COURSE FOCUS
THE STAR, TUESDAY 24 AUGUST 2021
Realise your passion for law
REALISING your passion for law by heading
off to law school can be the start of an
exciting life-changing journey that offers
many varied career opportunities.
The most obvious career path is working
in the legal profession as an advocate and
solicitor. Like doctors, advocates and
solicitors can choose to specialise in a
particular domain, such as family law,
commercial law, criminal law, immigration
law, intellectual property law and others,
depending on one’s interest.
As they gain more experience, law
graduates can rise steadily through the
ranks to eventually become a partner in a
law firm or, if they have the ambition, they
can venture out and set up their own firm.
As an alternative to working in a legal
firm, law graduates can also join the
corporate world as a corporate lawyer or
legal counsel, where they will develop and
acquire legal knowledge and skills in a
particular industry, e.g. financial services or
construction.
With their legal background, law
graduates can also enter into business
advisory and consulting roles, where they
advise clients on a range of legal matters.
Another interesting line of work is
arbitration and mediation.
Law graduates can also work in the public
sector by joining the judicial service, or the
civil service where they may advise on the
development of public policies.
In addition, there is also the option to
work in higher education as a law academic,
with opportunities to teach and conduct
research.
Well-established law degree
The School of Law at the University of
Reading in the UK is ranked in the Top 10 for
Research Intensity* (*Times Higher
Education Subject Ranking on Intensity, 2014,
based on its analysis of REF 2014 – Law). The
Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree offered by
the school is well established in Malaysia
and recognised by the Legal Professional
Qualifying Board (LPQB) for the Certificate
in Legal Practice Examination (CLPE).
Students now have the opportunity to
study for the same degree at University of
Reading Malaysia (UoRM), the international
branch campus of the University of Reading.
The law degree at UoRM is the same as that
offered on the UK campus and, subject to
MQA Full Accreditation, will be in line with
the MQA programme standards and the
requirements of the LPQB.
It should also be noted that successful
pursuit of the law degree at UoRM also
qualifies graduates to pursue the Bar
Practice Course (BPC) recognised by the Bar
Standards Board UK with a view to
qualifying as a barrister or qualifies
The moot court at the University of Reading Malaysia is an ideal setting for applied learning.
University of Reading Malaysia’s stunning state-of-the-art campus in EduCity Iskandar
Johor.
graduates to pursue the Legal Practice
Course (LPC) with a view to qualifying as a
solicitor by the Solicitors Regulation
Authority UK.
Best of both worlds
The campus in Malaysia was established
in 2013 and first opened the doors to its
state-of-the-art complex located in EduCity,
Iskandar Puteri, in 2016.
Students studying at UoRM enjoy the
best of both worlds – the same University
of Reading degree but at a significantly
more affordable cost. Students who study
at UoRM for their full degree pay only 40%
of the overall estimated cost compared
with studying on the UK campus, taking
into account fees and living expenses.
Students benefit from the same
enhanced learning experience they
receive if they study on the UK campus,
which received a remarkable 90% overall
approval score rating from students in the
2020 National Student Survey.
UoRM offers law students some of the
best facilities to be found in Malaysia.
UoRM’s campus is a spacious, modern
facility that houses IT-enabled classrooms,
lecture theatre, moot court, legal clinic,
learning resource centre and student
social areas all conveniently under one
roof.
Based in EduCity, Asia’s first multi-
campus education city, students also enjoy
excellent recreational facilities that
include an Olympic-size swimming pool,
running track, indoor stadium, fitness
centre, music studio and a 24-hour Student
Hub.
Future-proof graduates
In a dynamic and constantly changing
world, the emphasis on the programme is on
developing core, transferable skills that will
future-proof graduates and serve them well
whatever career path they take.
Assoc Prof Anne Chrishanthani Vergis,
head of law at UoRM, emphasises, “the
Reading law programme places great
importance on applied learning, aiming to
develop the students’ skills and experience to
help them graduate with the best possible
prospects.’’
Students on the programme receive the
perfect balance of academic learning and
practical experience.
Prof James Devenney, head of the Reading
School of Law, says, “The University of
Reading is known for producing law
graduates who are well-rounded and highly
adaptable, and therefore, able to rise quickly
in their chosen legal or business career.’’
A personalised learning experience
Class sizes on the programme are kept low
to enable each student to receive personal
attention and support for their development.
As well as the highly experienced
academic team, students benefit from the
wisdom and knowledge of esteemed legal
practitioners that are invited as part of the
O2O Law Speaker Series.
Students are also encouraged and
supported to undertake internships during
summer breaks to gain work experience.
During the global pandemic, the Ministry
of Higher Education (MOHE) requires
universities in Malaysia to switch to online
The spacious learning resource centre (LRC) at the university has plenty of study areas
including breakout rooms.
learning. With its interactive approach,
UoRM is well prepared to deliver high-
quality teaching and learning whether
on-campus or virtually.
UoRM benefits from the same advanced
digital learning tools and support that is
available on the UK campus. This includes
access to platforms such as the Blackboard
Learning Management System, Blackboard
Collaborate and Microsoft Teams. Students
also have round-the-clock access to the
university’s digital library which contains
thousands of journals and e-books.
Study UK option
Students at UoRM can also take advantage
of the flexible option which allows them to
spend one or even two years at the campus
in Reading UK. The option may appeal to
parents who wish to send their children for
study in the UK but are concerned about
travel restrictions and health and safety in
the current pandemic situation.
The School of Law is situated in the
historic Foxhill House on the main campus
in Reading UK, which is set in 130ha of
beautiful parkland and has won the Green
Flag award 10 times in a row, making it one
of the UK’s best green spaces.
The campus has everything a student
could need, including sports facilities, health
centre, eateries, a supermarket and
on-campus accommodation. A virtual tour of
the UK campus is available at https://www.
reading.ac.uk/virtual-experience/.
Furthermore, Reading town is
conveniently only a 25-minute train ride
from London, making it ideal for students
who are seeking to make the most from their
time in the UK.
Admissions
The entry points for new students are in
April, July and September each year.
Students with a recognised foundation,
STPM, A-Level, UEC or equivalent
qualifications can apply for direct entry to
the LLB law degree. SPM, IGCSE and
equivalent holders can enrol onto the
12-month International Foundation
Programme (IFP) law pathway before
progressing onto the law degree either in
Malaysia or the UK.
High Achievers Scholarships valued up to
RM33,840 are available for those with
excellent academic grades studying on the
Malaysia campus (subject to terms and
conditions).
n For more information, call or WhatsApp
Nishen 016-218 4012 or Ben 016-721 5700,
email my.enquiry@reading.edu.my, visit
http://www.reading.edu.my/law or follow the
university on Facebook and Instagram.
2 Course Focus
A continually improving experience
THE University of Southampton Malaysia
(UoSM) has used the pandemic to create new
opportunities and to focus on its expanding
facilities and programmes in order to
continually improve the experience it offers
to students.
Although there have been challenges
related to the uncertainties of Covid-19, the
university moved quickly to an effective
online model of teaching and learning. The
creativity and commitment of staff and
students has meant that there are aspects of
the new online engagement that will
continue in order to offer extra support to
students throughout their learning journey
at UoSM.
Prof Rebecca Taylor, chief executive
officer of UoSM and pro vice-chancellor
(Asean) of the University of Southampton
UK, confirmed how well the university has
done to keep learning and student support
on track throughout the pandemic.
“UoSM has an extraordinary group of
dedicated staff and students who have
UoSM graduates consistently take up employment and move into leadership positions
across a range of leading global companies.
Prof Rebecca Taylor
embraced the online learning experience.
Although we are looking forward to being
back on campus and delivering face-to-face
lectures, there are elements of our online
teaching and learning model that we will
keep.
“Additional online student support, the
incorporation of masterclasses from our
corporate partners, and the online
international internship that was developed
during Covid-19 will all continue to be part
of our offer in future,” she says.
Engagement with professional bodies,
internships, masterclasses, a range of clubs
and societies and additional short course
opportunities are all offered to support the
outstanding student experience at UoSM and
to reinforce its commitment to employability.
Graduates of UoSM consistently take up
employment and move into leadership
positions across a range of leading global
companies.
UoSM, the leading international campus of
the University of Southampton, ranked by QS
as 77 in the world, has now moved to its new
full-service campus situated in the vibrant
EcoWorld community in Iskandar Malaysia.
The university offers a range of globally
recognised programmes across the fields of
Engineering, Business, and Computer
Science. Students now study in the
university’s new world-class facilities and,
with the new flexible models of delivery,
students can complete their entire degree at
UoSM or study part of their degree at
Southampton UK.
The learning facilities include cutting-edge
engineering, computer science and business
laboratories, including a new Bloomberg Lab
to support its programmes in Business,
Finance, Economics and Actuarial Sciences.
The experimental labs and the Bloomberg
Lab will also be used to provide students
across all programmes with the opportunity
to engage in short courses in finance,
entrepreneurship, leadership and project
management to further support the personal
development and employability skills.
The new facilities have been designed to
put students at the heart of the university
with a 9,000sq ft Digital Learning Centre, a
dedicated student computer suite, a music
room and a student association where
Mushrooming trend
THE RISING popularity of tiny homes
around the world has garnered much
attention. Driven by the rising cost of living,
more and more millennials trying to
minimise their expenses are snapping up
tiny homes.
To be classified as a tiny home, it should
be between 400sq ft (which is the size of a
two-car garage) and 70sq ft. But what
exactly is so attractive about these
miniature homes that they have become a
trend?
l Engineering breakthrough
These miniature homes are an
engineering advancement. Their
construction requires both engineers and
architects to join hands and think out of the
box for this innovation to come to life.
Jason Boyer, an architect for these tiny
homes, says that the adoption of smaller
homes came gradually, as more and more
people began realising that they do not
need so much space.
Designed right, he says, a 400sq ft home
will be able to do everything a 1,000sq ft
home is able to.
l Affordable and environmentally
friendly
These tiny homes are not only affordable
(with prices around the RM100,000 range,
Tiny homes are not only affordable but are also environmentally friendly.
THE STAR, TUESDAY 24 AUGUST 2021
students can socialise and plan a wide range
of clubs and societies that help to create new
friendships and support student interaction
and community.
Sports facilities are available in both the
student accommodation and in the
multivarsity sports centre located next to the
campus.
The EcoBotanic retail and commercial
centre offers a wide range of retail, food and
beverage options to support all dietary likes
and needs, and there is a range of medical
and dental services on campus to support
student health and well-being.
UoSM is continually expanding its global
corporate connections to support its research
collaborations and provide new national and
international internship opportunities.
The low student-staff ratio at UoSM adds
additional value to the student experience
and support structure.
The staff are on hand to work closely with
students to support their academic and
career success. As a result, UoSM students
have consistently achieved outstanding
success in their degrees and year-on-year
have secured employment across a range of
global companies following graduation.
UoSM is now delighted to be welcoming
the next cohort of students into its new
university campus from September 2021.
Scholarships and flexible payment
arrangements are available.
If you are interested in pursuing your
studies at UoSM, contact the university for a
discussion with one of its experienced
recruitment staff or with a leading academic
from the programme you are interested in
studying. UoSM is ready to support you in
achieving your goals and is excited to work
with you to ensure your future success.
n For more information, call 012-213 4704 or
visit https://southamptonmalaysia.edu.my
depending on size and features), but are
also environmentally friendly. 
Matthias Gelber, an advocate for tiny
homes, hopes that he will be able to
change the mindset of Malaysians who
believe that living in a tiny home without
air conditioning is impossible.
He sees tiny homes as both an
environmental and social issue, which
can hopefully be solved by developing
more environmentally friendly low-cost
homes. 
He says that tiny homes are energy-
efficient, as they require less energy to
function, adding that tiny homes that are
equipped with solar panels are even able
to reduce their carbon footprint. Gelber is
also an advocate of using biodegradable
products and reclaimed construction
waste to build these homes, further
reducing their carbon footprint. These
materials also absorb carbon dioxide and
facilitate ventilation, letting hot air
escape and reducing interior
temperature.
l A simple life
You do not need to sacrifice all of life’s
comforts when living in a tiny home.
> TURN TO PAGE 4
THE STAR, TUESDAY 24 AUGUST 2021 3
4 Course Focus
Moulding educators
in child development
THE formative years is the period
from birth to the age of five years,
which is the most critical period of
a person’s life. During these years,
the foundations of a child’s
development are laid down. In
particular, the quality of brain and
cognitive development depends on
a child’ early experiences through
interactions with people and the
environment.
The Bachelor of Early Childhood
Education (Hons) at Tunku Abdul
Rahman University College’s (TAR
UC) aims to produce graduates
with deep knowledge and
understanding in five key areas:
Child Development, Curriculum
and Learning Environment,
Administration and Management,
Families, and the Community as
well as Professional Development.
The three-year degree
programme structure also aims to
equip students with skills and
competencies to design and create
immersive learning experiences as
well as provide and maintain a
safe, healthy, and nurturing
environment to help with
children’s learning capacity and
development.
Students are also trained to
acquire managerial and
entrepreneurial skills and to be
adaptable in embracing the ever
changing nature of early childhood
education.
Among the innovative teaching
Some of the tools used in the teaching and learning of early childhood
education.
and learning methods of the
programme are practical and
simulation work, such as role play
and micro-teaching, field visits,
research projects, portfolio
creation, case studies and problem-
based learning. Creative arts such
as music, movements, arts and
crafts and drama are also used as
training tools in the programme.
“Scientific research has proven
that children learn more effectively
through observation. Therefore, it
is important for students who
pursue early childhood education
to have a wide array of skills, such
as interpersonal, problem-solving,
critical and creative thinking,
leadership, motivational, conflict
resolution and time management
skills.
“To achieve this, experiential
learning is a large part of the TAR
UC’s early childhood education
curriculum which includes
practicum and internship at
registered preschools /
kindergartens or childcare centres
which collaborate with TAR UC,”
says Dr Lai Chooi Seong, Assoc
Dean of the Department of Social
Science of the Faculty of Social
Science and Humanities (FSSH).
Application for TAR UC’s
September and November 2021
intakes are now open. Prospective
students are also encouraged to
apply online at www.tarc.edu.my.
Attractive scholarships are also
available at TAR UC based on
academic merit and sibling
discount for qualified students.
n For more information, call 011-
1078 5990, email fssh@tarc.edu.my
or visit www.tarc.edu.my/fssh
A look to the future
> FROM PAGE 2
These little dwellings can be an
expression of the owner’s creativity
and can be easily furnished and
styled.
The simplicity of these micro-
homes is almost designed to rebel
against the culture of materialism,
in which people spend more and
more to buy bigger and bigger
homes as a show of wealth and
power.
Why pay extra for something
you do not need when you can buy
something cheaper but fulfils the
same function?
Many millennials feel that the
better choice would be to save
their money, and these tiny homes
are ideal as they require less
upkeep and cost less. Even if
something requires repair, rest
assured that the cost will be as
small as the size of the home.
Many millennials also feel that
the extra savings can be better
utilised, such as paying the bills or
Engineers and architects take great strides to include everyday
necessities while delivering pleasing aesthetics.
THE STAR, TUESDAY 24 AUGUST 2021
taking a vacation. 
l Mobility
Don’t like where you live? With
a tiny home, packing up and
moving is much less of a hassle. In
the West, some tiny homes even
come with wheels attached, to
ensure smooth and easy mobility.
For those who do not like to
settle down in a single place or
neighbourhood, living in a tiny
home gives them the freedom to
live where they choose – be it in
the city or a more rural area. Some
even choose to live right next to
public transport stations to ensure
connectivity.
Engineers and architects take
great strides to think of ingenious
designs for these small spaces to
include everyday necessities while
delivering pleasing aesthetics.
Today, tiny living has become an
art and engineering and
architecture students have become
more in demand as the world
moves toward a future with tiny
living.