THE STAR Tuesday 21 April 2015

StarSpecial

course FOCUS:
Foreign Degrees
and Branch Campuses

The world at
your doorstep

Gain a world-class business degree > 7

Diversity key to global education > 9

2 COURSE FOCUS StarSpecial, Tuesday 21 April 2015

By THERESA BELLE

VERSEAS campuses first

appeared in the 1950s when
American universities set
up campuses in other countries
to facilitate the education of
American citizens and military
personnel abroad. In the 1990s,
globalisation played a great part
in turning this concept around,
changing the purpose and
perception of such campuses to
what we know today.
Foreign branch campuses
are set up upon agreement
with partner host countries,
such as in the first Malaysian
agreement in 1998 with Monash
University, which started with the
government extending an offer to
the Australian university to set up
a campus here.
The education landscape is
ever-evolving, and numerous
foreign branch campuses have
since reached our shores. Several
international names have made
a local presence in the collective
pursuit of affordable yet valuable
tertiary education.
These foreign branches promise
high-quality education with
wider recognition at a relatively
lower cost. Students may pursue
twinning programmes or even
complete their studies locally
and still graduate with the same
qualifications as the overseas
campus. Foreign universities also
offer the semester or year abroad
option so local students may study
at a parent or partner university
overseas at the same fee as the
Malaysian branch campus.
It is no wonder then that
foreign branch campuses have a
significant role to play in realising
the Malaysian governments
higher education goals under
the Economic Transformation
Programme. The government
aims to establish more branch
campuses for foreign universities
in the coming years, allowing
only Tier One institutions in the
country and exploring Malaysias
potential as a regional education
hub.
Students who experience
higher education at these
campuses are able to grow
holistically through the unique
opportunities offered. The
national education focus is
shifting towards creating lifelong
learners who are capable of
seeking and developing relevant
skills and knowledge, which
match the pedagogy and learning
style at these institutions.
The foreign branch campus
offers a different style and
approach to higher education
involving a student-centred
approach, critical thinking,
teaching to challenge and critique,
as well as the development
of transferable skills, says
Prof Christine Ennew, chief
executive officer and provost of
The University of Nottingham
Malaysia Campus.
There are many benefits to
studying at a foreign branch

International opportunities
found on home ground
The national
education focus is
shifting towards
creating lifelong learners
who are capable
of seeking and
developing
relevant skills
and knowledge,
which match the
pedagogy and
learning style at
these institutions.
acres (121ha) in Senadin,
north Sarawak, surrounded by
lush greenery and wetlands.
Originating in Perth, Australia,
Curtin Sarawak incorporates
impressive modernity in facilities
and research while preserving
the traditional flavour that is
synonymous to the region. It is
also equipped for a well-rounded
campus life and projected to
increase in student population
upon completion of its next phase
of development.
The university offers
foundation, diploma and degree
courses in areas such as arts,
business, commerce, engineering
and science as well as technology.

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

campus, and Prof Ennew
summarises the most important
element: Students learn to
learn; not learn subjects per se,
but to be lifelong learners of new
knowledge in the future and
continue to be able to learn even
outside of formal education.
Matching students of such
potential with institutes that
are able to deliver the education
necessary to mould them into
leaders of tomorrow is therefore
vital in producing graduates
who are able to steer the nations
development in the right path.
There are many leading foreign
branch campus universities in the
country that can be considered for
tertiary education.
Here are some options for
potential student to consider:
Monash University Malaysia
The pioneering foreign branch
campus in the country, Monash
University is located in Bandar
Sunway and has been in operation
since the late 90s. Today, it has an
established School of Medicine
and Health Sciences and houses
several key research facilities that
play an integral part in the overall
educational experience.
There are nearly 6,000
students pursuing foundation,
undergraduate and postgraduate
studies across several disciplines,
including arts and social sciences,
business, engineering, information
technology, medicine and health
sciences.

Students who pursue studies at a foreign branch campus become lifelong learners.
University of Nottingham
Malaysia Campus (UNMC)
UNMC prides itself in being
a global university, with a
student body consisting of 30%
international students from 70
countries as well as staff members
of more than 30 nationalities.
A foreign branch campus
has the capacity to provide
choices and options to make
the higher education landscape
more diverse, says Prof Ennew,

as reflected in UNMCs active

research and development,
state-of-the-art facilities as well
as vibrant campus life.
The university offers
foundation programmes in arts,
business, engineering and science
and bachelors degrees in arts and
social sciences, engineering and
science.
Curtin University Sarawak
This campus covers 300

Swinburne University of
Technology Sarawak Campus
A branch of Swinburne
University of Technology in
Melbourne, Australia, Swinburne
University of Technology Sarawak
Campus prides itself in producing
top graduates; 90% of their
learners are absorbed into the
industry within six months of
graduating.
The campus is located in
Kuching, Sarawak, so students
can enjoy a relatively lower cost of
living on top of lower course fees.
The university offers foundation,
diploma and degree courses in
business, computing, design,
engineering and science, which
are structured after the courses in
Australia.
It also boasts a multicultural
student and staff body and
advanced facilities, both of which
contribute to a well-rounded
learning experience in their own
ways.
>> SEE NEXT PAGE

StarSpecial, Tuesday 21 April 2015

COURSE FOCUS 3

>> FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

Students in the Asia-Pacific region now have more higher education

opportunities available to them.

Exciting foreign options

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

students in various tertiary

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

4 COURSE FOCUS StarSpecial, Tuesday 21 April 2015

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

Fun open day for all

F

OR the first time, Monash University

Malaysia will be hosting Discover
Monash, a day to showcase an exciting
blend of student activities, talks by experts
and cultural experiences.
The university aims to show that it is
more than just an institution that offers
degrees.
Theres something for everybody. We
will not only provide information about
the courses we offer, but a whole range of
activities that everyone can participate in,
says president and pro vice-chancellor Prof
Helen Bartlett.
We are serious about becoming
more embedded in the community.
Opening our doors in this manner sends
a very important message that we have
something meaningful to offer. Beyond
producing graduates who are expected
to make significant contributions to the
countrys economy and society, we want
the community to see that the research we
do is relevant to their health, well-being,
finances, housing and the lifestyle of the
community, she says.
Held on April 25 from 11am to 4pm,
visitors can experience and gain insights
of what Monash University Malaysia has to
offer in a fun-filled day.
Highlights of the day include a children
play area where they can get their face
painted and a toy hospital where toys
can be brought to be treated by the
universitys medical students.
Visitors can also observe the display
of robots and cars made by students and
academics from the universitys School of
Engineering.
Other things visitors can do include
taking photos at a designated photo booth
with props, grooving to music played by
student clubs or to DJ performances,
and even putting their power of
deduction and quiz-solving skills to
the test with the Monash Hunt to
potentially walk away with some
amazing prizes.
Interesting talks that will
be held on that day include
GST: How does it affect
me? by Prof Jeyapalan
Kasipillai, a professor
of business law
and taxation and
author of A Guide to
Malaysian Goods and
Services Tax, Diabetes
and Heart Disease
by consultant
endocrinologist Prof
Datuk Dr Khalid
Abdul Kadir, and A
Recipe for a Positive
Future and Career by

Discover the fun of rock-climbing through

demonstrations by the Monash Rock Climbing Club.
Monash academic and consultant clinical
psychologist Paul Jambunathan (also known
as Paul J on TheLiteBreakfast of LiteFM).
There will also be a networking session
for industry partners and employers.
With international students from more
than 70 countries, the public is also invited
to experience the cultural diversity on
campus with a Sri Lankan New Year
Celebration hosted by the Sri Lankan
student community.
I hope the community will
discover that we are about lifelong
learning, engaging children and
adults alike and demonstrating that
learning can take place at any age,
says Prof Bartlett.
n For more information on
Discover Monash, call Sarah
Chew/Uma Mageswary at
03-5514 4440 or visit www.
monash.edu.my/campaign/
Discover-Monash.html

Prof Helen Bartlett, pro vicechancellor and president,

Monash University Malaysia.

StarSpecial, Tuesday 21 April 2015

HAD always wanted to be

involved in the aviation industry
but I did not meet the minimum
age requirement for a pilot
training programme run by a local
airline, says Kerk Zhen Xiong.
While Nilai University (Nilai U)
at that time had just launched its
Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance
Engineering programme, Kerks
family was insistent that he
pursue a degree instead.
As a result, Kerk enrolled in
an IT degree programme at a
different university.
After four years of studying,
Kerk dropped out of his course
because he did not find interest in
the subjects of his programme.
Despite having spent all that
money, I did not want to continue
pursuing an IT degree as I wanted
to pursue something that I was
passionate about, he says.
Kerk decided to tell his family
that he wished to enrol in Nilai Us
Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance
Engineering programme. Though
he first faced disapproval for
dropping out of his degree, he was
eventually given the opportunity
to pursue the diploma programme
by his parents.
Initially, Kerk found it difficult
to adjust being around fresh
school-leavers who were younger
than him.

COURSE FOCUS 5

En route to fulfilling a passion

I needed to work hard from
the start and realised that I could
not afford to be unfocused if I
wanted to be successful in my
studies here. I got to know some
of the lecturers in the department
well and credit them for steering
me in the right direction and
encouraging me to pursue the topup degree following the diploma
programme, he says.
At that time, Nilai U
administrators had been in talks
with Kingston University, the
United Kingdom, about offering
students the option to earn an
internationally recognised degree
in this niche field.
Nilai U offers an advanced
diploma for students. According
to the Malaysian Qualifications
Agency (MQA), to qualify for an
advanced diploma, students have
to complete a year of
post-diploma studies.
In addition, Kingston University
recognises that Nilai Us diploma
programmes syllabus prepares
students for the European Aviation
Safety Agency (EASA) Category B

examinations, which is equivalent

to Kingston Universitys first
two years syllabus of its degree
programme.
Hence, a year of post-diploma
study allows students who
have completed the diploma
programme to further gain an
advanced diploma from Nilai U
as well as a BSc (Hons) in Aircraft
Engineering from Kingston
University.
For Kerk, pursuing this degree
is a dream come true and he has
consistently scored good grades
in both the diploma and top-up
degree programme.
In todays ultra-competitive
job market, I can see why a degree
is the minimum qualification
that one should aim for. Having
this degree is my passport to
supervisory and management
positions in the future, he says.
Of course, EASA certification is
the most important qualification
for me to gain but having the BSc
(Hons) in Aircraft Engineering
strengthens my future career
prospects.

Kerk believes that students

who are naturally inquisitive with
analytical minds flourish in this
programme, which is designed to
encourage students to think on
their feet and provide solutions to
hypothetical scenarios.
The diploma
is designed
to prepare
students to be
technicians and
students need
to memorise
and apply many
formulae.
The BSc
(Hons)
in

Aircraft Engineering exposes

students to more in-depth
information and teaches them to
analyse data, he says.
Kerk adds that the affordability
of the one-year top-up
programme made it easy for him
to make a decision to pursue it.
This was my passion from
the start and I intend to ace my
exams and graduate with an
internationally recognised British
degree. It will fast track my
aviation career and possibly open
up greater opportunities in the
future.
n For more information,
call 06-850 2308 or
07-226 2336 or visit
www.nilai.edu.my

Kerk Zhen Xiong,

student of Diploma in
Aircraft Maintenance
Engineering at Nilai U.

6 COURSE FOCUS StarSpecial, Tuesday 21 April 2015

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

Wide-ranging
partnerships
S

EGi University and colleges have a

wide range of top-notch programmes
from pre-university to postgraduate
levels to suit every learners need.
SEGi partners with international
universities of great repute to offer a
globalised learning experience for its
students. Programmes offered by the
university partners are regulated by
the institutions on a regular basis, thus
ensuring the same quality of education
that students obtain at their home base.
Most of these partner universities offer
3+0 or 4+0 programmes, enabling anyone
to pursue a quality Australian, American or
British bachelors degree in Malaysia.
Below are SEGis international partner
universities:

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

United Kingdom
Abertay University
Abertay University has a long history as
one of Scotlands leading universities. The
institution has an entrenched reputation for
professionalism in offering career-driven
higher education. All of its researchers
are involved in teaching and developing
courses, giving students the chance to learn
from academic leaders every day.
Teesside University
Located in Middlesbrough, England, the
university is the first new university to be
awarded Times Higher Education University
of the Year (2009). Teesside University is
also the proud recipient of The Queens
Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further
Education 2013, awarded for its outstanding
work in the field of enterprise and business
engagement.
University of Greenwich
The universitys Business School offers
business services such as consultancy and
runs international conferences on various
business topics. It has strong links with the
industry, working closely with employers to
develop relevant programmes accredited by
professional bodies.
University of London
University of London is one of the great
universities in the UK consisting of a
federation of 19 world-class colleges and

10 specialised institutes. Its reputation for

high academic standards has been built on
the outstanding teaching and research of its
colleges since 1836.
For 153 years, University of London
degrees have been accessible to students all
over the world through the University
of London International Programmes.
University of Sunderland
University of Sunderland has been
providing higher education since 1901. It is
an innovative, forward-thinking university
with high standards of teaching, research
and support.
The university works closely with some
of the worlds leading companies. According
to the Guardian University Guide 2012, the
university is ranked to be the best new
university in the North-East of England.
University of St Mark & St John
University of St Mark & St John was set
up nearly 175 years ago in London. The
National Student Survey results awarded
the university 91% for student satisfaction
in 2013. This places the university in the
top 10 of higher education institutions in
England. In the Sunday Times University
Guide, the university was awarded 80% for
teaching excellence in 2012.
York St John University
York St John University, located in York,
was founded in 1841 to provide teacher
education. In addition to its wide range
of undergraduate programmes, it offers
postgraduate and post-experience level
programmes.

United States
Troy University
Troy University is a comprehensive
public university located in Troy, Alabama.
It was founded in 1887 as Troy State Normal
School within the Alabama State University
System.
It is the flagship university of the Troy
University System with an enrolment
of 6,998 students at its main campus
and a total of 19,579 students in all Troy
University campuses.
SEGi has five campuses in the Klang
Valley, Penang and Sarawak, making it one
of the most accessible higher institutions in
the country.
n For more information, call 03-6145 1777
or 1800 887 344 (SEGi University), 03-8600
1888 or 1800 888 622 (SEGi College Subang
Jaya), 03-2070 2078 or 1800 888 028 (SEGi
College Kuala Lumpur), 04-263 3888 (SEGi
College Penang), 082-252 566 (SEGi College
Sarawak) or e-mail askme@segi.edu.my or
visit www.segi.edu.my

StarSpecial, Tuesday 21 April 2015

COURSE FOCUS 7

Gain a world-class business degree

T

HE University of Reading
Malaysia (UoRM) is
expanding and growing in
the delivery of its world-class
programmes in Malaysia.
Having introduced its
Foundation in Business in
September 2013, UoRM then
launched its first undergraduate
programme in September last
year the BSc in Finance and
Business Management.
The BSc in Finance and
Business Management is
an innovative programme
focused on the areas of finance
and business management,
delivered through the
universitys world-renowned
and prestigious Henley
Business School.
This programme combines
the leadership and management
studies for which the Henley
Business School is famous for.
The two intakes for the
degree (September and January)
address the needs of different
secondary school systems in the
country and provide different
options for students.
The University of Reading
is renowned for its exciting
and innovative researchled teaching, friendly and
supportive environment,
and excellent graduate
employability record.
Students of the new
Malaysian campus will benefit
from the same world-class
student experience found in its
campus in the United Kingdom.
While the cost of studying
at UoRM is significantly lower
than the cost of studying the
same programme in the UK
campus, the opportunities for
learning are as diverse.
UoRM offers scholarship
opportunities for students who
have performed excellently
and awards high achievers
throughout their studies at the
university.
UoRMs soon-to-becompleted main campus in
EduCity, Iskandar, will bring
together the best of its UK
campus experience within
the natural and cultural
environment of Malaysia.
The main campus will open
in September and will cater up
to 2,500 students.
It will offer programmes
at the undergraduate level
(subject to approval by the
Ministry of Education of
Malaysia) in the subject areas
of business and management,
accounting, finance, real estate,
quantity surveying, pharmacy,
psychology and law.

Programmes at the
postgraduate level will be
available from early next year.
A range of new research
collaborations are also being
explored with Malaysian and
international partners to further
embed the universitys research
excellence in the region.
University of Reading vicechancellor David Bell says that
the university is delighted to be
part of the EduCity initiative and
to meet the growing demand for
its brand of quality education.
We have about 3,000
graduates from the University
of Reading in Malaysia and
Singapore, the majority of
whom travelled to the United
Kingdom to experience our
unique offerings, first-class
resources and world-class
Students at University of Reading Malaysia can expect a great learning experience based on the long-established reputation of the
teaching, says Bell.
university for academic excellence and tailored support.
We are therefore proud and
excited to have the opportunity
to deliver the same experience
to students in the Asia-Pacific
region at EduCity in Iskandar.
We are consciously and
proactively developing this
campus to offer the best
experience to students, from the
infrastructure of our facilities to
the education delivered, says
Bell.
University of Reading is
ranked within the top 1% of all
universities globally and has
attracted international students
to its campus in the UK for more
than 100 years, besides having a
long association with Malaysia.
Having received its first
Malaysian student in 1934, the
university now has more than
1,400 alumni from Malaysia
with 114 Malaysian students
having graduated in the last
two years in areas of study such
as law, finance and quantity
surveying.
Each programme, no matter
the level of study, will draw on
the long-established reputation
of the university for academic
excellence and tailored support.
UoRMs impressive future
15-acre (6ha) campus in
Iskandar is designed to provide
students with everything
they will need to have a great
learning experience at the
university.
In addition, students of
any programme will gain the
opportunity to study at the
University of Readings campus
in the UK.
n For more information,
call 07-295 5010, e-mail
my.enquiry@reading.edu.my or
visit www.reading.edu.my

An artists impression of University of Reading Malaysia campus in Educity,

Iskandar.

8 COURSE FOCUS StarSpecial, Tuesday 21 April 2015

WINBURNE University
of Technology Sarawak
Campus emphasises
teaching and learning methods
that are engaging. It has been
producing professionally oriented
graduates with skills that match
industry needs by combining
teaching, research and industry
expertise in a supportive learning
environment.
More than 90% of its graduates
find work in the industry within
six months of graduating. Many
have been engaged by some of the
biggest names in the industry.
The impressive statistics can be
attributed to the hands-on focus
of the universitys programmes
that are designed to tackle
real-world issues.
Its business, computing,
design, engineering and science
programmess are accredited
by professional bodies and
are identical to those at the
universitys home campus in
Melbourne, Australia.
With a variety of foundation,
bachelors, masters and PhD
programmes available, students
can choose pathways that
suit their interests and career
aspirations.
A Swinburne Sarawak graduate
is awarded the same Australian
degree as his peers at the
Melbourne campus.
Apart from obtaining a globally
recognised degree, tertiary
education at Swinburne Sarawak
only costs a third of the fees in
Australia.
Although the courses can give
QIUP more space at Swinburne
Sarawak, undergraduates may
transfer to the Melbourne campus
to complete their studies.
Students can go on a onesemester exchange programme
at the home campus while on
Swinburne Sarawak tuition

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

Practical components are a key feature of Swinburnes courses.

International education at home

fees, which is about a fraction of
the cost involved in studying in
Australia.
At Swinburne Sarawak,
students have the chance to
experience depth of learning
in their chosen discipline and a
breadth of complementary study
options.
Most of its three-year degrees
require undertaking a professional
major with either a co-major or
two minors.
The co-major and minors
chosen can provide further
in-depth study to students who
wish to specialise and obtain
additional discipline-based skills
and knowledge that employers
seek. This gives students flexibility
of choice and the opportunity to
tailor the composition of their
degree.

Besides academic pursuits,

there is plenty to do at the
university. Students may choose
to join the many extracurricular
sports and recreational clubs on
campus.
Looking into the interests
of students and helping new
students adjust to university life
is the Student Council, which
organises events and activities
to enrich university life. These
activities encourage interaction
and foster cross-cultural
understanding among the many
nationalities on campus.
With more than 4,000 students
from over 60 countries, the
campus is vibrant, diverse and
colourful. This, combined with
the highly experienced teaching
staff members from many parts
of the world, gives it an

international flavour.
The cultural diversity on
campus is in itself a rich learning
experience and creates a broader
outlook among students and staff.
As a university of technology,
Swinburne Sarawak has highly
advanced facilities. Its lecture
theatre, for example, is equipped
with the latest audio-visual
technology and seats 350
individuals.
The library accommodates
more than 750 people and offers
learning resources and services
to support the universitys
teaching, learning and research
programmes.
Engineering, research and
science laboratories as well as
tutorial rooms are lined with
cutting-edge equipment while
computer laboratories boast the

latest desktop computers and

multimedia applications. State-ofthe-art production facilities allow
students to create professional
video productions.
Housing more than 400
students on campus are two fully
furnished hostels with all the
conveniences of home.
Newly enrolled students with
excellent public examination
results may be awarded
scholarships. This also applies
to students who meet the
scholarship requirements in their
semester exams.
Swinburne Sarawak is an ideal
university for students who want
to pursue a uniquely Australian
education in Malaysia.
n For more information, visit
www.swinburne.edu.my

Creating a
legacy of excellence
QUEST International University
Perak (QIUP) was conceptualised
for the priming and development
of bright students.
QIUPs goal is to produce
quality graduates who have
had their intellectual curiosity
satisfied and ambitions reached
through excellent education.
According to QIUP chief
operating officer Nicholas Goh,
the university seeks to produce
graduates who excel in their
respective area of study.
We do not want to be
another degree mill. We want
our undergraduates to not only
excel in their studies but also to
actively participate in various
conferences and educational
competitions during their study
here, say Goh.
We were very proud when
one of our first year medical
undergraduates was selected
to present a paper at the 3rd
International Public Health
Conference & 20th National
Public Health Colloquium that
took place Kuching, Sarawak.
This paper, which was a
project involving all first year
medical undergraduates and
titled Prevalence of Hypertension
and its risks factors in an Orang
Asli community in Perak, Malaysia,
was the only paper chosen that
was prepared by undergraduates

among the many thousands of

papers submitted for selection.
Adding to QIUPs success is four
undergraduates of the Bachelor
of Computer Science programme
who participated in and were
crowned champions in the IBM
Mobilithon 2013 competition, an
event organised to build skills and
develop talent among Malaysian
university students in the mobile
app space.
The QIUP team participated in
the UTP-HAX National Hacking
competition, emerging as second
runner-up and winning the
consolation prize at the Moto
Innocup Competition (an interuniversity software competition).
The undergraduates also
presented papers at the
Interdisciplinary ICT Practice
Conference and International
Symposium on Mathematical
Sciences and Computing Research
conference.
Their papers have been
published in the International
Journal of Computer Networks
and Applications.
To produce outstanding
students, outstanding lecturers
are required. In this respect, QIUP
has attracted the best intellectual
minds.
Students are exposed to
impactful research work and
work ethics from a brilliant

QIUP aims to produce graduates who are passionate in seeking knowledge and achieving their dreams.
and passionate panel of staff
throughout their studies at QIUP.
There are three faculties and
one centre at QIUP Centre for
Foundation Studies, Faculty of
Medicine, Faculty of Integrative
Sciences & Technology, and
Faculty of Business, Management
& Social Sciences.
QIUP offers programmes at
foundation, diploma, degree and
postgraduate levels.
Programmes offered at
the foundation level are in
business and science while
programmes offered at diploma
level are in hotel management,
business management, tourism
management, accountancy and
information technology.
A wide range of programmes

are offered at degree level.

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

Bachelor of Surgery.
Programmes on offer at the
postgraduate level are the Master
of Business Administration and
Master of Science.
QIUPs interim campus is
located in Ipoh, away from
the distractions of city life and
providing a lower cost of living.
Students who wish to pursue
an affordable and excellent
education while interacting with
the best academicians can find
what they are looking for at QIUP.
Registration for the April/May
intake is ongoing.
n For more information, call
1800 88 QIUP (7487) or
e-mail enquiries@qiup.edu.my
or visit www.qiup.edu.my

StarSpecial, Tuesday 21 April 2015

COURSE FOCUS 9

Diversity key to global education

G

LOBAL education is an
approach to education that
helps students understand
the diversity of global society
and the broad-based issues and
challenges that are relevant to us.
By equipping students with
such a mindset, they are better
prepared for a workforce that
demands a global world view and
an integrated perspective on the
way business is carried out and
policies are made.
However, the breadth of the
concept and the flexibility in
the implementation of global
education as a good pedagogy
means it is often misunderstood.
This concept came under attack
in the United States when it was
introduced in the 1980s for being
un-American and encouraging
separatism and disunity. However,
global education does not mean
discounting nationalism and local
contexts.
It encourages exactly the
opposite. Thinking global
isnt about devaluing national
identities. The worry about the
world becoming a single place
with a single common identity
is unfounded. I dont see that
happening, says Prof Christine
Ennew, chief executive officer
and provost of The University of
Nottingham Malaysia Campus
(UNMC).
For her, global education is
about understanding and being
sensitive to national identity, the
celebration of different heritages
and traditions, and learning and
understanding other cultures.
Speaking from experience,
Prof Ennew, who has previously
served in various positions in the
universitys UK campus, says, In
Malaysia, we can celebrate Hari
Raya (Aidilfitri) in July, and then
in November and December we
are celebrating Deepavali and
Christmas. After that, its Chinese
New Year.
These are all different festivals
and each is an opportunity for
us to share and learn something
from each other. So its not about
separatism but rather embracing
diversity together.

An integrated approach

Higher education is very much

a national matter because it is
governed by national policies
and national systems. However, it
cannot be denied that the future
of higher education is in going
global as the marketplace opens
up and the borders between
countries are blurred. Students in
Malaysia are in direct competition
with students from around the
world for the same jobs.
Global education does not take
away the roles and responsibilities
of the national governing bodies
but encourages academic
institutions to study what is
happening between nations and
link these nations together.
The Chinese government
invited The University of
Nottingham to open a foreign
branch campus in China for this
reason because they were keen
to learn more about how a British
university is run.
An institution that values global
education is one that recognises,
appreciates and celebrates the
worlds diversity in terms of
perspective, culture, traditions

The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus has a diverse international community of students and staff.
and ecology.
The way in which other
cultures do things can make
us think and reflect on the
way we do them ourselves,
which is immensely valuable.
Global education is also about
awareness of issues that affect
people around the world. It is
about understanding and being
aware of differences in cultures
and appreciating the value of the
diversity that we have, says
Prof Ennew.
To illustrate this, she explains
that in the lecture halls,
engineering students will look
into green technology to address
climate change issues, while
students in business will look
at improving corporate social
responsibility practices. In politics
and international relations,
students will consider issues of
human security and human rights
around the world.
However, it is not enough to
just say that global education is
part of the curriculum. It has to
permeate more broadly within
the community. Global education
is not a subject that is taught
as a stand-alone course nor
does it have a specific syllabus.
It is instead integrated into
academic teachings as well as
extracurricular activities.
The pressing issues that need
the attention of researchers and
the youth are global concerns such
as climate change, food security,
energy, human and international
security, and issues of equity,
fairness and justice.
Unsurprisingly, so many of
these things are interlinked.
For example, if you think about
climate change, you think about
fossil fuel used for energy and
you think about the challenges of
growing agricultural crops to feed
the planet, says Prof Ennew.
Matters related to security,
equity and justice fall under the
human rights banner. Around
both groups of issues is the
underlying agenda of health and
well-being.

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

Global education has to premeate more broadly within the community, not just be
part of a curriculum.
These are some of the most
pressing global changes and
university research plays a
key role in trying to generate
solutions. The key point, according
to Prof Ennew, is that these global
issues are massive and no country
or university can tackle the issue
of green technology, for instance,
on its own. Each contributing
country and institution has
different expertise and facilities
to offer.
Locations with high levels of
biodiversity have the resource
base to explore biofuel production,
while other countries with
different climatic conditions
may focus on researching other
energy saving or generating
technologies, says Prof Ennew.
As an academic institution, it
is natural to learn from and share
our knowledge with others. We
bring the best people from around
the world to work together.
Universities are doing more than
ever to connect with each other.

A changing world

UNMC encourages and

supports this mindset outside
of the curriculum with the

Nottingham Advantage Award,

which is an employability-focused
additional qualification that it
offers to students.
This is where students have the
opportunity to do much more in
tackling global education agendas.
Students can focus on specific
issues, volunteer in communities
locally or internationally and
reflect on what they have done
and learnt in the process of getting
the credit for the advantage
award.
In UNMC, there are numerous
multidisciplinary collaborations
among students. One distinctive
effort involves physiotherapy
students from the UK campus,
who are working with the
education students from the
Malaysia campus in a disabled
childcare centre in Bukit Harapan
in Sabah. The physiotherapy
students address the childrens
physical needs while the
education students help with their
educational needs.
This experience will make our
students realise and understand
how privileged they are while also
participating actively to make a
difference, and to do so locally and

internationally, says Prof Ennew.

UNMC has a diverse
international community on
campus with students of more
than 70 nationalities, staff from
more than 30 countries and a
large network of societies and
clubs. Many of these societies and
clubs are cultural and faith-based
societies.
While these societies promote
and share their cultures and
practices, they also collaborate
for certain events to bring people
together and create mutual
understanding and respect.
The students put in a lot of
effort to raise awareness about
their culture, which is a fantastic
opportunity to learn. Here, you
would have the chance to go to a
1930s Shanghai Night organised
by the Chinese Cultural Society
on one evening, and on another
you could be attending the Korean
Night or the Discover Islam event,
says Prof Ennew.
She adds, We recently held
the UNMC Earth Hour run by
the Nature Society, which was
supported by the staff from the
Environment Committee. They
did a fantastic job of creating the
awareness of climate change and
the impact of human activity on
our environment.
It is the combination of all of
these activities that contributes to
the delivery of a global education
in UNMC. As a result, it is no
surprise that its students are some
of the top choices for employers
who value graduates groomed to
be global citizens who understand
the issues and challenges that
conform societies around the
world.
n For more information, visit
www.nottingham.edu.my

10 COURSE FOCUS StarSpecial, Tuesday 21 April 2015

Equipped for the working world

HEN Gabrielle Jackson spent a

summer holiday doing work
experience at Newcastle University
Medicine Malaysia (NUMed Malaysia), it
brought her biomedical science degree to
life in a way she had not expected.
Never did she imagine that just two
years later, it would also help kick-start her
dream career with one of the largest and
most innovative medical companies in the
world.
As a 20-year-old undergraduate,
Jackson travelled across the world to
spend a month assisting with the set-up
of cutting-edge laboratories and the
trialling of new equipment before NUMeds
biomedical science degree programme was
launched in 2013.
Now, Jackson has completed her
degree and is working behind a desk for
the first time.
She attributes her success in landing
a position at Johnson & Johnsonto the
easy access she had to industry-leading

professors, laboratories and facilities while

at the University of Newcastle.
My time at NUMed was a unique
opportunity to see how the universitys
biomedical science undergraduates are
trained and the wealth of resources that
they have access to.
The hands-on experience of the
preparation and support within medical
and hospital environments also played
a crucial role in shaping my ideas for my
future career. Besides confirming my
passion for the industry, it also inspired me
to pursue the career that I have today, she
says.
Jackson developed a curiosity for the
pathophysiology of diseases, which first
piqued her interest in pursuing a biomedical
science degree.
She also found it interesting to be able
to combine her interest in the theory of
human sciences with a profession that
offered her exciting opportunities in an
innovative industry.

Gabrielle Jackson, biomedical science student of Newcastle University, spent a summer holiday to gain
experience at the Malaysian campus.
Jacksons experience in NUMed gave
her skills that demonstrated her broad
educational understanding and knowledge
of how to apply what she had learnt at
university in a real-life environment.
She came to appreciate the true
value of work experience and strongly
encourages others to pursue internships or
similar opportunities during their time at
university.
Jackson is currently a medical sales
representative for Johnson & Johnson and
has been in the role for almost a year. Her
responsibilities include administering a set
of hospital accounts and securing sales of
gynaecology products in operating
theatres and out-patients

departments.
At NUMed, I learnt the importance of
having high-quality medical equipment
and how it can have an impact on the
performance or standard of a procedure.
I also learnt the commercial aspects of
medicine such as how to manage the
purchase of equipment while operating
within a budget. This has helped me in
managing, supporting and doing business
with clients, says Jackson.
Many career options are available for
biomedical science graduates. Biomedical
science degrees are highly valued in the
medical industry as graduates gain an
understanding of the functions of the
human body as well as the scientific,
experimental and critical skills valued in
many industries.
Graduates have excellent career paths
ahead of them, including roles in clinical
research, medicine and dentistry, financial
sector, industrial science and a vast array of
commercial roles.
Being a biomedical science graduate,
I would have looked at other roles in
the medical field if I had not come to
work at Johnson & Johnson. Personally, I
think I would have explored the option
of becoming a medical journalist, says
Jackson.

About the university

Newcastle University, UK, has

established an international branch
campus in Johor, Malaysia, to provide its
undergraduate degrees in medicine and
biomedical science as well as opportunities
for postgraduate study.
The programmes are equivalent to those
of Newcastles UK-based provision and lead
to the award of the same degrees.
By choosing to study at NUMed
Malaysia, students will obtain a reputable
UK qualification from an internationally
recognised university at a cost significantly
less than that of studying in the UK.
The Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia
campus standing majestically in Johor.

n For more information, visit

www.ncl.ac.uk/numed/

StarSpecial, Tuesday 21 April 2015

COURSE FOCUS 11

MANY students step into a tertiary

institution with sincere intent to
perform well academically.
However, in a place where you
are suddenly given the free rein
to determine how you spend your
time, keeping a balance between
your academic and social lives is no
small challenge.
Here are some tips for a balanced
university life:

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

Set realistic goals

Your goals should be achievable

so that you do not burn yourself out
in the process of reaching them or
become disappointed when you fall
short.
At the same time, do not set
goals that are so low that they are
no longer a challenge or become
boring. Moderation is key.
Dr Chew Kuew Wai (standing, third from right) and his team members (posing
with) the prototype electric vehicle that they converted from a conventional
internal combustion engine vehicle.

Showcasing
excellence

NIVERSITI Tunku Abdul

Rahman (UTAR), one
of the premier private
universities in Malaysia, is
committed to providing quality
and affordable education. Its
goals are to achieve global
status and create societal
impact through quality
training, education, research
and community services.
The UTAR Lee Kong Chian
Faculty of Engineering and
Science (LKC FES), which was
established in 2004, has built
a good reputation of teaching
and research excellence.
The presence of its
engineering and science
programmes creates a unique
position for students to achieve
academic excellence through
its inter-disciplinary research
and development, intellectual
exchanges and high standard of
academic quality.
LKC FES offers 16
undergraduate programmes
and boasts multiple successes
of its engineering students in
national competitions such as
the IEEE (Institute of Electrical
and Electronics Engineers)
Malaysia Final Year Project
(FYP) Competition and the
Innovate Malaysia Design
Competition.
The UTAR Centre for
Vehicular Technology (CVT) of
LKC FES is a shining example
of the relevancy and progress
in the universitys research
excellence.
One of CVTs research
projects involves research on
technology for electric vehicles
(EV). EVs are powered by
rechargeable battery energy
instead of the conventional
internal combustion engines
that run on fossil fuel.
CVT chairperson
Dr Chew Kuew Wai and his
team of postgraduate and
undergraduate students have
recently successfully converted
an internal combustion engine
vehicle into a fully electric
one that runs on a 144V direct
current motor.
Students in the research
team benefited from the
blended learning at UTAR,

which included theoretical

work on designs and concepts,
practical work on power
controls and engine components
as well as research on the highenergy efficiency of the electric
motor versus that of petrol fuel.
UTARs research has gained
recognition from the Ministry
of Science, Technology and
Innovation (Mosti) as shown
in the RM2.79mil award given
under the Mosti Flagship
Programme for the universitys
research of a brain computerinterface wheelchair project.
Project leader Prof Ir Datuk
Goh Sing Yau, who is also a
lecturer at the Department
of Mechanical and Material
Engineering LKC FES, says, The
research project aims to provide
better mobility for a movementimpaired person such as in the
case of someone with motorneuron disease. We are also
improving the system to help
users with speech disabilities
to communicate by using their
brain signals to select pictures
or phrases on a display.
Furthermore, the Centre
for Healthcare Science and
Technology (CHST) of LKC
FES was awarded the UTAR
Research Centre Excellence
Award last year.
This award was based on the
research centres achievements
in publications, research
funding, research collaboration,
postgraduate training and
the conferences, seminars,
workshops and talks conducted.
UTAR invites schoolleavers to its Campus Tour
and Information Day to join
a tour led by UTAR student
ambassadors. It will be held
on April 25 from 10.30am to
4.30pm at UTARs campuses in
Bandar Sg Long and Kampar,
Perak.
UTAR is also hosting its
Open Day on May 16 and 17
from 9.30am to 5.30pm at both
campuses.
n For more information, call
03-7958 2628 (PJ campus),
05-468 8888 (Perak campus) or
e-mail enquiry@utar.edu.my or
visit www.utar.edu.my

Expect mistakes

If you have only been in

university for a month but expect to
execute every task with perfection,
you are being too hard on yourself.
Even if you are realistic in setting
your goals, there will be times when
you fail to reach them, and that is
okay. Failing a test in the first half
of your semester means you can
identify your area of weakness,
work on it and do better in your
final examination.

Prioritise

To be sure that you accomplish

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

A balanced academic life

urgent tasks written at the top of
the list. Try to complete the most
important tasks first before moving
on to the ones nearer to the bottom
of the list.
When important tasks have not
been checked off the list, it is only
wise to say no to the less urgent
activities.

Treat studies as your work

One way to be a disciplined

student is to strictly set aside
weekdays as your workdays.
This means that if you have a
few hours between classes, you
should spend it catching up on
some academic reading instead of
catching a movie at a nearby mall

with friends.

Consistency counts

If you make it a habit to

continually work on your
assignments, tutorials and essays
throughout the week, you will
realise that an amazing amount
of work can be completed before
Friday evening comes around. This
means your weekend will be freed
up for quality family time, fun
activities with friends and other
leisurely pursuits.
When you are consistent in
doing your college work throughout
the semester, you will find that
balancing academics and social life
is not that difficult a task after all.

12 COURSE FOCUS StarSpecial, Tuesday 21 April 2015

Touring the land of the Saints

TUDENTS from the

University of Southampton
Malaysia campus gained the
opportunity to step into the world
of the Barclays Premier League
during a tour of St Marys Stadium,
home to the Southampton
Football Club, known as the Saints.
The students, who are in their
final two years of the MEng in
Mechanical Engineering at the
University of Southampton, took
time out of their studies to learn
the history of the football club,
which was founded in 1885.
They viewed the clubs trophy
cabinet, toured the home and
away team dressing rooms, visited
the post-match interview area and
viewed the pitch from one of the
venues hospitality boxes.
They also went to the side of
the pitch via the tunnel, through
which famous players and coaches
have walked to enter the stadium,
including David Beckham who
captained Manchester United
and the England football team,
Southampton legend Matthew
LeTissier and the clubs current
international players James
Ward-Prowse, Nathaniel Clyne,
Maya Yoshida and Sadio Man.
The students partook in the
English football tradition of
receiving and wearing Saints
scarves, courtesy of local English
radio station Jack FM.
Gem Kiat Teh, a student on the
tour, thought the experience was
amazing and found it unbelievable

The students posing at the entrance

of the tunnel through which famous
footballers have walked to enter the
stadium.
alumnus Gareth Rogers as chief
executive officer of the club.

Unique education

Students of University of Southampton wore the scarves of the Saints during their walk in St Marys stadiums.
that he could visit the stadium of
the team he supports.
The visit was such a great
experience. I hope the Saints
can keep winning and qualify
for the Champions League next
season, he said.

Strong partnership

The University of Southampton

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

ways of preventing injuries

and protecting players from
developing arthritis.
Less than 12 months ago,
the relationship was further
strengthened with the
appointment of Southampton

The universitys campuses in

the UK and Malaysia offer degree
programmes for students to gain
a unique education, with the
first two years being in Malaysia
and the final two years at its
world-class research-centred
university in the UK.
Students will graduate with a
degree from an internationally
recognised university and gain a
global education experience.
n For more information, call
07-560 2560, e-mail marketing.
malaysia@southampton.ac.uk or
visit www.southampton.edu.my