THE STAR, TUESDAY 15 DECEMBER 2020
POSTGRADUATE
The key to a brighter future
GHADEER is from the Syrian city of
Ar-Raqqah. Due to the civil war that has
been going on since 2011, she lost three
years of schooling and had to drop out.
She married at a young age and was
pregnant when she decided to go back to
school, borrowing notes and books from
other students to prepare for her final
exams. Even sitting for the exams was not
easy. Ghadeer had to make a perilous
220km journey to an exam centre in the
neighbouring town of Al-Hasakah,
travelling hours on conflict-affected roads
and facing countless checkpoints guarded
by armed men.
She made it, but not all others like her
survived. She is among 7.5 million Syrian
students who have had to risk life and limb
to keep their education dreams alive. We
know about Ghadeer thanks to the efforts
of Unicef, which published her story in
2016, years before the Covid-19 virus
transformed our world.
Reflecting on Ghadeer’s story can help
change our perspective on things. The
problems brought about by the pandemic
seem pale in comparison as Malaysians are
generally sheltered and have the means to
continue living, even if we have to do with
less or go through difficulties to accomplish
our tasks.
At Open University Malaysia (OUM), we
strive to provide the best despite
circumstances. Learners are now fully
enjoying the benefits of online learning in
the safety and comfort of their homes. In
fact, since the start of the pandemic, many
have found ways not just to survive, but
thrive academically. In that sense, they
have something in common with Ghadeer:
they realise education is the key to a
Supporting career ambitions
THE lines, “I am the master of my fate: I am
the captain of my soul” from the poem
Invictus would resonate with those
harbouring great career ambitions in spite of
the job market hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Many would agree that reskilling and
upskilling are necessary to remain
competitive. This includes getting a
specialised postgraduate education.
With 30 years of experience, First City
University College offers highly sought-after
postgraduate programmes at its Faculty of
Business, Hospitality and Communication;
the Faculty of Design and Built
Environment; as well as the Faculty of
Engineering and Computing.
Master’s degree programmes are
conducted in either one-year full-time, or
two-year part-time mode to allow working
adults to study without sacrificing their
work commitments.
First City UC bachelor’s degree graduates
can continue with their postgraduate studies
here with a 25% alumni incentive. Others
will enjoy a 20% incentive off their tuition
fee upon registration.
Master of Design Management
The Master of Design Management (MDM)
programme is offered at one-year full-time or
two years for part-time students.
MDM is for designers, mid-career
professionals and graduates from different
design disciplines, helping them develop
high-level leadership qualities in
management, communication, research,
entrepreneurship, and design skills.
These qualities will serve them well in
Lifelong learning for professional development allows a person to strengthen the mind and
build confidence, making one more appreciated in the workplace.
brighter future.
In the wake of the pandemic, it has
become even more apparent that we need
to continue learning regardless of where we
are in life. In the words of American
learning strategies expert Keith Keating,
“Modern careers are like non-stop conveyor
belts: you need to keep moving and
learning no matter what stage is your
career. In today’s work climate, lifelong
careers such as strategic design analyst, user
experience manager, brand consultant/
strategist, digital creative director, product
development manager, integrated art
director, innovative product entrepreneur
and visual information specialist.
Jacky Loke Zhao Lin, an MDM graduate,
says two particular course modules helped
broaden his horizon: Design Thinking taught
him how to identify problems and offer
viable solutions; and Business Consulting
trained him to communicate design-related
ideas with precision.
“As someone who has benefited from First
City UC’s foundation and bachelor’s degree,
I now hope to give back to my alma mater by
teaching the next generation of designers,”
says Loke.
Master of Business Administration Master of Software Engineering
The Master of Business Administration
(MBA), in partnership with Anglia Ruskin
University (ARU), UK, equips students with
the skills and mindset required by world-
class businesses.
Students will learn business management
skills and strategies necessary for navigating
through today’s business world.
Successful graduates can confidently take
on roles such as management consultant,
operations director, investment banker,
marketing director, etc.
One such alumnus is banking industry
veteran Cheah Wee Leong.
“I enrolled in First City UC’s MBA to keep
up with the latest general management
principles and practices. Also, the
programme’s course modules were vital
learning paves the way for current and
future success.”
So why exactly is lifelong learning so
important today?
Thanks to technological advances, the
knowledge and skills needed to perform a
job are constantly changing. Employers want
workers who are agile and adaptable, so
they will look for people based on skills
rather than qualifications or job titles.
for my plans to move into professional
training,” says Cheah.
Cheah was soon made investment banking
training director at his workplace, where he
now trains hundreds each year in various
courses and specialised banking topics.
The Master of Software Engineering (MSE)
programme aims to inculcate technological
problem-solving, management,
administration and planning skills to those
seeking management-level positions.
MSE addresses the increasing importance
of solving problems involving big data, cloud
computing, and various software design and
development tools.
Students will be taught to identify
technology trends, entrepreneurial
skills as well as lead and manage software
development.
Upon completion, graduates may consider
career positions such as senior software
development engineer, senior system
analyst, software project manager or even
as a technopreneur.
By PROF
DATUK DR
MANSOR
FADZIL
But lifelong learning is not just about
employability. Developing this mindset
provides other benefits too.
While lifelong learning for professional
development focuses on marketable and
transferable skills, Keating believes learning
for personal development can strengthen
your mind and give you greater confidence,
which in turn makes you more content and
also promotes soft skills that are
appreciated in the workplace.
At OUM, we believe that what our
learners gain has the potential to give them
the best in lifelong learning.
Comprehensive, industry-relevant and
MQA-accredited programmes will equip
them with skills they need for their careers,
while the unique open and distance
learning approach and studying alongside
peers from diverse backgrounds will enrich
their lives.
All they need to reap these benefits is the
determination to continue learning.
For more information on OUM
programmes, call 03-7801 2000, WhatsApp
012-303 9935/019-357 9074, e-mail
enquiries@oum.edu.my or visit www.oum.
edu.my
n Prof Datuk Dr Mansor Fadzil is president
and vice-chancellor of OUM.
Choo Han Lim, a diploma and bachelor’s
degree student at First City UC, is currently
an MSE student. He praises the programme
lecturers for being supportive and
knowledgeable in their fields.
“As someone with working experience
as a programmer, I find that the syllabi and
projects are relevant to current industry
trends,” says Choo.
Virtual open day and campus
learning facilities
First City UC’s eco-friendly campus has
state-of-the art learning and recreational
facilities, along with on-campus
accommodation.
Prospective students can take a virtual
tour of these facilities at http://virtualx.
my/360projects/firstcity-edu/ or visit the First
City UC campus during December Weekend
Open Days by appointment.
They may also go online to chat with
course consultants via First City UC’s
website firstcity.edu.my or call the hotline,
017-660 6680.
2 Postgraduate
Training health
professions educators
HEALTHCARE providers are vital to
the health of the nation and society
and should be well educated and
resilient to meet the demands of a
rapidly changing health landscape.
Health professions education is
in the frontline of professional
practice. Health professional
educators help students realise
their true potential as caring
and competent professionals.
They create opportunities for
students to contribute to their
institutions, and to their national
and regional priorities.
The International Medical
University in Kuala Lumpur is one
of the most well-known private
universities in Malaysia with an
outstanding rating of six stars.
It offers a postgraduate health
professions education degree,
designed to meet the needs and
aspirations of 21st century health
professions educators.
The programme is unique
as it offers multiple exit
opportunities, and a student can
graduate with a postgraduate
certificate, a postgraduate diploma
or a master’s programme in health
professions education.
The IMU programme enables
students to develop an in-depth
understanding of educational
theories, principles and values in
relation to the contemporary
learning environment and
assessment, drafting and reviewing
of outcome-based curriculum and
development of professional
managerial qualities.
It opens career opportunities
and equips the students with
enhanced skills to carry out health
professions education research.
The programme is offered
as a mixed mode of coursework
combined with research training.
It ensures use of adult learning
principles and enables students to
work towards a Master’s degree at
their own pace and time.
The course content is prepared
and offered by well-trained
educators from both Malaysia and
abroad, whose rich experiences
offer illuminating information and
perspective to students.
The university with its extensive
library and e-learning facility also
supports the online learning
experience under the current
Covid-19 condition, allowing
students to learn online (both from
live sessions and at their own time)
and face-to-face as required.
Under normal conditions, much
of the study is conducted online,
with some weekend face-to-
face sessions on-campus.
The programme thus
offers personalised
education with
access to online learning
together with social
and professional
interaction, and
trains educators in
modern contextual
health professions education.
IMU’s postgraduate programmes
include Master’s in science
programmes in public health,
analytical and pharmaceutical
chemistry, molecular medicine,
acupuncture and pharmacy
practice; Master of Counselling;
postgraduate diplomas in diabetes
management and education,
implant dentistry, endodontics and
prosthodontics; postgraduate
programmes in health profession
education and business
administration in healthcare
management; as well as MSc and
PhD in medical and health
sciences.
n For more information about this
or IMU’s other postgraduate
programmes, call 03–2731 7272,
email postgraduate@imu.edu.my
or visit www.imu.edu.my
Avoiding common
mistakes as a start-up
STARTING a new business isn’t
always the easiest thing to do.
The sad truth is, few new
businesses can turn investments
into profit. New business owners
often make mistakes that could
have been avoided early on.
Here are some of the more
common blunders that you
must look out for when starting
a business:
1. Have a business plan
Some business owners think
that having a business plan is
just a waste of paper and time.
It’s actually the opposite, a
business plan contains your
business goals and how you
intend to attain these goals
and helps with testing the
practicality of your business
idea.
With a clear overview of the
business, you can ensure that
broad operational and financial
objectives are met while noting
the smaller details.
2. Understand your
market and target
audience
Every business needs
customers. You need to know
who your target audience is and
how to market your business,
addressing the needs and desires
of potential customers.
Before conducting any
business, no matter what
your product is, conducting
THE STAR, TUESDAY 15 DECEMBER 2020
market research before
starting will save you from
future heartbreak.
3. Don’t do it yourself
Just because you are starting
your own business doesn’t
mean you have to do it alone.
There’s nothing wrong with
seeking help from others.
Surround yourself with wise,
seasoned and trustworthy
advisers to discuss ideas,
challenges and the progress of
the business.
Good feedback helps in
preventing businesses from
getting into the red.
4. Spending too much
or too little
As a young business, don’t
purchase the priciest equipment
– opt for the more affordable
options instead. It is easy to get
carried away by getting top-of-
the-line gadgets, but these do
not guarantee success.
That said, your business
success may be limited if you do
not invest sufficiently. This is,
when a business and budget
plan will help in keeping track
of the cash flow.
Running a business isn’t
effortless. You may face many
challenges – but by conducting
sufficient research and taking
appropriate precautions, it is
possible to navigate these
obstacles and still turn a profit.
THE STAR, TUESDAY 15 DECEMBER 2020 3
4 Postgraduate
Giving back to the country
MANY countries are faced with a worrying
future, with most economies now in
recession, or very shortly will be.
This year (as of Nov 27), the UK’s FTSE
100 has fallen by 16.26% – at one point, it
even fell by 34.33%. The US’s Dow Jones
Index is actually up by 3.61% since the
start of the year but did fall by 35.60% at
one time. Malaysia’s stock exchange is
almost the same as it was in January. It
closed on Jan 2 at 1602.50 and closed on
Nov 27 at 1607.59, 0.32% higher than the
start of the year. Like the other two indices,
Malaysia saw a significant fall (23.89%) in
March when compared to the closing price
in January.
The graph shows the daily closing prices
(Jan 2 to Nov 27) of the Kuala Lumpur
Stock Exchange. It shows a typical pattern
to many other stock exchanges, a big dip in
March followed by a slow recovery. It is
apparent why there was a dip in March, as
this is when many countries went into
lockdown. What is not quite so obvious is
why the UK is still 16% down from where it
was in January, but the US is showing an
increase, with Malaysia staying static.
Employment rates are also worrying.
According to the World Economic Forum,
the US unemployment numbers rose from
6.2 million in February to 20.5 million in
May. This was a rise from 3.8% of people
being unemployed to 13.0% being without
a job.
Malaysia, according to the Statistics
Department, reports that in July, the
number of employed persons rose by 0.6%,
following a rise by 0.7% in June. However,
these rises are off the back of a fall in
employment since January and we have
not returned to the same levels. In January,
the percentage of people unemployed was
3.2% but in July, it stands at 4.7%.
The daily closing prices of the KLSE between January and November showed a similar
pattern to many countries; a dip in March because of a national lockdown followed by a
slow recovery.
Why am I throwing all these statistics at
you? It is to demonstrate that we are in
volatile times, with that volatility looking
to remain until a Covid-19 vaccine is
produced, it is shown to be effective and is
widely available.
If you have ploughed through all the
statistics and reached this point in the
article, you obviously have an interest in
this type of analysis and you owe it to your
country to develop your skills and give
something back.
It is apparent to me that the world
requires people with the ability to
understand, interpret and come up with
solutions and strategise, responding to the
statistics like those shown above.
Whether you want to work for a
company, become a consultant or start your
own business with the aim of creating jobs
and contributing to the economy, now
might be the time to upskill and look at
further education to do that. An MBA is an
obvious option as it provides you with the
skills and knowledge to tackle the
challenging problems that we are facing.
Of course, I will suggest that you look at
the University of Nottingham’s MBA. It has
recently risen by six places in the Corporate
Knights Better World Top 40 MBA ranking,
the highest position that it has ever
achieved in this ranking, and many of our
MBA alumni have progressed to hold high-
level positions in international companies.
There is a February 2021 intake for our
MBA programme, so please go to our web
THE STAR, TUESDAY 15 DECEMBER 2020
Whether you want to work
for a company, become a
consultant or start your
own business with the
aim of creating jobs and
contributing to the economy,
now might be the time to
upskill and look at further
education to do that.
site and take a look.
Finally, this will be my last VC Column. I
will be passing on the baton to my
successor from January next year. After
writing over 50 articles, I would like to pass
on my thanks to The Star and Josephine
Dionisappu who have provided much-
needed support and advice for the past four
and a half years.
n Prof Graham Kendall is the chief
executive officer, provost and pro-vice-
chancellor of the University of Nottingham
Malaysia.
Twitter: @Graham_Kendall
THE STAR, TUESDAY 15 DECEMBER 2020 Postgraduate 5

Preparing learners for IR4.0

OPEN University Malaysia
(OUM) is re-offering two
programmes – Diploma in
Accounting (DIA) and Bachelor
of Marketing (BM) – starting
from the January 2021 intake.
Offered under the Cluster of
Business and Management, both
accredited programmes are
available in fully online mode.
The broad curriculum provides
learners with thorough
knowledge and 21st century
competencies necessary to
succeed in their careers.
“The BM programme is
designed to enhance learners’
understanding of the latest
theories, roles, principles and
practices with respect to overall
marketing concepts and issues. It
also develops graduates’ ability
to effectively manage a wide
range of local and international
marketing challenges using
suitable marketing tools and
skills,” says programme director
Yanty Roslinda Harun.
The programme is expected to
prepare sub-professionals with
marketing qualifications, a high
standard of professionalism,
integrity and ethics. These will in
turn give them diverse and
interesting career opportunities
across many industries.
The DIA programme covers
core accounting components such
as financial accounting,
management accounting, taxation,
auditing, computerised accounting
and information technology with
the combination of ethics and
professionalism as well as
entrepreneurial and
communication skills.
“Thus, learners who go through
this programme will have
sufficient knowledge and skills in
accounting that can ultimately
provide ethical and professional
accounting services in
organisations, as well as respond
to and manage related accounting
issues. They can explore their
management and entrepreneurial
potential too,” says programme
director Zulaihan Ismail.
OUM has been championing
open and distance learning (ODL)
for 20 years and has been at the
forefront of providing state-of-
the-art facilities and
infrastructure for online teaching
and learning.
Yanty explains, “Our online
platform and tools such as
myINSPIRE, e-library, and
e-modules are user-friendly and
accessible anytime and anywhere
for learners, whether they are on
the go or staying at home.
Lecturers and tutors are mostly
experts in their fields and from
various industries. We make
e-tutorial sessions interactive for
learners by challenging their
thinking and encouraging them
to share their perspectives and
experiences while also learning
from their peers.”
“As an ODL institution, OUM is
given the flexibility to implement
normal entry and flexible entry
through the Accreditation of Prior
Experiential Learning (APEL),”
says Zulaihan. n For more information on these
She explains that applicants with and other programmes, call
relevant qualifications can enrol 03-7801 2000, WhatsApp 012-303
through normal admission subject 9935/019-357 9074, email
to certain requirements. However, enquiries@oum.edu.my or visit
if they lack or do not have www.oum.edu.my
academic qualifications, they may
still apply through APEL using
their work experience.
OUM distinguishes itself by
offering a unique package that
helps learners develop a
competitive edge. This is in line
with its mission and Malaysia’s
agenda for Industrial Revolution
4.0 to provide learners with high-
quality education that will pave
the way for a successful career.
For individuals who enjoy
self-paced and flexible
learning, both programmes
can help them advance their
careers and reach their
full potential.
The BM and DIA
programmes are currently
open for registration.

Grooming
e-commerce talent
UNIVERSITI Tunku Abdul
Rahman (UTAR) and
Alibaba.com signed a
memorandum of understanding
(MoU) in 2016 to better equip
UTAR staff and students, as well
as Malaysian small and medium
enterprises (SMEs) with
e-commerce knowledge.
The MoU also served to kick-
start the Global E-commerce
Talent (GET) programme, an
initiative by Alibaba.com to train
more e-commerce talent to fill
the shortage of such expertise
in the market.
From this agreement, UTAR
sent 30 lecturers from both
Kampar and Sungai Long
campuses for a five-day train
the trainers (TTT) workshop.
They studied the B2B (Alibaba
test account) and B2C platforms
(Lazada and Shopee) and
subsequently revised UTAR’s
postgraduate and undergraduate
e-commerce programmes.
As part of the revised
coursework assessment, a
Preliminary GET Test was also
implemented for the students.
Several UTAR faculties
participated in the
Alibaba.com GET programme
to ensure staff and students
have enough opportunities to
broaden their reach to current
and future business decision-
makers nationwide.
UTAR also organised talks and
training to create public
awareness on e-commerce and
set up the Unovate Centre to
promote entrepreneurship in
the university. An E-Commerce
Delivery Centre was also started
for online purchases made by
staff and students.
UTAR also worked with
Alibaba.com on GET practice
projects and GET Preliminary
Certification. As of 2019, 1,756
students have been awarded
the certification.
UTAR Faculty of Accountancy
and Management deputy dean
for academic development
and undergraduate programmes
Dr Hen Kai Wah says the GET
programme enables students
to be equipped with the skill
sets required by today’s
digital economy.
“With such skill sets, students
can help SMEs tap into the vast
opportunities offered by
e-commerce. It also helps
students understand how
the e-commerce ecosystem
works in cross-border markets
and businesses.”
UTAR has also incorporated
e-commerce and
entrepreneurship skills and
knowledge into the New Village
programme, to sell products
beyond the local community
through digital marketing and
e-commerce platforms such as
Lazada.com, 11street and
Alibaba.com.
Some of the local products
now easily available online
include Kicap Cap Tangan
Bentong, CB Red Label Chicken
Biscuit, CB Red Label Honey Sa
Qi Ma Cookies, Bai Li Xiang Zhen
Siong Chuan Rendang Sauce, Bai
Li Xiang Zhen Siong Chuan
Sambal Ikan Bilis and Hock
Chew So Mee Shua.
n UTAR’s Cyber Open Day will be
held from Dec 12 to 20 at
openday.utar.edu.my, 9am to 5pm
(except for public holidays). For
more information, call 05-468
8888 (Kampar Campus), 03-9086
0288 (Sungai Long Campus) or
visit www.utar.edu.my
6 Postgraduate
Hydropower double degree
FOR over a century, hydropower
has grown as a source of
generating green, reliable and cost-
effective energy. Hydropower
contributes 75% of total global
renewable electricity production
and in several countries, it is the
backbone of the supply system.
Two-thirds of the global
hydropower potential is still
untapped, waiting to be exploited
by well-educated engineers.
Universiti Kuala Lumpur
(UniKL) and the Netherlands’ IHE
Delft Institute for Water Education
(IHE) are partnering to combine
UniKL’s expertise in electrical
and hydropower energy systems
with IHE’s experience in
hydraulic engineering and
international water management
to jointly offer a double degree
programme in Water and
Hydropower Engineering.
Students who successfully
complete this programme will be
awarded two Master’s degrees:
one from UniKL and one from
IHE. The degree students receive
from IHE is the Master of Science
in Water Science and
Engineering with specialisation
in Hydraulic Engineering and River
Basin Development. UniKL will award
the Master of Science in Water and
Hydropower Engineering.
This interdisciplinary programme
for further education combines
expertise from mechanical, electrical
and civil engineering, offering
students the possibility to study at two
renowned institutes for technical
education and applied research: at
UniKL in Kuala Lumpur and at IHE in
Delft, the Netherlands.
IHE Delft is the largest international
graduate water education facility in
the world. It operates under the
auspices of Unesco as a Category 2
centre and has provided water
education and training to 23,000
professionals from over 190 countries
since 1957.
During their study at IHE Delft,
students will gain from the
professional contacts the institute has
made during its half a century of
existence as well as the opportunity to
meet leading figures from the
international water arena.
The Master of Science in Water and Hydropower Engineering at UniKL
aims to provide the total scope of knowledge required by the hydropower
industry.
The first part of the programme
starts in the Netherlands in October,
where students will participate in
IHE’s Water Science and Engineering
programme for nine modules,
including an international field trip.
In July, the students will return to
Malaysia for courses at UniKL and
complete their individual thesis
research work.
The programme aims to provide
education at the highest level,
emphasising the total scope of
knowledge required by the
hydropower industry. Students will
not only gain deep knowledge of
THE STAR, TUESDAY 15 DECEMBER 2020
how to create, design, build,
operate and evaluate hydropower
plants of any kind, but also learn
about the context of hydropower
engineering processes.
Topics covering ecological and
social environments and
economic considerations are also
covered. – By UniKL-MFI
Electrical & Electronics Section
senior lecturer Dr Mohd Juhari
Mat Basri
n For more information, e-mail
Dr Norazwani Muhammad Zain
at norazwani@unikl.edu.my
THE STAR, TUESDAY 15 DECEMBER 2020
Reskill, upskill via
higher education
MANAGEMENT and Science University’s
(MSU) flexible learning options as well as the
Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning
(APEL) help meet the ever-increasing need
for qualified, higher-skilled workers.
It’s also a way for employees and adult
learners to improve themselves through
reskilling and upskilling in order to
meet the growing demand for a
knowledgeable workforce.
Introduced and approved by the
Malaysian Qualifications Agency, APEL
widens access to higher education for adult
learners who have work experience but lack
academic qualifications.
The APEL via Credit Transfer (APEL C)
pathway provides credit transfer options
for entry into diploma programmes right up
to PhD.
It allows assessment of credits against
matching modules in a programme of
study. Once an applicant’s competency level
is determined, those credits can shorten
study duration considerably, saving time
and money.
An applicant presenting only SPM for
university entrance, for example, would
usually qualify for diploma studies only.
With APEL C, it’s possible to pursue a
bachelor’s degree directly.
MSU’s programmes suit working adults
wishing to further their studies, as they are
offered with the student’s convenience and
their educational and professional
Approved research
grants spark excitement
CURTIN University Malaysia (Curtin
Malaysia) has received a total of RM787,987
in research grants from the Higher
Education Ministry under its Fundamental
Research Grant Scheme (FRGS).
Research project submissions by nine
Curtin Malaysia academic staff who are
active researchers were approved for the
grants, which are aimed at encouraging
basic research to produce new theories,
concepts and ideas for the development of
knowledge, the creation of new technologies,
and the nurturing of a dynamic culture in
line with national aspirations.
Though the allocation is not as high
as the RM819,180 received in 2019, this
year’s nine projects are the most ever
approved for the grants. Since 2015, Curtin
Malaysia has received a total of RM3,535,037
in FRGS funds.
Curtin Malaysia dean of research and
development Prof Ramasamy Nagarajan
said the acceptance of the project
submissions and the grants awarded are
testimony of Curtin’s research profile,
which is recognised around the world and
evident not only at its campuses in
Western Australia, but also across its four
global campuses.
Curtin Malaysia Pro Vice-Chancellor,
president and chief executive Prof Simon
Leunig congratulated the nine staff
members for their continued dedication to
the advancement of research and
development at Curtin Malaysia.
“All the hard work has certainly paid off.
The results were well worth it, with nine
successful projects out of 36 grant
applications submitted representing a
success rate of 25%. We now look forward to
many significant outcomes from all the
research,” Prof Leunig said.
He added that researchers at Curtin
Malaysia have access to the highest calibre
of facilities and resources, as well as a
supportive research community, which
fosters a strong performance culture.
He said that, to be aligned with the
current technological trends and contribute
to the provision of skilled human capital for
Postgraduate 7
backgrounds in mind.
Lifelong learners from all walks of life
may access MSU’s range of foundation,
undergraduate and postgraduate
programmes, and choose from a variety
of study modes to suit their needs: MSU’s programmes are created with the student’s convenience as well as educational and
whether to attend classes on weekdays, professional backgrounds in mind.
weekends, or evenings, or to opt for virtual
learning via video conference supported by MSU houses the Faculty of Health and Life Graduate Studies; the Graduate School of
online discussion. Sciences; the Faculty of Business Management; and the Centre for
As a top university in Malaysia and the Management and Professional Studies; the Fundamental Studies.
country’s best teaching and learning Faculty of Information Sciences and
university, MSU prioritises student Engineering; the International Medical n For the full range and information on
development to enhance employability. School; the School of Pharmacy; the School of flexible programmes offered at MSU, call
Its highly qualified academics and visiting Education and Social Sciences; the School of 03-5521 6868, e-mail enquiry@msu.edu.my,
professors support a holistic curricular Hospitality and Creative Arts; the School of or visit www.msu.edu.my
framework that delivers compelling
learning experiences.
Blending technical vocational education
and training (TVET) with traditional
academic curricula, MSU enhances
competencies with industry internship,
community and creative entrepreneurship,
as well as global exposure; giving graduates
the well-roundedness desired and sought
after by employers.
The university’s study programmes are
meticulously crafted to enhance graduate
potential, producing graduates that are a
popular pick among employers.
With 98.7% of its graduates securing jobs
within six months of graduation, MSU is
highly ranked by the Higher Education
Ministry for graduate employability.
Prof Simon Leunig.
South-East Asia and beyond, Curtin Malaysia
is now focusing on research in Digital
Innovation; Marketing, Tourism and Rural
Entrepreneurship; Green Technology and
Renewable Energy; Biotechnology and
Bioprocess Engineering; and Aquaculture
Technology and Economics.
The details of opportunities in Higher
Degree by Research programmes with Curtin
Malaysia can be found at https://bit.
ly/2Hjl0Sa
Curtin Malaysia is Curtin’s largest
international campus and hub in Asia, and
as a global campus with an established
reputation for innovation, excels in a diverse
range of research areas that aim to change
the minds and lives of people all over
Malaysia and the wider region.
n For more information on Curtin Malaysia,
visit curtin.edu.my, or look for Curtin
Malaysia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram,
YouTube, or LinkedIn.
8 Postgraduate
WHEN a crisis is health related, jobs will be
impacted. The Federation of Malaysian
Manufacturers declared that 17% of
respondents in an industry survey have cut
their headcount by 10-30% since the Covid-
19 pandemic began, and another 25% are
expected to cut up to a third of their staff
by year-end.
Many small-medium industries (SMEs)
have closed, causing massive economic
hardship for workers. There is also a health
risk for jobs that do not allow work-from-
home and huge exposure risk to frontline
and service workers.
The movement restrictions throughout
Malaysia have forced employers to cull jobs
and freeze hiring, causing severe
disruptions that have placed individuals
financially vulnerable.
This raises the question of whether the
pandemic will nudge individuals to take up
life insurance.
Dr Sharon Koh Geok May, Assoc Prof
Grace Lee Hooi Yean and Dr Juliana
Angeline French from Monash University
Malaysia’s School of Business conducted a
randomised experiment to investigate an
individual’s willingness to purchase
insurance by providing information
meant to nudge insurance take-up among
working adults.
Their empirical work is based on the
Nudge theory by behavioural economist
Richard Thaler. In line with Monash
University Malaysia’s focus on eight
research priority areas, Dr Koh has led
projects in the Policy and Industrial
Transformation in Asia area and her
current work extends the knowledge of
financial vulnerability due to an
unexpected loss of income.
According to the Nudge theory,
small suggestions or positive
Is the pandemic
nudging people to
buy life insurance?
reinforcements can influence individuals to
act in a specific manner.
Dr Koh’s team recruited 440 individuals
aged between 19 and 39 years old to
investigate whether individuals can be
nudged to make sound financial decisions
when facing a risk.
“We studied how prior information from
social groups and Covid-19 awareness
influences the demand for insurance,” says
Dr Koh, adding that the pandemic signifies a
once-in-a-lifetime event that could reveal
novel findings on decision-making under
risk and uncertainty.
The study, which was conducted from
September to November 2020, shortly after
the Recovery Movement Control Order came
into force, focused on the demand side of
the market.
Of the respondents, 87% expressed the
intention to purchase insurance, given
pertinent information on the premium,
coverage and death benefit.
Common reasons for choosing not to
obtain insurance included “not a high
priority, too expensive and too young
and healthy”.
Despite the importance of
owning life insurance as a
necessary protection plan,
Life Insurance Association of
Malaysia reports that out of
16 million working adults, 7.8
million are uninsured.
“Our study recognised gender differences
when it comes to financial protection
through insurance purchases.
“Women are more likely to be nudged
to purchase insurance if family members
and close friends purchase insurance,
highlighting the importance of social groups
in financial decision-making. Prior studies
found that family members and close
friends remain crucial influencers in
purchasing decisions.
“Additionally, respondents who are not
financial decision-makers are more likely to
be influenced by family members to
purchase insurance.
“Finally, individuals prone to take risks
are more likely to be influenced by friends,”
says Dr Koh.
THE STAR, TUESDAY 15 DECEMBER 2020
Dr Sharon Koh Geok May.
Buying life insurance is a long-term
commitment, and many working-age adults
in Malaysia consider it a significant financial
decision. Despite the importance of owning
life insurance as a necessary protection plan,
Life Insurance Association of Malaysia
reports that out of 16 million working adults,
7.8 million are uninsured.
The decision of whether to purchase life
insurance is dependent on formal and
informal sources of information. Informal
sources include the influence of family,
friends, and online forums. Individuals may
also rely on formal sources of information
such as media reporting.
Additionally, many life insurance policies
have offered additional Covid-19 coverage at
no extra cost.