StarSpecial

THE STAR Tuesday 8 April 2014

COURSE FOCUS:
HOSPITALITY, LAW, TEACHING & MASS COMMUNICATIONS

Going places
Enter fields of boundless opportunities.
Law education with recognition > 4 Hospitality specialists in the making > 13

2 COURSE FOCUS StarSpecial, Tuesday 8 April 2014

Graduates proficient in more than one language are snapped up by prospective employers.

The rising demand for language proficiency

G
RADUATES with solid foreign language skills are in the best position to take advantage of new opportunities in the global market. Foreign language majors have a wealth of career prospects available, for example, translators, interpreters, call centre agents and other client-facing roles where communication skills are vital. According to the New York-based Modern Language Association, graduates who speak Arabic, Japanese, Russian, French, Chinese languages and even those who can communicate in sign language are more likely to get better salaries. However, those who are not uent in a second language still stand a good chance in the job market. The Confederation of British Industry, the United Kingdoms leading business organisation, reports that 74% of employers will still consider applicants with good conversational ability, which according to them is enough to help break the ice, deepen cultural understanding and open business access to new markets. A survey commissioned by The Economist involving 572 executives across Europe, Asia Pacic, North America and South America showed that nearly half of all companies agree that prospective candidates need to be uent in a foreign language and a further 13% say that being multilingual is a key selection criterion. In Malaysia, the majority of advertisements put out by employers request graduates who are able to speak and write uently in at least one foreign language. Results of a 2012 survey conducted by students of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia revealed that between 60% and 76% of advertisements in the business and management, consultancy, manufacturing, engineering, technical consultancy, and hotel and tourism industries require graduates who are procient in English and Chinese languages. Health care staff who can understand, explain and reassure patients in their native language about the various medical processes are assets to health care organisations.

Education, publishing and social services

There is a growing demand for foreign language education in Malaysia and those who can teach foreign languages are in great demand. There is a range of career options available for language teachers. They can teach in schools, colleges, universities and also in private language centres. Translation is another option for graduates of language degrees. Those who have complete mastery of the language can make this their career choice, which involves translating text or speech from one language to another. Translators are mainly required to translate textbooks, manual guides, public documents and certicates. There is also a shortage of sign language interpreters, according to the Malaysian Federation of the Deaf. Presently, they only have about 30 sign language interpreters who work with the federation and between 20 and 30 freelance interpreters to assist its 55,000 members. The federation also only has two interpreters who are uent in bilingual interpretation so this is denitely an area that fresh graduates can look into.

Health care, hospitality and tourism

Whether you are on the phone or at a hotels front desk, being able to converse in a foreign language proves benecial in industries that expose you to people from foreign countries. In general, hotel and restaurant managers appreciate having employees who can communicate with customers or tourists in their native language because it makes their visit more memorable and pleasant. Medical tourism is another industry where foreign language majors are needed. According to the Malaysian Healthcare Travel Council, Malaysia received 671,727 foreign patients in 2012. With the increasing number of foreign patients, especially those who struggle to express themselves in English, better communication is important to help improve the quality of overall care.

StarSpecial, Tuesday 8 April 2014

COURSE FOCUS 3

Get the edge in effective communications

I
NTI International College Subang offers a dynamic mass communications degree in collaboration with the University of Hertfordshire, United Kingdom. This programme aims to empower aspiring mass communications students with the ability to critically examine lms, write like journalists, study media cultures, use software packages to prepare layouts for magazines and websites as well as make full use of new media tools. Throughout the three-year programme, students will develop a thorough understanding of media cultures and new media publishing. They will learn to communicate effectively with the masses via lm, journalism and other mediums. They will also develop competencies through international exposure, innovative learning and individual development. Other highlights of the programme include an employer project as a creditearning subject, lectures and workshops by industry experts and the option of spending a semester at the University of Hertfordshire. Shaped by an ideal balance of theoretical knowledge and practical training that includes soft skills and resum writing workshops, students will be trained to develop their condence, resourcefulness and leadership qualities. They will also learn to analyse, strategise and make quick decisions. All these will give the students a distinct advantage as they advance to higher studies or challenging careers. The BA (Hons) in Mass Communication degree offered at INTI gives students the opportunity to earn a prestigious internationally recognised degree without incurring the high tuition costs and living Students of mass communications at INTI, seen here on an industrial visit, develop effective expenses usually associated with pursuing communications skills through theoretical and hands-on learning. a tertiary education abroad. They gain local access to the same content taught in the UK and receive a degree from the University of Hertfordshire upon successful completion of the course. The University of Hertfordshire is an award-winning entrepreneurial university and was rated by the Times Higher Educations World University Rankings as one of the worlds top 100 universities below 50 years old. The rankings are based on excellence across teaching, research, citations, industry income and international outlook. BA (Hons) in Mass Communication graduates are ready to serve as journalists, marketing communication specialists, marketing executives, lm critics, entertainment journalists, social media executives and in other media-related positions. As INTI is a part of the global Laureate International Universities network, students have access to knowledge, the industrys best practices, academic talent and resources that bring abundant opportunities for students to grow. The Laureate link provides students with access to cutting-edge global events such as the World Business Forum and Clinton Global Initiative, where they can learn from top global leaders who gather to discuss pressing issues affecting the world today. This provides students with an international learning experience and a world-class education. n For more information, call 03-5623 2800 or visit www.newinti.edu.my

Cooking up a career
MARK Urens curiosity for food developed from observing his father, an executive chef, prepare dishes for guests at both his restaurant and at their home. Wanting to become a chef came naturally, he says. A diploma in hospitality and tourism management coupled with years of hard work have enabled him to be a chef at The Westin Singapore. A fancy diploma from a culinary school is not the only path for aspiring chefs. Experience is the best teacher and those who have a combination of both will nd better opportunities, he says. According to Uren, an apprenticeship means having to start at the bottom and this includes carrying out basic tasks such as chopping vegetables and peeling potatoes. He says that by doing these tasks repeatedly, students can practise and master both old and new culinary techniques. There is so much to learn. Developing creativity and the technical ability to create new dishes cannot be achieved overnight. It takes some years before you can create a signature avour or dish, Uren explains. Uren says that being a chef has its own set of unique challenges. As a chef, I love

Mark Uren advises young chefs to be relentless in their willingness to learn. the fact that no two days are ever the same. For those who are interested in pursuing this line of work, his advice is to work smart. When asked which dish would sum up his entire career, the promising young chef says that he has yet to discover a dish that aptly describes his colourful career.

4 COURSE FOCUS StarSpecial, Tuesday 8 April 2014

Law education with recognition

B
RICKFIELDS Asia Colleges (BAC) top performers include those who began their pre-university education at the college. These include Cambridge Brilliance Award winners Soh Kit Inn who was the Top Student in the World for Law and Rachel Tey Mei Yee who was the Top Student in Malaysia for Business Studies in the October 2010 A-Levels examinations. Many of BAC students who undertook the BAC A-Levels Express Route have also gone on to achieve stellar performances in their undergraduate studies. Among these are Geraldine Kenel who went on to read law and graduate from Aberystwyth University with a rst class LLB (Hons) in 2012 and Tan Meng Yee who graduated from Cardiff University with rst Class LLB (Hons) in 2011. The success of BACs students is attributed mainly to its teaching faculty, which consists of highly qualied lecturers with A-Levels teaching experience. This is complemented by the colleges state-of-theart facilities that include a comprehensive library and research centre, computer laboratories, a moot court, gymnasium, dance studio and the Sky Garden Sports Caf. BAC recently launched the Brickelds Business School which is housed in its new RM80mil campus in Petaling Jaya. Among the courses offered are business management, business accounting, nance and dual honours such as business and law, business and marketing and business accounting. To make tertiary education more accessible to students, BAC has set up the Brickelds Education Fund. This fund Brickfields Asia Colleges boasts quality law programmes backed by experienced academia. awards merit scholarships and nancial aid scholarships to students based on academic excellence and nancial need. BAC has also collaborated with The Star Education Fund, MAPCU Education Fund and Sin Chew Education Fund to provide more scholarship options for students. Other forms of nancial assistance include zero-interest instalment payment schemes, PTPTN loans and EPF withdrawals. BAC was awarded the prestigious BrandLaureate Best Brands Award in legal education for the past two years and also the SME Recognition Award for Service Excellence last year. These awards recognise BACs reputation for providing world-class education and the colleges success as the Nations No.1 Law School. BACs April 2014 intake is now underway and students who sign up will get a complimentary tablet and other gifts. n For more information about BACs programmes and scholarships, call 03-2718 1723 or visit www.bac.edu.my

Double major to meet tourism industry demands

Curtin Sarawak is an ideal setting for a world-class education and a good place to interact with students and lecturers from around the world. RECOGNISING the vast potential of the tourism industry and the need to meet the rising demand for highly skilled tourism and hospitality professionals, Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) offers Curtin Universitys Bachelor of Commerce (Tourism & Hospitality and Marketing) to students who are interested in pursuing a career in both the tourism and hospitality industries. According to Fidella Tiew, a lecturer in tourism marketing and management at the Department of Marketing and Management at Curtin Sarawaks School of Business, the double major is designed to provide an overall understanding of the principles and processes of the complementary sectors of tourism, hospitality and event management. It places emphasis on the development and application of marketing to meet increasing demand within the sectors. Tourism and hospitality are rapidly growing industries and offer a variety of career paths. These elds are most suited to people who enjoy travelling and meeting new people, says Tiew. The course structure places equal emphasis on the study of the management, facilities and operations of tourism organisations, including the leisure and travel sectors, hospitality and hotel sectors, and events and convention centres, as well as tourism sustainability, strategic planning and development. Student learning is further enriched through practical experiences such as eld trips, assessments, industry speakers and internship, providing a real opportunity for students to further understand the functions of the service. High-achieving students may complete an additional honours year at Curtins main campus in Perth, enabling them to undertake their own research project. n For more information, call 085-443 893 or visit www.curtin.edu.my

StarSpecial, Tuesday 8 April 2014

COURSE FOCUS 5

Making the right choice

O
NE should always excel intellectually and academically is the mantra that Wong Su Lin, a student pursuing a Diploma in Hotel Management at Nilai University (Nilai U), used to hear at home. The 20-year-old had to decide on a programme and institution to enrol in despite not knowing what he wanted to do after completing his SPM. After extensive online research, he found information about Nilai Us Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism and was impressed by the career prospects it offered. I was young and didnt think too much about my future. But after thinking about it, I realised that a Diploma in Hotel Management would prepare me to work almost anywhere in the world, says Wong. Other factors that favoured Nilai U for him included it being close to his hometown of Jelebu and its competitively priced programmes. I found the tuition fees at Nilai U reasonable. The cost of living in the town of Putra Nilai was also more affordable compared to other campuses in city centres, he says. This would lessen the nancial burden on his family. Currently in his nal semester, Wong says he is enjoying his time at Nilai U, attributing it mainly to the friendly lecturers. Nilai U lecturers are dedicated, especially those in my faculty. They are approachable and always ready to help us with our studies. Wong is also thankful that he got a chance to study in a multidisciplinary university that consists of a cosmopolitan student population. I have had the chance to make friends from all over the world who are pursuing degrees and diplomas in various elds. This has made campus life much more interesting, he says. As a student in the Diploma in Hotel Management programme, Wong is required to undergo practical training, which involves hours in the training kitchen, as well as be a part of the front desk service team. Before enrolling in this programme, my cooking skills were limited to preparing a bowl of instant noodles. Now, I can cook pasta dishes at least, says Wong. Wong is looking forward to impressing visitors as a hotel front desk ocer with his rst class attitude and charming personality. His dream is to graduate with a distinction and then to work in Macau. I want to experience Macau as it has a good tourism industry and many worldclass hotels, he says. A determined student, Wong is taking his studies seriously to achieve his ambitions, paving a bright future for himself. Nilai U graduates from the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism will receive enhanced certication from the Malaysian Food and Beverage Executives Association (MFBEA) to pursue further degrees and diplomas. This certication is recognised by many professionals in the industry and employers will know that they have been properly trained and exposed to the latest industry trends, thus giving the graduates an added competitive edge in the job market. n For more information, call 06-850 2308 or 07-226 2336 or visit www.nilai.edu.my

Learning from the experience of others

THE inaugural Apprentice Asia winner Jonathan Yabut shared his experience with the students and staff of Nilai University (Nilai U) as part of the institutions Executive Lecture Series. When I was 16, I discovered a cyst on my right breast. Though it was later found to be benign, the experience made me realise that the clock could cease ticking for me anytime. The experience sparked my seize the moment mentality, he said. Organised by the Faculty of Business, Yabut spoke about the driving forces that made him a successful marketeer with a pharmaceutical conglomerate in the Philippines (his homeland) before he applied for the reality TV series. Nilai U has a long tradition of inviting noteworthy speakers to share their experiences and insights with its students and staff. The lecture series has included public gures such as Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim, esteemed members of religious organisations such as Bishop Emeritus Dennis C. Dutton and highly respected academics such as Royal Prof Ungku Abdul Aziz. Nilai U upholds its enrichment for life philosophy and aims to have distinguished individuals impart knowledge and experience to its students. We have always maintained that learning is not merely conned to textbooks and classrooms. Here at Nilai University, we embrace a holistic approach towards education, whereby extracurricular activities and other events are

Jonathan Yabut (right) receiving a token of appreciation from Nilai U vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Megat Burhainuddin Megat Abdul Rahman after his talk at Nilai U. utilised to stimulate students collective intellect. Alongside annual events such as the 1World Culture and the Future Leaders camp, talks such as this are held regularly to allow our students to listen to and learn from speakers of different backgrounds, says Nilai U vice-chancellor, Prof Datuk Dr Megat Burhainuddin Megat Abdul Rahman.

6 COURSE FOCUS StarSpecial, Tuesday 8 April 2014

Sweet treats for everyone

K
BU International Colleges hospitality and tourism management students transformed the colleges training cafe into a land of sweets recently. The Candy Land project allowed us to break free from our every day routine as everyone was stressed because of assignments and exams. It took us two months to plan and organise the project. It was a huge hit thanks to the KBU community, who provided us with such great support, says Wong Jia Xin, a nal year student of the Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Management programme. In addition to the wide variety of sweets, the students also prepared cookies and cakes for sale to raise funds for their Hospitality and Tourism Club. A number of game stalls were also set up to give the event a carnival-like atmosphere. KBUs Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Management programme emphasises a balanced and holistic education in hotel, culinary arts, tourism and events management. The programme prepares students to assume management positions and undertake tasks principally in the hospitality, tourism and services industry. The programme also provides a compulsory internship module, which allows students to be exposed to real working environments, says Bashirah Arin, who heads the hospitality programme. KBU has partnered with the Hotel and Tourism Management Institute Switzerland to provide a recognised Swiss education to its students. With this partnership, students are able to obtain a dual diploma, the KBUs diploma and HTMi diploma in just two years. Upon completion, students are also able to pursue their degree in hotel and events management, which comprises six months of academic studies and another six months of paid industrial training in Switzerland. n For more information, call 03-7727 3200 or visit www.kbu.edu.my The Cilantro Culinary Academy offers a Diploma in Patisserie programme that equips students with a variety of pastry and baking skills.

Bright prospects in baking

BREADMAKING requires a combination of arts and science. One needs to be creative in producing different avours and shapes, as well as be scientically sound to create different bread textures. Bakers around the world are producing more variety of breads to meet the demand for healthy and specialty breads. A professional baker can nd himself working in various organisations, such as a ve-star hotel, a breadmaking factory, a our manufacturing company, a ne dining restaurant, a pastry shop or even a selfowned bakery shop. With such a ourishing career prospect, more and more students are interested in taking courses pertaining to this eld. Being creative and passionate in your job will reap high nancial rewards. A chefs salary may differ depending on their position and location but increases as they gain years of experience. To train individuals for a future career in baking, the Cilantro Culinary Academy offers a 16-month intensive Diploma in Patisserie programme. The programme involves teaching a variety of pastry and baking skills, including producing breads, pastries, cakes, chocolates and training students in pull sugar art. Helmed by award-winning executive chef Chern Chee Hoong and a team of experienced and award-winning pastry chef instructors, Cilantro Culinary Academy offers quality pastry-making education. The academy also offers the Diploma in Food Preparation and Cooking, Advanced Diploma in Culinary Arts, and the Degree in Food and Professional Cookery for students who would like to gain the essential skills and knowledge of culinary arts. Cilantro Culinary Academy invites interested individuals to join its Career Discovery Program (CDP) to explore culinary and/or pastry art before deciding on their education pathway. n For more information, call 03-8023 0555.

(From left) Liew Wai Fan, deputy principal of KBU; Low Hong Keng, head of the School of Business, Hospitality and Tourism Management; Dr Chee Choong Kooi, principal of KBU and Angela Tan, marketing and corporate communications manager at the launch of Candy Land.

StarSpecial, Tuesday 8 April 2014

COURSE FOCUS 7

Imparting reel knowledge

HE popularity of French cinema and its artistic productions intrigued Dr Jonathan Driskell (pic), a lecturer of lm and television studies from the School of Arts and Social Sciences at Monash University Malaysia, to research on a wellknown French director, Marcel Carn. Carn has been acknowledged as a great director of classical French cinema and a key gure behind the poetic realism lm movement of the 1930s. Some of his most notable lms include Le Quai des Brumes, Le Jour se Lve and Les Enfants du Paradis. Dr Driskell recently published his research in a book, a rst to be written on Carns life. The book offers fresh perspectives on his cinema production, particularly through re-examination of his post-war work. In Dr Driskells book, Carns lms are examined through the consideration of its key textual features set in a broader historical context. Besides his work on Carn, Dr Driskell is due to publish another book titled The French Screen Goddess: Film Stardom and the Modern Woman in 1930s France. My interest is in popular French lms and how they can shed light onto the nature of French cinema and the French society. French cinema has produced many popular actors and actresses, very much like Hollywood, so its an interesting industry to carry out research on, says Dr Driskell. At Monash University Malaysia, Dr Driskell supervises two PhD students.

UTAR Perak campus aims to be progressive yet retain the essence of simplicity and nature.

Modern architecture in a natural setting

He says, I really like supervising. Its interesting because while were guiding the research, its exciting to see new ideas being developed. I get a sense of how new concepts are discovered with each students work and its really rewarding to be a part of that, he said. Dr Driskell teaches three lm and television studies subjects, including a class on stardom for third year students called Stardom: celebrity, society and power. It is a research unit which requires students to undertake research projects on stardom. In particular, we look at Bollywood and Hong Kong stardom, as well as South-East Asian stardom with a focus on the Philippines and Malaysia, says Dr Driskell. The new unit will hone students research skills and further encourage the culture of research and learning at Monash University. n For more information visit www.sass.monash.edu.my THE UTAR Perak campus addition of the Dewan Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik to its 1,300acre (526ha) campus won the university the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) gold award in the education category last year. The Perak campus located in Kampar is surrounded by green hills, old tin mining lakes and ultra-modern buildings. According to the universitys architect consulting rm, The Architectural Network (tAN), UTAR Perak campus project is one of the biggest private community universities built in the country using public donations. It serves as a testament to how educational motives can help to revive and revitalise the social and economic health of an otherwise diminishing old tin mining town. Ar Chow Yeut Keong, the founding principal architect of tAN, says, "All buildings here are of modern contemporary architecture. Dewan Tun Dr Ling is a stand-out, made to be iconic and to reect on the universitys identity. UTAR offers more than 110 programmes in various elds, including accounting, business and economics, actuarial science, mathematics and process management, agriculture and food science, arts, social sciences and education, creative industries and design, engineering and built environment, information and communication technology, life and physical sciences, and medicine and health sciences. UTAR aims to be a global university of educational excellence and transformative societal impact, excelling in its teaching and research to achieve this vision. The universitys efforts has led UTAR to be ranked as one of the top 300 universities in Asia in the 2012 and 2013 ranking by QS World University Rankings: Asia. UTAR invites school leavers to attend its open day to be held on April 12 and 13 from 9.30am to 5.30pm at UTARs Setapak campus in Kuala Lumpur. n For more information, call 03-7958 2628 (Petaling Jaya campus) or 05-468 8888 (Perak campus), e-mail enquiry@utar.edu. my or visit www.utar.edu.my

8 COURSE FOCUS StarSpecial, Tuesday 8 April 2014

Joshua Chay (front row, second from right), UCSI alumni and the co-founder of The Spacemen, a production house, celebrating the end of his final presentation for his bachelors degree with coursemates.

Helping students find their niche

J
OSHUA Chay Jing Chengs work is his passion. People dont go into production because it makes them millionaires. They do it because theyre passionate about it, he says. As the co-founder of The Spacemen, a production house that specialises in videos, photography and content services, Chay credits his alma mater for shaping him into who he is today. UCSI University was great because the lecturers were really good. Im grateful that they understood what I was trying to do and encouraged me to express myself freely, says Chay, a mass communications graduate from the universitys Faculty of Social Science and Liberal Arts (FoSSLA). Chay fondly recalls a project that called for him to adapt a Hollywood lm into a short lm his very rst short lm. He describes the project as amazing as it gave him plenty of room to explore different scenes. And despite learning most of his skills on his own and through freelancing, it was at UCSI that he learned to channel those skills. Chay credits his lecturers and their classes for helping him focus on his strengths. His testimony serves as a testament to FoSSLAs strong commitment to creating an environment where students can excel in their intellectual pursuits. The faculty also acknowledges the individual talents of its students and ensures they hone in on their niche. In their rst year, mass communications students are introduced to courses such as written discourse, public speaking, advertising, public relations and journalism, where they learn the basics of each eld. The second year sees them gaining deeper knowledge in various courses and choosing electives that are relevant to their career paths, while Year 3 is separated into three routes: lm and television, journalism and marketing communications. The three-year curriculum has been designed so that students are exposed to many elements in the eld and are able to make the right decision when it is time to choose their major. FoSSLA boasts a team of highly qualied academicians with many of them possessing extensive industrial experience. One example is Nazvi Careem, who has more than 25 years of industry experience in journalism. While keeping his classes fun, interactive and informal, Careem is resolute in his commitment in ensuring that his students are equipped with the right knowledge and skills before graduation. He ventured into teaching because he wanted students to immediately put what they learned at university into practice at their workplace. I know what a student needs in order to be a good journalist and an A will mean nothing unless they can write a good article, he says. Careems classes are popular among the mass communications students at the university and Chay, who was a student in his class, is appreciative of what he has learned as it was very focused on achieving a students goals. It was more about using your own methods to get to the goal. He created an environment for us to learn on our own but at the same time, there was still some structure enabling us to learn something at the end of the day, Chay says. At FoSSLA, students are encouraged to think creatively, give shape to their ideas and communicate those ideas under the tutelage of experienced lecturers. FoSSLA is a faculty that strives to make a difference in the lives of its students and is keen on seeing its students become creative and condent individuals who are passionate about what they do. n For more information, call 03-9101 8882 or visit www.ucsiuniversity.edu.my/ onlineenquiry

StarSpecial, Tuesday 8 April 2014

COURSE FOCUS 9

Empowering the young to aim high

D
EAN of Taylor's University School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts (HTCA), Neethiahnanthan Ari Ragavan, strives to deliver the best hospitality education to his students. As educators, we constantly ask ourselves how we can provide the best for our students, ensure that they have an edge over other graduates in the industry and give them a head start in their careers and provide them with the opportunity to work with the best, says Neethiahnanthan. These questions are the driving force behind the decisions that the school makes in relation to the type of education it provides, which in turn has allowed for the School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts to consistently be recognised for the quality of its education by various stakeholders from both the education and hotel industries. HTCA is the only school in Malaysia to receive the highest rating Tier 6: Outstanding by the Ministry of Education through the D-SETARA Rating System. It is also the only hospitality and culinary arts school in the country to have strategic partnerships with the worlds top hotels such as Hilton Worldwide, Starwood, Westin, Sheraton, Le Mridien, Mandarin Oriental and ShangriLa for internships and jobs. Through such efforts, HTCA has carved a name for itself in its 27 years of its existence and has graduated more than 10,000 students who have gone on to work in establishments across 80 countries worldwide. One such graduate is Qaisar Naseem, general manager of Paradise Island Resort, Lankannolhu, one of the biggest and most successful locally managed properties in the Maldives. Studying at Taylors was a great experience, thanks to the team of knowledgeable and experienced lecturers who deliver exactly what is needed for the operation of hotels. Furthermore, the style of learning at Taylors, which is a combination of practical and theoretical knowledge, made learning an enjoyable experience, he adds. I was extremely condent that I would be able to face any challenge in the course of my career because of this. When I was promoted to general manager, I was only 30 years old, the youngest person to be appointed to such a key role in the whole country. Four years on, I think I still hold that privilege, Qaisar says. Qaisar is but one of HTCA's success stories. This success rate adds to the schools mission of excellence, something that HTCA has practised since its inception in 1986. In addition to partnerships with members from the industry, HTCA has also set itself apart from other schools with its long-standing partnership with Acadmie de Toulouse and University of Toulouse, which is a consortium of French universities. This partnership, which is more than two decades old, has seen countless students graduate with diplomas and degrees from both Taylor's University and its partner institutions. This successful partnership provides students with the best educational opportunities as it allows them the opportunity to experience cutting-edge teaching and learning methods applied in both Asia and Europe. The school and some of the worlds top hoteliers will host a one-night only event where prospective students will gain exclusive insights from the best in the industry to kick start their career in hospitality. n For more information, visit www.taylors.edu.my/star/

Neethiahnanthan Ari Ragavan (left), dean of Taylor's University School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts (HTCA), being presented the award for academic and research excellence by Hospitality Asia Platinum Awards (HAPA) for 2013-2015 by Jennifer Ong, founders/publisher of World Asia Publishing (BM Sdn Bhd).

Quest to excel
STUDENTS looking to venture into a career in the hospitality and tourism industry can now pursue the hospitality and tourism programme at Quest International University Perak (QIUP) in Ipoh. Realising that the hospitality industry is in need of managerial staff, QIUP introduced the Bachelor of Business Administration (Hons) in Hospitality and Tourism Management last year. The university also introduced the Diploma in Hotel Management, which will receive its rst batch of students this month. The programmes provide a broad coverage of the best practices in the hospitality industry in its coursework content, which is reinforced with critical soft skills that are an integral part of the profession. The curriculum also includes both research and internship components. The internship involves valuable hands-on training on the multiple facets of hotel management at premier local and international hotels identied by the university. Students are also given the option to choose the hotels in which they carry out their training. With a minimum duration of three years for full time study for the degree programme and two and a half years for the diploma programme, the hospitality and tourism programmes will provide

Students at QIUP get hands-on training during their internship.

global, industry-specic and quality education at affordable prices. These programmes are also offered in parttime modes. The degree programme takes ve and a half years while the diploma programme takes four years to complete. These parttime programmes are ideal for graduates and working professionals who are unable to pursue full-time programmes but intend to upgrade their qualications, knowledge and employability. The April/May 2014 intake is now open for registration. n For more information, call 1800 887 487 or visit www.qiup.edu.my

10 COURSE FOCUS StarSpecial, Tuesday 8 April 2014

Nurturing innovative students

A
S new media and the digital age become closely intertwined with human behaviour and their interaction with each other, employers look to hire those with the skills that will help enterprises sharpen their response to consumer needs. There is now a need for a deeper understanding of communications subjects. The Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, recognising this need, has introduced the Bachelor of Arts of Communication with Psychology programme. This programme links communications to the foundations of psychology. The programme is designed to progressively equip students to understand the role that communications play in creating, maintaining and changing the human behaviour through major disciplines, especially in the elds of public relations, journalism, advertising, marketing and corporate communications. The demand for graduates with practical knowledge is rising as businesses seek to understand consumer needs and behaviour through their online actions. The Limkokwing advantage is the creative and innovative outlook that graduates will be equipped with. This will be imparted to students who will have access to the latest technology. Psychology is no longer simply studying how humans interact with each other but rather how they interact with machines, products and services. A distinct advantage of taking this course at Limkokwing is the unprecedented amount of exposure to people from every part of the world. This is an opportunity to study different cultural aspects and how they affect human behaviour on a practical level. The dual nature of this course opens doors to a host of careers in public relations, advertising and marketing, research, and consultancy in just about any industry. The digital era is creating new jobs and opportunities like never before and tertiary education must evolve to prepare graduates to excel in these positions. Therefore, the introduction of new courses that are timely and industry-matched will give students a distinct advantage over those doing traditional courses. n For more information, visit www.limkokwing.edu.my

Students at The Limkokwing University of Creative Technology have the distinct advantage of being exposed to people and cultures from across the world.

Expanding the creative sector

IN a serious bid to expand the involvement of Bumiputra professionals in the creative sector, Limkokwing University of Creative Technology recently announced an allocation of 100 full-fee scholarships for those qualied to enrol in its degree or diploma programmes. The allocation is attached to a pathway that includes opportunities to work with industry partners of the university. According to Tan Sri Datuk Sri Paduka Lim Kok Wing, president of the university, the aim is to keep local talents in Malaysia to assist in expanding the creative sector of the national economy. The creative economy is a strong driver of national development. It involves the translation of heritage and culture into tangible products that appeal to a global audience and which can be widely distributed through the new media, says Lim Kok Wing. He explained that the next frontier of wealth generation will be through the interaction of people, specically women, youth and indigenous communities. The creative economy is related to industries that cater to consumer demands for entertainment, education, fashion and self-development that cover a wide array of enterprises. Lim Kok Wing adds that Malaysias aspiration to achieve high-income status is directly linked to its ability to expand the creative sector. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development released gures last year showed that world trade of creative goods and services totalled US$624bil (RM2tril) in 2011, he says, adding that Malaysia has to build its competitive advantage through development that is unique to this country. We need to develop the capabilities of our youth who will drive the growth of the creative sector, he continues. The Degree-To-Career scholarship allocation covers degree and diploma programmes in performance arts, music, fashion, event management, design, communication, multimedia, broadcasting, games and web. Students are advised to call early as allocations cover 10 full-fee scholarships for each discipline. However, half-fee scholarships are also available for those who missed the opportunity to obtain the full scholarships.

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Mass communications is a popular programme as the skills obtained can be applied in many industries.

HE Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpurs (IUKL) Faculty of Arts, Communication and Education (FACE) offers programmes in communications. FACE equips professionals with dynamic communication skills as well as effective teaching skills to support todays corporate, business and education sectors. Programmes offered by IUKL are: l Corporate communications IUKL offers the Diploma in Corporate Communication and Bachelor of Communication (Hons) in Corporate Communication. These programmes prepare students with extensive theoretical and practical skills of corporate communications such as organisational communications, managerial communications and crisis management. This programme is designed to give students the edge in their careers. Graduates will not only able to build relationships but also sustain good rapport. l Integrated marketing communications The Bachelor of Communication (Hons) in Integrated Marketing Communication trains students to explore a career in the marketing communications eld. Students who graduate with this qualication will be able to design marketing communications

In need of global communicators

campaigns that will spark interest and generate awareness about brands and products. Students will be armed with the knowledge of the various types of marketing communications tactics and strategies, from basic publicity to the use of viral marketing. Graduates will be equipped with the necessary skills needed to pursue a variety of jobs in different elds such as business, marketing or communications, public relations and advertising. l English for Professional Communication At IUKL, students can pursue their Diploma in English for Professional Communication and Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in English for Professional Communication. Students will be trained to synthesise strategies for problem-solving and apply analytical skills in designing, composing and evaluating various types of discourses. They are also introduced to ethical principles that contribute to the development of society. Once they graduate, they will be able to communicate effectively in a professional capacity. n For more information, call 1800 88 STUDY (78839) or visit www.IUKL.edu.my

Serving the tourism industry

THE Management & Science University (MSU) offers diploma and bachelors degree programmes in hospitality and tourism management for those intending to pursue careers in this illustrious industry. Malaysias tourism industry is resilient, healthy and thriving and the country is in the midst of achieving its target of 36 million visitors by 2020. To achieve this, the country is focused on improving its infrastructure, leisure and entertainment outlets as well as hotels and resorts. MSU intends to meet the industrys demand for human resource. Hospitality and tourism management is a multi-disciplinary eld of study. It instils in students the expertise, commitment, and skills for management, marketing and operations positions in this expanding global industry. The greatest need in the hospitality and tourism industry is quality human capital that can help garner both repeat and new tourists to the country. MSUs School of Hospitality and Creative Arts complements the needs of this industry by offering diploma and bachelors degree programme in: Hospitality and tourism management Event management Culinary arts Outdoor, leisure and adventure management

The programmes at MSU are in line with the countrys aim of becoming a global tourism hub. Public relations and entertainment Fashion design Spa management Hair dressing The Global Mobility Programme (GMP) at MSU assists students in enriching their academic pursuits at an international level. Students can choose one of more than 40 universities in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, South Africa, Japan, New Zealand, India and Indonesia to complete their degrees. The opportunity to study at these universities will further enrich the development of the students and enhance their standings for better career prospects. n For more information, call 03-5521 6868 or visit www.msu.edu.my

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The hospitality and tourism programmes at SEGi equip students with the skills and knowledge that are in demand by todays employers.

NE of Malaysias leading education providers, SEGi University Group, offers several hospitality and tourism diploma programmes that groom future professionals in the sector. The programmes available at SEGi are designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge that are in demand by todays employers. Students will study relevant modules and develop their skills in communications, teamwork, problemsolving, the use of information technology and the application of numbers. The diploma programmes offered are: l Diploma in Hotel Management This diploma is perfect for those who want to develop comprehensive skills in hospitality management. Graduates of this programme will be knowledgeable on food and beverage, housekeeping, front oce management and the general operation of hotels and resorts. l Diploma in Tourism Management This programme will provide students with an understanding of theoretical concepts and strategies for tourism business. Through the programme, students will be able to broaden their knowledge of the

Your passport to the world

different service providers that contribute to the travel and tourism industry such as tour and travel operators, airlines, hotels and resorts. l Diploma in Culinary Arts This programme provides students with sucient culinary background to enter the food service industry and a variety of related positions. At the end of the programme, graduates will master Asian and European cooking methods, principles of design in food production and nutrition planning. l Diploma in Event Management The Diploma in Event Management programme offers a comprehensive and thorough curriculum for those seeking to gain skills and knowledge specic to the management of events. Graduates will be able to contribute fresh ideas and turn them into reality to ensure the success of their events. SEGis School of Hospitality and Tourism also offers bachelors degree and certicate programmes. n For more information, call 03-6145 1777, 1800 887 344 or visit www.segi.edu.my

Running for charity

THE 6th Annual Nottingham Charity Run that took place last month raised RM36,000 for the Childrens Development Fund of World Vision Malaysia. A student-led initiative, the run was organised by the ACE (Action with Compassion and Empathy) Society. It was open to the public with the aim of raising funds for World Vision Malaysia and its work in support of children. More than 800 participants registered this year for the 10km (Men), 10km (Women) and 5km (Fun Run) categories. On the day of the event, more than 100 dedicated volunteers arrived at 3am to set up for the run. Registration began at 5am and the campus sprang into action soon after, with the arrival of many excited participants, says Ong Yoke Pei, president of ACE Society. The event was successfully led by rstyear student Tan Jia Min, one of the event managers from ACE Society University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus. The run was agged off by Prof Christine Ennew, chief executive ocer and provost of UNMC, who gave an encouraging speech at the ag off. Also present was Ninian Tian, marketing executive of World Vision Malaysia. Our students continue to outdo themselves. Last years run raised more than RM18,000 for Hospis Malaysia and this year, they have doubled the amount. In them, I see a generation that is successoriented and aware of their responsibility to give something back and to make a difference in society, says Prof Ennew. Their time at the University of Nottingham enables them to become well-

A lecturer at UNMCs School of Education, Dr Lucy Bailey (centre), with Prof Christine Ennew (right) and Ninian Tian, after winning the 10km (Women) category in the 6th Annual Nottingham Charity Run. rounded individuals who are able to excel in academia, research, sports and community engagement, she continues. For each category the winners were awarded RM500, the rst runners-up were awarded RM300 and the second runners-up were awarded RM200. Winners of the Fun Run received hampers from the sponsors. Each winner received a medal and a certicate of participation. This charity run would not have been a success without the kind support of all parties and the organisers hope to retain the same level of support in the years to come, says Tan. n For more information on the programmes offered at UNMC, visit www.nottingham.edu.my

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Hospitality specialists in the making

J
ACKELYN Ng Shuk Chuen is a teenager who enjoys leisure activities such as reading and watching movies. Yet underneath her easy-going nature is a person committed to both bowling and her studies. As a bowler, Ng represents Sarawak in both national and international bowling tournaments, including Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA). Besides this, Ng is also a student undertaking a Diploma in Hotel Management at UCSI Universitys Sarawak campus. Her mix of bowling and hotel management is, as Ng points out, Mostly because I enjoy meeting new people. I decided on the hotel management programme at UCSI because it presented opportunities to meet people from all over the world and learn about different cultures. Ng has gained important skills such as communications and customer service skills from her course. She believes that the programme has taught her what a career in hospitality management will really be like once she joins the workforce. Students under UCSIs Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management (FHTM) get to apply theoretical knowledge into practice at events such as the Korean Night 2013, which was organised by Ng and students of both the hotel management and culinary arts programmes. In line with the Korean governments efforts to promote its cuisine and culture in Malaysia, the event was part of an assignment for the banquet and event management course. Through the experience of running the event from its planning stage to execution, Ng learnt to manage an event with condence. When I rst started this course, I found it challenging to speak in front of a classroom. But now, I can speak publicly with more condence thanks to our frequent class presentations, she says.

Hands-on experience
With more than 1,200 industry partners, UCSIs Co-op programme is undoubtedly the largest in Malaysia. The programme places students in industry-related companies for two months each year, ensuring that they receive exposure to a real working environment and learn how the industry works. Hotel management student Lim Yun Li was placed at the Majestic Hotel and recalls her experience. It was superb. I had never worked in a hotel before so it was an eyeopener for me. I learned so much, she says. The rst part of her training involved being a guest service assistant at the front desk followed by a stint as a customer relations ocer in the second part of her training. At the hotel, Lim learned to anticipate the needs and requests of customers and to view her role as someone who creates and crafts experiences for guests. More importantly, she developed a passion for her work and a commitment to excellence, which are values advocated by UCSI. The work-based learning (WBL) approach at UCSI involves a unique, non-traditional academic plus industry experience delivery method. With the WBL model, FHTM students will be better

prepared for the working world. The Co-op programme complements this approach by providing work experience opportunities. For this purpose, the UCSI Group has established praxis centres (in-house business entities) to equip students with the right skills and practical experience prior to graduation. These include a boutique hotel (Le Quadri Hotel), a restaurant (The Quad) and a consultancy rm. Steadfast in its commitment to produce industry-ready students like Lim and Ng, the FHTM is keen to see its students succeed in the tourism and hospitality industry and continues to take the right steps to achieve this vision. UCSI will host its Open Day on April 12 and 13 from 9am to 6pm. n For more information about UCSIs Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management, call 03-9101 8882 or visit www.ucsiuniversity.edu.my/onlineenquiry UCSI provides hospitality and tourism students the platform to put their theoretical knowledge into practice.

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Opportunities in broadcasting
M
ASS communications encompass a wide range of career choices. Broadcasting, for example, is an industry with many job opportunities. Here are some of the positions available.

Famous people with law degrees

l Tan Twan Eng Penang-born author Tan Twan Eng obtained his law degree at the University of London and has worked as an advocate and solicitor in a Kuala Lumpur law rm. He is now a full-time writer and his novel, The Gift of Rain, published in 2007, was long-listed for the Man Booker Prize and has been translated into Greek, Italian, Romanian, Spanish, Czech and Serbian. The Garden of Evening Mists, which is Tans second novel, was published in 2012. The book won the Man Asian Literary Prize and the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction. The novel was also short-listed for the Man Booker Prize 2012. l Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, known by the honoric Mahatma, went to London in 1888 to study law at the University College London. It was at this university that Gandhi studied Indian law and jurisprudence and underwent training at the Inner Temple as a barrister. He passed the bar in 1891 and practised law in Bombay but was known to be very shy in court. In 1947, Gandhi led India to independence from the British by using nonviolent civil disobedience. l Gerard Butler Scottish actor Gerard Butler attended Glasgow University and upon graduation, was offered a trainee lawyer position at an Edinburgh law rm. However, Butler ceased working just one week away from qualifying as a fulledged lawyer due to poor work ethics. Butler then took his acting career more seriously and has since won roles in blockbuster movies such as Dracula 2000, Tomb Raider 2, P.S. I Love You and The Bounty Hunter. l Julio Iglesias While studying law at the CEU San Pablo University in Madrid, Julio Iglesias was also a professional football player for Real Madrid Castilla. Unfortunately, he was involved in a serious car accident, which ended his professional football career. Iglesias was not able to walk for two years. During this time, he learned to play the guitar. He then went on to sell millions of records around the world and in 2001, earned his law degree. Mahatma Gandhi.

Television
Assignment editor Assignment editors gather news for the stations programmes. They also organise the logistics of camera crews and reporters, as well as the arrangement of various satellite feeds and live coverage. Continuity writer This position requires skills in computer and wordprocessor operations to write promotional copies and scripts for local commercials. News writer News writers prepare news packages to be voiced by anchors, monitor news feeds and book the relevant personalities for interviews. One needs to have impeccable writing skills and to be uent in the language of the chosen television station.

Radio
Account executive This person is responsible for bringing in the advertisements heard on air, making them the radio stations moneymaker. An account executive sells advertising time and helps businesses market their brand to listeners. Announcer As an announcer, this person is in charge of introducing programmes, song titles and sometimes making public service announcements. Music director Music directors work with the programme director to choose music for the radio stations song list and also to manage the stations music library.

Julio Iglesias.

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