THE STAR, TUESDAY 16 OCTOBER 2018
Building a safer Malaysia
GEOGRAPHICALLY, Malaysia is
fortunate to be located outside the
Ring of Fire – a cluster of volcanoes
in the Pacific Ocean basin where
most earthquakes and volcanic
eruptions occur – and shielded by
neighbours Indonesia and the
Philippines.
Therefore, many Malaysians
have never experienced the full
extent of natural disasters such as
earthquakes, typhoons, cyclones
and tsunami.
However, because of various
reasons such as corporate greed
and lack of awareness about the
impact of extensive development
on nature, Malaysia is not new to
man-made disasters that involve
flash floods, crumbling buildings
and landslides.
Unlike in countries such as
Japan, which is one of the
countries along the Ring of Fire
and subject to earthquakes, people
who design structures in Malaysia
do not have to think about
fortifying those structures against
major natural disasters. The focus
is usually on weatherproofing
buildings from year-round
humidity, monsoon showers that
cause flooding in some areas and
high temperatures.
Engineers should be able to
build generally safe structures that
can withstand external stress
during a disaster, whether
manmade or natural. It is hence
imperative to examine the skill and
experience of our local engineers,
evaluate their capabilities in
rectifying these problems, and
determine if there is still a need to
import international talents to help
us, particularly in large-scale
developments.
Imported engineering
marvels
Looking at iconic marvels such
as the Petronas Twin Towers,
Kuala Lumpur Tower and the
National Mosque of Malaysia, we
are doing well for ourselves in the
architectural and engineering
industry.
However, these structures were
headed by foreign talents. For
instance, American engineering
firm Thornton Tomasetti oversaw
the construction of the Petronas
Twin Towers.
Another example is the
Langkawi Sky Bridge, which has
been touted as an engineering
Most local engineering marvels such as the Langkawi Sky Bridge were erected with foreign input. The question now is whether we are on our way to
be independent enough to build landmarks created entirely by local engineers.
marvel. Malaysian civil
engineering consulting company
Angkasa Jurutera Perunding was
part of the entourage, but the
project was carried out in
collaboration with Swiss
engineering consulting company
Cepas Plan.
The bridge had to be closed
for a period in 2012 due to a
delay in getting funds and foreign
consultants for maintenance
work. Chief operating officer
of Panorama Langkawi (the
organisation in charge of bridge
maintenance) Mohd Ali Makkit
reported that the delay was partly
caused by the need to employ the
original project contractors,
architects and design consultants
from Switzerland to survey the
condition of the bridge.
From instances such as this
one, it is worth noting how even
though Malaysia has become
home to impressive feats of
engineering, many of those
projects are handled by foreign
talent. Can local engineers be
independent of foreign input in
creating and managing Malaysia’s
landmarks?
Current knowledge pool
In Malaysia, the job market for
civil engineers is far and wide as
the economy starts to pick up
infrastructure- and property-wise.
With the ongoing construction of
new townships, train stations and
highways throughout Malaysia, the
need for safe and efficient
structures is great.
Last month,
The Star
reported that
the Malaysian
construction sector
recorded RM35.6bil
worth of construction
work in the second
Earthquakes,
tsunamis, strong
winds and floods
can bring about
building collapse and
the breakdown of
utilities. These are
largely unavoidable
unless we are
prepared to pay the
relatively high costs
of mitigation.
Prof Datuk Abang Abdullah Abang Ali
quarter of this year, which
represents a moderate 5.3% year-
on-year growth according to the
Statistics Department.
The Statistics Department
cited that the sector’s performance
was driven by growth in the civil
engineering and special trade
activities subsectors, which grew
by 23.6% and 12.6% respectively.
These figures testify the
opportunities that await engineers
in civil, structural and other related
fields. However, these engineers
must be adequately trained to
build structurally sound buildings
while being mindful of potential
disasters.
In an article titled Engineering
Failures: From Highland Tower to
Chernobyl in the 22nd issue of
Engineering and Technology
magazine published by the
Malaysian Society of Engineering
and Technology, the society’s
president Prof Datuk Abang
Abdullah Abang Ali wrote,
“Engineering structures and
systems have their own fair
share of successes and failures.
Engineering failures can occur
as a result of natural as well as
man-made disasters.
“Earthquakes, tsunamis, strong
winds and floods can bring about
building collapse and the
breakdown of utilities. These are
largely unavoidable unless we are
prepared to pay the relatively high
costs of mitigation.
“Man-made disasters, on the
other hand, are largely avoidable
when care is taken in the design
and construction of engineering
structures and systems.”
Based on Prof Abang Abdullah’s
comments, it is a given that
engineers involved in erecting
structures will put considerable
thought towards the elements of
nature and how weather can affect
the structural integrity of their
projects.
Give yourself an edge
Just because Malaysia is located
in the safe zone and shielded from
more serious natural disasters, it
does not mean that engineering
professionals can take their work
for granted. They must keep up
with current issues in the
construction world, equipping
themselves with up-to-date
knowledge such as effective
mitigation techniques be it for new
projects or to reinforce existing
infrastructure.
One way civil engineers can
upgrade themselves is by pursuing
postgraduate programmes and
professional certificates related to
disaster management.
Subjects such as disaster data
management, forecasting, control
measures and mitigation planning,
emergency response planning and
communication, and recovery and
reconstruction management can
help prepare engineers in
rectifying issues before, during and
after a disaster.
Some postgraduate programmes
offered in Malaysia allow students
to fortify their training on
managing local disasters through
electives that focus on landslides,
irrigation and floodings, and
disaster forecasting.
Civil, mechanical and electrical
engineers can opt to sit for the
Professional Competency
Examination, which is offered by
the Board of Engineers Malaysia.
This certification recognises that
you are well equipped with the
knowledge and skills to oversee
construction with safety and
durability in mind.
Gearing up for the future
The world of construction is
constantly evolving with
developments in analytical
techniques, modelling and building
materials.
Concurrently, due to concerns
such as an increasing population
and global warming (which is the
cause of climate change and rising
sea levels), Malaysia needs
engineers who are familiar with
various factors that can affect
planning and implementation of
future projects.
Malaysia is looking towards
achieving its target of 200,000
registered engineers by 2020, but
what is more important is
producing knowledgeable, creative
experts who can create a better,
safer and more attractive
environment for all.
It is high time that the country
starts to move forward
independently and rely less on
foreign talent for guidance in
pursuing its goal of achieving
developed-nation status.
2 Postgraduate
Quality education at affordable cost
THE questions “who are you?” and
“what do you stand for?” matter
a great deal to institutions
aiming for success, such as Apple,
McDonald’s and Coca Cola, which
have attained global prominence
through their easily recognisable
brands.
Is it possible for others to
achieve the same iconic status?
According to Amazon’s chief
executive officer Jeff Bezos, a
brand is “what people say about
you when you’re not in the room”.
In this context, I believe an
organisation must ensure that the
image perceived by the public
accurately represents its brand
identity.
For Open University Malaysia
(OUM), our image must reflect
our commitment to provide
quality education at an affordable
cost.
Achieving this requires an
institutional commitment to
quality and customer satisfaction,
which we consider integral to the
overall learning experience.
Through the university’s shared
values, which are professionalism,
integrity, caring, innovativeness
and teamwork, OUM encourages
a work culture that emphasises
accurate, objective and effective
execution of work processes.
In addition, OUM staff are
trained to always exceed
learners’ expectations.
While the
importance
of addressing
learners’
concerns is not unique to OUM,
how we accomplish this can set us
apart from other higher education
institutions in Malaysia.
One area where we have given
emphasis is programme
accreditation. We want to assure
our learners that all OUM
programmes are accredited by the
Malaysian Qualifications Agency
and delivered in compliance with
the Code of Practice outlined by the
agency.
As ensuring accessibility is
another one of our hallmarks,
we have invested significantly on
expanding our physical presence.
To date, there are 32 OUM learning
centres in all major towns and
cities nationwide. Only one
other local public university has
set up branch campuses in the
country.
Open seven days a week,
learning centres give learners an
environment conducive to face-to-
face contact with tutors and
facilitators as well as a channel for
reaching university personnel.
Support services are accessible
online through the learning
By PROF
DATUK DR
MANSOR
FADZIL
management system, myINSPIRE,
and mobile application, myOUM.
Moving forward, OUM will
continue to focus on the quality of
our services and keeping abreast of
learners’ changing demands.
We will innovate and change as
and when required, emphasising
fit-for-purpose improvements to
enhance and enrich the overall
learning experience.
Programmes will undergo
periodic reviews. OUM will
introduce new programmes or
new options under current
programmes where appropriate.
The latest offering now open for
enrolment is the Bachelor of
Medical and Health Sciences
programme, which has been
specially designed for assistant
medical officers to upgrade their
knowledge and skills.
All courses will be delivered in
English and Bahasa Malaysia. OUM
will gradually develop bilingual
learning materials and improvise
assessment formats by adopting
technologies appropriate for
learning.
Additionally, we will strive to
improve engagement with
stakeholders through nationwide
events.
THE STAR, TUESDAY 16 OCTOBER 2018
Through the
university’s shared
values, which are
professionalism,
integrity, caring,
innovativeness
and teamwork,
OUM encourages
a work culture that
emphasises accurate,
objective and
effective execution
of work processes.
On Nov 10 and 11, OUM will be
holding a national colloquium for
tutors and learners to encourage
the sharing of ideas and
experiences within the OUM
community.
In summary, our priority is to
ensure that learners obtain the
best possible education at a
reasonable cost from an institution
that values excellent learner
support and that graduates are
well equipped for the careers of
their choice.
n Prof Datuk Dr Mansor Fadzil is
the president and vice-chancellor
of OUM.
THE STAR, TUESDAY 16 OCTOBER 2018 Postgraduate 3

Excellent achievements in
NATURAL products form one of the 20 core
research interests of Management & Science
University (MSU).
At the recent Innovation and Technology

medicinal and life sciences

Exposition organised by University Malaysia
Sarawak in Sarawak, a natural antifungal
cream innovation called Dermacol bagged
MSU a gold medal along with the highest
mark in the Medical category.
The cream’s antifungal betel leaf
ingredient proves an effective inhibitor of
the fungus Trichophyton rubrum, which
manifests on skin, hair and nails in fungal
infections.
Dermacol had won another gold at the
International Invention, Innovation and
Technology Exhibition (ITEX) organised by
the Malaysian Invention and Design Society.
The product was formulated by MSU’s
International Medical School researcher
Dr Muhd Ridzuan Pauzi, who also bagged
a silver for MSU in the Medicinal and Life
Sciences category at InTEX 2018.
The second medal was for another betel-
based formulation called Betelnizer. While
the leaf-extract ingredient raises commercial
demand for betel leaf’s local crop cultivation,
the product also significantly lowers costs
through the otherwise high percentage of
alcohol that it substitutes.
Preceding the InTEX silver, Betelnizer had
won a gold at the Research and Innovation
Week Terengganu.
MSU is one of Malaysia’s top universities
with a focus on developing and delivering
quality human capital in national and global
critical-need areas, including medicine,
health sciences, pharmacy, information
sciences and engineering.
It also develops competent graduates
in business management and professional
studies, education, social sciences,
hospitality, culinary arts, music and fashion.
The university’s award-winning academic
programmes meet stringent standards of
local and international bodies.
MSU accreditors include the Malaysian
Qualifications Agency, the United Kingdom’s
Accreditation Services for International
Schools, Colleges & Universities (ASIC), and
Dr Muhd Ridzuan Pauzi, researcher from MSU’s International Medical School.
Japan’s Alliance on Business Education
and Scholarship for Tomorrow (ABEST21).
MSU has achieved 5 Star: Excellent
status in the Higher Education Ministry’s
Rating for Higher Education Institutions in
Malaysia (Setara). It was also crowned The
Most Entrepreneurial Private University by
the Higher Education Ministry in 2016.
Other recognitions include the Putra
Brand Awards 2017 – awarded by the
Association of Accredited Advertising
Agents Malaysia and endorsed by the
Malaysia External Trade Development
Corporation – and the Best Brand in
Education for Leadership and Human
Capital Development 2017 – awarded at the
Asia Pacific Elite of Elites BrandLaureate
Awards.
The university attained 5 Stars for
teaching, facilities, graduate employability,
social responsibility and inclusiveness in the
QS Stars University Ratings. It is placed 217th
and among the top 1.8% of universities in
the QS Asian University Rankings 2018.
MSU prioritises student development to
enhance graduate employability. Its highly
qualified academics and international
visiting professors support a holistic
curricular framework that delivers
compelling learning experiences.
Blending technical vocational education
and training with traditional academic
curricula, MSU enhances competencies
through industry internship, community and
creative entrepreneurship, and global
exposure. This empowers MSU graduates
with the well-roundedness sought after by
employers.
As an applied and enterprise university,
MSU offers programmes of study at
postgraduate, undergraduate and foundation
levels through connected pathways that
admit students from all walks of life and
backgrounds.
Steeped in a culture of research
and innovation as well as social
entrepreneurship, technology-driven MSU
comprises the Faculty of Health and Life
Sciences, Faculty of Business Management
and Professional Studies, Faculty of
Information Sciences and Engineering,
International Medical School, School of
Pharmacy, School of Education and Social
Sciences, School of Hospitality and Creative
Arts, Postgraduate Centre and Centre for
Fundamental Studies.
n For further enquiries on MSU’s
programmes for the coming intakes, call
03-5521 6868, e-mail enquiry@msu.edu.my
or visit www.msu.edu.my

An outstanding accountant
THE Malaysian Institute of Certified Public
Accountants (MICPA) and Chartered
Accountants Australia and New Zealand
(CAANZ) celebrated candidates and
graduates of their joint professional
qualification – the MICPA-CAANZ
Programme – at the Excellence Awards
2017/2018 ceremony on Sept 26.
Graduates of the programme will
qualify for membership with
professional bodies, carrying the
titles Certified Public Accountant,
Malaysia (CPA (M)) and Chartered
Accountant, Australia & New
Zealand (CA (ANZ)).
The most prestigious award of
the night, The Most
Outstanding CPA, is awarded
to an exceptional graduate
who has excelled in the
programme and his or her
career while
demonstrating
inspirational character
traits.
Employers that are
also the institute’s
Approved Training
Employers nominate
candidates for this award.
It was a proud moment for
Chew Xiu Ling (pic), an assistant
accountant at IOI Acidchem Sdn
Bhd who was awarded The Most
Outstanding CPA 2017.
Chew was a Yayasan Tan Sri
Lee Shin Cheng scholar who
graduated with a Bachelor of
Accounting with distinction from
Universiti Sains Malaysia in 2015.
She achieved the Dean’s List award
throughout her four-year degree.
In her final year, she was awarded
a sponsorship by TalentCorp to
pursue the MICPA-CAANZ
Programme, which allowed her to
complete two of the programme’s five
modules.
She chose to do the MICPA-CAANZ
Programme mainly because she appreciated
the aspect of working while studying as it
enables candidates to relate theory to
practice and apply their acquired knowledge
in real life immediately.
The concept of open book examination
also appealed to her as it trains candidates to
analyse and think critically instead of
focusing on memorisation.
Besides affording dual MICPA and
CAANZ membership to qualified
individuals, the programme also entitles
members access to the Global
Accounting Alliance, which expands
one’s career opportunities beyond
borders.
On her experience doing the
programme, she shares,
“Personally, I enjoyed the final
Capstone module as it really
helped improve my analytical
skills. It is not merely about
listing down facts but involves
sorting out the vital and logical
reasoning behind them, and
providing the necessary evidence
to support your analysis.
“It gave me a real-world view of
business. Capstone also encourages
candidates to exchange ideas and
opinions with team members,
encouraging us to think out of the
box.”
Chew’s ambition is to become a
lecturer – something she has held
close to her heart since childhood.
She hopes to share her knowledge
and experience and inspire the next
generation of accountants, especially
now that she is a professionally
qualified accountant herself.
n For more information on the
MICPA-CAANZ Programme, call the
marketing department at 03-2698
9622, e-mail info@micpa.com.my or
visit www.micpa.com.my
4 Postgraduate
Before accepting the job
OVER the years, I have coached and
mentored many young professionals from
diverse backgrounds, and the problems each
struggle with when it comes to getting hired
are very similar.
In job hunts, it is always about supply
(employers providing jobs) and demand
(people looking for jobs). Hence, before
accepting a job offer, there are several
aspects you have to look at.
First, let’s talk about employers. Generally,
employers have the upper hand from the
beginning. They interview you, tell you what
roles they have open, and what they want to
offer you.
But here is the mistake most people make:
They allow prospective employers to dictate
the entire hiring process without
understanding what they are getting
themselves into. To avoid unmatched
expectations and be more in charge of your
hiring, below are three things you must ask
prospective employers before accepting a job
offer.
l Personal development plan – We
spend 65% of our waking hours at work, so
we may as well make sure we get the most
out of it. You should not just work for the
money. Yes, it is important (and I do think
most employers underpay fresh graduates),
but what matters is whether your
prospective employer has the right learning
and development path for you and the role
she is hiring you for.
l Understanding your role and the
team’s vision – Most candidates ask
prospective employers about company vision
but rarely ask about the vision of their new
roles and the teams they are joining. The
good old days of staying in a safe career for
decades are now obsolete.
At the speed workplaces and the world are
changing, your role today can be completely
different in a matter of months. Knowing
the vision for the role can help you chart
your career path and give you more clarity
on how you want to shape your career
expertise, learning journey and the results
and performance expected from you.
l Opportunities, career progression
and financial compensation – For some, the
opportunity to work abroad is an important
factor. For others, lateral movement within a
company is more enticing.
> TURN TO PAGE 6
Celebrating 25
years of giving
opportunities
SINCE its inception in 1994, the Star
Education Fund has awarded almost 4,000
scholarships valued at RM127.4mil. Earlier
this month, the fund celebrated its 25th
anniversary.
The event was attended by the 31
institutions that supported this year’s fund as
well as current and past recipients of the
scholarships.
This year alone, RM9.4mil of scholarships
have been awarded to 151 scholars. Without
this support, it is doubtful that these students
would have had the opportunity to further
their education and reach the potential that
many are now showing.
As part of the event, a short video was
shown to highlight some of the alumni who
now have successful careers or have started
their own businesses. Many say that they
owe their success to the opportunity
provided through the Star Education Fund.
It is widely accepted that getting a good
quality education is important and has a
dramatic effect on the lives that are
fortunate enough to benefit from it.
Widening Participation aims to give higher
education access to under-represented
groups such as those from lower-income
families, with disabilities or of ethnic
minorities.
This is a laudable aim that I am sure we
would all support, but it is not as easy to
operationalise as it sounds.
Offering scholarships is a continual
challenge and balancing act for higher
education providers, particularly those
operating in the private sector.
At the University of Nottingham Malaysia,
for example, student-generated revenue
makes up our sole income stream. Every
ringgit that is awarded in the form of a
scholarship is not only a possible loss of
revenue but utilises money that has been
received from other students and so cannot
be used for other purposes.
We not only have to balance our books,
but also decide where to best invest our
scholarship funds. We want to help those
who would not otherwise be able to afford to
study with us, but demand will always
outstrip supply.
We also have to decide whether to give
greater priority to our foundation,
undergraduate or postgraduate programmes,
Prof Kendall (fifth from right) with the nine University of Nottingham Malaysia students who are
this year’s recipients of Star Education Fund scholarships.
THE STAR, TUESDAY 16 OCTOBER 2018
what type of students should benefit most
from a scholarship, and the amount and
length of the scholarship.
Balancing these competing objectives is
challenging and we will never feel that we
can do enough. There will also be more
people who are deserving of scholarships
than we, and the higher education sector in
general, can afford.
At the University of Nottingham Malaysia,
we are committed to providing scholarships.
The Star Education Fund is not the only way
that we disperse scholarships, but we are
proud that of the 31 institutions that invested
in the Star Education Fund this year, the
University of Nottingham Malaysia invested
more than any other institution.
This year, we provided support of
RM1.147mil, which offered scholarships to
nine students. We have supported the Star
Education Fund since 2003. During this time,
we have supported more than 100 students
to a value of over RM15mil.
In a social media post following the 25th
anniversary celebration, I said:
“We have pledged to the Star Education
Fund since 2003. It’s just something we do
but it’s only when you meet the people that
benefit that it really strikes home how
important it is. I was delighted to have the
opportunity to meet with our scholarship
students recently #Humbled”
It is only when you meet the people who
have benefited from the scholarships that
you realise the impact you are having on not
only them but their families as well.
Congratulations to The Star for your work
over the past 25 years and we look forward
to working with you for many more.
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 16 OCTOBER 2018
Learning
knows no
limitations
OPEN University Malaysia (OUM)
held its 22nd Convocation on
Sept 22 and 23 at Putra World
Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur.
The event celebrated the
graduation of more than 2,500
learners across various
disciplines and levels of study.
Overall, there were 10 PhD,
770 master’s degree, 1,459
bachelor’s degree, 55
postgraduate diploma, 233
diploma and three executive
diploma recipients.
The ceremony witnessed the
conferment of the Honorary
Degree of Doctor of Arts (Films)
to prolific filmmaker, Datuk
Yusof Haslam, in recognition of
his contribution to the Malaysian
film industry.
Graced by Education Minister
Dr Maszlee Malik, the first
session also saw the presentation
of the President’s Award to Emily
Wong Oi Yan and Muhammad
Saufi Firdaus Sabudin, who were
honoured for their outstanding
academic performance in the
undergraduate and postgraduate
categories respectively.
Another notable graduate was
Muhamad Ismail, who graduated
with a Master of Islamic Studies.
The 71-year-old headmaster was
honoured with the Lifelong
Learning Award, which lauds the
achievement of outstanding
graduates aged 65 and above.
“I would like to thank OUM for
the learning opportunity and for
honouring me with this award. I
really believe in lifelong learning.
Everyone should be bold in the
pursuit of knowledge,” says
Muhamad.
Muhamad’s achievement is a
testament to the value of lifelong
dedication to learning, be it
for personal or professional
growth.
Another graduate, Dr
Purushothaman Ravichandran,
also proved that learning will
always be a worthwhile cause.
Already a PhD (Education)
holder, he received his second
doctorate in information
technology.
“I didn’t plan to sign up for
another doctorate, but when
I had a chance meeting with
OUM’s president/vice-chancellor
and several other academics,
I changed my mind. They
were very enthusiastic and
motivated me to do so,” says
Dr Purushothaman.
Three graduates from Sekolah
Postgraduate 5
Integriti Kajang were also
conferred their bachelor’s
degrees and diploma. Their
success is a result of OUM’s
ongoing collaboration with the
Malaysian Prison Department,
which gives incarcerated
individuals the chance to further
their studies behind bars.
OUM has cumulatively
enrolled 68 inmates in various
programmes at prisons in
Kajang, Kota Kinabalu and
Bentong. Thus far, 12 of them
have graduated.
The two-day event also Filmmaker Datuk Yusof Haslam (left) receiving the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Arts (Films) at OUM’s 22nd Convocation.
included the 7th Convocation of
the International Open College,
where 54 graduates received
their bachelor’s degrees and
diplomas.
In the afternoon session on
Sept 23, the 14th Awards
Ceremony of the Institute of
Professional Development (IPD)
was held for more than 500
award recipients, which included
awarding the certified
professional master’s to 20
veterans of the entertainment
industry.
Although not the equivalent
of a master’s degree, these
certificates provide recognition
of the expertise and experience
of these outstanding individuals.
The highlight of the IPD
ceremony was the conferment of
the Meritorious Award to veteran
actor Datuk Ahmad Tamimi
Siregar Kamaruddin for his
commitment and passion in the
development of human capital
within the creative industry.
Since its establishment in 2000,
OUM has set its vision to become
a leading provider of open and
distance learning.
By leveraging on accessible,
affordable and flexible modes of
learning, OUM believes in
providing access to higher
education for everyone,
regardless of age, creed,
background or location.
In total, OUM has more than
75,000 graduates. Its alumni
include celebrities such as Soo
Wincci and Vanidah Imran, as
well as professionals,
entrepreneurs, uniformed
personnel, senior citizens and
the physically disabled.
n For more information on
the programmes, call the speed
line at 03-2773 2121, e-mail
enquiries@oum.edu.my or
visit www.oum.edu.my
6 Postgraduate
Collaborate for greater success
THE vision of Universiti Tunku Abdul
Rahman (UTAR) is to achieve educational
excellence with transformative societal
impact. It offers quality and affordable
postgraduate programmes that enhance
graduates’ employment opportunities and
career advancement.
To enrich its research endeavours and
culture among academics and postgraduate
students, the university through its Institute
of Postgraduate Studies and Research (IPSR)
organised the R&D Colloquium 2018 (1.0) at
UTAR Kampar Campus this year.
The objective of the colloquium is to offer
a platform to exchange research ideas,
interests and project funding related to
cross-disciplinary areas. Presenters were
encouraged to present early-stage research
plans to receive some valuable feedback and
suggestions.
It also aimed to develop cross-disciplinary
collaborations through finding synergies and
common interests.
Held since May 2014, this ninth R&D
Colloquium continued to strengthen regular
interaction between researchers from the
university’s 32 research centres by
establishing research collaborations and
reinforcing cross-disciplinary research.
It served as a platform for a continuous
update on research outcomes to the research
centres, faculties, IPSR and the vice
president’s office for R&D and
commercialisation.
A total of 34 presentations on various
topics, including medical tourism, social
media, foodborne infection, infant mortality
rates, stem cells, mental health,
cyberbullying, artificial intelligence, social
economic impact, eco-friendly smart house,
e-commerce and the fourth industrial
revolution, were delivered.
“It is indeed a great platform for all to
improve in the field of research and
Participants listening attentively to presentations during the R&D Colloquium 2018 (1.0).
development (R&D). The R&D Colloquium is
a platform for academics of varied
disciplines to share their expertise and
exchange resources for R&D projects,” says
Faculty of Arts and Social Science lecturer
Teh Boon Teck.
Also pursuing his Doctor of Philosophy
at UTAR, Teh thanks the university and the
organising committee for being active in
organising R&D-centred events such as
symposiums, forums and colloquiums
for staff and students to network with
academics and industry players.
Stimulating events like this are a regular
fixture for UTAR’s academics and
postgraduate students. The university insists
on providing consistent exposure to cutting-
edge research to continually broaden the
minds of staff and students without
neglecting cross-disciplinary instruction and
hands-on practical training.
These efforts, along with all the
postgraduate programmes and R&D
activities at UTAR, are coordinated by IPSR.
According to UTAR’s vice-president for
R&D and commercialisation Prof Ts Dr Faidz
Abd Rahman, “The institute functions as a
central body ensuring that the programmes
and R&D projects are well administered and
monitored to provide the best possible R&D
experience.
“In line with its motto ‘Intellectual Pursuits
through Sustainable Research’, the
postgraduate programmes offered are
designed to encompass a large share of R&D
activities to provide students with the most
Ask the right questions
> FROM PAGE 4
Whatever you prefer, you have to ask
about your options. However, the truth is
that most people are afraid to ask about
these things because they think it will affect
their chances of getting hired. You have the
right to ask and clarify things such as salary
range and progression, history of bonus
payouts and specific examples of other
employees who progressed tremendously in
their roles. It is beneficial to both you and
the employer.
Now that you understand the employer
better, the final decision should be about
you. Here are some questions I ask when I
run my Ultimate Confidence Seminar and
work with clients on their career paths to
help them gain clarity about what they want
from their career.
l What is your career for? – If you
do not decide on a goal, others will decide
for you, so be clear about what your
expectations are. Some want to learn in
the early stages of their careers. If you
are part of this group, be specific. What
exactly do you want to learn? Which skills
or competencies do you want to build in
the role you applied to?
l Are the employer’s values aligned
with your personal values? – This may
not seem important, but it could greatly
affect how you feel about your job. People
leave their jobs because of other people,
not because of the company or money. Ask
about and understand the employer’s values
THE STAR, TUESDAY 16 OCTOBER 2018
up-to-date technical knowledge and skills.
“This allows those pursuing postgraduate
qualifications to enhance their competency,
guaranteeing that they gain sustainable
competitive advantage in their respective
industries.”
It is no wonder that the university’s
postgraduates have formed a strong
reputation among employers as reliable,
well-trained and insightful individuals.
The industry experience and technical
knowledge of UTAR’s dynamic academics
work together to provide critically effective
pedagogical instruction that contributes to
UTAR’s 97% employability rate within six
months of graduation.
It is no exaggeration then to say that a
postgraduate degree acts as a passport to a
more successful future.
IPSR has endeavoured to cultivate
innovative research, which can be seen from
the number of grants received by UTAR
researchers from local and international
organisations.
To better serve student needs, IPSR
provides support and advice on course
content, fees, entry requirements, financial
aids and classes. Intake occurs year-round.
UTAR’s postgraduate may be completed by
coursework or research or a combination of
both. This ensures flexibility to suit the
diverse needs of individuals and their
learning styles.
The university was awarded self-
accreditation status by the Malaysian
Qualifications Agency last year and ranked
501-600 in the Times Higher Education
World University Rankings 2019. UTAR was
also ranked #99 in the Times Higher
Education Asia University Rankings 2018.
n For more information, call 05-468 8888
(Kampar Campus)/03-9086 0288 (Sungai
Long Campus) or visit www.utar.edu.my
and how those values are demonstrated and
evaluated in the workplace.
l Have you done enough to understand
the role? – We often hear career advice
to do what we love and love what we do,
but what no one tells you is that there will
be tasks you may not enjoy but must do
anyway. Find out what kind of tasks these
are through research or by asking an
employee of the company in a similar role.
– By Cheah KarFei, performance coach
and founder of Life Redesigned
n For more information, visit www.
britishcouncil.my/study-uk-alumni-career-talk
About the author
Cheah KarFei has coached,
mentored and spoken to tens of
thousands of young professionals
across 15 countries in three
continents. He is now guiding young
professionals on working on their
personal psychological aspects so
they can be top performers in life.
His ultimate vision is for people to be
able to craft and design their lives
with the right mindsets.
Meet Cheah at the Study UK
Alumni Career Talks on Nov 10 at
Hilton Kuala Lumpur. This event is
organised by British Council Malaysia
specifically for Malaysians who
studied in the United Kingdom.
THE STAR, TUESDAY 16 OCTOBER 2018
Assoc Prof Hung says Monash University Malaysia’s Master of Advanced Engineering gives
graduates an opportunity to be experts in the field of sustainable engineering.
Catapulting
into the future
THE message from the recent World
Economic Forum was loud and clear: the
fourth industrial revolution is upon us and it
is about to unleash wholesale changes as we
have never experienced before.
Driverless cars and the increased role of
robots in society are just some of the changes
that we would be ushering in.
However, the dawn of the fourth
industrial revolution must strictly comply
with other initiatives that are being pursued
now, such as sustainability, in line with
climate change agreements.
The challenge of balancing the onslaught
of advancements in technology has to be
juggled with proper management of energy
that ensures sustainable growth and
profitability.
With these, the roles of engineers are also
expected to evolve at an exponential rate. It
was with all these in mind that Monash
University Malaysia’s Master of Advanced
Engineering (MAE) was crafted.
MAE’s programme coordinator Assoc Prof
Dr Hung Yew Mun accentuates the benefits
of taking up this course.
“Sustainability is still at its infancy in
Malaysia. The Government encourages the
adoption of the ISO 50001 framework to
improve organisations’ energy
management,” he says.
“The target is to have at least 100
companies to be ISO 50001-certified
companies in Malaysia by the end of this
year. The requirement is for businesses to
establish and implement sustainable energy
management systems.”
As is the case with any new initiative, the
lack of qualified manpower in the field to
execute these goals is a problem.
“We have a lack of expertise in areas
related to sustainability in Malaysia. This is a
genuine opportunity for graduates as there
is a bright future in this field,” says Assoc
Prof Hung.
This programme consists of two core
units, four specialisation units and two
elective units to equip students in the area of
energy and sustainability with the ability to
develop solutions to complex engineering
problems.
Students are given guidance on
engineering entrepreneurship where they
learn how to construct a business plan that
balances technicality with soft skills.
Postgraduate 7
We have a lack of
expertise in areas related
to sustainability in
Malaysia. This is a genuine
opportunity for graduates
as there is a bright future in
this field.
Assoc Prof Dr Hung Yew Mun
“The goal of this programme is to impart
an evidence-based methodology for those
who wish to build start-ups or start their
own businesses. However, the knowledge is
also applicable for those working in an
organisation,” he adds.
As a programme that involves the
participation of teaching staff from different
disciplines of engineering, MAE students
have the opportunity to get personal
guidance from lecturers in an intellectually
stimulating environment. This pushes
students out of their comfort zones to come
up with original ideas.
Student have a taste of real-life working
experience as Monash collaborates with
countless organisations to provide industry
engagement.
Among the companies collaborating with
Monash are Intel, Gamuda, Petronas, Maxis,
Western Digital, Shell, Cargill, Sunway
Construction, Favelle Favco, ABB, CCM
Pharmaceuticals and Bacfree.
The MAE programme is targeted at all
engineering graduates with a bachelor’s
degree in engineering from a recognised
tertiary institution, with a minimum average
grade of 70% or the equivalent of a second-
class (upper) grade.
This one-year programme consists of two
semesters, with four subjects each semester.
The duration of the programme for part-time
students is two years, with two subjects each
semester.
n For more information about the
programme at Monash University Malaysia’s
School of Engineering, visit www.monash.
edu.my/engineering
8 THE STAR, TUESDAY 16 OCTOBER 2018