KSI-MMU Melaka Promotes Korean Language and Culture to School Students
The King Sejong Institute (KSI) – MMU Melaka took a proactive step towards fostering cultural exchange and language learning by hosting a briefing session for representatives from 30 schools across three districts of Melaka: Alor Gajah, Melaka Tengah, and Jasin. The event, held at the Melaka campus on 24 April 2024, received significant support from En. Roslin of the State Education Department.
Dr. Ong Sue Lyn, Director of LIFE & KSI-MMU Melaka, warmly welcomed attendees with an opening speech, setting the tone for an engaging and enriching session. The briefing provided school representatives with insights into the programme offered by KSI-MMU Melaka. The attendees also were given an opportunity to explore Korean culture firsthand through games like Ddakji, Korean attire, and traditional musical instruments.
In addition to the immersive experience, attendees were delighted to receive goodie bags filled with KSI-MMU Melaka merchandise, including badges, t-shirts, flyers, and brochures. This gesture aimed to further ignite interest and participation among school students, fostering a deeper appreciation for Korean language and culture.
The KSI MMU Melaka will be offering Korean classes (beginner course) that will be taught in their respective schools and students who have completed the course will be to join the KSI MMU Melaka regular classes on the intermediate level until the advanced level.
FOB Academician Presents Her Research Paper at ICBT in Cambridge
Dr. Audrey Lim Li Chin, representing Malaysia as a delegate from the Faculty of Business (FOB), shared her research findings at the prestigious International Conference on Business and Technology (ICBT) Cambridge 2024. Held at the historic Buckingham House, Murray Edwards College, University of Cambridge, UK, from 19th to 20th April 2024, Dr. Lim Li Chin delivered a compelling presentation on “Mental Health and Fintech Platform Adoption for Retirement Planning among the Underprivileged in Malaysia,” sharing valuable research insights.
Collaborating with Dr. Tariqul Islam Khan and Mr. Chu Chee Khiang, Dr. Lim Li Chin’s research paper provided significant contributions to the discourse on financial technology and mental health support for vulnerable populations. The conference, organised by the EuroMid Academy of Business and Technology in Istanbul, Türkiye, was honored by the presence of H.E. Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Consultative Council, United Arab Emirates.
Distinguished leaders and experts from across the globe, including representatives from renowned institutions such as Cardiff University, UK, and Brunel University London, UK, enriched the conference with their invaluable perspectives and expertise, making it a truly enriching and enlightening experience for all attendees.
Exploring Key Skills and Tips for Audit Careers
More than 35 students participated in a talk entitled “Building a Strong Foundation: Essential Skills for Success in Audit Careers” on 26 April 2024. Organised by Career Connect in collaboration with the Faculty of Management (FOM) and the Institute of Internal Auditors Malaysia (IIAM), the session kicked off with a presentation by Ms. Shahira from IIAM, followed by a keynote address from Puan Ainon Mahat, the General Manager of Internal Audit at Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad.
Puan Ainon shared her extensive knowledge and experience, shedding light on the crucial skills necessary for excelling in the field of auditing. Throuhout the session, the speaker elaborated on her job responsibilities and offered valuable insights into both internal and external auditing, highlighting their differences and similarities. She also delved into the domains and principles outlined in the Global Internal Audit Standard, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the audit landscape.
The interactive nature of the session encouraged active participation from students, facilitating meaningful discussions and knowledge exchange. Moreover, it provided an excellent platform for students to connect with industry professionals, paving the way for future opportunities and career growth in the audit field. As MMU Career Connect and FOM continue to organise empowering events like these, students can look forward to further enhancing their skills, expanding their networks, and forging successful careers in auditing.
FCI Academic Shares His Insights with Researchers from Local and International Varsities
On 25 April 2024, Dr. Morteza Saberikamarposti, our academic staff from the Faculty of Computing and Informatics (FCI) spearheaded a workshop entitled “Publishing in Academic Journals”. The event drew over 30 passionate academics and researchers to the Cyberjaya campus.
The participants came from both local and international varsities namely Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Universiti Malaya (UM), Taylor’s University, Medical University of Isfahan, Iran, K.N Toosi University of Technology, Iran, University of North Texas, USA and Kisii University, Kenya.
This workshop served as a platform to exchange ideas and strategies on navigating the complexities of academic publishing. Through engaging discussions and insightful exchanges, it underscored the collective pursuit of academic excellence and the global dissemination of knowledge.
Unveiling the Power of Digital Marketing via Industrial Webinar
In an enlightening webinar series titled “Beyond the Classroom: An Industrial Webinar Series,” organised for the Faculty of Business (FOB) students, two remarkable speakers were invited to share on their life journeys. Held on April 29th and 30th, 2024, the sessions, which were moderated by Mr. Vincent Chan, offered profound insights into digital marketing.
Mr. Nicklaus Gan, a distinguished FOB alumnus and recipient of the esteemed Best HR Student Award, currently serves at OCBC Bank, Singapore. Drawing from his rich experience, Mr. Nicklaus illuminated the audience with his journey in crafting a compelling personal brand and his adeptness in affiliate marketing for diverse brands. Emphasising the essence of proactivity in building awareness and traction in one’s passions, he shared invaluable strategies for curating impactful content on social media platforms.
Ms. Hoormila, a student in the Faculty of Applied Communication (FAC) and the visionary founder of Moon, a pioneering startup offering biodegradable bamboo and cotton pads. With a mission to revolutionise menstrual hygiene with eco-conscious solutions without compromising comfort, the speaker shared riveting insights into her entrepreneurial voyage. Delving into the challenges encountered along the way, she elaborated on her innovative approaches to digital marketing, content creation, and fostering customer engagement across offline and online platforms.
Their stories serve as guiding lights for aspiring professionals, offering actionable insights to navigate the complexities of personal branding and entrepreneurship with resilience and ingenuity.
Engineering Students Gain Competitive Edge with Personal Branding Insights
A talk session titled “Crafting Your Personal Brand: Standing out in a Competitive Job Market” was conducted by Career Connect and Industrial Linkage Committee of the Faculty of Engineering (FOE) on 26 April 2024 at NMES lab. Dr. Peter FS Lee, a medical doctor and aspiring entrepreneur who is currently serving as the Director of Learning and Development at Awantec TalentXchange conducted the session with more than 80 participating students.
During the session, Dr. Peter emphasised on the significance of personal branding in today’s fiercely competitive job market. Attendees learned essential strategies to distinguish themselves by crafting a unique personal brand. The speaker also highlighted the importance of understanding one’s goals and missions, fostering confidence, and recognising one’s strength as essential elements of the personal branding toolkit.
As the interactive session concluded, the attendees left with a deeper understanding of the importance of personal branding in the job search process. Dr. Peter FS Lee’s expertise and practical advice provided attendees with actionable steps to enhance their professional profiles and succeed in today’s competitive job market.
Industry Expert Shares Insights on HVAC
On 25 April 2024, Ir. Aaron Chai Kao Khy, Associate Director of Meg Consult Sdn. Bhd led an industrial talk at the Melaka campus. Organised by the Industrial Linkage and Alumni Committees of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology (FET), the talk focused on Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) expertise. Attendees included students ranging from first year to final year Mechanical Engineering undergraduates, along with postgraduate students and academic staff.
With over 11 years of experience in mechanical engineering project management, specialising in M&E building services and HVAC design, Ir. Aaron is also an FET alumnus, graduating in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. During the hour-long session, he explained HVAC concepts and highlighted its significance in today’s commercial market, where HVAC systems often consume 25% to 30% of a building’s energy.
Mechanical engineering plays a pivotal role in optimising HVAC system performance and energy efficiency to achieve environmental and economic sustainability. The application of heat transfer and thermodynamics principles is essential in designing HVAC systems for energy-efficient buildings. Additionally, Ir. Aaron also shared his career journey in the HVAC industry, outlining opportunities and future growth prospects. The inspirational talk concluded with a closing remark and a token of appreciation presented by the chairperson of the Center of Advances Mechanical and Green Technology (CAMGT) to the speaker.
Empowering Tomorrow’s Engineers: Insights from FET Alumnus
A total of 21 students from the Diploma in Electronics Engineering programme participated in a FET Alumni sharing session led by Mr. Daniel Ismail, an alumnus of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology (FET) with a Diploma in Electronic Engineering in 2020. Currently employed as an electronic design engineer at PWB Design Service LLC, Mr. Daniel holds double degrees in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of South Wales (United Kingdom) and Robotics Engineering from IUBH (Germany).
The session commenced with an insightful overview of electronics, emphasising its contemporary and future relevance. Attendees gained valuable insights into fundamental electronic engineering principles, covering the study, design, and application of various devices and systems. From foundational principles to the integration of artificial intelligence and the importance of entrepreneurship, participants left equipped with newfound knowledge and inspiration, ready to embark on innovative journeys in electronic engineering and entrepreneurship.
Kaspar – a Humanoid Robot for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Children is Piloted in Malaysian Schools by a Team of MMU and University of Hertfordshire Researchers
Dr. Goh Mei Ling from the Faculty of Business is leading a team of MMU researchers in piloting the use of Kaspar – a humanoid robot developed by the University of Hertfordshire’s Adaptive Systems Research Group in supporting the educational needs of children with ASD in Malaysia. It was introduced in 2005 by Professor Kerstin Dautenhahn and her team. Kaspar, the brainchild of Prof. Kerstin Dautenhahn and her team in the UK is designed based on simplicity – with a neutral expression and limited facial features to avoid overwhelming ASD children.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that results in differences in social communication and restrictive, repetitive patterns of behaviour that has seen an increase in diagnosis in Malaysia with a total of 589 ASD-diagnosed children in 2021 compared to 562 in 2020 (NST 2023). Once a child is diagnosed with ASD, it is exigent that early treatment and intervention programmes are initiated because if these are initiated later, it may be a challenge to foster their skills and learning. In view of this, the Kaspar project is timely as it will aid teachers and therapists in their interventions of ASD children in Malaysia.
For the Malaysian pilot project, Kaspar has been programmed to communicate in local languages – Bahasa Malaysia and Chinese, in addition to English to reduce communication barriers when deployed in Malaysian schools. Kaspar is programmed to engage in repetitive behaviours and activities commonly used in therapy sessions for ASD children, such as turn-taking games, imitation tasks, and social interactions. In addition, its movements are deliberately slow and predictable to provide a calming and predictable environment for the children.
Dr. Goh Mei Ling, Ms. Nun Shwu Huey and Ms. Sharmila Rani Moganadas from MMU together with Dr. Patrick Holthaus from the University of Hertfordshire embarked on the initial pilot experiments in SJK (C) Bukit Beruang, SK Kampung Tun Razak and SJK (C) Ting Hwa in March and April 2024. This collaborative research project which is the first to feature the University of Hertfordshire’s Kaspar in Asia will provide tangible impact to the Malaysian ASD children and be an enabler for new technological approaches in managing ASD amongst children such as the use of humanoid robots in the Malaysian educational setting.
Whilst the project is still at its early stages in Malaysia, the positive impact and acceptance of Kaspar by ASD children is encouraging for the international research team. The collaborative effort by the MMU researchers with the University of Hertfordshire’s Adaptive Systems Research Group in the UK is a testament to how innovations such as Kaspar is transforming our society globally.
MMU Celebrates ‘Majlis Sambutan Aidilfitri 2024’ with Vibrant Festivities
On 22 April 2024, Multimedia University (MMU) hosted the vibrant festivities of ‘Majlis Sambutan Aidilfitri 2024’, welcoming stakeholders, university partners, staff and students at the Dewan Tun Canselor, Cyberjaya campus. The event was also graced by esteemed guests including Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, the first Chancellor of MMU; Tun Zaki Tun Azmi, Chancellor of MMU; Academicians Tan Sri Dr. Zakri Abdul Hamid, Pro-Chancellor of MMU together with Professor Dato’ Dr. Mazliham Mohd Su’ud, President of MMU.
The celebration came alive with captivating performances by both students and staff, along with a special appearance by Dato’ Aishah. Adding to the excitement, Yayasan Universiti Multimedia (YUM) presented the prizes to the winners, comprising zakat payers, enhancing the spirit of communal joy and giving.
Amidst the festivities, Prof. Mazliham also presented prize to ‘Gerai Paling Awesome’ to Stall 1 (SSO/FOL/IPS), ‘Gerai Paling Meletop’ to Stall 4 (VPAIR, FOM, FOB), and ‘Gerai Paling Havoc’ to Stall 5 (FCA, FCM& FAC). Additionally, two winners were selected for the ‘Pertandingan Alamak Raya Lagi’ Insta Post, adding to the jubilant atmosphere of the event.
The organiser would like to extend the utmost appreciation to all staff, faculty members and others for making this Raya celebration a success!