completion
with a minimum CGPA of 3.00 of studies. More information
or bachelors degree with a can be found on the PTPTN
minimum CGPA of 3.50 website.
8 Postgraduate THE STAR, TUESDAY 12 DECEMBER 2017
Improving
workplace safety
RESEARCH technology in palm oil mills has
made the workplace within a palm oil mill
safer and more attractive to workers, Workplace safety is
including engineers, while creating a
sustainable process.
no longer a luxury but a
Prof Chong Mei Fong, a researcher at The necessity. A safer work-
University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus
(UNMC), specialises in bioenergy and place not only attracts
wastewater treatment technologies. The
technology she developed has been well
women, it attracts a
received by the palm oil industry. highly qualified work-
Her research has created a safer
workplace that attracts more women and force as well.
engineers to work in a palm oil mill.
The technology also promotes an efficient Prof Chong Mei Fong
alternative to wastewater treatment and
emits less pollution to the environment and
waterways. women in STEMM-related subjects and
The introduction of her technology earned global citizenship.
Prof Chong an honourable mention at the This years theme was urbanisation with
Asean-US Science Prize for Women, in subtopics, including workplace safety, under
conjunction with 7th Asean-US Consultation which Prof Chong submitted her proposal.
on Science and Technology meeting on Oct The new technology also promotes indoor
19 this year. processing in an office or laboratory instead
She says, As a woman engineer, I realised of what was previously done processing
that it is not only the engineering field that is the water outdoor in a space as big as nine
male-dominated but this is also the case in football fields, usually located in a
oil palm mills. plantation, she says.
Workplace safety is no longer a luxury Prof Chong has been working in a
but a necessity. A safer workplace not only consultative manner since 2015 with Havvy
attracts women, it attracts a highly qualified Oil Mill Sdn Bhd to produce this technology.
workforce as well. While palm oil processing was previously
Prof Chong was the previous chair of carried out mainly by mechanical engineers,
Gender Equality in Nottingham, a working the process also attracts engineers from the
group in the university that advocates field of chemical engineering.
gender equality in science, technology, Mechanisation of the milling process
engineering, mathematics and medicine needs the expertise of mechanical engineers,
(STEMM). but chemical engineers also contribute to
The new bioreactor system complies with this breakthrough process, says Prof Chong.
the Malaysian Environmental Quality Act According to The University of
1974, which addresses environmental Nottingham Malaysia Campus vice-provost
protection and pollution control. (research and knowledge exchange) Prof
Apart from providing a safer workplace, Claire OMalley, Prof Chong is not only an
it promotes cleaner water and reduces excellent researcher who is demonstrably
pollution of rivers, she adds. able to translate her discoveries into
The honourable mention at the Asean-US commercially viable products that are
Science Prize for Women won Prof Chong valuable to the green technology agenda, she
US$5,000 (RM20,328.50). She is the is also a strong advocate and role model for
second Malaysian to be nominated for this women in science, engineering and
award. technology. UNMC is very proud of her
She explains that there was a call for achievements.
proposals to apply for this award in July. The
award was based on a few criteria n For more information, visit
excellence in research, mentoring of other www.nottingham.edu.my
10 Postgraduate THE STAR, TUESDAY 12 DECEMBER 2017
Research is
and media studies, what does Lecturers in the programme
having a masters degree make you
New knowledge are active in a wide variety
an expert of?
Dr Tan Meng Yoe (pic), a crucial skill to Critical thinking is important but
of research areas social
media, communications,
coordinator for the Master in
Communication and Media Studies
have. Learning to can only happen when there is
something to think about.
urban anthropology,
politics, international
(MCMS) programme at the School gather, analyse Therefore, new knowledge is relations and more.
of Arts and Social Sciences, Monash
University Malaysia, explains. and synthesise always necessary.
MCMS students learn and share
Having good teachers
with years of teaching
According to him, the MCMS at
Monash University Malaysia equips
information into the latest trends and developments
in the media and communications
experience is not enough.
Scholars at Monash
you with the skills to identify, knowledge can industry and are exposed to a wide University Malaysia are
unpack and deconstruct
communication processes and be applied to range of contemporary issues that
have implications for everyday life.
actively producing new
knowledge and can pass on
networks that societies require to
function.
everyday life. Students are encouraged to learn
about cultures beyond their own to
advanced skills in
conducting relevant
In short, it makes you an expert Dr Tan Meng Yoe broaden their understanding of the research.
in cultural research. It does not world. This provides
sound fancy, but it makes practical A valuable resource, this students with the skills
sense in the increasingly globalised accumulation of knowledge is required to develop
society of today. As we are by nature biased, it takes facilitated by not just the lecturers expertise in their
Media and communications discipline and practice to be truly and curriculum but also the respective fields of
professionals such as journalists, informed. diverse student cohort. work through
filmmakers and corporate For example, in news Because students come from rigorous, critical and
communication specialists are consumption, if our habit is to different professional backgrounds insightful research.
often already experts in their exclusively seek out news that and are of various nationalities, the Good study
technical craft by the time they conforms to our pre-existing programme is an opportunity for programmes are
consider enrolling in a masters worldview, there exists a bias that them to learn from each others all about being
programme. restricts our capacity to juggle cultural and career experiences. collaborative, relevant
The real step up is the multiple perspectives and analyse Learning to work together in this to the 21st century,
development of advanced critical deeper layers of meaning. environment is a lesson in itself. In internationally
thinking, exposure to a more Without the willingness to short, the spirit of learning is recognised and
diverse range of knowledge, and engage with our own biases and actively cultivated in the MCMS producing graduates
the ability to conduct quality consider alternative approaches to programme. who are job-ready.
research to raise the level of media data, we become echo chambers The MCMS
content, management process,
business insights or any
who hear only what we want to
hear. This is detrimental to any
Research skills programme at
Monash University
communications role that one is individual as it leads to intellectual Contemporary issues are not just Malaysia not only has
involved in. complacency. gleaned through reading about these elements but
The MCMS provides the tools to global events in the news but also synergises them to
Critical thinking break that habit. In the
programme, new theoretical ideas
through active research by both
the teacher and student.
create a learning
environment where one
On the basic level, critical about media and society are taught Research is a crucial skill to can develop holistically.
thinking refers to the ability to and applied to real-world case have. Learning to gather, analyse
objectively analyse any issue and studies to sharpen students ability and synthesise information into n For more information, visit
develop an informed opinion on it. to identify issues objectively and knowledge can be applied to www.sass.monash.edu.my
THE STAR, TUESDAY 12 DECEMBER 2017 Postgraduate 11