Postgraduate - 15 September 2020
Postgraduate - 15 September 2020
Postgraduate - 15 September 2020
POSTGRADUATE
frontline medical personnel and thus, they It equips graduates from this programme If you want to secure a certain position, it > TURN TO PAGE 6
do not fully understand what innovation/ with advanced knowledge and skills in
products are needed. molecular biology and genomic medicine.
The Master of Science in Molecular The graduates will be able to use big data
analysis to discover new findings from the
data they have generated or sourced from
public databases.
IMU is offering a discount to international
students who enrol into MMM this year,
where each student will receive a RM12,000
bursary upon enrolment. Besides that, IMU
alumni can expect to receive a 25% discount
from the total tuition fees if they sign
up for the MMM programme now.
Necessity is the
MANY innovations and inventions have
come about at times of crisis, summed
up by the proverb “necessity is the mother
mother of invention
As we (hopefully) emerge from Covid-19 The aim of taking a course is to impart
of invention”. and enter a new normal, will the higher knowledge in such a way that some form
As a computer scientist, I often draw on education sector be able to point at of assessment at the end of the course
the development of computers in the 1940s innovations and inventions that resulted The challenge now is measures whether the learning outcomes
to provide examples of changes as a result of
a crisis. One of these is the code-breaking
from this crisis?
We can wax lyrical about how we quickly
ensuring that we do not have been achieved. Do we really need the
“sage on the stage” 50-minute lectures?
efforts of those at Bletchley Park, which moved to online delivery, we can provide simply revert to the old Why not let students learn at their own
enabled the secret messages coded by the
German Enigma machine to be read. If it
case studies where we worked from home
and we can demonstrate that we made
normal, but innovate so pace and in a way that they are most
comfortable with, whether that is face-to-
were not for the world war, computers changes to our working environment in that when we reflect on this face, using their phone/tablet or through
would not have developed as
quickly as they did in those
order to cope with physical distancing,
taking temperatures and wearing masks.
crisis in a few years’ time we some other medium such as a 3D avatar
delivering lectures.
early years. But are any of these changes worthy of are able to see that there If these types of innovations can be
the tag of “innovation” or “invention”, and
what would be a lasting legacy for higher
was a necessity for change, combined with adaptive learning, where
every student has a unique learning
The Alan Turing education in Malaysia, that we look back on and that that change can experience, adapting to their continual
statue at Bletchley with pride in a few years’ time? be witnessed through the assessment and providing support in
Park, England. There have been discussions about the areas where there is evidence that they
differences between face-to-face teaching innovations that are now are not meeting the learning outcomes,
and online delivery. What if we could make in place. this will enable every student to reach
those two experiences identical? their full potential, rather than being left
Augmented reality could be one way of behind as each lecture becomes ever
achieving this, enabling those more challenging.
sitting at home to feel as the same physical space. Due to Covid-19, the Malaysian higher
if they are in the Augmented reality is still a long way from education sector has had to adapt very
lecture hall, sitting being able to provide this experience in a quickly. The challenge now is ensuring that
amongst those that way that students would feel that not being we do not simply revert to the old normal,
are physically present. physically present is in any way a barrier. but innovate so that when we reflect on this
Every student could The technologies largely exist, but it crisis in a few years’ time we are able to see
interact with the requires significant innovation to provide a that there was a necessity for change, and
lecturer in the seamless environment between the physical that that change can be witnessed through
same way. and the digital world in higher education. the innovations that are now in place.
Indeed, any Augmented reality provides the ability
student should for students, wherever physically located, to n Prof Graham Kendall is the chief
be able to have the same experience – but why worry executive officer, provost and pro-vice-
interact with any about physical location at all? Indeed, why chancellor of the University of
other student, as worry about structured learning in the Nottingham Malaysia.
if they were all in form of lectures, seminars and tutorials? Twitter: @Graham_Kendall
6 Postgraduate THE STAR, TUESDAY 15 SEPTEMBER 2020
Cementing a place
among top varsities
CURTIN University has again been Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) – Curtin’s only our research, but also our
awarded multiple five-star ratings largest international campus located academic programmes, teaching,
in the recently released 2021 Good in Miri – says these are fabulous graduate employability,
Universities Guide rankings. It is results reflecting the skill and internationalisation, facilities and
now ranked first among Western dedication of the university’s management systems,” he
Australian universities for graduate academic and professional staff remarks.
Curtin is ranked first among Western outcomes (including full-time not only in Western Australia, but He says, like its Australian
Australian universities for graduate employment and starting salary), also across all its global campuses parent, Curtin Malaysia is also
outcomes, staff qualifications, learner staff qualifications, learner in Malaysia, Singapore, Dubai widely recognised for its practical
engagement and learning resources. engagement and learning resources. and Mauritius. research that is focused on solving
Curtin was also ranked in the Prof Leunig also highlights timely, real-world problems. In
top band of Australian universities Curtin’s outstanding results in the recent years, its research activity
for undergraduate teaching Academic Ranking of World has grown significantly, helping to
quality, overall experience, Universities (ARWU) 2020 where it drive Curtin’s rapid rise up the
learning resources, learner maintained its ranking in the 201- global university rankings.
engagement, starting salary and 300 band worldwide – well within Prof Leunig also says Curtin
skills development. the top 1% of universities worldwide Malaysia continues to rapidly
Curtin vice-chancellor Prof John – and is placed ninth in Australia. ramp up its already strong
Cordery says the latest results He says it is a great result that research capacities in its faculties,
reaffirm Curtin’s excellent reflects the university’s Curtin Malaysia Graduate School
reputation in teaching, learning strengthening profile and reputation and the multi-disciplinary Curtin
and graduate outcomes. in a number of key areas, led by Malaysia Research Institute.
“Curtin continues to outrank all nationally and internationally This includes the development
other Western Australia universities renowned researchers. of the Sarawak Biovalley Pilot
in several important categories Prof Leunig adds that, as Curtin’s Plant at the campus in
including the full-time employment largest international campus, Curtin collaboration with the Sarawak
rate, confirming our commitment to Malaysia prides itself on offering state government, a new Faculty of
producing job-ready graduates. identical academic programmes, an Engineering and Science building
“It’s particularly satisfying to see undifferentiated student learning and Engineering Research
Curtin achieving high rankings across experience, and a shared Laboratory with facilities for
Western Australia and nationally in commitment to excellence in teaching, research and
the undergraduate educational education and research as the main postgraduate work to meet the
experience measures for many fields campus in Western Australia. needs of government and industry.
of study including medicine, “The international recognition
architecture, business management, Curtin has received through the n For more information on Curtin
psychology and social work.” various global university ranking Malaysia, visit curtin.edu.my or
Meanwhile, pro-vice-chancellor, systems in many respects also contact Curtin Malaysia on
president and chief executive Prof applies to Curtin Malaysia. It is a Facebook, Twitter, Instagram,
Simon Leunig of Curtin University testimony of the quality of not YouTube or LinkedIn.
l Can you handle the job demands? itself to help you be more familiar. successful candidate can be an efficient
Work requirements will differ from job to addition to the team and organisation.
job, but the hiring manager will always be l Can you fit in well with the team and Managers will ask questions about your
searching for someone who can step in and One of the interview organisation? level of maturity, your ability to learn
make a smooth transition. Do research on
the job’s role and compare it to the skills that
questions that could be General manager Marisa South of Vet &
Pet Jobs, a career website for employers
rapidly and other personal characteristics.
Be true to who you are, but also indicate
you currently possess. asked by hiring managers and jobseekers in the veterinary industry, that you are flexible and capable of
Questions from the interviewer may cover
topics such as work scope, workload and
is, “Why should we choose says, “Often times, technical skills can be
taught far more easily than interpersonal
working with a lot of individuals.
In the end, try to relax and have a
speed. When questions concerning these you?” Respond by providing skills. Is the candidate able to hold a good conversation with the interviewer.
topics are asked, you should use this
opportunity to demonstrate your ability to
an example of how you conversation while smiling and positively
interacting with other members of the
Whether or not an interview leads to
a job offer, this is a valuable experience
handle the requirements of the role. persevered to ensure you team?” This is an important part of what and a learning opportunity for the
For instance, when describing your
employment experience, emphasise the
met the company goals in hiring managers seek in an interview. A next interview.
abilities that apply to the job and how these your last job and how you
skills will add value to the organisation. can bring in new strategies
l Are you really interested in the job? based on your previous
The interviewer would also want to know position to achieve the
if you are willing to put in the effort, and
show perseverance, once in the role. organisation’s objectives.
Nobody wants to employ an individual
who gets bored, loses focus and walks out in
six months. If you want to win the race and l How confident are you?
get recruited sooner, one thing you must do The interviewer will expect you to be
in each interview is show a desire for the nervous, but they will still want to see that
relevant job. you are confident in your abilities. Being
Prove that you have been doing your confident (but not arrogant) can make you
research and that you’re excited about the more likeable and increase your likelihood
job. One of the interview questions that of getting hired.
could be asked in this scenario is, “Why Geoff Scott, career adviser and resume
should we choose you?” Respond by expert at Resume Companion once quoted,
providing an example of how you “Candidates that are sincerely enthusiastic
persevered to ensure you met the about their potential role within a company
company goals in your last job and how are valued because it’s believed that they
you can bring in new strategies based on are more likely to stick around.”
your previous position to achieve the It shows your willingness to face job
organisation’s objectives. difficulties. One of the ways they would test
“Someone with loyalty, commitment and your confidence is by asking hard questions
grit is likely to create more value for a about the work itself. You can answer by
company than someone who is brilliant,” telling hiring managers how you would
says Steve Benson, founder and chief handle work issues through your problem-
executive officer of Badger Maps, a sales solving skills based on your position.
productivity and planning app for Stay calm and practise these interview
salespeople in the field. questions before the day of the interview
The hiring manager will always be searching for someone who can step in and make a
smooth transition.
8 Postgraduate THE STAR, TUESDAY 15 SEPTEMBER 2020
By PROF
DATUK DR Time for us to
change and adapt
MANSOR
FADZIL