THE STAR, TUESDAY 24 APRIL 2018
COURSE FOCUS
WITH campuses located in the
United Kingdom, Dubai and
Malaysia, Heriot-Watt University
recognises the importance of a
global reach.
The institution has been
recognised as the International
University of the Year by The Times
and The Sunday Times Good
University Guide 2018. It also
placed 41st in the Times Higher
Education World University
Rankings 2018.
Heriot-Watt continues to
facilitate a global education
experience with its seamless inter-
campus transfer programme that is
made accessible to all students.
The Go Global programme
allows Heriot-Watt students to
transfer between its campuses in
the UK, Dubai and Malaysia at any
point in their studies.
This way, parents and students
can plan ahead financially.
Malaysian students will receive a
20% fee waiver to transfer to the
UK or Dubai campuses.
Those who want a shorter study
trip can opt for a two-week
Muhammad
Irfan.
Carving out your own space
GONE are the days when all you
needed was a bachelor’s degree
to secure a job. Times have
changed and as any job-seeker
would tell you, it is becoming
increasingly important to stand
out from the crowd.
Unfortunately, the competition is
only getting fiercer.
For example, a decade ago, a
bachelor’s degree in
management made you an asset
in most companies. With so
many management graduates
around now, you need to go
FOREIGN DEGREES & BRANCH CAMPUSES
Transcending the
boundaries of education
McGarrigle (third from left) with Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh (centre).
transfer. Students’ studies, course
material and teaching quality
remain consistent across
campuses.
Hailing from Heriot-Watt
University in the UK, Fraser
McGarrigle is a participant of
the Go Global programme.
“By travelling abroad, I
am demonstrating to my
future employers that I
have the ability to adapt
to a diverse range of
many extra miles to stay a step
ahead of the competition.
One way to do away with stiff
competition and industry
oversaturation is to choose a niche
area of study.
A niche course is one that offers
specialised training to benefit small
pockets across industries. Some
niche areas are spacecraft design,
winemaking, horology and ethical
hacking.
situations. I believe that this
international exposure will help
me stand out from other
candidates when seeking
employment.
“Students here refer to the inter-
campus transfer as a ‘gap year
without the gap’. Many students,
including myself, want to take a
gap year without taking a break
from our studies.
“Go Global allows us to do so.
The benefits of the programme are
Unconventional study
There are numerous benefits of
studying a niche course. The only
drawback is that it may be difficult
to find one that you are genuinely
interested in, bearing in mind that
studying a niche course could
mean that your career options are
limited.
The good news for students is
that there are niche degrees
offered by tertiary
education
institutions all
seemingly never-ending as this
opportunity lets me experience an
entirely new culture while
studying in a familiar
environment.”
Uma Priya Chandran and
Muhammad Irfan from Heriot-
Watt University Malaysia have also
taken this chance of a lifetime.
Uma, a final-year actuarial
science student, elaborates her
experience.
“I was a little sceptical at first but
over the country.
Examples of niche courses
you can enrol in in Malaysia are
gender studies (Monash
University), psychology and
cognitive neuroscience (University
of Nottingham) and applied
geology (Curtin University).
Studying a niche course can be
extremely rewarding. Once you
graduate and join the rat race, you
will be ahead of your peers from
the very beginning.
Even if you apply for jobs in a
general area, you can bring a
the Heriot-Watt campuses have a
seamless teaching timeline. It was
a smooth transition from the topics
that I was studying at the Malaysia
campus to the topics covered at the
UK one.
“The lecturers are informative
and helpful, similar to the lecturers
in Malaysia despite different
individual teaching styles.”
When asked what he would say
to others interested in Go Global,
Irfan, who is a third-year MEng
Mechanical Engineering student,
enthuses, “Just go for it! The
worries you may have now are
insignificant compared to the joy
and excitement of studying abroad.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime
experience. Take this opportunity
and enjoy an experience that will
forever shape the rest of your life.”
Visit the Heriot-Watt Malaysia
campus in Putrajaya from 9am to
5pm on weekdays and 10am to
4pm on Saturdays to find out more
about its Go Global inter-campus
transfer programme and other
courses and scholarships available.
Heriot-Watt Malaysia’s upcoming
foundation intake is scheduled for
May 2.
n For more information, call
03-8894 3888, e-mail hwum@hw.
ac.uk or visit www.hw.edu.my
whole new dynamic to your
professional performance.
For example, a psychology-
related niche course could be
valuable in a sales position. It is,
after all, easier to be noticed
when you are standing alone
than in a crowd.
If you choose well, you may
even have companies lined up
on your doorstep, clamouring to
employ you.
The university you study at is
important as well, so choose
your place and subject of study
carefully.
> TURN TO PAGE 2
2 Course Focus
Travel the road less taken
> FROM PAGE 1
A noteworthy benefit of studying
niche courses is that there will
be fewer people considered for a
job in your area of expertise
because the skill set you possess
sets you apart.
Staying on top of market trends
and developments in the area may
make it easier for you to progress in
the workplace.
Still, the biggest advantage of
studying a niche course is that it
focuses on developing specific skills
across the entire area of study,
making you a force to be reckoned
with when you finally start your
career.
General courses tend to produce
jacks of all trades, but in a niche
course, you can bet on becoming the
master of one.
The learning curve and training
period is usually formidable for
niche degree-holders, letting them
rise through the ranks.
Finding a groove to fit into
If you study a niche degree at a
foreign branch campus in Malaysia,
here are some advantages in doing
so.
l Having your pick of the lot –
You can visit different universities
and consult guidance counsellors at
each institution before making the
decision to commit to the niche area
of your choice.
At foreign branch campuses and
private universities, you have the
freedom to choose your course
instead of having one assigned to
you.
l Best of both worlds –
Obtaining a niche degree from a
foreign branch campus usually
means your qualification is
internationally recognised, or at
least recognised in most countries.
This opens doors for you
all over the world and gives
your résumé a global appeal,
making you more desirable to
multinational companies.
l Transferable skills – Research
in important niche areas are often
in high demand, especially in future
technologies such as nanomaterials
and biofuels.
If you have interest in
investigating and discovering new
things in your chosen niche,
qualification gained from studying a
niche course can make you an
invaluable
addition to
academia
in that area.
With IUKL’s collaborative and credit-transfer programmes, students can
complete their degree abroad, finish their degree in a year, or both.
Studying
abroad made
accessible
INFRASTRUCTURE University
Kuala Lumpur (IUKL) offers
affordable foreign degrees
thanks to its affiliations with top
universities in the United
Kingdom, Australia, New
Zealand, Ireland, the
Netherlands and China.
Local students can opt for
collaborative or credit transfer
programmes when pursuing
foreign degrees on offer.
In collaboration with the
University of South Wales in the
UK, IUKL offers its diploma
students a fast-track option.
Those who have completed IUKL
diplomas can complete their
bachelor’s degree in a year.
IUKL also offers a choice
between 2+1 and 1+2
collaborative bachelor’s degree
programmes, which let students
complete one or two years at
home and finish the rest of their
courses at partner universities
abroad.
Students can progress from
the IUKL foundation or diploma
programmes to a bachelor’s
course abroad under the credit
transfer programme.
Study and stay
on-campus
Accommodation is available
for IUKL students, with costs
ranging from RM185 to RM570
per month. De Centrum Mall is
situated on campus grounds
where students can purchase
daily necessities.
With a launderette, fast-food
outlets and eateries, students can
spend their free time at the mall.
Other facilities available include
a supermarket, stationery and
printing shop, cybercafé, money
changer, bakery and salon.
For those without personal
vehicles, IUKL provides shuttle
services to the KTM Serdang and
LRT Sungai Besi stations from
the campus.
Professionally recognised
programmes
IUKL programmes are
recognised by the Education
Ministry and Malaysian
Qualifications Agency.
Its engineering, architecture
and accounting programmes
are accredited by local and
international professional
THE STAR, TUESDAY 24 APRIL 2018
bodies, including Board of
Engineers Malaysia, Washington
Accords, Board of Architects
Malaysia, Land Surveyors
Board, Royal Institution of
Surveyors Malaysia and
Association of Chartered
Certified Accountants.
Scholarships and waivers
IUKL recognises high
achievers and rewards them
for their achievements. Below
are the seven types of financial
assistance available at IUKL.
l IUKL scholarship
l IUKL Sports Excellence
scholarship
l Tuition fee waiver
l The Star Education Fund
l Sin Chew Education Fund
l Study loans
l Flexible payment scheme
Kick-start your future
IUKL is the foremost
infrastructure university in
Malaysia.
With emphasis on the
integration of hard and soft
aspects of infrastructure,
IUKL aspires to produce
technopreneurs and skilled
manpower with outstanding
communication, technological
and managerial skills.
As a subsidiary of Protasco
Berhad, which provides
integrated engineering and
infrastructure-related services,
IUKL is committed to educating
future engineers.
The institution has been
providing quality education and
excellent professional services in
various fields of infrastructure
for 20 years.
The university’s Info Day will
be held on May 5 and 6 from
10am to 4pm. Prospective
students who register on-the-spot
during Info Day will receive a
Lucky 20 kit in conjunction with
IUKL’s 20th anniversary.
The kit contains limited-
edition IUKL merchandise for
new students to begin their
journey with.
Walk-in registration is
available at IUKL between
8.30am and 5.30pm on
weekdays.
n For more information, call
1800 88 STUDY (78839), e-mail
inquiry@iukl.edu.my or visit
www.iukl.edu.my
THE STAR, TUESDAY 24 APRIL 2018
Getting
ahead with
a little help
THE University of London (UOL)
has a diverse, dedicated and
multinational student body.
Students who enrol in UOL
programmes can expect to be
part of an iconic, world-
renowned institution.
More than 50,000 students
from 170 countries make up
UOL’s global fraternity, having
benefited from the university’s
programmes for more than a
century.
HELP Academy, under the
HELP University Group, offers
courses in social sciences such
as economics, management,
accounting, finance and
banking. Academic direction for
HELP Academy is provided by
leading academic institution
London School of Economics
(LSE).
The academy has been
offering UOL programmes since
1986 and started offering UOL
foundation courses three years
ago.
Each course can be completed
in Kuala Lumpur over three
years. Students have the option
of transferring to other
universities in the United
Kingdom in their second year.
The foundation programme’s
four subjects take 43 weeks to
complete.
The undergraduate and
foundation courses have many
unique qualities.
Learning material is
developed by UOL academics
while the quality of courses is
maintained as all examinations
are set and graded by the
university.
All programmes are entirely
examination-based with
examinations conducted once a
year, usually in May.
UOL programmes are
supported by an enriching
educational ecosystem with
facilities such as top-quality
study material, access to virtual
learning environments and an
online learning portal,
availability of past examination
papers and examiner reports,
and direct access to UOL’s digital
library.
HELP Academy has more
than 30 years of experience in
hosting UOL programmes and
has a graduate pool of about
1,500. The university is the first
provider of UOL degrees in
Malaysia and is recognised by
UOL as a key player in
education in the region. The
academy’s prowess is evident in
the large number of first-class
honours degree recipients the
academy has produced over the
years.
Some of these graduates start
successful careers with movers
and shakers of the corporate
world, while others pursue
postgraduate degrees at iconic
institutions in the UK and the
United States such as University
of Cambridge, LSE, University of
Chicago and Wharton Business
School.
Graduates of the academy are
globally mobile and in demand
Course Focus 3
UOL courses
represent the
cutting edge of
knowledge and are
much sought-after
by employers.
Students attending the UOL Talk Series – a regular event held by HELP Academy that features inspiring, thought-
by key industry players. provoking talks.
The UOL International
Programmes Department at
HELP Academy is staffed by
experienced academics and
administrators.
Having worked in the
department for many years, the
lecturers understand how to
effectively deliver courses and
meet the high standards set by
UOL.
Students also benefit from the
supportive environment and
flexible guidance that lecturers
provide.
Furthermore, as students can
complete their studies locally at
HELP Academy, the courses cost
a fraction of what they do if one
were to pursue the course in the
UK.
Some perks for UOL
programme students include
access to the UOL Talk Series –
an event held periodically at
HELP Academy that covers
current events such as climate
change and multiculturalism.
The idea is to expose students
to a range of issues and
discourse.
Students can choose from a
range of BSc programmes in
accounting and finance,
economics and management,
banking and finance, and
economics.
UOL’s widely recognised
International Foundation
Programme acts as a precursor
to undergraduate programmes,
which can be pursued locally or
at universities in countries such
as the UK, Australia and New
Zealand.
UOL courses represent the
cutting edge of knowledge and
are much sought after by
employers.
Because UOL is an iconic
institution, the degrees it offers
are highly regarded in the
education sector.
Graduates of UOL
programmes are often scouted
by major industry players such
as International Business
Machines Corporation,
Malaysian Industrial
Development Finance, and local
and foreign investment banks.
HELP Academy offers
scholarships and financial
assistance to students based on
academic merit and
achievements. Programme
intakes are in March, May and
September.
n For more information,
call 03-2716 2000 or visit
www.help.edu.my
4 Course Focus
MALAYSIA’S athletes made the
country proud when they emerged
as the overall champion of the 2017
Southeast Asia Games and earned
the second spot overall in the 2017
Asean Para Games. Malaysia also
won four silvers and one bronze in
the 2016 Olympic Games, a first in
the country’s history.
Following this success, Prime
Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun
Razak expressed his aspiration for
Malaysia to become a powerhouse
in sports as he saw the potential in
young Malaysians to excel in sports.
In Budget 2018, the Government
allocated RM1bil to implement
various initiatives to turn Malaysia
into a sports juggernaut.
This presents vast opportunities in
sports-related education to develop
trained professionals who can
support the country’s aspiration by
nurturing and guiding future
sportsmen and sportswomen.
At Tunku Abdul Rahman
University College (TAR UC),
individuals who have keen interest
in sports can pursue a diploma or
bachelor’s degree in sports and
exercise science.
TAR UC’s sports and exercise
science programme equips students
with theoretical and practical
knowledge, including overseas study
trip opportunities to allow them to
learn from experts of other
countries and institutes.
In May last year, 14 students and
four lecturers from the sports and
exercise science programme
participated in a study tour to Seoul,
South Korea. The one-week study
tour consisted of visits to the Korea
Studies in sports science
TAR UC students participating in a class activity with students from University
of Suwon.
National Sports University and
University of Suwon.
One of the highlights of the study
tour was the visit to the Seoul
Olympic Park, the home of the 1988
Seoul Olympics, which has an
impressive sports facility and
houses the country’s largest sports
arena. The park includes modern,
state-of-the-art sports stadiums,
an eco-friendly forest and huge
fields.
For TAR UC student Aaron Ooi
who is pursuing his Bachelor of
Science (Hons) in Sports and
Exercise Science, the visit to the
Korea National Sports University
and University of Suwon was an
eye-opener and truly unforgettable
experience.
Last year, students of the sports and exercise science programme were
exposed to the culture and sports scene of South Korea.
“It was an amazing experience
to have the opportunity to attend
the classes conducted in the
University of Suwon. Through
this exposure, I gained
invaluable experience in
Koreans’ study culture. I had
the opportunity to communicate
with the students there and
share my thoughts and views
on sports and exercise science.
“In addition, the visit to the
Korea National Sports University
enabled me to observe the
sophisticated and modern sports
equipment available there.
The experience provided me
with insight into sports
development in these
institutions.
“Visiting these institutions has
also deepened my knowledge on
the best practices put in place by
South Koreans such as their high
level of discipline and
commitment to excelling in their
studies and sports,” says Ooi.
He adds, “I saw this study trip
as a great avenue for me to see,
Internships to
tap your potential
IN university, as our studies
draw to a close, we are told that
we are to undergo industrial
training.
We are told that we are not
ready for the real world and
need to undergo practical
training to be real people,
significant in the whole scheme
of things, employable.
I think it an odd term,
“industrial training”. In just two
words, the human element is
stripped away and we are
thrown into a robotic world
where we are stamped,
barcoded and labelled either
fit or unfit for employment.
However, an internship is not
industrial training. It is not
something that involves being
pilot-tested to be deemed world-
worthy or earning badges and
brownie points.
An internship is the first step
on your stairway to success. It is
an opportunity to see what you
are made of and test your limits.
Imagine discovering what
makes you tick.
There is no such thing as a
perfect internship or a
programme that will fit you
like a glove.
When you look for an
THE STAR, TUESDAY 24 APRIL 2018
explore and learn the
developments in sports science
in South Korea. It was also a
great way for me to compare
first-hand the differences
between sports science in Korea
and Malaysia.”
Another overseas study trip
was organised in 2016 by the
Sports and Exercise Science
Department of the Faculty of
Applied Sciences (FOAS) at
TAR UC, where the group visited
the Beijing Sport University and
Tianjin University of Sport in
China. FOAS will be organising
another overseas study tour this
year.
Explore TAR UC’s sports and
exercise science programme at
the university’s booth at all
major education fairs.
Attractive academic merit
scholarships and sibling
discounts are available for
qualified students.
n For more information, visit
www.tarc.edu.my
internship, focus not on what
you can do, but on what you
cannot. Focus on what you lack
and need to gain.
What makes humans amazing
is our ability to adapt. An
internship that tests your
abilities is exactly what you
need to challenge your mind
and climb higher. Don’t be
afraid of a few knocks and
bruises.
Of course, this does not
mean that you should enrol
in an engineering internship
if you are a broadcasting
student or apply to an
agricultural practical if you
study business.
However, you need to look at
your skill set from a new
perspective.
Where can you go with what
you have, and what can you do
there?
Broaden your horizons
Do not hesitate to grab an
opportunity to experience
something new that is out of
your comfort zone just because
you’re scared.
> SEE NEXT PAGE
THE STAR, TUESDAY 24 APRIL 2018
Career trial run
> FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
It is foolish to turn down a chance to glean
more experience, because there is a whole
world of possibilities waiting for you.
If it were tangible or visible to the naked
eye, you would dive headfirst into that
realm. That is the trick life plays on you,
though. It is up to you to discover your own
worth and potential through hardship and
strife to take advantage of the possibilities
you have.
Success probably isn’t worth much when
it is handed to you on a silver platter,
because what is there to appreciate without
the effort that went into achieving it?
You have a whole bank of potential and
Course Focus 5
your internship is the perfect way to tap into
it. Whatever your luck is in getting an
internship placement, remember that it is a
trial step into the working world.
Wherever you go as an intern, you will be
underestimated and expected to be
inexperienced or clumsy with your work.
This is a good thing because you can then
learn the ropes from everyone at your
workplace.
With your university mediating the whole
process and your supervisor providing
guidance, you will have some leeway to
make mistakes and learn from them. Make
use of this advantage, push yourself further
and seize this opportunity of a lifetime.
– By Hajar Mekki
6 Course Focus
Training
medical
students
THE challenges faced by
medical students and doctors
are no secret. Therefore,
students must be equipped with
the necessary skills and
knowledge to provide holistic
healthcare.
Prof Dr Shah Yasin, head of
school for the Jeffrey Cheah
School of Medicine and Health
Sciences (JCSMHS) at Monash
University Malaysia, shares
The Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences prepares medical students for the demanding role of a doctor how medical students are
by exposing them to various hospital settings in Malaysia and Australia. prepared for the realities
doctors face.
Private hospital
engagement
For the last three years,
medical students at JCSMHS
have had the opportunity to
engage with private hospitals
during their undergraduate
study.
“We have a number of
private hospitals that actively
take our students. These include
Sunway Medical Centre, which
hosts the largest number of
our students, Tropicana
Medical Centre and Darul
Ehsan Medical Centre,” says
Prof Shah.
In private hospitals, students
can tap into the knowledge of
specialists with at least 10 years
of experience under their belt.
Compared to public hospitals
where one might see up to 40
patients in a morning, students
may see less than 10 patients at
a private hospital.
Prof Shah explains that
this gives specialists time to
address students’ questions.
Students assist doctors and
specialists in various tasks,
including sourcing for
information from the latest
journals.
On top of that, student
doctors have been well received
by patients. With hospitals
being a lonely place for some
patients, medical students often
offer companionship, which
helps lift patients’ moods and
subsequently improve their
well-being.
Students also sometimes act
as information bridges when
patients are reluctant to ask
specialists questions.
The response from private
hospitals regarding the
presence of medical students
at the hospital has been
encouraging.
According to Prof Shah,
following a survey that was
conducted in the hospitals
where students were posted
for their pre-internship, the
university found that, to
date, not a single patient has
refused to be seen by students.
Pre-intern posting
The fifth year of the
university’s medical
programme is essentially
a pre-intern (or pre-
housemanship) year,
THE STAR, TUESDAY 24 APRIL 2018
but with additional
academic requirements.
“The programme consists of
six blocks, each lasting six
weeks. Our students are
attached to a consultant for
each block,” explains Prof Shah.
Students undergo the six
pre-intern postings in different
places, with two compulsory
postings in Australia and four
locally, including one in
Hospital Segamat, Johor.
While students are supposed
to act as and do almost
all the work of an intern,
they do not yet take on the
full responsibilities of an
intern.
These pre-intern postings
give them a taste of various
environments including the
Australian healthcare system,
a rural hospital, a private
hospital and a large public
hospital such as the Sultanah
Aminah Hospital, where they
also need to complete a Patient
Safety module.
An important part of the
curriculum, the module teaches
the importance of ensuring
patients’ safety – for example,
the correct way of transporting
critically ill patients.
With Malaysia’s rising
life expectancy and ageing
population, there is now
an increasing need for
geriatricians. In one block of
the programme, students take
on Aged Care.
The posting, which is
completed in Australia, will see
them looking into a range of
services targeted at the ageing
population.
Another block, Indigenous
Care, focuses on the health of
indigenous people who have
unique health issues and worse
health outcomes compared to
the general population.
It is believed that there
are many parallels in the
social and health issues of
indigenous people around
the world.
In Malaysia, students also
look into health issues of
the orang asli in the hospital
and through orang asli
community visits during their
pre-internship programme.
According to Prof Shah, rural
hospitals differ vastly from
public hospitals as there are
fewer services and specialists in
the former, making it important
for students to acquire a broad
range of experience to prepare
them for this post.
Through its holistic approach
to education, Monash has
produced well-rounded
undergraduate medical
students who have benefited
from learning a wide range of
issues, including the social
determinants of health and the
healthcare system and work
culture of Australia.
n For more information on the
medical programme at JCSMHS,
visit www.med.monash.edu.my
THE STAR, TUESDAY 24 APRIL 2018
RUMC students receive a top-notch Irish medical education right here at home.
Outstanding Irish
medical programme
PENANG Medical College (PMC) is
now fully owned by world-
renowned Irish universities –
Royal College of Surgeons in
Ireland (RCSI) and University
College Dublin (UCD).
Now known as RCSI & UCD
Malaysia Campus (RUMC) and
recognised by the Higher
Education Ministry, it is Malaysia’s
newest foreign university branch
campus.
This milestone marks the
beginning of more future
developments.
RUMC was established more
than 20 years ago and is Malaysia’s
first accredited private medical
education institution.
Programmes offered by the
university are awarded by the
National University of Ireland and
recognised globally.
Established in 1996, RUMC
remains the first and only fully
Irish university in Malaysia and
the region. RUMC graduates are
recognised by the Malaysian and
Irish medical councils.
Prof Stephen Doughty, president
and chief executive officer of
RUMC, says, “We have built a
reputation over more than 20
years by providing high-quality
Irish education and producing
Irish-trained doctors – qualities
that are highly sought after in
Malaysia.”
In achieving its university status,
PMC worked closely with the
Higher Education Ministry and
other stakeholders to fulfil the
necessary requirements.
Datin Paduka Ir Dr Siti Hamisah
Tapsir, director-general of the
ministry, congratulated PMC on
becoming the 10th foreign
university branch campus in
Malaysia.
“This indicates a strong global
recognition of the Malaysian
The prestigious
pre-clinical training
at RCSI and UCD
has been touted
as an experience
of a lifetime,
with top-quality
education,
exemplary medical
professionals as
educators and
state-of-the-art
facilities.
higher education system and of
Malaysia as an educational hub.
“The Malaysian higher education
system is guided by 10 shifts
detailed in the Malaysia Higher
Education Blueprint 2015-2025. To
date, it has gone through changes
to curriculum, learning and
teaching, research and innovation
and governance.
“The Redesigning Higher
Education initiative has seen the
implementation of programmes
such as iCGPA, 2u2i and e-Portfolio
to enhance the local higher
education scene.
“We hope RUMC will continue to
contribute towards Malaysia’s
excellence,” she says.
Programmes in medicine
Upon enrolling in RUMC, you
will be part of an international
network of colleagues, classmates,
Course Focus 7
staff and organisations in Dublin.
Students are guaranteed places
in Irish universities and may
choose to undergo pre-clinical
training in RCSI or UCD.
The prestigious pre-clinical
training at both institutions has
been touted as an experience of a
lifetime, with quality education,
exemplary medical professionals
as educators and state-of-the-art
facilities.
RUMC students can expect to
study and train with international
students from all around the
world.
Students then return for clinical
training at RUMC and its teaching
hospitals, while remaining full-
time students of RCSI or UCD.
While in Ireland during part of
their studies, students have an
enriching campus life at RCSI and
UCD.
Upon graduation, they go out
into the world to provide the best
healthcare to patients in their
home country and globally.
RUMC graduates’ professional
performances are a testament to
the outstanding quality of its
medical programme. The
institution is supported by its
talented academic staff and
graduates who are spearheading
improvements in healthcare.
Nearly 1,600 medical doctors
have graduated from RUMC and
practise in Malaysia, Brunei,
Singapore, Ireland, the UK,
Switzerland, Malta, Australia, New
Zealand and the United States.
Future graduates of RUMC will
continue contributing to patients
and society through excellence in
education and research to benefit
healthcare in Malaysia and the
region.
n For more information, visit
www.pmc.edu.my
8 Course Focus
Commitment to educational excellence
CURTIN University Malaysia
(Curtin Malaysia) understands the
challenges modern students face
and seeks to push them to do their
best in achieving their goals.
Curtin Malaysia’s pro-vice-
chancellor, chief executive and
president Prof Jim Mienczakowski
says, “As Curtin University’s largest
Asian campus and one of the
fastest-growing foreign branch
campuses in the world, we are
widely recognised in the region for
the practical and applied nature of
our courses. Curtin Malaysia is
deeply committed to ensuring its
courses are relevant to industry
and society needs.
“We develop students into
knowledge creators, critical
thinkers, effective communicators
and responsible leaders through a
holistic curriculum that influences
life inside and outside the
classroom. Quality and innovation
are key to the design, delivery and
assessment of each course.”
Curtin Malaysia has a dedicated
Department of University Life
that guides each student through
every step, from point of entry to
graduation and becoming part
of Curtin University’s diverse
alumni network.
Students can take part in a range
of exciting activities aimed at
supporting their development.
Courses offered by Curtin
Curtin Business School, which is
accredited by the Association to
Curtin
Advance Collegiate Schools of
Malaysia’s
Business, offers a comprehensive
innovative, range of business courses. Having
industry- strong connections to industry
relevant courses partners ensures that Curtin
produce highly Malaysia’s courses are aligned with
competent the latest industry trends.
professionals Curtin Malaysia’s Faculty
and successful of Humanities is an up-and-coming
global citizens. school that offers programmes
in communications, media
and culture.
Malaysia’s Faculty of Engineering All three faculties offer one-year
and Science ensure that graduates foundation courses that prepare
are equipped to provide solutions students for undergraduate study
to challenges faced by engineering in their chosen fields.
and scientific communities all over The Curtin Malaysia Graduate
the world. School offers a range of
Its engineering programmes postgraduate degrees by research
are fully accredited by Engineers and coursework that allow
Australia, Engineering students to develop skills in
Accreditation Council of Malaysia specialised fields. This approach
and Institution of Chemical elevates students’ comprehension
Engineers. to new levels, helping them
About 5,000 students from 85 countries study at University of
Nottingham Malaysia.
Top of the crop
IN 2000, University of
Nottingham became the first
British university to set up a
campus outside of the United
Kingdom and in Malaysia,
earning it the Queen’s Award
for Enterprise 2001 and the
Queen’s Award for Industry
(International Trade) 2006.
Renowned for its commitment
to teaching and learning, the
university is in the top 100 of
universities internationally,
according to the QS World
University Rankings 2018.
University of Nottingham is
recognised globally for teaching
excellence, acclaimed for life-
changing research and home to
students from all over the
world, making it an inspiring
place to study.
Since its inception, University
of Nottingham Malaysia has
welcomed students from across
the globe and gained a
reputation for world-class
research and teaching in arts,
engineering, science and social
science.
Teaching excellence
Nottingham puts students at
the heart of the university. It is
committed to providing students
with an academically
stimulating environment and
opportunities for personal
development in areas such as
entrepreneurial and leadership
skills.
In recognition of this
commitment, the university was
awarded a Gold rating for
outstanding teaching by the
THE STAR, TUESDAY 24 APRIL 2018
become sound critical thinkers
within their disciplines.
Located in Miri, Sarawak, Curtin
Malaysia offers scholarships to
domestic and international
students in line with its
commitment to let students from
all backgrounds achieve their
ambitions.
Last year, Curtin Malaysia
retained its 5 Star: Excellent status
for the fourth consecutive year in
the Rating for Higher Education
Institutions in Malaysia, affirming
its commitment to quality
education.
It has been given self-
accreditation status by the
Malaysian Qualifications Agency
and is the only institution in East
Malaysia rated Tier 5: Excellent for
engineering in the Discipline-Based
Rating System.
n For more information, visit
www.curtin.edu.my
Teaching Excellence Framework
Gold in 2017 and 5 Star:
Excellent in the mature
university category by the
Rating for Higher Education
Institutions in Malaysia (Setara)
2017.
All degrees offered by
University of Nottingham
Malaysia are subject to the same
quality assurance processes as
those offered in the UK.
Graduates receive a degree
from University of Nottingham
irrespective of the campus at
which they have completed
their programme.
All academic staff at the
University of Nottingham
Malaysia are selected based on
their excellence in teaching and
research.
The university has a strong
sense of community, cultivated
by approachable staff, a
welcoming student body, and a
wide range of activities to help
students connect with others
and enjoy a complete student
experience.
An international network
As a Nottingham student in
Malaysia, you have the chance
to study at Nottingham’s UK or
China campus.
Graduates of University of
Nottingham join the university’s
global community of 270,000
alumni worldwide.
n For more information, call
03-8924 8686, e-mail
study@nottingham.edu.my or
visit www.nottingham.edu.my