cool design...

where is the location??

Aimst to admit 100 medical students from India
By A. LETCHUMANAN


CHENNAI (India): The MIC-owned Aimst University has been given the approval to recruit 100 students from India to study medicine.

MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said the Ministry of Higher Education gave the approval to recruit foreign students for the medical degree recently.

This is in addition to the existing 200 seats for Malaysians studying at the university, he told reporters here yesterday.

Samy Vellu, who is the founder of the university, is leading a 150-member delegation to the inaugural World Tamils Economic conference and the annual Pravasi Bharatiya Divas conference.

“We have decided to provide the opportunity for South Indian students to pursue the medical course at the university,” he said.

Samy Vellu said the South Indian students would study in Malaysia and undergo clinical training at a reputable private hospital in Coimbatore.

“We are in talks with the hospital to make the arrangement,” he said, adding that the students would return to Malaysia for their final year and would receive their degree after graduation.

Samy Vellu said he would be going to Coimbatore to have a final discussion with the private hospital, as well as to discuss about the recognition of the medical degree with the Indian Medical Council.

On investment opportunities in India, he said there were ample opportunities for Malaysian companies to participate in infrastructure projects.

He said Malaysian companies were currently involved in highway projects between Tambaram and Tindivanam, Bombay to Pune, Gurgaon to Jaipur and in Madya Pradesh.

UUM IPT pertama guna e-Bas

Oleh SITI KAMILAH MUSTAPHA
kamilah.mustapha@kosmo.com.my


http://www.kosmo.com.my/kosmo/pix/2009/0108/Kosmo/Negara/ne_10.1.jpg
ASMANWADI menunjukkan bas kampus yang akan menggunakan sistem e-Bas di UUM, Sintok semalam.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


SINTOK - Pelajar Universiti Utara Malaysia tidak perlu lagi membayar dengan wang tunai untuk menaiki bas dalam kampus mereka apabila sistem aplikasi tanpa wayar e-Bas diperkenalkan mulai 17 Januari ini.

Sistem itu memerlukan pelajar menyentuh kad matrik pada terminal bacaan dan kadar tambang itu pula ditolak dari akaun mereka di Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad (BIMB).

Pengarah Urusan Unic Syimbol Business Sdn. Bhd., Asmanwadi Sheikh Abdul Latif berkata, sistem yang pertama dalam kampus universiti di Malaysia itu adalah lanjutan daripada sistem prabayar menggunakan kad matrik yang disepadukan dengan akaun pelajar di BIMB.

USM to probe students’ manhandling claims
Friday January 9, 2009

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2009/1/9/north/usm.jpg

(From right) Uexkull presenting a banner to USM board
of directors chairman Tan Sri Ani Arop and Prof Zulkifli.

UNIVERSITI Sains Malaysia (USM) will set up a three-man committee to investigate allegations of three undergraduates being manhandled and wrongfully detained by university security personnel.

USM vice-chancellor Prof Tan Sri Dzulkifli Abdul Razak said he would appoint the members tomorrow to facilitate investigations.

“The committee will look into the matter and take the necessary action once we find out the actual situation.

“Students here are free to speak out but they need to be responsible and accountable at the same time, and certain rules need to be followed,” he said.

On Monday night, three students were detained by the university’s security personnel after distributing fliers on campus re-lated to the upcoming campus elections on Jan 15.

Prof Dzulkifli was speaking to reporters after a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony with Right Lifelihood Award (RLA) foundation yesterday that established USM as the world’s first Right Lifelihood College (RLC).

“This partnership is line with USM’s mission to transform the face of higher education in the country.

“Being an Apex university is about changing mindsets and to do so, we need to align ourselves with very successful partners,” he said.

The RLA, popularly known as the Alternative Nobel Prize, was established in 1980 and honours four individuals annually for exemplary solutions to today’s problems.

Individuals are chosen from less recognised arenas in environmental protection, human rights, sustainable development and so on.

Under the five-year MoU, USM will serve as the RLC’s secretariat and work to expand the work of the foundation’s laureates through seminars, activities and lectures along with scholarships for local researchers and students to travel overseas to study and document the work of the laureates.

RLA foundation founder and chairman Jakob von Uexkull who was present at the MoU signing said that aside from USM being an Apex university, Penang was chosen as the pioneer location for a RLC as it was the only city in the world which housed three award laureates namely Consumer Association of Penang (CAP) founder Datuk Anwar Fazal, Sahabat Alam Malaysia president S.M. Mohamed Idris and the International Baby Food Action Network represented by Annelies Allain.

cek out da new UITM puncak alam(really cool!!), Universiti Teknikal Kebangsaan & Universiti Darul Iman @ http://www.gdparchitects.com/ .
maybe patchy or nazrey can post the renders...

Higher Education Chance For Rural Children
January 09, 2009 12:53 PM
By Melati Mohd Ariff

BALIK PULAU (Pulau Pinang), Jan 9 (Bernama) -- For the 'average' academic achievers, failure to get a place in universities is not the end of the world as the Island College of Technology (ICT) here provides the opportunity for them to pursue degree, diploma and certificate-level studies.

"When the college (ICT) was established (in 1998), there were only a few Bumiputera private colleges in the Peninsula's north. At that time, Malay students with average academic performance did not have ample opportunities to pursue further education.

"In Pulau Pinang, many of the Malay girls chose to work in factories as the easy way out to look for money to assist their families. We do not wish to see the Malays particularly the girls end up as factory workers," ICT President/Chief Executive Datuk Siti Mazenah Saat told Bernama here recently.

"Such a scenario is rather poignant, as even though the academic achievement is good, they have to give way to poverty," said Siti Mazenah who has 21 years experience serving Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) before retiring in September 1998. She had also served the Education Ministry and Public Service Department.

ICT'S COMMITMENT

Since ICT's inception in 1998, the college's vision is to be a premier tertiary-level education institution with its commitment for excellence via exemplary work quality and culture.

According to Siti Mazenah, who had served as the USM Registrar, the college is unwavering in implementing its social obligations towards human capital development.

"From my years in the academic field, I have witnessed the gap between the brilliant and average performers. For those who have good results, usually there would be no problems in getting a place in the universities but what about students who have average results?

"They (average performers) appeared lost. Hence, we need to show them a way to pursue higher education," she said.

Siti Mazenah said ICT's academic staff would go to the field regularly to attract school leavers to attend English language classes at the college for three months.

"While attending the English Language class, we would fire their spirit to learn as high as possible as academic excellence would change their life and that of their family as well," she said.

CHILDREN OF FARMERS, LABOURERS

Siti Mazenah said 80 per cent of ICT students are Malays who were from the rural areas of Pulau Pinang, Kedah, Perlis and south Perak, most of them being the children of farmers and labourers.

According to the 65-year-old Siti Mazenah, she always reminded the ICT students on the sacrifice made by their parents and the occasion they spend at the college is the time to 'reimburse' the sacrifices made.

"This is the time to repay their parents' sacrifices by studying very hard for them to have better future," she said, adding that apart from having students from the Peninsula's north, ICT also admits students from other states including Sabah and Sarawak.

COURSES OFFERED

Each year, ICT admits between 600 and 700 new students and among the courses that the college offers are those in the business management, information technology, accounting, human resources management and entrepreneurship.

ICT also collaborates with Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) for its diploma programmes like that in science as well as business and communication studies. The college also has a tie-up with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) for its bachelor's degree courses in management and pharmacy.

For short-term programmes, ICT offers various courses like English Language, Executive Development, Marketing, Computer Application and Information Technology.

According to Siti Mazenah almost all of the ICT's students receive funding from either MARA or National High Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) while for those who are unable to get the funding, they could negotiate with the MARA Education Foundation.

"Hence, there is no problem studying here. The students need only to come and study," she said with a smile.

10-YEAR PLAN

Siti Mazenah said ICT has laid out various programmes to boost the college's academic fineness over the next 10 years.

"Our previous focus was on management and health science including pharmacy. The next focus on health sciences is nursing and dietetic.

"Within the next 10 years, we hope to offer more degree programmes. I am in the midst of negotiations with Asia-e University (Kuala Lumpur) for e-learning programmes like the Master's in Business Administration (MBA)," she said.

With the e-learning programmes, expected to commence either this February or June, Siti Mazenah hopes more ICT students would go for the degree programmes.

"For the time being, only half of the diploma-level students pursue the degree programmes. The main reason is that they wish to work early to help their family.

"With the Asia-e University programmes, they could both work and study through the e-learning," she said.

MORE PLANS

Siti Mazenah said ICT plans to expand its English Language course.

"At this college, the focus is on the English Language and every Monday and Wednesday all students are required to speak in that language. It appears effective.

"We need to have more avenues to improve the students' command of English for their own good particularly upon moving into the job sector," she said, adding that ICT plans to have collaboration with universities in Australia and United Kingdom either by sending students there or having twinning programmes.

The ICT has signed a memorandum of understanding with Kuala Lumpur University for the university to send 100 students from Africa including Botswana to attend the one-year basic course at the college.

"They would be our first batch of foreign students," she said.

UNIVERSITY STATUS

Siti Mazenah said ICT hopes to be upgraded into a university college within the next 10 years.

"With the upgrading, we would have our own degree programmes as compared to that franchised by other universities," she said.

The college also plans to boost its student population by taking up to 4,000 to 5,000 students.

"For now, the ICT campus is able to accommodate only 1,500 students. To have more students, the college administrators need to provide more lecture rooms, hostels and other facilities," said Siti Mazenah, adding that high-rise buildings would have to be constructed to replace some of the existing chalet-like premises.

At the moment the college has an academic staff of 45 where 44 of them are full-time lecturers. More than half of these lecturers have the Master's qualification while three are PhD holders.

She said the college has achieved its first 10-year objective and is striving towards having a curriculum that meets the industry and nation's needs.

PERSONAL SATISFACTION

For Siti Mazenah, nothing satisfied her more other than seeing the ICT graduates queueing up proudly to receive their respective scrolls on convocation day.

She was also touched when parents of the graduates came to thank her personally.

Siti Mazenah said she also received 'Thank You' cards from the ICT graduates who found employment.

"That was very touching. At least we have managed to extricate these children from the poverty cocoon and their success proved that those from the rural areas could succeed if given the chance.

"ICT would continue to implement its social obligations for the benefit of the society and Malays," she added.

-- BERNAMA

New Era College senate head punched while giving speech


KAJANG: What started out as a happy event turned chaotic at the New Era College convocation.

A man went up to the stage as college senate chairman Dr Yap Sin Tian was giving a speech and punched him in the face in front of 500 people, including students, parents and guests.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2009/1/12/nation/n_p15YapSin.jpg
Helping hand: Dr Yap being helped to stop his nosebleed after he was punched yesterday.

However, the attacker managed to flee the scene.

Dr Yap, who is Dong Zong (the United Chinese School Committees Association of Malaysia) president, was ushered to a seat with a fractured cheekbone and nose. An ambulance arrived later to send him to the Kajang Specialist Hospital.

College principal Mok Soon Choong took over the podium to continue the speech and calmed the situation.

Witnesses said the attacker wore a shirt used by members of a fund-raising event in the college. The man has been identified as a former college graduate.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2009/1/12/nation/n_p15yap_combo.jpg
Attack sequence: Stills taken by 8TV showing the man punching Dr Yap while he was delivering his speech during the convocation yesterday.

Dong Jiao Zong Education Centre directors, who were seated near the stage, tried to catch him but he managed to escape.

It is unclear if the attack is linked to an ongoing squabble between Dr Yap and the college’s former principal Dr Kua Kia Soong.

Dr Yap had supported Dong Zong when it did not extend Dr Kua’s contract which expired in December.

The Dong Jiao Zong has made a police report on the attack.

College officials said they would conduct their own investigation.

In Penang, MCA vice-president Datuk Liow Tiong Lai expressed regret over the attack.

“It is sad to see such an incident happening in an educational body. Any problem should be settled without the use of violence,” he said.

http://www.nst.com.my/Monday/Frontpage/2450355/insidepix1

Temasek labur RM850j projek hartanah

KUALA LUMPUR 11 Jan. - Temasek Gains Sdn. Bhd. (Temasek), syarikat pemaju milik bumiputera akan memulakan pembinaan rumah kos sederhana dan kolej berjumlah RM850 juta di Melaka, Langkawi dan Negeri Sembilan.

Pengerusi Eksekutif dan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutifnya, Datuk Seri Shamsudin Md. Saad berkata, syarikat tersebut memberikan tumpuan terhadap projek-projek sedemikian dengan mengambil kira keadaan semasa.

''Berbanding hartanah yang bernilai tinggi, rumah kediaman kos sederhana atau lain-lain jenis rumah mampu milik lebih senang dijual pada waktu ini. Sebab itu kami juga tidak terlalu menumpukan kerja-kerja pembinaan pada produk bernilai tinggi,'' katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia baru-baru ini.

Jelasnya, pembinaan di Melaka membabitkan 90 unit rumah banglo berkos sederhana yang berjumlah RM70 juta yang akan dimulakan pada Februari ini dan dijangka siap pada tahun 2011.

Di Langkawi pula, Shamsudin memberitahu, pembinaan akan membabitkan empat fasa di atas kawasan seluas 202.34 hektar.

Fasa pertama melibatkan pembinaan membabitkan pembinaan sebanyak 256 unit rumah mampu milik bernilai RM80 juta manakala fasa kedua pula merupakan pembinaan Kolej Asasi Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) yang terletak berhampiran lapangan terbang.

Fasa ketiga dan keempat pula akan membabitkan pembinaan rumah kediaman kos sederhana dan bernilai tinggi bagi pasaran tempatan serta Program Malaysia Rumah Kedua Ku (MM2H).

Projek pembangunan di Langkawi ini akan mengambil masa tiga tahun dan dijangka siap sepenuhnya pada tahun 2012.

Selain daripada kolej asasi itu, syarikat pembinaan itu juga bakal membina sebuah lagi kolej di Sendayan, Negeri Sembilan.

Institut Teknikal Korea-Malaysia (KMTI) bernilai RM300 juta di atas tanah seluas 50 ekar itu hanya menunggu kelulusan Inisiatif Pembiayaan Swasta (PFI) daripada Kementerian Kewangan dan kerja-kerja pembinaan akan dimulakan sebaik sahaja kelulusan diterima.

Education industry expected to remain positive this year
By ELAINE ANG

http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2009/1/12/business/p1-studentscht.JPG

PETALING JAYA: Meg Tan, who has always dreamt of studying overseas, has had her dreams dashed by the current economic downturn.

After completing her Cambridge A-levels in a local private university college, she was looking forward to pursuing an accounting and finance degree in Britain.

Her parents, however, have decided for her to continue her studies locally instead – via a twinning or an external degree programme – to save costs.

“It is the prudent thing to do. We do not know how long the economic downturn will last and whether our jobs will be affected. We can always send her overseas for her last year if finances permit.


“The degree programmes in the private colleges here are pretty flexible in this aspect and our financial burden will be eased substantially as we save more than half of what we need to spend if we send her to Britain,” says Meg’s father Paul Tan.

With more families tightening their purse strings and letting their children study locally rather than abroad to save costs, the outlook for the private higher education industry is expected to remain positive this year, say industry players.

The Malaysian Association of Private Colleges and Universities (Macpu) executive secretary Ko Kim Hooi says the current economic downturn can be an incentive for students to look at twinning and external programmes as cheaper alternatives.

“The education industry is seen as a recession-proof industry as education is a necessity, so the outlook is still good for us.

“During the 1997/98 financial crisis, the local private higher education industry came up with various twinning programmes to help students save costs and this move boosted business as well,” he tells StarBiz.

Ko says more students studying locally will also help the country save on foreign exchange.

According to Monash University Sunway Campus pro vice-chancellor and president (Malaysia) Prof Robin Pollard, the university is showing above-normal application rates.

http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2009/1/12/business/b_p1taylor.jpg
An artist's impression of Taylor's University College Lakeside campus

“So it appears as though some people prefer to study at home rather than face an uncertain future with higher cost commitments by going overseas,” he says.

Some may also decide to further their education rather than enter an uncertain job market, thus leading to a rise in enrolment even in a declining economy, adds Pollard.

“Of course, the hope is that when the economy improves, the additional learning will lead to benefits,” he says.

Moreover, most parents would have set aside education funds for their children since birth as education is an investment for the future.

“Most in the affluent market who can afford to send their children overseas, would have pre-planned and allocated money for their children’s education,” says Taylor’s University College vice-chancellor Professor Hassan Said.

He adds that Taylor’s has a strong line-up of new programmes in the pipeline for students, in addition to its own degrees such as engineering and architecture.

Taylor’s, which is one of the largest pre-university centres in Malaysia, providing British, Australian and Canadian education. has about 10,500 students this year, of which 18% to 20% are foreigners.

Vinayaka Missions University pro-chancellor Dr S. Sharavanan believes it is unlikely the economic slowdown will affect the higher education scenario, especially for bigger institutions offering professional programmes.

“As an investor, we see long-term prospects in the education sector in Malaysia beyond the current and anticipated economic slowdown,” he says.

An additional advantage of the economic slowdown can be an influx of foreign students into the country as Malaysia is seen as a relatively cheaper education hub compared with Britain, Australia and Singapore.

Currently, Malaysia has some 63,000 foreign students.

Very few education providers are listed on the local stock exchange. They are HELP International Corp Bhd, SEG International Bhd (SEGi) and Stamford College Bhd.

HELP International scored top marks for the financial year ended Oct 31, 2008 (FY08) with net profit jumping 22% to RM11.8mil compared with FY07.

SEGi’s financials also showed a marked improvement as net profit doubled to RM6.98mil for the nine months ended Sept 30 versus the previous corresponding period. Earnings were boosted by a gain from the disposal of a property in Kota Damansara, Selangor.

Upcoming campuses


THE economic slowdown has not put a spanner in the works for education providers who are still going ahead with their expansion plans. Some upcoming campuses include:

Taylor’s University College

Taylor’s is investing a total of RM450mil in its Lakeside Campus in Subang Jaya.

Investment for the first phase is RM256mil. The new campus will cover 27 acres with a 5.5-acre lake as the centrepiece. The targeted completion of the first phase is July this year.

The group aims to start operating in the new campus in January 2010.

Phase One will have a capacity of 4,000 students. Upon completion, the campus will be able to house about 7,000 students.

Facilities planned include a five-storey administration block, a three-storey multi-purpose hall and auditorium, a four-storey library, three 10-storey academic blocks, a hostel (1,000 beds) and a commercial block.

HELP International Corp Bhd

Its new Subang 2 campus on 23.3 acres is scheduled for completion in 2011/2012.

The campus is estimated to cost between RM60mil and RM70mil and will be financed via internal funds.

Student capacity is said to be 12,000-13,000.

The campus will constitute a graduate school, convention centre, chancellory building, recreation centre among others. Some 3,000 to 4,000 car park bays will also be built.

Its third campus in Fraser Business Park, Kuala Lumpur, is set to begin operations in 2009/2010 and will cater mainly for professional courses. Upon completion of both campuses, HELP will have a total four campuses in the Klang Valley.

Vinayaka Missions University (VMU)

The Indian education group has earmarked RM220mil to be invested in various education-based projects in Malaysia up to 2015.

Its RM25mil Surya College, a specialty institute offering programmes in allied health sciences, will start in the first quarter of the year.

It is planning to establish a branch campus in Iskandar Malaysia. The RM100mil campus will offer engineering, technology and management courses. Another RM40mil will be for education-related ventures in Penang.

The group has already started Phase One of the RM55mil Penang International Dental College, which offers the Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree. Enrolment has surpassed expectations.

Universiti Al-Madinah tawar pengajian secara maya

Oleh SITI MAISARAH SHEIKH ABDUL RAHIM

CYBERJAYA 14 Jan. - Universiti Antarabangsa Al-Madinah menjadi universiti Islam pertama di dunia yang menawarkan pengajian secara maya bagi memberi kemudahan kepada pelajar tanpa perlu menghadiri kelas.

Timbalan Rektor Akademik universiti itu, Dr. Ashraf Md. Hashim berkata, konsep pengajian seperti itu membolehkan pelajarnya mengikuti kuliah di luar kampus menggunakan persidangan video bersama pensyarah.

''Menerusi pengajian maya ini, walaupun pelajar tidak berada dalam kuliah, pensyarah dapat memantau pelajar mereka apabila pelajar dikehendaki mencatat kehadiran secara digital.

''Para pelajar juga boleh berurusan dengan perpustakaan universiti seperti meminjam buku secara dalam talian," katanya kepada pemberita selepas mengiringi Penasihat kepada Raja Arab Saudi, Putera Bandar Salman Al-Saud merangkap Presiden universiti itu melawat tapak pembinaan kampus utama di Cyberjaya yang berkeluasan 100 hektar di sini hari ini.

Universiti Antarabangsa Al-Madinah yang kini beroperasi di Plaza Marsalam, Shah Alam sejak tahun 2006 akan dipindahkan ke kampus baru itu yang akan bertindak sebagai ibu pejabat utama universiti itu berdasarkan kecanggihan teknologi di negara ini.

Sehingga kini, universiti itu mempunyai 10 cawangan di seluruh dunia termasuk England, Indonesia, Thailand dan Kuwait

Kampus baru universiti itu yang mengambil masa empat tahun pembinaannya bakal memuatkan seramai 5,000 pelajar dari 39 buah negara seluruh dunia untuk setiap pengambilan.

Dalam pada itu, Ashraf berkata, kursus pengajian universiti itu adalah berasaskan Sains Islam sepenuhnya selaras dengan tujuan penubuhannya untuk memartabatkan Islam sebagai asas pendidikan utama.

''Para pelajar di sini berpeluang menuntut ilmu daripada pensyarah yang didatangkan khas dari Madinah untuk memberi pendedahan ilmu agama dari tanah suci itu," katanya.

Menurut Ashraf, universiti itu kini mempunyai seramai 40 pensyarah dari Madinah serta 50 pensyarah dari negara lain termasuk Malaysia dan Indonesia.

''Pada tahun depan kita menyasarkan untuk mengambil pensyarah terbaik dari United Kingdom khusus untuk pengajian teknologi maklumat," katanya.

Kampus tetap MEDIU di Malaysia siap 2013
http://www.mediu.edu.my/


DR BANDAR SALMAN (tiga dari kiri) mendengar penjelasan Rashid ketika melawat tapak kampus MEDIU di Cyberjaya, semalam.

CYBERJAYA: Kampus tetap sebuah lagi universiti Islam di negara ini, Universiti Antarabangsa al-Madinah (MEDIU), di sini dijangka siap dalam tempoh empat tahun dengan pengambilan pertama seramai 5,000 pelajar.

Kampus itu yang dibina di atas tapak seluas 400 hektar bakal menjadi hab pendidikan dunia yang akan menyaksikan kemasukan lebih ramai pelajar antarabangsa ke negara ini.

Timbalan Rektor Hal Ehwal Akademik MEDIU, Prof Dr Ashraf Mohd Hashim, berkata lawatan Penasihat Raja Abdullah Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Putera Dr Bandar Salman Muhammad al-Saud ke tapak pembinaan kampus dan meninjau kemudahan yang ada di sekitar Cyberjaya mendapat reaksi positif.

“Selepas ini pelajar tidak perlu lagi berasa rendah diri kerana mempunyai kampus utama. Sebelum ini mereka belajar secara online,” katanya ketika ditemui selepas Dr Bandar Salman dan ahli rombongannya melawat tapak cadangan kampus utama MEDIU di sini, semalam.

Taklimat pembangunan kampus itu dikendalikan Pengurus Besar Pembangunan Perniagaan dan Perancangan Cyberview Sdn Bhd, Rashid Mat.

Difahamkan, pembinaan akan bermula penghujung tahun ini menggunakan dana wakaf universiti berkenaan. Pembinaan kampus berkenaan turut meliputi sebuah masjid untuk kegunaan pelajar dan penduduk sekitar Cyberjaya.

Dr Bandar Salman juga adalah Pengerusi Ahli Majlis MEDIU dan turut mempengerusikan mesyuarat ahli majlis universiti itu kelmarin.

Beliau yang dalam lawatan empat hari ke negara ini turut mengadakan pertemuan dengan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, di Bangunan Perdana Putra di Putrajaya, petang semalam.

Ketika ini, MEDIU berpusat di Shah Alam mempunyai 1,265 pelajar mengikuti pengajian dalam pelbagai bidang seperti Ijazah Sains Islam (Kepujian) Fekah dan Usul Fekah, Ijazah Sains Islam (Kepujian) al-Hadith, Sains al-Quran, Dakwah dan Usuluddin, Bahasa dan Kesusasteraan Arab dan Teknologi Maklumat.

Ashraf berkata, seramai 90 peratus pelajar MEDIU ialah warga asing dari 39 negara kerana teknik pembelajaran dan pengajaran adalah secara online.

“Di kampus utama di Cyberjaya nanti pelajar boleh menggunakan kemudahan seperti makmal dengan lebih selesa. Lulusan dan graduan MEDIU juga diiktiraf Agensi Kelayakan Malaysia (MQA),” katanya.

Beliau berkata, menjelang 2010, pengurusan MEDIU akan membawa masuk tenaga pengajar terbaik di dunia untuk setiap bidang yang ditawarkan universiti berkenaan.

Khaled gembira UMS tubuh pusat pengajian perubatan desa
18/01/2009 6:44pm


KUDAT 18 Jan. — Menteri Pengajian Tinggi, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin berkata, Pusat Pendidikan Perubatan Desa (PPPD) yang ditubuhkan oleh Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) akan membantu kerajaan melahirkan kira-kira 56,000 doktor menjelang 2020.

Sehubungan itu, beliau meminta Institut Pengajian Tinggi Awam (IPTA) yang lain terutama yang menawarkan kursus perubatan supaya turut menubuhkan PPPD.

“Konsep PPPD UMS ini amat baik kerana ia turut meningkatkan kesedaran pelajar perubatan untuk berkhidmat di kawasan pedalaman,” katanya kepada pemberita selepas merasmikan PPPD UMS di Sikuati, kira-kira 20km dari Pekan Kudat, hari ini. - Bernama

Move to lure China and HK varsities to Malaysia
By CELESTE FONG


BEIJING: A move is being made to get one of the top three universities in China to set up a branch campus in Malaysia, said MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat.

He said a similar effort was also being made to court the top three universities in Hong Kong.

Ong added that the move was made by certain parties in the private sector as part of the plan to boost Johor’s development region of Iskandar Malaysia.

“There has never been such a precedent (for China to set up a branch campus abroad).

“The suggestion is significantly meaningful. The relevant parties are laying the groundwork for this,” he added.

Ong was speaking at a press conference after paying a courtesy call on Wang Jiarui, the head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee yesterday.

Ong is leading a high-powered

government and private delegation, which includes heavyweights like former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin and prominent businessman Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Shah Syed Nor Al-Bukhary, on a six-day visit to China.

Ong said the setting up of branch campuses could only be done at Malaysia’s invitation.

Reliable source said Syed Mokhtar would be one of the major players in luring the Chinese universities to Johor.

Other foreign universities with branches in Malaysia are Australia’s Monash University in Petaling Jaya, Curtin University of Technology in Miri and Britain’s Nottingham University in Semenyih.

Newcastle University recently accepted an invitation to set up a campus in Iskandar Malaysia.

Record-setting campus election at UTM


JOHOR BARU: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) set a record with the highest number of voter turnout in the campus election.

A total of 16,392 (90.57%) students cast their votes at its campuses in Kuala Lumpur and Skudai here last Tuesday.

All the representatives for the 10 faculties and students union were elected in a smooth and peaceful environment.

This year’s election also saw a tough fight between the students with 23 undergraduates competing for the 10 positions in the students’ union.

UTM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Zaini Ujang said the university recorded an average of 70% voter turnout in the previous elections.

He said Computer Science and Information Technology had the highest number of votes, which is 96.86% followed by Public Engineering (95.2%).

Dr Zaini said he hoped the new union line-up would be more aware of the international issues, apart from fighting for the benefits and welfare of the students.

“I hope to see more involvement from them, such as writing to the United Nation to express their concerns and views on the Palestine problem.

“I also hope that they would foster closer ties with unions of other universities locally and globally to exchange views and ideas,’’ he said.

Dr Zaini said some of the students who were on their practical training were unable to cast their votes.

“We are looking into the possibility of an electronic voting system for those on practical training in the future,’’ he said.

UTM campus election committee chairman Prof Dr Alias Mohd Noor said that for the first time, the university recorded zero poster tearing incidents throughout the election.

“This is a good sign. It shows that our students are mature and disiplined,’’ he said.

He said the new exco of the students union would be formed within a week.

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/96786

Pro-Aspirasi tewas di UM

Jimadie Shah Othman & Abdul Rahim Sabri | Jan 20, 09 10:38am
Dikemaskini Kumpulan pro-Aspirasi yang condong kepada kerajaan, gagal mempertahankan penguasaannya di Universiti Malaya apabila tewas kepada kumpulan pro-Mahasiswa dan calon bebas dalam pilihanraya kampus semalam.

Kumpulan pro-establishment itu hanya mendapat 20 kerusi daripada 41 kerusi yang dipertandingkan.

Manakala kumpulan pro-Mahasiswa memenangi 19 kerusi dan dua kerusi lagi dimenangi oleh calon bebas.

Kekalahan tipis kumpulan pro-Aspirasi itu diumumkan oleh Timbalan Naib Canselor (Hal Ehwal Pelajar dan Alumni UM), Prof Madya Datuk Dr Azarae Idris pada jam 3.30 pagi di Dewan Tunku Canselor (DTC) di UM.

Dalam pilihanraya kampus lalu, pro-Mahasiswa memenangi 11 daripada 41 kerusi.

Dan dalam pilihanraya kampus semalam, kumpulan yang dianggap anti-establishment itu berjaya menambah lapan lagi kerusi.

Kerusi umum

Kumpulan tersebut menang lapan daripada sembilan kerusi umum dan 13 daripada 32 kerusi fakulti. Calon bebas memenangi dua kerusi fakulti.

Lapan calon pro-Mahasiswa yang menang kerusi umum ialah:

Mohamad Hafiz Ilyas.

Ahmad Syazwan Mohd Hassan.

Mohamad Ridzuan Mohammad.

Nurul Fitrah Mohd Ariffin Marican.

Chong Yah Huei.

Shah Rizul Ayuni Zulkiply.

Low Yu Jie.

Yap Zhehn Jun.

Manakala satu lagi kerusi umum dimenangi oleh calon pro-Aspirasi.

Peratusan merosot

Menurut keputusan yang diumumkan semalam, Mohamad Hafiz mendapat 5,999 undi, Ahmad Syazwan (5,886), Mohamad RIdzuan (5,474), Nurul Fitrah (5,425), Chong (5,041), Shah Rizul Ayuni (5,000), Low (4,847 dan Yap mendapat 4,683 undi.

Bagi kerusi fakulti pula, calon pro-Mahasiswa menang dua kerusi Fakulti Pengajian Melayu (2), Akademi Pengajian Islam (2) dan masing-masing satu kerusi di Fakulti Perubatan, Fakulti Pergigian, Fakulti Perakaunan dan Perniagaan, Fakulti Pendidikan, Fakulti Sains, Fakulti Bahasa dan Linguistik dan Pusat Kebudayaan.

Calon bebas pula memangi dua kerusi di Fakulti Undang-undang.

Bagaimanapun, peratusan keluar mengundi merosot kepada 69 peratus pada sesi pemilihan kali ini.

Pengerusi pro-Mahasiswa Norazali Zainuddin ketika dihubungi mengesahkan kemenangan kumpulannya itu.

Menurutnya, kemenangan tersebut tidak diijangkakan. Kali terakhir pro-Mahasiswa UM memenangi pilihanraya kampus ialah pada 2004.

Ketika dihubungi Malaysiakini, Norazali menyifatkan kemenangan itu sebagai "angin perubahan" yang sedang melanda universiti itu.

"Kemenangan pro-Mahasiswa kali ini begitu simbolik. Barrack Obama masuk Rumah Putih pada 20 Januari, kita menang pada (pun) pada 20 Januari," kata Norazali.

Pro-Mahasiswa sesi ini mengitar semula tema dan slogan kempen Barrack Obama dalam kempen pilihanraya presiden Amerika Syarikat tahun lepas, Hope and Change dan Change, yes we can.

Norazali bagaimanapun mengakui, situasi pilihanraya kampus di UM lebih bebas berbanding universiti lain. Oleh itu, katanya, ianya membolehkan kempen dilakukan dengan lebih berkesan.

Prose pengiraan undi

Proses pengiraan undi di Universiti Malaya (UM) semalam panas apa kedua-dua kumpulan - pro-Mahasiswa dan Penggerak Mahasiswa - masing-masing saling melaungkan-laungkan kata-kata semangat, malam tadi.

Kira-kira 250 pelajar pro-Mahasiswa berpakaian oren berkumpul berhadapan dengan bangunan Canselori yang terletak di sebelah kiri Dewan Tunku Canselor (DTC) - tempat pengiraan undi dijalankan.

Sebelum itu, pelajar pro M berkumpul untuk mengadakan solat hajat dan Isyak berjemaah. Mereka juga tutut membawa bendera Pro-M dan melilit kepala dengan lilitan berwarna kuning tertulis ‘Pro-Mahasiswa'.

Manakala kira-kira 150 pelajar Penggerak Mahasiswa berpakaian serba hitam berkumpul di sebelah kanan dewan tersebut.

Kedua-dua kumpulan membawa kain rentang masing-masing sambil diperhatikan kira-kira 30 wartawan dan jurugambar yang berada di situ.

Kedua-dua penyokong kumpulan tersebut dipisahkan dengan jarak kira-kira 15 meter dan dikawal oleh Sukarelawan Polis UM (Suksis) kira-kira 50 orang sebelum kedua-dua menghampiri pintu masuk utama DTC kira-kira jam 10.30 malam.

Suasana panas

Kedua-dua kumpulan saling berteriakan. Pro-Mahasiswa berteriak ‘Hope and Change, Yes We Can', ‘Hancur, hancur, hancur rasuah' dan ‘Student Power' beberapa kali.

Dalam masa yang sama Penggerak Mahasiswa membalas dengan laungan ‘Fitnah, fitnah, fitnah rasuah', ‘Hidup, hidup, hidup perpaduan' dan ‘sayang, sayang, sayang perpaduan' beberapa kali.

Keadaan menjadi lebih panas, apabila seorang aktivis Penggerak Mahasiswa melaungkan kata-kata berunsur provokasi terhadap pro-Mahasiswa.

Kata-kata tersebut disambut oleh penyokongnya dengan sorakan dan tiupan wisel.

Kemudian pro-Mahasiswa melaungkan ‘Gerak, Gerak, Gerak Rasuah' sambil menunjukan duit kertas RM 10 ringgit kepada Penggerak.

Pilihanraya kampus yang berlangsung semalam mempertandingkan 41 kerusi - 9 kerusi umum dan 32 kerusi fakulti.

Sesi lalu, pro-Mahasiswa menguasai 11 daripada 41 kerusi yang dipertandingkan.

Sebelum ini, pilihanraya kampus Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) dan Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) menyaksikan kumpulan pro-Aspirasi berjaya mengekalkan penguasaan mereka.

Manakala pilihanraya kampus bagi Universiti Islam Antarabangsa (UIA) akan berlangsung Khamis depan. Sebelum ini, pemilihan itu dijadualkan Isnin lalu, tetapi terpaksa ditangguhkan kerana masalah gangguan bekalan air.

UIA dikuasai pro-Mahasiswa yang anti-establishmen sejak dua tahun lalu.

USM will have country’s first nuclear pharmacy


GEORGE TOWN: After being conferred the nation’s only Apex (Accelerated Programme for Excellence) varsity, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) will again make history when the country’s first Nuclear Pharmacy Centre is set up.

The ambitious project is already in the planning phase.

It would be a collaboration between Japanese company Sumimoto and USM, its School of Pharmaceutical Sciences dean Assoc Prof Dr Syed Azhar Syed Sulaiman told a press conference at the university yesterday.

“The centre could even serve as a nuclear pharmacy hub catering to institutions and hospitals in the Asean region,” he said.

He added that despite cancer fast becoming the second highest cause of death in the country, there is no centre that is fully equipped to address the diagnosis and treatment of cancer using nuclear-based pharmaceutical products.

“It will cost more than RM30mil to set up the centre and we have already purchased a machine related to cancer treatment,” he said.

USM bakal miliki pusat farmasi nuklear

Oleh ZAKI SALLEH
zaki.salleh@kosmo.com.my



http://www.kosmo.com.my/kosmo/pix/2009/0121/Kosmo/Negara/ne_11.2.jpg

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

GEORGE TOWN - Negara bakal melangkah ke hadapan dalam bidang sains kesihatan dengan adanya pusat farmasi nuklear tidak lama lagi.

Ia akan menjadi kenyataan berikutan kesediaan konglomerat Jepun, Sumitomo Corporation menjalinkan kerjasama strategik dengan Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) untuk menubuhkan pusat tersebut di kampusnya di sini.

Dekannya, Profesor Madya Dr. Syed Azhar Syed Sulaiman memberitahu, kerjasama tersebut bakal dilaksanakan secara berperingkat-peringkat termasuk persediaan prasarana dan tenaga pakar.

Menurut beliau, teknologi farmasi nuklear begitu meluas digunakan khususnya dalam mengesan dan merawat penyakit kanser tetapi kosnya amat tinggi jika dilakukan di luar negara.

"Sebagai contoh, tahun lalu kita membelanjakan kira-kira RM33 juta untuk membeli peralatan untuk rawatan kanser dari luar negara dan kosnya semakin meningkat.

"Dengan adanya pusat ini nanti, kita berupaya menyediakan rawatan pada kos lebih rendah dan yang lebih penting ia mampu menjalankan penyelidikan sendiri tanpa bergantung kepada sumber luar," katanya semalam.

Philippines, Brunei Refer To Malaysia's Success Stories
January 22, 2009 21:00 PM

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 22 (Bernama) -- The success of Malaysia's education system will be used as reference by the Philippines and Brunei in empowering their education systems, Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said today.

He said the success of the system had also drawn the Philippines' and Brunei's attention to enhance their bilateral relations with Malaysia.

For example, he said Malaysia's success story on the Islamic Education had encouraged Philippine Education Minister Datu (rpt Datu) Dr Jesli A. Lapus to give priority to the subject in the bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

"For a start, the Education Ministry of Philippines will send a group of educational researchers and experts to our country soon to conduct a study on our Islamic education system," he said in a statement, here, today.

He said the cooperation will also pave the way for an official memorandum of understanding (MoU) to be signed between the two countries later.

Hishammuddin said this following his official visit to the Philippines and Brunei in his capacity as the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organisation (Seameo) President, from Jan 18 to 21.

Meanwhile, Brunei Education Minister, Pehin Dato Abdul Rahman Taib also pledged his commitment to upgrade cooperation and venture into other educational aspects for mutual benefits.

"Brunei has agreed to collaborate with Malaysia in several fields like the technical and vocational, Malay language, co-curriculum, teaching of science and mathematics in English and expanding the school-based assessment system," he said.

-- BERNAMA

USM has become an ideal nesting ground for the Brahminy Kite
Monday January 26, 2009
By ANN TAN

THE conducive environment at the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) campus in Penang has provided a sui-table breeding ground for the Brahminy Kite .

Four nests of the sedentary raptor have been spotted in the campus over the last two months compared with one or two nests in the past.

Three of the nests were found on the Araucaria (a coniferous tree) while the other was on a Casuarina tree.

They were spotted by lecturer Mohamed Hifni Baharuddin from the university’s School of Biological Sciences.

Mohamed Hifni is also the school’s environmental and aquatic biology programme chairman.

He said the campus had been a breeding ground for the non-migratory bird for over the past 20 years but only one or two nests were found.

“This is the first time we’ve spotted so many nests.

“It proves that the university, as a garden campus, meets the welfare factors of the Brahminy Kite,” he told a press conference on Friday.

Mohamed Hifni said the presence of tall trees in the university and continuous good maintenance of the ecosystem in the campus were factors attracting the eagle to nest.

“Although the small patches of forest within USM are secondary, they are kept in a pristine condition,” he said.

He added that although the nesting pe-riod of the Brahminy Kite was usually between December and March, it was expected to last until May this year.

Mohamed Hifni said the bird was currently not under threat in Malaysia but it was rapidly becoming rare due to development and pollution.

“We’ll be fencing up the trees where they are nesting to protect the bird,” he added.

The bird is also known as the Red-backed Sea-eagle.

UMP signs deals with six foreign varsities
Wednesday January 28, 2009

KUANTAN: Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) has signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with six foreign universities in a concrete step to foster closer educational cooperation.

Two of the universities are from Egypt (MISR University for Science and Technology (MUST) and Alexandria University (AU)) and the rest from Ireland (Institute of Technology Carlow (ITC), Institute of Technology Tallaght (ITT), Dundalk Institute of Technology (DIT) and Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT)).

UMP board chairman Datuk Mohd Hilmey Mohd Taib said he hoped the agreements would not be limited to bilateral efforts between UMP and the individual institutions but also develop into multi-lateral efforts between the participating institutions. He also said internationalisation in higher education has become an increasingly important issue today.

UMP Vice-Chancellor Dr Daing Nasir Ibrahim said the Irish institutions were known to have formed good links with industries, while MUST and AU had unconventional engineering approaches.

Kist dinaik taraf kolej universiti tahun depan
Oleh Haspaizi Mohd Zain
bhkb@bharian.com.my
Institusi mampu penuhi kriteria ditetapkan kementerian

KOTA BHARU: Kolej Islam Sains dan Teknologi (Kist) bersedia untuk dinaikkan taraf sebagai kolej universiti berdasarkan keupayaannya memenuhi segala kriteria ditetapkan Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi.

Naib Presiden Akademik, Penyelidikan Inovasi dan Pengantarabangsaan Kist, Dr Mohd Azman Abu Bakar, berkata kolej itu dijangka dinaikkan taraf sebagai kolej universiti menjelang awal tahun depan.

"Kist sudah menyiapkan kertas kerja untuk menaik taraf kolej ini sebagai sebuah kolej universiti dan turut melengkapkan semua kriteria ditetapkan kementerian.

“Antara kriteria ditetapkan termasuk kelengkapan serta kemudahan kolej dan bilangan pensyarah memiliki ijazah ketiga, ini adalah antara penilaian yang membolehkan Kist dilonjakkan sebagai kolej universiti," katanya.

Beliau memberitahu pemberita demikian selepas program Continuous Medical Education (CME), anjuran Jabatan Radiografi Diagnostik Kist, di sini, kelmarin.

Program yang membincangkan isu keselamatan sinaran, pengurusan dan mengemas kini maklumat dalam bidang pengimejan perubatan itu dirasmikan Pengarah Kesihatan Perak, Datuk Ahmad Razin Ahmad Mahir.

Ahmad Razin berkata, program sehari membabitkan seramai 80 peserta dari seluruh negara itu bertujuan memberi pendedahan dan maklumat terkini dalam bidang berkenaan.

"Program yang dijalankan kolej ini sangat baik dan adalah permulaan kepada pembangunan Radiografi Diagnostik. Ini adalah contoh yang perlu diikuti oleh kolej kesihatan lain.

"Bagi saya, Kist adalah sebuah kolej yang menekankan kepada usaha melahirkan tenaga kerja profesional dan pada masa sama memberi penekanan terhadap ilmu agama," katanya.

Beliau berkata, Kist juga sebuah kolej universiti Bumiputera yang mempunyai keupayaan tersendiri kerana pelajar lepasan kolej itu mudah mendapat peluang pekerjaan di hospital swasta dan kerajaan di negara in

UMP lecturer secures South Korean award
Monday February 2, 2009
By ROSLINA MOHAMAD

KUANTAN: Abdul Syukor Abdul Razak, a lecturer at the Civil Engineering and Natural Resources Faculty of University Malaysia Pahang (UMP), has won the Korean Institute of Patent Information (KIPI) president’s award for a research entitled Integrated Rainwater and Groundwater Harvesting via Wasra in Rural Areas.

He received the award at the Seoul International Invention Fair (SIIF) in South Korea recently.

Wasra is a supply system that provides clean water by combining the collection of rainwater and underground water as an alternative to conventional ways.

The research applies to water systems in rural areas especially in third world countries.

UMP vice-chancellor Datuk Dr Daing Nasir Ibrahim said the university had submitted seven entries by five researchers for the first time to SIIF.

“UMP garnered two gold medals, four silver medals and one bronze.

“Our proudest moment was when Abdul Syukor came home with the president’s award,” he said at a ceremony celebrating the victory at UMP here recently.

He said that all seven research works selected for SIIF had received awards and recognition at various national events.

“They have been processed to obtain patents and have the potential to be developed commercially,” Daing Nasir said.

On the SIIF, Daing Nasir said it was an international invention competition held every two years and the last one attracted more than 500 entries from 34 countries with Malaysia submitting 71.

He hoped the success would spur more UMP researchers to invent products with commercial value. UMP’s other gold medal winner was its deputy vice-chancellor (research and innovation) Prof Dr Rosli Mohd Yunus through his Acousto Cyclo Reactor Scheme for Biodiesel Production from Waste Cooking Oil.

Universiti Apex cabaran USM

Oleh ROKIAH ABDULLAH
utusanpenang@utusan.com.my

PULAU PINANG 2 Feb. - Pengiktirafan Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) sebagai universiti berstatus Program Pemacu Untuk Kecemerlangan (Apex) merupakan cabaran paling besar yang perlu dipikul oleh seluruh warga USM termasuk pensyarah, kakitangan dan pelajarnya.

Naib Canselor Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Tan Sri Dzulkifli Abdul Razak berkata, cabaran tersebut memerlukan komitmen dan kerjasama daripada semua pihak supaya pengiktirafan yang diberikan itu mampu membawa satu contoh terbaik untuk universiti lain pada masa depan.

Katanya, semua warga USM perlu meningkatkan prestasi masing-masing dari segenap bidang supaya mampu bersaing di peringkat global.

''Ia memerlukan pengorbanan dan komitmen tinggi daripada warga USM supaya cita-cita ini tercapai. Perkara ini bukanlah sesuatu yang mudah jika kita semua tidak bekerjasama dan mudah menyerah kalah.

''Persaingan Apex sangat sengit, jika kita gagal merebut peluang ini dengan baik, nescaya, rakan-rakan kita di luar sana yang tidak senang dengan peluang yang kita peroleh akan menempelak. Kegagalan ini bukan sahaja dirasai USM tetapi juga negara. Kita harus berusaha keras supaya perkara ini tidak berlaku," katanya.

Dzulkifli berkata demikian dalam perutusannya sempena Tahun Baru 2009 bertajuk 'Universiti Apex: Satu Tuntutan, Satu Pengorbanan' di Dewan Tuanku Syed Putra di sini hari ini.

Seramai 3,000 warga USM termasuk Pengerusi Lembaga Pengarah USM, Tan Sri Ani Arope hadir pada majlis itu.

Menurut Dzulkifli, tujuh teras utama perlu diguna pakai dalam memacu prestasi universiti setelah dipilih sebagai universiti Apex pertama negara ini.

Katanya, ketujuh-tujuh prinsip tersebut ialah masa hadapan, kelainan, kelestarian, kemanusiaan, kesejagatan, perubahan dan pengorbanan.

Menurutnya, kejayaan USM sebagai sebuah universiti Apex dapat dicapai melalui penghayatan dan pengisian terhadap ketujuh-tujuh prinsip tersebut oleh seluruh warganya.

''Semua pihak harus memahami bahawa prinsip asas pemilihan USM sebagai universiti Apex di bawah Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi ialah disebabkan oleh kesediaannya untuk meneroka masa hadapan berteraskan kepada kelestarian hari esok.

''Ini dilakukan melalui penggemblengan pelbagai sumber dalam satu pasukan yang ingin mendaulatkan ilmu pengetahuan dan nilai intelektual untuk kesejahteraan masyarakat," katanya.

Jelasnya, bagi memenuhi tuntutan masa depan, semua pihak perlu berani melakukan perubahan untuk menghayati dan berpegang teguh kepada nilai-nilai intelek yang berteraskan kepada ilmu pengetahuan.

''Dalam erti kata lain, para mahasiswa misalnya perlu melakukan perubahan dari segi pemikiran dan tindakan serta sanggup melakukan pengorbanan, barulah impian kita untuk berjaya dapat dicapai.

''Mereka juga perlu berfikir dan bertindak secara berbeza daripada orang lain atau berani melahirkan kelainan dalam pemikiran dan tindakan," katanya.

USM sebelum ini dipilih sebagai universiti Apex pertama pada 3 September tahun lalu selepas mengetepikan tiga lagi universiti yang turut disenarai pendek iaitu Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) dan Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).

Universiti Apex ialah pengiktirafan yang diberikan kepada institusi pengajian tinggi tempatan untuk menjadi penanda aras di peringkat dunia dalam bidang pengajian tinggi.

Di bawah program itu, USM disasarkan untuk disenarai dalam ranking 100 universiti terbaik dunia dalam tempoh lima tahun dan ranking 50 terbaik menjelang 2020.

UPNM tawar 800 kekosongan

KUALA LUMPUR 31 Jan. - Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) menawarkan 800 kekosongan peluang belajar untuk diisi oleh pelajar bagi sesi kemasukan Julai tahun ini.

Pegawai Bahagian Pengurusan Akademik UPNM, Rohaya Baharum berkata, kekosongan itu boleh diisi oleh pelajar-pelajar lepasan Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), Matrikulasi dan Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) seluruh negara.

Katanya, UPNM menawarkan 3 program utama bagi pelajar lepasan SPM iaitu program Asasi Kejuruteraan Pertahanan, Asasi Sains dan Teknologi Pertahanan dan Asasi Pengurusan Pertahanan selama setahun di kampus induk di Kem Sungai Besi.

"Selain itu, UPNM juga menawarkan program bagi pelajar lepasan STPM dan Matrikulasi iaitu program Ijazah Sarjana Muda di bawah Fakulti Kejuruteraan, Fakulti Sains dan Teknologi Pertahanan dan Fakulti Pengajian dan Pengurusan Pertahanan bagi tempoh tiga ke empat tahun.

"400 kekosongan akan diisi bagi program Asasi sementara 400 kekosongan lagi akan diisi bagi program Ijazah Sarjana Muda," kataya.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika ditemui Mingguan Malaysia di Ekspo Kerjaya 2009 Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (ATM).

Ekspo yang berlangsung selama tiga hari itu bermula pada 10 pagi sehingga 10 malam dan akan berakhir pada Ahad ini.

Menurut Rohaya, pelajar yang ditawarkan bagi kedua-dua komponen pengajian (Asasi dan Ijazah Sarjana Muda) itu akan dibahagikan kepada dua kategori iaitu sebagai pelajar awam dan kadet.

"Pelajar awam sama statusnya dengan pelajar-pelajar lain di pelbagai universiti tempatan sementara bagi kadet, mereka akan diberi latihan khusus ketenteraan dan bakal bergelar Leftenan dan Kapten bila tamat pengajian dan akan berkhidmat bagi ketiga-tiga cawangan Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (ATM).

"Bagi kadet, mereka akan ditawarkan gaji semasa belajar di UPNM sekitar RM1206.96 sehingga RM1553.04 sebulan sehingga tamat pengajian dan tidak memerlukan pinjaman pelajaran," katanya.

Tambah Rohaya, 80 peratus daripada 800 kekosongan ditawarkan khas untuk kadet bagi kedua-dua program pengajian (Asasi dan Ijazah Sarjana Muda) sementara 20 peratus lagi akan ditawarkan kepada pelajar awam.

TATiUC tawar 9 program ijazah baru
KUALA TERENGGANU 31 Jan. – Kolej Universiti TATI (TATiUC) akan menawarkan sembilan lagi program ijazah baru dalam usaha untuk melahirkan lebih ramai tenaga kerja profesional dalam bidang kejuruteraan, teknologi, sains dan mekatronik di negara ini.

Rektornya, Dr. Mohd. Rozilan Mamat berkata, pihaknya juga akan menawarkan program Sarjana Teknologi Kejuruteraan (Kejuruteraan Mekatronik) secara penyelidikan pada tahun ini di bawah kendalian Pusat Pengajian Ijazah Tinggi bagi menyokong keperluan tenaga kerja yang terlatih dan profesional dalam bidang itu.

“Pihak kita sedang menunggu surat kelulusan menjalankan program tersebut daripada Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi,” katanya kepada pemberita selepas Kejohanan Boling TATiUC bersama media di Terengganu Equestrian Resort (TeR) di sini hari ini.

UMP to develop IT product with six firms
Tuesday February 3, 2009

KUANTAN: UMP Holdings Sdn Bhd, the business arm of Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP), signed a memorandum of understanding with six companies to pave the way for collaboration to develop an information technology-based product.

It was UMP Holdings’ first commercial collaboration with the private sector.

Its chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman said the product, an integrated management system called E-Management Enterprise Solution, was commercialised after it was developed by a UMP lecturers.

“It was developed by a team from the Computer Science and Software Engineering Faculty led by project manager Prof Madya Wan Maseri Wan Mohd,” he told reporters after the signing ceremony at the UMP campus in Gambang here on Thursday.

Also present was UMP vice-chancellor Datuk Dr Daing Nasir Ibrahim.

Abdul Aziz said that more business ventures were expected this year and the university had the right workforce and resources to develop marketable products.

He said that a good response had been received from publicity campaigns at state departments and agencies.

On other business plans, Abdul Aziz said that UMP Holdings would meet Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob to explore the possibility of working on matters pertaining to information technology.

In his speech, Abdul Aziz said the product was a management and administration solutions provider to minimise time and labour costs.

The companies that signed the MoU were Fifway System Sdn Bhd, MH Equal Management Sdn Bhd, Century Software Sdn Bhd, Casa Inovasi Sdn Bhd, Encoral Digital Solution Sdn Bhd and Maxima System Consultant Sdn Bhd.

The E-Management Enterprise Solution received a quality award under the information technology category from the Malaysian Modernisation and Management Planning Unit in 2004.

UTM tampil imej baru

Oleh AZIZI MAJID
azizi.majid@kosmo.com.my


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ZAINI UJANG (kanan) memperkenalkan imej baru UTM di Skudai, Johor Bahru semalam.

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JOHOR BAHRU - Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) kini berimej baru.
Imej baru itu melibatkan penambahbaikan terhadap logo, slogan dan penampilan yang lebih dikenali dan berdaya saing.

Naib Canselor UTM, Prof. Datuk Ir. Dr. Zaini Ujang berkata, penjenamaan semula imej tersebut dilakukan bagi memudahkan orang ramai mengenali universiti berkenaan.

Sebelum ini, UTM, katanya hanya memaparkan logo dan agak mengelirukan orang ramai.

"Ini kerana terdapat 20 institut pengajian tinggi awam di negara ini. Bagaimanapun, dengan imej baru ini orang ramai akan dapat mengenali UTM dengan lebih mudah," katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika berucap pada majlis pelancaran imej baru universiti itu di Dewan Sultan Iskandar, UTM Skudai di sini semalam.

Menurut Zaini, usaha penjenamaan imej baru tersebut dilakukan sejak empat bulan lalu oleh beberapa pensyarah dan kakitangan universiti.

Katanya, UTM akan menggunakan logo yang mengandungi nama pusat pengajian tinggi itu di sebelah kanan lambang universiti dalam semua urusan.

UKM plans to offer PhD in nursing
By : June Ramli


KUALA LUMPUR: Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia is aiming to become the first Malaysian university to offer a PhD in nursing.

UKM Faculty of Medicine lecturer Samsiah Mat yesterday said the university was working hard to achieve this.

"We have sent several lecturers abroad to pursue their doctorates and when they come back, we will start our PhD course in nursing."

She said, at present, no local university or private college in the country was offering PhD courses in nursing.

She said UKM offered, among others, diploma-level nursing courses and an advanced diploma for mid-wives.

"We plan to introduce a masters in nursing by July."

She said nursing was now a lucrative career as nurses were in high demand in the Middle East.

"A person with a nursing degree and some working experience can earn up to RM10,000 a month, " she said, adding salaries would match the qualification.

Samsiah said the faculty was planning to introduce more courses for nurses to boost their soft skills when dealing with patients.

"We will be conducting the first-ever research nursing workshop this year from March 2 to 6 and hope to attract as many participants as possible."

She said the workshop would provide a platform for the dissemination of knowledge and advancement in nursing and healthcare.

"It is limited to 300 participants and targeted at nursing lecturers, staff nurses and tutors and will be conducted at the auditorium of UKM Hospital."

The registration fee is RM500 per participant.

Registration forms are available at www.ukmk.com.my.

The closing date for registration is Feb 23. Call 03-91735308 for details.

UKM plans to set record straight on warriors
Friday February 6, 2009

KUANTAN: Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia wants to “set straight” some historical records on Malay warriors who fought the British in the 1800s and were labelled as rebels.

Deputy vice-chancellor (research and innovation affairs) Prof Dr Rahmah Mohamed said some facts regarding the intention and struggles to uphold Malay land and rights had been twisted by Western historians.

For a start, UKM will embark on a three-year fact-finding mission on Pahang’s famous warrior Mat Kilau, who fought the British in the 1880s and 1890s in Pahang, Terengganu, Kelantan and right up to Siam (Thailand).

The findings will be documented in a book on the warrior.

“There are efforts to promote and project our local warriors who can be idols for the younger generation.

“We have many local personalities and great people that need to be highlighted,” Dr Rahmah told reporters after the opening of a forum on Mat Kilau yesterday.

Three descendents of Mat Kilau – Azmi Nong, Nazda Kusuma Mohd Nazar and Dr Haizam Hassan – were present.

Azmi is the deputy chairman of Tok Shahrom-Tok Gajah-Mat Kilau Descendents Association while Nazda Kusuma is the secretary and Dr Haizam the treasurer.

The university’s Academic Heritage Museum guest scholar, Datuk Dr Adi Taha, said Mat Kilau was chosen because he was a real person unlike Hang Tuah who was more legendary.

“Apart from his prowess in martial arts and spiritual skills, Mat Kilau was a strategist, intelligent, courageous and had sharp sense of political awareness.

“These are traits that should be highlighted in a more positive way,” he added.

Universiti Newcastle mula ambil pelajar

JOHOR BAHRU 10 Feb. - Universiti Newcastle yang akan dibuka di Edu-City Iskandar Malaysia dekat sini dijangka mengambil kumpulan pertama penuntutnya seramai 40 orang pada September ini.

Sumber Iskandar Investment Bhd. (IIB) yang mengendalikan pembangunan Edu-City Iskandar Malaysia berkata, kumpulan pertama itu bagaimanapun akan memulakan pengajian di kampus induk di Universiti Newcastle, United Kingdom (UK) dalam tempoh dua tahun sementara menunggu kampus di Edu-City siap sepenuhnya.

''Kampus Universiti Newcastle Iskandar Malaysia dijadual siap Mei 2011.

''Ini bermakna, selepas dua tahun menuntut di UK, barulah mereka menyambung pengajian di kampus di Iskandar Malaysia pada September 2011,'' katanya.

Sumber itu berkata, kumpulan pertama penuntut berkenaan akan mengikuti kursus ijazah pertama dalam bidang perubatan dan pengambilan seterusnya akan diteruskan setiap tahun.

Katanya, penuntut universiti itu akan memiliki kualiti pendidikan yang sama taraf dengan pembelajaran di kampus United Kingdom walaupun menuntut di Iskandar Malaysia.

Menurutnya, kelulusan siswazah itu nanti akan diiktiraf setanding dengan ijazah yang sama seperti rakan mereka di UK.

Mengenai pembinaan kampus berkeluasan 5.2 hektar itu, menurut sumber itu kerja-kerja tanah termasuk menanam cerucuk dan membersihkan kawasan telah dimulakan oleh syarikat kontraktor.

Katanya, kampus itu akan dilengkapi bangunan pentadbiran, dewan syarahan, pusat pembelajaran sumber, perpustakaan, makmal, kelas dan bilik seminar.

Sumber itu memberitahu, Universiti Newcastle merupakan salah satu daripada lapan pusat pengajian tinggi (IPT) yang akan beroperasi di Edu-City yang berkeluasan 123.4 hektar.

Katanya, antara sekolah dan IPT yang akan dibuka ialah Sekolah Boarding UK, Sekolah Antarabangsa Cempaka dan beberapa universiti antarabangsa lain.

Menurutnya, Edu-City akan dilengkapi kemudahan yang dikongsi bersama antara IPT berkenaan seperti hostel, kedai-kedai, kompleks sukan, stadium, kolam renang dan kemudahan rekreasi.

Sementara itu, katanya, projek pembinaan Medini Iskandar berjalan mengikut jadual dan ia dijangka siap sepenuhnya pada 2014.

Menurutnya, zon ekonomi dalam Iskandar Malaysia pula kini di peringkat kerja-kerja pembinaan infrastruktur dan kerja-kerja tanah.

''Pembangunan pemangkin ini dijangka memberi nilai pembangunan purata sebanyak RM76 bilion (AS$20 bilion) dalam tempoh 15 hingga 20 tahun," katanya.

UM duo on their way to Antarctica
Wednesday February 11, 2009
By KAREN CHAPMAN

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Special mission: Thary and Munira will be taking part
in workshops and hands-on activities while on the expedition.

PETALING JAYA: Two Universiti Malaya students will go on an adventure of a lifetime as they will represent Malaysia at the Students on Ice expedition to Antarctica.

UM deputy vice-chancellor (Academic and International) Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Amin Jalaludin said second year student Thary Gazi and Master’s student Munira Shaipudin Shah would join 70 students from around the world, scientists and other experts on the two-week expedition to Antarctica on board the MV Ushuaia.

“The students are not there as tourists but will participate in lectures, workshops and hands-on activities related to the polar environment and wildlife,” he told reporters at the university.

Munira and Thary left for Buenos Aires, Argentina last night where they will board the ship, and return to Malaysia on March 3.

“We are very proud that the university is the first university among non-polar countries to send students to the Antarctic,” said Prof Mohd Amin.

He said the university and the National Antarctic Research Centre worked together to select Thary and Munira from 10 students who wrote an essay on why polar regions were important to the tropics.

From the 10, five students were shortlisted for an interview, he said, adding that the cost of the trip for each student was RM50,000.

“This expedition is special because it has been endorsed by the International Polar Year Joint Committee as an official event of the International Polar Year 2007-2009,” said Prof Mohd Amin.

Arts and Social Science Faculty deputy dean Prof Datuk Dr Azizan Abu Samah, who also heads the centre, said he had accompanied former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to the Antarctic in 2002.

“The students will be following the route he was on,” he said.

Describing the experience as an opportunity of a life time, Munira who is a Master’s student in behavioural biology, said she could not wait to explore the Antarctic.

“I am not worried about being sea sick as I am used to carrying out research on water,” she said.

Thary, who is majoring in ecology and biodiversity, said he looked forward to exploring the Antarctic mainland using zodiac inflatable boats from the ship.

“It is going to be an adventure and my mum who is a nurse, has given me some seasick pills.

“She has also bought me bangles with magnets which are supposed to help with seasickness,” he said.

VI dijadi Warisan Kebangsaan

Oleh TARMIZI ABDUL RAHIM
pengarang@utusan.com.my


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SEBAHAGIAN daripada bangunan asal Victoria Institution yang bakal mencecah usia 116 tahun, Sabtu ini.

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KUALA LUMPUR 11 Feb. - Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Victoria (VI) di sini yang bakal berusia 116 tahun pada 14 Februari ini akan diisytiharkan sebagai Warisan Kebangsaan.

Keputusan bersejarah itu sekali gus menjadikan Victoria Institution atau VI muncul sekolah pertama di negara ini yang memperoleh pengiktirafan berprestij itu.

VI yang diasaskan oleh Sultan Abdul Samad, William Hood Treacher, Loke Yew, Thamboosamy Pillay dan Yap Kwan Seng pada 14 Ogos 1893 berjaya mengekalkan kecemerlangannya dalam melahirkan ramai tokoh terbilang dalam pelbagai bidang.

Yang Dipertua Persatuan Ibu Bapa dan Guru (PIBG) VI, Raja Amir Shah Raja Abdul Aziz berkata, matlamat utama VI selepas mendapat pengiktirafan itu ialah meneruskan lagi kegemilangannya sehingga beratus-ratus tahun lagi.

Beliau berkata, pengiktirafan itu akan menjadi pemangkin kepada PIBG, pelajar dan Persatuan Bekas Pelajar VI (VIOBA) untuk terus melahirkan pelajar cemerlang dalam akademik dan kokurikulum serta berketerampilan sebagai pemimpin berwibawa.

"Kita akui sejak kebelakangan ini produk VI agak tenggelam sehinggakan masyarakat luar membandingkannya dengan VIOBA yang terdahulu, seolah-olah tidak wujudnya kesinambungan yang mewarisi kecemerlangan dan kewibawaan sekolah itu,'' katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia di sini hari ini.

Antara bekas pelajar VI ialah Sultan Brunei, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Tan Sri Yaacob Latiff, Datuk Mahadev Shankar, Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, Datuk Seri Mohd. Shafie Apdal, Datuk Seri Zulhasnan Rafique dan Datuk Seri Dr. Ng Yen Yen.

Dalam bidang ekonomi, VI berjaya melahirkan pengasas Kumpulan Sapura, Tan Sri Shamsuddin Abdul Kadir; T. Ananda Krishnan, Tan Sri Francis Yeoh, Tan Sri Dr. Ramon Navaratnam dan Tan Sri Kamarul Ariffin Mohd. Yassin.

VI juga berjaya melahirkan tokoh sukan antaranya Datuk Dr. M. Jegathesan, Datuk P. S. Nathan, Allahyarham Mokhtar Dahari, Datuk Misbun Sidek dan adik-beradiknya, Foo Kok Keong dan Ishtiaq Mubarak.

Ia juga merupakan sekolah selebriti tanah air seperti Datuk Mahadzir Lokman, Krishen Jit, Datuk K. Kamalesvaran atau Datuk Kamahl, Zarul Al Bakri, Wan Zaleha Radzi, Jit Murad, Ahadiat Akashah, Aidit Alfian, Amir Muhammad dan Ashraf Sinclair.

Semasa Perang Dunia Kedua, VI menjadi markas pentadbiran tentera Jepun pada 13 September 1945 dan selepas Jepun menyerah kalah, majlis penyerahan kembali kepada Inggeris turut diadakan di sekolah itu pada 22 Februari 1946.

Raja Amir Shah menambah, sempena majlis pengisytiharan yang akan disempurnakan oleh Menteri Perpaduan, Kebudayaan, Kesenian dan Warisan, ahli VIOBA telah menyatakan komitmen untuk menghadiri majlis bersejarah itu yang akan bermula pukul 9.30 pagi.

"Secara kebetulan, sehari sebelum acara itu berlangsung, Shamsuddin akan menghadiri majlis kesyukuran di surau yang beliau wakafkan kepada VI pada tahun 1996,'' katanya.

Menurutnya, VI akan mengadakan pelbagai majlis seperti makan malam, pertandingan golf amal, konsert 100 tahun pancaragam VI, larian merentas kota amal, pertandingan bolasepak Piala Mokhtar Dahari, futsal dan paintball.

"Pada hari itu juga akan berlangsung acara khas bagi Pasukan Kor Kadet Pancaragam VI yang menyambut ulang tahun penubuhannya yang ke-100 tahun iaitu pasukan pancaragam tertua di Asia Tenggara.

"Ini bakal menyaksikan sejumlah besar bekas ahli pancaragam akan berhimpun dan membantu pasukan membuat persiapan ke kejohanan pancaragam dunia yang bakal berlangsung di Monza, Itali tidak lama lagi,'' katanya.

UIAM Introduces "Graduation-in-Council" For Students
February 14, 2009 19:51 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 14 (Bernama) -- Graduates of the Malaysian International Islamic University (UIAM), especially foreign students, can now apply to be given their scrolls a week upon completion of their studies through the "Graduation-in-Council" (GIC) system, effective this year.

UIAM Rector Prof Datuk Seri Dr Syed Arabi Idid said the system was introduced to avoid the inconvenience, especially of its foreign students, to attend the university's convocation to receive their scrolls.

"For example, international students whose visa have expired will not have to renew their visa or have to wait long for the convocation ceremony, which is normally held two to 10 months after they complete their studies.

"(Even) local students intending to pursue studies or with job offers overseas will also benefit from this GIC," he told reporters after opening the UIAM Students carnival here today.

However, he said students who opted for GIC would not be allowed to attend the convocation ceremony.

Meanwhile, Syed Arabi advised UIAM students against becoming engrossed with political parties in the country, but to look at politics on a wider perspective instead of only on the country's political development.

"They should think about not just Malaysian politics but international politics, businesses or international networkings," he added.

-- BERNAMA

Coming Soon - Albukhary International University, Alor Setar

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Master plan of the
Sharifah Rokiah Complex
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School of Information Technology
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female Dining Halls
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male Dining Halls
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School of Business Studies
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School of Information Technology
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School of Core Subjects
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Yayasan Albukhary Foundation
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Lecture Theatre
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Student Hostel
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cool..

Kolej matrikulasi bakal dibina di Jerantut


JERANTUT 15 Feb. - Sebuah kolej matrikulasi bakal dibina di daerah ini bagi menyediakan pelajar yang ingin mengikuti jurusan pertanian dan pelancongan.

Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Tahan, Datuk Wan Amizan Wan Abdul Razak berkata, Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi kini dalam usaha mendapatkan tapak yang sesuai bagi pembinaan projek itu yang akan dilaksanakan sepenuhnya di bawah Rancangan Malaysia Kesepuluh (RMK-10).

Beliau berkata, pembinaan kolej berkenaan amat tepat kerana Jerantut pesat membangun dalam sektor pertanian, sementara dalam sektor pelancongan pula, Taman Negara di Kuala Tahan amat dikenali di seluruh dunia.

"Pembinaan kolej matrikulasi itu termasuk Kolej Komuniti dan Pusat Latihan Industri (Astec) di Temin yang kini giat dalam pembinaan, merupakan antara mekanisme utama yang diambil oleh kerajaan negeri untuk menjadikan daerah ini pusat perkembangan ilmu bagi manfaat penduduk tempatan," katanya di sini hari ini.

Beliau berkata demikian pada majlis penyampaian sumbangan Yayasan Pahang berjumlah RM29,850 kepada 264 pelajar cemerlang Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) dan Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) 2008 di sini.

Hadir sama Pegawai Pelajaran Daerah Jerantut, Mohamad Hamid; Naib Ketua UMNO Bahagian Jerantut, Nazri Ngah; dan Ketua Wanita UMNO Bahagian, Norkhelan Mahmod.

Dalam pada itu, Wan Amizan yang juga Ketua Pemuda UMNO Bahagian berkata, sumbangan tersebut merupakan agihan daripada peruntukan sebanyak RM52 juta yang disediakan oleh Yayasan Pahang pada tahun ini termasuk bantuan biasiswa melanjutkan pelajaran ke peringkat institusi pengajian tinggi tempatan dan luar negara.

Katanya, daripada jumlah itu, sebanyak RM19,500 merupakan sumbangan wang tunai kepada 195 murid yang berjaya memperoleh 5A dalam peperiksaan UPSR dengan masing-masing menerima RM100.

Sementara bakinya sebanyak RM10,350 lagi disumbangkan kepada 69 pelajar yang memperoleh 7A, 8A dan 9A dalam PMR tahun lalu dengan masing-masing menerima RM150 seorang.

"Sumbangan ini merupakan galakan untuk pelajar setelah bertungkus-lumus belajar sehingga memperoleh kecemerlangan dalam peperiksaan masing-masing," katanya.

Dutch Lady ties up with Universiti Putra for study
By Zurinna Raja AdamPublished: 2009/02/17

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DUTCH Lady Milk Industries (M) Bhd (3026) has signed a partnership with a local university to conduct a clinical trial on milk nutrition and its effects on children's mental performance.

The group, which will spend some half a million ringgit for the purpose, has formed a tie-up with Universiti Putra Malaysia's (UPM) Department of Nutrition and Dietetics to carry out research on 30 Malaysian five-year-olds who attend pre-school in the Klang Valley.

The project is aimed at providing information on children's nutrition intake of milk and how it affects their mental development and performance.

Besides sharing the outcome with other units within the group, the findings will also benefit Dutch Lady Malaysia in product development for the dedicated target group.
"This is the first study of its kind to be conducted by Dutch Lady Malaysia and we hope the results can become a valuable scientific resource base to validate and uphold our nutrition statement locally," managing director Hans Laarakker said in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Dr Mohd Nasir Mohd Taib, head of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, will lead a team of three lecturers for the trial.

The 30 children will be given four types of milk each and the test will be conducted via a UK-based software.

Meanwhile, Laarakker said Dutch Lady Malaysia will evaluate whether to continue with its price reduction campaign once the campaign ends on March 31.

"Response has been tremendous. But we will only evaluate it at the end of March as to whether we will continue with the campaign," he said.

The campaign period, which began early this month, saw Dutch Lady Malaysia slash prices of 48 of its dairy products between 5 per cent and 17 per cent in a move to assist consumers in the current economic crisis.

Tuanku Mizan Conferred Honorary Doctorate
February 17, 2009 19:06 PM

PUTRAJAYA, Feb 17 (Bernama) -- Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin was conferred an honorary doctorate by Queen's University, Belfast, Northern Ireland, for his support for higher education and for Malaysia's links with the university over the last 50 years.

Queen's University President and Vice-Chancellor Prof Peter Gregson conferred the honorary doctorate in laws on Tuanku Mizan in a ceremony at Istana Melawati here on Tuesday.

It is the first time in its 160 years history that the university has conferred an honorary doctorate on a reigning monarch.

The ceremony was the highlight of a week-long visit to Malaysia by Prof Gregson.

Present were Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Idris Haron and the university's alumni including former Perak menteri besar Tan Sri Ramli Ngah Talib, Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and ex-Gerakan president Tun Dr Lim Keng Yaik.

Queen's University is a member of the prestigious Russell Group of top 20 research-intensive universities in the United Kingdom.

Currently there are more than 120 Malaysian students studying at the university.

Prof Gregson said this was a truly momentous day for Queen's University and one that reinforced the special relationship between Malaysia and Northern Ireland.

"Queen's welcomes the support the King gives to this special relationship and we are keen to further develop this bond for the mutual benefit of both countries," he said.

-- BERNAMA

Unitar developing smart news reader
Updated: Tuesday February 17, 2009 MYT 11:50:12 AM

KUALA LUMPUR: Universiti Tun Abdul Razak (Unitar) said it has received an RM163,000 grant from the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry to conduct research into what it is calling an “interactive news engine.”

The proposed interactive news reader which will respond to a viewer’s request to extract and retrieve information from its news database, particularly those relevant to current news, Unitar said in a statement Tuesday.

The research is scheduled to be completed by May 2010.

UMP boosts short-term research grant
Tuesday February 17, 2009

KUANTAN: University Malaysia Pahang (UMP) will increase its short-term research grant from RM20,000 to RM43,000, said its vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Daing Nasir Ibrahim.

Dr Daing said he hoped the university would take serious action to reinvent itself via its staff and undergraduates.

He was speaking to academic staff and undergraduates during a special assembly at the campus near here recently.

“The basis of open-minded thinking is creativity. Creativity is more than just reinventing or creating.

“It is more than taking a shortcut by having policies that benefit one party but bring trouble to another.

“Creativity is a mental and social pro*cess that involves the generation of new ideas,” he said.

He urged everyone not to pay attention to petty details but attend to things that matter such as hands-on experience.

Dr Daing explained that, with a creatively-open mind, one would be able to better approach and embrace technology and engineering.

Albukhary International University, Alor Setar

AERIAL VIEW
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Limkokwing to set up more campuses
By JACK WONG


KUCHING: The Limkokwing University of Creative Technology is planning for campuses in 20 more countries in the next five years.

Founder Tan Sri Lim Kok Wing said the university had received invitations from countries in Africa, the Middle East and Eastern Europe to set up campuses.

The university now has 12 campuses in seven countries, including Indonesia, Cambodia, China and England. It has some 25,000 students from 145 nations. Its Kuala Lumpur campus has 9,000 students from 135 countries.

“We should be reaching one million students in the next 10 years,” Lim said after the opening of the Limkokwing Institute of Creative Technology by Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud yesterday.

He said the target would include those taking online courses.

Limkokwing Sarawak chief executive officer Prof Datuk Parid Wardi said Limkokwing had built up a collegial network of more than 170 universities in over 77 countries in support of its “global classroom” concept.

“We receive more than 4 million visitors from 188 countries every month to our website, making it one of the most popular university sites in the world,” he added.

Limkokwing now offers a 3+0 degree programme through partnership with the 150-year-old Anglia Ruskin University of Cambridge, Britain.

Parid said the Sarawak institute now had 500 students and there were plans to upgrade it to a university in three years.

He said some western countries had now moved from knowledge to creative economy.

.....................so proud with LImKOK Wing.........the best malaysia college ever!!!............

Limkokwing to expand to 20 more countries
By : Desmond Davidson



Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud signing a plaque at the opening of Limkokwing Institute of Creative Technology Sarawak in Kuching yesterday. With him are (from left) Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang, university president Tan Sri Lim Kok Wing and its chief executive officer Prof Datuk Parid Wardi.


KUCHING: Limkokwing University of Creative Technology plans to build campuses in 20 more countries in the next five years.

The university's founder president Tan Sri Lim Kok Wing said here yesterday the campuses would be in countries "where we can make a difference, where we can make a contribution".

This, he said, included Africa, Middle East and Eastern Europe.

He was speaking after the opening of the university's Sarawak campus in Jalan Nanas by Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.

Lim said the long-term plan over 10 years was to build 30 or more campuses.

"The global economic downturn may slow us down but we will get there. Our target is 30,000 students across 30 countries in 10 years."

The university has 12 campuses in seven countries: Indonesia, China, Cambodia, Lesotho, Botswana, the United Kingdom and Malaysia.

Its 25,000 students come from 145 countries. The Sarawak campus has more than 500 students from 10 countries.

Limkokwing Institute of Creative Technology Sarawak chief executive officer Prof Datuk Parid Wardi said while the institute had set a target to become a full university in 10 years, its short-term goal was to gain university college status within three years.

He said the institute hoped to have more linkages, industry collaboration and collegial networking with foreign educational institutions.

USM hosts conference on advanced materials
Friday February 20, 2009

UNIVERSITI Sains Malaysia (USM) hosted the first Regional Conference on Materials (RCM) in Penang recently.

It was organised to provide a platform for information and experience exchange on materials engineering research and education and the role of this field in other engineering disciplines.

RCM organising chairman and USM AUN/Seed-Net programme steering committee chairman Prof Radzali Othman said the two-day conference at Hotel Equatorial Penang covered research and industrial studies on all advanced materials like advanced polymers, advanced biomaterials, composites, nanomaterials and others.

“We had workshops and round table forums that will help determine the direction of research and education in this field,” he said.

Themed‘Materials Engineering: Leading the Path Towards Sustainable Future’, the conference featured 170 participants from Asean countries.

Almost all Malaysian universities took part in the conference as well.

Prof Radzali said USM was the selected institution for material engineering in the Asean region under the AUN/Seed-Net programme.

“We hope USM, as an Apex university, can extend its expertise in the field to other institutions, especially the newer local universities,” he said.

USM currently has 18 postgraduate students from Asean countries pursuing their Masters and PhDs at USM’s School of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering in Nibong Tebal.

Prof Radzali said the students were recipients of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) scholarships.

“Due to the JICA-AUN/SEED-Net programme, the school has become popular with material engineering postgraduate students.

“Last year, 20 applied but we only had five JICA scholarships to give out.

“So the selection process was very strict to help us ensure we get a group of hardworking scholars,” he said.

AUN/SEED-Net is short for Asean University Network/Southeast Asia Engineering Education Development Net-work project.

It promotes human resource development in engineering within the region.

AUN/SEED-Net is mainly supported by the Japanese Government through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and partially by the Asean Foundation.

UTM to research rise in water under Medina
Friday February 20, 2009

JOHOR BARU: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and University Taibah (UT) in Medina will conduct joint research on the cause of rising water beneath the Saudi Arabian city.

UTM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Zaini Ujang said the RM4mil research was important as the water could affect the structure of Masjid Nabawi, the second holiest site for Muslims.

“Rising water levels underground can have a negative impact on highways and residential areas and threaten the development of Medina if not handled quickly,” he said.

The situation could worsen as the population of Medina had grown due to the opening of new residential and commercial areas, he added.

Dr Zaini was speaking at a press conference after receiving the UT vice-rector on research and studies, Prof Dr Talal Halawani, who is on an official visit here.

Dr Zaini said an invitation to do the joint research was extended by UT president Prof Dr Mansoor Al Nozha during a trip by UTM officials to UT on Jan 20.

Dr Zaini said the officials also visited King Saud University in Riyadh where he was elected as one of three international advisers on water research to Prince Khalid Ibn Sultan Chair.

They were satisfied with UTM’s expertise and experience in environment and water management, he said.

Dr Zaini said the research would be conducted over three years and University King Abdul Aziz Institute of Mineral and Petroleum Research would assist UTM.

Among the methods to be used in the research were the building a simulation model to measure and predict the reason behind the rise in underground water.

Meanwhile, Dr Talal said, besides collaborating on the research project, UT was interested in UTM’s online English lessons.

“We hope UTM will share its expertise in biotechnology application and research on information technology, communication and wireless communication,” he said.

UiTM buka cawangan di Tepoh
Oleh Hanneeyzah Bariah Baharin
hanneeyzah@bharian.com.my

KUALA TERENGGANU: Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) akan membuka kampus di Tepoh, dekat sini, sekali gus membantu kerajaan negeri merealisasikan matlamat menjadikan Terengganu pusat pendidikan dan ilmu di pantai timur.

Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pelajaran, Pengajian Tinggi, Sains dan Teknologi dan Sumber Manusia negeri, Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman, berkata cadangan pembukaan kampus ketiga UiTM di Terengganu itu sudah dibincangkan dengan Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi (KPT) dan kerajaan negeri sudah mengenal pasti tapak seluas 40 hektar di Sungai Ikan, Tepoh.

Beliau berkata, pembukaan kampus ketiga selepas Dungun dan Bukit Besi membolehkan sasaran UiTM melahirkan lebih 200,000 graduan setiap tahun tercapai, selain menyediakan tempat untuk menampung keperluan pengajian tinggi pelajar cemerlang di pantai timur terutama Terengganu sendiri.



"Kita mahu jadikan kawasan Parlimen Kuala Nerus sebagai hab pendidikan sehingga peringkat antarabangsa. Kita sudah ada Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) serta Universiti Darul Iman (UDM) di Gong Badak dan UiTM di Tepoh ini akan memperluaskan jaringan pendidikan, khususnya di peringkat pengajian tinggi.

"Kita juga tidak mahu pelajar cemerlang di negeri ini tidak ada tempat untuk melanjutkan pelajaran ke peringkat lebih tinggi. Kita suruh mereka belajar bersungguh-sungguh di peringkat sekolah, tetapi apabila dapat keputusan cemerlang, tidak ada tempat untuk belajar di universiti. Ia akan meninggalkan kesan tidak baik untuk jangka panjang.

"Macam mana kita nak lahirkan graduan cemerlang jika kita tidak sediakan pusat pengajian. Ini juga akan membantu hasrat melahirkan sekurang-kurangnya seorang graduan dalam satu keluarga. Dengan cara ini saja mereka dapat membawa keluarga keluar daripada kepompong kemiskinan," katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian pada sidang media selepas merasmikan Ekspo Pendidikan, Latihan dan Kerjaya (Edu-Care) 2009 di UMT di sini, semalam. Hadir sama Pengerusi Edu-Care, Prof Madya Dr Khalid Samo.

Edu-Care kali ke-13 dianjurkan UMT dengan kerjasama kerajaan negeri itu diadakan bertujuan mengembangkan maklumat pendidikan, penajaan dan kerjaya di pantai timur, memasarkan program pendidikan tinggi dan peluang latihan, membantu negara memartabatkan pendidikan ke taraf antarabangsa dan mempersiapkan warga negara dengan maklumat pendidikan mantap.

Sebanyak 26 IPTA dan institusi pengajian tinggi swasta serta 20 institusi kemahiran dan agensi di bawah kelolaan KPT menyertai Edu-Care kali ini.

Selain itu, Ahmad Razif berkata, UiTM Tepoh yang dijangka menawarkan beberapa kursus penting untuk memenuhi permintaan pasaran pekerjaan tempatan juga akan memberi pulangan ekonomi yang besar khususnya kepada penduduk setempat dan kerajaan negeri.

College in JB offers diploma in hospitality
Monday February 23, 2009

JOHOR BARU: Sunway College Johor Baru is offering a new diploma in hospitality to train students for jobs in the multi-billion-ringgit Iskandar Malaysia project.

Its programme coordinator Linda Lim said the service industry remained as one of the biggest employers worldwide, and hospitality, which was a major component, was labour intensive.

“As Iskandar gears up for the future, a skilled and qualified work force is essential to feed the demands of hotels, resorts, theme parks, restaurants and retail establishments,” she said.

She said the full-time course, which will start on March 19, would equip students with the expertise to embark on successful career paths.

“There will be a myriad of methods of lesson delivery including classroom lectures, tutorials, case studies, hands-on training and field trips.

“There will also be a 20-week supervised work stint where students will put their learning into practice,” said Lim.

Lim said the fee for the two years and 20 weeks course would be under RM30,000.

Scholarships are available for students with good SPM results.

Successful diploma graduates may apply for direct entry into Year Two of the International Hospitality Management degree offered at Sunway University College in affiliation with Lancaster University of Britain.

To kick-start the course, Sunway College Johor Baru will conduct hospitality workshops for interested students and the general public during open days on March 14 and 15.

Visitors can pick up tips on table setting, dining etiquette, colour coordination and grooming to fit personal profiles.

A talk on career opportunities in hotel management will be presented on March 15.

For more information, call Sunway College Johor Baru at 07-359 6880.

UMS told to boost agriculture sector
Tuesday February 24, 2009

SANDAKAN: University Malaysia Sabah (UMS) should pursue the setting up of an Agricultural Services Laboratory and a Centre for Advance Agricultural Studies to further strengthen the agricultural industry in Sabah.

“The agriculture campus it has set up in this east coast town will play a role in providing the much-needed support for the sector,” Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said at the ground-breaking ceremony for the new UMS School of Sustainable Agriculture campus here. Also present was Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin.

Musa said the new campus was a key component of the Sandakan education hub – which was part of the Ninth Malaysia Plan – and the Sabah Development Corridor to develop the state’s agriculture industry.

Maths and Science spiced up by F4F5 pullout, say students
Tuesday February 24, 2009

SHAH ALAM: Science and Mathematics subjects will be boring without The Star’s F4F5 pullout, SMK Seksyen 18, Shah Alam students said.

Form Four student Mohd Hanis Harani, 16 said the pullouts made their classes more interesting.

“It will be boring if the teachers only used the textbooks all the time,” he said.

He said F4F5 was useful not only in the class but at home.

“It gives me tips on how to answer examination questions and I’m particularly interested in the Biology and Additional Maths section because I like Biology and I need to improve on my Add Maths,” he said.

Additional Maths teacher Haslina Abu Hasan said she was grateful to have F4F5 as an added resource for class activities such as quizzes and exercises.

The school, which has one of the highest F4F5 subscriptions in the Klang Valley, received its first batch of pullouts of the year yesterday.

F4F5 is a Maths and Science guide designed for Forms Four and Five. It offers Physics, Biology and Modern Maths content on the second Monday of the month, and Chemistry, General Science and Add Maths on the fourth Monday.

Another pullout, F123, contains Maths and Science topics for Forms One, Two and Three students and is published every first and third Monday of the month.

Both pullouts contain helpful hints for the RHB-The Star Mighty Minds challenge, a nationwide Science, Maths and general knowledge quiz competition with a hands-on element for secondary school students.

For more details on the contest, log on to www.thestar.com.my/mightyminds/. F123 and F4F5 are distributed free through school subscription of The Star. Orders are by school subscription only.

For subscription or information about the contest, call The Star’s customer care unit at 03-7967 1777 (direct line) or 03-7967 1388 ext 1152 or 1160, between 9am and 5.30pm from Mondays to Fridays.

UTM unveils new logo


JOHOR BARU: The Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) has been re-branded to be more recognisable at national and international level.

Its vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Zaini Ujang said that UTM staff and students must play an important role in achieving the goal and making UTM’s reputation grow.

To support the effort, UTM had taken the initiative of redesigning its logo to be a recognisable icon.

“The new image can be achieved with the changes in the logo and strategic planning,” said Prof Zaini.

“UTM’s image created by its study culture, intellectual environment, academic idealism, work process and team effort makes it a respectable university,” he said.

“Starting today, UTM will use the new logo with the UTM name on the right side,” he said at the logo’s launch at the university’s Dewan Iskandar.

“People will get to know UTM with the new logo as there are 20 institutes of higher learning in the country,” he said.

“As a service organisation, the staff is the backbone as their actions will be noticed by members of the public,” he added.

“It is important for all know the changes done by UTM, especially in the context of higher learning, which is challenging and competitive,” he said

Work on Tawau UiTM campus to start by April


TAWAU: Construction of the Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) branch campus here will start at the latest by April this year, says Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khalid Nordin.

The RM34mil campus would be built in Balung and was scheduled for completion in 2012, he added.

“At the moment, the Tawau UiTM campus is operating at a premises in the town centre,” he told reporters after handing over instruments of appointment to the Tawau Community College advisory panel here recently.

He also said that a RM14mil polytechnic would be built in Sandakan soon.

Mohamed Khalid also announced a RM644 million allocation for Universiti Malaysia Sabah this year.

Earlier in his speech, he said that community colleges nationwide were willing to train workers retrenched because of the economic downturn.

“Community colleges are life-long learning centres,” he said, adding that the Ministry planned to build another two such colleges in the state and was looking for suitable sites. — Bernama

RM830mil to help USM reach Apex status


THE Federal Government has allocated RM830mil for the development of the Accelerated Programme for Excellence (Apex) initiatives by Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the allocation would be disbursed in stages under the Ninth and Tenth Malaysia Plans.

He said USM’s Apex status came with considerable educational, administrative and financial autonomy and a new system of governance at the university.

He said several strategic plans had been laid out for the university to accomplish its vision.

“I’m confident that USM will be able to achieve a world-class standard,” he said after launching USM’s Apex Transformation Plan, USM’s Student Entrepreneurial Development Initiatives Agenda and USM Students’ Development Policy at Dewan Budaya recently.

Mohamed Khaled said a National Apex Development Indicator (NADI) centre had been set up to monitor the transformation of USM into an Apex university.

During a five-year period, USM must be able to put itself among the world’s top 100 universities, he said.

He also said USM’s Apex University Implementation Plan’s progress report showed that the transformation plans were on track.

Earlier, Mohamed Khaled launched the renaming of USM’s Centre for Archaeological Research Malaysia to the Centre for Global Archaeological Research.

He said the elevation of the centre to a global centre was due to USM’s recent findings of prehistoric human skeletal remains at Bukit Bunuh in Lenggong recently.

Last year, USM’s Centre for Archaeological Research Malaysia director Associate Prof Dr Mokhtar Saidin said axes which were unearthed were evidence of the existence of homo erectus in South-East Asia.

Part of the findings were sent to the Japan Geochronology Lab in Tokyo for dating and the results showed that the axes were about 1.83 million years old.

Also present at both functions were USM board of directors chairman Tan Sri Ani Arope and vice-chancellor Tan Sri Prof Dzulkifli Abd Razak.

Form Six will be taught in colleges


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THE Education Ministry is considering setting up a college for Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) students.

The proposal was in the drafting stage and if all went well, the college would be up and running next year, Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said yesterday.

"With this college, the present system where STPM is offered in schools will be a thing of the past," he said in reply to a question by Datuk Abdul Manan Ismail (BN-Paya Besar).



"This means that instead of having six or seven schools in one area teaching Form Six, we will just have one college for all the students there.

"The setting up of the college is part of our plan to radically transform Form Six studies and take into account the higher thinking, analytical and evaluation skills necessary to excel.

"The teaching of STPM subjects will also be based on a modular system where students will be evaluated after every semester, rather than at the end of two years."

Wee said the standard of STPM was comparable to Cambridge A Levels, which made the test acceptable for entrance into overseas universities.

To a supplementary question from Mohd Yusmadi Yusof (PKR-Balik Pulau) who asked whether there was a quota for enrolment in Form Six, Wee said there was no such policy and that the entry was based on merit.

-- Datuk Dr Wee Ka SiongDeputy Education Minister

Politeknik akan dibina di Betong
BETONG 1 Mac - Sebuah politeknik akan dibina di bahagian ini bagi menyediakan peluang pendidikan dalam bidang kemahiran kepada pelajar luar bandar.

Timbalan Ketua Menteri, Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang berkata, cadangan mengenai pembinaan politeknik itu telah dibincangkan bersama Ketua Menteri, Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.

''Kertas cadangan bagi pembinaan politeknik itu pula akan diserahkan kepada Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi dalam masa terdekat," katanya di sini semalam.

Beliau berkata demikian semasa berucap merasmikan penutupan kejohanan sukan antara sekolah-sekolah menengah Bahagian Betong di Kompleks Sukan Betong di sini.

Jabu yang juga Menteri Pembangunan Luar Bandar berkata, kerajaan berhasrat untuk memperlengkapkan diri setiap belia di negeri ini dengan bidang kemahiran selaras dengan kehendak pasaran pekerjaan terutamanya di Koridor Pembaharuan Tenaga Sarawak (Score).

Kata beliau, ketika ini, di Betong, terdapat sebuah sekolah teknik dan Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM) selain sekolah menengah sedia ada bagi memberi peluang pendidikan kepada pelajar luar bandar.

''Ini menunjukkan kerajaan tidak pernah mengabaikan kepentingan penduduk luar bandar yang memerlukan kemahiran dan pengetahuan," kata beliau.

German students visit Malacca on a field study
Thursday March 5, 2009
By JASON LIOH

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2009/3/5/southneast/ms_pg02wahab.jpg

Study trip: The team from Eberhard-Karls University of Tubingen, Germany
with Abdul Wahab (front row, fifth from left) and city mayor Datuk Yusof
Jantan (third from left).

MALACCA: A total of 26 young undergraduates from Germanys Eberhard-Karls University of Tubingen paid the state a visit recently to see how Malacca has been managing itself since attaining the Unesco World Heritage Site status.

The students were here on a field study to view the city’s environment, economy and social development following its inscription as a heritage site by the world body.

Led by Professor Dr Sebastian Kinder and Geogr Michael Bar, the youths spent two days touring the city and several historical sites and villages that are home to Malacca’s minority communities.

“We will analyze and discuss our findings with other students back home and compile our findings and suggestions into a report for the city council,” said Kinder.

He said the report would be forwarded to the state government and city council aimed at providing feedback on making Malacca a better place to visit and live in.

He also added that it was their first time visiting Malacca and the city’s 500 year history, culture and heritage made it a suitable location for their field study trip.

State education, science, technology and human resource committee deputy chairman Datuk Abdul Wahab Abd. Latip hoped that city would be come a destination for university students to carry out their field studies.

“We need to do everything we can to preserve our heritage and culture as the city is now a world heritage site,” said Abdul Wahab.

Delegate 21-year old Stefauie Heinrich expressed delight at being able to visit Malacca and to study its heritage.

“Malacca is a very beautiful town.

“The people here are very friendly and helpful and they make me feel at home,” she said.

She hoped that she would be able to visit Malaysia in the future and spend more time to know the country.

The delegates were in Singapore before coming to Malacca and would visit Kuala Lumpur and Kuching before heading back to Germany in early March.

Berjaya confident of hospitality education venture
Published: 2009/03/05

BERJAYA Group is confident that its venture into the hospitality education industry will be profitable despite the current weak economic environment.

Vice-chancellor/chief executive officer of Berjaya University College of Hospitality (Berjaya UCH), Tan Sri Prof Emeritus Dr Abu Hassan Othman, said this confidence was based on the demand from Malaysian tourism industry for highly skilled hospitality professionals.

"The company has spent RM50 million on the venture by setting up Berjaya UCHearly this year," he told a media briefing in Kuala Lumpur today.

Abu Hassan said Berjaya UCH would be a top choice for students considering a career in the hospitality industry.

"This is because of our heritage in the hospitality industry, the facilities and location of the campus, the academic staff, the 'immersion' methodology used and the innovative programmes offered," he said.

Meanwhile, chief operating officer of Berjaya Higher Education Sdn Bhd, Mae Ho, said the university college expected to enrol 200 students by year-end.

Berjaya UCH is Malaysia’s only higher education institution specialising in hospitality, tourism and services management courses.

It currently offers Foundation in Hospitality, Diploma in Culinary Arts, Diploma in Hospitality Management, Diploma in Tourism Management and Diploma in Travel Management, Bachelor of Hospitality Management (Honours) and Bachelor of Tourism Management (Honours). - Bernama

Record 20 As for top scorer student
By : Sharifah Mahsinah Abdullah


http://www.nst.com.my/Friday/Frontpage/2503807/insidepix1
Nik Nur Madihah of SMA Maahad Muhammadi Kota Baru, who scored 19 1As and a 2A, shows her fisherman father, Nik Mohd Kamal Husin, her results. - NST picture by ZAMAN HURI ISA


KOTA BARU: Nik Nur Madihah Nik Mohd Kamal is the top Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia scorer with 20 As.

The 18-year-old student of SM (Agama) Maahad Muhammadi Kota Baru obtained 19 1As and one 2A.

The eldest of four siblings, from Kampung Parang Puting near Pantai Sabak, said the three-day SKOR seminar, organised by Berita Harian which she attended last year, helped her a lot in answering questions on subjects such as Mathematics, Science and Bahasa Melayu.


"I did not miss any tuition classes and group studies which the school organised as I could not afford to take private tuition with my parents small income."


Her father is a fisherman and her mother is a cleaner.


Her results were announced by state Islamic Development, Education and Dakwah Committee chairman Mohd Amar Abdullah at the school yesterday.


Nik Nur Madihah said her father, Nik Mohd Kamal Husin, 42, and mother Mariani Omar, 40, had also encouraged her to do well.


"I plan to further my studies overseas so that I can help my parents and my siblings in the future."


Akira Wong Neng Chun, of SMK Tung Hua in Sibu, scored 16 As, as did best friends Lim Shu Yong and Tan Chin Huat of SMJK Yoke Kuan in Sekinchan.

Bernama reports that Lim and Tan attributed their success to the fact that they had done revision together and paid attention in class.

6,277 aced all subjects taken in SPM last year
By KAREN CHAPMAN


PUTRAJAYA: A total of 6,277 students who sat for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) last year obtained As in all subjects taken.

Education director-general Datuk Alimuddin Mohd Dom said this was an increase compared with 5,060 in the previous year.

“From that number, 1,676 obtained 1As in all their subjects,” he told a press conference when announcing the SPM and Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM) results at the ministry yesterday.

Alimuddin said three students obtained 16 1As – two from SMJK Yoke Kuan in Sekinchan, Selangor and one from SMK Tung Hua in Sibu, Sarawak. Two students obtained 15 1As while six obtained 14 1As.


All the answers: Alimuddin holding a copy each of the 2008 analysis for the SPM and STAM examinations.

“Of the 435 students with special needs who sat for the examination last year, one with low vision obtained nine 1As and another who is deaf scored 12As,” he said.

A total of 442,936 students sat for 111 subjects offered under the SPM last year.

He said there were improvements in the performance of four core subjects – Moral Studies, History, Mathematics and Science.

On the seven most popular subjects taken by Arts students, he said Visual Arts and Entrepreneurial Studies showed an improvement while there was a decline in Geography, Music Education, Commerce, Principles of Accounting and Economics.

He said 22.2% of 1,785 students who sat for the Iban Language paper which was offered for the first time last year, scored As.

Effective last year, Alimuddin said students who took the Principles of Accounting subject and obtained good results would receive international recognition.

Of the 87,355 students who took the subject, he said 30,046 obtained the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) certification while 20,347 obtained exemption from sitting for the Certified Accounting Technician One (CAT 1) paper.

Over 80% chose to answer Maths papers in English


PUTRAJAYA: The teaching of Science and Mathematics in English has not affected the achievement of students who sat for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) last year.

Education director-general Datuk Alimuddin Mohd Dom said 89.1% of 178,751 candidates opted to answer the Additional Mathematics Paper 1 fully in English.

“I am satisfied as I see more students choosing to answer mainly subjective papers such as Chemistry 2 and 3 in English,” he said.

Alimuddin said 71.3% and 76.8% of students who sat for Chemistry Papers 2 and 3, respectively, answered in English.

Other subjects which had high percentages of being answered fully in English include Additional Mathematics Paper 2 at 86.2%, Biology Paper 3 (81.5%) and Chemistry Paper 3 (76.8%).

“We are unable to make a comparison with 2007 as there is no available data. It is only this year that we got the students to mark whether they opted to answer in English or Bahasa Malaysia,” said Alimuddin.

Students can opt to answer Science and Mathematics papers in English or Bahasa Malaysia, or in both languages.

Alimuddin said students who sat for the SPM last year were the second batch to have studied Science and Mathematics subjects in English since the introduction of the policy in 2003, adding that there was little difference in performance between students in urban and rural areas.

Penang students the best in English


PENANG students have proven that their English is far better than that of their counterparts in other states.

This is shown in the SPM results with students in the state scoring 79.9% passes in English compared with the national rate of 73.8%.

State Education director Ibrahim Mohamad said out of the 19,428 candidates in the state who sat for the English paper, 15,537 students passed the examination.

He, however, said there was a slight drop of 0.76% in the overall SPM results in the state compared with last year’s 88.99% passes.

“This could be due to students placing less emphasis on the Bahasa Melayu paper which recorded 88.23% passes,” he said at a press conference yesterday.

A total of 19,613 students sat for the SPM exam in Penang last year.

Out of this, 566 students scored 1A and 2As and 159 students scored straight 1As.

He said two students from SMKA Al Irshad and another student from SMK (P) St George obtained the highest number of 13 1As.

There were 15 students who scored 12 1As, 57 with 11 1As, 81 with 10 1As and three who scored 9 1As.

Ibrahim also said 19 schools achieved 100% passes.

The schools were SMKA Al Irshad, SMS Tun Syed Sheh Shahabudin, SMJK Jit Sin, Penang Chinese Girls’ High School (PCGHS), SMK (P) St George, SMJK Chung Ling Butterworth, SMK Dato Onn, SMK Penang Free School, SMKA Nibong Tebal, SMK Tinggi Bukit Mertajam, SMKA Al Mashoor (P), SMK Bukit Jambul, SMK Abdullah Munshi, SMKA Al Mashoor (L), SMK Seri Nibong, SM Teknik Seberang Perai, SM Teknik Balik Pulau, SM Teknik Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra and SMK Kampong Selamat.

Dapat rumah, ditaja biasiswa belajar di London

Oleh FATIHAH MOHAMED
dan LUQMAN HAKIM AB. RAHIM
berita@kosmo.com.my


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NIK NUR MADIHAH (gambar kecil) mencipta kecemerlangan dalam peperiksaan SPM 2008 ketika belajar di rumah ini di Kampung Parang Puting, Pengkalan Chepa.

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KUALA LUMPUR - Nik Mohd. Kamal Hussien, 41, mungkin tidak pernah bermimpi untuk mendiami rumah bernilai RM130,000 dan menghantar anaknya belajar ke luar negara.

Dengan pendapatannya sebanyak RM500 sebulan sebagai nelayan, tidak mungkin nelayan dari Pengkalan Chepa, Kelantan itu dapat berbuat demikian.

Namun, semua itu bakal menjadi kenyataan tidak lama lagi hanya kerana kecemerlangan anaknya Nik Nur Madihah, 18, yang memperoleh 19 1A dan satu 2A dalam peperiksaan Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) baru-baru ini.

Lebih menarik, Menteri Pembangunan Usahawan dan Koperasi, Datuk Noh Omar semalam memberitahu, anaknya itu akan ditawarkan pinjaman penuh secara automatik oleh Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) yang dianggarkan bernilai RM70,000 untuk melanjutkan pelajaran ke peringkat A Level di London.

"Saya sendiri dah bercakap dengan Nik Nur Madihah, dah cakap dengan ayah dia dan pagi tadi saya bercakap pula dengan guru yang mengajar pelajar ini.

"Kita tawarkan biasiswa A-Level di London berdasarkan minat Nik Nur Madihah untuk belajar di United Kingdom,'' katanya selepas melancarkan kempen satu keluarga satu syarikat di Pusat Dagangan Dunia Putra (PWTC) di sini semalam.

Nik Nur Madihah merupakan pelajar Sekolah Menengah Agama Arab Maahad Muhammadi, Kota Bharu yang mencipta sejarah apabila memperoleh keputusan cemerlang dalam SPM yang diumumkan Jumaat lalu.

Selain Mara, semalam Nik Nur Madihah turut ditawarkan dua lagi biasiswa lain daripada Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) dan Petronas untuk melanjutkan pelajaran ke peringkat tertinggi.

Rabu ini, Nur Madihah akan ke Kuala Lumpur untuk menghadiri sesi temu duga biasiswa yang diatur oleh BNM.

Di Pengkalan Chepa, Nik Nur Madihah melahirkan rasa syukur dan terharu atas keprihatinan banyak pihak ekoran kejayaan diperolehnya. Dia menganggap ia adalah rahmat Tuhan atas kesabarannya selama ini.

Selain tawaran biasiswa anaknya, Nik Mohd. Kamal turut dikhabarkan dengan berita gembira apabila Perbadanan Kemajuan Iktisad Negeri Kelantan (PKINK) menyatakan pihaknya akan membina rumah baru untuk keluarga tersebut.

Menteri Besar Kelantan, Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat berkata, kos pembinaan rumah tersebut yang dianggarkan bernilai RM130,000 akan ditanggung sepenuhnya oleh agensi berkenaan dan akan dimulakan tidak lama lagi.

“Tapak rumah telah disediakan di Taman Perumahan Kurnia Jaya, Pengkalan Chepa dan akan dibina dengan segera.

“Pemberian rumah ini adalah untuk membantu meringankan beban keluarga mereka di samping sebagai penghargaan kepada kejayaan Nik Nur Madihah,’’ katanya ketika ditemui selepas memberi sumbangan peribadi kepada keluarga itu di sini semalam.

Bagi Nik Mohd. Kamal, tiada perkataan yang dapat menggambarkan kegembiraannya sambil tidak putus-putus mengucapkan rasa syukur dan terharu terhadap kurnia Tuhan kepadanya.

“Saya cuma harap pemberian ini dapat memberi keselesaan kepada anak-anak dan menjadikan mereka lebih tekun belajar pada masa akan datang,’’ ujarnya.


.....hebat sungguh!!.....

UTM building RM53m sports centre
Chuah Bee Kim

UNIVERSITI Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) is building a world-class sports centre in line with its plan to create a big pool of national athletes.


Its deputy vice-chancellor (student affairs and alumni) Prof Dr Mohd Tajudin Ninggal said the university was happy to be able to contribute to the national agenda to produce top-notch athletes.

He said the RM53 million sports centre, to be located near the Pontian-Skudai road junction, will feature a world-class stadium, an Olympicsize swimming pool, a gymnasium and a running track.

The construction, which began in August, is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2010.


"We hope this initiative will provide a platform for the students to be actively involved in sports and develop their athletic skills.

"In conjunction with the building of the sports centre, a faculty for sports science will also be set up," said Tajudin.

Under the university's student affairs and alumni unit, UTM has a team of qualified trainers in sports such as swimming and basketball.

"UTM is taking the lead in the development of sports because some of our students emerged champions in the 14th Asean University Games," he said.

Tajudin was speaking at the launch of the three-day Career Carnival at UTM recently.

International and local companies set up some 40 booths to offer fresh graduates a chance to find employment.

Although the number of participating companies had dropped by 38 per cent, he said the companies offer more than 1,000 job vacancies.

"Final year students can submit their resumes to the participating companies while postgraduate students can gather information about the job market during the carnival."

Institut Hospitaliti tawar 300 tempat kepada lepasan SPM
JOHOR BAHRU 17 Mac - Institut Hospitaliti YPJ (IHYPJ), sekolah perhotelan milik penuh Kumpulan Pendidikan YPJ (KPYPJ) menawarkan 300 tempat kepada lepasan Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM).

Tawaran itu dibuka untuk melanjutkan pengajian di peringkat diploma dan bidang pengurusan perhotelan dan penyediaan makanan bagi sesi kemasukan Jun/Julai 2009.

IHYPJ yang kini menerima penyertaan pelajar dari seluruh negara turut menawarkan peluang melanjutkan pengajian ke peringkat sarjana muda di beberapa institusi pengajian tinggi awam dan swasta seperti Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) dan Kolej Taylor.

Pengurus Perhubungan Awam KPYPJ, Zaid Zain berkata, bagi mengikuti program diploma di IHYPJ, lepasan SPM perlu memiliki sekurang-kurangnya tiga kepujian dalam mana-mana mata pelajaran.

"Bagi yang ingin mengikuti program tiga tahun itu, mereka turut akan ditawarkan pembiayaan Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara), Yayasan Pelajaran Johor (YPJ) dan Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional (PTPTN)," katanya dalam kenyataan di sini hari ini.

Menurutnya, lepasan SPM yang tidak memiliki syarat kemasukan minimum tiga kredit atau mana-mana lepasan sekolah yang berusia 16 tahun ke atas dan berminat dalam bidang penyediaan makanan pula dipelawa mengikuti program Sijil Penyediaan Makanan dan Pastri di Kolej Komuniti YPJ Johor Bahru.

Untuk maklumat lanjut, orang ramai yang berminat boleh menghubungi 013-7324814.

RM377mil to boost research and development in varsities
Wednesday March 18, 2009
By ALYCIA LIM

PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Research Institute (MRI) has been given US$100mil (RM367,899,000) to boost research and development in public universities.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Khaled Nordin said that once the draft of the MRI structure had been endorsed by the Cabinet, the institute would facilitate Malaysian universities in collaborating with prestigious higher education institutions overseas.

“The Higher Education Ministry is setting up the organisational structure of the MRI, which will aid research activities in the centres of excellence in some public universities,” said Khaled, when presenting the second Higher Education Ministry progress report in Putrajaya yesterday.

“For this reason, Khazanah Nasional and Petronas have given an endowment of US$100mil to this institution.”

Khaled said that he hoped more people would apply for the postgraduate scholarships announced under the mini budget on March 10. To date, the ministry has received 16 applications. There are 500 places available at PhD level and 10,000 at Masters level in public universities, as well as at other universities like Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Multimedia University and Universiti Teknologi Petronas.

Khaled added that with the new electronic programme management office (e-PMO) in place, the ministry could now keep tabs on the implementation of its strategic plans.

On another issue, he said service charges under the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) would be reduced from 3% to 1%, from this year for old and new loan applicants.

“This was in view of the edict by the National Fatwa Council last June requiring PTPTN to change its method of giving out loans.”

VMU plans medical college in Malaysia
Published: 2009/03/30

VINAYAKA Missions University (VMU), one of the India's largest private universities, may open a medical college in Malaysia.

It already operates the Penang International Dental College and Suria College (offering allied sciences, nursing and pharmacies) in Butterworth.

VMU's Pro-Chancellor Datuk Dr S. Sharavanan said if it opens a medical college, it will be on a joint-venture basis and one that offers twinning programmes.

"We feel that there are enough medical colleges in Malaysia. However, we will consider it on a partnership basis should a partner with a viable business option come forward," Dr Sharavanan said.

He said VMU has received proposals from Pahang, Perak and even Selangor.

In fact, the idea to set up a college in Malaysia came about in 2001. Initially, it had intended to open a medical college in Malaysia. However, realising the acute shortage of dentists in Malaysia, it decided to offer the courses instead.

According to Dr Sharavanan, if the twinning programme takes off, it will see students do their pre-clinical studies here in Malaysia and clinical studies (third year onwards) at a VMU campus in India.

VMU campuses in India are located in Salem, Pondicherry and Karaikal - all Malaysian approved medical colleges.

He pointed out that the move may see VMU spend some RM45 million in India to expand its facility and accommodate medical students from the twinning programme.

KYM jadi universiti 2010

MELAKA 3 April – Kerajaan negeri akan menaik taraf Kolej Yayasan Melaka (KYM) sebagai universiti menjelang 2010.

Ketua Menteri, Datuk Seri Mohd. Ali Rustam berkata, KYM yang sebelum ini dimiliki Yayasan Melaka (YM) bakal diuruskan Malaysia France University Sdn. Bhd. (MFUSB).

“Usahasama YM dengan MFUSB yang kini memiliki 60 peratus saham KYM pasti mampu meningkatkan taraf kolej tersebut kepada universiti yang lebih disegani,” katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian kepada pemberita selepas merasmikan Karnival Pendidikan Melaka 2009 di sini semalam.

Sebanyak 30 program pendidikan berkaitan sains dan bahasa disediakan sepanjang karnival empat hari itu yang bermula kelmarin di Pusat Dagangan Antarabangsa Melaka (MITC), Ayer Keroh.

Sebanyak 156 unit gerai dan pusat pameran pendidikan disediakan sempena karnival itu yang disertai kira-kira 90 peserta dari institusi pengajian tinggi awam dan swasta.

Mohd. Ali memberitahu, setakat ini, pihaknya belum dapat menentukan nama yang sesuai bagi universiti baru tersebut bagi menggantikan nama KYM.

A bigger, better dental school


THE Penang International Dental College (PIDC) is eyeing a piece of land off Jalan New Ferry in Butterworth to build its RM40mil new campus.

Its dean and Periodontology Department head Dr P. Pushparajan said the 1.2ha-plot would be ideal for the campus, which was targeted to become one of South-East Asia’s biggest state-of-the-art dental facility with 150 dental chairs.

“We are negotiating the price of the land with the landowner.

“We have also started planning for the campus design by studying the dental faculties of Universiti Malaya and New Zealand’s University of Otago,” he said in a recent interview.

Dr Pushparajan said PIDC hoped to obtain the planning approval from the Seberang Prai Municipal Council by December and complete the campus by 2011.

While awaiting the main campus to be ready, he said, PIDC would continue operating from its RM10mil satellite centre in NB Tower I, Jalan Bagan Luar, where a 75-chair dental clinic was available to the public.

He said the management viewed Butterworth as a suitable location for the main campus as it had good infrastructure and accessibility, especially for those travelling from the island using the ferry.

“We will be able to enrol up to 225 students at the main campus, compared to only 75 students at NB Tower now,” he said.

PIDC managing director and chief executive officer Datuk Dr S. Sharavanan said PIDC was well-positioned to boost dental tourism in the country and to serve as a dental referral hub.

“There have been increasing tourists from the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia and Indonesia who seek cosmetic dental surgery and root canal treatment procedures in Malaysia.

“Most dental procedures have a short recovery period and visitors can combine treatment in PIDC with a holiday in cultural and heritage-rich Penang,” he said.

Dr Sharavanan said PIDC’s main campus in Butterworth would further boost Penang’s efforts in becoming a world-class health tourism hub in the Asian region.

PIDC is owned and operated by Vinayaka Missions University (VMU), one of India’s leading education groups, which manages 21 colleges and universities in India, Canada, US, Thailand, Arab and Malaysia.

A bigger, better dental school


THE Penang International Dental College (PIDC) is eyeing a piece of land off Jalan New Ferry in Butterworth to build its RM40mil new campus.

Its dean and Periodontology Department head Dr P. Pushparajan said the 1.2ha-plot would be ideal for the campus, which was targeted to become one of South-East Asia’s biggest state-of-the-art dental facility with 150 dental chairs.

“We are negotiating the price of the land with the landowner.

“We have also started planning for the campus design by studying the dental faculties of Universiti Malaya and New Zealand’s University of Otago,” he said in a recent interview.

Dr Pushparajan said PIDC hoped to obtain the planning approval from the Seberang Prai Municipal Council by December and complete the campus by 2011.

While awaiting the main campus to be ready, he said, PIDC would continue operating from its RM10mil satellite centre in NB Tower I, Jalan Bagan Luar, where a 75-chair dental clinic was available to the public.

He said the management viewed Butterworth as a suitable location for the main campus as it had good infrastructure and accessibility, especially for those travelling from the island using the ferry.

“We will be able to enrol up to 225 students at the main campus, compared to only 75 students at NB Tower now,” he said.

PIDC managing director and chief executive officer Datuk Dr S. Sharavanan said PIDC was well-positioned to boost dental tourism in the country and to serve as a dental referral hub.

“There have been increasing tourists from the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia and Indonesia who seek cosmetic dental surgery and root canal treatment procedures in Malaysia.

“Most dental procedures have a short recovery period and visitors can combine treatment in PIDC with a holiday in cultural and heritage-rich Penang,” he said.

Dr Sharavanan said PIDC’s main campus in Butterworth would further boost Penang’s efforts in becoming a world-class health tourism hub in the Asian region.

PIDC is owned and operated by Vinayaka Missions University (VMU), one of India’s leading education groups, which manages 21 colleges and universities in India, Canada, US, Thailand, Arab and Malaysia.

UTM menuju institusi penyelidikan
8 April 2009
Oleh MOHD. KHUZAIRI ISMAIL

MENONGKAH arus perubahan dalam era modenisasi serta sains dan teknologi, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) menggalas cabaran besar untuk menempatkan diri di kalangan institusi pengajian tinggi (ITPT) bertaraf antarabangsa.

Sebagai universiti tertua negara iaitu ditubuhkan pada 1904, UTM perlu bergerak lebih jauh dan berada dalam kelas tersendiri.

Ironinya, universiti itu yang bermula sebagai Sekolah Teknik Treacher di Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur kini diterajui oleh Naib Canselor termuda, iaitu Prof. Datuk Ir. Dr. Zaini Ujang.

Pemilik nama besar dalam bidang kejuruteraan alam sekitar ini diberi kepercayaan memimpin universiti itu bermula 1 Ogos lalu, iaitu ketika berusia 42 tahun.

Dalam semangat dan corak kerja orang muda yang lebih dinamik, Zaini pastinya mempunyai perancangan dan hala tuju yang agak berbeza dalam mengemudi UTM.

Antara yang menjadi tumpuan ialah untuk membawa universiti berkenaan mencapai status sebagai sebuah universiti penyelidikan.

Bergerak ke arah itu, UTM meletakkan sasaran melahirkan 50 peratus pelajar ijazah lanjutan menjelang 2011 berbanding hanya 35 peratus ketika ini.

Di peringkat ijazah pertama, tumpuan akan diberikan kepada aktiviti penyelidikan berbanding kerja-kerja pengajaran.

Malah, pengambilan pelajar serta kursus pengajian yang dilihat tidak relevan dan gagal melahirkan ramai pelajar terbaik di peringkat ini turut dikurangkan.

UTM juga berhasrat melahirkan 60 peratus pensyarah dengan kelayakan Doktor Falsafah (PhD) menjelang 2011.

Ia termasuk seramai 200 pensyarah muda dari luar negara sepanjang tahun ini.

Menurut Zaini, keutamaan kepada pensyarah muda itu bagi membolehkan mereka menjalankan penyelidikan lanjutan sekurang-kurangnya untuk tempoh lima tahun.

Pensyarah muda itu juga tambah beliau, akan bertindak sebagai duta UTM apabila berpindah ke universiti lain sekali gus membina jambatan kerjasama pada masa depan.

''Dalam persekitaran pendidikan tinggi global yang semakin kompetitif ketika ini, kerjasama dengan universiti luar adalah sangat penting bagi membolehkan kita dikenali," jelas Zaini.

Pendekatan itu juga selaras dengan tumpuan UTM yang mahu memperluaskan jaringan kerjasama dengan universiti bertaraf antarabangsa.

Ia termasuk kerjasama penyelidikan, kursus pengajian, pertukaran pelajar serta kakitangan dan sebagainya.

Kerjasama itu juga dibuat berdasarkan kerangka yang lebih tersusun supaya boleh dilaksanakan dengan lebih fokus.

Antaranya penyelidikan yang lebih relevan serta mampu memberi pulangan kepada negara.

Ketika ini, UTM sedang merintis kerjasama penyelidikan dengan beberapa universiti terkemuka antaranya Universiti Oxford, Kolej Imperial, London dan Universiti Teknikal Denmark dalam bidang alam sekitar.

Kerjasama itu bertujuan meletakkan UTM dalam kelompok 500 universiti terbaik dunia dalam senarai Times Higher Education Supplement (THES).

UTM ketika ini berada pada kedudukan 356 iaitu meningkat 60 anak tangga berbanding tahun lepas.

Bagaimanapun Zaini menjelaskan, kedudukan THES itu bukanlah sasaran utama kerana ia bukan indikator utama kecemerlangan sesebuah universiti.

Penilaiannya juga tidak sepenuhnya relevan dengan keutamaan yang diberikan oleh sesebuah universiti.

Sebagai contoh antara kriteria utama penilaian ialah peratusan tinggi jumlah pelajar dari luar negara.

Sedangkan UTM mempunyai kuota pengambilan penuntut tersendiri kerana perlu memberikan keutamaan kepada siswazah tempatan.

UTM juga agak terkebelakang dalam kriteria penilaian THES berbanding universiti tempatan lain termasuk dari sudut kursus pengajian yang ditawarkan.

Sebagai sebuah universiti teknikal, kursus pengajian UTM adalah terhad berbanding IPTA lain yang lebih komprehensif.

Meskipun tidak dinafikan pengaruh dan kesan positif daripada kedudukan tersebut, namun ia tidak bermaksud UTM perlu mengorbankan matlamat asal semata-mata untuk menempatkan diri dalam kelompok universiti teratas.

Bagaimanapun di peringkat tempatan, UTM masih merupakan pendahulu dalam beberapa bidang.

Antara yang paling menonjol ialah aktiviti penyelidikan yang progresif apabila berjaya menghasilkan sebanyak 1,120 harta intelek (IP) sehingga kini.

Daripada jumlah itu, terdapat beberapa IP yang berjaya dikomersialkan tidak hanya di peringkat tempatan malah sehingga ke luar negara.

Ia termasuk sistem MyLine iaitu aplikasi pengajian bahasa Inggeris dalam talian.

Aplikasi ini yang pada mulanya digunakan di UTM kini sudah digunapakai di kesemua 20 buah IPTA di seluruh negara.

Malah, ia turut menarik minat beberapa IPT di Arab Saudi yang berhasrat untuk mengimplimentasikannya.

Bagaimanapun Zaini mengakui, masih terdapat banyak IP yang tidak dikomersialkan sehingga sampai ke peringkat pengguna.

Perkara itu jelas beliau memerlukan usaha lebih lanjut termasuk kerjasama dengan agensi berteraskan kerajaan (GLC) bagi membolehkan IP itu berjaya dikomersialkan.

Di samping itu, UTM juga berjaya melahirkan mahasiswa yang menepati kehendak pasaran kerja.

Sebagai contoh bagi graduan UTM yang menamatkan sesi pengajian sesi terbaru misalnya, 80 peratus daripada mereka berjaya diserapkan dalam industri.

Penekanan turut diberikan kepada penerbitan makalah berwasit di kalangan pensyarah yang diindekskan dalam jurnal antarabangsa seperti ISIS dan Scorpus.

Ketika ini sangat sukar untuk mencari jurnal penyelidikan saintis tempatan yang dijadikan wasit atau rujukan oleh saintis di seluruh dunia.

Perkara itu jelas Zaini bukan bermaksud kajian saintis tempatan tidak bertaraf antarabangsa.

Sebaliknya, apa yang membezakannya barangkali bagaimana kaedah penyelidikan itu dihasilkan.

Saintis luar misalnya, memastikan penyelidikan mereka ditulis dan disiarkan di dalam jurnal antarabangsa.

''Ia membolehkan kajian itu dijadikan rujukan oleh saintis lain di seluruh dunia dalam tempoh waktu tertentu,'' tambah Zaini.

Di samping itu, kajian yang dijalankan juga membabitkan beberapa pihak termasuk industri secara langsung.

Meskipun kajian itu tidak sepenuhnya digunakan oleh industri berkenaan, namun rangkaian yang dibina itu secara tidak langsung menunjukkan kepentingan dan manfaat kajian yang dijalankan.

Malangnya, perkara seperti ini tidak berlaku di kalangan saintis tempatan.

Kebanyakan penyelidik kita terkongkong dalam kajian mereka dan tidak bekerjasama dengan pelbagai pihak terutamanya industri. Ia secara tidak langsung merugikan pihak saintis tempatan sendiri.

Seharusnya dalam ruang komunikasi yang tidak terhad dengan adanya Internet ketika ini, kajian itu boleh diperluas dan dirangkaikan dengan lebih luas dan mudah.

Unimas

http://www.zecon.com.my/images/unimas.jpg

http://www.zecon.com.my/images/unimas1.jpg

Hospitality college in downtown Kuala Lumpur

Berjaya University's college of hospitality is a new institution right in the heart of the city. It offers courses in hotel management, food and beverage, tourism and hospitality.

Located on the 11th floor of the Berjaya Times Square Mall, the college has state-of-the-art facilities with a five-star hotel appearance. It has fully-operational kitchens, a gourmet cafe and a fine-dining restaurant.

It also has an oenology lab where students learn about wine, a coffee academy, an Internet centre and WiFi facilities.

Registration for this month's intake is open. For details, visit www.berjaya.edu.my.

Terengganu spending RM2.2m on ubi gadong research
Monday April 13, 2009

KUALA TERENGGANU: The Terengganu government has allocated RM2.2mil to Universiti Darul Iman Malaysia (UDM) to conduct research on an intoxicating yam called ubi gadong.

Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said said the research was important as food products from the yam could increase the income of farmers.

“After the research, we may make food like cakes from the yam and name it the official food of the state,” he said after chairing the weekly state executive council meeting here last week.

Ahmad said the state would allocate RM1mil to UDM for the research this year and the balance next year.

Besides its use in cakes, he said that an extract from the yam could be used to make birth-control and hormone pills.

“We want UDM to speed up the removal of toxins from the yam as it takes four days to do so before the yam is ready for cake-making,” he said.

There are 1,137 species of yam in the world and research has been done on it in the United States since 1753. — Bernama

School for gifted kids to open in 2011
By : By Suganthi Suparmaniam



KUALA LUMPUR: The country's first school for gifted children is expected to open for enrolment in 2011.

The school, under the Permata Pintar programme, would be located at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) campus in Bangi. It would only take in only highly intellectual students from Forms Four and Five.

The students of the boarding school would be allowed to take up papers at UKM and later continue their education at Johns Hopkins University in the US, which provides the programmes and syllabus for the school.

A memorandum of understanding was signed between UKM and Johns Hopkins University Centre for Talented Youth yesterday.

Permata Pintar programme patron Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor said RM20 million from Permata's allocation would be used for Phase One of the school.

The school is expected to cost about RM80 million.

"We expect between 80 and 100 students in the first batch," she said at a press conference after witnessing the signing ceremony.

The prime minister's wife said although the programme was aimed at Malaysians, the school would also open its doors to foreigners, especially students from Asean countries, at a later stage.

Rosmah said the Ujian Permata Pintar online tests which began last month was the first step as these gifted children could later apply to enter the school.

Earlier, in delivering her keynote address on "Children as the National Asset" at the International Conference On Early Childhood Education and Care, Rosmah stressed the importance of the first five years of a child's development and the roles of parents and teachers in shaping a child.

With the theme "Developing Human Capital Begins with Children", the three-day conference was officiated by Datuk Seri Najib Razak on Tuesday.

After delivering her speech, Rosmah was asked whether Permata or the Council on Streamlining Childcare and Early Education pilot project, which she heads, would be opened to the corporate field as well.

"Let us go step by step. We don't want to go wrong or too fast. We don't want our kids to be the victims. Moreover, we also have budget constraints," she said, adding that those from the corporate field who were interested in the project should contact the Permata secretariat.

To date, Permata has 14 centres nationwide with 380 toddlers . It is an organisation under the jurisdiction of the Prime Minister's Department involved in the early education and nurturing of children.

The conference is a joint effort between Permata Division, the Prime Minister's Department, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, United Nations Children's Fund and the National Association of Early Childhood Care and Education.

Leading local experts as well as those from abroad, including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Sweden, New Zealand and Australia, attended the conference to present papers.

It aimed to provide a platform for the sharing and exchanging of ideas on issues impacting the delivery of quality services for children, families and communities.

KL International BookFair
PWTC
17-26/4/09

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http://blogs.iium.edu.my/cfslib/files/2009/04/bookfair-200x300.jpg

http://klbookfair.com

Ministry may revive 3,500 school projects


MUAR: The Education Ministry will try to revive the 3,500-odd school projects approved under the 9th Malaysia Plan but stalled due to the increase in fuel prices last year.

Deputy Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said the construction sector was affected when world fuel prices rocketed to over US$135 (RM486) per barrel.

But since the prices had dropped to the current US$40 (RM144), the projects would be revived with priority given to the urgent ones like the SMK Sri Muar where a building was partially demolished to build two blocks of three-storey buildings.

“The work stopped when the price of fuel shot up which forced cost of building materials to increase,” he said during a visit to the school yesterday.

On the use of English in teaching Mathematics and Science, Dr Wee said Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin would be meeting the parties who are against the move.

He said Muhyiddin wanted a detailed and thorough study before deciding on the matter.

UniMAP To Enhance Cooperation With Uzbek Varsities
April 19, 2009 11:46 AM

KANGAR, April 19 (Bernama) -- The Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) is taking steps to enhance cooperation with institutions of higher learning in Uzbekistan, its Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kamarudin Hussin said.

He said that in January, three memorandums of understanding were inked with Uzbek universities.

UniMAP had also signed similar memorandum with an institution in Krygstan, he said at the Uzbekistan cultural night here last night.

He expressed confidence that the cooperation would expand UniMAP's international network.

Present at the event were the Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail, Raja Perempuan of Perlis Tuanku Tengku Fauziah Tengku Abdul Rashid, and Raja Muda of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail who is UniMAP Chancellor.

-- BERNAMA

USM Wins Three MAPIM Awards
April 19, 2009 00:43 AM

KUALA LUMPUR, April 19 (Bernama) -- Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Publishers grabbed three MAPIM (Best Publications) awards tonight while Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) publications centre and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Publishers won one award each.

The three publications by USM that won the university the awards were entitled "Undang-Undang Kesultanan Melayu Dalam Perbandingan" authored by Jelani Harun which was named Best Book (Social Sciences and Humanities) while "Atlas Of Craniovertebral Junction Surgery: Problems and Solutions" by Hillol K.Pal won the best book in the Science, Technology and Medicine category.

A journal entitled "Subordination and Superordination of The Liu-Srivastava Linear Operator On Meramorphic Function" by Rosihan M.Ali V won the Best Journal award in Science, Technology and Medicine category.

UiTM won in the Best Journal Category (Social Sciences and Humanities) through its work entitled "Effects Of Goal Orientation and Task Complexity on Audit Judgement Performance" by Zuraidah Mohd Sanusi while UKM in the Best Copy Editing Category (Social Sciences and Humanities) through the work entitled "Packaging Myths For Tourism: The Rungus of Kudat" by Aimie Johari.

Higher Education Ministry deputy secretary-general Omar Abdul Rahman presented the awards at a gala dinner held at a hotel here.

-- BERNAMA

Mimos Launches CoE In UMS
April 24, 2009 17:48 PM

KOTA KINABALU, April 24 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Institute of Microelectronic Systems (Mimos) today launched a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Semantic Agents at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), to assist in the development of the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC).

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Maximus Ongkili said the move was both strategic and historic as Mimos which is under the Ministry, has opened its first CoE in Sabah after having served the nation for 30 years.

"I am both proud and happy that the centre was launched in less than a year after signing a Memorandum of Understanding last August.

"The smart partnership process with UMS was brought about through the latest state-of-the-art technology, especially in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT)....because ICT is the key machinery to assist the achievement of the roles of SDC," Ongkili told reporters after launching the centre here today.

The CoE would be involved in research and development of semantic technology from Mimos and Intelligent Agent from UMS.

Meanwhile, Mimos chairman Datuk Suriah Abdul Rahman said Sabah is an excellent state to conduct Research and Development (R&D) because of its immense natural resources and its richness in plant diversity combined with its unique geological, topographical, and climatic conditions.

"The UMS' expertise in semantic technology is among the best in the country and similar to activities conducted by Mimos," she said.

Suriah said Mimos had so far joined forces with 19 universities and local research institutions, including UMS while cooperation exist with 22 foreign institutions in Europe, America and Asia Pacific.

"Apart from Universities and research institutions, Mimos are also working closely with multi-national industrial partners like Microsoft, Oracle and SISCO," she said.

-- BERNAMA

Dua pelajar MRSM harumkan nama negara di Texas
ARKIB : 25/04/2009

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NAM Marthinin berbual mesra dengan pelajar-pelajar MRSM yang berjaya
menerima anugerah dalam kategori masing-masing pada pertandingan
antarabangsa I-Sweeep 2009 di Kuala Lumpur, semalam.

KUALA LUMPUR 24 April - Dua pelajar Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM) Tun Ghafar Baba, Melaka berjaya mengharumkan nama negara apabila memenangi pingat perak pada pertandingan International Sustainable World Project Olympiad (I-Sweeep) 2009 di Houston, Texas, Amerika Syarikat (AS) minggu lalu.

Kedua-dua mereka mempertaruhkan alat penyerap bahan kimia dalam sisa buangan minyak kelapa sawit.

Kemenangan itu membolehkan mereka membawa pulang hadiah wang tunai RM2,700 dan lebih istimewa ditawarkan tempat untuk belajar di salah sebuah universiti di Texas.

Pelajar terlibat, Madihah Zuhari, 17, dan rakannya, El-Insyiirah Fathin Amiruddin, 17, mengambil masa selama setahun setengah untuk melakukan penyelidikan dan menghasilkan ciptaan tersebut.

''Pada mulanya saya tidak begitu bersemangat dan sekadar ingin mencuba. Saya mengambil keputusan untuk menyertai pertandingan ini selepas dicabar oleh guru.

''Tetapi saya tidak sangka akhirnya diumumkan sebagai pemenang pingat perak dan lebih mengejutkan, kami ditawarkan untuk melanjutkan pengajian dalam bidang kejuruteraan di Universiti Arlington, Texas,'' katanya ketika ditemui selepas majlis meraikan kontinjen I-Sweeep di sini hari ini.

Mereka muncul sebagai pemenang kedua selepas ditewaskan pelajar dari China, Gong Zhang Xiaowan yang mencipta sistem mengawal kelajuan kenderaan berkuasa tinggi.

Selain Madihah dan Insyiirah, lapan lagi pelajar MRSM Melaka dan Taiping turut mengharumkan nama negara dengan ciptaan masing-masing.

I-Sweeep merupakan pertandingan reka cipta bagi mencungkil bakat-bakat baru yang terdiri daripada pelajar di peringkat sekolah menengah dan institusi pengajian tinggi (IPT) di seluruh dunia.

Hadir sama meraikan mereka ialah Ketua Pengarah Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara), Datuk Nam Marthinin.

Insyiirah berkata, penyertaan mereka hanya berbekalkan sedikit pengalaman yang dikutip daripada pelajar senior yang banyak menghasilkan ciptaan.

Katanya, ciptaan yang menggunakan bahan terbuang seperti sekam padi, mampu menyerap bahan kimia yang bahaya dalam sisa buangan minyak kelapa sawit.

Sementara itu, Madihah berkata, peluang untuk melanjutkan pengajian di Universiti Arlington itu tidak akan disia-siakan.

''Inilah peluang yang saya nanti-nantikan malah ia seolah-olah impian menjadi kenyataan buat diri saya,'' ujarnya.

Dalam pada itu, MRSM Tun Ghafar Baba turut menerima anugerah khas ciptaan terbaik 2009.

Bina Puri wins RM60mil job
Friday May 1, 2009

KUALA LUMPUR: Bina Puri Holdings Bhd has been awarded a RM60mil contract from Public Works Department to undertake building works for Universiti Malaysia Kelantan Bachok campus in Kelantan.

Last July, Bina Puri was awarded a RM20.4mil contract for infrastructure works for the campus. With the new job – scheduled for completion in 15 months – its total book order was RM2.5bil, the company said.

UTM to debut in Shell Eco-Marathon Europe
2009/05/01 Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, Fri: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) has become the first Malaysian team to take part in the Shell Eco-Marathon Europe, an annual fuel-efficiency challenge to determine which vehicle can travel the farthest distance using the least amount of fuel, Shell Malaysia announced today.

Through UTM, Malaysia will thus make its debut in this global event that encourages students to solve the energy challenges of the future.

Shell Malaysia chairman Datuk Saw Choo Boon said the Shell Eco-Marathon would be a valuable experience that would encourage students to showcase their creativity and innovativeness in meeting the energy challenge, and gain practical experience for the future.

"We hope the participation by UTM will inspire other Malaysian student teams to take up the challenge especially when the event is held here in Kuala Lumpur next year," Saw said in reference to Shell Malaysia hosting the inaugural Shell Eco-marathon Asia at the Sepang International Circuit in July 2010.

The European competition will be held in Germany from May 7 to 9 at the EuroSpeedway Lausitz, near Berlin where UTM will compete against more than 200 teams in their solar-powered vehicle.

"It is indeed a great privilege for UTM to represent our country and be the first Malaysian team to enter the Shell Eco-Marathon. I believe there are many useful lessons to take home from this experience," said Professor Hamdani Saidi, who has been providing encouragement and support as advisor to the team and the Director for Fuel Cell Vehicle Team.

Designed to test the limits of fuel efficiency, the Shell Eco-Marathon rules and regulations have further challenged the UTM team into thinking about having a better fuel-efficient vehicle for the event.

This has led the team to modify its solar bicycle within three weeks into a three-wheel solar-powered vehicle for the challenge.

In the 2008 edition of the Shell Eco-marathon Europe, the Dutch team from the De Haagse Hogeschool won the urban concept category with a score of 848 km per litre from their hydrogen-powered vehicle while Lycee La Joliverie from France won the prototype category travelling 3,382 km per litre with their gasoline-powered vehicle.

UPM mahu kurangkan pelajar





KUALA LUMPUR - Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) mahu mengurangkan pengambilan pelajar bagi peringkat pengajian sarjana muda kepada 13,000 orang berbanding 18,500 pelajar ketika ini menjelang tahun 2020.

Pengurangan itu dilakukan secara berperingkat-peringkat semasa pengambilan pelajar baru setiap tahun dengan mengurangkan jumlahnya sehingga tahun berkenaan.

Naib Canselornya, Prof. Datuk Dr. Nik Mustapha R. Abdullah berkata, ketika ini UPM mempunyai seramai 27,000 orang pelajar di semua peringkat program pengajian.

Menurut beliau, daripada jumlah itu seramai 18,500 adalah pelajar sarjana muda dan selebihnya pelajar pascasiswazah yang melibatkan seramai 8,500 pelajar.

"Sebagai sebuah universiti penyelidikan, pihak universiti perlu menambah para pelajar pascasiswazah bagi membolehkan lebih banyak penyelidikan dijalankan,'' katanya ketika ditemui selepas merasmikan Pameran Graduan Jabatan Reka Bentuk Perindustrian di Dewan Banquet, UPM semalam.

Hasil meja bulat ditolak
Oleh Khairul Azran Hussin
Selasa, 05 Mei 2009

http://www.bharian.com.my/Tuesday/BeritaUtama/20090504235439/mainpix

MUHYIDDIN mendengar penerangan Johan (dua dari kiri) ketika melakukan
lawatan kerja ke Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka sambil diperhatikan Termuzi
(kanan) di Kuala Lumpur, semalam.

Laporan pelaksanaan PPSMI bukan penanda aras tepat: TPM

KUALA LUMPUR: Kementerian Pelajaran diarah membuat kajian semula terhadap pelaksanaan dasar Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran Sains serta Matematik dalam bahasa Inggeris (PPSMI) ekoran Kabinet tidak berpuas hati dengan hasil laporan Persidangan Meja Bulat PPSMI yang dibentangkan baru-baru ini.

Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, berkata Kabinet berpendapat laporan daripada beberapa persidangan meja bulat PPSMI sebelum ini bukan penanda aras yang tepat untuk menilai kewajaran pelaksanaan dasar berkenaan.

"Kita tidak boleh membuat keputusan tanpa fakta dan bukti yang kukuh untuk menyokong sesuatu dasar itu. Saya hanya akan berpuas hati apabila mendapat maklumat lengkap yang diperoleh dari semua sudut.

"Persidangan meja bulat mungkin hanya membolehkan sesetengah pihak mengemukakan pandangan peribadi. Kita memerlukan pandangan menyeluruh sebelum memutuskan sama ada dasar PPSMI perlu ditambah baik atau ditukar," katanya.

Muhyiddin yang juga Menteri Pelajaran berkata demikian selepas mengadakan lawatan ke Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) di sini semalam. Hadir sama ialah Pengerusi Pengelola DBP, Datuk Johan Jaafar dan Ketua Pengarah DBP, Datuk Termuzi Abdul Aziz.

Laporan Persidangan Meja Bulat PPSMI sebelum ini merumuskan tujuh cadangan untuk dipertimbangkan kerajaan dalam membuat keputusan mengenai masa depan PPSMI, iaitu:

- Meneruskan PPSMI seperti sedia ada;
- Menggunakan bahasa Melayu atau bahasa ibunda pada peringkat sekolah rendah tetapi meneruskan PPSMI di sekolah menengah;
- Memulakan PPSMI dari Tahun Empat hingga sekolah menengah;
- Menggunakan bahasa Melayu atau bahasa ibunda di sekolah rendah dan digunakan sepenuhnya di sekolah menengah;
- Penggunaan bahasa pengantar untuk Sains dan Matematik ditentukan oleh sekolah;
- Penggunaan bahasa Melayu atau bahasa ibunda pada Tahun Satu hingga Tiga, diikuti dwibahasa pada Tahun Empat hingga Enam; dan
- Penggunaan bahasa Inggeris sepenuhnya di sekolah menengah atau memansuhkan mata pelajaran Sains pada Tahun Satu hingga Tiga tetapi mengajar Sains dalam subjek lain.

Gerakan Mansuhkan PPSMI (GMP) bagaimanapun mahu kerajaan memansuhkan dasar itu kerana mendakwa pelaksanaan PPSMI selama enam tahun sejak 2003 gagal memanfaatkan pelajar, khususnya pelajar Melayu di luar bandar.

Selain itu, 25 kesatuan dan persatuan yang mewakili kira-kira 350,000 guru di seluruh negara juga menolak pelaksanaan PPSMI pada peringkat sekolah rendah.

Muhyiddin bagaimanapun menegaskan, sebarang keputusan berhubung pelaksanaan dasar PPSMI tidak boleh dilakukan secara terburu-buru kerana ia membabitkan masa depan pelajar.

"Saya mengalu-alukan jika ada pihak yang hendak kemukakan pandangan, hendak menyerahkan memorandum atau hendak berjumpa saya jika ia bersesuaian dengan apa yang hendak disampaikan.

"Walau apapun pandangan dan pendapat, akhirnya ia perlulah mengambil kira kepentingan bahasa kebangsaan, selain bahasa Inggeris yang menjadi bahasa penting di dunia," katanya.

Muhyiddin turut menggesa sektor swasta menyokong usaha kerajaan memperkasakan penggunaan bahasa kebangsaan.

"Kita akui sektor swasta menggunakan bahasa Inggeris dalam komunikasi dan urusan mereka, tetapi kerajaan berharap mereka turut menggunakan bahasa kebangsaan.

"Kerajaan serius memartabat serta memperkembangkan bahasa kebangsaan dan berharap Bulan Bahasa yang akan kita laksanakan tidak lama lagi akan mendapat sokongan sektor swasta," katanya.

Beliau berkata, pihaknya akan turut meneliti kembali Akta DBP, sekali gus menyokong usaha badan itu memartabatkan bahasa kebangsaan secara lebih berkesan dan menjadi titik mula untuk DBP bergerak dengan lebih aktif.

Iskandar's first varsity to open soon



JOHOR BARU: The first university to establish its campus at Iskandar Malaysia's Edu City will soon start taking in students.

Newcastle University of Me-dicine (NUMed) Malaysia will interview the first batch of students next month. Classes will start in September.

Forty places are available for the initial batch, which will do the first two years of the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery programme (MBBS) at Newcastle University's medical school in Britain.

The students will then return to Malaysia in 2011 for the remaining three years when the NUMed campus is ready.

From 2011, students will spend all five years at NUMed Malaysia.

NUMed Malaysia Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Professor Reg Jordan said degrees conferred by NUMed Malaysia would be identical to those at Newcastle University, which has one of the best medical faculties in Britain.

"We've received over 200 enquiries ever since news of the campus came out.

"Interviews will be held next month and we'll be selecting the best 40 from the 200 and those who applied after this."

Jordan, who is also dean of International Medical Education at Newcastle University, said the intake of students at NUMed Malaysia would be increased in the years to come.

Forty students will be enrolled in the first two batches but the number will be increased to 100 in 2011.

That number will gradually rise to 120 students in 2012, then an annual enrolment of 180 from 2013 onwards.

"Those applying for places can view the website at http://numed.ncl.ac.uk," Jordan said at the Iskandar Investment Bhd's headquarters here yesterday.

NUMed will eventually employ 130 academic staff, 90 per cent of whom will be Malaysian. A total of STG65 million (RM350 million) was invested on infrastructure for the NUMed campus.

Jordan said the cost of obtaining an MBBS at NUMed Malaysia would be half of that spent in Britain.

British varsity to make Iskandar leading hub
By ZAZALI MUSA


Newcastle University Medicine’s campus to be the main catalyst

zaza@thestar.com.my

BRITAIN’S Newcastle University Medicine (NUMed) wants to position Iskandar Malaysia as one of the leading higher educational hubs in the region.

NUMed Malaysia Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Professor Reginald Jordan s aid its first international branch campus in Johor would be the main catalyst to promote the state as the preferred destination for medical studies.

He said N UMed had received an overwhelming response from international an d local students since announcing the opening of its Johor campus five months ago.

http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2009/5/11/business/b_pg04jordan.jpg
Prof Reginald Jordan answers questions from reporters after announcing the enrolment of the first intake of the university’s students at Danga Bay in Johor. - Bernama

“So far, we have received over 200 enquiries to study at our branch campus in Mal aysia, ” Jordan told a press conference last week.

He said the enquiries came from Malaysia and foreign count ries such as Egypt, India, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Europe and the US.

The RM300mil campus on a 5.26ha site in EduCity is currently under construction in Nusajaya, which is one of the five flagship development zones in Iskandar Malaysia, and scheduled for completi on in May 2011.

Jordan said before the Johor campus was ready, the first two NUMed Malaysia cohorts of 40 students each would undertake the first two years of the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) prog rammes in Newcastle.

He said they would return to Malaysia to complete the third, fourth and fifth years in Johor and, subsequently, from 2011, all five years of the MBBS programme would be established and delivered at the Nusajaya campus.

“Our target is to enroll 185 students yearly from all over the world at NUMed Malaysia by 2013 and, by then, it will have 130 t eaching staff,” said Jordan.

He said by choosing to study at NUMed Malaysia, students would obtain a reputable British medical qualification from an internationally recognised university a t a significantly less costs compared with a five-year medical degree programme in Britain.

Jordan said that about 700 doctors practising in Kuala Lumpur and 7,000 others in the region now were graduates from the university.

The university’s School of Medicine and Surgery was established in the city of Newcastle upon Tyne in 1834 and medicine at the university is currently ranked fourth in the Times Good University Guide 2009.

Five Malaysian Institutions Among Top 100 Asian Universities
May 11, 2009 14:17 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, May 11 (Bernama) -- University of Malaya (UM) led four other Malaysian universities into the Top 100 Asian Universities list, the first regional ranking issued by The Times Higher Education (THE)-Quacquarelli Symonds (QS).

UM clinched 39th spot while four other universities on the list were Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (51st), Universiti Sains Malaysia (69th), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (82nd) and Universiti Putra Malaysia (90th).

Managing Director of QS Nunzio Quacquarelli said the result of the QS.com Asian University Rankings was based on regionally relevant measures of excellence.

"The top performing universities were distinguished not only by quality, but also by high productivity of research, compared to their regional peers," he said in a statement here, today.

He said Malaysian universities had performed well, with high numbers of international students and faculties, which made Malaysia an attractive option for international students.

Meanwhile, three Hong Kong universities clinched the top five spots with University of Hong Kong taking up the number one spot, followed by Chinese University of Hong Kong (2nd) and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (4th).

Japan's University of Tokyo and Kyoto University were ranked third and fifth respectively.

QS is the world's leading information specialist in higher education sector and operates globally from offices in London, Paris, Singapore, Tokyo, Shanghai, Sydney, Johannesburg, Boston and Washington.

--BERNAMA

UKM targets 15,000 postgrad students by 2015


KOTA KINABALU: Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) targets enrolling 15,000 postgraduate students by 2105.

Its Graduates Management Centre director Prof. Dr Ismail Sahid the figure, when achieved, would be more than double the 7,000 postgraduate students including 1,600 pursuing their studies overseas the university had now.

“Our aim is to continuously produce more postgraduate students to meet the country’s human capital needs,” he told reporters at a promotion of UKM’s distance learning programme at the Kolej Yayasan campus in Sembulan near here on Saturday. He added that the university’s current enrolment of foreign postgraduate students, mostly from Indonesia, stood at about 600 now. — Bernama

Khaled: UniKL to stay private


KUALA LUMPUR: The Government will set up a company under the Finance Ministry to manage Univer-siti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL), which was previously placed under Mara.

It will remain a private higher education institution under the Higher Education Ministry’s supervision, said Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Khaled Nordin.

Its fees would be reviewed to make it more affordable, he said after opening the Seventh International Seminar on Membrane Science and Techno-logy hosted by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia here yesterday. — Bernama

UTM launches its first Reading Station
Monday May 18, 2009

JOHOR BARU: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) launched its first ever Reading Station and hopes to eventually have 30 such stations on campus.

The Reading Stations will feature a collection of journals, books and other reading material of various subjects, placed at strategic locations on campus allowing readers easy access to information.

UTM vice chancellor Prof Datuk Ir Dr Zaini Ujang said the move was to promote the reading habit among staff and students..

“We hope by reading, our staff and students will have a broader perception of the different cultures and thus develop their understanding for one another which is in line with our Prime Ministers concept of 1Malaysia,” he said.

He stressed the importance of inculcating the habit of reading, as it would inspire creative and innovative minds.

Dr Zaini, who came up with the concept, said he welcomes the university students, staff and the public to donate the reading materials.

He added that the shared materials would help students feel a sense of belonging.

For details, call, 012 713 3844 (Sabri Ahmad).

UTM Offers Warwick University Management Programme To TM Staff
May 18, 2009 21:49 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, May 18 (Bernama) -- Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) has sealed a professional educational collaboration with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) to offer the Senior Management Development Programme (SMDP) to TM staff.

Under the 3-year collaborative agreement, UTM will be providing TM with an Integrated Graduate Development Scheme programme that is equivalent to a Master of Science award in Engineering Business Management from Warwick University, United Kingdom, TM said in a statement here Monday.

"Through the collaboration with UTM, we are able to develop and equip our talents with academic qualifications from a world-class, reputable and top ranking university in UK," TM Group human capital officer, Datuk Abdul Aziz Bakar said.

"It would also provide the opportunity for our talents to work on complex live-issues which are related to the company in the assignments or projects, leverage with the expertise of these lecturers and bring back the results to TM," he said.

SMDP is a structured course to enable TM senior management officials to develop a more comprehensive, integrated perspective and to sharpen their strategic, financial, and leadership skills.

It would enable the participants to enhance their knowledge and know-how in strategy formulation and implementation; decision making and execution; cross-functional business approach; as well as people management thereby preparing them to hold a more strategic role within the organisation.

TM's SMDP was first initiated in 1999 and the collaboration with UTM marks the fourth time that the programme is being run.

To date, a total of 76 TM talents have successfully completed the programme and most of them have progressed further to occupy key roles in TM.



-- BERNAMA

UM surgeon wins international breast cancer award
2009/05/20
By : Annie Freeda Cruez

KUALA LUMPUR, Wed: Prof Dr Cheng Har Yip, a surgeon with University Malaya Medical Centre, has received an international award for her outstanding work in breast cancer treatment.

She was awarded the UICC (International Union Against Cancer) 2009 Reach to Recovery International Health Professional Award at a conference held in Brisbane, Australia, last week.

She was the only recipient outside Australia to receive the award from the United States based body.

“As much as I am happy to receive it, I also want women in Malaysia to come for screening and early detection of the disease,” she said when met at the 15the UICC Reach to Recovery International Breast Cancer Support Conference in Brisbane.

Dr Yip, a breast surgeon at UMMC, said 1 in 20 Malaysian women would develop breast cancer in their lifetime and Chinese have the highest incidence followed by Indians and Malays..

She also said 1 in 16 women, for both Chinese and Indian, were at risk of getting breast cancer as compared with 1 in 28 Malay women.

“The commonest age at which a woman can get the disease is between 40 and 49 years. My greatest concern is Malay women who come in at later stages with larger tumours. Consequently their survival rate is worse than with Chinese and Indian women,” she added.

She said the challenge in Malaysia was to be able to provide a comprehensive service in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.

Dr Yip started the breast clinic in UMMC in 1993 and has written over 70 articles on the subject in medical journals.

She is the chairman of the National Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Breast Cancer in Malaysia and is on the Council of the College of Surgeons of Malaysia.

She is an exco member of the Asian Breast Cancer Society, a member of Breast Surgery International and also sits on the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Breast Health Global Initiatives Foundation.

“My research interest are in the epidemiology, early detection and management of breast cancer in developing countries,” said Dr Yip, who works closely with breast cancer support groups and non-governmental organisations to promote health awareness and early detection of breast cancer.

Tahnia Universiti Malaya!..... :cheers:

Institut Sosial Malaysia

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UITM Serendah

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Universiti Malaysia Kelantan

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Fakulti Alam Bina, UTM Skudai

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Government ponders limit on number of SPM subjects
2009/05/22
By : Hamidah Atan

PUTRAJAYA: The number of subjects each student can take in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination may be limited to put an end to issues pertaining to the awarding of Public Service Department (PSD) scholarships.
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also the education minister, said yesterday the ministry felt strongly that the number of subjects should be streamlined to resolve the perennial problem.

He said the cabinet had discussed the matter twice and that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak would chair a special meeting to discuss related issues next week.

Barisan Nasional component party leaders are expected to attend the meeting.

"The meeting will deliberate further ideas and proposals with regard to fairer and equitable distribution of scholarships," said Muhyiddin, who is also BN deputy chairman and Umno deputy president.
He was speaking after meeting Puteri Umno chief Datuk Rosnah Rashid Shirlin and committee members of the movement at his office.

There have been allegations of unfair distribution of scholarships by the PSD.

"One of the most common questions is why some who scored, say 14 As, were given the scholarships but some who got 19 As were not. The view is that the ministry should streamline the number of subjects.

"Why should you take up to 20 subjects? Some of the subjects are not even taught in schools but they learned them in tuition centres. I have nothing against these people but it has created other issues in terms of consistency."

He said students in boarding schools were told to take certain subjects but those outside could sit for as many subjects as they liked.

The problem arose when people started comparing the results of these students, he said.

"There are other considerations as well. One of the things my ministry is looking into is whether there is a need to limit the number of subjects so that everyone, whether they are in boarding or normal schools, can take the same number of subjects, like what we did before. We did not go for the number of As."

Muhyiddin said the PSD had a strong basis for awarding scholarships.

"It has to take into account socially-disadvantaged students in remote areas as well as those in premier schools.

"If you don't take into consideration those socially-disadvantaged students, they will not get the scholarships. But if you start comparing, this will create dissatisfaction.

"We acknowledge the grouses and we will discuss this in the meeting."

He said a study would also be carried out.

MCA Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong recently criticised the PSD on the issue.

Dr Wee, who is also the deputy education minister, said MCA Youth had requested MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and three other MCA ministers to refer the matter to the cabinet.

This was to ascertain the procedure and criteria for awarding scholarships to students to study overseas, he had said.

Gerakan Youth secretary-general Dr Dominic Lau had said his party was willing to offer help to students who were rejected by the PSD.

He said the PSD should consider reviewing the applications of students who were turned down to give them a chance to pursue their studies overseas. If they were rejected, he said, an explanation should be given to them.

Hello Malaysians!

I'd like to ask what the reputation of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UMS) is.

I'm planning on majoring MBA and I'm debating where to get it. So far, the schools I'm looking at are: UMS, University Malaya in KL and some schools in the Philippines. I'm Filipino, by the way. Cost would be a major concern for me. So, please provide cost of living within the area as well as on campus.

Thank you in advance. :)

Hello Malaysians!

I'd like to ask what the reputation of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UMS) is.

I'm planning on majoring MBA and I'm debating where to get it. So far, the schools I'm looking at are: UMS, University Malaya in KL and some schools in the Philippines. I'm Filipino, by the way. Cost would be a major concern for me. So, please provide cost of living within the area as well as on campus.

Thank you in advance. :)

Hope someone here can help him!

90pc of UMS foreign students from China
Published on: Saturday, May 23, 2009

Kota Kinabalu: The School of Business and Economics in Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) has been getting an increasing number of undergraduate and postgraduate students from China.

They represent over 90 per cent of the total foreign students currently studying at the university, mainly from the Hebei Province of China.

UMS Vice-Chancellor, Prof Datuk Dr Kamaruzaman Ampon, said the university hopes to promote further its strength in business and economics disciplines among other potential students from the republic.

He said this in a speech delivered by UMS Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Internationalisation), Prof Dr Amran Ahmed, at the UMS-Hebei Normal University of China's Joint Declaration signing ceremony held at the university here Friday.

The joint declaration, signed by Amran on behalf of UMS and Hebei Normal University by its College of International Culture Exchange President, Associate Prof Dr Zhao Jinguang, marks the start of a relationship between both based on the principle of friendly cooperation, mutual benefit and promotion.

Areas of collaboration include exchange of lecturers as well as practical training for lecturers and students. Apart from that both universities will also work on academic research and exchange resources for teaching and learning.

"The main agenda of the Joint Declaration today between both universities is to explore the possible and potential cooperation between two institutions of higher learning," he said.

The signed Joint Declaration aims to synergise our strong commitment and strive to excel with an established and experience institution like Hebei University.

"World class quality and global benchmarking among institutes of higher learning appear to be more apparent nowadays. As an industry, technological hub, centre of knowledge advancement, and engine of civilisation, institutes of higher learning are now under pressure to compete with global players of established higher education providers such as from the United Kingdom and the United States.

"For us in this region, namely developing and underdeveloped countries, the efforts should be doubled and accelerated if we are to compete effectively and efficiently," he said.

However, it should be noted that some of the universities in this region are ranked among top hundred universities in the world.

"I believe that such a prestigious recognition will always be a challenging and adventurous benchmark and target for both UMS and Hebei University," said Kamaruzaman.

Apart from that pressure he said they are also in demand to play their conventional and novel roles to develop local society and the country.

"There we should make use of our strength and advantages. At Universiti Malaysia Sabah, for instance, we have plenty of undeveloped and unexplored areas, such as industry, agriculture, tourism, business and economics, and education in particular," he said.

In the midst of our massive development programmes, he said the role of university is significantly critical, particularly in enhancing knowledge and technological development.

In the 21st century, Kamaruzaman said the higher learning institutions seem to continue retaining a very important position as a "brain factory".

For example, he said, statistics show that global spending on tertiary education has recently reached US$300billion per year.

There are approximately 80 million university students in the world and more than three million staff are employed by universities.

"For that matter, the spirit of this declaration is nothing but very significant that can be a platform for pooling intellectual resource and a fruitful exchange of new ideas for both institutions," he said.

Within such a demanding environmental structure and potential areas, he said the Joint Declaration between two universities is timely.

"In research and development, for example, we can work together on our similarities and differences. Technological advancement in China, for example, could be mobilised to explore potential research areas in UMS, on the basis of a win-win cooperation and information sharing," said Kamaruzaman.

On the other hand, potential market for Malaysian higher education products in China could be further explored through some facilitating mechanisms that could be provided by Hebei University.

"There are other areas we should consider, such as student exchange and internship programme, research collaboration, attachment of faculty members, exchange of academic publication and research database and many others," he said.

Under the signed Joint Declaration, Hebei Normal University will also prepare its students for basic business, economics and financial courses.

This course will be the foundation for students intending to pursue commercialised degree programmes in the UMS School of Business and Economics, presently run by the UMS External Education Centre.

The programmes include Finance and Banking Management, Marketing and Human Resource Economics.

On the other hand, UMS will send students to study the Chinese language or Chinese culture in Hebei Normal University. Hebei Province is located in the hinterland of northern China, which is the cradle of the Chinese official language 'Putonghua' (Mandarin Chinese).

Hebei Normal University offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses including philosophy, jurisprudence, economics, literature, history, pedagogy, management science, science and engineering.

The university also houses scientific institutes, such as education science institute, subject teaching institute and ancient book collation institute. The College of International Culture Exchange recruits students from Japan, South Korea, Russia, United States, Canada, Germany, Malaysia, Congo, Trinidad and Tobago, Ethiopia, Ghana and other countries to study Chinese and eventually undergraduate and postgraduate studies.

Hi again. I'd like to ask what the difference is between Universiti Malaya and the Universiti of Malaysia? Why are there several branches of the University of Malaysia? Is the University of Malaysia a university system like the University of California is? What is the reputation of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak and Universiti Malaysia Sabah in Malaysia and Singapore?

Tycoon decides not to build Bintangor TAR college


KUCHING: Sarawak tycoon Tan Sri Ting Pek Khiing has decided not to build the proposed Tunku Abdul Rahman (TAR) College branch campus in Bintangor in the central region.

Ting had earlier promised to donate land and pay for 50% of the construction cost of the campus if Sarawak United People’s Party-(SUPP) nominated Barisan Nasional candidate Ding Kuong Hing won the Sarikei seat in last year’s parliamentary election.

Ding beat DAP’s Dr Wong Hua Seh and won by a 51-vote majority in the five-way contest.

However, Ting said last week that he would discontinue the proposed branch project. The announcement was criticised by the DAP, which also accused the SUPP of failing to keep its election promise.

The DAP challenged Ding to step down to take responsibility for the matter.

In response, Ding said he would resign as MP if the DAP could build the TAR College branch campus. Otherwise, the opposition should shut up, he said.

SUPP president Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam said Ting had pulled out of the project as the tycoon had been accused of bribery by the DAP in an election petition filed by Dr Wong against Ding.

Ding won the petition.

Dr Chan said the DAP’s actions had discouraged Ting to carry out the project. He blamed the opposition for “putting a spanner in the wheel and jeopardising the project.”

EDUCATION: Leadership strategies of the best in UniTAR programme
Tuesday, May 26th, 2009 05:22:00

LEARNING about the world's best companies and the key principles and methods that made them so proved to be a good exercise for a group of executives who completed the Management Development Programme Series
2009 organised by Universiti Tun Abdul Razak (UniTAR) Centre of Executive Education (CEE).

Titled the Strategic Leadership Programme, the first module was held at Kuta Paradiso Hotel in Bali last month.

Held in collaboration with the University of Melbourne, the programme helped executives develop their strategic analysis and strategic formulation capabilities, and their bility to lead and manage change and implementation of strategy.

It was opened by Assoc. Professor Dr Ibrahim Zahari, director of the Centre of Executive Education of UniTAR and facilitated by Professor Danny Samson, the current professor of management at the University of Melbourne.

An eminent scholar and published author of 11 management books, Professor Samson has over 20 years of experience in teaching business management and has acted as a consultant, trainer and speaker for numerous companies and events.Besides case studies of the world's best companies, participants also examined change and implementation methodologies and were able to assess their leadership strengths against the key principles used by industry leading companies.

Post-evaluation of the programme was overwhelmingly positive, with participants agreeing that the course:

• Clarified the objectives well.

• Featured a speaker / facilitator with strong knowledge on the subject matter, who was able to relate and respond to the participants' experiences and learning in an interesting and engaging manner.

• Professionally covered the required materials to meet the course objectives. The course-conducted activities and exercises were also rated very positively. When asked for their overall reaction, participants gave positive remarks and agreed that the course was beneficial, a fruitful experience and professionally handled by the organiser.

Future modules of Uni-TAR's Management Development Programme include

Module 2: Harnessing Innovation Capabilities and

Module 3: Driving Service Quality & Operational Excellence which will be held in Phuket, Thailand on July 27 and 28 and in Kuching on Sept 28 and 29 respectively.

SIIUC Signs MoU On PhD Programme & Launches CoE
May 27, 2009 15:16 PM
By Mohd Azhar Ibrahim and Nabilah Saleh

BANGI, May 27 (Bernama) -- The Selangor International Islamic University College (SIIUC) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Kingdom based Markfield Institute of Higher Education (MIHE), allowing SIIUC faculty members to pursue their doctorate degree without the need to take a long break from their academic duties.

Under the MoU, which was signed by SIIUC Rector and CEO Datuk Mohd Adanan Isman and MIHE Rector, Professor Dr Manazir Ahsan, SIIUC lecturers who wish to pursue their research for a doctorate degree can do so by attending the final six months of the PhD programme at the MIHE campus in Markfield, Leicestershire, England.

"The split doctorate research programme, which will commence in September, allows our faculty staff access to academic supervision and facilities at MIHE in a wide range of subject areas, specifically in the field of Islamic studies," Mohd Adanan said.

In his speech, SIIUC director, Professor Dr Sidek Baba pointed out that Islam strongly encouraged engaging in academic discourse with various civilisations and cultures.

"Islamic studies cannot be conducted in isolation from the wider society," said Dr Sidek.

According to Dr Sidek, progress is often the result of ideas different from commonly accepted wisdom. The idea of coming up with new ideas and making progress means we have to leave our comfort zones and venture into the unknown.

"It is very important for Islamic institutions to develop cooperation with the West. Accordingly, the MoU should be seen as the beginning of the college's vision and mission towards developing cooperation with the West," Dr Sidek noted.

BUILDING BRIDGES BETWEEN MUSLIMS AND OTHERS

Dr Manazir is of the opinion that the Islamic institutions of higher learning have a duty to fulfill, in their own way, the needs of a larger society in which they operate.

"If you really want to make a change, you have to reach out to those who are different from you," Dr Manazir told Bernama in an interview after the signing ceremony.

The Markfield Institute of Higher Education, which has the only Islamic library of its kind in Europe, is run by the Islamic Foundation UK that serves as a major centre which promotes inter-faith dialogue between the Muslims of Britain and their non-Muslim fellow citizens.

MIHE has the potential to develop into one of Europe's leading centres for postgraduate study on Islam and the Muslim world.

Working in affiliation with the University of Loughborough and the University of Portsmouth in the United Kingdom, it is the first Islamic academic institution of its kind that seeks to build bridges between Muslims and others by promoting a better understanding of Islam in the West through proactive dialogues between different faiths and cultures.

"In the aftermath of September 11 (2001) incident, there is a negative perception of Muslim communities in the West. We need to put things in the right perspective by engaging in proactive dialogues so that those in the West understand that ours is not a culture of conflict and violence," Dr Manazir said.

"The present global financial crisis presents the opportune moment for Muslims to demonstrate how, finance and banking as it is practiced in Islam, is more just and equitable to society as a whole. But we need to do this by using modern terminologies equivalent to the Arabic terms, which the West may find confusing," Dr Manazir pointed out.

"Already, there is a creeping realisation amongst some quarters in the West, that just perhaps, the solution to the present financial crisis that the world is facing today lies in the concept of profit and risk sharing that is embedded in Islamic banking and finance," he added.

FULL-FLEDGED UNIVERSITY STATUS

SSIUC, which was established as a private college in 1995, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS).

At its 42.1-ha campus located at Bandar Seri Putra near here, some 5,000 students including 180 international students from Asean countries as well as those from Africa and China, are pursuing 42 academic disciplines ranging from foundation level to masters degree programmes.

In keeping with its vision to be an Islamic Institution of Higher Learning of international repute, SIIUC also conducts joint-programmes with universities in Ireland, United Kingdom, London, Egypt and Australia.

According to Mohd Adanan, the college is on course towards becoming a full-fledged university by the end of 2010.

SIIUC LAUNCHES CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE

Meanwhile, SIIUC on Tueday launched its Centre of Excellence (CoE) with the mission to achieve excellence in management, academic and character.

Shaya'a Othman, the director for CoE, told Bernama that the CoE would serve as the catalyst for KUIS to excel in organisational and soft skill development.

She noted that among the programmes to be undertaken by CoE include consultancy and training for organisations - local and foreign.

This is in line with KUIS' offering of courses in business, information technology, legal, finance, communication and Islamic studies.

In pushing for excellence, KUIS has introduced the KUIS BEST agenda - Best Students, Best Lecturers, Best Facilities and Best Staff.

"Therefore, CoE will work to push KUIS in this direction and the KUIS BEST agenda is among the early goals to be implemented," she said.

To ensure the CoE is effective, prior to its establishment the KUIS's research and development unit visited Indonesia, Kazakhstan and Turkey to promote KUIS.

She also noted that among the universities that had established MoU with KUIS were Universitas Gadjah Madha, Universitas Andalas, Universitas Sharif Hiyatullah and Universitas Yafsir.

The CoE is confident of giving full attention to efforts in enhancing the quality of education in KUIS with a clear objective to change and develop Muslim organisations in the management, research and development perspective.

"In time to come, KUIS just won't stop at producing graduates to fulfill the demands of the employment market but instead will produce graduates capable of generating employment and business opportunities," said Shaya with optimism.

-- BERNAMA

Is there anyone beside nazrey who could provide information on the schools I'm inquiring about?

M’sians top scorers in ICAEW’s ACA exams in SEA
by Yong Min Wei
Friday, 29 May 2009 12:49

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From left: Hanafiah, ICAEW director of learning and professional development
Dr Raymond Madden, ICAEW president David Furst, Nizar and Gan at the
ICAEW graduation night yesterday. Photo by Mohd Izwan Mohd Nazam

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian students are the best performers in Southeast Asia for examinations in the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales’ (ICAEW) world-renowned Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA) qualification.

ICAEW Malaysia City Group chairman Datuk Gan Ah Tee said Malaysia held the record for the highest number of ICAEW members in the region with over 800 members from local born talent.

Speaking at the joint graduation and annual dinner of ICAEW Malaysia City Group last night, he said 31 graduates of the ACA programme successfully completed their examinations at Sunway University College in July and November last year.

“These graduates represent the generation of up-and-coming top accounting professionals in Malaysia,” he said.

Gan said although the programme was offered locally, the interest had spread to neighbouring countries and yesterday saw the first Singaporean and Pakistani students graduating with the class.

He added that Sunway University College had played a key role in the relaunch of the ACA programme in Malaysia at the end of 2004. Its ACA student population now stood at more than 200 compared with 24 in the first batch.

Among the 31 graduates who received their scrolls yesterday was 31-year-old Mohd Nizar Najib, the eldest son of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, from his first marriage to Tengku Puteri Zainah Tengku Eskandar.

As the first accountant in the “Tun Razak” family, Nizar praised his family, especially his parents, for their moral support and encouragement for him to pursue and complete the ACA programme.

“My father always told me — pursue your qualification and finish what you have started,” he told The Edge Financial Daily.

Nizar, a father of two, said his immediate plan was to work hard and excel in the accounting line, adding that he was also grateful to his employer, Deloitte.

“I feel honoured today. I did not think I’ll be a chartered accountant someday,” he said, noting that the graduation ceremony was very meaningful with his grandmother Tun Rahah Mohd Noah, mother and siblings Puteri Norlisa and Mohd Nasifuddin among family members attending.

Also present were his uncles Datuk Nizam Razak and Datuk Seri Nazir Razak.

The Malaysian ICAEW alumni include business leaders and captains of industry such as Tan Sri Hassan Merican, Datuk Ali Abdul Kadir, Datuk Yusli Mohamed Yusof and Tan Sri Hanafiah Hussain.

This article appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, May 29, 2009.

College adopts 100 students
Friday May 29, 2009

SENTRAL Technology College Penang has adopted 100 underprivileged secondary students from 10 schools statewide with the aim of motivating them to do well in their stu-dies.

Its chief executive officer and principal Dr Chiang Geok Lian said the students will receive RM10,000 in cash aid which will be used for their school expenses, adding that this is also to show them that someone cares.

“We contributed RM6,000 while the rest came from a recent charity carnival organised by the college.”

State Education Department head of Human Resources Management and Development Sector Osman Hussain presented the cash aid to the students during the donation a ceremony at the college premises in Jalan Zainal Abidin yesterday.

Sentral College is the state regional centre of UNITAR (Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman) and currently has about 800 students.

New shooting range at UUM
Friday May 29, 2009
By DASHEER NOH

A 300m shooting range was officially opened by Kedah Princess Datuk Seri Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) campus in Sintok on Wednesday.

The shooting range named after the princess (Tunku Intan Safinaz Shooting Range) covers an area of 9.3ha and was built at a cost of RM1.6mil.

Construction of the range began in June 2002 and was completed in March this year. The project was a joint effort between the university and the Armed Forces.

The range is open to the public.

In her address at the opening ceremony, she lauded the university for being one of the institutions of higher learning to have a shooting range within its campus.

Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz said with the opening of the shooting range, the sport could now be promoted on a big scale among students.

“Unlike athletics, swimming, gymnastics and other games, which need physical strength to excel, shooting requires good eye sight, accuracy, concentration, poise and a little bit of strength to excel.

“These characteristics are also consistent with our daily lives and the sport trains us to pursue our goals in life.

“I would urge UUM to seek the assistance of the national shooting association to provide the necessary technical know-how and expertise for the students to excel,” she added.

eBooks for pupils in Terengganu
Friday May 29, 2009

KUALA TERENGGANU: Laptops are expected to replace school bags for 25,000 Year Five pupils in Terengganu when they start receiving electronic text books (eBooks) from the state from next month.

Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said said that providing a conducive learning environment and equipment was vital to prepare students to excel academically and face global challenges.

“As a first step, the state will allocate laptops (eBooks) to 25,000 Year Five pupils as a replacement for books, with text from the books incorporated into their eBooks, including education on Islam,” said Ahmad after launching the eBooks at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu on Tuesday.

He said the eBooks would be distributed by the respective district education offices to the Year Five pupils.

“This means the pupils can use the eBooks when they go back to school after the midyear school holidays in June,” he said.

He said that, initially, 15,000 eBooks would be distributed in stages and the entire scheme would cost the state RM15mil.

“Although the cost is high, we see it as a long-term investment as that will see school children in Terengganu becoming computer literate even when they are in primary school,” he said.

The eBooks scheme would be similar to the free text book scheme as the pupils would be required to return the eBooks at yearend, he said.

“It will be implemented in stages until Year One,” he said.

Terengganu is set to become the first state in the country to introduce such a scheme. — Bernama

Hi again. I'd like to ask what the difference is between Universiti Malaya and the Universiti of Malaysia? Why are there several branches of the University of Malaysia? Is the University of Malaysia a university system like the University of California is? What is the reputation of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak and Universiti Malaysia Sabah in Malaysia and Singapore?

Universiti Malaya is Malaysia's oldest university (Malaya is Malaysia pre-independence name). It is one of the highest rank university in Malaysia.

University of Malaysia Sabah (UMS), University of Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) etc. is a university of their own. There is no University of Malaysia. Is just that for Sabah, the univerisity is known as UMS. In Sarawak, it is UNIMAS. Both are not part of University of Malaysia, but a standalone institution.

Well, i am not too sure about the ranking but University Malaya is among best. Others in the top rank will be Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), University Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) or International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM) (the one with blue buildings)

In the this article, it mention the ranking of Malaysian University in Asia for 2009

Malaysia Universities Ranking in 2009
The Times Higher Edu**cation (THE) Quacquarelli Sy**monds (Qs) has recently released the Top 100 Asian Universities List. This is the first regional ranking The Times.Universiti Malaya leads four other universities at 39th spot. The other four universities were Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (51st), Universiti Sains Malaysia (69th), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (82nd) and Universiti Putra Malaysia (90th).

QS managing director Nunzio Quac**quarelli said the result of the QS.com Asian University Rankings was based on regional relevant mea*sures of excellence.

“The top performing universities were distinguished not only by quality but also by high productivity of research, compared to their regional peers,” he said in a statement here yesterday.

He said Malaysian universities per*formed well, with high numbers of international students and faculties, which made Malaysia an attractive option for international students.

http://tance-pjs.blogs.smjk.edu.my/2009/05/24/malaysia-universities-ranking-in-2009/

http://www.topuniversities.com/worlduniversityrankings/asianuniversityrankings/asian_university_rankings_top_200_universities/

By comparision in world ranking....

University Malaya - 230

UMS & UNIMAS is not in the top 500.

UMS targets to become research varsity by 2015
Published on: Friday, May 29, 2009

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Kota Kinabalu: A new court building will be constructed on a five-acre site in Likas through a RM260 million allocation from the Federal Government.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, said this was necessary to address "congestion" at the present High Court premises here.

Thanking Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, he said it would be built either during the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) period which ends in 20 months or under the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP).

"I will be requesting for the RM260 million from the Treasury (Department)," he said, after attending a briefing by High Court Judge David Wong Dak Wah, Thursday.

It was learnt that limited facilities at the present premises had contributed to the backlog of cases at the KK High Court and this had been a concern for the judiciary and the Government.

Nazri said the Federal Government had spent about RM12.7 million to build two magistrate's courts - one in Beaufort costing RM5.2 million and another in Semporna which cost RM7.5 million under the 9MP last year and this year, respectively.

He said the Magistrate's Court in Semporna would be completed on Dec. 17 this year. The Government had also spent RM2.07 million for the renovation, upgrading and supply of 19 courts in Sabah such as in Sandakan, KK, Kudat, Lahad Datu, Tawau, Kota Belud, Tuaran, Sipitang, Keningau, Tambunan, Beluran, Kinabatangan, Tenom and Nabawan including circuit courts in Kota Marudu, Kuala Penyu, Ranau and Papar.

In 2009, it spent about RM1.7 million to upgrade and renovate district courts in Keningau, Tawau and Kota Kinabalu, among others, some of which have been completed and others in the process.

"We also allocated RM1.3 million for the construction of a new file room building for Keningau Court and RM2.6 million for the renovation of the Tawau Court building," he said.

Further, he said the Government also allocated RM2 million for the circuit courts in Tenom, Papar, Kinabatangan and Sipitang.

"All this (is done) in the name of justice to the rakyat," he said.

On other developments, Nazri said because of the threat from the Philippines' Abu Sayyaf militant group, it is important to ensure continued security in territories such as Pulau Sipadan.

Hence the reason to place security officers and personnel on the island as well as to prevent a recurrence of kidnappings by the Abu Sayyaf.

He said it is the duty of the National Security Council under the Federal Government to provide for the safety of the people.

Kota Kinabalu: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Vice-Chancellor Prof. Datuk Dr Kamaruzaman Haji Ampon is confident the university will have done enough to become a research university by the year 2015.
His confidence stems from the recognition attained by its researchers through their works which have won in various competitions held locally and internationally.

This is one of the important criteria to be firstly fulfilled to enable a university achieve the status of a research university, he said, adding the other criteria would be that the university must have a lot of research works done that can be commercialised, research funding and so on.

"In 2015, I will do another press conference to announce that we (UMS) have become a research universityÉit is not long from now," he said confidently at a press conference after a luncheon held to celebrate the university's research successes during the recent Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibition (ITEX) 2009 in Kuala Lumpur and the 37th International Exhibition of Inventions New Techniques & Products Geneva 2009.

"There are a lot of advantages becoming a research university which include in terms of funding for conducting research as well as the rating or branding of the university itself," said Kamaruzaman.

Research activity plays a crucial role in the branding of a university, he said, adding UMS is now beginning to build its internal strength.

UMS had since 2006 received about RM26 million for research purposes, Kamaruzaman disclosed.

However, this is actually not that much compared to other universities, especially those that have already attained research university status, which have financial support amounting to hundreds of million of ringgit.

"Our researchers also received allocation from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Mosti) in various forms like Inno Fund and so on, as well as from the Higher Learning Ministry. At the same time, there are also allocations provided by UMS for young researchers, who we must support so that they can contribute," he said.

To a question, Kamaruzaman said the university presently has two of its gold-winning research works in the pipeline for commercialisation.

"It will be not long (for both works to go commercial)Éwe are really pushing for it locally and internationally," he said.

One of these is a research by Associate Prof. Dr Md Abdul Mannan, related to construction material made based on oil palm wastes, while the other is by Dr Rossita Shapawi involving prototype feeds for fish which is formulated using a special blend of alternative ingredients to the conventional fish meal and fish oil which are eco-friendly and much cheaper.

UMS research teams bagged two gold, eight silver and 10 bronze medals during the ITEX 2009 held at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) from May 15-17.

The university submitted 20 research works for the competition. It was also adjudged the winner of the "Most Visited Telebooth."

The gold medals were won by a three-member team of researchers led by Dr Chan Eng Seng through their work titled "LCP Method: A new technique for surface tension determination of liquids" and another team of four researchers led by Dr Md Abdul Mannan through their work titled "C-Channel - An Efficient Precast RC Floor Panel for Modern Buildings".

At the International Exhibition of Inventions, New Techniques and Products, Geneva 2009, held at PALEXPO in Geneva, Switzerland, from April 1-5, UMS also won one gold, one silver and seven bronze medals in all the nine research works submitted.

The gold medal was won by a four-member research team led by Grace Joy Chin Wei Lie from the UMS Biotechnology Research Institute through their method/kit for detecting the presence of harmful algae (Pyrodinium bahamense var. compressum) in seawaters.

Kamaruzaman said the university aspired to see all its research works made into something that is tangible, which can be used by the public, through commercialisation.

"We want to commercialise these research works. Research is not something that is cheap, it costs a lot of money, and thus we want to transform and translate these R&D into something tangible which can be used by the community," he said.

UMS Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Prof. Dr Rosnah Ismail, was also present.

Magandang Gabi (good evening) to my Malaysian brothers on this forum! Thank you for responding to my queries.

I have actually been to KL, and whilst I was there, I took time to visit Universiti Malaya. Sadly, I wasn't impressed with the school, though it's good reputation is hard to ignore. I also don't want to live in KL; I like Kuching more, for some reason. Kuching's distance from the Philippines is also a deciding factor for me, should I travel back to the Philippines for vacation. I also have been to Kota but wasn't really been around the city, so it's hard to say if I would really want to live there whilst being a student. And from what I've gathered, Kuching's standard of living is cheaper than KL's. Cost is definitely my ultimate deciding factor.

I am aware that the Universiti Malaya is somewhat highly recognized. My question is, what about the University of Malaysia Sarawak. Same question goes for the University of Malaysia Sabah. How is a degree/postgraduate degree from those unis viewed in Malaysia and Singapore?

(I'm not interested in other universities mentioned.)

Thanks in advance. :)
And, as we say in the Philippines, Mabuhay!

Magandang Gabi (good evening) to my Malaysian brothers on this forum! Thank you for responding to my queries.

I have actually been to KL, and whilst I was there, I took time to visit Universiti Malaya. Sadly, I wasn't impressed with the school, though it's good reputation is hard to ignore. I also don't want to live in KL; I like Kuching more, for some reason. Kuching's distance from the Philippines is also a deciding factor for me, should I travel back to the Philippines for vacation. I also have been to Kota but wasn't really been around the city, so it's hard to say if I would really want to live there whilst being a student. And from what I've gathered, Kuching's standard of living is cheaper than KL's. Cost is definitely my ultimate deciding factor.

I am aware that the Universiti Malaya is somewhat highly recognized. My question is, what about the University of Malaysia Sarawak. Same question goes for the University of Malaysia Sabah. How is a degree/postgraduate degree from those unis viewed in Malaysia and Singapore?

(I'm not interested in other universities mentioned.)

Thanks in advance. :)
And, as we say in the Philippines, Mabuhay!

I think that's a hard question to answer as Malaysia doesn't have a way to gauge individual programs from individual schools seperately (unlike Canada with MacLeans Report or USA Today Top Schools etc). So one has to really go by overall reputation....which if you're asking me, I would say they're about the same (Uni Sarawak vs Uni Sabah). Both are rather new Uni's which are still trying to establish their reputation. If you ask me, you might want to look into something like Curtin University (Miri, Sarawak branch campus) which may carry a better rep (altho no clue whether actual program may be better). I think the price is all similar 25-30,000/yr or something

Thanks for the concise but well-put answer, liping t. Another reason why I'm avoiding "big name" schools is that, I'm actually fed up with going to such schools. I just want to enjoy whilst studying this time.

I went to the University of the Philippines in Diliman for my undergrad where I earned BS Business Economics (cum laude). (The University of the Philippines is what is Harvard to Americans, or UMalaya to Malaysians. In short, it's a big name in here.) I then pursued a master's program at the London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) earning MSc Finance and Economics (with distinction). My current job requires me to study MBA, so I can get my long overdue promotion. I honestly don't need to have a "Harvard-like" MBA degree, but I don't want to get an MBA from a "so-so" school or diploma-mill school either. All I'm asking is, is the University of Malaysia Sarawak a respected school in Malaysia? It doesn't need to be in the league of Universiti Malaya, but I want to find out its status as perceived by locals (Malaysians/Singaporeans). The same questions for the University of Malaysia Sabah.



If you ask me, you might want to look into something like Curtin University (Miri, Sarawak branch campus)
Thanks; but I've already pinned down my targets to these two unis. It's just a matter of choosing which between Sarawak and Sabah. :)

liping t,

I've been thinking long and hard about the Curtin MBA program and i think it would actually work if I can get a job in Malaysia, given its price which is a little over my budget.

Are International Students allowed to work whilst studying in your country?

I was doing part-time jobs when I was studying at LSE. Can I do the same in Malaysia?

Another reason why I'm avoiding "big name" schools is that, I'm actually fed up with going to such schools. I just want to enjoy whilst studying this time.

All I'm asking is, is the University of Malaysia Sarawak a respected school in Malaysia? It doesn't need to be in the league of Universiti Malaya, but I want to find out its status as perceived by locals (Malaysians/Singaporeans). The same questions for the University of Malaysia Sabah.



well I don't any of them are 'big name' schools by any stretch, but with Curtin, you might be able to get easier cross border recognition in Australia or NZ should you so choose. If Universities in Malaysia can be tiered, then UM Sarawak and Sabah would be considered 2nd Tier, and thus are do carry with them a measure of respectability within Malaysia, both being Official State Universities. In rankings of Asian Universities where Curtin Branch Campus is included, the overall rankings of the 3 schools are approximately similar.

Regarding work rules for International Students, I believe that official regulations allow for off campus part time work for a certain amount of hours. A work pass will be issued by the Immigration Office. For details, I think the various universities would be able to answer more appropriately.

Pelajar Dan Guru Terima E-Book
Oleh : ESAH BINTI ABDULLAH

http://www.picamatic.com/show/2009/06/02/07/51/3859040_600x468.jpg

Seramai 23,191 pelajar tahun lima dari 347 sekolah seluruh negeri akan mula mendapat bekalan e-Book yang akan diagih ke sekolah-sekolah mulai minggu depan.

“Seramai 3,831 guru kelas Tahun Lima turut dibekalkan buku digital ini,” kata Menteri Besar, Dato’ Ahmad Said pada majlis Pelancaran e-Book di sekolah-sekolah negeri Terengganu di Dewan Tengku Mizan, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) hari ini (26 Mei).

Turut hadir, Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pelajaran, Pengajian Tinggi, Sains, Teknologi dan Sumber Manusia Negeri, YB Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman; Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Agama dan Penerangan Negeri, YB Khazan Che Mat; Setiausaha Kerajaan, Dato’ Mokhtar Nong dan Pengarah Pelajaran Terengganu, Haji Ariffin Embong.

Menteri Besar berkata, dengan kerjasama Syarikat Top IT yang memasang program interaktif, guru Tahun Lima boleh mengawal secara talian terus dengan pelajar-pelajarnya dan boleh menutup serta membuka e-Book ketika sesi pembelajaran sedang berjalan.

http://www.picamatic.com/show/2009/06/02/07/52/3859042_610x426.jpg

“Sesungguhnya negara maju hari ini bukan lagi yang mempunyai hasil bumi yang banyak ataupun berdasarkan keluasan yang besar, tetapi mempunyai masyarakat yang inovatif, kreatif serta bermaklumat melalui penguasaan dalam bidang IT,” katanya.

Oleh itu, katanya, kerajaan mengambil keputusan untuk memberi tumpuan kepada bidang pendidikan dengan mencorakkannya mengikut arus perubahan dunia iaitu pendidikan awal penguasaan IT kepada anak-anak negeri ini.

“Kita yakin bahawa prasarana yang kondusif adalah penting bagi melahirkan pelajar yang bukan saja cemerlang dalam bidang akademik tetapi turut membangun minda serta sahsiah sebagai persediaan menghadapi cabaran global,” katanya.

Katanya, kejayaan mengeluar dan mengagihkan e-Book kepada pelajar Tahun Lima begitu bermakna hasil kerjasama Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka serta Intel, buku digital ini berjaya dilancarkan.

Beliau berharap pencapaian anak-anak negeri ini terus meningkat pada masa akan datang di mana proses inovasi dan kreatif dalam pelajaran akan membantu mereka lebih berminat untuk mengulangkaji pelajaran.

“Di samping memberi keselesaan dan keyakinan sebagai seorang pelajar tujuan kerajaan juga membantu meringankan beban mereka yang perlu membawa beg yang berat ke sekolah,” katanya..

Kata Dato’ Ahmad sebagai permulaan 25,000 unit e-Book yang dilengkapi dengan pelbagai perisian buku teks sekolah rendah serta perisian tambahan seperti al-Quran, doa-doa dan amalan solat.

‘Kerajaan membelanjakan RM15 juta untuk program ini dan menganggapnya sebagai satu pelaburan jangka panjang di mana hasilnya nanti akan melahirkan anak-anak Terengganu yang celik computer dari seawal bangku sekolah rendah,” katanya.

Unit Komunikasi Negeri
Source: http://www.terengganu.gov.my/maxc2020/portal/cms/ikon/index_news.displaynews.php?fromindex=index.php&counthit=1&cid=1&from=index&newsid=1053

Universiti cerminan Satu Malaysia
Oleh MOHAMED KHALED NORDIN
4 Jun 2009 / 10 Jamadil Akhir 1430

PADA 16 Mei lalu, saya berpeluang berucap pada Konvensyen Majlis Perwakilan Pelajar (MPP) Kebangsaan untuk kali kedua sejak menjadi Menteri Pengajian Tinggi.

Ada pelbagai sebab mengapa saya mengambil perhatian yang sangat mendalam terhadap konvensyen ini.

Pertama, kerana ia merupakan himpunan besar-besaran para pemimpin pelajar dari seluruh negara. Kita mengharapkan mereka akan dapat berinteraksi, berbincang, berbahas dan memperkatakan tentang isu-isu semasa.

Kedua, kerana melalui konvensyen ini, sedikit sebanyak kementerian akan dapat menilai dan melihat sejauh mana kemajuan dalam soal membangun dan menjayakan pelajar-pelajar. Sama ada daripada sudut kefahaman mereka tentang kepimpinan dan lain-lain aspek pembangunan sahsiah pelajar.

Selain itu, kita juga ingin tahu apakah pandangan, cadangan, pembaikan dan sebagainya yang ingin dilontarkan oleh para pemimpin pelajar tersebut.

Saya percaya ia wajar dilaksanakan kerana pemimpin dari kalangan mahasiswa bukan calang-calang orangnya. Mereka terdiri daripada kalangan yang menjadi pemimpin, terpilih mewakili masyarakat mahasiswa yang berjumlah 280,000 orang.

Maka atas sebab itulah, pandangan, cadangan dan idea mereka merupakan sesuatu yang sangat penting dan akan diberi perhatian oleh Kementerian. Ia diharap mewujudkan persefahaman dan kerjasama di antara semua pihak – mahasiswa, universiti dan kementerian.

Negara kita kini menghadapi pelbagai cabaran, kesan daripada perubahan pesat di peringkat dunia. Kita sedar bahawa kita tidak dapat mengelak daripada berdepan dengan kesan tersebut.

Tetapi (More http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2009&dt=0604&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Rencana&pg=re_01.htm)

Sarawak brings astronomy to the people
Thursday June 4, 2009
By SHARON LING

KUCHING: Students who cultivate an interest in astronomy and other science subjects can contribute to the nation’s development, said Sarawak Youth and Tourism assistant minister Hamden Ahmad said.

As such, he said it was important for teachers and educators to be committed in getting students interested in these subjects.

“Science and astronomy should be taught in an interesting and fun way as well as in keeping with current developments.

“We not only want to produce students well-versed in science and technology but also able to invent new technologies for the nation and the world,” he said when launching the state-level World Astronomy Day celebration at Sultan Iskandar Planetarium here recently.

Hamden said that astronomy was not just for scientists, but could be applied in daily life.

He hoped the World Astronomy Day celebration would help raise awareness on astronomy among students and the public.

Meanwhile, Sarawak Astronomy Society vice-president William Nyigor said the event was aimed at introducing astronomy and the planetarium to the public, particularly school leavers and tertiary students.

He said the society had been celebrating World Astronomy Day since 2004 with various activities and exhibitions.

This year’s event themed Bringing Astronomy to the People included drawing and colouring contests for schoolchildren, an astronomy quiz and planetarium shows.

Robotics kits for students
Friday June 5, 2009

UNIVERSITI Sains Malaysia (USM) received five Lego Mindstorms NXT kits worth RM12,500 from automation company National Instruments (NI) to help the varsity promote science, robotics engineering and automation among rural children.

Each kit is fully programmed and can interact with its surroundings via software developed by NI LabVIEW Graphical Design.

Director of the USM engineering campus Prof Khairun Azizi Mohd. Azizli the kits would be on loan to Sekolah Kebangsaan Methodist Young Robotics Club in Penang for a year.

“The aim is to expose the students to robotics software,” he said.

He said USM would also send lecturers and students to conduct science programmes at several schools near the USM engineering campus.

The contribution was presented by N1 sales engineer Kaw Kiam Leong to the School of Mechanical Engineering dean Prof Madya Zaidi Mohd Ripin.

Education System Undergoing Transformation - Muhyiddin
June 05, 2009 13:19 PM

KENINGAU, June 5 (Bernama) -- The government is in the process of transforming the national education system to develop the potential of students in various fields so as to become a progressive nation said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin here today.

He added that the initiative would include the introduction of an assessment system to gauge the intelligence and achievement of students in co-curriculum and non co-curriculum activities.

Speaking to teachers after opening the Sabah state level Teachers Day celebrations at Dewan Datuk Lee Sen of Sekolah Menengah Ken Hwa here, Muhyiddin said the government had spent RM440.8 million of the RM1.3 billion allocated under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (RMK-9), to improve education in Sabah's rural and interior areas.

He added that in addition, the government had allocated RM10.9 million under the first economic stimulus package for upgrading and maintenance of schools in Sabah and another RM7.1 million under the second stimulus package.

"These goes to show beyond any doubt, the government's commitment towards the development of education in Sabah," he said.

Muhyiddin added that the ministry was monitoring the construction of 232 units of houses being build in Sabah, for teachers, under RMK-9.

"This is in line with the government's efforts to care for the welfare of teachers and provide them with better living facilities that are close to their schools, so that teachers can carry out their duties more efficiently.

"The rapid physical development must be on par with the intellectual, spiritual, emotional, social and character development of students and this is where teachers play an important role by moulding them.

"It will be useless to have fantastic infrastructure and facilities for education but we fail to develop the potential of students to match them," he said.

-- BERNAMA

KMU mahu buka cawangan pertama di Malaysia
PELABUHAN KLANG 7 Jun - Malaysia bakal menerima pelaburan baru apabila Universiti Maritim Korea (KMU), antara universiti tertua dan ternama di dunia dalam bidang maritim menyatakan hasrat untuk mewujudkan kampus cawangan pertamanya di negara ini.

Menteri Pengajian Tinggi, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin berkata, Malaysia dipilih berdasarkan latar belakang dan infrastruktur kukuh yang disediakan dalam bidang pengajian tinggi serta kekuatan penguasaan dalam bahasa Inggeris.

Beliau berkata, walaupun tidak menyatakan jumlah pelaburan yang bakal disuntik serta belum menetapkan lokasi kampusnya, hasrat KMU itu amat dialu-alukan kerana ia selaras dengan usaha kerajaan untuk menjadi pusat dalam bidang pengajian tinggi di rantau ini.

Menurut beliau, ia juga akan meningkatkan peluang bagi pelajar di negara ini untuk mengikuti pengajian lain dalam bidang maritim yang mungkin belum terdapat di sini sebagai memenuhi matlamat Malaysia menjadi negara maritim.

''Setakat ini kita mempunyai Akademi Laut Malaysia (ALAM), satu-satunya akademi pengajian maritim negara yang melahirkan pegawai dan kadet untuk bertugas di dalam kapal.

''Tetapi untuk jadi negara maritim tidak cukup jika kita sekadar lahirkan pegawai dan kadet sahaja. Kita juga perlu mempunyai tenaga kerja untuk membina kapal serta berpengetahuan dalam mengoperasi kapal dari segi pengurusan, kewangan , insurans dan semua perkara yang diperlukan.

''Dengan empat fakulti yang menawarkan pengajian Maritim Sains, Sains dan Teknologi Maritim, Kejuruteraan dan Pengajian Antarabangsa, KMU mempunyai semua bidang yang diperlukan jika kita ingin jadi sebuah negara maritim," kata beliau di sini baru-baru ini.

Dalam pada itu, Mohamed Khaled turut berharap agar pembukaan kampus cawangan KMU ini kelak akan dapat menarik pelajar antarabangsa yang berminat mendalami maritim datang belajar di negara ini.

Sports Competitions For Island Schools
June 08, 2009 13:22 PM

LANGKAWI, June 8 (Bernama) -- The Education Ministry will for the first time organise sports competitions for schools on islands to tap talent of athletes in those areas.

Deputy Education Minister Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi said for a start a competition will be held on islands in Johor state in April or May of next year.

"The ministry feels schools on islands have many talented athletes who can compete well in sports," he said at a news conference after meeting more than 300 teachers from the Langkawi district at the Langkawi Correctional Academy yesterday.

Besides that he said the Education Ministry proposed to have a disabled persons sports school to nurture athletes from that group.

He said having schools like the Bukit Jalil Secondary Sports School and the Bandar Penawar Secondary Sports School was proof of having developed many talented athletes.

-- BERNAMA

http://www.nst.com.my/pix/pix_top_06083

BACK TO THE FUTURE: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, witnessed by Tan Sri Lim
Kok Wing, places a message into a time capsule at the Limkokwing University
of Creative Technology today the ex-PM was conferred a Honorary Doctorate
of Humanity by the university.

Dr M: Don’t forsake English and ruin children’s future
Tuesday June 9, 2009

http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2009/6/9/nation/n_06mahathir.jpg

Honoured: Dr Mahathir receiving the honorary Doctorate of Humanity from
Lim at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology in Cyberjaya yesterday.
Seated on the left is Dr Mahathir’s wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali.

PUTRAJAYA: Parents should think about the future of their children when deciding whether to agree or to oppose the Government’s proposal to make a pass in English compulsory for a student to pass the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia, said former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He said, English was a necessary component for students to get good jobs once they leave school or for them to go overseas for further education nowadays.

He said that when commenting on Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s statement that the ministry was mulling the possibility of making English a compulsory subject for passing SPM.

He said if parents continued to reject the importance of the English language in their children’s education, then the future of the country would be at stake.

He also slammed those who oppose the move saying that these people were less concerned about education than politics.

“It is more like politics than education. They are not interested in education or acquiring knowledge. All they want to see is how many votes they can win. So I am afraid the country will go to the dogs,” he told reporters after being conferred a honorary Doctorate of Humanity by the Limkokwing University of Creative Technology yesterday.

Asked about the possibility that the policy on the teaching of Mathematics and Science in English would be scrapped Dr Mahathir said: “I feel very sorry. In future, all Malays and Malaysians will be stupid.”

Earlier, he received the honorary doctorate from university president Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Lim Kok Wing.

RM150m to upgrade Permata centres
Wednesday June 10, 2009

KUALA LUMPUR: The Government will spend RM150mil to upgrade pre-schools and work-place childcare centres to meet Permata’s standards.

The Prime Minister’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor said the Government hoped to have 322 Permata-certified centres nationwide by the end of the year.

The centres would use Permata’s curriculum, get intensive training for their teachers, a facelift for the premises and additional equipment, she said.

She added that a council would be set up within six months to consolidate all non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and companies involved in early childhood care and education.

“This will be an umbrella organisation where the players in early childhood care and education can be given a voice,” she told reporters after meeting several NGOs involved in early childhood care yesterday.

The accreditation criteria for early childhood centres would be determined by the National Association of Early Childhood Care and Education Malaysia.

“The criteria are to ensure quality control over providers of early childhood care and education, just like accreditation in the education industry,” said Rosmah.

Special kids need special schools, govt told
Wednesday June 10, 2009
By KRYSTLE LOW

KUANTAN: Parents with autistic children urge the government to set up schools specially for these special group of children.

“It is not only important to have special schools for children with autism but for Down Syndrome, dyslexia and others.

“Placing these children in normal schools will not enable them to get the special attention they need. In fact, it might actually deter them from getting the education that they deserve,” said Mohamed Suffian Awang, head of the Autism Intervention Centre of Kuantan.

He added that autism was a complex syndrome and that one in every 150 children born would be diagnosed with it.

“The cause for autism is still unknown and is only detectable when a child is about two to three years.

“As a parent of an autistic child, I know the challenge of bringing up such a child. That is why it is so important for the characteristics of autism to be known by everybody,” he said at a two-day autism awareness campaign organised by the National Autism Society of Malaysia (Nasom) Kuantan at the East Coast Mall here recently.

Mohamed Suffian said the Kuantan Nasom was still very much lacking in facilities and experienced teachers.

Teruntum assemblyman Chang Hong Seong, who launched the campaign, said autism was a lifetime syndrome and support must be given to the children, their parents and teachers.

“There is no cure for autism but we can strive to teach them how best to live life to their fullest potential,” he said, adding that he would allocate RM20,000 to the society.

USM Finds New Way To Produce Magnesium Ferrite
June 15, 2009 19:43 PM

NIBONG TEBAL, June 15 (Bernama) -- Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has developed a new process to produce magnesium ferrite, which has the capacity to block the effects of microwaves emanating from electronic equipment.

Research conducted by Prof Ahmad Fauzi Mohd Noor of the university's School of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering has resulted in the production of the ferrite, which can absorb the microwaves of electronic equipment such as mobile telephones, audio-visual gadgets and medical apparatus.

"Conventionally, ferrite is produced through a mixture of specific substances which are heated to a temperature of 1,400 degrees Celsius.

"However, under this new process, the ferrite can be produced by heating to a temperature of only 200 degrees Celsius with a resultant high purity and better microwave absorption composition," he told reporters here.

Ahmad Fauzi said microwaves emanating from electronic equipment posed a threat to human health and could disrupt the proper functioning of certain equipment.

Thus, the restriction on the use of mobile telephones in hospital wards and operation theatres, he added.

Ahmad Fauzi, who had conducted the research over the past two years, said the finding would eventually make Malaysia a world producer of ferrite besides the United States and Japan.

"We are in the process of carrying out a pioneer project and preparing a module for commercial production of the material," he said.

-- BERNAMA

A new wing for USM library
Thursday June 18, 2009

THE expansion of Universiti Sains Malaysia’s (USM) main library will be completed by the end of this year.

The expansion will see a new four-storey wing for the Hamzah Sendut 1 library, USM chief librarian Mohd Pisol Ghadzali said.

“The new building is focused on research. The facility will benefit researchers and students, especially as we are an apex university,”

Mohd Pisol told reporters after attending the opening ceremony of the 3rd International Conference on Libraries at the Bayview Beach Resort on Monday.

The library was opened 40 years ago and named in honour of the university’s first vice-chancellor Tan Sri Hamzah Sendut.

Planning for the new wing started in 2002.

The RM13mil building was originally scheduled to be built at a cost of RM24mil but had to be scaled down as a result of the economic downturn.

Also present was USM board of directors chairman Tan Sri Ani Arope.

Ani said libraries must keep up with the times and be more flexible in order to remain relevant.

“Students now multi-task —they want to listen to their MP3 and SMS on the handphone while reading. So, we must be flexible instead of threatening to confiscate the gadgets.

“Prepare a coffee area where they can sit and surf the net to get them interested in coming to libraries,” he said.

He added that there were students who had never even stepped into a library because they found the place intimidating.

Ani said students, especially those from rural areas, needed to familiarise themselves with going to the library. “That’s why we need to have orientation programmes for those who enter universities,” he said.

USM former chief librarian Puan Seri Masrah Abidin, who is also the wife of USM vice-chancellor Prof Tan Sri Dzulkifli Abdul Razak, said it was important to inculcate the reading habit in kids so that using the library would become a habit when they grow up. “USM will be launching a reading campaign for kindergarten kids soon. We need to get parents to start reading to their kids from a young age,” she said.

The conference theme was ‘Transforming Towards a Sustainable Tomorrow’.

USM Adopts Green Building Index
June 19, 2009 20:51 PM

PENANG, June 19 (Bernama) -- Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has become the first local university to adopt an environment-friendly initiative - the Green Building Index - in the teaching and training module of its Housing, Building and Planning Unit.

USM vice-chancellor Prof Tan Sri Dzulkifli Abdul Razak said USM would capitalise on the rating mechanism towards a more sustainable and green architecture developed by the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) to train its students to produce designs that meet the guideline.

The rating tool will be incorporated in the architecture, rural and regional planning, quantity survey, building management, interior design and building technology programmes, he told reporters after signing a Memorandum of Understanding on the index with PAM here Friday.

The index will stress on churning out sustainable designs that could conserve energy, protect the ecosystem and provide a safe living environment, he said, adding that USM would use it to measure the sustainability of old buildings as well as new ones.

PAM president Lee Chor Wah said the index, which had so far been developed for commercial and residential buildings, would be expanded to cover area development masterplans.

Buildings would be certified and accredited of the Green Building Index ranging from platinum, gold, silver or merely a pass, he said, adding that 11 buildings would be rated in the pioneer programme.

He said Malaysia was keeping in steps with countries like Singapore, Japan and the United Kingdom in adopting the benchmark in its drive to woo investors.

-- BERNAMA

Unimas To Study Jatropha For Medical Purposes
June 19, 2009 19:16 PM

KUCHING, June 19 (Bernama) -- Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) will conduct a scientific study on the Jatropha tree to determine its suitablity for medical purposes, said Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Fadillah Yusof.

He said the tree had a high economic and commercial value, and was known for its potential as a source of biofuel to replace petroleum.

"Unimas will carry out a study to ascertain if other parts of the Jatropha tree have uses in the medical field," he told reporters after witnessing a memorandum of understanding involving Sebayor Holdings Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary company of Unimas, and Kelingkam Emas Sdn Bhd here Friday.

Fadilah said the ministry would give its support to Unimas, in terms of grants and technical assistance in carrying out the study which might take between five and 10 years, until a suitable medical product could be put in the market.

He said, besides the medical study, Unimas would also conduct studies on producing Jatropha tree-based beauty products, such as shampoo and soap.

-- MORE

UMS medical students to stay in rural areas
Thursday, June 18th, 2009

KOTA KINABALU: Over 80 first-year medical students from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) will embark on a journey into the remote areas of Sabah for their two-week health promotion co-curriculum course today.

On behalf of the Dean of the Medical School Prof Dr Osman Ali, Deputy Dean Dr D. Kamarudin D Mudin said this programme, started in 2004, aims to produce UMS graduates who can function in rural and urban areas.

“Instead of doctors waiting for the patients to come to them, they should be going out to serve the community,” he said.

The 80 students, divided into groups of 10, will stay in Pensiangan, Pitas or Kinabatangan for two weeks to identify the health problems in the selected community, Kamarudin said.

“After that the students will prioritise the problems and choose the most important health problem to tackle and to intervene via education or simple medical treatment for the community. After their intervention, the students will prepare a report to be presented to the Medical School and they will then be assessed on their report, individual performance and group presentation,” he said, adding that the groups were each given RM2,000 to support their two-week living cost in the community.

Kamarudin also said UMS Medical School has recruited lecturers from New Zealand, United Kingdom, India, Iran, Indonesia and Egypt.

Polytechnics to upgrade diplomas to degrees
Published: Saturday June 20, 2009 MYT 3:16:00 PM

JOHOR BARU: The Community College and Polytechnic Education Department is carrying out a study to upgrade polytechnic diplomas to bachelor degrees.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said this was because the institution was preferred by male students who sought skill courses.

The government will continue to improve the opportunities at polytechnics by upgrading their courses, he told reporters after presenting awards to Pasir Gudang students who excelled in PMR, SPM and STPM last year at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Permas Jaya here Saturday.

Mohamed Khaled, who is also Member of Parliament for Pasir Gudang, said that, for a start, three polytechnics would be chosen to offer degree programmes.

Polytechnic diploma holders were sought after by the private sector as they were equipped with the skills needed, he said, adding that the institution had received 120,000 applications last year but could only accommodate 20,000 students. - Bernama

UM to cut intake of undergrads by 3,000
Saturday June 20, 2009

KUALA LUMPUR: Universiti Malaya (UM) plans to reduce its intake of undergraduates by 3,000 in the next three years and increase the intake of postgraduates, including foreign students, in its push to become one of the world’s top universities.

Vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Ghauth Jasmon said the university was looking at increasing the number of postgraduates by 5,000 during the period, pushing the percentage of international postgraduates to 40.

Ghauth said the increase in the number of postgraduates was to help the university build its research capability.

Speaking to reporters after a luncheon with Commonwealth vice-chancellors here, he said the local-foreign student ratio of the world’s top universities was 60:40.

At present the university, which is the country’s oldest university, has 18,000 undergraduates and 10,000 postgraduates, including 3,500 international students from 82 countries. — Bernama

University accepts 150 left in limbo
Saturday June 20, 2009
By RICHARD LIM

PUTRAJAYA: The Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) student admissions fiasco has ended with the university absorbing the remaining 150 students who were left in a limbo.

It was earlier reported that 4,424 (96.7%) of the 4,574 students who were mistakenly and prematurely “accepted” by USM had received offers from the other 19 national public universities.

Higher Education Ministry director-general Prof Datuk Dr Radin Umar Radin Sohadi ex-plained that the 150 did not receive other offers as they did not apply to the ministry’s student admissions department.

“Absorbing the students will not complicate matters as USM-supplied data shows that not all accepted students took up their offers,” he said at the ministry’s press conference concerning the 2009 public university (IPTA) intake.

“However, the absorbed students may not obtain places in their preferred course.”

Having obtained apex status last year, USM is allowed to select its students directly.

Although it only had 3,599 openings, the university mistakenly uploaded the names of 8,173 applicants who had met the minimum criteria and instructed them to confirm their places.

Prof Radin said although the fiasco left USM red-faced, its apex status was not under threat.

This year’s IPTA intake saw 40,366 (83.9%) of the 48,133 applicants who met the minimum pre-requisites of CPGA 2.0 receiving offers.

Although research universities scaled down on places for undergraduate students in favour of their postgraduate counterparts, the expansion of newer universities led to a 0.5% undergraduate intake increase from last year.

Of the accepted applicants, 24,581 (60.9%) were science students. The remainder were those in the social sciences.

The trend of female students dominating the intake continued and male students only received 35% of offers.

Public universities will issue official offer letters effective today and the successful applicants are required to make their decision by June 25.

Students can check their application status at www.upu.mohe.gov.my, www.jpt.utm.my and www.jpt.uum.my or via SMS to 15888 (type UPU RESULT_IC number) or by calling 03-8883 5858 or 03-8883 5848.

Meanwhile, those who failed to receive any offers may file an appeal by June 29 at www.upu.mohe.gov.my.

Study on jatropha's potential in medicine, agriculture
By Sulok Tawie
Published: 2009/06/20

UNIVERSITI Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) and Sarawak-based Keringkam Emas Sdn Bhd have entered into an agreement to conduct research into jatropha's applications in medicine and agriculture.

"Jatropha seeds have already been extracted for fuel, but what about the plant's other components, like the leaves, roots and bark? We want to know their properties," Unimas researcher Dr Noorzaid Mohamad said at a briefing before the signing of the contract in Kuching, Sarawak yesterday.

He said besides being used for biofuel, jatropha also had the potential to be developed for medicinal and agriculture use.

Keringkam is setting aside RM20 million for the research purposes, its group executive chairman Siti Nafsiah Mohammed Sa'ed said.

She said the group would start with products based on therapeutic properties (healing ointment and antimicrobial soap), and products based on parasiticide properties (biodegradable insecticides for farmers and organic anthelmintic for livestock industries).

Siti Nafsiah said a number of countries had shown their interest to buy research findings linked to anthelmintic drugs obtained from natural resources, especially for livestock industries. Anthelmintics are drugs that expel parasitic worms from the body, by either stunning or killing them.

"The aim of our research programme is to identify potential new drug targets to aid in the control of this parasitic disease," she said.

Unimas was represented by its deputy vice-chancellor (research and innovation) Professor Dr Peter Songan and Unimas treasurer Mazlan Kiflie.

Nafsiah and managing director Awang Mohamad Awang Bunsa signed for Keringkam Group while Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Fadillah Yusof witnessed.

Space Technology Training Scheme For Students To Be Proposed To Cabinet: Rais
June 23, 2009 00:39 AM
From Mikhail Raj Abdullah

MOSCOW, June 22 (Bernama) - Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said steps must be taken to expose students to satellite technology via training schemes which hopefully will culminate in facilitating the transfer of technology to Malaysia in the long-term.

To this end, he said it was crucial for the government and the private sector to establish training schemes for students in the aerospace sector to facilitate the transfer of satellite technology.

"Malaysia should not be contented with acquiring knowledge on space technology and sending the country's first astronaut into space," he said at Domodedovo International Airport here after arriving from Baikonur, Kazakhstan where he together with five Malaysian students and officials, just hours ago witnessed the launching of MEASAT-3a, Measat's fourth communications satellite.

The launch of the satellite on schedule at 5.50am Malaysian time Monday, was witnessed by students Ahmad Ruiz Mohd Asri from SMK Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Lina Na'ilah Abdul Talip from SMKA Maahad Hamidiah in Kajang, Chandra Sekhar Kuppusamy from SMK Dato Penggawa Timur in Masai, Cliff Asher R Ongil from SM St Paul in Beaufort in Sabah and Edmund Lau Chen Min from Kuching High School.

The students who scored in the 2007 PMR examination were joined by students from Indonesia, India, the Philippines and the United Kingdom in the wee hours of a cool and windy morning in the arid desert to witness Measat-3a's take-off.

Also present at the press conference and at the launch earlier was Measat Chief Operating Officer, Paul Brown-Kenyon.

Rais said his ministry together with Measat as well as the Science and Innovation Ministry could join hands to create such a scheme for students.

He said via the training scheme, the five Malaysian students and those from other countries would have their own 'orbit' of exposure.

"The question of lack of opportunity does not arise as it will go to the Cabinet. The participation of five students is an early indication that young Malaysians has a foundation in aerospace knowledge."

Rais stressed that it was important that the leap into space was made via the right angle or transfer of technology and this could only be achieved via education.

He said Measat or other parties could offer rewards while the government could propose that the sending of man into space could be studied.

-- BERNAMA

50 students receive excellent student awards
Tuesday June 23, 2009
By FARIK ZOLKEPLI

JOHOR BARU: Scoring 7As in the recent SPM examinations was a stepping stone for Mohd Redzuan Ahmad to realise his dreams of becoming a chemical engineer.

The 18-year-old student who received an excellent student award for his achievements was overjoyed as he was a step closer to pursuing his dream career.

“I have always wanted to be a chemical engineer as I love anything to do with chemistry.

“I am now enrolled in a matriculation programme and with this award I will work harder in my studies,” he said, adding that good time management was the key to his success.

Meanwhile, another award recipient Siti Rahea Mishari, 18, said sacrificing play time with her friends was well worth it as she scored 11As in the examination.

Siti Rahea, who aspires to be a medical doctor, said that she was not deterred by all the hard work that she has put into her studies as she knew that being a doctor would require her to persevere.

“I believe that success could not be achieved without sacrifice or hard work.

“I am studying hard to ensure that I have a bright future,” she said.

Mohd Redzuan and Siti Rahea were among more than 50 students who received awards at the Pasir Gudang Parliamentary constituency excellent student awards held in SMK Permas Jaya last week.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, who presented the awards, said that he was proud of the students’ achievements but reminded them to not rest on their laurels.

“Everyone especially students must aim for success and studying is the key.

“Education will ensure good job prospects while enriching one’s knowledge,” he said.

UM Names Newly Acquired Wisma Telekom As 'Wisma R&D Universiti Malaya'
June 23, 2009 15:32 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, June 23 (Bernama) -- Universiti Malaya (UM) has finalised the acquisition of former Wisma Telekom at Jalan Pantai Baharu here and has named the 22-storey building 'Wisma R & D Universiti Malaya'.

"The take over cost UM RM70 million," UM Vice Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Ghauth Jasmon told Bernama after the ground-breaking ceremony for UM's National Orthopedic Centre of Excellence in Research and Learning, also known as NOCERAL at the university's medical faculty here today.

Deputy High Education Minister Dr Hou Kok Chung officiated the function while UM's Pro-Chancellor Toh Puan Dr Aishah Ong and NOCERAL Director Prof Datuk Tunku Sara Tunku Ahmad were among those present.

"Three of the building's lowest floors will be allocated to the UM Medical Centre (UMMC)," he said, adding that the remaining floors would be used by UM faculties to carry out research and development work.

The construction of the four-storey RM6.8 million NOCERAL research centre is expected to be completed by June next year.

Prof Ghauth said the take over of Wisma Telekom was part of UM's expansion programme, adding that the expansion of the university's campus at Lembah Pantai was facing land constraints.

Renovations are expected to last until October this year, he said.

Meanwhile, UM Medical Faculty Dean who is also the UMMC Director, Prof Datuk Dr Ikram Shah Ismail, said UMMC would have several of its services at Wisma R & D Universiti Malaya.

Among them are the primary care and pharmacy services as well as neurology laboratories, he said.

"There will be a drive-in pharmacy on the ground floor where patients can inform the pharmacy first before coming in to collect their medication," Prof Ikram Shah added.

-- BERNAMA

Private institution students can now apply to do Masters or PhD
Wednesday June 24, 2009
By FOONG PEK YEE

KUALA LUMPUR: All 24 private institutions of higher learning qualify for the Government’s financial aid for post-graduate students from now on.

Those doing Masters and PhD programmes will get RM10,000 and RM20,000 respectively.

Prior to this, only the country’s 20 public institutions and three private institutions of higher learning qualified for the aid.

The aid, part of the second economic stimulus package announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in March, is open to those who are aged below 45 (during the time of application), compared to the previous age requirement of 35-years-old for applicants for the Masters programme and 43-years-old for PhD applicants.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, in a written reply to a question from Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting (BN-Kulai) as to whether the Government would extend the aid to private institutions such as Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, said the applicants would also need to have a CGPA2.50 now, instead of CGPA2.75 previously.

Apart from that, applicants must also be either unemployed, retrenched or not having a stable salary. New graduates are also encouraged to apply.

There are 10,000 places for Masters and 500 for PhD programmes.

At the Parliament lobby, Deputy Higher Education Minister Dr Hou Kok Chung said 3,377 applications for Masters and 225 for PhD programmes had been approved so far.

KIST buka akademi penerbangan RM20 juta mulai September ini
25/06/2009 11:35am


KOTA BAHARU 25 Jun — Kolej Islam dan Teknologi (KIST) mencipta sejarah tersendiri daripada bidang pendidikan perubatan kepada bidang latihan penerbangan, melalui penubuhan KIST Aviation Academy Sdn Bhd (KISTAA) dengan pelaburan RM20 juta.


Presiden KIST, Muhammad Zamly Abdullah berkata Kist kini mengorak satu lagi langkah ke hadapan dalam bidang pendidikan dengan menawarkan kursus penerbangan Lesen Juruterbang Komersial dengan Rating Instrumen (CPL/IR) serta Lesen Pengangkutan Penerbangan.


Peruntukan RM20 juta itu untuk membangunkan akademi ini termasuk kos untuk menyediakan tapak dan pembelian dua pesawat penerbangan, iaitu pesawat TECNAM model P2002 JF jenis satu enjin dan P2006T jenis enjin dua dari Itali.


Kursus dan pengambilan mulai September ini termasuk program latihan penerbangan komersial bertaraf antarabangsa yang akan beroperasi di kampus baru KIST di Kuala Terengganu, katanya kepada pemberita selepas majlis bersama media, malam tadi. - Bernama

KIST buka akademi penerbangan RM20 juta mulai September ini
25/06/2009 11:35am


KOTA BAHARU 25 Jun — Kolej Islam dan Teknologi (KIST) mencipta sejarah tersendiri daripada bidang pendidikan perubatan kepada bidang latihan penerbangan, melalui penubuhan KIST Aviation Academy Sdn Bhd (KISTAA) dengan pelaburan RM20 juta.


Presiden KIST, Muhammad Zamly Abdullah berkata Kist kini mengorak satu lagi langkah ke hadapan dalam bidang pendidikan dengan menawarkan kursus penerbangan Lesen Juruterbang Komersial dengan Rating Instrumen (CPL/IR) serta Lesen Pengangkutan Penerbangan.


Peruntukan RM20 juta itu untuk membangunkan akademi ini termasuk kos untuk menyediakan tapak dan pembelian dua pesawat penerbangan, iaitu pesawat TECNAM model P2002 JF jenis satu enjin dan P2006T jenis enjin dua dari Itali.


Kursus dan pengambilan mulai September ini termasuk program latihan penerbangan komersial bertaraf antarabangsa yang akan beroperasi di kampus baru KIST di Kuala Terengganu, katanya kepada pemberita selepas majlis bersama media, malam tadi. - Bernama

KIST Opens Its Flying Academy In September
June 25, 2009 13:13 PM

KOTA BAHARU, June 25 (Bernama) -- Kolej Islam dan Teknologi (KIST), which offers medical studies, has created its own history by offering flight training with the establishment of KIST Aviation Academy Sdn Bhd (KISTAA).

KIST president Muhammad Zamly Abdullah said the academy would offer the course for the Commercial Pilot Licence with Instrument Rating (CPL/IR) and Frozen ATPL (Airline Transport Licence).

"We have spent about RM20 to set up this aviation academy including the site and buying two aircraft -- the single-engine TECNAM P2002 JF and twin-engine P2006T from Italy.

"This internationally-recognised course for commercial flying will start in September at the KIST new campus in Kuala Terengganu," he told reporters at a function with the media, here, last night.

Muhammad Zamly said the Transport Ministry had on April 17 this year, through the Department of Civil Avation, given approval for KISTAA to conduct the flying course.

He said the first intake of 20 students would attend the 16-month course with at least 200 hours of flight training, including simulator training.

KIST, managed by At Qah Holdings Sdn Bhd, a Bumiputera company, is a private higher learning institution set up five years ago in Bachok, and opened a branch campus in Kuala Berang in January.

-- BERNAMA

Kolej Islam Sains dan Teknologi perkenal latihan bidang penerbangan

KOTA BHARU 25 Jun - Selepas berjaya melahirkan golongan profesional dalam bidang pendidikan perubatan, Kolej Islam Sains dan Teknologi (KIST) memperkenalkan KIST Aviation Academy (KISTAA) iaitu latihan dalam bidang penerbangan yang akan bermula September ini.

Presiden KIST, Muhammad Zamly Abdullah berkata, menerusi pelaburan sebanyak RM20 juta, program itu akan memberi fokus terhadap tawaran Lesen Juruterbang Komersial dengan Rating Instrumen (CPL/IR) serta Lesen Pengangkutan Penerbangan.

Katanya, semua latihan penerbangan tersebut yang akan diadakan di Lapangan Terbang Sultan Mahmud Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, telah mendapat kelulusan daripada Kementerian Pengangkutan dan Jabatan Pengangkutan Awam April lalu.

"KIST telah berkembang maju sejak beberapa tahun lepas dan melihat kepada keupayaan yang ada, kami bercadang membuka lembaran baru dalam pendidikan yang ditawarkan kerana yakin dengan kebolehan KIST.

"KIST akan menawarkan program Diploma Eksekutif Penerbangan membabitkan jangka masa kursus selama 14 hingga 18 bulan," katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian pada sidang akhbar selepas mengadakan majlis makan malam dengan petugas media Kelantan di Hotel New Pacific di sini semalam.

Turut hadir ialah Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif KIST, Dr. Mohd. Azman Abu Bakar dan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Akademi Memandu KIST, Roomai Nor Ali.

Muhammad Zamly berkata, mengikut perancangan awal, sebanyak 20 buah pesawat akan dihantar secara berperingkat-peringkat mengikut fasa ditetapkan.

Jelasnya, fasa pertama membabitkan tiga buah pesawat yang dapat digunakan antara 18 dan 20 pelajar.

"Bagaimanapun pengambilan pelajar bergantung kepada tenaga pengajar mahir yang diperlukan untuk mendalami ilmu penerbangan bagi memastikan kualiti pelajar dilahirkan benar-benar terjamin.

"Kemungkinan simulator akan digunakan dalam pengajaran, bergantung kepada keadaan dan kajian secara terperinci kerana kita hanya memesan pesawat mengikut fasa," ujarnya.

Tambahnya, sehingga kini, KIST telah mendapat jumlah permohonan yang menggalakkan daripada pelajar yang ingin mengikuti program tersebut.

4,000 E- Books To Be Distributed To Year 5 Teachers
June 25, 2009 19:05 PM

DUNGUN, June 25 (Bernama) -- A total of 4,000 electronic books (e-books) will be distributed to Year 5 teachers in Terengganu especially to those who are involved in implementing the teaching methods using e-books.

Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said said the e-books for the teachers were the upgraded version of the e-books.

"We will add value to the e-books given to teachers so that they are standardised," he said at the handing over of 1,144 e-books to 15 primary schools at the state legislative assembly building near here, today.

At the event, Ahmad also handed over education aid of RM1,000 each from the Terengganu Foundation to students who are sitting for Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia examination.

-- BERNAMA

PPKUM Should Strive To Become Renown Academic Medical Centre - Rosmah
June 26, 2009 23:53 PM

BANGI, June 26 (Bernama) -- The University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (PPUKM) has been urged to chart its growth to become a renown academic medical centre by providing services on par with that of developed countries.

In making the call, the prime minister's wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor said as a teaching hospital, its lecturers were entrusted with the responsibility to ensure that PPUKM's excellent services would of international repute.

"For this to happen, emphasis must be given to research and medical and health services by contributing knowledge, products and best medical practices that could be benefited by patients," she said at a charity dinner for the PPUKM's patients' fund here tonight.

Rosmah said in an effort to make the fund beneficial to patients, it needed donations from the public and corporate bodies.

Launched in 2000, the fund has so far spent RM2.945 million to assist poor patients.



-- BERNAMA

Malaysian students urged to return to serve country
Friday, June 26th, 2009

KOTA KINABALU: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk VK Liew has urged Malaysians who are studying overseas to return home after completing their tertiary studies to serve the country.

He made the call in a meeting with Malaysian students in London during his brief visit to the United Kingdom recently, where he encouraged students to return to Malaysia as their knowledge and expertise are needed to develop the country.

Liew said many Malaysians took up specialised fields in science and technology, while others were studying history, economic, accounting, law and other courses.

“You all are the future leaders of the country. Our country needs you, so you must come back to serve the country with all the knowledge and expertise to help develop our country.”

Liew also explained to the students the concept of 1Malaysia introduced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak when he became the premier in April this year.

“We must be mindful that the PM wants to ensure that people come first in our dealing with the government that places a priority on performance. The era, as the PM had said, that the government knows all has ended.

“Therefore, the views of the government on matters are not relevant anymore. It is the views of the people that matter most.”

“The PM wants us to reach out to all parts of Malaysia - to all our diverse communities as the PM said in our national discourse and in pursuing our national agenda, we must never leave anyone behind.

“We must reach out to the many who may have been disaffected and left confused by political games, deceit and showmanship,” he said.

According to Liew, the government is drawing on talented people across the country, regardless of their position or background, to re-energise a passion for public service.

“This is to sow the seeds of goodwill and understanding in every corner of this land, so that we continue to harvest the fruits of progress and prosperity for all Malaysians.”

Liew also explained to the students the various political issues facing the country and urged the students to form their independent views on any political matter without being influenced by any views in the blogs on the Internet.

Education Important Part Of National Mission: Najib
June 27, 2009 16:25 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, June 27 (Bernama) -- Education will continue to be an important part of the National Mission and its objectives, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

He said, even the new economic model which the government planned to introduce, would not be possible to be attained, until and unless the country was able to produce the right kind and quality people, which had very much to do with education and the values it brought.

"Education is not about producing academic persons...(it is about) a person who is educated in his hearts and mind. That is the true purpose of education," he said in his speech when opening the Conference of Mission Schools of Malaysia at the St John Institution here Saturday.

The prime minister said that apart from education curriculum, another strong influence on students was the ethos of schools, and all the values it imparted would shape the belief and attitude of the students.

"For that mission, the mission schools has been recognised as schools with special ethos...which is in consonance with my desire of a truly 1Malaysia," said Najib.

Najib said that part and parcel of the 1Malaysia concept would include the basic premise, that all Malaysians should accept wholeheartedly the diversity of this country as their strength, and not as a source of problem.

"1Malaysia calls going beyond the concept of tolerance...instead, it calls to migrate to a mindset of accepting in total, the diversity which exists in our society," he said.

"I call all Malaysians to transform because this journey is about transforming on mindset...not distinguishing so much in terms of ethnic and religion differences but instead, what we can contribute to this nation. 1Malaysia means one people, one dream and one nation. And if we believe and continue in this path, I believe Malaysia will be a much stronger nation," he said.

Najib, who was a former student of St John Institution, spending five years at the primary and another three at secondary-level, said he was fortunate that his formative years were spent in an institution recognised for its commitment in not only providing quality education, but also that was renowned for imparting the ethos of hard work, perseverance, humility and humanity in its students.

"I, and generations of Malaysians, owe St John Institution and its teachers an eternal debt of gratitude," he said.

Later, at the press conference, Najib announced that the St John Institution, opened in 1904, would be declared a national heritage site in a ceremony on July 12.

In his speech, Najib also said that the education ministry would study all issues and requests concerning mission schools in the country, brought up by Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Tan Sri Bernard Giluk Dompok, who is also the Conference Convening Chairman, in his speech earlier.

"I hope the education ministry will study the requests very seriously... where we can accomodate and if (it is) in line with the government's policy, then I think, we should accomodate their request," he added.

Among the issues and requests made by Dompok, on behalf of the conference, were the preservation of the culture, character and ethos of mission schools, funding for mission schools and the creation of a special unit in the education ministry for mission schools.

Others are issues related to the consultation between the government and the mission authorities in the appointment of principal/head teachers, maintaining the multi-ethnic character of mission schools in terms of student enrolment and teaching staff and also on the policy related to mission schools on leasehold land.

Today, there are about 250,000 students studying in 410 mission schools in the country.

-- BERNAMA

To France to boost ties on education and R&D
Saturday June 27, 2009

KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin will make a three-day working visit to Paris, France, from Monday.

According to a statement from his office, the visit is aimed at enhancing cooperation in various fields – particularly education, training, research and development – and boosting bilateral relations.

The trip to Paris will be Muhyiddin’s first working visit overseas as Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister.

During the visit, he is expected to hold meetings with the French Education Minister, president of the Malaysia-France Friendship Group of The National Assembly, president of the French Business Confederation International and the Malaysian community and students there.

He would also visit the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) headquarters and meet its director-general Koichiro Matsuura.

The statement said the meeting would help Malaysia foster closer cooperation with the world body.

It said it was also to demonstrate its support and commitment for Unesco’s programmes and activities towards achieving the ‘Education For All’ agenda.

At the meeting, Muhyiddin would also discuss about enlisting Unesco educational experts to carry out a holistic and comprehensive study of Malaysia’s national education system.

Malaysia was elected to sit on the Unesco executive board for a four-year period (2008 to 2011) at the organisation’s 34th general assembly last year.

Najib: Government to introduce new category of scholarships
Sunday June 28, 2009
By DHARMENDER SINGH

PUTRAJAYA: A new category of Public Service Department (PSD) scholarships will be introduced next year based purely on merit, regardless of race.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said he was sure that such a category would be welcomed by all communities, including the Chinese.

“We are restudying the distribution of scholarships under the Public Service Department scheme to introduce a new category.

“We will announce it next year and with the plan to limit the Sijil Pelajaran Malay-sia to 10 subjects, we expect to see a more level playing field,” he said in his speech at a dinner organised by the MCA and the Associated Chinese Chamber of Com-merce and Industry Malaysia here yesterday.

Najib said this would allow Malay-sia’s best students to receive aid to pursue higher studies.

“So the best of the best and the creme de la creme will get aid for higher studies.

“I believe this will be accepted well and it will allow each individual a fair chance to realise his full potential,” he said, adding, however, that he was not “letting the cat out of the bag” just yet about the scheme.

Najib said that contrary to perception, not all Chinese were rich.

“Like all Malaysians, they also want to see their children have a good education and become successful. All this involves costs,” he said, adding that every race had its needs and if the Government could bring policies that were fair, the Chinese would continue to support the Barisan Nasional.

Najib said the Chinese were not against Malays succeeding or were opposed to efforts to help the bumiputras, but that they wanted policies which looked at the needs of all Malaysians fairly.

“And that’s why I included it in the 1Malaysia concept,” he said, adding that he would also look into MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat’s request for more government land to build Chinese vernacular schools.

Najib said that during his trip to China, the Chinese government had also promised to bring more investments to Malaysia.

“I’m told they are preparing a loan fund as a sign of their commitment to us. I believe there is an opportunity for China to help boost Malaysia’s economy in terms of development, which will include the banking sector as well,” he said.

“I have also looked into the needs of the local Chinese community when I introduced the 1Malaysia plan, which covers the needs of all regardless of colour, ethnicity and culture,” he added.

Ong said in his speech that the dinner was not just to celebrate the appointment of Najib as Prime Minister but to also show that the Chinese community would always be with the Government and his leadership as it strives to overcome the current economic problems.

PM: National Scholarship based totally on merit 2010 onwards
NST Online » Frontpage 2009/06/28

PUTRAJAYA, SAT: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the government will create a special scholarship called Biasiswa Nasional (National Scholarship) under the Public Service Department (JPA) next year based totally on merit.

He said the scholarships would be given to the best qualified students irrespective of race, in line with the Education Ministry's decision to review the award of government scholarships.

"Only the best will be get the scholarships. It is the government wish to place people first. We must consider the people's interest," he said at an MCA dinner at Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) here tonight.

Present include his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and MCA leaders.

The dinner organized by MCA and Chinese Associations was in conjunction with Najib's appointment as the sixth Prime Minister.


Najib said the national scholarship was not introduced this year as the Education Ministry had limited the subjects for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination.

"The government will announce it next year, not this year as Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had announced the ten subject limit for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia candidates."

He said Muhyiddin had been mandated to review the national education system as human capital was the catalyst for economic development.

"The new economic model introduced placed human capital development as the main criteria for the creation of higher revenue."

On another note, Najib said RM90mil had been approved under the first stimulus package for building 90 national type Chinese schools (SJKC) while another RM50mil was for repair works.

"The development and repair of SJKC show the government confidence in the schools. The government spends RM1.8bil annually, a large amount on SJKC teachers.

"Don't forget that the Barisan Nasional (BN) had contributed to the welfare of Chinese in the country.

"I also told Singapore Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew who was here recently that Malaysia has SJKC but Singapore did not have one," he said to loud applause from guests.

Najib also said the government was in the process of recognizing several universities in China as both countries have much to gain in future.

Meaningful Afternoon For UiTM Freshies
June 28, 2009 22:43 PM

SHAH ALAM, June 28 (Bernama) -- Over 3,000 Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) freshies and senior students felt fortunate today to performing the artistic exercise with Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.

The prime minister and wife, and Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled and deputy Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah took part in the exercise at Stadium UiTM here, accompanied by traditional music.

The students also took the opportunity to shake hands with Najib and Rosmah whom they did not expect would turn up in one of their orientation activities.

Maznor Zairi, 18, a music major, said he felt proud with the prime minister's arrival and performing the artistic exercise together.

"Didn't expect the prime minister came, glad to shake hands with him," he said.

After spending about 30 minutes exercising with the students, Najib and wife walked to Kolej Perindu, a male hostel not too far from the stadium.

There, the prime minister inspected the dormitories as well as the toilets.

He also spent about 30 minutes having a drink and chat with about 30 students at the Kolej Perindu cafeteria to know their problems, their hopes as new generations and their views about the present government.

Before ending his visit, Najib signed the visitor's register and waved good-bye to the students who were fortunate having a prime minister who was

willing to see them at the place of study.

-- BERNAMA

Education Important Part Of National Mission: Najib
June 27, 2009 16:25 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, June 27 (Bernama) -- Education will continue to be an important part of the National Mission and its objectives, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

He said, even the new economic model which the government planned to introduce, would not be possible to be attained, until and unless the country was able to produce the right kind and quality people, which had very much to do with education and the values it brought.

"Education is not about producing academic persons...(it is about) a person who is educated in his hearts and mind. That is the true purpose of education," he said in his speech when opening the Conference of Mission Schools of Malaysia at the St John Institution here Saturday.

The prime minister said that apart from education curriculum, another strong influence on students was the ethos of schools, and all the values it imparted would shape the belief and attitude of the students.

"For that mission, the mission schools has been recognised as schools with special ethos...which is in consonance with my desire of a truly 1Malaysia," said Najib.

Najib said that part and parcel of the 1Malaysia concept would include the basic premise, that all Malaysians should accept wholeheartedly the diversity of this country as their strength, and not as a source of problem.

"1Malaysia calls going beyond the concept of tolerance...instead, it calls to migrate to a mindset of accepting in total, the diversity which exists in our society," he said.

"I call all Malaysians to transform because this journey is about transforming on mindset...not distinguishing so much in terms of ethnic and religion differences but instead, what we can contribute to this nation. 1Malaysia means one people, one dream and one nation. And if we believe and continue in this path, I believe Malaysia will be a much stronger nation," he said.

Najib, who was a former student of St John Institution, spending five years at the primary and another three at secondary-level, said he was fortunate that his formative years were spent in an institution recognised for its commitment in not only providing quality education, but also that was renowned for imparting the ethos of hard work, perseverance, humility and humanity in its students.

"I, and generations of Malaysians, owe St John Institution and its teachers an eternal debt of gratitude," he said.

Later, at the press conference, Najib announced that the St John Institution, opened in 1904, would be declared a national heritage site in a ceremony on July 12.

In his speech, Najib also said that the education ministry would study all issues and requests concerning mission schools in the country, brought up by Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Tan Sri Bernard Giluk Dompok, who is also the Conference Convening Chairman, in his speech earlier.

"I hope the education ministry will study the requests very seriously... where we can accomodate and if (it is) in line with the government's policy, then I think, we should accomodate their request," he added.

Among the issues and requests made by Dompok, on behalf of the conference, were the preservation of the culture, character and ethos of mission schools, funding for mission schools and the creation of a special unit in the education ministry for mission schools.

Others are issues related to the consultation between the government and the mission authorities in the appointment of principal/head teachers, maintaining the multi-ethnic character of mission schools in terms of student enrolment and teaching staff and also on the policy related to mission schools on leasehold land.

Today, there are about 250,000 students studying in 410 mission schools in the country.

-- BERNAMA

Najib Tells UiTM Students They Must Know Knowledge Management
June 28, 2009 22:33 PM

SHAH ALAM, June 28 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak who visited Kolej Perindu at the Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) campus here today advised the students to build their capacity for managing the knowledge they have acquired.

"In your mind you should know how to manage knowledge, and to do that you must have discipline and the ability to synthesise information...what to believe and what to reject," he said to a group of over 30 UiTM students who had the opportunity to exchange views over drinks with him at the college cafeteria.

Also in the discussion which went on for 30 minutes were Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and his deputy Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah, and UiTM vice-chancellor Tan Sri Prof Dr Ibrahim Abu Shah.

Najib said students must have the mind to manage knowledge they had acquired in order to achieve success even in very challenging times.

He said the inability to manage knowledge could also create discord among the people as they were now bombarded with all kinds of information due to the development in communication technology such as the Internet.

Hence, he said, the role of students was important in strengthening unity among the people and in achieving the 1Malaysia concept.

Najib said the majority of UiTM students who were mostly Muslims should mould themselves into good Muslims as they would also become good citizens and give the correct picture of Islam to the non-Muslim community.

He said this could be a religious mission for the students, apart from the government carrying out efforts in Islamic advancement such as through the training and recruitment of religious teachers, building of mosques and surau, and setting up of the Pilgrims Management and Fund Board (Tabung Haji).

He also advised the students not to gamble their future and be taken in by the opposition's tactics as the Barisan Nasional (BN) government since its formation, had emphasised education and that UiTM was one of its biggest assets in this field.

Najib said education had all along been the BN government's prime agenda, as "education is the most effective agent for society's socio-economic change".

When Najib asked the group of students their biggest satisfaction as UiTM students, they mentioned world-class facilities, use of English in learning, lecturers of calibre, good R&D (research and development) and low fees.

He said that was the privilege -- quality education at reasonable price -- provided by the government.

Asked whether the government was doing the right thing, the students who mostly spoke in English and appeared relaxed and confident, said yes.

Najib said the BN did not make empty promises and what the students enjoyed at UiTM was a reality so that they could pursue their studies for a bright future; a better life than what their parents had as most of them were not from well-to-do families.

Some of the students asked the prime minister when UiTM would have its own hospital for practical training as they are now doing it at the Sungai Buloh hospital, and Najib replied that the government had no allocation yet for a UiTM hospital.

He was also asked on the use of blogs and websites on the Internet by the opposition in their election campaign which the students said gave the opposition the edge in the last general election.

Najib admitted that this was a contributing factor to BN's loss of five states but the people's thinking had changed and they were more critical of the opposition now.

He also said that although BN's struggle had been unjustly equated to the deviant teachings of Ayah Pin, Chin Peng's communism or the socialist ideology by PAS' spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat, the truth was that BN had done much more for Islam through the provision of religious education and training, and the setting up of many Islamic instruments and institutions.

He said PAS on the other hand, was inclined to using Islamic symbols like wearing the jubah (robe) and sporting a goatee to show that they were more Islamic than Umno.

"Islam does not necessarily be portrayed externally, but should be entrenched in the heart and soul of every Muslim. The Chinese Muslims in China, for instance, perform their daily prayers in mosques whose architectural design resembles a pagoda," he said.

-- BERNAMA

Penuntut UiTM Perlu Tahu Menguruskan Pengetahuan
28 Jun, 2009 22:05 PM

SHAH ALAM, 28 Jun (Bernama) -- Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yang melawat Kolej Perindu di kampus Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam hari ini menasihatkan penuntut supaya membina kebolehan menguruskan pengetahuan yang mereka peroleh.

"Di dalam pemikiran, anda seharusnya mengetahui bagaimana mengurus pengetahuan dan untuk melakukannya, anda mesti mempunyai disiplin dan keupayaan untuk mensintesis maklumat... apa yang boleh dipercayai dan apa yang perlu diketepikan," katanya kepada lebih 30 penuntut UiTM yang meluangkan masa bersama beliau minum sambil bertukar-tukar pandangan di kafetaria kolej itu.

Turut serta di dalam perbincangan yang berlanjutan selama 30 minit ialah Menteri Pengajian Tinggi Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin dan Timbalannya Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah serta Naib Canselor UiTM Tan Sri Prof Dr Ibrahim Abu Shah.

Najib berkata para penuntut perlu memiliki minda yang mampu mengurus pengetahuan yang diperoleh bagi mencapai kejayaan dalam keadaan semasa yang amat mencabar.

Ketiadaan minda yang mampu menguruskan pengetahuan mungkin boleh memecahbelahkan masyarakat kerana rakyat kini dihujani dengan limpahan maklumat dan pengetahuan hasil kemajuan teknologi perhubungan seperti internet, katanya.

Perdana Menteri berkata para penuntut memmpunyai peranan penting untuk mengukuh perpaduan dan seterusnya menjayakan konsep 1Malaysia.

Najib berkata mahasiswa UiTM, yang majoritinya beragama Islam, perlu membentuk diri menjadi Muslim yang baik kerana perwatakan itu secara tidak langsung akan menjadikan mereka warganegara yang baik dan memberi gambaran sebenar mengenai Islam kepada masyarakat bukan Islam.

Ini adalah satu bentuk dakwah yang boleh dilakukan pelajar selain daripada peranan kerajaan membangunkan syiar Islam seperti melatih dan menggaji guru-guru agama, mendirikan masjid dan surau serta menubuhkan Lembaga Tabung Haji bagi menguruskan jemaah haji ke Tanah Suci Mekah dan Madinah, katanya.

Najib turut menasihatkan para mahasiswa supaya tidak menggadaikan masa depan mereka dan terpedaya dengan dakyah-dakyah pembangkang kerana kerajaan Barisan Nasional (BN) sejak dahulu lagi menitikberatkan pendidikan dan UiTM merupakan aset terbesar kerajaan dalam bidang ini.

Pendidikan merupakan agenda utama BN sejak dahulu lagi kerana ia merupakan agen perubahan sosio-ekonomi masyarakat yang paling berkesan.

Najib berkata kerajaan BN tidak hanya membuat janji-janji tetapi apa yang mereka nikmati di UiTM adalah satu realiti yang membolehkan mereka berusaha mengubah kehidupan mereka ke tahap lebih baik.

Para penuntut yang menyertai perbincangan bersama Perdana Menteri jelas selesa dan tidak berasa kekok ataupun gugup malah berani dan gembira dapat memberikan pandangan serta menyatakan harapan mereka.

Mereka turut bertukar-tukar pandangan mengenai politik semasa negara dan mendengar sendiri jawapan Najib mengenai penggunaan blog dan kempen menerusi internet oleh pembangkang sehingga memberi kelebihan kepada parti itu memenangi lebih banyak kerusi pada pilihan raya umum ke-12.

Najib berkata penggunaan media baru itu adalah antara punca kekalahan BN di lima buah negeri tetapi pemikiran rakyat kini telah berubah dan lebih kritikal.

Seorang penuntut turut bertanya kepada Perdana Menteri bilakah UiTM bakal memiliki hospital universiti sendiri bagi tujuan amali kerana sekarang ini mereka menggunakan Hospital Sungai Buluh.

Menjawab soalan itu, Najib berkata kerajaan menyedari kebaikan UiTM untuk memiliki hospital universiti sendiri tetapi kerajaan belum mempunyai peruntukan.

-- BERNAMA

Tesdec Offers Engineering Technology Diploma
June 28, 2009 17:30 PM

MARANG, June 28 (Bernama) -- The Terengganu Skill Development Centre (Tesdec) will introduce an engineering technology (automotive maintenance) diploma course in an effort to upgrade itself to a university college.

Its chairman, Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman said the June intake would enroll the first batch of 50 students for the three-year course.

"We are striving to become a university college by upgrading our courses from certificate to diploma courses," he told reporters after chairing a Tesdec management meeting here today.

Ahmad Razif, who is also Terengganu Education, Higher Education, Science and Technology Committee chairman said the diploma programme would be conducted jointly with Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL), for which the state government had allocated RM5.2 million to equip a workshop.

Ahmad Razif said Tesdec would also be collaborating with the Welding Institute Ltd, United Kingdom to provide technical courses.

On the meeting, he said the state government had approved RM15 million for Tesdec's expansion plan.

-- BERNAMA

UMS takes precaution
29th June, 2009

KOTA KINABALU: 115 new international students have been isolated by the Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) from local ones as a precautionary measure against the spread of the Influenza A (H1N1) virus.

Its Vice Chancellor, Prof Datuk Dr Kamaruzaman Ampon said that although the students had been given clearance at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport, the university felt it was best to isolate them to ensure that they were completely free of the virus.

“All the international students will be registered today. This year we have offered places to 121 international students and until now 115 of them have arrived,” he told reporters yesterday.

Dr Kamaruzaman disclosed that out of the number, 110 of them were from China, Turkey (5), Indonesia (4) and one each from Algeria and Brunei.

Despite the presence of the large number of foreign students, Dr Kamaruzaman urged parents not to panic as situation was under control.

“Until now UMS is still free from the virus,” he assured.

However, he said the university has set up quarantine rooms and formed an action committee, just in case.

Nearly 3,000 new students will undergo various programmes offered by the university for the 2009/2010 session.

Meanwhile, some of them who came for registration yesterday were seen wearing surgical masks.

“Although there’s no sign of the virus here in UMS everyone must take precautionary steps,” said Jumat Abdullah, 20, from Sandakan.

“I’ve learnt from the news that the disease spreads easily and unexpectedly. So it’s safe that we put on masks,” added the former student of St Mary’s who will study Islamic Finance.

Sarawakian, January Anak Bana, 20, from Kapit, shared the same opinion, saying it was better to be safe than sorry.

UM's 'Journey' Into Orthopaedic Research Excellence
June 29, 2009 15:01 PM
By Zulkiple Ibrahim

This is the first article in a series of two on NOCERAL, Universiti Malaya's (UM) National Orthopaedic Centre of Excellence in Research and Learning

KUALA LUMPUR, June 29 (Bernama) -- "Our aim is to foster the schemes for the relief of human suffering and the provision of patient care in the area of orthopaedic surgery".

Those were the words of Prof Datuk Tunku Sara Tunku Ahmad, the Director for Universiti Malaya's (UM) National Orthopaedic Centre of Excellence in Research and Learning, also known as NOCERAL.

Among the centre's other aims are to provide advancement of education and research in the field of orthopaedic surgery and to provide the funds for research in the study of orthopaedics.

Prof Tunku Sara told this in an exclusive interview held at Wisma Bernama here recently.

She is also the senior consultant orthopaedic surgeon for the UM Medical Centre (UMMC), specialising in hand and micro surgery.

Prof Madya Dr Tai Cheh Chin the consultant orthopaedic surgeon for UM Medical Centre (UMMC) (previously known as University Hospital or UH)was also present at the interview.

Deputy Higher Education Minister Dr Hou Kok Chung performed the ground-breaking ceremony for NOCERAL last June 23 at the Medical Faculty, UM.

The RM6.8 million four-storey building is due for completion in July 2010.

NOCERAL'S 'JOURNEY'

According to Prof Tunku Sara, NOCERAL is the brainchild of Datuk Dr Mahmood Osman Merican, a distinguished name in Malaysia's field of orthopaedics.

"It began six years ago, the idea was mooted by Dr Mahmood who is the advisor to Yayasan Ortopedik," said Prof Tunku Sara.

She said Yayasan Ortopedik was established in 2006 with the aim of encouraging excellence in research and learning in orthopaedics.

The foundation provided the initial funding for NOCERAL but it was only with the support of UM that the centre could finally become a reality, she said.

The initial funding by Yayasan Ortopedik was RM250,000. The figure later went up to RM500,000.

"We thank UM for topping up the fund for NOCERAL's construction, and the final amount stands at RM6.8 million," said Prof Tunku Sara.

BONE BANK

Meanwhile, Prof Tai said the UM Medical Faculty's Bone Bank, which came into existence in the early 2000's needs another place for its expansion.

"For the time being, the Bone Bank is housing its specimens at two deep freezers operating at -60 degrees, located at the Operation Theater of UMMC," said Prof Tai.

He said the sources of bones for the Bone Bank are from hip replacement surgeries and cadavers (bodies of dead persons).

"We need a place to expand the Bone Bank, to process the bone specimens and expand the Bone Bank into a Tissue Bank", said Prof Tunku Sara.

NOCERAL BUILDING

When completed NOCERAL is expected to have an experimental laboratory for benchwork as well as a cadaveric wet laboratory and training centre.

"The centre would also have an orthopaedic bio-mechanical workshop and a mechanical testing laboratory apart from facilities for research on bio-products," said Prof Tunku Sara.

NOCERAL would also have a library/audio-visual learning facility as well as a seminar room and lecture hall.

"There would also be bone and tissue banks apart from a bio-products laboratory. Right now we have cramped and limited workstations for research assistants and the academic staff.

NOCERAL is expected to greatly alleviate this problem," Prof Tai said.

RESEARCH

Currently NOCERAL is housed in the university's Orthopaedic Surgery Department, Faculty of Medicine.

Among the on-going research are those on stem cell therapy, cartilage replacement and investigation on and creation of novel orthopaedic implants and devices for treatment and rehabilitation of orthopaedic patients as well as development and manufacture of wound care products.

"Other research programmes are that, among else on improvements of current surgical techniques in all orthopaedic sub-specialties like that on trauma, upper limb and micro-surgery, limb-lengthening and orthopaedic oncology," said Prof Tai.

According to Prof Tunku Sara, NOCERAL has research collaborators that include the Malaysian Nuclear Agency, Monash University (Malaysia), National University of Singapore (NUS), Keele University, University of London's Queen Mary Hospital and University of Liverpool.

"Yayasan Ortopedik would also move into NOCERAL when the building is completed," added Prof Tunku Sara.

OBJECTIVES

"In simple terms, NOCERAL has several objectives including to improve and increase the amount of research in orthopaedics surgery," said Prof Tunku Sara.

The other objective are to provide training and learning courses in orthopaedics surgery and courses in the field.

Prof Tunku Sara has been a lecturer with UM's Medical Faculty since 1989.

She is the president of the Malaysian Society for Surgery of the Hand (MSSH) and was the president for Malaysian Orthopaedic Association (MOA) from 2006-2007.

She was the head of UM Medical Faculty's Orthopaedic Surgery Department from 2001 until 2008.

-- BERNAMA

Experts to jointly review Malaysia’s education system
Tuesday June 30, 2009
By CHOI TUCK WO

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2009/6/30/nation/n_04yassin.jpg

Warm welcome: Matsuura (right) welcoming Muhyiddin at
the Unesco headquarters in Paris yesterday. — Bernama

PARIS: Malaysia and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) experts will jointly review the national education system in line with global changes.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the move would provide a more balanced assessment of the country’s education system.

He stressed that the review would cover only the implementation process and not policy which had been accepted by the people.

“We will draw up the terms of reference for the review and, hopefully, it can start this year,” he told Malaysian journalists after meeting Unesco director-general Koichiro Matsuura at the organisation’s headquarters yesterday.

Muhyiddin arrived here earlier for a three-day working visit.

This is his first working visit overseas as deputy premier and Education Minister.

Muhyiddin said education must move in tandem with, if possible ahead of, what’s happening around the world.

“We’re looking at the bigger picture. We want our education quality to be on par with world standards,” he said, citing the progress in the fields of technology, science, ICT and knowledge,

He said Malaysia would benefit from the experience and expertise of Unesco in helping to improve the system to achieve the national education objectives.

“They can provide us with a third person’s perspective on how to further raise our education standards to a higher level,” he added.

Muhyiddin, however, said the review did not mean there were weaknesses in the education system which had achieved success over the years.

Muhyiddin said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has been invited to address the 35th Unesco General Conference’s first plenary session on Oct 6.

This would be the first time in Malaysia’s 51-year history with Unesco that its Prime Minister would address the world body’s opening plenary session as such invitations are usually reserved for heads of states.

He said it was a historic milestone for Malaysia as Unesco has never invited a head of government to give a keynote speech at its first plenary session.

“This will provide an opportunity for our Prime Minister to present his vision and mission in addressing issues of global interests,” he said after presenting Najib’s acceptance letter to Matsuura.

Muhyiddin met Elysee Palace secretary-general Claude Gueant and French Education Minister Luc Chatel before attending a dinner with the Malaysian community in France.

Unesco help sought to revitalise education system
Tuesday June 30 2009

PARIS, June 29 – A study of the education policies and the education system practised in Malaysia will be done to chart out the future direction of education in the country, especially in the development aspects like in advanced countries.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said a special team comprising local experts and from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) would be set up in the near future to do the study.

“Though our policies and education system have put Malaysia in a good standing, we should also take into consideration the views of others to further improve the existing system.

“Unesco is the most suitable international organisation for this purpose,” he told Malaysian journalists after having a meeting with Unesco secretary Koichiro Matsuura at the latter’s office here today.

Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister, said Matsuura agreed with him on the idea of setting up such a team to bring Malaysian education to greater heights.

He said the ministry would provide the terms of reference for the study one the membership of the team was finalised. Asked why the study should involve outsiders, Muhyiddin said this was important to identify strengths and weaknesses of the system.

“It will help us identify if our system is in tandem or if there huge gaps with the systems practised by the more advanced countries,” he said, adding that the ensuing final report would also be more balanced before it was submitted to the government.

He added that having the study also did not mean the current system was lacking only that the country must find ways to ensure it was as good if not better than those of advanced countries. – Bernama

576 Students Offered Places At USM Kubang Kerian
June 29, 2009 19:38 PM

KOTA BAHARU, June 29 (Bernama) -- A total of 576 students have been offered places Universiti Sains Malaysia's Kubang Kerian campus here.

USM vice-chancellor Tan Sri Dzulkifli Abdul Razak said they were among the first batch of 4,000 students selected since the university was awarded the accelerated programme for excellence (apex) status in September last year.

He said the students were selected based on the Malaysian University Selection Inventory (Munsyi) special assessment test conducted for the first time with the cooperation of the Malaysian Examination Council.

"They are the first batch of apex undergraduates and we hope they can help USM fulfill the apex agenda for the next five years," he added.

He was addressing the Undergraduates Sustainability Ceremony at the USM's Tuanku Syed Putra Hall in Penang Monday. The ceremony was beamed live to the Kubang Kerian's campus here.

Dzulkifli said USM had selected 4,000 of 22,000 applicants for further studies at the main campus, the Penang engineering campus and the Kubang Kerian campus.

USM Kubang Kerian campus director Prof Datuk Dr Mafauzy Mohammed said the 576 students offered places at the campus had registered since Saturday.

They are pursuing degrees in medicines, dentistry and health science.

Bakal membelah awan biru

Oleh ASMA HANIM MAHMOOD
utusankelantan@utusan.com.my


http://www.utusan.com.my/pix/2009/0630/Utusan_Malaysia/Timur/wt_01.1.jpg
Sebahagian pelajar APFT bergaya di hadapan pesawat berdekatan kawasan hangar mereka di Pengkalan Chepa, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, semalam.

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KOTA BHARU 29 Jun- Seramai 12 kadet juruterbang Sistem Penerbangan Malaysia (MAS) yang mendapat pinjaman pelajaran dari Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) dengan penuh gaya dan azam telah mendaftar masuk hari ini ke Akademi Latihan Penerbangan Asia Pasifik (APFT) yang bakal membelah angkasa tidak lama lagi.

Kumpulan itu beserta 11 pelajar persendirian lain mendaftar di Crew Residence APFT, Panji dekat sini dengan diiringi ibu bapa yang bersama semasa mereka melakar sejarah baru dalam kehidupan.

Menurut Pengurus Besar Operasi Penerbangan MAS (Bahagian Piawaian Mutu, Teknikal dan Latihan), Kapten Kamarudin Kamilin, program pinjaman pelajaran itu adalah kerjasama kali pertama antara pihaknya dengan Mara setelah sekian lama.

"Kali terakhir adalah pada 1978. Kerjasama kali ini adalah hasil dari memorandum persefahaman antara MAS, Mara dan APFT pada 19 Jun 2008 bagi membolehkan kadet-kadet yang akan belajar di akademi ini mendapat bantuan kewangan," katanya.

Kamarudin berkata, sebelum ini kos pembelajaran kadet di situ ditanggung oleh pihak MAS sendiri.

"Selain Kelantan, kami juga menghantar pelajar ke akademi di Melaka dan Langkawi, Kedah untuk mendapat lesen penerbangan tetapi hanya APFT satu-satunya menawarkan diploma pengurusan penerbangan.

''Jadi kadet kami bukan sahaja belajar untuk dapat lesen membawa kapal terbang tetapi mereka dapat lebih dari itu. Mereka dapat ilmu untuk jadi manusia," katanya.

Tambahnya, MAS yang kini mempunyai lebih 1,200 juruterbang menyasarkan mempunyai juruterbang dari Malaysia sepenuhnya pada tahun 2010.

"Sekarang kita masih ada 24 juruterbang warga asing. Kita harap dengan wujudnya akademi seperti APTF, hasrat itu akan tercapai pada tahun hadapan," kata Kamarudin.

Pihak MAS menghantar kadet juruterbangnya belajar di APFT sejak awal ia beroperasi di Kelantan pada Januari 2006.

Mereka sudah menghantar lapan kumpulan kadet mencecah bilangan lebih 200 orang setakat ini .

APFT yang berpengkalan di Pangkalan Chepa adalah antara tiga sekolah latihan juruterbang yang ada di negara ini dan pertama seumpamanya di Pantai Timur.

Kamarudin berkata, pihak MAS mempunyai kriteria pemilihan yang ketat untuk mengambil kadet yang layak diberi latihan.

Katanya, hanya lelaki berumur sekurang-kurangnya 18 tahun akan diambil dari lepasan Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM).

"Lepasan SPM ini perlu lulus pada peringkat pertama dan mempunyai sekurang-kurangnya B dalam matematik, Fizik dan Sains.

''Mereka juga perlu mengikuti ujian yang ditetapkan International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) dengan melalui empat peringkat saringan melibatkan ujian psiko-motor, psiko-metrik, temu duga dan pemeriksaan kesihatan," katanya.

Sementara itu, Pengerusi APFT, Datuk Faruk Othman berkata, kedudukan akademinya yang menerima pengiktirafan sebagai sebuah institusi pengajian tinggi swasta (IPTS) tunggal dan menawarkan kursus diploma adalah nilai tambah utama yang membezakannya dengan dengan sekolah penerbangan lain.

"Durasi pembelajaran di sini adalah selama 20 bulan dan pelajar bukan sahaja didedahkan dengan ilmu dan tatacara penerbangan tetapi kita juga mengajar mereka Bahasa Inggeris Penerbangan.

"Sekarang kami mempunyai lebih 45 tenaga pengajar, 30 kapal terbang pelbagai jenis dan 2 simulator untuk melatih pelajar" katanya.

Jelasnya, dengan penambahan enam pesawat tahun ini, APFT kini mempunyai 10 kapal terbang jenis Piper-28, 3 buah Diamond-42, 3 Piper Sinecca, 4 Eagle dan 10 Diamond-40.

Menurut Faruk, kos yuran di APFT adalah RM200,000 yang merangkumi bukan sahaja yuran belajar tetapi penginapan dan pengangkutan.

Katanya, kadet juruterbang di APFT perlu menyempurnakan 860 jam pelajaran di darat dan melakukan 200 jam penerbangan udara sebelum berjaya memperoleh diploma.

Pengambilan pelajar diambil setiap dua bulan sekali dengan maksimum 24 pelajar bagi setiap kumpulan.

Sehingga hari ini APFT telah melahirkan lebih 200 juruterbang yang kini berkhidmat bukan sahaja untuk syarikat penerbangan dalam negara bahkan juga antarabangsa.

''Mereka juga bukan sahaja berjaya melatih anak Malaysia tetapi juga pernah melatih kadet-kadet dari negara luar seperti Nepal," katanya.

Sementara itu, Pengetua APFT, Mejar (B) Datuk Mohd. Khalid Ali percaya pemilihan Kelantan sebagai lokasi akademi itu adalah satu keputusan yang amat tepat kerana faktor sara hidup yang rendah dan pelajar boleh lebih fokus.

"Tidak ada perkara yang boleh mengalih perhatian mereka seperti tarikan yang ada di bandar besar seperti Kuala Lumpur misalnya.

''Pelajar hanya perlu tumpukan kepada pelajaran. Segalanya sudah kita sediakan dari pengangkutan dan tempat penginapan," katanya.

Tambahnya, pihak APFT membina kawasan kediaman 36 vila di Panji yang dikenal sebagai Crew Residence untuk keselesaan pelajar.

"Setiap vila didiami enam penghuni dan dilengkapkan dengan alat penghawa dingin di ruang tengah," katanya sambil memberitahu antara disiplin yang diterapkan di situ adalah pelajar beragama Islam diwajibkan membaca Yasin selepas solat Subuh setiap hari.

Got Academy Asia Pacific Training Centre (APFT) @ Kota Bahru Airport!!!? :eek:

Rural Students Will Not Be Sidelined In Study
June 30, 2009 15:29 PM
From Ahmad Kamil Tahir

PARIS, June 30 (Bernama) -- The government will ensure that students in the rural areas are not sidelined in a proposed study of the education system by a team to be set up in collaboration with Unesco, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said.

The deputy prime minister said the government would ensure that the needs of the rural students were looked into first before any changes were made to the education system.

"This is in the effort to close the gap between students from the urban and the rural areas," he said at a dinner which he hosted here for about 1,000 Malaysians, including about 450 students, staying in France Monday night.

Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister, is on a three-day working visit to France. Present at the dinner were his wife, Puan Sri Norainee Abd Rahman and Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

He said that having the study did not mean that the current system was lacking but the country must find ways to ensure that it was as good as, if not better than, those of advanced countries.

Muhyiddin said that in his meeting with Unesco Director-General Koichiro Matsuura at the latter's office earlier Monday, the world body had agreed to assist Malaysia in the study.

The ministry would provide the terms of reference for the study once the team membership was finalised.

"The study of the education policies and the education system practised in Malaysia is necessary to chart the future direction of education in the country, especially in the development aspects, like in advanced countries.

"Although our policies and education system have put Malaysia in good standing, we should also take into consideration the views of others to further improve the existing system," he said, adding that Unesco was the most suitable international organisation for this purpose.

Muhyiddin also explained the various policies undertaken by the new government leadership under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, especially that on the 1Malaysia concept.

He said the 1Malaysia concept was crucial in safeguarding peace and stability in the country through racial harmony whereby every Malaysian citizen, regardless of race or economic status, had a fair chance to excel in education and other needs.

He said that through the liberalisation of the economy, all races would have a greater share of the economic cake and this would enable the country to grow and to counter problems arising from the world economic slowdown.

Muhyiddin also advised the students, who are mostly in industrial and technological studies, to gain knowledge as much as possible and be creative so that they could contribute to the development of the nation when they returned.

He said Malaysia are still lacking in Research and Development (R&D) especially on the invention of products and the number of products patented by Malaysian inventors was still small compared with the developed countries.

"So take the opportunity while studying here to gain knowledge from the advanced technology of the French people and help to develop Malaysian technology when you come back home," he said.

-- BERNAMA

Raja Puan Muda Of Perlis Appointed UniMAP Pro Chancellor
June 29, 2009 13:33 PM

KANGAR, June 29 (Bernama) -- The Raja Puan Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Hajah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil was appointed Universiti Malaysia Perlis' (UniMAP) first Pro Chancellor, effective March 13.

The Raja Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail who is also UniMAP Chancellor announced the appointment that would remain effective until Dec 12, 2011, at Istana Arau here Monday.

Meanwhile, UniMAP vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kamarudin Hussin said the appointment was proposed by the Universiti's Senate members and approved by Higher Education minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

-- BERNAMA

Dr M: English the language of science
Written by The Edge Financial Daily
Tuesday, 30 June 2009 22:05

KUALA LUMPUR: English should be the medium of instruction for science and mathematics as it is the international language of knowledge, said former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

"If we want knowledge, we must know the language of the modern times, and that language is English.

"Most new scientific discourses are written in English and we can't translate all of it because there are just too many discoveries. We'd need experts not just in both languages but in the science fields as well," he said at the Brand Laureate Lecture Series launch today.

He said, back in the Dark Ages when Arabic was the language of knowledge, even those in Europe learned the language. Malaysia's position as an education hub among foreigners was largely attributed to English being widely spoken as a medium of communication, he added.

Asked why the national language could not be as successful as French and Japanese, he said Malay was not a viable medium of instruction as it did not have a history of scientific research.

In his keynote address on Vision 2020 — Is it a mission possible?, he said Malaysia needed to move from a low-cost, export-driven economy to a high-cost, domestic purchasing power-driven one to achieve the Vision 2020 of a developed nation.

Healthcare: Masterskill offers opportunity
1st July, 2009

KOTA KINABALU: Masterskill College Kota Kinabalu Metro Campus, the associate educational institution of Masterskill Education Group Berhad – is the top choice for many students in Sabah, who are serious about pursuing a successful career in the field of healthcare.

Masterskill opens its doors to all those who aspire to be part of the healthcare industry, allowing individuals to be equipped with knowledge and skills for a professional career.

Masterskill Sabah currently trains over 2050 students to become tomorrow’s healthcare professionals in Malaysia as well as in the Asia Pacific region.

The college offers a wide range of diploma programmes in health sciences.

The diploma courses offered are Nursing, Physiotherapy, Medical Laboratory Technology, Environmental Health, Pharmacy and Healthcare.

All the programmes offered have been approved by the MQA and endorsed by the Ministry of Higher Education of Malaysia.

Five more courses including Diploma in Occupational Therapy, Forensic Science, Medical Imaging and Occupational Safety & Health would be introduced at the Sabah campus.

It is working with an Australian institute to offer a three-year Diploma in Paramedic Science, the first of its kind in Asia at the Sabah campus.

The programmes being offered are critical ones due to shortage of skilled people to fill the needs of hospitals and others.

The diploma qualification at Masterskill paves the way for graduates to obtain an entry to an international degree programmes at Masterskill University College of Health Sciences (MUCH) at main campus, Cheras, Selangor.

The degree programmes offered at MUCH include Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) 4+0 and Bachelor of Health Sciences/Master of Physiotherapy Practice 4+0 in collaboration with La Trobe University, Australia and Bachelor of Nursing (Honours) Top-up programme, University of Sunderland, UK.

The degrees will be conferred by La Trobe University Australia and University of Sunderland, UK respectively.

These programmes would reduce the expenses and cost unlike when one travels overseas.

“Masterskill Sabah ensures that its graduates are not only well-equipped for a smooth entry into the world market but ones who are highly demanded for their commitment, competencies and high work rate.

“This would, in the long run, pave the way for Masterskill to become one of the largest health science education institutions and the most sought after in the world by 2010,” Datuk Edmund Santhara, the executive director and CEO of Masterskill Education Group Berhad, the holding company of all Masterskill educational institutions.

To facilitate the students in their studies at Masterskill Sabah is the state-of-the-art science laboratories, computer labs with broadband internet access, skill labs, simulated wards and resource centre.

What makes Masterskill different from the norm in leading healthcare studies in Malaysia is the experienced, dedicated, passionate and professionalism of the academic staff who are equipped with a wealth of knowledge and skill.

With Information & Communication Technology (ICT) at the heart of operations in Masterskill, students would venture into a whole new world of experience in mastering knowledge and the industry’s know how to compete amongst the world’s best in health sciences.

Thus it gives Masterskill graduates an international perspective that stays with them for life, shaping their career, as well as personal and professional growth.

Masterskill College Kota Kinabalu Metro Campus continues to live up to its tagline ‘Premier’, ‘Recognized’ and ‘Trusted’; bridging the gap in the ever-growing healthcare industry providing affordable means for every one to have a holistic education that not only provides a lucrative career but also career for a lifetime as well as be a catalyst for the State to continue developing its health service sector.

For further enquiries, please contact marketing personnel at 088-431025/ 431035 or log on to our website www.masterskill.edu.my

M'sia Needs More Manufacturing Technology Graduates
June 30, 2009 23:30 PM

MELAKA, June 30 (Bernama) -- Malaysia needs to produce more graduates in advanced manufacturing technology to expand the country's economy, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said Tuesday.

He said this was because advanced manufacturing technology had a vast potential to contribute to the country's revenue in the future.

"Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) has the expertise in manufacturing technology, so its student intake will be increased," he told reporters after opening UTeM's 'Haluan Siswa' Week 2009/2010 at Seri Negeri, here, today.

The minister said the student intake for advanced manufacturing course in other universities in the country would also be increased to produce more graduates in the field.

UTeM registered 1,616 new students for the 2009/2010 session, bringing the total number of its students to 7,200.

Mohamed Khaled said as the 14th public institution of higher learning, UTeM aimed to have 15,000 students by 2015.

Established in 2000, UTeM is currently operating in two campuses, namely in Jalan Hang Tuah and Durian Tunggal.

Upgraded website launched
Published on: Thursday, July 02, 2009

Kota Kinabalu: UMS on Wednesday launched its upgraded website packed with features that are likely to attract hits.

The features include cv-online, e-cuti, e-aduan, activities, programmes, current news, information corner, government links and application space among others.

UMS acting head of media and technology education unit, Effendy Hadis said the website is more dynamic and easily accessible.

"The criteria of the present website is user-friendly, student oriented, community friendly, and dynamic," he said at the launching of the website by Vice Chancellor Prof. Datuk Dr Kamaruzaman Ampon.

After the last upgrading in 2007, he said the new 3.0 version adds a better touch of technology although the previous structures are still maintained.

New characteristics such as easy-to-reach icons have been included and these changes are for the benefit of users such as students, staff and the public, he said.

Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Website - http://www.ums.edu.my/webv3/

UiTM VC: Stricter Prerequisites To Maintain Course Quality
July 02, 2009 23:06 PM

SHAH ALAM, July 2 (Bernama) -- Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) is placing stricter entry requirements for intake into critical courses such as medicine and dentistry to maintain the quality of education at the university, Vice-Chancellor Prof Tan Sri Dr Ibrahim Abu Shah said.

"Entry requirements for the medicine and dentistry courses are quite strict. We have to take into account the facilities and equipment we have.

"Seats for dentistry are not cheap, so we have to limit the number (of students)," he told reporters after signing a memorandum of understanding with a telecommunications company here, Thursday.

When asked the cost of a seat for dentistry, he said it was between RM60,000 and RM100,000.

The memorandum was for joint cooperation in a soft skills programme for third and final year students of UiTM.

Besides that, he said, UiTM had to maintain the academic standard as the faculties collaborated with international bodies.

Dr Ibrahim said every academic year typically saw 150,000 medical students and a lesser number of dentistry students.

He said UiTM was now the choice university among Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) graduates, including top scorers.

-- BERNAMA

Positive Response To Make Compulsory English In SPM
July 04, 2009 00:22 AM

KUALA LUMPUR, July 3 (Bernama) -- The Education Ministry has received positive response from the public on the proposal to make it compulsory to pass the English language in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination.

Its deputy minister, Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi, said about 80 per cent of the response was received through the short messaging service and the hotline telephone call.

"The quality of English language teachers has to be looked into, additional time for learning of the English language also need to be studied and, if necessary, we will get English language teachers from abroad to teach here before it (proposal) can be implemented," he told reporters after opening the Federation of National Writers Associations of Malaysia (Gapena) annual meeting here tonight.

He said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also Education Minister, would announce further details on the matter, as well as on the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English.

-- BERNAMA

Opportunity For Medical Graduates To Get Certfified
July 03, 2009 23:45 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, July 3 (Bernama) -- Medical graduates from unrecognised universities will have to attend an 18-month training programme before they can sit for the Medical Qualifying Examination, said Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) president Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Marican.

The programme, which will be jointly conducted by MMC, Ministry of Health Malaysia and Ministry of Higher Education, will commence on July 15 and will be in two stages.

"In the first stage, they will be exposed to relevant theoretical knowledge while for the second stage they will need to undergo a clinical attachment with coaching in hospitals.

"The clinical component of the examination will be held at the end of the programme in December 2010. Pursuant to the Medical Act 1971, only those who pass the second stage will be eligible for registration," he said in statement here, Friday.

Dr Mohd Ismail said the programme was a one-off programme and there will be no supplementary examination thereafter at both the theory and clinical stage.

Eighty-eight candidates have registered for the programme as at March 31.

However, he said those who do not wish to undergo the training may continue to take the usual final year examination prescribed under the relevent Regulation of Medical Act, provided they still have the chance to do so.

Currently there are about 200 to 300 medical graduates from unrecognised universities who have exhausted all their opportunities to sit for the Medical Qualifying Examination in the three local universities as prescribed under the the relevant Medical Act 1971.

Curtin Sarawak To Set Up Community Reading Centre
July 03, 2009 16:19 PM

MIRI, July 3 (Bernama) -- The Curtin University of Technology Sarawak campus (Curtin Sarawak) here will set up a community reading centre this year to develop a learning culture among schoolchildren.

Curtin Sarawak's Learning Centre dean, Jeya Chandra Malar Jayaprakash, said the university was in the process of identifying the premises for the reading centre somewhere in the Tudan residential area, about 20km from the city centre.

"The centre will have hundreds of English book titles for children to develop their reading skills, while several lecturers from the university will be assigned at the centre on a regular basis to guide them," she told a press conference, here, today.

She said the running of the reading centre would be their long-term commitment to community service, particularly in developing a reading culture among the young generation.

In the last one year, she added, the university had been involved in conducting motivational talks for children at several schools in the Miri Division.

The project is under the Learning Centre's outreach programme aimed at developing proficiency in English, Mathematics and Science in the community.

Malar said the Learning Centre was the fourth school set up under Curtin Sarawak after the schools of engineering and science, business and foundation and continuing studies.

Operational since March last year, the Learning Centre provides free academic guidance and support primarily for the university students to improve their proficiency in the English language, Mathematics and Science, as well as their studying skills.

--BERNAMA

59 from China among UMS Labuan new intake
Published on: Saturday, July 04, 2009

http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/upload/china%20student2.jpg

Labuan: Fifty-nine students from China were among 648 freshies who arrived here Friday from Kota Kinabalu to begin their 2009/2010 academic session at the Universiti Malaysia Sabah Labuan International Campus (UMS-LIC).

Senior Assistant Registrar, Zamri Mohamad Tuah, said some of the students came direct from Kota Kinabalu via the express boat service while the others from Menumbok via the ro-ro ferry.

The students would be briefed today (Saturday) about the university and other related matters by Dr Rosita Chong, followed by Dr Ag Asri Ibrahim, both of whom are the Deans of School of International Business and Finance.

With the new intake, the university campus would be having more than 2,000 students.

The schools at UMS-LIC are International Business and Finance which offers courses on Offshore and International Banking, International Marketing, International Financial Economics. The other school of Information Science offers multimedia technology and e-commerce studies.

When the university was established here in 1999, it merely had about 400 students. Now, more than 1,000 students have graduated from the university.

Under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, it was allocated RM30 million to upgrade its facilities.

Plans are now being considered to upgrade the campus with an identity of its own and be a full-fledged university offering various courses especially related to marine, oil and gas.

UMS to become disabled-friendly
3rd July, 2009

KOTA KINABALU: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) intends to become a disabled-friendly campus said vice chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kamaruzaman Ampon.

So far the university has ensured facilities such as the toilets, hostels, bathrooms are equipped for the convenience of the disabled and even provided a special vehicle for them.

There is also a special officer to look after their needs and welfare throughout their academic term.

“We want this campus to be disabled-friendly and the only thing we do not have right now is Braille facilities for the blind. But we will certainly consider it,” he told reporters after the oath-taking ceremony by the undergraduates of the university at the Chancellor Hall here yesterday.

UMS has had 11 disabled students since the 2005 intake with two already graduated and nine still pursuing their degrees.

Each disabled student receives a monthly allowance of RM300 from the Community Welfare Department.

The university’s new intake of students for 2009/2010 numbered 4,150 and this semester more than 17,000 students are enrolled in 64 programmes on offer at UMS.

In his speech, Dr Kamaruzaman assured parents that the university always placed the security and comfort of the students as a priority.

However, he reminded the students that they too needed to be responsible and not seek trouble unnecessarily.

6,000 students in Manik Urai to receive uniforms, bags
2009/07/05

KUALA KRAI, Sun:

The Education Ministry is providing free school uniforms and bags to 6,142 primary, secondary and religious schools in Manik Urai.

Kelantan Umno liaison chief Datuk Mustapa Mohamed said he was informed of the aid by Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin several days ago for all the students in Manik Urai.

"This gesture by the ministry is to lighten the burden of the people here," he told a news conference at the Manik Urai Barisan Nasional (BN) operations centre, here, today.

Mustapa said for a start, 300 students received the free school uniforms and bags today, and the rest in stages.

He had earlier presented the aid to the pupils of Sekolah Kebangsaan Manik Urai Baru here on behalf of Muhyiddin.
There are 10 primary and 12 secondary schools and an Arabic-medium school in Manik Urai.

Meanwhile, Mustapa is urging employers in the public and private sector to allow their employees to return home to vote in the Manik Urai by-election this July 14.

"Do not deny their right as voters and it is an offence," he said in reference to the statement by Kelantan PAS elections director Abdul Fatah Harun today about receiving reports on some employers now allowing their workers to return to Manik Urai to cast their votes.

Mustafa said the second phase of BN's by-election campaign in Manik Urai would begin tomorrow, the nomination day for the by-election.

Tomorrow, Muhyiddin is expected to lead a procession of more than 10,000 BN supporters to the nomination centre - Sekolah Menengah Sultan Yahya Petra 1 - here.

BN has named Kuala Krai Umno Youth head Tuan Aziz Tuan Mat, 39, as its candidate while PAS will field its Kuala Krai division treasurer Fauzi Abdullah, 50, to defend the state seat.

The by-election is held following the death of the incumbent assemblyman Ismail Yaakob on May 22 from a heart attack. In the last general election in 2008, Ismail defeated BN candidate Mohamed Zulkepli Omar by a 1,352-vote majority. -- BERNAMA

Kampus pintar, mesra alam UiTM

Oleh ABDUL YAZID ALIAS
pengarang@utusan.com.my


http://www.utusan.com.my/pix/2009/0704/Utusan_Malaysia/Kampus/ka_01.1.jpg
Kampus cawangan baru UiTM Puncak Alam dilengkapi infrastruktur pintar. - utusan/Saharuddin Abdullah

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



SHAH ALAM 3 Julai - Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) bakal menjadi perintis pembinaan infrastruktur kampus pintar dan mesra alam dapat dibuktikan menerusi pembinaan cawangan barunya di Puncak Alam, di sini.

Reka bentuk bangunannya jauh berbeza dengan yang biasa dilihat di institusi pengajian tinggi awam (IPTA) dan lebih menarik ialah pembinaannya mengambil kira lokasinya yang di kelilingi suasana hijau.

Keunikan Kampus UiTM Puncak Alam yang berkeluasan 445.1 hektar dengan fasa pertamanya sudah siap dan boleh digunakan.

Naib Canselor UiTM, Tan Sri Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Abu Shah berkata, kampus berkonsepkan gandingan teknologi dan alam sekitar itu memberi penekanan kepada reka bentuk pintar bagi kemudahan para warganya sama ada tenaga pengajar mahupun di kalangan penuntut.

"Pembinaan kampus baru ini melibatkan tiga fasa, setakat ini fasa pertama telah pun siap dan mula beroperasi bulan ini.

"Antara pusat pengajian yang telah siap ialah Fakulti Pengurusan dan Teknologi Pejabat (FPTP), Fakulti Sains Kesihatan (FSK) dan Fakulti Farmasi (FF).

"Dua kolej kediaman iaitu Kolej Rafflesia dan Kolej Angsana yang menempatkan lebih 600 pelajar juga sudah siap," katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia di sini hari ini.

Tambah Ibrahim, kampus itu adalah sebahagian daripada rancangan pengembangan UiTM berikutan kampus induknya di Seksyen 2 di sini tidak dapat menampung pertambahan bilangan pelajar untuk tempoh jangka masa panjang.

Malah, katanya, pembinaan kampus itu turut melibatkan pertambahan bidang pengajian oleh UiTM pada masa depan selain mampu menempatkan 13,000 penuntut dalam satu-satu masa sekiranya kesemua fasa pembinaan siap sepenuhnya.

Bagaimanapun, beliau tidak dapat menyatakan tempoh sebenar projek pembinaan kampus itu disiapkan.

Ibrahim berkata, kampus baru itu akan menyediakan kemudahan pembelajaran termasuk teknologi maklumat dan komunikasi (ICT) serta interaksi pembelajaran antara pelajar dengan tenaga pengajar serta warga kampus yang lain.

6,000 students in Manik Urai to receive uniforms, bags
2009/07/05

KUALA KRAI, Sun:

The Education Ministry is providing free school uniforms and bags to 6,142 primary, secondary and religious schools in Manik Urai.

Kelantan Umno liaison chief Datuk Mustapa Mohamed said he was informed of the aid by Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin several days ago for all the students in Manik Urai.

"This gesture by the ministry is to lighten the burden of the people here," he told a news conference at the Manik Urai Barisan Nasional (BN) operations centre, here, today.

Mustapa said for a start, 300 students received the free school uniforms and bags today, and the rest in stages.

He had earlier presented the aid to the pupils of Sekolah Kebangsaan Manik Urai Baru here on behalf of Muhyiddin.
There are 10 primary and 12 secondary schools and an Arabic-medium school in Manik Urai.

Meanwhile, Mustapa is urging employers in the public and private sector to allow their employees to return home to vote in the Manik Urai by-election this July 14.

"Do not deny their right as voters and it is an offence," he said in reference to the statement by Kelantan PAS elections director Abdul Fatah Harun today about receiving reports on some employers now allowing their workers to return to Manik Urai to cast their votes.

Mustafa said the second phase of BN's by-election campaign in Manik Urai would begin tomorrow, the nomination day for the by-election.

Tomorrow, Muhyiddin is expected to lead a procession of more than 10,000 BN supporters to the nomination centre - Sekolah Menengah Sultan Yahya Petra 1 - here.

BN has named Kuala Krai Umno Youth head Tuan Aziz Tuan Mat, 39, as its candidate while PAS will field its Kuala Krai division treasurer Fauzi Abdullah, 50, to defend the state seat.

The by-election is held following the death of the incumbent assemblyman Ismail Yaakob on May 22 from a heart attack. In the last general election in 2008, Ismail defeated BN candidate Mohamed Zulkepli Omar by a 1,352-vote majority. -- BERNAMA

^^rasuah menjelang pilihan raya

Science And Maths In BM And Mother Tongue In 2012
July 08, 2009 15:56 PM

PUTRAJAYA, July 8 (Bernama) -- The teaching and learning of science and mathematics in national schools will revert to the Malay language effective 2012.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the teaching and learning of the two subjects in Chinese and Tamil national-type schools would be carried out in their respective mother tongue.

Muhyiddin, who is also the Education Minister, said the cabinet today approved the suggestion by the ministry to empower the Malay language and strengthen the teaching and learning of the English language at all levels of schooling.

"This strategy was drawn up based on the study and monitoring carried out by the Education Ministry on the teaching and learning of science and mathematics in English since the policy was implemented in 2003," he said when making the announcement at the Education Ministry, here on Wednesday.

The first group of students who studied science and mathematics in the English language since Year One sat for their Ujian Penilian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) last year.

Muhyiddin said the implementation of the policy of using the Malay language in the teaching of the two subjects would be carried out in stages in Year One and Year Four in the primary school and Form One and Form Four in the secondary school beginning in 2012.

However, he said, the change would not involve students in Form Six and matriculation class.

He said in order to ensure that the implementation of the new strategy did not affect the achievement of students who were taught the two subjects in English, the teaching of and examination for the two subjects would be conducted in both languages until the last batch of students who were taught in English completed in 2014.

He said the government made the decision after scrutinising the outcome of studies and surveys carried out on the teaching and learning of the two subjects in English which showed that it could not be implemented as desired.

"What is implemented is the teaching and learning of science and mathematics in English/Malay languages," he said.

Muhyiddin said monitoring by the ministry last year found that only a small group of teachers were using English language fully in the teaching of science and mathematics.

"On the average, the percentage of English usage is between 53 and 58 per cent out of the total time allotted for science and mathematics," he said.

In addition, he said, only a small group of mathematics and science teachers in secondary and primary schools who took the English language Proficiency Level Evaluation test last year achieved the proficiency level.

He said the precentage of students who scored grades A, B, and C for the science subject in the UPSR last year had dropped from 85.1 per cent to 82.5 per cent for the urban schools and from 83.2 per cent to 79.7 per cent for rural schools.

"For mathematics, the achievement of urban schools dropped from 84.8 per cent to 80.9 per cent while the achievement of rural students dropped from 80.9 per cent to 77 per cent," he said.

He said the gap in achievement between urban and rural schools in science and mathematics was becoming wider when the PPSMI (teaching and learning of science and mathematics in English) was implemented.

Muhyiddin said the Trends in Mathematics and Science Study 2007 also stated that the position of Malaysian students in the science subject had deteriorated from the 20th spot in 2003 to the 21st spot in 2007.

"For mathematics, the position of our students deteriorated from the 10th spot in 2003 to 20th spot in 2007," he said.

He said studies by local universities revealed that the level of improvement in the command of the English language by students was nominal, that is, not more than three per cent throughout the implementation of the teaching and learning of science and mathematics in English.

"The command of the English language among students, particularly in the rural areas, was still low making it difficult for them to understand the teaching of mathematics and science in English," Muhyiddin said.

Based on this observation, he said, the government was convinced that science and mathematics must be taught in the language that could be easily understood by the students, namely Bahasa Malaysia in the national schools, Chinese in the national-type Chinese schools and Tamil in the national-type Tamil schools.

-- BERNAMA

Cancer Centre Opened At UPM
July 09, 2009 00:14 AM

KUALA LUMPUR, July 8 (Bernama)-- A one-stop cancer reference centre was opened at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Serdang near here Wednesday by Women, Family and Community Development Minister Senator Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.

The Cancer Resource and Education Centre (CaRE), she said, was an excellent place to get information on cancer under one roof.

"With cooperation among UPM, Cornell University, KanWork and other partners it can provide best practices, technology and current news," she said.

The public can contact the centre located at UPM's Medical and Health Science Faculty at website http:///www.cancereducation.org.my or call 03-89472706.

"People can get information on support groups and be referred to doctors," Shahrizat said.

She also said that KanWork, an outreach activity of the UPM-Cornell Collaborative Cancer Education and Research Project (CaEd), would be allocated RM60,000 to publish a book on cancer in Bahasa Melayu.

"Material on cancer in Bahasa Melayu, Mandarin and Tamil are very limited, she said.

In another development, Shahrizat said up till last month about 10,000 women in the country had participated in the Subsidised Mamogram programme to detect breast cancer.

Kuaters Imigresen Negeri Dibangunkan di Marang
2009-07-07 17:19:11
Source: http://www.terengganu.gov.my/maxc2020/portal/cms/redang/index_news.displaynews.php?counthit=1&cid=1&from=index&newsid=1107

http://www.terengganu.gov.my/maxc2020/portal/cms/redang/news.showimage.php?cid=1&langid=&newsid=1107&maxwidth=400

Kuaters Imigresen Negeri Terengganu yang mampu menempatkan kira-kira 300 kakitangan jabatan itu bakal dibina di persimpangan Kampung Jenang, Marang menerusi projek pembangunan Rancangan Malaysia Kesepuluh, tidak lama lagi.

Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pembangunan Infrastruktur dan Kemudahan Awam Negeri, YB Yahya Khatib Mohamad, berkata kemudahan kepada kakitangan Imigresen Depot Ajil dan Penjara Marang, akan dimajukan di atas tanah seluas 6.8 hektar, di mana lokasinya berada di tengah-tengah antara dua jabatan persekutuan berkenaan.

“Secara tidak langsung pertambahan pembangunan berkenaan, selain kem FRU (Pasukan Simpanan Persekutuan) di Wakaf Tapai (Marang) yang akan siap pada tahun depan dan kemasukan anggota kerjanya pada akhir tahun depan.

“Saya difahamkan antara 500 hingga 1,000 anggota FRU. Sedikit sebanyak dapat menambahkan pengundi baru di Pengkalan Berangan dan Marang, antara 1,000 hingga 1,500 pengundi,” kata beliau selepas menyampaikan 405 unit e-Book kepada murid Tahun Lima di empat sekolah dalam Dewan Undangan Negeri (Dun) Pengkalan Berangan, di Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Pengkalan Berangan, Marang, hari ini (7 Julai).

http://www.terengganu.gov.my/maxc2020/appshare/widget/pb_img/1image/0707e-book2.JPG

YB Yahya menyampaikan e-Book kepada seorang murid Tahun Lima pada
majlis penyampaian e-Book DUN Pengkalan Berangan di Sekolah Kebangsaan
Pengkalan Berangan, Marang.

Daripada jumlah itu, seramai 115 murid dari SK Merchang, SK Bukit Sawa (141 murid), SK Wakaf Tapai (87 murid) dan SK Pengkalan Berangan melibatkan 62 murid yang menerima e-Book masing-masing dengan diiringi ibu atau bapa masing-masing.

Menurut YB Yahya, Dun Pengkalan Berangan merupakan Dun pertama yang menerima e-Book daripada keseluruhan hampir 2,000 penerima buku elektonik berkenaan di daerah itu.

Sementara itu, beliau mengingatkan ibu bapa supaya lebih peka dan mengawal tindak-tinduk anak mereka yang proaktif dan bertindak negatif dengan menyalahguna penggunaan buku elektronik terutama memasukkan bahan lucah atau sebagainya.

“Dari segi pengisian, khusus untuk aspek sukatan pembelajaran, namun tidak dinafikan kecanggihan teknologi maklumat menyebabkan pelajar menggunakan e-Book ke arah negatif.

“Kita harap kerjasama ibu bapa supaya dapat mengawal dan membendung daripada proaktif anak kita dari segi penggunaan internet dan juga perkhidmatan selular komunikasi,” katanya.

YB Yahya berkata, kerajaan tidak mampu mengawal penggunaan e-Book walaupun sudah dimasukkan perisian sukatan pembelajaran dan mengharapkan kerjasama ibu bapa selain kawalan pihak sekolah.

Beliau berkata, kecanggihan bahan komunikasi seperti `broadband’ yang membolehkan pelajar menerokai pelbagai perkara tanpa had perlu dibendung oleh ibu bapa dan memastikan tidak berlaku penyalahgunaan buku elektonik berkenaan.

Kuaters Imigresen Negeri Dibangunkan di Marang
2009-07-07 17:19:11
Source: http://www.terengganu.gov.my/maxc2020/portal/cms/redang/index_news.displaynews.php?counthit=1&cid=1&from=index&newsid=1107

http://www.terengganu.gov.my/maxc2020/portal/cms/redang/news.showimage.php?cid=1&langid=&newsid=1107&maxwidth=400

Kuaters Imigresen Negeri Terengganu yang mampu menempatkan kira-kira 300 kakitangan jabatan itu bakal dibina di persimpangan Kampung Jenang, Marang menerusi projek pembangunan Rancangan Malaysia Kesepuluh, tidak lama lagi.

Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pembangunan Infrastruktur dan Kemudahan Awam Negeri, YB Yahya Khatib Mohamad, berkata kemudahan kepada kakitangan Imigresen Depot Ajil dan Penjara Marang, akan dimajukan di atas tanah seluas 6.8 hektar, di mana lokasinya berada di tengah-tengah antara dua jabatan persekutuan berkenaan.

“Secara tidak langsung pertambahan pembangunan berkenaan, selain kem FRU (Pasukan Simpanan Persekutuan) di Wakaf Tapai (Marang) yang akan siap pada tahun depan dan kemasukan anggota kerjanya pada akhir tahun depan.

“Saya difahamkan antara 500 hingga 1,000 anggota FRU. Sedikit sebanyak dapat menambahkan pengundi baru di Pengkalan Berangan dan Marang, antara 1,000 hingga 1,500 pengundi,” kata beliau selepas menyampaikan 405 unit e-Book kepada murid Tahun Lima di empat sekolah dalam Dewan Undangan Negeri (Dun) Pengkalan Berangan, di Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Pengkalan Berangan, Marang, hari ini (7 Julai).

http://www.terengganu.gov.my/maxc2020/appshare/widget/pb_img/1image/0707e-book2.JPG

YB Yahya menyampaikan e-Book kepada seorang murid Tahun Lima pada
majlis penyampaian e-Book DUN Pengkalan Berangan di Sekolah Kebangsaan
Pengkalan Berangan, Marang.

Daripada jumlah itu, seramai 115 murid dari SK Merchang, SK Bukit Sawa (141 murid), SK Wakaf Tapai (87 murid) dan SK Pengkalan Berangan melibatkan 62 murid yang menerima e-Book masing-masing dengan diiringi ibu atau bapa masing-masing.

Menurut YB Yahya, Dun Pengkalan Berangan merupakan Dun pertama yang menerima e-Book daripada keseluruhan hampir 2,000 penerima buku elektonik berkenaan di daerah itu.

Sementara itu, beliau mengingatkan ibu bapa supaya lebih peka dan mengawal tindak-tinduk anak mereka yang proaktif dan bertindak negatif dengan menyalahguna penggunaan buku elektronik terutama memasukkan bahan lucah atau sebagainya.

“Dari segi pengisian, khusus untuk aspek sukatan pembelajaran, namun tidak dinafikan kecanggihan teknologi maklumat menyebabkan pelajar menggunakan e-Book ke arah negatif.

“Kita harap kerjasama ibu bapa supaya dapat mengawal dan membendung daripada proaktif anak kita dari segi penggunaan internet dan juga perkhidmatan selular komunikasi,” katanya.

YB Yahya berkata, kerajaan tidak mampu mengawal penggunaan e-Book walaupun sudah dimasukkan perisian sukatan pembelajaran dan mengharapkan kerjasama ibu bapa selain kawalan pihak sekolah.

Beliau berkata, kecanggihan bahan komunikasi seperti `broadband’ yang membolehkan pelajar menerokai pelbagai perkara tanpa had perlu dibendung oleh ibu bapa dan memastikan tidak berlaku penyalahgunaan buku elektonik berkenaan.

Terengganu Launch E-book Scheme For Year Five Pupils
May 26, 2009 21:05 PM

KUALA TERENGGANU, May 26 (Bernama) -- Laptops are expected to replace school bags for 25,000 Year Five pupils in Terengganu when they start receiving electronic text books (e-Book) from the state government, starting next month.

Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said said providing a conducive learning environment and equipment, was vital to help prepare students who can excel academically and face global challenges in the future.

"As a first step, the government will allocate laptops to 25,000 Year Five pupils as a replacement for books, with text from books incorporated into their (e-Book), including education on Islam," said Ahmad after launching the e-Book at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) here Tuesday.

He added that the e-Books would be given to Year Five pupils and distributed by their respective district education offices.

"This means, Year Five pupils will be able to use the e-Book when they go back to school after the mid-year school holiday in June," he said.

He added that initially 15,000 units of the e-Book would be distributed in stages while the entire e-Book project would cost the state government RM15 million.

"Although the cost incurred is high, we see it as a long term investment as such an investment will see school children in Terengganu become computer literates even when they are in primary schools," he said.

The distribution of e-Book would be similar to the Free Text Books scheme (SPBT) whereby the Year Five school children would be required to return their e-Books by end of the year.

"The e-Book scheme will be implemented in stages right up to Year One. After Year Five, those in Year Four will receive their e-Book next year and until Year One the following year," he said.

With the implementation of the e-Book scheme, Terengganu is set to become the first state in the history of the country to introduce such an education system.

T'ganu To Spend RM60 Million For e-Book Programme Next Year
June 29, 2009 21:41 PM

BESUT, June 29 (Bernama) -- Terengganu is expected to spend about RM60 million next year to cater to its electronic book (e-book) programme, said Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said.

This year alone, the state government has allocated RM30 million to introduce the e-book programme to Year 5 students, he said.

"The increase in the allocation which is expected to double next year, is due to the distribution of the e-book to Year 4 and year 5 students next year," he told reporters after handing over e-books to 614 students from 13 primary schools at the Jabi state legislative area near here Monday.

The menteri besar said the e-book would help to enhance a shift in paradigm in the state's education system.

"We introduced the information technology system at an early stage so that the students, one day, would not only be the end-user of the computer but also be capable of inventing one," he said.

Meanwhile, Ahmad said the Barisan Nasional government did not neglect areas which were under the Opposition, as development programmes were carried out to ensure everyone in Terengganu benefited the state's wealth, regardless of their political beliefs.

He said the same applied to the e-book programme whereby all students would benefit the programme, whether they were children of Umno or Pas members.

To date, more then 7,000 e-books have been distributed to Year 5 students in Terengganu.

-- BERNAMA

EU awards 10,000 scholarships
Written by Emily Tan
Thursday, 09 July 2009 22:36

KUALA LUMPUR: The European Union (EU), under its executive arm the European Commission, has awarded almost 10,000 grants to be funded by the Erasmus Mundus programme for the academic year 2009-2010.

The grants were awarded to 8,385 students and academics from around the world who will study or teach in Europe, and 1,561 Europeans who will spend periods at partner institutions in countries outside Europe.

The Erasmus programme was first introduced in July 2001 with the aim of strengthening the cooperation between EU and non-EU countries in the area of higher education.

"Erasmus Mundus is going from strength to strength in the years since 2004," said Ján Figel’, the European Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth in a statement yesterday. On the Malaysian front, Vincent Piket, ambassador and head of delegation of the European Commission to Malaysia, said the programme contributed in terms of academics and cultural exposure.

This year, 19 Malaysians have received scholarships under the Erasmus Mundus programme. They will leave for Europe in August to pursue the masters course of their choice. To date, over 100 Malaysians have benefited from the Erasmus Mundus masters programme.

Under the Erasmus programme, the EU is also partnering with a number of universities, including Universiti Sains Malaysia which has recently been selected as a beneficiary of the programme.

In total, 1,833 students from 105 countries will receive scholarships to study in the masters programme and 489 academics from 75 countries with outstanding academic track records will travel to Europe for shorter periods to teach, research or tutor within one of the masters courses.

Under the Erasmus programme, the EU is also partnering with a number of European and non-European universities, including Universiti Sains Malaysia which has recently been selected as a beneficiary of the Erasmus Mundus Programme.

Curtin Sarawak Gets RM3.7 Million For Engineering Training
July 10, 2009 16:50 PM

MIRI, July 10 (Bernama) -- Curtin University of Technology Sarawak Campus (Curtin Sarawak) has been allocated a RM3.7 million grant from the federal government to begin engineering-related training for the state government's technical workforce.

The dean of its School of Engineering and Science, Prof Dr Yudi Samyudia, told a news conference here that the training would be conducted on a short-term basis.

He said, 225 trainees were expected to undergo the short courses involving the disciplines of process control, process technology, multi-variate data, transport engineering and environmental engineering.

He said the grant, which came under Malaysia's second economic stimulus package, was channeled through the state industrial development ministry.

The training was also in line with the state's intention to raise the technical skill of the workforce in the development of the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) project, added Dr Yudi.

The school's engineering programmes are accredited by professional bodies. including the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BIEM), Institute of Engineers Australia and the Institute of Chemical Engineers, United Kingdom.

Their accreditation status has attracted reputable staff who obtained PhD degrees from renowned universities such as Oxford University, Imperial College London, University of Queensland Australia and Australian National University.

-- BERNAMA

Unimas To Expand E-Bario In Rural Areas
July 07, 2009 16:46 PM

KUCHING, July 7 (Bernama) -- Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), the prime-mover behind the award-winning E-Bario, a rural internet project aimed at bridging the digital divide for the Bario community in Miri, plans to go places.

It intends to expand the project to other remote areas in Sarawak and Sabah, as well.

They are Sarawak's Long Lama and Ba'kelalan, and Buayan and Tawau in Sabah.

Unimas Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Dr Peter Songan said the ground work for the four areas had already begun.

He said the science, technology and innovation ministry had provided a RM4 million grant under the ministry's Demonstrator Application Grant Scheme to implement the projects.

Songan was speaking to reporters after the opening of the three-day, 6th International Conference on Technology in Asia 2009 by Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan here on Tuesday.

For Sabah, he said Unimas would work with Universiti Malaysia Sabah and a non-govermental organisation.

Initiated in April 1999, the E-Bario project was hailed as among the country's success stories in bridging the digital divide in rural communities.

--BERNAMA

Education Ministry plans to introduce mental-literacy training in schools
Saturday July 11, 2009

KAMPAR: The Education Ministry may introduce mental-literacy related training in schools to improve students’ memory skills.

Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the ministry hoped to do this by working with the Malaysia Mental Literacy Movement (MMLM) to select special techniques that could be taught in schools.

“It would be good if we could spread this skill and teach suitable techniques to the students so they can perform better in their examinations,” he said at a press conference after opening the fifth Malaysia Festival of the Mind at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) here yesterday.

The Deputy Prime Minister said he came up with the idea after witnessing a memory skills demonstration by two youths during the opening ceremony.

Nurlina Suraiya Md Sharif, 18, and Wong Wan Jiun, 24, impressed Muhyiddin when they successfully memorised and recalled an extensive series of words and numbers that he said their methods should be infused into the school syllabus.

“It was extraordinary,” said Muhyiddin.

“If all Malaysians could learn how to strengthen their minds, they could come up with more useful ideas to help develop the community,” he said.

Muhyiddin added that the ministry could consider introducing a few techniques in selected schools as a pilot project.

“If successful, we could expand it to include other schools,” he said.

In his speech earlier, Muhyiddin said it was imperative for students to combine their knowledge with improved thinking skills.

“True education is not the acquisition of a string of As in examinations.

“Mere paper qualification without soft skills will put anyone at a disadvantage,” he said.

Muhyiddin commended MMLM and its chairman Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik for the movement’s efforts in trying to revitalise a culture of “learning, innovation and creativity” amongst Malaysian youths.

He also urged Malaysians to cultivate a culture of life-long learning for it would encourage them to be more open to new and evolving knowledge and ideas.

He added that the willingness and ability to adapt to change were prerequisites to success.

Federal Government Has Never Neglected Education Development In Kelantan
July 12, 2009 21:52 PM

KUALA KRAI, July 12 (Bernama)-- The allocation of RM1.702 billion to pay for 977 development projects for education in Kelantan proves that the federal government has never neglected the need for education in the state.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the Kuala Krai district alone received an allocation of RM125.918 million (7.39 per cent) to pay for 75 development projects under the 9th Malaysia Plan (9MP) and the Economic Stimulus Package.

The allocation was for the construction of 13 primary schools and four secondary schools besides upgrading projects, the building of teachers' quarters and hostels.

"As a responsible government, we have never neglected any segment of the community in our country, especially the children who are in dire need of knowledge.

"As such, the allegation that the federal government is neglecting Kelantan, especially Kuala Krai, is totally untrue," said Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister, when officiating the 38th Teachers' Day Celebrations at the Kelantan state level, at the Sekolah Kebangsaan Manik Urai Baru, here Sunday.

He said that besides the allocation for development, the government was also allocating a total of RM3.406 billion to the Education Ministry to provide 21 types of subsidies to poor students throughout the country.

These included the Supplementary Food Programme (RM254.92 million), hostel food subsidy (RM1.142 billion), Tuition Subsidy Scheme (RM255 million), Text Book Loan Scheme (RM180 million), Poor Students Trust Fund (RM400 million), the provision of educational scholarships exceeding RM270 million annually and other subsidies.

"The provision of these school subsidies is aimed at giving access to the poor students to acquire educational opportunities provided by the government.

"I believe the children in Manik Urai have also benefited from the subsidies provided by the Barisan Nasional government because this is our responsibility to the people," Muhyiddin said.

At the function, he also presented the Teachers' Personality Award for the Kelantan State 2009 to three retired teachers namely Nor Azidah Abdul Aziz, Ariffin Idris and Mohamad Mat Ariff.

-- BERNAMA

30,000 University Students In Kelantan
July 13, 2009 10:22 AM

KOTA BAHARU, July 13 (Bernama) -- There are some 30,000 students from all over the country studying at the four public higher learning institutions and 10 private ones in Kelantan.

Deputy Education Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said the increased number was due to the improved tertiary education standards and more higher learning institutions built in the state.

"This is in line with the government's aim of producing quality human capital and making Malaysia an excellent educational hub in the region," he said during his visit to the Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) temporary campus in Pengkalan Chepa, near here, last Sunday night.

He said the UMK main campus in Kampung Tangok, Bachok and branch campus in Jeli which were under construction and expected to be ready next year, would have 2,100 students when fully operational in 2011. Both campuses cost RM150 million to build.

The temporary campus in Pengkalan Chepa, set up two years ago, can accommodate 1,200 students.

USM Bags Top Awards At Worldwide Imagine Cup 2009
July 13, 2009 18:55 PM

PENANG, July 13 (Bernama) -- Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is over the moon.

Two teams from its Faculty of Computer Science have won the first and third prizes at the Worldwide Imagine Cup 2009 in Egypt last week.

The Cosmic and Capricorn teams defeated 142 teams from 70 countries in the event which was organised by Microsoft Corporation.

The Cosmic team which comprised Jasy Liew Suet Yan, Ooi Keng Siang, Matthew Phiong Yoon Kheong and Loo Wan Koe bagged the first prize of US$10,000 (US$1 = RM3.6).

The team was assisted by lecturer Dr Cheah Yu-N.

Students Lim Kian Long, Marilyn Chien Hui and Steven Lim Jun Liang who made up the Capricorn team took the third prize of US$1,000. They were assisted by lecturers Mohd Azam Osman and Maziani Sabudin.

Acting Vice-Chancellor Profesor Omar Osman said the Cosmic team came up with its winning invention of a health monitoring system known as 'Virtual Health Connect'.

The system provides information on one's health status from birth to adulthood.

Omar said Capricorn team's invention was known as 'GreenEve2Peace'.

It functioned as a warning and information delivery system on weather and crop problems due to insects, and measures pest control through a short messaging system to farmers under the supervision of Muda Agricultural Development Authority.

Both teams were selected to represent the country after winning the first and second place at the National Imagine Cup on May 18 in Kuala Lumpur.

-- BERNAMA

Kampus Samarahan ll UiTM mula November


KUCHING: Pembinaan Kampus Samarahan II, Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Sarawak yang mampu menempatkan sekurang-kurangnya 3,000 pelajar dijangka akan dimulakan selewat-lewatnya pada November depan.

Pengarah UiTM Sarawak, Prof Madya Dr Jamil Hamali, berkata kampus baru berkenaan akan dibina di tapak seluas 400 hektar di Kampung Pinang, yang diberi Kerajaan Negeri kepada universiti itu.

"Pembinaan Kampus Samarahan II dijadual akan bermula pada November depan dengan kita telah memaklumkan Kerajaan Negeri mengenainya dengan fasa pertama pembinaan dijangka akan mengambil masa setahun.



"Kampus Samarahan II terletak di Kampung Pinang dengan ia hanya berhadapan dengan kampus tetap kita di Sarawak yang setakat ini sedang menampung lebih 5,000 pelajar," katanya kepada pemberita selepas Konvokesyen Pertama, Program Eksekutif Diploma Pengurusan di sini semalam.

Program yang dijalankan secara usaha sama dengan Malaysia Airport Holdings Berhad menyaksikan 30 graduan menerima diploma yang disampaikan Timbalan Naib Canselor (Jalinan Industri dan Masyarakat) UiTM, Prof Dr Mohamad Kamal Harun.

Difahamkan, konsep mesra alam akan digunakan dengan kawasan seluas 40 hektar akan digunakan bagi pembukaan ladang bagi kegunaan pelajar kursus berkaitan perladangan dan pertanian bersepadu.

Dr Jamil bagaimanapun tidak dapat menyatakan kos pembinaan kampus baru terbabit kerana ia dibangunkan mengikut kaedah Inisiatif Kewangan Swasta dengan pemaju akan membina kampus terbabit menggunakan sumber kewangan sendiri sebelum kerajaan membayarnya kembali.

"Kerajaan mahu memajukan industri pertanian di Sarawak dan disebabkan itu UiTM Sarawak dikhususkan bagi kursus berkaitan pertanian moden dan bersepadu malah kita berbangga kerana pelajar Diploma Pengurusan Tanaman sudah ramai ditempah majikan sebelum tamat pengajian lagi," katanya.

Selain itu kursus farmasi dan bioteknologi juga akan ditawarkan di kampus Samarahan II, kerana Kampus Samarahan I yang terletak di kawasan seluas 153 hektar terlalu padat bagi menambah kemudahan pembelajaran dan pertambahan bilangan pelajar.

Beliau berkata ketika ini terdapat 5,000 pelajar UiTM Sarawak di kampus Kota Samarahan dan Kampus Mukah yang menawarkan kursus pengajian perniagaan, kejuruteraan, perladangan serta mensasarkan jumlah itu akan bertambah kepada 8,000 hingga 10,000 dengan siapnya Kampus Samarahan II.

"Ini bagi membantu Kerajaan mengeluarkan graduan dan modal insan yang bersesuaian dengan keperluan di dalam Koridor Tenaga Diperbaharui Sarawak (Score) selain industri sampingan seperti perbankan, perladangan dan farmasi," katanya.

Jamil berkata bagi tujuan itu, UiTM Sarawak kemungkinan akan mengurangkan pengambilan pelajar kursus perniagaan dan akan memperbanyakkan pelajar kursus berkaitan Score termasuk kursus farmasi yang akan dimulakan tidak lama lagi.

OUM jadi universiti mega
KUCHING 14 Julai - Universiti Terbuka Malaysia (OUM) bakal mencapai status universiti mega tahun depan dengan sasaran jumlah pelajar berdaftar seramai 100,000 orang.

Presiden yang juga Naib Canselor OUM, Tan Sri Anuwar Ali berkata, ini adalah selaras dengan misi OUM untuk membantu usaha kerajaan mendemokrasikan pendidikan tinggi di negara ini.

Beliau berkata, hanya bermula dengan penawaran empat program pada awal penubuhannya, OUM kini mampu berdiri sebaris dengan institusi pengajian tinggi yang lain.

''Sehingga hari ini, jumlah program yang ditawarkan oleh OUM telah mencecah 71.

''Pendekatan yang diguna pakai oleh OUM dalam proses pengajaran dan pembelajaran serta penawaran program akademik adalah selaras dengan kehendak industri dan pasaran menyebabkan OUM menjadi pilihan," katanya ketika berucap pada majlis perasmian Bangunan Pusat Pembelajaran Sarawak universiti itu di sini hari ini.

Anuwar berkata, kekuatan OUM terletak di atas kepelbagaian bidang pengajian yang merangkumi bidang sains dan teknologi, kejuruteraan, sastera dan sains sosial, perniagaan dan pengurusan serta sains kesihatan dan kejururawatan.

Katanya, program tersebut dirangka khas untuk pelbagai sektor dalam masyarakat di negara ini dan bertepatan dengan slogan OUM iaitu 'Universiti Untuk Semua: Membuka Minda, Mengubah Kehidupan.'

Tambahnya, OUM juga telah mengambil langkah untuk menyediakan infrastruktur dan program berkualiti bagi membuka peluang kepada setiap golongan rakyat tanpa mengira latar belakang dan usia bagi mengikuti pengajian tinggi.

"Program pembelajaran sepanjang hayat yang dijalankan oleh OUM telah membolehkan semua lapisan masyarakat meningkatkan dan menambah baik kualiti diri melalui perolehan pengetahuan dan kemahiran secara berterusan.

"Saya percaya kerajaan negeri ini juga mahu rakyat di Sarawak sentiasa berusaha untuk meningkatkan ilmu dan kemahiran mereka baik secara formal atau tidak formal," ujarnya.

UMS gaining popularity
15th July, 2009
> http://www.newsabahtimes.com.my/nstweb/fullstory/30380

KOTA KINABALU: The youngest public university in the country, University Malaysia Sabah, is gaining more recognition and fast becoming a more preferable choice for post graduate students, including those from Asian countries.

Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Students Affairs and Alumni), Assoc Prof Dr Shariff S Omang said UMS this year received a total of over 300 new postgraduate students, which is about 30 per cent higher as compared to postgraduate student’s intake last year.

He said eighty or about 33 per cent of the new students who were accepted for 2009/2010 intake are from foreign countries such as China, India, Yemen, Iran, Lebanon and Bangladesh.

“The School of Science and Technology received more than 20 new students, the highest among all 13 schools and three institutes offering postgraduate programmes in UMS,” he said, speaking at the special ceremony to welcome the new postgraduate students at the University’s Recital Hall, yesterday.

He attributed the increase to the aggressive publicity campaign that was conducted by the university, as well as the growing confidence among students and parents in UMS’s academic excellence.

“UMS is the symbol of academic excellence for Kota Kinabalu and the right choice for furthering studies. Apart from modern, state-of-the-art infrastructure, UMS emphasizes in academic quality and invest heavily in research activity. This is in line with our aspiration to achieve Research University status by 2015.”

In transforming itself towards achieving this status, he said UMS is taking preparation in all aspects, and this includes increasing the number of students participation in postgraduate studies where producing innovations through researches is the main element.

He said UMS Postgraduate Studies Centre (PSC) plays an important role towards achieving this special mission by promoting the university’s postgraduate programmes in and outside the country.

“The PSC centre, together with the Corporate Relation Division and International Affairs Centre, has already started their promotion campaign and their effort is beginning to bear fruits as seen in the increase in postgraduate students this year,” he said.

Apart from increasing the number of students, he said UMS is also continuing effort to further enhance its infrastructures and facilities to encourage more research activities to be conducted.

At a press conference later, Shariff said UMS is also a popular choice among local students who prefer to further their studies at postgraduate level in UMS due to the easy-to-acquire scholarship available.

He explained that most students in the country finance their undergraduate studies through PTPTN loan, and unless they can secure a scholarship they usually don’t want to continue their studies to postgraduate level, as they do not want to take a second educational loan.

However, he said postgraduate students in UMS do not face problem getting scholarship to finance their studies as the university encourages corporate bodies and the private sector to sponsor its students.

In fact, over 90 per cent of our students have managed to get a scholarship, according to him.

Including the new intake, UMS currently has over 1,800 postgraduate students, which is about 10 per cent of its total students currently studying in Kota Kinabalu main campus and the Labuan campus.

Sees like UMS is hot!!!!!

Malaysia's First Youth Social Networking Portal For Undergraduates
July 15, 2009 19:59 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 (Bernama) -- A portal dedicated to youths was launched today by Jaring Communications Sdn Bhd.

The portal, which can be accessed at www.youthciti.com, provides an online link for undergraduates to step forward into the working industry by learning from the industry leaders in matching their skills with the relevant industrial needs, Jaring chief executive officer Dr Mohamed Awang Lah said in a statement.

He said that via the portal, the undergraduates could participate in forums to discuss various topics related to all fields, besides uploading videos, blogging and putting up advertisements.

"Users can browse or search groups by category or keyword, helping them find and join their own interest groups and even create their own groups," he added.

Youthciti is owned and developed by MyPath and powered by Jaring Communications.

-- BERNAMA

70,423 Foreign Students Enrolled In IPTA, IPTS
July 15, 2009 19:37 PM

PETALING JAYA, July 15 (Bernama) -- A total of 70,423 foreign students are pursuing higher studies at local public and private institutions of higher learning (IPTA and IPTS) until Dec 31 last year.

Deputy Higher Education Minister Dr Hou Kok Chung said the figure was very encouraging as it was close to the target of 80,000 set by the Higher Education Ministry by 2010.

"More foreign student are studying at the IPTS than the IPTA, which had been allowed to enroll up to five per cent foreign students since 2007," he told a news conference on the International Student Carnival 2009 - Sports Carnival at Sunway University College here Wednesday.

He said about 1,500 foreign students along with local students from 56 IPTS and IPTA would vie for honours at the carnival at Sunway University College starting Friday.

Organised by the Higher Education Department with the cooperation of several IPTS, the carnival would be an avenue for local and foreign students to interact.

-- BERNAMA

http://www.masa.com.my/images/project/proposal/umB.jpg

Project Title:
CADANGAN PEMBANGUNAN SEMULA KE ATAS TANAH KEPUNYAAN UNIVERSITI MALAYA SELUAS 12.84 EKAR DI SEKSYEN 12, PETALING JAYA SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN SECARA MEREKABENTUK, MEMBINA, MENYIAPKAN, MENYELENGGARA DAN MEMINDAHMILIK KEDIAMAN PELAJAR SERTA KEMUDAHAN

Location:
Seksyen 12, Petaling Jaya, Selangor

Client:
University Malaya

Contract Sum:
RM240,029,819

Status:
Proposal Stage

Project Description:
To develop Students Village to accommodate 13,062 students with facilities including commercial and administration buildings. The development will comprise of
-Hostel Blocks (6 blocks of 18th and 11th floors)
-University Apartment Block (3 blocks of 16 floor)
-Post Graduate Apartment Blocks (1 block of 16 floor)
-Students Commercial Centre Blocks (1 block three floor)
-and a plaza called UM Plaza as a centre point for the development in whole.

Scope Of Work:

Appointed as the Concessionaire to develop the project under Build Operate and Transfer mode of payment. The concession shall be for a period of 33 years. As the concessionaire MBSB shall be responsible to:

i. Finance the construction of facilities as per terms in the Concession Agreement

ii. Design, build and complete the construction of facilities as per term of the Concession Agreement, Design Brief from UM and agreed Specification

Manage, operate and maintain the facilities throughout the concession period

PMC To Introduce More Courses For Medical Students
July 15, 2009 21:13 PM

PENANG, July 15 (Bernama) -- The Penang Medical College (PMC) will introduce more courses next year to cater to the needs of students in various medical disciplines in Malaysia.

"We are looking carefully at the needs in Malaysia and it is likely that the first new course offered will be the Diploma in Radiography and we hope to have the first intake next year," said its president, Brendan Lyons.

However, it was still at the initial stage and various aspects had to be looked into first, like the ideal number students for the first intake, he told Bernama Wednesday.

Lyons said that if the course materialised, it would be fully conducted at PMC, unlike other courses in the college which are conducted under twinning programmes with other local and foreign universities.

Established in 1996, the PMC conducts courses in collaboration with two of the oldest and famous medical colleges in Ireland -- Royal College of Surgeons Ireland and the University College Dublin (UCD).

Students have to undergo their pre-clinical studies in Ireland for two-and-a-half years before returning to PMC for their clinical instruction and training at the Penang General Hospital or other health centres in Penang for another two-and-a-half years.

Lyons said PMC graduates received their pre-medical degrees awarded by the National University of Ireland and licentiates by the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland.

"These qualifications enable them to work in Malaysia and Ireland and in other countries where Irish qualifications are recognised, such as throughout the European Union, USA, Canada and Australia," he added.

He also said that PMC was upgrading its facilities for the convenience of its students and had expanded the college with new premises beside the Penang Hospital.

He said that since 2001, 566 students had graduated from PMC and most of them were now attached to various hospitals in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore as well as Ireland and the United States.

More than half of PMC's students were Public Service Department and Mara scholars, he added.

-- BERNAMA

Star Education Fund beneficiary shines
Wednesday July 15, 2009

PENANG Medical College has just released 102 doctors into the field, one of whom was a recipient of the Star Education Fund.

The graduates received medical degrees from the National University of Ireland of which the college is in partnership with, in front of proud parents and family members at Hotel Equatorial Penang during its Ninth Conferring Ceremony held on July 5.

Among the top 71 students who graduated with honours were Kok Hong Kuan, who received the University College Dublin and Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland’s award for First Place in final examinations, the Malaysian Medical Association (Penang Branch) Award for First Place in Medicine and the Penang Medical Practitioners’ Society Prize for First Place in Family Medicine.

The other top student was Star Education Fund recipient Tai Yi Pinn who received a Best All-Round Student award from the Penang Medical Practitioners’ Society Award.

Among those present to grace the ceremony were Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and former Perlis Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim who was present to witness his daughter Nur Mazidah Shahidan, 29, receive her second degree.

Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, college president Brendan Lyons said the institution was currently in the process of expanding and had leased the former Penang Home for the Infirm and Aged at Jalan Residensi in May.

“We currently have an output of 120 students a year and with a growing number of students, we will need more space.

“The new building will provide that and also give us the flexibility to develop our current facility on Jalan Sepoy Lines,” he said, adding that the college was looking into opening new diploma programmes in radiography and pharmacy in the near future.

New curriculum next year to upgrade English education
18/07/2009 6:46am

KUALA LUMPUR July 17 — The Education Ministry will introduce a new curriculum to improve English education at the primary and secondary level by January next year, Director-General of Education Tan Sri Alimuddin Mohd Dom said today.

He said the new curriculum would combine various existing teaching methods with additional ones such as music, literature, choral speaking and such. “The ministry will discuss the matter in detail after we have sat down with the non-governmental organisations, teachers’ unions and English language experts so that we can map out the concept paper.

“We estimate that it would take four to five months to complete the new curriculum,” he told reporters after launching a seminar to upgrade the status of the teaching profession, here.

The two-day seminar, organised by the Education Ministry and the National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP), is being held for the first time to discuss the new direction of the teaching profession.

Alimuddin said the decision to introduce the new curriculum was made following the government’s decision to revert from English to Malay in the teaching of mathematics and science effective 2012.

Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, in making the announcement, had also called for a strategy to upgrade the status of the Malay language while improving the teaching and learning of English.

Alimuddin said that though some parents had urged that the policy be retained at the secondary level, the government thought it was best to abolish it once and for all.

He said the ministry was also in the midst of setting up five teacher training institutes in states like Terengganu, Sabah and Sarawak to prepare teachers to teach in the English language.

Local and international experts of the English language would also be invited soon to give their input in shaping the new curriculum, he said.

The Cabinet on July 8 decided that the Malay language, and not English, would be used to teach science and mathematics at national schools from 2012 and the respective vernacular languages to teach these subjects in Chinese and Tamil schools.

— BERNAMA

Curtin gets RM15 mln in initial funding for biopark, says CEO
Saturday, July 18th, 2009

MIRI: Curtin University of Technology (http://www.curtin.edu.my/), Sarawak Campus (Curtin) is getting RM15 million in initial funding for its biopark, said Curtin chief executive officer Professor John Evans.

Evans who is also the pro vice-chancellor of Curtin Sarawak said the grant would be used for food technology, bioscience, and research funding purposes, and the park would be fully managed by Curtin.

“This is an exciting project - an 18-month mission to complete a biopark on a 10-acre piece of land with works commencing shortly in August, and expected to be ready by the end of 2010,” Evans told a press conference at a leading hotel here.

Curtin is also getting RM3.7 million in federal government grant as part of a stimulant package for the training of manpower for SCORE (Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy) initiative.

According to Evans, Curtin is in the process of identifying manpower for 200 training spots, and has started receiving applications for the training.

Among other achievements, he noted that Curtin is currently ranked 52nd in Asia while Curtin Sarawak is ranked 100 in Asia.

“We have a good intake of students so far - the numbers are encouraging, and we have a vision to reach the top 20 ranking,” he said.

He said Curtin would be getting JPA (Public Services Department) scholarship students and it was recognition of its quality higher education, and that about 70 to 80 per cent of its students were in engineering.

On Influenza A (H1N1) alert, he said Curtin was monitoring the situation closely with the Ministry of Health.

“About 15 per cent are international students, and we have health officers on campus to do screening with international staff,” he added.

A local councillor in Baram and Kenyah businessman Simpson Njock Lenjau who was also invited to speak on his experience as a student currently pursuing a Master of Science course said: “Sarawak has many cultures, but Curtin brings in other cultures through its international students and programmes for a good mix of culture, so we also learn and experience other cultures like western culture, especially the discipline involved in education.”

“Curtin is brave to come to Sarawak - it dares to be different from other private universities which normally prefer to open up in Peninsular Malaysia,”said Simpson who is currently doing his course full time in operational management.

As a contractor, he said business was slow, and it was a good time for him and other people in business to go back to school to upgrade their qualification and knowledge while waiting for the economy to pick up.

He praised Curtin for bringing in affordable and quality higher education estimated to cost about RM20,000 to RM30,000 as compared to about RM200,000 to study in Australia.

“It is really handy (convenient) for Miri folk and Curtin also has part time Masters’ degree programme for company employees who wish to upgrade themselves without sacrificing their career,” he added.

According to Curtin’s marketing manager Liew Mei Yin, the costs of studies in government universities tend to be about three times cheaper than in private universities, so Curtin should not be compared to government universities in terms of study costs since it is not subsidised by the government.

“The Bumiputera student population at Curtin is estimated to be about five to 10 per cent which is not high, but comparable to other private universities, and we hope to increase,” Liew said.

Meanwhile, Miri Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI) chairman Datuk Sim Hock Guan said: “As a small, but important shareholder of Curtin, we are very positive about the development of Curtin University because we can see the progress which has a big impact on the local economy.”

Sim said with its population of about 2,700 students, it provided a spin off with a positive impact on the economy of Miri by way of affordable education which was a better alternative to costly education overseas.

“With two new classrooms built recently, we anticipate more development in Curtin, and we are also helping Curtin in providing a more convenient venue in our office in the city for its counselling sessions for its students,” he said.

He noted that the employment rate of Curtin’s graduates was very good, and about 1,000 graduates had been produced so far.

He also agreed that MCCCI and Curtin could arrange industrial training for Curtin students to gain experience.

Curtin chief operating officer James Ng and Curtin corporate communications manager Nicholas Leong were also present.

Curtin will have its July 27 intake with classes going to commence soon, and the public can call to enquire on 085-443939.

UTM sets up Islamic research centre
Monday July 20, 2009
BY MOHD FARHAAN SHAH

JOHOR BARU: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) has set up an Islamic research centre to support the Government’s efforts in strengthening Islam in the country.

UTM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Zaini Ujang said the Fiqh Science and Technology Research Centre (CFiRST) aimed to be at the forefront of fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) research within the science and technology field, to solve problems faced by Muslims.

“The Government’s efforts must be based on academic research to provide an impact in developing Muslims in the country.

“UTM hopes that the centre will become a professional institution that connects experts from science and technology with industry experts, government agencies and the Fatwa Council at national and international level,” he said.

Prof Zaini added that the centre would give advice and expertise on fiqh and help the Government and private agencies to develop and handle repository data when needed.

“Research findings will be made available online or through the publication of books and academic papers to make it easier for those looking for information.

“Besides that, the centre is planning to organise forums and workshops,” he added.

Prof Zaini also said that CFiRST would contribute to Islamic studies in fiqh together with the development of science and technology.

“UTM will expand its function as a research institution that will help the Fatwa Council in publishing papers related to the fatwa subject based on current issues in science and technology,” he said.

Meanwhile, UTM is organising a forum with UMW Holdings to activate critical thinking among UTM academic and administrative staff.

Prof Zaini said the objective of this forum was to expose the university staff to current ideas and practices, and generate ideas to draw up a strategic plan for UTM.

“The forum will be used to create new approaches to tackle current political, economic, governmental, administrative and academic issues aimed at putting UTM at the forefront of world policy promulgation,” he added.

UTM Producing Aviation Experts, Says VC
July 18, 2009 23:10 PM

JOHOR BAHARU, July 18 (Bernama) -- Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) can fulfil the needs of the country's aviation industry as it has the relevant expertise and facilities, including an aeronautics laboratory worth over RM300 million.

Its Vice-Chancellor, Datuk Prof Dr Zaini Ujang said UTM had produced over 600 first-degree graduates and over 400 diploma-holders in aeronautical mechanical engineering and the figure was increasing with time.

"The first-degree graduates we produce since 1988 have the skill to design systems and aircraft including helicopters, enabling them to work in the aircraft maintenance and refurbishment industry," Zaini said in a media statement Saturday.

He was commenting on the statement by Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal on the shortage of some 15,000 engineers and technicians to fill the need of the country's aviation industry by 2012 in Dengkil, yesterday.

Diploma holders from UTM comprise pilots serving the Royal Malaysian Air Force through a joint programme in the Air Force Military College in Alor Setar since 1995.

UTM has also been entrusted by the Rolls-Royce aircraft engine supply company to conduct research on alternative fuel for aircraft beginning last year.

"The RM4.9 million research which is expected to be completed by 2011 will enable aircraft to use palm oil as fuel and this can help increase the price of the commodity," he said.

Another research team from the university is also working with the Malaysian Space Agency to develop software for the simulation of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

The same team is also working on a research that allows communication between a rocket and an earth-based control centre.

-- BERNAMA

http://www.cgarchitect.com/user_artwork/AliceSmith.jpg
Alice Smith International School
AMC Architects
An exterior view of a new block of Alice Smith International School

Malaysia University of Defence

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2539/3742321806_ef35161efe_o.jpg

Increase intake of Orang Asli students, institute told
Tuesday, July 21st, 2009

KUCHING: Institut Kemahiran Islam Malaysia Sarawak (Ikmas) has been told to increase its intake of students from the Orang Asli community as the government wants so see more of them learn about Islam.

This is so the minority group in the country can spread the religion within their community, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Islamic Affairs) Senator Datuk Jamil Khir Baharom yesterday.

Jamil said this would facilitate the teaching of Islam (dakwah) to the Orang Asli who already understood the national language and can participate in the socio-economy of the country.

“I hope Ikmas’ management will increase its intake of minority groups, especially Orang Asli,” he said.

Effective ‘dakwah’ involve the incorporation of oral teachings and lessons learnt into the daily lives of the community, he told reporters after attending Ikmas’ 7th convocation at Telaga Air, about 40km from here yesterday.

Head of State Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Muhammad Salahuddin officiated at the convocation which saw 30 Ikmas students receive their diplomas while seven received certificates on basic Islamic studies.

Jamil said the 1Malaysia concept fulfilled the teachings of Islam which demanded that people be respectful and appreciative of one another regardless of race and looks.

“The concept places everyone on equal footing with no one marginalised or left out from mainstream development,” he said.

To a question concerning the health of those going for the haj, he said: “We will take measures so that our pilgrims will not be infected by the flu (H1N1).”

On Ikmas’ convocation, he said it was essential to continue providing a supply of religious teachers in the country.

“About 80 per cent of Ikmas graduates produced since seven years ago have been employed in the government or private sector; this shows that Ikmas’ certificates and diplomas are relevant to the employment market,” he said.

Also present were Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Islamic Affairs) Datuk Daud Abdul Rahman and State Religious director Datu Misnu Taha, State Imam Datuk Nahrawi Abdul Rahman and Sarawak Islamic Council president Datu Putit Matzen.

Co-curriculum increase gets mixed reaction
By Peter Boon
Monday, July 20th, 2009

SIBU: Sarawak students studying in institutions of higher learning (IPT) may not be able to cope with the proposed 30 per cent increase in co-curriculum activities as most schools in the state still lack proper sports facilities.

Describing the proposed increase as too high, Sarawak Teachers’ Union (STU) president William Ghani said students in the state will be hard pressed to keep pace with those in Peninsular Malaysia.

“In some schools, they don’t even have a field for students to play soccer. And here we are mooting the idea of increasing the co-curriculum activities from the existing 10 per cent to 30 per cent,” Ghani lamented.

He said proper facilities in school are most important as these will help prepare students for their tertiary education.

He added: “We must understand that secondary students will eventually progress to college or universities.

“For that, it is essential for schools to have adequate facilities, particularly for sports, for both mental and physical development of students.”

Using an analogue to better get his view across, he said: “When you build a house, you lay the foundation first before beginning to lay the bricks. You don’t do it the other way round.”

Ghani said this when asked to respond to the proposal by the Higher Education Ministry to increase the co-curriculum activities to 30 per cent in IPT.

Compounding the woes, he said, was the lack of qualified professionals to train the students here.

“So you see, increasing the co-curriculum activities to 30 per cent will burden and make our students’ lives difficult,” he said, reiterating that the proposed percentage was way too high.

In this connection, he advocated that co-curriculum activities in IPT be maintained at 10 per cent.

Ghani’s other concern was that students in IPT may tend to focus more on co-curriculum activities at the expense of academic work.

Hence, this he said defeated the purpose of producing graduates who can excel in both academics and sports.

Towards this end, Ghani said while the idea was commendable, it was not feasible at this point of time.

His bottom line: “Perhaps, more studies need to be conducted to weigh the pros and cons.”

Dr Antony Hii, principal of IBS College, meanwhile welcomed such proposal as it would further enhance the soft skills of IPT students.

He however stressed it must be properly implemented to achieve maximum results, adding that content of the co-curriculum is just as important.

Asked whether the proposal will compromise students’ academic performance, Dr Hii replied: “All co-curriculum programmes if properly managed and delivered are as good as academic performance. This is because it is an added skill and enhances students’ learning process.”

Dr Hii said the fear is that academic performance may plummet if it (co-curriculum) is given more emphasis.

“In fact, in co-curriculum activities, we can have study visits, industrial training, project-related works, team building and learning and so on,” said Dr Hii, who graduated with doctorate degree from George Washington University (GWU), USA.

According to him, the proposed increase of co-curriculum activities to 30 per cent will make students more marketable as they are equipped with better soft skills such as speaking.

Chief executive officer (CEO) of Knowledge Universe Sibu Learning Centre Prem Mathavan said for the proposal to work it must be tailored to the course learning objectives.

“If we are just talking about having more sports activities, I don’t believe we will go far with the concept,” said Prem.

Asked for explanation, the CEO pointed out that the co-curriculum activities must be lined up with educational-related exposures such as site visits, mock setting of work environment and others.

“It must be based on the practical aspect of what they are learning in the IPT.

“For example, if they are studying banking, bring them to the stock market to get an idea of the real operating environment,” he said.

In other words, co-curriculum activities should be geared towards the practical aspect of the subject matter, Prem reiterated.

He added: “There must be a linkage between the co-curriculum and courses taken by students.

“But if we are just talking about sports or clubs, I don’t see how they can be related to what the students are studying.”

He suggested that co-curriculum activities take in more of case studies so as to become work-based oriented.

An undergraduate, Malati Siniah, said there were two sides to the coin.

She said while the proposal will create a more balanced life for students in IPT and so better prepare them for their future work environment, many may find it hard to juggle between their studies and co-curriculum activities.

“And because of the high weightage, they can’t just drop them as and when they like. And at the end of the day, these students will feel burnout as they can no longer keep up with the pace,” she said, adding that it might increase the level of stress among students.

Malati who studied at a private university said there is no requirement for them to commit a specified amount of time on co-curriculum activities, which gives students a lot of time to do useful research or while away their free time to de-stress.

Pre-schools to be part of education system
Tue, 21 Jul 2009

http://www.sun2surf.com/images/sun2surf/articles/36029/PTJ03_210709_TPM_UCA.875049.jpg

Deputy prime minister Tan sri Muhyiddin Yassin meets
teachers attending a gathering in Putrajaya this morning

PUTRAJAYA (July 21, 2009) : Preschools will be absorbed into the national education system as part of the efforts to strengthen the command of the English language at the early stage of schooling, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said.

He said trained English language teachers would be sent to the schools to help improve the learning and teaching of the language.

Muhyiddin, who is education minister, said the government had agreed in principle to implement the policy but had not set any time frame to do so.

He added that the move would be implemented to correspond with the proposal to make English a compulsory pass subject in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination.

"If we can set aside a suitable period for the subject, and let trained teachers handle the class, in three years these preschoolers will be able grasp basic English," he said.

By doing so, he said, preschoolers need not wait until they were in primary school to have a good grasp of basic English.

"If the six-year period (in primary school) is not enough, they have five more years to learn the language (in secondary school).

"So, it is unlikely that they will fail their SPM English language examination," he said at a gathering with educators at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) here today.

He said the government was aware of the concerns expressed by certain quarters over the proposal to make English a compulsory pass subject as many students, especially those in the rural areas, might not be able to achieve the pass mark.

Citing the results of last year's SPM examination as an example, Muhyiddin said, only 26.9% of rural students managed to register a pass in the subject.

The government, however, would not take the "levelling down" approach in implementing the proposal, he said.

"We should instead be brave enough to adopt the 'levelling up' approach by striving to improve the performance among students.

"In the context of the English language, the suggestion to make English a 'must pass' subject is a levelling up approach to improve the command of the language among students so that they can become competitive."

Muhyiddin said the proposal could be implemented soon but the efforts to enhance the command of the English language among students should start now. -- BERNAMA

Published on: Thursday, July 23, 2009
KDM Language up to Form 5

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Kota Kinabalu: Students in Sabah will soon be able to learn the Kadazandusun Language up to Form Five.

Sabah Education Department Director, Datuk Normah Gagoh, said the Curriculum Development Division of the Education Ministry has drafted a curriculum for the teaching and learning of the language up to that level.

"The department, on the other hand, has organised various professional training courses for those teachers involved in the implementation of the teaching in this language É all these efforts are meant to develop a human capital with Malaysian identity," she said.

She said the Ministry as well as the department in Sabah have placed a strong commitment to the expansion of the Kadazandusun Language since it was first introduced.

Normah said this at the two-in-one launching of a Kadazandusun Language Colloquium and a Puralan Boros Kadazandusun Id Sikul (Development direction for the teaching and learning of Kadazandusun Language in School) Book at Le Meridien Hotel here Wednesday.

She said since the start of its implementation, the teaching and learning of the Kadazandusun Language has received positive response from the school administrators, teachers, students and parents.

She said presently 313 schools, including 53 secondary schools, throughout the State are offering this language as part of their curriculum.

"Some 736 teachers and 20,386 primary and secondary students are involved in the implementation of the teaching and learning of this language in schools," she said.

Expecting the number to continue increasing, she said the department would require the full cooperation of such bodies as the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) as well as Kadazandusun Language Foundation (KLF).

She commended both the organisations for having contributed greatly to the implementation of the language.

The teaching and learning of the Kadazandusun Language was introduced at primary school level in 1997 and from there it was expanded in phases to higher levels of education.

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Kadazandusun, Iban And Semai Languages May Be Elective Subjects
July 22, 2009 18:04 PM

KOTA KINABALU, July 22 (Bernama) -- The Kadazandusun, Iban and Semai (Orang Asli) languages may be made elective subjects in schools, said Deputy Education Minister Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi.

"We want to recognise the importance of the languages of the various races in Malaysia to be on par as foreign languages like French, German and Japanese.

"But I worry that associations of other races will also ask that their language be taught in schools and we would have to do a detailed study on that.

"Bahasa Kadazandusun and Iban is taught in schools as there are many speakers in Sabah dan Sarawak, whereas the Semai language is to make it their treasure," he told reporters after launching a book titled 'Puralan Boros Kadazandusun Id Sikul' or 'The study of Bahasa Kadazandusun in Schools' here on Wednesday.

According to him, Sabah had taken steps to introduce Bahasa Kadazandusun as an elective subject and this October about 700 pioneer candidates will sit for the paper at the Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) level.

He also said Sabah had 701 trained teachers in the language in 621 primary schools and 80 secondary schools.

-- BERNAMA

Kuaters Imigresen Negeri Dibangunkan di Marang
2009-07-07 17:19:11
Source: http://www.terengganu.gov.my/maxc2020/portal/cms/redang/index_news.displaynews.php?counthit=1&cid=1&from=index&newsid=1107

http://www.terengganu.gov.my/maxc2020/portal/cms/redang/news.showimage.php?cid=1&langid=&newsid=1107&maxwidth=400

Kuaters Imigresen Negeri Terengganu yang mampu menempatkan kira-kira 300 kakitangan jabatan itu bakal dibina di persimpangan Kampung Jenang, Marang menerusi projek pembangunan Rancangan Malaysia Kesepuluh, tidak lama lagi.

Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pembangunan Infrastruktur dan Kemudahan Awam Negeri, YB Yahya Khatib Mohamad, berkata kemudahan kepada kakitangan Imigresen Depot Ajil dan Penjara Marang, akan dimajukan di atas tanah seluas 6.8 hektar, di mana lokasinya berada di tengah-tengah antara dua jabatan persekutuan berkenaan.

“Secara tidak langsung pertambahan pembangunan berkenaan, selain kem FRU (Pasukan Simpanan Persekutuan) di Wakaf Tapai (Marang) yang akan siap pada tahun depan dan kemasukan anggota kerjanya pada akhir tahun depan.

“Saya difahamkan antara 500 hingga 1,000 anggota FRU. Sedikit sebanyak dapat menambahkan pengundi baru di Pengkalan Berangan dan Marang, antara 1,000 hingga 1,500 pengundi,” kata beliau selepas menyampaikan 405 unit e-Book kepada murid Tahun Lima di empat sekolah dalam Dewan Undangan Negeri (Dun) Pengkalan Berangan, di Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Pengkalan Berangan, Marang, hari ini (7 Julai).

http://www.terengganu.gov.my/maxc2020/appshare/widget/pb_img/1image/0707e-book2.JPG

YB Yahya menyampaikan e-Book kepada seorang murid Tahun Lima pada
majlis penyampaian e-Book DUN Pengkalan Berangan di Sekolah Kebangsaan
Pengkalan Berangan, Marang.

Daripada jumlah itu, seramai 115 murid dari SK Merchang, SK Bukit Sawa (141 murid), SK Wakaf Tapai (87 murid) dan SK Pengkalan Berangan melibatkan 62 murid yang menerima e-Book masing-masing dengan diiringi ibu atau bapa masing-masing.

Menurut YB Yahya, Dun Pengkalan Berangan merupakan Dun pertama yang menerima e-Book daripada keseluruhan hampir 2,000 penerima buku elektonik berkenaan di daerah itu.

Sementara itu, beliau mengingatkan ibu bapa supaya lebih peka dan mengawal tindak-tinduk anak mereka yang proaktif dan bertindak negatif dengan menyalahguna penggunaan buku elektronik terutama memasukkan bahan lucah atau sebagainya.

“Dari segi pengisian, khusus untuk aspek sukatan pembelajaran, namun tidak dinafikan kecanggihan teknologi maklumat menyebabkan pelajar menggunakan e-Book ke arah negatif.

“Kita harap kerjasama ibu bapa supaya dapat mengawal dan membendung daripada proaktif anak kita dari segi penggunaan internet dan juga perkhidmatan selular komunikasi,” katanya.

YB Yahya berkata, kerajaan tidak mampu mengawal penggunaan e-Book walaupun sudah dimasukkan perisian sukatan pembelajaran dan mengharapkan kerjasama ibu bapa selain kawalan pihak sekolah.

Beliau berkata, kecanggihan bahan komunikasi seperti `broadband’ yang membolehkan pelajar menerokai pelbagai perkara tanpa had perlu dibendung oleh ibu bapa dan memastikan tidak berlaku penyalahgunaan buku elektonik berkenaan.

RM30j tapis e-Book, pantau kelas
28 Julai 2009

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AHMAD RAZIF melihat pelajar menggunakan e-Book semasa melawat Sekolah
Kebangsaan Kompleks Gong Badak, Kuala Terengganu semalam.

KUALA TERENGGANU - Murid Tahun Lima di Terengganu tidak lama lagi akan mendapati mereka bukan sahaja disekat daripada memuat turun bahan-bahan dari Internet khususnya gambar lucah tetapi juga semua perilaku mereka dalam kelas dipantau menerusi kamera litar tertutup (CCTV).

Siri tindakan baru itu diambil beberapa hari selepas Kosmo! mendedahkan e-Book 12 murid di sebuah sekolah di Gong Badak, Kuala Terengganu menyimpan bahan seperti video dan gambar lucah.

Kos melaksanakan projek memasang perisian khusus pada 25,000 buah e-Book dijangka dilakukan oleh pengeluar mikrocip terkemuka dunia, Intel Corporation (Intel) dengan kos RM30 juta.

Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pelajaran, Pengajian Tinggi, Sains, Teknologi dan Sumber Manusia negeri, Ahmad Razif Abd. Rahman berkata, pihaknya sudah berbincang dengan Intel bagi menentukan masa yang sesuai untuk memasang perisian berkenaan.

"Perisian itu juga akan memudahkan guru-guru mengesan aktiviti pelajar yang menyimpan dan menonton bahan-bahan dilarang," katanya semasa membuat lawatan mengejut ke Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Kompleks Gong Badak di sini pagi semalam.

UM centre sets sights on eye diseases
2009/07/28

PETALING JAYA: The University of Malaya Eye Research Centre (UMERC) aims to put Malaysia on the map for studies into debilitating eye diseases, such as glaucoma and cataract.

Launched yesterday, the department has adopted several research and development projects previously under University Malaya Medical Centre's Ophthalmology Department.

UMERC head, Dr Fong Choong Sian, said it would also study the prevalence of HIV-related eye problems.

Present was Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah.

The centre is developing new laser technologies for retinal vascular diseases.

UMMC officials also signed a memorandum of understanding with representatives of Perth's Lions Eye Institute and Singapore's Eye Research Institute at the function.

"We will be exchanging expertise as well as work together in research. Malaysians will benefit as they will receive better eye care by healthcare professionals who train here."

Target: 10 graduates per longhouse by 2020
Monday, July 27th, 2009
> http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=55522

Body wants Dayaks to be empowered by knowledge

KAPIT: Education empowers people, and the level of knowledge affects the future of a community.

Sarawak Dayak Graduates’ Association (SDGA) therefore has set a vision for each longhouse to produce at least 10 graduates by 2020.

Its president Dr Dusit Jaul told Dayak students this at a one-day Education Motivation seminar at Meligai Hotel on Saturday.

“Let’s say we have some 7,000 longhouses; multiply it by 10 graduates. Imagine how powerful the knowledge of our people would be,” he said.

He also advised the secondary students to get their priority right while in school - that is education before early marriage.

He asked: “If a girl marries a man who is not armed with proper knowledge and has no stable job and income, who will look after the family and the children later on?

“In the olden days, when we talked about poverty, we meant having no money or land. But in the modern context (since we are entering the digital era), when we talk of poverty, we mean knowledge poverty apart from material poverty.

“Knowledge is a commodity. If you don’t have knowledge, how to sell? If we Dayaks don’t have knowledge, it would affect the future of the community. Knowledge is very important as it affects the future of the community,” he said.

Dusit said one of the reasons a lot of people including Dayak youths are unable to get jobs is because they can’t speak English.

“When they attend an interview, they speak one sentence only. My advice is you must master the English language,” he said.

He said many fail to get to the interview stage as they were not armed with the relevant knowledge, and not familiar with the job market which is very demanding.

“Therefore, I call upon Dayak youths to be role model of human capital that is armed with relevant knowledge. It is important that public perception of the Dayak community is positive,” he said.

A survey of coffee shops and food catering outlets, for example, shows that the majority of waitresses are Dayaks; and at construction sites, Dayaks again make up the bulk of the workforce, he cited as example before asking: “Are we content to be forever employees?”

“We can change our fate through education - the most effective tool to improve the social-economic status of the community,” he said.

Some 30 parents and 150 SPM and STPM Dayak students from three schools – SMK Kapit, SMK Kapit No. 2 and SMK Selirik - attended the seminar jointly organised by Sadia Kapit and SDGA.

Kapit MP Alexander Nanta Linggi officiated at the function which was also attended by SDGA deputy president Dr Ellie Luhat, deputy treasurer-general William Wright Howell, deputy secretary-general Jona Kerani and member Elly Lawai, organising chairman John Lang, Kemas supervisor Ambrose Abong and Sadia Kapit chairman Edward Manggah.

E-Book Scheme Still On
July 27, 2009 19:00 PM

KUALA TERENGGANU, July 27 (Bernama) -- The Terengganu state government will continue with its electronic book (e-book) distribution scheme to Year Five students although some had been misusing them to view pornographic material.

State Education, Higher Learning, Science, Technology and Human Resources committee chairman Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman said the e-book project was not a waste but would give much benefit to the students.

"All parties should support this project. It is not an easy task to implement but the benefits are large," he told reporters after launching the 2009 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia Student Motivational Program at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Kompleks Seberang Takir here Monday.

He said, the project would not just benefit the students but also opened up job opportunities for those who had computer skills.

Early this week, six students were caught having pornographic material on their e-books during spot checks at several schools here.

Ahmad Razif also expressed his disappoinment over a newspaper report two days ago which featured photos allegedly taken from e-books used by the students.

'That is not an ethical thing to do. Reporters must be held responsible as the photos shown on the newspaper were not taken from the e-books used by the students," he said.

On another development, he said a gallery which featured well-known personalities from Seberang Takir would be set up there next year along with a new mosque to replace the existng one at a cost of RM6 million.

"Personalities from Seberang Takir include former Terengganu Menteri Besar Tan Sri Ibrahim Fikri; poet Datuk J.M. Aziz; literary figure and politician Datuk Abdul Rashid Ngah; and academician and the founder of the Sultan Zainal Abidin Religious College, Dr Wan Shamsuddin Wan Mamat," he said.

He said the gallery would also have a boat station for trips to the town and kiosks selling handicrafts to make Seberang Takir a tourism attraction in the future.

Education Ministry Creates More Posts For Principals And Headmasters
July 28, 2009 21:45 PM

PETALING JAYA, July 28 (Bernama) -- The Education Ministry has increased the number of posts for principals and headmasters in grades Jusa C and DG54 in an effort to attain the key performance indicators (KPIs) in the six national Key Result Areas (NKRAs) announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Deputy Education Minister Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi said the ministry had increased the post of outstanding principals and headmasters in the Jusa C grade to 20 from 10 and from 200 to 435 posts for those in DG54, while that for DG52 remained at 400.

"This is a big challenge for the country's education development. Therefore, in moving towards attaining the indicators, we hope that all schools will have outstanding principals and headmasters.

"What is crucial is for these principals to extend their experiences in education management in their respective schools so that it can be shared with other schools," he told reporters after opening a management conference for principals in Subang Jaya here today.

At the function, he also unveiled a book on good practices in education management compiled by the national council of senior principals.

Dr Mohd Puad said that the sharing of knowledge was also vital to ensure urban and rural students benefitted from the NKRAs.

"If possible, we want all schools to have outstanding principals and headmasters to ensure our students receive quality education," he added.

Software to prevent abuse of e-Books in Terengganu
Wednesday July 29, 2009
By R.S.N. MURALI

KUALA TERENGGANU: The Terengganu government will block access to undesirable websites by installing a special software in digital notebooks (e-Books) used by Year Five and Year Six pupils in the state.

State Education, Higher Learning, Science, Technology and Human Resource Committee chairman Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman said the software would enable teachers to monitor and filter access to undesirable websites.

“However, it will cost us a hefty sum as an estimated RM30mil is required to cover the e-Books of the state’s 15,000 pupils.

“Therefore, the effort may take time,” he said after visiting SK Komplek Gong Badak on Monday.

Ahmad Razif made the visit following a July 25 report in The Star stating that porn materials were being downloaded into the e-Books.

He said there were also cases of pupils downloading games containing lewd material.

“We detected the abuse promptly and credit should be given to teachers for conducting spot checks,” he said.

Ahmad Razif said that several schools had seized the e-Books of those who had downloaded pornographic material.

He said a standard operating procedure on the use of the e-Books would be issued to eliminate abuses.

UPM juara Debat Alam Sekitar IPT
29 Julai 2009

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KURUP (tengah) menyampaikan hadiah kepada pasukan UPM yang muncul
juara Pertandingan Debat Alam Sekitar IPT di Seri Iskandar, Perak semalam.
Turut kelihatan (dari kiri) Amirudin, Ammar Redza, Rosnani, Zainal Abidin,
Mohd. Syamsul dan Norlida.

SERI ISKANDAR - Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) muncul johan pertandingan akhir Debat Alam Sekitar antara Institusi Pengajian Tinggi (IPT) Ke-19 yang berlangsung di Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) di sini semalam.

Pasukan terbabit yang diwakili Mohd. Syamsul Salleh, Ammar Redza Ahmad Rizal, Amirudin Abdul Rahman, dan Norlida Idrus (simpanan) yang bertindak sebagai pembangkang menewaskan Universiti Multimedia Malaysia (MMU).

Pasukan MMU pula diwakili oleh Myer Iyemman Yusof, Mohd. Fahmi Abdul Aziz, Muhammad Nazwan Kamal Din dan Muhammad Rafiq Akmal Mohd. Daud (simpanan).

Dengan kemenangan itu, UPM meraih piala pusingan, wang tunai RM8,000, sijil penyertaan dan hadiah iringan manakala MMU sebagai naib johan menerima wang tunai RM5,000, sijil penyertaan dan hadiah iringan.

KIST bina kompleks pendidikan bernilai RM50 juta

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LAKARAN artis menunjukkan Kolej Islam Sains dan Teknologi yang akan dibangunkan di Kuala Berang, Hulu Terengganu.

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KUALA TERENGGANU 29 Julai - Kolej Islam Sains dan Teknologi (KIST) memperuntukkan kira-kira RM50 juta untuk membina kompleks pendidikan cawangan Terengganu di Kuala Berang yang akan dimulakan akhir tahun ini.

Ketua Pegawai Perhubungan Awam KIST Cawangan Terengganu, Mohd. Zulkifle Abdullah berkata, kompleks setinggi 11 tingkat di kawasan seluas 43.2 hektar itu dijangka siap dalam tempoh setahun setengah dan akan menjadi mercu tanda bagi daerah Hulu Terengganu.

Katanya, dengan siapnya kompleks itu nanti, ia dapat menempatkan lebih 6,000 pelajar dengan dilengkapi pelbagai kemudahan bagi keselesaan pelajar yang akan mengikuti pengajian di kolej tersebut.

Selain itu, menurutnya, kewujudannya juga mampu menjana perniagaan kepada penduduk dan peniaga setempat selain pengangkutan awam yang sedia ada di Kuala Berang.

''Sejajar dengan pembangunan itu, KIST cawangan Terengganu akan menambahkan program pengajian di peringkat diploma dan sijil dengan pengambilan pelajar empat kali setahun,'' katanya di sini hari ini.

Mohd. Zulkifle berkata, kawasan kompleks pendidikan di Kuala Berang itu merupakan projek perumahan terbengkalai Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) dan KIST melabur RM17 juta bagi pembelian tapak dan tanah tersebut.

Katanya lagi, projek terbengkalai tersebut dilengkap dari segi infrastruktur seperti rumah banglo 49 unit serta kemudahan jalan raya, bekalan elektrik, surau, bangunan pentadbiran dan sebuah dewan.

Beliau berkata, dengan kemudahan yang sedia ada serta dibaik pulih, KIST memulakan pengajian di daerah itu dengan menawarkan empat program diploma yang telah mendapat kelulusan Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi dan Agensi Kelayakan Malaysia (MQA) dengan penempatan 300 pelajar.

''Empat program yang ditawarkan ialah Diploma Sains Kesihatan Persekitaran, Diploma Keselamatan Dan Kesihatan Pekerja, Diploma Sains Senaman Dan Sukan serta Diploma Psikologi,'' ujar beliau.

Menurutnya, program yang ditawarkan itu mampu memberi peluang kerjaya yang cerah sama ada di sektor awam atau swasta.

Beliau menambah, Diploma Sains Senaman dan Sukan yang diperkenalkan itu menjadikan KIST adalah pelopor di peringkat Asia Tenggara dalam melaksanakan program tersebut.

Tambahnya, dalam usaha meningkatkan infrastruktur untuk ke arah menjadi sebuah Kolej Universiti, KIST akan membangunkan beberapa lagi fasa pembangunan dalam tempoh terdekat.

Untuk itu, Mohd. Zulkifle memberitahu, pihaknya memperuntukkan lapan hektar tanah bagi pembangunan kawasan komersial seperti asrama, apartmen kakitangan dan ruang perniagaan.

Sementara itu, menurut beliau, KIST cawangan Terengganu menjalankan program memberi penerangan kepada pelajar tingkatan lima dan enam di sekolah-sekolah menengah di Terengganu mengenai peluang belajar di institusi pendidikan tersebut.

UM Offers Incentives For PhD Candidates To Finish Studies Earlier
August 01, 2009 00:20 AM

PETALING JAYA, July 31 (Bernama) -- Universiti Malaya (UM) will be offering monetary incentives to encourage PhD candidates complete their doctorate studies in less than four years.

Its Vice Chancellor Datuk Dr Ghauth Jasmon said he hoped the incentive would spur the students to strive for greater excellence and thus raise UM's status on the world platform.

He said this at UM's excellence awards presentation ceremony at a hotel here Friday night.

Under the incentive scheme, PhD candidates completing their studies in less than three years would be rewarded RM2,000 while those who took more than three years but not more than four will get RM1,000.

Ten awards were presented at the ceremony among them for teaching, publishing books and one for Most Cited Journal Article.

Sultan Azlan Shah of Perak, who is UM Chancellor, presented the awards.

Also present were Raja Muda Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, who is also UM Pro Canselor and the chairman of UM's board, Tan Sri Arshad Ayub.

-- BERNAMA

UTM students hope to help solve cases with their system
Saturday August 1, 2009
By DESIREE TRESA GASPER

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JOHOR BARU: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) is creating a comprehensive shoeprint database system similar to that seen in the American hit TV series Crime Scene Investigation (CSI).

The database, developed in co-operation with the police, is part of an academic project by the university’s Masters students in forensic science.

Norhidayah Idris, 23, who is working on the system, said it presently held 120 shoe impressions along with colour images of the corresponding shoes.

“Analysing a shoeprint will help determine the height and weight of a suspect and his or her walking pattern or gait,” she said.

Team leader Noorul Huda Abdul Jabar said the database was the brainchild of her seniors, and she had continued the project with Norhidayah and fellow student Mohamad Izzharif Abdul Halim, 23.

“I have been modifying the system since last year and made changes to the final interphase, the registration format and log-in format.

“My seniors had collected about 100 shoe prints and I went to numerous shoe shops in Johor Baru to collect another 20,” she said.

She said her juniors were also helping to collect samples for the database and it was slowly growing.

The project was among those showcased at Johor’s first Science and Technology Exhibition featuring a maze of gadgets and scientific experiments, including DNA research by students from all over the state. UTM also presented a demonstration on fingerprinting technology.

The university’s coordinator for the MSE Forensic Science course, Dr Umi Althon Ahmad, said the police had shown great interest in the database.

“They are lending support by enhancing shoe impressions found at crime scenes so that the prints will be clear when entered into the database,” she said.

She pointed out that professional shoeprint database systems in the market were costly.

“The project is at the research stage and we are constantly improving it,” she said, explaining that it could eventually help the police solve crimes.

At the exhibition’s launch, Johor Education Department director Sufaat Tumin said that the event created a platform for students to experiment with their ideas and get recognition for them.

“It is wonderful to see various organisations working together in this exhibition. We should also focus on solutions to environmental problems,” he added.

Altogether, 15 institutions participated in the exhibition organised by Sunway College Johor Baru and Malaysian Chemical Institution.

The two-day exhibition also featured interactive games, quizzes and a fashion show featuring environment-friendly materials.

INTIi-UC The First To Offer Traditional Chinese Medicine Degree In M'sia
July 31, 2009 16:59 PM

NILAI, July 31 (Bernama) -- INTI University College (INTI-UC) will be the first Malaysian educational institution in the country to be given approval by the Higher Education Ministry to run a degree programme in Chinese traditional medicine in September.

INTI-UC president Prof Dr Lee Fah Onn said the Bachelor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Hons) degree programme, which combined the western and eastern curriculum, provided students with a strong foundation in Chinese traditional medicine.

"It combines the basic, classic and professional traditional Chinese medicine to health care taught by Chinese traditional medicine practitioners from Malaysia and China," he told a news conference here Friday.

He said it was a four-year programme comprising 151 credit hours, spanning 10 semesters of full-time study in Malaysia and two months internship locally, followed by five months internship in China at the Shanghai University of Chinese Medicine or Beijing University of Chinese Medicine.

The programme will be taught in English with some basic in Mandarin.

Lee added that the programme also featured 1,200 hours of clinical training for greater practical exposure and a strategic alliance had been forged with the Negeri Sembilan Chinese Maternity Hospital and Medical Centre for the students' practical training.

"There are currently three government hospitals and two private hospitals that have dedicated traditional and complementary medicine wings and the government has announced that it will increase the number of government hospitals with traditional and complementary medicine to six.

"The programme is linked with established universities in Chine -- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine -- where both universities are recognized by the Public Service Department Awam and the Health Ministry for transfer options.

"Both universities have signed an MoA on the 3+2 transfer programme arrangement," he said.

-- BERNAMA

Curtin Sarawak (www.curtin.edu.my/ ) To Collaborate With SBC For Biovalley Park Project
July 31, 2009 18:03 PM

MIRI, July 31 (Bernama) -- Curtin University of Technology Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) is looking forward to collaborating with the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC) in the development of the university's BioValley Park.

Curtin Sarawak Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor Dr Joan Gribble said the RM15 million BioValley Park was currently being developed on a four hectare site at the campus here.

"As we will be managing the BioValley Park, any assistance or advice the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre can provide towards its establishment and management would be most beneficial," she said in a statement to Bernama Friday.

The statement came following a visit by SBC chief executive officer Dr Rita Manarung and senior research officer Dr Yeo Tiong Chia to the university recently.

Dr Gribble, along with Curtin Sarawak's chief operating officer, James Ng, dean of research and development Dr Kaniraj Jeyachandran and dean of engineering and science Dr Yudi Samyudia, led some 30 academics to welcome the SBC representatives.

She said the SBC could offer great assistance in the university's Borneo Studies programme which is being developed at its campus here.

"I think there is great opportunity for collaboration, such as resea rch in biodiversity, the environment and preservation of cultures," she added.

The BioValley Park project was launched by Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud during the university's 10th anniversary celebration in April.

The site works for the first phase is currently underway and it is expected to boost research and development and knowledge accumulation in meeting the state's technological needs, particularly for the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (Score).

Meanwhile, Dr Manarung said the SBC was involved in implementing bioprospecting programmes in Sarawak's indigenous biodiversity, documentation of traditional knowledge on communities' use of biodiversity and regulating biodiversity research with commercial potentials.

She added that the SBC was also into propagating indigenous plants for conservation and appreciation, developing Sarawak biodiversity databases and networking with organisations who share similar interests.

"Though biodiversity is a very broad field, there are areas where our activities and functions can complement each other," she added.

Dr Yeo meanwhile touched on the SBC's research and development programme which focused on the development of biological resources that had been discovered for commercial products such as nutraceuticals, cosmetics, pharmaceutical drugs and herbal therapies.

-- BERNAMA

Organise Multiracial Activities Call To M'sian Students Abroad
August 02, 2009 22:53 PM
From Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anwar

MELBOURNE, Aug 2 (Bernama) -- Malaysian students overseas have been advised to organise activities of a multiracial nature involving all Malaysian communities.

Malaysian International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed, who made the call, said many activities organised by these students were confined to certain groups.

"There is a need to organise more activities involving all Malaysian communities and every individual must be sincere and have respect for one another," he told Bernama Sunday after attending a forum with about 100 Malaysian students in Australia, at Malaysia Hall.

Mustapa urged the Malaysian mission to play an active role in disseminating relevant information to the students and to help organise activities involving all Malaysian communities.

At the forum, Mustapa replied to questions from the students on political and economic developments in Malaysia, as well as the 1Malaysia concept and the Internal Security Act (ISA).

He said many of the students understood the 1Malaysia concept but there were a few who had a vague idea of it as they followed discussion on the concept only through articles in the media.

Mustapa is heading a trade and investment mission organised by the ministry, the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (Mida) and the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade).

Mida director-general Datuk Jalilah Baba, Matrade deputy chief executive officer (trade promotion) Dr Wong Lai Sum and the Malaysian high commissioner to Australia, Datuk Salman Ahmad, also attended the forum.

Govt extends housemanship for medical grads
Mon, 03 Aug 2009

PUTRAJAYA (Aug 03, 2009) : The Health Ministry has extended the duration of housemanship for medical graduates to two years to ensure they start off their career as a medical doctor on a strong footing, Director-General of Health Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said.

He said previously the housemanship duration was only for a year in three compulsory disciplines in either medicine, paediatrics, surgery or medicine, surgery and obstetrics and gynaecology (O&G) - with four months in each posting.

Now it was compulsory for them to be trained in six disciplines namely general medicine, paediatrics, surgery, orthopaedics, O&G and emergency medicine with four months in each postings over a period of two years, he said at a seminar on Housemanship training in Malaysia, here.

Mohd Ismail said all housemen would be employed on scale UD41 (RM1,999-RM5,317) and upon successful completion of their housemanship training, they would be confirmed in service and promoted to UD44 (RM3,028- RM5,570)scale.

He said every housemanship would be guided, monitored and assessed by specialists not only on their knowledge and skills but also their attitudes towards the profession.

"If their performance was not up to the standard, the period of training could be extended," he said.

He said at present the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) recognised 366 medical colleges both local and overseas and they collectively produced about 4,000 doctors annually.

Mohd Ismail said he had instructed the specialists to "take extra efforts to teach and train their housemen properly and with civility."

He said a recent study in 28 general hospitals revealed that 67.8% of the trainee doctors found their training highly stressful and 53% had sometimes thought of quitting because they could not cope with the stress.

The survey also showed that the highest level of stress encountered was related to working hours and workload and 30 to 40% of them did not have time for social or recreational activities, 21.8% required counselling and 5.8% needed specific treatment, he added. -- Bernama

RM310.5m for facilities in rural schools
Tuesday August 4, 2009

BENTONG: The Government has allocated RM310.5mil for facilities in rural and remote schools this year.

Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Puad Zarkashi said the facilities included water and electricity supply, new school buildings and computer rooms.

“We give priority to such schools as many of them, especially in the interior of Sabah and Sarawak, lack facilities, including water and electricity supply,” he said after launching the eLearning Programme at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sulaiman here recently.

The facilities would enable students to learn in comfort and not lag in educational development, he said.

Due to the location of these schools, the projects could only be implemented in stages, he added. — Bernama

Unimap muncul Universiti ke-14 terbaik

KANGAR 3 Ogos - Universiti Malaysia Perlis (Unimap) muncul sebagai pusat pendidikan tinggi ke-14 terbaik di rantau Asia Tenggara berdasarkan penarafan yang dilakukan oleh sekumpulan penyelidik terbesar dari Sepanyol, Webometric Lab.

Berdasarkan universiti tempatan pula, Unimap menduduki tempat ketiga terbaik selepas Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) dan Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM).

Naib Canselor Unimap, Datuk Profesor Dr. Kamarudin Hussin berkata, sebagai universiti baru yang ditubuhkan tujuh tahun lalu, kedudukan ke-14 terbaik Asia Tenggara merupakan perkara yang boleh dibanggakan.

Katanya, bagi kategori universiti teknikal pula Unimap berada di kedudukan terkehadapan meninggalkan universiti teknikal lain seperti Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Universiti Teknikal Melaka (UTeM) dan Universiti Tun Hussien Onn (UTHM).

''Meskipun Unimap tidak muncul sebagai universiti terbaik tetapi pencapaian ini sesuatu yang membanggakan berikutan Unimap mampu meninggalkan universiti-universiti terkemuka lain seperti Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) dan Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).

''Saya amat berpuas hati dengan pencapaian terbaru ini memandangkan berdasarkan penarafan terakhir Webometric tahun lalu, Unimap berada pada kedudukan terbawah," katanya dalam kenyataan di sini hari ini.

Penarafan Webometric dibuat dua kali setahun oleh Cybermetric Lab iaitu sebuah kumpulan penyelidik terbesar dari Sepanyol berdasarkan analisis kuantitatif laman web sesebuah universiti dan kandungan yang diperoleh dari Internet.

Kamarudin berkata, kejayaan itu adalah hasil inisiatif dan sokongan semua pihak bagi menaik taraf dan melancarkan laman web Unimap baru dengan paparan yang yang lebih menarik, mudah diakses dan pantas.

''Unimap sentiasa berusaha untuk mewujudkan rangkaian capaian laman web yang mesra pelanggan dan pada masa sama tidak memerlukan masa menunggu yang lama untuk mengakses," ujarnya.

Pilot Project Extended with Malaysia’s Ministry of Education
INTEL INVOLVED EMPLOYEE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM RAISES NEARLY QUARTER-MILLION DOLLARS FOR EDUCATION IN MALAYSIA

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/8366/intel01.jpg

Dato' Dr. Craig Barrett, Chairman of Intel Corp interacting with
the students of SMK Datuk Haji Ahmad Badawi, Kepala Batas

KEPALA BATAS, Penang, Malaysia – Proving there is truth to the adage, “time is money,” Intel Corporation Chairman Craig Barrett presented the Malaysia Ministry of Education (MoE) with a check of nearly a quarter-million dollars toward education – the fruits of nearly 60,000 hours of volunteer labor logged last year.

Earmarked for twenty three Malaysian schools, the US$223,950 (RM710,000) was raised by Intel Malaysia employees who donated their time to schools as part of the community-minded Intel Involved Matching Grant Program. Barrett was joined by representatives of the MoE for the presentation that took place at SMK Datuk Haji Ahmad Badawi School in Kepala Batas.

“I am proud of the leadership our employees have shown through this initiative,” said Barrett, who is visiting Malaysia as part of a Southeast Asia trip. “Volunteer efforts tied to education can extend the impact of information and communications technology (ICT) in schools and help advance Malaysia’s social and economic development.”

Barrett also discussed the global benefits of such campaigns, and in the spirit of Intel’s 40th anniversary celebration this year, appealed to the 85,000 employees worldwide to donate 1 million hours of volunteer service toward projects that promote access to education, health care and Internet connectivity. Volunteer hours under the Intel Involved program are matched with grants by the Intel Foundation for schools and qualifying not-for-profit organizations worldwide.
Supporting Barrett’s remarks at the check presentation was Y.Bhg Dr. Salbiah binti Ismail, Director of Educational Technology Division, MoE Malaysia. “ICT plays a very important role in making our education move forward and ensuring the future human development of this country. We in the Ministry of Education put great emphasis on the need to accelerate the transformation of Malaysia’s current education system.”

Intel-MoE e-Learning Collaboration Expands
Complementing today’s events and announcements, Barrett paid a visit to a classroom at the Kepala Batas school and spoke with students and teachers about the benefits of ICT on education. The public school is one of 10 across Malaysia that has taken part in an innovative 1:1 e-learning pilot project. In the 1:1 e-learning model, each student has access to a PC in the classroom for interactive, student-centric learning. Introduced in selected elementary and junior high schools in April 2007, the project equipped one classroom in each school with Classmate PCs. The affordable, full-featured student laptop helps promote learning in part by allowing a teacher or student to share lessons on his or her Classmate PC screen with other Classmate PC screens in the schoolroom.

In addition to the 460 Classmate PCs installed in Standard 4 and Form 2 classes for the project, instructors at the pilot schools go through the Intel® Teach program, which trains teachers on ways to improve education in the classroom through the use of computers and other technology.
“ICT changed my classroom,” said Norhazli Bin Ibrahim, a science teacher at SMK Clifford school in Pahang, one of the schools participating in the initial phase of the 1:1 e-learning pilot project. “My students are more active and interested in their learning. They become more cooperative working as a group. The Classmate PC allows more communications among the students. They are given more chances to use their creativity and innovation to accomplish their projects.”

The pilot’s success has led Intel and the MoE to continue their collaboration with a second phase of the 1:1 e-learning model in more Malaysian schools. Immediate plans include extending the model throughout one entir