StarSpecial COURSE FOCUS:

COMPUTING, ARTS & DESIGN

THE STAR Tuesday 15 April 2014

Explore realms of creativity

Strong passion for fashion > 3

On track for a career in computing > 6

2 COURSE FOCUS StarSpecial, Tuesday 15 April 2014

Computing your career options

THE rapid rate at which technology continues to grow is a clear indication that this is a booming eld and graduates of technology-related programmes can be assured a range of job prospects. The courses listed below are some of the opportunities and specialisations that are available in this growing eld. l Stop motion animation Stop motion is an animation technique that requires physical manipulation of objects to create a sequence of movement in a video. The animator moves each object in small increments between each captured frame. These frames are then put together and played in a continuous sequence. Clay gurines are popularly used for this style of animation because of the ease of repositioning and handling them. Whether applied in the entertainment or education industry, this unique approach to visual media is a fullling career option for those who enjoy combining hands-on work with virtual delivery. l Graphic design Graphic design is a form of visual communication that combines art and technology. When words fail to deliver the intended message, visual solutions come into play with the use of colour, typography and illustrations to get the message across. Graphic designers combine basic methods such as pencil sketching and other traditional approaches with computer and software applications to create illustrations that communicate ideas and market a product. l ICT ICT involves nding ways to perform everyday tasks with the assistance of computers and technology. ICT is benecial especially in combination with another eld such as business management. For example, ICT graduates can apply their skills in the corporate sector to create customer feedback programmes that keep track of connections between business and customers and help businesses provide better after sale and customer services. l Computer engineering Computers, mobile phones, tablet devices and game consoles are products of computer engineering. Most often, computer engineers integrate related elds into their work, including electrical engineering and software design. Since it is a wide and growing eld, job opportunities are plentiful for graduates. To widen their job prospects or to specialise in niche areas within this eld, graduates often enrol in upskilling programmes, postgraduate courses or apply for professional accreditation.

Calling for artistic, tech-savvy talents

I
T is an exciting time for Malaysias creative multimedia industry as it is becoming one of the most sought-after industries in the world. It is a unique industry that cuts across the arts, sciences and business, creating unprecedented connectivity, driving innovation and new business models. The countrys creative multimedia industry is estimated to be worth RM4.2tril, reports PwC, a leading auditing rm. Contributing to this revenue are feature lms (RM288bil), animated content (RM270bil), video games (RM192bil) and mobile applications (RM88.5bil). creative rms and as freelancers. Freelancer. com, a website for small businesses and entrepreneurs, listed careers in 3D printing as one of the top 50 fastest growing online job areas last year. In the report, 3D rendering, 3D modelling and even 3D animation showed signicant growth. Furthermore, online design jobs such as illustration, Photoshop design, banner design and logo design showed an increase as more businesses outsource their designs to freelancers. tight deadline, Savaree believes that having an entrepreneurial mindset is a bonus. Many of our graduates start their own business by working as freelancers, so basic business skills such as planning and nancial skills are important, she adds. There is no set career route but most people in this industry have a bachelors qualication and it is common for beginners to do unpaid work to gain experience.

A future in apps
The demand for more apps that run on iOS, Android and other mobile phone operating systems is continuously growing. However, Malaysia is short of mobile application development talent. For students planning to take up IT with programming skills, this gap represents a fresh opportunity to embark on an exciting career. With IT budgets getting leaner, most tech, product and service companies are outsourcing mobile app development projects to consulting rms and boutique development shops. Some of these local companies have begun training their interns to learn new skills in mobile app development. As the eld is relatively new, not all computer and IT graduates can make the transition so certicate courses are offered by institutions to graduates who want to embark on this business venture. For those without a computer or IT background, entering this segment is still possible. This industry needs content creators who can create compelling content and research. Graphic designers who have strong visual designs, typography, composition and colour skills are welcome to apply.

Designing user experience

Like good design, sound is also central to our daily lives. The songs we download to our smartphones, sound effects and the surround sound that makes movie viewing a pleasure are some of what audio engineers, recording engineers and equipment engineers are involved in creating. The BBC, a leading broadcasting company in the United Kingdom, observed a shortage of highly skilled graduates who specialise in video and audio systems. Similarly, institutions of music education in Malaysia such as International College of Music observed a shortage of practitioners and intelligent users of audio technologies who can work at live venues, in recording studios and for lm and TV companies. President and chief executive ocer of the International College of Music Irene Savaree says that most people who study recording and audio engineering are musicians or audiophiles who have decided to enter this highly competitive industry. Aside from having excellent aural and communication skills and the ability to work conceptually and creatively over a
IDS

Hands that shape the future

Designers inuence almost everything around us. They design the smartphones we use, the websites we visit, the chairs we sit on and even the mugs we sip our coffee from. Designers make engineered creations desirable. The advent of 3D printing technology or additive manufacturing, which is a process that transforms digital images to solid three-dimensional models, is expected to boost the need for designers who can take a product idea and transform it into something feasible and applicable. With the possibility of being able to manufacture and market products easily, the demand for 3D printed objects is expected to grow. Moreover, its increasing applications across different sectors, including automotive, education, construction and architecture, medical and electronics will attract more people to its practical uses. According to industry observers, 3D printing will create jobs for 3D designers at 3D printing rms, manufacturing and

STA

ay nd R Su

O al P i c e Sp R TO Star MO ne l ia en o e c s d o e i gu e ch rSp car e th Sta t B s ir

IN G
THE STA R Tue y 21 sda uar Jan 4 y 201
ry rua 9 Feb 2014

AD TG R

UAT

THE STAR

HT K cial BRIG StarSpecial MOTORING e p S r a t S

ry 2014 y 4 Februa Tuesda

For bookings and further information, contact your advertising agency or the following:

THE STAR Sunday

12 January

2014

StarSpecial SOUTHERN PROPERTY

THE STAR Thursday 30 January 2014

Supplement Team Email: supp @thestar.com.my

rf You
d lay We

n ow

the

n ptio

s fo

ou ry

s r fir

t se

to

fw

hee

ls.

help willreer. BA t M r ca igh st you r e Th boo

to

jychia@thestar.com.my

03- 796 6 823 7

kamariah@thestar.com.my

03- 796 6 822 7

re > futu your ing neer Engi

6-7 e> llid s co rld wo two en Wh >3 ity vers d di ce an Choi > ress imp 4

10

Rise of g Year the south Chinese New Unlockin e tential ring guid your po moto
ion > 5 the hottest educat rs in town and tionaloffe rna best The ble inte afforda Quality,

Direct Bookings

cars availabl

e this year.

peterhoe@thestar.com.my
The new pulse of Johor Baru > 22

03-7966 8236

BA at An M

> PACE own your

8
y weight g your bod Knowin

3 status >

The right time

to buy > 6-7

used? Buying new or

>8

ns > Lifestyle optio

10

Quality developments, prime locations > 10

StarSpecial, Tuesday 15 April 2014

COURSE FOCUS 3

Strong passion for fashion

UCSI fashion student Worood Abdul Karim (left) posing with her mock cheque with ICAD head (fashion department) Nur Mashita Kamalun Ariffin at the bridal competition and exhibition.

OR Worood Abdul Karim, a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Fashion Design with Marketing student at UCSI University, fashion is who she is. A trendsetter among her friends, she loves wearing what she designs. Her dream of becoming a fashion designer began when she was watching TV shows like Project Runway. Now, she is on the road to full her dream and credits UCSI for giving her the avenue to step into the fashion world. Her rst fashion show took her to Johor Baru, where she participated in a bridal competition and exhibition themed Victorian High Tea Time. She clinched the second runner-up title and received a cash prize of RM2,000 at the event. Inspired by classic designs that exude sophistication and femininity, Worood designed a vintage-inspired wedding dress that combined a white wedding dress with black lace gloves and a belt. The dening moments for me was seeing my design on stage and receiving my prize. It is an experience I will not forget, she says. At UCSI Universitys De Institute-ofCreative Arts and Design (ICAD), fashion students like Worood are encouraged to showcase their work at fashion shows and competitions. Passion is the key factor to any great design and ICAD advocates this by ensuring its students are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to produce stunning collections. The process of producing a garment from idea conception to actual production is not complex. Students are rst given a theme to work on before they create a customer board and

sketches. Once their designs are nalised, the students decide on the colours to use and proceed to the pattern drafting stage, where they draft a paper pattern for sewing. Fabric is cut according to the pattern and sewn before being presented to the lecturer. Through UCSIs co-op programme, fashion students are placed at companies for two months each year. Worood was placed at the Valiram Group, a leading luxury goods and specialist retailer with more than 100 stores in South-East Asia. There, she deepened her knowledge in marketing fashion goods and is glad that she can apply what she studied at UCSI to practice. UCSI strongly embraces holistic learning and the testimonies from students like Worood illustrate this.

A model parading the winning wedding dress designed by Worood Abdul Karim.

Nurturing young talent

ABDUL Rashid Hamid is a lecturer at UCSI Universitys De Institute-of-Creative Arts and Design (ICAD) with almost 15 years of experience in the fashion world. His passion for the arts knows no boundaries and he is keen to impart his knowledge to his students. He explains that many fashion designers are self taught and as such, are not well-versed in the basics of fashion designing. To be a good fashion designer, you need to understand colours, the basics of art, the cut and such. By knowing these things, your design will speak for itself, says Abdul Rashid. For Abdul Rashid, teaching fashion is all about guidance. For example, during his fashion marketing class, he helps his students understand market demands by visualising and conducting research on their customers. In fashion marketing, you need to have a good understanding of your customers and their lifestyles. When you do, you know what your price range should be and what to sell, he explains. I teach because I want to share my experiences with my students. It is fun to work with young people and understand what inspires them. With lecturers like Rashid who love what they do, ICAD has created a place where students are encouraged to shine and to thrive in the world of fashion. UCSIs information days will take place on April 19 and 20 from 9am to 5pm. n For more information, call 03-9101 8882 or visit www.ucsiuniversity.edu.my/onlineenquiry

4 COURSE FOCUS StarSpecial, Tuesday 15 April 2014

Limkokwings new programme will produce designers who can transform creative ideas into the stylish vehicles we see on the road.

Transport design programme is the countrys first

L
IMKOKWING Universitys new transport design course is the rst of its kind in the country. It gives students the opportunity to break the mould by coming up with Malaysias own original equipment manufacturers design (OEM). This degree programme is aimed at producing designers who will contribute to Malaysias automotive industry. Graduates of this degree will ll a critical vacuum in the countrys automotive sector, which has a vision of becoming totally independent but needs capable knowledge workers to realise this. Their skills will be much sought after not only locally, but also globally in advanced nations such as the United States, Japan and South Korea and also across Europe where the transport industry is booming. From transit and urban planning, which is in huge demand in metropolitan cities, to recreational vehicle design and alternative personal transportation design, which are exciting new elds in the automotive industry, the high-income career pathways that this degree opens up are varied, and demand for graduates is always on the rise as the transport industry continues evolving. Transport designs begin as creative ideas that transform to become the stylish vehicles we see on the road. While Malaysia has already shown its prowess in manufacturing vehicles locally, there remains a distinct need for graduates who are adept in the designing and innovation process. Here there is opportunity for innovation through designs that stand out. Presently, the need to outsource for original designs hinders uniqueness. Through Limkokwing, transport design graduates will challenge this notion, equipped with the freedom of mind and infused with a blend of cultures, to create award-winning designs. While transport design may not be the most popular eld in design, many forget that it is an indispensable element of the modern economy, especially since the success or failure of transportation and logistics can make or break an industry. A modernised, urban system of transport is the bedrock of a highincome developed country and it is an important consideration for foreign investors wishing to inject money into the country. It is also important to remember that this is an industry that is heavily dependent on technology. It constantly changes and therefore needs manpower equipped with an innovative and adaptive mindset. n For more information, call 03-8317 8652 or visit www.limkokwing.net

About Limkokwing University Of Creative Technology

Limkokwing University is an international university with a presence across three continents. It has more than 30,000 students from more than 150 countries studying in its 12 campuses in Botswana, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Lesotho, Malaysia, Swaziland and the United Kingdom. The university has gained worldwide recognition through its innovative brand of creative education, merging the best of eastern and western education.

StarSpecial, Tuesday 15 April 2014

COURSE FOCUS 5

New partnerships that spell success

S
EGi University Groups ICT and Creative Arts and Design programmes are among the most popular with students. They are designed to meet stringent industry demands while providing students an environment conducive to learning, which includes state-of-the-art learning tools on campus. For those who want to be successful in the competitive ICT career, SEGi Universitys School of Technology and Innovation is the right place to start. There is a wide variety of ICT programmes that will interest any tech-savvy person and meet the needs of the ICT industry. Innovative partnerships with leading ICT companies ensure students are well-equipped for the working world. Recently, SEGi entered a partnership with ICT giant Huawei, which will provide internship placements for the universitys ICT students as well as employment opportunities in the organisations of the corporations eco-partners. Students will get the chance to gain practical experience from a world-leading ICT company. Huawei will also help ensure that SEGis syllabi comply with current market demands and hold periodic talks on campus to help students realise their full potential. The School of Technology and Innovation is also equipped with a RM125,000 Macintosh Lab at the new SEGi Tower at Kota Damansara in Selangor, where students can learn about iOS development and gain certication related to the Apple organisation. The school also collaborates with Oracle to honour the top Bachelor of Information Technology graduates with the Oracle-SEGi Top Student Award. SEGis Faculty of Creative Arts and Design is also leading innovation with its range of programmes that bring out the creativity and excellence of its students. Recently, SEGi appointed one of Malaysias leading creative personalities, Marini Ramlan, as industry advisor to the faculty. Marini is the head of Content Innovation at Primeworks Studios, a TV production company and subsidiary of Media Prima. She also paints, illustrates, designs and creates new projects. Marini spent a few hours with creative arts and design students at SEGi College Subang Jaya recently. She shared stories about her journey and encouraged students to grow their passion for art, trust themselves, do what is right and most importantly, achieve self-satisfaction. n For more information on Faculty of Creative Arts and Design programmes, call 03-6145 1777 or 1800 887 344, or e-mail askme@segi.edu.my or visit www.segi.edu.my

Students pursuing ICT and creative arts programmes at SEGi University will gain exposure to marketplace practices.

A colourful day in the Orang Asli community

A GROUP of students from the Faculty of Creative Art and Design (FOCAD), SEGi College Subang Jaya, recently spent a morning at Kampung Hulu Tamu, Batang Kali, with Orang Asli pre-school children. With the theme Making Rainbows, the FOCAD students shared their creativity through various activities involving art, language and music. Some of the activities that took place included making rainbow musical shakers, a colouring contest, hand painting and a quiz titled Identify the Colours. This effort is part of FOCADs corporate social responsibility module and a faculty effort to inculcate the importance of contributing to sustainable development of communities among students. This outing also enabled students to learn important skills such as nance management, research, event planning and logistics. At the end of the event, the children received stationery, books and food from various sponsors, including SEGi, Nestle and Karangkraf.

The SEGi College Subang Jaya FOCAD students, the children and their teachers posing for a group photo after a great morning together.

6 COURSE FOCUS StarSpecial, Tuesday 15 April 2014

On track for a career in computing

N
G Kang Wei, who is in his nal semester of the Bachelor of Computer Science (Hons) programme at Nilai University (Nilai U), applied for scholarships from a number of institutions after his STPM. He received a number of positive responses but opted for Nilai U because of its location. Having scored 3As in his STPM, Ng was offered a High Achievers Scholarship by the university, which covered his tuition and accommodation fees. I am very thankful for the scholarship as it greatly reduces the nancial burden on my retired parents, says the former student of SMJK Yu Hua, Kajang. Ng says it made sense that he settled for an institution outside the city. The cost of living in Putra Nilai is affordable. The campus is also peaceful and the environment

I have noticed that computing students at Nilai U are very good at programming. This is because the lecturers ensure we are given a solid foundation in this area.
Ng Kang Wei

is conducive to higher studies. There are very few distractions here unlike in big city campuses, he says. The 23-year-old had narrowed his choices to actuarial science, civil engineering and computer sciences after his STPM before nally deciding on computing studies. Although he had heard about reports of unemployed computing graduates, Ng was undeterred. I rmly believe that if you do your best and achieve good results, you will be able to nd a job, no matter how tough the economic climate and how many graduates you are competing with. Ng is on track academically as he is currently maintaining a CGPA of 3.7, which will allow him to graduate with a rst class honours if he maintains it to the end of his course.

It is something that he is hoping to achieve as he is aware that blue-chip companies are always on the lookout for academic high achievers. He attributes his success thus far to his experienced lecturers. They are always available to help students who do not understand the lessons. Their guidance has really beneted many students, Ng says. Nilai Us small class sizes enable students to get plenty of guidance and attention from their lecturers. I have noticed that computing students at Nilai U are very good at programming. This is because the lecturers ensure we are given a solid foundation in this area. We are drilled in the programming languages of C++ and Java, allowing us to be condent with our programming skills, he says. Having successfully applied to the Malaysian Institute of Microelectronic Systems (MIMOS) for an internship, he is

hoping he will be retained for a full-time position. With his good grades and rm grasp of the essentials of programming language, Ng feels he is poised to make an impact and carve out a lucrative career for himself. n For more information, call 06-850 2308 or visit www.nilai.edu. my

Transforming the young generation

NELSON David Bassey, who recently graduated with a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, says he was shy and reserved when he rst enrolled at Nilai U. To help him come out of his shell, Bassey began reading lots of self-development books. It was then that I thought I would try to write a book in simple English to help other students, he says. Bassey approached Prof Dr Logeswaran Rajasvaran, dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Science and Technology, to help with this ambitious project. When he approached me, he had already started on the rst draft and I encouraged him as this is a worthwhile effort, says Prof Logeswaran, who helped Bassey co-author the book. Now, 23-year-old Bassey is the proud author of The New Generation of Leadership: Transforming Ordinary Young People into Outstanding and Growing Leaders. He was invited to launch his book at SMK Sultan Abdul Samad, Petaling Jaya, by the secondary schools principal, Sarawasthy Narayanasamy. The principal says she handpicked the students to attend the launch, which comprised senior prefects, presidents of clubs and societies and members of the school debating team. Having read the book, Saraswathy says she nds the contents to be extremely helpful. Its easy-to-digest language allows secondary school students to comprehend the lessons contained within. As a young author, Bassey is a great role model to her students.

From left: Prof Dr Logeswaran, Bassey, Prof Datuk Dr Megat Burhainuddin Megat Abdul Rahman, vice-chancellor of Nilai U and Saraswathy at the book launch in SMK Sultan Abdul Samad.

StarSpecial, Tuesday 15 April 2014

COURSE FOCUS 7

Understanding the aspects of graphic design

HE eld of graphic design is projected to be one of the fastest growing elds. Reports on employment trends indicate that professions related to graphic design have seen a positive growth in recent years. Graphic design is an interdisciplinary, problemsolving activity, which combines visual sensitivity with skill and knowledge in the areas of communications, technology and business. The graphic design professional specialises in the structuring of visual information to aid communication and orientation. The Management & Science University (MSU) through its Faculty of Information Sciences & Engineering (FISE) aims to produce highly skilled experts in the graphic design eld by offering both degree and diploma programmes. A graduate in this specialisation will be equipped with skills in advertising, art directing, brand consulting, coordinating, costing, design and aesthetic judgment, web designing, illustrating, project management, quality control and research. Having knowledge of the graphic design process, as well as

MSU aims to produce highly skilled graduates in the field of graphic design through its programmes. fundamental design skills, enable graduates to develop, suggest and implement solutions that are effective. The scope of the graphic designers job covers all ends of the creative spectrum, including that of creative/art directors, layout artists, brand identity designers, logo designers, ash designers, illustrators, photo editing/Photoshop artists, multimedia designers, photographers and web designers. MSU is committed to ensuring the best for its students. A comprehensive range of visiting professors who conduct regular semester visits provide valuable input to students. Recognition and quality

academic programmes coupled with extensive efforts at enhancing the students softskills have resulted in the high employability rates of its graduates. Extensive international collaborations with partner universities across the globe through the Global Mobility Programme (GMP) have signicantly positioned MSU as an emerging institution within the region. In addition to the graphic design programme, MSU through FISE also offers bachelors and diploma programmes in the areas of information and communication technology, games design and animation, creative video and photography, instructional multimedia, visual communication and marketing, creative multimedia and media science. These specialisations are enriched with industry-relevant components to ensure that students know the needs of the industry. n For more information, call 03-5521 6868, e-mail enquiry@msu.edu.my or visit www.msu.edu.my

8 COURSE FOCUS StarSpecial, Tuesday 15 April 2014

Plenty to gain at design conference

K
BU International College will be hosting a design conference titled Emerging Asian Identities in collaboration with Central Academy of Fine Arts Beijing (CAFA). The conference will take place on April 29 from 9.30am to 5pm. It will showcase experienced and renowned speakers, including Eddin Khoo, founder of Pusaka; Elizabeth Cardosa, executive director of Badan Warisan; Eric Cruz, executive creative director of Leo Burnett Malaysia; and Prof Xiao Yong of CAFA Beijing. The KBU x CAFA Design Conference is for those who are passionate about design, the latest trends in design and its relation to cultural diversity. The conference will be a distinct contemporary exploration of design and cultural identities, says Dr Debbie Gan, deputy head of the School of Design. She says the conference will pave the way for students to learn from the experience and creative practices of experts. We are expecting about 200 participants for the conference. Entrance is free and those who are interested can send us an RSVP by April 23, says Dr Gan. Books and magazine booths will be set up to showcase and sell design books. Items handmade in KBU will also be on sale on that day. KBUs School of Design cultivates top and awardwinning designers through its industry-based teaching and learning. These include collaborative projects such as BROS bottles design, new product designs for Stainless Steel Industries and Ralph Laurens The Big Pony Collection. The school is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including a large studio space, advanced computer hardware and software, a printing studio, 3D workshops and a range of equipment. In recent years, KBU design students clinched numerous awards. These include the Philips Lightover Challenge, MIFF Furniture Design Competition, Hyundai Rev-Up InterCollege Competition, Malaysian Society of Interior Design Awards, Asia Pacic Designers Awards and International Design Awards. In 2012, the school won all the awards in the Nippon Paint Young Designer Competition for the Interior Architecture category. KBUs School of Design also offers BA (Hons) Interior Architecture & Design (3+0), BA (Hons) Graphic Design, BA (Hons) Furniture & Product Design, Foundation in Art & Design, Diploma in Interior Design and Diploma in Interactive Design. n To book a spot for the conference, contact Priya Mogan at 03-7727 3200 ext 186.

Dr Debbie Gan: The conference will inspire students on the relevance of local culture in a globalised world.

Are you game?

ARE you interested in getting into the video game industry? Game developers specialise in the creation and production of a video game. These games can be for computers, handhelds, consoles, arcades or the Internet. As a game developer, you may nd yourself wearing several hats. In the game development industry, taking on more roles will mean higher earnings and greater ownership of the games produced. If you are an artistic person, you could look into the idea generation stage of a game where you will be required to sketch potential characters and brainstorm ideas for several aspects of the game, including the games storyline and design or sometimes even the gameplay and interface. These are some of the roles that you can ll as a game developer: Programmer: Game programmers are mainly divided into four categories graphic programmers, sound programmers, user interface programmers and game scripters. Generally, if the producer needs the user interface changed, the programmer will work on it. Programmers are the most important people in the game development process. Producer: Game development is overseen by producers who ensure that the process goes smoothly. Some of the producers tasks are acquiring resources for the programmers and artists, delegating duties to people under him and arranging for beta testing and focus groups. Artist: Artists create 2D and 3D elements in a game and decide how the game will look. Elements such as the characters, objects, environment and lighting are rendered by artists. All of these are built using art software applications such as Maya, Photoshop, Modo, Softimage and Zbrush. As an artist, you can also consider doing animation. In animation, the focus is on movement, an important aspect to any game. The applications used may be similar to the ones used by artists and may include motion-capture equipment.

StarSpecial, Tuesday 15 April 2014

COURSE FOCUS 9

About 350 students, alumni, staff and guests gathered at The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus to observe Earth Hour.

Meaningful Earth Hour celebration

T
HE Earth Hour Carnival at The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus (UNMC) featured a mini concert and exhibition on environmental awareness. Organised by the UNMCs Nature Club, this is the fourth year that the university has participated in Earth Hour. Some 350 students, alumni, staff and guests attended the event and joined in a candlelit walk around the campus. Initiated by Chen Siang Hui, the president of UNMCs Nature Club, and Mabel Lim Tze Jia, the vice president of the club, the duo also conducted informal workshops to increase awareness on energy conservation among UNMC students. that our community at UNMC is becoming more aware that personal efforts are needed to conserve the environment, says Chen, a third year civil engineering student at UNMC. The countdown to Earth Hour saw performances by UNMC student bands. The event ended with a performance of Michael Jacksons Heal The World by Jason Ong, a member of the Nature Club and also a foundation in business and management student at the university.

A university of quality
The University of Nottingham has 42,000 students with campuses in the United Kingdom, China and Malaysia. It is also one of the most popular universities among graduate employers, one of the worlds greenest universities and winner of the Times Higher Education Award for Outstanding Contribution to Sustainable Development. It is ranked in the Worlds Top 75 universities by the QS World University Rankings. n For more information on courses offered at UNMC, visit www.nottingham.edu.my

Creating awareness
The carnival featured food stalls, sale of eco-friendly products, games with recyclable materials, donations of recyclable items and information booths on how to save energy. Attendees also pledged to adopt energy-ecient habits in their daily lives. We received very encouraging attendance at this event compared to the previous years and this is a clear indication

A flair for fashion

A KEEN eye for fashion does not happen overnight. It takes years for a designer to differentiate a good design from a mediocre one. A fashion designer must have the passion to create and showcase his personality in his designs. Fashion designers must be able to match colours, choose the right materials and know how to match a design with the right body type. To succeed in the fashion world, a designer needs to have a great passion and strong commitment to fashion. Ones passion for fashion can be cultivated in various ways, including scoping out current fashions in the shops, and watching TV shows on fashion and conducting research. The fashion industry in Malaysia is one that is booming and is expected to contribute RM9.6bil to the countrys export revenue and investment in the next six years. Some of the countrys biggest names in fashion include Datuk Bernard Chandran, Datuk Prof Jimmy Choo and Melinda Looi. Their designs have been worn at many red carpet events by both local and international stars. This list of fashion designers is expected to grow as the perception of the fashion industry is changing and more and more people are starting to see it as a lucrative and inuential industry.

10 COURSE FOCUS StarSpecial, Tuesday 15 April 2014

Research project that benefits mankind

T
HERE is no current cure for movement-impaired or motor neuron disease (MND). Some patients cannot even speak. So this project aims to improve the quality of their lives by providing better mobility, says Prof Ir Datuk Goh Sing Yau, lecturer at the Department of Mechanical and Material Engineering at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR). Prof Goh was speaking about UTARs Brain Computer-Interface (BCI) wheelchair project, which was awarded RM2.79mil under the Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation Flagship Project. The live demonstration of the clinically pre-commercialised prototype of the BCI wheelchair is a research project that reects UTARs commitment to excellence in education and research. are complemented by a range of excellent facilities such as science laboratories, engineering laboratories and research centres, including the Centre for Computing Intelligent System (CCIS) and Centre for Information System and Software Technologies (CISST). In addition to preparing engineering students to be academically qualied, the exemplary leadership of lecturers and the practical knowledge imparted to students are also spurring them to be proactively involved in industry competitions. UTARs team Ottobot exemplied this when it competed in the annual Shell Ecomarathon Asia 2014. The team was made up of Vishant Selvarajah, an FES mechatronics engineering student and team Ottobots manager; Lim Pok Sheen, an architecture student; and mechanical engineering students Poh Hou Wei and Lee Jia Qi. Electronic and communications engineering student Loh Hong Khai also did the faculty proud when he won the prestigious Bayer Young Environmental Envoy Award 2013. An elated Loh attributed his success to the support and encouragement of his lecturers and the faculty and hopes that his achievement will inspire more students to strive to do their best. n For more information, visit www.utar.edu.my A student demonstrating the clinically pre-commercialised prototype of the BCI wheelchair.

Achieving excellence
With UTARs engineering discipline achieving a rating of Tier 5 Excellence in the Discipline-Based Rating System (D-SETARA), it is not surprising to see excellence in engineering research projects the university achieved. Currently, the Faculty of Engineering and Science (FES) offers seven degree programmes in the eld of science and nine programmes in the eld of engineering. The facultys teaching and research

Be tomorrows IT innovators
INFRASTRUCTURE University Kuala Lumpur (IUKL) offers a wide range of programmes that focuses on the principles and practical skills of IT and multimedia. It is aimed at establishing for its students the foundation for a successful career in this eld. As it is so useful in our society, multimedia is among the most popular elds of study in IT for its interesting range of subjects and career prospects. As multimedia becomes increasingly important to businesses, both from marketing and operational standpoints, opportunities in this eld continue to grow, says Robiatul Adawiah Jamaluddin, head of the computer science department at IUKLs Faculty of Creative Media and Innovative Technology. At IUKL, the Bachelor of Multimedia (Hons) programme is designed to produce competent graduates in a variety of elds associated with design, media, the creative arts, and information and communication technologies. These graduates are able to integrate various technologies in multimedia design, production, management and evaluation skills. Students will be equipped with strong knowledge of the authoring process and creative media production through a combination of individual and practical group projects and lecture materials. In this degree programme, students are also exposed to a broad range of subjects that reects the best practices of established and emerging industries. An important feature is practical problem-solving in multi-disciplinary teams using current and emerging technologies. Students will also be able to transform 2D graphics into 3D and incorporate them into games, mobile applications and computer programmes, says Robiatul. Upon graduation, students can begin their career in the multimedia and animation industry. Being in this eld and working in this area allow graduates to balance their creative side with their skills in technology.

n For more information, call 1800 88 STUDY (78839) or visit www.IUKL.edu.my

Multimedia is a popular choice among students because of its interesting subjects and the wide range of careers it offers.

Tuesday 15 April 2014

StarSpecial 11

12 COURSE FOCUS StarSpecial, Tuesday 15 April 2014

Specialising in mobile application development

T
HE computing landscape is currently dominated by mobile devices. There is a growing demand for expertise and highly specialised professionals in mobile application development to full this market need. To prepare aspiring innovators for this fast-growing sector, INTI International University offers a specialisation in mobile application development in its Bachelor of Computer Science (Hons) degree, which incorporates international exposure, innovative learning and individual development. Research has shown that mobile phones have overtaken the use of personal computers as the most popular way to access the Internet. Looking at recent trends, more and more users are using their smartphones to access the web, check e-mails, go on social networking sites, play games, listen to music and more. Our mobile application development specialisation allows more students to be trained and qualied to produce mobile apps for individual consumers and enterprises, says Assoc Prof Goh Poh Kim, head of discipline computer science at INTI International University. Apart from mobile application development, students of the development exposes students to the latest trends in mobile platforms such as iOS and Android as well as the latest tools available for mobile development. This specialisation is designed to equip students with the fundamental theories and practical skills to develop mobile applications in various platforms. Immersion in real employer projects will make their transition to the actual workplace a smooth and seamless one, says Assoc Prof Jasmine Low from the Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics at INTI International University. More than 80 organisations, including software houses and multinational companies, have come on board to work with students on employer projects that develop students problem solving, collaboration, communication and critical thinking skills. These will help them gain the experience and readiness for global employability. In return, INTI students provide fresh, innovative and applicable ideas and solutions that organisations are able to adopt and apply in their businesses. n For more information, call 06-798 2000 or visit www.newinti.edu.my

Mobile application development exposes students to the latest trends in mobile platforms as well as the latest tools available for mobile development. Bachelor of Computer Science (Hons) degree can specialise in digital marketing, network and mobile computing, network security and software engineering. They can choose their specialisation in the second year of the programme. Emphasis is placed on applied knowledge with 50% of the curriculum based on practical application. Employer projects as well as internships at organisations such as INTEL Technology, Sony, CSC Malaysia, Khind Holdings and Silverlake Sprints provide strong innovative learning and individual development opportunities. The Bachelor of Computer Science degree is validated by Coventry University, UK, and dual awards are conferred to graduates by both Coventry University and INTI International University. Rated the Modern University of the Year by The Times Good University Guide 2014, Coventry University was also the winner of Times Higher Educations 2011 awards for Entrepreneurial University of the Year and Outstanding Students Support. Coventry Universitys computing and IT programmes are also accredited by the British Computer Society. Mobile application

Is a stage life for you?

THE performing arts is a broad category that comprises theatre, music, dance and radio. In addition to having talent and interest in the performing arts, it is essential for you to be able to perform under pressure and in front of an audience. Going into the performing arts, you need to be committed to practices, rehearsals and performances. Malaysians are becoming more auent. The demand for better quality entertainment has increased, making performing arts a viable career option. Below are a few job options to consider: l Theatre stage manager Stage managers need to be able to manage the people involved in the production of a show. The stage manager coordinates every aspect of the production from the actors to the props required for the performance. As a stage manager, you will need to coordinate rehearsals, technicians, actors, props and costume ttings. Stage managers need to meet the requirements of the director and ensure that performances are understood technically and artistically. l Orchestrator/music arranger This is known as one of the more rened careers in the music business. It involves writing scores for orchestras, choral groups, bands, vocalists and individual instrumentalists. You will also need to transpose a song into a key that the vocalist is comfortable with. Orchestrators sometimes work as arrangers when they are required to transcribe a composition and change it to another genre. l Choreographer A choreographer has many duties and tasks to carry out. In addition to directing and instructing dancers, choreographers need to read and study musical scores to determine the kind of dance moves that suit the music and mood of a performance. An experienced choreographer can instruct dancers on the many ways to stand and move and also correct techniques of dance to prevent injuries. l Disc jockey Disc jockeys, or DJs are the voices behind the programmes on our radio stations. A DJs responsibilities include introducing singles, albums, reading the news and making public announcements. In order to enjoy a successful career with loyal listeners, you should have a unique and likeable personality.

The inner workings of interior design

AS an interior designer, you need to be creative, artistic and imaginative as well as disciplined and organised. Interior designing involves the enhancement of an interior space through the use of colour, furniture, texture and lighting. The interior designer must know what materials and products to use in addition to understanding the health and safety issues that are involved in the process of working on a design project. Another aspect of interior designing is the ability to communicate well with clients about their vision for the room. An interior designer needs to be a good team leader and team player as they will be communicating and dealing with clients, architects and contractors. Interior designers must have their designs approved by an architect before any work is done because some walls may require important wiring or piping.

Specialised interior design

You can choose to specialise in residential or commercial design. Residential design involves the design of private residences. The interior designer will need to work very closely with the owner of the space as the needs and wants of the owner are very important. Commercial designs is a specialisation that encompasses a wider range of subspecialities such as retail, visual and spatial branding, corporate, health care, hospitality and recreation, institutional and industrial facilities. Just like most elds, interior designers can also opt to teach interior design at a tertiary level or start their own interior design business.

The conductor in an orchestra plays a key role.

Tuesday 15 April 2014

StarSpecial 13

14 COURSE FOCUS StarSpecial, Tuesday 15 April 2014

Music education at its finest

W
ALKING through the corridors of the International College of Music (ICOM) in Kuala Lumpur, one can sense how dynamic the mood is inside its rooms. In one room, a student skips over piano keys with his ngers to produce a classic by Beethoven. In the recording studio, two students are working on a new track and further down, a lecture is going on about the qualities of a hit song. This is the usual affair at ICOM, a premier college of contemporary music in Malaysia. The college has strong ties with Berklee College of Music in Boston, the United States, and through this partnership, hundreds of students have studied at Berklee, which has produced legendary alumni such as Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock and John Mayer. Students can opt for the one-year Foundation in Music programme and transfer credits to Berklees third and fourth year degree programmes in 12 different majors. Facilitating this cost-effective opportunity is the colleges president and chief executive ocer, Irene Savaree, who is also an alumna of the Berklee College of Music. Through her tutelage, ICOM remains a highly respected institution known for offering the highest quality music education for students of all ages and levels of ability. When it comes to musical exposure, it is common knowledge that one should start early with music lessons. However, this perception can be limiting to those who realise their passion in music at an older age. Music is uncontainable. It is a language that springs from your soul and speaks to the heart. Its never too late. We have had students who enrolled in the Bachelor of Music (Hons) Professional Music after their retirement, says Savaree. She adds that not all students at ICOM enrol for music or audio programmes. Many apply their passion for music by enrolling in the Diploma in Business Music Industry (DBMI), which is a to score music or write songs that can be featured in that lm, she says.

Technologys influence on music making

Every day, millions of people engage with the arts and culture through digital media. This engagement comes in different forms and is constantly changing due to technological advancements. The number of ways you can now access music has mushroomed, reects Savaree. Years ago, listeners accessed music through radio, CDs or by watching music videos. Today, listeners can listen to songs, follow their artistes or watch videos online or through their mobile devices. This kind of engagement complements, rather than replaces, the consumers music experience. With so many ways to market and share your music, not just domestically but globally, this is an exciting time to be in the music industry. To make music more relevant to todays learners, students at ICOM, especially those taking the bachelor of music degree, experience interactive learning through ICOMs m-Mobility programme. In the course of this programme, students use cuttingedge music software on their Apple Mac Book Pro laptops to compose, arrange, record, edit and mix their original tracks. Students can also share their music directly with their fan base over the Internet. The m-Mobility programme is designed to make our students more independent and to work with the emerging technologies used worldwide. This gives ICOM students an advantage and an edge to succeed in their careers in the music industry, concludes Savaree. ICOM July semester is now open for enrolment. n For more information, call 03-4023 6000 or visit www.icom.edu.my

ICOM has invested in facilities worth more than RM50mil for the benefit of its students. programme for non-musicians. This three-year programme combines core business subjects such as principles of marketing, economics and nancial accounting with specialist music industry subjects such as record company operations, artiste management or music publishing that help students carve a business career in the music industry. Students who successfully complete the diploma have the option to do a one-year, top-up degree in music and entertainment industry management at the University of Hertfordshire, United Kingdom. There are myriad career options for students, including managing events, promoting concerts and live sound, distribution and licensing, working with record labels and even representing artistes as managers, says Savaree. in facilities worth more than RM50mil, which include a recital hall that can seat 150 people, a library, a synthesiser laboratory, ensemble rooms, a recording studio, a surround sound production suite and more than 38 private practice rooms. The teaching and learning methods developed by the colleges professional music educators cater to students of various backgrounds and experiences. For instance, the methods used to integrate students who read music notation with those that play by ear in one classroom challenge both these groups to hone in on new knowledge and understand the craft of music. According to Savaree, this works very well for both groups of students, and she adds that these methods are continually researched and improved upon to make learning music more enjoyable at ICOM. The local music industry is segmented according to ethnicity and taste. The music market comprises the Malay, Chinese, Tamil and English music segments and beyond that, there is indie and hip-hop music, says Savaree. She adds that segmentation is one of the many factors why Malaysians may know very little about artistes or music

ICOM students have the advantage and edge to succeed in the music industry. development happening in another ethnic community within the overall music industry in Malaysia. There is nevertheless, an active ongoing collaboration. To emphasise the point, she cites the performance of Malaysian Shila Amzah in the Chinese reality singing competition, Asian Wave in Shanghai. Shila was able to endear herself to the Chinese audience with her perfect rendition of a Mandarin song. Through this endeavour, Shila is now known and has a following from among the Malaysian Chinese audiences. Savaree also stresses the importance of capturing the hearts of audiences and the only way to do so is to get music students exposed to different music genres and technologies. Education expands ones ideas and capabilities in the practice of the arts and the science of music. Students are continuously urged to be true to the art form rather than compromise it. Students must realise that there is more to music than just performance. Other lucrative career options are in composition, sound design, lm scoring and music production. Film projects involve scoring music according to the right period and one must be knowledgeable about music history, style idioms and compositional techniques in order

An invigorating learning environment

Studying music is not just a matter of having qualied lecturers, but also having an environment that nurtures the study and practices of contemporary music. ICOM is known to have the best music facility in the Asia Pacic region. The college invested

Innovation takes centre stage

A SHOWCASE of the most innovative and impactful research accomplishments of 20 selected PhD students from the Faculty of Information Technology, Monash University Malaysia, was held late last year at the Australian Centre for the Moving Images (ACMI), Federation Square in Melbourne, Australia. This inaugural Faculty of Information Technology (FIT) Innovation day attracted a number of industry and company chief technical ocers and chief information ocers. This provided an opportunity for the guests to engage with the students about their PhD research. It also gave students the opportunity to develop and build rapport with the industry and the wider community. As a result of the event, students secured interviews and collaborative research projects. An independent panel of industry judges comprising Judith Bennett, Business 4Group; Luke Visser, Agilent Technologies; Patrick Maes, ANZ; and Richard Ferrers, ANDS, selected the best of the PhD poster presentations. The award went to Eranda Lakshantha from Monash University Malaysia for his research on the Intuitive Human Robot Interaction with Augmented Reality. There is an increasing use of robots in our every day environment. In many cases, robots are operated by people who have little experience with these complex machines. Through my research, I am looking at creating a successful human robot interface (HRI) system that will reduce the workload of the one operating it. It will also make the collaboration between humans and robots easy and seamless, explains Lakshantha, a second year PhD student at the School of IT, Monash University Malaysia. Building on the events theme, the topic of the keynote address given by Dr Chris Behrenbruch, co-founder and chief executive ocer ImaginAb, was Innovating with Industry. Dr Behrenbruch spoke on the ways industry and academic researchers can engage with each other, citing examples including that of Genii. Founded by Prof Ingrid Zukerman and Dr Masud Moshtaghi, researchers from the Faculty of IT, Genii is a health care IT company that develops innovative technology solutions for the aged care and assisted living environment. The event was hosted by Prof Freider Seible, dean Faculty of Information Technology and dean Faculty of Engineering; Prof Maria Garcia de la Banda, deputy dean of the Faculty of Information Technology; and Prof Kai Ming Ting, assoc dean research and training. The faculty will run a similar research industry innovation event later this year. n For more information, visit www.infotech.monash.edu.my

PhD student Eranda Lakshantha with his robot that was used in his research on Intuitive Human Robot Interaction with Augmented Reality.

Tuesday 15 April 2014

StarSpecial 15

StarSpecial 16

Tuesday 15 April 2014