12 Course Focus
Staying positive amid uncertainties
APPROXIMATELY 67% of business leaders in
the country are optimistic that the business
environment will improve over the next 12
months following greater stability in the
global economic environment, the Malaysian
Business Sentiment Survey 2018/2019
reveals.
However, the increased rhetoric of a trade
war between the United States and its
leading trading partners remains a concern
among business firms in Malaysia and the
region.
Despite growing concerns, the spirit of the
local business community remains optimistic
with 71% confident about their business
prospects. This optimism is partly due to
increased infrastructure investment along
with greater adoption of Industry 4.0
technologies.
The biggest issue that concerns the local
market is the increasing cost of doing
business, which will have an impact on the
bottom line. The weakening Malaysian
currency will also severely impact firms that
are dependent on imported goods in their
production process.
The Malaysian Business Sentiment
Survey 2018/2019, conducted by Monash
University Malaysia in collaboration with
CPA Australia and Global Asia in the 21st
Century research platform, gathers the
opinions and feelings of the country’s
business leaders.
“The Malaysian Business Sentiment
Survey helps measure the confidence of local
business leaders across key macroeconomic
areas and provides them with a platform to
voice their sentiments and estimations about
the business environment in the country,”
says Prof Mahendhiran Nair, chief executive
officer of Monash Malaysia Research and
Development and vice-president (R&D) of
Monash University Malaysia.
“The primary objective of the survey is to
Prof Pervaiz (left) and Prof Mahendhiran.
enable decision makers, business leaders
and key stakeholders to take proactive
measures to improve the local business
environment and build a competitive
advantage among firms in the country.”
He adds, “One of the key discoveries
from the survey is that global markets have
become more stabilised and economic
growth numbers in many of the economies
are on an upward trend. This has had a
positive impact on the Malaysian economy.
“However, potential full-blown trade wars
between the US and its trading partners may
adversely impact the growth trajectories of
major economies in the world, business
sentiment across the globe and growth
potential of firms in Malaysia.
“To mitigate these economic risks, firms
are intensifying their market opportunities
within the domestic economy and expanding
their operations in Asean and other Asia-
Pacific markets.”
According to Prof Pervaiz K. Ahmed,
co-director of Global Asia in the 21st Century
and deputy head of school (research) at
Monash University Malaysia’s School of
Business, “CEOs and senior managers are of
the view that for firms to be competitive,
they will have to embrace the digital
economy and Industry 4.0, which will enable
them to extend their reach for talent,
resources, market intelligence, networks and
markets.”
The top digital technology identified as
STARSPECIAL, TUESDAY 11 SEPTEMBER 2018
important to remain competitive by
respondents is mobile technology for
customer engagement, which stands at 36%.
This is followed by digital payment
technology at 34% and socially enabled
business processes at 28%.
CEOs and senior managers also
highlighted the importance of universities
nurturing talent that will enable firms
to enhance their innovative capacity,
process improvement and product
development.
They believe that the top three primary
focus areas of universities should be to
collaborate with industry (33%), ensure that
the R&D initiatives undertaken meet the
needs of industry (30%), and develop
training programmes that are relevant and
beneficial to industry (30%).
“Monash Malaysia continues to work
closely with businesses and industries in
nurturing creative talent for the innovation-
driven economy as we recognise the
importance of guiding graduates to improve
their employment opportunity,” says Prof
Mahendhiran.
The Malaysian Business Sentiment
Survey 2018/2019 consisted of four phases.
Phase 1 was a scoping and content analysis
of information from press releases, media
reports and commentaries from
stakeholders. Phase 2 involved face-to-face
in-depth interviews with CEOs and senior
managers.
Phase 3 was an online survey involving
randomly selected CEOs and senior
managers across a wide spectrum of
industries, and Phase 4 was validating
results with industry captains via roundtable
discussions based on patterns in the data.
n For more information about research
at Monash University Malaysia, visit
www.monash.edu.my/research
STARSPECIAL, TUESDAY 11 SEPTEMBER 2018 Course Focus 13

Keep abreast of the latest tech

REALISING the significance of
robotics and artificial intelligence
in future-forward industries such
as financial technology, Tunku
Abdul Rahman University College’s
(TAR UC) Faculty of Computing and
Information Technology (FOCS)
periodically revisits and enhances
its programme curricula to equip
computing students with the skills
and knowledge required for the
industries of tomorrow.
One of the ways TAR UC
accomplishes this is by having
students research a humanoid
robot named Nao. This lets them
experience state-of-the-art robot
research and development at the
FOCS Computational Intelligence
Research Lab.
“Interactive robots such as
Nao have the potential for
commercialisation in many
industries in Malaysia.
“Students can employ Nao as a
communicative medium through
which various advanced artificial
intelligence software components
can be leveraged and programmed
to simulate a natural conversation
between robots and humans,” says
Dr Tang Tiong Yew, senior lecturer
in the Department of Computer
Science and Mathematics under
FOCS.
With a keen interest in
advancements in digital
technology, the opportunity to
work on their final-year project
with Nao was beyond exciting for
Yap Jin Zhe and Yap Kok Hau, both
of whom are graduates of TAR UC’s
Bachelor of Information
Technology (Hons) in Software
Systems Development.
“In future, more industries
will rely on software and digital
technology. Working on Nao
gave me deeper insight into
robotics-related fields, which
afforded me with an advantage
in employability.
“TAR UC’s comprehensive
facilities fully supported the
completion of our final-year
project. Dr Tang, our project
supervisor, is extremely
knowledgeable in the field of
robotics. He guided us through the United States lets it offer dual- TAR UC offers academic merit
project and increased our award programmes that give scholarships and sibling discounts
understanding of the subject,” says students two certifications upon to eligible students.
Kok Hau. graduation – one from TAR UC
Jin Zhe shares, “Working on and the other from Campbell n For more information, visit
Nao helped me master a new University. www.tarc.edu.my
programming language as well as
other skills that I believe will benefit
me in the future when more Kok Hau (left) and Jin Zhe configuring
industries start adopting robotic the software that controls Nao’s
technologies. movement.
“We received hands-on
exposure in robotics and process
automation, which gave us
in-depth knowledge of how the
robot functions and how to
configure the software that
controls it.”
FOCS offers diploma
and bachelor’s degree
programmes in computer
science, information
systems and information
technology disciplines.
Its academic collaboration
with Campbell University in the

Design for tomorrow

SUNWAY College Ipoh’s School of
Art & Design (SAND) continues to
nurture young talents into
designers.
Traditionally, an education in
art and design provides students
with core training in illustration,
composition, colour theory,
typography, photography, web
design and animation. Today, art
and design faculties prepare
students to stay on the cutting
edge by integrating digital
technologies and sustainable
design concepts into their
curricula.
SAND aspires to be one step
ahead in manifesting innovative
design ideas and solutions
among its counterparts. It offers
a well-developed, comprehensive
curriculum through which
budding designers are trained to
disrupt the design frontiers –­­
something that will drive the
future of the industry. It also
aims to address the changing
needs of the industry.
Finesse is moulded in the
early stages of enrolment
through professional coaching
by qualified lecturers. Students
are equipped with technical
knowledge and skills that allow
them to develop cognition across
design disciplines.
For instance, students master
interactive media and digital
communication devices with the
aim of enabling functionality
and ease of use in design for the
end user.
In addition, students are
taught environment-conscious
design by incorporating
ecological processes and
sustainable design concepts
into academic training.
Lessons are centred on
project-based learning to give
students insight into the real
world. Students undertake
various projects throughout their
course, some of which require
engaging with actual clients.
Avenues for sharing with
industry players are also
provided as part of academic
growth. At the end of the course,
students undergo an internship
programme to complete
mandatory practical training.
Over the years, students’
participation and involvement in
various endeavours can help
them develop skills and
competencies in the industry.
In acknowledging the
importance of strengthening ties
between school and industry,
SAND has collaborated with
Nippon Paint as a Supporting
College/University in Asia Young
Designer Award (AYDA) 2018.
AYDA is a platform for young
designers to engage with
distinguished industry
professionals and gain first-hand
insight through lectures,
workshops and cross-learning.
If you are passionate about
creative arts and interested in
pursuing an education in art
and design, a bright future
awaits you at Sunway College
Ipoh.
You can choose to enrol in
the Diploma in Graphic Design
or Diploma in Interior Design.
Each diploma programme
takes two and a half years to
complete, after which you can
pursue further study at Sunway
University.
n For more information,
call 05-545 4398 or e-mail
infoipoh@sunway.edu.my