Course Focus - 31 March 2015

StarSpecialTHE STAR Tuesday 31 March 2015

COURSE FOCUS:HEALTH, MEDICINE, SCIENCES & BIOTECHNOLOGY

Larger than life

Studying human behaviour > 6 Future in the sciences > 7

Small efforts, big impact

2 COURSE FOCUS StarSpecial, Tuesday 31 March 2015

Science for everyday lifeBIOTECHNOLOGY has

played an integral part in the advancement of life

for years. The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity identifies biotechnology as any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms or derivatives thereof to make or modify products or processes for a specific use. Simply put, it is the application of engineering techniques in life sciences to produce viable commercial goods.

In Malaysia, we see great biotechnology applications across several sectors, agriculture being one of the oldest. Today,

Monash University Malaysia – The Honours degree of Bachelor of Science allows students who have completed an undergraduate degree in the discipline to extend their studies by a year to specialise in biotechnology or medical bioscience, among others. The course involves coursework through seminars and a major research project.

UCSI University - The BSc (Hons) Biotechnology is a three-year programme aiming to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills for a career in biotechnology. The course, which comprises 60% coursework and 40% examination, will prepare students for futures in

the country is a global player in bioeconomy as a progressive hub in the heart of Asia.

The wealth of biodiversity in the country opens up a breadth of possibilities in health care, food production and environmental sustainability.

World-class infrastructure, strategic global positioning and an abundance of potential in bioeconomy continually attract international investors. This contributes to the expansion of biotechnology in the region, sending out an important call for more innovative and scientifically inclined young minds to support this development.

pharmacology, physiological sciences and metabolic biochemistry, among others.

Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) – The BSc (Biotechnology) undergraduate programme is offered under the Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science, which offers extensive options in these fields for future scientists.

Final year students not only attend industrial training, but also choose from food, environmental, industrial, plant or molecular biotechnology to specialise in. Students will also have the opportunity to put their knowledge into practice with their final year research project.

Where can I study biotechnology in Malaysia?

Involving genetic manipulation to develop more disease-resistant and functional varities in agricultural processes, this is the largest biotechnology sector in Malaysia. Areas identified for further development include genetic modification of fruits to improve flavour and shelf life and biotechnological management of pests.

Also known as biomanufacturing, this sector is responsible for designing microorganisms to produce useful chemical substances. Current developments in the local sector involve the enhancement of new treatment systems through bioaugmentation or genetic engineering, as well as creation of bio-sensors for accurate monitoring of the environment.

Medical processes have much to gain from this branch of biotechnology that employs genetic modification in the production of antibiotics, vaccines and the like. Research has previously generated several diagnostic tools for dengue and other infectious tropical diseases, and pharmaceutical applications in biotechnology are known for yielding greater results in a shorter time.

Green biotechnology could benefit the nation’s agriculture sector.

Red biotechnology has generated diagnostic tools for the detection of diseases.

These are the prevalent biotechnology sectors in the country, which are often classified as green, white and red biotechnology.

Plant biotechnology (green) Industrial biotechnology (white) Medical biotechnology (red)

White biotechnology designs microorganisms to produce useful chemical substance.

StarSpecial, Tuesday 31 March 2015 COURSE FOCUS 3

Dr Arkendu Sen (second from left) demonstrates the Multi-Touch Smart Table to the students.

Advanced teaching

A FEW years ago, Dr Arkendu Sen, senior lecturer at the Jeffrey Cheah School of

Medicine and Health Sciences in Monash University Malaysia, realised that the knowledge imparted to students – be it through textbooks or the lecturer – would not be accurate by the time they graduated.

Head of the school Prof Datuk Anuar Zaini Md Zain and others noticed the challenges that were evident with the present mode of anatomy education and had a vision of transforming the practical learning of anatomy with digital technology.

“Anatomy is traditionally taught through cadaveric prosections and specimens,” explains Prof Anuar. “Students learnt through didactic learning mode instead of education active learning, so it was only useful for short-term retention.”

Besides, contact hours between the lecturer and students were minimal. Not every student had a chance to dissect specimens and students found it difficult to integrate their learning into clinical applications.

Hence, Dr Sen, together with fellow lecturers Assoc Prof Dr Lakshmi Selvaratnam and Prof Anuar and industry collaborators, created the Multi-Touch Smart Table technology. It is now placed in the university’s newly renovated anatomy laboratory, which features dynamic shelf displays that will change according to the topic of the month.

“The technology broadcasts the lecturer’s or student’s presentation in real time and in high resolution. Simultaneously, students may take notes and save it on their e-mails,” says Dr Sen.

“They can also do a Google search on the topics they are studying and engage in messenger chat with other Smart Tables and the lecturer’s computer. Students may send questions to the lecturer during a lecture. The questions are displayed for all to see and the lecturer can respond directly with live demonstrations.”

The technology supports multicasting in high resolution to all tables, which are able to handle many feedbacks. Students are able to view a physical model or plastinated specimen taken from the surrounding cabinets, as well as view diagrams, X-rays and digital microscopic slides on the tables while the lecturer demonstrates his lesson on a simulated patient. All these can be done in one room within a single lesson.

“You can zoom in and out, move diagrams from left to right and switch from one slide to another to compare normal and diseased pathological sections,” says Dr Sen in regards to the tables.

“A virtual list of resources and slides will appear in their e-learning platform, Moodle. Students can access them from the tables and also at home for personal study.”

Sometimes, the projections and lessons are live-streamed to the students and staff in Segamat, Johor. Experts are invited to the Sunway campus to demonstrate on a simulated patient while a batch of students in Johor join in. These students can also participate in a quiz time.

Dr Sen describes this style of learning as participative, active, collaborative, synchronous, interactive, integrated, three-dimensional and real-time.

“We are still evolving and growing to incorporate the next phase of learning of augmented reality so that students have a concept of a three-dimensional structure. That is our ultimate aim,” says Dr Sen.

n For more information, visit www.med.monash.edu.my

The technology broadcasts the lecturer’s or student’s presentation in real time and in high resolution.

4 COURSE FOCUS StarSpecial, Tuesday 31 March 2015

Offering global opportunitiesTHE University of

Nottingham has an extensive network of

exchange links, offering students life-enhancing opportunities to study abroad at its campuses in the United Kingdom and China as well as at partner universities across the globe.

The inter-campus exchange gives undergraduate students at the University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus (UNMC) the opportunity to spend one or two semesters of their second year of study at the University of Nottingham, UK, or the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) while paying Malaysian tuition fees.

Alternatively, students can opt to participate in the Universitas 21/partner university exchange programme, where they can study at a partner university for one semester or one academic year as part of their Nottingham degree programme.

To be eligible, students must have completed one year of the degree programme at UNMC and achieved a minimum pass mark.

The UNMC staff is dedicated to providing students with a world-class education.

Therefore, academic staff members from around the world ensure that the same high standards held by the UK campus are observed here.

Programmes are identical to those offered at the University of Nottingham in the UK and follow the same quality assurance processes.

Students are awarded University of Nottingham degree certificates when they complete their course.

School of engineering

The Faculty of Engineering at UNMC is one of the popular faculties in the University of Nottingham, with all its engineering departments being recognised as among the best in higher education.

Graduates with an engineering degree can expect to take up leading roles in well-known global companies and organisations.

Engineering is important in our rapidly evolving world, having created solutions such as portable devices, clean water and health care products that enable us to live longer and arguably better lives.

To continue innovation, the right individuals are needed to challenge, create and apply new knowledge to new products and processes. These are some of the things one can learn in one of UNMC’s engineering

The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus (UNMC) is committed to providing its students with an excellent and innovative learning experience.

courses.The Foundation in

Engineering gives students a broad understanding of the fundamentals of engineering and a solid grounding in mathematics and other subjects.

This enables them to successfully proceed to a BEng or MEng undergraduate engineering degree programme.

Foundation students can interact with other students and lecturers across the Faculty of Engineering, which help them make an informed decision on the branch of engineering that they intend to pursue at the undergraduate level.

They spend a significant amount of time performing laboratory work, participating in tutorials, doing written assignments and attending lectures.

There is a strong emphasis on the teaching of mathematical and physical sciences, computer language and programmes, and study and research techniques, which are essential for undergraduate level courses.

At the undergraduate level, UNMC offers courses in chemical and environmental engineering, civil engineering, electrical and electronic engineering, and mechanical, materials and manufacturing engineering.

The University of Nottingham is internationally recognised for its world-changing and award-winning research. According to UK Research Assessment Exercise, 90% of all research at Nottingham is classified as of international standard and 60% as world-leading or internationally excellent. Nottingham academics won two Nobel Prizes in 2003 and the Shaw Prize in 2008.

Research excellence is at the core of the university’s mission, and the Malaysian campus honours this mission by conducting world-class research activities in the region.

The University of Nottingham is one of the top choices for graduate recruitment among employers. The latest report by High Fliers Research (an independent market research company that specialises in student and graduate recuitment research), UK, shows that Nottingham is second in the list of universities targeted by the largest number of top employers in 2014 to 2015.

n For more information, visit www.nottingham.edu.my

StarSpecial, Tuesday 31 March 2015 COURSE FOCUS 5

Beyond the comfort zoneJOYCE Chin admits to being

a nerd in school who never played sports and was a

bookworm. Her studiousness, however, was rewarded when she scored 10As in SPM and was awarded the High Achievers Scholarship from Nilai University (Nilai U) that covers 100% of her tuition and accommodation fees.

She undertook the Foundation in Science programme before pursuing the BSc (Hons) in Biotechnology. Choosing her degree was a process of elimination for Chin.

Working in a shipping company during her school holidays made Chin realise that she found an office environment tedious and boring. Despite scoring an A for her accounting paper in SPM, she did not feel that she was interested in dealing with numbers and did not choose to pursue a degree in accounting, which was a popular choice among school-leavers.

A biotechnology degree appealed to her as it offers numerous career possibilities with a number of jobs that specialise in laboratory work.

“I wanted a career that would present fresh challenges every day and teach me new things. Biotechnology is a growing field with constant new discoveries. I feel very comfortable in a laboratory environment as it is intellectually stimulating for me,” says Chin, a former student of SMK Bata Unjur, Klang.

According to Chin, with each passing semester, her workload gets heavier and the modules get more complex and harder.

“That is to be expected as this is a degree programme and students must be prepared to work hard,” she says.

Chin also has the extra incentive of maintaining a high CGPA to ensure the continuation of her scholarship. Being no stranger to high-achieving academic endeavours, Chin is considering furthering her studies at the master’s level.

“I may choose to gain some work experience first before pursuing a master’s degree,”

she says. Her aim is to enter a research and development facility that focuses on genetic engineering.

In addition, Chin has had the opportunity to be engaged in a good social and sporty lifestyle at Nilai U.

“I was not active in sports until I joined Nilai U and now I am really enjoying myself with the various clubs and societies on campus. My social life has became more active after coming to Nilai U,” says Chin, who is on the committee of the Tchoukball Club and Christian Fellowship.

Chin is a firm believer of Nilai U’s methods of moulding academically proficient and socially confident graduates who are equipped with the relevant soft skills.

“The syllabus requires us to take elective courses that are not linked to our core subjects. I signed up for the Introduction to Theatre and Acting and had a really great experience. It was very enjoyable and the experience made me more confident.

“I also intend to sign up for the Outward Bound Skills for Survival and Golf modules in the future. These are great opportunities for a person to spread their wings,” she says.

Nilai U offers a number of scholarship and financial aid schemes to help deserving students achieve their potential through higher education.

n For more information, call 06-850 2308 or 06-226 2336 or visit www.nilai.edu.my

Joyce Chin is pursuing a degree in biotechnology while enjoying a good social and sporty lifestyle at Nilai University.

I was not active in sports until I joined Nilai U and now I am really enjoying myself with the various clubs and societies on campus.— Joyce Chin

6 COURSE FOCUS StarSpecial, Tuesday 31 March 2015

Diversity in health professions

Studying human behaviour“WHEN I became aware of how various factors such as pressure and the inability to cope with academic studies affected teenagers to the point of committing suicide, I became interested in pursuing studies in psychology.

“I believe that psychology is important in providing help to individuals who are facing major difficulties in life,” says Tan Wei Chun, who pursued the BSc (Hons) Psychology programme at Sunway University.

Tan graduated last year and is currently working. He says, “My education in psychology taught me the use of psychometric assessments in personnel selection and talent development. I learnt about the mechanisms, assumptions and applications of various assessments in an organisational context as well as how to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of training programmes.

“These enabled me to identify and create an effective work culture where teams would flourish and be capable of troubleshooting problems in organisational settings with a scientist-practitioner approach and a mindset to continuously improve.”

Equipping important skills

In describing his experience in the programme at Sunway University, Tan says, “My time at Sunway University polished my presentation skills through the experience of using visual aids

such as powerpoint slides. “The psychology course is

an intense programme that requires students to undertake approximately five subjects per semester. We had an assignment due every week, which trained me to be a goal-directed person who honours deadlines.

“Sunway University provided a safe and harmonious platform for me to develop my social skills, which are crucial in networking and maintaining professional yet friendly relationships with my colleagues,” says Tan.

Prior to his degree programme, Tan pursued the Foundation in Arts (FIA) programme in Sunway College. He received the merit-based scholarship offered by Sunway University, Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah Entrance Scholarship, Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah Continuing Scholarship and the Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah Scholastic Award to pursue tertiary studies in the BSc (Hons) Psychology programme.

High-quality learning environment

“The Department of Psychology at Sunway University consists of experienced and friendly

lecturers who specialise in various areas of psychology, including clinical psychology, counselling psychology, developmental psychology, social psychology, organisational psychology and cognitive neuroscience,” says Tan.

The Department of Psychology aims to provide a high-quality learning environment where

students can achieve their full potential. Through fieldwork, students will have the opportunity to complete an internship and apply the knowledge and understanding gained in a real-world setting.

Through practical training, students acquire the skills and attributes required to evaluate

and understand the different facets of human behaviour.

Pathway to the future

The BSc (Hons) Psychology is a gateway to a variety of exciting careers in fields such as advertising, public relations, administration, retail services, marketing, journalism and legal professions.

Students may decide to further pursue a postgraduate professional degree in clinical psychology, educational psychology, organisational psychology or a postgraduate research degree and pursue a career as an academic or researcher.

The three-year BSc (Hons) Psychology programme at Sunway University is validated by Lancaster University, the United Kingdom, and aims to provide graduates with a thorough understanding of the principles of human behaviour and who are able to apply these principles in dealing with real-life issues and enhancing human potentials.

Graduates of this programme are more than just well-versed in psychology.

They are equipped with the skills that enable them to connect and communicate the principles they have in their daily life and vocation.

Students who complete the programme graduate with two scrolls – one from Sunway University and another from Lancaster University, UK.

n For more information, call 03-7491 8622 or e-mail [email protected] or visit sunway.edu.my/university/fst/psychology

The Department of Psychology aims to provide a high-quality learning environment where students can achieve their full potential.

Tan Wei Chun graduated with a degree in psychology from Sunway University.

SINCE its inception nearly 40 years ago, SEGi University and Colleges has been

offering top-notch programmes to young learners who are eager to make a difference.

Students who have walked through its doors have benefited from the sound teaching provided by the institution’s adept team of academics and are imbued with the importance of continuous learning.

SEGi has a wide range of programmes to suit young learners’ needs. The programmes include medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and optometry and vision science.

They are offered exclusively at SEGi University in Kota Damansara, Selangor.

Medicine

The five-year Bachelor in Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme at SEGi University emphasises on nurturing holistic doctors who are not only capable, but skillful and compassionate too.

To achieve this, the curriculum has been designed to embed moral and ethical values into teaching and learning activities. This is fostered and enhanced by the implementation of a dedicated mentoring system throughout the programme.

The MBBS programme is delivered through themes and a system-based approach rather than individual subjects traditionally taught in the past. In addition, clinical exposure is introduced as early as the first year to ensure students

are familiar with basic medical sciences in clinical practice.

Throughout the five years of studies, students are trained to develop their soft skills in communication, social responsibility and team building.

Also, their critical-thinking, problem solving, leadership and management skills are developed from the beginning of the programme.

SEGi medical students conduct practical and clinical rotations at the Teluk Intan General Hospital and Sibu General Hospital.

Dentistry

SEGi conducts the five-year Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) to produce competent, caring and knowledgeable dental practitioners.

Students are involved in clinical procedures from the start of the programme, with an emphasis on the recognition and prevention of oral diseases.

The dynamic integrated curriculum is delivered within a student-centred learning model, with an emphasis on problem-

based learning and delivery through student participation.

The Faculty of Dentistry at SEGi University is also actively involved in community service. It regularly provides free dental check-ups to the public at its Oral Health Centre, especially to patients from the lower-income group.

Dental students are supervised and monitored at all times by dental surgeons, who are also professors and lecturers at the university.

Not only will these practical sessions make SEGi dental graduates highly skilled, it will also ensure their patients of good treatment and service.

Pharmacy

The Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) (BPharm) offered at SEGi is a clinically oriented four-year programme.

Problem-based learning (PBL) and student-centred collaborative learning are implemented throughout the programme.

Students are introduced to real practice in hospitals, community pharmacies and industries in year one.

This arrangement in the curriculum ensures that the students graduate with a feel of almost every possible work setting, have hands-on application of knowledge and benefit from experiential learning.

Optometry and vision science

To become an optometrist, an undergraduate needs sufficient clinical training alongside a strong academic grounding.

The four-year SEGi University Bachelor of Optometry (Hons) takes care of both under its Faculty of Optometry and Vision Sciences.

Much of the clinical teaching is undertaken at the in-house optometry clinic named SEGi EyeCare, located on campus and also at the neighbouring Tropicana Medical Centre.

The clinics have a wide range of ophthalmic equipment for both teaching and research and its primary care optometric centre is open to the public.

Clinical experience is also provided to students during their internship at private and public hospitals.

Independent clinical and scientific skills are developed in the final year of the programme. They will have the opportunity to examine patients at SEGi’s EyeCare clinics and pursue an area of particular personal interest in more depth through a final year research/dissertation study.

n For more information, call 03-6145 1777 or 1800 887 344 or e-mail [email protected] or visit www.segi.edu.my

SEGi aims to produce world-class professionals in the health science industry.

StarSpecial, Tuesday 31 March 2015 COURSE FOCUS 7

Future in the sciencesTHE University of Reading Malaysia

(UoRM) is expanding its delivery of world-class programmes by

introducing undergraduate science programmes in pharmacy and psychology.

Within a year or two, the pharmacy department is planning to offer an MPharm 2+2 programme (subject to approval by the Ministry of Education Malaysia) to students in the country.

The first two years of the course will be studied in Malaysia, while part three and part four will be delivered at the award-winning campus at University of Reading, the United Kingdom.

The programme introduces university students to the essential skills and knowledge required to provide pharmaceutical care in a range of areas, such as hospitals, community pharmacies, industry, government policy, agriculture and veterinary care.

In the programme, students learn about pharmacognosy, medicinal chemistry, poisoning and toxicology, pharmacology and therapeutics.

They also study pharmaceutical law and learn to work with other health care professionals through Inter-professional Learning workshops.

The programme is an intensive four-year degree programme. A further year of postgraduate study is required before students can undergo a final assessment that will allow them to register as a pharmacist.

“The services I have seen delivered by pharmacists in Malaysia, both in hospital and community sectors, are second to none,” says Prof Samantha Weston, head of pharmacy at UoRM, who is a registered pharmacist with experience working in many countries.

“Their professional expertise and ability to get messages through to patients as well as the range of services they provide exceed the pharmacy care available in other countries.

“I believe that Malaysia has the opportunity, skills and knowledge to develop a new, more thoroughly integrated model of health care that draws on the expertise of doctors, pharmacists, nurses and other essential care providers in delivering health provision for their patients. I look forward to the exciting developments that are taking place here,” she says.

The academics who teach on the

MPharm 2+2 are experts in their respective areas of research and committed to excellence in teaching and learning.

The second science programme that UoRM plans to offer this or next year is the three-year BSc Psychology programme (subject to MOE approval). Students of the BSc Psychology programme take core modules in cognition, neuroscience, developmental psychology and research methods.

The course provides opportunities for students to undertake work placements in fields they might consider for their careers, such as counselling, health psychology and sport psychology.

Prof Carmel Houston-Price, head of psychology at UoRM, sees such placements as vital in helping students build a curriculum vitae that appeals to potential employers.

“Because the career path is less obvious for psychology students than for some other subjects, parents sometimes worry that their children’s career options will be limited if they choose to study psychology,” she says.

“In fact, the opposite is true for psychology graduates. Employers value the research skills that psychology students bring to the work place, especially their ability to analyse, interpret and critically evaluate data, alongside their excellent written and verbal communication skills.”

For students hoping to pursue a career as a professional psychologist – perhaps as a clinical, educational or forensic psychologist – postgraduate study at master’s or doctoral level is required. Prof Houston-Price points out the importance of choosing an undergraduate degree carefully if a student is considering such a career.

“Students do not always realise that to register for a postgraduate course in the UK, for example, a student’s undergraduate degree must be accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). The BSc Psychology programme at the University of Reading Malaysia will meet this criterion – but many programmes offered in Malaysia do not,” says Prof Houston-Price.

This underlines the university’s commitment to providing an education with real prospects for its student graduates.

n For more information, call 07-295 5010 or e-mail [email protected] or visit www.reading.edu.my

The University of Reading Malaysia offers global educational opportunities in a local setting.

experience. Be optimistic, trust in your

abilities and set personal standards and goals. Avoid comparing yourself to others – college offers the opportunity for everyone to succeed and it is up to you to get hold of that opportunity.

Manage time and strike a balance

Setting your priorities will be one of the greatest challenges in college, especially in the first few months. You may find everything

8 COURSE FOCUS StarSpecial, Tuesday 31 March 2015

Pursuing efficacy in college studiesTHE transition from secondary

school to college can be both exciting and nerve-wracking.

While many welcome the flexible structure and academic independence, others are unprepared for tertiary education and find themselves thrown into an entirely foreign learning environment. Some may also have a hard time juggling social life, societies or campus activities, and classes.

All this, however, can cause you to lose sight of the reason you are there in the first place, which is for learning. Here are some ways you can approach studying in college for the best results, both on and off paper.

Plan and prepare for productivity

The first step in establishing a healthy pattern is to be able to distinguish between homework, assignments, studies and revision. Homework and assignments are part of your coursework and should be completed by their deadlines, while revision involves reviewing lessons and notes before examinations.

Studying, however, should be consistent over the long term. Although it may seem like a dreary task, studying consistently can contribute to a more rewarding and fulfilling college

too overwhelming to cope with, which is why you must start striking a balance from day one. Allocate a certain amount of time every week for classes, assignments, studying, exercising, campus activities and downtime with friends. Get things done based on order of importance.

Time management is of the essence when it comes to studying. Cramming before an exam is a prime example of poor time management. Instead, allocate a few hours a week for each subject depending on your credit requirements. Find small

ways to save time. For example, organise your study materials in binders to make them easier to access come study time.

Be present in class

Make full use of your time in class by sitting in front of the room, paying attention and taking notes. Lecturers often stress the importance of certain topics and drop hints about what you may be tested on in the exam. Listen and write all of these down, along with questions asked in class throughout the semester. By the

time exams come around, you would have compiled a list of test questions that you can use during revision.

Come up with a clear, concise method of taking notes that suits your speed and understanding. Textbooks offer a wealth of information, so it would be wise to review the chapter before or read through it after class to refresh your memory and pick out succinct points for future reference.

Study consistently and seriously

Unlike homework or revision, which need only be attended to at certain points of the semester, studying should be a regular fixture of your time on campus.

To start off, prioritise your subjects based on the amount of attention and studying they will require. Use this information to create a study schedule at least weekly, and stick to the routine to turn it into a habit.

Ensure you are in a comfortable environment where you will be able to focus and be free of any distractions, electronic or otherwise.

Additionally, you can use memory boosters such as acronyms, mnemonic devices, image-word associations, graphs and charts, or mind maps to make the subject matter easier to understand and remember.

College life can be an enjoyable experience if you can manage your studies well.

By THERESA BELLE

TWO Bachelor of Pharmacy students from International Medical University (IMU), Nur Diyana Zazali and

Nur Syazwani Azeran, were given the opportunity to conduct their final year research project in Hacettepe University in Ankara, Turkey.

The opportunity came to them in the seventh semester of their pharmacy degree in IMU.

Throughout their journey in IMU, they were always excited to learn about new pharmaceutical developments.

Therefore, to participate in a laboratory-based research project overseas was a great opportunity for the pair, who had a wonderful experience in Turkey.

They both shared similar research topics, which were related to the development of mucoadhesive antimicrobial gels for the treatment of periodontal diseases.

Two-thirds of their research was completed in Turkey under the tutelage of Prof Sevda Senel, who has been working in this area for some time.

Assisting them were PhD student Ayben Isilay Ozdogan and laboratory researchers Adem Sahin, Naile Ozturk and Selin Seda Dogan.

Great working environment

The working atmosphere at Hacettepe University impressed Diyana and Syazwani because the researchers worked together as a team.

They were also fortunate to be able to do research in an institution ranked as the top university for pharmaceutical technology in Ankara.

During their time in Ankara, they were given the opportunity to participate in the 17th International Pharmaceutical Technology Symposium that was organised by Hacettepe University in Antalya, Turkey.

The theme of the symposium was Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology: Innovations, Therapeutic Possibilities, Technological Challenges, which highlighted recent research findings and innovations in pharmaceutical technology by scientists from all over the world.

The duo gained a lot of useful, up-to-date, knowledge and experience from this symposium.

A rewarding journey

Although the research project abroad lasted two months, the memories and

experience gained by Diyana and Syazwani were priceless. They will always remember the warm hospitality and splendour of their environment.

They are grateful for the opportunity provided by IMU, which broadened their horizons, and for the support of their family and friends.

This learning opportunity was not only academically rewarding but also culturally fulfilling as it fostered personal growth in having to leave their comfort zone and explore what the world had to offer.

Diyana and Syazwani gained priceless memories, moments and experience from their short experience abroad that will not be easily forgotten.

About IMU

IMU is a private university with the highest number of faculty members and registered students compared to other private pharmacy schools in Malaysia.

It has had more than 1,000 pharmacy graduates and its students have the option to complete the four-year pharmacy programme locally at IMU or perform a credit transfer to the University of Otago, New Zealand or University of Queensland, Australia.

These international partnerships are a clear testament of the alignment of IMU’s innovative education to global standards.

Taught by an experienced and practising faculty, students will be given exposure to relevant practice as part of the pharmacy course.

This equips them for better patient care, pupilage training and employment, making graduates of IMU highly employable.

The Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) programme will commence in September. If you are inspired to pursue a career that deals with safe and effective use of medicines, apply for IMU’s pharmacy degree programme.

For school-leavers who do not have a pre-university qualification but have completed their SPM, consider enrolling in IMU’s one-year Foundation in Science, which is a direct route for entry into any of the university’s local degree programmes.

The next intake for the Foundation in Science programme is in May this year.

n For more information, call 03-2731 7272 or e-mail [email protected] or visit www.imu.edu.my

A valuable learning experience

Nur Syazwani Azeran (left) and Nur Diyana Zazali were given the opportunity to conduct their research overseas.

StarSpecial, Tuesday 31 March 2015 COURSE FOCUS 9

FACILITIES

2015

EMPLOYABILITY

2015

INCLUSIVENESS

2015

INNOVATION

2015

INTERNATIONALIZATION

2015

10 COURSE FOCUS StarSpecial, Tuesday 31 March 2015

Proven recordof excellence

Equipped for the workforce

UNIVERSITI Teknologi Petronas (UTP) has emerged as the first private

university in the country to receive a four-star rating from the world universities rating agency Quacquarelli Symonds (QS).

The university’s vice-chancellor Datuk Ir Dr Abdul Rahim Hashim says UTP has improved in its overall performance from last year, moving up from three stars to four.

The rating is recognised internationally and demonstrates the university’s excellence in research and teaching.

The overall results include achieving top five-star ratings in five fields out of eight, which are high employability of its graduates, international feel of the community and campus, high standard of facilities, innovation, and students’ accessibility to the university.

“The QS Stars rating system is widely recognised across the world and this award will help develop the university’s growing international reputation,” says Dr Abdul Rahim.

“With this recognition, the university can benchmark itself with the best international universities while also placing it in good stead when compared with other international institutions. This has raised our international brand awareness and we can now proudly add this notable achievement to our credentials.”

The QS Stars rating system is used by more than 130 universities in 30 countries. The rating system is an in-depth analysis of a participating university’s system and the quality is graded from one to five stars.

It gives an overall institutional rating as well as ratings in eight key fields.

These fields are teaching, graduates’ employability, research, internationalisation, facilities, innovation, inclusiveness and specialist subjects.

Incidentally, UTP has also earned a place in the QS World

University Top 200 Ranking by Subject for chemical engineering and is the only private university in Malaysia to break into the QS Asian University Top 200 Ranking.

These significant and outstanding accomplishments in the university’s relatively short 17-year history since its establishment in 1997 are something that is not often seen in the arena of tertiary education.

Therefore, it speaks volumes for the institution’s standards of excellence.

PURSUING an engineering degree at Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) is a smart choice for budding engineers.

Renowned for its focus on engineering and technology studies, UTP’s engineering programmes are among the best in Malaysia and also widely recognised among global industries.

For those pursuing studies in electrical and electronic engineering, the university offers a first-rate undergraduate programme that provides an excellent platform that nurtures creativity and talent for this dynamic and rapidly evolving engineering discipline.

Graduates enter the job market armed with strong technical knowledge and application know-how. They are also equipped with good interpersonal skills and develop a love for lifelong learning and self-improvement.

With these attributes and skills, they are much sought-after by industries in the global arena, including oil and gas industries, semiconductor manufacturing, computers and communications sectors, instrumentation and power generation, automotive applications and urban transportation.

UTP’s Bachelor in Electrical and Electronic Engineering undergraduates are given a strong foundation in physics, mathematics and chemistry. This is followed by basic courses in circuit analysis, analogue and digital electronics, microprocessors as well as signal and system analysis.

They will then proceed to higher level studies in data and computer networks, digital signal processing, VLSI design, control systems, communications systems and power electronics.

In the final year, students will have the opportunity to major in one of these selected areas – computer and communications, instrumentation and control, electronics and devices and power systems engineering.

A good degree programme must be supported with the best resources and facilities.

At UTP, undergraduates have access to state-of-the-art laboratories throughout the programme, providing them with essential hands-on experience in analysing, designing and developing electrical and electronics systems.

UTP has numerous

test and quality assurance engineer, systems design engineer, electrical and electronics engineer, biomedical engineer, robotics engineer, design engineer, and research and development engineer.

UTP is also proud that more than 90% of its students enter the workforce within six months after graduation. One such example is Mazli Arsham Abdullah, who graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering in 2001.

As part of the pioneer batch of UTP students, Mazli and his fellow undergraduates set the benchmark for future students.

He says, “We were actually involved in brainstorming sessions to generate ideas and suggestions for improving the university’s programmes. It was an honour and an invaluable opportunity.

“As for the programmes, UTP is unique in the sense that it has an advisory board comprising industry personnel. To produce graduates who are ready for the market, you must connect the engineering programmes with the industry.

“The input from the advisory board provides the university an understanding of industry requirements to ensure that it tailors its programmes and modules to meet those needs. That is why UTP graduates are highly employable and secure good positions,” he says.

Mazli joined a multinational oil and gas company soon after his graduation.

He is thankful to UTP and feels that it is his responsibility to serve his alma mater in areas where he can contribute for the benefit of UTP in achieving its vision and mission.

n For more information, visit www.utp.edu.my

UTP’s award-winning campus inspires students to excel.

University Teknologi Petronas vice-chancellor Datuk Ir Dr Abdul Rahim Hashim.

Universiti Teknologi Petronas has state-of-the-art research facilities.

laboratories and workshops that accommodate work for analogue electronics, digital signal processing, data communication and networking, microprocessor work, power electronic, power system and electrical machines, control systems, PCB fabrication, pilot plants for process control and ISO-certified process instrumentation.

To enhance learning and the application of knowledge, final year students must undertake a two-semester individual research final year project (FYP) where they will each propose, design and develop an open-ended technical solution to a complex engineering problem.

In addition, students are also required to undertake a two-semester Integrated Systems Design Project (ISDP), which will emphasise teamwork and project planning.

These projects are carried out under the guidance of a faculty member who is also active in research in the area of interest. Often, undergraduates also take the opportunity to work on projects that have a direct impact on real-time industry application.

UTP has strong and secured links and tie-ups with industry players both locally and overseas. With these strong ties, graduates are poised for entry into multinational companies and institutions to develop and oversee electrical and electronic systems in a wide range of technological sectors.

The career potential in the electrical and electronic engineering fields is wide and varied.

These are some examples of careers you can pursue – control engineer, network engineer, instrumentation engineer, computer systems engineer, project engineer, telecommunications engineer,

StarSpecial, Tuesday 31 March 2015 COURSE FOCUS 11

Expanding to new horizons

THE sea’s equivalent of the famed bird’s nest is actually a type of seaweed, also known as red seaweed. Gracilaria

changii is one of red seaweeds found abundantly in Malaysia with one of the highest agar output in the world.

In addition to being used in Asian desserts, agar is important scientifically as a solid substrate to contain culture used for microbiological work. Industrially, it is used as a vegetarian substitute for animal-based gelatine and as a clarification agent for paper or fabric production.

UCSI University’s (UCSI) head of the aquatic science programme, Asst Prof Dr Teo Swee Sen, was first introduced to the seaweed by her supervisor Assoc Prof Dr Ho Chai Ling.

“Assoc Prof Dr Ho is an important mentor to me and it was she who brought me to the mangroves where we waded through the mud to collect the seaweed,” she says.

Dr Teo then discovered that the seaweed was a valuable resource and researchers from all over the world came to Malaysia to harvest it for scientific study.

“Dr Ho spoke highly about the scientific and nutritional value of the seaweed and was surprised that scientists were not paying more attention to it,” she says.

As she pursued her postgraduate degree, she decided that she wanted to shed more light on the properties of Gracilaria changii.

Today, Dr Teo has published numerous research papers on the subject and is focused on sharing her knowledge with the next generation of scientists through the new BSc (Hons) Aquatic Science programme launched by UCSI.

UCSI is the first university in Malaysia to offer a degree that covers the study of both freshwater and marine ecosystems, including the ocean, wetlands, rivers, lakes

and coastal estuaries. The degree focuses on the fundamentals

of preserving, managing and exploring the various water sources through the three-pronged approach – repair, rehabilitate and conserve.

With 70% of the Earth covered by water, Dr Teo points out that any threat to the fresh water or marine ecosystems will impact the entire planet and its inhabitants.

This gives graduates of the BSc (Hons) Aquatic Science programme tremendous opportunities in terms of making a difference and growing their career.

Students in this programme explore the wonders of Malaysia’s aquatic systems and use their knowledge to conserve and manage the current water bionetwork in maintaining the aquatic ecosystem for the next generation to explore and learn from.

In the final year of the BSc (Hons) Aquatic Science programme, students have the option to specialise in either aquatic health and management or seafood processing and safety.

The former is related to biotechnology and paves the way for career opportunities in disease identification and molecular biology. The latter is associated with the study of food science and includes seafood farming, processing and packaging.

Students can also decide to focus on the research field and eventually academia as aquatic research is heavily supported by the Malaysian government.

Dr Teo says, “Students who are passionate about the aquatic world and possess patience will be well suited for the course. The experience is always fulfilling as it involves exploring unknown areas of the aquatic world. Not only do you make a difference in the world, you will also be building a pathway to your future career.”

n For more information, call 03-9101 8882 or visit www.ucsiuniversity.edu.my/onlineenquiry

UCSI is the first university in Malaysia to offer a degree that covers the study of both freshwater and marine ecosystems, including the ocean, wetlands, rivers, lakes and coastal estuaries.

Asst Prof Dr Teo says Malaysian seaweed is garnering interest from around the world.

UCSI’s head of the aquatic science programme Asst Prof Dr Teo during her research on the red seaweed, Gracilaria changii.

Ready for life in universityCOLLEGE or university is not just a continuation of a young person’s education; it is a major terminal in your journey through life. Here are a few things you should know before you start, and some tips on how to get the most out of university life.

It is different from what you see on TV

Unless you are extremely lucky, there will be no rolling green lawns on which to endlessly lounge, no gleaming steel-and-chrome dorm houses in which to act out your coming-of-age story and no cavernous hi-tech lecture halls in which to have intelligent existentialist discussions.

Be prepared for tiny, stuffy dorm rooms, square and concrete lecture theatres and grey and practical buildings. One thing students can do, if they are intrepid enough, is find interesting places to hang out in.

Budgeting is more important than you think

Once you are down to your last packet of instant noodles you will wish you had been wiser with your ringgit at the beginning of

the month. Set aside enough money for food, rent,

bills, transport and essentials each month. You can spend the rest on partying or save it up so you can go travelling and meet new people.

Never spend so much money as to deplete your savings, especially if you have a student loan. Your parents may be able to bail you out of a sticky financial situation, but ask yourself just how long you will be able to – or should – depend on them.

Take care of your health

Living away from home means being responsible for your own health.

Plan your study, work and entertainment schedule so that you get enough sleep. Try to have balanced meals, which means including vegetables and fruits in your diet.

Make sure you bring any medication or supplements that you need from home. It is a good idea to go for a full medical check-up before you leave for university.

You may also want to discuss with and seek advice from your parents (or a responsible and knowledgeable person that you trust) about safe and healthy relationships.

University is a great place to meet and connect with new people.

Tuesday 31 March 2015StarSpecial12