Deciding on which pre-university programme to take can be daunting. With the many choices to select from - AUSMAT, matriculation, A Levels, Foundation and Form 6 - it is easy to be confused. In this feature, Afterschool talked to several programme counsellors from institutions of higher learning. They gave us the cons and pros of taking up Foundation courses.<h4>WHO IS IT SUITED FOR?</h4>When Afterschool called several universities and colleges &ndash; Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP), Nilai University, KBU International College, Taylor&#39;s University, KDU University College, Sunway University and Limkokwing University of Creative Technology - to inquire about their foundations programme, the first two questions the programme counsellors asked us was: &quot;Which course do you want to take?&quot; and &quot;Are you coming from the Arts or Science stream?&quot;Evidently, this pre-university course is for students who already know the course and university they want.According to the programme counsellor of Sunway University, foundation is the most ideal programme designed for a particular degree.&quot;Foundation students are already considered for university entrance first because their foundations are designed for that course and university,&quot; he explained.&quot;For instance, the foundation in Science covers subjects such as biology, mathematics and computing, whereas foundation in arts focuses on language and communication skills.&quot;However, not all students know right away what they want to take in college.The general counsellor of Taylor&#39;s University has met many students still unsure of what they want to take after SPM. She said that during the university&#39;s open days they conduct a career test to help the student determine which course is the most suitable for them. In some cases, they also encourage the student to have a chat with their psychologist to find out where his skills and interest best fit a certain industry.<h4>BENEFITS</h4>There are two things that all the programme counsellors agree with foundations - it is faster and easier. It is faster because foundation programmes take only one year to complete. After foundations, the student can proceed to taking a degree (three years) course, said the programme counsellor of Limkokwing University.It is easier because the examinations are given at the end of each semester. With that arrangement, students can focus on their subjects and take the exams piecemeal.&quot;Most college foundations have two to three semesters and for each semester, a student takes about 3 or 4 subjects [core and elective]. Foundation programmes have an English language component&quot; said the programme counsellor of KBU. Most of the intakes are in January or middle of the year.Although it is said to be faster and easier, the content in foundation programmes focused. The foundation programme helps increase academic knowledge and study skills, improve English language competence and help students adapt to university life.Student Guide: Is college foundations right for me?<a href="https://images.afterschool.my/admin/uploads/images/getadvice/41/5a1baf396ed3b.?utm_source=AFS&utm_medium=Article" style="text-align: center;"><img class="size-full wp-image-11259 aligncenter fr-fic fr-dii" title="confused2" alt="" src="https://api.afterschool.com.my/storage/uploads/images/getadvice/41/5a1baf396ed3b.?utm_source=AFS&utm_medium=Article" width="438" height="391"></a><h4>LIMITATIONS</h4><div>Counsellors admit that foundation programmess have its limitations and among them is the narrow or smaller opportunities to study in other local and foreign universities. According to the programme counsellor of UTP, this course is recognised mainly by the university/college that is offering them.Compared to an A Level graduate, a foundation programmes student cannot just apply to any foreign institution of higher learning.</div>&quot;There are universities that offer twinning programmes which allow the student to study abroad,&quot; explained by the programme counsellor of Sunway.&quot;Taylor&#39;s have partnerships with foreign universities so students who have finished one to two years of their degree programme can have their final year in our partner institutions located overseas,&quot; said Taylor&rsquo;s programme counsellor.A good example is Sunway which is the only provider of the Monash University Foundation Year (MUFY) programme in the country. Its programme is recognised by all Australian universities, branch campuses of Australian universities in Malaysia and other private universities.------------------Written by Lyn Cacha

Student Guide: Is college foundations right for me?

Completed your SPM, STPM examinations, or other pre-university studies? So, what’s next? Some may choose to kick start their career while others may want to further their education.  For the latter group, application for admission to public institutions of higher learning can be a hectic process and important dates are definitely not easy to keep track. Below are the dates you wouldn’t want to miss!Important dates for Academic Session 2013/2014<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td valign="top" width="169">Start date</td><td valign="top" width="132">End date</td><td valign="top" width="337">Activity</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="169">7 January 2013</td><td valign="top" width="132">15 April 2013</td><td valign="top" width="337">Sale of Unique ID No. at BSN</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="169">7 January 2013</td><td valign="top" width="132">15 April 2013</td><td valign="top" width="337">Application system for admission to public university/polytechnic & ILKA for SPM, STPM, Matriculation/Foundation, STAM, SKM & Diploma graduates /Equivalent OPEN from 12.00pm.</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="169">Third week of May 2013</td><td valign="top" width="132"></td><td valign="top" width="337">Announcement of application result for admission to public university/premier polytechnic for SPM graduates/Equivalent</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="169">Fourth week of May 2013</td><td valign="top" width="132"></td><td valign="top" width="337">Announcement of application result for admission to ILKA/polytechnic for SPM graduates/Equivalent & SKM graduates</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="169">3 June 2013</td><td valign="top" width="132">9 June 2013</td><td valign="top" width="337">Application system for admission to public university (Phase 2) OPEN from 12.00pm</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="169">Second week of July 2013</td><td valign="top" width="132"></td><td valign="top" width="337">Announcement of application result for admission to public university for STPM, Matriculation/Foundation, Diploma graduates/Equivalent</td></tr></tbody></table>For your information, Unique ID No. can be purchased from any Bank Simpanan Nasional(BSN)  counters, ATM, CDM or via SMS. The Unique ID No. will be needed when students fill in their Online Application to tertiary education institutions.  Price list of the pin purchase, click HERE* Bulk sale of Unique ID No. at BSN is being extended to 10 December 2012. The bulk sale is only available for school teachers/counselors.More important dates: Please visit http://goo.gl/cxITq

Important dates for admission to public university, polytechnic & ILKA

<ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Five-year plan targets to improve employment with 75% of graduates securing jobs after graduation</li><li>Unemployment in Malaysia is seen as seasonal and manageable</li></ul>The Higher Education Ministry launched the Graduate Employability Blueprint 2012-2017 today with the aim of ensuring graduate employability.<img src="https://api.afterschool.com.my/storage/uploads/images/getadvice/145/5a168edf54b6f.jpg" style="width: 100%;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Graduate Employability Blueprint 2012-2017">Image via Buddy Loans<div style="text-align: justify;">The target is to achieve a minimum of 75 percent of graduates getting employment upon completing their studies and the ministry has laid out the groundwork towards achieving it. Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the objective of the blueprint is to build human capital and create sustainable employability in Malaysia. &ldquo;The higher education institutes should fulfill the needs of each specific sector in the country,&rdquo; he said during the launch.</div>One of the&nbsp;efforts by the ministry under the Blueprint is the Industry Centre of Excellence (ICoE) programme where anchor companies are connected with lead universities that provide human capital. According to Md Hatta Md Jauhar, senior assistant director of the Labour Department and head of the career guidance unit JobsMalaysia, the number of unemployed graduates is not necessarily that high and is a seasonal phenomenon as these graduates do not inform the department once they find work. &quot;The ones who are still unemployed after six months are usually the low achievers, or those who are weak in English, lack communication skills and do not want to move some place else to work.&quot;He pointed out that the country&#39;s unemployment rate is in fact very low at 3%, with states like Malacca having a minimal 0.7% unemployment rate, so graduates should not have a problem finding jobs.&quot;With so many universities and graduates these days, there is competition. Employers are looking to employ the best, so undergraduates should learn to do more than one thing at a time. They need to enhance their communication and problem-solving skills. It is also important for them to increase their job search skills.&quot;

One of the efforts by the ministry under the Blueprint is the Industry Centre of Excellence (ICoE) programme where anchor companies are connected with lead universities that provide human capital. 

Government Launches Graduate Employability Blueprint 2012-2017

<ol><li>Heriot-Watt University Malaysia to offer the same programme content as campuses in Dubai and Edinburgh</li><li>MBA programmes available starting 2013; undergraduate programmes to roll out in 2014</li></ol>Heriot-Watt University has opened its second overseas campus with a new centre in Malaysia.&nbsp;The campus, based in the city of Putrajaya, will teach degrees in business and &shy;postgraduate studies in renewable energy, engineering and surveying.<div></div><div>Putrajaya is the university&rsquo;s fifth campus and joins &shy;facilities in the Capital, the Borders, Orkney and Dubai.&nbsp;It was officially opened by &shy;British high commissioner Simon Featherstone, and teaching will start in January 2013.</div><div>The university is part of a &pound;35 million development in Putrajaya and the whole campus will not be completed until 2014. The university said it will cater for 4,000 students.</div><div>Professor Steve Chapman, principal and vice-chancellor of Heriot-Watt University, said during the event: &ldquo;Our vision is to &shy;create another centre of excellence alongside our campuses in the UK and Dubai.&rdquo;</div><div><div><input type="image" src="http://afterschool.my/userfiles/heriot-watt(2).jpg"></div>Heriot-Watt University is well-known internationally. Rated as a leading research university by the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), Heriot-Watt University has been named Scottish University of the Year for the second consecutive year by the Sunday Times, which also ranked it first in the UK for student experience.It was also ranked fourth in the UK and top in Scotland in the 2012 National Student Survey. The university has research collaborations with more than 25 countries around the world and a number of strategic alliances with key companies such as Cairn Energy and Renishaw plc, which make graduates from their programmes well known and sought after internationally.<div>Heriot-Watt University Malaysia aims to be a valued and respected member in the education sector of Malaysia&rsquo;s Economic Transformation Programme. The university will be bringing international talent and expertise into their upcoming campus as well as recruiting staff locally.The local to foreign ratio would be 60:40. &ldquo;Malaysia was selected by us to set up our next campus due to its location for being so central in Asia. The policies adopted by Malaysia were also encouraging as well,&rdquo; says Professor Brian Robertson, Associate Director of International Development.&ldquo;Malaysia&rsquo;s policy on having more foreign staff in universities is a welcome factor for us. Heriot-Watt University Malaysia is all about having the best talent on campus whether they are local or foreign. It&rsquo;s all about quality.&rdquo;</div><div>Unlike other institutions&rsquo; branch campuses that offer only limited programmes from their main campus, Heriot-Watt University Malaysia plans to offer the whole package from their Putrajaya campus. The programmes offered in Malaysia will have the same content as campuses in Dubai and Edinburgh.</div></div>

Heriot-Watt opens campus in Malaysia

<ol><li>RM35 million clinical research centre in Sarawak is attracing major multinational pharmaceutical companies to put their new products on trial here</li><li>Among interested investors include Novartis, the world&#39;s second largest pharmaceutical company</li><li>Swiss drugmaker Norvatis to offer internships for microbiologists and chemists</li></ol>Malaysia is currently in consideration by Novartis, the world&#39;s second largest pharmaceutical company, as a potential site for a healthcare biotechnology investment.In a statement today, Malaysian Biotechnology Corp (Biotech) said Novartis has continued to highlight its partnerhsip with the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC) to develop drug compound leads from microbial nature products."As a further boost to the local bioeconomy scene, Novartis has broadened the range of their support from drug discovery projects to even potential funding for biomedical companies via their Novartis Venture Funds," it said.<div><input type="image" src="http://afterschool.my/userfiles/clinical%20research(1).jpg"></div><blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;">Liow (third from left) being briefed by Dr Zulkifli (third from right) and Dr Abdul Rahim (centre) on the progress of the RM35 million state-of-the art Clinical Research Centre (CRC) located at SGH in Kuching</div></blockquote> <h4>New clinical research centre</h4>Built adjacent to the Sarawak general hospital, the clinical research center is estimated to complete in July 2013. Health Minister Datuk Seir Liow Tiong Lai said that it has attracted the interest of major multi-national pharmaceutical companies to want to put their new products on trial here.“We are moving very far ahead in terms of medical research and clinical trials. We (now) have this centre and we (now) also have big companies doing medical researches with local companies," he said.The centre is capable of handling all four phases of the clinical trials - animal research, human tests, marketing and post marketing surveillance. The centre is also capable of first phase clinical trial, which is the earliest stage of the research.Alongside the new clinical research centre, Norvatis will provide financial support, identify new natural compounds from materials supplied by SBC, help upgrade the technology base and offer internships for microbiologist and natural product chemists at the Natural Products research unit within the Norvatis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR).

Bright prospects in the local healthcare bioeconomy scene

<div id="insidecontent"><ul><li>Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Sarawak’s new campus to begin operations in October 2013</li><li>Samarahan II campus to accommodate another 4,000 students.</li></ul>Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Sarawak’s new campus expects to begin operations in October next year.<div>Its rector Professor Datuk Dr. Jamil Hamali said the Samarahan II campus will serve as an extension to its existing campus and will be able to accommodate another 4,000 students.The new campus is located on a 404ha site in Kampung Pinang while the built-up area for Phase One would cover about 32ha.Several new courses will be introduced at this new campus to meet the requirements set by the state.</div><div>“This includes a Diploma in Halal Management to support the halal hub activities and the industry overall. We’re also going to start a Diploma in Herbal Production, which is also a way for us to support the industry,” said Dr. Jamil.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://api.afterschool.com.my/storage/uploads/images/getadvice/149/59ba66da3c312." alt="" width="0" height="0" class="fr-fic fr-dii">
<input type="image" src="http://afterschool.my/userfiles/UITM-Samarahan-2-692x3001%282%29.jpg"></div><div>Besides that, UiTM Sarawak plans to set up a halal laboratory to conduct DNA screening of products.</div><div>“Previously we had problems with the butter issue and we had to go all the way to Kuala Lumpur to have it tested. Now we are planning to have a local lab that can conduct first-level screening on this sort of issue,” he said.</div><div>He added that students can also study about herbal production and other related subjects as the new campus would have plants to serve as an open lab.</div><div>UiTM Sarawak will also be building a permanent campus in Mukah, which is expected to be ready in October 2015.</div><div>The permanent campus will be able to accommodate 2,000 students.</div></div>

UiTM New Campus in Samarahan opens October Next Year

With the 13th general election just around the corner, ministers may often be reviewed in terms of their past contributions to the nation and the people. However,  Afterschool went back to the time when these policy-makers were in universities. Now, Malaysia has 30 cabinet members and majority of them studied law and economics.  Please refer the table below for more details.<h4>Academic Background of Cabinet Members</h4><h4></h4><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td valign="top" width="205">NAME</td><td valign="top" width="204">POSITION</td><td valign="top" width="229">ACADEMIC BACKGROUND</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="205">Y.A.B. DATO' SRI MOHD. NAJIB BIN TUN HAJI ABDUL RAZAK</td><td valign="top" width="204">PRIME MINISTER, MINISTER OF FINANCE, MINISTER OF WOMEN, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT</td><td valign="top" width="229">Bachelor in Industrial Economics [University of Nottingham]</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="205">Y.A.B. TAN SRI DATO' HAJI MUHYIDDIN BIN MOHD. YASSIN</td><td valign="top" width="204">DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER, MINISTER OF EDUCATION</td><td valign="top" width="229">Bachelor in Economics & Malay Studies (Universiti Malaya)</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="205">Y.B. SENATOR DATUK SERI PALANIVEL A/L K. GOVINDASAMY</td><td valign="top" width="204">MINISTER IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S DEPARTMENT</td><td valign="top" width="229">Bachelor of Arts [Universiti of Malaya]</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="205">Y.B. SENATOR TAN SRI DR. KOH TSU KOON</td><td valign="top" width="204">MINISTER IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S DEPARTMENT</td><td valign="top" width="229">Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Physics  [Princeton University USA];  MA; Ph.D in Economics and Sociology of Education [University of Chicago]</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="205">Y.B. TAN SRI BERNARD GILUK DOMPOK</td><td valign="top" width="204">MINISTER OF PLANTATION INDUSTRIES AND COMMODITIES</td><td valign="top" width="229">Bachelor of Science in FSIM [University of East London* Previously known as West Ham Technical Institute]</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="205">Y.B. DATO' SERI MOHAMED NAZRI BIN ABDUL AZIZ</td><td valign="top" width="204">MINISTER IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S DEPARTMENT</td><td valign="top" width="229">Bachelor in Law (LLB), Barrister at Law [Lincoln's Inn, UK]</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="205">Y.B. DATO' SERI HISHAMMUDDIN BIN TUN HUSSEIN</td><td valign="top" width="204">MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS</td><td valign="top" width="229">Bachelor of Law (LLB) [University of Wales, Aberystwyth]; Masters of Law (LLM) in Commercial & Corporate Law [London School of Economics]</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="205">Y.B. DATO' SERI UTAMA DR. RAIS YATIM</td><td valign="top" width="204">MINISTER OF INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE</td><td valign="top" width="229">Bachelor of Law [National University of Singapore];Ph.D [King's College, London]</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="205">Y.B. TAN SRI NOR MOHAMED BIN YAKCOP</td><td valign="top" width="204">MINISTER IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S DEPARTMENT</td><td valign="top" width="229">B.A (Hons) Economics [Universiti Malaya], MBA [Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium]</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="205">Y.B. DATO' SRI PETER CHIN FAH KUI</td><td valign="top" width="204">MINISTER OF ENERGY, GREEN TECHNOLOGY AND WATER</td><td valign="top" width="229">Barrister at law (Gray's Inn, London)</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="205">Y.B. DATO' SERI HJ. MOHD SHAFIE BIN HAJI APDAL</td><td valign="top" width="204">MINISTER OF RURAL AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT </td><td valign="top" width="229">Bachelor in Economics  [Staffordshire University *Previously known as North Staffordshire Polytechnic]</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="205">Y.B. DATO' SERI MOHAMED KHALED BIN NORDIN</td><td valign="top" width="204">MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION</td><td valign="top" width="229">Bachelor of Law (LLB) [Universiti Malaya]</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="205">Y.B. DATO' SRI MUSTAPA BIN MOHAMED</td><td valign="top" width="204">MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND INDUSTRY</td><td valign="top" width="229">First Class Honours Bachelor in Economics [University  Melbourne];Masters in Economic Development [University of Boston USA]</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="205">Y.B. DATUK SERI PANGLIMA DR. MAXIMUS JOHNITY ONGKILI</td><td valign="top" width="204">MINISTER OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION</td><td valign="top" width="229">Bachelor's in Agriculture Science, Ph.D degree in Agricultural Science and Agricultural Economics [La Trobe University, Australia]</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="205">Y.B. DATO SRI DOUGLAS UGGAH EMBAS</td><td valign="top" width="204">MINISTER OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT</td><td valign="top" width="229">Bachelor Degree (Hons) of Economics [Universiti Malaya]</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="205">Y.B. DATO' SRI DR. NG YEN YEN</td><td valign="top" width="204">MINISTER OF TOURISM</td><td valign="top" width="229">Diploma of Reproductive Medicine [John Hopkins University, USA]; Bachelor in Medicine, Surgery [Universiti Malaya]; Master of Negotiation Skills [Harvard Business School of Kennedy]</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="205">Y.B. DATUK SERI HAJI NOH BIN OMAR</td><td valign="top" width="204">MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND AGRO-BASED INDUSTRY</td><td valign="top" width="229">Bachelor in Law [Thames Valley University]</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="205">Y.B. DATO' SERI DR. AHMAD ZAHID BIN HAMIDI</td><td valign="top" width="204">MINISTER OF DEFENCE</td><td valign="top" width="229">Certificate in Banking [Bank Negara Malaysia]; Bachelor of Arts [Universiti Malaya]; Senior Management Development Program (SMDP) Certificate [Harvard Business School]; Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing [Institute of Marketing]; Master of Science in Corporate Communication[Universiti Putra Malaysia]; Ph.d in Communication [Universiti Putra Malaysia]</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="205">Y.B. DATUK SERI SHAZIMAN BIN ABU MANSOR</td><td valign="top" width="204">MINISTER OF WORKS</td><td valign="top" width="229">Diploma in Civil Engineering [Universiti Teknologi Malaysia]; Bachelor in Civil Engineering [Tri-state University,USA]</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="205">Y.B. DATO' SRI LIOW TIONG LAI</td><td valign="top" width="204">MINISTER OF HEALTH</td><td valign="top" width="229">Bachelor in Science (Nutrition)(Hons) [Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia]; MBA [Universiti Malaya]</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="205">Y.B. DATO' SRI AHMAD SHABERY CHEEK</td><td valign="top" width="204">MINISTER OF YOUTH AND SPORTS</td><td valign="top" width="229">Bachelor of Economics [Universiti Malaya]</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="205">Y.B. DATUK SERI DR. S. SUBRAMANIAM</td><td valign="top" width="204">MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCES</td><td valign="top" width="229">Diploma in Dermatology [University of Wales]; MBBS [National University of Singapore]</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="205">Y.B. DATO' SRI ISMAIL SABRI BIN YAAKOB</td><td valign="top" width="204">MINISTER OF DOMESTIC TRADE, COOPERATIVE AND CONSUMERISME</td><td valign="top" width="229">Bachelor of Law [Universiti Malaya]</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="205">Y.B. DATO' SERI AHMAD HUSNI BIN MOHAMAD HANADZLAH</td><td valign="top" width="204">MINISTER OF FINANCE (II)</td><td valign="top" width="229">Bachelor in Economics [Universiti Malaya]</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="205">Y.B. DATO' SERI KONG CHO HA</td><td valign="top" width="204">MINISTER OF TRANSPORT</td><td valign="top" width="229">Bachelor of Genetics [Universiti Malaya]</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="205">Y.B. DATO' SRI ANIFAH BIN AMAN</td><td valign="top" width="204">MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS</td><td valign="top" width="229">Bachelor in Philosophy, Economics and law [University of Buckingham, UK]</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="205">Y.B. SENATOR DATO' RAJA NONG CHIK BIN DATO' RAJA ZAINAL ABIDIN</td><td valign="top" width="204">MINISTER OF FEDERAL TERRITORIES AND URBAN WELLBEING</td><td valign="top" width="229">Bachelor in Economics [University of Wales]</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="205">Y.B. SENATOR MEJAR JENERAL DATO' SERI JAMIL KHIR BIN BAHAROM (B)</td><td valign="top" width="204">MINISTER IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S DEPARTMENT</td><td valign="top" width="229">Bachelor Syariah [University Malaya] ;Master in Islamic Studies (Islamic Economic Management) [Cordoba University]</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="205">Y.B. SENATOR DATO' SRI IDRIS JALA</td><td valign="top" width="204">MINISTER IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE</td><td valign="top" width="229">Bachelor in Management [Universiti Sains Malaysia]; MBA [University of Warwick]</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="205">Y.B. DATO' SERI CHOR CHEE HEUNG</td><td valign="top" width="204">MINISTER OF HOUSING AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT</td><td valign="top" width="229">Studied in Law [Lincoln’s Inn, London]; Master's degree in Business Law inBusiness Law [City University, London]</td></tr></tbody></table>Although the domination of law and economics graduates is predictable but there are some other ministers who pursued different fields of study and still foray into the political world successfully. Therefore, for those who wish to become a politician one day, don't be afraid to follow your own preference when choosing a course because diversity is definitely welcome in the cabinet.

Law and Economics Graduates Rule Malaysia's Cabinet

<ul><li>Tough business competition underpins ICT spending which is expected to hit the RM10 billion mark in 2013</li><li>High demand and spending means more IT talents are needed to build, create and innovate</li></ul>Malaysia's ICT industry is moving fast and in this case surpassing expectations. Next year, the country's information and communications technology (ICT) spending is expected to hit the RM10 billion mark. According to research, this industry growth is caused by the hyper-competing for growth, speed and economics among businesses in Malaysia.In terms of ICT spending is forecasted to reach 7.6 percent growth next year from over RM9 billion this year, contributed by various segments such as hardware, software and services."In an era of hyper-competing, there will be changes, which will create a stronger ICT spending for Malaysia," said Roger Ling, research manager of IDC Asia-Pacific Asean Services Research Group.Ling said factors contributing to ICT spending growth were the rebound of telecommunication services, reaping on returns from premium content delivery and cloud services."Telecommunications equipment is set for high year-on-year growth hitting 19.7 percent next year. Enterprise networks will reach 18.6 percent, service provider equipment 9.3 percent and smartphones a whopping 34.6 percent in terms of year-on-year growth," Ling added.

Malaysia's ICT industry to grow 7.6% next year

There is no such thing as a free lunch.Almost right after pouring in RM400 million on research money for private universities, on top of the RM600 million exclusively for the country’s five research universities, government has made it clear that they want universities to make it into the Top 100 in the world rankings.The recent results of QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) World University rankings showed that the country’s best bets – Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, International Islamic Universiti Malaysia and Universiti Teknologi Mara – have all slide down. Universiti Malaysia (UM), however, managed to jump from 167th to 156th.Of course there were other rankings, such as the Times List 400 in October which didn’t include any Malaysian university except for UKM that made it in the Top 100 University under 50 category.Although rankings can reflect very broad trends in academic quality, some speculators believe that all these annual results may perpetuate an unhealthy obsession with rankings in higher education.<h4></h4><h4>Not a guarantee to students’ overall learning experience</h4>Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin recently expressed his wish to see more universities in the Top 100 world rankings. He said it’s only through international prestige that the old notion that the best education can be available abroad can be dispelled. Statements such as this is common to leaders in Malaysian higher education and state governments but can manifest as an obsession with rankings.In response to that, UM lecturer Dr Azmi Sharom believes that there’s more to a university than rankings and that students must not base this in choosing a university that best suits their course.He wrote in his blog, “Depending on what you are looking for in a university, you may find excellent universities which are not ranked. I am thinking of some very good American liberal arts colleges where students get an excellent holistic education but because publications are not high on the university’s agenda, they rank poorly.”To attract high-ability students, universities well-known for their top level research also need to guarantee a good standard in non-research aspects.Dr Azmi believes that the real key to a good undergraduate university education is not whether their lectures are regularly publishing in ISI (Institute of Scientific Information-indexed) journals. It is whether they are teaching the subjects [students] want and teaching it well.<h4>Emphasis on research quality and not on numbers</h4>Whether we like it or not, the importance of rankings is inevitable and students who are seriously investing on education abroad will need this standard information to know how a university is perceived by its academic peers and employers.Moreover, benchmarking our universities against the world’s best can be beneficial. For one, it can be a positive move for lecturers and professors to be on top of their game.According to Dr Mohamad Nor Mohamad Taib, Director of the Malaysian Teachers Education Institute, it is only through action research, teachers could bring a new paradigm in teaching and learning in the classroom, thus encouraging two ways communication between teachers and students.  According to statistics, the National University of Singapore published 5,000 ISI journal papers in 2009 compared to UM which produced 1,300 ISI journal papers. The Malaysian Journal of Library and Information Science, which coincidentally belongs to UM, is among the leading journals where most Malaysian academic researcher published their paper.With the available research funds, government and institutions of higher learning expect academicians to publish in journals indexed in webs of science/ISI, or at least try to get their papers published in scopus indexed journal.However, there's a clear preference for ISI journals. A work that has been indexed in an ISI journal can be tracked – how often it has been cited and who has cited them.“There is no reason for us to be behind these varsities as UM and NUS started on equal footing at the same time. As vice-chancellor, I am saddened that we are lagging behind and it is my responsibility to bring UM up," said Prof Tan Sri Dr Ghauth Jasmon.In conclusion, university rankings still hold validity in ordering institutions of higher education. It is still is a promotional tool for higher education institutions to recruit students; an assessing tool for prospective students and a marketing tool for graduates who have finished from these institutions.----------------------Written by Lyn Cacha

University Rankings: Is it the be all and end all for Malaysian universities?

To have the opportunity to study at one of the world&rsquo;s top universities is a dream shared by thousands of students. With ever-increasing competition for university places, it is vital that students make themselves stand out from the crowd. But what steps can a prospective student take to ensure their application impresses the admissions team?<img src="https://api.afterschool.com.my/storage/uploads/images/getadvice/10992/5a697449d8b35.gif" style="width: 100%;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="impressive">Image via GiphyOver the years I have supported many students through the university application process, and have identified the key elements to ensure students make a competitive application. These elements are broken down into three essential areas: academic excellence, extra-curricular achievements, and command of the application process.Academic Excellence<img src="https://api.afterschool.com.my/storage/uploads/images/getadvice/10992/5a697449e85b9.jpg" style="width: 100%;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="library">It should go without saying that in order to ensure a place at the best universities you need to be obtaining the best grades. You should be thinking about this as early as the beginning of your GCSE/IGCSE/SPM course. You should aim to have consistently high results throughout your high school career, with nothing lower than A* and A grades/85% in all tests. Obtaining these kinds of grades is challenging, but by no means impossible, and students should always aim to be in the top 10% of their class. Many schools also offer advanced courses in high demand subjects, and it&rsquo;s highly recommended that students take advantage of these courses to deepen their understanding of the topic. Remember &ndash; the more you put in, the more you get out!Extra-curricular Achievements<img src="https://api.afterschool.com.my/storage/uploads/images/getadvice/10992/5a69744a02acc.jpg" style="width: 100%;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="swimming">Do not underestimate the importance of extra-curricular achievements, as university admissions teams regard these as almost as important as academic achievements. The reason for this is simple &ndash; they show you are a well-rounded person who has more to offer the university than just academic achievement. You should undertake extra-curricular activities that highlight your interests and strength. Activities which demonstrate teamwork or leadership skills are especially sought after and will be beneficial to developing the interpersonal skills which are necessary in the workplace. Roles such as Head Boy/Head Girl, Class President, Sports Captain, etc, develop maturity and will give you something to talk about during the interview.Perhaps the most vital aspects of extra-curricular activities are work experience and volunteering. Relevant work experience placements are essential to be able to meet a university&rsquo;s entry requirements and are invaluable as they can affirm your career choice and deepen your understanding of the subject area. Your school should be able to support you in finding relevant work experience and volunteering places. However, I recommend that you also seek out your own work experience positions as this shows perseverance and develops self-reliance.Command of the&nbsp;Application Process<img src="https://api.afterschool.com.my/storage/uploads/images/getadvice/10992/5a69744a14d7b.jpg" style="width: 100%;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="working on laptop">In addition to all the above, it is vital that you become familiar with your chosen university&rsquo;s application process. Pay attention to the deadlines for submissions. Universities will give full consideration to forms that are submitted by the deadline. Late applications will only be considered at the university&rsquo;s discretion, but for high demand and competitive courses, late applications are usually rejected. Even the best candidates can find themselves rejected because they have not adhered to the submission deadline.Arguably the most crucial aspects of the application are your personal statement and interview. The Personal Statement section is very important because it gives you the chance to show the admission&rsquo;s team how good you are and why they should select you. It allows you the chance to show what you are really like as a person and to highlight your individual strengths. There are many excellent websites that give advice on how to write a personal statement, and your school should have a designated person to help you with this, but here are my top 5 Personal Statement tips:<ul><li>Keep to the word/character limit.</li><li>Always be honest &ndash; do not exaggerate or invent.</li><li>It is a Personal Statement &ndash; i.e. about you, so do not let somebody else write it for you.</li><li>Always give details of your work experience placements/voluntary work &ndash; selectors are looking specifically for this information.</li><li>Get the balance right between academic and extra-curricular details.</li></ul><img src="https://api.afterschool.com.my/storage/uploads/images/getadvice/10992/5a69744a22669.jpg" style="width: 100%;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="hand">Perhaps the most daunting aspect of the university application process for most students is the interview stage. Though not all universities require applicants to be interviewed, most top universities will have this as a prerequisite. Look at the interview as your chance to convince the selectors that you are the right student for their course. Remember, the interviewers are not trying to &lsquo;trip you up&rsquo;; they just want to see you and to hear you talk. They cannot tell how good your communication skills are just from your application form so this is your chance to show them! Take the opportunity to undertake as many mock interviews as possible, either within school or with university students who&rsquo;ve successfully completed the process as this will help steady your nerves. My top 5 tips for navigating the interview stage are:<ul><li>Never be late and dress smartly.</li><li>Try not to be too nervous &ndash; keep calm and don&rsquo;t panic! Remember to speak clearly and maintain eye-contact.</li><li>Make sure that you know details of the specific course you are applying to.</li><li>Keep your answers reasonably brief and know when to stop talking. If you do not know the answer, be honest.</li><li>Be enthusiastic, even if the university is not your first choice.</li></ul><img src="https://api.afterschool.com.my/storage/uploads/images/getadvice/10992/5a69744a3c033.jpg" style="width: 100%;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="running race">Success in admission to a top university will be down to the combination of all the above factors, combined with the willingness to put in 100% commitment and effort in all aspects. Whilst success can never be guaranteed, following these steps will give you the best chance of submitting an impressive application to your chosen university.About the Author: Yasmin Sarwar is the Executive Director of Cardiff Sixth Form College, ranked the top co-educational boarding school and top sixth form college in the UK for A Levels.

To have the opportunity to study at one of the world’s top universities is a dream shared by thousands of students. With ever-increasing competition for university places, it is vital that students make themselves stand out from the crowd. But what steps can a prospective student take to ensure their application impresses the admissions team?

How to Break Into Top Universities

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