The Mustache Master: 2012

Center for IT Advancement

Centre for IT Advancement (CITA) was established in October 2004 at theKulliyyah of Information and Communication Technology (KICT). Services offered by CITA are therefore further extension to the functions of the Kulliyyah; providing the complete range of educational courses in ICT, including professional certification.

CITA is a Professional Services Center delivering Business and Management Consultancy Services, Project Management Services, Executive Programs ranging from Certification to Masters Degree, Professional Certification and On-line Programs for corporate executives, professionals and students worldwide.

CITA recognizes the need for continuing education and professional development programs in IT not only for students but also corporate employees, adult professionals, and the general public. We have certified and experienced consultants and instructors, who understand these needs and could meet the demand for new skills and enhancements.

CITA offers executive Masters Programs, Postgraduate Diploma and Certification programs in Protective Security Management in collaboration with the Chief Government Security Office (CGSO) in the Prime Minister's Department in Putrajaya. CITA also will offer the Executive Masters Program in Information Technology in partnership with the IIUM Kuliyyah of ICT. The Center also offers more than 50 professional certifications ,training programmes and short courses annually.

With the strategic partnership with the Chief Government Security Office (CGSO) , CITA has jointly developed the human capital development program delivering certification programs for all security personnels throughout Malaysia.

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Multimedia University First Tourism Club

MALACCA: The country's first ministry-endorsed Tourism Club will be established by the Multimedia University (MMU) at its Malacca campus to promote tourism.
Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said the 12-year-old university was an ideal choice for such a club to be initiated based on its strategic location in Malacca, which is a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Students who are taking up courses in creative multimedia and information technology at MMU could help promote tourism using the digital and multimedia platforms, she told reporters after launching the 15th Chinese New Year Extravaganza organised by MMU's Chinese Language Society in Bukit Beruang on Thursday night.

Dr Ng said the club would initially function as a source of information on the uniqueness of Malaysia's tourist attractions to the estimated 2,000 international students studying at the Malacca campus.
She also pledged RM10,000 as set-up fund for the club to implement its activities.

“The ministry will also assist the club, including training members who are keen to become part-time tour guides,” she added.
MMU president Prof Datuk Dr Muhamad Rasat Muhamad said Dr Ng's initiative was welcomed by the university.

“We have more than 70 clubs initiated by students in MMU Malacca and I am sure there will be those thrilled with the idea and have what it takes to make this club a success.

“The combination of tourism with creative multimedia is interesting and will be an eye-opener for the students,” he added.

Meanwhile, Dr Ng refuted claims that many Wanita MCA members were leaving the party.
She said such claims were not true at all and not even mentioned during the party's central committee meeting a day earlier.

“I can say confidently that no one has left Wanita MCA.”

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IMU Expands Credit Transfer Option for Biomedical Science Students

International Medical University (IMU) recently provided another credit transfer
option for students who have applied for its biomedical science programme, giving
these students an exciting new option to continue their education in an overseas university.
Through this arrangement, credit transfer students from IMU will be required to complete
the first part of their studies in IMU before transferring to University of Strathclyde.
These students will receive academic credit for the subjects they have successfully
completed in IMU and use this towards the completion of their degree. The degree
will then be awarded by University of Strathclyde.

"We are pleased to be able to provide an additional credit transfer option for students
in the biomedical science programme. Providing students with this additional credit
transfer option is an affordable way for IMU students to gain access to a UK education
and towards obtaining an overseas degree," said A/Prof Chen Yu Sui, programme
coordinator of the biomedical science programme at IMU.

The University of Strathclyde was founded in 1796 and is Scotland"s third largest,
with some 14,000 students from more than 90 countries. The University is recognised
as a centre of teaching excellence in Scotland and stands among the best in the world.

A/Prof Chen Yu Sui added, "Without doubt, this arrangement would offer vast benefits
to them as it uniquely allows students to experience the learning environments
of two leading universities in Malaysia and the UK. Another benefit for the
students is the discovery and understanding of cultures from around the world
as this is a critical component for a
healthcare professional. This is certainly one of the reasons for us to continuously
look for additional transfer options for students and part of its ongoing mission to train
and promote excellence in the healthcare industry."

University of Strathclyde has been a member of IMU"s network of partner universities
for more than 10 years. Prior to this, the university has collaborative and
credit transfer arrangements with IMU for its pharmacy and psychology
programmes. With this
collaboration, University of Strathclyde will be expanding the number
of IMU
programmes that the university is having collaborative agreements.

In addition to the credit transfer option with the University of Strathclyde, students
applying for the biomedical science programme also have the opportunity to transfer
the credits that they have earned in IMU to the University of Otago in New Zealand or
University of Newcastle in Australia after successful completion of the first part of their
course in IMU. Students also have the option to complete the entire biomedical science

degree in IMU and obtain a Bachelor of Science (Hons) Biomedical Science from IMU.

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KLIUC Improves Internet User Experiences with SANGFOR

Kuala Lumpur Infrastructure University College (KLIUC), the well-known Malaysia tertiary education institution, has improved the Internet accessing experiences for campus users by deploying SANGFOR's IAM solution. IAM's bandwidth management feature based on application guarantees smooth web accessing speed and provide an enjoyable Internet environment for students and staffs.

KLIUC which was established in 1998, is the focus of Kumpulan Ikram's tertiary education activities. Guided by motto of "For Knowledge, For Humanity", KLIUC aim to produce graduates with outstanding technological and management skills, possess high moral values to meet the challenges of Vision 2020 and the K-economy.

Enhanced with up-to-date academic facilities, highly qualified lecturers among whom are industry practitioners, KLIUC strives to ensure high quality education in areas of Engineering, Business and Information Technology. 3 years into the business of education, KLIUC is already recognized for its quality management system achieved through ISO 9001 :2000 certification in December 2000.

By deploying SANGFOR Internet Access Management solution, KLIUC is able to audit the the Internet flow situation through detailed reports. It is identified large amount of P2P download and on-line video stream occupying bandwidth and causing slow Internet accessing speed. Therefore, IAM performs the bandwidth limitation for P2P and on-line media, which make sure enough bandwidth for campus related applications.

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RM2 Million to Boost Internet Access in UTM

Skudai, January 17^th: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia will have the best wireless internet coverage among the Malaysian IPTA’s when its broadband capability increases from 167 Megabyte per second (MBPS) to 425 MBPS, the same speed now being enjoyed at the National University of Singapore (NUS).

With this capability, it will benefit all campus residents with better and faster access to information technology which is essential for their learning process.

The upgrade was announced by the Minister of Higher Education, Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin during the groundbreaking ceremony of UTM-MTDC Second Phase Technology Centre on January 16^th, 2010 at the UTM Technovation Park.

“I would like to take this opportunity to announce that the Ministry has agreed to approve an additional funding of RM2 million to increase the capability of UTM’s broadband access.

“This upgrade is not only hoped to increase the effectiveness of staff in doing routine assignments but can alsocreate a huge impact to this university as a knowledge centre and information distributor. The new facility can also boost the working spirit of all its campus residents to be more proactive in contributing to the university and the nation,” Khaled said during his officiating speech.

Also present during the ground breaking ceremony were the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dato’ Ir. Dr. Zaini Ujang and the CEO of Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC), Norhalim Yunus.

Zaini in his statement said that users would be able to access the internet within the whole Skudai Campus after the upgrade.

“We want the students and staff to be able to access the internet wherever they are within the campus area and be well informed,” Zaini further added.

The UTM-MTDC Second Phase Technology Centre will be built on a site of one acre piece of land comprising the development of a four-storey building block with a 40,000 square feet built-up area that includes office spaces, meeting rooms, laboratories and a cafeteria.

This centre will provide the space and opportunities for researchers and graduates to increase their entrepreneurial skills besides offering commercialisation consultation for their products.

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UTHM-Pelan Tindakan Pembangunan ICT

Pelan tindakan Pembangunan ICT Universiti ini dirangka untuk menjadi asas perancangan ICT yang kukuh dala mencapai halatuju ICT yang akan dilaksanakan dalam dua fasa iaitu; Fasa I : 2001-2005 dan Fasa II : 2006-2011.

Sasaran pembangunan ICT adalah untuk menyediakan prasarana pengajaran dan pembelajaran yang kodusif serta menwujudkan urus tadbir yang berkualiti dan cekap seiring dengan halatuju universiti sebagaimana yang digariskan di dalam Blueprint Universiti. Kepercayaan dan kepuasan pelanggan diambilkira dalam menyediakan pelan tindakan ini serta cabaran-cabaran yang perlu ditangani.

Stategi yang digariskan dalam pelan tindakan adalah seperti e-Pengurusan, e-Pembelejaran, K-Universiti, infrastruktur dan komunikasi dan pembudayaan ICT.

Keseluruhan Pelan TIndakan Pembangunan ICT Universiti yang dirangka akan menjadi panduan dalam memastikan Universiti sentiasa cemerlang dan gemilang.

Matlamat

Menyediakan Sistem Pengurusan Kampus Bersepadu bagi menyokong pembangunan dan pentadbiran Universiti ke arah yang lebih kompetitif dengan memberikan perkhidmatan dan pengurusan ICT yang dinamik dan cemerlang serta memenuhi keperluan pelanggan.

Hala Tuju

Menyediakan prasarana ICT terkini, kondusif dan mencukupi kepada seluruh warga universiti untuk meningkatkan mutu pengajaran dan pembelajaran bagi menghasilkan graduan berkualiti, mempertingkatkan kualiti penyelidikan dan pembangunan(R&D), mempertingkatkan kualiti dan kecekapan pentadbiran serta menjadikan masyarakat UTHM sebagai satu masyarakat yang bermaklumat dan berpengetahuan untuk membolehkan mereka melaksanakan tugas dan tanggungjawab dengan cara yang paling berkesan.

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UTAR Engineering Programmes Get Better

UTAR Faculty of Engineering and Science (FES) welcomed 17 professional representatives from the industry and professional bodies in engineering to the its second Industrial Advisory Panel meeting held on 9 October 2009 at UTAR Kuala Lumpur Campus in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur.

Ir. Rocky H.T. Wong, a representative from The Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) who also attended the first industrial advisory panel meeting commented, "Through my observation, the engineering programmes conducted by UTAR have improved from the time my first assessment was conducted during the first industrial advisory panel meeting."

"UTAR engineering graduates have a competitive edge as they can gain ready employment upon graduation and are candidates of choice when seeking to pursue their postgraduate studies," he added.

During the meeting, FES Dean Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wang Chan Chin briefed the members of the industrial advisory panel on the developments of the University since its first meeting, covering the various programmes conducted in UTAR, the University's organisational structure, student enrolment, faculties, campuses, university achievements, research and collaboration activities as well as research centres.

Dr. Wang also introduced the panel members to UTAR's new faculty - the Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology - and informed them about the new Architecture programme that would be conducted in UTAR starting next year.

He elaborated on the quality improvement measures taken by the FES and particularly emphasised on the importance of receiving input from industry practitioners to improve the Faculty's engineering programmes.

He said, "It is good for us to receive feedback from the industry on the skills that our students should possess in order to gain employment so that we can further refine our engineering programme curriculum to cater to the industry. There may be certain types of skills and soft skills that our graduates need to possess to succeed in the industry such as interpersonal skills, knowledge in law, management, accounting and economic. To gain an understanding of the skills needed, we need to consult with industry practitioners."

In addition to that, Dr. Wang conveyed his aspiration for UTAR engineering programmes to receive international professional accreditation status so that the Faculty�s graduates would find it easier to obtain employment overseas and the Faculty would be able to attract more international students to study engineering in UTAR.

The meeting ended with a departmental group discussion based on respective fields of disciplines and a campus tour of the UTAR Kuala Lumpur Campus.

Members of the Industrial Advisory Panel meet periodically to discuss matters related to the engineering programmes of the University and offer feedback and constructive views that can help further improve the programmes.

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Launch of first WTF newsletter (SEGi University College)

On the 12th of August 2011, the School of Communication Studies (SoCS), SEGi University College officially launched its first student newsletter. This annual newsletter which is spearheaded by the communication club, FOURSEGi, is named ‘Welcome to FOURSEGi’, or ‘WTF’ in short.

Ms. Zarina Zawawi, the Course lecturer cum Programme Coordinator of SoCS, unveiled the newsletter at the launch. With the help of Ms. Ung Wei Yenn, the public relations lecturer of SoCS, Bethany Teoh, who is also the editor created this newsletter, serving as an information hub for the students about the latest happenings in SEGi University College. It will feature updates on events around campus, a guide for new students, entertainment news and also a column for students to voice out their ideas and opinions.

“The newsletter provides Mass Communication students with the opportunity to practice journalistic writing and appreciate the existence of the print media. At SEGi University College, we are dedicated to provide education that is passion guided and industry driven,” said Faisal Ibrahim, the Head of SoCS.

To celebrate the victories of our forefather’s as youths of Malaysia, the theme for the inaugural issue of WTF is ‘Merdeka Day’. In conjunction with the launch of the newsletter, Fazrul Sher B. Mohamaed Rafique, a Mass Communication diploma student was announced as Mr. ‘WTF’.

Chosen based on several characteristics including ‘responsible’, ‘outspoken’ and an ‘exemplary role model’, Mr. ‘WTF’ will act as spokesperson to the newsletter. The selection was based on votes from SoCS students. Fazrul Sher was also featured in the cover story of the newsletter.

The first 40 students who registered at the launch received a copy of the brand new newsletter. Grab your copy today!

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Sharing Technology- 21 Mar 2010 (Sunway University College)

A GROUP of 26 students from the School of Computer Technology at Sunway University College donated 17 units of desktop computers to an orang asli community in Kampung Jelintuh, Perak as part of their community service project.

The donations were made in two separate visits over eight months, during which the students installed the computers at the village’s community centre (balai rakyat)and provided some basic lessons to the children and adults there.

Receiving the computers on behalf of the community was Penghulu Ba Ayyeh.

The community project adviser Johnny Savarimuthu said: “This is a milestone event for the orang asli community in Malaysia as it is the first time that a donation of computers has been made to them.”

The college students posing with the orang asli children after setting up the new computers.

Current project advisor Christopher Ong added: “We will continue to work with and support the orang asli in order to provide more opportunities and access to the latest technologies.”

Although the project involved a lot of time and effort on top of their academic commitments, the students involved in the project were enthusiastic about giving something back to the community.

“This is a truly remarkable and new experience for me. It gave me an insight into the orang asli community, said student Hasan-Ul-Mokaddes from Bangladesh.

“I was touched by their hospitality and their eagerness to learn about computers.”

His coursemate, Joseph Gangadaran said: “There are still a lot of people in Malaysia that have missed out on technology and I am really glad we had a chance to help.

“Through this project, we learnt to work as a team and it was a great learning experience too.”

The computers were donated by the college’s School of Computer Technology.

The costs of travelling and accessories for the installation were covered by a fund raising lunch organised by the students.

The students also raised additional funds through a recent Tea and Fashion Show for computer classes for the orang asli, which will be provided by the Shalom Community Centre in Gopeng.

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UTP: Workshop on Securing Research Funding and Grants

Research Enterprise Office (REO) had organized and conducted a one-day workshop on 25th November 2009 for staff and students on the opportunity to secure funding and grants from Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd, a company wholly funded by Ministry of Finance. One of the grants introduced by Cradle Fund is the University Cradle Investment Programme Catalyst (U-CIP Catalyst). This grant is specifically targeted to researchers and/ or inventors and students of research institutes, private and public universities, colleges and institutes of higher education in Malaysia. The objective of U-CIP Catalyst is to assist researchers/or inventors to commercialize their invention into marketable products, technologies or services by providing pre-seed funding of between RM50,000 to RM150,000 over a period of 4-12 months. The fund covers the development of prototypes, proof of concepts, business plans, IP search and registration, surveys and other expenses related to the product development.

Speakers from Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd, Mr Kenny Mah and Ms Syazwani Ismail urged the staff and students to apply for this grants online via www.cradle.com.my as the grant will assist them into transforming their invention into commercially viable products. They added that the grants focus on both ICT and non-ICT ideas and other interesting ideas with strong innovative technology-related component in any industry that has a strong commercial value and will be beneficial to Malaysians, the economy and the world, will also be considered. Besides offering grants, the company also provides advisory support to inventors, industry mentoring programme, and other services related to personal development and competencies.

Tn Hj Azminuddin, Senior Manager REO in his opening remarks reiterated the importance of U-CIP Catalyst to assist the university in achieving its targets of becoming a Research University by 2013 by producing more inventions and products into the market. .The U-CIP Catalyst grant can be an alternative to other funds as it is easily available and the fund itself covers product which is close to being market-ready. He also encouraged graduating students to apply for the grant and develop their invention into marketable product which can also leading them to become an entrepreneur by establishing their own company. This aspiration suits well with the university’s mission of producing a well-rounded graduate, and the future leaders of the industry.

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UMP to Develop IT Product With Six Firms

KUANTAN: UMP Holdings Sdn Bhd, the business arm of Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP), signed a memorandum of understanding with six companies to pave the way for collaboration to develop an information technology-based product.

It was UMP Holdings’ first commercial collaboration with the private sector.

Its chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman said the product, an integrated management system called E-Management Enterprise Solution, was commercialised after it was developed by a UMP lecturers.

“It was developed by a team from the Computer Science and Software Engineering Faculty led by project manager Prof Madya Wan Maseri Wan Mohd,” he told reporters after the signing ceremony at the UMP campus in Gambang here on Thursday.

Also present was UMP vice-chancellor Datuk Dr Daing Nasir Ibrahim.

Abdul Aziz said that more business ventures were expected this year and the university had the right workforce and resources to develop marketable products.

He said that a good response had been received from publicity campaigns at state departments and agencies.

On other business plans, Abdul Aziz said that UMP Holdings would meet Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob to explore the possibility of working on matters pertaining to information technology.

In his speech, Abdul Aziz said the product was a management and administration solutions provider to minimise time and labour costs.

The companies that signed the MoU were Fifway System Sdn Bhd, MH Equal Management Sdn Bhd, Century Software Sdn Bhd, Casa Inovasi Sdn Bhd, Encoral Digital Solution Sdn Bhd and Maxima System Consultant Sdn Bhd.

The E-Management Enterprise Solution received a quality award under the information technology category from the Malaysian Modernisation and Management Planning Unit in 2004.

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CURRENT PROJECT IN UNIKL MIIT

In 2007,UniKL has initiated an effort commercialization through the launching of technopreneur development trademark,named Technoputra.The Technoputra programme encompass six levels of technopreneur development. It starts with the enrollment of students through the registration of entrepreneurship course which is a compulsory course by the registration of entrepreneurship course which is compulsory course by the university; through co-curricular activities that are entrepreneurship related and the practice of entrepreneurship during their study and consequently becomes a technopreneur upon completion of their study.

The main concern of having Technoputra at institute level is to produce ICT technocrats especially among UniKL Malaysian Institute of Information Technology (MIIT)students and lecturers. UniKL MIIT has took the effort to create and develop technopreneurs from its undergraduates. This is apparent from the university's and institute's vision which aims to create global ICT technopreneurs.Parallel with it,various programmes have been planned thoroughly and certified by professional bodies.Besides,the different programmes and certification offered by UniKL MIIT are admirably recognized by different authorities as a men to create successful technopreneurs.To further ensure the success of UniKL MIIT Technoputra programme and activities,MIIT has endeavored smart partnership with existing professional bodies such as CISCO, Apple, EC-Council, Microsoft, SAP and etc.Our Technoputra has coordinated and organized various certification and technopreneurship development programme with them where it is catered for students, lecturers as well as public who are interested to get certification by the professional bodies.

It is believed that the UniKl MIIT Technoputra programme will become one of the main contributor to the national economy, particularly in the ICT related industrial sector.

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MMU Eyes Future in Nanotechnology

SCOUTING for a degree programme after leaving school may be a daunting experience for most school leavers.

There are many considerations that need weighing, including the growth potential of the industry chosen and cost of the programme pursued as decisions made can make or break one's career path in events of economic downturn or business uncertainties.

But there is one industry that is on the rise in Malaysia. It is none other than nanotechnology. School leavers or any candidates considering engineering programme can the nanotechnology alternative.

Although the field is still in its infancy, there is growing interest and expenditure in it.

Multimedia University (MMU) vice-president of academic, Associate Professor Wong Eng Kiong says: "We are seeing a slow but steady increase in enrolment in our nanotechnology programme because of the government's emphasis under the 9th Malaysia Plan."

Under 9MP, RM124.3 million has been allocated for the nanotechnology industry. The inauguration of the Malaysia Nanotechnology Association (MNA), governmental support for nanotechnology is at an all-time high as the technology can revolutionise the entire manufacturing industry.

One way this is achieved is by generating new types of nanomaterials, applicable in the metal, chemical and nanoelectronics industries. Other industries that can benefit are automotive, pharmaceuticals and health sciences, as well as information technology.

Realising the huge potential in store for the industry, MMU recently launched its Bachelor of Engineering Electronics (hons) majoring in nanotechnology. It is among the first of nanotechnology courses to be offered in the country.

"This nanotechnology programme is a true landmark offering," says Wong.

He said previously, those who wished to pursue a career on nanotechnology must go overseas.

"Now, you can join as an undergraduate and be part of a growth industry."

He adds that the career prospect for a nanotechnologist is quite healthy and promising.

He adds that the past few years have seen an increase in mechanical engineering enrolment, due to the manufacturing industry in the country. Telecommunications engineering also remains a popular choice.

MMU is one of the very few institutions in the country offering an undergraduate programme in nanotechnology

Intakes are open this month in the fields of engineering, IT, management and creative multimedia.

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FSKTM Students Represented UPM in Imagine Cup

Three students from the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology (FSKTM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), were selected to represent UPM at the 2011 Malaysia Imagine Cup competition recently.

Mohamad Najib Basery, The Green P

The FSKTM team is led by their mentors, Dr. Lili Nurliyana Abdullah, Dr. Razali Yaakob and Dr. Rohaya Latip.

Namely the Green P, they created the 'Botanic Sustainability Smart System', a web based software to identify the type of soil and suitable plants that can be planted with it.

A second year student in Bachelor of Computer Science (Computer Networks), Mohamad Najib said the idea to develop the software was drawn from the famine situation in Africa. Thus we are inspired to help them in identifying suitable crops for their land.

"It took us almost two months to develop this system as well as data collected from the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry (MOA), Institute for Research and Development Institute (MARDI) and assisted by Prof. Dr. Kamaruzaman Joseph from the Faculty of Forestry, "he said at the Malaysia 2011 Imagine Cup competition at the Pullman Hotel, Kuching.

In addition, the system is able to analyze the crop price index, which enables those involved in the agricultural industry to determine their budget in order to initiate agricultural projects.

Meanwhile, WASPending developed software that combines the teaching of general knowledge, science and math, and also a hero character as well as focused history for students aged 10 to 12 years old.

WASPending team leader, Wong Ching Yee said the system called 'Challenge the Difference "was developed in the form of games and educational software.

"I hope that this software will draw attention from the children’s education related industry," he said.

His friend, Tan Wee Chong, a final year student of Bachelor of Computer Science (Software Engineering) from The Frontiers said his group developed 'The 1 Cent Project' a micro donation system that integrates with telecommunication companies to further promote the culture of giving among students.

"Students can donate as low as one cent, and the use of the software can be promoted by the telecommunications company as a community service program (CSR).

"By using this system, users can select their donation to be distributed for non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the amount to be donated and the identification number and the data will be verified by the telecommunication companies after obtaining confirmation," he said.

The 2011 Imagine Cup is a technology competition between the students of the Institution of Higher Education in promoting solutions to global problems.

The competition aims to produce talented students in the world of software designers, programmers, game developers and digital media enthusiasts and simultaneously addressing issues related to humanitarian assistance, poverty, education, disease control, health, environment and global issues.

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NILAI

STUDENTS enrolled in Nilai University College (Nilai UC)’s Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering not only learn in the classroom, but have the opportunity to apply their knowledge on a real aircraft at the institution’s very own hangar.

Soon, these students will have the option to further their knowledge in the field through a recently signed memorandum of understanding with the United Kingdom’s (UK) Kingston University and CAA International Ltd (CAAi), a subsidiary of the UK Civil Aviation Authority.

Nilai UC president Prof Emeritus Tengku Datuk Shamsul Bahrin said students would have the option of pursuing an engineering degree in Aircraft Maintenance through its partnership with Kingston.

Prof Emeritus Tengku Shamsul (right) exchanging documents with Dr Mason at the ceremony.

“Students who want to further their studies after the diploma will have the avenue to do so locally through a one-year top-up degree programme with Kingston.

“With the agreement, Kingston will also now be providing the notes for the diploma programme while CAAi will regulate the examinations throughout the course duration,” he said at the signing ceremony recently.

The degree programme with Kingston is scheduled to commence next January, together with additional options in helicopter maintenance and avionics.

Prof Emeritus Tengku Shamsul said Nilai UC, which had been running the diploma programme for the past three years, aims to produce trained professionals who meet international aviation standards.

“Although three years is not a long time, we have worked hard to ensure the programme was accredited and now we are pleased to team up with Kingston and CAAi to further enhance the programme.

Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering students working on an aircraft during a practical sesion.

“Industry acceptance is also important and we are lucky to have the support of nine industry partners — SR Aviations Ltd, Berjaya Air, Dnest Aviation Services, KLAS, GGIFA, Sabah Air, Subang General Aviation Sdn Bhd, Integrated Training and Services Aviation Academy and Systematic General Aviation Sdn Bhd,” he said.

Aircraft Maintenance department head M. Kunalan said the partnership also allowed students to obtain valuable feedback on their examination performance.

“It is important for the students to know how they fare in the examinations, and now they will be able to get feedback on their performance from the CAAi,” he said.

Also present at the ceremony were Kingston University engineering faculty dean Dr Peter Mason and CAAi training and examinations unit senior manager Matthew Margesson.

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UNITAR CIFAL Shanghai concludes Smart Cities training to build capacities in ICT for developing countries

From July 6-26, CIFAL Shanghai, in partnership with the Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the P.R. of China, hosted its third training programme of 2011, with a focus on information and communications technology (ICT) services to build Smart Cities.

The 20-day training brought 38 participants from 24 countries, covering Asia-Pacific, Africa, Europe, Latin America and Caribbean regions to explore not only Chinese development of integrated ICT services in Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Beijing, but also to compare and discuss country to country experiences in achieving digital inclusion and modernized ICT services for all urban populations.

Participants hailed from Ministries of Information and Communication, Ministries of Interior, Finance and Planning, National Research Institutes, Parliaments, Local governments and more; and were from countries as varied as Egypt, Chile, Uganda, Nigeria, Tonga, Viet Nam, Albania and more.

The training opened with a focus on the City of Shanghai, showcasing the scaling up ICT services throughout the mega-city, and the how tos of investing in a "Digital Shanghai," as well as how investing in digital inclusion and digital literacy has exponential economic growth benefits for all. Participants had the chance to discuss and compare their own local development plans and how they address ICT planning and delivery, with that of Shanghai's past and present plans.

On day 7 of the training, all participants were moved to Beijing to visit IBM offices and its Cloud-Computing Centre, learning firsthand about how cloud computing can provide a low-cost solutions for ICT infrastructure and the extension of services for public and business users. Participants also had site visits to Lenovo Group's Beijing Innovation Centre, visiting the birthplace of Lenovo and learning about Lenovo Mobile Communications Technology.

Participants also had various lectures from leading Chinese companies in ICT services, such as Neusoft Corporation, noting the growth in Chinese public-private corporations in ICT research and development, consumer products, and services delivery, as well as the role of government in promoting Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) growth and business development in ICT. To learn about the role of ICT in delivering online media for "netizens", participants also had a site visit to People's Daily Online (one of the country's leading online news sites since 1998http://english.peopledaily.com.cn). Finally, participants visitedChina's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, to learn firsthand about China's Informatization Development Strategy.

With a short pause to visit the Great Wall of China, participants were next taken to Hangzhou, the capital and largest city of Zhejiang Province in Eastern China, to visitHangzhou's Hi-tech Industry Development Zone, to attract e-Commerce companies from abroad, the park has a complete range of infrastructure, which has been constructed in accordance with the new city plan and all complementary basic services.

Participants then returned to Shanghai, learning about spillover development in satellite cities such as Wuxi, and ICT inclusion and upgrading for underdeveloped districts such as Fenxiang District in Shanghai.
With a wealth of examples of Eastern China's rapid informatization and how this is linked to effective local development planning, strategies, and financing, participants had a chance to gather a comprehensive view of how ICT investments extend to and can improve everything from disaster preparedness, health services, transport, job creation, to the general wealth and digital literacy of their populations.

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