Tag: Malaysia

Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Malaysia was recently awarded Marketability Grant worth RM1,135,000. The funding is granted to the researchers from the College of Engineering headed by Assoc. Prof. Ir Ts Dr Azita Laily Yusof with team members; Assoc. Prof. Ir Ts Dr Juliana Johari, Assoc. Prof. Ir Ts Dr Norsuzila Ya’acob, Ir Ts Dr Nani Fadzlina Naim and Ir Ts Dr Suhaila Subahir.

The Marketability Grant is explicitly for the Telecommunications Engineering Competency Certification Course Program under the KPT Career Advancement Program (Penjana KPT-CAP). The grant is intended to enhance the added value of graduates in terms of professional qualifications, personal skills and personality of graduates.

This accredited Telecommunications Engineering Competency Certification Course Program is a certification awarded to those who have successfully gone through comprehensive training covering telecommunication networks, data communications, wireless communications and microwave devices. With this certification, they are recognized to have achieved competency skills levels from the Telco, DOSH and CIDB industries.

Those who receive this certification are recognized as highly skilled, quality and a source of reference for the department as they have obtained complete accreditation and no longer need to take outside certification to start new jobs. This is part of UiTM’s efforts to help increase the marketability of graduates in achieving the status of a developed country in the era of the Industrial Revolution 4.0.

In the June 2021 Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA) examination, Hannah Mumtazah Ahmad Murshidi, the Faculty of Accountancy of Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) emerged at the top out of 21,000 students by scoring the highest marks (98 marks) for the Financial Management (FM) paper. She also went on to claim the top position for the Strategic Business Reporting (SBR) paper by coming in, first (1^st) in Malaysia and second (2^nd) in the world.

The Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA) is acknowledged globally as a world-leading accountancy qualification for aspiring professionals. ACCA supports a global community of 233,000 members around the world in 178 countries. The exams are held four times a year at designated exam centres; however, due to the pandemic, ACCA offers students the option to sit for their exam through a remotely invigilated (RI) exam.

Sharing her key success factors, she acknowledges that the continuous exam techniques and discussion sessions on past exam questions have helped her to excel. Driven by her high determination, commitment and discipline in her studies, she added that “I consistently maintain a checklist of topics and a study schedule to ensure I have a structured revision plan”.

Hannah also highlighted the essential roles played by her lecturers on the technical knowledge and exam techniques using the computer-based examination (CBE) platform. She would refer instantly to her lecturers or friends on topics that she does not understand and will always analyse her weak points after obtaining her tests and trial exams’ results to help her plan areas of improvement before the final examination.

This outstanding success has made Hannah more determined to pass all her ACCA papers in a straight sitting and graduate on time. Being the eldest of two siblings and a proud daughter of Ahmad Murshidi bin Ab Hamid and Hasfariza Binti Abu Hassan, Hannah attributes her success to her family and lecturers and friends.

In her statement, the Dean of the faculty, Professor Dr Haslinda Yusoff, said that Hannah’s achievement marked the faculty’s commitment to ensuring their professional programme’s quality of teaching and learning.

Haslinda also mentioned that Hannah was the result of the faculty’s strategic initiatives through smart collaborations with the JPPro, a special matriculation professional program offered by the Ministry of Education Malaysia and the ACCA. JPPro offers three (3) fundamental level ACCA papers, and students will continue with the remaining papers while in UiTM.

“Being the first and the only public university with the ACCA Platinum status of the Approved Learning Partner, we will continue to play our significant role in producing the country’s Bumiputera future global accountants”, she affirmed.

The School of Biology, UiTM Cawangan Negeri Sembilan, has successfully organized the 2nd International Virtual Undergraduate Symposium (IVUS 2.0), with a larger number of international participants. The success of IVUS 1.0 in January 2021 has attracted 29 international presenters not only from our neighbouring country, Indonesia but also Thailand and Yemen.

The IVUS 2.0 focuses on the “Power of Scientific Research” theme in the hope to inject (impart?) interest and attract young undergraduates to continue pursuing their studies in the science field despite the unstable education system impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The IVUS 2.0 was not only a platform for 66 young undergraduate students from the School of Biology, UiTM Cawangan Negeri Sembilan, Kampus Kuala Pilah (UiTMCNS), and international participants to gain experience presenting their research in front of viewers, but they were also fortunate to learn from the plenary session given by the Rector of UiTMCNS, Prof Dr Yamin Yasin, and the Director of The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio, on the impact of Covid-19 faced by institutional operations.

The panel speakers shared their views and strategies in handling their research work despite the gruesome pandemic as they believed conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth.

The School of Biology UiTMCNS Kampus Kuala Pilah was honored to receive participation form from Indonesian academic institutions namely Universitas Andalas Padang, University of Bengkulu, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Universitas Maritim Haji Ali and Polytechnic of ATI Padang.

The participation from the University of Maejo, Thailand and Hadramout University, Yemen exceeded our expectations, as we had not anticipated such recognition for this event.

Through IVUS2.0, not only the students were able to disseminate their research findings, but they also learn about current issues of faunal conservation and Covid-19 testing in Malaysia through a sharing session led by representatives from the Forest Research Institution Malaysia (FRIM) Kepong and the National Public Health Laboratory.

To add to the excitement, students were also given the opportunity to showcase their talents.

The UiTMCNS Deputy Rector of Academic Affairs, Dr Noorlis Ahmad has perceived that the IVUS 2.0 was a successful and comprehensive learning platform for students and the rest of the participants in general.

Faculty of Business and Management (FBM), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) held the Innovative Escape International Virtual Exhibition 2021.

The exhibition was aimed at providing participating education institutions with an alternative to traditional learning models and promote international academic exchanges in higher education by allowing students to participate in a virtual exhibition.

The program was led by Dr Nor Lelawati Binti Jamaludin from the International Business and Management Studies Department, FBM and jointly organized by the Department of Industrial Design, Faculty of Art and Design, UiTM under the supervisions of Puan Siti Salwa Isa and Encik Abu bin Ali. The program is under the patronage of Professor Dr Noryati Ahmad, Dean of the Faculty of Business and Management, UiTM.

Apart from the two faculties from UiTM, the exhibition also involved collaborators from the Student Development Center, UPM; Universitas Islam Riau, Indonesia; Queensland University of Technology, Australia; Hitra Leirskole, Norway; and Uzbekistan Youth Associations, Uzbekistan.

Students from the participating institutions were given a chance to showcase their project in the exhibition and this exchange is governed by the principle of collaboration and reciprocity that does not involve any cost to the participating students.

The current semester’s collaboration project seeks to further explore the concepts and factors towards improving accessibility, economic opportunities and viability of isolated places in rural Areas aligned with the relevant Global Goals for Sustainable Development; “Transforming our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” agenda.

The project compels students to explore current issues on how to improve accessibility, economic opportunities and viability of isolated places in rural areas in their respective countries. They are required to study significant problems arising in the related areas by exploring key features of sustainable development that successively follows through the selected process model to improve efficiency and solutions delivery.

For this project, students are expected to consider how their creative and innovative ideas integrate the fundamental principles of sustainable design goals and anticipate the needs of tomorrow’s society by involving existing/related international organizations. The students will need to develop innovative designs and ideas with the organization and bring fresh imaginative solutions for society.

To broaden access and visibility, the project utilises social media platforms to engage with the society and target audiences. An Instagram page known as @innovativeescape was used as the main platform for the virtual exhibition. Students work and solutions are posted and all collaborators and the public can view the innovative solutions provided by the students.

This virtual exhibition is aligned with UiTM’s aim, which is to achieve globally renowned university status. The exhibition contributes to the current need for creating an academic ecosystem that responds to the changing higher education scenario.

This collaboration model nurtures closer ties between participating faculties and universities and deepens the understanding and collaboration of parties involved towards achieving the same goals. Under this strategic partnership and the advent of this program, the exchange of ideas and the development of quality and practical solutions applicable to societies are made possible.

It contributes to the creation of a truly effective and quality partnership that will thrive within an ecosystem of mutual understanding and respect. Thus, the spotlighted program is a good measure to move the FBM and Faculty of Art and Design, as well as UiTM forward and make it more visible.

Three students’ associations from University Teknologi MARA Malaysia took the initiative to deliberate on them openly in a webinar titled Surviving the New Norm: International Student Edition.

The students’ associations were from the Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Study (BacAS & BASc) and the Students College Representatives of Negeri Sembilan from the Seremban campus. The panellists and audience were from Malaysia, Bosnia, Albania, Indonesia and the United States of America.

The “Surviving the New Norm: International Student Edition” webinar was held on 18 June 2021 via the YouTube Live platform. The program started at 8.30 pm with the Dean of the Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Study, UiTM, Prof Madya Dr Abdul Jalil bin Mohamed Ali’s welcoming speech. It was followed by a panel sharing session on the challenges and responses to changes in their lives as students affected by Covid-19.

The panel members consisted of nine (9) students from diverse backgrounds and countries. From Malaysia were UiTM students Amirul Syafiq Bin Aizzuddean and Afdlin Mikhail Bin Mohd Sofian, and Ramadhan Alfaini from the Management and Science University, Malaysia.

Emina Lagumdzija represented the International University of Sarajevo, Bosnia; meanwhile, Ana Limani, Alert Lulo and Edona Zeneli were from the Metropolitan University of Tirana, Albania. Two more students, Mahesa Saravanan from Western Michigan University and Zul Amin bin Zulkipli from the Krannert School of Management, Purdue University, are currently studying in the United States of America.

The webinar highlighted the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on students in different countries. Both panellists and the audience benefitted from the participants’ input, experience, and advice during the webinar. Surprisingly, many of us took similar means to deal with the tribulations in life brought by Covid-19.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was recently inked between Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia and LSPR Communication and Business Institute (LSPR), Indonesia.

The MoU was initiated by the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies (FCMS), UiTM and was signed at an event hosted by LSPR. The ceremony took place virtually on Friday 23 July 2021 at 2:00 pm in Jakarta, 3:00 pm, Malaysian time via Zoom.

The agreement will allow both institutions to focus on academic research collaboration, organise joint activities and programs, exchange academic information, and offer student and staff exchange programs. The MoU is also a way forward for UiTM and LSPR to share each other’s expertise in the field of communication and media studies.

The signatories to the MoU were the Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Assoc. Prof. Dr Massila Hamzah, and LSPR’s Rector, Dr Andre Ikhsano. Witnessing the virtual ceremony were UiTM’s Director of UiTM Global, Dr Hajah Zainab Hj Mohd Noor, LSPR’s Vice-Rector 1, Dr Janette Pinariya, and Dean of Faculty Communication, Mikhael Yulius Cobis. Also present at the event were distinguished guests from UiTM and LSPR.

In her keynote address, LSPR’s Vice-Rector 1, Dr Janette Pinariya, expressed, “With the MoU, we hope to be able to develop more especially through the agreement with Universiti Teknologi MARA. This collaboration is very important for us, especially to realise the spirit of education in the world. We are committed to working better and more closely towards common goals that pursuit the comprehensive education and the ability of the international opportunities and the research programs will ensure graduates will become successful in their respective careers.”

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Dr Massila Hamzah said on the partnership, “Having LSPR onboard for today’s MoU is a monumental effort that could witness a stronger collaborative initiative between these two entities moving forward.

“We acknowledge LSPR Communication and Business Institute, Jakarta as the leading communication school in Indonesia with a reputation as an outstanding academic institution in communication.”

“Today will mark yet another milestone for us all, where we will be reviving this strategic relationship which avows that of academic, curricular as well as strengthening network linkages between us.  Today’s signing carves another chapter on UiTM’s globalisation efforts in establishing relations with international partners. The purpose of this MoU is to acknowledge a formal, ongoing, strategic, long-term relationship between both institutions respectively,” she added.

Furthermore, this agreement is in line with UiTM’s 2025 Strategic Plan. It encourages internationalisation via staff and student mobility programmes such as summer programmes and sabbaticals; collaborative network involving academic programmes, research, and consultancy activities through an increase in international academic staff.

Clinical ethics is a relatively new field in the Malaysian healthcare setting. While there are currently limited established clinical ethics services in Malaysia, ethically challenging cases have been brought to the forefront by the COVID-19 pandemic, and new services are expanding rapidly to meet these needs.

UiTM’s Hospital Clinical Ethics Consultation Service (CECS), run by the Medical Ethics & Law (MEL) Department of the UiTM Faculty of Medicine,  was established in January 2020. To remain current in managing clinical ethics cases during the pandemic and as part of their clinical ethics training, the CECS participated in the UK Clinical Ethics Network (UKCEN) 19^th Annual Conference, which was held virtually on 18 June 2021.

The theme of this year’s conference was “Ethical Expertise in the NHS” and featured a half-day pre-conference workshop on Disagreement in Healthcare Ethics. The conference featured renowned speakers such as Dave Archard, Joshua Hordern and Daniel Sokol. The focus was to explore the idea of ethical expertise applicable to the UK National Health Service (NHS) comprising training, equal access and how such services could be improved. Parallel sessions were also held to explore ethical expertise inside the clinical ethics committees as well as education and ethical expertise.

Additionally, a team of final year students from the faculty, led by Muhammad Shahril Mohd Taufik and supervised by the Coordinator of CECS, Dr Mark Tan Kiak Min, also presented a poster titled “Collusion in an Asian Healthcare Setting: Ethical Lie or Unethical Love?” at the conference. The other contributing members were Nur Saradilla Othman, Nurul Husna Ramli and Muhammad Shafiq Nazri. Together with other poster presenters from the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge and the University of Leeds in the UK, the team had a good experience discussing their work with an international audience and learning about the role of Clinical Ethics in the NHS.