COURSE FOCUS

THE STAR, TUESDAY 7 SEPTEMBER 2021

Leading you towards success

Get insightful information on education programmes
in Malaysia’s top tertiary institutions.
2 Course Focus
Understanding the gender dimensions
MIGRATION is not just the zeitgeist of our
time – it has been part and parcel of human
history. People from different socio-
economic backgrounds have migrated for
various reasons, from escaping persecution
and wars to hoping to gain better economic
security for their families back home.
Today, migration between the countries of
the Global South, or South-South migration
(SSM), accounts for nearly half of all
international migration, reaching almost
70% in some places.
Whether SSM can contribute significantly
to the reduction of inequalities and the
development of the sending countries has
not yet been well researched and
understood.
In light of this, Migration for Development
and Equality (MIDEQ), a global network of
research institutions based in 12 countries in
the Global South, was formed to find out the
answers to these questions.The key research
objective is to better understand the
relationships between migration, inequality
and development. MIDEQ is financially
supported by the Global Challenges Research
Fund of the United Kingdom Research and
Innovation.
Malaysia as a top destination for
Nepali workers
Nepal is among the least developed
countries in the world. Approximately 3.5
million Nepalis – or 14% of the total
population – are working abroad due to
limited employment opportunities in their
home country. Malaysia is a major
destination for Nepali migrant workers, and
an overwhelming number of them are men.
According to the Home Ministry, as of
March 2019, there were 331,724 Nepalis
comprising 16.4% of the total documented
migrant population in the country. They are
Developing passionate early childhood educators
SINCE its inception, HELP University, which
was established by educationists, has always
emphasised the importance of providing the
best training and support to those educating
our children: the Educator-Carer.
HELP University therefore developed the
Diploma in Early Childhood Education
(DECE) and a Bachelor of Early Childhood
Education (BECE) for those who have a love
and passion for teaching children. These are
highly sought-after programmes for those
interested in pursuing a career in working
with children.
Apart from being a stand-alone
qualification enabling graduates to work in
preschools, the DECE qualifies holders to
enter directly into Year 2 of the BECE
programme at HELP.
The Early Childhood Care and Education
(ECCE) programmes at HELP University are
more than just a preparation for the early
years of schooling.
It nurtures and prepares Educator-Carers
to contribute to the holistic development of a
child’s social, emotional, cognitive, and
physical needs in order to build a solid and
broad foundation for lifelong learning and
well-being.
The ECCE programmes prepare the
Educator-Carer with the knowledge and
understanding, skills and strategies, and
attitudes and values in distinctively ECCE
domains, namely through emphasising
aspects of safety and security, and hygiene
and health in the nurturing of children.
The programmes also train the Educator-
Carer to partner and work closely with
parents to monitor and assess the child’s
progress through reports and the
maintenance of proper records.
It also gives a personal and professional
identity to graduates and equips them with
the capability to play a role as a crucial link
between children, families, and the
community by developing the necessary
social and communication skills needed for
such engagements.
The ECCE programmes at HELP provide
Nadiah Ahmad.
mainly employed in manufacturing,
construction, agriculture (farming,
plantation, fishery, forestry) and services
(F&B, retail, public safety and security)
industries.
Nadiah Ahmad, Yvonne Khor Gee Weon
and Sharmini Ann Nathan, based in Monash
University Malaysia’s School of Arts and
Social Sciences (SASS), are the researchers
working to answer questions pertaining to
gender inequalities, decision-making and
perceptions, and the role of intermediaries
in facilitating work migration.
Nadiah Ahmad is the researcher tasked
Dr Gerard Louis, pro vice-chancellor (mental
health) and dean at the Faculty of Behavio-
ral Sciences, Education and Languages.
the Educator-Carer with a firm grounding in
specific areas: an exceptionally strong
foundation in the social and psychological
understanding of the child; developing the
creativity and talents of Educator-Carers
across multiple ECCE settings and scenarios;
through the arts, drama, music and
movement; balanced preparation for work
in any preschool setting as a result of the 12-
to 16-week workplace practicum and
empirical-based course and fieldwork; and
an opportunity to learn and improve their
English Language through specialist courses
in English.
The strength of the programmes lie in
their approach to Teaching and Learning.
Besides lectures and tutorials, classes are
conducted in the Learning Simulation Lab,
where fieldwork and empirical studies that
highlight the importance of experiential
with examining the gender dimensions of
Nepali migrant work. Leading the Malaysian
end of the Nepal-Malaysia corridor is Dr
Yeoh Seng Guan, Associate Professor in
Social Anthropology and Deputy Head
(Research) at the same school.
Gender dimensions in Nepali migrant
work
Thus far, 85 Nepali migrant workers
across various sectors have been
interviewed; an endeavour made more
difficult with the advent of the Covid-19
pandemic since early 2020.
Gaining access to these workers has been
facilitated by the North-South Initiative, an
NGO providing support to marginalised
communities in Malaysia.
From these interviews, a number of
preliminary findings on the gender
dimension of Nepali migrant workers are
worth noting.
Those based in specific sectors seem to be
more forthcoming with their experiences
than others. For instance, Nepali women
migrant workers in manufacturing tended to
be more guarded during their interviews.
They said that they feel like they are being
watched and closely monitored.
Security is a very gendered sector, it’s only
male Nepali migrants. While the men note
that the job itself is not challenging, seven
consecutive days of 12-hour shifts become
exhausting for them. “But we see that they
prefer the security of having a job with
consistent pay,” says Nadiah.
They earn approximately RM1,500 to
RM1,600 per month. This places their
families back home in a better financial
situation considering that a large share of
the Nepali population was close to the
poverty line before the pandemic struck.
However, their jobs come at the cost of ill
Dr Goh Lay Huah, Department of Education
head at HELP University.
engagement are carried out with children.
This is premised on the fact that the most
effective learning takes place through direct
experience.
Students are also exposed to techniques
that relate to the documentation of
children’s learning progress along the
developmental continuum. This enables a
systematic charting of gains, gaps or
shortfalls in knowledge and skills
acquisition and putting in place
intervention plans to bridge the gaps in the
child’s development.
An advantage for HELP University
students who are studying the Early
Childhood programmes is that they are able
to access the facilities and resources in
HELP International School (HIS), which is
located next to the university’s Subang 2
campus.
THE STAR, TUESDAY 7 SEPTEMBER 2021
health and even death. Migrant workers are
not legally allowed to leave their jobs and
risk becoming undocumented because their
work visa is tied to their employers.
Moreover, there have been reports of a high
incidence of sudden deaths among the
community. Most of them are men.
Men are typically more willing to abscond
from work than female Nepali workers
when they feel exploited.
Nadiah notes that male Nepali migrants
are “more publicly visible” as they work in
security and food and beverage roles. In
contrast, female Nepali workers are
primarily concentrated in manufacturing,
which is more closed off and insular.
The majority of female Nepali migrant
workers interviewed are either divorced or
widowed. Nepal is predominantly a
patriarchal society; this is partly
characterised by women often depending on
their husbands or fathers to provide for
them. “The absence of a male breadwinner
is a major reason for why they leave Nepal,”
she says.
Apart from the absence of work that fuels
migration, underpinning their decision to
migrate is their strong sense of family unit
and their responsibility to provide for their
families. “In Nepal, it's a social norm for you
to be a migrant – you're expected to be a
migrant, particularly in the villages outside
of Kathmandu and the rural areas,” explains
Nadiah.
The MIDEQ Project runs from 2019 to
2024.
Monash University Malaysia has given out
scholarships worth RM200mil to successful
recipients for the past 10 years. If you are
passionate about tackling core challenges
facing the world, Monash University
Malaysia is the perfect place for you. Learn
more about Monash University Malaysia’s
postgraduate coursework and research
programmes at www.monash.edu.my.
HIS is one of the best international
schools in Malaysia and in 2018 among
eight shortlisted by the Times Education
Supplement (TES) to be in the running for
the International School of the year award.
HIS has a truly talented, experienced, and
international team of teachers with an
enlightened programme for nurturing
Educator-Carers during their teaching
practice and practicum that is a compulsory
part of their professional preparation. HIS
offers the best kind of teacher training and
education hub where best practices are
taught and learned.
HELP’s Early Childhood Education
programmes set out to train early childhood
educators to be passionate and committed
about the work of educating and caring for
children. There are two practicum periods
in the programme.
The first involves a six- to eight-week
placement in a nursery, followed by another
six to eight weeks in a preschool, when they
are in the final semester of their
programmes. For the duration of the
practicum, students are expected to
complete a stipulated number of hours and
lessons based on criteria set by the
university’s Department of Education.
Working adults who wish to enrol in the
Early Childhood programmes but do not
meet the minimum entry requirements can
consult the Malaysian Qualifications Agency
(MQA) to see if they qualify for the
Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning
(APEL).
APEL enables individuals who have work
experience, but do not have the formal
academic qualifications, to pursue a degree.
It recognises the work experience and other
courses and programmes of these
candidates, and awards academic credits
towards their degree.
n For more information on HELP
University’s Early Childhood Education
programmes, email marketing@help.edu.
my or visit www.help.edu.my.
THE STAR, TUESDAY 7 SEPTEMBER 2021 3
4 Course Focus
Game-changers for the future
WITH a global community of more
than two billion in an industry
which is forecast to generate
US$196bil (RM813.4bil) in 2022,
gaming has become a prominent
part of today’s global culture,
according to Business Insider. This
growing industry continues to push
the boundaries of creativity and
innovation, providing abounding
opportunities to explore and
discover new trends in a booming
industry. To be able to do this, one
must not only have the solid
fundamentals but the exposure in
developing games to better
understand what is required in the
industry.
At Tunku Abdul Rahman
University College (TAR UC),
students in the Interactive Software
Technology programme are not only
equipped with strong computer
science fundamentals. They are also
trained in the application of these
fundamentals through hands-on
experience in the games
development process, which
enhances their understanding of the
gaming industry ecosystem.
TAR UC student Chong Zheng
Hong, who is currently pursuing his
Bachelor of Computer Science
(Hons) in Interactive Software
Technology, can readily attest to it.
“The syllabi of my diploma and
degree programmes are not only
comprehensive but are
systematically structured, which
enhance my understanding on the
subject matter. There are relevant
and exciting assignments to
complete as part of the learning
process.
“I clearly remember my first
assignment which I enjoyed
completing. I learnt how to create
games with C++ programming. It
was fun as I learnt how to use
coding and images to create a
particle system to produce different
effects from the system such as
shooting bullets. Then I also learnt a
lot about 3D game development,
especially the important visual
specifications to consider when
designing a game, as visuals are
a vital aspect in game
development.
“My final-year project is a
team-based project to create a
Virtual Reality (VR) racing
simulator which allows users to
drive a remote car through a
gaming programme using only a
physical steering wheel and
pedals. I oversee the multiplayer
architecture and developing the
communication system between
the remote-controlled car used in
the VR simulator and the gaming
programme.
“Besides learning a lot about
networking in game
development, I have also gained
valuable experience in working
in a team which has enhanced
my communications and
interpersonal skills,” he says.
Yap Tian Wei, a TAR UC
graduate who is now a mobile
app developer, affirms that TAR
UC’s well-designed programme
has prepared him well for his
career. He graduated in 2020
after completing his Bachelor of
Computer Science (Hons) in
Interactive Software Technology.
“Prior to studying at TAR UC, I
had already developed my first
video game in Form 3. However,
I realised that I still lacked other
fundamental knowledge and
exposure in many areas of the
gaming industry.
“My studies in TAR UC not
only filled those gaps but
provided me with a lot more
knowledge, which is very useful
in my current work. My diploma
syllabus is comprehensive and
systematic which has
strengthened my fundamentals
in programming.
“Subjects like Programming
Concept and Design have
deepened my understanding of
programming in C Language,
which not only helps me
understand advanced-level
subjects but also other
programming structures
common in the industry. In my
degree, I was exposed to more
hands-on learning such as
building games using game
engines as well as advanced-
level programming, including
how to fine-tune the
programming script based on
the specification requirements.
“While I was studying at TAR
UC, I also attended various
informative events which helped
me discover and understand
current happenings in the
industry. These are very useful
skills and experiences, especially
in my work which is related to
the gaming industry,” says Yap.
TARUC currently offers
Pathway to become
a technopreneur
TECHNOLOGY has assisted
businesses for a long time, so it is
no surprise that a niche known
as technopreneurship would
emerge. Technopreneurship
borrows elements from
technology and
entrepreneurship, in
nomenclature as well as
operation, as it combines
entrepreneurial values with
technological prowess.
Simply put, technopreneurs
create product by going against
the grain and thinking up
innovative, tech-centred
solutions to situations.
Technopreneurship maintains
the appetite calculated risk
entrepreneurs are fond of but
rejects conforming to existing
pathways.
Consider PayPal – the founders
identified the need for a
payment system that would ease
online purchases. Instead of
THE STAR, TUESDAY 7 SEPTEMBER 2021
Yap at his workstation where
he works as a mobile app
developer.
computer science and
information technology-related
programmes at foundation,
diploma, bachelor’s degree and
postgraduate levels of study.
TAR UC’s September and
November intakes are currently
ongoing. Students are
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.
nFor more information about
TAR UC’s computing and
information technology
programmes, contact the Faculty
of Computing and Information
Technology at 011–1075 8554 or
email focs@tarc.edu.my.
Alternatively, visit TAR UC’s
Virtual Open Day from Sept 6 to
10, 10am to 5pm daily. Log on to
http://virtualopenday.tarc.edu.my
to register.
mailing cheques as was the
norm, customers could make
purchases without leaving their
home. This idea that
revolutionised online shopping is
a prime example of successful
technopreneurship.
How to be a
technopreneur?
Think you have a worthy idea
and the potential to be a
technopreneur? Here are some
questions you should ask
yourself.
l Does your idea solve an
issue with the help of
technology?
l What differentiates your
idea from existing ones?
l Is your invention more
efficient than existing ones?
> SEE NEXT PAGE
THE STAR, TUESDAY 7 SEPTEMBER 2021
Applications open
for IB scholarship
At The International School of
Kuala Lumpur (ISKL), its mission is
to provide an exceptional
education that challenges each
student to develop the attitudes,
skills, knowledge, and
understanding to become a highly
successful, spirited, socially
responsible global citizen.
The International Baccalaureate
Diploma Programme (IBDP) is a
cornerstone of the academic
experience at ISKL, providing a
challenging two-year pre-
university curriculum that leads to
a qualification recognised
worldwide. To earn the IB
Diploma, students must study six
subjects and complete the DP Core,
which broadens their educational
experience and provides
opportunities to apply their
knowledge and develop necessary
skills.
Amidst a challenging year, ISKL’s
largest ever IB cohort of 144
students continued ISKL’s long
tradition of exceeding worldwide
averages on their IB Diploma
results with:
l 10 students who scored a
perfect 45 points
l Eight students who scored
44 points
l An average score of 37.1
(worldwide average 33.02)
l A 98% pass rate (worldwide
average stands at 88.96%)
l Over 36.8% scored 40 or more
points (worldwide average 17.8%)
l 18.8% having earned a
bilingual diploma.
Besides being the longest
running IB World School in
Malaysia, ISKL offers the IBDP on a
non-selective basis, meaning any
student is provided the opportunity
to undertake the diploma. As a
non-selective programme, ISKL
faculty ensure that each student is
mentored and supported
throughout their course of study.
Last year, ISKL presented the
2020-2021 IB Scholarship to two
outstanding Malaysian students,
Nurin A. and Yogita C. The
scholarship programme, approved
by the Ministry of Education
Malaysia, has been running for
over 20 years, and each year saw
ISKL offering two Malaysian Sijil
Pelajaran Malaysia leavers a
scholarship to study the rigorous
two-year IBDP. The tradition
continues this year as applications
for the IB Scholarship for SPM
leavers are now open.
Applications for the IB
Scholarship are based on academic
record, co-curricular involvement,
and commitment to community
service, with shortlisted applicants
undertaking an entrance exam and
panel interview. Since its inception,
more than 30 scholarship
recipients have graduated from
ISKL and attended leading
universities worldwide.
There will be an IB Scholarship
Information Session on Sept 21 at
5pm for those wanting to hear
more about the scholarship.
n Find out more about the IB
Scholarship by visiting www.iskl.
edu.my and register for the IB
Scholarship Information Session.
Fit the changing landscape
> FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
During the 1997 Apple
Worldwide Developers Conference,
Steve Jobs said, “You’ve got to start
with the customer experience and
work backwards to the
technology.” It is important that
your motivation to create is guided
by the need to improve customer
experience rather than to
showcase technological capability.
Additionally, you should be a
visionary and open to new ideas.
Exceptional leadership qualities
and good communication skills are
also a must, as you need to transfer
your ideas to your team, investors
and customers. As technology is
ever-evolving, you must be quick
to adapt.
Lastly, it is important to reiterate
the element of risk in
technopreneurship. You can
minimise risk by being familiar
with regulations surrounding
technology. Ignoring those was a
major slip-up of the once famous
file-sharing platform, Megaupload,
which was ultimately shut down
following copyright violation
allegations.
Now that you are well informed
on what it takes to be a
technopreneur, here are some
pathways to a career as one.
l Through education – There
are various technopreneurship
courses available from which you
can gather theoretical knowledge.
You can then develop and
Course Focus 5
Steve Jobs.
demonstrate your technological
prowess and entrepreneurial skills
in professional activities and
internship opportunities that come
your way.
l Through mentorship –
Finding a mentor to take you
under his wing can be beneficial. A
mentor who is a skilled
technopreneur can pass on his
know-how of the industry and
guide you in your endeavour,
sparing you the trial of navigating
certain roadblocks as you learn
from his successes and failures.
l Through self-learning – You
can choose to amass knowledge
through other career paths before
launching into technopreneurship.
It will allow you to test the waters
and spot opportunities.
Furthermore, information is just a
click away. You can always
broaden your skills by enrolling in
online courses.
6 Course Focus
Five gadgets to boost productivity
HIGH school and college are two
entirely different worlds. College
is your first step into adulthood
and before you know it, you will
be swarmed with the vague but
often true stereotypes of a college
student – the last-minute
studying, instant ramen for
breakfast, lunch and dinner, and
binging on energy drinks while
navigating through piles of
assignments.
Learning how to manage your
time well and steering clear of
falling into the pit of
procrastination are two of the
most fundamental rules of
surviving college life. Having to
juggle back-to-back classes,
daunting examinations, peer
hang out sessions and a part-time
job can be an uphill struggle but
just like the saying goes “When
the going gets tough, the tough
get going,” you can ace your way
through college and own it with a
little help from technology.
With the many technological
doohickies that have surfaced,
why not use it to help make
college life a tad easier? Here are
five gadgets that will have you
thriving with productivity.
Smart pens
Taking down notes can be
incredibly frustrating and
troublesome. You could lose focus
during the lecture and, god
forbid, have a lecturer that
speeds through lessons, leaving
you with only fragments of the
lecture jotted down.
If you happen to be one of
A little help with the right technological tools can help students breeze through college.
those students who’s frantically
scribbling down notes and loses
sight of the actual lesson itself, then
you should invest in a smart pen.
Jotting down notes has never been
easier, with smart pens being able
to write digitally on and off paper
while also being able to record the
entirety of each lesson. Revisit the
lesson by just hitting the playback
button. They also come with a
headphone jack for users to listen
in with privacy and full focus.
Smart watches
Smart watches are great for
every college student. They help
you keep to a schedule and get to
work on the move. Apart from
displaying the time and being a
fashionable statement piece, you
can easily access text messages,
emails and calls even when your
phone is out of reach.
Some smart watches come with
voice-featured apps to help with
those dreadful hours of taking
notes.
Give yourself a break from
studying by unwinding with social
media anywhere and anytime.
Turn your smart watch into your
very own personal gym trainer
with a push of a button. Many
smart watches come with heart
rate monitors, burned calories and
activity trackers, and reminders to
breathe and compose yourself in
anxiety-ridden situations.
Noise-cancelling
headphones or earphones
Some peace and quiet is
sometimes all you need to snap
out of an unproductive week and
a pair of noise cancelling
headphones could be the next
best thing.
Tune out of the noise from
loud, crowded areas and tune in
to your favourite songs as you
work on assignments and study
for examinations.
Headphones work for every
occasion, whether at the gym or if
you are just looking to wind
down with some music after a
tiring day.
THE STAR, TUESDAY 7 SEPTEMBER 2021
Bluetooth trackers
With your mind constantly
preoccupied with assignments and
exams, trying to find your
misplaced keys or student ID is like
finding a needle in a haystack and
before even realising it, you’re late
for class.
If this situation sounds familiar
to you, then its time to get yourself
a handful of Bluetooth trackers. All
you have to do is attach one of
these little guys to an essential
belonging, then sync the Bluetooth
tracker to the brand’s app on your
smartphone; if you happen to
misplace that particular belonging,
press the “find” button on the app
which will alert the Bluetooth
tracker to ring and voila! No more
misplaced belongings.
External hard drive
It does not matter if your
computer device has a large
internal hard drive. With all the
data that will pile up, you will end
up having to make space for new
data.
Save time by investing in an
external hard drive that can store
all your personal and college
projects throughout the entire
course. It also works as a backup
for important and valuable data,
you can easily retrieve the files in
case of a computer malfunction.
External hard drives have evolved
and are now much more portable
than they used to be, making it
easy to carry them in your
handbag or backpack when you
head in for classes.