THE STAR, TUESDAY 19 MARCH 2019
POSTGRADUATE
By NGEH CHEE YEN
A LOT of trust is placed on infrastructure to
keep humans safe, especially in the event of
disasters such as earthquakes, landslides,
tsunamis and heavy storms. In areas prone
to natural disasters, countries and cultures
have worked to improve their infrastructure
to both protect lives and reduce damage
costs.
An article titled Creating earthquake-
resistant buildings published in University of
Tokyo’s official magazine Tansei describes
how Japan uses seismic engineering to
ensure its buildings stay upright even
during devastating earthquakes, protecting
its occupants while reducing the modern
costs of rebuilding.
The engineering field has advanced vastly
over the centuries. However, preventable
disasters still occur. On the local radar are
events such as the well-known Highland
Towers disaster of old as well as the Bukit
Kukus landslide that happened just last
year.
While the building of a certain structure
requires the teamwork of many
professionals, including architects,
consultant specialists and contractors, a big
chunk of responsibility is placed on the
engineer to ensure the safety of their
structures. They are the ones in charge of
making sure everything structural, electrical
and mechanical is working soundly before a
structure is considered safe for occupants.
As such, focus has to be placed on
ensuring the current crop of engineering
graduates are not only knowledgeable, but
know how to use the tools available to them.
Getting to the root
According to Dr Tang Fu Ee, associate
dean of learning and teaching at the Faculty
of Engineering and Science at Curtin
Malaysia, there are various issues that occur
together that cause construction failures.
“In regard to old buildings, common
issues include poor construction quality,
Placing holistic knowledge at the forefront
MANAGEMENT & Science University (MSU)
offers specialised programmes at the
postgraduate and undergraduate levels in
the areas of medicine, health sciences,
pharmacy, information sciences,
engineering, business management and
professional studies, education and social
sciences, hospitality and culinary arts, and
music and fashion.
MSU prioritises quality education,
incorporating 21st century learning
techniques in the teaching delivery, which
focuses on producing holistic graduates.
Real-world scenarios are adopted into the
classroom learning experience. Strategic
thinking and thought-provoking case studies
expose students to, and equips students with,
a higher level of practical problem-solving
skills. All modules are rigorously designed
with input from the industrial and corporate
sectors, and, through a strong emphasis on
holistic knowledge, is a prelude to graduates
stepping out into the working world.
MSU’s teaching staff comprises people
from diverse and multicultural backgrounds
and come with skills and knowledge gleaned
from leading industry players. Having taught
university-level business courses in diverse
countries, they bring their rich multicultural
heritage as well as world-class sectoral
knowledge to MSU.
They are also engaged in cutting-edge
research as well as the pursuit of academic
excellence and scientific innovation. They
have conducted impactful research and
published thought-provoking academic
papers across a broad range of business,
industry and professional sectors and have
Evolving with the future
With an increase in demand for smart construction tech and better environmental
management systems, the engineering industry is being looked at in a new light.
which was probably because of less
stringent quality control, and lack of site
supervision. As older buildings age, their
integrity can be compromised by natural
means such as soil subsidence.
“Other common issues that continue to
affect buildings during construction can
generally be attributed to a lack of quality
control, improper sequence of works and,
perhaps, lack of attention to health and
safety issues,” he adds.
He shares that industrial training has
become more structured because of the
regulations of the Washington Accord, an
MSU students are exposed to real-world problems and taught how to solve them through
case studies and an emphasis on holistic knowledge and problem-solving skills.
worked in, and taught at, all levels of
professional and industrial platforms. MSU’s
teaching staff’s contributions have made
meaningful and concrete impact on the
global academic community.
MSU’s postgraduate programmes are
carefully crafted to cultivate leadership and
real-world research contributions that
address industry challenges at the highest
management level. Because of the state of
flux in the business and management
communities, top management must adapt
rapidly to keep their businesses competitive,
relevant and strategically positioned to
international accreditation agreement for
professional academic degrees, of which
Malaysia is a signatory.
“Industrial training is now mandatory in
civil engineering curricula. Students are
required to report what they do during
training, and feedback from their
employers is sought in order for students to
pass industry training,” says Dr Tang.
“In addition, input from the industry is
incorporated into civil engineering
curricula, including the use of standards
and design codes. This indicates the close
link between civil engineering programmes
tackle global trends, and they can only do so
with the relevant knowledge to help them
tackle these problems.
MSU is proud to recommend the Doctor of
Philosophy (PhD), Master of Business
Administration (MBA) and Master of Science
(MSc) programmes, which place emphasis
on, and recognise, innovative research and
industrial applications, both domestically
and internationally.
The PhD is the highest degree awarded by
MSU and signifies the pinnacle of academic
and professional achievement. Doctoral
training involves having a close working
and the corresponding industry.”
Legislation governing the construction
industry has also increased.
“It is mandatory for graduate engineers to
register with engineering statutory bodies
(Board of Engineers Malaysia, for graduates
of our country), under the Registration of
Engineers Act, and this is enforced
stringently. Another example is how, by law,
construction supervision is to be carried out
by civil engineers with a recognised degree,”
says Dr Tang.
Faster, higher, stronger, greener
Dr Tang thinks that these are exciting
times for engineering in Malaysia.
“There are new advancements with
regards to software. There are numerous
programs available for specific purposes,
safeguarding the integrity and safety of civil
engineering projects. There are also
advances in building and construction
project management software such as
Industrialised Building System and Building
Information Modelling. Construction
techniques have also advanced with the
usage of more sophisticated machinery. In
general, the aim is to build faster, higher
and stronger,” he says.
Furthermore, with the influx of global
environmental issues, the field of
engineering has turned to more sustainable
options.
An article titled How is the engineering
industry changing as the digital age surges?
published on E&T stated that engineering is
no longer seen as a purely industrial or
manufacturing world, but is focused on
using adaptive technologies to combat our
impact on the environment.
> TURN TO PAGE 3
relationships with leading faculty
members on projects of key interest,
including subjects with an industrial and
scientific focus.
With its advanced facilities and
technical support, MSU provides an
excellent academic climate for
postgraduate engagements with faculty
members. MSU faculty members are
active in high-level research, with
research projects in a wide range of areas
and interests. These projects require
innovative approaches that push the
boundaries of interdisciplinary research.
MSU offers advanced MBA, MSc and
PhD degrees, covering a wide number of
disciplines, including business
administration, accounting and finance,
management, educational management
and leadership, education (Teaching
English as a Second Language),
international business, fashion business,
international hospitality and tourism
management, early childhood education,
counselling and guidance, computer
science, food service technology,
biomedicine, biomedical sciences,
information technology, clinical pharmacy,
engineering, pharmacy, applied science,
design and medical physiology.
These programmes are offered under
the School of Graduate Studies and
Graduate School of Management.
n For more information on postgraduate
programmes offered at MSU, call 03-5521
6868, email enquiry@msu.edu.my or visit
www.msu.edu.my
2 Postgraduate
Keep an eye on the job market
MARCH is an exciting month for the 421,000
youth who took the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia
(SPM) last year as they find out how they
fared in the exam.
For many, the end of their schooling years
marks the beginning of studies at the tertiary
level. There are plenty of options offered by
public and private institutions, which offer
programmes for both local and international
university admissions.
This is a crucial time for SPM holders, as
choosing the most suitable post-secondary
education pathway will have an influence on
their future careers. While
pursuing a programme
With admission into universities becoming increasingly competitive, it would be wise to
explore all options beyond conventional pathways, including studying online.
that reflects one’s talents and interests is
important, one factor that cannot be
overlooked is the current job market.
Recruitment expert Hays Malaysia
predicts that this year, and in the near
future, several disciplines will gain
prominence in the rapidly changing
employment landscape. These include
finance and law, especially in areas
related to e-commerce and financial
technology, as well as risk management
and governance.
In addition to the choice of programme,
SPM holders need to consider other factors
as well, such as whether they prefer public
or private institutions, plan to study locally
or abroad, and what they can afford.
With admission into public universities
becoming increasingly competitive, it would
be wise to explore all options beyond
conventional pathways.
Studying online is one such
alternative and is growing in
popularity. For example, United
States-based public policy outfit
The Brookings Institute
recently reported that
enrolment in online
courses has more than
quadrupled in the last
15 years in the US,
buoyed by a
By PROF
DATUK DR
MANSOR
FADZIL
surge in open online courses such as those
provided by Coursera and edX.
A similar trend is also emerging in
Malaysia, with open and distance learning
options gaining traction, especially with the
younger generation. In my last column, I
shared that the majority of learners who
registered with Open University Malaysia
(OUM) last year are millennials between the
ages of 23 and 38. A considerable number
are 22 years old or younger, which means
that about 13% of our new learners are from
Generation Z.
Regardless of our learners’ backgrounds,
OUM strives to make higher education
affordable, accessible and flexible for
everyone. This is reflected in our
continuous efforts to offer industry-
relevant programmes at reasonable costs
through a blended pedagogy that combines
e-learning with face-to-face tutorials and
self-study.
We are also bringing fully online
programmes to the fore, an initiative that is
particularly appealing to tech-savvy
individuals who enjoy studying on the go.
However, what about those who opt not to
continue studying after completing the SPM?
Choosing to enter the labour force early does
not exclude anyone from opportunities for
further studies. In fact, working experience
can be an added bonus.
At OUM, these individuals can enrol into
THE STAR, TUESDAY 19 MARCH 2019
This is a crucial time for SPM
holders, as choosing the
most suitable post-secondary
education pathway will have
an influence on their future
careers. While pursuing a
programme that reflects
one’s talents and interests
is important, one factor that
cannot be overlooked is the
current job market.
the programme of their choice and even
earn credits via the Accreditation of Prior
Experiential Learning.
Ultimately, what counts is the outcome of
the overall learning experience. An OUM
tracer study in 2017 revealed that more
than 95% of OUM graduates consider their
studies to be time and money well spent. A
majority also stated that their programmes
provided them with knowledge and skills
suitable at their place of work and that they
have become more independent, confident
and better at communicating, problem-
solving and making decisions.
These qualities are certainly in demand
at the workplace, and those exploring
higher education options would be wise to
choose an institution that will best prepare
them for their future careers.
n Prof Datuk Dr Mansor Fadzil is the
president and vice-chancellor of OUM.
THE STAR, TUESDAY 19 MARCH 2019
Making the world a
better, greener place
> FROM PAGE 1
Simon Crowther, who was named Young
Entrepreneur of the Year at the Great
British Entrepreneur Awards 2016, was
quoted in the article, saying, “There has
been a move within the civil engineering
sector to work with nature and the
environment rather than battling it with
concrete.
“Financial incentives, consumer
consciences and an awareness of climate
change will lead to far more engineering
jobs related to environmental engineering.
Lean manufacturing will become more
commonplace, reducing waste, and thus,
our impact on the environment. It is
becoming fashionable to be ‘green’.”
Dr Tang is of similar thought regarding
Advancement in application
It is not just the field of engineering that
is enhanced, but so is the technology for
materials used.
Dr Tang Fu Ee, associate dean of
learning and teaching at the Faculty of
Engineering and Science at Curtin
Malaysia, explains, “Because of the lack of
development and technology in the past,
there were not a lot of choices in regard to
building material.
“Building projects now make use of
advanced materials and technology from
all over the world. This includes novel
building materials, such as lightweight or
foam concrete and concrete made from
recycled materials, as well as technological
advancements such as modelling.”
In addition, Australian architecture and
the job market for Malaysian graduates.
“There is a push towards sustainability,
which is incorporated in many aspects from
design to completion of civil engineering
projects. There is greater awareness of
aspects such as carbon footprints, green
buildings and water-sensitive urban design.”
“Sustainability should, and will, be given
more focus in the future. Sustainability
could be incorporated in all aspects of civil
engineering, from design and planning to
materials and construction techniques.”
All in all, the field of engineering is meant
to advance human capabilities and make
lives easier. In whichever field you choose
to specialise in, it is important to take note
of the potential environmental impact of a
project to create a better world for future
generations.
design company Hames Sharley published
an article titled From clay to self-healing
concrete – the evolution of building
materials that explored how humans went
from mud and clay to revolutionary
materials such as:
l Self-healing concrete – Resolves the
issue of cracking concrete
l Sweating rooftops – Synthetic roof
mats absorb and release water to regulate
building temperature
l Carbon-fibre balsa – A synthetic
version of the lightweight and versatile
balsa wood
l Super wood – Engineered timber
with the potential to substitute concrete
and metal in the construction of high-rise
buildings
Top-ranked uni
CURTIN University Malaysia (Curtin
Malaysia), Curtin University’s largest
international campus and global hub in
Asia, is pleased that Curtin has continued to
rank highly in the recently released 2019 QS
World University Rankings by Subject,
including its standing as the world’s second-
best institution for mineral and mining
engineering.
Curtin Malaysia pro-vice-chancellor,
president and chief executive Prof Jim
Mienczakowski says the latest edition of the
global rankings shows Curtin being ranked
among the top 50 universities across the
globe in two subject areas, with earth and
marine sciences ranked 35th, and mineral
and mining engineering at second place for
the third year in a row.
He says the latest results are relevant to
Curtin Malaysia, as it offers courses in the
two subject areas – Bachelor of Science in
Applied Geology and Bachelor of
Engineering in Petroleum Engineering – as
well as a range of relevant postgraduate
programmes by coursework and research.
The latest edition of the world’s most-
consulted university rankings shows Curtin
achieved rankings in 24 subjects, with six
subjects listed in the top 100 across the
globe. These subjects include architecture
and built environment, education, civil and
Postgraduate 3
structural engineering, and sports-related
subjects.
“Curtin Malaysia is extremely proud to
offer these world-ranked courses, and at
affordable rates. Students study the exact
same courses and get the same degrees as in
Australia,” says Prof Mienczakowski.
Prof Mienczakowski’s sentiments echo
those of Curtin University vice-chancellor
Prof Deborah Terry, who said in Perth
recently that that the results continued to
highlight Curtin’s strengths.
“These results are a reflection of our
dedication to quality research and teaching,
and we remain committed to further
developing Curtin’s standing as an
international leader across more fields of
study,” she said.
The 2019 QS World University Rankings
by Subject considered more than 1,200
universities across 78 countries all over the
world.
Curtin University is Western Australia’s
largest university and is ranked in the top
1% of universities worldwide, with the
university placed in the top 200 globally
according to the Academic Ranking of World
Universities 2018.
n For more information on Curtin Malaysia,
visit www.curtin.edu.my
4 Postgraduate THE STAR, TUESDAY 19 MARCH 2019

Making the most of open days

OPEN days are important in the academic
life cycle. They give a university the chance
to show off its campus, facilities and courses.
More importantly, it allows a prospective
student to make an informed decision about
the university at which she will study.
Whichever course you choose, you will
have to commit your time. You will typically
spend between one and four years at
university, and it could be a lot more
depending on the course you choose and
whether you go on to further your studies.
Given that you will invest so much of your
time at university, it is worth finding out as In deciding to go to
much as you can about the university at its
open day.
university, you are
Selecting a course is a financial deciding that the return on
investment; not only in terms of tuition, but
also travel, accommodation and subsistence.
investment on that venture
There is a significant cost of not earning a will be worth it as your
salary for the time you are studying, as well
as missing out on increments and bonuses.
career progresses.
When you do start work, you may receive a
lower salary than those who started work
three years ago, although there are studies it helps develop more rounded individuals
that show that graduates tend to earn more who benefit society, above and beyond just
as a starting salary. Take advantage of universities’ open days to find out not only your course options, but also having an academic degree.
You also have three years to make up for, how the university can prepare you for life after graduation. In deciding to go to university, you are
in career terms. With a bachelor’s degree, deciding that the return on investment on
you would hope to start higher up the résumé and for job interviews? Represent and Optimising your LinkedIn that venture will be worth it as your career
ladder, but that may not always be the case. At the University of Nottingham Malaysia, Profile for Job Search Success. NAA gives you progresses. Open days are important for
There is another factor that you should soft skills are an integral part of any degree something to add to your résumé, which we both the university and potential student,
consider when choosing your course; you we offer. Soft skills run through many of the hope will differentiate you from the crowd and you should make sure that you come
should ask what else the university offers, modules that you will study at Nottingham when looking for a job or applying for armed with the right questions.
above and beyond the modules that make up instead of being taught in self-contained further study. University of Nottingham Malaysia’s
the course. modules, which may mean that those skills Studying at Nottingham will also provide Open Day is this Saturday. We hope to be
For example, what soft skills will you do not become part of your everyday study. opportunities to participate in corporate able to welcome you and answer your
learn? Will you be given the opportunity to We also offer something called the social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Some of questions.
develop your presentation, writing and Nottingham Advantage Award (NAA). These these opportunities will come via the NAA,
debating skills, which are so important these are optional courses that add value to your but students are encouraged to develop their n Prof Graham Kendall is chief executive
days? Will the university prepare you to degree studies. Completion of the NAA is own CSR activity or work with our staff to officer, provost and pro-vice-chancellor of
enter the workplace? Does it offer internship recognised during our graduation ceremony. help those who need it most. In addition to University of Nottingham Malaysia.
opportunities? Will it help you prepare your NAA includes modules such as Present to providing much-needed help, we believe that Twitter: @Graham_Kendall
THE STAR, TUESDAY 19 MARCH 2019
Maximising your
career potential
WHETHER you’re an
undergraduate choosing a
university or a professional
contemplating a return to higher
education, you need to choose a
course that will provide you
with a stepping stone to an
advanced position after
graduation. If you choose wisely,
postgraduate studies can be a
rewarding pathway to enhance
your competencies and
maximise your career potential.
Health professions education
is a field in which clinicians,
health professions educators
and administrators achieve
mastery in the design and
delivery of effective educational
programmes that will result in
high quality health services.
International Medical
University’s (IMU) postgraduate
programmes in health
professions education aim to
create graduates with in-depth
knowledge of educational
principles and who practise
internationally benchmarked
assessment processes.
The educational objectives of
this programme is to ensure
graduates can manage and solve
educational challenges at their
own institutions and be
recognised for their efforts at
the national and regional levels.
This programme is not only for
healthcare professionals and
educators, but also educational
managers or administrators who
are involved in the many
processes of providing better
educational programmes at their
institution.
IMU pro-vice-chancellor of
education Prof Vishna Devi
Nadarajah embarked on such a
journey. After examining her
competencies as both an
educator and researcher,
coupled with her increasing
involvement in educational
management at IMU, she
realised she needed to acquire a
different set of knowledge and
skills to adapt to the new roles
given to her.
She enrolled in the Masters in
Health Professions Education
(MHPE), which she likens to an
MBA for medical school
educators. Graduating from the
programme allowed her to have
a positive impact on IMU, and it
reflects well on an institution to
have an internationally
recognised education expert.
She adds that with IMU now
offering MHPE, prospective
students need no longer have to
go overseas, as was the case 10
years ago, and says that the
principle of benchmarking to
international standards used in
IMU’s postgraduate programmes in health professions education aim
to create graduates with in-depth knowledge of medical education.
Postgraduate 5
Sharpening your
IMU’s undergraduate
programmes is very much
applied to MHPE.
This programme is also
business acumen
BERJAYA University College (Berjaya Emeritus Prof Walter Wong, vice- implement innovative strategies with
valuable to fresh graduates who UC) offers two postgraduate chancellor and chief executive of the understanding that every
have an interest in education programmes – the Master of Science Berjaya UC. product that comes to the market is a
and awaiting their internship (MSc) in Logistics and Supply Chain “The institution has appointed result of the effort of various
placement as it can widen their Management and Master of Business Assoc Prof Lai Ving Kam as head of organisations.
choice of career. The knowledge Administration (MBA). programme. He has more than 45 “By enrolling in the MSc in
and skills gained from the The MSc in Logistics and Supply years of experience in cross-border Logistics and Supply Chain
course will also help them make Chain Management was strategically global management and managed Management, current industry
an informed decision at a later designed to meet industry needs as supply chain operations in many professionals would add value to
stage in their career as health well as the demand for graduates in countries, including Malaysia, China, their skills by gaining understanding
professionals. corporate initiatives such as One Belt Germany, the United States and the of new frameworks to manage risk,
Recent graduates of IMU’s One Road. United Kingdom. deliver superior managerial
postgraduate degrees in health “The programme consists of “Being a manufacturing system performance and align core
professions education have several core subjects: Research engineer by profession, I see the processes for operational excellence
stated that the programme gave Methodology and Analysis, Global whole process as a connected web on a global scale.”
them a greater understanding of Information and Communication rather than a linear chain. We are The MBA programme is
educational processes. Technology Management, Strategic living in a world where people are benchmarked against the best
“The programme has helped Procurement Management, Supply engaged in business that crosses practices of a successful, diversified
me be a better teacher. After Chain Management, Logistics and international boundaries. With the business conglomerate – Berjaya
completing the programme, I am Transportation Management and global nature of business in mind,
better able to comprehend the Strategic Management,” says the programme was designed to > TURN TO PAGE 6
theories behind teaching and
learning, that can be translated
into better understanding of
the aspects of education. In
addition, it has also given me
confidence to conduct education-
related research,” says
programme graduate Dr Kok
Yih Yih.
IMU’s postgraduate degrees in
health professions education
includes both course work and
research training, yielding a
dissertation at the end of the
master programme. It is possible
to pursue the programme full
time or part time. Flexible
learning options include
weekend classes as well as
online learning.
The postgraduate certificate
and diploma programmes are
Malaysian Qualifications Agency
accredited Level 7, while the
master’s programme is
provisionally accredited and is
in the process of being fully
accredited. IMU has been
awarded a 6 Star: Outstanding
rating under the Rating for
Higher Education Institutions in
Malaysia (Setara) 2017, and its
programmes are periodically
reviewed and restructured,
keeping it in line with global
standards.
IMU also offers postgraduate
programmes in public health,
analytical and pharmaceutical
chemistry, molecular medicine,
acupuncture, pharmacy practice,
healthcare management,
implant dentistry, diabetes
management and education, and
MSc and PhD by research.
n For more information about
IMU’s postgraduate programmes,
call 03-2731 7272, email
postgraduate@imu.edu.my or
visit www.imu.edu.my
6 Postgraduate
Industry-driven curriculum
> FROM PAGE 5
Corporation. Specialisations are offered in
the areas of international business, logistics
and supply chain management, international
hospitality and international tourism.
Berjaya UC’s MBA students are equipped
with skills that are transferable to new roles,
giving them an edge over their peers.
Berjaya Business School’s curriculum is
industry-driven and its courses are up-to-
date with industry trends. The school has a
strong team and regularly invites established
industry leaders to share their wealth of
knowledge and experience and present
them as case studies for our students.
Prof Wong says, “An MBA provides
graduates with strategic acumen, critical and
analytical thinking skills and a new, holistic
and fresh perspective to take on leadership
roles in an organisation. The programme is
one of the most significant degrees in the
world, often favoured by employers who are
seeking to fill managerial positions in
leading organisations across industries.
“It provides graduates with strong and
up-to-date analytical, technical,
management, entrepreneurial and
innovative know-how to challenge the
business world. We encourage professionals
to obtain an MBA to be great leaders in
business and take their careers to greater
heights.”
Berjaya UC is working to make higher
education more accessible, affordable and
attainable for everyone. The National Higher
Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN)
education financing scheme is applicable for
Malaysian citizens and Berjaya UC
scholarships are available for both
Malaysian and international students.
n For more information on Berjaya UC, visit
www.berjaya.edu.my
Education
opportunities
open to all
SARAVANAN Arumugam did not let his
disability stop him from achieving his
dreams. The eldest of three siblings,
Saravanan says he has always been
enthusiastic about education. It was this
passion for learning that inspired the
41-year-old to become a two-time graduate
at Open University Malaysia (OUM).
“My life revolves around learning and
acquiring knowledge for self-improvement
and career advancement,” shares Saravanan,
who is currently taking an online computer
course.
Saravanan was born with a form of
cerebral palsy that affects muscle control
and coordination, causing muscle stiffness
and exaggerated reflexes in the legs.
He underwent major surgery at the age of
five and was able to walk, albeit slowly, by
the time he was 10. Daily physiotherapy, as
well as the support of his family, especially
his grandfather, were instrumental to his
recovery.
“I am grateful to have such a supportive
family. They have always been there for me,”
says Saravanan, who works as a
manufacturing equipment technician at a
multinational IT firm in Bayan Lepas.
Despite his challenges, Saravanan
successfully graduated with a Bachelor of
Education (Mathematics) in 2016 and went
on to complete the Master of Business
Administration (MBA) programme in 2018.
“Even though I had already obtained a
degree, I went back to the Seberang Jaya
Learning Centre to sign up a second time. I
was determined to read for a master’s and I
found OUM’s learning process practical for
working adults like me. The learning
materials were also easily accessible. I only
had to attend tutorials on weekends, so my
working hours weren’t affected,” he
explains.
OUM has been at the forefront of open
and distance learning since its inception in
2000. It strives to provide education to
everyone through an accessible, affordable
and flexible approach that leverages a
blended pedagogy comprising e-learning,
face-to-face tutorials and self-study.
Its learning management system,
myINSPIRE, provides round-the-clock access
to learning materials. Learners can interact
with their tutors and peers in online
forums. Also available are various learning
Saravanan Arumugam receiving his bachelor’s degree.
THE STAR, TUESDAY 19 MARCH 2019
OUM emphasises
affordability through
tuition that is comparable
to other local institutions.
The university also offers
bursaries and discounts to
eligible individuals, including
senior citizens and the
physically disabled.
resources to facilitate teaching and
learning, including PDF modules, video
lectures, e-books and digital library
resources.
OUM emphasises affordability tuition that
is comparable to other local institutions. The
university also offers bursaries and
discounts to eligible individuals, including
senior citizens and the physically disabled.
Saravanan is one of many who have
benefited from the 50% fee discount given to
the physically disabled.
“The discount was a big help as it eased
my financial burden while also enabling me
to fulfil my dream of getting an MBA.”
Like Saravanan, applicants for
undergraduate programmes need not come
all the way to OUM’s main campus in Kuala
Lumpur to enrol. With 33 learning centres
nationwide, the university ensures that its
programmes are readily available. All
learning centres are in strategic locations
and equipped with facilities for an
environment conducive to learning.
“The tutors and staff are friendly and
helpful. I could always count on them when
I needed assistance. The eight years I spent
learning and completing both a bachelor’s
and master’s degree at OUM was definitely
meaningful,” he concludes.
n For more information on OUM’s
programmes, call 03-2773 2121, email
enquiries@oum.edu.my or visit
www.oum.edu.my
THE STAR, TUESDAY 19 MARCH 2019
An endless quest for answers
DR Gan Joo-Ee, senior lecturer at Monash
University Malaysia’s School of Business,
takes us deep into a forest reserve in Perak,
where she is currently conducting research
on governance and conservation.
“My research takes me to the Belum-
Temenggor forest reserve. The location is not
easily accessible – a five-hour drive from
Kuala Lumpur to Grik, the nearest town. To
enter the forest reserve, you’ll need a boat.
And if the Royal Belum State Park is your
destination, prior arrangements should be
made with a forest guide to obtain a permit
that gets you past two checkpoints – that of
the Malaysian Armed Forces and the Perak
State Parks Corporation (PSPC), respectively.
“From frequent trips, I could identify the
main islands in Lake Temenggor that were
once mountain peaks before the area was
flooded for the construction of hydroelectric
dams. The boat driver, the same guide I
engaged since my first trip to Belum-
Temenggor in 2015, slowed down so I could
take a better look at this 130-million-year-old
rainforest ecosystem.
“I asked myself ‘Can all of these last?’
as we passed a houseboat with 20 or more
tourists on board. Conservation is strong in
Royal Belum. The PSPC takes its role as
custodian of the state park seriously. But
what about Temenggor, where logging and
fish farming are permissible? The waterline
of Temenggor is punctuated by timber
barges and a collection depot for fish farm
operators. The visual impact is somewhat at
odds with Temenggor’s reputation as an
ecotourism destination. Tourist entry is
unrestricted, since there are no agencies
designated for its environmental protection.
“The root cause of the problem: the
distinct institutional arrangements for Royal
Belum and Temenggor, despite the fact
that the two localities are proximate with
nearly identical characteristics. This dual
Training students to
tackle public health issues
THE field of public health is constantly
evolving to cater the increasing global need
for better health promotion and disease
prevention. It has never been more
important as we seek to prevent disease and
ensure citizens have long and healthy lives.
Public health is about improving the
health of individuals and the population as a
whole, and is distinct from dealing directly
with the consequence of illness and treating
sick individuals. The emphasis is on
measures for prevention and cure as well as
tackling factors that contribute to illness.
RCSI & UCD Malaysia Campus (RUMC) is
aware of the indispensability of postgraduate
and medical research and currently offers a
postgraduate programme in public health.
“Challenges in major public health issues
are similar in many jurisdictions, with
lifestyle-related diseases, infectious diseases
and appropriate preventive strategies. This
programme benefits from the experiences in
developing and developed countries; it is an
international programme which attracts
students from all over the world,” says Prof
Datuk Dr Abdul Rashid Khan, MSc in Public
Postgraduate 7
governance structure resulted when one- I bring them when I visit? I suspect I don’t
third of the forest reserve was declared the have answers to these questions, either. But I
Royal Belum and accorded additional am searching, and, true to the university’s
protection. Temenggor, however, remains motto, ancora imparo, I am still learning.”
vulnerable to economic exploitation. Gan Joo-Ee is a member of the Commission
“In an ecotourism context, my study on on Environmental, Economic and Social
Belum-Temenggor shows that the status of Policy, a network of volunteers who
forest land, prioritisation of conservation contribute to the International Union for
and presence of a lead institution can Conservation of Nature’s mission of
significantly affect sustainability. Changes in conservation and development.
the governance structure are necessary to
overcome the problem, but institutional n For more information on Monash
changes take time. University Malaysia’s School of Business,
“Governance ethos need changing, too. visit www.monash.edu.my/business
There should be increased stakeholder
engagement, greater transparency and
accountability, and better communication.
There is also the issue of the orang asli, who
have become trespassers when their
ancestral lands became protected areas.
“Environmental degradation from logging
activities damaged their traditional
livelihood, while tourism has put a strain on
their cultural identity. What kind of
institutional reforms are necessary to equip
the orang asli to be stewards of their own
environment? What about empowerment;
the capacity-building vital to prepare them
for the modern economy? Do they
necessarily want to participate in the
modern economy? How far should Belum-
Temenggor be developed? Is growth
attainable without sacrificing the
environment? According to the concept of
ecological modernisation, the answer is ‘yes’.
If so, what constitutes the limit of acceptable
change, and how should this limit be
monitored?
“In search of these answers, I find myself
returning to Belum-Temenggor again and
again. The long drive to Grik allows plenty of
time for introspection. What purpose does
my research really serve? How do I benefit
the orang asli, apart from the provisions that
Health programme director and department
of public health head at RUMC.
The programme offers multidisciplinary
training and development and emphasises
the knowledge and tools needed to analyse
the factors that influence public health in an
international environment. It also offers
study and fieldwork experience in the same
country. Supervisors are chosen based on
the student’s research area of choice.
Students of the MSc in Public Health
programme will develop knowledge of
factors influencing health status,
epidemiological skills of study design and
analysis, skills to assess the health status of
populations, and an understanding of
organisation and financing of health services
and their impact on international population
health.
Upon completing the programme, the
career progression pathways available to
graduates include positions in the local
public health service or global agencies, such
as World Health Organization, Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United
Nations, Malaysia One Health University
Network and non-governmental
organisations involved in health
improvement initiatives.
In addition to the MSc in Public Health
programme, RUMC also offers an MSc in
Health Research. Both programmes are
offered in collaboration with University
College Dublin and Royal College of
Surgeons Ireland, respectively, and are
accredited and awarded by the National
University of Ireland. The programmes
are also recognised by both the Malaysian
Qualifications Agency and Education
Ministry.
n For more information on RUMC’s
programmes, call 04-217 1888 or email
study@rcsiucd.edu.my
8 THE STAR, TUESDAY 19 MARCH 2019