THE STAR, TUESDAY 16 MAY 2017
Keeping the country healthy
By IAN JEROME LEONG
WITH healthcare listed among the
high-potential wealth creators
under the Governments National
Transformation Programme
(NTP), efforts are underway to
better leverage on Malaysias
potential in medical services,
pharmaceutical production,
clinical research and health travel.
It is also Malaysias goal to be
taken seriously as a knowledge
contributor to global healthcare
issues, particularly in molecular
biotechnology.
Many local universities are
boosting this field of study and
it is important to assess the
countrys progress, especially
with 2020 around the corner.
Setting the bases
The 2005 National
Biotechnology Policy outlined
nine major initiatives aimed at
realising the countrys potential
in the field one of which was
healthcare biotechnological
development.
The Malaysian Biotech
Corporation (now known as
Bioeconomy Corporation) was
established to oversee the policys
implementation by catalysing
commercial spin-offs to the
private sector, facilitating market-
driven research and development
(R&D), and advancing R&D and
commerce in agriculture,
healthcare and industrial
biotechnology.
Other introductions include
the implementation of the
Bioeconomy Transformation
Programme, establishment of
biomedical clusters and several
trigger projects covering areas
such as biopharmaceuticals,
molecular screening and
diagnostics, and bio-based
materials.
These efforts helped Malaysia
rank second within Asean for
richness and promotion of
innovation in the Global
Innovation Index and fourth
worldwide for enterprise support
on the national biotech industry,
as listed in the 2011 Worldview
Scorecard by Scientific American
magazine.
University contribution
According to Prof Dr Fong Mun
Yik of the Malaysian Society for
Molecular Biology and
Biotechnology (MSMBB), Among
the most prominent discoveries by
Malaysian universities was the
research on the Nipah virus and
zoonotic malaria parasite,
Plasmodium knowlesi, that
generated much worldwide
attention and contributed to the
diagnosis and treatment of the
diseases nearly 20 years ago.
The knowledge obtained can
be used to advance other disease
and healthcare practices
internationally the discovery
experience on the Nipah virus in
research and community health
was useful during the SARS, H1N1
and Zika outbreaks, enabling us to
handle these issues better now.
In non-infectious diseases, Assoc
Prof Dr Wong Pooi Fong and Prof
Dr Noor Hasima A.K. Nagoor
Pitchai, also from the MSMBB,
share that local researchers have
identified many natural
compounds derived from native
Malaysian plants that may be
effective against cancer,
hypertension, type 2 diabetes,
atherosclerosis and obesity.
At Sunway University (Sunway),
current research projects include
those on cancer cell biology,
infectious diseases mediated by
Enterovius 71 and pathogenic
Amoeba, and chemical biology.
At the International Medical
University (IMU), there is active
research on gene expression to
better understand the disease
mechanisms in breast cancer, the
effects of tocotrienol (vitamin E)
on gene expression and immune
response for breast cancer
treatment, and the use of
molecular tools to differentiate
pathogenic organisms.
Dean of the School of
Postgraduate Studies at IMU Prof
Chu Wan Loy says, The research
in these areas have contributed to
students training, triggering their
inquisitive minds. The findings
have also been published in
high-impact journals accessed by
scientific communities worldwide.
In terms of research scale,
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysias
Medical Molecular Biology Institute
(UMBI) leads the way with The
Malaysian Cohort (TMC) project, an
ongoing large-scale population
study involving no less than
106,000 participants to identify risk
factors and biomarkers for early
detection in various diseases.
UMBIs director Prof Datuk Dr A.
Rahman A. Jamal says, TMC
allows us to review the health
records of participants taken in
2005 and compare them with their
current records.
With the largest biobank in
South-East Asia, TMC study enabled
us to join the Asia Cohort
Consortium which involves seven
other countries and increased
our visibility in the academic field,
attracting interest from institutions
such as the University of Oxford,
University of California, Davis, and
the University of Cambridge.
Adverse complexities
Achieving research success,
however, is easier said than done.
Besides the lack of funding that
affects both public and private
university research, MSMBBs
Assoc Prof Dr Koshy Philip and
Assoc Prof Dr Crystale Lim Siew
Ying believe a big hurdle lies in
bridging the gap between
fundamental and applied research
as well as making discoveries
relevant and commercially viable.
According to them, these are the
only ways to maintain research
and development continuity.
They add that there is lukewarm
support from the industry in
Malaysia, unlike countries where
industry collaboration and funding
are prevalent. A boom in life-
changing research can be achieved
with higher interest from the
industry and business sector.
IMUs MSc Molecular Medicine
Programme director Dr Chong
Chun Wie raises another factor
affecting research output the
shortage of highly skilled students
and researchers.
He says, As the field is highly
dynamic and the technical
know-how has a short shelf life,
researchers need to keep abreast of
the latest development through
regular workshops and research
exchange.
Seeing the light
On the bright side, most
universities and research facilities
in the country are well equipped in
terms of equipment and expertise
to run world-class research, says
Dr Jasmine Hue Seow Mun of
Monash University Malaysia
(Monash).
The quality of our findings and
journal publications are on par
with other top universities in this
region.
Prof Rahman of UMBI is also
optimistic, adding, The
competitive advantage of doing
medical research in Malaysia is the
ethnic diversity.
Much molecular or genomic
research conducted and presented
at international conventions is
based on a largely Caucasian
population. As there is a lack of
study on South-East Asia, I see a
huge potential in studying the
genes of people from this region.
However, he is quick to point
out, The economic situation
affects everybody, so universities
need to be creative by combining
resources as well as collaborate to
share authorship and encourage
technology transfer.
He believes universities involved
in molecular biotechnology can
also generate income by offering
diagnostic services, including
resources and equipment to
interested companies.
Moving forward
Assoc Prof Jeff Tan Kuan Onn of
Sunway says that to form a
regional molecular biotechnology
hub, Research infrastructure and
business environments including
intellectual property protection,
venture capital funds and
incentives that drive R&D
processes are equally critical in
attracting local and foreign
investment.
As for Dr Chong, he applauds the
Governments move of introducing
the BioNexus programme, which
confers financial incentives, grants
and guarantees to participating
biotechnology companies.
In hopes of encouraging students
to pursue molecular biology
subjects in university, the MSMBB
reaches out to schools to plant the
seed of interest in the field.
MSMBBs president Assoc
Prof Dr Kanthimathi M.S.
Subramaniam says, To become a
regional hub, there should be a
large enough number of
researchers involved in
frontier research. There
should also be enough
research funds for public
and private bodies.
As Malaysia has
geographical and
economic advantages in
the region (compared to
various neighbours), the
prioritisation of research
and encouragement of
collaboration between
countries will make Malaysia a
regional hub.
Ultimately, the success of
molecular biotechnology or all
other research endeavours boils
down to the dedication of
researchers and
opportunities made
available to them.
Prof Dr Jennifer Ann
Harikrishna, also from
the MSMBB, adds, Young
scientists need the
support to take the risk of
blue sky research they
will likely have the most
out-of-the-box ideas and a
proportion of those will pay
off but since some are bound
to fail, policies that do not punish
research risk-takers must be in
place.
Novel discoveries are what
win prestigious awards and
these would put
Malaysia in a
good light.
Dr Hue
agrees,
saying, The
next step for
researchers
as well as
postgraduate
students is to
have an
inquisitive
mindset to
move forward
in science.
They should
not be afraid
to conduct
research
that may
be out of
their
comfort
zone.
2 Postgraduate THE STAR, TUESDAY 16 MAY 2017

Strong global network

THE Management & Science
University (MSU) is one of
Malaysias top universities.
It focuses on developing and
delivering quality human capital
in areas such as business
management, health sciences,
pharmacy, information sciences,
engineering, education and social
The Master
sciences. in Business
Administration by
As Malaysias best teaching and
learning university, MSU gives
priority to quality education and
creative teaching methodologies in MSU (MSU-MBA)
producing quality and holistic
graduates.
offers students
MSUs Graduate School of an experiential
Management (GSM) recognises that
todays global companies require learning opportunity
managers with a broader outlook.
The university attracts top
in cross-cultural
students through its communications,
internationalisation effort of
employing faculty members with building a global
overseas experience and forming
effective links with businesses.
network and
The Master in Business possibly creating a
Administration by MSU (MSU-MBA)
offers students an experiential future international
learning opportunity in
cross-cultural communications,
MSU's Master in Business Administration programme helps students develop key skills and the confidence to
become successful leaders.
career.
building a global network and
possibly creating a future to understand the various facets accomplished educators who have management and leadership, and
international career. of an organisation to formulate made significant contributions to education (Teaching English as
In addition, students have the successful strategies. It also instils the business world, both as Second Language). Rating for Higher Education
opportunities to develop confidence in them. academics and working The award-winning home-grown Institutions in Malaysia (Setara)
management skills and techniques, Active learning exercises within professionals. study programmes of the and the most entrepreneurial
obtain strategic orientation and the programme act as a basis for They conduct research and have university meet stringent university of 2016 by the Higher
implement the strategies verbal analysis and discussion, published articles across a broad standards set by local and Education Ministry.
formulated. allowing for a rich learning range of business and professional international bodies. The QS World University
The MSU-MBA programme environment through the areas. Accreditors include the Rankings 2016 placed MSU on par
helps students develop skills in integration of the classroom with They have also taught university- Malaysian Qualifications Agency with world-class standards,
leadership, entrepreneurship, real-world experiences. level business courses abroad, thus (MQA), the United Kingdoms awarding five stars to the
strategic management and These exercises broaden bringing their rich multicultural Accreditation Service for university for its teaching,
decision-making so that they students understanding of issues experience to Malaysia. International Colleges (ASIC) and employability, facilities, social
become successful leaders in their by inviting them to think beyond Apart from the MBA programme, Japans Alliance on Business responsibility and inclusiveness.
area and entrepreneurial thinkers their text materials. New terms GSM offers PhD and masters Education and Scholarship for
in the most competitive markets. and concepts are defined in the programmes in a variety of fields, Tomorrow (ABEST21). n For more information, e-mail
The programme provides margins to facilitate learning. including management, business, MSU has been rated twice as an gsm@msu.edu.my or visit
sufficient knowledge for students Professors of the MSU-MBA are accounting, finance, educational Excellent-status university in the www.msu.edu.my.
THE STAR, TUESDAY 16 MAY 2017
IMU is a
platform
for working
adults to
enhance
their
professional
healthcare
skills.
Global
ground for
healthcare
THE International Medical
University (IMU) offers several
weekend graduate programmes,
allowing working adults to keep
abreast of the latest development
in scientific knowledge and
enhance their skills obtained
through daily routines via
scientifically sound research
projects.
The MSc Molecular Medicine
is one of the weekend graduate
programmes. It focuses on the
role of simple molecules and
complex molecular-genetical
interactions in human diseases
as well as the applications of
systems biology, computational
biology and chemical genetics in
disease diagnostics and
treatments.
Since its inaugural cohort in
2013, the programme has
attracted healthcare
professionals such as medical
doctors, dentists, pharmacists
and nurses.
Among them is Dr Norafifah
Musa, a medical officer currently
practising her trade in Shah
Alam.
According to Dr Norafifah,
molecular medicine is the
current and future of medicine.
She is eager to conduct a
research project in the area and
gain experience that is applicable
as a clinician.
Her passion for learning is
shared by other medical doctors
in the programme, including Dr
Davie Viyezgo Mhango from
Malawi and Dr Safa Abdel Gadir
Mohamed Elhassan from Sudan.
Dr Mhango says that as a
clinician, molecular medicine is
pivotal to the understanding of
how personalised medicine (as
opposed to the conventional
approach of one size fits all
treatment) can be implemented
in disease management.
Dr Safa adds that there
are still a number of genetic
diseases without definitive
treatment that will ultimately
rely on continuous research in
molecular medicine.
As international students, they
feel that the support given by the
faculty and fellow coursemates is
commendable.
For Dr Lalli Dharmarajan, a
dentist from India, IMUs
reputation and clear focus in
healthcare-related programmes
Postgraduate 3
is her main reason to enrol in
the MSc Molecular Medicine.
In addition, the opportunity to
conduct research at IMUs
partner universities spanning
Australia, the United Kingdom,
Canada and New Zealand is a
huge attraction to study at IMU.
Dave Ling, an alumnus of
IMUs Bachelor of Pharmacy
and strong believer in lifelong
learning, says that his past
experience at IMU has
strengthened his faith in IMUs
quality of teaching.
He hopes his studies at IMU
will improve his knowledge in
cancer genetics, allowing him to
go the extra mile in his career.
In addition, by learning from
classmates of diverse working
backgrounds, he is now more
appreciative of integrative
healthcare systems and can
tackle problems from different
perspectives.
IMU is Malaysias first and
most established private medical
and healthcare university with
more than 25 years of dedicated
focus in healthcare education.
The university is the first
university in Malaysia that
offers conventional and
complementary medicine under
one roof.
IMU offers various taught
master programmes, including
the MSc Molecular Medicine,
MSc Analytical and
Pharmaceutical Chemistry,
MSc Public Health, Master of
Pharmacy Practice, Master of
Health Professions Education,
Postgraduate Diploma in Implant
Dentistry and MSc/PhD in
Medical & Health Sciences (by
Research).
To cater to working adults,
some of the programmes are
conducted during weekends,
supplemented with interactive
online delivery.
The extensive network of
IMUs partnering universities
from Canada, the UK,
Australia and New Zealand
further ensures a strong
research-focused learning
experience and the
establishment of professional
links that are beneficial to
future career development.
n For more information, visit
www.imu.edu.my.
 4 Postgraduate THE STAR, TUESDAY 16 MAY 2017

msu
VC COLUMN

management & Collaborating

internationally
science university

Global Knowledge,
Expertise
IN last months Postgraduate, we showed
how many times scientific papers had been
cited. To recap, a citation takes place when a By PROF
researcher refers to your scientific paper in GRAHAM
his own research.
Citations are one way to measure the
KENDALL
Learn from best business impact of your research. As papers are
generally cited in a positive way, they
management experts and indicate that your research is useful.
develop your global leadership There are other ways that indicate your
skills and cross functional researchs impact, such as generating
intellectual property, commercialising the
Citations are one way to
management with MSU post output of your research or informing measure the impact of your
research. As papers are
government policy, but citations to academic
graduate studies. papers remain an important measure.
Generally, researchers strive to have more
citations as they can help with job
generally cited in a positive
Why MSU applications, promotions and recognition
from the scientific community that your
way, they indicate that your
research is useful.

post
research is important.
Studies have shown that citations increase
if you collaborate with international
partners one 2013 study showed that
citations increased the more geographically papers last year than they did in 2012.
distant the institutions are. Based on the overall percentage, it is good
It is unsurprising that the number of to see that private universities, public
internationally co-authored papers doubled universities and research institutes all figure

graduate :
between 1990 and 2000 a trend that
continued after 2000, no doubt due to the
Internet easing collaboration when writing
scientific papers.
The table below shows how often
. Internationally accredited researchers from Malaysias institutions
. Multicultural environment co-author papers with international
partners. It features a sample of Malaysian
. Customized coaching & universities and research institutes from
career development both the public and private sector.
. Hands - on experience inside The statistics are compiled using SciVal, a
and outside class popular academic tool that enables easy
comparison of this type of statistics. It also
enables other researchers to verify the
analysis, which is important as academics
like to be able to reproduce the results of any
study.
Last month, we looked at the number of
citations per paper. This month, we used
SciVal to report the percentage of scientific
articles co-authored by researchers from
different countries.
The table reports a five-year period (2012
to 2016) and shows the percentage of papers
written by the respective institutions with
authors from more than one country. The
overall average is also provided.
Fields of study : The first observation we can make is that
the percentage of co-authored papers with
international colleagues generally increases
Master in : year on year.
If we extend the analysis back a few years,
. Business Administration (MBA) . Management this trend is also apparent. In fact, all the
institutions, apart from one, had a higher
. Educational . Management and Leadership percentage of internationally co-authored
in the top few places. This means that the
top places are not dominated by, for
example, Malaysias research institutes.
This gives some confidence that all three
sectors are contributing to the research
landscape of Malaysia with regards to
international collaborations.
It is particularly pleasing to see, from a
personal perspective, that The University of
Nottingham Malaysia Campus (UNMC) is
featured so highly. It is only a small measure
of what we do, but a measure that is
considered increasingly important.
The question remains: are the statistics
reported last month (citations per paper) and
this month (international collaborations)
correlated, as previous studies suggest
should be the case? To answer this question
definitively would require a much larger
study than we have done here and a more
rigorous analysis, but eyeballing the two sets
of data does suggest a correlation.
The take-home message appears to be that
international collaborations are important
and Malaysian research entities, in all their
forms, are improving year-on-year using this
measure.
This bodes well for the sustainability of
the countrys research and shows that we
are collaborating internationally more than
ever before.
n Prof Graham Kendall is the chief executive
officer, provost and pro-vice-chancellor of
UNMC. Twitter: @Graham_Kendall

. Education (Teaching English as Second Language) Collaboration (%)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institution Overall 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
A Five Star QS Rating A Tier 5 Excellent Status Most Entrepreneurial The first non-japanese Accredited by The Accreditation
- Employability University (Ministry of Private University 2016 university to be accredited Services for International The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus 49.9 38.1 46.5 51.8 51.5 56.4
- Teaching by ABEST-21, JAPAN Collages (ASIC), UK
Higher Education)
- Inclusiveness Universiti Malaya 47.4 44.7 41.9 45.6 50.1 53.1
-------------------------
-------------------------
-------------------------
-------------------------

- Facilities
- Social Responsibility
MOHE
ENTREPRENEURIAL
Sunway University 47.3 45.6 43.0 39.0 51.5 52.2
AWARDS
MOST ENTREPRENEURIAL
PRIVATE UNIVERSITY 2016
ABEST 21 Universiti Putra Malaysia 36.2 31.9 35.5 38.2 36.2 38.8
Forest Research Institute Malaysia 35.9 28.2 30.8 43.6 32.5 44.2
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia 35.7 34.4 33.0 34.3 35.5 40.7

Graduate School of Management (GSM), Universiti Sains Malaysia 35.3 34.1 32.7 36.5 38.3 35.2
Management & Science University, Taylor's University Malaysia 33.5 33.8 25.9 34.0 34.6 37.1
Level 3, Platinum Sentral, Jalan Stesen Sentral 2,
Institute for Medical Research Kuala Lumpur 31.0 27.9 32.6 30.7 28.2 35.6
Kuala Lumpur Sentral, 50470 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel : 03-27184302, 03-27184301, 03-27184300 Universiti Teknologi Petronas 26.8 22.3 25.4 24.0 34.4 28.5
Email : gsm@msu.edu.my Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia 26.0 20.7 24.2 26.9 26.5 32.0
www.msu.edu.my/gsm
(KPT/JPS/DFT/US/B08) Malaysian Agricultural Research and 21.5 33.3 18.9 16.4 28.1 15.2
Development Institute
Malaysian Palm Oil Board 16.7 9.9 13.9 16.7 17.7 22.7
Percentage of internationally co-authored research papers by institutions in Malaysia.
THE STAR, TUESDAY 16 MAY 2017 Postgraduate 5

STRATHCLYDE Business School
(SBS) has been named the United
Kingdoms Business School of the
Year 2016 by Times Higher
Education (THE) for its outstanding
overall performance and
innovative and entrepreneurial
outlook.
The prestigious award was
presented at the higher education
awards in London, which
recognised universities that have
demonstrated exceptional
performance against specific
indicators, including innovation,
teaching, research and student
experience. Judges also assessed
the strength of partnerships with
the business community and the
positive impact of these links.
It is the latest in a series of high-
profile awards for SBS, which was
named THE UK Entrepreneurial
University of the Year in 2014 and
UK University of the Year in 2013.
As a leading international
university, we are committed to
working side-by-side with
businesses, the industry and public
sector to find solutions to global
challenges, drive innovation, and
nurture a new generation of
Recognised excellence
entrepreneurial business people,
says University of Strathclyde 's
principal Prof Sir Jim McDonald.
This award is a tremendous
achievement for SBS and reflects
the hard work and commitment of
colleagues across the university in
making a positive difference for
our students, partners and the
global communities we serve.
The news comes just a month
after SBS celebrated the reopening
of its state-of-the-art building,
which has been transformed with
a 23mil (RM129.26mil) investment
in the year of its renowned MBA
programmes 50th anniversary.
It is one of the few business
schools in the world to be triple-
accredited by the Association to
Advance Collegiate Schools of
Business, EQUIS (the European
Quality Improvement Scheme) and
the Association of MBAs.
Strathclyde
Business School
graduates are
trained to find
solutions to
global
challenges and
drive innovation.
SBS executive dean Prof David
Hillier says, We are delighted to be
named Business School of the Year.
The judges were looking for a
business school that has built
strong links with the business
community and wanted to see
evidence of bold and creative
strategies that have helped the
business school flourish.
The judges cited SBS unique
Growth Advantage Programme,
which delivers practical learning to
leaders of ambitious businesses
looking to scale up, as a substantial
reason for the win, indicating they
were particularly impressed with
the schools level of external
engagement.
They also highlighted the
schools strong performance in the
latest Research Excellence
Framework, citing the impact of a
research project that reinforced the
business case for employers to
adopt the living wage.
The University of Strathclyde
Business Schools Executive MBA
programme was the only Executive
MBA programme in Malaysia to be
ranked in the Financial Times
Executive MBA Ranking 2016,
where it was placed in the top 10
UK schools.
n For more information,
visit www.cdc.edu.my or call
03-7660 8950.

Redefine your career

POSTGRADUATE studies offer
students the opportunity to
increase their knowledge base,
conduct research in their areas
of interest, learn and work with
leaders of the industry, and
advance their careers.
As Curtin Universitys largest
international campus, Curtin
Malaysia offers the same degree
qualifications as its Australian
parent in Perth as well as an
undifferentiated study
experience, learning resources
and student support
mechanisms.
Higher Degree by Research
(HDR) programmes at Curtin
Malaysia lead to the Master of
Philosophy (MPhil) or Doctor of
Philosophy (PhD) qualifications.
The completion of both
qualifications requires
substantial original contribution
to the knowledge or
understanding of a field of
study and the demonstration of
candidates capacity to conceive,
design and carry to completion
independent research,
culminating in the submission
of a thesis.
For the PhD qualification,
candidates should have
uncovered new knowledge
either by the discovery of new
facts, formulation of theories or
innovative reinterpretation of
known data and established
ideas.
They are expected to be able
to independently and
systematically engage in critical
reflection, synthesis and
evaluation regarding their field
of study.
They should also be able to
develop, adapt and implement
research methodologies to
extend and redefine existing
knowledge or professional
practice as well as make a
substantial contribution to a
discipline of study.
Upon completion of their
programmes, MPhil graduates
should have expert cognitive
and technical skills to critically
analyse and synthesise complex
information, problems and
theories. They are also expected
to interpret and transmit
knowledge and skills to
audiences through publication
or research outcomes.
Interested individuals may be
accepted into a masters degree
programme if they hold
appropriate qualifications as
decided by the dean of the
respective faculty at Curtin
Malaysia.
Mature students who do not
have formal entry qualifications
may also qualify for admission
to the programmes.
Pursuing postgraduate studies
at Curtin Malaysia holds the
potential for future growth
given the large number of
professionals in the oil and gas
industry in Miri as well as the
demand for highly skilled
professionals for industries
within the Sarawak Corridor of
Renewable Energy (SCORE).
Currently, there are more than
4,000 students from Malaysia
and more than 45 other
countries studying at the
campus.
Curtin Malaysia provides
Malaysian and international
students the opportunity to
acquire an internationally
recognised Australian
qualification closer to home
without compromising on
quality, cost and experience.
Enrolment for the May 2017
postgraduate intake is open.
n For more information, call
08-544 3939, e-mail enquiries@
curtin.edu.my or visit www.
curtin.edu.my.
6 Postgraduate
MORE than half of businesses in
the country believe that the
business environment will worsen
in the next 12 months, according to
the Malaysian Business Sentiment
Survey 2016/17.
This is mostly due to an
unprecedented and volatile past
year with dampened global
demand, Brexit and potential
further fracturing of the European
Union, protectionist policies in the
United States under the Trump
administration, and the US
withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific
Partnership.
Despite a restrained business
environment and in an election
year, the spirit of the local business
community remains optimistic
with 58% confident or somewhat
confident about their business
prospects.
This optimism is partly because
of increased infrastructure
investment and domestic
consumption, boosted by the
various corridor development
programmes under the 11th
Malaysia Plan and Budget 2017.
The key issues that concern the
local market are the increasing
cost of doing business and the
weakening Malaysian currency,
which will severely impact firms
dependent on imported goods
for their production process.
The Malaysian Business
Sentiment Survey 2016/17,
conducted by Monash University
Malaysias Global Asia in the 21st
Century research platform in
collaboration with CPA Australia,
gathers the voices of the countrys
business leaders.
The Malaysian Business
Sentiment Survey helps measure
the confidence of local business
leaders across key macro-economic
areas and provides them with a
Undaunted by uncertainties
(From left) CPA Australia's deputy president Sharman Arumugam, Monash Malaysia's vice-president (research and
development) Prof Mahendhiran Nair, Monash Malaysia's deputy head of school (research) Prof Pervaiz Ahmed, CPA
Australia's deputy president Jimmy Lai, and Monash Malaysia School of Business' Assoc Prof Santha Vaithilingam
and Dr Prabahkaran Narayanan.
platform to voice their sentiments
and estimations about the business
environment in Malaysia as well
as its impact on their global
competitiveness, says Prof
Mahendhiran Nair, vice-president
(research and development) of
Monash Malaysia.
The primary objective of the
survey is to enable policymakers,
industry bodies and other key
stakeholders to adopt proactive
measures to improve the business
environment and enable Malaysian
firms to build a global competitive
advantage.
Highlights from the survey
include:
l Fifty-four per cent of
businesses identified cost
management as their prime
strategic/investment priority over
the next 12 months, followed by
seeking new markets (48%),
developing business relationships
(34%), new product development
(30%) and marketing and branding
activities (25%).
l Forty-nine per cent view that
there are both more opportunities
and more threats now compared to
three years ago.
l More than one-third of
respondents (39%) informed that
the government remains an
important buyer of their products.
l Seventy per cent of chief
executive officers (CEOs) and
senior managers responded that to
stay competitive, the most
important ability to cultivate is to
proactively manage the business
using strategic foresight and
thinking.
The survey looks at the
challenges Malaysian businesses
face and the options they are
considering to navigate the
complex dynamics being played
out in their immediate
environments, says Prof Pervaiz
Ahmed, deputy head of school
(research), Monash Malaysia.
CEOs and senior managers
highlighted the importance of
universities in nurturing talent
THE STAR, TUESDAY 16 MAY 2017
that will enable firms to enhance
their innovative capacity, process
improvement and product
development.
They believe that the top three
primary focus areas of universities
should be to enhance graduate
employability (63%), ensure that
research and development
initiatives meet industrial needs
(61%) and develop training
programmes that are relevant
and beneficial to the industry
(59%).
They believe that creative,
articulate and self-motivated
graduates are important for
enhancing the innovative capacity
of firms in a competitive global
economy.
Monash Malaysia continues
to work closely with businesses
and industries. We recognise the
importance of right-skilling
graduates to improve their
employability and enable them to
succeed amid current
uncertainties, adds Prof Nair.
The Malaysian Business
Sentiment Survey 2016/17
consisted of three phases. Phase 1
was a scoping and content analysis
of information from press releases,
media reports and commentaries
from stakeholders.
Phase 2 involved face-to-face
in-depth interviews with CEOS and
senior managers. Phase 3 was an
online survey of 194 randomly
selected CEOs and senior managers
across industries.
n For more information, visit
www.monash.edu.my.
THE STAR, TUESDAY 16 MAY 2017
The big
picture
MANY traditional companies collect data but
fail to act on them. Data (information) that
originate from many sources are in a
constant state of change. These massive data
are commonly referred to as big data.
Big data are distinguished from small
data because they are not generated solely
by an organisations internal transactional
systems. Data are also externally gathered
from the Internet, sensors of various types,
social media, and audio and video
recordings.
Analytics is the discovery, interpretation
and communication of meaningful patterns
in data. Apart from digitally focused
companies such as Google, Amazon,
Facebook and Apple, most companies are
capturing only a fraction of potential value
from big data and analytics.
This is echoed by Chris Surdak, author
of Data Crush, who brings into question
the use of data to create new business
opportunities.
Descriptive analytics and diagnostic
analytics provide information of what has
happened to a business and why it has
happened. On the other hand, predictive
analytics of data provides insight into a
business and its environment (customers,
the industry).
However, a business requires the
capability of prescriptive analytics to
provide foresight on how to create new
businesses and prevent risks.
An example of predictive algorithm is
cited by Luca, Kleinberg and Mullainathan
in their Harvard Business Review article
Algorithms need managers, too.
Social media sites are using analytics to
decide which advertisements to push to their
users, with most of these sites depending on
click-throughs to indicate customer
satisfaction.
Although it is not entirely wrong to
assume people typically click on content that
interest them, it is risky to select an
advertisement solely on the users record of
click-throughs.
It can be offensive and counter-productive
when inappropriate advertisements are
pushed to the users.
Almost in tandem with the exponential
growth of available data, more sophisticated
algorithms as well as greater computational
power and storage capacities have been
developed.
Yet, knowing how to apply data science
and technology does not guarantee business
success. The real business value of big data
is tied to its ultimate use to enable faster and
more evidence-based decision-making.
Analytics solutions are business tools for
managers to access as well as visualise data
and processes to gain strategic insight,
identify business opportunities and predict
outcomes.
The performance of an enterprise
invariably relies on effective strategy
management, planning, budgeting and
forecasting, profitability and cost
management, financial consolidation, and
enterprise reporting and disclosure.
Data analytics, regardless of its perceived
usefulness, is no substitute for
knowledgeable managers who can realise its
full potential.
Today, most managers jobs include
Businesses that aggregate data in unique ways stand to reap benefits that could set them apart
from others in the industry.
Postgraduate 7
value from analytics. n For more information about the
Analytics is the
They are shaking up multiple industries Victoria University Master of Business
and the effects will only become more Administration (MBA) and Master of
discovery, interpretation pronounced as adoption reaches critical
mass. The laggards will find themselves
Business (ERP Systems), e-mail the
programmes director Dr Hendry Ng at
and communication of increasingly at a disadvantage. hendryng@sunway.edu.my.
meaningful patterns in
data. Apart from digitally
focused companies such
as Google, Amazon,
Facebook and Apple,
most companies are
capturing only a fraction
of potential value from
big data and analytics.
making predictions. They must know which
analytics algorithms can answer their
business questions.
It is a struggle to incorporate data-driven
Take the Next Step Forward
POSTGRADUATE STUDIES
insight into day-to-day business processes
and it is not enough to simply layer powerful
technology systems on top of existing
business operations.
However, a greater difficulty is recruiting
the right talent of data scientists and
business managers who combine data
at a Leading Private Medical &
savviness with business expertise.
Without an essential understanding of
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analytics algorithms, undesired risks are
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The most progressive use of big data and Programmes:
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Although content was the focus in the Mar & Sep
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first three decades of the Internet, context is MSc in Molecular Medicine KPT/JPT(R/720/7/0077)09/2020
now the new king. Context data are KPT/JPt(N/421/7/0010)07/2017 Mar & Sep
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Throughout the year
+603 2727 7450 start@imu.edu.my www.imu.edu.my/pg
INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL UNIVERSITY
KP/JPS/5195/US/2, KP(JPS)/DFT/US/W03
126, Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
8 Postgraduate THE STAR, TUESDAY 16 MAY 2017

In designing its educational modules, AGSB engages industry experts to expose

At the Asia Graduate School of Business, the MBA programmes demonstrate seamless collaboration between the students to contextual knowledge that represents global issues within a

Leading the way with women

academia and industry. localised business environment.

UNITAR International Universitys

Asia Graduate School of Business
(AGSB) proudly asserts that one of
the cornerstones of its executive
education is empowering
professionals to realise their full
potential by transforming
knowledge into effective actions.
The school engages industry
experts in designing its educational
modules so there is a build-up of
contextual knowledge that
represents related global issues
within a localised business
environment.
This can be attested by the
recent research activity
undertaken on issues surrounding
women leadership.
Women leadership has been a
topic of global interest and
Malaysia is no exception. It is a
national agenda to increase the
number of women holding
decision-making positions in both
public and private sectors.
Women, lauded for their
organisational ability to effectively
multitask, are said to possess the
motherly traits that make them
better leaders in times of change
and able to keep an organisation
well-balanced.
As such, AGSB ventures into
research that seeks to understand
Malaysian women leaders
aspiration of leadership
competencies, which are deemed
critical in bringing organisations to
greater heights.
The outcomes of the research
are desired to contribute to a better
understanding of women
leadership as well as provide
relevant input for developing case
studies from a Malaysian context.
AGSB offers programmes that
uniquely demonstrate seamless
collaboration between the
academia and industry, as reflected
in its teaching teams and the
curriculum.
The programmes underpin
experiential learning, which allows
executives to work on real-life
workplace projects throughout
their programme with guidance
from industry coaches and
academic supervisors.
AGSB offers masters and doctor
of philosophy (PhD) programmes
in business administration and
management. They include:
l Doctor of Philosophy in
Business Administration
l Doctor of Philosophy in
Management
l Master of Business
Administration
l Master of Management
l Master of Business
Administration (Leadership)
UNITARs main campus in
Kelana Jaya collaborates with
six independent campuses
throughout the country to assist
more than 8,000 students in 60
academic programmes.
The university provides
affordable, high-quality
educational programmes
through its conventional and
distance learning modes.
UNITAR is currently offering
50% scholarships for qualified
STPM or SPM graduates to pursue
their tertiary studies (terms and
conditions apply).
The June intake is open for
enrolment at the main campus in
Kelana Jaya and six other
campuses nationwide Alor Setar,
Johor Baru, Kota Baru, Kota
Kinabalu, Kuching and Penang
until June 11. Interested students
can apply online.
n For more information, call
03-7627 7200, e-mail enquiries@
unitar.my or visit www.unitar.my.