THE STAR, TUESDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2017

Redefining the market

KAMARUDDIN Mohd Nor, a
seasoned businessman, is no
stranger to the cut-throat
competition in the logistics
industry. However, the notion of
doing away with competition by ensure an organisation benefits Community of Practice after
creating a new uncontested buyers, the company, employees fulfilling the requirements.
marketspace blew his mind away and stakeholders. The programme also presents
that was his first brush with Blue More than 10 years later, BOS is rare networking opportunities and
Ocean Strategy (BOS). even more imperative in todays an overall enriching experience
Enthralled by the business competitive business climate due for learners whose peers include
concept, he decided to master its to rapid technological advances, high-ranking civil servants and
principles, which led him to enrol disappearing boundaries, at-your- experienced corporate leaders.
in the only programme in this fingertips information and an The Malaysian Governments
region that offered him that increasingly flatter world. adoption of BOS under the
opportunity UCSI Universitys Recognising the immense National Blue Ocean Strategy as the
premier Master of Business potential of BOS, UCSI embarked basis for its development plans
Administration (MBA) (Blue Ocean on making this vital business idea demonstrates the trust that is
Strategy). available to seasoned professionals placed on this leading business
According to Kamaruddin who who want to go further. idea in driving the nation forward.
received his MBA in 2014, the Adapted to incorporate BOS with The quintessence of BOS lies in
programme did not disappoint. the help of UCSI Blue Ocean its simplified approach to assist
We are encouraged to not only Strategy Consulting (one of the few anyone to acquire the mindset of
think outside the box but that Blue Ocean Strategy hubs in the thinking outside the box, seeing
theres, in fact, no box. The world that consults Asias leading beyond status quo and challenging
impossible can be restructured to corporations), UCSIs MBA (Blue boundaries the essential
create new possibilities I found UCSIs transformational MBA (Blue Ocean Strategy) programme helps Ocean Strategy) programme was ingredients for profitable growth
ways to add value to my service learners acquire razor-sharp business acumen and a trailblazing mindset. rolled out in 2012. and advancement.
and keep my costs low, he says. The programme incorporates UCSIs Kuala Lumpur campus
Introduced in 2005, BOS Prominent management tools and frameworks to BOS frameworks in its curriculum is open daily for extended
heralded a new way of doing thinkers, W. Chan Kim and Rene systematically create and capture and pedagogy. It challenges counselling sessions, inclusive of
business not by competing in Mauborgne, studied more than 150 blue oceans the analogy for learners business perspectives weekends and public holidays.
existing markets for a diminishing strategic moves spanning more an uncontested marketspace and helps them rethink business
profit pool but by differentiating than 30 industries over 100 years through opportunity-maximising strategies and approaches. n For more information, call
into new products/services and before pioneering this concept. and cost-cutting ways. In addition to the MBA degree, 03-9101 8882 or e-mail
keeping costs low, effectively BOS practitioners use a BOS also assists in aligning value, graduates can become part of the www.ucsiuniversity.edu.my/
creating a new marketspace. comprehensive set of analytical profit and people propositions to global Blue Ocean Strategy onlineenquiry.
2 Postgraduate THE STAR, TUESDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2017

Lifelong Meeting
current needs
education
SEGi University & Colleges understands the
THERE is no doubt that 21st century
economic dynamics have changed the
landscape of business at home and abroad.
Global organisations and establishments MSUs Master of Business Administration
importance of continuous learning for at all levels of management in corporate and equips students with critical business and
professional and personal development. It industrial sectors seek cost-effective ways to management skills to thrive in todays global
helps working professionals broaden The MBA in International Business by UOG stay afloat in the red ocean. economy.
perspectives and prepares them to face helps students establish a strong foundation One vital question remains: Can the
challenges in this complex and fast-changing in business management, international current human capital or talent resources management knowledge for the 21st century
world. business strategy, leadership and adopt and adapt to the megatrends of market.
SEGi has launched the Professional and professional development as well as business disruptive changes? The MSU MBAs combination of affordable
Continuing Education (PACE) for busy adults communication in an international setting The combined approaches of Management fees, world-class teaching and leading
who would like to pursue new knowledge and the management of complex & Science University (MSU) to 21st century industry collaborations has enabled the
while working, without having to information. learning and industry-driven education have creation of a sustainable network of
compromise their work commitments and Meanwhile, the Master of Science in built strong traditions that enhance current graduates and managers who are well
family responsibilities. Information Systems Management is aimed and future pools of human capital assets to prepared to meet the demands of 21st
PACE works closely with a consortium of at equipping students with a deeper address the challenges of 21st century century business.
global universities, which are University of understanding of the management of knowledge economy. MSUs series of CEO Talks and
Sunderland (UOS) and University of information systems in the framework of Global companies in Malaysia, the Asean Entrepreneur Talks provides MBA students
Greenwich (UOG) in the United Kingdom and facing organisational issues. Economic Community and Asia-Pacific are with the opportunity to be up close and
University of Southern Queensland (USQ), The MBA programme by USQ is an constantly on the lookout for innovative personal with global chief executive officers
Australia, to offer quality Master of Business advanced academic programme to groom approaches to talent enhancement in to learn about cross-sectional approaches
Administration (MBA) programmes to students to master a range of management sustaining business leadership beyond the across the business and management
students. skills. This programme offers five national boundary. spectrum.
The MBA programme by UOS is designed specialisations, which are human resource Offered by its Graduate School of Accreditors include the Malaysian
for enterprising minds seeking to combine management, project management, Management (GSM), MSUs Master of Qualifications Agency (MQA) and the United
their expertise with general management marketing, finance as well as finance and Business Administration (MSU MBA) is Kingdoms Accreditation Services for
skills. The programme assimilates work- general management. geared to develop only the most critical skills International Schools, Colleges & Universities
based learning that will improve your ability Students can keep track of lessons at any for the business and management (ASIC).
to bring productive changes in your current time of the day because the lessons are marketplace. GSM also offers PhD and masters
organisation. accessible via the worlds largest learning The MSU MBA remains high on the programmes in management/business,
It is an assignment-based course and management system, Blackboard. priority list among professionals and leaders accounting/finance, management,
students are required to complete a 15,000- in generating business-centric skills to meet educational management and leadership,
to 20,000-word research paper based on a n For more information, call human capital demands for new business and Teaching English as a Second Language
contemporary business and management SEGi University Kota Damansara perspectives around the globe. (TESL).
research area. (03-6145 1777/011-1210 6389), SEGi College Advocating the United Nations Sustainable These programmes are offered as
The Master of Science in Engineering Kuala Lumpur (03-2070 2078/018-211 8653), Development Goals, the programme weekend or weekday classes in flexible
Management shapes you to be a leader in a SEGi College Subang Jaya (03-8600 1777/ incorporates practical dimensions in timeframes and for all management levels.
technical team to deliver on time and within 016-212 9154), SEGi College Penang developing top-tier management skills
budget. Students are required to get involved (04-263 3888/013-629 4880) or SEGi College encompassing entrepreneurial leadership, n For more information, call
in a real-world project that includes research Sarawak (082-252 566/017-859 2566) or visit strategic management, Islamic finance, 03-2718 4302/4300/4301, e-mail gsm@msu.
as well as a practical element. www.pace.edu.my. project management, and key business and edu.my or visit www.msu.edu.my.
THE STAR, TUESDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2017 Postgraduate 3

Back to basics
VC COLUMN

ONE of the traditional routes to

gain entry to university is through
A-Levels. If you achieve the
required grades, you gain entry
into your university of choice,
doing the course you selected.
In the United Kingdom, A-Levels will accept him with the grades university life. Not only does this foundation programme is for
students submit their applications obtained. By PROF prepare you for your degree everybody. The biggest benefit
to the Universities and Colleges Another route for direct entry GRAHAM programme but you will have of A-Levels is that it is recognised
Admissions Service (UCAS) along to an undergraduate programme access to university resources such the world over and you can
with a list of university courses is to enrol in a foundation course,
KENDALL as a university library as well as present the qualification to any
that they wish to apply for and which is open to students who interact with undergraduates university.
the A-Levels subjects that they do not have the required and academic staff who will The same is not true of a
are studying. qualifications. become your lecturers. foundation programme. It will give
Students rank their choices of The foundation route to In fact, you may meet some of you entry to the university that
university/course, hoping to get undergraduate studies is becoming into account accommodation, loss your foundation academic staff runs the course but may not be
into their top choice. UCAS, via the increasingly popular and it is not of earnings, food and utility bills. in your undergraduate and recognised by other institutions.
university, can offer a conditional hard to see why. Foundation l The foundation course that postgraduate programmes. In the past few years, we have
offer, meaning that if students programmes have many benefits: you choose could be more tailored l Studying a foundation course seen the growing popularity of
achieve the required A-Levels l They typically take a shorter for your chosen degree subject. at a university that has multiple foundation courses. A-Levels is
grades, they will get into their time to complete than A-Levels. For example, you might decide to campuses may provide access to far from becoming extinct, but
first choice of university. At The University of Nottingham, take an engineering foundation undergraduate studies at one of many students are seeing the
If a student does not achieve depending on your previous course if your aim is to become an its other campuses. added value of entering university
the predicted A-Levels grades, the studies, a foundation course takes engineer. For example, studying the via a foundation programme.
other universities on his list will either 12 or 18 months as opposed l If you successfully complete a foundation programme at
be considered. to 24 months, which is typical of foundation programme, you will Nottinghams Malaysian campus n Prof Graham Kendall is the chief
If the student does not fulfil A-Levels. be offered an undergraduate place may give you access to executive officer, provost and pro-
any of the conditional offer grades, l Due to the reduced study at that university. undergraduate programmes in vice-chancellor of The University of
he will have to approach duration, the financial cost may be l Taking a foundation course the UK or China campus. Nottingham Malaysia Campus.
universities to see if any of them lower, especially when you take enables you to experience This is not to say that a Twitter: @Graham_Kendall

(From left) Prof Claire O'Malley, Prof Graham Kendall, Lovy Beh, Datuk
Beh Chun Chuan, Garvy Beh and Natasha Marie Francis at the closing
ceremony of Research Funding and Powering the Innovation Engine
Conference 2017.

Successful
collaborations
THE University of Nottingham society, PharmNotts, will receive
Malaysia Campus (UNMC) signed support from Lovy Pharmacy for
two Memoranda of activities in relation to its
Understanding (MoUs) with Lovy community outreach
Pharmacy and Doctor2U programmes.
respectively on August 24 at the Lovy Pharmacy will
closing ceremony of Research participate in the teaching and
Funding and Powering the learning activities for UNMC
Innovation Engine Conference pharmacy students on career
2017. development, health industry,
These MoUs are a testament pharmaceutical products and
to a successful partnership pharmacy services.
between our researchers and UNMC pharmacy staff will also
leading healthcare companies in participate in the provision of
Malaysia. As a leading research Continuing Professional
university, we focus on Development opportunities for
understanding some of the most Lovy Pharmacys staff in core as
complex and challenging issues well as rapidly changing areas of
to address the current needs of the profession to help maximise
the industries. improvements in patient care.
We have worked with many The MoU between UNMC and
major pharmaceutical, Doctor2U is the first MoU signed
healthcare and biotechnology with a leading telehealth
companies and had the vision to provider that provides
start up several successful in-demand healthcare services
commercial ventures to provide across Malaysia and Singapore.
valuable services to the The MoU aims to create the
pharmaceutical industry, says promotion or joint sponsorship
Prof Graham Kendall, UNMCs of research and development in
chief executive officer, provost new technology related to
and pro-vice-chancellor. healthcare, enhance existing
The MoU between Lovy technology practices and
Pharmacy and UNMCs School processes pertaining to
of Pharmacy is designed to healthcare-related services and
facilitate undergraduate products, and drive the exchange
pharmacy placements and of knowledge and technology
provide opportunities for UNMC between academic and industry
pharmacy students to be a part players.
of an industrial training
programme. n For more information, visit
UNMC pharmacy students www.nottingham.edu.my.
4 Postgraduate THE STAR, TUESDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2017

Eye on research
SINCE its inception in 1998, Monash economy, including the development of
University Malaysia has continually green electronics, smart devices for the
strengthened its research capabilities to healthcare industry, lighting industry, and
become a leading research-led education waste and environmental management.
institution that uses sustainable and Internationally recognised, BRIMS is at the
translational research to positively impact forefront of neuroscience research, studying
diverse communities. changes that are happening globally,
To achieve this, Monash Malaysia has including issues related to depression,
multidisciplinary research platforms in five addiction, neurodegeneration and autism.
key areas the Tropical Medicine and Prof Nair reveals that BRIMS received
Biology Multidisciplinary Platform, funding a few years ago from Agensi Inovasi
Advanced Engineering Platform, Global Asia Malaysia for the Malaysia Medicinal and
in the 21st Century (GA21), Brain Research Aromatic Plants (MyMAP) project, which
Institute Monash Sunway (BRIMS) and South studies tropical plants that could potentially
East Asia Community Observatory (SEACO). address the aforementioned disorders.
Under the universitys Tropical Medicine GA21 studies key issues that impact Asian
and Biology Multidisciplinary Platform, communities, including how the forces of
researchers undertake a multidisciplinary globalisation, liberalisation, regionalisation
approach to medicine and biology, including and digitisation are transforming the region.
studying the rich biodiversity and human Aligned with the United Nations
habitats in Malaysia for projects in tropical Sustainable Development Goals, the five
diseases, agricultural production, food key research platforms tackle
science, environmental management and issues such as eradicating
evolutionary biology. poverty and hunger as well
Among the major initiatives is a as ensuring policies and
community-based approach to addressing strategies implemented
the dengue epidemic in Malaysia. contribute to the
Jointly funded by Monash Malaysia and development of a just,
Monash Australia, SEACO is a public health environmentally
surveillance site that tracks some 30,000 of friendly and
the populations health and well-being in economically
Segamat, Johor. sustainable society.
It seeks to understand how forces of
globalisation and industrialisation of the n For more
Malaysian economy are impacting the information, visit
communities from the health, social and www.monash.
economic perspectives, says Prof edu.my.
Mahendhiran Nair (pic), vice-president
(research and development) at Monash
Malaysia.
Under the Advanced Engineering
Platform, researchers and engineers have
been developing tools and systems that have
a wide range of applications across the