THE STAR, TUESDAY 20 OCTOBER 2015

special

Reaching furtherSports engineering education gains traction > 2

Education levels the

playing field

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AMONG the fundamental aspects of creating a developed nation is first establishing an advanced economic system, setting a reliable and dependable infrastructure, and exhibiting technological and innovative leadership.

Countries such as Germany, the United Kingdom and Japan have become the benchmarks not only because they have stable economic frameworks but because they have established themselves as leaders of high-quality engineering, technology and industrial manufacturing.

According to Assoc Prof Ir Satesh Namasivayam, deputy dean of Taylor’s School of Engineering, Taylor’s University, engineers play an important role in nation- building by using their technical prowess to develop solutions.

“With their wealth of knowledge and skills, engineers need to address the challenges of the 21st century and create sustainable solutions,” says Prof Satesh.

His sentiments are echoed by Dr Rajendran Parthiban, deputy head of school (education), School of Engineering at Monash University Malaysia, and Prof Dr Hamzah A. Rahman, president and chief executive officer at International University of Malaya-Wales.

“From the gadgets we use and the buildings we live in to the cars we drive, it is easy to see how engineers contribute to the development of a nation.

“But if development is not sustainable, future generations will not be able to enjoy the fruits of these advancements,” says Dr Rajendran.

Prof Hamzah says, “Engineers must adopt an attitude that propagates sincere interactions between the technical and non-technical disciplines to achieve a holistic sustainable ecosystem.

“They must be aware and conscious of the social, economic and environmental impacts of engineering designs and products.”

Building on knowledgeIn the spirit of continual quality

improvement, engineers must put more effort into enhancing the standard of Malaysian engineering and this extends beyond learning basic engineering theories.

“Engineers must add to their problem-solving expertise the practice of soft skills and understand the importance of social, economic, cultural, political and ethical aspects of a project,” says Prof Hamzah.

As engineers are now required to demonstrate effective communication and interpersonal skills, project management and master’s of business administration courses become increasingly relevant to help engineers develop

offers better shot accuracy or apparel that provides better support, comfort and functionality, manufacturers are fully committed to the research and development of more advanced products, which is where sports engineers come in.

In Malaysia, it was only in 2007 that the Higher Education Ministry started allocating grants to local universities for sports engineering research.

Former Minister of Higher Education Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said in 2012 that it was high time for Malaysia to combine the elements of engineering and sports, especially if it will help propel national athletes to greater success.

One of the first local universities to conduct sports engineering research was Universiti Malaysia Pahang, which set up the Innovative Manufacturing, Mechatronics and Sports Laboratory (iMAMS).

The facility has so far conducted research in vision-based robotics, lower limb exoskeleton and sports-related head injury, and produced custom-made sports equipment, sports performance monitoring devices and other training and fitness tools.

“The Government has been supportive by approving grants to local universities through the National Sports Institute and Sports Division of the Higher Education Ministry to bring about advancements in cycling, archery, strength training and badminton,”

says Prof Zahari Taha, director of iMAMS.

Six months ago, Curtin University Sarawak Malaysia signed an agreement with the National Sports Institute of Malaysia to collaborate in research and development of sports technology, including the study of an automated measurement technique of athletes’ performance and the adaptation of medical, psychometric and computer-aided technology.

Advancements in sports engineering set precedence and become models for engineers to get involved in new research fields.

Engineers are already beginning to collaborate with professionals from other disciplines such as computer science and medicine.

While Malaysia may only be five years away from 2020, these collaborations are definitely the right steps towards achieveing developed nation status.

> SEE ALSO PAGE 3

The research, technology and design that go into sports equipment and environments take tremendous skill and knowledge and enable athletes, from amateurs to the elite, to excel in their chosen sport.

Sport engineering applications can be illustrated by the evolution of the game of tennis.

Starting as a game of handball played by monks in the courtyards of their monasteries in the Middle Ages, courts were built indoors in the 17th century and the balls, which were initially wooden, changed to leather balls filled with cellulose materials as they were found to be bouncier.

The game was initially played using the bare hand, but people eventually began to play with a glove that had webbing between the fingers.

Soon, players began using a solid paddle, and then a frame of webbing attached to a handle – the first rudimentary racquets – as these pieces of equipment allowed players to hit the ball further and with more accuracy.

Court design also changed as people realised that different surfaces produced varying results. Balls bounced differently on hard

surfaces such as wood or stone compared to on grass or clay.

In modern times, surfaces made of asphalt, acrylic, concrete or synthetic indoor materials (called carpet) give different game plays.

These phases in evolution all came about through observation and research of the physics of the game and techniques used by players. This is sports engineering at its most basic.

The modern sport of tennis can be said to be a culmination of centuries of sports and engineering evolution.

The tennis racquet is shaped the way it is to balance a myriad of factors such as vibration, ball spin and energy given to the racquet and to the ball.

The ball itself is designed to produce the right amount of bounce on the right type of surface, the right amount of spin for a given amount of force applied, and so on.

Sport engineering applications are found in the kit that players wear and even in the water bottles they use.

This relatively young field of engineering continues to grow alongside the development of science and technology.

Past to futurevaluable qualities and knowledge such as professional ethics and entrepreneurial skills.

Prof Hamzah believes that professional engineers need to continue learning, irrespective of whether they are theory-oriented or applications-oriented.

“Engineers are now expected to be more practical, adaptive, agile and flexible. They must be able to apply engineering and science knowledge, develop technical competency in specific engineering fields, identify and solve problems while conforming to professional ethics, and demonstrate leadership and managerial qualities,” he says.

Hence, a key factor to national development is for engineers to take the bold step of spending more time researching and applying their knowledge in new study areas.

New horizonsA relatively new field of study

that is quickly gaining traction in the country is sports engineering – which was only internationally recognised as an academic discipline in 1998.

Not to be confused with sports science, which is the study of functions of an athlete’s body such as breathing patterns or muscle development, sports engineering is the study of the equipment and environments that can affect an athlete’s performance.

Be it to produce equipment that

Sports engineering taking off

Vast amounts of research and testing in the field of sports engineering go into creating

advanced sports equipment such as the hand cycle used by Paralympian Ursula Schwaller.

Appilcations- and practice-oriented curricula are important to produce creative, innovative and independent engineering graduates.

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THE structure of many Malaysian engineering programmes is geared towards producing graduates with a high CGPA, but the general feedback gathered from the industry suggests that these graduates lack creative, innovative, independent and soft skills.

“Malaysian graduates lack creativity to venture into new technological frontiers or become technopreneurs. Engineering programmes must be structured to produce graduates who can develop solutions by thinking out of the box,” says Prof Dr Zahari Taha, director of the Innovative Manufacturing, Mechatronics and Sports Laboratory (iMAMS) at Universiti Malaysia Pahang.

Within the last decade, Malaysian universities such as International University of Malaya-Wales (IUMW) have started to offer programmes with applications- and practice-oriented curricula that are based on the German engineering education system.

“The introduction of technical universities that have been modelled on the German Fachhochschule engineering system constitutes a major development in the engineering profession.

“This means that a large proportion of future engineers will be equipped with applications- and practice-oriented competencies similar to Germany and become agents of technology-driven change,” says Prof Dr Hamzah A. Rahman, president and chief executive officer at IUMW.

Additional activities are also conducted outside the academic

setting to accelerate growth, encourage national development and increase the local knowledge base and expertise of engineering in Malaysia.

For example, iMAMS collaborated with University Sains Malaysia, the Advanced Medical and Dental Institute and the Higher Education Ministry to organise the International Conference on Movement, Health and Exercise 2015 two weeks ago in Penang.

Organised by a committee of professors and doctors from universities around the country, the aim of the event was to encourage sharing and dissemination of information in sports and exercise science.

The three-day event also featured expert speakers from Qatar, Australia, Singapore and Japan.

In addition, Kuala Lumpur will host the International Conference on Sport Science and Sports Engineering in 2017 – an event organised by the World Academy of Science Engineering and Technology.

These global events are excellent platforms for local researchers to share their experiences and results related to innovations, trends, concerns, practical challenges encountered and solutions with foreign industry experts.

The knowledge gathered at such events combined with the growing number of competent applications- and practice-oriented engineers will therefore translate to a new breed of engineers who are able to make key decisions that will shape the positive future of the country.

New breed of engineers

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Growing potential beyond borders ONE of the biggest innovations in international higher education in the past 15 years or so has been the growth in international branch campuses.

That’s not to suggest that branch campuses are a new phenomenon – on the contrary, there is quite a history of universities (mostly private) establishing a presence beyond their home countries.

However, the scale of such activities and diversity of models have evolved over the years.

Not all students are able to travel abroad for higher education and despite the growth in the number of international students, most people will continue to access higher education in their home country.

The development of transnational education (TNE) and branch campuses provides an opportunity for an international experience for students who do not wish to travel abroad or cannot afford to do so.

Increasingly, commentators describe this group as the “glocal”

students, whose numbers are growing within Asia.

They are part of the emerging middle class, have an international outlook, bold ambitions and a willingness to invest significantly in their education.

The growth in branch campuses broadens the choices and the opportunities available to glocal students.

They can access and experience a different style of education close to home without the costs associated with travelling and living in a different country.

Branch campuses come in increasingly diverse forms. Perhaps the most traditional format is the one in which a university from one country establishes a base in another country where it teaches and

awards degrees (and so it is the degree-awarding powers that provide quality assurance).

This is the format that is familiar in Malaysia, with The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus and Monash University Malaysia as perhaps the best examples. Both award degrees from their home countries and offer qualifications that are equivalent to those offered at their home campus. They are also typically regulated in their host country so students can be reassured that their degrees have been subjected to two forms of regulatory oversight.

But there are other interesting variations on this model; an increasingly common format is associated with private providers such as Manipal International University and Amity University that establish campuses internationally under a common brand, but with local degree-awarding powers (in this case, the quality assurance comes from the host country only but is supplemented by the

institutional brand). Also seen is the emergence of

nationally sponsored universities where a new institution is established carrying a country name – and the country name is the approach to providing assurances of quality.

The most prominent example of this approach comes with the establishment of institutions such as those branded as the “German University in (city/country)” present in Egypt, Jordan and Turkey, among others.

These are technically not branch campuses but they still aspire to offer an international experience to students in a variety of countries.

The numbers of branch or international campuses have grown dramatically in the last 15 years, as have other forms of transnational higher education (through methods such as franchising, articulation, fly-in faculty, online and distance learning).

As a glocal outlook becomes

more common, we should expect to see a growth in transnational provision and perhaps the development of new models for delivery in addition to existing and familiar ones.

Such developments will offer greater choice to students of the future but those involved in managing such developments will need to give careful thought to ensuring that students are helped in making the right choice in the face of diverse options.

Having more choices offers many benefits but decisions regarding education are complex and high risk.

Hence, students and their parents need clear information on the options available as well as good advice about the quality and the quality assurance of the programmes that they are considering.

n Prof Christine Ennew is the chief executive officer and provost of The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus.

By PROF CHRISTINE ENNEW

VC COLUMN

Studying in branch campuses gives students the opportunity to experience a different style of education.

Advancing understanding

OFFERING programmes from diploma to PhD levels in core engineering branches, Lincoln University College strives to promote high standards in technical education to aid in the career building of students.

The Faculty of Engineering offers practical-oriented teaching that leads to an understanding of technical knowledge.

Under the guidance of Faculty of Engineering dean Datuk Prof Ir Ismail Hassan, who has more than 35 years of teaching and industrial experience, the faculty delivers quality education to its students.

“All programmes focus on delivering engineering expertise with a clear emphasis on meeting industry needs and producing graduates who are able to design, operate and manage industries as well as provide leadership in innovation, research and technology transfer,” says Prof Ismail.

Focusing on the facilities, he says, “Students are provided with electronics, electrical, machines and power electronics laboratories, sheet metal basic engineering workshop and also the Eagle Aircraft 150B.

“All bachelor’s and diploma programmes include industrial training during the course to facilitate the students with real-time work environment and work culture. The faculty has rich experience in teaching, research and industry.”

The Faculty of Engineering offers:l Diploma in Electrical and Electronics Engineering (2.5 years)l Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Technology (3.5 years)l Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Hons) in Electrical and Electronics (four years)l Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering Technology (four years)l Bachelor of Civil Engineering Technology (four years)l Master of Science in Electrical and Electronics Engineering (1.5 years)l Master of Science in Telecommunication Engineering (1.5 years)l PhD in Engineering

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

Prof Ismail says that engineering programmes at Lincoln University College produce graduates who are well-equipped for the industry.

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Rise to the top

THE Management & Science University (MSU) is one of Malaysia’s top universities.

It focuses strongly on in-demand areas of study, which encompass medicine, health sciences, pharmacy, information sciences and engineering, business management and professional studies, education, social sciences, hospitality, culinary arts, music, and fashion.

MSU has received much recognition from Malaysian and international independent bodies. It has been rated as an Excellent Status University twice by the former Higher Education Ministry through a rating system for all universities in Malaysia.

MSU’s Graduate School of Management (GSM) recognises that today’s global companies require managers with a broader outlook.

The university attracts top students through its internationalisation effort of employing faculty members with overseas experience and forming effective links with businesses.

The Master in Business Administration by MSU (MSU-MBA) offers student an experiential learning opportunity in cross-cultural communications, building a global network and possibly creating a future international career.

In addition, students are able to develop management skills and techniques, obtain strategic orientation and implement the

strategies formulated.The MSU-MBA helps students

develop skills in leadership, entrepreneurship, strategic management and decision-making so that they become successful leaders in the most competitive markets.

The programme aims to build on the foundations of work experience and, by equipping students with new skills and knowledge, enable them to make a smooth transition to a higher level of responsibility.

The MSU-MBA provides

sufficient knowledge for students to understand the various facets of an organisation to formulate successful strategies. It also instils confidence in them.

The MSU-MBA is popular with employers as it is a recognised currency in the human resources marketplace. Employers know the value of the qualification and what they can expect from an MBA graduate.

They also recognise the commitment shown by MSU-MBA students in investing heavily in their careers. Such candidates are

likely to be dynamic self-starters who will be an asset to any organisation.

There is a multitude of reasons for students to consider taking up the MSU-MBA as an integral step in their career paths. Having an MSU-MBA can be the determinant in getting a high-paying and high-power job.

Active learning exercises within the programme act as a basis for verbal analysis and discussion, allowing for a rich learning environment by integrating the classroom with the real world.

These exercises broaden students’ understanding of issues by inviting them to think beyond the text material.

GSM has established collaborative educational links with a number of top overseas universities, including those in the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Germany, Russia and China.

The Global Mobility Programme is a means to provide MSU postgraduate students with international exposure.

Through this programme, students have the opportunity to develop an awareness and appreciation of other cultures, political and economic environments, and approaches of doing business.

Professors of the MSU-MBA are accomplished teachers who have made significant contributions to the business world, both as academics and working professionals.

They have conducted research and published articles across a broad range of business and professional areas. They have also taught university-level business courses abroad, thus bringing their rich multicultural heritage to Malaysia.

n For more information, call 03-2718 4300/4301/4302 or e-mail gsm@msu.edu.my or visit www.msu.edu.my

The Master in Business Administration by MSU programme develops leadership, entrepreneurship, strategic management and decision-making skills in business leaders.

THE University of Strathclyde MBA programme is designed for ambitious and qualified individuals with solid business experience.

The approach is based on collaborative learning where work experience, knowledge, understanding and applicable skills are shared, worked with and reflected on.

Placed in the top 100 in the world, top 10 in Europe and 5th in the United Kingdom in The Economist’s newly released 2015 Executive MBA ranking, the programme is also ranked in the top 100 in the world by The Financial Times.

The University of Strathclyde Business School is triple-accredited by the international bodies, including the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and EFMD Quality Improvement System (EQUIS).

The MBA programme can be studied in the UK or part-time via international centres in Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Greece, Dubai, Oman, Singapore, Switzerland and Malaysia.

It has been offered in Malaysia for 26 years and has been running since 1999 in partnership with CDC Management Development (M) Sdn Bhd.

Participants, who must be at least 24 years old with at least three years of relevant work experience, have the flexibility to switch between different modes of study, depending on their location and lifestyles.

The integrated programme comprises compulsory modules supported by a selection of optional in-depth functions – allowing students to tailor their MBA to suit their career aspirations. All the lectures or intensive seminars are conducted by University of Strathclyde academics.

Indeed, what makes the University of Strathclyde MBA programme unique is its strong focus on strategic analysis and thinking, leadership and scenario planning.

They are central to the programme with a particular emphasis on strategic management at the level of developing

strategy in the organisation. Students spend time working on and

building a corporate strategy as well as reflecting on the international business environment within which they have to operate.

Key modules are exploring the international business environment, strategy analysis and evaluation and strategy making.

The final class, strategic consulting in practice, provides an opportunity to work with a live organisational issue in conjunction with a client organisation. 

The programme teaches students ways of handling opportunities and problems related to management as reflective, open-minded and adaptive learners.

The teamwork approach fostered at the university is an important aspect of the course and ensures that the extensive range of people from different backgrounds are brought together to learn from each other in a truly diverse working experience.

Thus far, more than 1,000 students of various nationalities have graduated in the Malaysian campus.

The next intake is in April next year.

n For more information, call 03-7660 8950 or visit www.cdc.edu.my

Experiential, global learning

Teamwork is an important aspect of the University of Strathclyde MBA programme.

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Dr Anushia Inthiran says it is vital for information

technology and business professionals to have a

strong understanding of each other’s fields as they

are interdependent.

Convergence of expertiseIF you have a business background and want to know more about the information technology (IT) field or vice versa, the Master of Business Information Systems (MBIS) is the programme for you.

Offered at Monash University Malaysia, the course brings together two spheres – business and IT.

The MBIS is suitable for candidates with previous qualifications in any discipline, as students would be able to get the best of the IT and business worlds.

“The course prepares someone with no IT background or with a business background to work in the IT field,” says Dr Anushia Inthiran from the School of Information Technology at Monash Malaysia.

Instead of teaching students how to use the computer or do programming, the course teaches students the skills required to help businesses through IT.

“These days, IT and business can no longer be segregated as they are both interdependent.

“You must know how businesses work before you can use IT to help them. Similarly, you can’t be in a business without knowing about IT and what it can and cannot do for you,” says Dr Anushia.

In the past, IT professionals used to be known as programmers and are the go-to person to fix computer problems.

“These days, IT professionals are expected to be able to understand the needs of businesses and provide them with IT solutions.

“It is pointless to come up with fantastic systems, applications and programs if businesses do not see the need for them or understand how IT can bring positive changes to them,” she says.

Hence, there was a need to break down the barrier by having both parties understand each other’s functions.

“This programme will prepare its graduates to play this very important role,” she adds.

What makes the Monash MBIS programme unique is that not many other universities offer a programme that combines both business and IT at a postgraduate level.

“The course is structured in a way where there are some mandatory components that need to be completed and up to four elective units that can be selected based

on a student’s liking and interest. “We also offer students the option of

either completing a minor research project or an industry project in the last semester, depending on what they want to pursue after the programme,” she says.

She recommends the former for those interested in pursuing a PhD and the latter for those planning to directly enter the industry.

Regarding the subjects that are taught in this programme, Dr Anushia says, “One of them is IT for management decision-making, which focuses on the IT needs of managers, how they think, how they go about their work, and the applications and systems suitable for them.”

This subject also explores operations management concepts, which looks at how an organisation works, and the psychology and biases that affect how a manager makes decisions and decides on strategies.

The other subject is enterprise systems, which gives students practical experience using SAP – the software that allows the tracking of customer and business interactions.

Career options for graduates, among others, are in the fields of project consultancy, business analytics, information management, application, and IT management and governance.

The duration of this programme is two years for full-time students and four years for those who opt to pursue it part time.

n For more information on the Monash Malaysia MBIS programme, visit www.infotech.monash.edu.my

8 postgraduateTHE STAR, TUESDAY 20 OCTOBER 2015

It is pointless to come up with fantastic systems, applications and programs if businesses do not see the need for them or understand how IT can bring positive changes to them.Dr Anushia Inthiran

Balanced education lifestyleWITH the value of the ringgit hitting its lowest since 1998, rising exchange rates are forcing individuals to consider giving up on studying in international universities, delaying their postgraduate study or even giving up on doing postgraduate studies altogether.

The University of Nottingham was aware that many students do not get the opportunity to go overseas for postgraduate studies.

This led to the university taking the bold step of becoming the first British university to set up an international campus and establish itself in Asia.

Celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus (UNMC) provides quality education to local and international students while offering a complete campus lifestyle.

“We have found a niche in the market in Malaysia for students who are looking for a campus experience but are unable to afford study in the United Kingdom, Australia or elsewhere,” says Prof Christine Ennew, provost and chief executive officer of The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus (UNMC).

Well-rounded experienceSince moving to its current 125-

acre (50.6ha) site in Semenyih in 2005, UNMC has not only grown its student population to around 5,000 students but also expanded its scope of research facilities and activities.

Prof Ennew reveals that UNMC has dedicated facilities such as laboratories with required protection and safety protocols as well as open spaces with big

The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus offers a breadth of courses to meet postgraduate needs and employer expectations.

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rigs for engineering research, among others.

“As a highly ranked and rated university, we want our students to be educated in an excellent research environment,” she says.

“There is also real value in being a student in a diverse disciplinary environment. Students can interact with others who are studying politics, psychology, English literature, cultural studies or other niche discipline areas – this

exposes them to new ideas and ways of thinking.”

Dedicated facilitiesTo further cater to its

postgraduate students, UNMC uses its Kuala Lumpur Teaching Centre (KLTC) located in Chulan Tower for the delivery of teaching to its part-time students.

The majority of the university’s MBA, politics and international relations courses are delivered there.

“We recognised that working adults need somewhere in the city centre that they can go to for classes. Besides lecture rooms and theatres, the centre provides computer laboratories and study spaces. We are also setting up a resource centre there,” says Prof Ennew.

Niche coursesOne of UNMC’s biggest

achievements since its inception is the successful broadening of its subject base.

As a leading private higher education institution, UNMC not only has a strong focus on the traditional vocational courses such as engineering, business, pharmacy

and IT, it also offers a considerable breadth of course in science, social science and engineering to meet a diversity of postgraduate needs and employer expectations.

To enhance this wide breadth of disciplines, UNMC contextualises its courses to suit the local setting, such as incorporating and adapting real-life examples that are relevant to the Asean region.

Prof Ennew explains that though UNMC is part of the wider family of the University of Nottingham, it has the independence to adapt to local requirements to perform its best within the Asean region.

“It’s important that we don’t just transplant courses or ways of doing things from one campus to the other but that we remain true to the values of the Nottingham brand while adjusting what we offer to best suit students’ and market’s needs,” she says.

Prof Ennew goes on to say that the university’s students are at the heart of everything UNMC does.

“We want a place that is distinctive and that provides real value in terms of employability, creativity, independence and the capacity to innovate.”

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

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Students who attended the one-week study tour in August standing in front of Mansfield College, University of Oxford.

Creating globally aware studentsIN a survey done during the Taylor’s University annual Career and Employment Fair, 30% of respondents comprising top multinational organisations said that they would pay an average of RM400 more in monthly salary for a master’s degree holder for the same position applied for by applicants with an undergraduate degree.

Assuming a starting pay difference of RM400 each month in favour of a master’s degree holder (with a 5% increment per annum and other factors being constant), those with more than 30 years of work life would earn an addition of RM318,906.46.

If we factor in the opportunity of better career advancement of a postgraduate

holder, this figure may rise even more substantially over the years.

A good master’s of business administration (MBA) programme attracts talented people from every corner of society. These professional relationships provide essential mentoring and networking, which is valuable for their careers. Ninety percent of hiring managers said they prefer networking over advertising (source: www.babson.edu).

“The global rotation module of our MBA programme allows students to not only have a taste of learning abroad in universities, but also in top companies and industries, where they can apply what they have learnt in real life. This type of opportunity is rarely

available and I encourage our students to take part in it wherever possible,” says Vinitha Guptan, dean of Taylor’s Business School.

A unique feature of Taylor’s MBA is that it allows students the opportunity to participate in exchange programmes with reputable business schools from around the world.

This facilitates cultural exchange and international networking that allows students to enhance their learning experience.

The Taylor’s MBA has connections with 43 renowned universities, including Mansfield College, which is a part of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom, Université Catholique de Lille in France (IESEG) and University of Bath, UK.

Through the one-of-its-kind Taylor’s Entrepreneurship Leadership Programme, students can opt to join a study tour that includes visits to places such as Mansfield College, University of Oxford, or the European Summer Programme held in France offered by IESEG, or opt to take two modules at the School of Management, University of Bath in the UK.

Jayvien Lau, head of Global Mobility at a leading private education institution, comments on her study tour in the UK, “This being my first time visiting the United Kingdom and particularly Mansfield College, University of Oxford, the experience that I have gained has been exceptional.

“The overall Taylor’s Entrepreneurship Leadership Programme was well executed and we were exposed to a multi-faceted aspect of business education. 

“I am thankful for the opportunity to participate in this programme and believe that it has added much value to the MBA programme as a whole.”

The one-week study tour was organised on behalf of the Taylor’s Business School (TBS) by The Eurasia Consortium and was based at Mansfield College, University of Oxford.

The itinerary included presentations, seminars and site visits to various companies such as BMW Mini and Lloyd’s of London where students gained first-hand insight on crowd funding.

Reflecting on her mobility experience, Lau observed that participation in internationalisation activities broadens one’s mind to gain cultural and intellectual understanding of world issues.

She says that this experience will have

a lifelong impact on her perspective of knowledge acquisition and she was particularly impressed by the education model adopted by Mansfield College, University of Oxford and Cambridge University in their tutorial systems.

She believes that students from all levels should take the opportunity to go abroad, whether it is for a one-semester exchange or short-term mobility as it enhances the value of learning and helps a person gain a global mindset.

Siew Li Lien, an MBA candidate at Taylor’s Business School who also went on the tour, says that the trip changed her mindset.

“Had it not been for the study tour, I would still have the mindset that doing business elsewhere is easier. The Taylor’s Entrepreneurship Leadership Programme helped me expand my knowledge further. I have seen things that I do not get to see back home and this allowed me to appreciate my MBA education more.”

She adds, “All the theories that I learnt here are applicable to the business situations in England and other countries. I also gained important networks with the professors and lecturers at Mansfield College, University of Oxford, which was a great opportunity for me. I had a great time and would be happy to join more study tours such as this if I had the opportunity again,” says Siew.

The Taylor’s MBA is offered on full-time basis for a one-year duration or part time for a minimum of two years to maximum of five years. Financial aid of up to 50% off the tuition fees is also available.

n For more information, call 03-5629 5000, e-mail postgraduate@taylors.edu.my or visit www.taylors.edu.my/mbat

l Recognised degrees that are respected

worldwide

A good MBA programme attracts talented people from every corner of society. These professional relationships provide essential mentoring and networking, which is valuable for their careers.

Trained for the future THE International University of Malaya-Wales (IUMW) is a private university formed through a strategic alliance between the University of Malaya (UM) and the University of Wales/Trinity Saint David.

IUMW is the first university in South-East Asia to be accepted as a member of the United Kingdom’s Higher Education Academy, a prestigious body that recognises adherence to exemplary teaching standards.

“We aim to produce graduates who meet the stringent expectations of today’s highly competitive information technology (IT), science and technology sectors.

“That is why we are now offering the Master of Science in Internet Engineering to students who wish to obtain professional recognition, enhance their competency and acquire in-depth knowledge of the Internet and networking system,” says Prof Dr Hamzah Abdul Rahman, president and chief executive officer of IUMW.

“We foster innovative teaching and learning and aspire to be a leading research-oriented institution embracing global best practices, a strong international profile and unswerving commitment to Asia’s economic and social development.”

The Internet engineering programme is aimed at producing engineers who will spearhead the design and direction of future Internet architecture, infrastructure and applications.

This programme equips graduates with knowledge of advanced and profound concepts that underlay the design and implementation of Internet-based systems.

It provides a solid multidisciplinary basis and a wide range of specialisation opportunities, which can stimulate the creative energies of students.

In addition, IUMW offers the Doctor of Philosophy (Computer Science) and other programmes ranging from the undergraduate to postgraduate level.

The study of computer science prepares one to be a professional who is capable of applying

computer knowledge, principles and skills to solve problems as well as possesses theoretical computing knowledge in analysing, modelling, designing, developing and evaluating computing solutions.

The Malaysian Government has announced its latest Digital Malaysia Masterplan to drive the next stage of development of Malaysia’s information and communications technology (ICT) sector.

Consequently, this has resulted in the need for a number of measures to be taken to strengthen Malaysia’s ICT and computer science ecosystem, including talent development.

The requirement for highly trained experts to process, manipulate and assess the rapidly escalating pile of information has never been higher.

In this perspective, the programmes offered will deliver the vital expertise to students so that they become experts in the IT industry.

The programmes offered by IUMW aim to establish strong connections between the academic world and the industry through mandatory internships and apprenticeships, which will benefit the students.

Because society is becoming increasingly dependent on technology for the everyday aspects of life – from business to social interaction and beyond – computer scientists and IT expertise are sought after in pretty much every industry and a wide range of capacities.

IUMW’s garden-in-the-city campus offers an extensive range of facilities to support the learning experience, including a library, an auditorium, lecture halls and laboratories. IUMW fees are affordable and students will have access to UM’s library and facilities.

The November intake is open for registration. Come and visit the IUMW campus to find out more about its computer science and Internet engineering programmes.

n For more information, call 03-2617 3000 or visit www.iumw.edu.my

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IUMW students have access to many resources that support their learning, including UM’s library.

12 postgraduateTHE STAR, TUESDAY 20 OCTOBER 2015

What OUM can offer the differently abled:

• Easy access to learning centres as there are 34 nationwide, eliminating the need to travel far. The learning centres are fully equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including those for the differently abled. • Various learning materials, including audio modes of lectures and books, videos and notes in PDF format.• Friendly staff who are ever ready to assist, especially with technology.• Easy manoeuvring of systems and guidelines to help them.

OUM graduate Koh Kwang Meng is ready to pursue a doctorate in education at OUM.

Mohd Zulkifli Mamat and Rosli Zawawi are proud graduates of OUM.

AMONG the 7,506 learners who graduated from Open University Malaysia (OUM) recently, there were a select few who stood out from the throng.

They were present at the convocation only because of the exceptional circumstances that allowed them the opportunity to study at OUM. These individuals are senior citizens and the physically challenged (OKU).

Among the stand-outs are Noor Azila Ismail, Rosli Zawawi and Mohd Zulkifli Mamat, who are visually impaired.

When the Education Ministry’s Teacher Training Division offered them the opportunity to pursue undergraduate studies, they went for it and have now graduated with Bachelor of Teaching (Primary Education) degrees.

According to Noor Azila, OUM taught her to be independent, saying, “I studied part- time and attended tutorials only five times per semester.

“There was no one to remind me about doing my assignments, so, with OUM’s help, I learnt to push myself.”

Rosli believes his newly obtained degree is a step towards greater things in life.

A teacher for 14 years, he says OUM’s learning approach greatly benefited him as he could study online.

“Education gives us hope. OUM’s learning environment and facilities promote peer group support.

“My peers and tutors were a great help and ever ready to provide assistance whenever needed,” he says.

Education: limitless, timeless

The sprightly senior citizen had earlier completed his Bachelor in Education (TESL) with Honours with OUM and has been offered to pursue his Doctor of Education at OUM completely free.

“OUM gave me a year to think about pursuing a PhD. I replied that there was nothing to think about. I am going to start immediately,” he says.

“There is no point in idling. At this age, I wouldn’t know what will happen to my mental faculties. But with this remarkable initiative by OUM – providing a flexible route for all, including senior citizens, to study – we can age actively instead of otherwise.

“For this reason, I am extremely thankful to OUM for coming up with this initiative of providing free education for those aged 75 and above.”

For the September intake and thereafter, there is a special 75% fee waiver for those between the ages of 60 and 74 and the physically challenged of any age.

Anyone 75 years old and above will get 100% off their fees, regardless of qualification and socio-economic status.

The September intake is ongoing; the closing date is Oct 25.

I am extremely thankful to OUM for coming up with this initiative of providing free education for those aged 75 and above.Koh Kwang Meng

The golden yearsAnother high achiever is 75-year-old Koh

Kwang Meng who obtained a cumulative grade point average of 4.0 for his Master of Education degree.

OUM graduate Noor Azila Ismail receiving her scroll from Pro Chancellor Tan Sri Azman Hashim.

n For more information, call 03-2773 2121, e-mail enquiries@oum.edu.my or visit www.oum.edu.my or Whatsapp 012-303 9934/35.

Intercultural communications are becoming increasingly vital in most careers.

The ability of good business etiquette to enable success in the workplace should not be underestimated.

Beyond ordinary business

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FRESH graduates often have adequate subject knowledge, teamwork and communication skills but are not quite work-ready.

There is a significant skills gap between the graduates employers want and the candidates they meet during interviews.

Having business etiquette has been cited as critical to securing and maintaining jobs as well as in contributing to the careers of graduates.

Etiquette is a system of rules and conventions that regulate social and professional behaviour, and there are differences between social etiquette and professional protocol.

This means that even if the graduates have the benefit of being well-grounded in social etiquette, they might find that familiar rules do not always apply in the workplace.

Realising this, forward-looking institutes of higher education are integrating business etiquette into their curriculum to help students better identify how well-prepared they are for the workforce.

Business etiquette includes knowing the proper way to introduce business associates, business dining etiquette (such as who pays for lunch), the protocol on presenting a business card, making presentations, how to resolve conflicts and the importance of body language.

Business etiquette training is relevant to master’s of business administration (MBA) students even though many would have picked up bits and pieces of the knowledge at their workplace.

They should realise the power of skills such as negotiation, assertiveness and the ability to use them in the right way to make a positive contribution to a business.

Knowing business etiquette also instils greater self-confidence, as a person who is well-versed in it will, for example, know when is the right time to interrupt a meeting or how to excuse oneself from a meeting that is in progress.

Having the know-how to address a delicate problem or uncomfortable circumstance

makes an employee invaluable to his or her firm.

On a larger scale, globalisation has caused an increase in transactions between international companies.

As the barriers between differing cultures can sometimes make conducting business difficult, it is important for business personnel to learn and adapt to cross-cultural interactions.

Therefore, building a good relationship is the first and most important aspect of conducting businesses with customers or other companies.

Even if a relationship has been successfully formed, miscommunication due to cultural gaps will cost companies time and money.

To avoid such undesirable outcomes, students should be trained in business protocols to help overcome the challenges of cultural integration and cross-cultural conflicts.

When interacting during negotiations or sales transactions, it is advantageous to know the codes of extra-organisational customer relations interactions.

Victoria University MBA (VUMBA) at Sunway College is a work-relevant MBA programme with an invaluable business network of 120 active students and more than 500 alumni.

About 20% of individuals enrolled in the programme are foreign students.

Business etiquette is intentionally incorporated across the curriculum as well as exposited through seminars and workshops.

During the course, students are exposed to practical, sound advice applicable to common situations to enhance their knowledge and confidence in demonstrating appropriate business etiquette.

n For more information about the Victoria University MBA programme at Sunway College, e-mail Dr Hendry Ng at hendryng@sunway.edu.my

Participants of the 3rd R&D Colloquium 2015 held at UTAR.

Cutting-edge research

14 postgraduateTHE STAR, TUESDAY 20 OCTOBER 2015

THE 3rd R&D Colloquium 2015 was recently held at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), Kampar Campus, following two previous colloquia successfully held last year.

Themed Sustainable Development and Green Growth as well as Health Care and Technology, topics presented at the colloquium included sustainable healthcare systems and lifestyles, the relationship between corporate governance, sustainability disclosure and financial performance, and disaster management.

With more than 120 participants comprising local and foreign researchers from UTAR research centres, lecturers and postgraduate students, the colloquium provided a platform to facilitate networking opportunities between the 28 UTAR research centres, establish cross-research cooperation and enhance bidding for local and international research funding.

UTAR vice president Prof Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei says, “This colloquium exists to strengthen and nurture interactions among researchers, establish research collaboration and reinforce cross-disciplinary research.

“It directs researchers and postgraduate students toward multi-disciplinary academic research to form a knowledge-based community with advanced research culture and quality.” 

Guided by its motto “Intellectual Pursuits through Sustainable Research”, the Institute of Postgraduate Studies and Research (IPSR) coordinates all the postgraduate programmes and research and development (R&D) activities in UTAR. The university offers an exhaustive range of postgraduate degree programmes up to PhD level in a number of disciplines. Intakes for the research programmes remain open throughout the year.

According to Prof Dr Faidz Abd Rahman, director of the IPSR, “The institute functions as a central body to ensure that the programmes and R&D projects are well administered and monitored to provide the best possible R&D experience. They are designed to encompass a large share of R&D activities to provide students with the most up-to-date technical knowledge and skills.”

As Prof Faidz explains, “This allows those pursuing postgraduate qualifications to enhance their competency, guaranteeing that they gain sustainable competitive advantage in their respective industries. This can then

expedite the advancement of their careers or give them the opportunity to branch out into other areas of expertise.”

UTAR has a good blend of young and dynamic academics with research and industry experience that provides postgraduate students with the essential opportunity to interact with the research community and participate actively in research.

Master of Philosophy (Social Science) by Research student Tiny Tey Chiu Yuen says, “UTAR encourages us to attend local and international conferences and join the committees responsible for organising conferences. These give us exposure to the world of research and the opportunity to expand our experience.”

Regarding lecturers at UTAR, Tey says, “I’m grateful to my supervisors. They guide me throughout my postgraduate studies at UTAR and I have grown from being a novice researcher.”

UTAR lecturers’ dedication to providing outstanding education with transformative societal impact is reflected in its R&D projects, including one led by Prof Datuk Dr Goh Sing Yau, which was awarded a research grant under the MOSTI Flagship Programme to develop a brain computer interface wheelchair that would greatly improve the quality of life for motor neuron disease and stroke patients.

IPSR has endeavoured to cultivate innovative researches, which can be seen from the number of grants received by UTAR researchers from local as well as international organisations.

IPSR also provides advice on course-content, fees, entry requirements, financial aids and classes.

Established in 2002 with just 411 students, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman currently offers more than 110 programmes in various fields to more than 26,000 students in its nine faculties, three institutes and three centres located in the Sungai Long Campus and Kampar Campus. UTAR is proud to have more than 40,000 alumni. 

The university is hosting its Postgraduate Course Preview on Nov 21, from noon to 5pm at UTAR Sungai Long Campus and UTAR Kampar Campus.

n For more information, call 03-9086 0288/016-223 3559 (Sungai Long) or 05-468 8888/016-223 3557 (Kampar).

Strengtheningglobal connectionsON Sept 20, Asia e University (AeU) held its 5th Convocation Ceremony at the Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur.

About 3,000 graduates proudly strode to the stage to receive their scrolls at the university’s convocation. The graduating batch came from a total of 78 academic and executive programmes.

A total of 536 international students graduated in this convocation, including those from Bahrain, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Iran, Kenya, the Maldives, New Zealand, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, Vietnam and Zimbabwe.

This signifies that AeU is gaining acceptance in the international arena.

At present, AeU offers its programmes in various locations, including India, Iran, Iraq, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Bahrain, China, Hong Kong, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Ghana, Somalia, Taiwan, Thailand, New Zealand, Denmark, Sweden and the UK.

AeU has enrolled nearly 4,000 international students from 64 countries, who make up 25% of total enrolment, many of whom are pursuing postgraduate studies at AeU.

AeU is currently directing its focus on establishing quality international education as the DNA of the university.

AeU continues to strengthen and deepen its presence, especially in Asia, while maintaining the best practices and high standards.

Nearly all of its academic programmes at PhD, master’s and bachelor’s levels have been stringently audited and awarded full accreditation by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and, in some instances, in the respective country that the programmes are being offered via international educational partnerships.

Program Pensiswazahan Guru graduates

The total number of graduates also includes 521 graduates from the Program Pensiswazahan Guru (PPG).

Pensiswazahan Guru is a

AeU’s 5th Convocation held at Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur.

Lifelong learningLifelong learning is about

acquiring and upgrading one’s knowledge and skills at various stages in life, starting from preschool to post-retirement years.

Where AeU is concerned, lifelong learning is also about providing second chances to people, where the ultimate goal is to help the workforce progress in terms of capabilities and competencies.

There are many people who cannot continue their education at the same time as their peers due to various obstacles.

AeU provides them the chance to do this during their productive years without jeopardising their existing work routine.

Courses and programmes such as those offered at AeU accommodate the use of an open and flexible mode of study.

Speaking at the event, Prof Datuk Dr Ansary Ahmed, president and chief executive officer of AeU, congratulated the graduates, saying, “Be proud of your qualification, fly the AeU flag well wherever you’re practising and make a positive impact on the community you are in.”

Having been in operation for eight years, AeU has distinguished itself as a unique and successful institution in open and distance learning, not only within Malaysia but also in other parts of Asia and beyond Asia.

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

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programme conducted under the Education Ministry. Those who participate are teachers who have successfully completed their Bachelor of Education (TESL) and Bachelor of Education (Teaching Malay Language in Primary School) with Honours programmes.

The first batch of 83 teachers received their scrolls at the university’s fourth convocation in September last year, proving AeU’s commitment to enhancing the capabilities of teachers in the country.

Shaping the higher education landscape

Built on the philosophy that education should be democratised, AeU focuses on creating an affordable and accessible pathway to higher education while placing importance on flexible entry requirements, a learner-friendly academic system and blended pedagogy that combines different modes of learning.

Each of these components is designed to fulfil the diverse needs of learners and create learning environments that equip them for the challenges of the 21st century.

To date, AeU has enrolled more than 21,000 students in more than 65 countries and seen 9,000 graduates.

By focusing heavily on technology, AeU has opened the door to higher education for many, giving working adults the chance to continue learning and upgrade their skills and knowledge.

International and local doctoral graduates posing with AeU’s top management at AeU’s 5th Convocation Ceremony.

Sporting innovationSPORTS engineering is a relatively new engineering discipline that has made inroads over the past couple of decades.

More than 20 universities offer programmes in sports engineering in the United Kingdom alone, besides being present in other countries such as Germany, Austria, Singapore, Japan, Sweden and Australia.

In 2011, the Higher Education Ministry opined that engineering-based research should be carried out in a bid to assist Malaysian athletes to be on par with other athletes around the globe.

Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) was given the mandate to spearhead sports engineering research in Malaysia and this has resulted in the establishing of the Innovative Manufacturing, Mechatronics and Sports (iMAMS) Laboratory (formerly known as the Centre for Sports Engineering or CenSE).

Sports engineering may be defined as the technical application of mathematics and physics to solve sports-related problems by means of design, development and research into external devices used by athletes to enhance their performance.

Sports engineers are the individuals who conduct studies in the design, construction and instrumentation of new equipment based on the requirements of athletes.

16 postgraduateTHE STAR, TUESDAY 20 OCTOBER 2015

They gauge the behaviour of equipment, athletes and their interactions in a controlled environment.

The rapid advancement of technology and research facilities has positioned sports engineering as a game changer in redefining progress in the sports field.

iMAMS laboratoryThe laboratory was founded by

Prof Dr Zahari Taha, a fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia and a Chartered Engineer.

Prof Zahari formed CenSE at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and then the

Intelligent Mechatronics and Manufacturing Laboratory (IMAM) laboratory at the Faculty of Manufacturing

Engineering once he moved to Universiti Malaysia Pahang

(UMP). He consolidated both laboratories once he completed his term as the dean of the Faculty of Mechanical

Engineering and returned to the Faculty of Manufacturing Engineering.

“My vision is that not only will engineering be the key to national athletes performing at greater levels but also the improvement of the health of Malaysians through the advancement of technology,” says Prof Zahari, who is the director of iMAMS.

The laboratory was established to train undergraduates (final year students through final year projects and capstone projects) and postgraduates to think critically and innovatively to realise this vision.

The laboratory has seven faculty members, one postdoctoral associate, 12 postgraduate students and eight undergraduates working on their final year projects.

The laboratory gained international recognition when one of its researchers, Mohd Hasnun Arif Hassan, won the third best young investigators award at the 10th Engineering of Sport Conference organised by the International Sports Engineering Association last year at Sheffield

Hallam University. He presented on the

development of the soccer ball and human head finite element models for soccer heading simulations, which is instrumental in understanding the mechanism of blunt trauma injury that soccer players are susceptible to.

Hasnun also won the Best Paper award at the Movement Health and Exercise (MoHE) conference organised by the Ministry of Education’s Sports Division last year.

iMAMS laboratory research collaborations include local key players such as the National Sports Institute, Terengganu Sports Council and other local higher education institutions such as Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), University of Malaya (UM), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) and other universities in the region.

Among its international collaborators are Technische Universität München, German Sports University Cologne, PFI Germany in Germany and International Supercomputing Conference (ISC) Germany.

They are also in the midst of working with Manchester Metropolitan University, Loughborough University in the UK and also the University of Padova, Italy.

Lim Kok Wee, a dual-award Bachelor of Mechatronics Engineering (UMP-HsKA, Germany (Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences)) programme student at UMP benefited from the collaboration as he had the privilege to perform his industrial training with PFI Germany.

He worked on the development of an innovative shoe material thermal conductivity measuring device. His work improved the existing device by incorporating real-time processing graphical user interface and the accuracy of its results.

Among the notable sports-related products produced at iMAMS are a postural balance platform, low-cost three-dimensional foot scanner, wireless timing gate system, instrumented insole, instrumented bow tester, Statwatch and Digiman.

Research at the iMAMS laboratory is not only limited to sport-related research but involves innovative research in manufacturing and mechatronics.

Current research includes studying the hot stamping process, sustainable manufacturing, vision-based robotics, autonomous underwater vehicle, unmanned aerial vehicle and rehabilitation robotics.

n For more information, visit www.imamslab.com

Mohd Hasnun Arif Hassan (left) receiving his young investigators award from Prof Steve Haake of Sheffield Hallam University.

The Curtin Master of Petroleum Engineering is a conversion course that aims to produce more qualifed petroleum engineers.

Prof Dr Zahari Taha, director of the Innovative Manufacturing, Mechatronics and Sports Laboratory (iMAMS).

Pathway to specialised careerTHE Department of Petroleum Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science at Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) is committed to providing the oil and gas industry with high-quality graduates while helping students fulfil their individual needs.

The Curtin Master of Petroleum Engineering course offered is a master’s conversion course aimed primarily at engineers who do not have any formal qualifications in petroleum engineering but have honours degrees in other relevant engineering disciplines.

It is also available to graduates from other disciplines who have relevant work experience in areas related to petroleum engineering.

The full-time, 18-month course provides students with a multidisciplinary education in petroleum engineering and is taught over three semesters with four 25-credit units taught per semester.

The course was first introduced at Curtin Sarawak in March this year with an initial cohort of 12 Shell geologists and engineers with backgrounds in geology and other engineering disciplines.

It was introduced in response to industry demands for a conversion course to produce more qualified petroleum engineers who are sought after in the Malaysian and international oil and gas industry.

One of the main features of the course is that it is identical to the highly successful course offered at Curtin University’s main campus in Perth, Western Australia.

This means that students at Curtin Sarawak get an undifferentiated learning experience and can access the same online learning resources, including i-lectures, as students in Perth.

They are able to fully complete their degree at Curtin Sarawak for around a third the cost of completing the same degree

in Australia.There is no difference in the

quality of the degrees earned as the degree certificates are awarded by the parent campus.

Curtin Sarawak is located in the hub of the oil and gas industry in East Malaysia and is one of five universities in Malaysia offering programmes in petroleum engineering.

Its strong links with industry players such as Baker Hughes, Petronas, Shell, Nippon Oil, Murphy Oil, Schlumberger and Technip, which operate extensively in Sabah and Sarawak, offer distinct advantages to petroleum engineering students.

According to Prof Michael Cloke, dean of Curtin Sarawak’s Faculty of Engineering and Science, there is a plan to offer the Master of Petroleum Engineering course to staff of other oil and gas companies so that they too can get a specialised education in petroleum engineering.

The course is open for registration to the general public in the next semester, which will commence in March next year.

Assoc Prof Sharul Sham Dol, head of the Department of Petroleum Engineering at Curtin Sarawak, says, “The surge in the number of enrolments in our Bachelor of Engineering (Petroleum Engineering) and

higher degree by research programmes shows that we are able to attract top students, both locally and internationally, to study petroleum engineering at Curtin Sarawak,” he says.

n For more information, call 08-544 3879 (Chan) or e-mail zhungyi@curtin.edu.my or visit www.curtin.edu.my

One of the iMAMS laboratory’s products is a

time tracker.