Course Focus - 15 March 2016

8/19/2019 Course Focus - 15 March 2016

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THE STAR, TUESDAY 15 MARCH 2016

special

COURSE FOCUSBUSINESS, ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE

Transformyour future


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course focus

THE STAR,

TUESDAY 15 MARCH 2016

Make it big in business

entrepreneur develops andns his own business, often for

fit. He thinks outside of thex and likes taking risks in hisiness ventures.

A successful entrepreneur is oneo makes mistakes and learnsm them. Most importantly,wever, an entrepreneur isovative. If that sounds a lot like

u, then you have what it takes ton your own business.

ucation

n most institutions in Malaysia,dents who pursue a bachelor’s

business administrationgramme can choose tocialise in entrepreneurship.

At some universities oreges such as Universitira Malaysia and University

bangsaan Malaysia, however,

urses dedicated to teachingrepreneurship are offered.

The duration of these courses isically between three and fourrs. To be eligible for these

urses, you will need to:l Have completed your STPM or

evels examinations with a passat least two principal subjects,h a minimum CGPA of 2.00; orl Currently possess a relevantloma recognised by thelaysian Government; orl Have completed a relevantndation course at any higher

ucation institution; orl Pass the Education Ministry’striculation programme witheast a CGPA of 2.00

When undertakingrepreneurship coursesh as a bachelor’s ininess administration inrepreneurship, bachelor’sntrepreneurship andovation, and bachelor’s inrepreneurship, you will beosed to a variety of experiencest will help you later on in therking environment.

These courses help youvelop essential business andrepreneurial skills that willpare you for both employment

d self-employment.

eparing yourself

Before you run your owniness, you are going to need

me experience. The usual way toexperience is to work for bigger

mpanies to learn the ropes of

Being an entrepreneur requiresyou to be innovative, creativeand passionate about your work.

owning and running a business.Start-ups and small businesses

are also great places to work at asa fresh graduate as they are moreopen to new ideas and you will beable to grow with them.

If you have good leadership andinnovation skills, you can alsowork in management positions inmore established companies.

Managerial work will put many

of your skills to the test, includingdecision-making, creativity, verbal,critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Besides that, you can also workin sales. Like an entrepreneur,

someone who works in salesneeds to know how to run abusiness and must be able torepresent a company well.

Not only will you be able to learnwhat it takes to be in sales, you willalso have some perspective on howthe sales world functions and thatwill make you a better employer toyour sales employees.

NetworkingHaving a good network of

contacts is key to being a goodentrepreneur. Knowing the rightpeople can present you with opportunities to build your

business.Having connections with

certain people can open doors foryou to meet and talk to highlyinfluential people that couldpotentially be beneficial to yourbusiness.

The process of networking canstart as early as in your secondaryschool days and continue throughuniversity and into your businesscareer.

If you have a friend who shares

the same entrepreneurial passion,you can start a business venturetogether. You can leverage oneach other’s strengths andconnections to build a successfulbusiness.

If you choose to work beforestarting a business, you can learna range of skills in the companyyou work for and build a networkof contacts for when you startyour own business.

You will likely meet manysuccessful individuals when youwork. You can ask for their adviceand learn from their experiences.

When you have spoken to moreestablished entrepreneurs, you canlearn from their mistakes whenstarting a business. This saves youa lot of time, money and energywhen you venture into your firstbusiness.

It is crucial that you arefrequently in contact with peoplewho you find important to yourbusiness and to yourself. It isalways better to make an allythan to make an enemy.

Skills

Lastly, you are going to need aset of skills to be a successfulbusiness owner. You must have aknack for sniffing out businessopportunities as they may comeand go very quickly.

You should also be creative andspontaneous. When a problemarises, you will need to be able tofind the most effective and efficient

ways to work around it. Awillingness to take risks is alsonecessary for any successfulentrepreneur.

Above all else, making it as asuccessful entrepreneur is abouthaving an undying passion foryour work. If you give your allfrom the get go, you can definitelymake it big one day.

Start-ups andsmall businessesare great places towork at as a freshgraduate as theyare more open tonew ideas and you

will be able to growwith them.

> SEE ALSO NEXT PAGE

Entrepreneurship is a potentially satisfying and fulfilling pathway that business students can pursue.


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AT a young age, it may seem impossible toown a business, let alone make it asuccessful one. Having a solid background inbusiness and a few years of experiencedefinitely helps.

However, if you do not have a degree inbusiness or do not plan to pursue one, do notworry. With hard work, a willingness to takerisks and a whole lot of passion, you can stillown a business.

Combined with the skills that you have orwill develop in whatever field you choose tostudy, the sky is the limit when it comes toowning a business.

Take these two young business ownersfor example. At the age of 24 and 22respectively, Esther Lai and Edric Chiang aresuccessfully running their own businesses.

Lai and Chiang are living testimonies that

you do not need years of experience or adegree in business to be a successfulentrepreneur. All you need is hard work anda strong desire to make it in the world ofbusiness.

Here, they talk about how they startedtheir businesses and what it takes to runthem.

Baking up a storm

Lai is the proud co-owner of The SeasonHouse, a home-based bakery started by hermother in 2010.

It was not until 2013 that Lai took all thatshe learnt in pastry school and turned hermother’s business into a booming success.

Lai gave the business a name and quicklybuilt on her mother’s menu of traditional

Chinese cookies and mooncakes with herown catalogue of cakes, cookies, biscuitsand tarts.

Lai had the idea of building on hermother’s home-based bakery business fouryears ago when she realised that her jobprospects as a pastry chef would be limitedand the pay would be low.

Without any previous experience inbusiness, she took the chance of workingwith her mother’s small business. She nowworks from the comfort of her own homeand makes more than she would working ina hotel kitchen.

When asked how she competes with otherbakeries out there, she says, “It is definitelynot easy. I use only the freshest ingredientsand all my products are homemade, and thatis what my customers seem to like. That is

how I keep above my competition.“I try to meet my customers’ demands and

do my best to maintain the quality of myproducts. Three years after I first venturedinto this business, I have a steady customerbase, which allows me to make a decentprofit on a regular basis,” she adds.

Lai runs The Season House with hermother in a small two-oven kitchen at herhome in Subang Jaya.

The mother-daughter combination looksto be a winning success as they work

tirelessly almost every day to fillorders.

When asked about the prosand cons of working with her

mother, Lai saysthat her mothersupports her

mentally,physicallyandspiritually.This supportis invaluable


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in helping her improve herself as a bakerand entrepreneur.

“We occasionally argue, but in everyrelationship between a child and motheror even between business partners,disagreements happen every now and then.It is completely normal,” she adds.

A ft business

While still a student, Chiang now earns his

own pocket money by designing and sellingworkout apparel that you can also wearcasually through his brand 3xthetics.

Chiang started his business a year ago,simply from a sheer interest in the fitnessindustry and a passion for the gym lifestyle.

“I enjoy going to the gym as it helps merelax and working out is therapeutic to me.I saw a market for workout apparel andthought that I could tap into it and earnsome money.

“I soon started 3xthetics and sold myproducts almost exclusively to gym junkies.It did not take long before I got a return onmy investment,” he says.

Chiang is currently studying internationalmarketing at University Malaysia Sabah. Asa student and business owner, jugglingbetween studies and running a business can

be a tough task.However, he manages to do it with two

other business partners, who are alsostudying; the reason behind the name3xthetics is that it is the brainchild of thesethree business partners.

“In university, we have a heap ofresponsibilities, with assignments andorganisation representative duties to handle.My partners and I pull our weight when itcomes to business dealings and we somehowmake it work,” says Chiang.

Chiang started 3xthetics without a lot ofmoney and was completely new to the worldof business.

A year later, however, he and hisassociates have successfully made 3xtheticsinto a popular name in the workout apparelbusiness.

“We did not have a lot of money when westarted, nor did we have a lot of ideas. Wehad a few shirt designs in mind and that wasit. We wanted to put emphasis on producingworkout clothing that people could wearcasually as well as in the gym, so we justkept at it.

“The fact that the fitness industry wasbecoming bigger helped us a lot in sellingour clothes. We took huge risks that couldhave cost us dearly, but everything workedout in the end,” he says.

Esther Lai, aged 24, runs a baking businesswith her mother.

Young successes

Edric Chiang,aged 22, runs asuccessfulbusiness that sellsworkout gear.


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immerse graduates in industryspecialisations during their degree, creatingvalue for their future,” says Prof Dr PeterShephard, dean of Binary Business School.

Binary University offers programmes fromfoundation to PhD levels in accounting,business, computing, entrepreneurship,finance, information technology andmarketing.

“Surrounded by a beautifully landscapedgreen park, food and beverage outlets,convenience stores and condominium-styledaccommodation for 2,000 students within itsPuchong campus, Binary University offersstudents value-for-money quality educationas well as an environment conducive tostudying and living,” says Prof Dr Sulochana.

The Binary Green City Campus issurrounded by numerous facilities that

include the IOI Shopping Mall, Tesco, Giant,banks, hospitals and clinics.

A wide range of Malay, Chinese, Indianand western eateries are also within reach.An LRT station is available right at thedoorstep of Binary University and isaccessible to residents from Putra Heights,Kinrara, Sri Petaling and Ampang.

“What we are offering at BinaryUniversity is an opportunity for youths todifferentiate themselves in the competitive job market. Everyone has the potential to besuccessful but they need an ecosystem thatcan help bring out the best in them. This iswhat we are offering at Binary University.It’s not just an academic university but onewith an ecosystem that can help studentsrealise their maximum potential,” saysProf Joseph.

The next intake is commencing onApril 27. Those residing in Kuala Lumpurmay enrol in the sister institution BinaryCollege, which offers the BA (Hons) inBusiness Management, Diploma inAccounting, Diploma in BusinessAdministration and Diploma in RetailManagement.

n For more information, call 03-8070 6590/96or 03-4041 8562/92 (Binary College) or visitwww.binary.edu.my.

Equipped to beentrepreneurs

ONE of the key reasons for the continuedsuccess of Binary University has been theexcellent employability of its graduates.

“Binary University’s unique IndustrySpecialist Professional (ISP) graduate modelhas helped thousands of business andaccounting graduates embark on successfulcareers for 32 years since its inception in1984,” says Datuk Prof Joseph Adaikalam,founder chairman of Binary University.

The five-star rating and the excellentgraduate employability status accorded toBinary University by the Education Ministryis testament to its quality of education as aspecialist university.

“To equip graduates with industry-specificknowledge, we have developed intellectualproperty in collaboration with industryplayers from more than 22 industries,” says

Prof Dr Sulochana, vice-chancellor of BinaryUniversity.

Apart from the ISP advantage, the otherreason Binary University graduates arehighly employable is that it producesentrepreneurial accountants, managers andinformation technology professionals usingthe comprehensive entrepreneurialecosystem that the university has invested inand established to differentiate its graduatesfrom others.

Popular courses at Binary Universityinclude the BA (Hons) Accounting, BA (Hons)Business Management and the BA (Hons)Entrepreneurship, which all offer excellent job and career prospects.

“Our BA (Hons) in Accounting is amongthe few accounting qualifications in Malaysiathat is triple-accredited. Our accounting

degree is Certified Practising Accountants(Australia)-accredited, MalaysianQualifications Agency-accredited andprovides exemption from eight papers of theAssociation of Chartered CertifiedAccountants UK,” says S. F. Huang, seniorlecturer and chartered accountant withmore than 20 years of industry experience.

“Binary Business School equips itsgraduates with entrepreneurial skills andthe ISP advantage, which makes them highlymarketable. We are unique in that we

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Accounting myths bustedTERESTED in pursuing an accountinggree but not sure what it entails or if it is

career for you?As with any field of study or careers, there

quite a few misconceptions aboutounting.

When choosing a career, you should goh your interests instead of basing yourision on inaccurate and outdated myths.

rn the truth here.th: Accounting involves just doing maths.uth: Numbers are a big part of accounting,

accounting concepts are not algebra.ountants analyse business and financialords to decipher what the numbers mean

d then advise their employers as to whatnumber mean to future profitability andenue.

th: Accountants are introverts.uth: Anybody can be an accountantardless of personality type.n fact, you will need good communicationls to be a successful accountant as youl have to collaborate with your colleaguesd participate in discussions withcutives and business owners.

th: Accounting is boring.uth: Accounting lectures are only boringou do not actively participate in them.gaging your lecturers and classmatesdiscussion about concepts can revealeresting theories and approaches that you

would never have otherwisethought of.

Similarly, a career inaccounting can be interestingif you have a passion for it.

Accountants keep track ofa company’s financialdealings and play key rolesin ensuring businesses make

a profit and continue togrow.

Myth: Accountants

just do taxes.Truth: Thoughpreparing tax

Binary University creates graduates who are work-ready, entrepreneurial industry specialists.

ountants need good communication skills as they are constantly required to discuss andaborate with colleagues.

reports is one of the common responsibilitiesof an accountant, this kind of work is usuallyseasonal; tax season generally comes once ayear.

The rest of the time, accountants keeptrack of the company’s revenue andpayments, prepare financial reports andkeep record of assets, liabilities, profits andlosses.

Myth: Accounting has not changed in yearsand accountants do not innovate.Truth: Many people think that accountingtheories and practices have remained thesame for decades and that accountants are

just “by-the-numbers” people.However, accountants do play important

roles in the innovation processes of abusiness.

They help managers decide what thebusiness’ goals should be and what processesand principles will get the business theremost efficiently at the least cost.

Myth: Accountants are mostly male.Truth: Accounting is as popular a field ofstudy among women as it is men. As withany career and field of study, accountingdoes not discriminate on gender.

Accounting is for anyone who enjoysworking with numbers, solving problemsand is interested in the financial running ofbusinesses.

Myth: Accountants do not make a lot ofmoney.Truth: Everyone’s definition of “a lot ofmoney” is different, but accounting isdefinitely a worthwhile career option. Afresh graduate generally earns betweenRM2,000 and RM2,600. This range willincrease as you gain more experience.

Furthermore, as accountants are alwaysin demand, especially in Malaysia’s rapidlygrowing economy, salaries can only gethigher.

As with othercareers,accountingdoes notdiscriminateon gender.

Accountants keeptrack of a company’sfnancial dealingsand play key roles inensuring businessesmake a proft andcontinue to grow.


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5THE STAR, TUESDAY 15 MARCH 2016


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Addressing the bigger picture

Innovative and savvy engineers are needed in this day and age to addressthe 14 Grand Challenges of Engineering.

Prof Dr Ahmad RafiMohamed Eshaq.

UDENTS who love challengingmselves should considerrsuing engineering at premierice university Multimedia

iversity (MMU).rof Dr Ahmad Rafi Mohamed

haq, president of MMU, says,ngineering has advancedmanity and enabled us togate and work lands torcome food shortages, build

ong shelters to save us fromdators and the elements as wellaise monuments to celebrate

d respect our cultures andntities.”n this day and age, the worldeds engineers more than everd faces challenges that could

ll catastrophe if not addressed –se are known as the 14 Grandallenges of Engineering.The challenges are to make solarergy economical, provide energym fusion, develop carbonuestration methods, manage the

rogen cycle, provide access toan water, restore and improvean infrastructure, advance

alth informatics, engineer betterdicines, reverse engineer thein, prevent nuclear terror,ure cyberspace, enhance virtuallity, advance personalisedrning and engineer tools forentific discovery.

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THE STAR,


Prof Rafi says that althoughsolving each problem is anenormous feat, the solution lies inthe concerted efforts of peopleaddressing these challenges ratherthan individual effort.

MMU is recognised worldwidefor its engineering programmes.The university has been listed inQuacquarelli Symonds’ (QS) WorldUniversity Rankings by Subject

2015 as a Top 200 Universityfor electrical and electronicsengineering, computer scienceand information systems in 2014and communication and mediastudies in 2012.

Prof Rafi is confident that MMUstudents and graduates can play abig role in solving the 14 GrandChallenges through the engineeringcourses.

“We have all the essentials –mechanical engineering,electronics, telecommunicationsand even nanotechnology, all ofwhich play a crucial role in makingimpact,” he says.

For example, the challenge ofdeveloping and advancingpersonalised learning is one thatcan be possibly solved.

Currently, teaching is mostlydone using the classroom method.This style involves having a teacheror lecturer teaching in front ofstudents.

Yet, for many students, thisconventional style is not engaging.As a result, they lose interest anddo poorly academically. Ultimately,

these students suffer all sorts ofrepercussions, including economicand professional ones.

With a good personalisedlearning system, students’strengths and weaknesseswill be identified and thebest learning strategyevaluated. Based on thesefindings, students canreceive instructions onhow to use themethods that bestengage them,

ensuring they do not lose interest.If personalised learning can be

realised, it will be an importanthuman achievement because it willmake schools more interesting andstudents will get a clearer idea ofthe career they would like topursue.

With MMU’s strong engineeringculture, Prof Rafi is also confidentthat MMU is uniquely positioned togive its students a head start insolving the 14 Grand Challenges.

“Many of the challenges involveconnectivity, communication skillsand resources. Given that theuniversity’s parent is TelekomMalaysia, future engineeringstudents will gain a distinct

advantage by studying in MMU.Once you give yourself a good head

start, you stand a better chanceof making significantcontributions,” says Prof Rafi.

MMU offers special rebatesand scholarships for studentswho enrol in the April intakeas part of its 20th

anniversarycelebrations.

n For moreinformation, visitwww.mmu.edu.myor call 1300 800668.


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Developingessentialskills

Having an educational background in business or accounting can opendoors to business opportunities worldwide.

BUSINESS is an industry withendless areas to explore andopportunities to expand ideas.The right programmes can helpyou succeed in this field andexpose you to businessopportunities worldwide.

Infrastructure UniversityKuala Lumpur’s (IUKL) Facultyof Business and Accounting(FBA) is a distinguished andcompetitive entity that believesstudents should put theories intopractice to make real impact.

IUKL’s Bachelor of BusinessAdministration (Hons) isunique in its approach tomanagement, leadershipand entrepreneurship inthe business arena.

The programme focuses onhow organisations operate suchas what they do, how they do it,the strategies used and theirmanagement styles.

Students are exposed to skillsthat will be useful in their futurecareer. Group work, one of thekey parts of the many subjectsoffered, can help buildteamwork and leadership skills.

Students get the opportunityto meet people and extend

their network throughout theprogramme. Upon graduation,students can readilydemonstrate an understandingof markets, finance, operations,management, managing peopleand other business-relatedfactors.

The Diploma in BusinessAdministration also offersinsights into the world ofbusiness administration andcovers a wide range of topicsfrom management toinformation technology.

Students develop fundamentalskills to acquire knowledge inbusiness, finance, marketingand management. The course

syllabus has been carefullydesigned to introduce new ideasand concepts emerging in themarketplace and students areexposed to classroomdiscussions, case studies andbusiness plans.

IUKL’s Bachelor ofAccountancy (Hons) offersspecific knowledge ofaccounting, finance, taxation,auditing, costing, management

and economics.The aims of this programme

are to produce competent anddedicated accountants whopossess the attributes and skillsrequired in the accountingprofession as well as develop aholistic understanding ofbusiness operations, particularlyin all functional areas ofaccounting.

Through industrial placementat established corporations,students will be able to have

valuable hands-on experience inreal-life working environments.The programme is alsorecognised by professionalbodies such as ACCA(Association of CharteredCertified Accountants), CIMA(Chartered Institute ofManagement Accountants) andMICPA (The Malaysian Instituteof Certified Public Accountants).

IUKL also offers the Diplomain Accounting programme. Thistwo-and-a-half-year programmeis designed to provide soundknowledge on the importantprinciples and concepts ofaccounting, auditing, taxationas well as analysis of various

corporate financial statements.The diploma aims to equipstudents with the ability toadopt and apply knowledge inreal-life situations to meet thedemands and challenges of theglobal economy.

IUKL offers scholarships andtuition fee waivers of up to 60%to students who excel in theirstudies. Study loans from PTPTNand Yayasan Negeri are alsoavailable.

Apart from these, the IUKLMedia Education Fundscholarship, IUKL SportsExcellence scholarships andflexible payment scheme arealso available to aid students

financially.IUKL is hosting its Info Day onMarch 26 and 27 from 10am to4pm at its 100-acre (40.5ha)campus. The March intake is inprogress and you can start aprogramme at IUKL with onlyRM100.

n For more information, call1800 88 STUDY (78839) or visitwww.IUKL.edu.my.


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nway TES alumni had a good time catching up with lecturers and Teo Ee Sing (front row, seventh from left), executiveector of Sunway College.

Catchingup withthe alumni

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SUNWAY TES Centre forAccountancy Excellence(Sunway TES CAE) held itsinaugural Alumni Catch Up forgraduates and affiliates ofprofessional accountingprogrammes, namely ACCA

(Association of CharteredCertified Accountants), CAT(Certified AccountingTechnician), CFAB (Certificatein Finance, Accounting andBusiness), ICAEW (Institute ofChartered Accountants inEngland and Wales) and MICPA(The Malaysian Institute ofCertified Public Accountants).

Organised by the Sunway TESAccountancy Graduates Club(SAGC), the event gatheredmore than 30 alumni at SunwayUniversity’s Art Gallery andincluded various activities suchas networking sessions, campustours and a special performance.

Teo Ee Sing, executive director

of Sunway College, warmlygreeted the alumni by saying,“Welcome back. We are glad tosee you back here as we hope tostay in touch with you andexplore the possibilities of youcontributing to Sunway College. You are all welcome to comeback to teach and share yourindustry knowledge and successwith our students.”

Stephen Lee How Hwang,assistant manager of SunwayGroup’s internal audit, was oneof the best examples of thosewho have contributed to theiralma mater.

Lee left Sunway TES in2007 with CAT and ACCA

qualifications but returned fromtime to time for the SunwayMentoring Programme.

This programme providesopportunities for currentSunway College students to learnfrom their mentors, who are alsoSunway alumni.

The Student ServicesDepartment Alumni Office pairseach student with a member ofthe alumni.

The mentor providesacademic guidance, industryinsights, career advice andassists in the personaldevelopment of his orher mentee.

Lee also introduced the

International EnterpriseChallenge competition toSunway TES, which is jointlyorganised by Sunway TES,Premier League, Premier Skillsand the British Council.

The competition involvedSunway TES CAE student teamscoming up with business plansthat involved figuring out howa local professional football clubcould increase its fan base and

attract more live football matchaudience in stadiums.

The International EnterpriseChallenge aims to engage,inspire and unlock the potentialof Sunway TES CAE accountingstudents by developing their

business and enterprising skillsthrough examples drawn fromthe commercial football sector.

In the second running of thecompetition, three teams fromSunway TES emerged as nationalchampions and qualified for theinternational level.

Wong James Jack, whocompleted his CAT and ACCA in2013, is a bank credit controllerat one of the leading localinvestment banks.

When asked about thedifference he saw in SunwayTES, he said, “The institution isdefinitely expanding and I envythe students here as they get toenjoy the new facilities such as

the FIFA-certified football fieldthat was not available during mytime here.”

The event also enabled thealumni to catch up with theirlecturers. More than half of thealumni who attended the eventwere once taught by Kiran Seth.

Being a lecturer with SunwayTES for more than 12 years,Kiran is proud to have touchedthe lives of thousands ofaccounting students.

She recently became aSunway TES alumna uponcompleting the Certified InternalAuditor (CIA) programme.

“I enjoy imparting knowledgeand experience to students.

Taking the CIA programme hasdefinitely kept me on my toes asit fills my teaching gaps andenables my teaching to be up todate,” she said.

The event was brought up anotch with a surprise stand-upcomedy performance by alumna Juliana Heng Hui Jing.

“My day job is an executive ata Malaysian property investmentcompany, but by night I am astand-up comedian,” said Heng,who graduated from SunwayTES in 2011 with CAT and ACCAqualifications.

The Alumni Catch Up hasgotten off to a good start for theSAGC. Melissa Tan Hui Ying,

president of SAGC, is hopeful toconnect with more Sunway TESalumni via various big- andsmall-scale activities.

n For more information aboutSunway TES AccountancyGraduates Club (SAGC), [email protected] Sunway TES programmes,call 03-7491 8622 or visit sunway.edu.my/college/sunwaytes.


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IF you have a passion for bothbusiness and psychology, the

University of Greenwich (3+0) BA(Hons) Business Psychologyoffered at SEGi College KualaLumpur might be suitable foryou.

This programme is foryou if you are interested inpsychology and want toexplore its usefulness in ageneral business context.

While the completion of theprogramme does not give youthe qualifications to be anoccupational psychologist, itwill take your knowledge ofpsychology to a higher leveland give you the ability to applypsychological principles tobusiness problems.

This skill is highly valuedwithin the increasingly complexhuman environment of modernbusiness.

Apart from that,communication and criticalthinking skills are developedthroughout the three yearsof the BA (Hons) BusinessPsychology programme. Theseskills are essential for personaland professional success.

Specially designedprogrammes are also available tohelp you develop youremployability and job-seekingskills at the start of your career.

Holistic understanding

During the final stage ofthe programme, you will besupported by tutors in carryingout research and writing anextended dissertation.

This will enable you to developspecialist expertise in an area ofbusiness psychology that you areparticularly interested in.

Modules in the programmeprovide knowledge, skills and anunderstanding of business,management, the psychology ofindividuals and group behaviourat work.

Thus, graduates of the BA(Hons) Business Psychology areequipped to manage people well,

with in-depth understanding ofthe dynamics of humaninteraction in the workplace.

Armed with all this know-how,you will have the ability to dealeffectively with people-relatedissues within organisations andfind practical solutions.

Innovative teachingmethodologies are used in thisprogramme. Classes aresupported by online resources

within a virtual learningenvironment and this issupplemented by business

simulation exercises andpractical games.

Students also have access toindustry experts through guestpresentations and lecturers aswell as the opportunity to visitcompanies.

Established institution

SEGi College Kuala Lumpurhas long been well knownfor offering business andaccountancy programmes.It is one of the oldest collegesfor the study of businessprogrammes located in theheart of Kuala Lumpur.

Many of its students have

graduated to become successfulindividuals and haverecommended the college andits business programmes to theircircle of influence.

The University of Greenwich,located in the United Kingdom,constantly revises itsprogrammes to reflect currentbusiness priorities and demandsof employers through businessforums with local businessleaders.

This ensures that students aretrained in business applicationsthat are current and relevant.

Students who enrol in aprogramme at SEGi CollegeKuala Lumpur also have the

competitive edge of receivinga wide range of exposure tothe industry through engagingin regional and nationalcompetitions his organisedby business corporations.

n For more information, callSEGi College Kuala Lumpur at03-2070 2078 or 1800 888 028,e-mail [email protected] orvisit www.segi.edu.my.

Graduates of the

BA (Hons) BusinessPsychology areequipped tomanage peoplewell, with in-depthunderstanding ofthe dynamics ofhuman interactionin the workplace.

SEGi College Kuala Lumpur’s unique 3+0 BA (Hons) Business Psychology programme from the University of Greenwich,United Kingdom, trains students to apply psychological principles to business problems.


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Thepsychologybehindbusiness


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0 course focusTHE STAR,


HAVING provided qualitybusiness education for morethan 40 years, Tunku AbdulRahman University College’s(TAR University College) has atrack record in educating anddeveloping business leaders inMalaysia.

Such gleaming reputation isthe result of the UniversityCollege’s Faculty of Accountancy,Finance and Business’ (FAFB)commitment to delivering thebest teaching and adhering tothe highest academic standards.

FAFB faculty membersregularly encourage students toparticipate in many industrycompetitions to broaden theirknowledge and gain exposure tothe challenges of the workingworld.

For many years, FAFB studentshave been achieving awards andaccolades in many high-profileindustry competitions,cementing the reputation of TAR

University College.These include wins in the

Deloitte Tax Challenge, EdgeWizCampus Investment Challenge2015 and ICAEW RegionalBusiness Challenge 2015.

In the Deloitte Tax Challenge,TAR University Collegeparticipants have been crownedchampion five times in theIndividual category and once inthe Team category for sevenyears up to 2014.

Last year, this outstandingrecord of victories continuedwith TAR University Collegestudents being crownedchampion in the Team categorywhile earning first runner-up as

well as a merit prize in theIndividual category.

The champion team memberswho won the grand prizecomprised Thiban RajArumugam, Rupini Kangasothy,Cheang Weizheng and Tai Fern Jian.

Meanwhile, the first runner-up in the Individual categorywas Chee Jun Ning and themerit award went to Jovynn Yeong.

These winning students, whoare currently pursuing theBachelor of Commerce (Hons),attributed their notable wins totheir course and the dedicationof their lecturers.

“We were having our finalyear examinations during thefinal stage of this competition.It was taxing at first but we soonrealised that our examinationrevisions were of great help tous,” says Rupini.

The champion team fromTAR University College thatrepresented Malaysia in theinaugural Deloitte Tax ChallengeSoutheast Asia Region this year

also emerged as the champion,beating teams from Singapore,Thailand and Indonesia.

Besides the Deloitte TaxChallenge 2015, TAR UniversityCollege students dominated inthe EdgeWiz Campus InvestmentChallenge 2015, which attracted

a total of 5,000 participants from70 higher learning institutions.

The objective of thisintervarsity competition was tocreate a financially savvygeneration by providing aplatform on which studentscan practise their trading skillshands-on.

TAR University College madea clean sweep by winning topprizes in six categories, namelyTop Campus, Top Team, TopIndividual, Lecturer with BestPerforming Team, Lecturerwith Most Teams and BestInvestment Rationale.

Yuan Ting Jing, the championin the Individual category, who

is also a Bachelor of Financeand Investment (Hons) student,made an astonishing RM2.8milfrom an initial seed ofRM100,000.

Besides this, Mark Woon TianKit, who is pursuing his Diplomain Business Studies (Finance andInvestment), was named thewinner for the Best InvestmentRationale award.

A team of six Bachelor ofCommerce (Hons) students fromTAR University College emergedas first runner-up in the Instituteof Chartered Accountants inEngland and Wales (ICAEW)Regional Business Challenge2015.

TAR University Collegepresident Datuk Dr Tan ChikHeok is very proud of the overallachievements of these students.

“Last year was a remarkableyear for our FAFB students withthese tremendous achievements.Our students will truly be anasset to the world of business asthey have been well-trained witha top-notch business education.

“The recognitions for ourbusiness programmes fromglobal and local professionalbodies are an outstandingtestament to TAR UniversityCollege’s high academicstandards that also reflects theoverall quality of our holistic

education,” he says.TAR University College ishosting its Open Day fromMarch 1 to 20 from 9am to 5pmat its main campus in KualaLumpur and branch campusesin Penang, Perak and Johor aswell as faculty branches inPahang and Sabah.

n For more information, visitwww.tarc.edu.my.

Qualityindustryexperience

R University College students Thiban Raj Arumugam (third from left), Rupini Kangasothy (fourth from left), Tai Fern Jianurth from right) and Cheang Weizheng (third from right) comprised the champion team of the Deloitte Tax Challenge5. Here, they are displaying their trophies and mock cheque with president of TAR University College Datuk Dr Tan Chik

ok (fifth from left) and dean of FAFB Assoc Prof Say Sok Kwan (extreme right).


11/16

Build yourcredentialsUNITAR International University’s Faculty ofBusiness Technology and Accounting (FBTA)has strong linkages with industry partnersthat are known for excellence in their

respective fields.As part of the programme curriculum,

students are required to complete anindustrial attachment.

The faculty’s emphasis is in buildingcredentials and striving to work closelywith industries through research andconsultancy.

UNITAR provides students with currentknowledge and invaluable work experience,which will prepare them to be workingprofessionals in the corporate world.

FBTA offers both full-time and part-timeprogrammes and these programmes aredelivered in conventional and distance-learning modes.

Some of the top FBTA programmesinclude the Diploma in Management,Diploma in Accountancy, Diploma in

Information Technology, Bachelor ofBusiness Administration, Bachelor ofManagement, Bachelor of Accounting andBachelor of Information Technology. Allthese programmes attract a substantialnumber of students.

As part of its contribution to nation-building, FBTA has directed concertedefforts to assist in capacity building forthe accounting profession.

As the country is facing a shortage ofqualified professional accountants, FBTAoffers a specially designed Bachelor ofAccounting programme that allows studentsto take professional accounting papers intheir third and fourth year of study so thatthey are entrenched in the professionalpathway by the time they graduate.

This will ensure more accounting

graduates become professional accountants.The Bachelor of Accounting programme isalso fully accredited by ACCA (Association ofChartered Certified Accountants), ICAEW(Institute of Chartered Accountants inEngland and Wales) and CPA Australia(Certified Practising Accountants Australia).

The faculty offers a specialisation ininternal audit where students are able tocomplete the Certified Internal Auditorcertification while in their final year.

FBTA currently offers four part-time

programmes at UNITAR that are designed tocater to the needs of working professionalsthrough its unique student-centred learningenvironment that combines conventional

and e-learning delivery.FBTA strives to work closely with

industries through research andconsultancy. These are key factors ofcontinuous development to ensurecurriculum offerings meet the industryexpectation for UNITAR’s student body.

UNITAR stresses the importance ofbringing industry experience to theclassroom and taking the classroom to theindustry to further boost students’ exposure.

One of the common misperceptions in thebusiness world is that individuals who workin the information technology (IT) sector donot understand business needs.

IT programmes at UNITAR are beingrevamped to meet the current needs andexpectations of the industry. FBTA isembedding new certifications within

its IT programmes.The first certificate equips students withknowledge in finance, accounting andbusiness. The other certification focuseson business intelligence.

With these certifications, students areequipped with a much higher chance ofemployment and provided a pathway tocareer advancement.

With UNITAR’s holistic innovativeteaching and learning methodology,UNIEC (UNITAR Education Core) LearningManagement System supports allprogrammes in FBTA and UNITAR.

The UNIEC virtual platform, which can beaccessed via the UNIEC Tab or tablet device,brings the classroom to students anytimeand anywhere. This way, they can connectand engage with anyone.

Registration for the April intake of theundergraduate programmes is open fromMarch 17 to April 17 at the main campus inKelana Jaya or any of the eight independentcampuses in Alor Setar, Ipoh, Johor Baru,Kota Baru, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Malaccaand Penang.

Online applications can be done on theuniversity’s website.

n For more information, visitwww.unitar.my.

The UNITAR Education Core virtual platform, which can be accessed via the UNIEC Tab or a tabletdevice, allows students to learn and connect with anyone, anytime and anywhere.


course focus 11


12/16

C’s Class of 2015 Convocation at The Sime Darby Convention Centre.

Fastest andsmartestpathway



BRICKFIELDS Asia College (BAC)has established itself as one ofthe best ways to more than 100UK degrees.

With partnerships andaffiliations with more than 25UK universities and professional

organisations, BAC offers itsstudents access to more than 100world-class degrees andprofessional qualifications thatcan be completed either locallyor abroad.

The Cambridge InternationalExaminations (CIE) A-Levelsis the globally most recognisedpre-university programme.

Students can select from awide range of A-Levels subjectsthat BAC offers, which includesbiology, chemistry, law,economics, accounting, Englishliterature and mathematics,allowing them to progress onto avariety of degree programmessuch as law, business, medicine,

finance, engineering orcommunication, among others.

Students looking forward togetting a head start in theircareers can opt for the BACA-Level Express Route.

This unique programme,coupled with BAC’s UK TransferDegree Programme in law orbusiness, allows students tograduate up to two years aheadof their peers.

The Foundation in ArtsProgramme is a one-yearprogramme designed to providestudents with the level ofacademic literacy, skills andconfidence needed to pursuean undergraduate degree in

the arts, humanities and socialsciences.

Students can opt to pursuetheir LLB (Hons) via theUniversity of LondonInternational Programmes, theonly external law degreerecognised by the LegalProfessional Qualifying Board.This programme allows studentsto complete all three years ofstudy in Malaysia.

BAC also offers the UKTransfer Degree Programme(Law) where students canchoose to complete a 1+2 (oneyear at BAC and two years at apartner university) or 2+1 (twoyears at BAC and one year at a

partner university) programme,depending on their preference.Upon successful completion of

the programme, students will beawarded an LLB (Hons) degreefrom the respective university.

Students graduating with adegree from a partner universitywill be accorded UK-qualifyingstatus, making them eligible forthe Bar Professional TrainingCourse (BPTC).

Individuals intending topractise law with this degree canembark on either the BPTC inthe UK or the Certificate in LegalPractice in Malaysia.

The UKT Degree Programme(Business) offers students a

choice of degrees ranging fromcommon ones such as businessmanagement, accounting andfinance to unconventional onessuch as logistics and supplychain management from morethan 10 prestigious UK partneruniversities.

At BAC, students interested inaccounting can choose from theUKT Degree Programme(Accounting & Finance) offeringdegrees in accounting andfinance from four prestigiousUK partner universities orprofessional qualifications.

These professional accountingqualifications are The CharteredCertified Accountant

qualification by the Associationof Chartered CertifiedAccountants (ACCA) and theManagement Accountantqualification by the CharteredInstitute of ManagementAccountants (CIMA).

Today, the Kuala Lumpurcampus comprises threepremises that are all withinwalking distance of one anotherand equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for teaching andlearning.

The BAC 2 building houses animpressive law library, lecturehalls, computer laboratories, agymnasium, dance studio, mootcourt, cafeteria and the Sky

Garden rooftop café.Since 2013, BAC has investedmore than RM110mil in itsPetaling Jaya campus, whichincludes a comprehensivelibrary and research centre,computer laboratories, mootcourt, the BACteria food court,TWS Café, Rock Academy musicschool and the Monster Fithealth and wellness centre.

These facilities provide anengaging experience for studentslooking to strike a balancebetween studying and leading afun student life.

To cater to outstation students,BAC operates a luxurious butreasonably priced student

residence called The MansionThese high-end condominiumunits come with variousfacilities, including a gymnasiumand barbecue areas and canhouse close to 600 students.

BAC programmes are nowopen for registration.

n For more information,call 03-2274 4165 or visitwww.bac.edu.my.


13/16

Accelerate yourqualifcations“THE accounting and financedegree is one of the more popularprogrammes at Nilai University(Nilai U). The vast majority ofstudents in the programme are

focused on becoming certifiedaccountants.

“This agreement with theAssociation of Chartered CertifiedAccountants (ACCA) is designedto fast-track their ambitions,”explains Assoc Prof Dr Celis Evelita,head of Nilai U’s Department ofAccounting and Finance.

She states that this agreementwill allow students to begin andcomplete their professionalqualifications during their varsityyears.

Previously, students could onlystart on the ACCA programme aftergraduation.

Under the terms of thisagreement, Nilai University’s BA

(Hons) in Accounting and Financestudents will now be able toregister with ACCA before theygraduate.

Nilai U’s BA (Hons) Accountingand Finance Programme is anACCA-accredited programme. Assuch, graduates of this programmeget the full nine paper exemptionsfrom ACCA.

Now, with the ACCA Accelerateprogramme, its students have theoption to complete their remainingfive ACCA papers while studyingfor their degrees.

“Many students are eager to jointhe workforce and not spend anyadditional time studying. Manyhave expressed that completing

their ACCA papers at universityis much easier than studyingpart-time while juggling workcommitments,” says Assoc ProfEvelita.

To sign on behalf of ACCAwas David Chin, head of ACCAMalaysia.

He says, “Undergraduates underthe ACCA Accelerate programmewill be able to graduate with boththeir accounting degree and ACCA

(From left) Nilai U’s Faculty of Business dean Prof Dr Sivakumar Velayutham, Nilai U vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr SothiRachagan, head of ACCA Malaysia David Chin and ACCA’s head of strategic partnerships and learning Hishamuddin Jalil

at the memorandum of understanding signing ceremony between Nilai U and ACCA.

Prof Datuk Dr Sothi Rachagan (left) and David Chin formalising the agreement tooffer the ACCA Accelerate programme to Nilai U’s accounting and finance degreestudents.


course focus 13

qualification certificates in hand.This will make them morecompetitive in the employmentmarket and be highly sought-afterby reputable companies both locallyand globally.”

Students who sign up for the ACCAAccelerate scheme will be entitled to:l Waiver of ACCA’s initial

registration fee worth £79 (RM463)l Free annual subscription fee

worth £170 (RM996.40) for up to twoyears after graduation (inclusive ofgraduation year)l Deferred exemption fee

payment (up to 24 months aftergraduation)

These students can also look

forward to further support fromACCA via informative events,meetings with ACCA members andpromotion of the ACCA qualificationat Nilai U.

Students who successfully registerto study ACCA will automaticallygain access to ACCA’s onlineresources, including the ACCALearning Community that connectsmore than 455,000 ACCA studentsaround the world, offering support

during study and training.Nilai U’s business programmes are

highly popular among school-leaversas it allows students to fast-tracktheir ACCA qualifications.

The Faculty of Business alsooffers the Diploma in Accountingand Finance and Diploma inBusiness Administration.

Apart from the BA (Hons) inAccounting and Finance, studentscan choose to pursue a Bachelor inBusiness Administration (Hons) inthe fields of human resourcemanagement, finance, internationalbusiness, marketing andmanagement.

Nilai U was established in 1997and is located in the picturesque

suburb of Putra Nilai, just 15minutes’ drive from the KualaLumpur International Airport.

All of its programmes areapproved by the Higher EducationMinistry and is rated as SetaraTier 5: Excellent by the MalaysianQualifications Agency.

n For more information,visit www.nilai.edu.myorcall 06-850 2308.


14/16

IUMW students have access to UM’s library and facilities.

Accountancy is a great career path to take but make sure you understandwhat it is about before you start.

Outstanding

academicinnovation



Things to know about accountingMalaysia’s rapidly developing

onomy, qualified andofessional accountants are inh demand and job

portunities will continue toow in the next few years.Before you start your accountinggree, here are a few things youould know.

gorous coursework

Accounting is one of there intense degrees and the

ursework requires quite a lotstudy and preparation. Readingough your textbooks isential. It is not enough to justn them – accounting textbooks not like history textbooks.

You need to understand eachncept from the beginning

cause as the lessons progress,concepts build on each other.

is means that if you do notderstand what is going on infirst chapter, you will be very

nfused by chapter three.

nderstanding why andowAccounting is a technical subject;

concepts are logical and requirereasoning. You must be able tounderstand why things are done

the way they are. If you can tellyourself “I understand why they dothat”, you have successfully learntthe “why” of the concept.

Once you understand why athing is done, knowing how to do itis important. You must be able towork out a problem and applyconcepts yourself. Acquiring theseskills is the main part ofaccounting.

Time managementCreate a study schedule and stick

to it as it will help you keep up

with your studies as well as enjoyyour free time.

It is a good idea to include atleast one club or society in yourschedule. Joining a club dedicatedto accounting students will allowyou to meet your peers outside thelecture hall and take part ininteresting activities that willenhance your accountingknowledge.

INTERNATIONAL University ofMalaya-Wales (IUMW)’s businessand accountancy programmescan be summed up in threewords: variety, innovation andrelevance.

IUMW offers a complete rangeof undergraduate programmesfor business studies. In additionto that, it has under its purviewthe Master of Administrationand Doctor of Philosophy(Business).

The Faculty of Businessand Law at IUMW adoptsan entrepreneurial cultureto develop students’entrepreneurial capacity andinstil innovative mindsets.

This is achieved throughco-curricular opportunities andan integration of entrepreneurialskills into the academiccurriculum.

The programme inspiresgraduates to be innovative andproficient in a foreign language.At the end of the programme,students would have alsoacquired the knowledge, skills,techniques and ethics that arerelevant in today’s business

world.IUMW is a private university

formed through a strategicalliance between the Universityof Malaya (UM) and theUniversity of Wales Trinity SaintDavid.

Drawing on more than 200years of combined academicexperience from two foundingpartners, IUMW offers career-focused undergraduate andpostgraduate programmesdelivered by outstandingacademic talents from acrossthe globe.

“We aim to produce graduatestailored to meet the stringentexpectations of today’s highly

competitive business sectors,”says Assoc Prof Dr Chong AikLee, dean of Faculty of Businessand Law, IUMW.

The IUMW Bachelor ofAccounting (Hons) is a three-year degree programme thatfollows requirements set by theMalaysian Qualifications Agencyand Education Ministry, whichensure the quality and thecurriculum of accounting

programmes are comparablewith the standards of accountingprogrammes at the internationallevel while also constantlymeeting the needs of theindustry.

Students who wish to pursuea bachelor’s degree can opt forthe Bachelor of Accounting(Hons), Bachelor of BusinessAdministration (Hons) inEntrepreneurship, Bachelor ofBusiness Administration (Hons)

in Finance, Bachelor of BusinessAdministration (Hons) in HumanResource, Bachelor of BusinessAdministration (Hons) inInternational Business, Bachelorof Business Administration(Hons) in Islamic Finance,and Bachelor of BusinessAdministration (Hons) inMarketing.

IUMW is known as UM’sprivate university and employsthe best possible teachingprofessionals with industry andteaching experience to providestudents with high-qualityeducation.

The Faculty of Business andAccountancy at IUMW provides

students not only with industry-relevant knowledge and skills,but also personal development,industrial attachments andincreased employability.

IUMW also includes a personaldevelopment and leadershipcamp to equip studentswith necessary soft skills tocomplement the knowledge andskills acquired via their studies.

IUMW’s garden-in-the-citycampus offers an extensiverange of facilities to support thelearning experience, including alibrary, an auditorium, lecturehalls and laboratories. IUMW’sfees are affordable and studentswill have access to UM’s library

and facilities.There are several scholarshipsthat students can apply for.IUMW also assists in applyingfor study loans provided byPTPTN.

The April intake is open forregistration.

n For more information, visitiumw.edu.my or call 03-26173000.


15/16

Launching of newgerontechnology labMALAYSIA is set to becomean ageing population by 2035,when citizens aged 60 and aboveconstitute 15% of the totalpopulation.

According to figures by theNational Population and FamilyDevelopment Board at theDepartment of Statistics, as of2014, there were 2.7 million seniorcitizens in Malaysia, whichconstituted 8.9% of the totalpopulation of 30.4 million.

In light of this, MonashUniversity Malaysia launchedits Gerontechnology Lab onFeb 18 to serve as a platformfor ongoing research in thearea of gerontechnology – aninterdisciplinary field of scientificresearch focused on developingtechnology for the elderly.

The Gerontechnology Lab is acollaborative effort between the

schools of business, informationtechnology, health sciences,medicine, arts, social sciences andengineering.

“Internationally, Malaysia is stilla relatively young population butageing is a growing policy issue.

“As a university, we can helpaddress some of the futurechallenges of an ageing population,which will relate to the kind ofhousing, support and services thatcan be created to ensure olderpeople have good quality of life,”said Prof Helen Bartlett, provice-chancellor and president ofMonash Malaysia, during thelaunch.

Prof Bartlett said that the

Gerontechnology Lab allows formore immediate application ofresearch as it provides a livesetting for different technologiesand services to be carried out onelderly participants.

“Ultimately, the researchgenerated can have a direct impactby informing public policy-makingand product development relatedto older people,” she said.

The Gerontechnology Lab also

Prof Helen Bartlett (second from left) and Cheng Ping Keat (third from left) officiating the launch of the MonashGerontechnology Lab.


course focus 15

addresses the problem of limitedaccess to elderly participants whenconducting gerontechnologyresearch, said Dr Teh Pei Lee,associate professor at Monash

University Malaysia’s School ofBusiness and lead researcher atthe Gerontechnology Lab.

“We tried going into nursinghomes to conduct research butaccess is difficult. Some older peoplehave a negative perception aboutgoing to a nursing home. Theywould rather go to a university.

“Within the laboratory, we willorganise seminars and activities forthe elderly as well as ask them toparticipate in our research. Thisprovides a win-win situation,” saidDr Teh.

The laboratory consists of theLiving Hall Station, Kitchen Station,Cognitive Station and Health Station.

Construction of the laboratory cost

RM50,000 and was funded by KhindStarfish Foundation, the corporatesocial responsibility (CSR) arm ofKhind Holdings Bhd.

“It is great to have the opportunityto work with Monash to set up thislaboratory and to come up withsomething useful for the country, not just for research purposes but as aresource centre for the public tobetter understand gerontechnology,”said Cheng Ping Keat, group chiefexecutive officer of Khind Holdingsand chairman of Khind StarfishFoundation.

Cheng said companies shouldengage in CSR not just forphilanthropy’s sake, but becauseit is the way forward in doing

business and remaining relevantto the community.Ongoing research projects in the

laboratory include the developmentof a gerontological interfacesmartphone home system andemotionally intelligent robots for theelderly.

The research projects are jointlyfunded by Monash UniversityMalaysia and the Ministry ofScience, Technology and Innovation,

which provided a RM157,600 grant.Monash University Malaysia is

collaborating with other universitiesfrom Malaysia, Hong Kong, China,Taiwan and the United States on

research projects such as a wearablehuman exoskeleton, SmartWalk3D-printed shoe and the healthcare-enabled Beat Stick walking stick.

Moving forward, capacitybuilding is on the cards for theGerontechnology Lab, sharedProf Bartlett.

“The plan is to enlargecollaborations with otherresearchers from other disciplinesand universities as well as buildlinks and partnerships withhealthcare providers, governmentsand developers so that what we dohere can quickly blossom and havemore impact,” she said.

Besides the elderly community,Monash University Malaysia

students also stand to benefit fromthe Gerontechnology Lab.“Members of the younger

generation do not really think aboutageing. I’ve asked some studentsabout their grandparents and manyleave the caring aspect to theirdomestic helpers.

“Students who visit the laboratorywhen projects are ongoing areinspired to think more about theageing process. It’s important toinstil that experience in them,” saidDr Teh.

Prof Bartlett concurred, saying, “Itwill challenge students’ attitudetowards ageing. There is a lot ofprejudice, misunderstanding andnegativity surrounding ageing in

society.“By working in the laboratory,students can better understand theageing process, its challenges andhow the community can assist theelderly. Hopefully, they will developa more positive perspective andhigher tolerance for working witholder people.”

n For more information, visitwww.monash.edu.my.


16/16

By practising together, your friends can help provide feedback on subjectivepapers such as writing.

Solid foundation in business



Ace your English tests

E most sought-after careerhs considered by school-leavershin tertiary education are

ually within the field ofsiness.Whether one aspires to be anrepreneur, manager whokes critical decisions, financierbusiness strategist, a businessgree will open up a wide rangecareer choices to meet thedividual interest of students.Skills such as management,ministration, finance,ounting and marketing can be

ed to meet various industrymands, regardless of its size ortor.

A business degree will giveduates and emerging

ofessionals a solid foundationd the training needed to helpm excel in the competitivesiness world.Fully accredited by thelaysian Qualifications AgencyQA), First City University Collegerst City UC)’s Faculty of Arts andcial Sciences offers programmest are relevant to the needs ofindustry that will enhance theployability of its graduates.

At First City UC, students canpect an affordable educationivered by a highly qualifiedm of dedicated lecturers who equipped with a range of

teaching and commercial industryexperience.

The programmes, which offerconceptual and skill-basedlearning, are also complementedwith the availability of state-of-the-art facilities such as computerlaboratories, a library withe-library facilities and electronic

databases that provide excellentsupport to students in accessingacademic information throughouttheir studies.

Students also stand to gain moreknowledge via lectures deliveredby visiting professors and guestspeakers from the industry, whichcan help broaden the scope of their

subject knowledge and enlightenstudents on how the businessworld works.

There will also be field trips,research and consultancy projectsorganised to extend students’learning experience beyond theconfines of the classroom.

Apart from the specific subject

areas within the programmes,there is the inculcation of softskills, which will prepare graduatesin meeting industry demands byhaving not only appropriatequalifications, but also requisiteskills in working with people inany type of organisation.

Skills such as communication,problem-solving, teamwork andcollaboration can be developedand enhanced, in line with theuniversity college’s goal ofproducing excellent and well-rounded graduates.

The March intake is in progressfor the following programmes:l Certificate in Business

Administrationl Foundation in Business

Administrationl Diploma in Business

Administrationl Diploma in Hospitality and

Tourism Managementl Diploma in Mass

Communication

First City UC will be hosting itsMarch Open Day, held on everyweekend of the month from10am to 6pm.

n For more information,call 03-7727 3200 or [email protected] orvisit www.firstcity.edu.my.

Students gain important knowledge and skills that prepare them for the competitive business world at First CityUniversity College.

TERNATIONALLY accreditedglish tests are often requiredinternational universities.less you are taking a courset incorporates an English

mponent that meets thequirements of your targetiversity, you may be required toe an English test and achieve atain score before beingepted into a particulartitution.

Two of the most common

ernational English tests to take the International English

nguage Testing System (IELTS)d the Test of English as a Foreignnguage (TOEFL).English tests are used toaluate how well you use andmbine your listening, reading,eaking and writing skills inrforming either academic tasksdaily tasks.However, taking IELTS or TOEFLnot as simple as walking into anamination hall armed with justn and paper. They should beated as academic Englishpers, which students arepected to study and prepare for.Here are some tips for acing

ur English examination.

nderstand your test

t is important to know theucture of your English test andassessments. You can get moreormation about tests onbsites or through the respective

amination centre. For example,ormation on IELTS can be found

on TOEFL can be found onwww.ets.org/toefl.

The test is usually segregatedinto different sections – listening,reading, writing and speaking.Each section contains its own set ofassessment criteria, which youshould be familiar with to ensurethat you meet the requirementsthat examiners are looking for.

Knowing the structure andcriteria of each section will alsoallow you to prepare for your test

better, which is important if youwant to maximise your chances ofscoring well and working withinthe allocated time comfortably.

Prepare for your test

There are a number ofways to prepare for an Englishexamination. You can buyrelevant exercise books forthe English test or downloadsample test questions fromthe official websites.

Some books guide you towardsachieving a specific score, soensure that you are getting theones that suit your requirements.

Get started on sample questions

and refer to the answers providedto ensure that you are right ontrack. A tip is to practise answeringyour sample questions within thetime limit so that you can gaugehow fast you need to pace yourselfin the actual examination.

Knowing what to expect willtake away any unnecessarypressure felt during the actualexamination that may cloud your

not finish your tasks on time.Alternatively, you can join a

centre that specialises in preparingstudents for English tests, eitherthrough classes or workshops.

Working with a teacher mayhelp improve your prospectsof scoring a higher grade inthe examination, so it may beworthwhile to consider the optionif it suits your needs.

Seek help from people

We often do not see our ownmistakes. If you have a mentor,teacher or parent with a goodcommand of English, it would bewise to seek advice from them foryour test. For example, they canspot grammar mistakes that youhave missed or offer suggestionson how to improve your sentences.

It is particularly useful topractise your speaking componentwith someone else, as a simulatedperformance may changecompletely with the presence ofanother individual.

This comes in handy ininstances where you are requiredto answer prompt questions for

oral examinations.Sample questions are usuallylisted in any practice speakingexamination, enabling you to getsomeone to help you practise.

In subjective papers such aswriting, having someone else markyour paper may be useful as theycan provide feedback on mistakesthat you may not realise you havemade

any anxiety or pressure you mayfeel during your English test.

Get enough rest beforeyour test

Instead of burning the midnightoil, aim to get at least seven hoursof sleep before your English test.This will keep you from feelinganxious or nervous on the day ofyour examination as well as allowyour brain to register all that youhave prepared for.

Try to arrive early before the test

to settle down and sort out anyadministration that needs to bedone. Keep yourself hydrated bydrinking plenty of water andmaintain a calm mind to avoidmaking mistakes.

Ultimately, it is yourperformance on the day thatcounts. With good preparation anda healthy mind, you will stand ahigher chance of scoring your

are trying to achieve a level ofEnglish higher than your currentlevel.

Be systemised and staycalm

Although the topics in eachsection may differ from test to test,the overall test structure will not.Therefore, it would be wise tostrategise your approach toanswering each section.

For example, the IELTS’ writingtask is split into two sections. Be

strategic and know which task youwish to complete first as well asyour approach to the task.

Some may choose to startwriting immediately, while othersmay take a few minutes to plantheir essay.

The strategy will depend on theindividual’s skills and aim in thetest.

Being prepared and systematic

Documents

Course Focus - 15 March 2016