Course Focus - 21 April 2015

StarSpecialTHE STAR Tuesday 21 April 2015

course Focus:Foreign Degrees anD Branch campuses

The world at your doorstep

Gain a world-class business degree > 7 Diversity key to global education > 9

2 COURSE FOCUS StarSpecial, Tuesday 21 April 2015

International opportunities found on home ground

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OVERSEAS campuses first appeared in the 1950s when American universities set

up campuses in other countries to facilitate the education of American citizens and military personnel abroad. In the 1990s, globalisation played a great part in turning this concept around, changing the purpose and perception of such campuses to what we know today.

Foreign branch campuses are set up upon agreement with partner host countries, such as in the first Malaysian agreement in 1998 with Monash University, which started with the government extending an offer to the Australian university to set up a campus here.

The education landscape is ever-evolving, and numerous foreign branch campuses have since reached our shores. Several international names have made a local presence in the collective pursuit of affordable yet valuable tertiary education.

These foreign branches promise high-quality education with wider recognition at a relatively lower cost. Students may pursue twinning programmes or even complete their studies locally and still graduate with the same qualifications as the overseas campus. Foreign universities also offer the semester or year abroad option so local students may study at a parent or partner university overseas at the same fee as the Malaysian branch campus.

It is no wonder then that foreign branch campuses have a significant role to play in realising the Malaysian government’s higher education goals under the Economic Transformation Programme. The government aims to establish more branch campuses for foreign universities in the coming years, allowing only Tier One institutions in the country and exploring Malaysia’s potential as a regional education hub.

Students who experience higher education at these campuses are able to grow holistically through the unique opportunities offered. The national education focus is shifting towards creating lifelong learners who are capable of seeking and developing relevant skills and knowledge, which match the pedagogy and learning style at these institutions.

“The foreign branch campus offers a different style and approach to higher education involving a student-centred approach, critical thinking, teaching to challenge and critique, as well as the development of transferable skills,” says Prof Christine Ennew, chief executive officer and provost of The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus.

There are many benefits to studying at a foreign branch

campus, and Prof Ennew summarises the most important element: “Students learn to learn; not learn subjects per se, but to be lifelong learners of new knowledge in the future and continue to be able to learn even outside of formal education.”

Matching students of such potential with institutes that are able to deliver the education necessary to mould them into leaders of tomorrow is therefore vital in producing graduates who are able to steer the nation’s development in the right path.

There are many leading foreign branch campus universities in the country that can be considered for tertiary education.

Here are some options for potential student to consider:

• Monash University MalaysiaThe pioneering foreign branch

campus in the country, Monash University is located in Bandar Sunway and has been in operation since the late 90s. Today, it has an established School of Medicine and Health Sciences and houses several key research facilities that play an integral part in the overall educational experience.

There are nearly 6,000 students pursuing foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate studies across several disciplines, including arts and social sciences, business, engineering, information technology, medicine and health sciences.

• University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus (UNMC)

UNMC prides itself in being a global university, with a student body consisting of 30% international students from 70 countries as well as staff members of more than 30 nationalities.

“A foreign branch campus has the capacity to provide choices and options to make the higher education landscape more diverse,” says Prof Ennew,

as reflected in UNMC’s active research and development, state-of-the-art facilities as well as vibrant campus life.

The university offers foundation programmes in arts, business, engineering and science and bachelor’s degrees in arts and social sciences, engineering and science.

• Curtin University SarawakThis campus covers 300

acres (121ha) in Senadin, north Sarawak, surrounded by lush greenery and wetlands. Originating in Perth, Australia, Curtin Sarawak incorporates impressive modernity in facilities and research while preserving the traditional flavour that is synonymous to the region. It is also equipped for a well-rounded campus life and projected to increase in student population upon completion of its next phase of development.

The university offers foundation, diploma and degree courses in areas such as arts, business, commerce, engineering and science as well as technology.

• Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus

A branch of Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus prides itself in producing top graduates; 90% of their learners are absorbed into the industry within six months of graduating.

The campus is located in Kuching, Sarawak, so students can enjoy a relatively lower cost of living on top of lower course fees. The university offers foundation, diploma and degree courses in business, computing, design, engineering and science, which are structured after the courses in Australia.

It also boasts a multicultural student and staff body and advanced facilities, both of which contribute to a well-rounded learning experience in their own ways.

The national education focus is shifting towards creating life-long learners who are capable of seeking and developing relevant skills and knowledge, which match the pedagogy and learning style at these institutions.

Foreign branch campuses offer high-quality international education at affordable costs.

By THERESA BELLE

Students who pursue studies at a foreign branch campus become lifelong learners.

StarSpecial, Tuesday 21 April 2015 COURSE FOCUS 3

EDUCITY@Iskandar has been identified as a key project in developing Malaysia into a regional education hub, attracting renowned institutions to open up branches and develop world-class graduates within the country. EduCity is expected to accommodate 16,000

Exciting foreign optionsstudents in various tertiary education facilities upon completion.

Located in the prime development of Iskandar Malaysia, this fully integrated education hub consists of several top universities with exciting opportunities such as these:

Students in the Asia-Pacific region now have more higher education opportunities available to them.

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Fun open day for allFOR the first time, Monash University

Malaysia will be hosting Discover Monash, a day to showcase an exciting

blend of student activities, talks by experts and cultural experiences.

The university aims to show that it is more than just an institution that offers degrees.

“There’s something for everybody. We will not only provide information about the courses we offer, but a whole range of activities that everyone can participate in,” says president and pro vice-chancellor Prof Helen Bartlett.

“We are serious about becoming more embedded in the community. Opening our doors in this manner sends a very important message – that we have something meaningful to offer. Beyond producing graduates who are expected to make significant contributions to the country’s economy and society, we want the community to see that the research we do is relevant to their health, well-being, finances, housing and the lifestyle of the community,” she says.

Held on April 25 from 11am to 4pm, visitors can experience and gain insights of what Monash University Malaysia has to offer in a fun-filled day.

Highlights of the day include a children play area where they can get their face painted and a toy hospital where toys can be brought to be “treated” by the university’s medical students.

Visitors can also observe the display of robots and cars made by students and academics from the university’s School of Engineering.

Other things visitors can do include taking photos at a designated photo booth with props, grooving to music played by student clubs or to DJ performances, and even putting their power of deduction and quiz-solving skills to the test with the Monash Hunt to potentially walk away with some amazing prizes.

Interesting talks that will be held on that day include GST: How does it affect me? by Prof Jeyapalan Kasipillai, a professor of business law and taxation and author of A Guide to Malaysian Goods and Services Tax, Diabetes and Heart Disease by consultant endocrinologist Prof Datuk Dr Khalid Abdul Kadir, and A Recipe for a Positive Future and Career by

Monash academic and consultant clinical psychologist Paul Jambunathan (also known as Paul J on TheLiteBreakfast of LiteFM).

There will also be a networking session for industry partners and employers.

With international students from more than 70 countries, the public is also invited to experience the cultural diversity on

campus with a Sri Lankan New Year Celebration hosted by the Sri Lankan

student community. “I hope the community will

discover that we are about lifelong learning, engaging children and adults alike and demonstrating that learning can take place at any age,” says Prof Bartlett.

n For more information on Discover Monash, call Sarah Chew/Uma Mageswary at 03-5514 4440 or visit www.monash.edu.my/campaign/Discover-Monash.html

Visitors to Discover Monash will be able to experience what Monash has to offer in terms of academic and personal development.

Discover the fun of rock-climbing through demonstrations by the Monash Rock Climbing Club.

Prof Helen Bartlett, pro vice-chancellor and president, Monash University Malaysia.

Aircraft Engineering exposes students to more in-depth information and teaches them to analyse data,” he says.

Kerk adds that the affordability of the one-year top-up programme made it easy for him to make a decision to pursue it.

“This was my passion from the start and I intend to ace my exams and graduate with an internationally recognised British degree. It will fast track my aviation career and possibly open up greater opportunities in the

future.”

n For more information, call 06-850 2308 or

07-226 2336 or visit www.nilai.edu.my


En route to fulfilling a passionI HAD always wanted to be involved in the aviation industry but I did not meet the minimum

age requirement for a pilot training programme run by a local airline,” says Kerk Zhen Xiong.

While Nilai University (Nilai U) at that time had just launched its Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering programme, Kerk’s family was insistent that he pursue a degree instead.

As a result, Kerk enrolled in an IT degree programme at a different university.

After four years of studying, Kerk dropped out of his course because he did not find interest in the subjects of his programme.

“Despite having spent all that money, I did not want to continue pursuing an IT degree as I wanted to pursue something that I was passionate about,” he says.

Kerk decided to tell his family that he wished to enrol in Nilai U’s Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering programme. Though he first faced disapproval for dropping out of his degree, he was eventually given the opportunity to pursue the diploma programme by his parents.

Initially, Kerk found it difficult to adjust being around fresh school-leavers who were younger than him.

“I needed to work hard from the start and realised that I could not afford to be unfocused if I wanted to be successful in my studies here. I got to know some of the lecturers in the department well and credit them for steering me in the right direction and encouraging me to pursue the top-up degree following the diploma programme,” he says.

At that time, Nilai U administrators had been in talks with Kingston University, the United Kingdom, about offering students the option to earn an internationally recognised degree in this niche field.

Nilai U offers an advanced diploma for students. According to the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), to qualify for an advanced diploma, students have to complete a year of post-diploma studies.

In addition, Kingston University recognises that Nilai U’s diploma programme’s syllabus prepares students for the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Category B

Kerk Zhen Xiong, student of Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering at Nilai U.

examinations, which is equivalent to Kingston University’s first two years syllabus of its degree programme.

Hence, a year of post-diploma study allows students who have completed the diploma programme to further gain an advanced diploma from Nilai U as well as a BSc (Hons) in Aircraft Engineering from Kingston University.

For Kerk, pursuing this degree is a dream come true and he has consistently scored good grades in both the diploma and top-up degree programme.

“In today’s ultra-competitive job market, I can see why a degree is the minimum qualification that one should aim for. Having this degree is my passport to supervisory and management positions in the future,” he says.

“Of course, EASA certification is the most important qualification for me to gain but having the BSc (Hons) in Aircraft Engineering strengthens my future career prospects.”

Kerk believes that students who are naturally inquisitive with analytical minds flourish in this programme, which is designed to encourage students to think on their feet and provide solutions to hypothetical scenarios.

“The diploma is designed to prepare students to be technicians and students need to memorise and apply many formulae. The BSc (Hons) in


SEGi University and colleges have a wide range of top-notch programmes from pre-university to postgraduate

levels to suit every learner’s need. SEGi partners with international

universities of great repute to offer a globalised learning experience for its students. Programmes offered by the university partners are regulated by the institutions on a regular basis, thus ensuring the same quality of education that students obtain at their home base.

Most of these partner universities offer 3+0 or 4+0 programmes, enabling anyone to pursue a quality Australian, American or British bachelor’s degree in Malaysia.

Below are SEGi’s international partner universities:

Australia

• University of Southern QueenslandUniversity of Southern Queensland is one

of Australia’s leading providers of education both on campus and through its distance education option. With more than 75% of students studying via distance-learning or online mode, the university is at the cutting edge of flexible delivery of resources and technology.

United Kingdom

• Abertay UniversityAbertay University has a long history as

one of Scotland’s leading universities. The institution has an entrenched reputation for professionalism in offering career-driven higher education. All of its researchers are involved in teaching and developing courses, giving students the chance to learn from academic leaders every day.

• Teesside UniversityLocated in Middlesbrough, England, the

university is the first new university to be awarded Times Higher Education University of the Year (2009). Teesside University is also the proud recipient of The Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education 2013, awarded for its outstanding work in the field of enterprise and business engagement.

• University of GreenwichThe university’s Business School offers

business services such as consultancy and runs international conferences on various business topics. It has strong links with the industry, working closely with employers to develop relevant programmes accredited by professional bodies.

• University of LondonUniversity of London is one of the great

universities in the UK consisting of a federation of 19 world-class colleges and

10 specialised institutes. Its reputation for high academic standards has been built on the outstanding teaching and research of its colleges since 1836.

For 153 years, University of London degrees have been accessible to students all over the world through the University of London International Programmes.

• University of SunderlandUniversity of Sunderland has been

providing higher education since 1901. It is an innovative, forward-thinking university with high standards of teaching, research and support.

The university works closely with some of the world’s leading companies. According to the Guardian University Guide 2012, the university is ranked to be the best new university in the North-East of England.

• University of St Mark & St JohnUniversity of St Mark & St John was set

up nearly 175 years ago in London. The National Student Survey results awarded the university 91% for student satisfaction in 2013. This places the university in the top 10 of higher education institutions in England. In the Sunday Times University Guide, the university was awarded 80% for teaching excellence in 2012.

• York St John UniversityYork St John University, located in York,

was founded in 1841 to provide teacher education. In addition to its wide range of undergraduate programmes, it offers postgraduate and post-experience level programmes.

United States

• Troy UniversityTroy University is a comprehensive

public university located in Troy, Alabama. It was founded in 1887 as Troy State Normal School within the Alabama State University System.

It is the flagship university of the Troy University System with an enrolment of 6,998 students at its main campus and a total of 19,579 students in all Troy University campuses.

SEGi has five campuses in the Klang Valley, Penang and Sarawak, making it one of the most accessible higher institutions in the country.

n For more information, call 03-6145 1777 or 1800 887 344 (SEGi University), 03-8600 1888 or 1800 888 622 (SEGi College Subang Jaya), 03-2070 2078 or 1800 888 028 (SEGi College Kuala Lumpur), 04-263 3888 (SEGi College Penang), 082-252 566 (SEGi College Sarawak) or e-mail [email protected] or visit www.segi.edu.my

From health sciences to the arts, students at SEGi are able to study a wide range of fields and earn a qualification to pursue a satisfying vocation.

Wide-ranging partnerships


Gain a world-class business degree

Students at University of Reading Malaysia can expect a great learning experience based on the long-established reputation of the university for academic excellence and tailored support.

THE University of Reading Malaysia (UoRM) is expanding and growing in

the delivery of its world-class programmes in Malaysia.

Having introduced its Foundation in Business in September 2013, UoRM then launched its first undergraduate programme in September last year – the BSc in Finance and Business Management.

The BSc in Finance and Business Management is an innovative programme focused on the areas of finance and business management, delivered through the university’s world-renowned and prestigious Henley Business School.

This programme combines the leadership and management studies for which the Henley Business School is famous for.

The two intakes for the degree (September and January) address the needs of different secondary school systems in the country and provide different options for students.

The University of Reading is renowned for its exciting and innovative research-led teaching, friendly and supportive environment, and excellent graduate employability record.

Students of the new Malaysian campus will benefit from the same world-class student experience found in its campus in the United Kingdom.

While the cost of studying at UoRM is significantly lower than the cost of studying the same programme in the UK campus, the opportunities for learning are as diverse.

UoRM offers scholarship opportunities for students who have performed excellently and awards high achievers throughout their studies at the university.

UoRM’s soon-to-be-completed main campus in EduCity, Iskandar, will bring together the best of its UK campus experience within the natural and cultural environment of Malaysia.

The main campus will open in September and will cater up to 2,500 students.

It will offer programmes at the undergraduate level (subject to approval by the Ministry of Education of Malaysia) in the subject areas of business and management, accounting, finance, real estate, quantity surveying, pharmacy, psychology and law.

Programmes at the postgraduate level will be available from early next year.

A range of new research collaborations are also being explored with Malaysian and international partners to further embed the university’s research excellence in the region.

University of Reading vice-chancellor David Bell says that the university is delighted to be part of the EduCity initiative and to meet the growing demand for its brand of quality education.

“We have about 3,000 graduates from the University of Reading in Malaysia and Singapore, the majority of whom travelled to the United Kingdom to experience our unique offerings, first-class resources and world-class teaching,” says Bell.

“We are therefore proud and excited to have the opportunity to deliver the same experience to students in the Asia-Pacific region at EduCity in Iskandar.

“We are consciously and proactively developing this campus to offer the best experience to students, from the infrastructure of our facilities to the education delivered,” says Bell.

University of Reading is ranked within the top 1% of all universities globally and has attracted international students to its campus in the UK for more than 100 years, besides having a long association with Malaysia.

Having received its first Malaysian student in 1934, the university now has more than 1,400 alumni from Malaysia with 114 Malaysian students having graduated in the last two years in areas of study such as law, finance and quantity surveying.

Each programme, no matter the level of study, will draw on the long-established reputation of the university for academic excellence and tailored support.

UoRM’s impressive future 15-acre (6ha) campus in Iskandar is designed to provide students with everything they will need to have a great learning experience at the university.

In addition, students of any programme will gain the opportunity to study at the University of Reading’s campus in the UK.

n For more information, call 07-295 5010, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.reading.edu.my

An artist’s impression of University of Reading Malaysia campus in Educity, Iskandar.


International education at home

QIUP aims to produce graduates who are passionate in seeking knowledge and achieving their dreams.

SWINBURNE University of Technology Sarawak Campus emphasises

teaching and learning methods that are engaging. It has been producing professionally oriented graduates with skills that match industry needs by combining teaching, research and industry expertise in a supportive learning environment.

More than 90% of its graduates find work in the industry within six months of graduating. Many have been engaged by some of the biggest names in the industry.

The impressive statistics can be attributed to the hands-on focus of the university’s programmes that are designed to tackle real-world issues.

Its business, computing, design, engineering and science programmess are accredited by professional bodies and are identical to those at the university’s home campus in Melbourne, Australia.

With a variety of foundation, bachelor’s, master’s and PhD programmes available, students can choose pathways that suit their interests and career aspirations.

A Swinburne Sarawak graduate is awarded the same Australian degree as his peers at the Melbourne campus.

Apart from obtaining a globally recognised degree, tertiary education at Swinburne Sarawak only costs a third of the fees in Australia.

Although the courses can give QIUP more space at Swinburne Sarawak, undergraduates may transfer to the Melbourne campus to complete their studies.

Students can go on a one-semester exchange programme at the home campus while on Swinburne Sarawak tuition

fees, which is about a fraction of the cost involved in studying in Australia.

At Swinburne Sarawak, students have the chance to experience depth of learning in their chosen discipline and a breadth of complementary study options.

Most of its three-year degrees require undertaking a professional major with either a co-major or two minors.

The co-major and minors chosen can provide further in-depth study to students who wish to specialise and obtain additional discipline-based skills and knowledge that employers seek. This gives students flexibility of choice and the opportunity to tailor the composition of their degree.

Besides academic pursuits, there is plenty to do at the university. Students may choose to join the many extracurricular sports and recreational clubs on campus.

Looking into the interests of students and helping new students adjust to university life is the Student Council, which organises events and activities to enrich university life. These activities encourage interaction and foster cross-cultural understanding among the many nationalities on campus.

With more than 4,000 students from over 60 countries, the campus is vibrant, diverse and colourful. This, combined with the highly experienced teaching staff members from many parts of the world, gives it an

international flavour.The cultural diversity on

campus is in itself a rich learning experience and creates a broader outlook among students and staff.

As a university of technology, Swinburne Sarawak has highly advanced facilities. Its lecture theatre, for example, is equipped with the latest audio-visual technology and seats 350 individuals.

The library accommodates more than 750 people and offers learning resources and services to support the university’s teaching, learning and research programmes.

Engineering, research and science laboratories as well as tutorial rooms are lined with cutting-edge equipment while computer laboratories boast the

latest desktop computers and multimedia applications. State-of-the-art production facilities allow students to create professional video productions.

Housing more than 400 students on campus are two fully furnished hostels with all the conveniences of home.

Newly enrolled students with excellent public examination results may be awarded scholarships. This also applies to students who meet the scholarship requirements in their semester exams.

Swinburne Sarawak is an ideal university for students who want to pursue a uniquely Australian education in Malaysia.

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

Creating a legacy of excellenceQUEST International University Perak (QIUP) was conceptualised for the priming and development of bright students.

QIUP’s goal is to produce quality graduates who have had their intellectual curiosity satisfied and ambitions reached through excellent education.

According to QIUP chief operating officer Nicholas Goh, the university seeks to produce graduates who excel in their respective area of study.

“We do not want to be another degree mill. We want our undergraduates to not only excel in their studies but also to actively participate in various conferences and educational competitions during their study here,” say Goh.

“We were very proud when one of our first year medical undergraduates was selected to present a paper at the 3rd International Public Health Conference & 20th National Public Health Colloquium that took place Kuching, Sarawak.”

This paper, which was a project involving all first year medical undergraduates and titled Prevalence of Hypertension and its risks factors in an Orang Asli community in Perak, Malaysia, was the only paper chosen that was prepared by undergraduates

among the many thousands of papers submitted for selection.

Adding to QIUP’s success is four undergraduates of the Bachelor of Computer Science programme who participated in and were crowned champions in the IBM Mobilithon 2013 competition, an event organised to build skills and develop talent among Malaysian university students in the mobile app space.

The QIUP team participated in the UTP-HAX National Hacking competition, emerging as second runner-up and winning the consolation prize at the Moto Innocup Competition (an inter-university software competition).

The undergraduates also presented papers at the Interdisciplinary ICT Practice Conference and International Symposium on Mathematical Sciences and Computing Research conference.

Their papers have been published in the International Journal of Computer Networks and Applications.

To produce outstanding students, outstanding lecturers are required. In this respect, QIUP has attracted the best intellectual minds.

Students are exposed to impactful research work and work ethics from a brilliant

and passionate panel of staff throughout their studies at QIUP.

There are three faculties and one centre at QIUP – Centre for Foundation Studies, Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Integrative Sciences & Technology, and Faculty of Business, Management & Social Sciences.

QIUP offers programmes at foundation, diploma, degree and postgraduate levels.

Programmes offered at the foundation level are in business and science while programmes offered at diploma level are in hotel management, business management, tourism management, accountancy and information technology.

A wide range of programmes

are offered at degree level. These are the Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Biotechnology, Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) Electronics and Communications Engineering, Bachelor of Computer Science, Bachelor of Arts (Hons) TESL, Bachelor of Accountancy (Hons), Bachelor of Finance (Hons), Bachelor of Business Administration (Hons) in Hospitality and Tourism Management, Bachelor of Business Administration (Hons), Bachelor of Corporate Communication (Hons), Bachelor of Mass Communication (Hons) Journalism, Bachelor of Mass Communication (Hons) Advertising, Bachelor of Information Technology (Hons) and the Bachelor of Medicine and

Bachelor of Surgery. Programmes on offer at the

postgraduate level are the Master of Business Administration and Master of Science.

QIUP’s interim campus is located in Ipoh, away from the distractions of city life and providing a lower cost of living.

Students who wish to pursue an affordable and excellent education while interacting with the best academicians can find what they are looking for at QIUP.

Registration for the April/May intake is ongoing.

n For more information, call 1800 88 QIUP (7487) or e-mail [email protected] or visit www.qiup.edu.my


Swinburne’s city campus in Kuching is only minutes away from restaurants, retail shops and entertainment outlets.

Practical components are a key feature of Swinburne’s courses.

Diversity key to global educationGLOBAL education is an

approach to education that helps students understand

the diversity of global society and the broad-based issues and challenges that are relevant to us.

By equipping students with such a mindset, they are better prepared for a workforce that demands a global world view and an integrated perspective on the way business is carried out and policies are made.

However, the breadth of the concept and the flexibility in the implementation of global education as a good pedagogy means it is often misunderstood.

This concept came under attack in the United States when it was introduced in the 1980s for being “un-American” and encouraging separatism and disunity. However, global education does not mean discounting nationalism and local contexts.

“It encourages exactly the opposite. Thinking global isn’t about devaluing national identities. The worry about the world becoming a single place with a single common identity is unfounded. I don’t see that happening,” says Prof Christine Ennew, chief executive officer and provost of The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus (UNMC).

For her, global education is about understanding and being sensitive to national identity, the celebration of different heritages and traditions, and learning and understanding other cultures.

Speaking from experience, Prof Ennew, who has previously served in various positions in the university’s UK campus, says, “In Malaysia, we can celebrate Hari Raya (Aidilfitri) in July, and then in November and December we are celebrating Deepavali and Christmas. After that, it’s Chinese New Year.

“These are all different festivals and each is an opportunity for us to share and learn something from each other. So it’s not about separatism but rather embracing diversity together.” An integrated approach

Higher education is very much a national matter because it is governed by national policies and national systems. However, it cannot be denied that the future of higher education is in going global as the marketplace opens up and the borders between countries are blurred. Students in Malaysia are in direct competition with students from around the world for the same jobs.

Global education does not take away the roles and responsibilities of the national governing bodies but encourages academic institutions to study what is happening between nations and link these nations together.

The Chinese government invited The University of Nottingham to open a foreign branch campus in China for this reason – because they were keen to learn more about how a British university is run.

An institution that values global education is one that recognises, appreciates and celebrates the world’s diversity in terms of perspective, culture, traditions

and ecology.“The way in which other

cultures do things can make us think and reflect on the way we do them ourselves, which is immensely valuable. Global education is also about awareness of issues that affect people around the world. It is about understanding and being aware of differences in cultures and appreciating the value of the diversity that we have,” says Prof Ennew.

To illustrate this, she explains that in the lecture halls, engineering students will look into green technology to address climate change issues, while students in business will look at improving corporate social responsibility practices. In politics and international relations, students will consider issues of human security and human rights around the world.

However, it is not enough to just say that global education is part of the curriculum. It has to permeate more broadly within the community. Global education is not a subject that is taught as a stand-alone course nor does it have a specific syllabus. It is instead integrated into academic teachings as well as extracurricular activities.

The pressing issues that need the attention of researchers and the youth are global concerns such as climate change, food security, energy, human and international security, and issues of equity, fairness and justice.

“Unsurprisingly, so many of these things are interlinked. For example, if you think about climate change, you think about fossil fuel used for energy and you think about the challenges of growing agricultural crops to feed the planet,” says Prof Ennew.

“Matters related to security, equity and justice fall under the human rights banner. Around both groups of issues is the underlying agenda of health and well-being.”

These are some of the most pressing global changes and university research plays a key role in trying to generate solutions. The key point, according to Prof Ennew, is that these global issues are massive and no country or university can tackle the issue of green technology, for instance, on its own. Each contributing country and institution has different expertise and facilities to offer.

“Locations with high levels of biodiversity have the resource base to explore biofuel production, while other countries with different climatic conditions may focus on researching other energy saving or generating technologies,” says Prof Ennew.

“As an academic institution, it is natural to learn from and share our knowledge with others. We bring the best people from around the world to work together. Universities are doing more than ever to connect with each other.”

A changing worldUNMC encourages and

supports this mindset outside of the curriculum with the

Nottingham Advantage Award, which is an employability-focused additional qualification that it offers to students.

This is where students have the opportunity to do much more in tackling global education agendas. Students can focus on specific issues, volunteer in communities locally or internationally and reflect on what they have done and learnt in the process of getting the credit for the advantage award.

In UNMC, there are numerous multidisciplinary collaborations among students. One distinctive effort involves physiotherapy students from the UK campus, who are working with the education students from the Malaysia campus in a disabled childcare centre in Bukit Harapan in Sabah. The physiotherapy students address the children’s physical needs while the education students help with their educational needs.

“This experience will make our students realise and understand how privileged they are while also participating actively to make a difference, and to do so locally and

internationally,” says Prof Ennew.UNMC has a diverse

international community on campus with students of more than 70 nationalities, staff from more than 30 countries and a large network of societies and clubs. Many of these societies and clubs are cultural and faith-based societies.

While these societies promote and share their cultures and practices, they also collaborate for certain events to bring people together and create mutual understanding and respect.

“The students put in a lot of effort to raise awareness about their culture, which is a fantastic opportunity to learn. Here, you would have the chance to go to a 1930s Shanghai Night organised by the Chinese Cultural Society on one evening, and on another you could be attending the Korean Night or the Discover Islam event,” says Prof Ennew.

She adds, “We recently held the UNMC Earth Hour run by the Nature Society, which was supported by the staff from the Environment Committee. They did a fantastic job of creating the awareness of climate change and the impact of human activity on our environment.”

It is the combination of all of these activities that contributes to the delivery of a global education in UNMC. As a result, it is no surprise that its students are some of the top choices for employers who value graduates groomed to be global citizens who understand the issues and challenges that conform societies around the world.

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

The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus has a diverse international community of students and staff.


As an academic institution, it is natural to learn from and share our knowledge with others. We bring the best people from around the world to work together. Universities are doing more than ever to connect with each other.– Prof Christine Ennew

Global education has to premeate more broadly within the community, not just be part of a curriculum.

Jackson’s experience in NUMed gave her skills that demonstrated her broad educational understanding and knowledge of how to apply what she had learnt at university in a real-life environment.

She came to appreciate the true value of work experience and strongly encourages others to pursue internships or similar opportunities during their time at university.

Jackson is currently a medical sales representative for Johnson & Johnson and has been in the role for almost a year. Her responsibilities include administering a set of hospital accounts and securing sales of

gynaecology products in operating theatres and out-patients


WHEN Gabrielle Jackson spent a summer holiday doing work experience at Newcastle University

Medicine Malaysia (NUMed Malaysia), it brought her biomedical science degree to life in a way she had not expected.

Never did she imagine that just two years later, it would also help kick-start her dream career with one of the largest and most innovative medical companies in the world.

As a 20-year-old undergraduate, Jackson travelled across the world to spend a month assisting with the set-up of cutting-edge laboratories and the trialling of new equipment before NUMed’s biomedical science degree programme was launched in 2013.

Now, Jackson has completed her degree and is working behind a desk for the first time.

She attributes her success in landing a position at Johnson & Johnson to the easy access she had to industry-leading

Equipped for the working worldprofessors, laboratories and facilities while at the University of Newcastle.

“My time at NUMed was a unique opportunity to see how the university’s biomedical science undergraduates are trained and the wealth of resources that they have access to.

“The hands-on experience of the preparation and support within medical and hospital environments also played a crucial role in shaping my ideas for my future career. Besides confirming my passion for the industry, it also inspired me to pursue the career that I have today,” she says.

Jackson developed a curiosity for the pathophysiology of diseases, which first piqued her interest in pursuing a biomedical science degree.

She also found it interesting to be able to combine her interest in the theory of human sciences with a profession that offered her exciting opportunities in an innovative industry.

departments. “At NUMed, I learnt the importance of

having high-quality medical equipment and how it can have an impact on the performance or standard of a procedure. I also learnt the commercial aspects of medicine such as how to manage the purchase of equipment while operating within a budget. This has helped me in managing, supporting and doing business with clients,” says Jackson.

Many career options are available for biomedical science graduates. Biomedical science degrees are highly valued in the medical industry as graduates gain an understanding of the functions of the human body as well as the scientific, experimental and critical skills valued in many industries.

Graduates have excellent career paths ahead of them, including roles in clinical research, medicine and dentistry, financial sector, industrial science and a vast array of commercial roles.

“Being a biomedical science graduate, I would have looked at other roles in the medical field if I had not come to work at Johnson & Johnson. Personally, I think I would have explored the option of becoming a medical journalist,” says Jackson.

About the universityNewcastle University, UK, has

established an international branch campus in Johor, Malaysia, to provide its undergraduate degrees in medicine and biomedical science as well as opportunities for postgraduate study.

The programmes 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 less than that of studying in the UK.

n For more information, visit www.ncl.ac.uk/numed/

The Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia campus standing majestically in Johor.

Gabrielle Jackson, biomedical science student of Newcastle University, spent a summer holiday to gain experience at the Malaysian campus.


Showcasingexcellence UNIVERSITI Tunku Abdul

Rahman (UTAR), one of the premier private

universities in Malaysia, is committed to providing quality and affordable education. Its goals are to achieve global status and create societal impact through quality training, education, research and community services.

The UTAR Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science (LKC FES), which was established in 2004, has built a good reputation of teaching and research excellence.

The presence of its engineering and science programmes creates a unique position for students to achieve academic excellence through its inter-disciplinary research and development, intellectual exchanges and high standard of academic quality.

LKC FES offers 16 undergraduate programmes and boasts multiple successes of its engineering students in national competitions such as the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) Malaysia Final Year Project (FYP) Competition and the Innovate Malaysia Design Competition.

The UTAR Centre for Vehicular Technology (CVT) of LKC FES is a shining example of the relevancy and progress in the university’s research excellence.

One of CVT’s research projects involves research on technology for electric vehicles (EV). EVs are powered by rechargeable battery energy instead of the conventional internal combustion engines that run on fossil fuel.

CVT chairperson Dr Chew Kuew Wai and his team of postgraduate and undergraduate students have recently successfully converted an internal combustion engine vehicle into a fully electric one that runs on a 144V direct current motor.

Students in the research team benefited from the blended learning at UTAR,

which included theoretical work on designs and concepts, practical work on power controls and engine components as well as research on the high-energy efficiency of the electric motor versus that of petrol fuel.

UTAR’s research has gained recognition from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Mosti) as shown in the RM2.79mil award given under the Mosti Flagship Programme for the university’s research of a brain computer-interface wheelchair project.

Project leader Prof Ir Datuk Goh Sing Yau, who is also a lecturer at the Department of Mechanical and Material Engineering LKC FES, says, “The research project aims to provide better mobility for a movement-impaired person such as in the case of someone with motor-neuron disease. We are also improving the system to help users with speech disabilities to communicate by using their brain signals to select pictures or phrases on a display.”

Furthermore, the Centre for Healthcare Science and Technology (CHST) of LKC FES was awarded the UTAR Research Centre Excellence Award last year.

This award was based on the research centre’s achievements in publications, research funding, research collaboration, postgraduate training and the conferences, seminars, workshops and talks conducted.

UTAR invites school-leavers to its Campus Tour and Information Day to join a tour led by UTAR student ambassadors. It will be held on April 25 from 10.30am to 4.30pm at UTAR’s campuses in Bandar Sg Long and Kampar, Perak.

UTAR is also hosting its Open Day on May 16 and 17 from 9.30am to 5.30pm at both campuses.

n For more information, call 03-7958 2628 (PJ campus), 05-468 8888 (Perak campus) or e-mail [email protected] or visit www.utar.edu.my

A balanced academic life

MANY students step into a tertiary institution with sincere intent to perform well academically.

However, in a place where you are suddenly given the free rein to determine how you spend your time, keeping a balance between your academic and social lives is no small challenge.

Here are some tips for a balanced university life:

Set realistic goalsYour goals should be achievable

so that you do not burn yourself out in the process of reaching them or become disappointed when you fall short.

At the same time, do not set goals that are so low that they are no longer a challenge or become boring. Moderation is key.

Expect mistakesIf you have only been in

university for a month but expect to execute every task with perfection, you are being too hard on yourself.

Even if you are realistic in setting your goals, there will be times when you fail to reach them, and that is okay. Failing a test in the first half of your semester means you can identify your area of weakness, work on it and do better in your final examination.

PrioritiseTo be sure that you accomplish

any important task each day, prepare a list of things that need to be done for the day, with the most

urgent tasks written at the top of the list. Try to complete the most important tasks first before moving on to the ones nearer to the bottom of the list.

When important tasks have not been checked off the list, it is only wise to say no to the less urgent activities.

Treat studies as your workOne way to be a disciplined

student is to strictly set aside weekdays as your workdays.

This means that if you have a few hours between classes, you should spend it catching up on some academic reading instead of catching a movie at a nearby mall

with friends.

Consistency countsIf you make it a habit to

continually work on your assignments, tutorials and essays throughout the week, you will realise that an amazing amount of work can be completed before Friday evening comes around. This means your weekend will be freed up for quality family time, fun activities with friends and other leisurely pursuits.

When you are consistent in doing your college work throughout the semester, you will find that balancing academics and social life is not that difficult a task after all.

Finding a balance between academic and social life is not impossible when you know how to prioritise.

Dr Chew Kuew Wai (standing, third from right) and his team members (posing with) the prototype electric vehicle that they converted from a conventional internal combustion engine vehicle.


STUDENTS from the University of Southampton Malaysia campus gained the

opportunity to step into the world of the Barclays Premier League during a tour of St Mary’s Stadium, home to the Southampton Football Club, known as the Saints.

The students, who are in their final two years of the MEng in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Southampton, took time out of their studies to learn the history of the football club, which was founded in 1885.

They viewed the club’s trophy cabinet, toured the home and away team dressing rooms, visited the post-match interview area and viewed the pitch from one of the venue’s hospitality boxes.

They also went to the side of the pitch via the “tunnel”, through which famous players and coaches have walked to enter the stadium, including David Beckham who captained Manchester United and the England football team, Southampton legend Matthew LeTissier and the club’s current international players James Ward-Prowse, Nathaniel Clyne, Maya Yoshida and Sadio Mané.

The students partook in the English football tradition of receiving and wearing Saints’ scarves, courtesy of local English radio station Jack FM.

Gem Kiat Teh, a student on the tour, thought the experience was amazing and found it unbelievable

Touring the land of the Saints

that he could visit the stadium of the team he supports.

“The visit was such a great experience. I hope the Saints can keep winning and qualify for the Champions League next season,” he said.

The students posing at the entrance of the “tunnel” through which famous footballers have walked to enter the stadium.

Strong partnershipThe University of Southampton

and the Southampton Football Club have long enjoyed a strong relationship. In recent years, the university researchers have teamed up with the club to find

ways of preventing injuries and protecting players from developing arthritis.

Less than 12 months ago, the relationship was further strengthened with the appointment of Southampton

alumnus Gareth Rogers as chief executive officer of the club.

Unique educationThe university’s campuses in

the UK and Malaysia offer degree programmes for students to gain a unique education, with the first two years being in Malaysia and the final two years at its world-class research-centred university in the UK.

Students will graduate with a degree from an internationally recognised university and gain a global education experience.

n For more information, call 07-560 2560, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.southampton.edu.my

Students of University of Southampton wore the scarves of the Saints during their walk in St Mary’s stadiums.

Documents

Course Focus - 21 April 2015