THE STAR, TUESDAY 17 NOVEMBER 2020
POSTGRADUATE
LAST month, I was invited to give a talk as
part of a conference series which used the
tagline, “Beyond Covid-19: Rethinking the
Future of Businesses”. Within that context, I
spoke on “What Covid-19 Means for the
Future of Research”.
My presentation made two key points:
1. Covid-19 research
opportunities
A lot of the world’s research activity is
currently Covid-19 related. There are many
examples where significant research
funding – typically from governments – has
been made available in the hope of finding
a vaccine.
The obvious research areas are in the
medical disciplines, as finding a cure for the
virus is of the utmost importance. However,
most other disciplines have many
opportunities to carry out Covid-19-related
research. Mental health, the effect on
businesses, logistics and supply chains, the
effects of working from home, learning
technologies, the welfare state, living with
Covid-19 in the short/medium term,
international trade, border controls, the
future of cities and public transport are all
areas (to name just a few) that have
research opportunities which would benefit
from scientific study.
Many journals are fast tracking Covid-19-
related research, and many are devoting
special issues to this topic.
There are many opportunities for any
scholar to carry out research, which is likely
to be fast-tracked and which could lead to
Unique learning experience with Coursetrac
FINDING the right tertiary programme and
university to go to can be mind-boggling as
there are so many options to choose from.
Should it be a diploma or degree
programme? Studying full-time or part-time?
All these add up to the confusion.
Not knowing whether the programme
chosen was the right one is another aspect to
think of. Fret no more, at Open University
Malaysia (OUM), students can try out courses
without committing to a full programme
straightaway through an easy and flexible
approach known as Coursetrac OUM.
With Coursetrac OUM, students can pick
the courses they are interested in, pay only
for the ones they registered for and get
certificates after they’ve completed them.
Currently, there are five disciplines on
offer, with a total of 18 courses at the
diploma and bachelor’s degree levels. The
five disciplines are:
l Early childhood education
l Islamic studies
l Digital technology
l Entrepreneurship
l Psychology
Also in the works is an entrepreneurship
course on digital marketing.
At this introductory phase, diploma
courses cost just RM250, while bachelor’s
degree courses are RM350.
What’s best about Coursetrac OUM is that
students can accumulate learning experience
as they go along. When ready to take on a
full programme, they can use what they
have learnt to enrol for a diploma or
Diversifying research
high-quality MyRA (Malaysia Research
Assessment) returnable papers.
2. Adapt and innovate
For the next few years, research budgets
for non-Covid-19 topics are likely to be
reduced. This is not only as a result of
research funding being channelled into
Covid-19, but other areas of the economy
may require additional support, so overall
research budgets may be reduced.
As researchers, we should be prepared to
adapt and innovate to this new normal. In
my conference presentation, I presented a
number of ideas about how researchers
might carry out high-quality research on a
limited budget.
Diversify: Take the opportunity to develop
a new research area, seeking out an area
that requires no external funding. The
example I gave was a book I read back in my
teenage years that has stayed with me for
the past few decades. Whilst having nothing
to do with my mainstream research, I
recently used this book as the basis for a
paper that has now been published in a
peer-reviewed journal. Most importantly, the
research cost nothing more than my time.
Write for the media: Try and write for
the media. One excellent resource is The
Conversation, a website that is written by
academics for the general public. The staff at
The Conversation will help with the editing
so that it is accessible by the informed, but
interested reader. One of my papers came
about as a result of a Conversation article I
had written previously. I was contacted by
a colleague in Australia, which led to a
paper. To this day, we have never met,
What’s best about Coursetrac OUM is that students can accumulate learning experience as
they go along and exchange the courses they have taken for credits.
bachelor’s degree at OUM via Accreditation
of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL). APEL
also allows students to exchange the courses
they have taken via Coursetrac OUM for
credits. This helps shorten the study duration
and reduce tuition fees too.
All the courses on offer are components of
programmes that have been accredited by
the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA).
never even spoken (only on email), yet we
co-authored a high-quality paper, with a few
more being planned.
Use the data that you have access to:
Your university is likely to have invested in
many different data sources which, as a
member of staff, you will have access to. It is
worth finding out what data is available to
you through these subscription-based
services. Of course, there are many other
data sources that are freely available which
you can utilise in your research.
The research landscape has changed. Take
the opportunity to carry out Covid-19-related
research – no matter which discipline you
work in. It is also a good time to diversify
As researchers, we should be
prepared to adapt and innovate to
this new normal, says Prof Kendall.
In addition, the study mode and materials
are specially designed for online and self-
managed learning. Perfect for this era of the
“new normal”, this option allows students to
easily go through each course on their own
and in the comfort of their home. For a more
comprehensive learning experience,
students can also apply for an assessment,
which means opting to submit coursework
your research and look for ways to carry out
research on a limited budget. Promotion and
interview panels will still look at your ability
to attract external research funding, and you
should certainly pay attention to this, but
there is a lot of research that you can do
without having to attract external (or even
internal) funding, and this is a skill that you
may want to develop over the coming years.
n Prof Graham Kendall is the chief executive
officer, provost and pro-vice-chancellor of
the University of Nottingham Malaysia.
Twitter: @Graham_Kendall
At Open University Malaysia
(OUM), students can try out
courses without committing
to a full programme
straightaway through an easy
and flexible approach known
as Coursetrac OUM.
and sitting for exams.
The January 2021 intake is now open for
those seeking to study the normal
programmes. Two relaunched programmes,
the Bachelor of Marketing and Diploma in
Accounting, are also open for registration.
Students can enjoy special rebates up to
RM450 if they sign up before Nov 22. OUM’s
programmes are recognised by MQA, the
Public Service Department Malaysia, and
professional bodies such as Sirim Bhd,
Nursing Board Malaysia and the Medical
Assistant Board. So, learn something new
today and take that first step towards a
brighter future.
n Visit www.oum.edu.my/coursetrac/ to find
out more about Coursetrac OUM. For more
information on other programmes or the
January 2021 intake, call or WhatsApp 012-
303 9935/019-357 9074, email enquiries@
oum.edu.my, or visit www.oum.edu.my
8 Postgraduate
Paving the way
THE world has seen massive progress in
terms of science and technology in the past
decade or so. Touchscreen phones, social
media, instant messaging, the Internet –
without such achievements, the world
would neither be as informed, nor as
advanced as it is today. However, despite
the rapidly growing technological landscape,
there remains both room for improvement
and problems to solve, in both the global
and industrial perspective.
Some notable examples of real-world
issues include:
l Global warming
Global warming is a severe issue that
threatens not only people, but also the
ecosystem of the entire world. As the direct
removal of excess carbon dioxide from the
atmosphere is currently too expensive,
research has gone into methods of recycling
the gas into usable products.
l Pollution
The earth is riddled with unnecessary gases
and waste from people’s everyday lives,
seeping into the air, water and soil. Garbage
such as microplastics in the oceans and
carbon monoxide in the air are detrimental
for the environment, and difficult to remove.
While steps to prevent further microplastic
pollution are in place, removing the existing
pollutants is difficult and expensive, and
would benefit from more research.
l Medical problems
From dementia treatment, to cures on
serious diseases like rabies, medicine still has
a long way to go. Breakthroughs in curing
diseases previously deemed uncurable and
covering inequality in medical coverage
would not only benefit the people of today,
but also ensure the safety and comfort of
others in the future.
From medical research to propositions on
THE STAR, TUESDAY 17 NOVEMBER 2020
Touchscreen phones, social
media, instant messaging,
the Internet – without
such achievements, the
world would neither be as
informed, nor as advanced
as it is today.
how to solve poverty and income inequality,
the world has plenty of shaping and
reshaping to do. Fortunately, the ability to
change things for the better lies in
people’s hands – or more so in the hands
of their successors.
How then, can the postgraduates of today
lead in the innovation of tomorrow?
As more and more students enter From medical research to propositions on how to solve poverty and income inequality, the
universities, their skillsets expand and they world has plenty of shaping and reshaping to do.
become more equipped to handle the
challenges that the real world has to offer. include, but are not limited to: technology with elements of nature) or
That, alongside the experiences and ideas l Engineering medical research.
they are exposed to during their studies, Students with a degree in engineering can
have made many youths more than ready to work in fields varying from electrical and l Environmental sciences
tackle the problems the past has left behind. information technology engineering to Those with a postgraduate degree in
In fact, society would have been quite aerospace. With their knowledge, they can environmental science can enter a broad
different today were it not for the broaden horizons by contributing to the number of fields including environmental
achievements of several postgraduates. One further improvement of network management or horticulture. The knowledge
such remarkable achievement was engineering or transport safety, to they have would allow them to contribute to
accomplished by two students from advancements in scientific fields such as solving environmental issues such as waste
Stanford University, Larry Page and Sergey aerospace or nuclear engineering. management and renewable energy.
Brin. Their research in college led to the
creation of the most widely used search l Life sciences With the correct application of science and
engine in the world, Google. Life science postgraduates can work in technology, many breakthroughs in
Additionally, there are many pressing fields ranging from biochemistry to enriching quality of life and improving the
problems in the world today that can greatly biotechnology. With their skills, the future will happen. And with the new ideas
benefit from the application of science and postgraduates can contribute to or pioneer and ever-growing skillsets provided in
technology. Postgraduate fields that would advancements in useful fields like today’s education, postgraduates may just be
arm people with the knowledge to do so biomimetics (the science of combining the ones to make it happen.
THE STAR, TUESDAY 17 NOVEMBER 2020 9
10 Postgraduate
Staying relevant in a changing world
CARS and all things mechanical or motorised
are his passion; but so are conviction,
commitment, courage and care – all which
make up his compass in life. Coming into
academia from the corporate world is Dr
Digo Thalattaniralalage Kingsley Bernard.
Currently a senior lecturer at the Sri
Lanka Institute of Information Technology’s
Faculty of Business, Dr Digo carries a wealth
of experience from his former tenure as CEO
at Dankotuwa Porcelain PLC – a Sri Lankan/
Japanese collaboration that has been
awarded as the Most Outstanding Exporter
by the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri
Lanka for three consecutive years.
His doctoral dissertation at Management
and Science University’s (MSU) Graduate
School of Management (GSM) aims to shine
a light on what he deems an important
sector of the Sri Lankan economy –
entrepreneurship microfinancing. Focused
on women entrepreneurs, the dissertation
had sought to examine how microfinance
influences their success.
“Microfinancing exists in every country.
Though meant for larger populations, a
special focus should be given to women
entrepreneurs because they are capable of
not only uplifting their own family’s social
standing, but also contributing towards the
national economy,” says Dr Digo.
He believes that the findings of his
research will help institutions and
policymakers identify effective ways of
utilising microfinance resources.
“Generally, women everywhere contribute
less to the labour force than their male
counterparts. Enhancing their contribution
is vital. Given a women-majority population,
imagine the potential upsurge in the Sri
Lankan economy if its womenfolk receive
more opportunities for entrepreneurship.
My recommendations in Entrepreneurial
Success for Women of the Microfinance Sector
in Sri Lanka can be generalised for many
Courses designed to
meet market demand
IN today’s competitive workplace, in-depth
knowledge and mastery of advanced skills
are vital in earning a promotion or staying
ahead in an individual’s career. Studies have
shown a clear association between level of
education and employment, and with job
roles becoming more complex in all fields,
higher levels of training and skill are
required to gain a competitive edge when it
comes to career advancement or finding a
new job.
As ambitious working adults in Malaysia
are increasingly seeking to further empower
themselves by going back to university and
enrolling in postgraduate courses,
particularly with the upheaval in the job
market brought on by the global pandemic,
Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia)
ensures its postgraduate offerings are
consistently in line with market demands.
Due to be introduced early next year are a
graduate certificate and graduate diploma in
public health and a Master of Public Health.
This is to meet growing demand for such
courses, particularly from health
professionals seeking to develop their skills
and knowledge in public health while
continuing to work.
The Master of Public Health teaches
students a range of conceptual knowledge
and practical skills to support public health
Dr Digo (second from right) with his colleagues at the Sri Lanka Institute of Information
Technology.
other countries with similar socio-economic
conditions,” he explains.
The transition to the world of academia
had been a childhood dream of Dr Digo.
“Sharing knowledge with the younger
generation is always a rewarding
experience. I belong to a family of
educationists, made up of two highly
respected teachers as parents. They retired
in the 70s, but experience gained through
student leadership during my undergraduate
years lived on to fuel the joy and satisfaction
I feel in teaching,” he says.
With a Master in Business Administration
(MBA) from the University of Colombo, a
postgraduate diploma in international
marketing from the United States’ Colorado
State University, a Bachelor of Science
(Mathematics and Statistics) from the
University of Jaffna, and a Diploma in
Computer Systems Design from CICC Japan,
action across a wide range of domains and
helps them gain thorough grounding in the
major areas of public health, with content
scaffolded across the course to enhance their
learning. In their second year, they will have
the opportunity to carry out research with
an academic supervisor, or enhance their
practice and leadership skills.
Moreover, the Master of Public Health
students come from a variety of fields
including medicine and allied health,
biomedical and laboratory-based sciences,
nutrition, occupational and
environmental health, health promotion,
social sciences, education, communications,
business and management.
“A postgraduate course deepens
knowledge and perspective, while
expanding an individual’s options for
advancement. Employers also seek to hire
the best, especially for mid-level and senior
roles, so demand is shifting to candidates
who bring to the table postgraduate
qualifications and working experience,”
says Curtin Malaysia pro vice-chancellor,
president and chief executive officer Prof
Simon Leunig.
n More information on postgraduate courses
at Curtin Malaysia can be found at courses.
curtin.edu.my/courses-and-study/postgrad/
why did Dr Digo choose MSU for a Doctor of
Philosophy (Management/Business)?
“MSU enjoys a high academic reputation
in the Sri Lankan education circle. It has a
quality system in place and an impressive
iGoT (the indicator for graduation on time),
which ensured completion of my doctoral
studies on time within three years. That the
university is also Asia’s first to be recognised
internationally by the Accreditation Council
for Entrepreneurial and Engaged Universities
as being ‘Entrepreneurial and Engaged’, and
has been acclaimed by the Higher Education
Ministry as the nation’s Most Entrepreneurial
Private University, there really is nowhere
better for me to go to or look any farther,”
quips Dr Digo.
MSU offers breakthrough ways for
working adults wishing to further their
studies. A wide range of programmes are
offered with the students’ convenience, as
Women in technology
THE main goal of technology is to improve
people’s lives. Inventions created in the past
helped pave the way for the modern
technology people have now, many of which
were invented by women.
Female inventors are responsible for
many things that have made lives easier
and credit must be given where credit is
due. Postgraduate takes a look at some
female inventors and their contribution
to technology.
Solar-powered homes
Dr Maria Telkes was a Hungarian-
American physical chemist and biophysicist.
While Dr Telkes was working at the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology on her
solar energy research project, she invented
the very first solar-heated home in Dover,
Massachusetts, in 1940. Sunlight would be
captured by box-like solar collectors, and
warm the air in a compartment between a
double layer of glass and a black sheet of
metal. The warmed air was then piped into
the walls. The house was 100% solar-heated
and worked for nearly three winters.
Dr Maria
Telkes.
THE STAR, TUESDAY 17 NOVEMBER 2020
well as their educational and professional
backgrounds, in mind.
Real-world scenarios are adopted into the
classroom learning experience. Strategic
thinking and thought-provoking case study
exposés equip students with a higher level
of practical problem-solving abilities. All
modules are rigorously designed with
strategic industrial and corporate input, an
opening vignette to major events and real-
world issues around the globe.
The postgraduate programmes at MSU
are carefully crafted to cultivate leadership
and a real research contribution that
addresses industrial hands-on challenges at
the highest management level. Due to the
tremendous and exciting state of flux
within business and management
communities, the top management must
adapt rapidly to stay competitive, relevant
and strategically positioned to tackle global
trends by possessing the relevant
postgraduate qualifications.
MSU offers advanced degrees at the
MBA, Master of Science and PhD levels,
covering wide areas including business
administration, accounting/finance,
management, educational management and
leadership, education (teaching English as
second language), international business, a
Master in Fashion Business, international
hospitality and tourism management, early
childhood education, counselling and
guidance, computer science, food service
technology, biomedicine, biomedical
sciences, information technology, clinical
pharmacy, engineering, pharmacy, applied
science, design and medical physiology.
These programmes are offered under the
School of Graduate Studies and GSM.
n For more information on postgraduate
programmes offered at MSU, call 603-5521
6868, email enquiry@msu.edu.my or visit
www.msu.edu.my
This was just the beginning of more
in-depth research into thermoelectricity. She
then used this heat-exchanger technology to
create solar stoves, solar ovens and solar
heaters. She also created a solar distiller
capable of vaporising seawater and turning
it into drinkable water. This system was
carried aboard life rafts during the Second
World War.
Laser cataract surgery
Dr Patricia Bath was an ophthalmologist,
inventor, humanitarian and academic. Dr
Bath was the first African-American doctor
to receive a medical patent and the first
African-American to complete a residency in
ophthalmology. She co-founded the
American Institute for the Prevention of
Blindness in 1976, which established that
“eyesight is a basic human right”.
In 1986, Dr Bath invented the laserphaco
probe which improved treatment for
cataract patients. The laserphaco probe
allowed doctors to dissolve cataracts quickly
and painlessly before applying new lenses to
the patients’ eyes. It was a factor of more
precise treatments compared to before. Dr
Bath’s invention helped restore the sight of
an individual who had been blind for more
than 30 years, hence it is no surprise that
this invention is used worldwide to prevent
blindness due to cataracts. Moreover, she
was also a strong advocate for telemedicine,
which uses technology to provide medical
services in remote areas.
Blissymbol printer
Rachel Zimmerman Brachman is a
Canadian-born space scientist and inventor.
At only 12 years old, Zimmerman Brachman
invented a software which allows people
with speech disabilities to communicate non-
verbally by using symbols on a touchpad
that are then translated into written
> TURN TO PAGE 12
THE STAR, TUESDAY 17 NOVEMBER 2020 11
12 Postgraduate
Turning uncertainty
into opportunity
IN May this year, a budding local
entrepreneur named Sabari launched an
online grocer called Fregee. Offering a vast
array of organic and fresh local produce,
Fregee has become a great help to many
farmers who have been struggling to market
their produce during the pandemic and
movement control order.
Despite the tough times, the pandemic has
shone the spotlight on successful home-
grown entrepreneurs like Sabari and his
team, who daringly took to a digital platform
to keep their business afloat while also
throwing a lifeline to other working folk.
Since emerging in Wuhan late last year,
Covid-19 has spread to 215 countries and
territories, infecting more than 43 million
people and killing over one million globally.
The implementation of certain restrictions
and lockdowns has brought much of the
global economic activity to a halt, thus badly
affecting businesses and accelerating
unemployment. No country is spared from
economic and financial uncertainty, not to
mention the untold impact on employment
and education.
According to a report by the Employees
Provident Fund published in May, an
additional 1.26 million Malaysians are
expected to fall into relative poverty in the
coming months. The Malaysian Employers
Federation, meanwhile, estimated that the
unemployment rate could reach up to 13%
this year.
Nevertheless, Sabari’s resilience reveals
the optimistic side of life in this difficult
time. What he has achieved truly
demonstrates the adage of “nothing
By PROF
DATUK DR
MANSOR
FADZIL
ventured, nothing gained”. Without doubt,
his success goes hand-in-hand with having
the right knowledge and skills.
As an open and distance learning
institution, Open University Malaysia (OUM)
has championed the cause of lifelong
learning since its establishment in 2000.
With a flexible learning approach that gives
learners the freedom to study at their own
pace, anytime and anywhere, we believe
we can help acculturate lifelong learning
among Malaysians and equip individuals
with new knowledge and skills to adapt to
unprecedented changes in the future so they
can remain relevant and competitive in the
job market.
By leveraging on fully online learning
via our learning management system
myINSPIRE, along with quality learning
materials, experienced tutors and lecturers,
as well as other initiatives such as online
examinations, presentations and
assignment submissions, our learners have
what they need to learn effectively even in
the current situation.
Through the Institute of Professional
Development (IPD), OUM also offers
upskilling and reskilling training
THE STAR, TUESDAY 17 NOVEMBER 2020
Offering a vast array of organic and fresh local produce, Fregee has become a great help to
many farmers who have been struggling to market their produce during the pandemic and
movement control order.
programmes for industry players – covering best ways to prepare for the post-Covid-19
a broad range of areas including business world. At OUM, we have the tools and
administration, financial management, infrastructure to deliver quality education.
logistics and supply chain management, And we will strive to ensure that no matter
political science and more. IPD, as the who or where they are, our learners can
training arm of OUM, is part of our initiative turn this uncertainty into opportunity.
in fulfilling reskilling needs in the labour For more information on programmes,
force, with 50% of all employees predicted to call 03-7801 2000, WhatsApp 012-303
need such training opportunities in the 9935/019-357 9074, email enquiries@oum.
coming years, as reported by the World edu.my or visit www.oum.edu.my
Economic Forum recently.
Under current circumstances, committing n Prof Datuk Dr Mansor Fadzil is president
to the pursuit of knowledge can be one of the and vice-chancellor of OUM.
Bringing positive change
> FROM PAGE 10
language. The symbols used are Blissymbols
– a constructed language that uses an
ideographic writing system. Each symbol
represents a meaning and these symbols
can be combined to create new meanings.
The Blissymbols printer creates a simple
method of communication for those with
severe physical disabilities. When a user
points towards a symbol on the special
touchpad, it would convert into written
language – allowing the user’s thoughts to
be deciphered correctly. Her invention had
just started as a school science fair project,
but then led to her winning the YTV Youth
Achievement Award. Zimmerman
Brachman’s invention is recognised
worldwide and she has since received
several awards for her achievements. She
now has a goal of tailoring National
Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA) innovations to meet the needs of
people with disabilities by working at the
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Ice cream maker
Ice cream is a delectable dessert that is
enjoyed by people of all ages – it comes in
various flavours and cools your body on a
hot day. This enjoyable dessert wouldn’t be
easily available to the public though, if not Meet the woman responsible for making
for Nancy Maria Donaldson Johnson’s ice-cream the way we have come to know it,
invention. Johnson’s invention was awarded Nancy Maria Donaldson Johnson.
the first United States patent for a hand-
cranked ice cream freezer in 1843. Back that’s made with a consistent quality from
then, ice cream was usually made with most places. So, make sure to remember
extensive labour and took hours to make. Johnson while enjoying a cool, refreshing ice
Johnson’s invention decreased the amount of cream sundae in the hot Malaysian weather
time it took to make ice cream and featured next time.
hand-cranked spatulas inside a cylinder that
was used to scrape ice crystals from the Technology is constantly evolving,
walls of a cooled container. becoming better with time and improving
Before Johnson’s invention, ice cream was the quality of life. This is why thanks should
made using the “pot freezer” method which be given to the inventors who are
produced unpredictable results. Today, continuously tinkering with technology for
people are able to purchase ice cream the betterment of future generations.