Course Focus - 8 September 2015

The STar, tuesday 8 september 2015

special

Living locally, learning globally

Living locally, learning globally

course focusforeign degrees and branch campuses

2 course focusTHE STAR, TUESDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2015

The world at your feet IN today’s day and age, obtaining a foreign degree is an increasingly popular option that students seek out.

International academic credentials are not only recognised worldwide, but are highly respected by employers, especially if you are a graduate from a top university.

However, moving overseas is oftentimes difficult for local students. Living expenses in countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia are significantly higher than Malaysia’s, and the costs of courses are certainly less affordable.

Studying at a branch campus in Malaysia will allow for the opportunity of graduating with international credentials locally while avoiding the more burdensome aspects, such as higher costs of living and fees.

Many of these universities also offer foundation courses with the automatic progression to an undergraduate degree programme, should the former be completed successfully.

On top of solid curricula in first-class environments, students in foreign branch campuses are also privy to opportunities to explore their potential in greater depth.

Programmes such as The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus’ (UNMC) Nottingham Advantage Award allows students to develop skills that will be relevant in their future careers.

“Students can personalise their programme of study and the options available include career skills, mentoring, cultural awareness, entrepreneurship, sustainability, volunteering and work experience,” says Prof Christine Ennew, chief executive officer and provost of UNMC.

Malaysia is an increasingly popular study destination for students.

A recent Bernama report stated that Malaysia is ranked the ninth most preferred country for further study by international students.

Over the years, a number of established, globally recognised institutions have introduced campuses based in Malaysia.

With excellent facilities and learning resources, these universities are ideal for those who want to immerse themselves in an international environment within local grounds.

As international ties strengthen, it is becoming increasingly important for students to develop an understanding of the world around them. Branch campuses allow for this opportunity.

Here are some institutes that produce foreign graduates in Malaysia:

Note: Figures displayed are general estimates. Fees may vary according to discipline of study and modules chosen.Source: www.afterschool.my

Preserve international opportunitiesMALAYSIANS studying abroad were and are still being hit hard by the volatility of the ringgit.

On top of increased cost of living, they also have to fork out significantly greater amounts to cover fees and learning materials.

However, this currency decline does not necessarily restrict Malaysian students’ access to international education.

Foreign branch campuses offer the opportunity for students to

pursue world-class degrees at lower costs on home ground, with curricula, environments and facilities designed to match those of their home campuses.

Whatever course you choose to pursue, these universities are just as capable in delivering education of international standards.

Here is a comparison of fees at home and branch campuses to illustrate how much you can save by pursuing a foreign degree locally at these universities:

University of Reading Malaysia, EduCity @Iskandar

The University of Reading Malaysia (UoRM) is the first overseas campus of the UK-based university. The British campus is ranked among the top 1% of research-led global universities in the world, according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

UoRM guarantees the opportunity to spend up to one year in the UK in order to gain a British degree, and vice versa for British students, enriching the study and learning experience.

UoRM also has two campuses – a city campus in downtown Johor Baru and an EduCity@Iskandar campus.

The university offers courses in business and science at the foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate levels. There are also English language courses.Newcastle University

Medicine Malaysia, Johor

Newcastle University offers the opportunity for an affordable British medical and biomedical education in Malaysia.

Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia graduates will be awarded the same degree as in Newcastle University, UK, much like other branch campuses.

The university provides a range of undergraduate biomedical and medical degree programmes in Malaysia that are equivalent to the standard of Newcastle University UK, but contextualised to Malaysian circumstances and cultural differences.

Students are exposed to clinical settings in local hospitals for a full medical experience.

University of Southampton Malaysia, Johor

The University of Southampton is one of the top three universities in the UK for engineering and is a founder member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities.

It offers a split-campus degree similar to other branch campuses, allowing students to begin their undergraduate study in Malaysia and graduate in the UK.

Learning is largely research driven. Among the world-class research facilities available at the Malaysian campus are a wind tunnel complex, flight simulator and a high-voltage laboratory, all of which enhance the learning experience.

Heriot-Watt University Malaysia, Putrajaya

Heriot-Watt, originally based in Edinburgh, offers undergraduate degrees in areas such as actuarial science, engineering, business and finance and quantity surveying.

The university is ranked second in Scotland and 18th in the UK by the Guardian University Guide 2016, and first in the UK for chemical engineering based on the 2014 National Student Survey.

Campuses in Dubai and the UK allow students the chance for transfer, giving them the advantage of sharing experiences with students of different campuses.

The programmes offered locally have the same content as campuses in Dubai and Edinburgh.

“Heriot-Watt University Malaysia emphasises and offers programmes that are industry focused and internship is compulsory,” says Lim Ming Hsiang, head of marketing and student recruitment.

“Internship opportunities provide students with relevant professional experience that will prove helpful in understanding the application of their curriculum in a real-world context.”

This branch campus is also the first of its kind to open its doors in the administrative district of Putrajaya.

Curtin University Sarawak Campus

Curtin University Sarawak is unique in its lush green campus and tranquil environment.

With a large manmade lake and modern buildings, it is described as a piece of Australia in Sarawak.

The university offers courses for foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate students focusing on business and engineering sciences.

The university places emphasis on English language skills and the Department of Culture and Language Studies offers support in this area.

Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus

With highly advanced research facilities, vast learning resources and the latest equipment and technology, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak aims to provide the best for its students.

The university offers courses pertaining to business, engineering, design and ICT. It places a strong emphasis on gaining industrial experience.

The course structure is tailored to let students choose from a range of subjects from different disciplines.

“Within six months after graduation, 95% of graduates are hired, reflecting the strong emphasis we place on the quality of the education we provide and our commitment to industry-engaged learning,” says James Ho, director of business development and communications at Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus. Monash University

Malaysia, Sunway

Established in 1998, Monash University was the first overseas campus to be based in Malaysia. Its original campus is based in Melbourne, Australia.

Monash Malaysia allows for the opportunity to complete a degree in its original campus in Melbourne.

Monash Malaysia has been rated a Tier 5 (Excellent) university by the Setara Rating System for Malaysian Higher Education Institutions, allowing its students to benefit from government scholarships.

The university has research strengths in biotechnology, medicine and health, among others.

Raffles College of Higher Education, Kuala Lumpur

This Asian-based Malaysian university opened its first Asian campus in Singapore.

There are currently three Raffles universities and 34 colleges in 12 countries.

Strong collaborations with a reputable British university and Raffles College of Design and Commerce in Australia enable a global educational experience.

The courses offered at undergraduate and postgraduate levels are in the areas of design, business and psychology.

UniversityFees

Home campus Branch campus

University of Southampton

RM93,900 – RM115,360RM45,900 (for Malaysian-

based portion of programme)

Curtin University RM77,922 – RM120,558 RM19,696 – RM26,864

University of Nottingham RM95,130 – RM122,484 RM23,580 – RM48,250

Monash University RM95,130 – RM122,484 RM23,580 – RM48,250

Swinburne University of Technology

RM101,126

Heriot-Watt University (with foundation)

RM83,407 – RM105,188 RM45,670 – RM61,900

RM32,860 – RM96,460

The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Semenyih

The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus (UNMC) is a Tier 5 (Excellent) university. Students are taught with the same course materials as those in the UK and China campuses and, upon completing a programme, are awarded a University of Nottingham degree.

Other than a quality educational experience, UNMC also provides students with ample opportunities to experience an enriching student life.

It has more than 60 clubs and societies, ranging from academic to cultural to sports, and also offers unique opportunities such as internships and work experience.

Earn a recognised degree

IUKL offers high-quality programmes at a campus with great lecturers and facilities.

THE STAR, TUESDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2015

course focus 3

IN view of currency fluctuation, studying abroad can be a costly option to earn a quality degree. However, you should not give up on your dream.

The 2+1 collaborative programmes introduced by Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur (IUKL) can be an affordable and better choice for you to pursue a quality and recognised degree overseas.

These collaborative programmes give students an opportunity to complete their degree abroad in just one year.

This can tremendously cut down the cost of study, at the same time allowing students to take advantage of a cross-cultural experience.

At the moment, IUKL offers 2+1 collaborative programmes for undergraduate study, which enables students to study for two years at IUKL and one year at one of its partner universities abroad.

Progression opportunities include progression from a diploma at IUKL to the second year of a degree overseas.

There are six types of financial assistance available in the form of scholarship, tuition fee waiver, loans and flexible payment scheme. All these are put in place to allow you to achieve your ambition at ease.

IUKL believes that education should be made available for everyone. In addition to IUKL Scholarship, IUKL Sports Excellence Scholarship and Tuition Fee Waiver Scheme, students can also apply for loans and scholarship from Mara, PTPTN and EPF, among others.

As the first infrastructure university in Malaysia that emphasises the integration of the hard and soft aspects of infrastructure, IUKL aspires to produce technopreneurs and skilled manpower with outstanding communication, technological and managerial skills.

The university’s programmes are recognised and accredited by professional bodies locally

and abroad. They are approved by the Education Ministry and Malaysian Qualifications Agency.

Two of the university’s degree programmes, the Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Hons) and the Bachelor of Electronics Engineering (Hons), are recognised by the Board of Engineers Malaysia and the Washington Accord, an international agreement among bodies responsible for accrediting engineering degree programmes.

IUKL also receives professional recognition from various local and international professional bodies – Board of Architects Malaysia, Land Surveyors Board, Royal Institution of Surveyors Malaysia, CISCO, International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), among others.

Routes connecting international education is provided through the cooperation between IUKL and several international universities in the UK, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, China, the Netherlands and Germany.

IUKL Info DayTo introduce students to what

the university can offer, IUKL Info Day will be held on Sept 12 and 13 from 10am to 4pm at its 100-acre (40.5ha) campus. The September intake is in progress.

You can start a programme at IUKL with only RM100 and enjoy a RM500 rebate if you register on the spot. Apply now and be a part of the IUKL community to pursue your dreams.

Scholarships and tuition fee waiver of up to 60% are offered to students who excel in their studies. Study loans from PTPTN, Mara and Yayasan Negeri are also available.

n For more information, call 1800 88 STUDY (78839) or visit www.IUKL.edu.my


THE last decade has shown a steady increase of students pursuing a career in the field of mass communication. This paradigm shift could be the result of what is known as the Internet domination.

Borderless communications, global cultures, media convergence and world market are some of the most widely discussed topics of today.

Hence, an individual who wants to pursue a creative profession must keep abreast of the most current and ever-changing trends of the industries.

With the advent of cutting-edge technologies, an individual who is savvy in video making and editing, public relations, and broadcast and digital media with the right amount of global exposure can have the power to influence the masses.

This is why learning and teaching have to go beyond the classroom. Theoretical knowledge is a must, but a practical approach that inspires and places the individual at a vantage point of the profession is imperative for career advancement.

The BA (Hons) Media, Culture and Communication is a 3+0 programme with University of Sunderland, UK, offered at

IACT College.This programme equips students

with quintessential skill sets that are relevant and a top-notch tertiary qualification to get ahead in their career.

Second year student of the degree programme Ker Soon King, 24, believes that the programme provides him with the right foundation for the career of his choice – public relations (PR).

“Besides important theories, the

programme exposes me to a network of real clients with real projects.

“For instance, I am currently working with Himalaya Herbal Healthcare Malaysia in an attempt to work on their PR with their major stakeholders,” says Ker.

Mohammad Nasrun Abu Sufian, 21, who is in his second year of the programme, says, “For me, the BA (Hons) Media, Culture and Communication teaches lessons

beyond the classroom. Each class is filled with detailed content and examples with regards to our weekly topics. The presentation feels natural and complete.”

Tee Wee Lee, 23, also a second year student of the degree programme, says, “The fundamental advantage of the programme is being able to interact with the lecturers personally due to the small classroom size.”

Khao Yen Ling, programme leader for the BA (Hons) Media, Culture and Communication, highlights out another advantage experienced by degree students at IACT College.

“With the 3+0 programme, students here can get a similar overseas study experience.

“They get an international experience via visitations from University of Sunderland lecturers at least twice a year alongside comprehensive university materials and assessments,” says Khao.

“Staying true to IACT College’s pedagogy, we also provide exposure and industry connection by bringing in industry experts to help students understand the current trend of the field.”

While there are other similarly titled degree programmes available

IACT degree students get up close and personal with guest lecturer, international award-winning director Ho Yuhang.

Experts in communicationin Malaysia, IACT College’s BA (Hons) Media, Culture and Communication 3+0 programme is internationally recognised and fully assessed by University of Sunderland to ensure a standardised quality in results.

Each module is delivered by lecturers with relevant industry and academic experience and approved by University of Sunderland and the Malaysian Qualifications Agency.

The degree programme not only produces talented individuals for the workforce, but grooms future creative leaders.

Both University of Sunderland and IACT College believe in nurturing Malaysia’s aspiring creative talents by inspiring them to fulfil their dreams.

IACT College offers degree, diploma, foundation and certificate programmes in mass communication, media studies, marketing, advertising, broadcasting, graphic design and creative multimedia.

Students who are interested to learn more about the programme can visit IACT College Info Day on Sept 12, 13, 19 and 20.

n For more information, call 03-7960 0063 or visit www.iact.edu.my


course focus 5

First step to successWITH the ringgit staying weak against the major foreign currencies, many parents may believe that quality international education for their children is beyond their means.

But is this truly so? There may still be ways for your child to get an international qualification that is within your budget.

For your child, choosing an internationally recognised pre-university programme is a good start towards a fulfilling career.

Taylor’s College, with a strong foundation of 46 years in pre-university programmes, has the know-how on making the best choice for you and your child.

As the pioneer in pre-university education and part of the Taylor’s Education Group – the oldest education group in Malaysia – Taylor’s College is a leader that sets new standards in education.

At Taylor’s College, the pre-university curriculum and syllabus, regardless of programme, are designed by academic experts to offer the best education, academically and beyond the classroom.

All Taylor’s College students are guided to have leadership skills, life skills and learning skills to help them achieve career success and make an impact in life.

With a holistic education approach, the Taylor’s College team helps students discover their strengths and passion as well as brings out the best in

every student.Unlike some other colleges,

Taylor’s College offers pre-university programmes at a fixed price. As prices are not scheduled to increase from now until the end of next year, this means the funds you have budgeted for your child’s education are buffered against the ringgit’s volatility.

Your child has many options

among the highly regarded and widely accepted pre-university programmes offered by Taylor’s College at its Subang Jaya and Sri Hartamas campuses.

The programmes include Cambridge A-Levels (CAL), Canadian Pre-University (CPU), International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) and South Australian Matriculation

(SAM)/SACE International.The CAL is the “gold standard”

qualification conducted by the prestigious Cambridge International Examinations board.

Taylor’s College is the largest independent centre for CAL in Malaysia with students having achieved the highest number of As.

With CAL, Taylor’s College students can choose to further their studies at the best universities worldwide such as University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, University College London, and the London School of Economics and Political Science.

With more than 88% Ontario-certified Canadian teachers, the CPU programme uses an innovative approach in helping students explore and identify their skills.

Based on the MyBluePrint platform, the programme encourages an interactive learning style and helps versatile students shine with a dynamic and creative broad-based curriculum.

Students plan their personal missions at their own pace, blending them with extracurricular activities to create the perfect recipe for success.

Taylor’s College is the only

private higher learning institution in Malaysia that offers the IBDP in a college environment, currently at the Sri Hartamas campus only.

The programme is designed to be academically challenging while providing experiential approaches through Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay and CAS (Creativity, Action, Service) activities. IBDP students are guided to achieve the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award.

The SAM/SACE International is the most popular Australian-based matriculation programme in Malaysia.

Many SAM/SACE International students have gained entry into top universities worldwide, including in Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, India, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The right pre-university programme is the foundation of a student’s future.

With Taylor’s College offering a selection of the world’s top programmes, students can obtain international qualifications here in Malaysia, offering parents peace of mind and the most financially savvy choice.

n For more information, visit college.taylors.edu.my

Taylor’s College students are exposed to opportunities in a thriving environment that bring out the best in them.

SHREYASI Hait, third year chemical engineering student at The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus (UNMC), won the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) Speak Out for Engineering (SOfE) competition at the South East Asia Region (SEAR).

Shreyasi’s presentation, titled “FPSOs: A revolution in oil and gas”, was chosen as the winning presentation over other contestants from Malaysia and Singapore.

The panel of judges are IMechE SEAR chairman Ir P.E. Chong, practising lawyer and former debating champion Sugania Kesavan and Toastmasters District 51 public speaking champion (2012 and 2013) Sim Bock San.

“It was my first time winning a competition at a national and then international level. I had taken part in it to explore new boundaries and winning was unexpected but amazing. It was a huge boost in confidence and a great learning experience,” said Shreyasi.

Shreyasi became Malaysia’s national SOfE champion on Nov 29 last year after competing against six other participants from several universities in Malaysia at IMechE EngNow 2014 hosted at UNMC by IMechE Student Chapter of UNMC.

She was also part of the winning team NottShades in the Biomedical Devices for the Visually Impaired Design Competition held on the same day.

Speak Out for Engineering

Speak Out for Engineering is a competition designed to help develop verbal and visual communication in explaining technical mechanical engineering related subjects.

The competition was established in 1964 to challenge young engineers to prove that they could communicate effectively, which is still an important concern for today’s

developing engineers.In 1977, Queen Elizabeth II

gave permission for the competition to be known as The Queen’s Silver Jubilee Competition (QSJ), and in 2004, it became known as Speak Out for Engineering.

“Ever since we revived IMechE Student Chapter of UNMC, SOfE became an instrumental motivation for members who wanted to excel and represent our institution.

“Shreyasi stepped up to the challenge and represented our university excellently, becoming the first UNMC student to win the international level of SOfE,” said Alireza Parpaei, past SOfE champion and former IMechE Student Chapter president, who is a third year mechanical engineering student at UNMC.

“As a runner-up in both SEAR and inter-regional contests in 2013, which took place in Thailand and Hong Kong respectively, I can vouch for the level of standards of the competition and we are very proud of Shreyasi’s achievement.”

This year, the university’s internal SOfE took place on Aug 6 at UNMC and the winner will represent UNMC at the national championship during IMechE EngNow 2015 at Monash University Malaysia on Sept 12.

UNMC celebrates its 15th anniversary

The University of Nottingham is one of the world’s global universities, with campuses in Malaysia, the UK and China.

This year marks UNMC’s 15th year since it was set up as the UK’s first full-fledged international campus in Malaysia.

All three Nottingham campuses continue to enrich the lives of students across the world through global education, ground-breaking research and community engagement.

n For more information, visit www.nottingham.edu.my


IMeche Malaysia Young Members

Section chairman Chen Khin Fai

(left) presenting the first prize

award to Shreyasi Hait, Malaysia’s national Speak

Out for Engineering 2014

champion.

Shreyasi Hait giving her presentation at the national level of Speak Out for Engineering.

Global triumph

Top-notch facilities

The modern city of Putrajaya serves as a vibrant backdrop for students.

HERIOT-WATT University Malaysia was recently shortlisted for the internationally renowned World Architecture Festival 2015 award in the Higher Education and Research category.

Officially opened in February this year, the campus is the brainchild of Hijjas Kasturi Associates Sdn, an award-winning Kuala Lumpur-based architectural firm.

The Heriot-Watt University Malaysia campus is indeed a masterpiece. Located in Precinct 5, Putrajaya, the campus sits on a stunning 4.8-acre (1.9ha) site overlooking the Putrajaya Lake.

There are numerous green features incorporated into the design of the building, the most significant of which is its sweeping green-living grass roof.

This distinctive roof, while aesthetically beautiful, also serves multiple purposes; it provides shade to the spaces below, reduces thermal transmittance and collects rainwater that is used to irrigate the landscape below.

With a current student capacity of 4,000 (which is expected to expand to 6,000 once fully developed), the campus has been designed with the students’ needs in mind.

Student meeting and common rooms can be found throughout the campus, while the university’s two-storey library is equipped with quiet study rooms for students who prefer individual study as well as group study and discussion areas for collaborative learning.

The 365 rooms are made available for students who need to burn the midnight oil on campus.

The university also has a cafeteria overlooking the scenic lake and promenade. A bakery, convenience store and other retail outlets are all in the works as the campus continues to develop.

Heriot-Watt University is a leading British university with a legacy that traces back to the 1800s and is renowned for its

programmes, particularly in built environment, engineering and business.

In addition to its Putrajaya campus, the university has three other campuses in the United Kingdom and one in Dubai.

Students looking for an education that will prepare them for a successful career will find just that at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia.

Staying true to its commitment in producing industry-ready graduates, the university works closely with industry professionals to develop and accredit its curricula.

This guarantees that materials and syllabi used are current and relevant to industry requirements, while ensuring that students receive an education that will enable them to thrive in their chosen fields.

These partnerships are proving to be a winning formula as Heriot-Watt University was ranked 15th in the UK for highest starting salary within six months of graduation by the Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide 2015.

Heriot-Watt University is also placed in the top two in the UK and second in Scotland, according to The Guardian University Guide 2016.

The guide also ranks the university within the top five in the UK and first in Scotland for a number of its courses, namely civil engineering, electronic and electrical engineering, accounting and finance, building and town and country planning as well as economics.

The campus in Malaysia has formed partnerships with a number of the country’s notable organisations, including Shell Malaysia, YTL Corporation Berhad, Yayasan Dayadiri and MNRB Holdings Berhad.

n For more information on the programmes and scholarships offered at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia, call 03-8894 3888 or e-mail [email protected] or visit www.hw.edu.my


course focus 7


College of high achievers

KDU College Penang has a 95% employment rate within the first six months of graduation as well as a strong link with more than 250 industrial partners for internship and graduate placement.

KDU College Penang (KDU College) has been the largest provider of private tertiary education in the northern region of Malaysia for the past 24 years, producing more than 19,000 successful alumni since its inception.

Rated as a five-star college by the Education Ministry’s MyQuest Audit 2010/2011 and 2012/2013, KDU College is well equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to complement its classroom lessons.

KDU College partners with top-ranked universities – including Keele University and Northumbria University in the United Kingdom as well as IMI University in Switzerland – to offer a wide range of internationally recognised, industry-driven programmes at its campus on Jalan Anson.

The courses offered at KDU College include IMI (3+0) BA International Hotel & Tourism Management, Northumbria University (3+0) BSc (Hons) in Communication and Public Relations, Keele University, UK (3+0) BA (Hons) in Business Management and Finance, Keele University, UK (3+0) BA (Hons) Business Management and Marketing, Northumbria University (3+0) BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering, Northumbria University (3+0) BEng (Hons) in Electrical & Electronic Engineering, and Northumbria University (3+0) BSc (Hons) in Computing Studies.

At KDU College, students learn from industry experts and gain unique learning experiences through practical simulations, outcome-based learning and experiential learning initiatives.

From 2014 to 2015, five mass communications students obtained first-class honours in Northumbria University’s BSc (Hons) in Communication and Public Relations.

They were Nurul Fareha Jamal Mohamed, Nisha Sema, Fong Gwen Lyn, Rachel Ooi Zi Xin and Mehvar Khan.

In the Information Technology Department, eight students obtained first-class honours in Northumbria University’s BSc (Hons) in Computing Studies this year. They were Ang Zheng Kai, Gan Wei Jun, Kok Weng Khin, Lim Ken Tat, Tan Ngiap Han, Vincent Hing, Yeap Chee Yien and Tan Kee Oon.

Besides facilitating academic excellence, KDU College lecturers constantly encourage students to get involved in different challenges, gain life experiences and broaden horizons.

Lim Wai Xiang and Neoh Yu Zun – first-class honours graduates of Northumbria University’s Bachelor of Engineering (Hons), specialising in Electrical and Electronic Engineering – made it to the finals in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Competition.

Adding to the list of success stories, Adrian Teo Wei Hong, who recently graduated with Northumbria University’s Bachelor of Engineering (Hons), specialising in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, won the champion title at the national level in the Go Green in the City 2015 competition organised by Scheneider Electric.

The objective of the competition was to provide a global business challenge for students to design innovative solutions for smart cities.

These students’ achievements outside the classroom have definitely enhanced their resumes, which gives them a head start in job hunting.

KDU College nurtures graduates who are job-ready and competent for the industry. It has reaffirmed its status as a premier education institution that produces sought-after graduates with 95% of its graduates either being offered job placements within six months upon graduation or accepted into prominent universities worldwide for postgraduate studies under prestigious scholarships.

Over the years, KDU College has established strong industrial linkages for the career advancement of its graduates.

Soon after the collaboration agreement between KDU College and Holiday Inn Hotel was signed near the end of 2013, the college expanded its industrial collaboration with the National Instruments (NI) by signing a memorandum of understanding.

This led to the launching of the NI LabVIEW Academy, which offers students real-world electronics experience.

KDU College aims to groom more LabVIEW-trained and LabVIEW-certified developers and engineers to meet the growing industry demand.

KDU College will begin its new intake for its UK and Swiss degree programmes this month and next month.

You can visit the Degree Open Day on Sept 19 from 9am to 5pm. Enjoy a waiver on registration fees when you register during the Degree Open Day at KDU College.

n For more information, visit the campus or call 04-238 6368.


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Learning comes to lifeAT the start of the new academic year at Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia (NUMed Malaysia), there was an unusual arrival.

Sven didn’t provide any academic credentials in advance; neither did he pay any tuition fees. In fact, NUMed Malaysia made a significant investment to get him on board.

This is because Sven is not a student or a lecturer. He is a simulated patient, used for special medical training purposes.

Since his arrival, Sven has become a central part of the learning experience at NUMed Malaysia and has revolutionised the way medical training is delivered at the British university.

In fact, he is so popular with the students that the university thought he needed his own name; Sven was chosen in honour of his development by a Swedish company.

Sven gets involved in a variety of training scenarios to prepare the medical students for areas such as standard clinical procedures and acute care situations.

Students can practise techniques to clear a patient’s airway or insert an intravenous drip line into a vein, as well as treat emergencies such as a heart attack or septic shock.

But Sven is not a passive patient. He is so true to life that he reacts to the treatments he is receiving. He coughs, talks, breathes and has even died several times.

According to Prof Philip Bradley, academic dean at NUMed, this is a crucial part of the learning experience.

He says: “Sven, our simulated patient, adds a whole new dimension to the learning experience.

“Patient simulation allows students to go beyond the theory taught in the classroom and get hands-on experience in critical care situations. It means they can learn from their mistakes in a risk-free environment.”

Patient simulation has traditionally been associated with real-life volunteers role-playing as medical patients for the purpose of training medical students.

This interactive training method is one of the ways the students’ professional communication skills are developed to facilitate the delivery of patient-centric care.

However, this form of simulation has certain limitations and does not allow

for hands-on training for some life-saving techniques.

This is one of the reasons simulated patients, in the form of mannequins, are becoming more and more popular.

Simulated patients such as Sven are a central part of the learning experience at Newcastle University, UK, as well.

Students at the state-of-the-art branch campus in Nusajaya, Johor, use the simulated patients for exactly the same scenarios as those in the UK.

This is one of the many synergies between the two campuses. They also share identical standards, teaching methods and curricula, and all degrees are conferred by Newcastle University, UK.

Selected staff members rotate between the two campuses. Even the students of NUMed Malaysia are given the opportunity to undertake six months of study in the UK.

This ensures that students benefit from the best that each campus has to offer.

Sven is a single man for now, but he has proved so valuable, there is every chance he will be getting a family in the future.

The addition of a wife and child will further enhance NUMed Malaysia’s holistic medical training to nurture tomorrow’s doctors.

About NUMed Malaysia

Newcastle University, UK, has established an international branch campus in Johor to offer its undergraduate degrees in medicine and biomedical sciences as well as opportunities for postgraduate study.

The programmes of study are equivalent to those of Newcastle’s UK-based provision and lead to the award of the same degrees.

By choosing to study at NUMed Malaysia, students will obtain a reputable UK qualification, from an internationally recognised university, at a cost significantly lower than that of studying in the UK.

The undergraduate Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery (MB BS) degrees were launched in 2009 and the BSc in Biomedical Sciences was launched in 2013. Both programmes offer opportunities for periods of study in the UK.

Applications are now open for the September intakes.

n For more information, visit www.newcastle.edu.my

Sven, a simulated patient, plays an important role in the practical training of medical students at NUMed Malaysia.

Opportunities for transfer

The American Degree Transfer Program (ADTP) at Sunway University offers a global educational experience.


THE American Degree Transfer Program (ADTP), the flagship programme under Sunway University’s Center for American Education (CAE), is a True-Credit Transfer Program widely accepted by American and Canadian universities.

Upon meeting preliminary requirements, Sunway students may transfer their credits and complete the final two or three years of their undergraduate degree overseas.

Sunway University has a consistent and successful record of sending students abroad. Much of this success is attributed to the ADTP team in preparing and empowering students as well as strategically building connections with American universities.

Doreen John (pic), originally from Wisconsin, United States, is the head of partnerships and student engagement for the CAE.

In the area of partnerships, she works on organising, developing and maintaining relationships between Sunway University’s CAE and overseas universities, primarily in the US and Canada.

“Our prime type of partnership has been developing transfer equivalency agreements with universities overseas so Sunway students can transfer overseas for their degree completion.

“I am exploring opportunities to expand the number and types of partnerships we have with American universities,” explains John.

As for the student engagement aspect of her work, she helps prepare Sunway students for life in American universities by providing them with information, tools and resources to assist them in understanding and adapting to the higher educational system and culture in the US.

Along with the placement office at Sunway University, Sunway’s CAE staff provides assistance to students

in selecting colleges and universities to transfer to in the US.

As an American, John experienced the American education first hand. She has spent more than 25 years in Malaysia, so her unique background contributes to her extensive understanding of the educational systems of the US and Malaysia.

This gives her the ideal experience and expertise for her current position at Sunway University.

John has largely dedicated her life to education in many ways. She completed her undergraduate and master’s degree in the field of education as well as worked in schools and a university in the US before coming to Malaysia.

“It is very satisfying work for me as I believe that education is important for the development of individuals and the progress of societies.

“I believe I am well-equipped to assist more young people who aspire to study in the US and I can contribute my expertise to strengthen the ADTP at Sunway University,” says John.

Speaking about the advantages for students who enrol in the ADTP at Sunway University, John explains that the flexible and well-rounded US educational system is one of the main benefits.

In addition, enrolling in the ADTP at Sunway University after Form 5 or IGCSE/O-Levels saves both time and cost.

“I am passionate about the holistic, well-rounded education offered in American universities because I personally benefited from it, as have my own children and many young Malaysians I have

assisted,” John adds.“I believe the well-rounded

liberal arts education characteristic of most American universities is excellent preparation for young people to develop and mature in as well as to prepare them to be flexible for future careers in an ever-changing working world.”

John and her team are happy to provide assistance and advice to prospective and current students of the programme.

n For more information about the American Degree Transfer Program at Sunway University, call 03-7491 8622 or e-mail [email protected] or visit sunway.edu.my/university/cae

Real-world readySINCE 2000, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus in Kuching has been producing professionally oriented graduates by combining teaching, research and industry expertise with a supportive real-world learning environment.

Over the past few years, its graduate tracking shows that more than 90% of its graduates actively seeking employment are absorbed by the industry within six months of graduating.

The professionally accredited business, computing, design, engineering and science courses offered by the university tackle real-world issues with a strong hands-on focus.

As the curriculum is sourced from its home campus, a Swinburne Sarawak graduate is awarded the same degree as his or her peers in Melbourne.

Although the courses may be completed entirely in Kuching, degree students may transfer to the Melbourne campus to complete them. Alternatively, an exchange programme at the home campus is available.

Most of the university’s degrees require students to undertake a professional major with either a co-major or two minors.

The co-major and minors provide opportunities for in-depth study for those who wish to specialise and obtain additional discipline-based skills and knowledge that employers seek. This flexibility of choice

The strong practical component in Swinburne Sarawak’s courses prepares students for their future career.

gives students the opportunity to tailor their degree.

With more than 4,000 students from more than 60 countries, Swinburne Sarawak is vibrant, diverse and colourful.

In recognition of their academic accomplishment, newly enrolled students with public examination results that meet the criteria are eligible for scholarship awards.

The financial incentive is also awarded to students when they meet the scholarship requirements in their semester exams.

n For more information, visit www.swinburne.edu.my


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AT 72, Assoc Prof Dr Lim Yau Yan could be enjoying his retirement just like many of his peers.

However, relaxing at home and playing with his grandchildren are not exactly how he wants to keep his mind active.

Instead, after his retirement from Universiti Malaya (UM) 17 years ago, he accepted the opportunity given to continue his passion in teaching and research at Monash University Malaysia.

“When I was in UM, I was mainly doing research in the area of pure chemistry and that gave me a good foundation in what I was going to do at Monash when I joined the university in 1998,” he says.

Assoc Prof Lim says Monash has opened up a new chapter for him as both a lecturer and researcher specialising in the study of antioxidant properties of local fruits and herbal plants.

“Monash has given me a chance to work in areas that I previously did not get to explore and this change in my research areas has turned out to be quite fruitful,” he says.

Together with his postgraduate students, Assoc Prof Lim has investigated more than 60 plants and published more than 35 research papers since 2006.

One of his three most remarkable works is the discovery of antioxidant properties in ginger plant leaves.

“Ginger roots are commonly used but many are not aware that the leaves are high in antioxidant contents, which are beneficial to human health,” he says.

Another work that he is very proud of is the finding of Blechnum orientale, a fern, as an antioxidant, anticancer and antibacterial agent.

“This plant is found to be especially effective against a colon cancer cell line and our

findings indicate that it has a promising potential to be developed into an antioxidant, anticancer and antibacterial agent,” he says.

Assoc Prof Lim says another of his research that has been highly cited and rated is the discovery of Rhoeo spathacea, or better known as oyster plant, as a potential food colorant.

The study tested the stability of the purple-red colour of the plant and its findings suggest that it has a stable colour property in acidic pH and food models.

He says patents on the preparation of the extract from both fern and oyster plant have been filed.

“My research in UM carries industrial applications for the food and paint industries while my works in Monash are more beneficial to human health,” Assoc Prof Lim explains.

On whether he has any plans to work with pharmaceutical companies in developing supplements and medicines based on his research findings, Assoc Prof Lim says: “I will leave that to my

students. My interest is in teaching and publishing papers.”

Currently, Assoc Prof Lim works three days a week at the School of Science in Monash Malaysia.

However, that does not stop him from checking his work e-mails every hour until as late as midnight on his days off.

He says students frequently e-mail him for comments even at the eleventh hour, especially when the due date of their assignments or theses is approaching.

“I can always wait until the next day to reply their e-mails but then they will not be able to submit their theses on time and I understand how important that is to them,” he says.

On why he loves teaching so much, Assoc Prof Lim shares, “You always learn something new, especially when you are preparing for a class. You always need to keep yourself updated with the latest development.

“It is the same with research as you will find new things in every project and that is what makes life exciting.”

n For more information on the programmes at the School of Science, Monash Malaysia, visit www.sci.monash.edu.my

Love for teaching and research

The School of Science at Monash University Malaysia offers a stimulating environment for students to learn in.

Pathway to a career in law

HAVING partnerships and affiliations with more than 25 UK universities and professional organisations, Brickfields Asia College (BAC) offers its students access to more than 100 world-class degrees and professional qualifications that can be completed either locally or abroad.

Over the past three years alone, BAC has produced more than 400 world and national top students, book prize winners, first-class and second-class upper graduates.

BAC offers the UK Transfer (UKT) Degree Programme (Business) where students can choose to pursue degrees in a range of areas such as business management and logistics and supply chain management from more than 10 prestigious UK partner universities.

For law, students can opt to pursue their LLB (Hons) via the University of London International Programmes, the only external law degree recognised by the Legal Professional Qualifying Board. This programme allows students to complete all three years of study in Malaysia.

BAC also offers the UKT Degree Programme (Law), which allows students to study in Malaysia for up to two years before transferring to one of BAC’s prestigious UK partner universities for the remainder of the course.

After obtaining a law degree, graduates

may choose to pursue the Certificate in Legal Practice, which will qualify them to become advocates and solicitors in Malaysia.

At the undergraduate level, 29 graduates from eight BAC UK partner universities were awarded first-class LLB (Hons) in the May examination, a first for a local institution. BAC has produced 99 first-class LLB (Hons) graduates over the past four years.

BAC aims to enhance students’ credentials through the innovative Masterclass Series (MCS) programme.

The MCS is a revolutionary legal programme that provides students with essential training in the core areas of legal practice such as advocacy skills, contract and legal drafting skills, conveyancing law and practice, negotiation skill and personal injury litigation.

Another programme unique to BAC is the Professional Plus Series (ProPlus), which is designed to equip legal students and practitioners with relevant industry-specific knowledge.

The ProPlus allows students to explore different areas of practice prior to specialising in a specific area of law.

The September intake is in progress.

n For more information, call 03-2274 4165 or visit www.bac.edu.my

BAC produces many high-achieving graduates who are prepared for successful careers in business and law.

Documents

Course Focus - 8 September 2015