THE STAR, TUESDAY 9 APRIL 2019
COURSE FOCUS
Reap the rewards of diversity
THE learning experience with School of
Arts and Social Sciences (SASS) in Monash
University Malaysia boasts immense variety
in everything from subject matter to
cultural identities. It is through this
exposure to variety that arts students learn
to value and embrace diversity.
SASS Bachelor of Arts and Social Sciences
(Honours) alumna Hannah Jambunathan
talks to six fellow SASS alumni about how
diversity – a core feature of SASS degrees –
has prepared them for jobs in various
industries, including non-profit think tanks,
financial and insurance services and
information, media and
telecommunications corporations.
Alvin Wong shares that the diversity in
identity and culture of SASS’ student body
granted him the exposure and experience
he needed to lead the marketing efforts of
Pestech Energy Sdn Bhd.
“Exposure and experience are key in
helping us cope with new knowledge and,
sometimes, problems. The clash of cultures
helped me understand the same matters
from multiple perspectives. New
perspectives mean new ideas,” he says.
With multinational corporations placing
increasing value on maintaining a sense of
diversity in the workplace, British
American Tobacco Malaysia human
resources business partner and SASS
alumna Tay Siao Lin echoes a similar
sentiment, saying that the cultural
intelligence she learnt at SASS served her different angles. I had to think outside the Sara Salah, an Egyptian national currently
well in the workforce. box and open my mind to various opinions employed by Monkey Theory Sdn Bhd as a
Tay, who completed an honours degree in and ideas,” says Rohini. partnership marketing associate and digital
communications, finds that the sky is the Fellow SASS alumna Anthea Haryoko says lead, is grateful to have landed a dynamic
limit in terms of career prospects for SASS that at SASS, she could explore various job. Reflecting on her time with the school,
degree holders. Tay sees that the critical career options and determine which Sara shares that as a Monash graduate, she is
thinking skills SASS prioritises have trained industries would suit her better than others. prepared to always stay on top of her game
her to be more inquisitive. Haryoko’s learning experience at SASS was and speak up if she has a differing opinion: a
Ann Lee, a 2008 graduate, says that the holistic, as she not only participated in skill honed in tutorials where students were
various soft skills she honed during her academic classes but was also active in encouraged to share their unfiltered
studies at Monash were key to better job extracurricular activities. opinions in discussing controversial
prospects as a fresh graduate. “Monash It was this wholesome experience at issues about race, religion, politics and
made me an all-rounded person, building SASS that assured Haryoko she was gender in a productive manner.
my confidence to speak my mind and always well primed for a promising career
question everything. It prepared me to be in any sector. Haryoko currently n For more information on the
confident, self-reliant and independent,” she leads the external relations programmes offered by Monash
says. department of the Center for University Malaysia’s SASS, visit
Upon graduating, Lee sought a job in the Indonesian Policy Studies. www.monash.edu.my/sass
marketing and public relations industry, a
choice that seemed incongruent with her
arts degree, as a business degree would
traditionally be more valued. However, Lee
succeeded in finding work at multinational
corporations.
Bank Negara Malaysia communication
executive Rohini Rajadorai graduated with a
Master of Communication and Media
Studies. The course structure of the master’s
programme, which encourages examination
of various theories in relation to our current
climate, is what gives arts students an
advantage in the working world.
“The breadth of subjects offered at SASS
meant exploring various issues from Hannah Jambunathan fully appreciates the value and versatility of her SASS degree.
2 Hospitality, Law, Teaching & Mass Communications
Giving students a solid head start
EVER pictured yourself working
in a restaurant as a world-famous
chef or managing staff in a
prestigious hotel? Nilai
University’s School of Hospitality
could be exactly what you’re
looking for to launch your career
in hospitality.
Life in the hospitality industry
may not be as glamorous as you
see on-screen, but it can be a
wondrous life and Nilai University
is ready to provide you with the
most enjoyable and worthwhile
experience in the field.
The School of Hospitality aims
to nurture students who are
passionate about hospitality,
applying various teaching
methods and industry-related
practical lessons that allow
students to fully explore their
potential in culinary arts and
hotel and hospitality
management.
If your dream is to become a
renowned chef, then you should
begin your tertiary education
with Nilai University’s Diploma
in Culinary Arts. Master the art
of food preparation and immerse
yourself in theory and practical
classes that train you in
inventory control, personnel
management, menu planning
and other relevant subjects.
Students practise in a mock
restaurant and commercial
kitchen packed with the latest
culinary tools that let them fully
experience life as a culinary
artist. Upon graduation, you will
be able to work in any kitchen or
progress in the chef profession
from cook to sous chef, chef de
partie and, eventually, executive
chef.
The Diploma in Hotel
Management produces students
who are capable of handling
multiple sector-related subjects
such as food and beverage
management, front office and
accommodation operations. The
university offers its students
industry-related facilities, including
a hotel business simulation system,
mock-up restaurants and a front
office with a systematic hotel room
management system.
Get the best of both worlds as
you explore the industries of
hospitality and management with
the B.A. (Hons) in Business and
Hospitality Management. In this
programme, you will gain a strong
foundation in business, especially
in managing people, dealing with
profitability, and issues, events and
marketing related to hospitality.
Students who have already
graduated from either one of the
diploma programmes are welcome
to pursue their degree in this
course and will be eligible for
credit transfers – 26 credit hours
for the Diploma in Culinary Arts
and 33 credit hours for the
Diploma in Hotel Management.
Diploma of Culinary Arts
graduate Wong Wee Siong is ready
to face the world of hospitality
again as he enrols for Nilai
University’s bachelor’s degree
programme.
“Although I had planned to
work to gain experience and some
pocket money, I agreed with my
mother that a paper qualification
matters when applying for
supervisory and managerial
positions. Because I had a great
time at Nilai University during my
diploma programme, I was quite
happy to return to do my degree
here,” he says.
The unique parts
The school offers Industry Talk
in order to maximise students’
tertiary education experience and
career opportunities in the
hospitality industry. In this talk,
Extended intake
for school-leavers
School-leavers have till Apr 26 to enrol in foundation programmes at
Curtin Malaysia.
CURTIN University Malaysia
(Curtin Malaysia) is extending its
current foundation programme
intake to Apr 26 to cater to
school-leavers who have just
received their examination
results and are keen to enter
foundation programmes in
engineering and science,
commerce or arts.
The extension also applies to
students with Sijil Pelajaran
Malaysia, Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran
Malaysia, O-Level, A-Levels or
Unified Education Certificate
qualifications who have yet to
apply for either the current
intake or the next foundation
and degree intakes in July and
August.
Though foundation classes
start on Mar 25, those enrolling
beyond that date will still be
able to catch up through special
orientation sessions in place of
the formal orientation and
replacement learning sessions
for missed classes. Foundation
students are guaranteed places
in Curtin Malaysia’s
undergraduate courses in the
engineering and science,
business or humanities faculties
upon successful completion of
their one-year programmes.
Curtin Malaysia is the largest
international campus of Curtin
University, a global university
with campuses in Australia,
Malaysia, Singapore, Dubai and
Mauritius, and is ranked in the
top 1% of universities
worldwide in the Academic
Ranking of World Universities
2018.
THE STAR, TUESDAY 9 APRIL 2019
students gain exposure to
possible career options and
discover the essentials they need
to be fully prepared to enter the
industry.
Nilai University’s internship
programme is unlike any other.
Experience the best industrial
training in the field and you will
find yourself adapting quickly
through intensive and in-depth
training in mock environments.
As a result, the university
constantly receives positive
feedback from companies that
hire its students as interns, as
they are all able to cope with job
expectations.
The variety of General
Education Subjects available
encourages students to
participate in societies and clubs
that further expand their
understanding of cultures,
> SEE NEXT PAGE
Students at Curtin Malaysia
study courses identical to those
at the other Curtin campuses
and degrees earned at the
Malaysian campus are conferred
directly by the main campus in
Perth. They also enjoy an
undifferentiated learning
experience and student support
mechanisms, including online
study resources and distributed
learning in real time between
campuses.
Curtin Malaysia is currently
offering special scholarships in
conjunction with its 20th
anniversary celebrations worth
RM2.5mil for outstanding
students in Miri to undertake
foundation and selected
undergraduate courses. In
addition, students throughout
Malaysia with outstanding SPM,
STPM, O-Level, A-Levels and
UEC results can take advantage
of the Curtin Malaysia Merit
Scholarships. Both scholarships
offer partial or full tuition fee
waivers based on examination
results.
Full details of scholarships
and other financial aid available
can be found at scholarships.
curtin.edu.my.
n For further information on
the foundation programmes and
scholarships, contact marketing
officer Serena May Robinson at
08-563 0100 (ext. 2601) or 019-
855 5610, or email serena.
robinson@curtin.edu.my.
Alternatively, potential students
can visit futurestudents.curtin.
edu.my/enquiry
THE STAR, TUESDAY 9 APRIL 2019
Pathway to a
successful career
> FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
environmental issues and
society. These include Public
Speaking, Critical Thinking,
Professional Development and
even Theatre and Acting
subjects for students to choose
from.
Upon graduation, students of
this programme enjoy a great
career pathway as most of them
are employed by companies that
have great reputation in the
hospitality and tourism
industry. Some of the companies
that are known to employ
students from this programme
are Shangri-La Hotel Kuala
Lumpur, Renaissance Kuala
Lumpur Hotel, Starbucks
Malaysia and Tune Hotels, as
well as Fullerton Hotel and JW
Marriott Hotel in Singapore.
Developing a
quality workforce
“EMPLOYERS want to hire
candidates who have the
education and skills to make an
immediate impact in an
organisation. The job market
will be filled with candidates
who all have similar
qualifications. What sets our
students apart will be their
hands-on skills and adaptability.
Quest International University
Perak’s (QIU) programmes are
designed to reflect industry
demands, and the goal is to
create graduates who are
immediately job-ready,” says
QIU chief operating officer
Nicholas Goh.
A prime example of this is the
university’s new fluid
curriculum concept for two
engineering programmes – the
Bachelor of Electronics
Engineering (Communication)
with Honours and the Bachelor
of Mechatronics Engineering
with Honours. Under this
curriculum, students undergo
annual industrial attachments at
prominent multinational
companies as opposed to the
usual one-semester industrial
attachment that is common in
bachelor’s-level engineering
programmes.
The same principle of creating
job-ready students extends to
QIU’s culinary arts programme,
under which students have
access to a state-of-the-art
kitchen, in-house bakery and
fine-dining restaurant.
For those interested in
communications, QIU has an
in-house recording studio.
QIU is committed to nurturing well-rounded professionals.
Hospitality, Law, Teaching & Mass Communications 3
Enrol in Nilai University
By pursuing tertiary education
at Nilai University’s School of
Hospitality, you are opening a
gateway to countless life-changing
career opportunities for yourself
as well as contributing to the
country’s hospitality and tourism
sector.
Join us now at Nilai University
and embark on one of the best
educational experiences in
culinary arts, hotel and hospitality
management. Intakes are available
on April and May. Impressive
scholarships await, so tell your
friends about it and enquire today!
n For more information, call Nilai
University’s education counsellors
at 06-850 2308 for an appointment
or visit the campus or www.nilai.
edu.my Enjoy industry exposure to culinary arts and hotel and hospitality management when you enrol in Nilai University.
The facility provides a
workspace for students to carry
out photography, sound
recording, video production, and
musical performances.
QIU’s Bachelor of Medicine &
Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)
programme is listed in the
World Directory of Medical
Schools. The university is an
approved official centre for
United States Medical Licensing
Examination training. QIU
medical graduates can enter
residency or fellowship
programmes in Canada and the
US that are accredited by the
Accreditation Council for
Graduate Medical Education.
In addition, QIU’s MBBS
programme is accredited by the
Malaysian Medical Council,
Malaysian Qualifications Agency
and several medical councils
across South Asia, as well as the
Health Ministry.
The university’s Faculty of
Business and Management is a
member of the Association to
Advance Collegiate Schools of
Business, and QIU is a member
of the International Association
of Universities and Association
of Commonwealth Universities.
QIU’s interim campus is
strategically located in Ipoh,
combining an environment
conducive to learning with
affordable living costs.
n To find out more about QIU
and the programmes it offers,
call 05-249 0500, email
enquiries@qiup.edu.my or visit
www.qiup.edu.my
4 Course Focus
Industry-level
courses
in tourism
management
IN view of the local tourism industry’s huge
growth potential, Tunku Abdul Rahman
University College (TAR UC) offers relevant
tourism programmes aimed at developing
the required human capital as a catalyst to
achieve the country’s goal for its tourism
industry.
TAR UC provides tourism programmes at
bachelor’s and diploma levels, namely the
three-year Bachelor of Tourism
Management (Hons) and two-year Diploma
in Hospitality Management (Tourism). TAR
UC’s tourism programmes are taught by
industry practitioners who have extensive
experience in the industry. Great emphasis
is placed on developing students’
interpersonal, communication and critical-
thinking skills, all of which are highly
sought after in the industry.
On top of this, as programmes are
delivered via lectures, class discussions,
case studies, local and international field
trips and industrial attachments, TAR UC’s
tourism management students are able to
develop a deeper understanding of the
industry.
Teoh Sui Yoke, Bachelor of Tourism
Management (Hons) final-year student,
shares her reason for choosing TAR UC and
experience studying there.
“What drew me to study tourism
management at TAR UC was the affordable
tuition and the institution’s good reputation
in the industry. I researched my options
extensively, comparing the costs of tourism
management programmes at different
institutions, and none of them were as
competitive as TAR UC’s.
“The programme allowed me to learn
many relevant subjects such as Inbound
Tour Business and Tourism Product and
Destination Development. A highlight of
studying Tourism Product and Destination
Development was getting to join a study
tour to Langkawi. It let us enjoy a different
way of learning as we took part in various
tour activities, such as visiting Langkawi’s
Geopark, island hopping and joining a boat
tour.
“In the third year of my degree
programme, I learnt quite a few business-
related subjects, which increased my
understanding on how to run a tour-
Teoh Sui Yoke (back row, second from left) with her course mates in Langkawi during their
study tour.
THE STAR, TUESDAY 9 APRIL 2019
Great emphasis is
placed on developing
students’ interpersonal,
communication and critical-
thinking skills, all of which
are highly sought after in
the industry.
operating business. It also helped me interact
with students in hospitality management – a
field closely related to tourism management.
I appreciated that we attended tutorial
sessions together as we were able to discuss
and exchange information and knowledge,”
says Teoh, who is currently undergoing
practical training at a private tour company.
Second-year Bachelor of Tourism
Management (Hons) student Chai Jia Qi says,
“Studying tourism management at TAR UC
has helped me appreciate the tourism
industry more. On top of the in-depth
subjects, my learning is further enhanced by
the facilities provided for tourism
management students.
“For instance, learning using the Amadeus
Ticketing System that TAR UC provides helps
me better understand my Airline
Reservation and Ticketing subject. It is a
privilege to get first-hand experience using
the Amadeus Ticketing System in my degree
programme because it is a popular computer
reservation system that is widely used by
tour operators around the world. Hence,
having experience using this system gives
me a competitive advantage in the tourism
industry when I begin my career,” she
concludes.
n Find out more about TAR UC’s tourism
management programme at its Open Day,
which is being held until this Sunday at all of
its campuses nationwide. Alternatively, visit
www.tarc.edu.my or a TAR UC booth at major
education fairs. Attractive scholarships are
available on the basis of academic merit and
sibling discount for eligible students.