THE STAR, TUESDAY 12 SEPTEMBER 2017
D-SETARA
Shaping professionals
Universities play an important role in producing a skilled
workforce for the future. Read on to find out about
the education options available.
THREE Bachelor of Science (Hons) Dietetics
with Nutrition students from International
Medical University (IMU) had the
opportunity to undergo a three-week
attachment at a private hospital in Thailand.
Yap Thien Vern, Lim Wan Ying and
Wong Wei Xiang share their experience:
As globalisation increases, our palates are
becoming more global with Thai food being
a much sought-after cuisine. This has
resulted in us choosing to go to Bangkok, the
most visited city in the world, for our
attachment and to experience its diverse
food culture.
We were fortunate enough to be accepted
by Sodexo Thailand, a company that
manages the food service operations at
Bumrungrad International Hospital, to
observe and participate in its food service
operations for three weeks during our
attachment there in December last year.
The three weeks in Thailand were well
spent. Everyone was kind and helpful,
ensuring that we achieved our learning
objectives throughout the attachment.
We were exposed to the food service
operations, inpatient wards and general
working procedures. We were also given
opportunities to actively participate in the
work process and have hands-on experience
in the kitchen.
We were placed in the various kitchens in
the hospital, such as the Japanese kitchen,
halal kitchen, Chinese kitchen, Thai kitchen
and Western kitchen, to help with
food preparation and plating.
On top of that, we visited patients to
obtain their diet orders according to their
personal preference and tailor it to their
International learning ground
IMUs dietetics with nutrition students (back row, from left) Wong Wei Xiang, Yap Thien Vern and
Lim Wan Ying underwent a three-week attachment at a private hospital in Thailand.
medical conditions.
One of the main learning outcomes was
exposure to a different work culture and
ethics. Thai people are friendly and when it
UNIVERSITIES
comes to work, they worked efficiently and
effectively. It was amazing seeing such a
small group of people dishing out 500 to 800
meals at least three times a day.
One of our greatest experiences was
being able to see the differences between
their food culture and ours. We also had a
great time enjoying the food in Bangkok.
Taught by experienced and practising
faculty, students of the dietetics with
nutrition programme can opt to either
complete their four-year degree locally at
IMU or transfer to the University of Otago in
New Zealand or the University of Newcastle
in Australia after two years of study at IMU.
These international partnerships are a
testament to the alignment of IMUs
curriculum to global standards.
The commencement dates for the Bachelor
of Science (Hons) Dietetics with Nutrition
programme are in July and September.
If you have a pre-university qualification,
a strong background in science, good
communication skills and a caring attitude,
apply now for the dietetics with nutrition
programme for a career that helps to ensure
patients diets are on track.
Students with exceptional academic ability
and other achievements can apply for
scholarship or a special bursary
of 25% tuition waiver offered in conjunction
with the universitys 25th anniversary
celebrations.
If you have just completed your Sijil
Pelajaran Malaysia and do not have a pre-
university qualification, consider enrolling
in the one-year IMU Foundation in Science
the direct route for entry into any of the
universitys degree programmes.
n For more information, call 03-2731 7272,
e-mail start@imu.edu.my or visit www.imu.
edu.my.
2 D-Setara Universities THE STAR, TUESDAY 12 SEPTEMBER 2017

Building a more
vibrant campus
MONASH University Malaysia is investing in development of a large informal learning
the future, building new spaces for informal space above the library. There will also be a
learning, student collaboration and research new three-tier link deck between buildings 5
innovation. President and pro-vice- and 6.
chancellor Prof Andrew Walker believes This phase of development will be
these new spaces are designed to motivate completed by the end of this year in time to
and inspire innovation. welcome students for next year's first
Higher education is a dynamic sector semester.
and we need to keep investing to provide
students with a world-class student n For more information, visit
experience. As a vibrant urban campus, www.monash.edu.my.
Monash Malaysia is ideally placed to
promote creativity and innovation.
We want to build new learning spaces
where students are actively engaged in
problem-solving. We also need to create
more informal spaces where students and
researchers can exchange ideas and share
their experiences, says Prof Walker. Prof Andrew
With a focus on educational innovation, Walker.

IMU
Prof Walker has been exploring how new
technology and forms of media can
transform the ways academics share
knowledge and promote learning. He is also

26cm x 4col
committed to the importance of learning
outside the classroom.
The first phase of the new campus
masterplan will see the expansion and

10 reasons to choose Monash Malaysia

Obtain a prestigious, internationally recognised Monash University degree. Recognised by the
1. Malaysian Education Ministry and the Malaysian Qualifications Agency. The quality is assured by
Monash University Australia and the Australian Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency

2. Opportunity to spend some time as an exchange student at Monash University Australia or to

transfer there after completing at least one year at Monash Malaysia

3. Tuition and living expenses are significantly less than studying and living in Australia, the United
States or the United Kingdom, hence providing value for money

4. Simplified admission, payment and visa procedures as well as the availability of scholarships for
academically meritorious students

5. Access to high-quality research-active academic staff with strong industry connections and
state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities

6. Safe, secure and affordable on-campus accommodation as well as a lifestyle offering a range of
extracurricular, sporting and recreational opportunities

7. Multicultural student population providing support and cultural networks in a dynamic,

cosmopolitan and moderate Muslim environment

8. Proximity to countries in the Indian subcontinent and other Asian regions

9. Excellent employment and career prospects upon completion of studies

10. Lifelong worldwide connections through a global alumni network

THE STAR, TUESDAY 12 SEPTEMBER 2017
The Government has identified healthcare, engineering, hospitality and tourism industries as the
nation's key economic drivers and it is up to university students to rise to the challenge.
Anticipating
success
By IAN JEROME LEONG
WITH three years to go before 2020 comes
knocking, there is plenty of debate on
whether the country has progressed
sufficiently in the three decades since the
launch of Malaysias grand aim to achieve
advanced status or become a high-income
nation.
While matters such as the rate of the
ringgit is constantly on peoples lips, due
credit has to be given to the companies and
agencies that helped the country experience
a shift from an agriculture-based economy to
one that also includes the manufacturing of
electronics and semiconductors, extraction
of petroleum and a diverse range of metals,
tourism, production of medical instruments,
manufacturing of heavy machinery as well
as a host of online services.
The continuous growth of these industries
is a positive forecast of Malaysias economic
future but the elevation to new heights is
only achievable with the presence of skilled
and specially trained professionals.
Therefore, it is a good reason for students
to enrol in courses related to these industries
as the demand for professionals is only
expected to increase by the time they
graduate.
In line with the 12 National Key Economic
Areas that will propel Malaysia further
forward in its quest for advancement, the
Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) the
governing body responsible for quality
assurance among the nations higher
education institutions has paid close
attention to some of these industries and
launched the Discipline-Based Rating System
(D-Setara) that is aimed at ensuring
Malaysian university students receive
recognised and quality education.
D-Setara is divided into four clusters:
l Engineering
l Medicine, dentistry and pharmacy
l Health sciences
l Hospitality and tourism
TalentCorp, which is a government agency
entrusted with the task to attract, nurture
and retain the best talent to enable Malaysia
to reach its aspirations, has also identified
the various subfields of engineering that are
critical for the nations growth.
Among the various subfields of
engineering are product, semiconductor,
wafer fabrication, software design, radio-
frequency, electrical, reliability, mechanical
design and mechanical maintenance
engineering.
Healthcare has been among the highest
multipliers in the countrys economy, aided
by a more affluent society and more health-
conscious lifestyles.
The industry is projected to create
26,966 jobs and generate an income of
RM6.59bil, with an additional RM4.96bil in
D-Setara Universities 3
Healthcare has
been among the highest
multipliers in the
countrys economy,
aided by a more affluent
society and more health-
conscious lifestyles.
The industry is projected
to create 26,966 jobs
and generate an income
of RM6.59bil, with an
additional RM4.96bil in
new investments
by 2020.
new investments by 2020.
By 2020, 10% of the population will be
above the age of 60. This will surpass 15%
by 2030. The ageing community thus calls
for professionals who are trained to
address various social implications and
healthcare concerns, leading to
opportunities and new challenges for
todays younger generation.
In a statement provided by Performance
Management and Delivery Unit
(Pemandu)s chief executive officer Datuk
Idris Jala last year, the tourism industry is
seen as being resilient enough to continue
thriving despite occasional global
socioeconomic challenges.
Tourism was the second highest private
investment contributor at RM24.5bil and
the third largest gross national income
contributor at RM67.1bil in 2015.
Such numbers have since risen
gradually, with continuous initiatives being
implemented and international events held
to make Malaysia a leading tourist
destination focusing on leisure and
business tourism.
While some academics may argue that
there is still much room for improvement
as the number of D-Setara-participating
universities does not reflect the number of
higher education institutions in the
country and only one institution has
managed to get a Tier 6: Outstanding rating
for one of its fields of study, the rating
system does provide students with a guide
to understanding the quality of education
available in Malaysia and should thus be
an important tool in their decision-making
process for tertiary education.
4 D-Setara Universities
AS one of Malaysias top
universities, Management &
Science University (MSU) focuses
on developing and delivering
quality human capital in areas
such as medicine, health sciences,
pharmacy, information sciences,
engineering, education, social
sciences, hospitality and culinary
arts, music, fashion and business
management and professional
studies.
The universitys award-winning
homegrown study programmes
meet stringent standards set by
both local and international bodies.
Accreditors include the
Malaysian Qualifications Agency
(MQA), the United Kingdoms
Accreditation Service for
International Colleges (ASIC), and
Japans Alliance on Business
Education and Scholarship for
Tomorrow (ABEST21).
MSU has been rated a Tier 5:
Excellent institution of higher
learning, elevating its status to one
of Malaysias best teaching and
learning universities.
MSU is also rated Tier 5:
Excellent by the Discipline-Based
Rating System (D-Setara) in the
Global university of choice
disciplines of health sciences and
hospitality and tourism.
MSU was acknowledged as Most
Entrepreneurial Private University
2016 by the Higher Education
Ministry and received the
BrandLaureate Best Brand in
Education 2017 for Leadership and
Human Capital Development.
In an international rating
exercise carried out by
Quacquarelli Symonds, MSU
received five-star ratings for
teaching, employability,
facilities, social responsibility
and inclusiveness.
MSU is also recognised by
the Sri Lanka Medical Council,
the Maldives Medical and
Dental Council, and the
Brunei Darussalam National
Accreditation Council.
Giving priority to building
students and faculty as well as
enhancing graduate
employability, MSU engages
highly qualified academics
and international visiting
professors to deliver
compelling learning
experiences within the
framework of a holistic
curriculum.
Collaborative, industry- and
enterprise-embedded MSU
blends global exposure with
extensive industrial training
to enrich the personal
competencies of its graduates.
MSUs global mobility
initiatives for student
exchange, leadership
development and market
immersion develop all-
rounded graduates desired
and sought by employers.
A graduate tracer study by
the Higher Education Ministry
shows 98.6% MSU graduates
securing employment within
six months of their
graduation, simultaneously
placing MSU in the national
THE STAR, TUESDAY 12 SEPTEMBER 2017
MSUs global
mobility
initiatives
for student
exchange,
leadership
development
and market
immersion equip
graduates with
the skills and
knowledge that
fulfil international
needs.
top spot for graduate employability
among the nations higher
education institutions.
As an applied and enterprise
university, MSU offers programmes
of study at postgraduate,
undergraduate and foundation
levels through connected pathways
that admit students from all walks
of life.
Steeped in a culture of research
and innovation as well as social
entrepreneurship, technology-
driven MSU comprises the Faculty
of Health and Life Sciences, Faculty
of Business Management and
Professional Studies, Faculty of
Information Sciences and
Engineering, International Medical
School, School of Pharmacy, School
of Education and Social Sciences,
School of Hospitality and Creative
Arts, School of Graduate Studies,
Graduate School of Management,
and Centre for Foundation Studies.
Thirty-five years after its
inception, MSU presented its 21st
convocation last month at its main
campus in Shah Alam.
The graduation scrolls were
bestowed by Her Majesty the
Chancellor, the Sultanah of Kedah,
Tuanku Hajah Haminah Haji
Hamidun, in the presence of MSUs
pro-chancellor Tan Sri Datuk Seri
Dr Wan Mohd Zahid Mohd
Noordin and president Prof Tan Sri
Datuk Wira Dr Mohd Shukri Ab
Yajid.
n For more information on
programmes offered at MSU,
call 03-5521 6868, fax 03-5511 2848,
e-mail enquiry@msu.edu.my or
visit www.msu.edu.my.