Help Desk at School of Education

If you need assistance relating to statistical analysis, you can meet our experts.  It is Free of Charge (FOC).  All you need is to book for your appointment to secure a slot especially for you.   Our Help Desk is available for you on Monday and Wednesday.  There are two slots (Morning and afternoon)

Prof Zaleha Ismail Monday 1000-1030 am 1030-1100 am
Prof Mohd Salleh Abu Wednesday 1000-1030 am 1030-1100 am
Prof Dr Mohamd Bilal Ali Wednesday 0230-0300 pm 0300-0330 pm

Venue: Research and Psychometric Centre (RPC) at C22 228

To book for an appointment, please contact Mrs Norhila Mohd Zait at 07 553 4099 or 017 773 6174

 

Academic Integrity: What is it?

What is academic integrity?  Well, there are so many definitions out there but for me, it is simply doing the right thing right as academicians.  There.  Simple definition.  The term was coined by Don McCabe and together with his colleagues propose the 10 principles of academic integrity.

It is a paradoxical situation.  With the yearly KPI and so many things that you need to fulfill (plus your own personal target to climb social ladder etc.), it is not a surprise if some academicians are resorting to “short cuts” and “manipulation”.  But they are the minority.  A minuscule organism in the academia.

I am not saying that we should not do anything about it and just take a stance of “wait-and-see” but it is something that not easy to be tackled.  When my old Durham neighbour said that he would look into the matter of plagiarism and whatsnot carefully, it is something to be applauded.  

Note: I had a bad experience of this in which a junior colleague “took” my class assignment instruction.  The junior thought that it is meant to be used by everybody whereas in fact, I crafted it few years ago (after many cycles of amendment) to be used EXCLUSIVELY for my own class.  This junior did this without having a pinch of remorse.   No action is taken based on what this junior did even though I have evidence of this junior doing that.  So, what can you say about such thing?  Of course, it is neither a journal nor a published work.  But still, it is my idea.  Looking at the definition given by MIT , it resonates with my unique case.

McCabe also published another article about academic integrity.  Please have a look at his article, HERE

 

Wind of change

I have been thinking hard about this issue.  Off lately, I could see certain wind of change in my school.  The things that I am not really aware of, I guess.  My fault.  Well, the truth is I am in a state of denial.  I try hard to convince myself it couldn’t be happening in my school.  Yet, that is the real hard core reality.  When wrote about the current scenario in the UTM news, my worst nightmare is happening now.  One of my friends said “To survive in this university, you have to be a hypocrite.  If you stay true to yourself, you won’t be able to survive in this environment“. 

The wind has changed.   Indeed.  But, I believe that the reward of being true to yourself is not in this world.   Islam emphasises on the life in this world and the Hereafter, yet every single decision that I make would either bring me closer to Allah or vice versa.  Referring to a verse that we would recite in every single pray, I pray that May Allah grant me my prayers.  

“Say (O Muhammad): Verily, my Salaah (prayer), my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allaah, the Lord of the ‘Aalameen (mankind, jinn and all that exists)”  [al-An’aam 6:162]

Lastly, May Allah grant us the best gladtiding both in this world and the Hereafter and save us from the torment of the Fire.  

“Our Lord, give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire” (al-Baqarah 2:201). 

May Allah ease my journey in this case.  

Possible grant

One of my junior colleagues shares information about a grant from Japan.  From Toyota Foundation.  There are certain requirements though.  They need a Japanese researcher as the main researcher.  I remember Ryugo Oshima.   It has been a while since I keep in touch with him.  He is definitely below 45 years old.  I should message him on FB ASAP.  But he is not into qualitative research.  Perhaps I should ask if he can recommend someone who he knows doing related research as what the Toyota Foundation requires.

HERE is the link to the website.

The deadline for the grant application is on middle of September 2019.