New Food Product from Faculty of Science and Technology’s Students

Nilai, 1st April 2009-Third year students from Food Biotechnology program of Faculty of Science and Technology had organized ‘A Product Day’ which took place at the foyer of Faculty of Leadership and Management. This has been the second program organized by the faculty and it has been considered as an annual program for them. The purpose of this program is to prepare some sort of platform for the students to demonstrate their talents, abilities and creativity in inventing new food products. 42 third year students which were divided into 6 groups took part in this special program. In this program, each group will be required to invent a new food product. By this, the students will have to use their creativity and learning experiences to accomplish their tasks. Among the interesting products that had been introduced in the one day program were Soy Yogurt Drink, Sunny Kochee Flakes, Mushroom Nuggets, Chilli Cube, Nutri-breakfast and Premix Keropok Lekor. The best product won by Chilli Cube which was named Chiqubee. While the second and third places respectively went to Sunny Kochee Flakes and Soy Yogurt Drink. Articles from USIM

 

Kejayaan UPNM Semasa Pertandingan Penyelidikan & Inovasi Kebangsaan 2011

Articles from UPNM
Author :R & I Wednesday, 03 Aug 2011


Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) telah mencapai kejayaan cemerlang pada Pertandingan Penyelidikan & Inovasi Kebangsaan 2011 (NRIC 2011) anjuran Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Pulau Pinang yang telah diadakan pada 22 hingga 26 Jun 2011. NRIC 2011 merupakan satu platform di mana pelajar tahun akhir setiap IPTA dalam dan luar negara dapat mempertandingkan projek tahun akhir mereka. UPNM telah berjaya mendapat 3 pingat perak dan 4 pingat gangsa dari 14 projek tahun akhir pelajar Sains Komputer, Fakulti Sains dan Teknologi Pertahanan dan Fakulti Kejuruteraan yang dipertandingkan. Tahniah diucapkan kepada semua pelajar dan penyelia yang berjaya. Senarai pemenang adalah seperti berikut:

Laman web UTM paling popular

JOHOR BAHRU: Laman web Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) muncul laman web paling popular di kalangan institusi pengajian tinggi (IPT) di Malaysia sepanjang tahun ini.

Penarafan dilakukan 4icu.org turut mendapati UTM satu-satunya universiti dari Malaysia tersenarai pada kedudukan keenam di Asia Tenggara, 47 di peringkat Asia dan 280 di peringkat dunia berdasarkan penarafan dibuat terhadap 10,200 universiti dan kolej membabitkan 200 negara seluruh dunia.
Penarafan dibuat 4icu.org itu berasaskan algoritma terdiri dari tiga web bebas berdasarkan ‘page rank’, ‘traffic rank’ dan ‘total link population’ yang mencerminkan populariti setiap universiti berdasarkan laman web dimiliki mereka.
Secara tidak langsung, ia menunjukkan Internet menjadi sumber penting orang ramai untuk mendapatkan maklumat mengenai sesebuah universiti.
Bagi penarafan peringkat dunia, Institut Teknologi Massachusetts (MIT), Amerika Syarikat (AS) menduduki tempat pertama, diikuti The University of Texas, Austin, AS dan Universiti Michigan, AS, ketiga. Universiti Harvard, Cambridge dan Oxford masing-masing menduduki tempat ketujuh, 10 dan 12.
Naib Canselor UTM, Profesor Datuk Dr Zaini Ujang, menyifatkan pengumuman itu mengekalkan reputasi UTM sebagai universiti paling terkehadapan di negara ini dari segi penggunaan teknologi maklumat.
“Selain penggunaan teknologi maklumat, menerusi memorandum persefahaman (MoU) terbaru dengan Suruhanjaya Komunikasi dan Multimedia Malaysia (SKMM), UTM bakal mempunyai kemudahan makmal teknologi ‘Long Term Evolution’ (LTE) untuk latihan, demonstrasi dan penyelidikan teknologi 4G,” katanya ketika berucap pada majlis menandatangani MoU antara UTM dan SKMM di Dewan Bankuet Bangunan Canselori UTM cawangan Skudai, kelmarin. Dr Zaini berkata, UTM dalam usaha membangunkan perkhidmatan jalur lebar 3G di seluruh kawasan kampus universiti itu seluas 1,120 hektar selepas kejayaan perkhidmatan tanpa wayar yang kini dinikmati pelajar UTM.

Sumber: Harian Metro
Oleh Mohd Fahmi Mohd Yusof
am@hmetro.com.my

Articles from UTM

Facebook UTM paling popular di Malaysia

OHOR BAHRU, 17 Ogos 2011: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) menjadi institusi pengajian tinggi di Malaysia paling disukai oleh pengguna media sosial Facebook (FB) di seluruh dunia.
Naib Canselor Profesor Datuk Ir Dr Zaini Ujang berkata, analisa yang dilakukan oleh socialbakers.com terhadap 5,499 akaun FB institusi pengajian tinggi di seluruh dunia mendapati UTM menduduki tempat ketiga di Asia dan ke 57 dunia manakala Universiti Malaya (UM) menduduki tempat kedua di Malaysia dan ke 69 dunia.
“Kajian berkenaan menunjukkan bilangan pengguna FB yang menyukai FB UTM meningkat sebanyak 2,068 dalam tempoh sebulan yang lalu kepada 46,003 orang.
“FB digunakan di UTM untuk komunikasi antara pensyarah, mahasiswa warga kampus dan masyarakat luar untuk bertukar maklumat mengenai pelbagai perkembangan berkaitan akademik dan pembangunan saintifik,” katanya.
Zaini berkata, pengurusan UTM juga menggunakan FB untuk mendapat maklumat balas mengenai pelbagai isu berkaitan perkhidmatan universiti dan menyaring idea bernas yang inovatif dan kreatif bagi dilaksanakan, selain untuk tujuan promosi dan pemasaran universiti.
Bagi kedudukan di peringkat dunia, universiti di Amerika Syarikat menduduki tiga tempat teratas diketuai oleh Universiti Harvard, Universiti Lousiana State dan Universiti Ohio State.
“Kajian oleh socialbakers.com, sebuah portal statistik media sosial terbesar di dunia menunjukkan Amerika Syarikat merupakan negara terbanyak memiliki akaun Facebook di dunia diikuti Indonesia dan India.
“Facebook kini menjadi pilihan utama organisasi di seluruh dunia untuk menyalurkan pelbagai maklumat dan aktiviti secara terus tanpa melalui pihak ketiga,” katanya.

Articles from UTM

USM KINI PUSAT LATIHAN BERTAULIAH PERISIAN LINUX DI MALAYSIA

Tuesday, 05 July 2011 02:30

TERBAIK... Sebahagian rakaman foto Majlis Perasmian Persidangan Perisian Sumber Terbuka Malaysia (MOSC) di Bayview Beach Resort, Batu Ferringhi, Pulau Pinang.

PULAU PINANG, 4 JULAI 2011: Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) mencatat sejarah apabila dilantik sebagai satu-satunya pusat latihan bertauliah untuk perisian Linux di Malaysia yang berorientasikan kepada konsep perisian sumber terbuka.

USM, menerusi Institut Perubatan dan Pergigian Termaju (IPPT), kini menawarkan tiga program persijilan kepakaran iaitu bagi kursus Junior Level Linux Professional (LPIC-1), Advanced Level Linux Professional (LPIC-2) dan Senior Level Linux Professional (LPIC-3) bagi pihak Linux Professional Institute yang berpusat di New Brunswick, Kanada.

Prof.Tan Sri Dato’ Dzulkifli Abdul Razak, Naib Canselor USM berkata lantikan ini akan mengukuhkan lagi keupayaan USM di dalam menawarkan khidmat kepada masyarakat terutama di dalam membangunkan sektor teknologi komunikasi yang berasaskan kepada perisian sumber terbuka.

“Sumber terbuka bermakna sesiapa sahaja boleh dan berhak untuk mendapat akses kepada teknologi tersebut tanpa terikat kepada mereka yang mampu sahaja dan tidak langsung berlandaskan kepada komoditi.

“Ia juga bermakna kita boleh berkongsi apa sahaja teknologi yang kita bangunkan untuk rakyat dan setiap orang mempunyai hak yang sama untuk memanafaatkan teknologi berkenaan,” kata beliau.

Terdahulu sebelum itu, beliau menandatangani perjanjian rakan kongsi akademik dengan Linux Professional Institute (LPI) selepas merasmikan Persidangan Perisian Sumber Terbuka Malaysia (MOSC) di Bayview Beach Resort, Batu Ferringhi, Pulau Pinang.

LPI diwakili oleh Jim Lacey, Presiden dan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif serta Christy Chang, Master Affiliate Asia Pacific LPI.

Sehingga kini, Linux Professional Institute mempunyai lebih daripada 150 rakan kongsi yang melatih tenaga pakar Linux di serata dunia dan mengeluarkan 95,000 pensijilan kepakaran bagi perisian berkenaan.

Seramai lebih 250 peserta yang terdiri daripada ahli akademik, wakil-wakil agensi kerajaan, jurutera perisian komputer, wakil-wakil industri serta pengamal perisian sumber terbuka hadir ke MOSC 2011 yang menyediakan ruang perkongsian berhubung teknologi terkini perisian sumber terbuka khususnya di Malaysia.

Tutut hadir ke majlis berkenaan ialah Haris Fazillah Jamel, Presiden Open Source Developers Club Malaysia dan Dr. Haji Ramli Saad, Pengarah IPPT USM serta Adnan Hamid, Pengerusi MOSC 2011.

Articles from USM

USM USES DIGITAL PLANETARIUM TO MAKE ASTRONOMY ATTRACTIVE TO PUBLIC

Thursday, 28 April 2011 06:42
PENANG, 29 Apr- Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) through the Astronomy & Atmospheric Science Research Unit (UPIFSA) now owns a digital planetarium STARLAB that acts as a venue to display the true conditions of the sky for purposes of education and simulation in astronomy.
STARLAB is interesting because various simulations of sky conditions can be seen without having to go out into the field or waiting for nightfall because a realistic view of the sky can be seen in the digital planetarium.
The experience in the STARLAB mobile digital planetarium can be shared with the public in the near future through outreach programmes conducted by UPIFSA.
The coordinator of UPIFSA, Assoc. Prof. Nasirun Salleh said that besides sky simulations for purposes of education in astronomy, the planetarium also serves as a projector for screening films and also 3D films.
He said that the STARLAB digital planetarium system is from the United States and is USM UPIFSA’s latest acquisition. USM UPIFSA had to wait almost three years for the dome to be put in place so that it could be shared with the public.
“This mobile digital planetarium system is an important asset in the outreach programmes run by UPIFSA and is expected to attract more people to the field of astronomy,” he said.

He said this after the launching of the planetarium by the USM Deputy Vice- Chancellor for Academic and International Affairs), Prof. Ahmad Shukri Mustapa Kamal here, today.
Nasirun said that planetariums have been in existence since time immemorial and in the early years, the physical structure is more towards a system of light rays and shadows of celestial objects beamed from inside a dome.
“With the current technology, the planetarium has experienced its own evolution. It has changed from only simulating the movement of the moon and the sun to a digital planetarium.  In the digital planetarium, pictures/images created in the dome are more realistic and interesting. Moreover, various software applications can be used to get swift and accurate sky simulations,” he explained.
The STARLAB digital planetarium system consists of a special projector modified for use in the dome where images or light will be beamed through the projector and passed through fish eye lens that will display high resolution images all over the dome.
Apart from the special dome, STARLAB is also equipped with Starry Night Pro software application that can provide a picture of the sky at anytime and in any location on earth and in space.

Articles from USM

ASEAN COUNTRIES SHOULD MANAGE THEIR OWN INTERNET DEVELOPMENT

PENANG, 29 Apr- ASEAN countries should be allowed to manage the growth and development of the internet including the distribution of internet addresses in their own way.

Presently, the distribution of IP addresses in ASEAN countries is managed by an external agency  based in Australia and is regarded as having failed to understand the needs of the ASEAN countries that subscribe to the service.

According to Prof. Sureswaran Ramadas, the provision of IP addresses for ASEAN countries is managed by the Asia Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC) which is based in Australia and all ASEAN countries have to pay the company for the addresses.

Although APNIC receives payment, it is unable to provide proper service to ASEAN countries for various reasons. One of them is the failure of APNIC to fulfil local needs and contribute to the economic development of ASEAN countries that have paid for the service.

“Thus, it is only right that internet services in ASEAN countries are managed locally through the establishment of the Regional Internet Registration (RIR), based in the ASEAN country itself and which can understand the needs of these countries,” he said while presenting his Professorial Public Lecture titled ‘Who Rules the Internet?’(‘Siapa Yang Menguasai Internet?’) today at DK A.

According to Prof. Sureswaran, the RIR that is currently in operation supervises the distribution and registration of internet addresses in ASEAN countries. As this RIR does not have executive committee members from ASEAN countries, it has created a vacuum in their internet development.

“Thus, ASEAN countries could consider the need to establish their own RIR, perhaps known as ASEANNIC so that ASEAN countries could reap benefits that match the payments being made to RIR.

Prof. Sureswaran Ramadass is currently the Director of the National Advanced IPv6 Centre, Universiti Sains Malaysia. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering/Computer Engineering (Magna Cum Laude) and a Master’s in the same course from the University of Miami, Florida in 1987 and 1990 respectively. He then received his Ph.D in Computer Science from Universiti Sains Malaysia in 2000.

He is well-known for his research on internet networking which he started when he began serving in USM in 1992. He was made Wireless World Research Forum Fellow in April 2010 for his contributions in Next Generation Networks and received the National Academic Leader (Tokoh Negara) Award in 2008 from the Minister of Higher Education, Malaysia.

In 2009 and 2007, he received the Malaysian Innovation Award from the Prime Minister of Malaysia and the Minister of Science and Technology, Malaysia for his contributions towards developing network security monitoring as well as the development of Multimedia Conferencing Systems.

Prof. Sureswaran is also responsible for the successful listing of Mlabs System Berhad, a high- technology video conferencing company in the Malaysian Stock Exchange in 2005. Mlabs  is the first university-based company to be listed in Malaysia.

He was the Chairman of the Research Steering Committee for Malaysian Research and Education Network (MYREN) and is the IPV6 Domain Head for MYREN. He was also the Chairman for Asia Pacific IPv6 Task Force, involved in promoting IPv6 globally. To date, Prof. Sureswaran has published more than 110 journals and research papers, over 12 patents and is involved in various development programmes, conferences, seminars and workshops related to network research. He has also received more than USD7 million in research funding and grants from various organizations towards development of network research.

Prof. Ahmad Shukri Mustapa Kamal, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International Affairs), USM was also present at the event.

Articles from USM

Memupuk Modal Insan Celik ICT Melalui KEM ICT 2011

KUALA TERENGGANU - Pada  masa kini, ICT telah menjadi suatu keperluan merentasi pelbagai bidang termasuk dalam urusan pendidikan, perkhidmatan sektor awam, perubatan, penyebaran sumber pengetahuan dan perniagaan.
Sehubungan dengan ini, pengukuhan pendidikan ICT di peringkat sekolah wajar diberi perhatian secara serius dan menyeluruh. Pendekatan ini diambil dalam usaha memastikan tercapainya hasrat kerajaan menuju ke arah Model Ekonomi Baru (MEB) yang berpaksikan pengetahuan dan inovasi.
Negara kita memerlukan lebih ramai tenaga kerja yang dapat membangunkan negara melalui penghasilan pelbagai kemudahan, perkhidmatan dan produk yang berasaskan teknologi maklumat dan komunikasi.
Kita perlu berusaha untuk melahirkan modal insan yang mampu membentuk industri ICT negara dalam konteks acuan sendiri.
Hal ini ditekankan oleh Timbalan Pengarah Pelajaran Negeri Terengganu, Hashim Mohd Zin ketika merasmikan KEM ICT 2011 anjuran Fakulti Informatik, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) dan Perbadanan Pembangunan Multimedia (MDeC) dengan kerjasama Jabatan Pendidikan Negeri Terengganu (JPNT) pada 17 dan 18 Jun 2011.
Kem ini telah diadakan di UniSZA, Kampus Gong Badak selama dua hari satu malam yang disertai oleh 94 orang pelajar dan 46 orang guru mewakili sekolah menengah di pelbagai daerah di negeri Terengganu. Wakil peserta daripada Kelantan dan Pahang juga turut hadir.
Pelbagai program telah diadakan di dalam kem ini seperti taklimat program pengajian ICT yang ditawarkan oleh Fakulti Informatik, UniSZA iaitu program Diploma, Ijazah Sarjana Muda, Ijazah Sarjana, dan Doktor Falsafah (PhD).
Di samping itu, terdapat juga Forum Kerjaya & Industri, bengkel Adobe Photoshop dan pembinaan laman web, latihan dalam kumpulan, solat berjemaan dan kuliah maghrib, sesi Warung Teh Tarik, Forum Warung Teh Tarik dan kemuncaknya ialah Pertandingan Membina Laman Web.
``Di negeri Terengganu sendiri, kita sudah membudayakan ICT di peringkat sekolah rendah lagi melalui penggunaan e-book dan aplikasi kelas maya.
Kerajaan Terengganu membekalkan e-book kepada semua murid bermula Darjah 5 untuk tujuan pembelajaran. Jadi, bukanlah rakyat Terengganu sekiranya tidak tahu mengenai IT,’’ ujar beliau.
Tambahnya lagi, pembudayaan inovasi dan pembangunan teknologi serta kandungan berbentuk glokal harus diterapkan lebih awal terutama dalam sistem pendidikan. Pelajar juga perlu mempunyai kesedaran untuk menyumbang kepada negara apabila sudah berjaya seperti mewujudkan yayasan untuk pembangunan modal insan pelapis.
Sementara itu, Pengurus Kanan, Talent, MDeC, Nik Naharudin Mohd Nasir berkata, sejumlah 85,000 peluang pekerjaan dalam bidang ICT negara diperlukan menjelang 2015.
Katanya, pihak MDeC akan menyediakan satu kit informasi ICT lengkap berkaitan peluang kerjaya dan industri ICT kepada semua guru kaunselor sekolah dalam masa terdekat bagi memastikan maklumat ICT yang tepat disampaikan kepada pelajar dan ibubapa.
Sementara itu Dekan Fakulti Informatik, Prof. Madya Dr. Mohd Nordin Abdul Rahman yang merupakan pengerusi KEM ICT 2011 menegaskan yang ICT merupakan satu industri pilihan kepada rakyat Malaysia.
Pelajar digesa untuk menyambung pengajian dalam bidang ini kerana ia menjanjikan peluang pekerjaan yang besar.
``Melalui KEM ICT 2011 yang telah memasuki tahun ketiga penganjurannya, kita mengharapkan maklumat yang tepat tentang industri ICT negara dapat disebar dan seterusnya menarik minat pelajar untuk menyambung pengajian dalam bidang ini,” katanya.
Beliau juga menyuarakan yang ramai ibubapa mendapat gambaran tidak tepat tentang graduan ICT yang menganggur satu ketika dahulu. Senario sekarang sudah berubah di mana peluang pekerjaan ICT sekarang sudah menyeluruh sehinggakan pejabat agama sendiri memerlukan orang ICT untuk membangun atau menyelenggara sistem maklumat dan rangkaian.
Kem ini berakhir dengan pertandingan membina laman web antara sekolah. Pertandingan diadakan setelah para pelajar selesai mengikuti bengkel intensif  Membina Laman Web dan Adobe Photoshop.
Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Rantau Petronas telah muncul menjadi juara diikuti oleh SMK Agama Sheikh Abdul Malek sebagai naib juara dan Sekolah Menengah Sains Kuala Terengganu menduduki tempat ketiga.

Sumber Berita   SUHAILAN SAFEI

Articles from UNISZA

Pengenalan Hari ICT

Pusat ICT telah berjaya menganjurkan beberapa siri Program Hari ICT  yang merupakan program tahunan di UPSI. Pada tahun 2006, Perpustakaan dan Pusat ICT telah mengadakan buat kali pertamanya sambutan Bulan Membaca dan Hari ICT secara bersama. Melalui program ini, warga UPSI dan masyarakat sekitar Tanjong Malim telah mendapat  pendedahan kepada kepentingan pengetahuan dan ilmu, serta mengikuti perkembangan teknologi semasa dan peranan ICT untuk  kehidupan masa kini. Bermula hari ICT 2008, pertandingan educational blogging akan dijadikan acara tahunan pada Hari ICT UPSI bagi menggalakkan perkembangan blogging di Malaysia.

Articles from UPSI

GTS - UTP Technology Collaboration Initiatives (11 Nov 2008)

Articles from Universiti Teknologi Petronas

Group Technology Solutions (GTS) of Research & Technology Division in collaboration with Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) has officially launched the GTS-UTP Technology Collaboration initiative on 11 November 2008. The event was officiated by Y.Bhg. Datuk Dr. Zainal Abidin b Hj. Kasim, Rector of UTP at the university. It was attended by GTS Management, UTP Management, Technology Provider’s representatives from Emerson, Honeywell, Foxboro, Yokogawa, Endress+Hauser, MTL, Pepperl+Fuchs, Fisher, Metso and Masoneilan.

The objectives of the collaboration are:

• To capitalise on PETRONAS’ experience in Oil & Gas industry for the development of technology
• To leverage on Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS experience in R&D & Technology Development
• To pave the way for the Industries and University to work together for future practical technology development
• To accelerate technology development as a catalyst for supporting PETRONAS Technology Agenda
• To instill innovation traits within PETRONAS and UTP, as a step toward inculcating a sustainable innovation culture

In his opening speech, Y.Bhg. Datuk Dr. Zainal stressed that UTP shall strive to work together closely with the industries in support of their activities, particularly in research & technology development. On the similar tone, besides the establishment of relationship as research partners, the industries are invited to contribute in the industrial internship and the adjunct lecture programmes that would support the university to develop the expertise required by the industry. Moreover, the collaboration can also act as a stepping stone for UTP to meet the aspirations to achieve “Research” University Status by 2010.

Ir. VR Harindran, Custodian Engineer, Instrument & Control, GTS in his reciprocating address thanked UTP for the assistance given so far and took the opportunity to highlight other activities that are in the pipeline, as part of the GTS – UTP collaboration.

Notable achievements of this unique collaboration is the completion of the FOUNDATION Fieldbus Testing Facilities and Partial Stroke Testing Facilities recently, with close cooperation and support from the technology providers. Both initiatives are driven by GTS, supported by the SKG14 Improvement Working Group (IWG) and the Electrical & Electronics Department of UTP. Testing activities are currently in progress, with the ultimate deliverables being a comprehensive guideline on the implementation of the respective technologies in PETRONAS OPUs.

The guests were then taken on a tour to both facilities, with explanations and demonstrations given to the guest of honour and others by the SKG14 IWG team members, namely Khairul Anwar Idris and Syaimaa A Rahim for the FOUNDATION Fieldbus Testing Facility and Mohd Rashdan Mahmood for the Partial Stroke Testing Facility.

Overall, the event was a huge success, thanks to the assistance and contributions from all collaborators concerned. It is hoped that this will mark the start of an enhanced collaboration between GTS and UTP, focusing on specific technology development. To ensure the sustainability and enhancement of the collaboration, the current GTS-GR-UTP Alliance Steering Committee will be a platform to monitor the progress of the R&D from the Strategic Alliance (SA) partners and Technology Development driven by GTS.

 

UNIRAZAK holds Basic Photography Skills Workshop in Sekolah Kebangsaan Brinchang, Cameron Highlands, Pahang

23 July 2011 - Photography is the art or process of producing images of objects on photosensitive surfaces. Life is full of memorable moments to capture, therefore as an initiative to develop and unearth fresh talents in photography, UNIRAZAK’s Shutter Club was formed on 28th September 2009 to support UNIRAZAK students in acquiring new knowledge in photography. The objective of the club is to create awareness in understanding photography as an important art in developing their creativity. In addition, the Shutter Club’s activities can encourage students to demonstrate their skills in capturing photos.

With this in mind, UNIRAZAK’s Shutter Club conducted a Basic Photography Skills Workshop in Sekolah Kebangsaan Brinchang, Cameron Highlands, Pahang on Saturday, 23rd July 2011. The purpose of this event was to expose basic photography skills to Year Four, Five and Six students. Forty Shutter Club members participated in this event. The event was effectively led by Thavamalar Shamosamugam Nathan, Programme Director and Umaparan Muthu, President of Shutter Club 2011. Mohd Azmi bin Yusof (Ex-President of Shutter Club 2010) was invited to act as the tutor for the students.

After a brief tutorial, the school students were divided into groups of three, with ten groups altogether. Each group was guided by a facilitator from the Shutter Club. The task was to capture photos around the school with the theme “Sekolah Ku”. Happiness, giggles and cheers filled the chilly air of the school. Children and facilitators had much joy in entertaining each other to complete the task. Moreover, this event witnessed leadership skills among them, where knowledge sharing was made effortless.

At the end of the task, their masterpieces were judged by Mohd Azmi bin Yusof, Nuzha Mohamed Taha (Second Advisor of the Club) and Roshima Ramli (staff of UNIRAZAK). Prizes were given away by Puan Rash Pal Kaur a/p Darshan Singh (Guru Penolong Kanan Hal Ehwal Murid) and Encik Rushidi Md Noor (Guru Penolong Kanan Kokurikulum).

To enhance and apply their knowledge in photography into practice, the Shutter Club members also took countless photos in Mardi Farm, Strawberry Farm, Tea Boh Plantation Sungai Palas, Rose Valley and Cactus Farm. These inspiring places of interest at Cameron Highland and the excitement they offer fascinated the Club members and motivated them further to not miss capturing priceless moments.

To conclude, the Shutter Club trip to Cameron Highlands was a productive one as it managed to bridge the ties between UNIRAZAK students and school students. Besides, this was a significant way to introduce the art of photography to young talents. More importantly, each student learnt at least one priceless photography skill during the three-day trip.
Due to the trip’s success, it was recommended that UNIRAZAK’s Shutter Club organise at least two long-distance trips per year, during the January and September semesters. This would attract more students to join the Club and enhance their interest in photography.

(Written by a trip member, Saziyan Ayeop) (ARTICLES FROM UNIRAZAK)

 
 

Despite Recession, IT Still in Demand

In the midst of soaring unemployment rates and staff cutbacks, IT departments seem to be holding their own. However, a sense of uncertainty continues to permeate the industry.
“A lot of companies are scaling back on IT budgets, but it’s not quite the gloom and doom that is pervasive in the media,” said John Estes, vice president of strategic alliances at Robert Half Technology. “We’re seeing that there’s still demand for the existing maintenance of IT departments and IT projects, and companies are still willing to spend money on new applications if there’s return on investment [or] if they feel like they can gain a competitive edge.”
Even the need for highly qualified IT professionals remains steady. In fact, according to the “IT Hiring Index and Skills Report” developed by Robert Half Technology, 12 percent of CIO respondents said they plan to expand their IT departments in the first quarter of 2009, while only 4 percent expect staff cutbacks.
“People don’t realize that the vast majority of the IT budget goes to maintain existing applications. So if you start cutting people, you’re at risk not only of not being able to grow, but also not being able to serve your customers, [including] your internal customers — people in the company who need access to the network or applications,” Estes said.
Still, the present economic situation necessitates that IT professionals take a proactive approach to safeguarding their jobs. And the key is to be a jack of all trades, Estes said. Just being a Java developer may have been the norm years ago, but competition is fierce today.
“The more you can multitask or know multiple things, [the better your] job security,” Estes said. “[For instance,] today, companies want a programmer analyst to have some database background [or] a desktop support professional [to be able to] work a help desk, as well.”
Experience in security, network administration and servers — among other areas — in addition to one’s existing skill set could prove to be advantageous.
Further, IT has become a crucial component to effectively run a business.
“In the old days, business used to look at IT as a necessary evil, [but] over the years that has morphed into: IT can actually be a key competitive edge for the company, whether it be through business intelligence or reaching more customers,” Estes explained.
Even as some sectors have been hit hard during this recession, there has been a steady demand for IT services, he said.
“We still have demand across the board for infrastructure support, application development, database development and project managers,” he said.
And some of the most in-demand IT skill sets include services related to security, network administration and programmer analyst roles.
“We still see a very strong demand in customer support, whether that be help desk, desktop support [or something similar],” Estes said.

Articles from Certification Magazine

Robot Bertempur Di UNITEN Robogamez 2009 : Rising of the Silent Tower: Resist or Surrender

Putrajaya – Universiti Tenaga Nasional, (UNITEN) Kampus Putrajaya akan menganjurkan pertandingan robotik “RoboGamez 2009” bagi tahun yang ke-empat dengan julung kalinya mendapat kerjasama daripada Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi Malaysia (KPT), Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) dan Fighting Robot Association, United Kingdom (FRA) di Dewan Seri Sarjana UNITEN, kampus Putrajaya pada 1 - 4 Oktober 2009.

Matlamat utama pertandingan ini adalah untuk mewujudkan minat dan kesedaran dalam dunia robotik selain menjadi pentas bagi semua lapisan masyarakat terutamanya para pelajar untuk terlibat secara langsung dalam mempraktikkan aspek-aspek kejuruteraan dan teknologi menerusi arena robotik. Selain itu, pertandingan ini juga dapat menggalakkan para pelajar untuk menceburi bidang reka cipta dan inovasi yang masih belum diterokai bagi membolehkan negara menyumbang kepada pembentukan tamadun sains dan teknologi dunia di masa depan.
Prof. Dr. Mohd Zamri Yusoff, Dekan Kolej Kejuruteraan UNITEN mengatakan beliau amat berbangga akan usaha dan kerja keras para pelajar kejuruteraan UNITEN serta para pensyarah dalam merealisasikan pertandingan Robogamez ini.
Tambah beliau, “Robogamez 2009 merupakan sebuah pertandingan yang memerlukan para pelajar menjadi seorang yang lebih kreatif, inovatif serta mempunyai perancangan yang strategik untuk mencipta sebuah robot yang mampu menguasai pertandingan.”
Tema pertandingan tahun ini merupakan “Rising of the Silent Tower: Resist or Surrender” yang memerlukan para peserta mencipta sebuah robot yang berkeupayaan untuk bertempur di dalam gelanggang “war zone”. Antara kategori-kategori yang dipertandingkan termasuklah kategori terbuka, kategori sekolah menengah dan sekolah rendah. Pertandingan ini dijangka akan disertai hamper 160 buah pasukan terdiri daripada IPTA/IPTS dari dalam luar negara termasuk sekolah-sekolah menengah dan rendah dari seluruh Malaysia.
Hadiah utama pertandingan RoboGamez 2009 merupakan tiket penyertaan mewakili Malaysia untuk beraksi di pertandingan “U.K. Featherweight Championships” yang akan berlangsung di United Kingdom pada tahun 2010. Antara hadiah hadiah lain yang ditawarkan kepada pemenang-pemenang setiap kategori termasuklah piala, sijil dan wang tunai sebanyak RM 1000 (kategori Sekolah Rendah), RM 1500 (kategori Sekolah Menengah) dan USD 2000 (kategori terbuka).

Articles from UNITEN

aRTICLES FROM unite

ITU-UUM MEMPERKASA ICT DI LUAR BANDAR - Utusan Malaysia

KUBANG PASU 9 Ogos - Hasil kajian mengenai pembangunan teknologi maklumat dan komunikasi (ICT) di kawasan luar bandar oleh sekumpulan 15 penyelidik dari Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), dipilih untuk dibentangkan pada satu bengkel antarabangsa, baru-baru ini.
Kumpulan itu diketuai, Prof. Dr. Zulkhairi Md. Dahalin yang mewakili Malaysia membentangkan kajian tersebut di Bengkel Antarabangsa Mengenai Pembangunan Luar Bandar di Krabi dan Bangkok, Thailand.
Bengkel tersebut adalah anjuran Asian Development Bank (ADB) dan International Telecommunication Union (ITU) dengan kerjasama Kementerian Teknologi Penerangan dan Komunikasi Thailand.
UUM dalam kenyataannya berkata, pembentangan tersebut adalah mengenai projek pembangunan ICT luar bandar yang mengambil masa dua tahun sejak 2009 yang dibiayai oleh ADB.
"Ia melibatkan sembilan buah negara di seluruh Asia Pasifik, seperti Kemboja, China, Indonesia, India, Korea, Mongolia, Malaysia, Filipina dan Thailand," katanya di sini hari ini.
Bagi projek di Malaysia, kajian kes mengenai perkara itu dijalankan dari Januari 2010 hingga Mei 2011 dan ADB melantik Zulkhairi sebagai perunding tempatan dan sekali gus mewakili Malaysia dalam sesi pembentangan tersebut.
"Pada sesi itu juga, salah seorang daripada 15 penyelidik yang terlibat dalam projek itu iaitu Dr. Mohd. Khairudin Kasiran turut membentangkan kajiannya," katanya.
Kenyataan UUM menambah, terdapat pelbagai isu dan cadangan berkaitan status ICT di luar bandar bagi setiap negara telah dibincangkan pada bengkel tersebut.
Katanya, antaranya ialah strategi, polisi dan peraturan, faktor ekonomi dan sosial, pembangunan modal insan, pasaran dan inisiatif akses ICT luar bandar serta rangkaian dan program kerajaan terhadap pembangunan ICT luar bandar.
"Beberapa contoh kajian kes beberapa negara terutamanya Malaysia, Korea, Thailand, Filipina dan India telah dijadikan model untuk diadaptasi oleh negara-negara yang masih dalam proses meningkatkan ICT mereka di luar bandar seperti Mongolia dan Kemboja," tambahnya.
Katanya, bengkel dan forum berkenaan adalah platform perkongsian ilmu dan percambahan idea berkaitan pembangunan ICT di luar bandar dari pelbagai perspektif yang secara tidak langsung mewujudkan jaringan sosial antara negara-negara ASEAN dan Asia Pasifik

Articles bout UUM 

IT testers 30 years behind the times: Malaysian Software Testing Board

KUALA LUMPUR, 16 JULY 2008 - Malaysia’s national software testing board (MSTB) has said that software testing in the region is 30 years behind the times.

According to MSTB president Mastura Abu Samah: “most software testers practitioners tend to carry out testing as if it is 1978, not 2008. Common practices lag best practices by 30 years. Common practices need to be raised to the next level of best practices as set by the International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB).”

She said to raise local standards for the software industry, MSTB is to hold the country’s first certification forum – called the Software Testing Conference 2008 (SOFTEC 2008) –27-28 August 2008 at Berjaya Times Square Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur.
The forum is will also promote regional international certification standards as well as to create a local pool of skilled talent in this area, she said.

“The conference will be a significant platform for the software testing arena whereby the industrial, professional and institutional sector will definitely benefit. The conference will offer participants rare insights into the software testing industry landscape, practices and opportunities brought by the many international and Malaysian speakers at this event. We shall also emphasise the relevance and importance of software testing towards Malaysian local capability building and national economic competitiveness,” she said.

Expensive software bugsShe referenced a study conducted by National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), U.S. Department of Commerce in 2002 (the most recent comprehensive data available) reports that software bugs cost the U.S. economy $59.5 billion (RM194.34 billion) annually in terms of losses such as lost businesses opportunities, failed transactions and reinvestments needed to repair damage done by such failures.

More than a third of this cost could be avoided if better software testing was performed, she said.

Mastura explained that the main features of this International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) forum – whose theme is “testing to the next level” -- will include keynote addresses on Five Testing Best Practices, Toward A Science of Software Testing: Advance & Innovations from Research and Internet – Of – Things: Tester Beware.

Keynote speakers include University of Central England’s Professor Keith Osman, ISTQB president Rex Black and University of Memphis’s Professor Jasbir Dhaliwal, who is a Malaysian, said Mastura.

Other international and national speakers include Wonil Kwon, chief executive officer of STA Korea and President of the Korea Testing Board, Daisuke Azuma from Japan Novel Corporation; Bernard Homes, Founder of TESSCO Technologies Inc and lead of R&D of Eurocopter, France; and Aditya Garg, Vice President of Pure Testing Pte Ltd, one of the leading testing companies in India.

Malaysian speakers are Fadilah Baharin, Director General from Department of Standards of Ministry of Science, Technology & Environment (MOSTE); Mohd Redzuan Abdullah, Head of MIMOS Testing Centre of Excellence; Dr Suhaimi Ibrahim of Centre for Advanced Software Engineering (CASE-UTM); and Dr Nor Adnan Yahaya, Head of IT, Malaysia University of Science & Technology (MUST).

Malaysia training and opportunitiesThe association said that globally, more than 80,000 ISTQB certified testers practice a common software-testing framework and nomenclature. This framework – the ISTQB certification programme -- was developed by worldwide groups of practitioners and consultants from more than 50 countries.

MSTB runs the ISTQB accredited courses and examinations every quarter during 2008. Foundation Level courses will be conducted in May, August and November. Advanced Level courses will be conducted in August, with public exams held at the end of each courses.

MSTB said its long-term plan is to establish the Institute of Professional Software Engineers to bring value to the profession. This Institute shall support the fundamentals of the software profession and promote the sound professional software engineering practice.

“In 2007, Gartner Research (a world leader in information technology research and advisory) estimated the global software testing market at US$13 billion (RM42.46 billion), representing a huge opportunity for Malaysian companies to tap this market and offer their services locally and globally,” explained Mastura.

“However, the supply of the human resources is not at par with the demand, due to the small number of certified professional testers in Malaysia, and lack of awareness about software testing as a career. It is MSTB’s vision and mission to raise the awareness and promote software testing as a respectable profession throughout the ICT industry in Malaysia, and promote the growth of IT software industry by elevating Malaysia’s profile as a leading testing outsourcing hub,” she added.

Articles about MUST

Pelajar Kejuruteraan & Teknologi Maklumat KLMU menang anugerah Animax

Kebanyakan pelajar institusi lain berpuas hati apabila menang anugerah atau berjaya
menghasilkan produk dalam projek akademik mereka untuk lulus peperiksaan. Tetapi pelajar
Kuala Metropolitan University College (KLMU) melangkah lebih jauh lagi.
Produk yang dihasilkan oleh pelajar Fakulti Kejuruteraan dan Teknologi Maklumat di KLMU
bukan sahaja memenangi anugerah malah bersedia untuk dipromosi di pasaran antarabangsa.
Salah satu produk demikian ialah E-Quran, perisian komputer yang boleh membantu
pengguna belajar membaca Quran. Perisian ini memilik ciri-ciri yang tidak terdapat dalam
perisian lain di pasaran sekarang. Ia dihasilkan oleh Khalil Rahman Ameer Khan, pelajar semester
ke-6, Diploma IT (Rangkaian & Penyelenggaran Komputer), Nur Faiza Mohamad Omar dan
Muhammad Alif Mohamed Radzi, kedua-duanya pelajar semester ke-5, Diploma IT (Kejuruteraan
Perisian). Perisian canggih itu dihasilkan dengan bimbingan Timbalan Dekan Sekolah
Kejuruteraan dan Teknologi Maklumat KLMU Nassif Ghassan Al Bouaini dan pensyarah Irwan
Nayan.
Produk tersebut baru-baru ini telah memenangi anugerah di Pertandingan Animax 2009
anjuran Kerajaan Negeri Selangor, Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya dan Universiti Industri Selangor.
Apabila ditanya oleh wartawan, ketiga-tiga pelajar itu berkata mereka berhasrat untuk
menyambung pelajaran di tahap ijazah sarjana muda juga di KLMU. Fakulti Kejuruteraan dan
Teknologi Maklumat di KLMU menawarkan tiga program ijazah, iaitu Ijazah Sarjana Muda
Kejuruteraan Teknologi Maklumat, Ijazah Sarjana Muda Kejuruteraan (Kepujian) Teknologi
Telekomunikasi dan Ijazah Sarjana Muda Kejuruteraan (Kepujian) Kejuruteraan Elektrikal dan
Elektronik.
Menurut Nassif pula, pelajar di Fakulti Kejuruteraan dan Teknologi Maklumat KLMU dididik
untuk menghasilkan produk yang berpermintaan tinggi serta berciri unik. Untuk mencapai
hasrat ini, pelajar dibimbing untuk melakukan penyelidikan pasaran dan dibekalkan dengan ilmu
teknikal terkini. Beliau berkata pelajar di fakulti ini sentiasa didedahkan kepada aspek praktikal
agar mereka bergraduan dengan berorientasikan kerjaya atau keusahawanan dan bukan
akademik semata-mata.
Articles from KLMU

KLIUC Welcomes Delegates from ShiJieZhuang Vocational Technology Institute

Kuala Lumpur Infrastructure University College (KLIUC) was pleased to welcome a delegation from ShiJieZhuang Vocational Technology Institute, from the province of Hebei, to KLIUC Campus on the 18 May 2011. The delegates were: Mr. Liu Xinqi (Vice-President, University & Corporate Linkages), Mr. Wang Yunfei (Dean, Continuing Education Studies), Ms. Shao Yingxiu (Dean, Faculty of Construction Engineering), and Ms. Wu Sumin (Dean, Faculty of Economics and Trade).
This was their first visit to KLIUC and to Malaysia. They were here to strike up collaborative ties with KLIUC. After a fruitful discussion, ShiJieZhuang Vocational Technology Institute agreed to send their potential students to join our Bachelor programmes. The discussion ended with exchange of souvenirs, a photo session and a campus tour.

Articles from KLIUC

4 Januari 2011 - Teknologi Hijau: Initiatif Penyelidikan

SHAH ALAM – Universiti Industri Selangor, UNISEL berbesar hati atas kesudian Kerajaan Negeri Selangor memberi sumbangan Geran Penyelidikan berjumlah RM 500 Ribu Ringgit untuk program penyelidikan Teknologi Hijau dan Pertanian Bersepadu UNISEL. Majlis penyerahan cek ini akan disempurnakan Exco Pendidikan, Pendidikan Tinggi dan Pembangunan Modal Insan, YB Dr. Halimah Binti Ali kepada Presiden dan Naib Canselor UNISEL, Datuk Dr. Rosti Saruwono.

Sebagai sebuah institusi akademik di Malaysia, khususnya di Selangor, UNISEL akan melaksanakan beberapa projek penyelidikan yang berteraskan teknologi-hijau dengan menebus guna tasik-tasik dan kawasan-kawasan tanah terbiar di kampus UNISEL Bestari Jaya. Projek-projek ini akan dijadikan “teaching factories/laboratories” bukan sahaja kepada warga UNISEL, tetapi juga kepada rakyat negeri Selangor yang berminat dengan teknologi-hijau.

Tiga projek telah dikenalpasti bagi menjayakan teknologi-hijau yang telah pun dibincangkan. Projek penyelidikan alam sekitar yang melibatkan akuakultur akan diutamakan, di mana projek ini akan menggembelingkan tenaga pakar daripada UNISEL, dalam Negara dan juga peringkat antarabangsa. UNISEL juga telah pun membangunkan program akademik akuakultur di peringkat diploma, di mana pensyarah dan pelajar di bidang ini akan mendapat faedah secara langsung. Tiga Projek yang dimaksudkan ialah:

1. Projek Penyelidikan  I

Kajian tentang sumber-sumber akuatik di persekitaran berhampiran kampus Bestari Jaya. Bertujuan untuk mengumpul data saintifik bagi mendapat informasi tentang keadaan tasik-tasik dan sungai-sungai di Bestari Jaya, terutamanya di dalam kawasan kampus dan persekitarannya. Data sainstifik ini sangat penting bagi perancangan untuk pembersihan dan penggunaan sumber air berkenaan. Jangka masa projek ini adalah selama 9 bulan.

1. Projek Penyelidikan II

Kajian tentang tanah, flora dan fauna di sekitar Bestari Jaya. Bertujuan untuk mengumpul data saintifik bagi mendapat informasi tentang keadaan kawasan tanah yang terbiar di sekitar Bestari Jaya, terutamanya di dalam kawasan fasa II kampus dan persekitarannya. Data sainstifik ini sangat penting bagi perancangan pertanian untuk menghasilkan sumber makanan manusia, haiwan dan perikanan. Jangka masa projek ini adalah selama 9 bulan.

1. Projek Penyelidikan III

Penubuhan “teaching laboratory/factory” bagi projek akuakultur di tasik-tasik dan kawasan di sekitar tasik kampus Bestari Jaya berteraskan teknologi-hijau. Akuakultur dalam konteks ini berteraskan teknologi-hijau meliputi:

i	.	Menerajui penyelidikan penternakan ikan air tawar di Selangor dan kawasan yang berhampiran.
ii	.	Memajukan industri makanan ikan air tawar melalui aktiviti R&D di Unisel.
iii	.	Menjalankan penyelidikan pembenihan ikan yang berkualiti.
iv	.	Pemeliharaan ikan air tawar seperti ikan keli, puyu, talapia, patin, dan lain-lain jenis yang mempunyai harga pasaran yang baik dan sesuai diternak di sekitar Unisel.
v	.	Pemasaran ikan dan anak ikan yang dipelihara.
vi	.	Memajukan industri hijau dan menggalakkan pertumbuhan dan perkembangan usahawan tempatan dalam bidang berkaitan dengan ternakan ikan air tawar.
vii	.	Menggalakkan graduan Unisel menyertai program pembentukan usahawan kelompok.
viii	.	Menjalankan program-program berkala bagi penternak ikan air tawar berskala kecil.

UNISEL dalam pada itu mensasarkan projek ini dijangka berupaya menjana pendapatan bagi bagi proses kelansungan tanpa bantuan kewangan selepas satu tahun ianya beroperasi.

Teknologi-hijau atau juga dikenali sebagai teknologi-bersih atau teknologi-alam sekitar adalah suatu applikasi sains dan teknologi bagi memelihara sumber dan persekitaran semulajadi; di samping juga menghindar kesan negatif ke atas alam semulajadi yang diakibatkan oleh angkara manusia sendiri. Pembangunan terpelihara dan “sustainable” adalah teras kepada teknologi-alamsekitar. Pembangunan ekonomi yang dapat mengekalkan alamsekitar mestilah (Honkanen and Olsen, 2009; Olsen, 2008; Schacht et al. ,2010) “Socially equitable, Economically viable and Environmentally sound”.

Selain daripada pengekalan alam sekitar, produk yang dihasilkan mestilah boleh ditebus guna sepenuhnya atau dipakai semula. Yang paling penting di dalam pelaksanaan teknologi-hijau adalah pengurangan pencemaran, inovasi, dan penghasilan teknologi alternatif yang tidak memberi kesan negatif kepada kesihatan dan persekitaran. Teknologi-hijau akan menghasilkan produk yang boleh memberi faedah kepada persekitaran dan memperkenalkan kerja-kerja baru yang betul-betul boleh menyelamatkan planet bumi. Kesedaran betapa pentingnya pendidikan bagi teknologi-hijau amatlah penting bukan sahaja kepada warga UNISEL atau Selangor khususnya, tetapi juga kepada seluruh Negara amnya.

Articles from UNISEL

WOU and Jobstreet hold public lecture on IT

20 Sep 2010

PENANG: Wawasan Open University (WOU) and JobStreet are jointly organising a free public lecture on current job opportunities for IT professionals at the WOU main campus at 7.30pm on September 23rd. This is the first in a series of joint public lectures held by the two organisations.

The talk titled “What can I do with my IT qualification in the current market” will be presented by WOU’s School of Science and Technology senior lecturer Ishan Abeywardena.

The talk will identify job opportunities by looking into current technology trends as well as new technologies which could provide fresh IT professionals with an added advantage in the industry. The software development industry is a continuously changing and evolving sector which creates new opportunities with each new technology and trend.

The past few years have reshaped the software development industry by emphasising more on the quality of a solution and user satisfaction rather than on cost savings achieved by outsourcing. The rise of mobile technologies and the accessibility of information through mobile broadband and Web2.0 have also opened up new avenues to explore, while the trends towards working from home, freelancing and starting up an online business have become highly sought after options for IT professionals.

The speaker, Ishan, has experience in UK and Sri Lanka in software development, web development, e-commerce, project management and R&D. He received both his Master’s degrees, in Wireless Enterprise Business Systems and Engineering Management, from Brunel University, Middlesex, UK. Prior to joining WOU, Ishan was posted in the UK as the Operations Director for a new generation web solutions company and was in charge of all local and international operations.

Articles from WOU

UEM Group\'s Communications Practitioners Visit Media Prima

The studio set used by television networks for broadcasting is smaller in real life than what it looks like on television.  Communications Practitioners of the UEM Group can now confirm this after a visit to the Media Prima Berhad’s headquarters on 8 December 2009. The larger than life look of the studio set is a result of artful and technical maneuvering of the camera to zoom only on relevant parts of the set. This was explained in a tour to several of Media Prima’s studios including those that house popular shows like Malaysia Hari Ini and Buletin Utama. The Visit to Media Prima, organised by UEM Group’s Group Corporate Relations and Communications, is part of continuous efforts in network-building between the Group’s Communications Practitioners and the Media. It was also meant for the Group’s Communications Practitioners to better understand operations of the Media and hence improve ways when dealing with the Media. Some 30 Communications Practitioners from UEM Group participated in the visit, which was led by Ahmad Zakie Shariff, UEM Group’s Director of Corporate Affairs. The team from Media Prima, led by Yang Berbahagia Datuk Kamal Khalid, Chief Operating Officer of Business Development & Media Prima International, presented a briefing on Media Prima’s operations and services. The host team comprised representatives from the company’s television and radio networks, content creation, client service group, and corporate communications.

Articles from UEM

UCSI UNIVERSITY AND MAXIS TEAM UP TO BRING HIGH-SPEED INTERNET TO STUDENTS

Kuala Lumpur, 22 Apr, 2011 - UCSI University and Maxis Berhad are teaming up to offer University students high-speed Internet access. The two entities established a smart partnership today as part of the Maxis Integrated Partner in Education (MIPE) programme that launched last week. Under the agreement, Maxis will provide high-speed Internet to the University and become one of the University’s industrial partners. UCSI University Vice Chancellor, Dr Robert Bong and Senior Vice President for the Maxis Business Division, Mr. M Fitri B. Abdullah, signed a certificate of partnership in front of a crowd of nearly 200 students during a ceremony at the University.

In his speech, Dr Bong said the partnership is part of UCSI University’s commitment to bring in modern technology to augment its teaching and learning environment. He said the University is currently pursuing software that will allow lecturers to create virtual “classrooms” with lectures, materials and forums online.

“Our goal is to provide our students with the skills and knowledge to succeed in life in the most effective way possible,” he said. “With blended learning, we will be able to use a variety of tools to make both teaching and learning more efficient, more relevant and more accessible through modern technology.”

Under the agreement, Maxis will provide high-speed WiFi services of up to 50mbps that can be subscribed to directly using mobile phones.

The Maxis WiFi service will enable students to interact with their lecturers outside the normal classroom setting, combining the usual face-to-face learning with online delivery methods as part of the University’s blended-learning teaching philosophy, championed by its Faculty of Education and Centre for Learning Excellence. The high internet speed will also enable students to quickly download podcasts of their lectures, access online resources, conduct research and join online group discussions, enhancing their learning experience. The availability of high-speed internet access across campus grounds also increases student connectivity and mobility, creating a conducive environment for one to learn on the go. The WiFi service is currently on a free three-month trial basis, after which it will be available at a low daily, weekly or monthly rate for students.

The partnership with Maxis will enable UCSI University to enrich the university experience for its students, with the introduction of the University Hot Ticket, a supersaver prepaid card from Maxis, customised to suit the University’s academic, community and social events. Maxis will be contributing part of the sales for the prepaid cards to social causes and events championed by the students, heightening student awareness of and participation in, community and social issues.

Maxis and the University’s Faculty of Management and Information Technology are also working together to fulfill the MIPE commitment to developing student entrepreneurship. UCSI University is the first out of Maxis’ tertiary education partners, to deploy Hotlink dealership kiosk businesses on-campus. Currently, there are two kiosks in operation, offering students preferential incentives as well as further blended learning opportunity to put into practice lessons from business courses and to take away new experience from a current communications business model.

Mr. M Fitri B. Abdullah in his speech said, “On 5 April, Maxis launched its Maxis Integrated Partner in Education programme, a unique offering of an end-to-end array of integrated services to the university sector. Today, we are pleased to see the promise of education enabled by communications technology and partnership commitment, bearing its first fruit at UCSI University.”

“At Maxis we certainly believe in the power of integration of strengths from different areas to create a synergistic service ecosystem and unique customer experience which is greater than the sum of its parts. We can see that the committed and innovative staff and students of UCSI University also believe in the spirit of combining capabilities and of reaching across borders, to arrive at a form of knowledge and preparedness which will truly mark them out as the next digital native generation.”

New international students at the University will also benefit from the partnership, with a special bundled package made available by Maxis and UCSI University. They will receive both prepaid mobile services and broadband internet worth RM200 for free upon their arrival at the University. This ensures better integration for the international student community on campus with the local community while easing their transition to their new life in the country.

Through this smart partnership, Maxis will also be part of the University’s Co-Operative Industrial Placement Programme, which currently has close to 900 industrial partners. This allows internship opportunities for UCSI University’s students, who need to complete at least two months of industrial training in each academic year. This format, unique to the University, ensures students are constantly in touch with industrial practices, while applying what they have learnt in the classroom.

In conjunction with the University’s 25th Anniversary, UCSI University and Maxis also recently worked together on a major charity project worth more than RM40,000, which involved more than 200 students. The students and staff of Maxis visited 25 charity homes in a day to paint and clean up the homes, and also to interact with the residents in fun games and activities.


Articles from UCSI University

First-Ever Chiropractic Workshop in Malaysia

Date: November 13, 2009

Source: IMU

31 October 2009 was a significant and memorable day for the International Medical University (IMU) and its Chiropractic Department. For the first time ever in Malaysia, IMU had organised a Chiropractic Workshop supported by the Chiropractic Association of Malaysia and Malaysian Ministry of Health, the Traditional and Complementary Medicine Division at its Bukit Jalil campus. Chiropractic is a healthcare profession that is rapidly expanding throughout the world, including Malaysia. In fact, it is currently the third largest primary healthcare profession after medicine and dentistry. Chiropractors are trained as back-care experts who can determine the cause of the pain, provide effective treatment, and make referrals to appropriate specialists when necessary. The Head of the new chiropractic programme at IMU, Professor Michael Haneline, hosted the two days meeting, which presented 12 hours of cutting-edge continuing professional development for practitioners in the region. The special workshop was attended by almost 30 practicing chiropractors from Hong Kong, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia for a session of knowledge sharing. In addition, this workshop is designed to be of interest to health care professionals, as well as the general public. In his welcoming address, the President of IMU, YBhg Tan Sri Dato" Dr Abu Bakar Suleiman made specific reference to the importance of the region commencing chiropractic education at an international standard. YBhg Tan Sri acknowledged the university"s close working relationship with the Malaysian Qualifications Agency of the Ministry of Higher Education and with the Ministry of Health, governmental organisations that had made significant input into the design of the chiropractic curriculum. Dr Shamsaini Shamsuddin, the Principal Assistant Director of the Practice and Registration Section of the Traditional and Complementary Medicine from Malaysian Ministry of Health was invited to officiate this significant event. During the weekend, members of the Chiropractic Association of Malaysia (CAM) met in a break-out session and the President, Dr Vishwadeep Sandhu, said that while continuing professional development (CPD) was not yet a formal requirement. Nonetheless, the members appreciated the opportunity to interact in their own country with four internationally renowned and highly regarded speakers. The presenters were Dr Paul Noone of Australia on Functional Neurology, Dr George Le Beau (USA) on Chiropractic Technique, Professor Phillip Ebrall (Australia) on the Chiropractic Subluxation, and Professor Michael Haneline, formerly of Palmer-West and now Head of Chiropractic with IMU Malaysia, on Evidence-Based Chiropractic. Almost 200 members of the public, including prospective chiropractic students and their families, attended a concurrent information session on the discipline of chiropractic and its valuable role in managing low back pain, a prevalent public health issue in Malaysia. Prof Ebrall spoke on the causes, treatments and prevention of low back pain; Dr Le Beau demonstrated the analysis and correction of the spine in a typical patient with low back pain; and Prof Haneline explained chiropractic in general. The audience was very receptive to the presentation erupting into applause on several occasions and asking many questions. According to Prof Haneline, the chiropractic programme would commence in February 2010 with an initial cohort of 40. He expressed appreciation for the valuable assistance of the Chiropractic Association of Malaysia (CAM) in general, and Dr Graham Hunt and Dr Thomas Ong in particular. An important element of the new programme will be the development of practice-integrated learning opportunities throughout Malaysia, including community outreach visits for the express purpose of not just providing care opportunities, but for better informing the profession and its students of the diverse need for care in such a multi-cultural country. Prof Haneline said he intended for the workshop to become an annual seminar of significance in the region and expressed the University"s appreciation of the profession"s strong support for the inaugural meeting. He also announced that during the week preceding the workshop the Senate of IMU confirmed the appointment of Phillip Ebrall as Adjunct Professor (Chiropractic) with the Faculty of Medicine. Prof Ebrall said he deeply appreciated the opportunity to work with such a progressive University to help the development of a curriculum that would become a world benchmark in chiropractic education. IMU will be offering the Chiropractic programme in February 2010. This will be the first and only complete Chiropractic educational programme in Malaysia, as well as in all of Southeast Asia. Students can graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chiropractic in 4 years, followed by a 1 year housemanship. Graduates are eligible for registration under Malaysia"s Traditional and Complementary Medicine Act.

KUIS Melakar Kejayaan di Invention & Innovation Awards 2010

Satu pameran tahunan peringkat antarabangsa iaitu Malaysia Technology Expo 2010 dianjurkan bersama oleh Malaysian Association Research Scientists (MARS), MOSTI, MSC Malaysia, Nuclear Malaysia dan SIRIM telah diadakan di Pusat Dagangan Dunia Putra(PWTC) pada 4 – 6 Februari yang lepas.  Bersempena dengan pameran tersebut, satu pertandingan berbentuk anugerah iaitu 9th Invention & Innovation Awards 2010 turut diadakan bertujuan bagi mengiktiraf saintis dan penyelidik yang telah mencapai kecemerlangan dalam pengkomersilan penyelidikan dan pembangunan produk atau perkhidmatan. Pameran dan anugerah inovasi yang berprestij ini menarik hampir 500 penyertaan yang kebanyakkannya datang dari institusi-institusi pengajian tinggi awam tempatan dan luar negara.  Penyertaan sulong KUIS membuahkan hasil apabila ketiga-tiga penyertaan dari pensyarah Fakulti Teknologi dan Sains Informasi (FTSI) dan Akademi Islam berjaya membawa pulang 1 pingat emas dan 2 pingat gangsa. Berikut adalah maklumat penyertaan dari KUIS. Tajuk Penyelidik Kategori Persembahan Anugerah : (A-IDIC) ANDALUSIA INTELLIGENCE DIGITAL   INTERACTIVE COMIC ON MOBILE LEARNING : 1. Md Ridzal Bin Md Yusof (FTSI) : 2. Rosli Bin Mokhtar (AI) : Kategori O: Teaching Materials : Prototaip : PINGAT EMAS Tajuk Penyelidik Kategori Persembahan Anugerah : OMMaR – Online Multimedia Malay Arabic   Dictionary (Mobile-based) : 1. Khirulnizam Bin Abdul Rahman (FTSI) : 2. Che Wan Shamsul Bahri Che Wan Ahmad (FTSI) : 3. Juzlinda Binti Ghazali (FTSI) : Kategori O: Teaching Materials : Prototaip : PINGAT GANGSA Tajuk Penyelidik Kategori Persembahan Anugerah : The Prototype of “Andalusia Islamic Civilization    Empires” Edutainment Game.  : 1. Muhammad Ali Reza Bin Ahmad (FTSI) : 2. Md Ridzal Bin Md Yusof (FTSI) : 3. Nur Muizz Bin Mohamed Salleh (FTSI) : Kategori O: Teaching Materials : Prototaip : PINGAT GANGSA Penyertaan dan kemenangan ini sekaligus meletakkan KUIS setaraf dengan institusi pengajian tinggi tempatan lain yang turut aktif dalam melahirkan kajian dan pembangunan yang mampu dikomersilkan di peringkat antarabangsa.		En Ridzal sedang memberikan penerangan mengenaiAndalusia Interactive Comic kepada pelawat booth KUIS. En Khirulnizam sedang memberikan penerangan kepada Hakim Pertandingan. En Muhammad Ali Reza sedang memberikan penerangan mengenai Edutainment Game yang telah dibangunkan kepada para Hakim.
Diharapkan kemenangan ini dapat memberi satu titik permulaan yang terbaik bagi KUIS sebagai untuk bergiat lebih aktif  dalam aktiviti penyelidikan dan pembangunan yang mempunyai nilai komersil yang tinggi di samping melonjakkan nama KUIS ke peringkat yang lebih tinggi  dalam memartabatkan ilmu pengetahuan sejajar dengan moto KUIS yang dibanggakan, “Pemangkin Tradisi Ilmu”. Articles from KUIS