MMU remains top private university in Malaysia

CYBERJAYA: Multimedia University (MMU) is still the top private university in Malaysia, according to the QS Asian University Rankings 2012.

The annual ranking, which is conducted by QS Quacquarelli Symonds Ltd., currently places MMU in its 191-200 band, suggesting a tie.

The ordering of the ranking seems to indicate that MMU is currently ranked 194 in all of Asia.

This rank is an improvement over last year's standing, where MMU ranked 201+. MMU's current ranking places it as the seventh-best overall university in Malaysia.

Malaysian universities in the list were University Malaya (no. 35 in Asia), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (58), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (74), Universiti Putra Malaysia (76), International Islamic University Malaysia (151-160), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (161-170), Multimedia University (191-200 / 194), Universiti Teknologi Petronas (201-250), Universiti Teknologi Mara (201-250), Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (251-300), Lim Kok Wing University (251-300), Universiti Tenaga Nasional(251-300), Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (251-300) and Universiti Utara Malaysia (251-300).

President of MMU, Professor Dato' Dr. Muhamad Rasat Muhamad, was very happy with the news.

"We are happy not just with the ranking, but also with the improvement of our ranking," he said.

"We are constantly trying to find how we should distribute our modest resources so that we could not only successfully teach our students, but at the same time grow as a full-fledged university."

"This ranking tells us that we are on the right track. It is really gratifying. We are motivated more than ever to keep improving MMU," he added.

His enthusiasm is shared by Professor Tou Teck Yong, MMU's Vice-President (R&D).

"This ranking will certainly impel us to do better," he said.

"We know we can achieve a better rank than this. We have looked at the judging criteria used by QS Quacquarelli, and their data state that we produce more papers per faculty than other Malaysian universities, we are the best Malaysian university for international students, and our academic reputation is also relatively high."

Prof. Tou added, "Now that we have identified our areas of strength, we can develop the other areas and achieve better standing. This will greatly benefit not only the university, but also our students."

MMU Multimedia University (MMU) is Malaysia's first private university. This tertiary education institution was set up through Universiti Telekom Sdn Bhd (UTSB), a wholly owned subsidiary of TM.

As the first private university in Malaysia, MMU developed the pioneer model for the successful establishment of private universities in the nation, paving the way for the growth of the private tertiary education sector.

Set up 16 years ago, it now has 20,000 students.

MMU offering Hollywood-style film making course

JOHOR BARU: Movies with Hollywood-style content that's where the local film industry could be headed for.

This has been made possible with a collaboration between Multimedia University (MMU) and the University of Southern California (USC) to offer a Bachelor of Cinematic Arts course, said to be the first in Malaysia.

“Ours is different from other film-related courses available locally as we focus on a wide range of subjects involving activities in the film making industry,” said MMU chairman Datuk Dr Halim Shafie.

He said the syllabus offered in the programme include cinematography, screen writing, directing, post production and television writing as well as script-to-screen approach.

Halim said the university decided to work with USC as it was recognised worldwide for its prestigious film programmes and studies that produced Hollywood personalities.

Among them are Ugly Betty's America Ferrera, Kelly Preston, who starred alongside Tom Cruise in Jerry McGuire and movie legend John Wayne.

Halim said the programme would start at the university's Cyberjaya campus from June 2012 before moving to its new campus in Educity@Nusajaya near here upon completion in 2014.

UTeM team wins awards at invention show

MALACCA: University Technical Malaysia (UTeM) did the country proud when it brought home several gold medals from the British Invention Show 2008 (BIS) in Hertfordshire, Britain, recently.

Several teams representing the university won one double-gold, three gold and one silver medal in the international competition from Oct 15 to 18.

Among the winners were the university’s Electrical Engineering Faculty which came out tops for its computerised wireless helicopter control system.

“The win was a surprise for us, and we were the last to be announced. I had packed up and was getting ready to leave,” said Alias Khamis, who represented his team.

The team’s research project required it to design and implement a PC-based remote control system for a model helicopter capable of aerial surveillance across 60m to 4km, depending on the size of the helicopter.

The helicopter’s control was designed with Visual Basic software and using a Graphic User Interface linked to a wireless camera attached to the helicopter’s body.

“I was happy and immediately called my team mates in Malaysia to tell them the good news.

“Being at the show was great but winning the competition was a bonus,” he added.

Alias, a 29-year-old lecturer who holds a Masters Degree in electrical engineering, said he gained invaluable experience at the show and made friends who shared the same interest.

He said he and his team mates initiated the project from scratch about a year ago.

“It was good exposure and a learning experience for us in technical know-how and conceptual proficiency. We took on a trial-and-error approach before we succeeded,” he added.

Present at victory celebrations at the university in Ayer Keroh were his team mates Hyreil Anuar Kasdirin, Muhammad Herman Jamaluddin, Ahmad Zaki Shukor, Hairul Mizam Mohd Shah and Norsarizan Mat Youb.

He said the win proved that humans and machines could interact with the use of computers from a distance.

“Our application can be used for safety and monitoring or research on other intelligent-control and embedded-control systems,” he said, adding that the team was looking at integrating its design with a global positioning system.

UTeM hoping for more research grants

MALACCA: Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Ahmad Yusoff Hassan hopes that more research grants would be allocated under the 2012 Budget.

He said the funds are needed to ensure continued research and advances in science and technology.

“We must strive harder as competition for reserach grants is stiff,” he said at UTeM Quality Day 2011 and excellent service award presentation ceremony in Durian Tunggal here.

Ahmad Yusoff said he is proud with the average 82.59% score achieved by UTeM straff and the 41 awards won last year.

The university has 7,500 students and 750 staff and won 18 awards so far including five foreign honours at a design and invention exhibition in Geneva, Switzerland.

He said UTeM will try to secure more research grants and also financial assistance to build a Faculty of Mechanical Engineering.

UTeM, added Ahmad Yusoff, would also introduce new Bachelor’s degree programmes in electrical, electronic, mechanical and manufacturing engineering for its intake in September. –Bernama.

Creativity blooms at Limkokwing University College of Creative Technology

THE EYE-CATCHING and colourful appearance of Limkokwing University College of Creative Technology should be enough to convince anyone that this is an educational institution with a difference. Walking into the sprawling Cyberjaya campus, one is hard-pressed to decide where to look first. The ultra-modern architecture, the beautiful art sculptures, the chic open-air café; it is almost like being in a first-rate shopping complex rather than a campus.

“We are not just another school; Limkokwing is quite an amazing place,” says its president Tan Sri Lim Kok Wing.

“We want students to be happy when they come here; their surroundings should inspire their creativity. That’s why we make the campus beautiful and comfortable,” he adds.

Contributing to the comfort and ambience are little touches and facilities such as a cosy student lounge, a state-of-the-art gymnasium, a boutique featuring Limkokwing’s own clothing range and a creativity library.

With such an emphasis on creating a happy atmosphere, it is little wonder that many students choose to stay on at the university college, even after they have completed their studies.

Lim says that there is plenty of industry on the campus itself, with current and former students running the entire marketing department.

Limkokwing marketing services manager Shenjeet Kaur Gill is one such student. She started off as part of the student ambassador programme which allowed her to play active roles in roadshows and public relation campaigns while still studying.

With a student body comprising over 50 nationalities, Limkokwing offers students a rich melting pot of diverse cultural experiences and numerous opportunities for international networking.

She loved her experiences so much that upon graduation, she decided to continue her career in the university college.

“I have lots of good memories of this place, and I’m already familiar with the culture here. Plus, I really love the atmosphere,” says Shenjeet, who handles university and industrial placements for students.

Similarly, marketing services manager Saji Nair says she decided to work at Limkokwing because she truly believes in the institution.

“I had so much fun during my days as a student here, especially in the Ambassadors programme. So when it was time to work, I chose Limkokwing because I wanted to sell a product that I had faith in,” she says.

As the pioneer of the industry-within-university concept which is embodied by the presence of the Malaysian Design and Innovation Centre (MDI), Limkokwing offers opportunities for students to work with industry while still studying. This exposes them to renowned brands and clients and increases their employability.

The experience of working with names such as Nokia, Samsung, Nestle and Bonia as well as with the various ministries also helps students gain the professionalism and experience necessary to succeed in the working world.

Mass communications student Rosheen Fatima Abdul Mutalip from Penang says she enjoys her course and retains what she learns much better due to the industry-based syllabus.

“The programme here has a definite emphasis on practical training, which helps me to grasp concepts better. I’ve also learnt how to integrate into a professional environment as Limkokwing places a lot of importance on meeting deadlines,” she says.

Whether they end up contributing to Limkokwing’s own development or moving on to other fields, it is obvious that the students are moulded to be unique and outstanding. Lim emphasises that students are encouraged to develop their own personalities and be happy with themselves.

He defines a Limkokwing student as someone who is technology-savvy, smart and very well presented.

“By well presented, I don’t mean just someone with good looks. He or she should also have poise, charm and confidence. Our students are taught to project themselves in the best light.

“We want to make sure our students leave with both style and substance,” he continues. “Not stylish in an artificial way but in the real sense. When a potential employer sees a confident and ‘sparkling’ candidate who stands out from the rest, it is a no-brainer whom he will hire!”

Limkokwing’s emphasis on inculcating elements of creativity into all its programmes ensures that it produces graduates who are both versatile and progressive.

Lim also says creativity is not something that is confined to design and art students.

“Creativity is purely a thought process, and we try to expose students to this mode of thinking. There is not a thing in the world that is not driven by creativity. Even if students are not pursuing design courses, there are so many stimuli around campus that they are influenced to use their imagination,” says Lim.

LIM: ‘All our students are trained to be great team players, good colleagues and supportive family members.’

He adds that creative thinking can be applied to everything.

“A business student, for example, can be creative about a presentation. This will set him or her apart and give that extra edge.”

At Limkokwing, students are also exposed to a great deal of diversity as the student body comprises over 50 nationalities. The varied culture and background of the students help students to expand their horizons.

“The students are encouraged to mingle and share ideas, which really allows local and international students to learn from each other,” he says.

Business information systems student Theo Darryl Masenya of Botswana agrees.

“We work with different types of people and learn to function well as team players. The business-oriented industrial training also gives us a taste of the working world and make us independent workers. No need to babysit us,” he says.

Besides providing a strong foundation and grounding in academics, Limkokwing also tries to provide students with the right environment for personality development and the acquisition of soft skills.

“All our students are trained to be great team players, good colleagues and supportive family members,” says Lim.

Limkokwing is a contributor to the Star Education Fund.

Limkokwing spreading its wings globally

Limkokwing University, with its distinctive logo of white letters against a black background, comes to mind when one talks about creativity and design education.

Limkokwing the brand is not only famous in the education industry but also a big name in the world of advertising and communications.

Limkokwing the man is Tan Sri Lim Kok Wing, the founder and president of Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, the official name of the institution.

“Yes, I use my name for the institute. You will ask why,” he tells this reporter.

The journey to the creation of Limkokwing University started in 1990 when Lim established an unconventional college with focus on developing the creative thinking of its students.

Tan Sri Lim Kok Wing says the university is looking to open a campus in the United States

Lim recalls that several “generic type” names were tested for his college but the research company he hired also suggested for Lim to test his name.

“When the results came back, the research company said, Why don’t you use your name because people already know you?. And that’s how we got started,” he tells StarBizWeek.

As for the black and white corporate colours, he says: “I noticed many friends who are writers or artists like to wear either black or white. If you pay attention to it, you will see that too.”

In 1992, Limkokwing Institute of Creative Technology took in its pioneer batch of 200 students and the number of intakes grew from year to year.

Between 2001 and 2003, Limkokwing Institute received several industry excellence awards from entities such as the International Trade and Industry Ministry and the Education Ministry. In early 2003, it was granted university college status and a year later, launched its campus in Cyberjaya.

Today, at its Cyberjaya campus, Limkokwing University has 9,000 students, of whom 65% are foreigners from 135 countries. “We are not huge but we are the most globalised university in the country,” Lim notes.

Lately, if you glance through the advertisements in the newspapers or drive on highways in the Klang Valley, you may notice huge advertisements on Limkokwing London.

Yes, Limkokwing University has spread its wings overseas to other parts of Asia, Africa and Europe.

Lim says it was his intention to train more talented people for the design and advertising industry when he first set up Limkokwing Institute.

This was because he found there were very few capable people in the sector when he was appointed president of the Association of Accredited Advertising Agents Malaysia (4As) many years ago.

“When I was the 4As president, I started training people for the industry. And I said to myself, When I have the time, I will set up a training centre. When I started it, it was only for Malaysians,” he says.

After opening the Cyberjaya campus, Lim went on to bring Malaysian education overseas, setting up the country’s first full-fledged offshore university in May 2007 in Goborone, the capital of Botswana, in Africa.

In October 2007, Limkokwing University opened a campus in London. Last year, it set up two more campuses in Botswana and another in Lesotho, Africa.

In Asia, it has a campus each in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and Bali, Indonesia, and a strategic partnership with two China’s elite institutions – Tsinghua University and Peking University – in Beijing.

With the opening of more overseas campuses, Limkokwong University recently introduced the concept of Global Classroom where students can transfer to as many countries as they want so that they can experience the cultures of different campuses.

“We will create more universities on our own and establish more partnerships worldwide,” Lim says.

He plans to open another campus in Indonesia and more campuses in Africa, and has started to explore the United States.

Globally, Limkokwing University now has 25,000 students from 144 countries.

“I hope that within 10 years, we will reach one million students. You can’t have one million on campus but you can have one million students if you have a lot of them doing online courses,” he adds.

Limkokwing University has faculties in multimedia creativity, design innovation, architecture and the built environment, communications, media and broadcasting, business management and globalisation, information and communications technology, as well as sound and music design.

It plans to launch new programmes, including online and mobile, within two years.

“Now, we are designing mobile content programmes, video production on mobile and so on. We are preparing our students to migrate from computer to mobile phone,” Lim says, adding that in the future, all one needs is a mobile phone to do business anywhere in the world.

You will not even need a laptop, he reckons. “So, we are preparing for that day,” he says.

Limkokwing University has four intakes per year with an average of 500 students per intake.

“We have been growing steadily. This year, we will still grow despite the current (tough) economic situation.

“The downturn has not affected us so far. But if the global recession prolongs, it will affect student intake. They will stay home,” he says.

Only three colleges attain 6-star rating

PUTRAJAYA: Only three (1.4 percent) of 120 active private colleges in the country attain the six-star rating while 72 (34.3 percent) are below satisfactory.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the three colleges are Penang Medical College, Segi College Subang Jaya and Taylor's College Subang Jaya.

He said 20 colleges (9.5 percent) attained five-star rating, 60 (28.6 percent) four-star, and the remaining were three-star and below.

The colleges were urged to improve on quality and performance to remain competitive and a choice of local and foreign students.

"If they continue to remain below three stars, the market will eventually determine their fate. I don't like to say the government will do this and that but the market will discipline them," he told reporters after announcing the results of MyQuest assessment 2010/2011.

He suggested that non-competitive colleges merge and implement Capacity Building Programmes to improve competitiveness and achievement.

Some 403 private institutions of higher learning participated in the rating but only 310 colleges completed the web-based instruments. BERNAMA

Unisel students don’t have a place to stay

KUALA SELANGOR: About 1,000 students of Universiti Selangor (Unisel) who registered Tuesday are facing accommodation problems since the management of the residential college refused them accommodation at its hostel.

Unisel Student Representative Council (MPP) president Mohd Jeffri Abu Hassan said the council was not informed of the matter officially and were only informed verbally.

"The matter was not announced, what we know is that the hostels were not opened because the workers did not come to work as they have not been paid salary. Their head was also on leave since Friday without leaving any notice on the matter," he told reporters, here.

He said students who could not enter the residential college comprised semester two to final year students.

"First year and new students had received their keys and can stay at their respective hostel because they had registered early, namely, a week ago when the office for hostel operations was still open," he said.

He said, to tackle the problem, MPP with the cooperation of the Student Affairs Welfare Body, had provided temporary hostels to help affected students.

In a newspaper report, Selangor Barisan Nasional deputy chief Datuk Seri Noh Omar claimed Unisel owed Syarikat Jana Niaga Sdn Bhd (JNSB)RM15mil.

JNSB was responsible for developing and managing student accommodation on the university's main campus in Bestari Jaya, Kuala Selangor.

The debt included arrears in payments involving maintenance cost at the main campus and the operations of the hostels in the university, which belonged to the Selangor state government.

Accommodation problems aside, the students also had to shoulder financial burden when Unisel had allegedly made excess deductions from their National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loans. - Bernama

UTM to use security codes on certificates

JOHOR BARU: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) will use security codes on its certificates due to the increasing number of people using fake certificates to get jobs.

"The security features are similar to the ones use by the United States security agencies.

"Employers only need to scan the certificates to find out if the certificates are from UTM," UTM building design senior lecturer Dr Muhammad Zaly Shah said.

UTM is the first university in the country to implement the initiative.

University applicants can know results from Tuesday

PETALING JAYA: Applicants who appealed for admission into the programmes for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia leavers or equivalent at public institutions of higher learning for the 2011/12 academic session can check their status from noon Tuesday.

In a statement on Monday, the Higher Education Ministry said it had set up 10 hotlines for this purpose and applicants could call 03-8883 5858 to check.

Applicants can also check at the ministry's Students Admission Division (UPU) website at http://upu.mohe.gov.my or other sites at http://www.ipt.utm.my or http://www.ipt.uum.edu.my.

Alternatively, applicants can obtain their application status via SMS by typing UPU RESULT [Identity card number] and sending the SMS to 15888.

Candidates may print their offer letters by browsing the admissions page of their respective university websites from Wednesday.

Those who do not receive offer from any IPTA by July 3 would have failed in their appeal.

Applicants can also make enquiries at 03-8883 5848. The ministry's general line is 03-8883 5801/02.

PTPTN loans to cover students from families with RM4,000 income

KUALA LUMPUR: Institutions of higher learning (IPT) students from families with net income of less than RM4,000 a month will be entitled to full loan to cover fees and subsistence from the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) from July.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said previously, only students from families with net income of less than RM3,000 were eligible for full loan.

“Before this, students from families with net income between RM3,000 and RM5,000 were entitled to loan covering fees and partial living expanses while those with net income of RM5,000 and above were eligible to loan to pay up only their fees.

“The move will enable more IPT students to be eligible for full loans based on the criteria set such as taking accredited courses,” he told reporters after opening the IPT Entrepreneurship Development Direction Seminar here on Thursday.

On the IPT entrepreneurship development, he said each public institution of higher learning (IPTA) was allocated RM150,000 to set up an entrepreneurship centre and RM100,000 for the inculcation of entrepreneurial culture.

“The entrepreneurship centre is a very significant entity that will plan, coordinate, monitor and evaluate all entrepreneurial development programmes and act as a contact point in the IPT entrepreneurship development affairs,” he said.

Mohamed Khaled said all institutions of higher learning, including private IPTs must set up their own entrepreneurship centre and to date only three universities - Universiti Malaya, Universiti Utara Malaysia and Universiti Teknologi Mara - had such centres.

“The country need many entrepreneurs to make the New Economic Model and the 10th Malaysia Plan a success and the role of the IPT is significant.

“If the IPT could provide succinct business training and exposure to students, who have the entrepreneurship potential, they will have the prospect of becoming promising entrepreneurs after they graduate,” he said.-Bernama

Green agents in the making at UTM

JOHOR BARU: The Green Agent Summit (GAS) by STEP (Save the Environment People) of AIESEC UTM is back again at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) here from Aug 23 to 25.

Green Agent Summit is an annual conference for youths aged 15 to 19, who are serious about making a difference to the world they live in. 

The mission of the conference is to effectively raise environmental awareness among youths and developing leadership potential at the same time.

The objective of GAS is to motivate youth to play an active role in saving the environment in a fun and exciting way.

Throughout the three-day conference, delegates will get to challenge their limits through many intriguing activities lined up in the agenda.

One of them is the Go Green Explorace where the participants would be able to explore the green beauty of nature in the second largest university in Malaysia and stand a chance to win many attractive prizes.

They will also be bringing home a cross cultural experience by attending Global Village where they'll get the wonderful opportunity to "travel" around the world in one day.

Our green agents will gain international exposure as our facilitators are flown in from around the globe such as Germany, Japan and Switzerland. With project partners like Tanah Sutera Sdn Bhd and Kulim Malaysia, the urgent message to save our ailing planet is conveyed more effectively and professionally to youths.

AIESEC is an international youth-run organisation which provides a platform for young people to discover and develop their leadership potential.

Existing in 110 countries with more than 600,000 members, AIESEC has brought positive impact to many youths around the globe through conferences and exchange programs offered.

AIESEC strives to produce great young leaders who want to be the change they want to see.

Registration for the Green Agent Summit is open till Aug 10. For details, call Lee Poh Yong at  012-607 4950 or email him at pohyong.lee@aiesec.net.

Read more: Green agents in the making at UTM - Johor - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/johor/green-agents-in-the-making-at-utm-1.112197#ixzz21n4aj8JJ

@newstraitstimes

'No need to open up UiTM to other races'

PETALING JAYA: Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) is the last bastion for Malay and bumiputra students to further their studies and there is no need to open it up to other races, the Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association (PPIM) said.
In a response to the proposal by Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim for UiTM to open up 10% of its intake to other races, PPIM said the move would be seen as challenging the special rights of the Malays.
PPIM project director Noor Nirwandy Mat Noordin said the government and its leaders had to be tougher in defending such issues because although the country was multiracial, there was "no need to sideline Malay special rights."
"If something like this is allowed to happen, then there will be a worrying situation where many Malay institutions will crumble and be 'Malaysia-nised'.
"It is hoped that the exclusiveness of UiTM is not undermined by anyone and it be allowed to continue as an institution that will strengthen the Malays," he said in a statement.
Noor Nirwandy said that UiTM has not only produced many excellent scholars but has also had many graduates who were able to compete with other races in the job market.
He added that the reason given by Khalid, which was to create more competition amongst students, was unnecessary because university students already competed amongst each other.

@thestaronline

Menang Corp bags RM260mil UiTM Shah Alam project

MENANG Corp (M) Bhd will receive nearly RM50 million annually over 20 years after building a Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) satellite campus in Puncak Alam, Selangor.

The company stands to get RM39.8 million a year from leasing the site for 20 years, and another RM8.86 million a year to maintain the campus over the same period of time.

This is on top of a RM260 million contract Menang has secured to build the campus from the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE).

The contract was secured through its 51 per cent unit Rumpun Positif Sdn Bhd, Menang said in a statement to Bursa Malaysia yesterday.

Rumpun Positif signed a concession agreement with MoHE and UiTM to undertake the project based on "Build-Lease-Maintain-Transfer".

It will take about three years to build the campus.

"Upon completion, the campus will be leased to the government/UiTM for 20 years and during the period, Rumpun Positif will also be maintaining the facilities, infrastructure of the campus.

"The concession period of the project is therefore 23 years, inclusive of the three years of construction period," it said.

The campus is located within the existing UiTM Puncak Alam branch campus.

It will cater for two faculties - the Faculty of Architecture, Planning and Surveying and the Faculty of Arts and Design with a total capacity of 3,000 students.

"The total construction cost of the campus is about RM260 million," Menang said.

"The project will have a significant effect on the company after the completion as there will be two major streams of stable cash flow for the next 20 years to cater for our continuing working capital needs as well as providing resources and time for the group to engage in strategic big ticket items," it added.

-- BUSINESS TIMES

We really need no cutting edge technology to touch lives

I HAVE a young friend working in the heart of Africa. The stories and pictures she sends back, when there is an Internet connection, are simply amazing.
In the remote village where she works to raise the mother tongue literacy level of the refugees living nearby, there is hardly any power-generated lighting. Whatever is available has to be carefully rationed.
At night, she is blanketed by a sky full of stars. And when the moon is full, it is almost possible to read by moonlight.
I have known this friend for a long time and seen how her passion for life, and her quest for knowledge, has taken her to both the United States and Australia to gain degrees up to postgraduate level. Coming from a middle-class home in Petaling Jaya, with a fine attitude to complement her accomplished CV, she can easily fit into any job.
But she has chosen to take the road less travelled. And it is on such a road that she knows how to be thankful for the many things that we often take for granted.
Recently, she and her team came upon a solar-powered oven. No, not the type run by solar cells but basically a wooden box with black painted metal inside and a sheet of glass to keep the heat in, and an open lid with zinc that directs the sun’s rays into the box.
It cooks rice, sauce, pasta, and bread. Quite amazing, she tells me in a recent email.
For rice or bread, for example, you just prepare everything and put the pot inside, cover it with a black sheet, and two to three hours later, hey presto, it’s done.
“Even if we use the solar oven just for rice and bread, it could save us a lot of gas. I’m just amazed that putting something in a box in the sun can cook it!” she writes.
We can actually do this here as well, since there is no shortage of sunshine, but considering that we have a choice of either a gas, electric or microwave oven, I doubt if anyone wants to go back to such basics.
Growing up in Jelutong, Penang, we baked Chinese New Year cookies with something very basic as well. A giant pan is placed over a fire, and a zinc plate is placed over it, and then charcoal is added onto the zinc, thus creating an instant oven.
When we went fishing, we made our own nets. Even the weights we used, we melted the lead ourselves.
We used to also make our own toys, cupboards and shelves with the waste wood that my uncle took back from the lumberyard.
Perhaps it is a reflection of my growing-up years that I still like to buy stuff from Ikea as I can still do some of the assembly myself. But putting together pre-cut parts is not quite the same as starting from scratch.
But when you consider the number of high-tech conveniences at our disposal, gadgets that are so smart or easy to operate, you might think that we now should have more time on our hands. But is that so?
It would appear that the very gadgets that are meant to simplify our lives end up complicating them. For instance, never in the history of mankind have people been so connected – smartphones and tablets make us reachable 24/7. But whether better connectivity has translated into better communication is something else all together.
Perhaps what is needed is to occasionally silence all those beeping and flashing devices that incessantly demand our attention, and pause to reflect on whether we are on course in our life’s journey.
I suspect that those who are deeply convinced of being on course are very likely to be people who have disentangled themselves from modern trappings, and found the simple joys in life.
Which is why I am most impressed with what my dear friend is doing in Africa with her nifty solar oven, and indeed, with her life. Not only her, but also many here in our country are quietly doing work in their communities, giving free tuition to the poor, feeding the homeless, helping the marginalized, building bridges with neighbours irrespective of race, religion or creed.
No cutting edge technology is required to reach out and touch lives.


SOO EWE JIN @thestaronline

Safer Technology in schools

IT IS important that we implement safe school policies and practices, in order to safeguard the health and development of children and help boost their interest in learning.
More scientists and medical doctors, many of whom work on the biological effects of wireless technologies, have voiced their concerns about the safety of wireless devices for schools.
The Austrian Medical Association, for example, recommended WiFi-free school environments.
Based on a report - Safe Schools - published in June, Dr Gerd Oberfeld, from the association, said WiFi environments would lead to high microwave exposure for students and teachers.
He added that it could also increase the burden of oxidative stress which in turn could slow down the energy production especially in brain cells. This could lead to concentration difficulties and memory problems in certain individuals.
Dr Igor Belyaev, the head research scientist, Cancer Research Institute, Slovak Academy of Science, Slovak Republic, said that the usage of WiFi and mobile phones in the classroom should be either forbidden or reduced as much as possible.
Several authorities have already advised limiting the usage of mobile communication by children and have called for their protection from wireless technologies.
In an appeal in 2002, medical doctors in Germany requested that a ban be imposed on mobile telephone and digital cordless telephone use in both preschools and schools.
This included a ban on mobile telephone use by children and restrictions on use by adolescents. They also called for education of the public, regarding the health risks of electromagnetic fields.
Prof Dr Alvaro Augusto A. de Salles of the Electrical Engineering Department at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil, said that responsible governments should act firmly to avoid the use of mobile phones and WiFi in schools.
The reasons he said were due to the scientific evidence already available in various publications like the Bioinitiative report, Pathophysiology 2009, Interphone report, showing health risks even at low-level exposure to the non-ionizing radiation.
Instead of a wireless connection, he recommended other fixed connections such as twisted pairs, coaxial cables and optical fibres that should be made available for each student.
He warned that if serious and responsible decisions were not taken, the price in terms of public health for the generations to come could be very high.

@thestaronline

Painless Technology

Myshkin and a group of friends created a noninvasive blood-test device, which they hope will reduce the number of anaemia-related deaths.

An innovative young man and his friends have created a device that tests blood without the use of needles.

THE things that Myshkin Ingawale has worked on are as diverse as night and day. He was on the MIT team that worked to build the Copenhagen Wheel, a device that transforms ordinary bicycles into hybrid e-bikes. At the same time, he was also trying to finish his PhD, researching how people interact, and how articles are formed, on Wikipedia.
It was also at this time in 2009 that he took a break and returned home to Mumbai, India, for a vacation. He decided to take a road trip to Parol, which is about 60km from Mumbai. A friend of his, Dr Abishek Sen, was interning there, and was delivering a baby when Myshkin arrived.
Later, Dr Abishek emerged looking pale. When asked why, the doctor told his friend that the baby and its mother had both died due to post-partum haemorrhage. The severe bleeding was caused by undiagnosed anaemia. Even though there are cheap and affordable cures for anaemia, and the Indian government even subsidises iron tablets, cases like this still happen because anaemia is not diagnosed at point-of-care.
Myshkin, who has a penchant for fixing things, thought that it was time someone invented a device that was portable and easy to use, for carrying out blood tests at point-of-care in villages and such.

by,
ALLAN KOAY starhealth@thestar.com

Making ICT Work

Officials from Southeast Asian countries share best practices and progress made through the use of ICT in education.
MANY believe that Information and Communications Technology (ICT) offers poorer countries a chance to catch up with their richer counterparts and level the education playing field.

The greater use of ICT will enable more countries to provide quality education to their citizens.

Unesco views ICT as a delivery medium that enables inclusion to those who have yet to access education.
“Due to the prohibitive costs in building and maintaining new schools, it is impossible for developing countries to meet increasing demands for quality education using the traditional pattern,” said the head of the ICT unit at Unesco, Bangkok, Dr Miao Fengchun. “New media and new models are needed if education for all is to be achieved.”
ICT offers an affordable and sustainable solution for children in remote regions. As examples, Dr Miao cited the use of multi- media learning packages in schools that lack sufficiently-trained human resources, and community learning centres in China and India.
Dr Miao was speaking in Kuala Lumpur recently at an ICT conference and exhibition held in conjunction with the 43rd Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organisation’s (Seameo) council conference and the third Asean Education Ministers Meeting.
The conference featured 37 speakers.
Seameo member countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Laos, Cambodia, the Philippines and Indonesia took part.
In his opening address, Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said governments alone could not cope with imparting ICT knowledge and that smart partnerships should be formed.
“Teaching methods and educational goals have to be geared towards producing individuals who will work at developing their capabilities throughout their lives.
“It should equip students with the skills to seek information on their own, the ability to use technology to gain knowledge and to advance their skills,” he said.
Why ICT matters
In his plenary session paper, Dr Miao gave an overview of efforts to integrate ICT in teaching and learning at a macro level by countries in Asia Pacific.
He said the overall goal of the ICT in Education Programme at Unesco was to help member states harness the potential of ICT to achieve quality education for all in the region. Without education for all and quality learning as the goal, the adoption of ICT in education would just be “an aimless and endless digitalisation gimmick”.
He noted that mobile phone technology and US$100 (RM320) computers were lowering the barriers to digital inclusion. But, he asked: “Were these vendor-driven or education-oriented?
“Due to the prohibitive costs of building and maintaining new schools, it is impossible for developing countries to meet increasing demands for quality education using the traditional pattern.
“New media and new models are needed if education for all is to be achieved,” Dr Miao said.
Dr Tinsiri Siribodhi, deputy director with the Seameo secretariat, also spoke about the implementation of ICT in member countries.
She said that although resources were scarce in many countries, this should not be a barrier to ICT use.
“Success is not about the number or ratio of computers to students.
“Rather it is measured by what a teacher can do with limited resources to achieve maximum results.”
Making progress
Wide variations exist in the use of ICT among the Southeast Asian countries. While Thailand and the Philippines have achieved remarkable progress, poorer nations like Cambodia and Laos still lag far behind.
About 80% of all schools in Thailand have Internet access, which is delivered through dial-up, leased lines and satellite. And 55.3% of schools have a ratio of 20 students to one computer.
“Since 2005, only leased lines and satellites have been installed at institutions,” said Keartisak Sensai from the Education Ministry in Thailand.
“Besides allocating budgets to set up the network systems and computers, the ministry also provides funds for resources to support the teaching and learning environment.”
Elmer M. Guizano from the Department of Education in the Philippines spoke about initiatives taken by the department to use ICT to broaden access and improve the quality and efficiency of basic education services.
“Technology plays a major role in creating a new and improved model of teaching and learning, where education happens anytime and anywhere,” he said.
Over 100,000 ICT teachers had been trained through strategic partnerships and resource mobilisation between the public and private sectors in the Philippines.
Many obstacles
Recently, through a collaborative project with Waseda University, Japan, three public schools, local government units and a marine sanctuary in Bantayan Island, Cebu, were provided with a wireless transmission network.
“The recipient schools can now be a model of inter-island E-learning in the Philippines,” Guizano said.
In Laos, computers are used mainly for short-term courses and for the subject itself at technical and vocational institutions.
“Only computer teachers use power point to prepare overhead projector transparencies. In most cases, there is no Internet or e-mail access in these institutions,” said Soulikhamkone Sisoulath from the Education Ministry in Laos.
He acknowledged that there was a lack of ICT infrastructure, knowledge base, financial resources and awareness of ICT use in the country. However, there are plans to build a Wide Area Network between selected technical and vocational institutions.
In Cambodia, a lot of catching up is needed to bring youths into the digital age and produce a technologically literate, productive and critical-thinking workforce for the country.
“A national ICT policy, which is about to be approved by the National Assembly, espouses the need to use free and open source software,” said Sombath Eath from the Cambodian Education, Youth and Sports Ministry.
The ministry was sourcing for educational content from other countries, which could be translated into the Khmer language, she added.
Electricity is another problem – a few high schools have to use generators or solar power to run their computers.
“The country needs about 20,000 computers to reach a ratio of one computer for every 20 students in high schools. They have to be low power consumption computers, otherwise the ministry will not be able to afford the electricity cost,” Sombath said.

by, SIMRIT KAUR@thestar

Malaysia has Potential in Green Technology Sector

JOHOR BARU: Malaysia has the potential to become one of the global leading suppliers in green technology parts and components for green technology-based companies worldwide.
Malaysian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MGCC) general manager Thomas Brandt said however, not much had been done by the country to elevate itself to that position.
He said by now, there should be better coordination and concerted efforts between ministries and relevant agencies to promote Malaysia as a hub for greentech companies.
“The local small and medium-scale enterprises will benefit in terms of technology transfer from multinational corporations involved in greentech activities,'' Brandt told StarBizWeek after a briefing on the upcoming Intersolar 2012 here yesterday.
Brandt said Malaysia was the fourth largest producer of solar cells in the world although it had not been actively promoting solar power usage.
He said Malaysia's lack of commitment in this area had dampen the interest of many foreign greentech companies and investors. “If no immediate steps are taken to address the issue, Malaysia risks losing out to other countries in the region especially Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand.''
He said Singapore was ahead in the region when it comes to the greentech industry, while Indonesia and Thailand were actively attracting foreign investors to their shores.
Barndt said the greentech industry was a multi-billion dollar industry as countries all over the world were now looking at new energy sources including renewable energy.
He said Malaysia could fully exploit solar power due to its sunny conditions and produce renewable energy from oil palm-based biomass. “Large plantation companies in Malaysia can become the new Petronas of the greentech industry,” added Brandt.
Meanwhile, the upcoming Intersolar 2012, which will be held in Munich, Germany is slated to be the world's largest gathering of manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, utility and service companies in solar business as it expects the participation of 2,400 exhibitors and 80,000 visitors from 150 countries.

by, ZAZALI MUSA, zaza@thestar.com.my

Opportunities Await M’sia in Sensor Technology Sector

GEORGE TOWN: Malaysia should tap on its experience in the electronics industry to move into the growing sector of sensor technology.
Clean technology adviser for the government of China and Taiwan Dr William Kao said Malaysia currently had no presence in the sensor technology industry and should therefore tap on its electronic expertise to move into the field soon.
“Sensors to detect motion, temperature and pressure are found in all kinds of electronic devices. A smart phone, for example, has 14 sensors. This shows how big the market is,” Kao told StarBiz in an interview.
He was attending the Malaysian Investment Development Authority's (Mida) seminar on electronics industry. The event was officiated by Mida chairman Tan Sri Dr Sulaiman Mahbob.
Kao said although there was currently overcapacity in solar energy, Malaysia could position itself in the non-electronic green technology areas.
“These include the technology to provide clean water and air treatment as well as green building materials.
“Malaysia should also position itself as a long-term player in the renewable energy sector, given the long-term prospects of the business despite the oversupply of solar energy,” he said.
Kao said the capital invested for clean technology generated two to four jobs for every one job if the money was spent on fossil fuel industries.
“Many of these jobs can't be exported, as they are based heavily on local manpower in installation, operations and maintenance,” he said.
He said green jobs could pay well and span the spectrum from “green-collar” trade to Ph.D level engineers.
“Industrial leaders in countries like the United States, China, South Korea, Germany and Japan, who are responding to this opportunity, are now vying for clean-tech leadership and the jobs that come with it,” he added.
Meanwhile, Sulaiman said Malaysia was on track to achieve its targeted 12.8% growth under the 10th Malaysia Plan for private investments in the country, despite a weakening economy.
“The investment received for the first quarter of 2012 showed positive growth. A significant percentage is for the electronics industry,” he said.

by DAVID TAN @ thestar.com.my

The SoftSpace Solution to Payment Technology

Chang: ‘We are fulfilling a demand, not creating one.’

PETALING JAYA: Financial transactions in Malaysia may just be revolutionalised as SoftSpace Sdn Bhd's smart device payment technology begins to attract corporates, small medium enterprises, freelancers and foreign partners.
Founder Chang Chew Soon has received enquiries, funding and even an acquisition offer since SoftSpace was incorporated to market its brainchild technology.
The technology, also called SoftSpace allows payments to be made on smart phones and tablets through a card reader.
The company is funded through angel investments and has turned down funding offers from local investment banks. SoftSpace began operations with a start-up capital of RM2mil and is looking to privately raise RM8mil this year.
“The reason we have resisted funding support from any banks is that we want to remain neutral so that we can work with any institutions,” he said, adding that there was also interest from a technology company to acquire but SoftSpace's valuation was higher than expected.
SoftSpace is currently exploring to roll out the payment system with Maybank, AmBank and Malaysian Electronic Clearing Corp.
Aside from banks, the company is also talking to Maxis, Celcom and DiGi as Chang “believes they are the ones in the position to help realise the implementation”.
It has teamed up with Malaysia Airline's insurance partner Mondial Assistance and other local partners include online payment service providers iPay88 and MOLPay.
It has engaged Taiwanese company ID Tech to manufacture the card readers.
On whether small businesses will warm up to this mode of payment, Chang said that the change towards cashless transactions would likely happen in one to two years. “We are fulfilling a demand, not creating one,” he said.
SoftSpace was also in talks with North American mobile payment service provider P'Eh Phone.
P'Eh stumbled upon SoftSpace just six weeks ago when co-founder Landon Letendre was looking through his Google Alerts on credit card and smart phone payments.
“We came across them on my Google Alerts and they were on the headline. We move fast when we see a product that is secure,” he said.
With SoftSpace, P'Eh would be the first to bring a chip-based card payment platform to North America.

by LIZ LEE @ thestar.com.my

Philippine Official Sacked Over Facebook Photos

MANILA: A Philippine local official has been sacked after bunking off work for a school reunion on a tropical island and posting photos of the trip on Facebook, the government said today.

Provincial information officer Maynardo Valdez shut his office for four  days in July last year to join former classmates on the holiday island of  Boracay, said his employers, the Philippine Information Agency.

 

Official efforts at the time to locate Valdez proved futile, but his bosses  soon caught on after seeing photos of the jaunt online.

 

The “secret escapade to Boracay was exposed when his pictures were seen in  the social networking site”, read the dismissal order issued last month. “These  pictures were later printed out as part of the evidence in this case.”    The government agency, which only made the dismissal public this week, said  Valdez was sacked for “neglect of duty, gross misconduct and dishonesty”.    Valdez could not be reached on Thursday for comment.

 

The Philippines, a nation of 95 million people, is among the world’s  leading countries in terms of Facebook use. -- AFP

New Technology to Net Drug Mules

Melbourne: The Australian Customs and Border Protection Service has begun a trial of body scanning technology to detect internal drug concealment.

"This is a smarter, faster, way to catch drug mules," Minister for Home Affairs Jason Clare said on Thursday.
"Instead of taking people suspected of concealing drugs to the hospital, this technology can confirm this on the spot. "It saves the time and resources of Australian Federal Police and local hospitals.
"About half of the heroin and cocaine detected at our airports is internally concealed," Clare said in a statement.

Travellers will only be asked to undertake a body scan where there is reasonable suspicion that they are carrying drugs internally and have given consent.
The Customs and Border Protection Service is using the internal body scanner at an Australian airport as part of a 12-month pilot programme. For operational reasons the location of the body scanner will not be publicly disclosed.
The body scanner will produce images of a person's internal cavities similar to a medical X-ray image but with significantly lower radiation exposure.
The images produced by the scanner focus on internal body tissue, the skeleton, and where present, internal drug concealments within body cavities.
On June 29, a pregnant Malaysian woman, who swallowed 34 pellets of heroin in Kuala Lumpur before her arrest at Melbourne airport, was jailed for a minimum 14 months after pleading guilty to importing heroin. County Court Judge Gabriele Cannon criticised Norazlinda Ramli, 35, from Puchong for putting her unborn baby's life at risk. -Bernama-

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