Malaysia vs Indonesia Sudah Semakin Parah!!!:ohno::ohno::ohno:


University Insists on Malaysian Ban

Officials of Diponegoro University stood firm on its decision not to admit Malaysian students, even though the Ministry of National Education urged the state-run school to lift the policy.

Agus Naryoso, spokesman for the Semarang university also known as Undip, said that the school had carefully considered all aspects of its decision before its announcement on Tuesday.

Undip rector Susilo Wibowo said that the policy was an expression of “nationalism,” referring to the strained relations between Malaysia and Indonesia, which most recently centered on Malaysia’s attempt to claim a traditional Indonesian dance.

“Never waver in a decision once it’s made. We know the consequences,” Agus said.

The university did say that there were other factors behind the policy. One of them was the belief that slots offered to Malaysians should now go to Indonesian students.

Agus said Undip was already aware of the ministry’s appeal, but he insisted that the university had looked into its decision several times before agreeing to pass it.

Malaysian students began to arrive at Undip 10 years ago, mostly to study medicine. Of the 200 slots reserved in the department for new enrollees, only four are allotted to international students, which go mostly to Malaysians.

An international student in the medicine department is expected to pay a total of close to Rp 200 million ($20,000) in fees throughout their stay at Undip. While Agus acknowledged the hefty sum being paid by the foreigners, he said that Indonesian students were smarter than their Malaysian counterparts and deserved the slots intended for the foreign students.

Undip’s literature and culture departments continue to admit students from India, Thailand, Turkey, the United States and Vietnam.

Arief Rachman, an education expert and professor at the State University of Jakarta, said that several factors can be attributed to the creation of policies.

“[But] it does not help an institution to take an action and decide on a policy based on emotions,” Rachman said.

The Star
Saturday,

Malaysia ranked 11th most preferred study destination
By RICHARD LIM


PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia is currently the world’s 11th most preferred study destination.

The conclusion was based on the fact that 69,154 international students from more than 150 countries have chosen Malaysia as the country they wanted to study in.

With the majority of students coming from Indonesia, China and the Middle East, the new figure was a 26.5% increase from the old count of 50,788, which was recorded on March 31 last year. The ranking was obtained from the Institute of International Education.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the rise indicated that the ministry’s target to have 80,000 international students by 2010 was achievable.

“We’re happy to have 2% of the world’s international student population,” he told reporters yesterday after announcing the National Higher Education Strategic Plan’s progress report.

“Malaysia is now regarded as an emerging contender to attract international students and we will improve our efforts as there will be an estimated eight million international students by 2025.”

The percentage was taken from the Unesco Institute for Statistics.

Mohamed Khaled said the ministry’s drive to liberalise higher education would not result in an influx of foreign institutions.

“Liberalisation does not mean any foreign university can come to Malaysia.

“Rather, it is co-ordinated regulation that encourages healthy competition amongst private institutions.”

The ministry has already given the green light for Newcastle University of Medicine to set up a branch campus at Iskandar Malaysia’s Educity in Nusajaya, Johor.

It is understood that local conglomerates are negotiating with the Korean Maritime Univer-sity, Southampton University, Royal Holloway University, King’s College London, the Univer-sity of Birmingham and Murdoch University to set up branch campuses in Malaysia.

Malaysia ranked 11th most preferred study destination
Saturday August 29, 2009 By RICHARD LIM
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/8/29/nation/4612626&sec=nation

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia is currently the world’s 11th most preferred study destination.

The conclusion was based on the fact that 69,154 international students from more than 150 countries have chosen Malaysia as the country they wanted to study in.

With the majority of students coming from Indonesia, China and the Middle East, the new figure was a 26.5% increase from the old count of 50,788, which was recorded on March 31 last year. The ranking was obtained from the Institute of International Education.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the rise indicated that the ministry’s target to have 80,000 international students by 2010 was achievable.

“We’re happy to have 2% of the world’s international student population,” he told reporters yesterday after announcing the National Higher Education Strategic Plan’s progress report.

“Malaysia is now regarded as an emerging contender to attract international students and we will improve our efforts as there will be an estimated eight million international students by 2025.”

The percentage was taken from the Unesco Institute for Statistics.

Mohamed Khaled said the ministry’s drive to liberalise higher education would not result in an influx of foreign institutions.

“Liberalisation does not mean any foreign university can come to Malaysia.

“Rather, it is co-ordinated regulation that encourages healthy competition amongst private institutions.”

The ministry has already given the green light for Newcastle University of Medicine to set up a branch campus at Iskandar Malaysia’s Educity in Nusajaya, Johor.

It is understood that local conglomerates are negotiating with the Korean Maritime Univer-sity, Southampton University, Royal Holloway University, King’s College London, the Univer-sity of Birmingham and Murdoch University to set up branch campuses in Malaysia.

Interesting news!!!

Malaysia Among Countries With High Percentage Of Youths Pursuing Tertiary Education
August 31, 2009 22:21 PM

PUTRAJAYA, Aug 31 (Bernama) -- Thirty-nine per cent of youths between the ages of 17 and 23 succeed in pursuing tertiary education, making Malaysia among the countries with the highest percentage in this aspect among developing nations, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

He said the percentage needed to be increased while quality of education also should be further improved at tertiary institutions.

"This is the challenge facing us. The government has contributed greatly towards the progress and democratisation of education...I hope student leaders will see tertiary education not solely in the academic aspects, but a test they need to go through," he said when breaking fast with students and student leaders of Sri Satria, a higher learning institution, here Monday night.

Najib said the test was building internal character so that they emerge as as individuals imbued with noble values besides being fired by idealism and ambition towards making their contribution to their race, religion and country.

"This will be the most meaningful education, Not only we become highly learned people, but leaders who can steer our nation to greater success," he said.

In this respect, he said, the government would continue to give focus on education at all levels, from pre-schools to universities, in line with the nation's aim to see higher education institutions develop to become the biggest source of intellectual human capital.

He said the nation's development depended on the quality of its human capital and the people being the pillar of strength for success.

"If we do not have people and leaders of quality, we will not be able to safeguard the independence we have achieved and we will not be able to attain the heights of success we hope for," he said, adding that there were successful countries that failed because they did not manage success properly.

-- BERNAMA

The percentage ratio of student enrolment in primary, secondary and tertiary education will contribute a lot for Malaysia's HDI, yay!!!:banana:

Exactly!!!! :)

Sex education as subject maybe in future, says D-G
2009/08/31 By Joseph Sipalan and Evangeline Majawat
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/articles/12bees/Article/index_html

KUALA LUMPUR: Telling young students about the birds and the bees may be more important than most people realise, according to teachers.

They feel more can be done to educate children about sex to make sure they do not find themselves in unwanted situations such as teenage pregnancy.

National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) president Ha- shim Adnan said yesterday that it was better for schools and teachers to approach the issue openly.

"After all, this is part of life. This is not something that we should hide from the students, thinking that they will discover it when they become adults.

"Sometimes things happen, like (teenage) pregnancy.

"Therefore, it is better to talk about it in detail, in a motherly or fatherly way, so that the children are not left with nowhere to turn to."

Hashim said there was no need for a separate subject on sex education as the present syllabus touches briefly on the topic in subjects such as science, physical education and health. All that was needed, he said, was to expand the teaching of sex education in these subjects.

However, some people want the authorities to go a step further and make sex education a mandatory subject.

An English teacher, who requested anonymity, said students needed to learn how to protect themselves from sexually-transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies.

"As a teacher, I want to teach my students about safe sex.

"However, I could be expelled as I would be looked upon as encouraging immoral activities," said the teacher, explaining that the level of sex education in schools was at the discretion of the principal.

Yesterday, the New Sunday Times reported on a National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) survey that showed a high level of ignorance among students and young adults about basic sexual and reproductive health.

Half of the 1,700 respondents, aged between 13 to 24 years old, did not know how babies were born, while two out of five did not know where the foetus developed.

A separate study done by Universiti Malaya in 2006 showed 25 per cent of the 2,005 girls surveyed believed they could get pregnant by sleeping next to a man.

Ten per cent had also said a woman would not get pregnant if she was not turned on during sex, while 47 per cent did not know the answer.

Education director-general Tan Sri Alimuddin Mohd Dom said there were no plans to introduce sex education as a subject.

He said the issue was covered in subjects such as biology, moral and Islamic studies.

"We have a set curriculum now and we can't just change it.

"We will take note and if many quarters bring it up, we will consider it ... perhaps in the future," he said when contacted.

40% of youths getting higher education in Malaysia now


PUTRAJAYA: The younger generation today should consider themselves lucky for the many opportunities to pursue quality higher education at minimal costs, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Najib said about 39% of those aged 17 to 23 now had the opportunity to study locally and the percentage was the highest among developing nations.

It was also among the cheapest in developing nations, he added. “But the government’s efforts will not stop here,” he promised during a Buka Puasa function at his official residence here yesterday.


Raya cheer: Najib giving away Raya goodies to the orphans as Rosmah looks on at Sri Satria in Putrajaya Monday. — Bernama

At the function, attended by vice-chancellors and students leaders from 18 universities nationwide, the Prime Minister and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor also handed out Hari Raya goodies to about 50 orphans from the Nur Hikmah Home in Kajang.

Cabinet: UM's Indian Studies Dept stays
Wednesday, 02 September 2009 22:51

PUTRAJAYA: The Indian Studies Department of Universiti Malaya, the nation's premier university, will not be re-named and would be headed by a qualified Malaysian Indian, the Cabinet decided today.

Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S Subramaniam, the sole Indian representative in the Cabinet, said the Cabinet was against the department's name change, as proposed by several quarters.

He said the Cabinet had also directed the Higher Education ministry to ensure that an eligible Malaysian Indian headed the department.

"These two important decisions, it is hoped, will put a stop to all speculation on the status of the department, and who would head it," he told reporters before meeting his ministry's training providers here today.

The issue surfaced early last month, when the university decided to appoint a non-Indian to head the department.

This was strongly criticised by the Malaysian Indian community and the MIC.

The university authorities were also mulling a name change to the department after several proposals. — Bernama

Bina Darulaman wins RM330m job


PETALING JAYA: Bina Darulaman Bhd has received an interim letter of acceptance for the construction of a campus for Kolej Universiti Insaniah in Kedah worth RM330mil from the Works Ministry.

The company said in a filing with Bursa Malaysia that the project was scheduled for completion in three years from the date of site possession, which is Sept 14. In a separate filing, the company said it had accepted a term financing-i of RM60mil from Affin Islamic Bank Bhd to redeem all its outstanding RM60mil murabahah commercial papers.

Management & Science University, Shah Alam

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2674/3881963192_8097f5779e_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3507/3881963936_f13889cfb8_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2558/3881964660_fa185ca97f_o.jpg
MSU

Sarawak council to monitor quality of early education
Thursday September 3, 2009

KUCHING: Sarawak has set up an Early Childhood Education Development Council to monitor the quality of pre-school education in the state.

Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Human Resource and Training) Datin Fatimah Abdullah said the establishment of the council, which she heads, was agreed to by the state Cabinet on Aug 20.

“The council was set up to monitor and evaluate teaching at pre-schools involving children aged below six years,” she told reporters after visiting Yahos Sdn Bhd’s School of Skills here recently.

Fatimah said the council members included the Sarawak Education Department director, Sarawak Community Development Department director, National Integrity and Unity Department director and the director of the Education Services Bureau of Sarawak Islamic Council.

“The council will be empowered to oversee the relevant areas involved in early childhood education such as curriculum, minimum facilities and teacher qualifications,” she said.

Fatimah said that surveys had shown that 39% of Sarawak’s children had received pre-school education at the age of four to six years.

“In the first five months of this year, 63,283 of the 160,700 children aged between four and six years have started pre-school,” she said.

She said the council’s priority was to identify education modules suitable for children attending pre-school in interior and remote areas. — Bernama

Vancouver philantrophist offers Malay Mail readers a chance to free university education in Canada
Teoh El Sen Thursday, September 3rd, 2009 01:40:00
http://www.mmail.com.my/content/12201-vancouver-philantrophist-offers-malay-mail-readers-chance-free-university-education-ca

http://www.mmail.com.my/sites/default/files/imagecache/large/Dean%20Duperron.jpg

Dean Duperron

IT'S true.

A scholarship worth C$100,000 (RM354,609.92) is waiting for you!

All you need to do is send in a 60-90 second video via the Internet outlining “what I would do with a degree/ diploma from Sprott-Shaw College”.

The innovative philanthropic program, Class Act Canada, offers a prize of an all expense paid degree or diploma course at Sprott-Shaw College, the 106-year-old institution with campuses in Canada, Jordan, India, China and Vietnam.
President and CEO of the 106-year-old Sprott-Shaw College, Dean Duperron, had a glimpse of the hopelessness while living on the streets of Vancouver, Canada, which spurred him to launch the million dollar initiative called Class Act Canada, to help build a future for others.


“Sleeping under tarps on construction sites, in alleyways and parking lots while scratching for pennies makes for appreciation of things many take for granted. But my life on the streets in Vancover is nothing compared to the cycle of poverty that plagues millions around the world,” said Duperron.


“I also really hope that we can help some kids from Malaysia through Class Act Canada,” he told the Malay Mail, which has partnered with Class Act Canada to offer its readers this once in a lifetime opportunity.

The top 100 applicant finalists will be identified through a process of online public voting. A second round of public voting will then select the top twenty vote getters.

Audio clips of the same length, or a written submission in English of no more than 200 words, with pictures will also be accepted.

A third round of voting will rank the top twenty.

Judges will then select the top ten Class Act Champions.

The ten deserving students from Canada and around the globe will be awarded an all-expense paid education at a Sprott-Shaw Community College campus in British Columbia, Canada, valued at C$100,000 per scholarship.

Full information and entry details at classactcanada.com

http://www.mmail.com.my/sites/default/files/imagecache/large/CLASS%20ACT%20CANADA_0.jpg

UTM To Use Varsity Boat Race To Promote Sports Among Local Universities
September 03, 2009 15:35 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 3 (Bernama) -- Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), organising the Varsity Boat Race for the third consecutive year, hope to use the event as a brand to promote local universities.

UTM Vice Chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Zaini Ujang said most of the athletes involved in rowing competitions, be it at state, national of international level, were from universities.

"That is the reason why UTM want to introduce rowing as a 'niche sport' for university students in the country. The effort may take a long time though," he told reporters while announcing the "Varsity Boat Race 2009" here Thursday.

Dr Zaini said University of Cambridge and Oxford University in Britain were fine examples as these two varsities have been renown for their involvement in rowing sports for hundreds of years, especially in the Thames River in London.

He added that to further promote the sport, the "Varsity Boat Race" which was previously open for participation from Asean universities, has now been opened to Asian countries like Japan, Taiwan and South Korea.

Dr Zaini said 17 teams from nine Asean countries and three Asian countries would compete in the event to be held at the Watersport Complex in Presint 6, Putrajaya from Oct 5-11.

Among categories to be contested are Men's Singles Scull, Men's Four, Women's Double Scull, Women's Eight, Men's Kayak Double 1,000m and 5,000m, women's Kayak 1,000m and 5,000m.

The nine Asean Universities participating are Burapha University, Chulalongkorn University, Mahidol University (Thailand), Ho Chi Minh University (Vietnam), University of Yangoon (Myanmar), National University of Singapore, University of the Philippines, National university of Laos and Universiti Brunei Darussalam.

-- BERNAMA

-del-

University Malaya KL gate

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/3883/p8040072.jpg (http://img215.imageshack.us/i/p8040072.jpg/)

UM Chancellery Hall (Dewan Tunku Chancelor)

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/9351/p8080098.jpg (http://img4.imageshack.us/i/p8080098.jpg/)

University Malaya Varsity Lake

http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/6254/p8080120a.jpg (http://img190.imageshack.us/i/p8080120a.jpg/)

Universities, Colleges and Schools photos :cheers:
- http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=227625
- http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=192991
Petronas University of Technology
- http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=196756
Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman - UTAR - Kampar Campus
- http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=536094
Asian Institute of Medicine, Science & Technology ‎University
- http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=478847
Taylor's University College Lakeside campus
- http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=908312

^^ Thanks :banana:

Malacca to focus on educational tourism to boost forex earnings
Published: 2009/09/08

THE Malacca government will focus on the potentials of educational tourism as a new market segment to boost foreign exchange earnings.

Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said the state government would grab this opportunity in view of the federal government's move to promote Malaysia as a regional centre for educational excellence.

"In this context, tourist arrivals to Malaysia are expected to increase at an average rate of 8.4 per cent annually and reach 24.6 million visitors by the year 2010.

"Thus, revenue from the tourism sector is expected to increase at an average rate of 13.9 per cent to RM59.4 billion in 2010 for the whole tourism products," Mohd Ali said at the Monthly Gathering of the Malacca Government Administration organised by the Universiti Teknikal Malay-sia Melaka (UTeM) at the Dataran Seri Negeri, Ayer Keroh, Ma-lacca, yesterday.

Mohd Ali said over the last 10 years since 1999, Malacca had received 40.1 million visitors comprising 29.5 million domestic tourists and 10.5 million foreigners.

Following the rise in tourist arrivals, Malacca had recorded an increase in tourism revenue from RM1.2 billion in 1999 to RM3.6 billion last year. - Bernama

Malaysian is top English student at London varsity
Tuesday September 8, 2009
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/9/8/nation/4670488&sec=nation

KUALA LUMPUR: A 21-year-old has done Malaysia proud when she was adjudged top student in English at the University of London’s Queen Mary College recently.

Adelina Raisa Sufian, who obtained a Bachelor of Arts (English) degree with first class honours, won the coveted 2009 Westfield Trust Prize for outstanding academic achievement in English at the university last month.

Commenting on her achievement, Adelina attributed her success to encouragement from her parents, businessman Datuk Sufian Majid and Datin Alissa Fitri.

“I set a target throughout my study,” she said. “Most importantly, we must have the determination and confidence to succeed.

“I am glad that I was able to compete with native speakers of English, as well as students from other countries,” she told Ber- nama.

Adelina, who is also an accomplished pianist, has represented Queen Mary College in choir and mathematics competitions.

While pursuing higher education at the Oakham School, Britain, in 2004, she won the Headmaster’s Prize and was adjudged top student in Mathematics, English and Chemistry.

On her future, Adelina said she planned to write, pursue a Master’s degree and work in Malaysia.

“I love my country,” she added.

UniMAP To Publish Book On Perlis History
September 12, 2009 11:57 AM

KANGAR, Sept 12 (Bernama) -- Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) will publish a seven-series book on the history of Perlis based on researches conducted by its staff since two years ago.

The manuscript for the first series of the book, entitled "Perlis, Selayang Pandang, was unveiled by the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail, at a Ihyak Ramadan programme organised by the university here last night.

The first series, on the inception of the state , is expected to be published by early next year.

UniMAP vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kamarudin Hussin said the university was prompted to publish the book due to the lack of reference books on Perlis history.

Publication of the book would be made in consultation with history expert Prof Datuk Dr Ramlah Adam, he added.

He said the remaining six series of the book on Perlis history would be published in stages with the second on education, politics (third), royal institution (fourth), government and external relations (fifth), economy (sixth) and culture (seventh).

Earlier, the Raja of Perlis, accompanied by the Raja Perempuan of Perlis, Tuanku Tengku Fauziah Abdul Rashid, the Raja Muda of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail, who is UniMAP chancellor, and the Raja Puan Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Hajah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil, broke fast and perform the Tarawih prayers with the university staff.

RM10.3 Million For Kafa Teachers Monthly Allowance
September 11, 2009 17:00 PM

PENANG, Sept 11 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Islamic Development Development (Jakim) has allocated RM10.3 million for the monthly allowance of 6,000 supervisors and teachers of Al-Quran and Fardu Ain Classes (Kafa) in Penang.

Jakim's state development officer for Penang Nik Ali Mat Yunus said the amount was for the monthly allowances given to Kafa teachers and supervisors throughout 2009.

He said besides the allowance, the central government had also allocated RM143,000 to fund classrooms and purchase of teaching aids.

"The allowance is part of the government's responsibility towards education and the payment is made through Jakim," he said.

He was speaking at a news conference after cheque presentation ceremony to 22 non-Muslim places of worship worth RM60,000 at the State Development Office, here on Friday.

-- BERNAMA

UMS medical hosp plan
Published on: Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Kota Kinabalu: The Ministry of Higher Education is giving priority to Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) to set up its medical hospital under the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP).

Its Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Khaled Nordin said the university has a medical faculty and has applied to the Ministry for a hospital.

"The Ministry supports the UMS application to be considered under the 10th Malaysia Plan," he said, after a working visit to the institute of higher learning on Monday.

The hospital, according to him, would be slightly different compared to normal government-run hospitals.

The university-managed hospital, he said, would also be carrying out experiments on patients admitted to it.

On its location, he said it is the prerogative of the university to determine where it would be situated but added it would be built within Kota Kinabalu.

There would be also specialists stationed in the university hospital, he said, pointing out that it would basically be a teaching hospital.

On other developments, Khaled said the UMS' position in the region should enable it to attract students from Brunei and Kalimantan to pursue their studies here.

So far, he said there are 400 foreign students taking up majors in various disciplines. "We believe that UMS would enhance its efforts to increase its number of international students," he said.

The university with its strength in several notable areas, he said, is also focusing on excellence.

Among its centres of excellence is the Marine Borneo Centre that is carrying out studies on producing fish fries of various types to meet the nation's demands.

He said if they are successful in their endeavour, it would greatly assist the nation in the context of having adequate fish fry supplies.

Khaled also hoped that UMS would formulate a programme to attract students to take up science study programmes in the university.

He said it is also important that the university give more opportunity to students from Sabah to major in science.

Because it does not involve financial implications on the part of the Ministry, UMS could almost immediately commence the programme.

"The university can do it on a small scale and see how it could be done as a pilot project," he said.

Hopefully, it would attract students from Sabah to go into science and technology. Also present were Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kamaruzaman Ampon.

http://xtive.utusan.com.my/tools/utusan/update_gambar/khatam-quran.jpg

Sebahagian daripada 4,000 murid Sekolah Rendah Agama (SRA) serta Kelas al-Quran dan Fardhu Ain (KAFA) Wilayah Persekutuan membaca kitab suci al-Quran pada majlis Khatam al-Quran SRA dan KAFA di Masjid Wilayah Persekutuan semalam. - BERNAMA

Universities: Global aspirations
2009/09/13 By Nurjehan Mohamed
www.unikl.edu.my/

http://www.nst.com.my/articles/20090913005539/pix_topright

(From left) Nur Hazwan Shariful Azman, Ahmad Fadzil Rosedi, Mohd Zulkifli
Ramli and Idris Nasruddin were stoked about representing Malaysia

Universiti Kuala Lumpur hopes to ignite enthusiasm and ambition for the future in its students by exposing them to international competitions, writes NURJEHAN MOHAMED

AHMAD Helmi Abu Kassim had never been one to plan much for the future.

But that changed when the Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology student represented Malaysia at the 27th International Symposium on Space and Science in Japan earlier this year.

He was one of 10 students selected to present a research paper — and was the only diploma student to do so; the others were doing their degree or master’s.

“It was a momentous occasion for me and I was nervous during the presentation,” says Ahmad Helmi.

He was elated when he was offered to continue his research in Europe under the supervision of the European Space Agency.

“I was also surprised when Dr Shigeru Aso from Kyushu University asked me to do my doctorate there, not realising that I haven’t even got a degree yet,” he says.

Being surrounded by PhD holders in their 30s was an inspiring experience for the 22-year-old who has now set out a five-year plan for himself which includes pursuing his degree at UniKL, going to the International Space University in France for his master’s and Kyushu University for his doctorate.

He adds that delegates from the world powers of aerospace were already discussing being ready for space warfare in addition to space exploration and it saddened him that Malaysia is not at that level yet.

“I want to enhance the growth of the aerospace industry in Malaysia,” says Ahmad Helmi, adding that if Mohd Azemi Mohd Noor Ahmad Helmi Abu Kassim Rosly Ahmad Nurhana Mohammed Tamin Global aspirations (From left) Nur Hazwan Shariful Azman, Ahmad Fadzil Rosedi, Mohd Zulkifli Ramli and Idris Nasruddin were stoked about representing Malaysia aviation is a feasible study option here, aerospace is the logical next step to take.

Ahmad Helmi’s enthusiasm and aspiration for the future is exactly what UniKL hopes to ignite in its students by exposing them to international competitions.

“We are still young in terms of years that we have been around,” says corporate communication division general manager Rosly Ahmad, “but that doesn’t stop us from being innovative and adventurous.” The university aims to provide platforms to employees and students to excel in their fields — and for students this means exposure to international competitions where possible.

“They are the leaders of tomorrow and if we don’t give them the opportunity to try out things, they will be nothing more than listeners and followers,” says Rosly.

The experience students get participating in international competitions gives them a chance to know where they stand internationally and to network with peers from around the world.

In a globalised world, students should not just be looking to excel in Malaysia but to also be marketable internationally.

Deputy president (Academic and Technology) Professor Mohd Azemi Mohd Noor says that students should have the confidence, commitment and ability to compete with peers who may be senior to them.

“Being innovative and creative will also give them an added advantage in a competitive work environment,” he adds.

These skills, however, are not easily gained in a classroom, workshop or laboratory but from the environment you are in.

“As a new university we need to be part of the globalisation process — we just cannot live in isolation, we must expose our staff and students in university to the outside world,” he says.

Nurhana Mohammed Tamin, a final-year student in Data Communication at UniKL British Malaysian Institute, was the only Malaysian to compete in the 2009 Worldwide Competition on Microsoft Office earlier this year.

She was selected to participate after scoring full marks in the national competition in July.

“I had joined the competition without knowing what it was really about,” she says, adding that it was her friends who roped her into the contest.

Representing Malaysia at the competition in Toronto, Canada was an exciting experience for the 21-year-old.

“It was a different feeling taking part in the competition over there with peers from many other countries,” she says.

While she may not have won the international event, she values the experience as an opportunity to learn what she needs to improve on and the chance to meet students from other nations.

For UniKL Malaysian Institute of Chemical and Bioengineering Technology (Micet) final-year students Nur Hazwan Shariful Azman, Ahmad Fadzil Rosedi, Mohd Zulkifli Ramly and Idris Nasruddin, representing Malaysia at the recent International Chem E Car Competition in Montreal, Canada was an honour in itself.

“We didn’t win the international competition — there were some modifications that were required at the last minute that we couldn’t make,” says Idris. “But the experience was great.” Held in conjunction with the 8th World Congress of Chemical Engineering, the students were also able to get a lot of information on the Chemical Engineering field, meet industry players and explore employment and further education opportunities.

The boys are proud of the fact they were the sole representatives of Malaysia — and the Asean region — there.

“It gave us the chance to see how we rate among others in the same line,” he adds.

The university’s stand on encouraging their students to have international exposure seems to be reaping benefits too.

Idris has been awarded a scholarship to pursue his postgraduate studies at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia — despite not having completed his Bachelor of Chemical Engineering Technology (Hons) in Process yet.

The 26-year-old is among only 10 per cent of more than 7,000 applicants from around the world offered a place, an achievement that Rosly says is a remarkable one.

“We are very proud of these student leaders,” Rosly says.

Previously, UniKL would have been seen as a fallback institution, he says, but now it is starting to show what its students can do.

Austrian Students Impressed With Malaysia
September 15, 2009 17:32 PM

KANGAR, Sept 15 (Bernama) -- Austrian students are impressed by the harmony shown by the multi-racial society and the nation's commitment to unity via the 1Malaysia concept.

Erwin Ulreich, 37, who speaks Malay was impressed with Malaysia as its harmonious multi-racial society was unique.

"This is hard to find. I am impressed with the 1Malaysia concept," Ulreich said after an audience with the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail at Istana Arau here Tuesday.

The engineering student was among 29 students of University of Applied Sceinces Krems, Austria who had an audience with the Raja of Perlis.

The group was led by EU-Asean-NAFTA acting deputy director of Export Studies Prof Dr Anis Bajrektarevic who is also lecturer in International Law/Global Political Studies at the university.

Sandra Njeri Gitau, 22, was also impressed with Malaysians who could live in peace and harmony.

Alexaudra Wohlesser, 23, was fascinated with the culture and close racial ties forged by Malaysians.

Meanwhile, Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) Vice Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kamarudin Hussin said the Austrian students were in Perlis to conduct a comparative study between the agriculture sectors of Malaysia and Thailand.

-- BERNAMA

UM

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http://akitek.wordpress.com/2009/09/15/new-malaya-university-hall

UM

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Looks like it's around here on Federal Highway?

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/52/132968984_df2172f205_o.jpg

^^yeap currently under construction....tapi tak surelah yang ini ke...

UKM
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New allied health college
Sunday September 13, 2009

THE Integrated College of Allied Health & Nursing (ICAN) recently held its soft opening at its campus in Pandan Indah, Kuala Lumpur.

The event was officiated by Health Ministry Training Management Division deputy under-secretary Nik Noraihan Thani Nik Hassan Thani (pic) on behalf of Deputy Health Minister Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin.

The ceremony also included the launching of the college’s official logo and a tour of the college’s facilities and laboratories by Nik Noraihan, who was accompanied by Prima Gading Corporation Sdn Bhd chairman Datuk Syed Ariff Fadzillah Syed Awalluddin and the college chief executive Kamariah Ali.

Prima Gading, the education investment holding company that owns the college, is currently offering four programmes, which are fully approved by the Higher Education Ministry and the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA).

They are the Diplomas in Physiotherapy, Pharmacy and Nursing respectively, as well as the Intensive English Programme.

The college also plans to offer a Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology, Foundation in Science and Certificate in Science in the near future.

Students will undergo clinical training at nine government hospitals in Pahang, while discussions with a number of private hospitals and medical centres for the same are underway.

Syed Ariff said that the college will move forward by emphasising quality and professionalism in all its undertakings as a private higher education institution.

LUCT students get widget-y
Friday August 28, 2009

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 15 teams of students from the Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (LUCT) will take part in the first Nokia Mobile Widget Wizard Contest 2009 finals.

These 15 teams were selected from over 30 teams, comprising three students each, who submitted their initial designs on paper last month.

The finalists have to develop their concepts into fully functional widgets by the Sept 14 deadline.

A widget is graphical interface that sits on a computer, a handheld or a mobile phone’s screen, that provides a single interaction point for the user.

The winners will be announced on Sept 24 on the Limkokwing website and the prize-giving ceremony will be held in October at one the Limkokwing campuses that has yet to be determined.

The objective of the contest is to showcase the skills of LUCT students in developing locally-relevant and commercially-viable widgets for the Nokia N97 smartphone in Malaysia.

The winners may also get the chance to see their work showcased at Nokia publicity events, advertorials, and their applications may be offered for download via Nokia’s online application store, Ovi Store.

Nicholas Foo, technical manager of Forum Nokia Asia Pacific said that there is a whole pool of talent in local universities that could create commercial applications.

He added that Nokia would consider opening the competition up to other schools next year.

The widgets were based around three themes —entertainment, personal information management and social networking. — STEVEN PATRICK

Sasaran 85 peratus masuk prasekolah menjelang 2015
Thursday, September 17th, 2009
http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=58388

LIMBANG: Kerajaan berhasrat untuk memastikan 85 peratus anak-anak di seluruh negara mendapat pendidikan prasekolah menjelang 2015, kata Timbalan Menteri Pelajaran Malaysia Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi.

Beliau berkata sasaran itu akan tercapai sepenuhnya dalam tempoh sama apabila cadangan untuk menempatkan guru berkelulusan ijazah untuk mengajar di setiap prasekolah di negara ini dilaksanakan nanti.

“Kita mahu murid-murid tahun satu, dua dan tiga di sekolah rendah mampu membaca dan menulis dengan baik.

“Pada masa ini 85 ribu pelajar tingkatan satu di seluruh negara masih berdepan dengan masalah untuk membaca dan menulis dengan baik,” katanya lagi.

Beliau memberitahu demikian pada majlis berbuka puasa di Sekolah Kebangsaan Lubuk Tekurok di sini malam kelmarin.

Hadir sama ialah Ahli Parlimen Limbang Hasbi Habibollah, Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Bukit Kota Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail, Pegawai Pelajaran Daerah Mohd Dzul Badzli Abdullah, Guru Besar SK Lubuk Tekurok Samsu Jabat dan kenamaan lain.

Menurut Dr Puad, kerajaan sedang melakukan perubahan untuk memastikan anak-anak mendapat pendidikan yang berkualiti dalam usaha melahirkan modal insan berkemahiran pada masa depan.

“Kerajaan sedang berusaha untuk mengurangkan jumlah mata pelajaran yang diambil oleh pelajar dalam Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) supaya mereka tidak hanya menumpukan perhatian terhadap peperiksaan semata-mata.

“Selain itu beberapa unit dan jabatan tertentu berhubung perancangan pendidikan luar bandar bakal diwujudkan yang bertujuan memberi tumpuan ke arah meningkatkan pendidikan di kawasan tersebut dari aspek pengajar, bahan, pengisian pembelajaran dan kemudahan lain,” ujar beliau.

Beliau berkata, kerajaan mensasarkan untuk melahirkan 10 ribu sekolah rendah menjadi sekolah kluster yang baik dan cemerlang di negara ini.

Dengan itu, jelasnya, institusi perguruan juga akan ditingkatkan keupayaannya dalam melahirkan guru-guru yang berkualiti.

Dalam pada itu, beliau memberitahu kementerian bakal mewujudkan sebuah lagi kolej matrikulasi di negeri ini yang bakal dilaksanakan dalam Rancangan Malaysia Kesepuluh (RMK10).

Tanpa menyatakan lokasi dan kos keseluruhan kolej tersebut, beliau berharap ia akan memenuhi keperluan pelajar luar bandar yang memasuki kolej tersebut untuk mengikuti bidang yang lebih kritikal termasuk kedoktoran, pergigian dan kejuruteraan.

“Pendidikan adalah perjuangan dan revolusi. Kita yakin sekurang-kurangnya 100 buah sekolah berprestasi tinggi mampu diwujudkan untuk membawa perubahan besar dalam aspek pendidikan negara,” katanya lagi.

Looks like it's around here on Federal Highway?

Yes, it's around there :)

Index-rated private varsities from 2011
Wednesday September 23, 2009

PUTRAJAYA: By the year 2011, prospective students can check on the standing of private universities and university-colleges before enrolling.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said it would be compulsory for all institutions of higher education to participate in the Rating System for Malaysian Higher Education Institutions (Setara) programme next year.

“When I say next year, it means the results will be out the year after,” he said.

He added that some institutions were already voluntarily taking part in the programme this year and the results would be out next year.

“Courses should be under the framework of our Malaysian Qualification Agency, so that the courses offered are really of quality.

“If their courses are not under the framework by next year, they will not be allowed to take in foreign students,” he said, adding that the institutions have been reminded to only allow qualified students to be enrolled.

He added that if their students were not up to mark, this would have an effect on their Setara index and affect the university’s reputation.

Khaled said he was going to take a “total re-look” at institutions of higher education “to make sure that when we transform our public universities, they are not far behind.”

He said the Setara index would be used as a guide by students before enrolling in a particular university.

“We’ve no choice but to concentrate on quality. We want Malaysia to be a hub of higher education. We want first-class mentality students,” he said.

The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus

by luzyana, flickr
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Iban language in universities possible: Jabu
By Conny Banji
http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=58623

http://www.theborneopost.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/000050512.jpg

IT’S ON: Jabu hits the gong to launch Aedil. Looking on at left is Baja while at
second right are Senator Dato Sri Empiang Jabu and Assistant Minister of
Rural Development Datuk Gramong Juna (third right).

Deputy chief minister says it is not impossible as long as community values it and work hard to promote it

SIBU: The aspiration to make Iban language one of courses offered in higher learning institutions is not far if the community is willing to work hard towards achieving that dream, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang.

He said it was not impossible that one day the language would be offered in courses in universities, colleges and Teachers’ Training Institutes as well as becoming the language of commerce, science, art and literature.

Speaking at the launching ceremony of the Association for the Educational Development of the Iban Language (Aedil), Jabu however warned that the Iban language could only earn such a status in society if the community was able to value it.

He said to value the language Iban intellectuals and scholars should join forces to make it well known so as to receive the same recognition as Tamil and Mandarin.

“The Iban language is now an examination subject at both Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) and Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) levels, meaning it is everyone’s responsibility to bring the subject to a higher level until it can stand alongside languages like Tamil and Mandarin,” Jabu said.

Jabu called on every sector of the community to support the educational development of the language by encouraging younger Ibans generation to speak it.

He also called experts to write more books aimed at getting the community to not only learn the language but to arouse in them the love for Iban literature.

He also said that Ibans must master other languages because it could help them to be economically competitive in a globalised environment.

“Besides, being multilingual has been our trademark as Sarawakians are known for being able to speak more than one language,” he said.

Aedil was registered on April 20 this year, a year after the committee held a meeting on the setting up of the association.

It is aimed basically at promoting the educational development of Iban language.

The pro tem committee is headed by president William Baja Jap with Dr Lambat Lindong as deputy.

At the same function, Jabu also announced his and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas’ financial allocation of RM10,000 each.

Among those attending the ceremony were Senator Dato Sri Empiang Jabu, Assistant Minister of Rural Development Datuk Gramong Juna, Sibu Resident Sim Kok Kee and community leader Temenggong Sir Adrian Ringgau.

Miri Resident Dr Ngenang Janggu, Betong Resident Romie Sigan and Sarikei Resident Michael Dawi Alli also attended at the function which was held at a hotel here yesterday.

Kerajaan Johor disyor bangun tanah wakaf jadi akademi AL-Quran
Khamis, 24 September 2009

MUAR: Kerajaan Johor disyor membangunkan sebahagian daripada tanah wakaf yang tidak digunakan di setiap kawasan Parlimen sebagai akademi Al-Quran.

Naib Ketua UMNO Bahagian Pagoh, Hata Mohd, berkata cadangan itu selaras dengan program membudayakan Al-Quran di masjid dan surau yang diperkenalkan oleh kerajaan negeri itu sejak lebih satu dekad lalu.

"Dengan kewujudan akademi ini, masyarakat Islam terutama golongan muda akan berpeluang mendalami Al-Quran sama ada secara sepenuh masa atau secara berkala," katanya di sini.

Katanya, terdapat banyak kawasan tanah diwakafkan untuk tanah perkuburan terbiar dan tidak digunakan sedangkan ia boleh dimanfaatkan untuk kemajuan umat Islam.

Beliau percaya jika akademi seumpamanya dikendalikan oleh Majlis Agama Islam Johor (MAIJ), ia akan memberi peluang kepada generasi muda mendalami dan memahami Al-Quran.

Selain mendapatkan pembiayaan MAIJ, penganjur boleh mewujudkan tabung khas untuk mengumpul dana daripada dermawan dan Yayasan Islam Antarabangsa. - Bernama

Varsities worry over rating plan
2009/09/26 By Kristina George

PUTRAJAYA: Private higher education institutions (PHEIs) are having mixed feelings about the push for the rating system for higher education institutions (Setara) programme, which will be made compulsory next year.

Malaysian Association of Private Colleges and Universities president Dr Parmjit Singh said although most PHEIs did not have a problem with this, some were worried that it would not be administered fairly.

"In any assessment programme, there is a form of subjectivity and this is what's worrying some institutes.

"The private (education) sector is diverse and some feel it would be unfair to rate smaller institutes with more established ones as well as public universities using the same yardstick."

He said private universities and colleges had voiced this concern to the Higher Education Ministry.

However, Parmjit, the Asia Pacific University College of Technology and Innovation executive director, was pleased that the ministry was pushing for excellence and quality education in the country through Setara.

"This is a good thing. There is nothing to fear if you believe in delivering quality education."

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Khaled Nordin announced recently that Setara would be made compulsory for all higher education institutes, including the private sector, in May.

The ministry will release this year's Setara results in April.

He said this was in line with making Malaysia a glo-bal education hub and to improve the quality of education here.

He also told the private sector not to fear the programme as it would not function as a ranking system but instead as a rating system, which would give parents the choice to send their children for higher education based on the strength of the institution in certain fields.

The courses offered by each private institute would undergo a quantitative survey where data collected would be analysed based on academic staff, student selectivity, research, academic programmes, resources and ma-nagement.

Curtin students raise funds for solar power project
Sunday, September 27th, 2009 By Lucas Jalong Bato

MIRI: Curtin University of Technology Sarawak Campus students are aiming to raise RM6,000 for a solar power project in Ulu Baram via a musical event entitled ‘The Circus’ on Oct 18.

The students are members of the John Curtin Leadership Academy (JCLA), an elite group trained by the university to be effective leaders.

Launched in July last year, the RM20,000 solar power project aims to provide the rural village of Long Makaba with electricity that will serve as a catalyst for future development.

It involves installing a solar energy harnessing system at its cultural centre, the hub of a fledgling tourism and cottage industry the villagers are developing as an added source of income for the community.

Once implemented, the project is expected to save the community about RM100,000 in energy costs each year.

JCLA has organised a number of fundraising events since August 2008 to fund the project.

‘The Circus’ will be held at the university’s recreation and events centre at 7pm.

Event coordinator Gerain Chan said ‘The Circus’ promises to be a fun and rewarding event for the students involved as well as the audience.

“We students are happy to help our local communities, particularly those in the interior, and what better way to help the Long Makaba folk develop their community than to provide them with a cheap, sustainable energy resource such as solar power,” he said.

‘The Circus’ will feature a variety of dance and musical performances by Curtin Sarawak student groups, as well as students of local secondary schools and a special performance by the Miri Orchestra and Choir Society (MOCS).

“The MOCS’ recent ‘Devoted to You’ concert at Pustaka Miri was a huge success and we hope their presence will add glitter to our charity event,” said Chan.

Tickets for ‘The Circus’ are available from Shahul Hameed (013-8331415) or Kairul Azhar (017-6243897).

JLCA is a leadership and community ambassador programme developed by Curtin to groom young leaders.

It promotes the core values of vision, leadership and community service expounded by former Australian prime minister John Curtin, who is regarded as one of the country’s most successful leaders and after whom the university is named.

E- Learning Portal To Generate 30 Percent Of Kenshido's Group Revenue
September 27, 2009 10:20 AM By Santhia Panjanadan

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 27 (Bernama) -- Kenshido International Sdn Bhd, the first local company to embark on online education (webucation) in 1999, is optimistic its recently launched e-learning portal for Form Four and Form Five students, will contribute 30 per cent of the group's revenue by December.

Launched end-August, the company is confident the new product will contribute 40 per cent to group's profitability next year.

"We can achieve this target as there is an untapped market of about 500,000 Form Four and Form Five students.

"Parents also place major emphasis on their childrens' education and on them obtaining good grades in public examinations, therefore the e-learning portal is a hit among students and parents," said Kenshido President and Chief Executive Officer, Jason Kok Min Chong in an exclusive interview with Bernama.

He said the company invested about RM1 million to develop the objective format product and would invest further to develop a subjective format by the first quarter of 2010.

Kenshido's E-Learning programme prepares students to be exam ready and in the last 10 years have churned out thousands of straight A's students in the UPSR and PMR examinations.

The educational company sells its products through the multi-level-marketing (MLM) system and has more than 40,000 active distributors nationwide.

Jason said about RM5 million has been invested in developing a similar portal for Standard One to Form Three students the last ten years.

"Overall, with the increase in revenue, the number of distributors would certainly multiply," he added.

On the market outlook for the e-learning business, Jason said he forsees least competition.

"To gain public acceptance through multi-marketing requires the right strategy and hard work.

"It took us ten years to develop the webucation portals, network and markets that we have today. Therefore, we foresee least competition in this business," he added.

On overall growth for the Kenshido group, Jason is confident revenue for the financial year ending Dec 31, 2009 would increase by 500 per cent.

"We are in our third quarter now and we are already seeing a 300 per cent increase in overall revenue compared with the same period last year.

"And I am confident we can achieve this target by year-end, judging from the speed at which we are moving, the fact that the public examinations are around the corner and the demand for our "Score A" programme portal is already picking up momentum," he added.

The Score A programme portal is endorsed by the Ministry of Education and costs RM596 each, for a six-month subscription. Two students can access the portal at any one time.

The portal contains topics based questions, monthly assessments, trial exams, past year questions for more than 10 years, depending on the subjects.

As for distributors, they can choose to register in three categories namely e-partner for RM1,788, e-entrepreneur for RM5,548 and e-max for RM10,800.

--BERNAMA

Pahang to have second university soon


MENTAKAB: Pahang will have its second university when the permanent campus of the National Defence University Malaysia (UPNM) is built in Kuantan under the 10th Malaysia Plan.

Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said Saturday the university was still in discussion with the Pahang government on all aspects of the construction, including suitable location and construction costs.

He said UPNM selected Kuantan because it had the defence logistics required by the university for its teaching purposes.

"Kuantan was chosen because UPNM needed logistics and facilities from the Armed Forces in one place to facilitate the studies of the students at the university," he told reporters at his Aidilfitri open house here.

Saifuddin said UPNM currently had a temporary campus at the Sungai Besi Camp in Kuala Lumpur with 1,500 students pursuing courses in engineering, science and technology as well as defence management and studies.

"UPNM is aiming for 5,000 students for the new campus in Kuantan where 80 per cent will be cadet officers and the rest, civillians. The figure is the ideal target for UPNM," he said.

On the campus' exact location, Saifuddin said that UPNM and the state government have identified at least two locations but he refused to divulge them.

"What is certain is that the campus needs 400ha of land for its construction and when it is completed, Pahang will have it's second university in addition to Universiti Malaysia Pahang in Pekan," he said.

On another development, Saifuddin said the ministry had yet to receive any report on lecturers using fake doctorate certificates to teach at public institutions of higher learning (IPTA).

He was confident that there was no such occurrence in the IPTAs as they had strict procedures to check the backgrounds of the candidates before employing them as lecturers. - Bernama

RM150 Million Allocated To Permata Programme This Year
September 29, 2009 15:59 PM

PORT DICKSON, Sept 29 (Bernama) -- The government has allocated RM150 million to the Permata Negara early childhood care and education programme this year to upgrade the quality of 478 centres.

The Prime Minister's wife Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor said the programme had been expanded to cover 18,000 children nationwide and suported by 1,200 teachers implementing the Permata curriculum.

"However, this is only 0.5 percent of the 3.4 million children under four years-old. We hope the government will continue to give an allocation for 2010 so that we can expand the Permata programme," she said when visiting the Bagan Pinang Permata Negara centre in Taman Desa Pinang near here today.

Rosmah is policy chairman of the Permata Negara programme.

Those present include Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Jalil, Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Hasan Malek and Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and wife Raja Datin Seri Salbiah Tengku Nujumuddin.

Rosmah said the success of the Permata programme had convinced the government to expand it so that more children under four years-old will benefit.

"I am thankful that the government is sensitive towards quality early education of children in urban and rural areas as it will develop human capital and create a future generation with first class minds."

She also said the Port Dickson District Council had given three terrace houses in Taman Desa Pinang to be used as Bagan Pinang Permata Negara centres.

"Some RM400,000 will be spent on upgrading them. We hope to operate by early November after upgrading by the Public Works Department is completed.

"The Negeri Sembilan State Secretary had made a commitment that upgrading works will be completed in three weeks," she said.

The Permata centre will only be the second to be opened in Negeri Sembilan after the one in Chembong, Rembau.

-- BERNAMA

Limkokwing’s international students experience Malaysian-style Raya
Thursday, October 1st, 2009

KUCHING: Muslim students of Limkokwing Borneo from Nigeria, Sudan and Uzbekistan got to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri in a Malaysian environment this year.The institute arranged for its overseas students of Muslim faith to celebrate Aidilfitri the Malaysian way.

They were brought to the mosque for Syawal prayers before going with other international students to visit Malaysian students and staff from Limkokwing Borneo.

The international students were warmly welcomed in every house they visited and introduced to local delicacies such as the Malay ‘kek lapis’, rendang, satay, ketupat and other authentic traditional Malay dishes.

Nigerian student Aliyu Jibril Yunusa who is undertaking the Anglia Ruskin University degree programme in Computer Science said: “I was initially worried that we wouldn’t be welcomed, as we were literally strangers to everyone we visited.”

They saw warm smiles on the faces of everyone as they were ushered into their homes, which make them feel like they were part of the family.

“To be able to be a part of this during the month of Syawal is truly a humbling experience for me,” he said.

Adamu Dauda, on the other hand, was reminded of the celebrations his friends and family were having back home in Africa.

He said that there were certain similarities between the way Hari Raya was celebrated here and in Africa, such as the way everyone gathered together and shared the feast prepared by family and friends.

Adamu who is undertaking Anglia Ruskin’s Computer Science programme said: “Our celebrations are more like a gathering of many different families, as opposed to visiting individual houses here.”

He said they also commemorate events like horse riding which is celebrated with a large feast of cakes and delicacies.

The Raya celebration was not limited to Muslims as many foreign non-Muslim students went along with their Muslim friends.

The students witnessed first-hand the racial unity of Sarawakians in celebrating Aidilfitri; and the Malay tradition of greeting each other in and asking for forgiveness from family and friends and families.

Sudanese student Peter Duop was amazed to see how Hari Raya is celebrated here.

“I had no idea that the culture of visiting friends and family existed here in Malaysia,” he said.

It was an eye-opener for him to see how everyone, regardless of race and religion, got together and celebrated this festive season together.

“The hospitality I received is something I will tell all my friends and family back home,” Duop said.

All the students were grateful to Limkokwing for the efforts put in to make them feel at home during this festival season — the big smiles on their faces showing their happiness.

“I was sad at first to know that I would not be celebrating Aidilfitri with my family back home but when I learnt of the arrangements made by Limkokwing for us during Aidilfitri, I was touched,” said Abdulrahman Mohammad, a student from Nigeria.

He added: “It felt good to know that even though we were away from our families, the staff from our college was thoughtful and considerate enough to ensure that we celebrate our festival happily, instead of having a lonely Aidilfitri.”

The students were accompanied by their architecture lecturer Kenny Ley during the festive visits. Ley was pleased to see the students enjoying themselves.

“We at Limkokwing Borneo feel that it is important that all our students are well taken care of in every aspect. It is only natural that we think of the students during the festive season and ensure they too feel the festive cheer as they are far away from their homes and families,” he said.

“It was a truly great experience for me to be able to pray at the State Mosque, visit my friends and the staff of Limkokwing Borneo, and taste the traditional food served at every house we went to,” Mohammad Aliyu said, hoping to partake in this activity again.

Limkokwing is a creative destination for the world with students from 15 countries studying at its Kuching campus.

It is a premier institute of higher learning with international standard education.

As a digital innovation hub, Limkokwing Borneo offers British 3+0 Degrees and Diploma courses in Design, Architecture, Communications, Business and Information Technology.

The institute is part of the Limkokwing University of Creative Technology Worldwide network of campuses in seven countries with university partners in 177 countries.

Terengganu kaji henti hantar pelajar perubatan ke Indonesia

KUALA TERENGGANU: Kerajaan Terengganu akan mengkaji semula penghantaran pelajar jurusan perubatan ke Indonesia atas faktor keselamatan berikutan gempa bumi yang sering berlaku di negara itu.

Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pelajaran, Pengajian Tinggi, Sains, Teknologi dan Sumber Manusia Terengganu, Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman, berkata kerajaan negeri sedang mempertimbangkan kemungkinan menghantar pelajar bidang perubatan ke Poland atau Hungary.

"Apa pun keputusan yang bakal diambil nanti, ia adalah yang terbaik untuk pelajar-pelajar kita," katanya kepada pemberita pada Program Semarak Bestari 1Malaysia di Kampung Baru Seberang Takir, di sini, hari ini.

Razif berkata, buat masa ini terdapat seramai 65 pelajar Terengganu sedang menuntut dalam bidang perubatan di 10 buah universiti di Indonesia.

Seorang daripada pelajar berkenaan menuntut di Universitas Andalas di Padang yang mengalami gempa bumi dua hari lepas. Bagaimanapun, pelajar itu terselamat dalam kejadian itu.

Razif berkata, kerajaan negeri akan menghantar rombongan pegawai Yayasan Terengganu ke Indonesia minggu depan untuk melihat aspek keselamatan pelajar di sana.

Dalam perkembangan berkaitan, beliau berkata kerajaan negeri akan meneruskan penghantaran masing-masing 50 pelajar ke Mesir dan ke Rusia untuk melanjutkan pelajaran dalam bidang perubatan tahun ini. - Bernama

New grade of A+ for SPM
Saturday October 3, 2009 By KAREN CHAPMAN

PETALING JAYA: A new grading system for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) will be implemented from this year.

Education director-general Tan Sri Alimuddin Mohd Dom said the change would provide a detailed breakdown of excellent candidates who obtained grade As in the examination.

“The change means there will now be a new grade of A+. Previously, the highest grade possible in the SPM was 1A,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Under the present system, students are graded as 1A, 2A, 3B, 4B, 5C, 6C, 7D, 8E and 9G while the new grades would be from A+ to G (see chart).

Alimuddin said the change was based on feedback from various quarters that the existing system did not provide a more detailed breakdown of excellent students.

“The change in the grading system will enable more qualified candidates to be chosen for training programmes and new scholarships, such as the one announced by the Prime Minister recently,” he said.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said in June that a new category of Public Services Department scholarships would be introduced next year based purely on merit, regardless of race.

Alimuddin said the Cabinet approved the change in the grading system last month.

“This will not affect the examination at all as it only involves a change in the grades given,” he said.

He said school principals have been directed to explain the new grading system to students sitting for the SPM this year.

Australia's Holista Colltech to collaborate with USM
By Presenna Nambiar Published: 2009/10/05

HOLISTA COLLTECH Australia Ltd is confident of turning Malaysia into a halal collagen centre, with its initiative to develop a collagen standardisation with University Sains Malaysia (USM).

"Currently, the development of halal collagen is pretty scattered. Germany is very big in collagen, there is some in China and of course, Australia," Holista Colltech chief executive officer Datuk Dr M Rajen told Business Times recently.

Recently, Holista Colltech signed a collaboration agreement with USM.

The technology to be developed with the university is on enzyme protocols and standardising the process of combining collagen with other materials.

"Besides enhancing the processes (of combining collagen with other materials) it will also be more cost-efficient and effective," Rajen said.

He said the collaboration with USM would mean an ongoing engagement in resources for a significant amount of time from both the country and the company.

As part of its initiatives to develop its ovine collagen-based products, Rajen is confident that it will be able to roll out its first halal food collagen product in the second quarter of 2010.

"Our kacip fatimah anti-aging cream should be out by the first quarter of 2010, so there will be that to look forward to as well, next year," Rajen said.

Holista Colltech recently signed an agreement with University Technology Malaysia (UTM), to license its patent on Kacip Fatimah and anti-aging effects.

The cream which will be co-developed with UTM, will use ovine (sheep) collagen supplied by Holista Colltech.

The first kacip fatimah anti-aging cream is slotted to be on store shelves by February next year.

"From research and development to marketing, we expect to spend some RM2 million to develop the product," Rajen said.

He said there is a huge demand for such formulations, and that its activities have already attracted the interest of foreign parties.

"We are in talks with potential customers in China, which could probably even become a potential investor in collagen," Rajen said.

The company is currently also in talks with a company in India, which runs one of the largest halal abattoirs there, with an eye for a joint venture between the two companies.

MRSM Felda jadi Kolej Tun Abdul Razak
6 Oktober 2009
Oleh AHMAD SYAKIR SAZILI

http://www.kosmo.com.my/kosmo/pix/2009/1006/Kosmo/Negara/ne_09.1.jpg

KOMPLEKS MRSM Felda yang hampir siap sepenuhnya
di Trolak dan bakal digunakan awal Januari 2010.

BEHRANG - Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM) Felda di Trolak dekat sini yang bakal memulakan sesi pengajian pertamanya pada 4 Januari 2010 ini akan dikenali sebagai Kolej Tun Abdul Razak.

Pengerusi Felda, Tan Sri Dr. Mohd. Yusof Noor berkata, penamaan MRSM yang dibina di atas tanah seluas 25 hektar itu dibuat sebagai memperingati peranan dan jasa Perdana Menteri kedua, Allahyarham Tun Abdul Razak Hussein yang juga pengasas Felda.

Bagaimanapun katanya, Kolej Tun Abdul Razak akan menggunakan silibus dan cara pembelajaran yang sama seperti ditawarkan MRSM lain di seluruh negara.

"Subjek yang diajar sama seperti di MRSM lain namun Felda masih berunding dengan pihak Mara supaya kita dapat menambahkan kursus-kursus lanjutan yang bersesuaian, mungkin lebih daripada sukatan mata pelajaran Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM)," katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika ditemui selepas menyempurnakan penganugerahan diploma kepada 803 graduan pada Majlis Konvokesyen Kelima, Politeknik Sultan Azlan Shah (PSAS) di sini semalam.

PM:Education system reflects choice of community
2009/10/05 From Nuraina A Samad

PARIS: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the existence of national type schools in Malaysia, including Chinese schools, is part of an education system “we inherited from our forefathers.”

“It was decided at the point of independence. It is not ideal...something we accept. We have inherited from our forefathers a system where various communities decide on the type of education to choose for their kids,” he said during a question-and-answer session with Malaysian students at Pavillion Davphine in Place du Marechal de Lattre Tassigny, here.

Citing an example, he said the Chinese may want to send their children to the Chinese school.

“Although it was not ideal but it is something that we have to accept because it is a choice of the Malaysian community. If we have to go against the choice, then there is bound to be social unrest. The Chinese want to have their schools, we cannot take it away from them. That is the reality. We cannot escape from the reality,” he said

Najib, who is in France for a four-day official visit, was responding to a remark by a Malaysian student that he was confused by the promotion of 1Malaysia to unite Malaysians when the government still allowed Chinese schools to exist in the country.

“One Malaysia is a process, a journey.

“Though students may be from different schools, but if they accept 1Malaysia, it could encourage greater interaction. It would achieve greater national unity and a sense of belonging among Malaysians.”

He also said that the government was taking steps to make national schools more attractive, especially for non-Malays.

“Earlier in his speech, Najib explained the concept of 1Malaysia as the country's guiding philosophy towards transforming Malaysia in becoming much stronger and successful by 2020 and beyond.

He said he promoted this concept when he became Prime Miniser because he believes that national unity and integration are the cornerstone in the process of nationbuilding.

Najib said that Malaysians should go beyond tolerating and accepting each other's diversity.

“Our diversity is a strength, not a burden.

“The highest level is to celebrate our diversity. This should be our pride. The 1Malaysia message is powerful. One dream, one people, one nation.”

Najib also told the students that for any civilisation to prosper, it has to be inclusive and open.

“If a civilisation is closed up, resistant to ideas and free movement of people, it will wither away. If we build on the civilisation, on ideas, and able to bring in new culture, that civilisation will prosper.

“If we reject new ideas, movement of people, we will never become a nation that can take its rightful place among the leading nations of the world.”

Najib called on the students to be part of this “long journey” in transforming the country.

“We have set aside a huge allocation to prepare the next generation, when we can pass the torch for you to carry on the struggle.”

Federal Government Fully Committed To Development Of Sarawak's Rural Schools - Muhyiddin
October 06, 2009 19:10 PM

KUCHING, Oct 6 (Bernama) -- The federal government will continue to remain committed to upgrading infrastructure in rural schools in Sarawak to ensure students living in the interiors of the state get the best education possible, said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

He said under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP), the federal government had spent RM1.4 billion for education development in Sarawak.

"This makes Sarawak to be among the states that received the most funding for projects related to education in the country," he said when performing the ground-breaking ceremony for the building a new school block costing RM6.4 million for SMK Kuching High, here Tuesday.

Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister, said under the 9MP the federal government had made concerted efforts to ensure all schools in rural Sarawak received electricity supply.

This entailed 367 schools being provided generator sets that operated round-the-clock while 62 others were connected to the main grid.

"Today, all schools in Sarawak have access to electricity," said Muhyiddin.

On SMK Kuching High, he said it was a success story of the national education system although it had originally begun as a private Chinsese school.

"By joining the national education system, the school received many benefits in terms of government aid for academic and curriculum development," he said.

He said 78 such schools from throughout the country had opted to become national schools and under the 9MP, some RM3.1 million was allocated for their development compared to RM750,000 under the Eight Malaysia Plan.

He also praised the management of SMK Kuching High for taking the initiative to raise funds to build a new school block to replace the one which was destroyed in a fire last Dec 2.

He further pledged that besides the RM1.5 million made available to the school today, the Education Ministry would also help it cover the RM2.1 million shortfall it was facing in building the new block by increasing its allocation for it based on the "matching grant" method.

Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, who was also present, said the state government would also assist SMK Kuching High in building the new block by contributing RM250,000 this year and increase the figure next year.

New curriculum for national schools by 2012
Wednesday, October 7th, 2009 By Zora Chan

KUCHING: A new curriculum which is expected to position national schools as the top pick of parents for their children will be implemented by 2012. “We hope that it will make our education system and national schools more interesting so that they will be parents’ main choice (for their school-going children),” Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said yesterday.

Speaking at a press conference here after launching the National Language Month, he said the curriculum would be introduced under the government’s new education policy, ‘Memartabatkan Bahasa Malaysia, Memperkukuhkan Bahasa Inggeris (MBMMBI)’ or Empowering Bahasa Malaysia, Strengthening the English language.

He said it was aimed at empowering Bahasa Melayu and strengthening the English language among students, adding that it was also intended to improve national schools, making them the prime choice of the people.

Muhyiddin, who is Education Minister, said at the same time, the government would help to improve the quality of education in national-type schools (SJK).

SJK had been part of the country’s education for years, and Bahasa Melayu remained the lingua franca in these schools, he said.

He said while the government encouraged parents to send their children to national type schools, some non-Malay parents wanted their children to learn their mother tongues too.

Muhyiddin was asked to comment on a statement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak that the existence of national-type schools, including Chinese schools in Malaysia was part of an education system the people inherited from their forefathers.

“Although it is not ideal, we have to accept it because it is a choice of the Malaysian community. If we go against the choice, then there is bound to be social unrest.

“The Chinese want to have their schools, and we cannot take that away from them. That is the reality,” said Najib when responding to a question raised by a Malaysian student in Paris on Monday night that he was confused by the 1Malaysia concept to unite the people when the government still allowed Chinese schools to exist in the country.

Polytechnics to be upgraded
Husna Yusop

PUTRAJAYA (Oct 6, 2009) : The 27 polytechnics in the country are to be upgraded so that they are no longer seen as education institutions that serve as a stepping stone for entry to public universities.

"We want polytechnics to be transformed into education institutions with their own strengths and are sought after by students for quality diploma programmes," said Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin.

To achieve the upgrade, Khaled said more diploma programmes would be introduced and the quality of the diploma should be as good as degrees, if not better.

He said the ministry was in the process of preparing a Cabinet paper to set the future direction of polytechnics in the country.

"The transformation we are looking at is to make polytechnics strong and solid with its own distinctive features to serve as an option for students who are not into the academic field.

"Now, some students join polytechnics for a diploma and later have to join the university's academic system to obtain a degree. So, they have to make one round to get into the universities.

"I think the time is right for us now to think of a complete system in polytechnic education," he said while refusing to disclose further details .

Speaking to reporters after opening the annual National Industry Dialogue here today, Khaled said among the steps to be taken was to have a rating system for the existing polytechnics to gauge their strengths and roles.

"We are also into efforts to enhance the position of polytechnics by having a centre of excellence among them so that they are also involved in research and development," he added.

Khaled said government was looking at offering more diploma programmes in polytechnics and reducing the number of certificate courses. Currently, about 40% of the 80,000 polytechnic students are certificate holders.

"We feel that polytechnics should not be involved in skilled or semi-skilled training and the likes. Certificate level should be given to places like Institute Kemahiran Mara or the National Vocational Training Council," he said.

He said after 40 years, polytechnics only had one advanced diploma course when there should be more.

Khaled said the transformation on polytechnics would also involve a change in the ministry whereby the Department of Polytechnic and Community College Education would be split into two - one for polytechnics and another for community colleges.

A Cabinet paper will also be prepared to re-brand the community colleges with emphasis on giving opportunities to school dropouts to be involved in the creative and innovative industry.

"We are talking with certain partners to look at ways to strengthen such colleges so that they provide the opportunities to develop the potential amongst youths.

"Instead of becoming road thugs, it is better to encourage them to join this industry because many of them are actually talented, for example in drawing cartoons, writing pantun, poems and the likes," he added.

Malaysia's RM17m education gift to Unesco
2009/10/07

MALAYSIA will establish a Unesco-Malaysia Cooperative Trust Fund to help the least-developed countries and small island states in capacity-building in education and science, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said here.

This fund, to enhance south-south cooperation, also supports the Priority Africa Agenda.

"This is a gesture of our commitment and firm belief in the ideals of Unesco's mandate to bring peace and development through education, science, culture and communication," he said in his keynote address at the 35th Unesco general conference yesterday.

Najib also announced Malaysia's US$5 million (RM17.5 million) launching grant next year, to be followed by an annual contribution of US$1 million.


Programmes for the fund would be worked out in consultation with Unesco's regional offices in Bangkok and Jakarta, the Priority Africa Department and Malaysian National Commission for Unesco in the Education Ministry.

"Under this initiative, Malaysia will provide teachers' training facility at pre-service, in service, school administration and management.

"Towards this end, about 300 places will be provided annually at all levels."

Najib said the Malaysian government subscribed firmly to the democratisation of education, that is, equitable access to quality and lifelong education, and was convinced that quality education could only be provided for by teachers.

"(These are) ideals much championed by Unesco. Our nascent programme is to emphasise early childhood education (0 to 6 years), which is the most solid foundation we can give any child."

After Najib's speech, the temporary president of the general conference, George Anastassopoulos, expressed Unesco's appreciation for Malaysia's generosity and commitment to the organisation by allocating the funds on education.

Earlier, Najib met with Angel Gurria, secretary-general of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.

The prime minister's wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, had a separate programme, visiting the Leonardo de Vinci School for Gifted Children here.

Najib wraps up his visit tomorrow with a courtesy call on French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

They are expected to discuss bilateral issues.

Universiti Malaya climbs 50 spots to No. 180 in THE-QS rankings
By KAREN CHAPMAN


PETALING JAYA: Universiti Malaya (UM) has put Malaysia back in the top 200 of the prestigious Times Higher Education (THE) – QS World University Rankings 2009 when it climbed 50 places from last year to 180 this year.

QS managing director Nunzio Quacquarelli said the rankings identified not just the most highly-ranked universities in the world, but also the best performing universities in key subject areas, the universities most targeted by employers, those producing the best research, those investing in teaching and those with the most international profile.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2009/10/8/nation/n_um.jpg

Another local university that improved in rankings was Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), standing at 320 compared to 356 last year.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) dropped between one and 41 places to 291, 314 and 345 respectively (see chart).

QS Quacquarelli Symonds Ltd Intelligence Unit head Ben Sowter said UM’s resurgence into the top 200 was clearly impressive.

“The apparent collective effort at the university to attract a greater proportion of international students suggests a progressive outlook,” he said in an e-mail interview.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin told The Star that the ministry knew the universities’ weaknesses were in citations per faculty and peer review.

Harvard University tops the rankings once again; followed by Cam*bridge, Yale, University College Lon*don, Imperial College, Oxford Univer*sity, Chicago University, Princeton Uni**ver**sity, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and California Insti*tute of Technology. The highest ranked Asian institutions in the rankings are Tokyo Uni*ver*sity (22), Hong Kong University (24), Kyoto University (25) and National Uni*versity of Singapore (30).

UM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Ghauth Jasmon said the success would be a major boost to the morale and motivation of all staff and students to work harder.

“The redefinition of key performance indicators for the academics and the new initiatives implemented in international networking, recruitment of international staff and students have produced a quick, positive impact,” he said.

UTM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Zaini Ujang said the improvement in the university’s rankings is a result of its strategy in networking, quality, strategic research, synergy and organisational culture.

On UKM’s drop from 250 to 291, its deputy vice-chancellor (Academic and International Affairs) Prof Dr Hassan Basri said the university was not surprised by the drop as THE-QS had indicated that the methodological adjustments and survey dynamics would significantly contribute to a drop in the scores for the academic peer review and employer survey criteria over a three-year period starting in the year 2008.

UPM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Nik Mustapha R. Abdullah said he was surprised that the university’s rankings dropped as its achievements were better last year compared to previously.

Universiti Malaya climbs 50 spots to No. 180 in THE-QS rankings
By KAREN CHAPMAN

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2009/10/8/nation/n_um.jpg


:cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers: :okay:

oh God what happen to my university?...USM is consider as APEX university which mean it should be the best university in malaysia..but their performance?..Maybe the government should award UM the Apex status since they look more promising...

Outstanding Centres Being Converted Into National Centres Of Excellence
October 08, 2009 21:44 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 (Bernama) -- Outstanding Centres of Excellence at the research universities in the country are in the process of being converted into National Centres of Excellence, said Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

Khaled said these National Centres of Excellence had also been earmarked for international collaborative potential, where beneficial partnerships could be forged in which local researchers and scientists could work with their counterparts from the leading research universities all over the world.

Four public universities upgraded to research university status are Universiti Malaya, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Putra Malaysia and Universiti Sains Malaysia.

"It must be recognised that research, as a purely intellectual exercise, is extremely important because many of the most fundamental discoveries today in the pure and applied sciences are the result of decades-long efforts by dedicated researchers," he said in his speech at the opening of the International Exposition on Research and Inventions of Institutions of Higher Learning 2009 (PECIPTA 2009), here, Thursday.

PECIPTA 2009 was opened by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Khaled said the government recognised the importance of providing the appropriate institutional and financial support for research by universities.

He said that in the Ninth Malaysia Plan, the budget allocated for research was RM1.8 billion, of which only RM250 million was allocated to the ministry under the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme.

"This is only about 14 per cent of the total allocated to higher educational institutions and that too, on a competitive basis," he said.

oh God what happen to my university?...USM is consider as APEX university which mean it should be the best university in malaysia..but their performance?..Maybe the government should award UM the Apex status since they look more promising...

USM got APEX status just last year right!?!! btw UTM jump better than UPM dan terlangkah pada tempat ranking UPM dulu..Good job! :lol:

yep they been awarded APEX status last year...however based on the ranking release in this year such QS Time best university in asia and QS time best university in the world...USM rank is far away compare with UM and they have been surpass by UKM as the second best University in Malaysia...USM has 4 years from now to do something..they must increase their rank to make sure APEX status is still belong to them...

Varsity aims to continue striving to bolster standing
2009/10/09


KUALA LUMPUR: There is no turning back for Universiti Malaya after it's vastly-improved showing in the Times Higher Education magazine -- QS World University rankings 2009.

There are plans to take it to an even better placing than the 180th spot it obtained this year.

In fact, the university has put into place plans to claim a spot among the top 100 universities worldwide, something it enjoyed in 2004 when it claimed 89th placing.

UM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Ghauth Jasmon said this would be achieved by only hiring lecturers whose work is cited in the Institute of Scientific Information (ISI) journal.


The ISI Journal, founded by Eugene Garfield in 1960, has one of the most extensive research databases covering thousands of academic journals.

It is also one of the most cited by researchers worldwide.

"That means they have to do quality research as only then will they be published. Once their works are published and cited in the ISI journal, we will get a lot of citations. It will help improve our ratings."

Ghauth said the university will continue to hire highly-qualified lecturers from the United States, United Kingdom and Australia.

It has 300 foreign lecturers as part of a recruitment drive to use the best to teach medicine, engineering and the sciences.

Ghouth, appointed to the post last November, said the university would also try to attract more international students for post-graduate studies.

There are 1,000 students from the Middle East, India, China, Indonesia and Sudan completing their master's degree at the university.

UM, the oldest university in the country, will also push for more inter-university students from the US and the UK.

University's success hailed
2009/10/09


KUALA LUMPUR: Universiti Malaya came in for praise from Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday for improving its placing on the Times Higher Education-QS World University ranking for the second year running.

The deputy prime minister hoped UM would carry the flag for Malaysia on the international scene by continuing with the upward trend.

"It is something we are all proud off and the universiti should strive to carry on with the good work," he said after opening the International Exposition of research and Inventions of Institutions of Higher Learning 2009.

Muhyiddin was commenting on a report published by UK's Times Higher Education magazine yesterday which placed UM in the ranks of the top 200 universities worldwide.


It rose from 230th placing last year to 180th placing this year, the second year of improvement after a three-year losing streak that saw it plunging from 89th placing in 2004 to 246th in 2007.

Last year, it climbed 16 spots to be placed 230th.

First placing has been held for six years running by Harvard University in the United States.

Muhyiddin told university officials that the ranking did not not remain static and could go up or down.

"I believe the university will want its ranking to remain in the upper levels and will work harder to move even higher."

He said that among the factors that leaned in the university's favour were its focus on research and development.

Meanwhile, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin said UM's international ranking would not affect Universiti Sains Malaysia as the only apex university in the country.

"We knew UM can be on its own without any special programme. But USM was chosen to help it to be on a higher level," he said.

Apex university status, involving an accelerated programme for excellence, is given to Malaysian universities with potential to be world class.



Universities with such status would receive more assistance to improve quality of education to be on par with the best in the world.



He said USM would remain an apex university and the results of efforts to strengthen it would only be seen in 2011.

"We cannot expect immediate results. They need time to increase citations to climb the world ladder, too."

He said UM had worked on its weaknesses in certain areas to improve its world ranking.

He said other public universities could also score better if the government increased funding for research and development (R&D).

"In the West, they spend a lot on R&D. There are new developments and this increases their citations.

"But here, we are spreading our resources equally among all public universities. If we want to be in the top 100 worldwide, then we would have to spend all our money on one university and forget about the rest."

He said this was not possible as the government wanted all public universities in Malaysia to be equally good.

He cited a lack of funding as one of the reasons slowing down improvement in the international ranking of other public universities.

Under the 9th Malaysia Plan, RM1.8 billion was allocated to public universities with only RM250 million set aside in the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme.

"To be competitive, we need to spend more on R&D. This will increase our rankings," he added.

University's success hailed
2009/10/09

KUALA LUMPUR: Universiti Malaya came in for praise from Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday for improving its placing on the Times Higher Education-QS World University ranking for the second year running.

The deputy prime minister hoped UM would carry the flag for Malaysia on the international scene by continuing with the upward trend.

"It is something we are all proud off and the universiti should strive to carry on with the good work," he said after opening the International Exposition of research and Inventions of Institutions of Higher Learning 2009.

Muhyiddin was commenting on a report published by UK's Times Higher Education magazine yesterday which placed UM in the ranks of the top 200 universities worldwide.

It rose from 230th placing last year to 180th placing this year, the second year of improvement after a three-year losing streak that saw it plunging from 89th placing in 2004 to 246th in 2007.

Last year, it climbed 16 spots to be placed 230th.

First placing has been held for six years running by Harvard University in the United States.

Muhyiddin told university officials that the ranking did not not remain static and could go up or down.

"I believe the university will want its ranking to remain in the upper levels and will work harder to move even higher."

He said that among the factors that leaned in the university's favour were its focus on research and development.

Meanwhile, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin said UM's international ranking would not affect Universiti Sains Malaysia as the only apex university in the country.

"We knew UM can be on its own without any special programme. But USM was chosen to help it to be on a higher level," he said.

Apex university status, involving an accelerated programme for excellence, is given to Malaysian universities with potential to be world class.

Universities with such status would receive more assistance to improve quality of education to be on par with the best in the world.

He said USM would remain an apex university and the results of efforts to strengthen it would only be seen in 2011.

"We cannot expect immediate results. They need time to increase citations to climb the world ladder, too."

He said UM had worked on its weaknesses in certain areas to improve its world ranking.

He said other public universities could also score better if the government increased funding for research and development (R&D).

"In the West, they spend a lot on R&D. There are new developments and this increases their citations.

"But here, we are spreading our resources equally among all public universities. If we want to be in the top 100 worldwide, then we would have to spend all our money on one university and forget about the rest."

He said this was not possible as the government wanted all public universities in Malaysia to be equally good.

He cited a lack of funding as one of the reasons slowing down improvement in the international ranking of other public universities.

Under the 9th Malaysia Plan, RM1.8 billion was allocated to public universities with only RM250 million set aside in the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme.

"To be competitive, we need to spend more on R&D. This will increase our rankings," he added.
:cheers:

Malaysia’s First Nuclear Pharmacy in USM
By Zul • Jan 22nd, 2009

Universiti Sains Malaysia, USM will become host to the country’s first nuclear pharmacy center, which is now in the planning stage of development.

The nuclear pharmacy center will be jointly developed by USM and a Japanese multinational company, Sumitomo and will cost around RM30 million. Sumitomo is a reputable company with a wide range of business interests throughout its worldwide operation.

The setting up of the center will boost USM’s drive as an Apex university, a status that recognizes the university as the premier candidate to break into the world’s top 50 universities by the year 2020.

USM is ranked at 309 in the latest THE-QS World 200 Best Universities, released end of 2008. Getting into the top 50 universities list will not be an easy job for them.

USM was announced as the country’s first Apex university last September 2008, edging out a host of other contenders, including favorite University Malaya (UM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). Apex, which stands for Accelerated Program for Excellence, is granted to promising Malaysian universities which can potentially compete with other top universities in the world.

Nuclear pharmacy is a field dedicated to the use of radioactive materials for specific medical procedures. It involves the compounding and dispensing of the said materials to be implemented for diagnosis and treatment of specific diseases, such as cancer.

APEX university
The APEX university status will be granted to the most promising institution, and the one with the most potential to break into the world’s 50 best university ranking. With the status, the university will be given access to resources that can improve facilities and attract the best students.

USM’s Apex status not in jeopardy
By RICHARD LIM


KUALA LUMPUR: Universiti Sains Malay*-sia’s (USM) Apex university status is not in jeopardy despite dropping a spot in the Times Higher Education (THE) – QS World University Rankings 2009. Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the full effect of the Apex university could only be seen and evaluated in the future.

He added it was also too soon to have another Apex university.

USM fell to 314 from 313 last year.

Mohamed Khaled also downplayed the significance of USM’s slip in the rankings as questioned by several parties.

“We should not relate Apex too much with the THE-QS rankings,” Mohamed Khaled told The Star after attending the International Exposition of Research and Invention of Institutions of Higher Learning 2009 (Pecipta) awards ceremony at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

“Apex isn’t meant solely for ranking purposes and we expect it to show results after 2010,” he said.

Mohamed Khaled added although the ministry was pleased that Universiti Malaya (UM) had improved 50 spots from last year to finish at 180, it was too soon to have another Apex university.

At the Pecipta awards ceremony, UM won the Premier Research Trophy after the varsity won four gold medals, 14 silver and 10 bronze.

UM was tied with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia - the other university which improved in the rankings - on four gold medals apiece; but won based on a silver medal count back.

This year’s Pecipta saw 465 entries and attracted more than 5,000 visitors.

this year is the first intake of APEX student in USM..and there are a lot of changes/improvement around usm..wait and see the next year rank..if USM fail to improve their rank..they will be in big trouble....

Public, Private Universities Receive RM25 Million Research Grants
October 10, 2009 09:55 AM

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 (Bernama) -- The government has allocated RM25 million under the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) to sponsor 602 projects undertaken by public and private universities this year.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said 20 researchers from public universities and three from private universities received the sponsorship this year.

He said public universities had been allocated with RM23.63 million to carry out 411 projects while private universities received RM1.41 million to bring 191 projects to fruition.

The grants were channelled through the Education Ministry, the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry, and the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry, he told reporters at the International Exposition of Research and Invention of Institutions of Higher Learning 2009 (PECIPTA 2009) award presentation here on Friday.

He said the FRGS research focused on pure science, applied science, engineering and technology, medical science, social science and humanities, arts and professional arts and natural sciences, and national heritage.

Universiti Malaya was adjudged the winner of the Premier Research Award, having clinched four gold, 14 silver and 10 bronze medals in PECIPTA 2009.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) came in a close second with four gold, 11 silver and 11 bronze medals.

PECIPTA 2009 with the theme "Driving Research Innovation Towards Value Creation" scrutinised 465 research submitted by 22 public and private universities.

It was jointly held by Higher Education Ministry and Universiti Malaya to spur innovations by local universities.

-- BERNAMA

Rankings: Malaysia back in top 200
2009/10/11 SUZIEANA UDA NAGU and NURJEHAN MOHAMED

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University of Malaya has managed to improve its position in the Times Higher Education-QS World University Rankings this year, report SUZIEANA UDA NAGU and NURJEHAN MOHAMED

HARVARD University, United States continues to reign supreme in the global higher education scene by topping the Times Higher Education-QS (THE-QS) World University Rankings this year.

It is followed by University of Cambridge, United Kingdom; Yale University, US; University College London, UK; University of Oxford, UK; Imperial College, UK; University of Chicago, US; Princeton University, US; Massachusetts Institute of Technology, US; and California Institute of Technology, US.

In Malaysia, University of Malaya (UM) returns to the world’s top 200 after a two-year absence — climbing 50 spots from last year’s 230th to this year’s 180th.

It is followed by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, which improved its ranking of 356th last year to 320th this year.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), however, fell between one and 41 spots from last year.

UKM was at 250th spot and is now at 291st; USM fell from 313th to 314th; whereas UPM went from 320th to 345th.

The number of Asian universities in the top 100 has increased from 14 to 16 institutions.

The University of Tokyo, Japan at the 22nd spot, is the highest ranked Asian university, ahead of University of Hong Kong at 24th spot.

Other top ranking universities include Kyoto University, Japan (25th) and National University of Singapore (30th).

QS managing director Nunzio Quacquarelli says governments and universities around the world are investing to increase their profile on the international stage, as higher education becomes an increasingly global industry.

“Today the rankings are used by employers identifying from where to recruit, academics choosing where to work and with whom to form partnerships, and by parents and students looking to make a sound education decision.

“Although rankings are contentious, the THE-QS World University Rankings are meeting vital needs of these various stakeholders,” he says.

UM vice chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Ghauth Jasmon told the New Straits Times that getting back into the top 200 and subsequently the top 100 — something it enjoyed in 2004 when it claimed the 89th spot — in the next five years required, among others, “hiring lecturers whose works are cited in the Institute of Scientific Information (ISI) journal.

“That means they have to do quality research as only then will they be published. Once their works are published and cited in the ISI journal, we will get a lot of citations. It will help improve our ratings.”

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin praised UM for its good work whereas Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin said that UM had worked on its weaknesses to better its world ranking.

At a meeting with some 150 UM alumni in January, Ghauth highlighted the areas in which UM must improve on — quality of research and publications; academic staff and students; programmes and delivery; international collaboration and networking; and entrepreneurship development.

UM, which currently has 300 foreign lecturers, will continue to hire highly qualified lecturers from the US, UK and Australia.

It will also work on attracting more international postgraduate students. Currently, there are 1,000 students from the Middle East, India, China, Indonesia and Sudan completing their master’s degree at the university.

Now in its sixth edition, the THE-QS World University Rankings received a record level of responses from the academic community and employers this year, with results suggesting the dominance of traditionally elite universities is increasingly being challenged.

In total 9,386 academics (compared to 6,354 in 2008 — an increase of 47 per cent) and 3,281 employers (compared to 2,339 last year — an increase of 40 per cent) responded to the surveys reflecting the growing influence and importance of the rankings.

Zecon wins campus deal
Published: 2009/10/13

ZECON Bhd says Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) has accepted its letter of offer to undertake a RM180 million job at its campus in Kota Samarahan, Sarawak.

The company has offered to build and maintain buildings that will house Unimas’ science and health faculty as well as its health and community institute.

UM

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UM

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UNITEN To Represent Malaysia At World Solar Challenge In Australia
October 13, 2009 19:46 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 (Bernama) -- Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN) will represent Malaysia to the 2009 World Solar Challenge in Australia from Oct 25-31.

Team manager Assoc Prof Halil Hussain said the challenge was the university's first after winning the World Solar Cycle Challenge six years ago.

"UNITEN's challenge will be carried by "Solar Ranger 1Malaysia," a solar car developed by students from the Engineering College," he told Bernama here on Tuesday.

The World Solar Challenge is a race for solar powered cars over a distance of 3,021km from Darwin in Northern Territory to Adelaide in South Australia.

The challenge which promoted the latest hybrid automotive technology using renewable energy had attracted teams representing corporations and universities from all over the world.

Halil who is also UNITEN senior lecturer said "Solar Ranger 1Malaysia" which uses more than 1,800 solar panels was developed at a cost of RM900,000.

The solar car, a project by final year students of UNITEN's Engineering College took two years to complete.

"Our aim is to finish in the top ten. UNITEN is proud to represent Malaysia at the challenge," he said.

UNITEN Vice Chancellor Prof Datuk Ir Dr Mashkuri Yaacob will lead the 16-member team who will leave for Australia on Oct 14 and Oct 18.

They will be accompanied by representatives from Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) and the media.

-- BERNAMA

UTeM cipta pam tayar berkompresor
15 Oktober 2009

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IZZUDDIN (kanan) dan Chee Khee membuat demonstrasi menggunakan alat
mengepam tayar motosikal ciptaan mereka pada Hari Reka Bentuk 2009
Universiti Teknikal Malaysia di Durian Tunggal, Melaka semalam.

MELAKA - Empat pelajar Fakulti Kejuruteraan Mekanikal (FKM), Universiti Teknikal Malaysia (UTeM) mencipta sejarah tersendiri apabila berjaya menghasilkan peralatan mengepam tayar motosikal.

Muhd. Izzuddin Salehudin, 21, Chng Chee Khee, 22, Tan Wee Ming, 22 dan Phang Boo Onn, 22, pelajar tahun tiga kursus Ijazah Sarjana Muda Kejuruteraan Mekanikal (Reka Bentuk dan Inovasi) berjaya menghasilkan peralatan yang dinamakan Kompresor Angin Motosikal.

Menurut Izzuddin, alat itu dicipta khusus untuk membantu penunggang motosikal yang menghadapi masalah tayar pancit selain menjadi sebahagian daripada projek tahun akhir.

"Idea menghasilkan peralatan ini timbul apabila saya melihat penunggang terpaksa menolak motosikal mereka kerana pancit.

"Melihat keadaan itu, alangkah bagusnya jika motosikal turut dilengkapi dengan peralatan yang boleh digunakan untuk mengepam semula tayar yang pancit," katanya ketika ditemui Kosmo! di Hari Reka Bentuk dan Automatif FKM di UTeM, Durian Tunggal semalam.

completed project at TAR College setapak
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underconstruction
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completed project at TAR College setapak
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underconstruction
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Eh , this is my college . :banana:

UPM researches extract of ‘ikan haruan’ to treat addicts
Sunday, October 18th, 2009 By Zora Chan

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WELL DONE: Jasni (second right) presents a trophy to an officer, Sapina
Jalani, from AADK Kuching District which won the AADK Innovation Award.
Looking on (from left) are AADK state assistant director for prevention Yap
Chung Hong, Professor Dr Abdul Manan (partially hidden) from UPM and ADK state assistant director for enforcement Michael Nyalang.

KUCHING: Snake-head fish or ‘ikan haruan’ (Channa striata) may hold the answer to the rehabilitation of drug addicts in the future by reducing drug levels in their blood.

National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) state director Jasni Jubli yesterday said to this end he was glad that a professor from Universiti Putra Malaysia’s (UPM) Medical Faculty has started a research on snake-head fish.

“If successful, we may produce snake-head fish capsules to reduce the level of drugs like ‘ketamine’ and ‘Syabu’ in drug addicts.

“This research may be the first to be carried out in the world,” he said at a Hari Raya Aidilfitri gathering at the agency’s Narcotics Addiction Rehabilitation Centre or Puspen here yesterday.

In an interview later, Jasni said he could not divulge much on the research as it was still at the initial stage and shall be carried out by UPM, adding UPM was among the organisations that had showed concern for those rehabilitated at Puspen and wanted to find alternatives to help them kick the bad habit once and for all. To a question, Jasni said residents at Puspen increased this year by about 60 per cent mainly due to more awareness among parents who voluntarily surrender their children for rehabilitation.

“Last year we have 48 residents but this figure jumped to 128 - an increase of about 60 per cent. But 70 per cent of them came here voluntarily because their parents sent them to us for correction,” he said.

The majority of the residents are Malays from throughout the state, Chinese (mostly from Sibu and Miri), and a handful of Ibans, with an age range of between 20 and 40.

“Our youngest resident is 18 years old,” he said.

Jasni said those who had been successfully rehabilitated at Puspen normally must pass through a three-month hurdle when they return to society.

“There’ll be temptations out there and this is where family support comes in. Without strong family support during the first three trying months, they may fall back,” he said.

He said repeat offenders comprised about 10 per cent of residents at the centre and they mainly comprised those who abused drugs occasionally.

“A drug user is not necessarily dependent on drugs and, therefore, differs from a drug addict,” he explained.

Asked if the proposed glue-sniffing act had been gazetted, Jasni said it was still being studied by the Federal Attorney-General’s Department.

He conceded that the proposed act had been taking a long time to be gazetted because unlike drug abuse, it was more difficult to determine and identify indicators on glue sniffing.

Students' Hostel - Kolej Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Selangor (KUIS) Bangi

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USM Bags Five Awards At British Invention Show
October 20, 2009 17:45 PM

PENANG, Oct 20 (Bernama) -- Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has bagged five awards at the British Invention Show 2009, with all its three entries by postgraduates winning gold medals and two of them winning two other awards.

The inventions were a new synthetic composite for injectable bone replacement material developed by Chew Kuan Khoon, a novel route for the conversion of waste polymers into fuels and chemical feedstocks by Steven Lim and a potential novel malaria vaccine containing blood stage specific epitopes by Seah Tiong Chai.

USM acting Vice-Chancellor Prof Omar Osman said Chew's entry also won him the world invention award and Lim's entry also garnered him a special award from Romania.

"We believe in funding young researchers in conducting their research and this is their success result, especially on the international stage," he told reporters after welcoming them at the Penang International Airport in Bayan Lepas here Tuesday.

USM had entered the largest innovation and technology exposition held from Oct 14 to 17 for the first time, and was the only university in the competition which had more than 300 researchers from 15 countries as the participants.

All the three products had won the National Research and Innovation Competition (NRIC) last May.

-- BERNAMA

Council Formed To Strengthen Early Childhood Development In Sarawak
October 19, 2009 15:43 PM

KUCHING, Oct 19 (Bernama) -- A new body called the Sarawak Early Childhood Development Council has been set up to strengthen early childhood education in the state.

Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister's Department (Human Resources and Training) Datin Fatimah Abdullah, who chairs the council, said the body would set a standard for early childhood education.

The council's membership comprises government agencies and the private sector.

"It focuses on setting up programmes, studying and monitoring the development of early childhood education as well as acting as an advisor to the state government regarding the issue," she told reporters here Monday.

She said the state government had given out a RM100,000 grant to conduct surveys on strategies to strengthen early childhood education in urban and in rural areas.

She said that by next year, Sarawak aimed to set up at least one or two pre-school centres in 77 per cent of 1,262 primary schools in the state.

-- BERNAMA

UITM Medical Faculty Selayang

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UITM Selayang
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cek out utm new campus & cyberjaya campus
http://www.neuformation.com/?page_id=6

Govt incentives for private sector to open preschools
Sunday, October 25th, 2009

MUAR: The government is to announce incentives for the private sector to open preschools in the urban and rural areas to augment the existing facilities, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said yesterday.Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister, said the incentives, such as making available loans, would be announced after consultation with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

“It is hoped that these incentives will motivate the private sector to set up the preschools in both urban and rural areas,” the Member of Parliament for Pagoh told reporters after launching an education and career carnival in the Pagoh constituency, here.

Muhyiddin said the government would also soon announce the 20 schools identified as high performance schools, which will focus on academic excellence, overall students’ achievements, including discipline and cleanliness, curriculum activities as well as competency in the schools’ specialisation areas.

He said the government hoped to establish 100 high performance schools over the next five years.

Najib had announced when tabling the 2010 Budget in the Dewan Rakyat on Friday that these schools were to be established in an effort to enhance the quality of education and grant autonomy to the school management in producing excellent students.
—Bernama

Get students to be interested in science and technology: Fatimah
Monday, October 26th, 2009

BINTULU: Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Human Resource and Training) Datin Fatimah Abdullah said enough quality human capital based on science and technology can only be had if students are drawn to the relevant subjects.Fatimah said, therefore, the target to have about 30 per cent students mastering in science and 40 per cent in art by 2010 must be given greater attention through implementing effective programmes.

“We need to revive or all encouragement programmes and design new ones with help of the relevant ministries like Mosti (Ministry of Science, technology and Innovations) to get more students interested in science and technology,” Fatimah, who is also Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Home Economic and Training) when met before departing for the Science Symposium 2009 in Lawas yesterday, which was expected to be launched by Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.

On the science symposium in Lawas, Fatimah said it was a continuation of the programme stopped in 2004 but now revitalised to draw the interest of rural students.

She said the programme, to be run state-wide, would gather local scientists who would present their working papers on various science-related topics in front of secondary school students, teachers and the public.

According to her, what make teachers an important part of the target group of the symposium is because any programmes implemented to create greater awareness and motivation among students, at the end of the day, to sustain interest, it is teachers who will be looking to see if students are still following the programmes with interest.

“So hopefully from the symposium these teachers can make use of what they have learned to find ways to be creative, innovative and interesting in their future teaching process.

“In this way we may be able to prolong interest among the students,” said Fatimah.

SM St Michael becomes first school to embark on own Hevea Science Park
27th October, 2009

PENAMPANG: SM St. Michael becomes the first school in the country to embark on its own Hevea Science Park.

The park launched by Plantation Industries and Commoditie Minister, Tan Sri Bernard Giluk Dompok yesterday, was initiated by 40 students from the school Entrepreneurs Club (KUM).

They were assisted by the ministry as well as the Malaysia Rubber Board (LGM).

During a press conference at the school, Dompok expressed his delight over the students’ initiative to plant Hevea trees, which is another name for rubber trees.

He said that once the rubber seedlings were ready to be marketed, they could sell it to companies that are planting rubber and even to LGM, which could pass the seedlings to smallholders.

Unfortunately, the ministry was not going all out to promote this activity to other schools in the country, said Dompok.

“It has to be in their interest. In the case of this school, they have expressed their interest in agriculture so I suggested that they might want to consider this area,” he said.

He added that with the formation of the park, the school could help address the planting material shortage experienced in the industry.

Present to witness the event were LGM director, Dato Dr Kamarul Baharain Basir and SM St Michael’s principal Marie Yong Pik Hua.

Malaysia Among Most Successful In Giving People Access To Education
October 28, 2009 20:12 PM

GENTING HIGHLANDS, Oct 28 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has been recognised as among countries most successful in providing access to education for all, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) in its Education for All Global Monitoring Report 2009 had placed Malaysia 45 of 129 countries.

"It places Malaysia among the top 56 countries in the Development Index For All," he said when opening the Conference On New Developments In Education 2010-2012 at Aminuddin Baki Institute here Wednesday.

Muhyiddin who is also Education Minister reminded all quarters not to be complacement with the good placing achieved by Malaysia in the Education For All Index.

"In the quest for development and prosperity, we must not only upgrade access to education but also expand access to quality education," he said.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had made access to quality and affordable education as one of six National Key Result Areas (NKRA) to create competitive human capital capable of driving a high yielding economy.

They were to increase pre-school by 20 percent by end 2012, ensure that all pupils would have literacy and numerical skills after three years of primary education and to create high performance schools.

Others were to introduce a new deal to school principals aimed at upgrading professionalism in management, strengthening vocational and skills education and ensure that all schools receive 24 hours of electricity supply.

Muhyiddin said the ministry was also considering to build hostels for pre-schoolers in remote areas.

-- BERNAMA

SEGi students get A-Level distinctions
Friday, October 30th, 2009

KUCHING: SEGi College Sarawak rewarded excellent A-Level students with distinctions at a recent graduation ceremony.Martin Tan chalked up an amazing triple A in Law, Business Studies Unit 3 and Business Studies Unit 6.

Not far behind were Jonathan Tay, Shally Heng and Chan Hui Hua who scored double distinctions. Tay and Heng achieved the distinction for Law and Business Studies Unit 3 while Chan excelled in Business Studies Unit 1 and Business Studies Unit 3.

Charles Ting and Fiona Marcus Raja each had a distinction in Business Studies Unit 3.

Those doing Business Studies Unit 2 had the most passes at 84 per cent followed by students of Business Studies Unit 1 at 82 per cent.

SEGi University College vice-chancellor Emeritus Professor Muhamad Awang handed over the awards at the ceremony.

SEGi College Sarawak principal Stella Lau said this year’s A-Level results registered an increase in student passes, attributed to the help given by dedicated SEGi College Sarawak lecturers and their encouragement.

“We also recognise the efforts put in by students to pass or better their results in the examinations,” she said.

A-level lecturer Png Su Ngo said those who passed their A-level could proceed to the Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the University of London, UK.

“They are on their way to join the distinguished group of solicitors, barristers and judges in Malaysia and around the world who began their careers by obtaining law degree from University of London,” she said.

Sistem gred baru masuk ke IPTA
31 Oktober 2009 / 13 Zulkaedah 1430
Oleh NORLIZA ABD. RAHMAN
pengarang@utusan.com.my

PUTRAJAYA 30 Okt. - Syarat kelayakan untuk pelajar lepasan Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia dan setaraf untuk memasuki Institusi Pengajian Tinggi Awam (IPTA) akan diperketatkan mulai tahun depan.

Ini berikutan pengiraan merit untuk pemohon akan menggunakan penggredan baru iaitu kelulusan A+.

Ketua Pengarah Jabatan Pengajian Tinggi, Datuk Ir. Radin Umar Radin Sohadi berkata, kaedah pengiraan markah tersebut bertujuan memilih pelajar terbaik di kalangan yang terbaik.

‘‘Sehubungan itu Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi (KPT) akan melaksanakan kaedah pengiraan markah merit terkini dengan perubahan kecil kepada kaedah sedia ada.

‘‘Kaedah tersebut juga mengambil kira syarat khas kemasukan program pengajian dengan memastikan pelajar yang dulunya mendapat gred 6C (kepujian) tidak diturun taraf ke gred lebih rendah,” katanya kepada pemberita di sini hari ini.

Mengulas lanjut mengenai penggredan baru A+, beliau memberitahu, pelajar yang memperoleh A kini terbahagi kepada tiga kategori iaitu A+, A dan A-.

Ini bermakna mereka yang mendapat A+ bakal memperoleh nilai markah bagi pengiraan merit sebanyak 18, A (16) manakala A- (14).

‘‘Sebagai contoh, jika sebelum ini keseluruhan A dikira berdasarkan markah 90-100 tetapi melalui penggredan baru ini adalah 99-100 (A+), 98-95 (A) manakala 94-90 (A-),” katanya.

Radin Umar menambah, syarat khas program pengajian dan pemilihan calon ke IPTA bagi sesi akademik 2010/2011 akan dilaksanakan secara dua kaedah dalam proses transisi.

Pertama, kaedah sedia ada bagi calon lepasan SPM 2008 dan sebelumnya dan kedua, kaedah terkini bagi calon lepasan SPM 2009.

Kata beliau, kaedah itu bertujuan memberi peluang kepada pelajar bukan tahun semasa mengemukakan permohonan serta dipertimbangkan secara adil, telus serta bersistematik dalam pemilihan kemasukan ke IPTA berasaskan dasar sedia ada.

‘‘KPT bersetuju mengadakan taklimat ke seluruh negara kepada guru bimbingan dan kaunseling mengenai perubahan ini,” katanya.

Jelasnya, KPT akan mengemas kini maklumat mengenai kaedah pengiraan markah merit terkini melalui cetakan dan agihan risalah ke Jabatan Pelajaran Negeri dan sekolah.

Maklumat juga boleh diperolehi melalui laman web rasmi kemasukan ke IPTA iaitu http:// upu.mohe.gov.my.

UM

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I like the design :) actually there are many other projects ongoing in UM campus, namely new extension at law faculty, post-graduate studies institute, multi-storey building at science faculty, Baktisiswa Building and UM Medical Ctr. And also the former Telekom Building will be transformed as part of UM academic building.

SM Sains Sabah to represent nation again at Robot Olympiad
Published on: Sunday, November 01, 2009

Kota Kinabalu: For the third consecutive year, SM Sains Sabah (SMESH) will represent Malaysia at the World Robot Olympiad 2009 (WRO 2009) to be held in Pohang, Korea from Nov 5 to 9.

SMESH, which is among the six teams that qualified to compete in the international event, would be competing in the Lower Secondary average category.

The school team was the champion under the same category at the National-level Robotic Competition (NRC 2009) held in Kuala Lumpur recently. The team bagged a trophy, a robotic set and full sponsorship to the world event.

The SMESH team comprised Form Two students, Emir Eusoffe Ruslan, Mohd Nisham Chong and Mohd Amnan Mohd Kassim, accompanied by teacher Asmawati Japar and coach Tan Hin Long.

Apart from that, the school also emerged as the first runner-up under the Upper Secondary average category "Robot Energising" at the NRC 2009 through its team of Form Four students, Isamudin Ismail, Humphrey Jinuin and Shalman Paumie.

While under the Lower Secondary open category, its team comprising Form Two students, Mohd Amnan Mohd Kassim, Qhairul and Aizuddin Aguse received the "Most Innovative Award" and the "Excellent Award."

Prior to that, the SMESH team also won three out of four categories during the Sabah and Labuan Zone-level Robotic Competition held at SRJK© Chung Hwa in Likas recently.

"I am very proud of the achievements made by the school's robotic team to represent the country for three consecutive years, which is in line with our school motto of SMESH World Class," said school Principal Haji Zaini Zair who will also be joining the mission to Korea.

The SMESH robotic team successfully achieved fourth placing during the WRO 2007 held in Taipei, Taiwan. The school also qualified for the WRO 2008 held in Yokohama, Japan, but failed to bring home any medal then.

"I hope our team this time around will be able to bring home a medal from the competition," he said, adding the school team has started preparing for the event since March this year.

Commending the school's parent-teacher association for their endless support and contribution, Zaini said he plans to set up a robotic research centre at SMESH to become a training centre not only for all its students but also those from other schools.

UM

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UITM First To Offer HP Software Education Programme In Malaysia
November 02, 2009 21:16 PM

SHAH ALAM, Nov 2 (Bernama) -- Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) has the distinction to be the first university in Malaysia to offer the Hewlett-Packard (HP) Software Education Program.

The 17-day programme starting Nov 30 is being offered to 100 final year students from its Faculty of Computer Science and Mathematics.

UiTM Vice-Chancellor Tan Sri Profesor Ibrahim Abu Shah said the programme, done in cooperation with Hewlett-Packard (M) Sdn Bhd and Technology Education Leader Sdn Bhd (TEL), made UiTM the third institution of higher learning in Asia to offer the course after China and India.

"The pioneer group of 100 students will undergo this programme for free with teaching staff and programme materials provided by HP.

"It costs students RM14,200 to take this course outside and obtain the HP Software Testing Certificate. If this trial run in UiTM is successful, we will continue offering the course twice a year during semester breaks," he told a news conference after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with HP and TEL on the matter, here Monday.

At the same function, Ibrahim also represented UiTM in signing an MoU with a logging and timber company, Woodsfield Timber Industries Sdn Bhd (WTI).

The signing of both MoUs were witnessed by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, who was on a working visit to UiTM.

Regarding UiTm's joint venture with WTI, Ibrahim said the company had invested about RM20 million with UiTM to commercially develop glulam (glulaminated) timber products.

-- BERNAMA

Graduate teachers to teach in pre-schools in future
3rd November, 2009

KUALA LUMPUR: Graduate teachers will be recruited to teach in pre-schools in future to enhance the quality of teaching in line with the National Education Policy, the Dewan Rakyat was told yesterday.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also education minister, said it was also believed that such a move could reduce the problem of poor command of the 3Rs, namely reading, writing and arithmetic.

“We feel that the earlier we start our children’s education, the better. So the teachers we provide must be trained teachers, not teachers with low qualification,” he said in reply to a supplementary question from Dr Tan Seng Giaw (DAP-Kepong).

Tan had sought clarification on the government’s efforts to improve the quality of pre-school education, how the curricula for kindergartens run by the government and private sector are monitored and the differences between pre-schools and the Early Childhood and Guidance Programme (Permata).

Muhyiddin said it was easier for pre-schoolers to absorb knowledge at a young age, so the ministry was focusing on this age group especially in efforts to raise the command of the 3Rs which was part of the Education Ministry’s national key result areas (NKRAs).

On the curriculum of private pre-schools, he said that although the ministry had set the curriculum for all pre-schools, it did not restrict the private operators from making additions to their curricula so long as they did not stray from the National Pre-school Curriculum which had been in force since 2003.

He said that so far, the ministry had not received any information on problems arising from this but as a precaution, the ministry staff conducted spot checks on private pre-schools to ensure that their curricula did not contravene the existing one.

On Permata, Muhyiddin said it was an additional initiative for early education for children aged two to three and was in its initial stages, with several model projects launched nationwide.

He said the establishment of Permata had started to bear fruit and was seen as a new challenge for the ministry to provide trained teachers to guide the young children not only for pre-school but also for early childhood education.

INSTITUT LATIHAN KEMENTERIAN PERUMAHAN OPTION 1
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INSTITUT LATIHAN KEMENTERIAN PERUMAHAN OPTION 2
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Mixed reaction to English in pre-schools
Wednesday November 4, 2009
By DESIREE TRESA GASPER

JOHOR BARU: There is mixed reaction to the Education Minister’s proposal to use English in pre-schools.

National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) president Hashim Adnan said although the Government’s aim to introduce English for pre-schoolers was noble, it could not be implemented at the moment.

“We are definitely not ready for a big step like this as many pre-school teachers do not have proper paper qualifications and there are also no special guidelines or regulations when it comes to hiring these teachers.

“Even primary and secondary schools are finding it hard to get competent English-speaking teachers, what more with pre-schools,” he told The Star.

He was commenting on Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s proposal that pre-schoolers use 50% of the time for lessons to interact in English.

Malaysian English Language Teaching Association (Melta) president Dr Ganakumaran Subramaniam also supported the suggestion but said that the Government should provide seminars and courses before implementing it.

Dr Ganakumaran added that pre-school lessons were not exam-orientated and as such this would enable them to experiment with the language such as learning through songs and nursery rhymes.

“Many pre-school teachers do not even have SPM qualifications and this needs to be addressed before introducing English into their lessons,” he said.

On the other hand, Malaysian Association of Kindergartens president Jayawathi Perera felt that the suggestion was a good move.

“Teachers should look at it as a challenge to improve themselves. Pre-school courses should be made compulsory for teachers to improve the general teaching standards,” she said.

Adding that on top of paper qualifications, pre-school teachers should also be passionate about children.

She explained that those who start kindergartens should hire competent teachers and not just look for monetary gains.

USM decodes rubber tree genome
Wednesday November 4, 2009
By K. KASTURI DEWI

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2009/11/4/north/TREE.jpg

Dr Wan Abdul Rahaman (right), Khaled (second right)
and Prof Dzulkifli (left) with a rubber tree sapling.

UNIVERSITI Sains Malaysia (USM)’s Centre for Chemical Biology (CCB@USM) has unveiled the first-ever draft of the hevea brasiliensis rubber tree genome in the world and likely position Malaysia as the leading quality rubber producer in the world.

The centre’s deputy director (Research) Prof Nazalan Najimudin said a week ago that the decoding of the draft of the two billion-base genome took almost a year to be completed.

He said the DNA map would most likely see Malaysia taking over as the leading rubber producer in the world from Thailand and Indonesia.

Prof Nazalan said the genomic data obtained by the breakthrough would facilitate significant development especially in rubber tree breeding.

“This (DNA map) will lead us to being able to identify and pick out characteristics of a rubber tree at a much faster speed.

“For example, we have to wait between five to seven years to see if a tree could produce a good amount of latex but with this (DNA map), we will be able to determine in just a week’s time if a rubber sapling would be able to produce latex,” he said after the disclosure of the breakthrough by CCB@USM which was announced by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

He said the genomic data could also be used to track development of rubber trees with favourable traits such as disease resistance and the improvement of properties of rubberwood which is an important export of Malaysia.

Earlier in his speech, Mohamed Khaled said decoding the rubber tree genome would lead to end products being used worldwide to support a multi-billion dollar global industry.

He said USM would be working with Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation on future spin-offs.

Khaled also said CCB@USM’s achievement was part of USM’s overall scheme of ‘Transforming Higher Education for a Sustainable Tomorrow’.

He said the effort of institutions of higher learning such as USM in the field of research and development would help accelerate the national objective of achieving an innovation-based economy.

Also present were USM vice-chancellor Prof Tan Sri Dzulkifli Abdul Razak, CCB@USM’s chief executive officer Prof Maqsudul Alam and Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation Sdn Bhd chief operating officer Dr Wan Abdul Rahaman Wan Yaacob.

Higher education fund expected to have RM48b deficit by 2020
4th November, 2009

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) is expected to have a RM48 billion deficit by the year 2020 if existing borrowers do not repay their loans.

Deputy Education Minister, Datuk Dr Hou Kok Chung, said money supposed to be repaid to the fund now was RM3.26 billion involving 780,000 borrowers.

“Of that total, students owing RM346 million had been given a postponement for repayment while RM1.54 billion has not been repaid,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

Dr Hou was replying to a question by Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah (BN-Gua Musang) who wanted to know how much of PTPTN loans were in arrears and what were the government’s plans for those who did not receive loans to pursue higher education in local or overseas institutes of higher education.

Answering a supplementary question by Nurul Izzah Anwar (PKR-Lembah Pantai), Dr Hou said the fund faced financial difficulties in giving many loans.

“PTPTN will continue to work hard and find ways to get money to fund students. That is why we always remind people to settle their loans,” he said.

Nurul Izzah also asked about development in an agreement with a private sector company to provide financial aid of RM1.5 billion for the fund.

Dr Hou said PTPTN also did not propose to write-off RM3.26 billion as the fund had to consider education opportunities for future students.

“PTPTN is not a scholarship-giving body, many scholarships have been given by the government. The government also encourages the private sector and GLCs to give scholarships to students,” he said in reply to a supplementary question by Datuk Ibrahim Ali (Independent-Pasir Mas).

Ibrahim wanted to know if the fund proposed to write-off the RM3.26 billion.

Instead, Dr Hou said the fund corporation was flexible where borrowers were given a grace-period of six months before being issued a letter of demand and where students who got first-class honours had their loan converted to a scholarship.

University Malaysia Pahang invests RM5mil in state-of-the-art central laboratory
By ROSLINA MOHAMAD Thursday November 5, 2009

KUANTAN: Universiti Malaysia Pahang has invested RM5mil in a state-of-the-art central laboratory that will focus on developmental research and industrial collaborations.

Vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Daing Nasir Ibrahim said the university was setting out a very focused agenda for the upcoming laboratory.

“We want to enter further into collaborations with industries, and produce impeccable research work,” he told a press conference to announce the achievement of its two lecturers who won gold, platinum and diamond awards during an international invention show at UMP here recently.

Prof Daing Nasir added that the laboratory would have high-precision equipment.

It would entail a different way of managing and involve high-level security, he said.

“We have already invested RM5mil in the laboratory and expect it to be fully functional by the end of the 10th Malaysia Plan.

“We hope to obtain the necessary accreditation within the period,” he said.

He added that the laboratory would ensure that research results be translated into commercial products.

On financial grants for researchers, Prof Daing Nasir said they were entitled to a sum of up to RM40,000.

However, their proposals would be subjected to various terms and conditions as well as a series of rigourous vetting and evaluations before a final sum could be approved, he explained.

UMP’s latest achievements were through two of its lecturers who won gold medals and special awards at the British Invention Show in London in October.

Norashikin Mat Zain, from the Chemical and Natural Resources Engineering Faculty, used banana stem as a material to make environment-friendly and affordable biodegradable plastics for packaging.

The 27-year-old won a gold medal and two special awards for best inventions in environment innovation (Henry Goh Award).

Zamzuri Hamedon, 38, of Manufacuring and Technology Engineering Faculty won a gold medal for each of his two products — Universal External Hinge Fixator (UniHF) sand Multi-Purpose Spring Activated Pole (SAP).

UniHF is designed for the treatment of joint contractures without open surgery while SAP is a multi-purpose pole.

1.Medical & Health Faculty UTM
2.Inpens International College
http://www.surea.com.my/P_edu_uitm.html

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Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), Mukah, Sarawak.

Multimedia University And Infineon To Collaborate On Projects
November 04, 2009 16:17 PM

MELAKA, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- Infineon Technologies (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd and Multimedia University (MMU) have agreed to collaborate on joint development projects of mutual interest to both parties in the next three years.

Infineon's vice president and managing director Peter Bailey said at a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony that both parties aimed to explore areas for cooperation in the development of university research on engineering and information technology (IT).

Under the progamme, Infineon will provide techninal seminars at the university and offers scholarships for top engineering undergraduates and awards for the best final-year projects in related engineering fields.

"The Infineon-MMU collaboration is a long-term strategic programme in advancing innovation and developing a pipeline of technical talent for the demand of tomorrow," said Bailey who added that 50 MMU graduates are currently employed by the company.

The MoU was signed today by MMU president Prof Dr Zaharin Yusoff, Bailey and Infineon's chief financial officer Markus Reisinger, and witnessed by the State Commitee Chairman of Industrial, Commerce, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Datuk Md Yunos Husin.

Zaharin in his speech said under the collaboration, MMU students would be given opportunities to explore Infineon's technologies and hence able to further their careers in Infineon upon graduation.

"There are currently three engineering research projects at the discussion stage and this MoU benefits about 4,000 students studying in the engineering and IT sectors," he said.

MMU, established in 1996 by Telekom Malaysia Berhad, is the first government-approved private university in the country and known for producing graduates in the areas of engineering, IT and ceative multimedia.

Infineon has been present in Melaka since 1973, investing in state-of-the-art technologies in the Free Trade Zone, Batu Berendam, with a workforce of more than 5,300.

-- BERNAMA

SP Setia Foundation Launches Newspaper-In-Education Programme In East Malaysia
November 04, 2009 18:23 PM

KOTA KINABALU, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- Four schools in Sabah will benefit from SP Foundation's Newspaper-In-Education (NIE) programme launched today to boost English language proficiency among students.

Starting January next year, SMK Bandaraya (Kota Kinabalu), SMK Badin (Tuaran), SMK Majakir (Papar) and SMK Putatan (Penampang) will be receiving copies of the largest English daily in Borneo, The Borneo Post, once a week for three months.

At the launch at SMK Bandaraya here, SP Setia Foundation chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye presented a mock cheque for RM20,000 to the NIE programme committee for the programme.

Lee said this is an extension to the programme which had been long introduced in the peninsular, where New Straits Times newspaper was distributed in an effort to improve the reading, spelling and writing abilities of students in addition to imparting general knowledge to them.

"The committee will assess the project to what extent it has benefited (the students), and then we are prepared to consider expanding it to other schools in Sabah," he told reporters.

Lee in his speech said the fastest and easiest way to learn a language was through newspaper reading, and English was one of the most important languages and an asset when facing globalisation.

Twenty-four teachers will also be attending a special NIE workshop at the Borneo Post offfice tomorrow to ensure that the programme is well implemented.

The SP Setia Foundation is a charity trust established on Jan 17, 2000, by Malaysia's leading property developer, SP Setia Bhd group, to provide financial help to needy individuals and charitable bodies, advance education and promote national unity through sports, culture and arts.

-- BERNAMA

USM Experts Develop System To Identify Threats To ICT Network
November 05, 2009 21:55 PM

PENANG, Nov 5 (Bernama) -- A group of ICT experts from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has successfully developed a method of identifying threats to computer network in an organisation.

Prof R. Sureswaran, who heads the research team, said the innovation, by researchers from the National Advanced IPv6 Centre, was the first of its kind and expected to benefit the country tremendously.

He told a news conference here Thursday that the system, known as iNetmon-Distributing Platform for Networking Security and Monitoring, functioned as a platform in analysing activities on computer network.

"The unique features enable a consumer to analyse important information occurring in a network including hacking attempts," he said adding that virus attack, interference and network congestion, which were common place in ICT world, prompted the team to develop iNetmon.

Sureswaran was assisted by Muhammad Fermi Pasha, Mustafa Abdat and Ashraf Hamdan Aljammal.

He said the system was different from the ones available in the market as iNetmon acted passively and did not interrupt the traffic flow of a computer network.

"iNetmon is not an anti-virus; on the other hand it is a system to trace the cause of a problem in a network. When the cause is traceable, it would be easier for the user to act, and anti-virus software would be more effective," he said.

He said through iNetmon, users would get detailed information, including from where virus were sent and take proactive actions to destroy them.

Sureswaran said, the iNetmon package could be obtained in two versions -- a personal version for small organisations and an enterprise version for bigger organisations, costing between RM2,000 and RM50,000.

-- BERNAMA

UUM Wants To Work With Private Sector To Produce F1 Drivers
November 08, 2009 22:21 PM

SINTOK, Nov 8 (Bernama) -- Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) is prepared to work together with local and international companies to produce go-kart and Formula 1 champions.

UUM vice-chancellor Tan Sri Dr Nordin Kardi said the cooperation was offered for UUM to be involved in developing the motorsport to enhance its image in sports and not only in the academic field.

"To make the dream come true, I am inviting AirAsia chief executive officer Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes to together set up a team of go-kart racers as the platform for them to become F1 racers.

"We offer the training facility, accommodation and a 1.2km circuit recognised by the International Automobile Federation (FIA)," he said in his speech when opening the International Go-Kart Circuit and launching the UUM-Promax Racing team, here, today.

Built at a cost of RM2 million by the Youth and Sports Ministry, the UUM go-kart circuit is the fourth in the world built using the counter clockwise concept.

Nordin said UUM would not ignore its social responsibility by giving residents, especially youths, near the campus the opportunity to use the circuit to test their capability.

"The facility is open to the public every Wednesday and we have plans to open it at night for full utilisation."

He said companies were encouraged to sponsor or train those with the talent to join the F1 team in the future.

Construction of the go-kart circuit which occupies 2.4 hectares of land, began on Dec 15, 2006 and was completed on Jan 25, 2006.

UUM has 25 go-kart cars for its students and the public to use.

Nordin said UUM would conduct a go-kart driving workshop and test driving of the go-karts for students and the public at a reasonable price.

-- BERNAMA

found dis..
proposed uitm campus
but duno where

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Malaysia Proves Its Mettle In Physics At WRO 2009
November 13, 2009 19:40 PM
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsgeneral.php?id=455036

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 13 (Bernama) -- The success of the Malaysian contingent at the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) 2009 in Pohang, South Korea last week, where they emerged as overall champion, showed that Malaysian students are not only on par but are even better than students in the developed countries in the field of physics.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said he took pride in their success which had placed Malaysia on the world map and would make the subject more popular.

Muhyiddin, who is also the Education Minister, said the achievement would certainly inspire more students to take up physics and venture into robotic science and engineering.

"This means that we have the capacity. Although it forms a co-curriculum activity, the interest of our children in science is most significant.

"We must expand this field in future," he told reporters after celebrating the contingent's success at the Education Ministry, here on Friday.

The WRO 2009 was held for three days beginning Nov 6 and was participated by 217 teams from 24 countries.

-- BERNAMA

RELATED LINK: http://www.wroboto.org/

Star to help ease needs of growing student population


PETALING JAYA: Star Publications (M) Bhd is prepared to build a new city campus for Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Utar) at the current premises in Section 13 to meet the needs of the growing student population.

“The company is working with Utar on a proposal to build a new city campus of up to 650,000sq ft,” said Star Publications executive director Ng Beng Lye.

“Utar has expressed to us that the current, old premises of 77,200sq ft is inadequate for its expansion plans,” he said yesterday.

Ng added that, under the proposal, Utar would not have to bear the costs of the construction.

“Utar will in turn take a long-term lease on the buildings at a rate to be finalised,” he said in a statement to correct reports in the Chinese press that Star Publications intended to terminate Utar’s tenancy in order to develop the said land.

Ng said the tenancy for the premises would expire in May next year and that both Star Publications and Utar would want the full completion of the tenancy.

He added that Star Publications intended also to build an office block to accommodate its three radio stations which were currently leasing rented premises.

He added that discussions between Star Publications management and Utar’s vice-chancellor and registrar were ongoing and the next meeting would be held today.

“It is mischievous for certain quarters and the Chinese papers to make a political issue out of the matter.

“We are disappointed that the Chinese papers and politicians did not clarify the position with us before they published the reports or made the statements,” said Ng, adding that there was also no indication the Utar management involved in the discussions with Star Publications had been approached for clarification.

Ng stressed that as a public listed company, Star Publications should make its decisions based on the best interests of the company and its shareholders, including the MCA.

“The terms for the proposed collaboration must be acceptable to both Star Publications and Utar council.”

Ng said the previous management had planned to build a university block as well as convention and exhibition centre at the site but the new management scrapped that early this year and began discussions with Utar on the possibility of building a full-fledged university campus under a long-term collaboration.

Ng added that due to the huge capital outlay, the Star Publications board at its recent meeting had decided to develop the land with joint venture partners who would bear the costs of development.

“No decision on the joint venture partners has been made. The management has also decided that the partners would have to accept any arrangement that might be agreed upon between Star Publications and Utar.”

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GEMBIRA..... Sebahagian daripada 23 Pelajar SK Sri Gaya yang mendapat 5A
gembira sambil menunjukkan angka 5 ketika keputusan UPSR tahun 2009 di
umumkan di perkarangan SK Sri Gaya Kota Kinabalu, hari ini. - Gambar:
Ghazali Basri

World renowned specialist joins Penang Medical College
Friday, November 20th, 2009
http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=62545

KUCHING: World-renowned obstetrician, gynaecologist and educator Professor Roger Pepperell has joined the Penang Medical College (PMC) as Obstetrics and Gynaecology professor in place of Professor James Feeney, who is retiring to Ireland.A PMC press statement issued recently said Pepperell graduated from Melbourne University in 1965 and did post-graduate training in both Obstetrics and Gynaecology as well as General Medicine in Melbourne.

He then worked as an obstetrician and gynaecologist in University Departments in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea and Glasgow, Scotland before returning to Australia in 1975.

In 1978, he was appointed professor and chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Melbourne, a post he held until 1998 when he retired as chairman.

Since then he has continued to teach Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine.

He also assessed and advised on medico-legal problems and risk management applicable in a large Obstetrical and Gynaecological institution.

Overall, he has written widely on Obstetrics and Gynaecology, has more than 100 publications in refereed journals, has been an invited speaker at many international meetings and continues to act as an invited referee in Obstetrics and Gynaecology for three international journals.

In 1982, he became the senior examiner in Obstetrics and Gynaecology for the Australian Medical Council (AMC), the body responsible for the assessment of Foreign Medical Graduates wishing to become registered to practice medicine in Australia and continued in that position until today.

In addition he was AMC full board of examiners chairman from 2002 to 2006.

Since then, he has been the chairman of the clinical examinations committee and has been responsible for the assessment of more than 1,000 overseas-trained doctors per year.

Pepperell’s experience with the Australian Medical Council will be of tremendous benefit to the doctors graduating from PMC.

PMC dean Professor Amir S Khir said: “We at PMC are very fortunate to have Professor Pepperell as one of our department heads.

“His wide experience and expertise in Obstetrics and Gynaecology are very valuable to not only PMC students but also to Malaysian medicine in general.”

PMC is a not-for-profit joint venture between Penang and Ireland.

PMC students undertake their pre-clinical training at the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland and University College Dublin.

After spending two and a half years in Dublin, PMC students return to Penang for their clinical training.

In addition to the five-year programme, the college also offers a six-year medical degree programme, catering for students who have a strong drive to become doctors and who may need to strengthen their foundation before departing for Dublin.

“The students coming into our six-year programme have a strong determination to achieve a career in medicine and are highly motivated.

“This attitude, coupled with pastoral and academic guidance that they receive in PMC will give them a solid foundation to their medical training ahead,” said PMC Preliminary Medicine programme coordinator Dr Annie Foo.

For more on PMC entrance requirements, contact 04 -226 3459, email admissions@pmc.edu.my or visit www.pmc.edu.my.

UK medical association president visits Unimas
Friday, November 20th, 2009
http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=62544

KUCHING: The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSE) United Kingdom president John Orr recently visited the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas).In line with Unimas’ vision to become an exemplary university of internationally acknowledged structure and a scholarly institution of choice, the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences has been discussing and negotiating with RCSE to establish an overseas examination centre in Unimas.

This was the first visit by an RCSE president to Sarawak.

Orr, who also visited the Sarawak General Hospital, made a courtesy call on the faculty’s dean and gave a talk on the ‘Global Role of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh’.

The talk was followed by a lively discussion on the future of Member of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) examinations and the feasibility of establishing an overseas examination centre in Unimas.

With an examination centre at the faculty, it would improve the role and image of the faculty and Unimas in the international arena of surgical education.

It would also be an incentive for medical students who are eager to take up surgery as their career. If successful, the examination centre will be the only RCSE centre in the country and region.

RCSE has proposed and approved August 2010 to conduct part three of MRCS examination at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Unimas.

RCSE is one of the oldest surgical colleges in the world, established in 1505.

It has a very high international reputation in setting and maintaining the highest standards of surgical training, education and practice.

New programme from next year to help pupils master 3M
Friday, November 20th, 2009
http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=62543

BINTULU: A new Literacy, Numeracy and Screening (Linus) programme of the Education Department for primary pupils to take effect from next year will hopefully help them master the 3M (reading, writing and arithmetic).“The programme will give the pupils three years (from Year 1 to 3) to master the 3M,” said Lau Siong Lee, representing Bintulu education officer Fatimah Matair in officiating at the SK St Anthony Excellence Students Award ceremony at the civic centre yesterday.

“However we are hoping that once they enter Year 3, they have already mastered the 3M,” he said.

According to Lau, six strategies will be taken into account to ensure the success of the Linus programme namely screening, preparing the material, capacity building, awareness, supervision and facilities.

He said the Education Department hoped through the Linus programme pupils can be prepared with the proper mechanism to achieve the target of mastering the 3M.

The first screening of the Linus programme will be held in all primary schools in March next year.

Starting next year, the Ministry of Education will put experienced and excellent teachers to teach Year 1 and 2.

Previously most of them were assigned to Year 6 to prepare pupils for the UPSR exam, he said.

However, realising the importance of quality education and teaching from an early stage of Year 1, experienced and excellent teachers will be given the responsibility to teach them to give them a strong foundation next year, Lau said. The sufficient grounding would guarantee these pupils continued success as they move higher in their studies.

Each primary school will be placed with one ‘facilinus’ by March next year to monitor and conduct the programme.

Lau said the screening test to be held in March will see how far the Year 1 pupils have mastered the 3M skills. If after screening in September, they still cannot meet the requirements, the programme will be continued to Year 2 and 3 until the 3M skills are mastered.

Touching on the excellence students’ award ceremony, Lau said he was impressed with the presence of parents during the ceremony.

Parents’ attendance at the ceremony showed their concern for their children’s education, and gave recognition to excellent students and appreciation to committed teachers.

He therefore called on all parents and teachers to work as a team with the Education Department to ensure their children improve in their studies.

Lau advised the teachers to be open-hearted whenever approached by parents to give their ideas or to find out about their children’s progress in school.

He urged the pupils to practise lifelong learning and keep on struggling to achieve excellence and satisfaction in life.

Earlier school headmistress Lucy Geran Nyalun in her welcoming address congratulated excellent students and thanked their parents for their support.

UTP Buys School Items For More Than 100 Underprivileged Children
November 20, 2009 23:14 PM

http://web7.bernama.com/bernama/newspic/ge/UTP.jpg

BACK-TO-SCHOOL CHEER... The children receiving their school items from
a foster parent, witnessed by UTP Rector Datuk Dr Zainal Abidin Kasim.
Pic courtesy of UTP

IPOH, Nov 19 (Bernama) -- A total of 104 pupils from three welfare homes in Perak will benefit from a sponsorship programme initiated by Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP).

The programme, dubbed "Menggapai Impian" (Reaching for Your Dreams), involves UTP staff adopting the children and sponsoring RM100 for each student in the form of stationery, schoolbags and uniforms for the new school term, UTP said in a statement today.

It said the three organisations were Pertubuhan Kebajikan Anak-anak Yatim dan Warga Miskin Bait Al-Amin in Parit; Pertubuhan Kebajikan Anak-anak Yatim Precious Gift Home in Ipoh and Asrama Anak Yatim Darussalam in Simpang Pulai.

"It is hoped that this contribution will lessen the burden of the homes and will spur the children to strive harder," it said.

The initiative was aimed at enhancing the learning experience of the underprivileged children so that they can enjoy a better learning environment, it said.

-- BERNAMA

Kampus cawangan UiTM di Seremban 3

SEREMBAN 22 Nov. - Kerajaan negeri bercadang membangunkan sebuah lagi kampus cawangan Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) di Seremban 3 di sini dalam menjadikan negeri ini hab pendidikan.

Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan berkata, kampus yang bakal dibina di bawah Rancangan Malaysia Kesepuluh (RMK-10) itu akan dikenali sebagai 'City Campus'.

"Pihak UiTM menyambut baik idea cadangan ini dan dari segi dasarnya, kerajaan meluluskannya. Bagaimanapun dalam aspek pelan struktur, ia masih dalam proses pengendalian," kata beliau.

Beliau berkata demikian kepada pemberita selepas menghadiri Majlis Anugerah Kecemerlangan Murid Tahun 2009 Sekolah Kebangsaan Datuk Akhir Zaman, Rantau dekat sini semalam.

Mohamad menjelaskan, pembinaan 'City Campus' bukan atas geran kerajaan, sebaliknya berasaskan pembiayaan swasta.

"Begitu juga untuk projek pembinaan cawangan UiTM di Chengkau, Rembau. Kedua-dua projek berkenaan adalah di bawah pembiayaan swasta," katanya.

Tambah beliau, 'City Campus' itu adalah pusat latihan lanjutan untuk siswazah-siswazah muda bukan untuk pelajar baru.

"Kampus ini bukan 100 peratus untuk pelajar baru, tetapi majoriti daripada pelajarnya nanti adalah dalam kalangan pensyarah serta tutor.

"Kampus seperti inilah yang kerajaan mahu tumpukan, lain daripada biasa, di mana membolehkan pensyarah berkunjung menghadiri seminar dan melanjutkan pelajaran di bawah Program Siswazah Muda," katanya.

Menurutnya, kerajaan negeri sememangnya berhasrat supaya lebih banyak institusi pendidikan tinggi (IPT) membuka kampus di negeri ini, seiring dengan fokus kerajaan bagi menjadikan Negeri Sembilan sebagai lembah ilmu serta koridor hab pelajaran, terutamanya di Seremban Barat.

"Pada masa sama, kerajaan mengalu-alukan sebarang bentuk pertanyaan ataupun mana-mana institusi pengajian tinggi yang berminat untuk membuka kampus mereka di Negeri Sembilan.

"Menerusi perancangan sebeginilah, selain membawa pembukaan kampus baru IPT ke sini, ia turut mampu memenuhi strategi kerajaan dalam menambahkan kependudukan di negeri ini," katanya.

UMT building RM12m research ship
Wednesday November 25, 2009

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2009/11/25/southneast/se_03umtship.jpg

Diversity of creatures: UMT researchers at
Pulau Bidong checking on marine life. — File photo

KUALA TERENGGANU: Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) will be the first local university to have a research and training ship when its vessel named RV Discovery is completed in April next year.

Its vice-chancellor Prof Dr Aziz Deraman said the ship, costing RM12mil, would have dry and wet laboratories and make UMT the top Malaysian university in oceanography studies.

“Construction began in September last year and is 80% completed. With the vessel, UMT will be able to conduct extensive research across the seas.

“It will provide exposure and training to students taking up Maritime Science, Marine Biology, Nautical Science, Maritime Transportation and Maritime Technology,” he said.

Prof Aziz said this to reporters at the handing-over of a model of the RV Discovery here recently.

Kay Marine Sdn Bhd chairman Datuk Wan Mohd Albakri Wan Md Noor also present.

Prof Aziz said the 35m vessel being built by Kay Marine could travel 4,500 nautical miles over three weeks at a time.

Fitted with scientific equipment, the vessel will conduct research involving seaweed and marine organisms, among others.

“We are planning scientific expeditions in the South China Sea to collect data. In the long term, we want to establish research co-operation with local and international agencies, especially in regard to the South China Sea,” Aziz said.

UMT currently has nine boats for research purposes in Tasik Kenyir, Pulau Kapas, Pulau Redang and Pulau Bidong. — Bernama

Local govt studies at UiTM Sabah
25th November, 2009
http://www.newsabahtimes.com.my/nstweb/fullstory/33945

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah branch campus of Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) in Sepanggar near here is now offering a course in local government.

A Local Government Studies Unit was recently set up and it is believed to be the first in the country.

This was revealed during a courtesy call on Local Government & Housing Minister, Datuk Hj Hajiji Hj Noor by a delegation from UiTM Sabah headed by deputy campus director, Dr Hj Abdul Kadir Hj Rosline, yesterday.

Prof Datuk Dr Chua Kim Hing who was part of the delegation briefed the minister that the rationale of setting up the unit was to put local government in its rightful place.

Dr Chua, former City Hall director-general who joined the university upon his retirement, added that there had been confusion between the role of the district office and the district council.

In Sabah, some districts are managed by a town board and municipal council while Kota Kinabalu city is managed by City Hall.

“Mind you, those who are confused include government officers,” said Dr Chua who obtained his Ph.D in local government from the U.K.

Hajiji said as the Minister in-charge of local government, he would assure that his ministry would give the fullest co-operation to the university.

He noted that the setting up of the Unit would help provide the ministry with the much-needed trained manpower as upon graduating with a diploma or degree in Local Government from UiTM, the graduates could serve in the local authorities whenever vacancies are available.

And, Hajiji added that the setting up of the unit could enhance the standard of service of the local authorities as these agencies are the ‘front-liners’ of the government machinery in serving the public.

“Thus, the unit is indeed timely as it is also in line with the 1Malaysia concept,” he said.

He also said UiTM Sabah has also volunteered to assist or complement the efforts of my ministry which will be starting a series of cleanliness competition among local authorities in the state next year,” he said.

Speaking at the State Legislative Assembly recently, Hajiji had said his ministry would hold the competition with the participation of local residents in order to create a sense of belonging among them and to ensure greater success of the campaign.

He added that Dr Chua’s experience in tackling town cleanliness while the latter was with City Hall would come in handy when the ministry’s cleanliness campaign starts.

Also present at the briefing was the Ministry’s permanent secretary, Datuk Abidin Madingkir who also assured that he and his officers would give the fullest co-operation to UiTM.

USM arm expects RM8m revenue from centre by 2011
By Marina Emmanuel
Published: 2009/11/28

UNIVERSITI Sains Malaysia's commercial arm, Usains Holding Sdn Bhd, is looking to generate revenue of between RM7 million and RM8 million by 2011 for a centre of excellence in electrical and electronics it is managing for the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA).

The Centre of Excellence for Electrical and Electronics (Integrated Circuit Design), which was set up this year, is also looking at ensuring that industry needs for skilled professionals are also met.

"For the first 18 months of its operation, the centre is looking at revenue of RM5 million," Usains group managing director Datuk Dr Gan Ee-Kiang told Business Times in Penang.

The centre, which serves as a pilot project with initial funding from the NCIA, has already clinched a RM4 million job for integrated circuit design skills training for a technology giant.

"Engineering graduates will be trained at the centre over a period of 12 to 18 months for industry needs," he said.

Gan said apart from the US-based firm which is participating in the training services available, other multinational firms along with small and medium-sized companies in Penang and neighbouring states will be approached for business.

"Our focus is to actively pursue commercialisation of intellectual property and spin off new business start-ups through incubation and technoprenuership programmes," he added.

The centre, for which the NCIA has invested over RM20 million, is run by USAINS Info Tech Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Usains Holding.

Gan said apart from developing and training highly skilled technical talent in microelectronics system designs to meet long-term industry resource needs, the centre is also nurturing active research collaboration and business cooperation among academia, industry and local firms to boost the country's electronics industry.

UiTM bawa pulang lima emas dari Belgium
28 November 2009
http://www.kosmo.com.my/kosmo/content.asp?y=2009&dt=1128&pub=Kosmo&sec=Negara&pg=ne_11.htm

http://www.kosmo.com.my/kosmo/pix/2009/1128/Kosmo/Negara/ne_11.1.jpg

PASUKAN penyelidik UiTM menunjukkan piala dan pingat emas yang dimenangi
pada Pertandingan Inovasi, Kajian dan Teknologi Baru Dunia di Belgium baru-baru ini.

SHAH ALAM - Kumpulan penyelidik Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) berjaya merangkul lima pingat emas ketika menyertai Pertandingan Inovasi, Kajian dan Teknologi Baru peringkat Dunia ke-58 Brussels-Eureka 2009 di Belgium bermula 19 hingga 21 November lalu.

Hasil kajian yang berjaya meraih pingat emas ialah Hydroxyleum Technology iaitu sistem untuk mengurangkan kadar penggunaan minyak petrol dan Shear Thickening Fluid iaitu ciptaan baju kalis peluru lebih ringan.

Tiga lagi produk penyelidikan hadiah emas ialah Multi-Parametric Pectin Lyase-Like Protein Function Classifier bagi meningkatkan jangka hayat hasil pertanian yang dituai, Pinyin Approach untuk belajar bahasa Mandarin dengan mudah dan MathZzle Board Game bagi meningkatkan penguasaan ilmu matematik.

Kolej Yayasan Sabah naik taraf universiti menjelang 2013
30/11/2009 12:55pm
http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2009&dt=1130&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Terkini&pg=bt_13.htm

KOTA KINABALU 30 Nov. — Kolej Yayasan Sabah (KYS) milik Kumpulan Yayasan Sabah, satu daripada agensi kerajaan negeri, akan dinaik taraf sebagai sebuah universiti menjelang tahun 2013, kata Ketua Menteri Datuk Seri Musa Aman.

Beliau berkata, Lembaga Pemegang Amanah Yayasan Sabah sudah memulakan perancangan untuk tujuan itu termasuk meluluskan cadangan membina bangunan baru KYS untuk menampung dan merealisasikan aspirasi KYS mencapai status Universiti Kolej. - Bernama

Curtin urged to start energy-saving project
Monday November 30, 2009
RELATED LINK: www.curtin.edu.my/

MIRI: Sarawak Assistant Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communication Datuk Dr Lee Kim Shin wants Curtin University of Technology Sarawak Campus (Curtin Sarawak) to start a pilot project aimed at achieving higher energy efficiency at the campus.

He said the university’s School of Engineering could take the lead by carrying out research and development on energy-saving facilities that could be implemented at the campus.

Speaking to reporters after opening the university’s science and engineering international conference here, he said that future development of the campus should incorporate environment-friendly and energy-saving designs.

Dr Lee, who is also Curtin Sarawak board chairman, said the campus should have an asset-management committee in charge of the maintenance of energy-consuming facilities.

He said the campus had an electricity bill of over RM100,000 per month and this could be reduced by 40% with proper maintenance of facilities, research and more widespread adoption of energy-saving practices. — Bernama

Ministry to build more vocational schools nationwide
Wednesday December 2, 2009
By NELSON BENJAMIN and ZAZALI MUSA
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/12/2/nation/5221716&sec=nation

PONTIAN: The Education Minis- try is adopting a new strategy to build more vocational schools nationwide to provide skills training for students who do not excel academically.

Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said through this, the Government hoped to be able to have adequate manpower to propel the country’s growth.

“There are children who do not excel academically but are skilled. If the Government does not prepare such schools, these students will not be able to complete their studies,” he said.

Muhyiddin, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, added that the Government planned to build six such schools nationwide as part of its aim to enhance the country’s quality of education.

Each of the schools will cost between RM40mil and RM45mil, he said in his speech during a meet-the-people session here yesterday.

Muhyiddin also briefed the people on the importance of maintaining unity among all races to achieve development in the country through the 1Malaysia concept, the Government’s efforts to revive the economy and key performance indicators.

He also reminded leaders of Barisan components to be bold and dispel lies spread by the Opposition to cheat the public, especially in trying to label Umno as a racist party.

He had earlier launched a 2,100 Megawatt (MW) coal-fired Tanjung Bin Power Plant worth RM7.8bil, one of the biggest private coal-fired plants in the region.

The plant, owned by Malakoff Corporation Bhd, uses state-of-the-art power generation, which incorporates the latest clean coal technologies such as electrostatic precipitators and flu gas desulphurisation, and has a monitoring system connected to the Depart- ment of Environment.

Education Minister launches Malaysian Teacher Standard
Dec 2nd, 2009

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today launched the Malaysian Teacher Standards (Standard Guru Malaysia or SGM) document as part of continuous efforts to place the nation’s education system to be at par with global standards and produce first class human resources among Malaysians.

Muhyiddin, who is also the Education minister, said based on the document all teachers are required to have three valued aspects of practices namely teaching professionalism; knowledge; and high teaching and learning skills.

“These three aspects represent important components of teacher standard that must be achieved by every teacher in our country,” he said.

Muhyiddin said only by having all these three important components could teachers reach a high level of competency and therefore discharge their duties effectively.

“I believe that the SGM will be an important reference not just to produce quality teachers but also to improve on policy, planning and development of the national education system,” he said.

Muhyiddin also officially opened the Tawau campus of the Malaysian Institute of Teachers Education costing RM87 million.

He said as part of the government’s efforts to ensure teacher standards reached the desired target, aspects of training and professional development, needed to given priority.

The deputy prime minister urged all teacher training institutes in the country to continue to strive to have quality teacher training programmes besides always improving infrastructure and infostructure.

He said all educators, made up of teachers, headmasters, principals and managers, as well as teacher training institute administrators, must use the guidelines set out in the SGM document to ensure that the country’s education quality was enhanced continuously.

Speaking to reporters later, Muhyiddin said Malaysia wanted be among the best countries for education.

“For that we need a specific direction,” he said.

On the problem of lack of infrastructure, which can be an impediment to achieving the objectives of the SGM, Muhyiddin said the government was aware of the problem and was overcoming it in stages and continuously

He admitted that a teacher’s achievements could be influenced by the problem of school infrastructure and said the focus on minimising the effect, including in Sabah and Sarawak, would be done under the 10th Malaysia Plan.

He said such effort was not just related to the SGM but also to reduce the gap, in all aspects, between rural and urban schools.

–BERNAMA

Malaysia first in region to adopt benchmark for educators
Thursday December 3, 2009
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/12/3/nation/5225720&sec=nation

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2009/12/3/nation/n_08muhyiddin.jpg

Paving the way: Muhyiddin striking the gong to officially open the Malaysian
Teachers Education Institute in Tawau yesterday. Looking on are Sabah
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman (second from left) and Education
director-general Tan Sri Alimuddin Mohd Dom. — Bernama

TAWAU: Malaysia is working toward raising its education system to a world class standard by becoming the first nation in Southeast Asia to adopt a teacher standard.

Under the Malaysian Teacher Standard, educators would need to reach a series of benchmarks, said Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

“The use of teacher standard will set the tone for quality throughout the education system, from preschool to tertiary education,” he said after unveiling the Malaysian Teacher Standard and launching the Malaysian Teachers Education Institute Tawau campus in Balung, some 36km from here yesterday.

The teacher standard is aimed at ensuring teachers function effectively in the classroom by being well-versed with the subject knowledge and understanding; pedagogical or methodical skills as well as professional values.

Muhyiddin said the components in the teacher standard comprised the standards and requirements.

The standard portion refers to the professional values, practice, knowledge and understanding to be achieved by a teacher.

Muhyiddin said the requirements component were aspects that had to be met by teacher-trainers.

“Teachers can use the standard for self-appraisal and evaluation. It can also be used for determining further professional training and development needs throughout their career,” he added.

Muhyiddin said Malaysia hoped to share its teaching standard with other countries in the region paving the way for the nation to becoming a centre of education excellence.

He added Malaysia’s education system was gaining international attention with the country being recognised as having an effective conventional and religious curriculum by various groups.

“Our approach towards Islamic Education for example has been recognised by the International Bureau of Education in Geneva, and now serves as the basis for the formulation of Islamic studies in Afghanistan,” said Muhyiddin.

He added Thailand had also approached Malaysia to assist the country in drawing up its curriculum for Islamic education and teachers’ training there.

Standard untuk guru
Oleh Veena Rusli, Khamis, 03 Disember 2009 |

http://www.bharian.com.my/Thursday/BeritaUtama/20091203012133/mainpix

MUHYIDDIN menyampaikan buku Standard Guru Malaysia (SGM) kepada
Alimuddin sambil diperhatikan Musa (tengah) pada majlis Perasmian Institut
Pendidikan Guru Malaysia Kampus Tawau di Tawau, semalam.

Golongan pendidik mesti tingkat profesionalisme setara taraf global

TIGA AMALAN NILAI
1. Profesionalisme keguruan
2. Pengetahuan serta kemahiran pengajaran
3. Pembelajaran yang tinggi.

MORE > http://www.bharian.com.my/Current_News/BH/Thursday/BeritaUtama/20091203012133/Article

RM20mil Permata Pintar complex to open in 2011
Monday December 7, 2009
By RICHARD LIM

BANGI: The construction of the eight hectare National Permata Pin-tar complex at Universiti Kebang-saan Malaysia (UKM) has begun and the complex will open its doors to gifted students in January 2011.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said RM20mil had been set aside by the Permata division in the Prime Minister’s Department for phase one of the project which comprised the administrative headquarters, a multi-purpose hall, classrooms, laboratories, places of worship and a watch tower.

Speaking at the complex’s groundbreaking ceremony here yesterday, Najib said RM9mil more had been allocated to construct an auditorium and sporting facilities. Part of this came from Saudi Arabia’s Prince Saud al-Saud who donated US$1mil (RM3.33mil).

The complex will accommodate 300 students.

Najib also launched the inaugural National Permata Pintar School Holidays Camp which was attended by 405 gifted students aged be- tween nine and 15.

The students were vetted through aptitude tests before they were selected for the camp.

It is learnt that 212,486 students nationwide sat for the Permata Pintar UKM1 test. However, only 4,682 students qualified for the Permata Pintar UKM2 test before 405 were selected.

Conducted in collaboration with the Johns Hopkins University’s Centre for Talented Youth (JHU-CTY), the three week-long camp began on Nov 30 and will end on Dec 18.

To facilitate the camp, eight UKM lecturers had undergone training at the JHU-CTY in courses which included mathematical reasoning, biotechnology, cryptology, and in- vention, among others.

Ubah sistem untuk pelajar pintar - PM
7 Disember 2009
http://www.kosmo.com.my/kosmo/content.asp?y=2009&dt=1207&pub=Kosmo&sec=Negara&pg=ne_08.htm

http://www.kosmo.com.my/kosmo/pix/2009/1207/Kosmo/Negara/ne_08.1.jpg

NAJIB bersalaman dengan sebahagian anak-anak pintar selepas majlis perasmian
perkhemahan cuti sekolah PERMATA pintar negara di UKM Bangi semalam.

BANGI - Sistem dan kaedah pembelajaran serta pengajaran untuk pelajar pintar cerdas perlu diperbaiki serta diperhebatkan selepas sekian lama ia seakan-akan terabai kerana tumpuan lebih diberikan kepada pelajar golongan khas.

Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak berkata, sistem pendidikan negara selama ini hanya memberi keutamaan dan tumpuan kepada pelajar golongan khas tanpa menyedari tumpuan yang sama harus diberikan kepada pelajar pintar.

"Selama ini, kita lihat dasar pendidikan negara kita ada kelas untuk pelajar biasa dan ada kelas khas untuk pelajar cacat penglihatan, cacat pendengaran, autisme, sindrom down dan segala aspek dari segi kecacatan dan kelemahan diambil kira tapi kita lupa ada pelajar yang kecerdasan mereka merupakan golongan luar biasa.

"Luar biasa dari segi mereka berfikir, luar biasa dari mereka belajar. Mereka juga perlukan pembelajaran yang baik," katanya semasa merasmikan perkhemahan cuti sekolah Permata pintar negara di sini semalam.

Najib berkata, sudah tiba masanya aspek pembelajaran dan pengajaran yang sesuai untuk golongan pelajar pintar cerdas diadakan selepas sekian lama ia terbiar sedangkan ia telah lama wujud di negara-negara lain.

RM20mil Permata Pintar complex to open in 2011
Monday December 7, 2009
By RICHARD LIM

BANGI: The construction of the eight hectare National Permata Pin-tar complex at Universiti Kebang-saan Malaysia (UKM) has begun and the complex will open its doors to gifted students in January 2011.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said RM20mil had been set aside by the Permata division in the Prime Minister’s Department for phase one of the project which comprised the administrative headquarters, a multi-purpose hall, classrooms, laboratories, places of worship and a watch tower.

Speaking at the complex’s groundbreaking ceremony here yesterday, Najib said RM9mil more had been allocated to construct an auditorium and sporting facilities. Part of this came from Saudi Arabia’s Prince Saud al-Saud who donated US$1mil (RM3.33mil).

The complex will accommodate 300 students.

Najib also launched the inaugural National Permata Pintar School Holidays Camp which was attended by 405 gifted students aged be- tween nine and 15.

The students were vetted through aptitude tests before they were selected for the camp.

It is learnt that 212,486 students nationwide sat for the Permata Pintar UKM1 test. However, only 4,682 students qualified for the Permata Pintar UKM2 test before 405 were selected.

Conducted in collaboration with the Johns Hopkins University’s Centre for Talented Youth (JHU-CTY), the three week-long camp began on Nov 30 and will end on Dec 18.

To facilitate the camp, eight UKM lecturers had undergone training at the JHU-CTY in courses which included mathematical reasoning, biotechnology, cryptology, and in- vention, among others.

Ubah sistem untuk pelajar pintar - PM
7 Disember 2009
http://www.kosmo.com.my/kosmo/content.asp?y=2009&dt=1207&pub=Kosmo&sec=Negara&pg=ne_08.htm

http://www.kosmo.com.my/kosmo/pix/2009/1207/Kosmo/Negara/ne_08.1.jpg

NAJIB bersalaman dengan sebahagian anak-anak pintar selepas majlis perasmian
perkhemahan cuti sekolah PERMATA pintar negara di UKM Bangi semalam.

BANGI - Sistem dan kaedah pembelajaran serta pengajaran untuk pelajar pintar cerdas perlu diperbaiki serta diperhebatkan selepas sekian lama ia seakan-akan terabai kerana tumpuan lebih diberikan kepada pelajar golongan khas.

Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak berkata, sistem pendidikan negara selama ini hanya memberi keutamaan dan tumpuan kepada pelajar golongan khas tanpa menyedari tumpuan yang sama harus diberikan kepada pelajar pintar.

"Selama ini, kita lihat dasar pendidikan negara kita ada kelas untuk pelajar biasa dan ada kelas khas untuk pelajar cacat penglihatan, cacat pendengaran, autisme, sindrom down dan segala aspek dari segi kecacatan dan kelemahan diambil kira tapi kita lupa ada pelajar yang kecerdasan mereka merupakan golongan luar biasa.

"Luar biasa dari segi mereka berfikir, luar biasa dari mereka belajar. Mereka juga perlukan pembelajaran yang baik," katanya semasa merasmikan perkhemahan cuti sekolah Permata pintar negara di sini semalam.

Najib berkata, sudah tiba masanya aspek pembelajaran dan pengajaran yang sesuai untuk golongan pelajar pintar cerdas diadakan selepas sekian lama ia terbiar sedangkan ia telah lama wujud di negara-negara lain.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor being briefed by Senibina lecturer and consultant for Permata Pintar Nor Akmal Goh Abdullah (right) during the ground breaking of Kompleks Permata Pintar Negara at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Also present is Higher Education DAtuk Khaleed Nordin and Tan Sri Dr Sharifah Hapsah Syed Hasan Shahabudin (second from right). - 6 December, 2009

http://gallery.thestar.com.my/thumbnails/1283/014216509_rosmah.jpg

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at the ground breaking of Kompleks Permata Pintar Negara at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. - 6 December, 2009

http://gallery.thestar.com.my/thumbnails/1283/014216510_najib.jpg

USM, Tokushima University Extend MoU
December 07, 2009 16:51 PM

PENANG, Dec 7 (Bernama) -- To extend the existing collaboration between their respective dental schools, the University Sains Malaysia's (USM) main branch here, today renewed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Japan's University of Tokushima.

The last MoU was signed on Nov 28, 2004, for a five-year duration, said Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof Ahmad Shukri Mustapa Kamal.

He said, among others, the MoU covered exchange of academic information and staff, and conducting joint research projects," he told reporters.

USM was represented by Ahmad Shukri and its senior deputy registrar of academic and international affairs, Norpisah Mat Isa.

University of Tokushima was represented by it president, Prof Tashihira Aono, vice-president Yoshiaki Igarashi, Presidential Aid for International Affairs Prof Kazuo Hosoi, Assistant Dean Faculty of Medicine Prof Hiroshi Maezawa, International Planner Dr Mitsue Uchida and Dean, Faculty of Oral Sciences Prof Yosio Hayashi.

Ahmad Shukri said currently, two USM staff from the School of Dental Sciences were pursuing their PhD programmes at the Japanese university.

He said that since last year, three lecturers and two science officers from USM's School of Dental Sciences had attended the summer programme organised by the University of Tokushima.

"We welcome more students from the University of Tokushima to study here and do their post-doctoral attachment," he added.

Tashihira said the Tokushima University, which was established in 1949, accepted about 260 international students annually, and was currently promoting international education.

He said the university was inducted into the Japan National University Corporation as a result of its excellent achievement, especially in health science and engineering.

-- BERNAMA

Swinburne University to hold career talks for school leavers
Wednesday, December 9th, 2009
http://www.swinburne.edu.my/

KUCHING: School leavers planning to further their education can look forward to career talks by industry professionals, displays and demonstration of student projects, aptitude tests, guided campus tours and application fee waiver at Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus’ open day on Saturday.The event, which will run from 10am to 5pm, will see industry practitioners from accounting/auditing, engineering and biotechnology backgrounds sharing their experience and knowledge at career talks to provide insight into the respective industry.

Senior academics from the university’s schools of Business and Design, Engineering, Computing and Science, Language and Foundation will elaborate on the courses available.

These talks are specially organised to help parents and their university-going children make a better informed decision on the course of study to pursue.

Details on courses, application and the like are also available at consultation booths which will be managed by academic staff from the university’s three schools.

A Yayasan Sarawak booth will attend to enquiries on study loans.

Students who have yet to decide on their career path can take a quick aptitude test.

Based on the result of the test, counsellors from the university will then offer advice on the most suitable course of study as a guide.

A guided tour will enable visitors to view the Sarawak campus which was expanded at a cost of RM110 million last year.

The tour includes visits to the latest robotics and mechatronics laboratories, biotechnology laboratories as well as a 350-seat lecture theatre and 700-capacity library.

To give visitors an idea of what a course of study involves, student projects such as robots, go-kart, civil landscape models and a range of multimedia projects will be on display.

Visitors can also participate in interactive activities such as course-based games and quizzes designed to provide an insight into the courses offered.

For application of a course of study, forecast public examination results will be accepted and students are advised to produce them when making an application.

Those who meet the entry requirements for a course of their choice will be issued letters of offer to study at Swinburne Sarawak, on the day.

Students who register for a course of study will be waived an application fee.

Swinburne Sarawak offers courses in engineering, science, business/commerce, ICT and design from foundation to postgraduate studies.

Intake for foundation courses is on Jan 11, while degree is on March 8, next year.

UPM Wins Four Gold Medals At IENA 2009 In Germany
December 09, 2009 17:26 PM
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsindex.php?id=461150

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 9 (Bernama) -- It was, after all, a 'good idea' for Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) to battle 32 other countries for honours at an international competition for research products last month.

UPM managed a golden harvest as it won four gold, a silver and three bronze medals at the International Exhibition of Ideas-Inventions-New Products (IENA) 2009 in Nuremberg, Germany.

In the four-day event which began on Nov 5, it bagged the medals for eight projects from four researches, which were submitted for the competition.

About 800 new products competed at the IENA.

The gold medal winners were Associate Prof Dr Sabira Khatun of UPM's Engineering Faculty, Computer System and Communication Department, Associate Prof Dr Abdul Rashid Mohamed Shariff (Engineering Faculty, Biology and Agricultural Engineering Department), Prof Dr Maznah Ismail of the Medical and Health Science Faculty, Nutrition and Dietry Department and Dr Osumu Haruna Ahmed (Food and Agricultural Science Faculty, from the UPM campus in Bintulu, Sarawak).

The Malaysian delegation to the exhibition was headed by Associate Prof Dr Ratnasamy Muniandy of UPM's Engineering Faculty.

-- BERNAMA

CONGRATILATIONS! :cheers:

Award-winning Flat Fibre- a feather in UM's cap
Published: 2009/12/10
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/umf/Article/

THERE are many limitations that prevent wider deployment of integrated optical devices, despite numerous advantages offered by them.

One of these limitations is that the conventional optical chips (silica-on-silicon samples) are mechanically rigid, have upper limit dimension of 15cm (6 inches silicon substrate), and need to be glued to an optical fibre, known as fibre-pigtail, to allow connection to other equipment.

Universiti Malaya researcher Faisal Rafiq Mahamad Adikan from the Electrical Engineering Department of the Engineering Faculty said in the fields of distributed sensing and in data transport for example, fibre-based solutions reign supreme.

"The limitations of the planar format have encouraged work in developing a substrate platform that, among others, overcomes the mechanical and size limitations of its chip-like predecessor while maintaining the advantages of multi-functionality and dense form factor," he said.

To this end, Faisal said, his team developed and patented an impressive planar substrate, the "Flat Fibre".

"We developed the fibre using expertise that combines the advantages of optical fibre technology and integrated optical devices.

"The advantage of using established fibre manufacturing techniques makes this next-generation technology a low-cost solution," he added.

The Flat Fibre is a planar substrate that was fabricated via well-known fibre manufacturing methods.

The device offers a platform for the multi-functionality of integrated optics while retaining many of its optical fibre mechanical, chemical, and optical characteristics.

"The technology promises truly flexible, extended length integrated optical devices for use in critical applications such as sensing," Faisal said.

He said the state-of-the-art technology combines the advantages of optical fibre technology and integrated optical chips.

It is the first in the world and was co-developed by Malaysian and UK researchers.

Apart from distributed sensing, the Flat Fibre has usage potential in high-speed optical data bus, leak detectors, substance quality analysis, pre-pigtailed optical components and structural integrity interrogators.

The invention has picked up numerous awards including the Top Prize (Best of the Best), Best for Engineering and Physical Sciences cluster and The Gold Award during the recent UM Research, Invention and Innovation EXPO 2009.

It also won the UK's House of Common (Parliament) Section prize for Best Engineering Research in 2006.

UPM comes up with halal gelatin from freshwater fish skin
Published: 2009/12/10

GELATIN is one of the most versatile and utilised gelling agents in food application due to its special texture, thermo-reversibility and the "melt-in-mouth" perception.

Its application as an ingredient in frozen foods manufacturing such as ice cream and pie-fillings are highly sought after as its functional properties are highly stable at low temperatures and can be maintained even when the product is brought up to an elevated temperature.

Universiti Putra Malaysia researchers recently came up with halal collagen made from skins of freshwater fish where its unique functional properties as stabilisers, emulsifiers, thickeners, flavour carriers and an aid in juice clarification process normally surpass those of other natural and synthetic biopolymers.

Professor Dr Jamilah Bakar from UPM's Department of Food Technology, Faculty Of Food Science And Technology, said in addition to food stuff, gelatin can also be used in the pharmaceutical and photographic industry.

"The type of application is dependent on the grade of the gelatin which in turn is dependent on the processes involved in the production of the gelatin itself.

"Gelatin is traditionally produced from bones and skins or hides of mammalian origin such as bovine and porcine by acid or alkaline treatment to give type A and type B gelatins, respectively," she said.

However, Jamilah said, the needs arising from religious issues such as those of the Jews, Hindus and Muslims have brought about the need to produce gelatin from non-traditional sources.

"Gelatin from marine sources (fish skin, bones, fins and scales) has been looked upon as possible alternatives besides fulfilling the need of zero-waste concepts in the manufacturing industries," she said, noting that fish skins, bones and scales are by-products of the fish processing industry.

She said the ongoing research has proven that the skins of cultured freshwater fish such as red tilapia are promising alternative sources of commercial gelatin.

There are two main issues to be addressed in the production of gelatin from red tilapia skins.

First, the process cannot be directly adapted from the mammalian-derived gelatin due to the different chemistry of the skins and bones; secondly, the character of the tropical fish skins and bones have not been reported.

"Modified and improved procedures for the extraction of gelatin using both organic acid and alkaline-washing treatments have been accomplished in our laboratory.

"In our studies, the gelatin exhibited excellent snowy-white color and barely detectable fishy odor," she said.

Jamilah also said that physical properties such as gel strength, viscosity and the melting point of tilapia skin gelatin are compatible to those of mammalian gelatin commercially available.

The proximate and amino acid composition have also been looked into.

Based on these properties, it is deemed that gelatin from tilapia skins has competitive market potential, offering food manufacturers wider selection and applications of the protein, she added.

UKM team invents compact biosensor
Published: 2009/12/10

THE monitoring of food quality and environmental pollution or clinical analyses traditionally involve chemical methods performed in centralised laboratories.

However, this can now be decentralised with the use of biosensors.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) researcher Professor Dr Lee Yook Heng, attached with the Centre For Research And Innovation Management (CRIM), said biosensors are portable devices that utilise the specificity of various biomolecules.

"For example, enzymes, whole cells and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) as recognition elements in the process of sensing the presence of some chemicals in a sample," he said.

Lee said the device invented by his team that includes Prof Dr Musa Ahmad, Prof Salmijah Surif and Dr Sharina A Hanifah is compact and includes a transducer that transforms the signal into quantitative information.

"In this invention, biosensors are fabricated using a single-step technology.

"The technology involves photolithography of the sensing membrane and screen-printing of the sensor electrode (screen-printed electrode) and also highly sensitive fluorescence transduction optical devices," Lee said.

The advantage of the current invention includes being generic which means many different types of biosensors can be produced from the same technology.

Biosensor is also compatible with common manufacturing technology such as photolithography technology.

"Due to its flexibility in design and miniaturisation, the biosensor device is ready for commercialisation and go for rapid manufacturing and production," he said, noting production can be kept at a low cost and has acceptable analytical performance.

Lee said the biosensor device can be used for multi purposes which include as biosensors for environmental monitoring such as pesticides and phenolic compounds, and ammonia.

"It can also be used as biosensors for food quality control to detect the presence of pesticides, formaldehyde, histamine, and glutamate."

Other uses are for clinical analyses, for example, glucose and urea, and for water toxicity evaluation.

KADAZANDUSUN COURSE IN UPSI
11th December, 2009

KOTA KINABALU: The Kadazandusun language will be taught as a minor subject at the Sultan Idris University of Education (UPSI) in Tanjong Malim, Perak starting July next year.

It will be the first institution of higher learning in the Peninsula to introduce it as a subject.

The Language Faculty Dean, Dr Abdul Ghani Abu said the first intake will consist of 20 students already taking up a course in Bahasa Melayu Education at the university.

“The graduates will then possess two fields of study – Bahasa Melayu and Kadazandusun,” he said at the closing of a workshop on a Kadazandusun language curricular amendment here yesterday.

The three-day event was conducted by two of the university’s Language Faculty deputy deans, Dr Seri Lanang Jaya Hj Rohani and Dr Azhar Hj Wahid.

Also present were the assistant director of Ethnic Language Unit from the Education Ministry, Sandra Logijin and researcher on Kadazandusun history, Dr Dayu Sansalu.

Dr Abdul Ghani said other than Kadazandusun, the Iban language will also be introduced as a minor subject.

The university is therefore looking for at least seven lecturers each for Kadazandusun and Iban. The two subjects will comprise 24 credit hours or eight courses.

The course will include history, literature, culture, language proficiency, grammar and communication skill in Kadazandusun.

The ministry first introduced the teaching of the Kadazandusun language in 15 primary schools in Sabah in 1997 and now taught to 18,000 primary school pupils and 16,000 secondary school students in the state.

Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) too has offered a course in Kadazandusun since 1998.

This year, the language was offered as a subject in the Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) examinations for schools and Sabah and will be included in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations in 2011.

Next year, the Keningau Teachers’ Training Institute will introduce a course in increasing professionalism for teachers of the Kadazandusun language.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor being briefed by Senibina lecturer and consultant for Permata Pintar Nor Akmal Goh Abdullah (right) during the ground breaking of Kompleks Permata Pintar Negara at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Also present is Higher Education DAtuk Khaleed Nordin and Tan Sri Dr Sharifah Hapsah Syed Hasan Shahabudin (second from right). - 6 December, 2009

http://gallery.thestar.com.my/thumbnails/1283/014216509_rosmah.jpg

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at the ground breaking of Kompleks Permata Pintar Negara at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. - 6 December, 2009

http://gallery.thestar.com.my/thumbnails/1283/014216510_najib.jpg

Permata Negara's Mission To Produce Malaysia's 'Gems'
December 17, 2009 10:54 AM
By Nur Syuhada Shamsudin

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 17 (Bernama) -- The Permata Negara has undertaken a noble mission. To polish what it perceives to be the nation's future 'gems', namely children below the age of five.

This involves moulding them to be smart, emotionally mature and have good communication skills.

Thus, Permata Negara's early childhood care and education programme are focused on producing the country's future 'gems'.

Carried out under the patronage of the prime minister's wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, these efforts involve instilling positive values towards moulding a future generation with a Malaysian identity.

The children are likened to a piece of white cloth, where the finished product will depend on the design and colours.

Under the Permata Negara programme, the children are 'gems' that need to be polished under a special 'learning-is-fun-through-play' programme based on the Pen Green Children Centre in Corby, England.

The Permata Negara programme was mooted by Rosmah about three years ago, to tackle the rise in the crime index and social problems, which she believed was due to a person's upbringing.

To achieve this, a group of professionals, including child experts, academicians, women and social activists carried out various studies and researches.

Permata Negara centres have been operating since March 1, 2007, providing early childhood care and education for children under five with priority given to those from families with a monthly household income of less than RM1,500.

Nurturing at Permata Negara centres differs from ordinary nurseries as parents are required to spend at least one hour every week to be with the children at the centres, besides visiting them at lunchtime daily to foster a closer parent-child relationship.

The curriculum, designed to promote the holistic development of a child, is used at 457 childcare centres, involving 17,565 children, nationwide.

Rosmah, who is chairman of the National Permata Policy Executive Committee, said it had been proven that children under the Permata Negara programme were at least one year ahead of their peers in several competencies, including emotional maturity, confidence and communication skills.

The success of Permata Negara has prompted wives of foreign leaders, including the Queen of Qatar Sheikha Mozah Nasser Al-Missned and the Zambian President's wife, Thaniwe Banda, to enquire more about the programme.

To improve its syllabus, Permata Negara has obtained the assistance of Halimahton Yusof, the mother of mathematics genius Sufiah Yusof.

Recognising the importance of early childcare and education, the government has allocatted RM100 million to the Permata programme under the 2010 Budget.

According to Rosmah, the allocation would enable projects already planned under the Permata initiative to be carried out with the cooperation of various partners, including ministries and institutions of higher learning.

They include the PERMATApintar Complex, to be built on an eight-hectare site at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia campus in Bangi.

Construction of the complex will be in two phases, with the first phase expected to be operational in January 2011.

-- BERNAMA

UTM, Johor

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/6138/67572831.jpg

Universities Should Promote Concept Of Brotherhood
December 22, 2009 12:25 PM

PENANG, Dec 22 (Bernama) -- Universities should play their role in promoting the concept of brotherhood by gathering human resources to make changes, the Penang Yang Dipertuan Negeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas said Tuesday.

He said this being that the world was now looking for formula on universal peace and harmony.

"Universities move as an entity which emphasises elements on sharing of values and direction. Hence, the concept of brotherhood in Islam is capable of uniting the thoughts, hearts and practices and achieving the desired knowledge excellence," he said in his speech at the Maal Hijrah celebration at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) here.

At today's function, the university's director of the Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM) in Kubang Kerian, Prof Rusli Ismail, was named the "Tokoh Maal Hijrah".

--BERNAMA

http://xtive.utusan.com.my/tools/utusan/update_gambar/pmr_n9.jpg

Pelajar Sekolah Tunku Abdul Rahman Ipoh, Luqman Borhan yang memperoleh 8A dalam peperiksaan Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) 2008 menunjukkan slip peperiksaan yang diperolehnya di Ipoh, Perak hari ini. - Gambar MOHD NAJIB MOHD NOR

http://xtive.utusan.com.my/tools/utusan/update_gambar/pmr_johor.jpg

Pelajar Sekolah Seni (dari kiri) Munirah Musa, Razanah Syariah Asmantor, Reena Fitri Syahriah Abdul Razak dan Athirah Najwa Rosely berkongsi kegembiraan selepas memperoleh keputusan cemerlang dalam peperiksaan Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) 2009 di Johor Bahru hari ini. - Gambar RAJA JAAFAR ALI

http://xtive.utusan.com.my/tools/utusan/update_gambar/pmr01.jpg

Puteri Natasha Syafirah Abdullah yang memperoleh 8A dalam peperiksaan Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) lalu berkongsi kegembiraan bersama dua rakannya yang memperoleh 7A, Clare Niap Hae Jin dan Cherala Chandrasekaran di SMK Convent Bukit Nanas, Kuala Lumpur hari ini. - BERNAMA

28,188 Students Got A In All Subjects In PMR 2009
December 24, 2009 13:03 PM

PUTRAJAYA, Dec 24 (Bernama) -- A total of 28,188 students got A in all subjects in 2009 PMR examination compared to 26,378 in 2008, an increase of 1,810.

Director-General of Education Tan Sri Alimuddin Mohd Dom said the National Average Grade (GPN) this year was 2.83 compared to 2.78 the previous year. (The lower the GPN the better).

He said the gap between candidates in urban and rural areas had improved to 5.22 percent from 5.11 percent last year.

"Some 4,775 rural candidates got A in all subjects this year compared to 4,345 in 2008 while students who passed the minimum level dropped from 88,565 to 87,936.

"Students who got all E dropped from 159 in 2008 to 123 this year," he told reporters when announcing the 2009 PMR result analysis here on Thursday.

Alimuddin said performance in all subjects this year remained unchanged or improved slightly except for Bahasa Melayu, Bahasa Inggeris and Bahasa Punjabi which declined slightly.

"The percentage of those who got all A in BM dropped from 26.3 percent in 2008 to 25.6 percent this year while for BI, from 16.4 percent to 16.1 percent," he said.

Compared with last year, students who got all A in Mathematic increased slightly from 25.6 to 26.7 percent while for Science, it increased from 17.2 to 18.5 percent.

Alimuddin said of the 134 special students who sat for the examination, seven got A in all subjects.

Ten students who got 9A, 8A and 7A were picked as best students.

They include Siti Raihan Abdul Nasir of SMK Dato Syed Ahmad Kuala Nerang, Kedah who got 9A. The special student suffered from poor eyesight.

Two other students with eyesight problem were Debbie Lim Huey Chin of SMK Sultan Ismail and Muhammad Azfar Firdaus Azlah of SMK Dato Penggawa Barat, Johor Bahru who got 8A.

The ten best daily schools include SMK Jalan Empat Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor, SMK Mak Lagam, Kemaman, Terengganu, SMK Sutan Badlishah Kulim, Kedah, SMK Sultanah Asma, Alor Setar, Kedah and SMK Aminuddin Baki, Kuala Lumpur.

Best residential schools were Sekolah Seri Puteri Cyberjaya, Sekolah Tun Fatimah, Johor Baharu, Sekolah Dato Abdul Razak and Kolej Tunku Kurshiah, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan and SM Sains Tengku Abdullah, Raub, Pahang.

SM Imtiaz Besut and SM Imtiaz Kuala Berang, Terengganu, Sekolah Agama Menengah Bestari Subang Jaya and Sekolah Agama Persekutuan Kajang, Selangor and SM Agama Persekutuan Labu, Negeri Sembilan emerged best religious schools.

In Perak, Sekolah Tuanku Abdul Rahman (STAR) recorded the highest number of passes where 85 of 107 candidates got 9A while SMK Taman Tasek Taiping became the only daily school in the state to get 100 percent passes.

In Kuala Lumpur, the overall result showed improvement in quantity and quality.

Kuala Lumpur Education Director Sulaiman Wak said of the 21,921 candidates, 15,533 or 70.86 percent got A, B, C or D (pass) in all subjects compared with 14,986 or 70.2 percent last year.

"In term of excellence, 1,939 or 8.85 percent of candidates got A in all subjects compared with 1,789 or 8.38 percent in 2008, an increase of 0.47 percent," he said.

In Sabah, candidates who got A in all subjects increased to 734 from 659 last year.

Sabah Deputy Education Director Dr Muhiddin Yusin said the 38,741 candidates who sat for 14 subjects showed improvement in passes to nearly 100 percent compared with last year.

He said the subjects with nearly 100 percent passes include Bahasa Kadazan which was offered for the first time in the examination.

-- BERNAMA

BETTER PMR RESULTS
Selangor's SMK Jalan 4 in Bandar Baru Bangi and Terengganu's SMK Mak Lagam in Kemaman are top scorers
Azreen Hani
Thursday, December 24th, 2009 13:44:00

http://www.mmail.com.my/sites/default/files/imagecache/large/MM2412HN09.jpg

DOUBLE JOY: Twins Syahirah Farhana Mohd Saleh (right) and Syazmeer
Farhan Mohd Saleh of SMK Putrajaya Precint 9(2) grinning as they check out
their PMR results this morning. With them is their mother Farizan Ladin. Pics:
Salhani Ibrahim

PUTRAJAYA: Candidates in this year's Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) fared better than those who sat for the examination last year, with 28,188 or 6.37 per cent of the 442,721 students scoring straight As.

Last year, 442,948 students sat for the exam, of whom 26,378 pupils or 5.69 per cent scored straight As.

Education director-general Tan Sri Alimuddin Mohd Dom said though this year’s result was better than last year's, the Average National Grade (GPN) dropped 0.05 per cent to 2.78, compared with last year’s 2.83.

“This reduction in numbers indicates a better performance overall,” Alimuddin told a Press conference at the ministry here this morning.

Geography was this year’s best subject, with 4.8 per cent of students scoring As compared with 1.8 per cent last year.

However, Bahasa Malaysia, English and Punjabi language showed a slight fall this year. The total number of students who scored As for Bahasa Malaysia dropped 0.8 per cent, with a 0.3 per cent drop for English language and a significant of 17.3 per cent fall for Punjabi language.

“The slight fall in the results is normal. But the number of students scoring As has generally increased, so it is a better result this year,” he said.

Topping the best school list in the country is SMK Jalan 4 in Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor, followed by SMK Mak Lagam in Kemaman, Terengganu.

Third spot went to SMK Sultan Badlishah in Kulim, Kedah, while students of SMK Aminuddin Baki in Kuala Lumpur performed fourth best.

Alimuddin said the best schools were chosen based on their GPN.

Among the top scorers, Amirul Ikhwan Adlan of SMK Agama Maahad Hamidiah in Kajang and Muhammad Putera Farid Iskandar from SMK Taman Melawati, scored 9 As each.

This year is also the first time that art was included in the PMR. In Sekolah Seni Johor Baru and Sekolah Seni Kuching, Sarawak, the only two art schools in the country which have these subjects, its students had fared best in Theatre, followed by Music, Visual Arts and Dance.

Meanwhile, it was a double joy for SMK Putrajaya Precint 9(2) twins Syahirah Farhana Mohd Saleh and Syazmeer Farhan Mohd Saleh, as both of them met their targets for PMR. Syahirah scored 8 As while her brother received 6 As.

"Though I didn't score straight A's like my sister, I'm happy with my results, considering that I spent a lot of time on the field playing football and other curricular activities," said Syazmeer.

School principal Raja Norliah Raja Omar said the school gained better results this year, with a total of eight students scoring all A's, compared to only one student last year.

"Considering that we are a new school, only twice we've experienced PMR here, I believe the school is on the right track, though there is always room for improvement," she told The Malay Mail this morning.

UUM Promoting Itself To The World Through AGBA
December 28, 2009 21:12 PM

SINTOK, Dec 28 (Bernama) -- Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) will take the opportunity from the Academy For Global Business Advancement (AGBA) based in Texas, USA as a networking platform and to place UUM at the international level.

The director of UUM's Centre for International Affairs and Cooperation, Prof Dr Abdul Razak Chik said as a non-governmental organisation, AGBA provided an opportunity for UUM to introduce its academics to the rest of the world.

He was speaking to reporters after opening the "Business and Entrepreneurship Development in a Globalised Era" conference, here, Monday.

He said among the topics discussed at the conference were economic development, multinational cooperation, Islamic finance and banking, regional issues, human resource management, technological impact, international strategies, cross-cultural management, ethics and social responsibilities, international law and marketing.

The speakers included Dr Valentin H. Pashtenko and Prof James Johnson from the United States, Prof Zafar U. Ahmed (Saudi Arabia), Prof Dr Klaus-Peter Wiedmann (Germany), Prof Lars Hassel (Finland), Lavanya Rastogi (India) and Prof Dr Zainal Abidin Mohamad (Malaysia).

Abdul Razak regarded the conference as a dynamic globalisation process in providing a global platform to aid academicians, professionals, government officials, corporate figures and entrepreneurs to widen their networking.

The three-day conference which began today has more than 100 participants from 23 countries.

-- BERNAMA

HELP International Corp paying RM50 million for hostel building in Damansara Heights
By Racheal Lee
Monday, 28 December 2009 19:18

KUALA LUMPUR: HELP International Corporation Bhd is acquiring a hostel building, HELP Residence, in Damansara Heights for RM50 million.

In a filing to Bursa Malaysia on Dec 28, the company said its wholly owned subsidiary HELP University College Sdn Bhd has on the same day entered into a conditional sale and purchase agreement with Zhao Yang Sdn Bhd to acquire the property sitting on a 1,112-sq m freehold tract .

HELP Residence, which is about two years old, comprises a 21-storey hostel building together with four levels of basement car-park. Its total gross floor area is about 14,117.1 sq m.

The building has 432 rooms, five executive rooms, a reception office, library area, multi-purpose hall and a cafeteria. It is currently rented by HELP University College at a monthly rental of RM343,933.

The net book value of the building was RM50 million, as at June 30 this year.

After the initial payment of RM5 million, the remaining purchase consideration will be paid over 10 equal half-yearly instalments of RM4.5 million each over the next five years. HELP University College intends to fund the deal through internally generated funds and/or borrowings, but its management has yet to obtain any bank borrowings to finance the acquisition.

Meanwhile, HELP International Corporation’s net profit for the fourth quarter ended Oct 31, 2009 (4QFY09) rose 19.7% to RM5.97 million, from RM5 million in the previous corresponding quarter.

Its group revenue for the quarter was flat at RM26.2 million (RM26.16 million before). Basic earnings per share rose to 6.7 sen from 5.6 sen in the previous year.

The group is recommending a first and final dividend of 6% less income tax of 25% (3 sen per ordinary share of 50 sen each less income tax at 25%) for FY09. This is subjected to the approval of the shareholders at the forthcoming annual general meeting.

Two premier universities to set up campuses in Besut by June


KUALA TERENGGANU: Besut will be turned into an Education City in 2010 under a state government initiative to make the district a global hub for higher learning.

The placid district located along the Terengganu/Kelantan border will see the establishment of two premier universities there, scheduled by the middle of this year while another English language college is poised to also make its debut sometime in 2010.

Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said revealed that the Dublin-based Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) and University of Waikato, New Zealand were the two education institutions that would be setting up campuses here.

“We have earmarked Besut Knowledge Park to house these universities and plan to attract students from China to pursue English at the soon-to-open Language College,” he said after chairing the weekly state Exco meeting here.

RCSI has a history that dates back to 1784 and presently incorporates schools of medicine, physiotherapy, pharmacy and nursing, providing both undergraduate and postgraduate levels of medical education.

University of Waikato, established in 1964, is expected to take in 1,000 students at its Besut campus, offering nursing-related courses.

The state government will ink a memorandum of understanding with Waikato in January.

As for RCSI, Ahmad said he would be meeting the university’s officials this month to discuss the finer details on the setting up of the campus.

“The opening of Royal College of Surgeons here will eliminate the need for us to send our students to Indonesia to pursue medicine,” he said.

He said the Malaysian campus would also be accepting foreign students, adding that the cost of pursuing medicine in Dublin could come up to 420,000.

Ahmad said 40ha at the Knowledge Park had been designated for these universities and the language college.

“The park will boost educational facilities, research complex and hostels in the state.

“Our aim is to make Terengganu the centre of educational excellence in this region,” he added.

At a separate event, the Mentri Besar announced the state government’s allocation of RM250mil for education this year, up from RM200mil in 2009.

He said the government was concerned about educational development and the performance of students in the state.

“It’s good that the people of Terengganu are increasingly aware of the importance of getting a good education. This is proven by the excellent performance by our students in the UPSR, PMR, SPM and STPM examinations.”

Ahmad said this after presenting awards from the Terengganu Foundation to 6,740 students.Marhaina Ismail, 19, from Marang and a chemical engineering student at Universiti Teknologi Petronas, Tronoh, Perak, received the gold medal for academic excellence.

Terengganu Foundation director Md Kamarul Al-Amin Ismail said the foundation had set aside RM20mil for various educational aid to benefit 26,000 students, compared with RM18.9mil last year.

School Infrastructure Development Plans To Be Reviewed - Muhyiddin
January 07, 2010 20:02 PM

MUAR, Jan 7 (Bernama) -- The school infrastructure development plans will be reviewed to ensure that the educational system in the country is more holistic as is the case in developed countries.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also the Education Minister, said the school infrastructure development plans must be balanced between the academic and social requirements of the students and teachers.

"The social infrastructure development such as the field and hall are crucial for the students' character development and in line with our efforts to achieve a more holistic education in the country.

"The national education system cannot be isolated or suppressed," Muhyiddin, who is also the Member of Parliament for Pagoh, told reporters after announcing the school hall project and feting students who had achieved outstanding results in the Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah for the Pagoh Parliamentary constituency in Kundang Ulu, Pagoh here.

The Deputy Prime Minister said there were also cases where the teachers' rooms were too small for the big schools to the extent that the teachers were feeling uncomfortable.

Muhyiddin said the review, however, did not mean that there would be an increase in allocation for social development in schools but there was a possibility that it would involve a review of the schools' design and other matters.

"The review of the schools' design could result in cost savings of between 20 and 30 per cent and the money saved can be utilised for infrastructure development for the students and teachers," he said.

Earlier in his speech, Muhyiddin announced the construction of four enclosed and 11 non-enclosed halls for selected schools in the Pagoh Parliamentary constituency costing RM25 million to improve the standard of teaching and learning in the schools concerned and for school activities.

He also feted 120 outstanding students who had excellent results in the UPSR in the Pagoh Parliamentary constituency comprising students in the national schools, as well as the Chinese and Tamil National Type schools.

-- BERNAMA

Government Studying Implementing 'Frog System' E-Education
January 11, 2010 23:49 PM

LONDON, Jan 11 (Bernama) - Deputy Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Monday said the government was studying an e-education method named 'Frog System' that has been practised in several schools in the United Kingdom with the intention to implement it in Malaysia if it was found to be suitable.

Muhyiddin, who is also the Education Minister, said the method was quite radical and effective and would enhance learning and teaching.

"We already have several systems for ICT education but we are interested to see how learning and teaching is done in the United Kingdom," he said, adding that the study was in its early stages.

The government, he said, always wanted to ensure that the quality level of education in schools could be enhanced, especially relating to technology developments in ICT and that the country could "leap frog" further ahead.

For that, he said, Malaysia needed to observe the achievements in the UK where schools that lacked behind had in a matter of several years had achievements of better schools.

Earlier, Muhyiddin, who is on a five-day official visit, was given a briefing about the system at Sunbury Manor School in Surrey, about 25kn from here.

"I have directed the Technology Education Department to study if it is suitable and look into ways to implement it in Malaysia," he said, adding that it would be implemented in Peninsular Malaysia initially before being expanded to Sabah and Sarawak.

Still, he said, there were many matters to be considered such as the cost of implementing the method.

-- BERNAMA

Netbook Package For University Students Available Soon
January 12, 2010 10:22 AM
By Luqman Hakim Mazlan

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 12 (Bernama) -- To students and lecturers alike, the government's initiative to enable university students to have their own netbook with free broadband service can only be described as 'heaven-sent' to students and lecturers, alike.

The package, supported by Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM), will be introduced this year as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak when tabling the 2010 Budget last October.

For a start, TM will offer the netbook package, including free broadband service, to 100,000 university students with a monthly installment of RM50 for two years.

"First-year students and those from low-income families will be given priority. TM will announce details of the package soon," its vice-president (Retail Product) Aziz A. Hadi told Bernama.

Apart from contributing towards increasing the broadband penetration rate and using the Information Communication Technology (ICT) to create a knowledge-based society, the package would also support the government's efforts to strengthen human capital development.

In 2008, there were 400,949 local students at public institutions of higher learning, and 399,852 at private institutions.

Universiti Malaya Student Council president Mohd Ridzuan Mohammad described the move as appropriate to enable students to get faster access to information on the Internet.

"It will also enable students to find references and obtain the latest information on current local and international issues.

"I just hope that the government's initiative will be welcomed and used by the students in a positive way. In other words, I hope they will not abuse it," he said.

Although the charge imposed by TM was low, Mohd Ridzuan hoped the service offered would be of high quality.

Hanapi Azizul, 23, who studies management and administration at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, said the initiative would definitely help the students, especially the underprivileged.

"We cannot afford to buy the netbook and subscribe to the broadband service ourselves. Sometimes, the scholarship money is insufficient. So, this initiative really helps.

"At least, we can save on the scholarship, loan or our own pocket money for something else, in case of emergency, or save it for our practical training which could be costly," he said.

Several lecturers interviewed by Bernama also lauded the initiative and described the netbook and broadband service as a necessity in the modern world.

It would also teach the students to be more responsible as the netbook was not given for free.

Dean of Modern Languages and Communication Faculty at Universiti Putra Malaysia, Prof Madya Dr Che Ibrahim Salleh, said the monthly instalment would also enable the students to be committed.

His view was echoed by his deputy, Prof Madya Dr Abdul Mua'ati alias Zamri Ahmad, who said the instalment was apt.

"If the government offers the netbook package for free, it will not be appreciated. It will end up like some school textbooks which were vandalised or torn because they are free.

"However, when the student has to pay an affordable RM50 monthly, they will take good care of and love the device because they know that it can help them in their studies. So, I think it is a very good move," he said.

Meanwhile, Kolej Universiti Islam Selangor communication department head Nur Aina Nabila Dundai Abdullah said the students really needed such a package to enable them to become more competitive.

"Usually, the students go to cyber cafes to surf the Internet but the time spent to get the information is limited. Thus, with the package, they can get internet access wherever they are," she said.

-- BERNAMA

Limkokwing offers Anglia Ruskin University degree
January 13, 2010, Wednesday

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Anglia Ruskin University, formerly Anglia Polytechnic University, is a university in England, with campuses in Cambridge and Chelmsford.

KUCHING: Sarawak students interested in the field of Information Technology will for the first time be able to take a BSc (Hons) in Business Information System (BIS) from Anglia Ruskin University at Limkokwing Borneo for the 2010 academic year.This degree programme is tailored to give students a good understanding of the theory, principles and technologies of Information Technology, and will equip students with the skills needed to apply this knowledge and theory to a range of practical challenges faced in the industry today.

Specifically, the degree in BIS is designed to provide a complete understanding of the principles, theory and practice of the development of information systems and computer applications, such as designing information system applications for specific commercial requirements and building small-scaled database systems to implement webbased applications.

“Students who are keen to study information technology but would prefer working at more managerial posts will definitely benefit from doing a degree in Business Information Systems,” said Faculty of Information , Communication and Technology programme leader Janet Lau.

“They will be exposed to similar modules in their first year of study before moving on to looking at information technology from a business perspective, where they will be trained to pursue careers as consultants and other managerial positions in a company,” she added.

Students will also be introduced to the working environment of the industry, as they are required to undergo practical classes, which will test their knowledge and challenge them to perform and to creatively apply all the theories learnt in their day-to-day classes.

This aspect is especially important in the delivery of courses at Limkokwing Borneo, as the institute believes that practical training is a crucial component when producing graduates capable of contributing to the successful operation of an establishment.

Limkokwing Borneo marketing executive Manzoor Hayat Khan said: “It is important for us in the education field to cultivate graduates who are not only able to keep up with the changing business environment, but also further develop the industry so that it can continue to prosper.

“With the introduction of these new degree courses, we hope that we can encourage students to take up the challenge and continue to excel in their chosen fields.”

He added, “The collaboration that we have with the prestigious Anglia Ruskin University also allows students to obtain a quality degree right here at home. Parents can be rest assured that the standards are maintained at international levels, as we strive to provide only the best for our students.”

For more information on the Anglia Ruskin University degree programmes as well as other diploma programmes offered at Limkokwing Borneo, call 082-248266.

2 students and a reporter detained
By PRIYA KULASAGARAN

PUTRAJAYA: Police detained two students and a reporter outside the Higher Education Ministry here as students gathered to present a memorandum on campus elections.

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Public university students gather to serve a memorandum calling for fair student elections and the abolition of the e-Voting system at the Higher Education Ministry on Friday.

Students Mohd Shazni Munir Mohd Ithnin and Syahrundeen Rosli were hauled off for allegedly obstructing police from carrying out their duty at about 3pm Friday. They and about 50 other public university students allegedly failed to disperse from a spot near the ministry when told to do so earlier.

Harakah Daily reporter Zulfiqar Mahsoor was taken in for questioning on allegations that he was a student posing as a member of the press.

Students from various activist groups had earlier arrived after the Friday prayers to serve a memorandum calling for fair student elections and the abolition of the e-voting system in public universities. About 30 police officers, including Light Strike Force personnel, were deployed.

After discussions, Putrajaya OCPD Superintendant Abdul Razak Abdul Majid allowed five students to enter the building to hand over the memorandum.

As Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin was in away in Johor, the memo was submitted to the minister’s special adviser Prof Dr Raduan Che Rose.

Shazni said that the e-voting system was prone to discrepancies.

“The system is not transparent as those handling it have the power to see who voted for whom.

“We want assurance that students are free to vote for candidates of their choice through a fair and unbiased platform,” he told reporters after the handover.

Although the initial proceedings were civil, things took a turn for the worse when the handover’s organiser Syahrundeen rallied students to a cry of “Hidup Mahasiswa” (Long live students).

Supt Abdul Razak’s repeatedly asked that the students wrap up their assembly, before hauling Syahrundeen and Mohd Shazni off.

Zulfiqar was also bundled into a police car.

Two new programmes mark UM’s partnership with Kyoto University
January 21, 2010, Thursday

KUALA LUMPUR: The University of Malaya (UM) yesterday marked its 25 years of partnership with the University of Kyoto by launching two new post-graduate and doctoral programmes on environ-mental management, namely Human Security Engineering for Asian Mega Cities and Human Resource Development for Environmental Development.Their long-standing collaboration was also strengthened with the establishment of Kyoto University’s 39th and its first oversea-based university in Malaysia for Education and Research at the University of Malaya here.

Japan ambassador to Malaysia, Masahiko Horie said he was optimistic that the partnership would be the springboard not only for both universities but also for Malaysia and Japan to promote more exchanges in education and research.

Kyoto University and University of Malaya have had inter-university exchanges for more than 25 years.

“During this period, Kyoto University has received about 650 researchers from the University of Malaya and sent about 600 researchers here to collaborate in research and field studies,” Horie said when opening the oversea-based Kyoto University at University Malaya here, yesterday.

He had also witnessed the exchanges of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the programmes between UM vice-chancellor Dr Ghauth Jasmon and Dean of Graduate School of Engineering, Prof Koichiro Oshima.

The first programme deals with disciplines of urban human security engineering which delves into systems of technology for designing and managing cities, thus enabling the inhabitants to live under better public health condition and free from threats of large-scale disaster and environmental destruction.

The second programme is a recognition of the pressing needs to train young leaders to solve environmental problems, especially in the context of the Asian region.

“The objective is to train Asian leaders to tackle these environmental issues and implement planning programme to address governance, city infra-structure management, health and disaster risks and environment destruction in Asia,” Horie added. — Bernama

More money for rural schools
by Margaret Ringgit January 22, 2010, Friday
http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=6162

DPM says bigger fund necessary to create right environment for quality education

MIRI: Sarawak and Sabah will get more allocations for the development of their rural schools, said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday.

Disclosing this at the launch of Sekolah Kebangsaan Kampung Bakam, Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister, said the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was committed to improving the quality of education in all schools in the country, especially those in the rural areas.

“Our focus is to further improve the quality of education available in schools in the rural areas of Sarawak and Sabah,” he said, adding that education was the government’s top priority.

“This can be seen through big allocations given to the Education Ministry to further improve the quality of education in the state,” he explained.

According to Muhyiddin, in every budget announcement, 26 per cent were allocated for developing and enhancing education in the country.

He said the federal government’s plan was to continue to repair or construct new schools with better infrastructure including water and electricity supply.

“In Sarawak and Sabah, construction cost for such projects is almost two or three times more … if the cost is RM20 million in the peninsula, it is almost RM50 million here,” he said.

Also present yesterday were Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud; his deputies, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan and Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang; Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui; Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan; State Education Director Dr Julaihi Bujang; Sibuti MP Ahmad Lai Bujang; state cabinet members; and local dignitaries.

Muhyiddin also spoke highly of Sarawakians who have become role models not only to fellow Sarawakians but also to all Malaysians.

He said people like Datuk Seri Idris Jala, a Kelabit, showed that the state’s education system was capable of producing successful personalities.

Muhyiddin also announced that rewards would be given to excellent schools and their headmasters and teachers.

“Evaluation of performance will start this year, and reward next year,” he said.

At a dinner hosted by the state last night, the deputy prime minister assured that Sarawak would be given “special attention by the federal government to address areas that are still lacking”.

He said addressing the state’s lack of infrastructure like roads, school buildings and ICT development was part of the national Key Result Areas.

Curtin Sarawak And CMM To Collaborate On Consultancy And Training
January 22, 2010 17:11 PM

KUCHING, Jan 22 (Bernama) -- Curtin University of Technology, Sarawak, and the Centre for Modern Management (CMM) have agreed to collaborate in developing and promoting consultancy and training programmes in Sarawak.

The two institutions signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the presence of the State Secretary Datuk Amar Morshidi Abdul Ghani, outlining their commitment to work together in various areas, at Santubong near here today.

Signing on behalf of CMM was its chairman Datuk Abdul Ghafur Shariff, who is also the Deputy State Secretary (Human Resource), while Datuk Dr Hatta Solhi, chairman of Curtin (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, which owns and manages Curtin Sarawak, signed for the university.

In a joint media release, the two institutions said their partnership will benefit the state in terms of human resource and organisational development as they will pool their resources and expertise to develop consultancy and training activities and special programmes.

The training activities include public conferences, seminars, workshops and short courses. The two institutions will offer special programmes to meet the needs of both the public and private sectors.

"Already in discussions is the conducting of Curtin postgraduate courses, such as its Master of Project Management and Master of Policy Sciences or Public Administration, which are scheduled to commence with their first intake at CMM this May," said the two institutions.

"A second phase of collaboration later in the year is likely to include conducting certified professional training and development programmes," they said.

They also said that Curtin Sarawak and CMM were studying the training needs of the various state government departments and would develop suitable programmes to meet their needs.

In his speech, Morshidi said the collaboration between CMM and Curtin Sarawak was timely so as to develop and implement programmes that address the current and future needs of the state.

He said with the programmes, state officers would be given the opportunities to further their education, enhance their skills and knowledge base and advance their careers through postgraduate studies.

"With the implementation of the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE), it is crucial that our human capital are equipped and trained with the right skills to undertake the challenging tasks," he added.

CMM, established in 1994, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Yayasan Sarawak and works in collaboration with the Human Resource Development and Quality Unit of the Chief Minister's Department to facilitate transformation in the state civil service.

Curtin Sarawak, established in 1999, is the first offshore campus of Western Australia's Curtin University of Technology.

-- BERNAMA

Curtin Sarawak
From flickr

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Malaysia's Top 20 schools named
2010/01/25
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/articles/20100125173928/Article/index_html

PUTRAJAYA: Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today announced that 20 schools - 14 secondary and six primary - had been accorded the status of high performance schools (SBTs).
Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister, said of the 14 secondary schools, 10 were fully residential schools and the rest day schools.

"These schools were chosen from among schools that showed outstanding performance in the field of academia, co-curriculum and niche areas.

"The schools will be guided and monitored closely to ensure they continue to attain even higher levels of performance," he told reporters at his office here today.

The 10 fully residential schools are Sekolah Tun Fatimah (Johor Bahru), Sekolah Dato' Abdul Razak (Seremban), Malay College Kuala Kangsar, Sekolah Seri Puteri (Cyberjaya), Sekolah Menengah Sultan Abdul Halim (Jitra), Kolej Tunku Kurshiah (Seremban), Kolej Islam Sultan Alam Shah (Klang), Sekolah Menengah Sains (SMS) Tuanku Syed Putra (Perlis), Sekolah Sultan Alam Shah (Putrajaya) and SMS Muzaffar Syah (Melaka).

The four day schools are Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) (P) Sri Aman(Petaling Jaya), SMK Aminuddin Baki (Kuala Lumpur), SMK Sultanah Asma (Alor Setar) and SMK (P) St. George (Penang).

The six primary schools are Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Seri Bintang Utara (KL),SK Taman Tun Dr Ismail 1 (KL), SK Bukit Damansara (KL), SK Zainab (2) (Kota Bharu), SK Convent Kota (Taiping), SK Bandar Baru Uda 2 (Johor Bahru).

At the same time, Muhyiddin stressed that SBTs were not elite schools which benefited only a limited number of students.

Instead, he said each school in the country had the same opportunity and a level playing field to be recognised as SBTs.

"Any school that meets the targets of excellence and criteria set (by the Education Ministry) will be recognised as a SBTs and get the same privileges," he said.

Muhyiddin said the ministry targeted to have 30 SBTs by next year and 50 in 2012.

He said the rationale in having SBTs was to raise the quality of the best schools in the country to be world class, produce outstanding students and narrow the gap between schools within the system.

He said SBTs would be given additional autonomy to pursue innovation in school management and raise the productivity of students.

As for curriculum, he said, it would be flexible in terms of teaching and learning as well as syllabi for compulsory and elective subjects, conforming to public examinations and use of the national language as the medium of instruction or multiple languages.

Beside these, Muhyiddin said the schools concerned were also given leeway in fixing the minimum periods for subjects, extending schooling hours and allowing students to complete their studies a year earlier, just like the express promotion system that was introduced previously.



In terms of budget ownership, he said a lump sum grant would be channelled to the schools at the beginning of each year and that they would have the full flexibility to spend as needed and were exempted from the ministry's centralised procurement system.

"Every school has its own budget, but with this status, they will be given additional funds and they can use the money as needed," he said, adding that the grant might be less than RM1 million but had not been fixed yet as this depended on the size of the SBT.

He also said management of staff at these schools would be based on meritocracy and not seniority, besides flexibility given for the paying of overtime and performance incentives.

"There will also be flexibility to re-assign under performing staff and delegation of functions based on academic and non-academic reasons," he said.

Muhyiddin said the SBTs would be appraised yearly based on their annual reports with the appropriate performance indicators and inspections by the ministry's officers in accordance to the revised Malaysian Education Quality Standard.

In relation to this, he said the SBTs would have to fullfil six criterias - attain academic excellence, produce outstanding students, win awards at the national and international level, community work and networking with other schools and higher learning institutions, both locally and internationally.

One of the roles the SBTs would have to play was having their teachers to act as mentors to teachers in other schools through the "immersion" programme involving principals, headmasters and teachers, he said.

Towards maintaing their status as SBTs, he said their strategic plans, management structure, academic and co-curriculum programmes should serve as benchmarks for other schools, locally and abroad.

Muhyiddin said that schools in rural areas could also be selected as SBTs if they fullfilled the criterias set.

"I know not all the 10,000 schools (in the country) can reach this status, but irrespective of whether they are urban or rural schools, they stand an equal chance to be accorded SBT status.

"But if the (rural) schools are constrained because they do not have the same facilities as their urban counterparts, we will speed up action to narrow the gap," he said. -- BERNAMA

14 Penerima Biasiswa Fulbright Mengajar Bahasa Inggeris Di Terengganu

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PEMBANTU-pembantu Bahasa Inggeris (English Teaching Assistant) Vani Nambudiri , 23, dari New York (duduk dua, kanan) Alexa C Wirth, 22, dari Illinois (berdiri dua, kanan), Alexander J Kenyon, 23, dari Oregon (berdiri empat, kiri), Vanessa Danielle Colon, 22, dari San Antonio, Texas (berdiri tiga, kiri), Ranjan D Hatch, 23, dari Carlifornia (duduk, kiri), Elyse H Akhbari, 23, dari Ohio (duduk, kanan), Kathryn R Mac Aulay, 23, dari Minnesota (berdiri tiga, kanan) dan Jeffery Bundler, 22, dari Maryland (berdiri, kanan) bergambar kenangan sebelum Program ETA di sini. -fotoBERNAMA

KUALA TERENGGANU: Empat belas penerima biasiswa Fulbright dari Amerika Syarikat (AS) kini sedang mengikuti program suaikenal selama dua minggu, sebelum ditempatkan di sekolah-sekolah terpilih di negeri ini untuk membantu pelajar menguasai bahasa Inggeris.

Mereka yang berada di sini di bawah program Pembantu Pengajar Bahasa Inggeris (ETA) yang diwujudkan pada tahun 2006 antara kerajaan negeri dan AS menerusi Suruhanjaya Pertukaran Pendidikan Malaysia-Amerika, akan mengajar selama 10 bulan bermula 1 Feb ini.

Ketika ditemui Bernama, pelajar-pelajar itu berkata program ETA adalah satu cara yang baik untuk meningkatkan tahap bahasa Inggeris pada kalangan pelajar.

Jeffery Bandler, 22, graduan Kolej Pitzer, memberitahu dia berasa teruja kerana dapat membantu kanak-kanak di Terengganu berkomunikasi menggunakan bahasa Inggeris.

"Saya akan cuba mengatasi setiap masalah yang timbul semasa mengajar pelajar di kawasan luar bandar walaupun saya sedar kesukaran tugas itu," kata pemuda dari Oregon yang akan ditempatkan di Sek Men Keb Matang, Hulu Terengganu.

Elyse H. Akhbari, 23, lulusan Universiti Denison, Ohio, yang akan ditempatkan di Sek Men Keb Lagam, Kemaman, berkata dia akan cuba sedaya upaya menjadikan bahasa Inggeris sebagai subjek yang menarik kepada pelajar.

Graduan Kolej Augsburg, Kathryn R. Auly yang berasal dari Minnesota pula berkata tidak sukar untuk mengajar bahasa Inggeris kepada pelajar yang bersemangat untuk belajar bahasa itu.

Auly akan ditempatkan di Sek Men Keb Kijal, Kemaman.- BERNAMA

RM1mil among perks for high performance schools
By KAREN CHAPMAN

educate@thestar.com.my

PUTRAJAYA: An annual budget of nearly RM1mil besides allowing students to finish school a year earlier were among the “prizes” awarded to the country’s first ever 20 high performance schools. The principals will also be given the option to select 20% of their student intake.

The schools’ management would also have the flexibility to re-assign staff who under-performed, and pay overtime and performance incentives.

In announcing the 20 schools yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said this was to create innovation in the management of schools and improve students’ productivity.

“These schools will be given the flexibility in their curriculum, student intake and management of staff based on performance,” he said during a press conference at his office.

Citing an example, he said a Year One pupil of a high performance school, who was academically excellent, could be given the option of skipping a year after consultation with his parents.

On the flexibility of the curriculum, he said the schools could make changes after a thorough consultation with all involved, including the ministry and parents.

Muhyiddin said high performance schools would receive a lump sum grant at the start of each school year.

“They could get just below RM1mil to do what they think is needed,” he said, adding that the budget details were being worked out.

Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister, said of the 20 schools, 10 were fully residential, four secondary and six primary (see list).

The schools, he added, were selected based on their outstanding academic achievements, extra-curricular activities and niche areas.

Four universities hold nominations for elections
Tuesday January 26, 2010

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Campus polls: Students registering their candidacy
at Universiti Malaya in Kuala Lumpur Monday.

PETALING JAYA: Nominations for campus elections in four universities – Universiti Malaya, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia – went smoothly yesterday without any untoward incident.

At Universiti Malaya, around 200 pro-Mahasiswa supporters who were clad in orange marched to the nomination centre at Dewan Tunku Canselor in support of their 32 candidates.

The pro-Aspirasi supporters gathered at the university’s Science Faculty to root for their candidates who are vying for the 41 seats being contested.

The scene at the university heated up when supporters from the two groups started jeering at one another, with the pro-Mahasiswa group accusing the pro-Aspirasi of “receiving financial aid from campus authorities”.

The pro-Aspirasi supporters responded by saying that the pro-Mahasiswa group was “a tool of Parti Keadilan Rakyat”.

Over at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 35 seats are being contested with 24 faculty seats and 11 general seats.

At Universiti Sains Malaysia, 39 seats are being contested. The pro-Aspirasi group are already in the lead with 17 seats being won uncontested.

Things were more mellow over at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia in Skudai, Johor, as new campus rules prohibit any procession by supporters.

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Sapura Industrial Collaborates With Universiti Malaysia Pahang

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 26 (Bernama)-- Automotive parts manufacturer Sapura Industrial Bhd (SIB) has taken a quantum leap in the development of human capital, following the signing of an agreement with Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP), for higher technological collaboration.

The collaboration is expected to cover areas such as research and development, industrial training, capacity building and a wider participation in the university's existing structured tertiary educational programmes, the company said in a statement here on Tuesday.

"This relationship will enable the university and the industry to establish a strong bond and complement each other.

"This will ultimately contribute to the local and national economic development, in line with the aspiration laid out by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation", said SIB's Chief Executive Officer, Mohamad Razali Osman.

Mohamad Razali had recently signed the agreement with UMP's Vice Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr. Daing Mohd Nasir Daing Ibrahim.

Both SIB and UMP will also undertake joint research on automotive product designing and manufacturing skills, techniques and procedures accordingly.

In addition, SIB personnel will be able to enrol themselves in UMP's post-graduate programmes to undertake research work, for which they can be awarded post-graduate degrees in related fields.

-- BERNAMA

Universiti Diminta Tidak Ketatkan Peraturan Sudut Pidato

http://mstar.com.my/archives/2010/1/26/mstar_kampus/pidato.jpg
Selepas lebih 20 tahun, Sudut Pidato kembali ke Universiti Malaya (UM) apabila ia dirasmikan semula oleh Saifuddin Abdullah di Kuala Lumpur hari ini. Foto The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Pihak universiti diminta bersikap liberal dan tidak mengenakan banyak peraturan terhadap penuntut yang ingin membuat pengucapan awam di sudut pidato, kata Timbalan Menteri Pengajian Tinggi, Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah.

Sebaliknya, mereka perlu mengggunakan kebijaksanaan dan kaedah terbaik bagi memastikan kewujudan semula sudut itu di universiti membawa perubahan positif kepada penuntut khususnya dalam meningkatkan kemahiran pengucapan awam.

"Sudut pidato adalah platfom yang sesuai untuk melahirkan mahasiswa yang berkaliber serta mempunyai kemahiran insaniah seperti berpidato dan berfikir secara kritis.

"Saya bimbang jika terlalu banyak peraturan dikenakan ini akan mematikan hasrat mereka dalam meluahkan pelbagai idea sekaligus melenyapkan minat mereka dalam pengucapan awam," katanya kepada pemberita selepas merasmikan semula Sudut Pidato di perkarangan Kompleks Perdanasiswa Universiti Malaya di sini hari ini.

Beliau juga berkata, hala tuju politik di kampus harus ditentukan oleh mahasiswa dan tidak perlu campur tangan daripada pihak lain kerana mereka mempunyai pandangan dan hasrat mereka yang tersendiri.

"Suara mahasiswa perlu didengari. Sudah pasti mereka mempunyai pelbagai pendapat dan rasa tidak puas hati terhadap sesuatu isu tetapi janganlah kita terlalu cepat melabelkan mahasiswa itu pro-pembangkang apabila mereka tidak bersetuju dengan sesuatu hal," katanya.

Timbalan Naib Canselor (Hal Ehwal Pelajar dan Alumni) Universiti Malaya, Prof Madya Datuk Dr Azarae Idris pula berkata, pihak unversiti itu sedang merangka satu garis panduan bagi menentukan kaedah terbaik bagaimana para penuntut boleh mendapat manfaat yang positif daripada sudut pidato itu.

"Kita akan kaji dari sudut isi kandungan pengucapan yang bagaimana yang dibenarkan. Kita di sini mempunyai pelajar antarabangsa daripada lebih 80 negara dan ini yang kita mahu pastikan agar ucapan oleh para penuntut tidak menyalahi sensitiviti agama, politik dan hubungan dua hala antara dua negara," katanya.

Ketika ditanya sama ada pihak universiti itu akan mengenakan tindakan terhadap mahasiswanya yang ditangkap ketika menyertai demonstrasi perhimpunan membantah proses pilihan raya kampus, beliau berkata, ia bergantung kepada laporan yang dibuat oleh polis.

"Kes tersebut masih dalam siasatan polis dan kita akan bertindak berdasarkan laporan polis. Tetapi jika ada tindakan dibuat ia tidaklah sampai melarang penuntut daripada menduduki peperiksaan," katanya.

Dalam kejadian Sabtu lepas polis menahan sembilan mahasiswa daripada pelbagai universiti di sekitar Lembah Klang yang menyertai perhimpunan membantah proses pilihan raya kampus di ibu negara. - BERNAMA

Malaysia's Education Intiatives Well Received
January 26, 2010 23:14 PM
From Haslinda Zainal

CEBU, Jan 25 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's education initiatives have created a lot of interest at the 45th Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organisation (Seameo) senior officials meeting here Tuesday.

Malaysian Education Ministry secretary-general Tan Sri Dr Zulkurnain Awang said Malaysia's foray especially in ensuring that no one was left out from the education system was well received by Asean member countries.

"We have our own strengths that we can share with other Asean countries. They are interested to know about our education initiatives," he told reporters after attending the Seameo senior officials meeting here.

The three-hour meeting was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Zulkurnain said Asean member countries would like to use Malaysia's education initiatives especially on learning and teachers' welfare as a guide in their educational development.

"One of our initiatives is to bridge the education divide between rural and urban areas. No countries have a comprehensive plan like Malaysia in ensuring education for all," he added.

The Seameo conference starting Wednesday will deliberate on a report on the Asean University Network and the Asean school resource material while a policy forum will dabble on a paper entitled "Understanding the Vital Pathways for Future Learning".

The Seameo secretariat based in Bangkok will present a report on the implementation of the "Seameo Collaborative Project to Reach the Unreached in Southeast Asian Countries and Achieve Education For All (EFA) Goals by 2015.

Filipino education secretary Jesli Lapus will open the Seameo conference at The Marquee, Shangri-La Hotel, Cebu.

-- BERNAMA

Government Targets To Turn 68 Technical Schools Into Vocational Schools By 2012
January 26, 2010 17:05 PM

DUNGUN, Jan 26 (Bernama) -- The government targets to restructure at least 68 secondary technical schools nationwide into secondary vocational schools by 2012 in an effort to negate the "second-class" perception of the latter, Deputy Education Minister Dr Mohd Puad Zarkarshi said Tuesday.

"As such, we have to enhance the standard of vocational education in the country. We do not want to see vocational education looked upon as second-class education," he told reporters after the presentation of awards to students for excellent academic achievement, in the Dungun parliamentary constituency, here.

Mohd Puad said vocational schools were established to enable students disinterested in academic qualification to acquire skills, and added that the ministry was considering getting vocational schools to offer flight training as well.

On Dec 1 last year, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also Education Minister, said the government would build more secondary vocational schools in the country.

He had said these schools could help fulfill the pressing need for skilled manpower to drive the nation's economic growth.

-- BERNAMA

Canada Hopes To Lure More Sabah Students
January 26, 2010 16:39 PM

KOTA KINABALU, Jan 26 (Bernama) -- After about 20 years, the Canadian Education Fair has returned to Sabah to lure local students to pursue tertiary studies in the country.

Canadian High Commissioner to Malaysia David Collins said that during the 1960s and 1970s, many students from Sabah chose to pursue higher education in Canada.

Since then, however, he said the number of students from East Malaysia had declined.

"We enrol about 1,000 students from Malaysia to Canada annually, and less than 20 per cent (of that figure) are from East Malaysia.

"We get people telling us that our universities (representatives) do not come here anymore to get students to go there...and so, we organised this education fair to reconnect with the Sabah people," he told reporters after the opening of the fair here Tuesday.

The fair was officiated by state tourism, culture and environment minister Datuk Masidi Manjun, who is also state education exco.

Meanwhile, Masidi hoped more countries would hold education fairs in the state to enable him to estabilish a rapport with the universities and education institutions abroad.

"If possible, I would like to have a complete list of all the education facilities in countries which are popular among the Sabah people.

"This will enable me to give counsel to all the parents who want to send their children overseas," he said.

The day-long fair began today, with the involvement of 16 universities. The fair will also be held in Kuching on Thursday.

-- BERNAMA

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2010/1/26/nation/n_sbts260110.jpg

From Berita Harian
20 sekolah hebat
Kumpulan pertama Sekolah Berprestasi Tinggi diberi autonomi

http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/7390/84816581.jpg

Educating Consumers Through 3K Programme
January 22, 2010 16:12 PM By Melati Mohd Ariff

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 22 (Bernama) -- Most Malaysians believe that it is the government's responsibility to protect consumer rights and thus avoid taking up consumer matters in a proactive manner.

They prefer not to speak up or wait for others to get things done though they may be the one in the losing end as consumers.

"This group wants the government to take action but often forget that there is nothing much that can be done if no one lodges a complaint? Is this the Achilles heel of consumerism in Malaysia?

"It is about time that Malaysian consumers should change their ways and boost their confidence in tackling consumerism related matters and learn of new expertise to emerge as smart consumers," said Muhammad Sha'ani Abdullah, the Secretary General of Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca).

He told Bernama consumers should note that any changes in the attitude should start from the individual and followed by the family and the community.

And on Fomca's part, it wants to help by educating the consumer society in the country among others through the National Consumer Campaign, or known through its abbreviation as 3K.

THE 3K

The 3K programme launched in June 2008 will continue for four years until 2012.

....

Consumers who need information on the 3K campaign can look at www.kkk.org.my

More > http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsfeatures.php?id=470289

Muhyiddin: RM300mil for Sarawak education
By STEPHEN THEN Wednesday January 27, 2010
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2010/1/27/southneast/5538590&sec=southneast

MIRI: The Education Ministry will allocate RM300mil for the purchase of food and the maintenance of boarding facilities at rural schools in Sarawak this year.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also Education Minister, said the amount was part of the 2009 Budget allocation of RM2.7bil for Sarawak.

A sum of RM32mil would be provided to the State Education Department to pay contractors to supply food for breakfast, lunch and dinner for tens of thousands of students studying and living in rural primary and secondary schools statewide.

The balance of RM278mil would go for the maintenance and upgrading of boarding facilities at rural schools such as piped water, electricity and proper beds and rooms.

Muhyiddin said the allocation was just a small portion of the huge amount the Federal Government gave Sarawak every year for the development of education.

“We have spent a lot on the progress of education in Sarawak. Claims by some opposition parties that education in rural Sarawak is neglected is not true.

“The Government continues to give extra allocations for Sarawak as and when the need arises. If there is any urgent need, we look into it immediately and respond swiftly even if it is not covered by the budget allocation.

The Government, he added, was aware of the needs that had to be addressed from time to time and allocated adequate funds whenever the need arose.

Muhyiddin, who was on a two-day visit to Miri and Bintulu, approved RM50mil for the new SK Tutoh-Apoh in Ulu Baram to replace the old school which gets flooded frequently.

He said the cost of building a school in rural Sarawak was three times more than a similar school in urban areas.

He said he also wanted all rural children to have opportunities to attend pre-schools.

The ministry, he added, found that only 67% of the 50,000 Year One pupils nationwide had attended pre-schools.

“We want to improve this figure to 80%. We want more pre-schools in rural areas and we hope that big private companies will help by constructing the pre-schools.

“The Government will train the teachers and foot the salaries for them,” he said.

Earlier, Muhyiddin said the Government had promised more allocations to cover the salaries of teachers in Chinese and mission schools in Sarawak.

He said, at federal level, the Treasury had paid RM1.8bil to his ministry to cover the salaries of teachers in Tamil and Chinese schools, a testimony that the Government supported education in these schools.

MP wants more Sabahan input on education policy
27th January, 2010
http://www.newsabahtimes.com.my/nstweb/fullstory/35597

KOTA KINABALU: Beluran MP Datuk Ronald Kiandee wants more Sabahans to be made policy makers in the Education Ministry so as to effectively tackle the education problems and needs of the state.

He said these Sabahan officers understand better the problems in the state.

Ronald who is also Deputy Parliament Speaker said the state education director has little say on the implementation of school projects.

For instance, he said the ministry is implementing four new school projects in one district and all of them are located within a five-kilometre radius but three school projects proposed in Beluran under the Eighth Malaysian Plan have yet to get off the ground.

“There is no sign until today that these projects would be implemented,” he told New Sabah Times yesterday.

As a result, he said the SM Simpangan, SM Ulu Sapi and SM Balaban Jaya were still sharing the use of classrooms with three primary schools in the district.

Welcoming the statement by newly-appointed Sabah education director Dr MuhiddinYusin on Sabah’s main education challenges on Monday, he also said there was an urgent need to ensure balanced education development between the rural and urban areas.

Like in the towns or city centres, more schools must be built to cater for the rural children, Ronald added.

“The lack of schools in the rural areas can impede the state’s overall education development.

“The imbalance must be addressed. And, the ministry must get its priority right if it wants to improve the academic performance of students across the state,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ronald pointed out that ministry officials should go to the ground more often to understand Sabah’s needs.

And, he also hoped that the ministry would adopt a more effective approach to deal with the situation in Sabah under the 10th Malaysia Plan.

High-performance schools: TKC humbled by honour

2010/01/27

SEREMBAN: Standing tall in the forefront of the high-perfomance schools in Malaysia with a track record of producing many successful personalities like Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil and Datuk Dr Mazlan Othman, Tunku Kurshiah College (TKC) is humbled by the honour.
Its headmistress Che Kamaliah Endud said although it is an immense honour to be among the creme-de-la creme, they accept this success with humility.

"No doubt it is a great honour and we choose to use this to excel even further.

"I am just thankful that the students at TKC had always made the school proud by excelling in academic and co-curriculum activities every year."

Che Kamaliah said the school would continue to keep up its high standards.

"Besides brainstorming sessions, being proactive, consistent in their work and having a good relationship among one another, we also teach our children to think positive in life," she said

She added that TKC will be coming up with strategies and programmes to give the students a boost.

"All our students must at least have one International certificate for their co-curriculum activities and all students maintain a balance in excelling in academic and co-curriculum areas.

"I also believe that co-curriculum activities are opportunities for the students to show their talent."

Another high-perfomance school, Sekolah Dato' Abdul Razak (SDAR), creates a warm environment by treating their students and staff as family

The school's principal, Zakaria Md Zin, said: "I call it a 'broad-front strategy' where students learn to balance each areas, like academic and co-curricular, equally.

"To be named as one of the best performance schools has motivated me and all the school's staff members and our students to work hard in order to sustain the school performance."

Improving Educational Outcomes By 2012
January 28, 2010 15:04 PM
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsgeneral.php?id=471832

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 28 Jan (Bernama) -- Highlights of the Government Transformation Programme to improve educational outcomes:

* To increase the pre-school enrolment rate from 67 per cent to 72 percent by involving four- and five-year-olds

* To raise the literacy rate from 87 per cent to 90 per and the numeracy rate from 76 per cent to 90 per cent for Year 1 pupils through the Literacy and Numeracy (Linus) programme

* To develop 20 high performance (HPS) schools this year

* Two per cent of head teachers and principals who exceed the target to be rewarded based on their performance and head teachers and principals who underperform to be reduced by 10 per cent

Academic excellence among students is vital to produce a more competitive workforce in line with the country's vision to achieve developed nation status by 2020.

Mindful of the importance of early education for four- and five-year-olds, the Education Ministry has identified pre-school education as one of the foci of the Education National Key Result Areas (NKRA).

To inrease the pre-school enrolment and quality, a National Committee on Pre-School Education with a Pre-School Division will be established to govern all pre-school providers.

The role of the committee, to be chaired by the Director-General of Education, is to develop pre-school education policies for the government and registered private pre-school providers (including curriculum, qualification, requirements, training and evaluation), coordinate all pre-school providers and evaluate pre-school education outcomes to determine future policy direction.

The ministry will also roll out the National Pre-School Curriculum Standard (NPCS) this year which incorporates principles of holistic education, ensures that teaching and learning take into account the different backgrounds of students, defines the use of Malay, English, Tamil and Mandarin as instructional languages and includes activities to foster understanding of different races and cultural activities.

The government will also improve the quality of pre-school teachers and teacher assistants through training programmes to improve the skills of 30,000 existing and new staff in three years besides elevating the minimum requirements for these teachers to a bachelor's degree.

In developing pre-schools, the government will also standardise the aid to government pre-schools, including giving equal per capita grants to pre-schools set up by the Education Ministry, Kemas and JPNIN, and increase the number of pre-school classes, especially for four-year-olds, to 10,000.

Towards this end, the gpvernment will increase public-private partnerships in pre-school education by offering new incentives and subsidies to private pre-school providers.

To reduce the drop-out rate, the government is emphasising command of basic literacy and numeracy skills to enable the children to be more productive and confident to participate in local community activities and in the society as a whole.

Screening will be conducted three times a year, in March, June and September, up to Year 3 to help identify pupils to be placed under the Literacy and Numeracy (Linus) programme which emphasises the application of the concepts learnt.

To meet the shortage of teachers to teach basic literacy and numeracy skills, 17,000 teachers will undergo intensive training between last November and February this year to deliver the new Linus modules effectively.

The government will also monitor and supervise the bottom 10 per cent schools, build confidence among stakeholders through awareness programmes and activities and appoint facilitators to help literacy and numeracy teachers in schools.

The ministry has also announced 20 schools as high performance schools (HPS) comprising 10 fully residential schools, four secondary day schools and six primary schools.

The HPS are defined as strong schools with ethos, character and a unique identity which enables them to excel in all aspects of education. They are able to compete in the international arena and be schools of choice of the society.

HPS will be given increased autonomy in decision-making and accountability in the management and performance of the the students.

Head teachers and principals play an important role in planning, coordinating and monitoring the teaching and learning in schools and in ensuring a conducive environment for learning by reducing external pressures and interruptions and establishing an orderly, supportive environment, both inside and outside classrooms.

Based on a simulation of past performance, it is estimated that 2 per cent of head teachers and principals will be eligible for reward according an annual appraisal report score of more than 90, an unqualified financial audit report, free from disciplinary actions and achievement of school literacy and numeracy targets (for primary schools).

Both financial and non-financial rewards like a payment of RM7,500, accelerated promotion and a certificate of recognition will be given to those who exceed targets while those who underperform will be given training and guidance to help them improve their performance.

However, if they continue to perform poorly, actions such as transfers and voluntary separation will be taken.

-- BERNAMA

New UiTM Campus In Melaka To Be Completed In 2013
January 27, 2010 20:56 PM

JASIN, Jan 27 (Bernama) -- A new Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) campus costing RM300 million will be built in Seri Mendapat, Semujuk, here, replacing an earlier proposal to build it in Serendah, Rawang, Selangor.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said the campus, with a capacity of 5,000 students, would be built on a piece of land belonged to Melaka Foundation and expected to be completed in 2013.

"The campus will have residential colleges, administration blocks, lecture halls and other facilities that will help Melaka city to become a hub for education," he told reporters after visiting the campus' site Wednesday.

Also present were Yayasan Basmi Kemiskinan chairman Datuk Zainal Abidin Sakom and Melaka UiTM campus director Datuk Prof Nadya Dr Mizan Hitam.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin was reported to have said that the project, to be implemented by Yayasan Basmi Kemiskinan, had been shifted to Jasin.

The original plan for the site in Selangor has been cancelled as the Selangor government refused to approve the project.

-- BERNAMA

DRB-Hicom plans university college for automotive skills
Written by The Edge Financial Daily
Friday, 29 January 2010 17:59

KUALA LUMPUR: DRB-HICOM BHD [] plans to set up a university college for the automotive industry as it seeks to produce skilled human capital for the sector.

It said today, it had incorporated a subsidiary HICOM University College Sdn Bhd with an authorised capital of RM10 million or 10 million ordinary shares of RM1 each with a current paid-up capital of two RM1 shares.

DRB-Hicom said it core business is in the automotive sector and is the single-largest integrated automotive corporation in the country.

"The incorporation of Hicom University College is to complement the group’s activities as well as to fulfill the government’s aspiration to develop and produce skilled, competent and knowledgeable human capital towards driving the growth of the nation," it said.

It added HicomUniversity College, as a higher-education and vocational-training institution, would focus on programmes to enhance the competency and skill of human capital for the automotive and automotive-related industries.

It would offer higher education programmes, including at post graduate level, to both local and international students.

DBNA to do its part on pre-school education
January 28, 2010, Thursday

KUCHING: Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) will vigorously play its part as one of the leading providers of pre-school education in Bidayuh areas, to complement the effort of the government.To do this, the association will travel to all Bidayuh villages, including the isolated and distant ones, next year to identify villages that have yet to have a kindergarten.

“We in DBNA are well aware of the importance of education which is why we will not leave the task (of providing education) to the government alone,” DBNA president Ik Pahon Joyik said during a visit by Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department Datin Fatimah Abdullah to Heritage Language Playschool and Kindergarten at Kampung Bunuk, about 36km along Jalan Puncak Borneo.

Pahon, who is also Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism and Heritage, pointed out that the association would try to involve village communities in these pre-schools’ activities.

This, he said, was so that the communities would have a sense of ownership and belonging thus, would do more for the success of the pre-schools.

He said Kampung Bunuk was well-supported by the community, including the Bidayuh elected representatives.

DBNA has been running the centre at the village since middle of 2006 in association with Unesco and Malaysian branch of Summer Institute of Language International (SIL).

According to him, another five such centres were set up last year with the fundamental concept of teaching in Bidayuh mother tongue for children aged three and four.

He, however, pointed out that DBNA was at the crossroad as Unesco had indicated that it would not be giving the association anymore money. He hoped that the government could help the association with setting up the centres.

“It is the community’s hope and aspiration that the government will help to fund these playschools and kindergartens, especially those in rural areas, in line with Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announcement during his visit to Baram last week,” Pahon said.

During the visit, Muhyiddin had proposed setting up kindergartens in longhouses as part of the overall effort to create a knowledge-based society.

Meanwhile, Fatimah said she was fascinated with the efforts undertaken by DBNA, which should “give greater motivation” for her to work harder to bring pre-school education to village children.

USM arm allocates RM10m for centre of excellence
By Marina Emmanuel Published: 2010/02/04

UNIVERSITI Sains Malaysia's commercial arm, Usains Holding Sdn Bhd, has budgeted RM10 million over the next two years to buy lab equipment and design tools to support its centre of excellence (COE) in electrical and electronics.

Usains Holding group managing director Datuk Gan Ee Kiang yesterday said the tools would complement USM's existing machinery and software, which are worth RM20 million.

Usains' wholly-owned subsidiary Usains Infotech Sdn Bhd (UISB) is the operator and manager of the COE which was set up last year by the Nothern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA).

The funds will come from the over RM20 million that was invested by NCIA.

"The centre has successfully installed and commissioned the Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools last month, and this will facilitate commercialised design work to be carried out.

"We have a plan in place to secure other EDA tools to meet the diverse requirements of the industry, especially small- and medium-sized enterprises and technopreneurs," said Gan.

Gan was speaking to reporters after Usains received its end-user licence for EDA tools from Synopsys (Singapore) Private Ltd senior executive account manager Adrian Ng Siong Teck.

He said the newly set up COE is projecting revenues of over RM3 million this year, on the back of expected profit of RM5.5 million.

"We are expecting multinational corporations to make up 70 per cent of revenue contributions," he added, saying that the centre is hoping to do business with a minimum of eight multi national companies and three SMEs.

Meanwhile, UISB's general manager Teoh Swee Thye said that in line with the centre's foray into human capital development, the COE has begun conducting training programmes for the industry.

"Other than formal trainings, COE will also be organising events that bring together the best minds, with the hope of triggering more initiatives for the economy," Teoh said,

From flickr
by Abd Halim

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2694/4336475748_480fde8c51_o.jpg

^^ Nice, which campus is that? Looks like Naboo from Star Wars

Measat offers full scholarship in space studies for post-graduates
February 9, 2010, Tuesday
http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=9813

KUALA LUMPUR: Measat Satellite Systems Sdn Bhd (Measat) is offering a fully-paid scholarship for a Masters Degree in Space studies or Space Management at the International Space University in Strasbourg, France.The scholarship is part of the company’s corporate social responsibility programme, focusing on supporting the development of future technology leaders for the Malaysian industry.

The one-year scholarship from September this year is open to Malaysians aged 35 and below, the company said in a statement yesterday.

“Applicants should have a strong command of verbal and written English and an accumulative minimum grade point average of 3.6 or above in economics or finance, mathematics, law, business administration, communications engineering, aerospace engineering or physics,” it said.

To apply for the scholarship, candidates are required to send in their applications no later than March 1, a detailed resume, certified true copies of relevant certificates, SPM results slip, university transcripts, names of three referees and other supporting documents.

Candidates should also submit a write-up of not more than 500 words, explaining their interest in satellite technology and why they should be awarded the scholarship.

The applications should be sent to measatscholarship@measat.com or to the postal address: Measat Satellite Systems Sdn Bhd (Company No 247846-X) Measat Teleport and Broadcast Centre, 63000 Kuala Lumpur.

More details on the scholarship are available at www.measat.com. — Bernama

From flickr
by sdq myd

Taylor Lakeside Campus

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2683/4342491073_b628c7c62d_o.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4025/4342491545_f93e157d91_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2482/4342492025_b53d875b07_o.jpg

Ministry Targets Five Per Cent Of Schools To Have Five-Star Rating
February 12, 2010 22:15 PM

PUTRAJAYA, Feb 12 (Bernama) -- The Education Ministry is tagetting to have at least five per cent of the 10,000 schools in the country to be five-star schools under the Smart School Qualification Standards rating system.

Education director-general Tan Sri Alimuddin Mohd Dom said 75 per cent of the schools would be upgraded to three-star schools while 20 per cent would be awarded four stars.

"A total of 8,454 schools were rated last year whereby 7,575 were ranked between three and four stars," he told reporters after presenting a report on the ministry's Rural Smart Schools Programme, here Friday.

Alimuddin said this year, 35 rural schools had been identified to take part in the second phase of the Smart School Programme for Rural Schools.

"In the first phase last year, 15 schools took part and showed obvious improvement in the use of information communication technology (ICT)," he said.

The schools selected for the programme consist of secondary, vocational technical, national, national-type, religious, special education, Felda schools and schools for the Orang Asli.

-- BERNAMA

KUIS AND ISESCO SIGN MOU TO SET UP REGIONAL RESEARCH CENTRE IN SELANGOR

SHAH ALAM: Selangor Menteri Besar Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim today witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Selangor Islamic University College (KUIS) and Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) to build a regional research centre in the state.

The signing ceremony which had taken place at ISESCO headquarters in Rabat, Morocco, is part of a five-day working visit to Morocco which began Tuesday. Also participating in the working visit are KUIS’ board member Dato’ Setia Mohamad Adzib Mohd Isa, rector and CEO Datuk Mohd Adanan Ismak, and research and development faculty dean, Ahmad Ismail.

The working visit also entails courtesy call to the Housing Minister of Morocco, Malaysian Ambasador to Rabat , special gathering with Selangor students in Morocco and visiting several mosques in Casablanca. The Menteri Besar and his delegation are expected to return on Saturday.

The research centre which will be set up in KUIS - which is fully owned by the Selangor Government – is aimed to develop effective methods in teaching and learning Arabic not only for Malaysia but also for the Asian region.

The State Government believes that the research centre will be a boon for KUIS which aspires to becoming a full-fledged university in the near future. ISESCO had indeed made the right decision in selecting Selangor being the most developed state and blessed with its multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi- religious population.

Education is among Selangor’s focus as the state aims to be the catalyst to the country’s academic excellence. The existence of four public universities (IPTA), five private universities (IPTS), seven university colleges and 98 private colleges proves that Selangor can be recognized education hub in its own right.

Kampus USM di India
Oleh Betty Subaryati
bhkb@bharian.com.my





IPTA pertama buka cawangan di luar negara

KOTA BHARU: Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) mencipta sejarah menjadi institusi pengajian tinggi awam (IPTA) tempatan pertama mengembangkan sayapnya ke luar negara dengan membuka kampus cawangannya di India.

Kampus pertamanya di luar negara itu akan ditempatkan di Jawaharlal Nehru Medical University di Belgaum, Karnataka, dan menawarkan pengajian perubatan dengan pengambilan kumpulan pertama seramai 100 pelajar, Julai depan.

Naib Canselor USM, Prof Tan Sri Dr Dzulkifli Abd Razak, berkata buat permulaan keutamaan akan diberi kepada pelajar Malaysia sebelum dibuka kepada penuntut antarabangsa. "USM menerima pelawaan untuk membuka kampus cawangan di India, baru-baru ini dan bersetuju mengembangkan operasinya. Kampus India ini akan menggunakan sepenuhnya kurikulum bersepadu USM.

"Prasarana dan kemudahan lain termasuk asrama dan peralatan makmal akan disediakan Jawaharlal Nehru Medical University.

"Program pengajian perubatan di USM India dijangka akan mengambil masa lima tahun dengan keseluruhan yuran pengajian dijangka kira-kira RM350,000 (US$100,000)," katanya.


Beliau berkata demikian pada sidang media selepas majlis penyampaian Sijil MS ISO 9001:2008 kepada Pengarah Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) Kubang Kerian, Dr Zaidon Kamari dan Pengarah Kampus Kesihatan USM, Prof Datuk Mafauzy Mohamed.

Pada majlis sama, Dzulkifli turut menyampaikan anugerah kepada pemenang pertandingan Konvensyen Kualiti dan Inovasi (KIK), membabitkan 10 kategori antaranya asrama pelajar, laman web dan Makmal Diagnostik dan Analitik.

USM yang mencipta sejarah menjadi universiti awam pertama dipilih sebagai Universiti Apex pada September 2008, mensasarkan untuk disenaraikan dalam 100 universiti terbaik dunia dalam tempoh lima tahun dan 50 terbaik menjelang 2020.

Dr Dzulkifli berkata, bagi menjayakan usaha itu, USM juga akan melatih beberapa pegawai dari universiti ini di sini untuk menjadi tenaga pengajar di kampus cawangan India.

"Usaha ini adalah untuk merealisasikan USM sebagai Universiti Apex sepenuhnya menjelang 2013 dan sekiranya berjaya, ia merancang mengembangkan sayapnya ke beberapa negara lain seperti Timur Tengah," katanya.

Dalam pada itu, Dr Dzulkifli berkata, USM akan membuka satu lagi kampus cawangan di Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, tahun depan bagi menampung jumlah pelajarnya yang kini berjumlah kira-kira 30,000, di empat kampusnya sekarang.

"Daripada jumlah itu, kira-kira 20,000 pelajar adalah prasiswazah, manakala 10,000 lagi pelajar pasca siswazah. Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi meminta ditambah bilangan pelajar prasiswazah kepada 30,000 dan untuk itu USM memerlukan kampus baru," katanya.

Politeknik Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah naik taraf ke politeknik premier
Khamis, 25 Februari 2010

PUTRAJAYA, 25 Feb - Tiga politeknik diumumkan sebagai Politeknik Primer hari ini.

Tiga politeknik berkenaan ialah Politeknik Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah, Shah Alam, Selangor, Politeknik Ungku Omar, Ipoh, Perak dan Politeknik Johor Bharu, Johor.

Perkara tersebut diumumkan oleh Ketua Pengarah, Jabatan Pengajian Politeknik, Datuk Imran Idris pada majlis Pelancaran Transformasi Politeknik di Pusat Konvensyen Antarabangsa Putrajaya (PICC) di sini

Universiti Politeknik menjelang tahun 2015
26 Februari 2010 / 12 Rabiul Awal 1431

PUTRAJAYA 25 Feb. - Kerajaan menyasarkan penubuhan sebuah Universiti Politeknik menjelang 2015 sejajar dengan langkah transformasi menjadikan politeknik peneraju pendidikan vokasional dan teknik di negara ini.

Serentak itu, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin berkata, tiga buah politeknik perintis dinaik taraf sebagai Politeknik Premier iaitu Politeknik Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, Shah Alam, Politeknik Ungku Omar, Ipoh dan Politeknik Johor Bahru.

Menurut Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Politeknik Premier yang akan ditambah jumlahnya pada masa depan dijadikan asas kepada penubuhan universiti politeknik.

Kata beliau, penubuhan universiti itu akan meletakkan pendidikan teknik dan vokasional di peringkat pasca menengah dan tinggi di bawah satu bumbung tanpa para pelajarnya perlu menyambung pengajian ke institusi lain.

''Dengan menawarkan pakej pendidikan di peringkat diploma, diploma lanjutan dan ijazah sarjana muda, sistem politeknik pastinya akan menarik minat pelajar-pelajar terbaik di negara ini.

''Ia kerana bidang vokasional dan teknikal bertambah penting selaras dengan Model Ekonomi Baru yang memerlukan kepakaran lebih tinggi dan menguasai bidang-bidang baru," katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian pada sidang akhbar selepas melancarkan Transformasi Politeknik di Pusat Konvensyen Antarabangsa Putrajaya (PICC) di sini hari ini

Hadir sama Menteri Pengajian Tinggi, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

Muhyiddin yang juga Menteri Pelajaran berkata, kurikulum pelajaran vokasional dan teknik di sekolah-sekolah menengah juga akan diteliti semula bagi menjayakan proses transformasi bidang kemahiran tersebut.

Beliau yang menyarankan proses inovasi dilakukan kepada sistem politeknik berkata, institusi kemahiran itu perlu menawarkan laluan pendidikan tinggi yang lebih singkat.

''Ini sekali gus menjadikan politeknik sebagai institusi pilihan utama bagi pelajar yang ingin menyambung pengajian ke universiti-universiti teknikal di negara ini.

''Ia boleh dikembangkan dengan memberikan pengecualian kredit kepada lepasan sekolah menengah yang memasuki politeknik," katanya.

Selain itu, Muhyiddin berkata, bidang dan program yang ditawarkan oleh politeknik harus selaras dengan perubahan semasa antaranya mempergiatkan kursus animasi digital, reka bentuk, insurans dan kewangan.

''Bidang-bidang baru seperti bioteknologi dan nano-teknologi juga perlu dibangunkan sebagai jurusan kepakaran politeknik," katanya.

banyaknya universiti skrgni

Education for all in Malaysia
February 27, 2010, Saturday
http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=13140

http://www.theborneopost.com/newsimages/2001.jpg

PRIORITY FOR EDUCATION: Muhyiddin pointing to an interesting point at a
poster after presenting commendation letters of recognition to 20 high
performance schools (SBT) at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Aminuddin Baki,
Kuala Lumpur last month. The Unesco statistics for 2009 placed Malaysia at
11th out of 137 nations that allocated a huge budget for education.
— Bernama photo

KUALA LUMPUR: The Unesco statistics for 2009 placed Malaysia at 11th out of 137 nations that allocated a huge budget for education.

On the average for this decade, Malaysia’s allocation for the education sector is about 25 per cent or a quarter of its budget, making education the sector that received the lion’s share of the government’s expenditure.

With such a huge allocation, the nation’s education system is continuously undergoing transformation and improvement.

The goal is none other than creating a society that focuses on education and knowledge, above everything else.

Education, as the primary prerequisite for the success of any nation, has been turned into an aspirational value in the concept of 1Malaysia.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had stated that the education process is not only restricted to the classroom alone, but it is a lifelong process that moves on either in or out of the teaching and learning climate.

Education will drive Malaysians to think and act without too much having their self interest, in fact giving priority to the community.

Education also has another strong point. The nation’s strength and endurance are build on its people that have knowledge and education as these could overwhelm the military might.

As such, the nation needs to have a society that focuses on education and knowledge.

In the effort to create a society with knowledge, not only formal education comes into focus. Instead inculcating the reading habit is among the core values of a society with knowledge.

The Malaysian Reading Profile Study 2005 by the National Library of Malaysia (PNM) found that the number of books read by Malaysians in the past 10 years improved to two books each in a year as compared to the average of only two in 1996.

Despite this improvement, the figure is still minimal for a nation that has a population of 28 million. Everybody should realise that the reading culture is able to create Malaysians that exercise an open mind.

Complementing this move, Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) with the collaboration of PNM has provided reading materials in each of its coaches in the intercity service. An effort that should bring in the compliments.

Meanwhile, the effort to inculcate 1Malaysia in education should begin right from the time in school as this is the place where children socialise with each other.

Hence the curriculum developed for primary schools should focus on the aspects that needed to be inculcated to generate the 1Malaysia concept and should have avenues to hold interaction and joint activities. Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin who is also the Education Minister, in his speech at the recent function held to recognise high performance schools (SBT), had pointed out that the creation of the SBT as the country’s model schools was not intended to marginalise the other schools.

The government would implement specially-formulated programmes to improve the SBT apart from emphasising on the social responsibility of these schools to guide other schools to improve their own performance via a guidance programme. Apart from education, meritocracy is another aspirational value of 1Malaysia. Maybe many relate this aspect to education particularly in the admission to tertiary-level education institutions. In 2002, the meritocracy system was implemented for the first time for admission into the public institutions of higher learning (IPTA).

This replaced the previous ‘quota system’ that the admission was for 55 per cent Bumiputera and 45 per cent for the others.

This new system, that provides the opportunity for all to obtain high education, aims to create a united society, a society that does not have to worry about the interest of the respective ethnic groups. In other words, a society that places national interest first.

The meritocracy aspect is not only stressed in education alone.

The real meaning of meritocracy in 1Malaysia is a direction that should be practised in a democratic nation to ensure the people are qualified and meet the criteria required to guide the country to achieve progress.

Meritocracy focuses on open competition based on the stipulated criteria and anybody who meets these criteria are deemed as eligible. In the implementation, the selection is based on performance and culture of excellence to maximise the potential in all fields. For example in the procurement field, contracts are offered via open tenders and the firm picked should meet the required criteria.

This covers the choice of firms, contractors, consultants and the likes as all parties should compete and prove their worth apart from providing the best offer on the price of products, services and outcome promised. This is to make Malaysians to be up to the global challenges.

Hence, no Malaysians should feel they are being marginalised as each of them is entitled to their rights as enshrined in the Federal Constitution. — Bernama

Mara akan pilih bidang, universiti pelajar tajaannya ke luar negara
Sabtu, 27 Februari 2010 |

SEMPORNA: Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) akan lebih bersikap memilih dari segi bidang pengajian dan taraf universiti untuk pelajar tajaannya ke luar negara pada tahun akan datang.

Menteri Kemajuan Luar Bandar dan Wilayah, Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, berkata Mara akan lebih fokus dan menghantar pelajarnya mengikuti bidang yang benar-benar diperlukan negara di universiti yang ternama.

"Pada tahun-tahun akan datang, kita akan fokus kepada mendaulatkan sektor pendidikan selaras dengan matlamat utama Mara diwujudkan, khususnya membantu bumiputera sebaik mungkin bukan sahaja membolehkan anak kita belajar dalam negeri tetapi juga di luar negara.

"Saya minta apabila kita hantar pelajar ke luar negara bidang yang diceburi adalah bidang yang betul-betul boleh melonjakkan kedudukan mereka, boleh menjayakan keperluan kepakaran negara kita," katanya.

Shafie berkata demikian kepada pemberita selepas melancarkan Program Seminar Pembangunan Minda anjuran Yayasan Pelajaran Mara dengan kerja sama Biro Pendidikan Umno Semporna di sini hari ini.

Beliau berkata kurang wajar bagi kerajaan berbelanja sehingga berbilion ringgit untuk menaja pelajar di universiti luar negara jika bidang yang diambil dan taraf universiti itu setara dengan universiti dalam negara.

"Kalau keadaan itu berlaku, lebih baik mereka belajar di dalam negara sahaja," katanya.

Shafie berkata Mara tidak kekurangan pelajar yang layak melanjutkan pengajian ke universiti tersohor dunia kerana pelajar di Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM) di seluruh negara mencapai prestasi cemerlang dalam peperiksaan Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) dan Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM).

Dalam perkembangan lain, Shafie berkata Yayasan Pelajaran Mara akan mewujudkan sekretariat yayasan itu di kawasan luar bandar di seluruh negara bagi memudahkan bantuan disalurkan kepada pelajar yang memerlukan.

Sementara itu, beliau yang juga naib Presiden Umno menyifatkan cadangan untuk membuka keanggotaan terus ke dalam Barisan Nasional (BN) memberi banyak kebaikan dan manfaatnya.

Katanya melalui kaedah itu rakyat Malaysia sama ada golongan profesional dan anggota pertubuhan bukan kerajaan yang ingin menyumbang kepada pembangunan negara bersama BN boleh berbuat demikian tanpa menyertai mana-mana parti politik.

"Perkara baik harus digalakkan. Kita harus fikirkan soal kekuatan parti. Kita harus fikirkan apakah ini akan menguatkan BN. Ia perlu diperincikan. BN adalah platfom terbaik untuk memperincikannya (termasuk) syaratnya, secara peribadi saya setuju," katanya. - Bernama

Tesdec And Intel In Education Collaboration
March 01, 2010 16:21 PM

KUALA TERENGGANU, March 1 (Bernama) -- The Terengganu Skills Development Centre (Tesdec) and Intel Electronics (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd will jointly introduce a teaching programme to upgrade the quality of teaching and learning in schools.

Tesdec chairman Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman said teachers and students could use the Intel Teach Programme website to download learning materials," he told reporters after a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony at Wisma Darul Iman here Monday.

Razif who is also State Education, Higher Education, Science & Technology and Human Resource Committee Chairman said initially, 500 primary and secondary school teachers would be trained to use the application.

Meanwhile, Intel Electronics country manager Ryaz Patel said it was looking forward to working with Tesdec in producing effective educators and students by training and sharing best known methods in integrating ICT in school lessons and university courses.

-- BERNAMA

Enam Kampus Baru UiTM Dibina Tahun Ini

PUTRAJAYA: Pembinaan enam buah kampus baru Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) di enam lokasi akan dibuat menerusi kaedah inisiatif pembiayaan swasta bagi memenuhi sasaran penempatan 200,000 pelajar.

Menteri Pengajian Tinggi, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin berkata, enam lokasi itu ialah di Pasir Gudang, Johor, Jasin di Melaka, Seremban 3, Samarahan di Sarawak, Puncak Alam di Selangor dan Tapah, Perak.

"Setiap satu kampus itu membabitkan kos sebanyak RM300 juta dan mampu menempatkan 5,000 pelajar. Kesemua projek itu dijangka dapat beroperasi dalam tempoh setahun setengah," katanya kepada pemberita di sini hari ini.

Terdahulu, Mohamed Khaled menyaksikan majlis menandatangani perjanjian Konsesi Asrama Secara Penswastaan antara Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) dengan Pengurusan Konsesi Asrama Sdn Bhd (Peka).

UTeM diwakili Naib Canselornya, Datuk Dr Ahmad Yusoff Hassan dan Pengarah Pengurusan Konsesi Asrama Sdn Bhd, Nazli Khir Johari. Menerusi perjanjian itu, sembilan blok bangunan asrama lima tingkat yang boleh memuatkan 3,060 pelajar akan dibina di tanah seluas 28 hektar di Durian Tunggal, Melaka, yang dijangka siap dalam tempoh 24 bulan.

Selain itu terdapat dua arked pelajar, lapan unit kediaman untuk felo asrama serta dua unit kediaman pengetua asrama melibatkan jumlah keseluruhan kos sebanyak RM73 juta dengan setiap pelajar akan dikenakan caj sewaan sebanyak RM1,579.50 setahun.

Dengan pembinaan projek itu menjadikan UTeM universiti kedua membina asrama menerusi kaedah itu selepas Universiti Perguruan Sultan Idris. - BERNAMA

Kampus USM di India
Oleh Betty Subaryati
bhkb@bharian.com.my





IPTA pertama buka cawangan di luar negara

KOTA BHARU: Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) mencipta sejarah menjadi institusi pengajian tinggi awam (IPTA) tempatan pertama mengembangkan sayapnya ke luar negara dengan membuka kampus cawangannya di India.

Kampus pertamanya di luar negara itu akan ditempatkan di Jawaharlal Nehru Medical University di Belgaum, Karnataka, dan menawarkan pengajian perubatan dengan pengambilan kumpulan pertama seramai 100 pelajar, Julai depan.

Naib Canselor USM, Prof Tan Sri Dr Dzulkifli Abd Razak, berkata buat permulaan keutamaan akan diberi kepada pelajar Malaysia sebelum dibuka kepada penuntut antarabangsa. "USM menerima pelawaan untuk membuka kampus cawangan di India, baru-baru ini dan bersetuju mengembangkan operasinya. Kampus India ini akan menggunakan sepenuhnya kurikulum bersepadu USM.

"Prasarana dan kemudahan lain termasuk asrama dan peralatan makmal akan disediakan Jawaharlal Nehru Medical University.

"Program pengajian perubatan di USM India dijangka akan mengambil masa lima tahun dengan keseluruhan yuran pengajian dijangka kira-kira RM350,000 (US$100,000)," katanya.


Beliau berkata demikian pada sidang media selepas majlis penyampaian Sijil MS ISO 9001:2008 kepada Pengarah Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) Kubang Kerian, Dr Zaidon Kamari dan Pengarah Kampus Kesihatan USM, Prof Datuk Mafauzy Mohamed.

Pada majlis sama, Dzulkifli turut menyampaikan anugerah kepada pemenang pertandingan Konvensyen Kualiti dan Inovasi (KIK), membabitkan 10 kategori antaranya asrama pelajar, laman web dan Makmal Diagnostik dan Analitik.

USM yang mencipta sejarah menjadi universiti awam pertama dipilih sebagai Universiti Apex pada September 2008, mensasarkan untuk disenaraikan dalam 100 universiti terbaik dunia dalam tempoh lima tahun dan 50 terbaik menjelang 2020.

Dr Dzulkifli berkata, bagi menjayakan usaha itu, USM juga akan melatih beberapa pegawai dari universiti ini di sini untuk menjadi tenaga pengajar di kampus cawangan India.

"Usaha ini adalah untuk merealisasikan USM sebagai Universiti Apex sepenuhnya menjelang 2013 dan sekiranya berjaya, ia merancang mengembangkan sayapnya ke beberapa negara lain seperti Timur Tengah," katanya.

Dalam pada itu, Dr Dzulkifli berkata, USM akan membuka satu lagi kampus cawangan di Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, tahun depan bagi menampung jumlah pelajarnya yang kini berjumlah kira-kira 30,000, di empat kampusnya sekarang.

"Daripada jumlah itu, kira-kira 20,000 pelajar adalah prasiswazah, manakala 10,000 lagi pelajar pasca siswazah. Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi meminta ditambah bilangan pelajar prasiswazah kepada 30,000 dan untuk itu USM memerlukan kampus baru," katanya.

Khaled Nordin Sahkan USM Tidak Buka Kampus Baru Di India

KUALA LUMPUR: Menteri Pendidikan Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin hari ini menafikan laporan kononnya Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) dibenarkan membuka kampus barunya di luar negara.

Katanya universiti itu sebenarnya hanya mengadakan kerjasama dengan Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College di Belgaun, India, untuk menawarkan kursus perubatannya di kolej itu.

Beliau berkata seluruh rakyat Malaysia pasti akan merasa marah jika pihaknya membenarkan USM membuka cawangan di India dengan menggunakan wang rakyat, dan menurutnya kerajaan juga tidak akan membenarkannya sama sekali.

"Bagaimanapun untuk menempatkan program pengajian yang sudah diterima pakai untuk digunakan di universiti India, seperti francais umpamanya, ia adalah sesuatu yang boleh diterima," katanya kepada pemberita semasa mengulas isu berkenaan di sini hari ini.

Media baru-baru ini melaporkan yang universiti itu sedang melebarkan sayapnya di luar negara dengan membuka cawangan baru di India yang akan mula mengambil pelajar pertama Julai ini.

Naib Canselor USM Tan Sri Dzulkifli Abdul Razak yang berkata kenyataan beliau di salah tafsir sebelum ini menjelaskan bahawa universiti itu tidak mempunyai sebarang rancangan untuk membuka kampus baru di India, dan kerjasama yang terjalin ketika ini adalah atas undangan dari Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College sendiri.

Sementara itu Mohamed Khaled berkata universiti awam tempatan digalakkan supaya menggunakan universiti-universiti yang menjalankan pendidikan online seperti Universiti Terbuka Malaysia (OUM) atau Asian e-University (AeU) sebagai alat untuk menyalurkan programnya di luar negara.

Beliau berkata ini juga merupakan satu cara yang boleh digunakan oleh universiti awam untuk meningkatkan sumber pendapatannya.

"Berdasarkan kuota, universiti awam hanya dapat mengambil tidak lebih dari lima peratus (daripada jumlah pelajarnya) pelajar asing. Tapi sekiranya mereka dapat menawarkan kursus mereka secara online menerusi OUM dan AeU, pasti lebih ramai pelajar asing boleh menyertainya," katanya.

Bagaimanapun menurutnya jika setiap universiti tidak bekerjasama, semua ini tidak dapat dilaksanakan.

Terdahulu Mohamed Khaled menyaksikan majlis menandatangani Memorandum Persefahaman antara Kesatuan Eropah-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EUMCCI) dan anggota pertubuhannya UTi Worlwide Malaysia Sdn Bhd dan German-Malaysia Institute (GMI) bagi melancarkan program 'apprenticeship' dalam industri logistik buat belia Malaysia yang kurang berkemampuan.

Turut hadir ialah Timbalan Pengerusi EUMCCI Jean-Francois Jadin, Pengarah Urusan UTi Joerg Friedel dan Pengarah Urusan GMI Yusoff Md Sahir.

Program apprenticeship itu berdasarkan kepada silibus latihan dua tahun yang diiktiraf oleh kerajaan Jerman.

Kumpulan pertama pelatih yang terdiri daripada lima apprentis dari Sabah yang dipilih Januari lepas menerusi Pusat Kebajikan Good Shepherds.

Mohamed Khaled berkata setiap hari kira-kira 300,000 pelajar keluar dari sistem sekolah, dengan sebahagian daripada mereka berjaya melanjutkan pelajaran ke peringkat tinggi, sesetengahnya pula tercicir.

Memandangkan Malaysia sedang berhijrah ke arah ekonomi berasaskan pengetahuan, kerajaan sedang berusaha keras untuk memaksimakan penggunaan sumber manusianya, termasuk melatih dan menyediakan nilai tambah, dan inilah yang memerlukan kerjasama syarikat-syuarikat yang terbabit, katanya. - BERNAMA

SM Sains KK is Sabah's best
Published on: Friday, March 12, 2010

http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/upload/spm%2020102.jpg

Kota Kinabalu: SM Sains KK emerged the top school in Sabah after 16 students obtained straight As in the 2009 SPM examination.

Principal Hj Zaini Zair said he did not expect the school to get such good results as they only expected 10 to obtain straight As.

"I'm proud all my students passed and I would like to say congratulations to all of them. I hope they can continue their studies at a higher level especially in medical courses," he said.

This year's result saw an improvement over 2008 where only 10 students obtained straight As.

Dg Nur Nadhirah Baharin, who aims to be a dentist, emerged the top student achieving 7A+ and 2As in nine subjects offered by the school.

"I did not expect to be the top student in this school because I just obtained 7A and 2B in my trial examination, but I thank God for this good results," said Nur, the fourth of five siblings, who is active in basketball and had represented the State in the national championship.

"Parents and teachers were the ones who always encouraged me in my studies and I always asked my teachers or my friends if I had problems in any subjects," she said.

She advised students sitting for the examination this year to always share their knowledge in order to achieve good results.

"The more we share our knowledge, the more we can improve ourselves."

Another student who obtained similar results was Farahliza Grace Punil.

"The recipe for my success was always focusing in class and I think study groups also helped me," said Farahliza, who aims to become a doctor.

Other top students were Suraya Husna (5A+, 4A), Raysieo Duakin (5A+, 4CA), Mohd Amirudin Mohd Kassim 5A+, 2A, 2A-), Mohd Izat Aliodin 4A+, 3A, 2A-), Mohd Amirul Akram (4A+, 5A), Jacinta Toimin (4A+, 4A, 1A-), Dzulfikri Aziz (4A+, 2A, 3A-), Jude Florian Bajagap (4A+, 4A, 1A), Nur Atiqah Ahmad (4A+, 4A, 1A-), Mohd Syakirin Anuar (3A+, 4a, 2A-), Angela Mamporok (3A+, 2a, 4A-), Nur Azwa Hassan (3A+, 1A, 5A-), Mohd Zuhdie Hamzah (1A+, 3A, 5A-) and Asmin Kerisim (2A+, 4A, 3A-).

Meanwhile, SM St Michael emerged as the best school in Penampang with three students obtaining 10As in all subjects.

Junia Anilik, Bradley Avery Noelle Bachi and Dante Paulinus Mojiun emerged the top students in the school.

According to principal, Marrie Yong Pik Hua, 261 candidates sat for the exam and 252 candidates passed.

In terms of subjects, Marrie said the school is satisfied with its 100 per cent passes in 10 subjects namely Islamic Studies, Literature, Geography, Additional Mathematics, Commerce, Biology, Additional Science, Physics, Chemistry, and English for Science And Technology.

Marrie was also proud the school emerged among the top 10 in the State.

SEGi ups notch with online LMS software
March 20, 2010, Saturday

KUCHING: SEGi College Sarawak is upping the notch to better quality teaching facilities with an online e-learning teaching software giving its students access to both real and virtual classrooms.

In the press statement released yesterday, it said The Learning Management System (LMS) provides students with additional access to lecturers and fellow students via an internal Internet-based portal.

In addition, the students will also have online course information, projected study timeframes, study notes and lecturers’ advices at any time, any where via the Internet. And best of all, the service to the students is free.

“We began distributing the students their access codes in February and the LMS is currently undergoing its initial run to ensure that the system will perform smoothly,” said Alan Tan, SEGi College Sarawak Vice Principal (Academic), in the press released.

“We will be continually upgrading the system to value-add services into the LMS so that students will benefit from its usage.

“The primary function of the LMS is to provide a platform for the creation and delivery of courses as well as provide students with the ability to use interactive features such as threaded discussions, video conferencing, and discussion forums from any location with Internet access,” added the press statement.

The add-on virtual education service is a plus for students who are unable to attend their classes due to unforeseen circumstances such as falling sick or seeing to urgent personal matters, as they will be able to make use of the system to catch up.

Lecturers or tutors will post announcements related to the specific courses or subjects online to keep students abreast of their studies.

“However, students are not encouraged to skip classes as a result because the LMS is suppose to supplement the education process, not replace the conventional classes,” Tan said, adding that students would still need to adhere to the minimum class attendance to sit for their examinations.

“Learners are provided with a synopsis of the course, the objectives of the course, stipulated pre-requisites, the topics of the course and required reference texts,” he added according to the statement.

The learning materials for the course will be presented in HTML, PDF or Word Document formats and various types of materials to support learning are made available to be viewed or down-loaded.

A link will allow students access to various databases such as journals, e-books, magazines, theses, dissertation, research reports and others. Students are able to download and print the material via a digital library.

This is just one of the new services to SEGi College Students to enrich their learning experience.

Meanwhile, the College’s Registration Day will be held on March 27 and 28, 2010, offering 2009 SPM high achievers with scholarships while the distinction scorers can cash in on the RM500 rebate for every A they score.

Any inquiry, the public can call toll free number 1-300-88-SEGI or 1-300-887344.

Najib: Malaysia can be a regional education hub
March 20, 2010, Saturday
http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=18161

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OFFICIATING: Najib signs on the plaque to officiate at the Jeffrey
Cheah Foundation while Jeffrey (left) looks on. — Bernama photo

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak Thursday night outlined four ingredients for Malaysia to become a regional education hub, the first being a strong commitment to academic excellence and merit-based programmes.

The Prime Minister said the second component was social inclusiveness where the poor and the marginalised must be given opportunities to succeed.

“They cannot be left behind in the rush to reach the highest level of development,” he said in his speech when launching the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation in Sunway here Thursday in the presence of Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah of Selangor, the Royal Patron of the foundation.

The third ingredient, according to Najib was to strengthen the country’s educational methods by adopting international best practices.

The last element, he said, involved nurturing a cohort of thinking graduates who excelled in strategic thinking and creativity.

“(All) these are critical if Malaysia is to compete internationally with the world’s best,” said Najib.

Najib said besides these, strong communication and language skills were also important and English proficiency was essential as well as fluency in other languages.

The Prime Minister said the support of the private sector was important for Malaysia to achieve its vision of becoming an education hub for the region.

“Recognising that education sector is a key enabler and engine of national growth and transformation, we are considering further incentives to support its development.

“The government will continue to consult and work with the private sector to ensure the education system meets its current and future needs,” he said.

Najib said the New Economic Model will place importance on nurturing creativity and innovation and this context, it was vital that public and private universities focused more on applied research and innovation as well as development of thinking skills.

In his speech, Najib also called on all Malaysian schools, universities and institutions of higher learning to reinforce the 1Malaysia philosophy of People First, Performance Now.

“1Malaysia represents a way of life and reflects the government’s unequivocal commitment of a Malaysia for all Malaysian’s — a place that cherishes acceptance and celebrates our diversity.

At the event, Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah, the founder and chairman of Sunway Group donated RM20 million to the foundation.

Najib said the establishment of the foundation was an excellent example of corporate and personal philanthropy at its best in Malaysia.

“I hope this will serve as an example for other leading entrepreneurs and business people to follow,” he said. — Bernama

First KPTM branch in Sabah in Semporna
Published on: Sunday, March 21, 2010

Semporna: Mara Poly Tech College (KPTM) will open its first branch in Sabah in Semporna in July.

Its Chairman, Dato' Suhaimi Shahadan, said the district was chosen based on its strategic location and easy access from neighbouring districts that include Tawau, Lahad Datu and Kunak.

He said the formation of the branch is under the social responsibility of Mara to stress education as priority, especially for SPM school leavers in the East Coast.

He expressed disappointment that many parents here discontinued their children's study after SPM because they did not want to be separated with them.

"Some of the parents also were less exposed in certain fields that their children intend to pursue after obtaining poor SPM results," he said.

There are 47 courses offered by the KPTM and for starters, accounting and business courses would be introduced in the Semporna KPTM.

Earlier, Semporna Umno Youth chief, Mohd Aziz Jamman, said he suggested the formation of the college here because he wanted to see the younger generation to be successful in education so as to change the fate of their families and race. Some 70 students of the 200 applicants have been accepted into the college.

Masterskill set to be largest private campus in Sabah
Published on: Friday, March 26, 2010
http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=71463

http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/upload/masidi%20masterskill2.jpg

Kota Kinabalu: The Masterskill College Kota Kinabalu Metro Campus is set to be the largest private higher education institution in Sabah with approximately 10,000 students studying there at anyone time when the RM50 million campus expansion plan is completed in 2011.

Masterskill Education Group Berhad Executive Director-cum-Group Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Seri Edmund Santhara, said some 3,000 students taking up nursing and healthcare courses there now.

The expansion is the result of overwhelming response from locals ever since the college set up its facility in Kota Kinabalu.

"The State Government has also been very open and supportive (to Masterskill)," he said at the ground breaking ceremony, Thursday.

State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun, who is also the Minister in charge of education in the State, officiated on behalf of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.

Santhara said the move to expand the college here was after taking into consideration the keenness of Sabahan students for knowledge.

He observed that Sabah students had a "huge appetite" to study.

Hence, Masterskill decided to expand its facility here so that it could accommodate more students with a view to offer more study programmes in the future.

He said when the college opened its customer service centre at Api-Api Centre in 2005, about 500 students statewide applied for studies at Masterskill's campus in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.

At the moment, the campus here only offers diploma courses in nursing, pharmacy, environmental health, medical laboratory technology, healthcare and physiotherapy.

Soon another diploma course in medical imaging would be added to the list of programmes offered by the Kota Kinabalu Metro Campus. Santhara said after the Phase II expansion project is completed, Masterskill would be embarking on its Phase III development programme.

When all the facilities are in place, the KK Metro Campus would be able to offer degree programmes in pharmacy and physiotherapy, among others.

On future plans, he said it is looking to expand to Sandakan. "But as of the moment, we have no plans to open the college to foreign students," he said.

He sees Masterskill accepting students from South India, China and Indonesia in the future after the Phase II expansion work is done. Between 15 and 20 per cent of the capacity would be allocated to international students.

As an entity that looks for every opportunity to spread its business, he said Masterskill is always open for expansion. In fact, when it become public-listed, he welcome the Sabah government as partner with a common goal to provide education to anyone irrespective of race and gender.

He said the school is very committed to bring health sciences education to the people of Sabah.

"Masterskill's presence in Kota Kinabalu is not only about meeting the critical need for nurses in the nation's healthcare industry but more importantly it is about creating opportunities for Sabahans to lead a better life ahead."

CEO Santhara said the nursing and healthcare industry is continuously expanding.

Therefore, where employment opportunities are concerned, graduates from Masterskill gained employment upon completing their studies as there are plentiful jobs in the Middle East and in Europe.

Moreover, he said that the diplomas and degrees offered by the college are not only recognised by the nursing board in Malaysia but also internationally.

As a member of the Commonwealth, he said the graduates' marketability in these countries is high.

"There are also many private hospitals coming up in the countryÉso, there will be plenty of opportunities for graduates in the industry," he said.

Santhara said the welfare of Masterskill's students is really taken care of so as to ensure quality study during their time in the college. Free uniforms, books, shoes and hostel accommodation and transportation are accorded to the students.

"This year alone we allocated RM10 million to buy netbooks to students who register with Masterskill this year," he said.

During the event, the college distributed 550 netbooks to semester one students under its Netbook Giveaway Corporate Social Responsibility programme.

To question, Santhara, among the nation's most successful entrepreneurs, said he had no plans to enter politics, as his main focus was to serve the people and carry out community service.

However, the MIC members said he would not reject if there is an opportunity to serve the people as a Senator.

Santhara, who grew up in a rubber estate, completed his MBA in Marketing and Business Administration in 1998.

Having excelled as a marketing prodigy for several prestigious colleges, Edmund took the challenge of investing in Masterskill, becoming its CEO in 2005.

Masterskill is a school for Nursing and Allied Health education which includes courses in pharmacy, physiotherapy and lab technology.

Within two years, he transformed Masterskill and revolutionised the nursing and healthcare educational system, including negotiating arrangements with over 40 hospitals as training grounds.

Enrolment has phenomenally surged to 6,000 students from 250 prior to 2005.

Today, Masterskill is one of the largest institutions of its kind in South East Asia and has the distinction of having achieved 100 per cent employability for all its graduates, with students booked by private and public hospitals in advance of graduation both locally and overseas.

A philanthropist, Santhara generously contributes scholarships and has introduced free physiotherapy facilities for the needy.

Malaysia has no need for World Bank aid for education development
MIRI, March 29 (PNA/Bernama) -- Malaysia is among three countries in South East Asia, which does not require financial assistance from the World Bank for education development.

The World Bank Education Sector Manager for East Asia and Pacific Region, Dr Eduardo Velez-Bustillo said today, the Malaysian government had not requested for financial aid from it in recent years.

This he added, has led the country to join the ranks of Korea,Japan, Taiwan, Singapore and Thailand in the East Asian region.

According to Velez-Bustillo, the bank was however, still heavily involved in education development programs in several other South-East-Asian countries as Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Timor Leste.

"Last year, we supported the Indonesian government in a school-based management program with a US$ 600 million loan. This was the biggest World Bank-supported education program in its history," he disclosed.

He revealed this at a news conference held on the sidelines of a workshop on Pedagogical Strategies for Improving the Performance of Small Schools here.

Deputy Minister of Education, Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi declared open the three-day workshop.

It is being organized by the Education Ministry in collaboration with the World Bank and South East Asia Ministers of Education Organization (Seameo).

Although, not on the bank's list of borrowers, Velez-Bustillo said Malaysia remained an important country for it in terms of providing and collaborating in technical dialogues.

He said Malaysia was on the right track in resolving its educational issues, where some of the policies devised by the government, had been proven to be successful in elevating the sector's achievements.

He will be presenting a paper on, "The Special Challenges of Small Schools", at tomorrow's session.

The workshop has 56 participants representing Malaysia, Cambodia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Brunei.

It is aimed primarily at critically reviewing the status and improving the performance of small schools in Seameo member countries. (PNA/Bernama)http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=4&sid=&nid=4&rid=267054

Like this :applause::applause::applause:

CALL TO MAKE MALAYSIA EDUCATION HUB FOR ISLAMIC WORLD
KANGAR, March 30 (Bernama) -- Raja Muda of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail has suggested that Malaysia be made an education hub for the Islamic world.

This could be achieved, he said, if all were committed to the struggle to elevate the position of Malay and Islam in international arena.

Speaking at a dinner in conjunction with the International Malay Education Seminar and the launching of the Perlis secretariat of the Malay World Islamic World (DMDI) movement here last night, he expressed the hope that the proposal could be studied further including by the DMDI.

The seminar was organised by the Perlis government and Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP).

Tuanku Syed Faizuddin, who is UniMAP chancellor, was confident that the vision could be realised with a dedicated and highly committed intellectual capital.

-- MORE

RAJA-EDUCATION 2 (LAST) KANGAR

Also present were Raja Puan Muda of Perlis Tuanku Hajah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah who is UniMAP pro-chancellor, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Md Isa Sabu and Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam who is the DMDI president.

The three-day seminar attracted participants from Indonesia, Thailand, China and Brunei.
http://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/bnm/20100330/tts-raja-education-bm-993ba14.html

30 penerima sulung Biasiswa Nasional

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KUALA LUMPUR - Seramai 30 pelajar paling cemerlang dalam peperiksaan Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) 2009 yang mendapat keputusan A+ bagi semua mata pelajaran diumumkan sebagai penerima Biasiswa Nasional 2010 yang diwujudkan buat pertama kali.

Mereka akan berpeluang untuk melanjutkan pengajian ke universiti terkemuka dunia dalam bidang-bidang pilihan mereka yang telah diiktiraf oleh kerajaan.

Senarai penerima biasiswa itu diumumkan oleh Pejabat Perdana Menteri dalam satu kenyataan petang semalam.

Biasiswa itu diperkenalkan oleh Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak semasa membentangkan Bajet 2010 di Parlimen pada Oktober lepas sebagai ganjaran untuk pelajar cemerlang.

Menurut kenyataan Pejabat Perdana Menteri itu, penerima biasiswa akan mengikuti kursus persediaan di pusat-pusat persediaan dalam negara yang ditetapkan oleh kerajaan.

New lakeside campus to boost Taylor's growth
By June Ramli
Published: 2010/04/06

http://www.btimes.com.my/articles/jrtaylor/pix_topright

TAYLOR'S University College projects a strong growth revenue of 26 per cent this year after unveiling its RM450 million lakeside campus in Bandar Sunway, Selangor, this January.

Its vice-chancellor and president, professor Datuk Dr Hassan Said said that the university is expecting an increase in the number of foreign students, especially via the introduction of 10 new courses by the end of this year from the 48 courses it offers now.

"We are confident that the new lakeside campus and our strong branding will be able to attract more students to our campus," he said in an interview with the Business Times recently.

Built around the 2.2ha mining pool, the campus has a multipurpose hall, administration block, students' hostels, cafe, banks and convenience stores, auditorium, amphitheatre and also a boutique hotel which will be managed by the hospitality and tourism students.

He said the main lakeside campus along with the campuses in Plaza Damas and Subang Jaya is home to close to 13,000 students.

"Our most popular courses are hospitality and tourism courses, whereby 35 per cent of the students are from abroad, followed by our business courses," he said.

He said Taylor's was looking at expanding its brand abroad through its students performances and also by collaborating with substantial educational partners worldwide.

"We just signed a memorandum of understanding with a Korean university to offer our American degree programmes in Seoul as the programmes are popular among Korean students. Through this collaboration they can either come here to complete their degree or go to the US," he said.

Taylor's is also known as the esteem education brand worldwide because many of its students are top scorers in foreign universities.

"For example, the top students reading law in the University of Reading are from Taylor's," he said.

Hassan said Taylor's is also planning to offer medical courses soon.

"Right now, we are conducting a pilot project with four students to see the feasibility of having this course before expanding it further to other students," he said, adding that Taylor's has been around for 41 years and celebrated its anniversary last month.

JPA tawar 1,500 biasiswa, tajaan RM1.24 bilion

PARIS, 5 April — Kerajaan melalui Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam (JPA) menyediakan 1,500 biasiswa kepada pelajar cemerlang lepasan Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) bagi Program Ijazah Luar Negara (PILN) tahun ini dengan penajaan berjumlah RM1.24 bilion untuk sepanjang pengajian.

Timbalan Perdana Menteri Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (gambar) berkata program untuk menyediakan biasiswa yang berprestij itu bertujuan melahirkan modal insan yang berkualiti bagi menjamin kesinambungan keupayaan negara di masa akan datang.

“Fokus penajaan PILN 2010 adalah kepada bidang-bidang kritikal dan keutamaan yang diperlukan oleh negara pada masa hadapan, seperti perubatan, pergigian, farmasi dan kejuruteraan,” katanya kepada wartawan Malaysia hari ini.

Muhyiddin, yang juga Menteri Pelajaran, berada di sini bagi menghadiri mesyuarat ke-184 Lembaga Eksekutif Pertubuhan Pendidikan, Saintifik dan Kebudayaan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (Unesco) yang bermula esok.

Penajaan PILN, katanya, akan ditawarkan mengikut empat kategori iaitu populasi kaum (60 peratus), kecemerlangan akademik (20 peratus), Bumiputera Sabah dan Sarawak (10 peratus) serta golongan “socially disadvantaged” (10 peratus).

Kriteria yang diguna pakai untuk pemilihan atau penawaran biasiswa JPA termasuk pencapaian akademik, penglibatan dalam kegiatan ko-kurikulum, sosio-ekonomi dan latar belakang keluarga serta prestasi temu duga.

Muhyiddin berkata kejuruteraan dan perubatan merupakan dua bidang yang paling popular di kalangan calon dengan United Kingdom, Australia dan New Zeland menjadi negara pengajian pilihan majoriti 18,844 pemohon, termasuk 10,114 permohonan yang diterima oleh JPA.

Bagaimanapun, katanya tempat yang disediakan bagi pelajar-pelajar yang memohon bidang kritikal adalah di pelbagai negara, termasuk Australia, New Zealand, India, Republik Czech dan Poland selain program berkembar di Penang Medical College, Melaka Manipal Medical College dan International Medical Universiti.

Bagi bidang kejuruteraan, tempat yang disediakan adalah di Perancis, Jerman serta Amerika Syarikat manakal bakinya adalah untuk bidang keutamaan dan strategik yang lain, kata Muhyiddin.

Selain penajaan ke luar negara, beliau berkata kerajaan turut memberi keutamaan kepada penajaan pelajar cemerlang ke institusi pengajian tinggi tempatan dengan menyediakan 100 penajaan untuk mengikuti pengajian di empat buah universiti penyelidikan iaitu Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Malaya dan Universiti Putra Malaysia. — Bernama

Universiti Malaya launches RM10mil tropical diseases facility
By RICHARD LIM Published: Monday April 12, 2010 MYT 7:33:00 PM
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/4/12/nation/20100412193859&sec=nation

KUALA LUMPUR: Universiti Malaya’s new RM10mil Modular Biosafety Level 3 (BSL3) Research Facility has been launched, enhancing Malaysia’s ability to combat tropical diseases like the Nipah virus and dengue.

Recognised as the most advanced facility in its class by the French government, the facility was installed by the university’s Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC) at the Faculty of Medicine.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said that with the appropriate biosafety facilities to conduct research on disease samples, the centre is expected to cut local dependence on foreign research labs.

At the same time, collaborative links with local and foreign research institutions could be forged.

Previously, disease samples had to be sent to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, United States, for further study.

Mohamed Khaled said that the facility would enhance TIDREC’s role in the study and prevention of infectious tropical diseases.

“We hope that this lab will produce results through the development of vaccines and the commercialisation of research findings,” he said in a press conference.

“I also expect that this facility will also strengthen the country’s national bio-security defences, and help in our measures against biological weapons threats.”

It is learnt that TIDREC is collaborating with researchers from the Defence Ministry. The centre will also develop vaccines and diagnostics to minimise the impact of biological warfare.

The cost of setting up the facility was borne entirely by the ministry.

Also present at the event was French ambassador to Malaysia, Marc Baréty.

Under biocontainment classification, BSL1 labs focus on well-characterised agents not known to consistently cause disease in healthy adult humans while BSL2 facilities cater to pathogens that pose moderate potential hazard to personnel and the environment like hepatitis, dengue fever and influenza A, among others.

BSL3 labs are applicable for indigenous or exotic agents that may cause serious or potentially lethal disease after inhalation like yellow fever and the SARS coronavirus.

Meanwhile, BSL4 facilities are required for work with agents which cause severe to fatal diseases in humans for which vaccines or other treatments are unavailable such as Lassa fever and the Ebola virus.

Mohamed Khaled added that the university’s search for the right person to head its Indian Studies Department was ongoing and a suitable candidate should be identified by June or July.

UKM, Stevens Institute Of Technology Forge Collaboration
April 16, 2010 22:46 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, April 16 (Bernama) -- Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and Stevens Institute of Technology (SIT), based in New Jersey, United States, have inked an agreement to cooperate with each other in education and research.

A memorandum of agreement for the collaboration was signed between the two educational institutions in Washington yesterday which was witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, UKM said in a statement said here on Friday.

At the signing, UKM was represented by its vice chancellor Prof Tan Sri Sharifah Hapsah Syed Hasan Shahabudin and Dr Harold J.Raveche for SIT.

SIT has produced two Nobel Laureates, Frederick Reines and Irving Langmuir.

Its alumni now are in South Korea, Taiwan and several other Asian countries and are leading players in commerce and industry and have been credited with a number of patents .

-- BERNAMA

IPB To Be Upgraded To University College By 2012
April 16, 2010 22:33 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, April 16 (Bernama) -- The Baitulmal Professional Institute (IPB) will be upgraded to Baitulmal University College by 2012, said its chairman, Tan Sri Hanafiah Ahmad.

He said to move closer to the status, IPB would consolidate its foreign and locally trained academics in adhering to the quality assurance and control by associated universities and professional bodies through continuous academic evaluation.

"After gaining the status, IPB can award its own certificates which will be recognised by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and endorsed by the Higher Education Ministry," he told reporters after the launch of the 18th IPB's anniversary carnival here on Friday.

"In striving to improve the academic achievement of prospective students, IPB provides preparatory classes for students, who are weak in English and Mathematics, before admission to the certificate and diploma programmes.

"The Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council's Baitulmal offers RM12 million in scholarships to eligible students to cover tuition fees and living allowances," he said, adding that IPB's tuition fees were reasonable and flexible.

IPB has produced about 5,600 professional graduates in various fields.

-- BERNAMA

MSU
taken from http://forum.lowyat.net/PropertyTalk

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Universiti Antarabangsa Albukhary ambil pelajar sulung Julai ini

KUALA LUMPUR, 26 April — Universiti Antarabangsa Albukhary (AIU) akan mula menerima kemasukan 500 orang pelajar sulung Julai ini.

Naib Pengerusi Eksekutif AIU, Datuk Ismail Yusof berkata sebanyak 20 peratus pelajar dijangka merupakan pelajar tempatan manakala selebihnya pelajar luar negara.

“Universiti Antarabangsa Albukhary mensasarkan pelajar pintar dari masyarakat kurang bernasib baik terutama dari Asia dan Afrika,” katanya dalam satu kenyataan.

Yayasan Albukhary akan membiayai sepenuhnya biasiswa kepada pelajar yang diterima masuk ke AIU yang kini ditempatkan sementara di institusi pengajian tinggi awam sementara menunggu kampus AIU siap dibina di Alor Star, Kedah.

Buat permulaan, AIU akan menawarkan pengajian peringkat ijazah dalam bidang teknologi maklumat, kajian perniagaan dan sains sosial. — Bernama

Selangor Properties sees higher contribution from education division
By TonyGoh of The Edge Financial Daily
Wednesday, 28 April 2010 16:06

KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor Properties Bhd expects bigger contribution from the education division as it seeks to expand its presence locally and abroad by building campuses and also via the franchise arrangement.

Its head of finance Lee Boon Kian said on Wednesday, April 28, work on the first phase of the new main campus for HELP University College in Subang 2, costing RM70 million is expected to start this year.

It is also expanding its education franchise to Cambodia. Currently, HELP International Corp Bhd, which is 51% owned by Selangor Properties, has franchise arrangements in China, Vietnam and Indonesia.

However, property will remain the group's core business going forward, with new launches including the mixed development projects in Jalan Batai and Jalan Semantan in Damansara Heights expected to take off this year.

For FY ended Oct 31, 2009, the education division contributed RM91.63 million or 28.5% of the group's total revenue of RM321.7 million. Property development brought in another RM172.23 million.

Net profit however, was lower at RM40.6 million compared to RM124.3 million previously,as the bottom line last year was dragged down the loss of RM74 million in investment in real estate funds abroad.

MALAYSIA: RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES SHOULD COME UP WITH MECHANISM TO EVALUATE R&D'S CONTRIBUTIONS
KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 (NNN-Bernama) -- Public institutions of higher learning (IPTA) which have been recognised as research universities should come up with a mechanism to evaluate the true worth of the commercialisation of their research and development (R&D) to the country's economy.

Deputy Higher Education Minister Saifuddin Abdullah said this was because the ministry only had the data on the total allocation for R&D at each of the universities, but not on the contributions in terms of the commercialised R&D.

He said four IPTA had been accorded the research university status - Universiti Malaya, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and Universiti Putra Malaysia.

"These research universities should not only enhance their R&D, but also to determine the outcome of their R&D to the country's development.

"They need to have a R&D accounting mechanism," he told reporters after opening the Malaysian Remote Sensing Society (MRSS) international conference here on Wednesday.

He said the mechanism was important to determine whether there was a need to increase the government's allocation for R&D.

Saifuddin said he agreed with the universities saying that the current allocation provided by the government was not enough

"I believe if we can show the real impact or the good work, by coming out with the numbers, then we can convince the government that universities be given more money to enhance their research work," he added.

He said that RM285 million was allocated to the ministry under the Ninth Malaysia Plan for R&D at universities.http://www.namnewsnetwork.org/v2/read.php?id=118469

Myren project to be transferred to MOHE
Friday April 30, 2010
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/4/30/nation/6158959&sec=nation

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Research and Education Network (Myren) project will be transferred from the Information, Communications and Culture Ministry to the Higher Education Ministry (MOHE) from next year.

Deputy Information, Communi cations and Culture Minister Senator Heng Seai Kie said that since the focus of the project was more on institutions of higher learning doing research and development, it would be more appropriate for it to be looked after by MOHE.

“Attention is given to high-profile institutions of higher learning because they are always conducting research,” she told a news conference after launching the Myren Phase 2 project here yesterday.

Myren, a project managed by the Multimedia Developement Corporation (MDeC) on behalf of the Information, Communications and Culture Ministry, is an inter-institution network connecting researchers and scientists nationwide via a combination of 1Gbps and multiple 622Mbps backbone.

The first phase was launched in 2005 and currently connects 28 local public and private universities.

More organisations, both public and privately-funded, hospitals, polytechnics and community colleges, will join it during Myren2.

Heng said that with the launch, Malaysia would be on par with other countries that have established national research and education networks to enable scientists and researchers to collaborate in joint research projects.

“Myren2 is linked to similar networks in other countries with the intention that research and education communities can be connected and collaboration can take place on a global scale,” she said. — Bernama

Mara to revive MRSM project
Friday April 30, 2010
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/4/30/nation/6164320&sec=nation

PADANG RENGAS: The abandoned RM70mil Maktab Rendah Sains Mara project in Liman Kati near here will be revived under the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP).

Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said Mara had made the revival its main project under the 10MP.

He added that the contractor had asked for RM103mil to revive the project.

Speaking to reporters after a working visit to the Kuala Kangsar district near here yesterday, Dr Zambry said the original plan was to accommodate 700 students.

“Now with the revival, the project will be enlarged to accommodate 1,000 students,” he said, adding that the project started in 2007 but was abandoned in August 2008.

“Unlike other projects, the contractor for this project did not abscond with the money.

“He gave up due to the spiralling cost of building materials during the economic crisis last year,” he said.

Sabah to set up flight school
By Julia Chan Published: 2010/05/08
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/savia/Article/

http://www.btimes.com.my/articles/savia/pix_topright

SABAH plans to set up a flying school and a maintenance facility, its first steps towards reaching its ambition of becoming an aviation hub.

Yesterday, the European Aeronautic Defense and Space (EADS) Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Sabah Air Aviation Sdn Bhd, Yayasan Sabah and Asiatic Aviation Sdn Bhd signed a memorandum of understanding to develop an aviation business.

Sabah Air Aviation Sdn Bhd and Eurocopter (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd signed another MOU to do helicopter maintenance.

The first MOU involves the setting up of the Borneo Flying Academy, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Yayasan Sabah, to train local and international pilots, engineers and technicians.
"We have good weather all year round, and the runways of Sandakan and Tawau are available for practice," said executive chairman of the academy Dr Johan Ariffin Samad.

The school was in the process of applying a licence from the Department of Civil Aviation. This is due to take six months.

"Meanwhile, we are doing a lot of background preparation - talking to partners and potential clients like Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia. There is a lot to be done," he said.

The location of the flying academy has yet to be decided but it will use local airports in Sabah to conduct flight training.

Four airplanes will be bought initially to train forty pilots and will eventually increase to train a hundred pilots and fifty engineers and technicians a year.

Meanwhile, Sabah Air and Eurocopter Malaysia will set up a maintenance facility for two aircraft in the Eurocopter Civil range.

Sabah Air has recently bought two helicopters.

The first will be used for the 'flying doctors' service in Sabah while the latter will be used for Emergency Medical Services.

Both will be the first of its type in Malaysia when it arrives in the second half of the year.

BN INCOMPARABLE IN CHAMPIONING PEOPLE'S EDUCATION
SIBU, Malaysia May 8 (NNN-Bernama) -- The Barisan Nasional has undergone more than 50 years of trials and tribulations to become a solid government able to manage the country's education issues, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said on Saturday.

He said the coalition was incomparable to other political entities in the country, in terms of commitment to the education sector development.

"Of the total amount in national budget annually, 25 per cent are allocated just for the education sector alone, and the amount increases each year," he said during his visit to Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Bahagia Jaya in Jalan Teku here.

Muhyiddin, who is also education minister, said the government had always set a high priority on education development to ensure a bright future for the young generation.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had emphasised the importance of the education sector by outlining it as one of the National Key Results Areas (NKRAs), he added.

For the folks in Sibu, which are now facing a parliamentary by-election, Muhyiddin advised them not to put the future of their children at stake by choosing other than Barisan Nasional candidate, Robert Lau Hui Yew.

He said Lau was chosen as the coalition's candidate as he showed a high commitment and ability to become an efficient representative of the people here.

Meanwhile, when speaking at a meet-the-people session at the SK Abang Ali here, Muhyiddin reminded the people that Lau's candidacy was personally endorsed by the prime minister and Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.

"But more importantly, he represents a government which is effective in bringing development, progress and prosperity to the country.

"BN has always delivered. It will continue to deliver. For it to be able to do so, the people must give it their full support," he said.

The deputy prime minister later announced Najib's approval for various projects totalling RM1.2 million for the school and the Kampung Baru area.http://namnewsnetwork.org/v2/read.php?id=119602

BENTLEY MUSIC ACADEMY AIMS TO CHANGE MUSIC EDUCATION IN MALAYSIA
PETALING JAYA, Malaysia May 9 (NNN-Bernama) -- The Bentley Music Academy (BMA), which on Saturday marked its official opening here with the motto, 'Performance First', aims to change the face of music education in Malaysia.

BMA principal Paul Baker said Malaysia was overly obsessed with examinations which did not suit the music environment whereby, it was not about taking examinations and being taught solo in class.

"When we started to plan (setting up) an academy last year, our chairman, Phua Sin Loke, asked us to plan an academy which he had intended to focus, not on what we could achieve as a company, but on how we could make a real difference through a uniquely positive contribution to music education in Malaysia.

"We carried out a lot of research at the planning stage and discovered a number of issues we felt we could contribute to correcting.

"Firstly, as we all know, Malaysia, like many Asian countries, is overly obsessed with examinations. But music isn't about taking examinations and being taught solo in little cubicles," said Baker, a Briton, at the opening of the music academy by project director Ken Phua.

Baker said, while examinations were indeed, an important tool to monitor progress, music was much more about sharing the joy of music-making with others and communicating that joy to an audience, however big or small.

"This obsession with examinations has led to many music students giving up playing or developing a good technique, but with little real musicianship which can only come from the experience of playing regularly with others," he noted.

He said, one of the approaches used at the academy was to ensure every member of the teaching faculty was performance-oriented.

Some of the tutors include Steve Thornton, an internationally-respected percussionist and Dr Oh Yann Shie, the first Malaysian to graduate from the prestigious Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatoire with a Doctorate in Piano Performance.

The academy, located at Mutiara Damanasara, has 22 acoustically-designed teaching studios, an impressive and versatile recital hall capable of seating 150 and a 400-seat concert hall. http://namnewsnetwork.org/v2/read.php?id=119655

UMS To Attract Tourists As University In A Garden
May 06, 2010 17:19 PM

KOTA KINABALU, May 6 (Bernama) -- In a bid to draw more tourists to the state, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) plans to adopt the 'University in a Garden' concept for its campus and turn it into a new attraction.

UMS Vice-Chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Kamaruzaman Ampon said to realise the mission the university would rearrange various trees lining roads in the campus as outlined in the UMS Landscape Policy.

He said UMS would also create a six-hectare botanical garden to make it into one of the country's most beautiful campuses that is rich in flora and fauna.

"Previously we didn't have a clear guideline on the landscape, but with the landscape policy we want to transform UMS into a university in a garden, surrounded by forest and lush environment.

"We want to retain the campus greenery as part of our efforts to develop an intellectual world, and if possible we would like UMS to become a tourist attraction," he told reporters after launching the UMS Botanical Garden at its main campus in Likas, here on Thursday.

Kamaruzaman said the botanical garden area would be developed in stages and according to plans, the university through the Institute of Tropical Biology and Conservation (IBTP), would plant a collection of rare forest trees such as Ironwood, Shorea and Putat trees.

"More trees and plants will be included in the garden. However, they will only be enjoyed in 20 to 30 years' time by our future generation," he said, adding that the garden would be open to public when it was fully developed.

Earlier in his speech, Kamaruzaman said the UMS Botanical Garden, situated on the UMS hill peak, would become a learning and reference centre on botany, ecology, phenology, ethnobotany, flora and fauna biology including plants from the islands of Borneo.

He added that besides acting as a collection centre for plants, the garden would also be a recreational area complete with pavilion overlooking Kota Kinabalu, Teluk Sepanggar and the Crocker range.

-- BERNAMA

MALAYSIA TARGETSATTRACTING 120,000 FOREIGN STUDENTS BY 2015
KOTA KINABALU, MALAYSIA, May 12 (NNN-BERNAMA) -- In a bid to make Malaysia an education hub for South East Asia, the Higher Education Ministry is targetting attracting 120,000 foreign students to study in Malaysian institutions of higher learning by 2015, says the deputy minister, Dr Hou Kok Chung.

The prospects of achieving the target were bright based on the ministry's statistics up to Dec 31, 2009, which indicated that there were already 80,000 foreign students in the country this year, with 58,294 enrolled in private universities and 22,456 in public universities, he said Tuesday.

Foreign students in the country come from 182 different countries, with the biggest number of 10,932 from Iran, followed by Indonesia and China, Dr Hou told reporters after a meeting with private institutions of higher learning in thiscapital of eastern Sabah state.

"We have seen a positive development in our local varsities in the past 10 years with improvements in various areas and a decrease in complaints received. This will not only ensure that foreign students are taken care of, but also our local students. So, with good governance, good image and a selection of quality courses we should be able to attract foreigners to study here," he added.

Dr Hou earlier told the meeting that in order to strengthen private institutions of higher learning by 2015, it was important to ensure that there was no difference between them and public universities in terms of the standard of academic programmes, as well as establishing several elite private universities to attract students.

He said the private institutions were required to obtain a minimum three-star rating from the Rating System for Malaysian Higher Education Institutions to ensure that the country was a top 10 destination for foreign students through affordable quality education.

He added that the public universities nationwide had already been evaluated while the evaluation of private universities was ongoing and expected to be completed by the year-end.http://namnewsnetwork.org/v2/read.php?id=119951

Five varsities in Asia's 100
By KAREN CHAPMAN
educate@thestar.com.my


PETALING JAYA: Five of Malaysia's universities are in the top 100 of the QS Asian University Rankings 2010.

Universiti Malaya (UM) is the highest ranked at 42, followed by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) at 58 and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) at 69.

Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) is at 77, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) at 82 and International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) at 159.

QS Quacquarelli Symonds Ltd managing director Nunzio Quacquarelli told The Star that Malaysian universities had done well, with most institutions holding close to last year's position or improving.

Rankings are a way for universities to measure their performance against one another.

There are other placings such as the QS World University Rankings seeking to identify world-class universities, while the Academic Ranking of World Universities is compiled by the Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

The best-known college and university rankings in the United States are compiled by US News & World Report.

This is the second time top Asian universities were evaluated in a regional ranking from QS Quacquarelli Symonds Ltd, which compiles the annual QS World University Rankings.

QS Intelligence Unit head Ben Sowter said the data collection process for the latest rankings was from late 2009 until the end of March this year.

UKM vice-chancellor Prof Tan Sri Dr Sharifah Hapsah Syed Hasan Shahabudin said rankings was only one of the measures of a university's global recognition.

“UKM will learn from the rankings and continue to pursue our core functions of research, teaching and service according to our transformation plan,” she added.

UPM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Nik Mustapha Abdullah thanked university staff for working hard.

IIUM rector Prof Datuk Dr Syed Arabi Idid, who is attending a conference in Azerbaijan, said ranking was important, although programmes to make graduates employable were more vital.

UTM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Zaini Ujang said the university was progressing well according to its five-year plan, and he was glad that despite UTM not being a research university, it had ranked comparably.

USM vice-chancellor Prof Tan Sri Dzulkifli Razak said the university had formally informed QS that it was not participating in any of its rankings because of methodological flaws.

The University of Hong Kong tops the Asian University Rankings this year, followed by the Hong Kong University of Science and Techno-logy, the National University of Singapore and the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

For full results, log on to www.topuniversities.com

Uni KL Pasir Gudang

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UiTM Campus And Nursing College For Sabah: Musa Aman
May 14, 2010 17:20 PM
http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v5/newsindex.php?id=498215

KOTA KINABALU, May 14 (Bernama) -- A proposal to build a Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) campus and a nursing college will be proposed under the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP) in an effort to establish a rural education hub in Sabah.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said UiTM was ready to set up a new campus and the state government would allocate a site in Sook, Pensiangan, for that purpose.

"At the request of my deputy, Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan (who is also State Infrastructure Development Minister), we have agreed and will seek for a full-fledged UiTM campus be set up in the rural area of Sook.

"The UiTM Vice-Chancellor has already met with me and Sabah executive councillor for Education Datuk Masidi Manjun. This campus will present new opportunities to rural children," he told reporters after presenting the 21st Sabah State Excellence Award Scholarship, here Friday.

Musa said that the younger generation from the rural areas need not travel to Kota Kinabalu or overseas to further their education with the establishment of the university, adding that it would also help parents reduce costs.

On the nursing college, he said it might be set up in Keningau but an exact location would be decided by local leaders later.

"Many of our teenagers, even women, would like to pursue nursing so this is our effort to realise their ambition. Maybe the Sabah Foundation can cooperate with other colleges or the government to create the college," he added.

Earlier, Musa handed scholarships from the Sabah Foundation to 25 top scorers who sat for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination last year.

Musa said the state government had allocated RM30 million in scholarships for eligible secondary school students to further their studies.

-- BERNAMA

MINISTRY TARGETS ONE YEAR AS ABSORPTION TIME
KUALA LUMPUR, May 15 (NNN-Bernama) -- The Higher Education Ministry has set one year as the absorption time for graduates to obtain jobs after completing their university education.

Higher Education Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin said this period was shorter when compared to other countries such as Australia where the absorption time was up to two years.

He said the Graduate Tracking Study carried out by the ministry last year showed that within three months after completing their study, 81,744 graduands or 52.7 per cent of the total graduands had obtained jobs compared with 41,514 new graduands (26.7 per cent) who were still unemployed.

"The study also showed there was a decline in unemployment within a period of one year after graduation for graduates in the country," he told reporters after the official launch of the Graduands' Career and Entrepreneurship Carnival (K3G), here Saturday.


He projected that 200,000 university students nationwide completed their studies and entered the job market each year of whom, 72,000 were males.

"Thus the issue of job availability for graduands represents a challenge which is being given serious attention by the government and the (Higher Education) Ministry.

"This is especially so when 418,000 Malaysians were unemployed in 2009 and of this number, 41,514 were new graduates," he said.

Mohamed Khaled said that in 2009, the local private sector represented the biggest job provider in the country for graduates of institutions of higher learning with 30,290 being employed while the government sector and the local government-linked companies (GLCs) respectively provided 23,530 and 2,107 jobs to the graduates.

Meanwhile, the multinational companies provided 8,507 jobs to the graduates, he said.

Thus, the minister said he would suggest to the Cabinet that the GLCs were encouraged to become the leading platform for industrial training for local university graduates.http://namnewsnetwork.org/v2/read.php?id=120437

Bina Puri wins contract
Published: 2010/05/18

BINA Puri Holdings Bhd has won a RM306.9 million contract from Rekajaya Projek Sdn Bhd to build a campus building for Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Kampong Pinang in Samarahan, Sarawak.

Work will take 30 months, it said in a statement to Bursa Malaysia. With the award, Bina Puri now has total orders worth RM1.916 billion.

Penang To Transform Balik Pulau Into An Education Hub
May 19, 2010 17:39 PM

BUKIT MERTAJAM, May 19 (Bernama) -- The Penang state government has identified a 200-acre site in Balik Pulau, to be turned into a hub for excellence in education, by inviting higher learning institutions to set up their campus.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the project for the hub was in the process of land acquisition which is expected to cost about RM100 million.

"We are discussing the prospect with investors and work is expected to start in a year or two," he told reporters after handing out contributions to religious schools in the state at Permatang Nibong here Wednesday.

Lim said the state government had discussed the setting up of higher learning institutions at the hub with two renown international higher learning institutions.

"I hope world renown Islamic universities like Al-Azhar University can set up their campus here," said Lim who handed out grants totalling RM1.75 million to 21 religious schools and Maahad Tahfiz in the state.

"The grants may not be enough to overcome their total expenditure and I hope the Federal government will also support through some form of contribution to ease their burden," he said.

-- BERNAMA

MALAYSIAN GOVT TO GIVE ONE MILLION LAPTOP COMPUTERS TO POOR STUDENTS
RAUB, May 31 (NNN-BERNAMA) -- The Malaysian government will distribute one million laptop computers free to poor students in secondary schools nationwide soon in an effort to boost the broadband penetration in the country, says the Chairman of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), Khalid Ramli.

Noting that the government had set a target of 50 per cent broadband penetration in the country by the year-end, he added that at the moment, the country had achieved 36 per cent broadband penetration.

He was speaking to reporters in this town in the East Coast state of Pahang Sunday after attending the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day celebrations launched at a rural land development scheme by the Pahang state government's Information, Science, Technology and Innovation Committee chairman, Mohamed Sharkar Shamsudin.

Khalid said for Pahang, the broadband penetration rate so far achieved was 19 per cent compared with the 32 per cent targeted.

He said as telecommunication development was vital for any country's development, various programmes such as the Broadband Carnival in the Tersang 3 Felda land scheme had been organised by the government to expose rural people to the benefits of the Internet and information communication technology (ICT).

"We are aware that some rural and remote areas have no broadband coverage, and that is why we have set up community broadband centres which provide Internet facilities to the local communities," he added.

Khalid said in Pahang alone, 37 such centres had been established with 8,000 people having registered with these centres. The MCMC will also build 1,000 more telecommunication towers in the country, including 207 in Pahang to expand Internet and other services.http://namnewsnetwork.org/v2/read.php?id=122056

Universities Empowered To Organise Programmes In Campus - Khaled
May 31, 2010 17:05 PM
http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v5/newsgeneral.php?id=502332

PUTRAJAYA, May 31 (Bernama) -- Universities have the authority to organise programmes in campus and need not refer them to the Higher Education Ministry.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said it was up to the vice-chancellor to evaluate suitability of the programmes, including forums.

"On the forum by Barry Wain, writer of the book "Malaysian Maverick: Mahathir Mohamad in Turbulent Times", the ministry felt that the university had the tact to evaluate it," he said after presenting registration certificates to private institutions of higher learning (IPTS) here Monday.

The minister was commenting on the forum organised by Universiti Malaya's Social Behaviour and Science Research Cluster (SBSRC) to discuss Wain's book.

Certain individuals had used the forum held at University Malaya (UM) campus here to attack Dr Mahathir, Umno and the Malays.

Khaled said the ministry had directed UM to prepare a comprehensive report on the forum as it was inappropriate and aimed at destroying credibility of a statesman who had contributed much to the country's development.

He urged universities to create guidelines to ensure that programmes were academic in nature to avoid being used by certain individuals as platform for personal interest.

-- BERNAMA

MALAYSIA SEEN BECOMING IMPORTANT EDUCATION HUB FOR MIDEAST STUDENTS
KUALA LUMPUR, June 1 (NNN-BERNAMA) -- Malaysia is expected to become an important education hub for students from the Middle East to pursue higher education, says Yohei Sasakawa, the chairman of the Nippon Foundation, a private, non-profit Japanese grant-making organization.

He said Monday that students, especially from countries such as Iraq, Iran and Syria, were already coming here for further studies.

"One of the important factors in attracting students from West Asia is the fact that Malaysia is an Islamic country," he told reporters after the 20th anniversary celebrations of the Sasakawa Young Leaders Fellowship Fund (Sylff) Programme at the University of Malaya here.

Sasakawa also said that Asia could become the main power and take the leading role in the 21st Century because of the current political, educational and economic situations.
However, to make this come true, all Asian countries Asia should look at and learn from one another so that common problems like illiteracy and poverty could be solved.

He said the fellowship fund was established to identify and nurture leaders who respected the diversity of culture, race and religion and thus had the ability to tackle global issues.

It was established in 1987 and the University of Malaya is among 69 universities in 44 countries involved in the programme. Currently, there are 13,000 recipients of the fund around the world, 57 of whom were from the University of Malaya.

Further information about the fund is available at www.ips/um/edu/my.http://namnewsnetwork.org/v2/read.php?id=122146

More synergy between Utar and MMU
Saturday June 5, 2010

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2010/6/5/north/utar.jpg

It's a deal: Dr Chuah (right) exchanging the MoU with
Dr Tou. With them are Dr Siti Hasmah and Dr Ling.

MULTIMEDIA University (MMU) and Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Utar) have signed an agreement to explore joint research and development projects, activities, courses and seminars.

Utar president Prof Datuk Dr Chuah Hean Teik said the memorandum of understanding (MoU) was to establish a foundation for a synergistic partnership between the universities.

“The best breakthroughs are often achieved with the best talents from different locations and diverse disciplines working together,” said Dr Chuah during the exchange of the MoU with MMU research and development and commercialisation vice-president Prof Dr Tou Teck Yong at Utar’s Kampar branch in Perak on Thursday.

He said the resulting synergy of leveraging strengths, complementarities and intellectual diversity between Utar and MMU would further contribute towards the advancement of a knowledge-based and innovation-driven economy.

Dr Chuah said both universities could have study visits, student exchange programmes, share expertise and joint developments on researches and developing new teaching and learning techniques.

Among those present to witness the ceremony were MMU chancellor Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali and Utar council chairman Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik.

Sarawak Need More Technical Schools Under RMK10 - Taib
June 08, 2010 17:52 PM

KUCHING, June 8 (Bernama) -- Sarawak need additional technical institutions to equip locals with knowledge to cater for demands of the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) said Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.

The Chief Minister said the move was necessary to ensure Sarawakians an opportunity to acquire a high level of technical skills to fulfill the government's aspiration of transforming the state into a high income state.

"Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has been given a lot of attention to Sarawak, especially in the development of rural areas which encompasses the rapid development of SCORE which will require professional workforce," he told reporters when asked to comment on Sarawak's expectations for the RMK10 to be announced by the Prime Minister on Thursday.

Taib was also hopeful that there would be more projects under RMK10 that can provide a source of income for the people of Sarawak.

He added that the government had a number of plans, especially for areas under SCORE, and hoped that such projects could be carried out with allocations from the Federal government.

-- BERNAMA

Sabah to focus on quality education
Wednesday June 9, 2010
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2010/6/9/southneast/6405360&sec=southneast

LAHAD DATU: Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman said quality education and development of human capital would remain the main focus of Sabah’s development blueprint.

“Through the 2010 state budget, we have allocated RM248.42mil to achieve that goal, increased from RM188.14 last year,” he told reporters here.

He said that to become a developed country that remained united, one of the main requirements was for its people to shift gears towards a high income, service-based economy driven by innovation.

“The people must continue to acquire knowledge and remain focused in order to reposition themselves in anticipation of the introduction of the New Economic Model.

“The process of development and progress requires systematic and comprehensive planning, addressing the multiple dimensions involved, namely economic, social, politics, culture and human resource.

“In this context, the social agenda is meant to balance the economic dimensions of growth through a knowledge-based human capital to drive us towards a fast-paced economic development.

“I wish to emphasise here that the success of education is not only the responsibility of teachers, educationists, modern facilities or state-or-the-art infrastructure but a concerted effort from the people and parents is needed,” he said. — Bernama

Government Wants National Schools To Have Mandarin And Tamil Language Teachers - Muhyiddin
June 14, 2010 00:32 AM
http://bernama.com.my/bernama/v5/newsgeneral.php?id=505647

KUALA LUMPUR, June 14 (Bernama) -- The government wants to make it compulsory for national schools to have Mandarin and Tamil language teachers, said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

He said national schools already had a policy of providing such teachers so that pupils' own language (POL) classes could be held at all national schools.

Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister, said the teaching of both the mother tongue was contained in the ministry's policy but had yet to be fully implemented in national schools

"The national language and English are important but we should also study our mother tongue to facilitate communication," he said when opening the convention of the Federal Territory People's Progressive Party (PPP) at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), here, Sunday.

Muhyiddin was responding to a request by PPP president Datuk M. Kayveas for the government to consider making Tamil and Mandarin compulsory subjects in schools.

In his welcoming speech at the function, Kayveas urged the government to also review the system of disbursing Public Service Department (PSD) scholarships to outstanding students.

Muhyiddin said the government realised the importance of students studying their mother tongue because, besides using it to gain knowledge, they could enhance understanding among the races in the country and enable them to appreciate one another's values, arts and culture.

On scholarships, he said the government would look into the matter so that outstanding students were not neglected.

He said students should be given the opportunity to pursue education up to tertiary level, either through the awarding of scholarships or provision of loans.

"This was raised in the Cabinet. We will look at improving the situation," he said.

Muhyiddin also said that the government was sensitive to the needs of welfare and development at schools, especially national-type schools, aided schools, people's religious schools and missionary schools.

He said the government had allocated RM40 million to meet the cost of utilities at all these four categories of school.

-- BERNAMA

Government To Consider Teaching Of Tamil, Mandarin As Compulsory Subjects - Muhyiddin
June 14, 2010 09:36 AM
http://bernama.com.my/bernama/v5/newsgeneral.php?id=505593

KUALA LUMPUR, June 13 (Bernama) -- The government will consider a proposal to make the teaching of Tamil and Mandarin compulsory in all schools, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said Sunday.

Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister, said the teaching of both the mother tongue was contained in the ministry's policy but had yet to be fully implemented.

"The national language and English are important but we should also study our mother tongue to facilitate communication," he said when opening the convention of the Federal Territory People's Progressive Party (PPP) at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), here.

Muhyiddin was responding to a request by PPP president Datuk M. Kayveas for the government to consider making Tamil and Mandarin compulsory subjects in schools.

In his welcoming speech at the function, Kayveas urged the government to also review the system of disbursing Public Service Department (PSD) scholarships to outstanding students.

Muhyiddin said the government realised the importance of students studying their mother tongue because, besides using it to gain knowledge, they could enhance understanding among the races in the country and enable them appreciate one another's values, arts and culture.

On scholarships, he said the government would look into the matter so that outstanding students were not neglected.

He said students should be given the opportunity to pursue education up to tertiary level, either through the awarding of scholarships or provision of loans.

"This was raised in the Cabinet. We will look at improving the situation," he said.

Muhyiddin also said that the government was sensitive to the needs of welfare and development at schools, especially national type schools, aided schools, people's religious schools and missionary schools.

He said the government had allocated RM40 million to meet the cost of utilities at all these four categories of school.

-- BERNAMA

FULL AUTONOMY FOR RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES BY 2015
PUTRAJAYA, June 15 (NNN-BERNAMA) -- Malaysia's five research universities are expected to obtain full autonomy by 2015, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said Tuesday.

He said this was in line with the government's plan to grant autonomy in stages to public institutions of higher learning as tabled in the Tenth Malaysia Plan (10MP).

This was also practised by the world's renowned universities as it encouraged academicians to be more innovative and creative.

"When we talk about excellence, all universities will say it can only be achieved if they have autonomy, so when autonomy is given they have no excuse not to strive for excellence," he told reporters after the ministry's Excellent Service Award Ceremony 2009 at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre, here.

So far only Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has been granted autonomy through the Accelerated Programme for Excellence (Apex).

Other institutions recognised as research universities in Malaysia are Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and recently, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), which was given recognition in the 10MP.

Mohamed Khaled said that in efforts to support life-long learning, a credit bank would be established to recognise experience as a foundation for an individual to further his or her studies.

"Through this system, each of us will have an account whereby our experience is converted into credits. If an individual with Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) qualifications wants to further his studies at the age of 35 or 40, these are the credits which will be considered," he said.

He said the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) was taking action, including appointing several institutions of higher learning as credit banks, to make this happen.

At the ceremony, which was the largest held by the ministry in six years, 999 of the ministry's officers and staff received awards for excellent service.http://namnewsnetwork.org/v2/read.php?id=123809

TESDEC Eye University College Status By 2012
June 19, 2010 16:36 PM

KUALA TERENGGANU, June 19 (Bernama) -- The Terengganu state government is expected to upgrade Terengganu Skills Development Center (TESDEC) into an University College by 2012.

Terengganu's Education, Science and Technology and Human Resource Development Committee chairman Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman said the elevation in status was necessary to enable Tesdec to be on par with others institutions in the country.

"We are now considering to upgrade Tesdec by 2012," he told reporters after attending a Tesdec D'Komuniti programme in Kampung Seberang Takir, Saturday.

Ahmad Razif who is also Tesdec chairman said the center had been receiving about 500 students every year and its current enrollment list stands at about 2,000.

However, once the status of Tesdec was upgraded in 2012, intake of students can increase to 5,000 per intake, he said.

-- BERNAMA

Four universities to set up campuses in Pagoh
By HAMDAN RAJA ABDULLAH Tuesday June 22, 2010
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2010/6/22/southneast/6516219&sec=southneast

MUAR: Four universities, including one from Bandung in Indonesia, have shown interest in setting up campuses in Pagoh, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said.

He said two technical schools and several commercial areas were also being planned to make Pagoh a major education hub in the state.

Speaking to Pagoh MCA leaders in Grisek, he said the development growth plans would benefit all races in the Pagoh division in the near future.

“We will be discussing with plantation owner Sime Darby soon about acquiring some 2,000 ha of land here to expedite the projects.

“I will also discuss with the district development authorities, including district officers soon about the proposed projects,” he said here recently.

Muhyiddin, who is also Pagoh MP, said the proposed development plans were expected to attract at least 60,000 people, including students, to Pagoh.

He said initial earthworks for the projects on a site located between Panchor and the Pagoh Umno complex was expected to begin early next year.

He said the projects would further boost economic growth for the villagers, traders, and operators of cottage industries as there would be more people living in Pagoh.

He said it was important for the people from the various races in the area to continue to protect the harmonious and peaceful living enjoyed today.

He said if there was no stability, no investors would want to come to Pagoh and urged MCA leaders in the division to remain united in the party and to foster greater understanding among party members.

“We have big plans for Pagoh and I urge all residents here to continue to give their support to the Government,” he added.

Sunway looking at university hospital
By Vasantha GanesanPublished: 2010/06/24
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/isunmed/Article/index_html#ixzz0rjzRGR8J

http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/isunmed/Article/Current_News/BTIMES/Images/btgraph10/Sunway24.jpg

The Sunway (4308) construction and property group may build a RM1 billion university hospital to expand its education and healthcare businesses.

Targeted to be completed in 2015, the hospital is likely to be named Sunway Academic Health Sciences Centre, sources said.

The group currently operates Sunway University College under Sunway Education Group Sdn Bhd. Monash University Sunway Campus Malaysia Sdn Bhd was set up here in 1998.

Its Sunway City Bhd (SunCity) operates the 350-bed Sunway Medical Centre (SMC).

Sources said the group plans to expand the outdoor car park next to the SMC to accommodate a 700-bed teaching hospital.
There are some 2.7ha available on which to build the new hospital. The site is understood to be the last piece of land left for the hospital expansion. Together with the new facility, the hospital will take up 5.27ha.

When contacted by Business Times to confirm the university hospital plans, Sunway founder and chairman Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah said: "We are still discussing and it is being studied."

It is understood that the hospital may have a cancer centre and construction could start later this year. It will be ready in phases and is scheduled for completion in 2015.

Industry sources estimate that the cost of construction and equipment could be in the region of RM1 million per bed. If it has a research facility, the total investment may even be in the region of RM1 billion.

Funding for the hospital project may pose a challenge for the group as teaching hospitals are normally funded by the government.

It is unclear if the new hospital will come under the education arm or be part of SunCity.

Last year, the SMC opened a new wing. It spent RM100 million on the building and another RM50 million on equipment.

With the opening, the number of beds has increased to 350 from 200 previously. It has also doubled its operating theatres to 12, while its clinics have increased to 90 from 60 before.

Unimap Collaborates With Russian Institute To Explore Aerospace Studies
June 26, 2010 11:51 AM

KANGAR, June 26 (Bernama) -- Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI) to tap into the institute's expertise in aerospace studies and related fields.

UniMAP vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kamarudin Hussin said among other things, the memorandum, signed in Moscow on Saturday, spelled out programmes for cooperation such as exchange of students and lecturers as well as giving focus to technological development and research.

UniMAP and MAI agreed to share expertise in aeronautical, mechanical, electronics and product design as well as other strategic fields, he said in a statement faxed to Bernama here.

The memorandum was signed in conjunction with the visit by a team of Reserve Officer Training Unit (Rotu) members from Malaysian public universities to Moscow.

The delegation had also visited Bangkok and Tashkent in the tour which started on June 19.

At the signing ceremony, UniMAP was represented by Kamarudin while MAI by its rector Prof Dr Anatoliy N. Geraschenko, the statement said.

Raja Muda of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizudin Putra Jamalullail, who is UniMAP chancellor, and Tuanku Hajah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil as the UniMAP pro-chancellor, witnessed the signing.

The Raja Muda of Perlis also met Malaysian students at the institute and reminded them to uphold their good names and those of their country and families, the statement added.

Over 100 Malaysian students are pursuing studies in various fields at the institute.

-- BERNAMA

More rural schools for Sarawak
By ZORA CHAN Monday June 28, 2010
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/28/nation/6559716&sec=nation

KUCHING: More schools will be built in Sarawak under the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP) as it is one of six National Key Result Areas (N-KRAs) to improve basic amenities in rural areas.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said new schools would be built to increase access to quality education.

“These include a new secondary school in Bau District, which will be built in the early implementation of 10MP,” he said at the Gawai Carnival Redeems 2010 in Bau, some 30km from here, on Saturday night.

Muhyiddin, who is Education Minister, said the Federal Government would allocate sufficient funds to implement various projects, particularly in the rural areas, to ensure that the people would not be left out of the mainstream of development by the year 2020.

Among others, he said Sarawak would be allocated RM2bil to build 906km of rural roads by the year 2012.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2010/6/28/nation/yassin.jpg

Local handicraft: Muhyiddin and his wife Puan Sri Noorainee Abdul Rahman
(right) admiring a Bidayuh rattan basket made by Monica Sabick (left) during
his visit to the Gawai Redeems carnival in Kampung Apar, Bau on Saturday night. — Bernama

“Some RM1.5bil will be spent to increase water supply coverage from 59% to 90% in the state by the end of 2010, and these projects are expected to benefit 91,356 households,” he said.

He added that RM1.7bil would be spent on rural electricity supply so that 95% or 77,788 of rural households would have power supply by the end of 2012.

Muhyiddin, who was visiting Bau for the first time, was impressed with the scale of the carnival and believed that the event and district held much potential as a tourist destination.

He added that Bau had a rich history as a 19th century gold mining town, and the Federal Government would help Sarawak to develop the district’s tourism potential.

The three-day carnival was themed “1Malaysia, Bogo Adat (1Malaysia, Multi-Cultured)”.

Redeems, which stands for the Association of Research and Deve*lopment Movements of Singai Sarawak, is a community-based organisation made up of 12 villages in Singai, Bau District. The district is predominantly Bida*yuh.

Iban language as a subject at UPSI
by Georgette Tan June 28, 2010, Monday
http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=42011

http://www.theborneopost.com/newsimages/4308.jpg

GAWAI TOAST: (From left) Moggie, Jabu, Dompok, Salang,
Ose and Entulu at the Joint Gawai-Kaamatan Celebration 2010

KUCHING: Iban language will be one of the subjects offered in the Language Faculty of Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) at Tanjung Malim, Perak, beginning August this year.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu revealed this at the Joint Gawai-Kaamatan Celebration 2010, held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Saturday.

He would be going to UPSI in August to launch the subject, an optional subject for TESL teachers who would eventually serve in Sarawak. There is a growing interest in the language outside the Dayak community and over in Peninsular Malaysia, he revealed.

“The Dayak community is thankful as this is positive for of the development of the Iban language,” Jabu told reporters.

He said it was timely for it to be recognised by the federal government and education ministry.

“I think the use of Iban in the higher institution of learning will open up a

lot of literary interest,

whether oral or written tradition,” Jabu commented.

In his speech earlier, Jabu said the Gawai-Kaamatan celebration was significant to Sabah and Sarawak as it showed the unity between them regardless of ethnic background.

Also present at the celebration were Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Tan Sri Bernard Dompok; Science, Technology and Innovations Minister Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili; Kadazandusun Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) president Alli

Masri Matajam; Dayak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) president Tan Sri Datuk Amar Leo

Moggie; Information, Communication, Arts and Culture Deputy Minister Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum; Rural and Regional Development Deputy Minister

Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun and Deputy State Secretary Datu Ose Murang.

Education, Skills And Land Important For Orang Asli
July 02, 2010 10:39 AM By Luqman Nul Hakim Mazlan
http://bernama.com.my/bernama/v5/newsfeatures.php?id=510347

SEREMBAN, July 2 (Bernama) -- In the efforts to transform and improve the standard of living of the Orang Asli community represented by 18 sub groups, education, skills and land ownership are seen vital for their development.

According to Peninsular Malaysia Orang Asli Association President Majid Suhut, this is because through education and skills the Orang Asli community can compete with the rest and through land ownership they can earn an income.

He was of the opinion that to upgrade the lives of the Orang Asli whose number is estimated at 141,000, the government has to focus its efforts in providing land and education especially for the younger generation under the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP).

ORANG ASLI EDUCATION AND PROBLEMS

The Orang Asli still fare poorly in education with the number of undergraduates and school students is not reflective of their population figure.

Members of the community blame on the lack of financial resources that seriously impede education for the community though they receive numerous aid.

Though the education infrastructure can be considered satisfactory, the welfare of the Orang Asli children still needs attention. Even today it is a known fact many Orang Asli children go to school on an empty stomach.

Though there is the Supplementary Food Scheme in schools, outside school the Orang Asli children don't have the menu like what their other counterparts are enjoying.

TEACH THEM TO FISH, NOT JUST GIVE THEM THE FISH

Majid appreciated the government's recent gesture of providing scholarships to six Orang Asli students to study overseas and this augurs well for the community.

"So far, the Orang Asli students lacked the opportunity to study overseas though some of them were qualified and among the reasons for this is the lack of a dedicated organisation like Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) to assist us".

At the same time Majid wanted the government, NGO (Non-governmental Organisations) and other agencies to equip the community with skills instead of just providing monetary assistance.

Too much monetary assistance will make the Orang Asli dependent on the assistance and discourage them from working hard to earn a living.

"If the government provides training on skills like tailoring and making bead ornaments, this will help them to increase their income and reduce their dependence on monthly monetary assistance.

"What I see now is that a small number of them have become dependent on assistance, tough we still want the financial assistance it should come along with the appropriate skills training," he added.

LAND ALLOCATION THROUGH 10MP

Majid noted that the community is highly appreciative of the government's renewed effort to help the Orang Asli in every sphere under 10MP especially in land ownership and he stated this would be very helpful for the community.

According to Majid, many Orang Asli have no legal ownership over the land that they are on as they reside in jungles and river banks.

However, the land ownership proposal under the 10MP remains vague and the Orang Asli community is eagerly waiting for the details.

Majid hoped that the government would not limit the land allocation to 2.6 hectares only (6 acres) for any particular family especially for those working on land area bigger than this.

"We suggest that the land area to be allocated should be equal with the area the family has been working on, yet if we are allocated a new piece of land we are also ready to accept it," he said.

He said the demarcation of the Orang Asli land is often decided by the their leader, the 'Tok Batin', and not by the community members.

"The Orang Asli mark their land from trees to trees and the others cannot stake claim, and they have to deal with the Tok Batin over any arising matters over the land.

There could be problems in providing land ownership for the Orang Asli because many of them own many pieces of land or the land that they are on now belongs to the state government.

Apart from that, land ownership should also be given to the elderly and those who have families.

Majid is of the view there should be no problem in fulfilling the Orang Asli's aspirations.

FELDA STYLE PROGRAMMES

Majid opined that if the government is to help the Orang Asli community by providing land under the 10MP, programmes based along the lines of Felda land schemes are suitable.

According to him, the Orang Asli need secure income to help alleviate the financial burden due to the high cost of living though most members of the community live in the interiors.

"Previously the Orang Asli depended on jungle resources but it is no longer the case because the forest resources like animals and fishes have depleted.

"So they have to switch to new economic resources, and when we mention of the new economic resources the Orang Asli can work on the land provided by the government," he said.

MORE OPPORTUNITIES

Meanwhile, Majid wants the government to provide more opportunities for the Orang Asli in the public sector especially in managing Orang Asli affairs.

"We want to see the children from all the Orang Asli sub-groups playing a role in managing their own community.

"Therefore, we want the government to help us on this and there are already some members of the community who are qualified to hold positions," he said.

-- BERNAMA

School IT labs in Negeri Sembilan open to public
by Ramesh Pillai Published Date : 01 July 2010
Picture by Rabi ´Atul´ Adawiyah Ismail
http://mygadgets.my/product.php?id=1038/Article/index_html

http://mygadgets.my/img/SB2806AB001_web.jpg

Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan launches the
new building block at SMK Datuk Shahardin


SEREMBAN: The public may now use the computer labs in the state´s schools to surf the Internet.

This follows the state Education Department´s decision to allow public access to the facilities to expedite the development of an information technology-proficient society.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the move was intended to benefit society, especially those who wanted to improve their general knowledge through the Internet.

He said most of the computer labs were only used by students in the morning and left empty for the rest of the day.

"It would be better to use these facilities to educate the people, especially kampung folk, on how to use the Internet, especially since almost all schools have labs, said Mohamad, after opening a new building block and Dewan Gemilang at SMK Datuk Shahardin, here, recently.

"This would also give the schools the opportunity to serve the public."

Also present were state executive councillor for Rural Development and Consumer Affairs Datuk Hasim Rusdi and Senator Datuk Mohd Najeeb Abdullah.

The new building block, which cost RM5 million to built, is expected to be used for classes next year.

Sixty students received prizes for outstanding results, welfare aid and contributions to treat chronic illnesses.

Mohamad donated RM50,000 to the school´s Parent-Teacher Association fund.

He said classrooms in some schools would be used to hold religious classes in the evening.

This, he said, would be a win-win situation for everybody.

PM’s son delivers speech in mandarin at beijing foreign studies university
July 3, 2010, Saturday
http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=43787

http://www.theborneopost.com/newsimages/4476.jpg

PHOTO SESSION: Prime Minister wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor (seats,
second left) and son Norashman Razak (seats, left), Beijing Foreign Studies
University’s President Prof Chen Yulu (seats, second right) and Deputy
Malaysian Embassador to China Lim Juay Jin (seats, right) posed with
students and teachers of the university after the course completion
ceremony for Norashman. — Bernama photo

BEIJING: A three-week course to enhance proficiency in Mandarin proved fruitful for the Malaysian prime minister’s son, Norashman Razak, when he delivered a speech in the language, winning applause from his teachers and fellow students at the Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU).

Norashman not only pronounced the words correctly, but also used many phrases in his speech and was hardworking during the course, said BFSU president Prof Chen Yulu at a special course-completion ceremony for Norashman, here, yesterday.

Norashman who carries the Chinese name, Ji Ping, was awarded with a certificate and recognised as an alumni of the university.

Also present at the ceremony were the prime minister’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor and officials from the Malaysian embassy here.

“Although I am here for only three weeks, my command of Mandarin has improved a lot. I have also learned more about Chinese culture and the Chinese community here,” said Norashman in his speech.

He said that during his three-year study in the United States, he only had the chance to speak Mandarin in class and had little opportunity to practise it outside class.

“Mandarin is a language that needs constant practice because incorrect intonation of a word carries a different meaning altogether for the word.

“I have the perfect chance to practise the language at BFSU, as I have many local Chinese friends and Malaysian students studying Mandarin here.

“Some of the Malaysian students here have only been learning Mandarin for a year but they are good,” he said.

Norashman felt that three weeks here was rather short for him, and he wished to come back to BFSU for an advance Chinese course later on.

His wish to return to BFSU would be fulfilled, according to Rosmah, as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had agreed to send Norashman for a one-month course at BFSU next year as well as to celebrate BFSU’s 70th anniversary as an alumni.

She said the prime minister wanted Norashman to master Mandarin so that it would be more convenient for him to communicate with the Malaysian Chinese in the language. — Bernama

400,000 university students to enjoy 4G technology
July 2, 2010, Friday
http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=43336

http://www.theborneopost.com/newsimages/4431.jpg

BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE: Rais (left) shows a book ‘Budaya Inovasi’ with its
author Zaini during the launching at UTM Skudai. — Bernama photo

JOHOR BAHARU: Some 400,000 students of 20 public universities throughout the country will be able to enjoy 4G technology when YTL Communications Sdn Bhd’s (YTL Comms) ‘Friend of Education’ (EPP) programme is fully up and running by the end of this year.

For a start, 20,000 Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) students will get to enjoy the facility.

Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said an agreement to the effect signed by YTL Comms and UTM yesterday was in line with the 1Malaysia concept to help develop Malaysian human capital to be on par with advanced nations.

“Following the agreement, we are confident that the government’s objective of increasing broadband penetration from the 37.5 per cent now to above 50 per cent by the end of this year can be achieved.”

He told this to reporters after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding for the EPP between UTM which was represented by its vice chancellor Datuk Dr Zaini Ujang and YTL Comms, represented by its executive chairman Tan Sri Dr Francis Yeoh and executive director Yasmin Mahmood at UTM Skudai, here.

Yeoh said the agreement was a major milestone towards producing a generation of students who were high technology-savvy.

Dr Zaini said through the agreement, YTL Comms would provide technological infrastructure allowing Internet speed of up to 300 megabytes (MB) for each student each month at no cost for a period of three years. The move also helped UTM attain 100 per cent broadband penetration for its campus here and in Kuala Lumpur beginning this month, he added.

4G refers to the fourth generation of cellular wireless standards.

It is a successor to 3G and 2G families of standards. — Bernama

UM taking in 2,380 new students for postgraduate programmes
July 3, 2010, Saturday
http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=43790

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 2,380 new students are expected to register for postgraduate programmes in the University of Malaya starting yesterday.Its Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International) Profesor Dr Hamzah Rahman said that currently the university had around 10,000 postgraduate students, including about 25 percent international students from over 82 countries.

“I must say, it is not easy to get into this university…rejection rate is more than 60 percent because the demand for places in this university is much more than places available,” he said during the welcoming ceremony for new postgraduate candidates here.

Dr Hamzah said the university management had taken various steps to promote research activities and postgraduate education, including setting up eight research clusters which served as focal points for research projects conducted in the UM.

The university is also providing research grants worth RM90,000 for the PhD programme (over three years) and RM60,000 for Masters (over two years).

“The UM is the only research university in Malaysia that provides such grants to its postgraduate students,” he added.

Dr Hamzah said that the UM had also set up a unit called ‘Bright Spark’ to attract outstanding postgraduate students and candidates selected would be given additional incentives such as monthly allowance and study scholarship. — Bernama

Rhythm is an essential ingredient of music. A musician must know how to create alluring tunes and must possess the sense of rhythm.

A pianist can play the right keys but if the timing is not right, then music can be meaningless and unpleasant to the ear.

Here are a few ways to keep steady rhythms:

1. Loud counts!
Another way in learning rhythm and keeping track of it is counting out loud. Counting loudly makes our minds comprehend the rhythm pattern and it is imprinted in our minds. If a pianist begins to count the rhythm in a musical composition from one to four and then repeats it again and again, then the rhythm begins to flow into the keys of the piano, as well. A pianist can relate the notes to the beats, in the music scores, easily, when he/she keeps count of the beats.


2. Clap, Tap, catch rhythm!

A person can grasp the intricate musical rhythms by clapping one's hands, clapping on one's laps and by tapping one's feet. This is an effective way in learning rhythm. Sometimes the rhythm in a song, changes in the middle of the song. This can be challenging but a pianist or a musician can get back in rhythm by clapping or
tapping. When one plays on complicated music composition, one can take some time to clap and get back one's rhythm and timing.

3. Imaginary piano!

To get accustomed to the rhythms, playing on an imaginary piano is of immense help. A piano player can select a song and then play an imaginary piano. The rhythms can be played on an imaginary piano. This exercise allows a pianist to understand musical rhythm patterns better. A pianist who has learnt the art of playing on an imaginary piano can grasp the beats, even if the music slows down or speeds up and he can play on time.

4. Rhythm Accompaniment/Metronome
Do you have a keyboard that comes with rhythm accompaniment?
This is no doubt one of the best way to keep a piano player rhythmically straight!
You are probably aware that most piano player are solo player.
We don't get to play in a band or an orchestra. The best way to imitate an ensemble setting is by using a rhythm accompaniment tool.

Yoke Wong
Take Your Piano Playing To The Next Level
http://www.YokeWong.net

UIA Dan Tashkent Islamic University Meterai MoU
09 Julai, 2010 15:18 PM
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/bm/newsindex.php?id=512151

KUALA LUMPUR, 9 Julai (Bernama) -- Lebih ramai pakar akademik, perubatan dan saintis dari Uzbekistan dijangka berkhidmat dengan Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIA) di bawah memorandum persefahaman (MoU) dengan Tashkent Islamic University of Uzbekistan pada Jumaat.

Rektor UIA Datuk Seri Syed Arabi Idid berkata Uzbekistan mempunyai ramai pakar teori dalam bidang matematik dan sains berikutan pengaruh dari Russia.

"Kami berharap dapat membawa sebahagian daripada mereka datang ke sini," katanya pada sidang media selepas memeterai MoU antara UIA dan universiti tersebut di sini pada Jumaat.

Beliau juga berharap alumni akan ditubuhkan di Uzbekistan untuk menambah ahli gabungan luar negara yang kini berjumlah 12, termasuk terbaru di Gambia dan Guinea.

Pada masa ini, terdapat 22,000 pelajar UIA dengan 4,500 adalah pelajar asing dari 90 negara termasuk 28 pelajar dari Uzbekistan.

Rektor Tashkent Islamic University Abdullaev Ravshan Vakhidovich menyifatkan MoU itu sebagai platform terbaik untuk kerjasama penyelidikan dan pertukaran bahan serta kakitangan.

"Tetapi keutamaan kami adalah untuk meningkatkan pertukaran pengetahuan dalam Islam dan sains sekular," katanya.

-- BERNAMA

INCEIF Aims To Have 20 Per Cent Non-muslim Students
July 09, 2010 17:57 PM

KUALA TERENGGANU, July 9 (Bernama) -- International Centre for Education in Islamic Finance (INCEIF) aims to increase enrolment of non-muslim students from 13 per cent to 20 per cent, said its President and Chief Executive Officer Datuk Agil Natt.

He said the Chartered Islamic Finance Professional (CIFP) programme offered by INCEIF haD attracted over 1,500 students from 69 countries since its inception in 2006.

"More than 40 percent of the CIFP students are international students from countries such as Japan, South Korea, United Kingdom and France.

"About 13 per cent of the total CIFP students are non- muslims. We hope to increase the number of non-muslims students to 20 percent, at least," he told members of the press at the INCEIF and Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) Signing Ceremony held here, Friday.

Agil, signed the MoA on behalf of INCEIF while UniSZA was represented by its Vice Chancellor Datuk Prof Dr Alias Daud and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic and International Affairs), Prof Dr Mohd Afandi Muhamad.

The MoA is an effort between the two parties to further strenghten their collaboration, especially in Islamic Banking and finance education.

-- BERNAMA

Swinburne achieves Tier 5 excellent status
Wednesday July 14, 2010
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2010/7/14/sarawak/6659963&sec=sarawak

SWINBURNE University of Technology Sarawak Campus is among the 18 institutions that have achieved Tier 5 excellent status in the 2009 Malaysian Qualification Agency Rating System for Malaysian Higher Education Institutions (Setara 09).

“With the granting of self-accreditation status to Swinburne Sarawak by the Minister of Higher Education recently, which comes with full recognition of the university’s programmes by the civil Service Department, the Setara 09 ranking adds another feather to the university’s cap,” said Swinburne Sarawak pro vice-chancellor and chief executive Professor Helmut Lueckenhausen,

He said the ranking exercise was in keeping with the current intention of the Ministry of Higher Education to phase out the distinctions between IPTA and IPTS in many spheres of activity.

It was also to task the entire IPT community to work towards achieving a world-class tertiary education system and contribute to making Malaysia an education and research hub in the region, he added.

Setara 09 uses a rating mechanism that measures the performance of undergraduate teaching and learning at universities and university colleges in Malaysia.

The rating exercise was carried out between October 2009 and June 2010 and involved 58 universities and university colleges.

“Setara 09 used a total of 25 criteria captured through 82 indicators comprising a framework of input, process and output.

“The resulting rating system uses a six-tier system of categorisation with Tier 6 classed as outstanding and Tier 1 as weak. The framework also allows for a group on non-ranked institutions tasked with further development and improvement before being ranked.”

Helmut said: “Swinburne Sarawak is part of an Australian university that understands the graduate of tomorrow needs to be prepared to either go out into the world.

“It also understands that, to be also able to take advantage of the world coming to Sarawak, the fast development of which the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy is a part demands a new type of graduate with attitudes, skills and knowledge to create development and wealth for the state, as well as a successful career for themselves”.

Swinburne University of Technology is a member of the European Consortium of Innovative Universities and the Community Colleges for International Development group.

Swinburne has an international partnership with Northeastern University in Boston in delivering the Global Leadership Programme and has been named among the top universities in the world in the prestigious Shanghai Jiao Tong University Academic Rankings and Times Higher Education University Rankings.

Helmut said the awarding of self-accreditation status by the minister and now being ranked as excellent in the Setara 09 process showed that Swinburne’s status as a first-class provider of education was recognised in Malaysia as well.

“Countries sending their students to Swinburne Sarawak can now be assured that all government instrumentalities in Malaysia recognise the high quality of Swinburne programmes,” he added.

Swinburne University of Technology, a non-profit public university in Australia, in partnership with the Sarawak government, continues to provide opportunities for students from Sarawak and the wider region.

The Setara rankings are further proof that Swinburne continues to have the quality programmes in place to graduate skillful, employable students.

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.


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.

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Source: http://www.kist.edu.my

International Students Join UniMAP's Baktisiswa Programme
July 16, 2010 17:02 PM

KANGAR, July 16 (Bernama) -- Forty-eight foreign students, including from China and Uzbekistan, joined 1,500 students from Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) in a three-day Perdana Baktisiswa programme which began Friday.

Throughout the programme, students will be placed among 700 families from 36 villages where they will take part in various community activities.

UniMAP Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kamarudin Hussin said since the programme was introduced in 2007, it helped foster the 1Malaysia concept through involvement from students of all races.

Besides carrying out gotong-royong, students will also hold guidance classes for science and mathematics for primary and secondary students, take part in traditional games and other activities with their foster families, including going to padi fields and fishing.

The programme was launched by Perlis Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Md Isa Sabu at the UniMAP Residential College in Wang Ulu, near here, last night.

-- BERNAMA

UiTM To Open 12 New Campuses By 2015
July 17, 2010 18:03 PM
http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v5/newsindex.php?id=514381

JOHOR BAHARU, July 17 (Bernama) -- Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) will build 12 new campuses through Private Finance Initiative (PFI) by 2015, said Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

He said this was in line with UiTM's target of having 200,000 students in five years' time.

The construction of six of the campuses have been approved while the rest are still are at the discussion stage prior to the Cabinet's approval, he told reporters after the earth-breaking ceremony of UiTM Johor campus in Pasir Gudang here Saturday.

Mohamed Khaled, who is also Member of Parliament for Pasir Gudang, said besides Pasir Gudang, other campuses would be built in Pekan, Dengkil, Tapah, Jasin and Seremban Tiga.

He said each campus, which would be built at the cost of RM300 million, would enrol between 4,000 and 5,000 students while each hostel could accommodate 2,000 students.

On the Pasir Gudang campus, he said it would be completed in three years' time and would offer diploma in engineering (civil, electrical, chemical and mechanical), and diploma in business studies.

-- BERNAMA

Limkokwing University builds two new blocks
2010/07/22

Share | CYBERJAYA: The Limkokwing University of Creative Technology is continuing with its expansion plan by adding two more blocks to its Cyberjaya campus, here.
The two new blocks are designed to facilitate the University’s growing student population with access to some of the best facilities and equipment

The campus currently houses more than 10,000 students from 150 countries.


The university’s new extensions will open later this month and (July), also coincide with its ongoing celebration of “20 years of transformational creativity and innovation”.


Several units such as the business innovation centre, training hotel, computer incubation areas, fully-equipped conference room, swimming pool and spacious student hostels are embedded within the complex.

The business innovation centre will also serve as a platform for the university’s industry partners and government departments.


Special courses and industry training programmes in branding and packaging will be conducted there on a regular basis.

The centre will be a focal point for top-of-the-line research and development and be a venue for seminars, exhibitions and conferences.

The business community can benefit from the centre’s excellent R&D resources, expertise and connections to upgrade their products and services and promote them globally.


Above all, the Business Innovation centre will be a hub for Limkokwing students to showcase their creativity and innovative works and designs.

As early as 1991, Limkokwing the university has been sensitive to market demands because it felt a strong responsibility to produce graduates who canare able to make a smooth transition from the classroom to the workplace.

The university is known for its quest to develop competent human capital resource to drive the Malaysian economy forward and, over the decades, has been working closely with the government to produce a new generation of graduates with the knowledge and skills to add value to the country’s workforce.

This involves reinventing the educational system to enable the Malaysian worker to maximise his or her human capital value through education and training.

The campus expansion project will enhance Limkokwing’s unique eco-system of “industry within university”, a strong feature of the University’s approach to learning.

In place at the university are franchise business units where students are able to acquire hands-on industry skills, as part of the learning and teaching method, designed to assist them later on in their chosen careers.

The university’s president Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Lim Kok Wing said it was producing graduates with the right education, industry skills and mindset to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

“This is the only university of its kind in the world that brings industry to the university.”

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UUM actually improved
Friday July 23, 2010
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/7/23/nation/6721531&sec=nation

PETALING JAYA: Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) improved to “very good” status in the Rating System for Malaysian Higher Education (Setara) 2009, compared to its previous “satisfactory” status in 2007.

Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) chief executive officer Datuk Dr Syed Ahmad Hussein said UUM should be congratulated for its rise from tier two to tier four.

“Setara 2007 and Setara 2009 cannot be compared as the criteria used were different. The former only covered public universities while the latter was open to both public and private institutions,” he said.

“But if it is just to compare how UUM fared, it actually improved,” he told a press conference yesterday to clarify a statement by UUM vice-chancellor Prof Dr Mohamed Mustafa Ishak that UUM’s rating had dropped.

In Setara 2009, institutions were rated according to tiers, from one (weak), two (satisfactory), three (good), four (very good), five (excellent) to six (outstanding).

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, who announced the Setara 2009 results last week, said UUM was in tier four with 24 other institutions.

Dr Syed Ahmad said UUM’s score from the rating was 66, which puts it in the tier four range of between 60 and 69.9.

He said UUM was the last institution included in tier four.

“But this does not mean UUM is at the bottom as the MQA lists all institutions (in each tier) in alphabetical order,” he said.

Mohamed Khaled said he had made it clear that teaching and learning were the main criteria in Setara 2009, as private providers were ranked alongside public universities for the first time.

“We had to create a level playing field for everyone,” he said.

He added that Setara 2009 was a reminder that private providers could not be underestimated.

“What is important now is for UUM to go to the MQA and find out how it can improve,” he said.

Professor Albert Fert, recipient of the 2007 Nobel Prize in Physics, visits the University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 20-21 July 2010, as part of the Honeywell-Nobel Initiative Lecture Series.
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Universiti Malaya Aims For World's Top 100 By 2015
July 24, 2010 00:24 AM