AUGUSTA, Maine — The chancellor of the University of Maine System announced Wednesday a new partnership with Maine businesses designed to double the number of graduates in computer and information sciences over the next four years.
Richard Pattenaude announced the formation of the University-Business Information Technology and Computer Science Partnership in his State of the University address to the Legislature.
“Maine business leaders are concerned about the number of computer science, information science and information management graduates coming out of our universities,” he told lawmakers. “These graduates are particularly critical because in this information age and in our changing economy, these skills are essential to all businesses — small and large, north and south, current and emerging.”
The chancellor said that some of the state’s large employers — including Wright Express, Hannaford, TD Bank, Unum, Idexx and Maine Medical Center — expect to see a significant shortfall of Maine graduates with degrees in computer science, information science and information management as their organizations grow and as employees retire.
“A rough estimate is that we will have to double the number of graduates from the current 50 to 60 per year to meet the long-term needs,” Pattenaude said. “If we don’t, it will stifle business expansion and will negatively impact business location decisions. And it will constrain business activity statewide.”
Pattenaude said the concern was raised by Mike Dubyak, president and CEO of Wright Express, a technology-intensive company with more than 500 Maine employees. Dubyak will co-chair the effort to implement a plan this fall to double the number of graduates in the field.
“UMS has computer science or information technology programs on five of our seven campuses,” the chancellor continued. “Much good work is being done. We are told that our graduates are of high quality, but there just aren’t enough of them.”
Pattenaude said the system would be working with high schools to recruit students interested in computer technology into programs on campuses in Orono, Fort Kent, Augusta, Farmington and Portland. Campuses at Machias and Presque Isle do not have IT programs, the chancellor said after his speech.
“We’re going to be looking at creating some specialized scholarships to attract more students into the programs, evaluating reallocating funds internally and asking for support from business,” he said in a telephone interview.
Pattenaude also told lawmakers that the system has made great strides in cutting back expensesto help offset a $43 million deficit brought on by the now-recovering economy. Although it has become more efficient, the seven-campus system still lacks sufficient funding, the chancellor said.
More than two years ago, in the midst of the recession, the university system came out with a financial projection showing that unless it changed how it did business, it would face a $43 million shortfall over four years, Pattenaude said. In response, the university trustees approved a strategy called New Challenges, New Directions.
“Like many businesses, we have trimmed our work force and now have 7 percent fewer employees. We finished last year with expenditures $5 million below the prior year,” Pattenaude told lawmakers. In addition, the system halved the unfunded liability for its retiree health care.
University employees have gone two to three years without raises, and administration has been cut back. Even while becoming more efficient, the university system still lacks sufficient funding, Pattenaude said.
“That, however, will not stop us from making progress, and that’s a promise,” the chancellor said. Pattenaude said the university system has tempered tuition increases, posting its smallest increase — 4.8 percent for resident undergraduates — in eight years. He said low tuition encourages student retention, leading to more graduations and economic development.
John Fitzsimmons, president of the Maine Community College System, and William Brennan, Maine Maritime Academy president, also addressed lawmakers. Like Pattenaude, Fitzsimmons expressed gratitude for Gov. Paul LePage’s budget proposal, which would continue current funding levels despite the state’s difficult fiscal challenges.
Fitzsimmons also told lawmakers that the community college system is making progress accommodating the thousands of Maine students who have been turned away even though they were qualified to enroll. For example, it is securing space for a campus at the former Brunswick Naval Air Station and negotiating for use of buildings at the Goodwill-Hinckley School in Hinckley, whose core operations as a residential school for at-risk youths ended last year.
Maine Maritime’s Brennan said the Castine school is “in a strong and vibrant position” with enrollment at maximum capacity, a record, and 90 percent of its graduates finding jobs — some in the six-figure range — within a half-year of getting their diplomas.
It was the first time a president of MMA has addressed the Legislature. The heads of the university and community college systems are required by statute to address the Legislature every two years.
Tuesday, 28 February 2012
NATIONAL BIZVID CHALLENGE 2011 / 2012 WORKSHOP 06 DECEMBER 2011
Putrajaya, 6 December, 2011 - UCSI University’s Faculty of Management and Information Technology (FMIT) with the support of MOSTI (Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation) and MDeC (Multimedia Development Corporation) had successfully organised and conducted a 2-day workshop for its first ever Canon-sponsored National Competition: The National BizVid Challenge 2011 / 2012. Enriched with crafty and sophisticated ideas, techniques and know-hows on commercialising a product / service, the Workshop was hosted to some 84 students from 9 different Institutions of Higher Learning (IHLs), namely University Tunku Abdul Rahman; University Kebangsaan Malaysia; Taylor’s University; Management and Science University, and of course, our very own UCSI University, to name a few.
Besides enlightening the 2-day Workshop participants on invaluable competition topics such as Intellectual Property and Techniques on Understanding Customer Needs, there was also the exciting opportunity to brainstorm and develop innovative ideas using innovative mind mapping tools, as well as to equip themselves with basic shooting and video editing skills. In thanking the organisers for the benefits derived from the Workshop, participants also expressed their interest to participate in future similar competition workshops.
Themed Lively Creative Commercial Ideas, the Competition was open to all full-time students in the public and private IHLs throughout Malaysia inviting them to explore their highest and deepest levels of creativity in commercialising businesses on video graphics using technology and the social media. In producing and distributing a 2 to 3 minute viral video to commercialise a business product or service, each participating team would have the opportunity to work closely with a company of their choice to understand its business values and requirements. Subsequently, the five-best participating teams will progress to the final round to create a viral video with Canon Legria Camcorder, to showcase their commercial ideas before a panel of prominent and reputable judges.
For details and registration, visit the National BizVid Challenge 2011 / 2012 official website atwww.ucsi.edu.my/bizvid or find them on Facebook athttp://www.facebook.com/groups/nationalbizvidchallenge/ or email nbvc@ucsi.edu.my.
Besides enlightening the 2-day Workshop participants on invaluable competition topics such as Intellectual Property and Techniques on Understanding Customer Needs, there was also the exciting opportunity to brainstorm and develop innovative ideas using innovative mind mapping tools, as well as to equip themselves with basic shooting and video editing skills. In thanking the organisers for the benefits derived from the Workshop, participants also expressed their interest to participate in future similar competition workshops.
Themed Lively Creative Commercial Ideas, the Competition was open to all full-time students in the public and private IHLs throughout Malaysia inviting them to explore their highest and deepest levels of creativity in commercialising businesses on video graphics using technology and the social media. In producing and distributing a 2 to 3 minute viral video to commercialise a business product or service, each participating team would have the opportunity to work closely with a company of their choice to understand its business values and requirements. Subsequently, the five-best participating teams will progress to the final round to create a viral video with Canon Legria Camcorder, to showcase their commercial ideas before a panel of prominent and reputable judges.
For details and registration, visit the National BizVid Challenge 2011 / 2012 official website atwww.ucsi.edu.my/bizvid or find them on Facebook athttp://www.facebook.com/groups/nationalbizvidchallenge/ or email nbvc@ucsi.edu.my.
UCSI UNIVERSITY AND MAXIS TEAM UP TO BRING HIGH-SPEED INTERNET TO STUDENTS
Kuala Lumpur, 22 Apr, 2011 - UCSI University and Maxis Berhad are teaming up to offer University students high-speed Internet access. The two entities established a smart partnership today as part of the Maxis Integrated Partner in Education (MIPE) programme that launched last week. Under the agreement, Maxis will provide high-speed Internet to the University and become one of the University’s industrial partners. UCSI University Vice Chancellor, Dr Robert Bong and Senior Vice President for the Maxis Business Division, Mr. M Fitri B. Abdullah, signed a certificate of partnership in front of a crowd of nearly 200 students during a ceremony at the University.
In his speech, Dr Bong said the partnership is part of UCSI University’s commitment to bring in modern technology to augment its teaching and learning environment. He said the University is currently pursuing software that will allow lecturers to create virtual “classrooms” with lectures, materials and forums online.
“Our goal is to provide our students with the skills and knowledge to succeed in life in the most effective way possible,” he said. “With blended learning, we will be able to use a variety of tools to make both teaching and learning more efficient, more relevant and more accessible through modern technology.”
Under the agreement, Maxis will provide high-speed WiFi services of up to 50mbps that can be subscribed to directly using mobile phones.
The Maxis WiFi service will enable students to interact with their lecturers outside the normal classroom setting, combining the usual face-to-face learning with online delivery methods as part of the University’s blended-learning teaching philosophy, championed by its Faculty of Education and Centre for Learning Excellence. The high internet speed will also enable students to quickly download podcasts of their lectures, access online resources, conduct research and join online group discussions, enhancing their learning experience. The availability of high-speed internet access across campus grounds also increases student connectivity and mobility, creating a conducive environment for one to learn on the go. The WiFi service is currently on a free three-month trial basis, after which it will be available at a low daily, weekly or monthly rate for students.
The partnership with Maxis will enable UCSI University to enrich the university experience for its students, with the introduction of the University Hot Ticket, a supersaver prepaid card from Maxis, customised to suit the University’s academic, community and social events. Maxis will be contributing part of the sales for the prepaid cards to social causes and events championed by the students, heightening student awareness of and participation in, community and social issues.
Maxis and the University’s Faculty of Management and Information Technology are also working together to fulfill the MIPE commitment to developing student entrepreneurship. UCSI University is the first out of Maxis’ tertiary education partners, to deploy Hotlink dealership kiosk businesses on-campus. Currently, there are two kiosks in operation, offering students preferential incentives as well as further blended learning opportunity to put into practice lessons from business courses and to take away new experience from a current communications business model.
Mr. M Fitri B. Abdullah in his speech said, “On 5 April, Maxis launched its Maxis Integrated Partner in Education programme, a unique offering of an end-to-end array of integrated services to the university sector. Today, we are pleased to see the promise of education enabled by communications technology and partnership commitment, bearing its first fruit at UCSI University.”
“At Maxis we certainly believe in the power of integration of strengths from different areas to create a synergistic service ecosystem and unique customer experience which is greater than the sum of its parts. We can see that the committed and innovative staff and students of UCSI University also believe in the spirit of combining capabilities and of reaching across borders, to arrive at a form of knowledge and preparedness which will truly mark them out as the next digital native generation.”
New international students at the University will also benefit from the partnership, with a special bundled package made available by Maxis and UCSI University. They will receive both prepaid mobile services and broadband internet worth RM200 for free upon their arrival at the University. This ensures better integration for the international student community on campus with the local community while easing their transition to their new life in the country.
Through this smart partnership, Maxis will also be part of the University’s Co-Operative Industrial Placement Programme, which currently has close to 900 industrial partners. This allows internship opportunities for UCSI University’s students, who need to complete at least two months of industrial training in each academic year. This format, unique to the University, ensures students are constantly in touch with industrial practices, while applying what they have learnt in the classroom.
In conjunction with the University’s 25th Anniversary, UCSI University and Maxis also recently worked together on a major charity project worth more than RM40,000, which involved more than 200 students. The students and staff of Maxis visited 25 charity homes in a day to paint and clean up the homes, and also to interact with the residents in fun games and activities.
In his speech, Dr Bong said the partnership is part of UCSI University’s commitment to bring in modern technology to augment its teaching and learning environment. He said the University is currently pursuing software that will allow lecturers to create virtual “classrooms” with lectures, materials and forums online.
“Our goal is to provide our students with the skills and knowledge to succeed in life in the most effective way possible,” he said. “With blended learning, we will be able to use a variety of tools to make both teaching and learning more efficient, more relevant and more accessible through modern technology.”
Under the agreement, Maxis will provide high-speed WiFi services of up to 50mbps that can be subscribed to directly using mobile phones.
The Maxis WiFi service will enable students to interact with their lecturers outside the normal classroom setting, combining the usual face-to-face learning with online delivery methods as part of the University’s blended-learning teaching philosophy, championed by its Faculty of Education and Centre for Learning Excellence. The high internet speed will also enable students to quickly download podcasts of their lectures, access online resources, conduct research and join online group discussions, enhancing their learning experience. The availability of high-speed internet access across campus grounds also increases student connectivity and mobility, creating a conducive environment for one to learn on the go. The WiFi service is currently on a free three-month trial basis, after which it will be available at a low daily, weekly or monthly rate for students.
The partnership with Maxis will enable UCSI University to enrich the university experience for its students, with the introduction of the University Hot Ticket, a supersaver prepaid card from Maxis, customised to suit the University’s academic, community and social events. Maxis will be contributing part of the sales for the prepaid cards to social causes and events championed by the students, heightening student awareness of and participation in, community and social issues.
Maxis and the University’s Faculty of Management and Information Technology are also working together to fulfill the MIPE commitment to developing student entrepreneurship. UCSI University is the first out of Maxis’ tertiary education partners, to deploy Hotlink dealership kiosk businesses on-campus. Currently, there are two kiosks in operation, offering students preferential incentives as well as further blended learning opportunity to put into practice lessons from business courses and to take away new experience from a current communications business model.
Mr. M Fitri B. Abdullah in his speech said, “On 5 April, Maxis launched its Maxis Integrated Partner in Education programme, a unique offering of an end-to-end array of integrated services to the university sector. Today, we are pleased to see the promise of education enabled by communications technology and partnership commitment, bearing its first fruit at UCSI University.”
“At Maxis we certainly believe in the power of integration of strengths from different areas to create a synergistic service ecosystem and unique customer experience which is greater than the sum of its parts. We can see that the committed and innovative staff and students of UCSI University also believe in the spirit of combining capabilities and of reaching across borders, to arrive at a form of knowledge and preparedness which will truly mark them out as the next digital native generation.”
New international students at the University will also benefit from the partnership, with a special bundled package made available by Maxis and UCSI University. They will receive both prepaid mobile services and broadband internet worth RM200 for free upon their arrival at the University. This ensures better integration for the international student community on campus with the local community while easing their transition to their new life in the country.
Through this smart partnership, Maxis will also be part of the University’s Co-Operative Industrial Placement Programme, which currently has close to 900 industrial partners. This allows internship opportunities for UCSI University’s students, who need to complete at least two months of industrial training in each academic year. This format, unique to the University, ensures students are constantly in touch with industrial practices, while applying what they have learnt in the classroom.
In conjunction with the University’s 25th Anniversary, UCSI University and Maxis also recently worked together on a major charity project worth more than RM40,000, which involved more than 200 students. The students and staff of Maxis visited 25 charity homes in a day to paint and clean up the homes, and also to interact with the residents in fun games and activities.
Sunway University College chooses SAS® for IT skills training and research support
When business executives in Malaysia and the Asia Pacific region seek to hire IT leaders with the latest skills in analytics and information systems, they often find them at Sunway University College, where SAS technology is used in the classroom to prepare students for careers in IT.
Sunway is a world-class higher education institution and leader in private education in Malaysia and the Asia Pacific region. Established in 1987, Sunway provides tertiary education to a total of 10,000 students – with 30 percent coming from 90 foreign countries – enrolled in various academic programs at the diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
The School of Computer Technology (SCT) at Sunway has developed a reputation for excellence, offering a high standard of education in information technology, information systems, computer science and networking. SCT advocates unique specializations that not only stress the importance of the academic curriculum, but also promote students' exposure to the IT industry, enabling them to discover their potential and achieve their goals.
Associate Professor Dr. Lim Tong Ming, Head of SCT, said, "To achieve excellence in IT instruction, Sunway is extremely sensitive to the need to expose and educate its technology students with IT skill sets that are relevant and highly sought-after in the real world. This is to ensure that all of our graduates are at the forefront of industry demand, making successful careers in the competitive market."
SAS® for research support
With the rapid changes in the world of technology, Dr. Lim deemed it essential for Sunway academics to equip themselves with knowledge of the latest enterprise IT solutions, especially in the area of statistical analysis, data mining and analysis technologies.
Sunway is continuously seeking to explore and research these areas to better tutor its students in the know-how of innovative technologies and advanced IT solutions. For this reason, the university college opted to further develop its teaching and research methods with SAS Enterprise Guide and SAS Enterprise Miner.
SAS analysis and data mining skills are highly in demand, as many Malaysian corporate organizations and enterprises are using similar, if not identical, SAS technology. SAS solutions are renowned for handling large amounts of data, comprehensive data analysis, business intelligence and analytics.
"We believe that SAS' well-known reputation for its widely applied solutions in the business world will give Sunway University College students the training they need to be truly relevant in the workplace," explained Dr. Lim. "We trust SAS as a partner that Sunway University College will benefit from."
Another factor for SCT choosing SAS for its research and training support is the unlimited licensing model of the software. "As an education institution, partnering with SAS also makes budgetary sense, as its adaptable licensing module eliminates the possibility of raking up a massive cost to be incurred due to the multiple use of such programs and solutions for the purpose of teaching, learning and research," said Dr. Lim.
Commercial returnsAdding SAS as a key subject in the university college's syllabus and industry training has also brought about new benefits to Sunway as a reputable educational institution.
SCT currently offers a number of courses covering data analysis and data mining using SAS Enterprise Guide, SAS Enterprise Miner and Base SAS, which attract 70 percent of SCT students. "SAS' comprehensive and practical solutions have garnered a lot of interest amongst our lecturers and students," said Dr. Lim.
SCT's courses already prepared students to enter a highly competitive labour market. But Dr. Lim notes that within a year of working with SAS, Sunway has improved on its standards of educational excellence and the marketability of its highly practical technology courses.
Sunway is a world-class higher education institution and leader in private education in Malaysia and the Asia Pacific region. Established in 1987, Sunway provides tertiary education to a total of 10,000 students – with 30 percent coming from 90 foreign countries – enrolled in various academic programs at the diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
The School of Computer Technology (SCT) at Sunway has developed a reputation for excellence, offering a high standard of education in information technology, information systems, computer science and networking. SCT advocates unique specializations that not only stress the importance of the academic curriculum, but also promote students' exposure to the IT industry, enabling them to discover their potential and achieve their goals.
Associate Professor Dr. Lim Tong Ming, Head of SCT, said, "To achieve excellence in IT instruction, Sunway is extremely sensitive to the need to expose and educate its technology students with IT skill sets that are relevant and highly sought-after in the real world. This is to ensure that all of our graduates are at the forefront of industry demand, making successful careers in the competitive market."
SAS® for research support
With the rapid changes in the world of technology, Dr. Lim deemed it essential for Sunway academics to equip themselves with knowledge of the latest enterprise IT solutions, especially in the area of statistical analysis, data mining and analysis technologies.
Sunway is continuously seeking to explore and research these areas to better tutor its students in the know-how of innovative technologies and advanced IT solutions. For this reason, the university college opted to further develop its teaching and research methods with SAS Enterprise Guide and SAS Enterprise Miner.
SAS analysis and data mining skills are highly in demand, as many Malaysian corporate organizations and enterprises are using similar, if not identical, SAS technology. SAS solutions are renowned for handling large amounts of data, comprehensive data analysis, business intelligence and analytics.
"We believe that SAS' well-known reputation for its widely applied solutions in the business world will give Sunway University College students the training they need to be truly relevant in the workplace," explained Dr. Lim. "We trust SAS as a partner that Sunway University College will benefit from."
Another factor for SCT choosing SAS for its research and training support is the unlimited licensing model of the software. "As an education institution, partnering with SAS also makes budgetary sense, as its adaptable licensing module eliminates the possibility of raking up a massive cost to be incurred due to the multiple use of such programs and solutions for the purpose of teaching, learning and research," said Dr. Lim.
Commercial returnsAdding SAS as a key subject in the university college's syllabus and industry training has also brought about new benefits to Sunway as a reputable educational institution.
SCT currently offers a number of courses covering data analysis and data mining using SAS Enterprise Guide, SAS Enterprise Miner and Base SAS, which attract 70 percent of SCT students. "SAS' comprehensive and practical solutions have garnered a lot of interest amongst our lecturers and students," said Dr. Lim.
SCT's courses already prepared students to enter a highly competitive labour market. But Dr. Lim notes that within a year of working with SAS, Sunway has improved on its standards of educational excellence and the marketability of its highly practical technology courses.
AIMST University signs cooperative MoU with MMU
Melaka, Malaysia: Wednesday, December 1, 2010 ― AIMST University, Kedah-based University dedicated to high-quality value-based education, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Multimedia University (MMU) in Bukit Beruang, Melaka to promote cooperation between both educational institutions.
Under the accord of the MoU, the two universities will engage in joint research activities, organizing training programs and workshops, exchange visits by academic staff, researchers and students, exchange relevant information, and developing and implementing R&D projects of mutual interest. The research activities plan and their implementation will be mutually developed on a 'project by project' basis. AIMST University Chief Executive & Vice-Chancellor Prof Frederick Charles Smales and MMU President Prof. Dr. Zaharin b. Yusoff signed the MoU on December 1, 2010.
In northern part of Peninsular Malaysia, AIMST University is playing an important role in training students in the field of Biotechnology, in addition to Medicine, Physiotherapy, Pharmacy, Nursing, Dentistry, Engineering and information technology and Business. Currently, AIMST University has about 3,000 students. Postgraduate program such as M. Sc Biotechnology is becoming popular among students, and Ph. D (Biotechnology) program is approved in last year by the Ministry of Higher Education. “The AIMST University has been instrumental in developing and promoting university education in northern corridor of the Malaysia through its various educational, research and development activities and exceptional academic programs. The recent survey of the graduated students in Biotechnology program from AIMST University indicates that placement rate is 99 %. This partnership between AIMST University and MMU will enable us to consolidate our strengths and maintain our distinctive status as leading institutions in our respective areas and our fields of specialization. We are also planning more cooperative agreements
similar to this MoU with other institutions to strengthen our capabilities by smart partnership to contribute for the overall development of the society," said Prof Frederick Charles Smales, Chief Executive and Vice-Chancellor of the AIMST University.
In Malaysia, MMU is the first private university; MMU developed the pioneer model for the successful establishment of private universities in the nation. As the university at the heart of the Multimedia Super Coridor (MSC), MMU also serves as a catalyst in the development of the high tech ICT industry of the nation, parallel to the Silicon Valley-Stanford model in the United States. Currently, MMU have altogether approximately 20,000 students in Melaka and Cyberjaya campus. MMU is known for wonderful achievements in a relatively short period of time. The university runs in two campuses, its original campus in the historical city of Melaka, and the campus in Cyberjaya that was opened by the former Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed. A recent survey indicates that 93% students of the MMU secure employment within 6 months of the completion of their studies. MMU have more than 4,200 international students from 75 countries. In short time MMU has established itself as a major player in research and development, and maintaining excellent ties with the strategic partners through smart collaborations and research partnerships.
The AIMST University commenced operations in year 2001 as the first private university in northern part of peninsular Malaysia and has emerged as one of the top private educational institutions. Currently, the AIMST University offers four (4) diploma courses, nine (9) degree programs, and six (6) postgraduate programs under 7 faculties namely, Applied Sciences, Medicine, Dentistry,
Under the accord of the MoU, the two universities will engage in joint research activities, organizing training programs and workshops, exchange visits by academic staff, researchers and students, exchange relevant information, and developing and implementing R&D projects of mutual interest. The research activities plan and their implementation will be mutually developed on a 'project by project' basis. AIMST University Chief Executive & Vice-Chancellor Prof Frederick Charles Smales and MMU President Prof. Dr. Zaharin b. Yusoff signed the MoU on December 1, 2010.
In northern part of Peninsular Malaysia, AIMST University is playing an important role in training students in the field of Biotechnology, in addition to Medicine, Physiotherapy, Pharmacy, Nursing, Dentistry, Engineering and information technology and Business. Currently, AIMST University has about 3,000 students. Postgraduate program such as M. Sc Biotechnology is becoming popular among students, and Ph. D (Biotechnology) program is approved in last year by the Ministry of Higher Education. “The AIMST University has been instrumental in developing and promoting university education in northern corridor of the Malaysia through its various educational, research and development activities and exceptional academic programs. The recent survey of the graduated students in Biotechnology program from AIMST University indicates that placement rate is 99 %. This partnership between AIMST University and MMU will enable us to consolidate our strengths and maintain our distinctive status as leading institutions in our respective areas and our fields of specialization. We are also planning more cooperative agreements
similar to this MoU with other institutions to strengthen our capabilities by smart partnership to contribute for the overall development of the society," said Prof Frederick Charles Smales, Chief Executive and Vice-Chancellor of the AIMST University.
In Malaysia, MMU is the first private university; MMU developed the pioneer model for the successful establishment of private universities in the nation. As the university at the heart of the Multimedia Super Coridor (MSC), MMU also serves as a catalyst in the development of the high tech ICT industry of the nation, parallel to the Silicon Valley-Stanford model in the United States. Currently, MMU have altogether approximately 20,000 students in Melaka and Cyberjaya campus. MMU is known for wonderful achievements in a relatively short period of time. The university runs in two campuses, its original campus in the historical city of Melaka, and the campus in Cyberjaya that was opened by the former Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed. A recent survey indicates that 93% students of the MMU secure employment within 6 months of the completion of their studies. MMU have more than 4,200 international students from 75 countries. In short time MMU has established itself as a major player in research and development, and maintaining excellent ties with the strategic partners through smart collaborations and research partnerships.
The AIMST University commenced operations in year 2001 as the first private university in northern part of peninsular Malaysia and has emerged as one of the top private educational institutions. Currently, the AIMST University offers four (4) diploma courses, nine (9) degree programs, and six (6) postgraduate programs under 7 faculties namely, Applied Sciences, Medicine, Dentistry,
GROUP ASSIGNMENT
MGT 300
GROUP ASSIGNMENT
THE USAGE OF THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN FELDA
STUDENT’S NAMES: AUFA NAJWA BT. MOHD BANURI 2010848742
: NUR AMALINA BT. A. SAMAD 2010810658
: NUR AQILAH BT. IBRAHIM 2010803494
: NUR NAJWA ASYIKIN BT. AHMAD FAUZY 2010440316
: ZAYANAHUSNA BT. IDRIS 2010265224
GROUP : J3BM1114B
LECTURER’S NAME: TN. SYED MAZLAN B. SYED MAT DOM
DATE OF SUBMISSION: 7TH FEBRUARY 2012
1.0 INTRODUCTION
For the introduction, we are given a group assignment which needed us to search a selected company and one of the business process implemented there. The business process that selected must involved technologies whether in making decision or even in the business process itself.
We had decided to choose Felda Holdings Bhd in this assignment and the business process is Human Resources department. In 1 July 1956 under Land Development Ordinance 1956, Federal Land Development Authorities was established. Felda Holdings is a family-oriented company that prides itself on having built a strong professional and technical workforce.
Now a day, information technologies are very important to help the company growth. Information technologies are a field concerned with the use of technology in managing and processing information. The information of technology umbrella can be quiet large, covering many fields that deal with the use of electronic computers and computer software to convert, store, protect, transmit, process and retrieve information securely. It is most useful when it leverages the talent of people include computer programming, network administration, computer engineering, Web development, technical support, and many other related occupations. Since we live in the "information age," information technology has become a part of our everyday lives. That means the term "IT," already highly overused, is here to stay.
2.1 BACKGROUND OF COMPANY (FELDA)
Felda Holdings Bhd (Felda Holdings) is one of Malaysia'slargest, and most diversified agro-based enterprises which run the commercial business related to the Federal Land and Development Authority (FELDA), and the vast 880,000-hectare plantation landbank associated with it. Formed under the Land Ordinance Act 1956 but incorporated on 6 September 1995, Felda Holdings became a public company on 3 October, 2003. Today, their total capitalization exceeds RM 5 billion with RM 220 million in paid up capital.
Felda Holdings enjoys a sizeable business amounting to some RM 11.8 billion in revenue and reported profit before tax of RM 804.3 million for the financial year ended 31 December 2009.
They employ a dedicated workforce of almost 19,000 employees, complemented by a labour force of 46,795 workers at some 300 estates, 70 palm oil mills, seven refineries, four kernel crushing plants, 13 rubber factories, manufacturing plants and several logistic and bulking installations spread throughout Malaysia and several locations overseas.
Through more than 50 active subsidiaries, associated companies and joint venture companies we provide technical advice and support to the Felda Group. Felda develop and manage a major portion of its plantation landbank and undertake oil-palm based downstream activities. They also process rubber and cocoa products, manufacture fertilizers as well as operate several successful auxiliary businesses. Among these are IT, engineering, security, storage and logistic services.
On the international front, Felda Holdings is among the world leaders, producing almost 8% of world palm oil in 2009. They enjoy long-standing joint-venture partnerships with large multinationals such as Procter & Gamble and Iffco. We also have growing interests in businesses in the United States, Canada, Australia, China, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and South Africa.
2.2 BACKGROUND OF HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMEN IN FELDA
Felda Holdings is a family-oriented company that prides itself on having built a strong professional and technical workforce. Their 18,908 employees are experienced in diverse disciplines. They invest heavily in our human capital through many technical, leadership development and capacity-building programmes.
Chief among these are their leadership institutes to aid talent management and our Six Sigma programme in collaboration with Motorola University. This year, they also introduced an innovative, first-in-Malaysia, study-at-work ACCA/CIMA certification programme to develop accounting professionals for the Group's future needs. Meanwhile, their Felda Holdings Scholarship enables the country's young talents to pursue higher education at top universities abroad.
2.3 THE USING OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN ADMINISTRATION OF FELDA
In this project, we focus to the Human Resources department in the using of information technology. Below is the detail information about the usage of IT in this company1) The starting time of IT has been used in HR department of Yayasan Felda
Ø Since year of 1998. Not just the HR department, but in the entire department use IT in making business transactions.
2) The example of IT that has been used in this department in making their business transactions
Ø In this case, the big example of IT that has been used in FELDA is the official page of FELDA.
Ø This webpage got the recognition of ‘5 Star Webpage and Overall Top 10 Websites’ from Malaysian Government and Portals Website Assessments 2011.
Ø This webpage also makes a link between the customers with the HR department without make a ‘face to face’ to make the transactions or any management.
Ø In this web page, there is complete with the applications to make the customers easy to communicate with this department such as:
· e-Complaint
· e-Review
· e-Rating
· e-Feedback
· e-Innovation
· e-Statements
· e-Payments
· e-Jobs
Ø Besides that, the customers also can communicate with this company through Facebook and Twitter with the trademark of 1felda community.
Ø There is also an application for the cell phones user which are they can serve the web page of FELDA by the cell phone in the version of cell phone and PDA known as mobile web.
3) The important of Information Technology in HR department of FELDA
Ø Strengthen and facilitate administrative work, whether in or outside the company. With IT, this company can communicate with the customer who is away no matter wherever they are.
Ø To manage time more efficiently
Ø The management of administration more efficient and faster
Ø Reduce cost and improve productivity
Ø Increase loyalty and increase customer satisfaction
Ø Create competitive advantage
4) The way FELDA communicate with the customers through the Information Technology
Ø The customers can search the official page of FELDA: www.felda.net.my to ask any questions without make a ‘face to face’ process and can save time between the both parties.
5) Planning of HR department of FELDA to expands the activities through IT so easy the customers to find out them
Ø Department will maintain update all applications in homepage and update all the news that should be presented to the customer on the achievement of the organization.
Ø The announcement also will maintain at the homepage to show the all important news for the customers
Ø Other than that the FELDA diary will always be updating to inform the customers about the latest event of FELDA which is sometimes related with the customers.
6) The way FELDA rise when the use of Information Technology is failure
Ø FELDA has established a backup monitoring team to backup all the business transactions which is subsidiary of FELDA known as PRODATA
3.0 RECOMMENDATION
1) We think FELDA need to promote more about their homepage because not all of their customer know about their official web page
2) Create more backup team, in case they are failure in using information technology
3) Encourage their customer to using IT so they can reduce time in communicating and also can settle their problem as soon as possible
4.0 APPENDIX
Below are the links for customer to communicate or send their feedback
5.0 CONCLUSION
Now, it shows that information technologies are very important in human resources department to help in strengthen their administration. It also makes communication between organizations and their customers faster where ever there are.
Customers can surf their companies website to know about company progress, information and negotiate each other. So, they no need face to face in making any decision and doing any activities. This will make the time management more efficiency and company can decreased man power. Besides that, we can see with information technologies the companies productivity increasing and the administration more efficient and faster.
Using the knowledge of information technologies, Felda Holdings Bhd had a service line for customer to make any inquiries. Currently, printer is important to utilize print materials that very necessary in managing a company. These companies also had a backup team like PRODATA subsidiary to make sure all their work had done had a backup for instance they facing virus because of excess downloaded.
The ending, information technology that used by human resources department in Felda Holdings Bhd is very efficiency to help the company growth and achieved their goals, as the leader of oil palm and high-income settlers.
6.0 REFFERENCES
Baltzan, P., Philips, A., & Haag, S. (2009). Business driven technology. (3 ed.). New York: The McGraw Hill Companies.
Official Website of Federal Land Development Authority. (2011). Retrieved 2012, February 3 from http://www.felda.net.my/feldav3/
Raja Norziana Bt. Raja Abdul Rashid. (2012, February 3). Interview by Aufa Najwa Mohd Banuri [Personal Interview]. Company interview. , Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.
Tuan Syed Mazlan B. Syed Mat Don, Lecturer of Business Management, Universiti Teknologi Mara.
Wednesday, 15 February 2012
UPNM First Local Varsity To Offer It Security Programme
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 3 (Bernama) -- Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) chalked a new milestone by becoming the first local public university to offer Information Technology Security (IT Security) certification for its computer science undergraduates.
The programme is offered in collaboration with International Council of Electronic Commerce Consultants (EC-Council), a leading IT Security certification provider.
UPNM Vice-Chancellor Datuk Zulkifli Zainal Abidin said the programme was in line with the government's call to produce local professionals able to handle crimes in information technology (IT).
"Security experts in IT are very important to the nation now, mainly to stop cyber crimes through computer chains that can be a threat to the security of the nation," he told reporters after signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with EC-Council at the university here, on Thursday.
EC-Council was represented by its president, Sanjay Bavisi.
The programme is offered in collaboration with International Council of Electronic Commerce Consultants (EC-Council), a leading IT Security certification provider.
UPNM Vice-Chancellor Datuk Zulkifli Zainal Abidin said the programme was in line with the government's call to produce local professionals able to handle crimes in information technology (IT).
"Security experts in IT are very important to the nation now, mainly to stop cyber crimes through computer chains that can be a threat to the security of the nation," he told reporters after signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with EC-Council at the university here, on Thursday.
EC-Council was represented by its president, Sanjay Bavisi.
http://web10.bernama.com/education/v2/index.php?sid=news_content&id=437926By Bernama
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