THE STAR Tuesday 27 January 2015

StarSpecial

The versatile MBA

Education in the age of technology > 6

Moving on to the next level > 11

2 POSTGRADUATE StarSpecial, Tuesday 27 January 2015

HE first MBA class was held

at Dartmouth Colleges
Tuck School with just four
students. One hundred and
fifteen years later, the masters in
business administration (MBA)
has come a long way. Every year,
there are hundreds of thousands
of students earning their MBA
at thousands of universities
worldwide.
As of last year, the MBA
has become the most popular
postgraduate degree in the
United States for the first time
ever according to statistics from
the countrys Department of
Education. Similarly, in Malaysia,
the programme is an increasingly
attractive postgraduate course
not only for business majors but
students from a wide range of
academic disciplines and working
backgrounds.
The increase in the reputation
of MBA degrees lies not just in
the widespread recognition by
employers that lead to career
advancement opportunities but
also because the programme takes
a more versatile approach in its
admission and completion.
The MBA programme is
flexible and is one of the few
postgraduate courses that can
be pursued by almost anyone
regardless of their academic and
professional background. Besides
that, it is also a programme that
allows students to take it in fulltime, part-time and mixed-mode,
says Prof Dr Noor Azizi Ismal, dean
of the Othman Yeop Abdullah
Graduate School of Business at
Universiti Utara Malaysia.
The institutions of higher
learning in Malaysia strive to
develop MBA programmes that
suit the economic needs of the
country to nurture more desirable
graduates. As more universities
start offering unique MBA
programmes, the competition to
attract students also increases.

Wearing two hats

Traditionally, MBA programmes
appeal to business graduates or
Cross-discipline expertise
UNDENIABLY, the crossindustry expertise that
combines management
capabilities with technical
skill or knowledge is one of the
growing trends that favours
well-rounded leaders to head
business organisations.
The main reason for this
development is the ways
businesses are run, which
have evolved into something
more complex and larger in
scope. This changes the needs
of the companies and prompt
organisations to seek managers
and corporate bosses who
are not just leaders with a
global outlook, but who are
also technically skilled and
educated in the field of the
companys business products.

Mastering new trades

A versatile degree

An MBA builds a firm foundation of business knowledge for the skilled professional.
those already in the corporate
sector. In recent years, the
programme has also successfully
attracted the attention of nonbusiness graduates.
These students, typically with
an arts, humanities or science
degree, may find their way into
the business world out of passion
and interest or mere coincidence.
Some are chemists who need to
manage a laboratory or cooks who
want to become chefs and lead
a kitchen. Some set out to set up
their own businesses.
For many, science and industry
eventually collide. For example,
many biology or chemistry
graduates find themselves in
the pharmaceutical industry as
product specialists.
Although their degree does
not qualify them as pharmacists,
their theoretical knowledge in
biochemistry familiarises them
with the products. Their science
knowledge makes it easier to
explain and thus market the
products they represent.
However, they can certainly
also benefit from a management
or business course to complement
their scientific skills. The
combination of scientific
knowledge and business
foundation make them more
readily absorbed into higher
positions on the career ladder
with expertise that can warrant
them better income.
One such person is Evelyn
Chan, a biotechnology major who

The increase in the

reputation of MBA
degrees lies not just
in the widespread
recognition by
employers that
lead to career
advancement
opportunities but
also because the
programme takes
a more versatile
approach in its
admission and
completion.

The sensible leader

completed her MBA in 2012.

As an undergraduate, I was
involved in a youth leadership
organisation that piqued my
interest in the corporate sector
where I was exposed to project
management, human resource
management and talent
development. After leaving
university for the working
world, I became interested in
and ventured into the talent
development and training field,
says Chan, who now works with
Unilever.
Stanford University is one
institution that provides a
formal training and upskilling
programme for such cross-

Evidently, the MBA degree

is relevant not just for those
eyeing the top floor offices in
the corporate sector. A business
viewpoint can be of great help
even if one takes the non-profit
or non-government organisation
route. Is there a better way to
excel than, for example, setting up
micro-banks to help villagers in
rural areas?
An MBA undoubtedly builds
a firm foundation of business
knowledge for the skilled
professional. The prospects for
greater career flexibility and
reduced odds of unemployment
become valuable returns-ofinvestment. Yet, there are no

discipline leaders, having

introduced extreme design
MBAs in 2004. The programme
Design for Extreme Affordability
brings students across disciplines
to learn about design thinking,
innovation and creativity.
With an average of 100
applicants who vie for just 40
spots every year, the programme
groups business students with
medical, engineering and even
undergraduate students to
represent a wide variety of skill
sets. The groups of students
are then paired with non-profit
organisations in developing
countries to address a realworld challenge through interdisciplinary collaboration.

THE MBA programme imparts

knowledge on management
and leadership skills, making it
one of several business degrees
that have a direct impact on
career advancement. Some
of the skills that students are
taught include economics,
finance and marketing. Soft
skills that students also develop
under the MBA programme
include teamwork, ethics and
cross-cultural communication.
Some MBA programmes
offer specialisation in a
particular field such as
finance, marketing and human
resource. These specialisations
are suitable for those with
a specific interest or are in
the middle-management of
a particular department or
sector.
Selecting the appropriate
specialisation will give the
MBA graduate in-depth
expertise in their role. On
the other hand, completing a
general MBA gives students a
broad and holistic view of an
organisation making them
a versatile candidate for a
wider range of job functions.
Either way, the MBA improves
ones employability in the
management field.
guarantees that a postgraduate
degree, even the MBA, can ensure
employment let alone career
advancement.
An MBA does not promise
a promotion but it enriches me
with the language of business
that has opened up a diversity of
professional paths to choose from.
My career prospects are definitely
better now than if I had stayed in
the pure sciences field, says Chan.
Regardless of what path one
chooses, MBA degree applicants
must not lose sight of what is
more important the betterment
of business, society and the
environment.
Prof Azizis hope for business
students is simple yet demanding:
My philosophy focuses on
growth and sustainability. I want
(business) students to transform
into sustainable business leaders
whom the nation can be proud
of leaders who are not just
responsible for their businesses
but also mindful of the social and
ecological effects of their trade.
In last month's issue, the
photograph of Prof Ishwar
Parhar of Monash University
Malaysia was captioned as
Prof Mahendhiran Nair. The
error is much regretted.

Tuesday 27 January 2015

StarSpecial 3

4 POSTGRADUATE StarSpecial, Tuesday 27 January 2015

VC COLUMN

MBA more than just a pay bump

HAVE always been a firm believer in

the genuinely transformational quality
of education at all levels; it transforms
individuals and it can transform the
societies in which those individuals
function.
In analysing the transformative impacts
of education, many commentators draw the
distinction between private benefits and
public benefits private benefits are those
which accrue to specific economic agents
(whether companies or individuals) while
public benefits are those which accrue to
society more broadly.
Some types of learning (for example,
teacher education, social work, health care)
are thought to be heavily oriented towards
public benefit while others (for example,
law, business, economics) are thought to
deliver more in the way of private benefits.
If salary level is a way of measuring
private benefits, then the relative salaries

of lawyers versus social workers would

provide support for this argument. But, as
is so often the case, reality is considerably
more complex.
The MBA is one particular qualification
that is widely believed to provide
dominantly private benefits with the
high fee levels associated with most MBAs
reflecting an expectation that graduates
will have significantly enhanced their
earning power as a result of their studies.
And of course many do, which is one
reason why earning power features as an
important indicator of the quality of MBAs
in some of the key rankings.
But we should not adopt such a narrow
view of the benefits that an MBA can
bring. The qualification has much more to
offer than just increased earning potential.
For some it will satisfy a genuine desire
to acquire skills and knowledge for their
own sake and for the personal satisfaction

Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman

Tier-5 Excellent University (SETARA 13)

Through part time studies, I obtained my rst

Degree at 40 and followed by Postgraduate
Degrees. I hope this will inspire others to
pursue their studies further. Its never too late
to develop a passion for learning, if you do,
you will never cease to grow.

Assistant Professor Dr Chia Fah Choy

Head of Programme (Master of Project Management)

Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science

Master of Project Management (R/340/7/0449)01/20(A10780)

Master of Mathematics (R/461/7/0004)04/18(A8216)

Master of Communication (R/220/7/0001)05/16(A7014)

Master of Business Administration

Master of Psychology (Industrial and

Organisational Psychology) (N/311/7/0033)08/18

Master of Business Administration

(Corporate Governance) KPT/JPS(KR11589)07/15(A6339)

Master of Chinese Studies (N/227/7/0001)03/16(MQA/FA0124)

Master of Business Administration

(Building Management) (N/345/7/0113)10/16

Master of Engineering (Electrical) (N/522/7/0028)09/17

Master of Engineering (Mechanical) (N/521/7/0041)09/17
Master of Information Systems (N/481/6/0003)10/15(MQA/FA0185)

KPT/JPS(KR11580)07/15(A6338)

Master of Engineering (Electronic Systems)

Master of Business Administration
(Corporate Management) (N/345/7/0265)12/17(MQA/FA2308)

New building expected

to be completed this May.

03-7958 2628 (PJ)

05-468 8888 (Perak)

UTAR Sg. Long Campus (Selangor)

postgrad@utar.edu.my

DU012-02(B)

www.utar.edu.my/ipsr

UTAR Petaling Jaya Campus No. 9, Jalan Bersatu 13/4, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan. DU012-01(B)
UTAR Perak Campus Jalan Universiti, Bandar Barat, 31900 Kampar, Perak Darul Ridzuan. DU012-03(A)
Wholly owned by UTAR Education Foundation (Co. No. 578227-M)

that they bring. Others will benefit from the

way in which an MBA challenges them and
forces them to think about new issues and
new problems and to think about them in
different and more productive ways.
The broad based nature of an MBA and
the diversity of optional subjects means
that there is always the opportunity to
learn something genuinely new. The
style of teaching and interactions with
other experienced business professionals
encourages students to develop different
ways of thinking and more creative
approaches to problem solving. Of course,
the acquisition of new skills and knowledge
can help to advance an individuals career
(and the earning capacity), but we should
recognise that this may not be the only
reason for an individual to undertake the
qualification.
While private benefits are undoubtedly of
considerable significance, it is important not
to lose sight of the public benefits that may
be realised as a result of MBA education. At
a very macro level, by developing efficient
and effective managers and leaders, MBA
programmes help to ensure that the private
sector is competitive, innovative and delivers
real value to society, and helps to ensure

Intellectual Pursuits Through Sustainable Research

that the public sector operates efficiently

and effectively in relation to stakeholder
expectations.
Increasingly though, as we reflect on a
range of corporate scandals, including the
fall-out from the global financial crises,
we should also recognise the potentially
positive impact of MBA education in
ensuring that society benefits from a
generation of leaders and managers who
have a strong understanding of their moral
and social responsibilities.
An MBA is an expensive qualification
and the selection of an MBA provider
requires careful consideration. There is
much to weigh up in decision-making and
a range of league tables to help prospective
students. But fundamental to any choice of
programme must be the evidence that the
preferred MBA provider will deliver benefits
to both the individual and to society more
broadly.
So alongside reviewing the many
conventional MBA league tables, which
focus heavily on private benefits, there
may be much to be gained by exploring
the way in which an MBA programme may
provide broader social benefits. The Aspen
Institutes Beyond Grey Pinstripes ranking
with its focus on social and environmental
sustainability is one such attempt to do just
that.
n Prof Christine Ennew is the chief
executive officer and provost of The
University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus.

Meeting current needs

THE Management & Science University
(MSU) is one of the best teaching and
learning universities in Malaysia. As a
university of choice, MSU focuses on
various areas of study, including medicine,
pharmacy, health and life sciences, nursing,
business, management, accounting,
hospitality, information sciences and
engineering.
MSU through the Graduate School of
Management (GSM) recognises that todays
global organisations require managers
with a broader outlook. Through its
internationalisation effort, MSU attracts top
students, employs faculty members with
overseas experience and forms effective
links with businesses.
The MSU-MBA offers students
experiential learning in cross-cultural
communications, the opportunity to build a
global network and the possibility to create
future international career opportunities.
In addition, students will have the
opportunity to develop management skills
and techniques, obtain strategic orientation
and implement the strategies formulated in
the classroom.

(N/523/7/0083)07/17(MQA/FA1536)

Postgraduate programmes by research are also available.

UTAR Perak Campus (Kampar)

By
PROF
CHRISTINE
ENNEW

The MSU-MBA offers students the opportunity to

develop management skills and techniques.

The MSU-MBA programme helps

student to develop skills in leadership
management, entrepreneurship, strategic
management and decision-making. It also
trains them to become successful leaders
and think like entrepreneurs in the most
competitive markets.
The MSU-MBA aims to build on the
foundation of work experience and, by
providing new skills and knowledge,
enables students to make the transition to
a higher level of responsibility.
The MSU-MBA provides sufficient
knowledge to students to understand the
various facets of an organisation so as to
formulate successful strategies. It also
instils a great deal of confidence.
There are many reasons why many
students now consider an MSU-MBA
to be an integral step in their career
paths. Possessing an MSU-MBA can help
graduates attain a high-paying, highpower job.
n For more information, call 03-2273 6410,
e-mail gsm@msu.edu.my or visit
www.msu.edu.my

Tuesday 27 January 2015

StarSpecial 5

6 POSTGRADUATE StarSpecial, Tuesday 27 January 2015

VC COLUMN

Education in the age of technology

HIS year marks the 20th year since the

advent of the Internet age in Malaysia.
Today, more than half of the nations
population are Internet users. While the
Internet has become the main platform
for social commentaries and discussions
on current events, it has also proven to be
a flexible avenue for effective and creative
teaching and learning.
Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM)
was one of the first public institutions
of higher learning in the country to
harness information and communications
technology (ICT) by furnishing the campus
with ICT facilities.
Today, the university has 100% Wi-Fi
coverage with more than 1,400 access
points throughout the campus. More
than 50 hotspots have been built in the
administrative buildings, lecture halls and
student residential areas to complement
the Wi-Fi services making it theoretically
possible for staff and students to gain
unlimited access to the Internet from

anywhere on campus.
We constantly improve our ICT services
to keep abreast of developments. Currently,
we are upgrading our infrastructure to a
Gigabit network to support the demands
of the current growth and of the future on
administrative applications, online learning,
and Wi-Fi services.
To support teaching and learning
on campus, more than 40 computer
laboratories have been equipped with the
latest high-specification computers. Besides
this, there are six main lecture halls that
are equipped with recording devices to
enhance lesson delivery, especially for the
benefit of distance learning students.
At the same time, social media
technologies such as Facebook, Whatsapp,
Instagram and Twitter are also used to
share news, knowledge and ideas in realtime and dynamic interactions.
In the case of postgraduate research
supervision, doing this entirely online has
proven to be acceptable to both students

By
PROF DATUK WIRA
DR MOHAMED
MUSTAFA ISHAK
and supervising lecturers. In fact, online
interactions provide records for students to
help them progress at a much faster pace.
We also have a teaching and learning
portal called Learning Zone, which offers
online materials for students, including
references and quizzes, as well as an
interactive forum for video conferencing.
We are preparing the staff and
assembling the infrastructure to make
online educational resources (OER) the
backbone of the universitys teaching and
learning repertoire. The materials for all
courses are expected to be made available
in the Learning Zone by September.
When the OER achieves an acceptable
standard of quality, it will be transformed
into open courseware and eventually
upgraded to Massive Open Online Courses
(MOOC). When this happens, courses can
be offered entirely online to a massive
audience, which will make UUM more
visible globally.
This is in line with the increased
attention on MOOC, which has also become
one of the main agendas of the Ministry of
Education (MOE). We too share this interest.
This year, we will be actively engaged in
developing a few MOOC courses.
The use of technology as a learning tool
encourages a blended learning approach
and promotes the anytime, anywhere
concept of learning as technology becomes
more ubiquitous and pervasive. As we
continue to improve our online services
for both administrative and academic
purposes, I believe that the interaction
within the UUM community will progress

into online space.

In consequence, it will be possible for a
greater number of lessons to be conducted
entirely online, though students will still
need face-to-face interaction for courses
requiring laboratory work and field
assignments.
As ICT advances and access to the
Internet is readily available to more people,
our dedication to provide and improve ICT
services will not end with just fulfilling the
needs of the university.
Our greater aim is to reduce the
digital divide between rural and urban
communities, beginning with the state of
Kedah. We hope to extend Wi-Fi coverage
to the areas surrounding the varsity and,
with assistance from the state government,
develop ICT knowledge advancement
projects for the Sintok community.
In this era, life is becoming inextricably
entwined with technology. Communicating
and reconnecting instantly with others,
networking and accessing information with
the touch of a fingertip are just three of its
myriad of features that are now taken as
necessities rather than just advantages.
From the commute between the
workplace and the home to the appliances
that make the abode homely, technology
is proving to be increasingly integral to
everyday living. When we talk about
shaping human interactions and forging the
future of our existence, the positive impacts
of technology outdo its negative impacts.
As a university, however, our role is
not just to provide ICT services but also to
educate students and others to be ethical
Internet users who will use this technology
to improve the quality of life and preserve
the integrity of our unique nationhood.
n Prof Datuk Wira Dr Mohamed Mustafa
Ishak is the vice-chancellor of Universiti
Utara Malaysia.

Become an effective,
well-rounded project manager
CURTIN University, Sarawak Malaysia
(Curtin Sarawak) offers a range of
distinctive postgraduate programmes by
both coursework and research, including
the popular Curtin Graduate Certificate,
Graduate Diploma and Master of Science
programmes in project management.
Conducted by Curtin Sarawaks Faculty
of Business and Humanities, the courses
are identical in all aspects to those offered
at Curtins main campus in Perth, Western
Australia. These courses help students gain
the understanding, knowledge and skills
necessary to become effective project
managers by adopting a generic approach to
project management, making it applicable
to a variety of industries, including
construction, engineering, education,
health, commerce, information technology,
and research and development.
All courses are accredited by the
International Project Management Institute
(PMI) and endorsed by the Australian
Institute of Project Management, which
is a testament to its quality and gives
the courses much added value. The
accreditation also gives the programmes
wider recognition across the world.
Furthermore, the qualifications are
awarded under the Australian Qualifications
Framework, and are thus accredited by
the Australian government and recognised
throughout Australia. By virtue of Curtin
Sarawaks self-accreditation status granted
by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency, the
qualifications are also recognised by the
Malaysian government.
In addition to learning from highly
experienced teaching staff and industry

professionals, students are able to enhance

their careers without having to take a
career break as all units are conducted
during the weekend.
This allows students the flexibility in
balancing their study, work and personal
life with support from a dedicated team.
Students will also gain the opportunity
to build a global network of professional
contacts, and increased confidence and
exposure to broader management issues.
According to Gerald Lai, an accountant
and current project management student,
the course is both interesting and wellstructured with interactive classroom
discussions. He says it provides new
perspectives from a variety of globalised
experiences from both academics and
students of different industry backgrounds.
n For more information, call 085-443 939,
e-mail enquiries@curtin.edu.my or visit
www.curtin.edu.my/postgraduate/index.htm

Gerard Lai says that the project management

pprogramme provides plenty of new perspectives.

Tuesday 27 January 2015

StarSpecial 7

8 POSTGRADUATE StarSpecial, Tuesday 27 January 2015

Various entities work

together for universitys success
A

N international educational
institution is made up of
diverse entities, especially
an open and distance learning
institution such as Open
University Malaysia (OUM), the
first open and distance learning
institution to be established in
Malaysia.
Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, chairman
of OUM, says that disseminating
information and helping
Malaysians from all walks of life
comprehend this information is
uppermost in his scope of work.
With vice-chancellor Tan Sri
Anuwar Ali at the helm, OUM
has produced almost 138,000
graduates cumulatively and
has set up in 13 states across
Malaysia.
He says that the contribution
of all Malaysians is vital to the
growth of the nation.

Our tutors are

selected or evaluated
based on more than
their qualification
and performance
skills, attitude
and knowledge of
the subject matter
are also taken into
account. Students
regularly evaluate
their tutors online
and tutors can view
their performance
online as well.
ASSOC PROF DR LIM TICK MENG

Assoc Prof Dr Janet Woo is the director

of OUMs Centre for Instructional Design
and Technology.

Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, chairman of OUM (left), with Assoc Prof Dr Richard Ng, group marketing director of OUM.

Reaching out
Working adults look for top
quality academic programmes,
which can enhance their careers
and help them attain better
positions in the job market.
We ensure that our students
are well supported by our
academicians and support staff
at the local learning centres.
OUMs qualifications are highly
recognised by the industry today.
In addition, it is the nations
first university for working
adults.Some 98.4 % of employers
believe that OUMgraduates are on
par or better than freshgraduates
from other universities, says
Assoc Prof Dr Richard Ng, group
marketing director of OUM, who
oversees the entire marketing
and branding operations for the
university.

Learning and disseminating

information
Part and parcel of a quality
learning experience is equipping
learners with a wide range of
learning materials that are
of good quality and cater to
different learning styles.
The task for developing
these learning materials falls
on the universitys Centre
for Instructional Design and
Technology (CiDT). One of
the main focuses for the
centres director Assoc Prof
Dr Janet Woo is monitoring
print module development.
Module development is a
long process the team has
to bring in raw content from
module writers, screen the
content for plagiarism and
then get it moderated.
After that, a dedicated
Assoc Prof Dr Lim Tick Meng is the
director of the Institute of Teaching
and Learning Advancement.

team is mobilised to develop

the material into reader-friendly
print modules based on sound
pedagogical and instructional
design principles.
This is the wide range of
learning materials and platforms
that are available for students:
l Print modules available in
hard copy, collected by learners at
learning centres
l PDF modules (black and
white/coloured) via myVLE
(OUMs online learning portal)
l Study guides for courses
that use textbooks instead of
modules available via print/
myVLE
l Translated modules via
print/myVLE
l Video lectures via DVD/
myVLE
l iTutorials myVLE
l Interactive HTML modules
via myVLE
l Learning segments, audio
books via iRadio/myVLE
l OUMApp for businessrelated courses, accessible via
smart phones (iPhone and
Android), iPads and tablets
l iTunesU via IOS devices

Learning centres
The 34 learning centres
nationwide are the main links
between students and the
university. Prof Dr Tan Toh Wah,
director of the Penang Learning
Centre, says that learning centres
have to be equipped with quality
facilities and efficient services
to effectively emulate the main
campus in Kuala Lumpur.
All the centres are integrated
so learners have the flexibility
of choosing what, when, where
and how to study as well as
where they wish to sit for their
examinations.
The main function of a
learning centre director is to
lead a team of part-time and

full-time academics, executives

and administrative assistants.
At the same time, the directors
must work hand-in-hand with
the marketing department at
the headquarters to implement
effective recruitment strategies
to ensure the sustainability of the
university.

Assessments
The Institute of Teaching and
Learning Advancement (ITLA) was
established to facilitate and ensure
quality delivery of all academic
programmes in OUM. Assoc Prof
Dr LimTick Meng, director of
ITLA, says that they also deal with
matters concerning tutors and
e-tutors.
Our tutors are selected
or evaluated based on more
than their qualification and
performance-skills, attitude
and knowledge of the subject

Prof Dr Tan Toh

Wah is the
director of
the Penang
Learning
Centre.

We ensure that
our students are
well supported by
our academicians
and support
staff at the
local learning
centres. OUMs
qualifications are
highly recognised
by the industry
today.
ASSOC PROF DR RICHARD NG
matter are also taken into account.
Students regularly evaluate their
tutors online and tutors can view
their performance online as well,
says Assoc Prof Lim.
ITLA also provides external
consultation services in the
areas of teaching, learning
and assessment. This includes
academic programme auditing,
learning material assessment,
staff assessment and training.
With all these comprehensive
entities working together to make
up a large educational organism,
OUM is set to reproduce in
terms of qualitative
graduates, groundbreaking delivery
systems and
innovative
learning
experiences.

Tuesday 27 January 2015

StarSpecial 9

10 POSTGRADUATE StarSpecial, Tuesday 27 January 2015

Becoming business-savvy in Asia

A

S more organisations extend

their reach into Asias
rapidly growing markets,
understanding local ways of
doing business is paramount to an
organisations success.
Businessmen and professionals
turn to interdisciplinary degree
programmes such as an MBA
to enhance their business and
industry knowledge, improve their
management skills and strategic
decision-making to secure and
prosper in their career or future
research ventures.
They also seek a comprehensive
understanding of the different
approaches to conducting business
in Asia.
With todays global
marketplace being characterised
by rapid changes, heightened
public scrutiny and Asias
ascendance, AeU is dedicated
to offering an MBA programme
that combines the best of global
business training with a unique
focus on the Asian region.
With a firm foundation and
practical knowledge of business
models that embrace the best
of east and west business
practices as well as sensitivity
to the cultural diversity of
business dealings within a global
environment, AeUs MBA is the
key for individuals who want to
leave their mark and succeed in
their career.

The MBA experience

AeU offers the MBA
programme with the option of
two specialisations: international
business and entrepreneurship.
Its core courses in the areas

AeUs MBA
programme makes
it possible for
students to be
affiliated with a
network of global
alumni. It opens
up a world of
opportunities for
students as they
learn to identify
opportunities and
seize them while
developing lasting
careers that create
a global impact.

Prof Dr Juhary Haji Ali, dean of AeUs

School of Management. The MBA offered
by AeU aims to equip students with the
essential skills required to succeed in
their business.
of business administration and
management equip students
with the essential skills required
for leaders to succeed in their
business. The course also caters to
working adults who are interested
in enhancing their career and
professionalism.
AeUs MBA programme is
offered in full-time, part-time and
fully online modes. Students can
complete their full-time and fully
online MBA within 12 months
while part-time studies will take
18 months.
Full-time and part-time
students attend classes during
the weekend, which is ideal for
working adults who have other
commitments on weekdays.
It allows professionals from
diverse backgrounds, industries
and cultures to unite in the spirit
of learning, open mindedness
and debate regardless of
their geographic location,
travel schedules and work
commitments.
The AeU MBA aims to equip
students with the necessary
skills required for an increasingly
competitive workplace. Students
will gain a global perspective
with an in-depth knowledge of
the Asian economies, learn how
business is conducted in Asia
and be able to recommend
solutions that go beyond

international boundaries.
They will learn key analytical
skills that are relevant to
contemporary business practices
and develop the means to apply
these skills in a real-life setting
as well as demonstrate holistic
awareness of relevant trends that
impact contemporary business.
In addition to academic
rigour, the programme provides
opportunities for students to
develop their communication,
leadership, interpersonal and
networking skills through
participation in business seminars
and workshops.
The course emphasises
interaction exercises that build
interpersonal skills as interacting
with people will challenge preestablished perceptions of the
world. Being an MBA holder can
open up new avenues and provide
students with new skills for the
workplace.

Learning outcomes
The AeU MBA equips students
with the skills and knowledge
required to become global,
transformational and socially
responsible leaders with special
attention to the Asian setting.
Students will build on their
existing skills and knowledge
while gaining experience in
applying these in a variety of
settings. This allows them to
experience an immediate impact
of learning.
Students undergo their studies
with a group of diverse but likeminded, highly capable peers.
This means they will not only
benefit from the knowledge and
experience that other students
bring to the table but also be able
to build an invaluable professional
network.

Significance in an Asian
context
Eresha Kumburulanda is an AeU MBA student and head ofthe Group Legal
DepartmentatInformatics Holdings Limited, Colombo, Sri Lanka. MBA students at
AeU get the opportunity to apply the skills they learn in their work.

The AeU MBA offers deep

Asian insights and expertise
while giving students a global

perspective, providing them

the opportunity to develop
themselves professionally and
make a difference in Asia and
beyond. They are immersed in a
global learning environment and
given the right tools to attain their
career aspirations.
They will learn how business is
conducted in an emerging Asian
market and the best practices of
some of Asias most successful
companies.
AeUs MBA offers a distinctive
industry-focused curriculum
that combines the best of global
business training with a unique
focus on the vibrant Asian region.
To complement this, the AeU
MBA curriculum is constantly
enhanced by a team of academic
members and industry
professionals, thus ensuring that
students obtain the necessary
rigour, business discipline and
innovative thinking that set them
apart from other MBA graduates.
This unique postgraduate
programme makes it possible for
students to be affiliated with a
network of global alumni.
It opens up a world of
opportunities for students as they
learn to identify opportunities
and seize them while developing
lasting careers that create a global
impact.
Students can instantly tap into
a network of more than 6,000
university alumni, many of whom
now hold prominent positions
globally.
In addition to the strong
network that students develop
during their time at AeU, students
receive mentorship from industry
professionals, industry insights
and develop friendships with
their peers that extend beyond
business.

Learning resources
At AeU, e-learning plays a
fundamental role in serving a
greater number of students in
various locations.
As part of the universitys

blended learning pedagogy,

e-learning has been able
to support an enrolment of
thousands of students from
within and outside the country.
AeU has successfully
connected thousands of
students, faculty members,
academic facilitators,
subject matter experts and
administrators via the Internet
using a common platform called
myPLS, the universitys learning
management system.
Through the myPLS, various
learning resources such as webbased modules and multimedia
courseware are made available
for students to view or
download.
In addition, AeU students
have access to the librarys
digital collection comprising
more than 100,000 e-books,
71,000 e-journals and 1.6 million
e-theses titles.

Flexible admission options

Future learners can apply for
the MBA programme through
the normal entry path with a
recognised bachelors degree or
via the open entry path.
The open entry path at
AeU maintains flexibility in
accepting candidates who
lack the basic education entry
requirement. Candidates are
assessed for any prior learning
experience acquired through
formal and informal training as
well as work experiences that
compensate their lack of paper
qualifications.
The open entry requirement
for the MBA programme
requires candidates to be at least
35 years old and possess STPM,
matriculation, diploma, A-Levels
or equivalent qualification with
a recognised prior learning
experience or relevant working
experience.
n For more inquiries, call
1300 300 238 or visit
www.aeu.edu.my

StarSpecial, Tuesday 27 January 2015

POSTGRADUATE 11

Jen Eu Wee Fung, MBA graduate from the University of Strathclyde.

Moving on to
the next level
Jen Eu Wee Fung shares her experience
of pursuing MBA with the University of
Strathclyde.

HEN I graduated with a bachelors

degree in commerce in 2004, many
of my peers wanted to pursue
a masters qualification without work
experience.
Being a fresh graduate at that time, I
decided to gain some working experience
before considering furthering my studies.
Truth is, my mum has always been my
biggest inspiration and most of the time,
she is right.
When I turned 26, I assumed a
managerial position and enjoyed working
in the corporate world. With the support
of my senior management team and my
parents encouragement, I signed up for the
MBA programme offered by the University
of Strathclyde after seven years of working.
The programme was recommended to
me by one of my directors, mostly due to
the universitys triple accreditation status
and established reputation for its strategic
management courses.
I believed that my learning process
would be more exciting if I could relate my
work experience to the knowledge gained
throughout the MBA course. With that in
mind, I started doing my MBA as a parttime student.
Signing up for the MBA course came at
the right time because I did not have many
obligations on weekends. However, as I
progressed with the course, I learned to be
disciplined in managing my personal life,
job and study assignments on a daily basis.
I had to be mentally prepared to
accommodate the limited time that I had to
spend with my friends, family and partner.
I was thankful to have supportive and
understanding people around me.
I graduated with an MBA and specialised
in strategic management. It took me three
years to accomplish this mission. While
forming a network of contacts is important
in any professional course and I have made
good friends with people from different
professional backgrounds and countries
during my studies.
These people shared their time, effort,
knowledge, experience and opinions each
time we met for discussions.
I also had the opportunity to complete
my leadership course in Switzerland, where
I presented my views to other leaders who
became my friends.

I graduated with an
MBA and specialised
in strategic
management. It
took me three years
to accomplish this
mission. Forming a
network of contacts
is important in
any professional
course and I have
made good friends
with people from
different professional
backgrounds and
countries.
JEN EU WEE FUNG
Through these encounters, I have
learned the importance of teamwork
and discovered my inner strengths and
weaknesses. Self-reflection is highly
encouraged by the institution and has
become part of my daily life.
Through self-awareness, I am able to
identify gaps and develop myself. I also
realised how much I needed to embark
on a new career path in trade marketing
management.
Today, I am working for Luxottica
Malaysia, the worlds largest eyewear
company, as a trade marketing manager. I
am responsible for ensuring that the right
products are made available in stores with
the right support.
The knowledge I have gained from the
MBA programme has helped me in my roles
and responsibilities, especially in the areas
of strategic planning, development and
operation.
It has also developed my sense of
maturity in managing a team of passionate
employees. Although pursuing an MBA
programme requires determination,
sacrifice and hard work, the journey and
experience gained is worthwhile.
n For more information, call 03-7660 8950
ext 109 or visit www.cdc.edu.my

12 POSTGRADUATE StarSpecial, Tuesday 27 January 2015

One step ahead

in business

N ever-expanding international
community points to the need for
masters graduates to be equipped
with skillsets that enable them to embrace
and adapt to the constantly changing
practices and situations.
A Master in Business Administration
(MBA) is meant to prepare you to undertake
a leadership position in an ever-changing
global business environment, says Prof
Iain Leonard Densten, director of MBA
International in the School of Business at
Monash University Malaysia.
The MBA in Monash has been
established in Australia for more than 40
years. We plan to take this well-established,
internationally recognised MBA and forge
it in Malaysia for locals as well as students
from around this region.
We want to get people to understand
why they need change. Its also a question
of what they need to change and how
to accomplish it. The programme also
addresses leadership questions such as
How do you inspire people? and the kinds
of leadership roles people have to play in
different situations, says Prof Densten.
Overall, the Monash MBA hopes to
educate people from a global leadership
perspective, whether in Australia or

We believe that our MBA

programme has a proven
track-record for being a
high-quality and relevant
programme that will
benefit individuals who
need to lead with a global
perspective.
PROF IAIN LEONARD DENSTEN

Malaysia.
Most of the concepts taught here will be
the same as in the Australia campus. There
are more subjects on Islamic finance than in
Australia since its much more relevant here,
but most of the course will be similar as the
quality of the MBA in Monash Australia is
proven and established, says Prof Densten.

Widely recognised
The Monash MBA is accredited by
the Association of MBA (AMBA). This
international authority focuses primarily

The MBA programme is relevant for future leaders with a global perspective.
on MBAs throughout the world and
recognition indicates that the MBA has
met its well-established, high international
standards.
Such accreditation makes this MBA
one out of the 65 locally available MBA
programmes in Malaysia to have such
quality recognition and provides a quality
assurance mechanism that enables students
to benchmark programmes with other
leading international MBA programmes
throughout the world.
We believe that our MBA programme
has a proven track-record for being a
high-quality and relevant postgraduate
programme that will benefit individuals
who need to lead with a global perspective,
Prof Densten says.
Prof Densten adds that another key
aspect of the Monash University MBA
is the great diversity present within the
classroom. He believes that a high-quality
and distinctive MBA programme is one
that can provide students the richness
of different experiences from different
industries.
The MBA was originally developed
when you had non-business graduates who
needed to know aspects of management.
So our target market is not just for business
people, its also for people outside the
business industry.
If you have a cohort from hospitality,
medicine, engineering and so on, the

students will have a greater diversity of

comments and discussions.
A good course influences students
through three ways the curriculum, the
students themselves who bring in their
ideas and the cohorts.
When they learn together, they
exchange ideas and opinions. It gives them
the richness of different experiences from
different industries.
Giving about examples is different from
having someone talk about it from their
personal experience, he said.
He added that the Malaysian mix of
students will be younger and more diverse
than their Australian counterparts, thus
reinforcing the great depths of experiences
that students will enjoy.
Prof Densten, whose research has
focused on leadership and managerial
expertise, has taught for more than 20
years in leading international research
universities in the United Kingdom and
Australia.
He added that the study of effective
leadership is closely related to the ability to
embrace and accommodate the changes of
today.
The Monash MBA in Malaysia
programme commenced its inaugural class
this month.
n For more information, visit
www.buseco.monash.edu.my/mba

How to speed read

BY ELLEN WHYTE
WHEN you need to read a pile of papers
very quickly, speed-reading can be a handy
skill to have.
Speed-reading is where you skim over a
text, picking up the essential points. Its not
very useful for learning, although it can help
refresh your memory if youre going over
something youve studied before.
Speed-reading is useful for the following
reasons:
l To give you a bit of quick insight into a
topic.
l For seeing what sort of information is
where.
l For distinguishing between valuable
resources and less valuable ones.
l For eliminating duplicate sources.
Typically, this is a skill you will use when
getting ready to write an assignment or to
work out your exam notes.
If youre not used to speed-reading, this
is how you can build up this skill:
l Find a peaceful spot.You need silence
or white noise because distractions will

hamper your concentration.

l Know what youre looking for.If
you want information on dominance in
chickens, you can skip all the chapters that
cover dominance in apes and humans.
l Sort into piles. Start by sorting into
keep and discard piles then sort the
keep into topic or order of importance.
l Dont reread. If youre learning, you
tend to move backwards and forwards in a
text to make sure you get it.Speed-reading
isnt about learning so dont do this.To help
you, cut a three sentence shaped hole in a
piece of paper.Drag it over the page and
dont go back.
l Spot patterns.Youre sorting things
out, so think of the big picture.Look for key
ideas, bold print and repeated tag-words.
l Keep calm.Speed-reading is a skill and
a useful tool but its just one of the many
you will use in learning so if you dont
immediately get it, just relax and keep at
it.And if after a few tries you really loathe it,
drop it and find a system that works for you.

StarSpecial, Tuesday 27 January 2015

POSTGRADUATE 13

Top-quality, flexible programmes

T

HE vision of Universiti Tunku

Abdul Rahman (UTAR)
is to achieve educational
excellence with transformative
societal impact.
It offers top-quality and
affordable postgraduate
programmes that enhance
employment opportunities and
boost career advancements.
Students enrolled in UTARs
Master of Engineering (Electronic
Systems) programme can also
apply to study the masters
programme at Ostbayerische
Technische Hochschule (OTH)
Regensburg, Germany, under the
UTAR-OTH dual masters degree
programme.
Students benefit from this
collaborative link, which paves
the way for students to experience
renowned German learning and
research culture that is steeped
in the traditional excellence
of science, technology and
innovation.
Another advantage of UTAR
postgraduate programmes is the
recognition they have received
from various professional bodies.
For example, the Malaysian
Institute of Chartered Secretaries
and Administrators (MAICSA)
recognises qualifications
gained under the UTAR MBA

UTAR nurtures research excellence and novelty through its postgraduate

programmes.
Corporate Governance.
Students who have
successfully completed
the UTAR MBA Corporate
Governance will receive
graduate status from MAICSA,
in addition to fulfilling the
minimum requirements set by
MAICSA.
The university has made
it a policy that examiners
of its graduates final year
dissertations, whether by
research or mixed mode, must
be appointed from among
the distinguished overseas
academics or researchers

MBA with global exposure

THE dual award MBA at Sunway
University is for young managers
who aspire to become strategic
leaders. In collaboration with
Lancaster University Management
School, Sunway Universitys MBA
is at the top of the MBA premier
league. It immerses its students in
global recognition, global delivery
and faculty as well as global
networking.

Global recognition
Sunway Universitys MBA
graduates are awarded two
scrolls, one from Sunway
University and one from Lancaster
University.
Sunway University is a
renowned provider of business
education within Malaysia,
recognised by the award of
SETARA 5 (Excellent) by the
Malaysian Ministry of Education
and Lancaster University is ranked
in the top 1% of universities
globally.
The Lancaster MBA
programmes are triple-accredited
by the Association to Advance
Collegiate Schools of Business
(AACSB), European Quality
Improvement System (EQUIS) and
the Association of MBAs (AMBA).
Triple accreditation is a prized
asset in the business school
community that is held by only
about 1% of business schools
around the world.
To gain triple accreditation
requires schools to meet exacting
standards for process, programme
design and execution, and student
experience, says Dr David
Mackay, who is a visiting teaching
fellow at Lancaster University in
the United Kingdom.

Global delivery and faculty

Students are also able to
meet and learn from a faculty of

among the best management

consultants, educators and
research scholars in the
world.
Students also have the
flexibility of gaining credits
by taking modules at other
locations where Lancaster
University delivers an
equivalent MBA programme.
Current locations include
Singapore, Jordan, Ghana and
the United Kingdom.

Global networking
Graduates can also become
alumni of not only one, but
two prestigious universities
Sunway University and
Lancaster University which
will help graduates stay
connected to the institutions
and their fellow graduates.
Sunway University will
hold a preview session on
Feb 7 where you can find
out more about its dual
award MBA premier league
programme.
n For more information call
03-7491 8701 or visit
www.sunway.edu.my/
university/MBA

Dr David Mackay, a visiting teaching

fellow from the UK, will deliver the
strategic management module for
the dual award MBA at Sunway
University.

with recent publications in

international refereed journals.
This ensures quality and
benchmarks students research
work to international standards.
Postgraduate students learn

problem-solving skills and gain

opportunities to interact with the
universitys research community.
UTAR Institute of Postgraduate
Studies and Research (IPSR) is
the central body that coordinates
postgraduate programmes and
facilitates admissions, students
records and other related
activities.
The director of IPSR Prof Dr
Faidz Abd Rahman says, UTAR
offers postgraduate programmes
that facilitate research projects
that broaden the horizons of
knowledge and attract talents
who aspire to work in research
and academia.
We inculcate a culture of
commitment in the UTAR
community to effectively
disseminate knowledge and
research activities through
publications of international
standards.

UTAR offers more than 110

programmes in various fields,
including accounting, business
and economics, actuarial science,
mathematics and process
management, agriculture and
food science, arts, social sciences
and education, creative industries
and design, engineering and
built environment, information
and communication technology,
life and physical sciences, and
medicine and health sciences.
It has a student body of more
than 24,000 across its nine
faculties, including Bandar Sungai
Long, Kuala Lumpur and Petaling
Jaya as well as the main campus in
Kampar.
n For more information, call
03-7958 2628 (PJ campus), 05-468
8888 (Perak campus) or e-mail
enquiry@utar.edu.my or visit
www.utar.edu.my/ipsr development

14 POSTGRADUATE StarSpecial, Tuesday 27 January 2015

ANY ambitious individuals

who want to progress
in their careers and be
equipped for the challenges of
the business world often choose
to pursue a masters of business
administration (MBA) programme.
To meet the demands
of various industries, SEGi
University and Colleges offer a
wide range of MBAs to nurture
tomorrows business leaders,
with options to graduate from
SEGi University, University of
Southern Queensland, University
of Sunderland or University of
Greenwich.
Under SEGi University, MBA
candidates have three options of
specialisation: global business,
entrepreneurship or general
management.
The SEGi University MBA
(Global Business) prepares
graduates for todays competitive
global business environment.
Students will gain an international
business perspective and be well
versed in strategic thinking for an
evolving global economy.
In addition, graduates will
learn to solve business problems
with international implications.
Modules in international finance,
global business strategies, global
supply chain management,
international marketing and
international business law all
add to the skills that a graduate
needs to be successful in the
international market.
This MBA is ideal for
individuals who are interested
in building a solid international
career.
Through SEGis qualified
academicians and
renowned business leaders/

Get ahead in your career

To meet the demands of

various industries, SEGi
University and Colleges offer
a wide range of MBAs to
cultivate tomorrows business
leaders.

advisors, graduates under

the SEGi University MBA
(Entrepreneurship) will learn
to launch their own startup
companies and begin their careers
in the venture capital industry.
Upon completion, graduates
will have a greater sense of
appreciation for entrepreneurship
and its role in the economy,
refined creative problem-solving
skills, be able to make the most
of opportunities that come their
way and know how to navigate
common challenges faced by
businesses.
This MBA can assist graduates
in developing a management style

capable of leading innovation in

emerging markets.
To enhance competency in
strategic management in the
corporate world, individuals can
take up the SEGi University MBA
(General Management). Graduates
of this course will be readied in
the various departments of an
organisation such as sales, human
resources and finance while
learning the latest theories and
best practices in business.
Other MBAs available from
SEGi:
l University of Southern
Queensland (USQ) MBA, Australia

management &
science university

Our unique approach has trained business

leaders for decades. Let us turn your potential
into reality with an MSU - MBA.

Specialization in :
. Finance
. Islamic Banking and Finance
. Global Marketing
. Project Management

Toughen up
Because you
want to change
the world
POST GRADUATE STUDIES :
GRADUATE SCHOOL OF
MANAGEMENT (GSM) :

. Master in Business
Administration
(MBA)
KPT/ JPS (KA3614) 11/14

Like us on : Follow us on :

A TIER

INTAKE
IN PROGRESS

n For more information, call

03-6145 1777 or 1800 887 344,
e-mail askme@segi.edu.my or visit
www.segi.edu.my

Be different from the rest

msu

We match your drive to succeed with a

professional skill set that lets you stand out
from the competition.

The USQ MBA is much soughtafter for its global outlook and
focus on practical skills for those
who want to climb the corporate
ladder. Students are given the
freedom to select a specialisation
to support the general business
skills that are attained from
this course. Specialisations that
are available include global
business management, project
management and sustainable
business. This programme is
available to anyone with relevant
professional work experience.
l University of Sunderland
(UOS) MBA, United Kingdom
Ranked the best new university

in the northeast of England by The

Guardians University Guide 2012,
UOS offers its MBA to individuals
with relevant work experience
and those who have a first degree
that is not in the business and
management discipline.
Assessment is made up of
assignments, one examination
and a dissertation based on
contemporary business and
management research.
l Master of Business
Administration (International
Business) University of Greenwich
(UOG), United Kingdom
UOG moulds its MBA
graduates to take on responsible
leadership. It focuses on
creativity, practicality, social
resourcefulness and emphasises
the personal development of
graduates, including their career
management.
This MBA also focuses on the
integrative disciplines of business
strategy and the management of
change in an increasingly global
business environment. With
an assessment comprising 85%
coursework and 15% examination,
this MBA is best suited for
individuals who want to gain
an international outlook in the
corporate world and also prefer
to earn their qualification via
dissertation.

EXCELLENT
STATUS
UNIVERSITY

Graduate School of Management (GSM),

Management & Science University,
Level 4, Stesen Sentral Kuala Lumpur, 50470 Kuala Lumpur
Tel : 03 - 2273 6410
Email : gsm@msu.edu.my Web : www.msu.edu.my

THE Binary Graduate School (BGS) offers a

wide range of postgraduate qualifications,
including PhD, DBA, MBA and masters by
research.
Each one of Binarys qualifications
offers a unique differentiating factor for
its graduates. Most masters programme,
such as the research masters programme,
offer two qualifications upon graduation
an academic degree and professional
certification.
As a 30-year-old niche university, we
complement public universities in terms
of doctorates in our areas of strength,
which are entrepreneurship, management
and IT. We have been collaborating with
British and Australian universities for
more than 30 years and we were the first
private institution to offer postgraduate
degrees in Malaysia, says Datuk Prof Joseph
Adaikalam, executive chairman of Binary
University.
Binarys offering is unique in that its
PhD students are required to be attached to
one of its five research centres. Each student
comes under the purview of the research
centre head and is assisted by experienced
supervisors and external experts, says Prof
Dr Sulochana Nair, vice-chancellor of Binary
University.
Apart from the PhD programme,
Binary also offers the doctorate in business
administration (DBA). The DBA is an applied
management programme that helps
one to develop and apply contemporary
management and research skills that can
assist their organisations in achieving
strategic goals at a faster rate. Unlike a PhD,
the DBA equips one with research tools,
making it a practical professional doctoral
degree, says Prof Joseph.
The DBA is open to those with an MBA
or business-related masters qualification
with five years managerial or supervisory
work experience. The Binary DBA is
patronised globally by senior managers,

Dr Shamsa Hamed Said Al Harthi from Oman

(right) receives her doctorate from the chancellor
of Binary University.
high-ranking government officials and chief
executive officers, says Prof Dr Sulochana.
Working professionals and full-time
students who want to be different from
other postgraduate students with academic
degrees have the opportunity to do so
through the Worlds First Industry Specialist
MBA and MSc ITM offered by BGS.
The uniqueness of our MBA and
MSc ITM is that it offers students the
opportunity to specialise in specific
industries. With such specialisation,
postgraduate students get to acquire handson skills, an opportunity which many other
masters degrees do not provide. Binary
graduates graduate with two qualifications,
the MBA or MSc, as well as the ISP Certified
Qualification, says Prof Dr Sulochana.
Research masters programme are
very popular among working adults as
candidates do not need to attend regular
classes. As such, they have the flexibility of
balancing their work life and personal life
while pursuing their academic dream.
n For more information, call 03-8070 6590
or e-mail admission@binary.edu.my or visit
www.binary.edu.my

StarSpecial, Tuesday 27 January 2015

POSTGRADUATE 15

Moving forward in Islamic finance

T

HE Centre for Islamic

Business and Finance
Research (CIBFR) of the
University of Nottingham
Malaysia Campus hosted an
industry forum on Jan 12 at the
University of Nottingham Kuala
Lumpur teaching centre to discuss
major themes of the Islamic
finance industry.
The industry forums line up
of speakers included Dr Zamir
Iqbal (head, World Bank Global
Centre for Islamic Finance), Zahid
Rehman (assistant secretary
general, Islamic Financial Services
Board (IFSB).
There were two major themes.
The first session focused on risk
management in Islamic Financial
Institutions (IFIs) and the second
on BASEL III capital regulation for
Islamic banks.
Dr Zamir highlighted that asset
quality is important for Islamic
banks and that the Asian Islamic
bank loan portfolio is rather
poor compared to conventional
counterparts.
Zahid acknowledged that IFSB
is working closely with Islamic
banks to develop and implement
capital adequacy framework and
stress-testing mechanism for IFIs.
In another session, a panel
discussion moderated by CIBFR
director Dr Nafis Alam with
panellists Dr Humayun Dar (chief
executive officer, Edbiz Consulting
United Kingdom), Faizal Karbani
(chief executive officer, Simply
Shariah, UK) and

Zahid Rehman
acknowledged that
IFSB is working
closely with Islamic
banks to develop
and implement
capital adequacy
framework and
stress-testing
mechanism for IFIs.
CIBFR Industrial Advisory Board members: (seated, from left) Rafe Haneef (CEO, HSBC Amanah); Dr Zamir Iqbal (Director,
World Bank Global Centre for Islamic Finance); Datuk Azahari Kamil (CEO, Asian Finance Bank); Dr Humayon Dar (CEO, Edbiz
Corporation, UK); Raja Teh Maimunah (CEO, Hong Leong Islamic Bank) and Faizal Karbani (CEO, Simply Sharia, London)
(standing from left) Dr Syed Aun Rizvi (CIBFR, Member); Prof Stephen Doughty (Vice-Provost Teaching and Learning, UNMC);
Assoc Prof Nafis Alam (Director, CIBFR); Prof Claire OMalley (Dean, Faculty of Science); Prof Fon Sim Ong (Dean, Faculty of Arts
and Social science); Assoc Prof Mohan Avvari (Deputy Dean, NUBS); Dr Mamunur Rashid (Deputy Director, CIBFR); Prof Graham
Kendall (Vice-Provost, Research and Knowledge Transfer) and Prof Chew Ging Lee (Dean, NUBS).
Dr Wan Nursofiza (director
strategy of the Asian Institute of
Finance) deliberated on the future
of the Islamic finance industry.
The panellists discussed
ways to bridge the gap between
demand and supply in the Islamic
financial system.
Dr Nursofiza suggested that
this could be achieved through
investing in developing human
capital.
The forum was attended
by representatives of Islamic
financial institutions such as

Hong Leong Islamic Bank, IFSB,

industry practitioners and leading
academic institutions such as
Monash University and Universiti
Kebangsaan Malaysia.
CIBFR also hosted its first
Industrial advisory board meeting
at the Royal Chulan Hotel.
Attendees included the senior
management of the University
of Nottingham Malaysia Campus
and esteemed advisory board
members of CIBFR, including Raja
Teh Maimunah (chief executive
officer, Hong Leong Islamic

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Bank), Datuk Azahari Kamil

(chief executive officer, Asian
Finance Bank), Rafe Haneef (chief
executive officer, HSBC Amanah
Malaysia), Dr Zamir Iqbal and
Faizal Karbani.
Much discussion ensued on the
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it as one of the major players in
Islamic finance.
Since its conception six months
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members.

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research on Islamic banking
and finance that will establish
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n For more information visit
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16 POSTGRADUATE StarSpecial, Tuesday 27 January 2015

Creating the
next generation
of front-runners

ITHIN five years of its inception,

the Ghazali Shafie Graduate
School of Government (GSGSG)
at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) has
admitted more than 500 students into its
postgraduate programme a testament to
the universitys track record.
The postgraduate students who have
graduated from GSGSG include at least
eight deputy ministers. At least six of them
are pursuing their PhD at the school, says
Assoc Prof Dr Samihah Khalil, former dean
of GSGSG.
Its flagship programmes are the Master
of Public Management (MPM), Master of
Human Resource Law, Master of Science
(International Business), Master of Science
(Strategic Studies), Master of Commercial
Law and Master of Corporate Law.
These programmes are conducted parttime and full-time at the main campus
in Sintok, Kedah, where students can
either choose to do the programmes by
coursework, research or mixed-mode.
The school also offers a one-and-a-half
year modular fast-track MPM programme,
which is taught on weekends at its city
campus in Kuala Lumpur.
The GSGSGs comprises the School
of International Studies, School of
Government, School of Law, and School of
Tourism and Hospitality.

We bring together scholars and leaders

from the public sector to tackle pressing
national problems. Our students and
lecturers are not merely confined to the
classroom as we provide our students with
real-life scenarios to deal with. We have to
address problems and find solutions for our
country, says Assoc Prof Samihah.
Besides academic programmes,
GSGSG also provides executive training
programmes for experienced public sector
officials to further boost their leadership
and governance skills.
Until last year, GSGSG was under the
leadership of Assoc Prof Samihah; she
was recently appointed interim director
of Ghazali Shafie Executive Enhancement
Programme (GSEEP).
The school introduced the GSEEP, which
emphasises four areas law, tourism and
hospitality, government and international
studies. The executive training provides the
opportunity for professionals in the private
sector and government officials to network
with people from other industries and
governmental departments.
Leadership and governance modules
are targeted at senior government officials
while diplomats and expatriates attached
to multinational corporations can benefit
from GSEEPs cross-cultural training
programmes.

Assoc Prof Dr
Samihah is the
interim director
of the Ghazali
Shafie Executive
Enhancement
Programme and
former dean of
the Ghazali Shafie
Graduate School of
Government.

The graduate school also boasts an

academic staff of 124 lecturers 64%
of whom are PhD holders and visiting
scholars from 18 countries, including the
United States, the United Kingdom, Japan,
India and Sweden.
The cultural diversity of the graduate
school does not end there GSGSGs
students comprise local and international
students from 52 countries with myriad
professional backgrounds.
The multi-cultural community,
where 32% of our students are foreign
students and 15% of our visiting scholars
come from overseas, provides a global
learning environment and networking
opportunities, says Assoc Prof Samihah.
Besides that, GSGSG programmes also
allow credit transfer so that its MPM
postgraduate students can earn credits to
contribute towards their degree.
The students in MPM can spend
a semester abroad at UUMs partner
universities Universitas Gajah Madha in
Indonesia or Maejo University in Thailand.
The graduate school continues to build

international cooperation with partners

locally and abroad through its four
institutes that help position GSGSG as one
of the most dynamic schools of governance
in the region.
The four institutes housed under
GSGSG are Institute of Indonesia, Thailand
and Singapore, Institute for Malaysian
Political Analysis, Institute for Governance
and Innovation Studies, and Institute of
Excellence for Islamic Jerusalem Studies.
The future is about internationalisation
governance and leadership involve
far more global cooperation and
communication than ever before. This
is why we look towards making our
programmes not just more internationally
relevant but also globally accessible, says
Assoc Prof Samihah.
The GSEEP is committed to help the
civil and private sectors improve the
qualifications and skills of the personnel
in the fields of public management, law,
international affairs, business, and tourism
and hospitality to become competent
leaders and policy-makers.

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