FYI,
http://www.news.utm.my/2016/02/utm-student-team-become-champion-of-espriex-business-model-competition-asean-2016/
UTM’s anti-dengue supplement also fights Zika virus
Posted on 19/02/2016 ·
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2016/02/18/anti-dengue-supplement-fights-zika/
JOHOR BARU: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) has successfully formulated a plant-based supplement from papaya leaf extract and virgin coconut oil to treat dengue patients.
What’s more is that the product also has the potential to treat patients suffering from Zika virus infection.
Research and development on the supplement began in 2011 by a team of scientists headed by UTM’s Bioproduct Development Institute chief researcher and senior lecturer Dr Harisun Yaakob (pic).
According to her, the supplement – in soft-gel capsule form with the brand name Anti D’ngue – also contains two types of herb and is produced using the nanotechnology.
“The normal practice in hospitals or clinics is to treat dengue patients by increasing the electrolytes in the body to reduce the high temperature and increase the blood platelet count,” Dr Harisun told reporters in a press conference here on Thursday.
She said the supplement helps to stop both the dengue and Zika viruses from further spreading into the body’s immune system.
“What makes our product different from others in the market is that it comes in capsules whereas existing products are based on papaya juice,” she said, adding that Anti D’ngue was being patented.
Dr Harisun said the university is willing to work with other research-based institutions to conduct in-depth studies to come out with preventive measures against the Zika virus.
She said the funding for the five-year R&D for the product came in the form of RM300,000 in grants from the Higher Education Ministry and UTM.
Dr Harisun said that for a start, 500 bottles of Anti D’ngue would be marketed next month priced between RM60 and RM80 per bottle of 30 capsules.
She said the capsules were suitable for all dengue patients regardless of age, including pregnant women, and also those who have received treatment from hospitals or clinics.
YB Dato’Seri Idris Jusoh Delivers Insightful Talk at UTM MJIIT Lecture Series
Posted on 18/02/2016 ·
KUALA LUMPUR, 18 February 2016 – As part of MJIIT Leadership Lecture Series, YB. Dato’ Seri Idris Jusoh, the Minister of Higher Education, delivered a lecture titled “Soaring Upwards: Malaysian Higher Education and LEP 2.0” at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Campus.
In the lecture, the honourable minister shared with MJIIT students his views on the Malaysian Higher Education system, including its successes, challenges and what’s in store for the future.
YB. Dato’ Seri Idris Jusoh also touched on the implementation and progress of the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2015-2025 (Higher Education), particularly on implemented as well as proposed initiatives in developing holistic, entrepreneurial and balanced graduates. The Minister then urged MJIIT graduates to contribute towards the development of Malaysian by capitalising on the Look East Policy 2.0.
The Minister’s refreshing talk gave insights into the endeavours undertaken by the Ministry in ensuring that the Malaysia education system remains competitive and on par with world class education. His talk also acted as a further impetus for MJIIT students to further excel in their academic endeavours, enabling them to become productive members of the society.
MJIIT was established based on an initiative by the Malaysian and Japanese governments to establish an institution that offers a Japanese-style engineering education integrated with Malaysia’s distinctiveness.
MJIIT continues to work closely with Japanese universities and industries to create a strong culture and holistic approach in its programmes. MJIIT offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes as well as R&D activities leveraging on the strength of Japanese technology and education system which are based on intensive research, and close relations between academicians and students, while promoting professional ethics and high-value work.
The MJIIT Leadership Lecture Series provides a platform for representatives from both the government and industrial sector to share their knowledge, experiences, and expertise. These lecture series aims to offer MJIIT students better understanding of the social, cultural, global and environmental responsibilities of a professional engineer, and offer more insights into the need for a sustainable development and managerial and entrepreneurial skills.
This is the fourteenth MJIIT Leadership Lecture Series. There have been thirteen other lectures delivered by distinguished guest speakers from different quarters including YA.Bhg. Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamed, YB. Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed and H.E. Prof. Masahiko Horie, former Ambassador of Japan to Malaysian, to name a few.
Contact person : Prof. Datin Dr. Rubiyah Yusof
Dean
Malaysia – Japan International Institute of Technology
(MJIIT)
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra
54100 Kuala Lumpur
: 03-2203 1202
: 03-2203 1266
: rubiyah.kl@utm.my
For more information, please visit MJIIT website http://mjiit.utm.my
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA SIGNED MOC TO ADOPT MONSOONSIM SERVER
Posted on 15/02/2016 ·
FYI,
http://www.management.utm.my/announcement/news-event/4595
UTM signed Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with Infusion Information Technology Sdn Bhd to officially adopt MonsoonSIM server as the pedagogical training platform for Enterprise Resources Planning (ERP) system. UTM Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Zainab Khalifah represented UTM while Infusion Information Technology Sdn Bhd was represented by Alex Ong. The signing ceremony was completed and witnessed by IT Manager Mr. Shafudin and Pn. Nurul the Deputy Registrar of the Faculty of Management, UTM. The ceremony took place at UTM main campus, Skudai Johor Bahru on 31st December 2015.
UTM Identifies Seven Key Focus Areas in Generating Revenue
Posted on 14/02/2016 ·
UALA LUMPUR, 2 February 2015 – Seven key focus areas have been identified as a means to generate an additional University income of RM170.65 million in the year 2016.
UTM Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr. Wahid Omar said the seven key focus areas will generate funds through academic programs, research and innovation initiatives, effective management and development of university assets and land bank, empowering of UTM business entities, UTM health services, residential colleges and university facilities, as well as effective management of endowment and human resource development.
He said that generating funds through the seven key focus area would enable UTM to continue its role as an Institution of Higher Learning despite the current economic downturn which has forced the government to cut its 2016 budget.
“UTM will continue to practice prudent spending as part of the 2016 sustainable budget strategy,” he said at his monthly engagement at UTM Kuala Lumpur, today.
Dr Wahid said, among the measures that will be taken to enhance financial sustainability include using economy class flights for all qualified staff, the introduction of a more competitive Scholar’s Inn package and the use of video conferencing for long range meeting sessions.
“As part of prudent spending, we will freeze any office space renovation job and will encourage organizing seminars or workshops on campus using existing facilities,” he said.
Move to improve English proficiency
Posted on 12/02/2016 ·
FYI,
JOHOR BARU: The state government is engaging experts from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) to help improve English proficiency among students in schools in Johor.
Many lauded the move, saying it was timely in view of the decline in the standard of English in the country.
They said they hope the collaboration will help bring about positive results in the state.
Mentri Besar Datuk Mohamed Khaled Nordin was quoted saying that Johoreans, especially youngsters, had no option but to master the language or else they would be left behind in the progress and development taking place in the state.
Businesswoman Suhaila Imran, 44, said certain parties should stop politicising the teaching of English at schools as it would result in more harm than good for the country.
Suhaila, who has a 10-year old daughter studying at SK (P) Sultan here, said her daughter has no problems with the language as the family speaks English at home.
“I really pity pupils, especially those from the rural schools, who are struggling to speak English as the one hour of English lesson a week in school is not enough for them,’’ she said.
She said she hopes that UTM would make teaching of English more interesting and fun at schools by focusing more on activities such as plays to improve the children’s public speaking skills.
Suhaila also suggested for schools to bring back the “English Speaking Week” like in the old days where the pupils would be fined for speaking other than English during the period.
Sinar Harian journalist Siti Noor Sepee, 33, said she made the right decision to transfer her eight-year old daughter Adriana Sofea Amril to SK Medini in Iskandar Puteri from another school nearby in Gelang Patah.
“Her command of English has improved a lot as the school has a good mix of multi-racial pupils and most of them speak English,’’ she said.
Siti Noor said prior to that, Adriana did not have confidence in speaking the language at her former school as most of her friends were Malays and they were comfortable speaking to each other in the language.
“Apart from English, my daughter is also slowly picking up a little bit of Mandarin and Tamil from her Chinese and Indian friends,” she added.
Eleven-year old Rya Sophia Qanisya Kamal, of SK (P) Sultan Ibrahim said the one-hour English lesson weekly was not enough for the pupils.
She said too much focus was given to writing in the classroom now instead of conversation, adding that pupils have no problems in the theory part but lacked confidence speaking in English.
