THE STAR, TUESDAY 17 APRIL 2018

COURSE FOCUS
COMPUTING, TECHNOLOGY, ARTS & DESIGN
THE Internet of Things, augmented
reality, artificial intelligence (AI)
and automation are some
developments that have shaped
advancements in global technology
and the economy.
Building on the previous
industrial revolution that changed
the world’s digital landscape, the
Fourth Industrial Revolution
combines the physical, digital and
biological worlds – creating a new
range of technologies that are
human-friendly.
Tunku Abdul Rahman University
College (TAR UC) is embracing
the Fourth Industrial Revolution
by continuing to adapt its
programmes to ensure students
will be able to keep abreast of
the latest developments and
technologies.
TAR UC aims to prepare students
for the digital economy of the
future so that they remain highly
sought-after across industries upon
graduation.
Last year, TAR UC was
recognised as a Premier Digital
Tech University by the Malaysia
Digital Economy Corporation and
the Higher Education Ministry.
Realising the significance of
robotics and AI in future
industries, TAR UC’s Faculty of
Computing and Information
Technology (FOCS) revisits and
enhances its curricula periodically
so that computing students are
equipped with the skills and
knowledge required by the
industries of tomorrow.
A new development to the
curricula involves a robot named
Nao. Studying Nao in classes allows
Leading the revolution
Yap Kok Hau (in black) and Yap Jin Zhe configuring software that controls Nao’s
movements.
students to learn about state-of-the-
art humanoid robot development
at FOCS’ computational intelligence
research laboratory.
“Nao and other interactive
robots can potentially be
commercialised in many industries
across Malaysia,” says Dr Tang
Tiong Yew, senior lecturer from the
Department of Computer Science
and Mathematics in FOCS.
“Students use Nao as a medium
through which advanced AI
software components can be
leveraged and programmed to
simulate natural conversations
between robots and humans.”
The opportunity to work on
their final-year project with Nao
was beyond exciting for third-year
Bachelor of Information
Technology (Hons) in Software
Systems Development students,
Yap Jin Zhe and Yap Kok Hau.
“In the future, industries will
rely on software and digital
technology. Working on Nao gives
me a deeper insight into robotics,
According to Dr Tang,
interactive robots such as
Nao can potentially be
commercialised across
various industries.
which will make me more
employable as I possess the basic
knowledge and sought-after skills
that employers look for,” says Kok
Hau.
“TAR UC’s comprehensive
facilities fully support the
completion of our final-year
project with Nao. Our project
supervisor, Dr Tang, is also
highly knowledgeable in the
field of robotics and has been
guiding us throughout the
process.”
Agreeing with his teammate, Jin
Zhe says, “Working on Nao lets
me master a new programming
language and other skills that
I believe will benefit me in the
future when more industries
start adopting robotics technology.
“We have been getting hands-on
exposure on robotics and process
automation. It gives us in-depth
knowledge of how the robot itself
functions and how to configure the
software that controls it.”
TAR UC’s FOCS offers diploma
and degree programmes in
computer science, information
systems and information
technology.
FOCS programmes are
dual-award thanks to the faculty’s
academic collaboration with
Campbell University in the
United States. Students of these
programmes receive two
certifications upon graduation –
one from TAR UC and the other
from Campbell University.
Attractive scholarships such as
academic merit and sibling
discounts are available from TAR
UC for eligible students.
TAR UC representatives will be
present at major education fairs to
meet prospective students who
want to know more about the
institution and its programmes.
n For more information, visit
www.tarc.edu.my

Venturing into software engineering

THE advent of technology has
created myriad career options for
students to pursue. Among them is
software engineering, which has
infiltrated many aspects of our
lives.
Dr Imran Ghani, senior lecturer
of software engineering at Monash
University Malaysia’s School of
Information Technology, shares his
insight into the university’s
Bachelor of Software Engineering
(Hons) programme and its job
prospects.
A common question asked by
many is: What’s the difference
between a computer science
degree and a software engineering
degree?
Software engineering is a branch
of computer science. Dr Imran
explains that computer science is a
highly technical field where
students study subjects such as
computing theories and computer-
related functions, including
algorithms and computer
networks.
While software engineers have
attributes of computer science
graduates, they are equipped with
added knowledge and skills in
quality assurance, software design
and non-technical aspects such as
managing client relationships, time
and budget.
Monash is the first university
in Malaysia to offer a four-year
honours programme in software
engineering. Its computer
science programme is three
scale, problems may crop up. This
is when software engineers
proceed with maintenance works
to analyse problems and find
solutions. The process continues
with the following 10 features until
completed.
Dr Imran says that the Agile
process enables software engineers
to fix errors more efficiently than if
they were to simultaneously
develop 100 features and deliver
them to the customer, which is a
traditional method known as the
Waterfall model.
According to him, while the
Agile process is a heavy subject
with many areas, it emphasises
team collaboration and is less
bureaucratic compared to the
Waterfall approach.
“Agile is in high demand in
the Malaysian information
technology (IT) industry and not
many universities have expertise
Monash Malaysia’s four-year Bachelor of Software Engineering (Hons) in that,” he adds.
programme equips students with the technical expertise and soft skills Monash’s software engineering
needed to be successful software engineers. programme is a combination of
coursework and research projects,
years in duration. into chunks. with the latter done by fourth year
At Monash Malaysia, the For example, to develop a students.
software engineering programme software with 100 features, the Apart from learning to code and
is managed by two faculties – the software programmer starts by gaining experience in the Agile
School of Engineering and School choosing 10 important features to process, graduates are equipped
of Information Technology. undergo six phases – analysis, with skills in quality assurance and
Among the subjects taught is the design, coding or programming, software security.
Agile process, a type of software testing, delivery and maintenance. “Industry practitioners usually
development methodology. Dr Upon completion, these 10 features complain that many IT students
Imran explains that the Agile are delivered to the customer. have good technical expertise
process works by breaking a Once the product is handed to but lack communication skills
software development project the customer to be used on a large and the ability to write good
documentation,” says Dr Imran.
Hence, students are taught how
to analyse and solve clients’
problems as well as improve their
interpersonal and intrapersonal
skills.
Top students from each intake
have the opportunity to be selected
for the university’s half-year
Industry Based Learning (IBL)
programme, which sees students
gaining industry experience and
engaging in projects with global
organisations.
Graduates can work in various
fields, including healthcare,
banking and tourism. Additionally,
there are numerous opportunities
for employment as a game
developer, IT consultant and
planner or part of an IT start-up.
According to market researcher
Ipsos’ 2013-2017 survey, software
engineers are ranked first and
second respectively for job titles
with the highest vacancies in
Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC)
and non-MSC status companies.
The survey estimated 7,000
vacancies to be filled between 2014
and 2017.
In addition, a 2014 study by Kelly
Services revealed that the salary
range for software engineers with
two to three years of experience is
between RM4,500 and RM6,000.
n For more information on
programmes offered by the School
of Information Technology, visit
www.infotech.monash.edu.my
2 Course Focus
A trendy business
IN Malaysia, fashion is quite
subjective with how it is dependent
on Western influences and local
designers’ abilities to adapt to
evolving fashion trends.
Courses in fashion today
incorporate modules on running
a business and opening a retail
line. Thus, besides designing,
students are equipped with the
ability to tackle fashion
merchandising, retailing and
business management.
Even though the fashion world
is much denser now than when
esteemed local designer Datuk
Bernard Chandran entered the
market in 1993, the fact that newer
brands such as Ardana Haran
are flourishing today means that
there is ample space for aspiring
fashion influencers to make their
mark in the industry.
To be a well-rounded individual
in today’s fashion world, you need
to do more than just design an eye-
THE STAR, TUESDAY 17 APRIL 2018
catching outfit. You need to
know how to package, market
and sell your product in a way
that has mass appeal.
There are several courses
that incorporate the technical
and practical aspects of fashion
with subjects that cover
business studies, trend
forecasting, socio-geographic
studies, economics, public
relations and brand
management.
Other subjects directly
relevant to fashion design aim to
develop students’ creativity and
innovativeness.
Some courses even include
ways to research income
demography or psychography of
an intended audience. The reason
behind this is to not limit a fashion
student’s career choices to the area
of designing.
> TURN TO PAGE 4
THE STAR, TUESDAY 17 APRIL 2018
Producing
all-rounded
graduates
STUDENTS who are looking to
venture into the exciting field
of computer science and
information technology (IT)
can pursue tertiary studies at
Quest International University
Perak (QIUP) in Ipoh, Perak.
Areas related to computer
science and IT offer
opportunities for rewarding
careers across industries,
anywhere in the world.
With more and more
businesses going digital, IT
is now regarded the world’s
fastest-growing industry.
The key to choosing the
right programme is in
considering how it can help
you be competent and skilled
enough for industry needs.
In IT, a good programme
should equip you with
knowledge in subjects such
as artificial intelligence and
blockchain.
Programmes offered by
QIUP’s Faculty of Science and
Technology ensure students
are job-ready upon graduation.
The Bachelor of Computer
Science (Hons) programme is
a computing course aimed at
producing graduates who can
create new software solutions
to alter the structure of various
industries.
One major highlight of the
programme is its innovative
curriculum that balances
theory and application.
Students undergo
competency-based learning on
technical subjects with
intensive industrial training,
giving them substantial
exposure to the latest
technologies and tools used
in IT.
Project work in the final
year of the programme
includes taking on solution-
focused case studies that
provide undergraduates with
the opportunity to apply their
knowledge and prepare them
for real-world scenarios.
Students can choose forensic
computing, cloud computing,
software engineering,
intelligent systems, distributed
systems, security, database
management or embedded
systems as their specialisations.
These specialisations proved
to be industry-relevant when
QIUP’s first batch of computer
science graduates were
employed by reputable
organisations such as Petronas
and Omega Engineering.
The Bachelor of Information
Technology (Hons) programme
aims to expose students to
the design, development and
application of information
and communication
technologies to help
professionals thrive in
a challenging business climate.
This programme emphasises
acquisition of specialised skills
needed for successful, long-
term careers in IT. Students
learn how to integrate
advanced computing theories
Course Focus 3
with core competencies in
project management,
cyberpreneurship and business
intelligence to fulfil the
demands of the IT industry.
This programme balances
theoretical and practical QIUP students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities to strengthen their personal and professional
applications in a broad development.
range of Internet technologies.
In addition, students undergo QIUP’s interim campus is conducive to learning. QIUP is the answer.
extensive laboratory practice strategically located in Ipoh away Should you have high hopes
with industrial training from the distractions of bustling of having a rich student life n For more information, call
designed to provide substantial city life. It provides a lower cost of and opportunities to interact 05-2490500, e-mail enquiries@qiup.
exposure to real-world IT. living and an environment with the best academicians, edu.my or visit www.qiup.edu.my
Through this programme,
they develop strong analytical
skills and apply critical thinking
abilities to solve complex
business problems with
knowledge and principles
in IT.
QIUP is among the first
varsities in the world to issue
academic certificates on
blockchain.
The university is launching
the eCampus mobile application,
which is a student-led project
that aims to make QIUP a
cashless campus.
The university’s quest is to
develop all-rounded graduates
who not only excelled in their
studies but also actively
participated in various
conferences, educational
competitions and sports.
QIUP’s computer science
students, Dickson Chin, Wilson
Ho, Ivan Fong and Wong Kok,
did the university proud when
they won several prizes at the
40th Science Engineering and
Design Exhibition.
Their project, Intelligent
Parking System, bagged three
prizes – the gold medal in the
Open Innovation Challenge
category, Most Innovative
Award and Best Poster Award.
Not to be outdone, the QIUP
debate team won top positions
in three categories at the
National English Olympics last
year. QIUP was crowned first
runner-up overall.
Besides educational
competitions, QIUP students also
participate in sports
competitions with outstanding
results. One of its students,
Chathura Mihiruk, was awarded
Player of the Tournament in
cricket at the Perak Super
League last year. The team
finished fourth overall.
The university’s hockey teams
were first and second runners-
up at last year’s Pesta Hoki in
Penang. Other competitions
QIUP students take part in
include futsal, basketball,
badminton and chess.
The university firmly believes
that having students compete in
extracurricular events can help
them develop necessary
leadership skills required in
the working world.
There are five faculties at
QIUP – medicine, science and
technology, business and
management, social sciences,
and pharmacy – offering
programmes at foundation,
diploma and bachelor’s levels.
4 Course Focus
An eye for fashion
> FROM PAGE 2
With an education that is both
creative and practical, a fashion
student can consider careers in label
management, marketing and model
management instead of just fashion
design.
These skills are also beneficial for
people who have their hearts set on
being designers, as they will have
the knowledge and ability to run
their own brand in the future.
For instance, fashion
merchandising is an area that
students can look into. This job is
suited to those who see potential
in others’ designs and have the
marketing, audience and sales
know-how to advertise designs and
generate exposure for a brand.
Another popular area in fashion is
styling. When you see your favourite
actress on the red carpet dressed in
a tasteful explosion of tulle outlined
with handstitched embroidery and
wearing contrasting jewels as
accessories, do you know that the
look is the result of a fashion stylist’s
hard work? This stylist attends
various fashion shows and scouts
designer boutiques to assemble the
perfect outfits for his clients, who
are often high-profile celebrities.
If people compliment you on your
fashion taste, it is an indication of
your talent in the area and it would
be remiss to not turn it into a career.
A fashion course can aid you in
developing knowledge about
material compatibility, pattern
making, colour theory and
coordination. Most fashion design
courses offered by tertiary education
institutions prepare aspiring fashion
influencers for a wide range of
career options.
The best ways to decide which
course is suited to your aspirations
are to discuss your options with
a career guidance counsellor at
your institution of choice, attend
education fairs or talk to fashion
course graduates.
Computer and information technology is a fast-growing field that
impacts the world and our everyday life.
Keeping
up with the
new age
THE digital revolution has
brought computers to every
corner of the world. Over the
years, the use of computers has
transformed how we run our
everyday lives. The way we
communicate and disseminate
information has changed
immensely with the emergence
of the Internet and social media.
Think about the things you do
every day, such as downloading
songs and streaming movies.
Have you ever wondered who
designs, manages and maintains
this technology?
A computer scientist is not
someone you call when your
printer stops working or when
you have issues with your digital
spreadsheet. Computer science
involves using technology to
solve software problems.
The professionals in this field
are responsible for designing,
developing, supporting and
managing computer hardware,
software and information
networks.
Infrastructure University
Kuala Lumpur (IUKL) offers the
Bachelor of Computer Science
(Hons) to those interested in this
field.
The programme is recognised
as a Certified Tester Foundation
Level by the International
Software Testing Qualifications
Board – one of the most popular
credentials in software testing
education.
IUKL also collaborates with
the Malaysian Software Testing
Board to give Malaysian
students free certification
training for their first attempt
at the test.
Network technology helps us
connect with other people via a
web of interconnected electronic
devices. IUKL’s Bachelor of
Information Technology (Hons)
in Network Technology
programme aims to produce
students skilled in operating
applications with broad areas of
usage, interfacing between
public and private networks,
and constructing security
resolutions for local area
networks.
Graduating from this
programme earns you a Cisco
Certified Network Associate
(CCNA) qualification. CCNA is a
technical certification for early-
career networking professionals
that is offered by multinational
technology conglomerate Cisco.
With the CCNA certification,
THE STAR, TUESDAY 17 APRIL 2018
your basic salary can be 6% to
12% higher than those without
the certification.
Software engineering involves
the design, implementation and
maintenance of complex
computer programmes.
Being a software engineer
involves applying the principles
and techniques of computer
science, engineering and
mathematics to the design,
development, testing and
evaluation of the software and
systems that enable computers
to function.
IUKL offers the Bachelor of
Software Engineering (Hons)
and Diploma in Software
Engineering for those interested
in this field.
This programme is recognised
by the Certified Software Tester
(CSTE), which is intended to
establish standards for initial
software qualification and
provide direction for the testing
through an aggressive
educational programme.
Apart from the above listed
programmes, IUKL also offers:
l Bachelor of Information
Systems (Hons)
l Bachelor of Information
Technology (Hons) in
Multimedia
l Diploma in Information
Technology
l Diploma in Visual and
Interactive Media
The skills students obtain
from these programmes are
applicable across industries in
today’s technology-dependent
world. Your love for computers
and information technology can
contribute to an exciting and
rewarding career.
IUKL is the foremost
infrastructure university in
Malaysia that aspires to produce
technopreneurs and skilled
manpower with outstanding
communication, technological
and managerial skills.
As a subsidiary of Protasco
Berhad, IUKL is committed to
engineering the future of
tomorrow’s leaders.
IUKL has been providing
quality education and excellent
professional services in various
fields of infrastructure for 20
years.
n For more information, call
1800 88 STUDY (78839), e-mail
inquiry@iukl.edu.my or visit
www.iukl.edu.my