Archives for December 20, 2017

JOHOR BAHRU, 19 December 2017 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Global Day is one of the internationalization initiatives taken by the management to internationalize the University and its community as well.

It was also organized with the aim to provide more exposure to the local UTM community about the higher learning environments in other countries.

The Pro-Vice Chancellor (International), Prof. Dr. Nordin Yahya in his speech said that only through global educational engagements can the UTM community stand more chances to communicate with foreign universities representatives.

“This is the day when you stand a chance to meet and ask them directly about the prospectives of studying at their respective universities.

“You can also gain as many information as you want including courses offered, the fee structures , the programme recognition and the environment at that particular place,” said Prof. Nordin.

Also attending the launching ceremony were Deputy Director (Global Strategy and Engagement) Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Ariffin Abu Hassan and Director (Global Education & Student Experience), Prof. Dr. Nor Haniza Sarmin.

Eight foreign universities participated in the event, namely Beifang University (China), Universitas Sriwijaya (Indonesia), Binul Universiti (Indonesia), King Mongkut University of Technology (Thailand), State University of As-Syarif Kasim (Indonesia), Krabuk University (Turkey), Bayburt University (Turkey) and Karamanoglu University (Turkey).

UTM currently has academic collaborations with about 200 universities around the world. The collaborations undertaken are in the field of Research and Development (R&D), the exchange of expertise, student and staffs and publication materials.

The UTM Global Day programme was held at the Banquet Hall, Sultan Ibrahim Chancellery Building for two days beginning from December 19th 2017.

Source: Global Day to internationalize UTM and community

EDINI CITY, ISKANDAR PUTERI, Johor, 20 December 2017 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Johor today inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Medini Iskandar Malaysia Sdn Bhd (MIM), the first development/private company from Iskandar Puteri.

The MIM sets out the basis of cooperation between UTM and MIM in enhancing the talent pool and prepare the UTM graduates for employment.

The signing took place at Medini Investor Centre @ Medini 6 in Medini City, where the MoU is expected to broaden the opportunity for both parties to build young talents that provide necessary exposure and skill-set development programme.

UTM is represented by the Vice Chancellor Prof. Datuk Ir. Dr. Wahid Omar, while MIM is represented by Dr James Tee, the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of Medini Iskandar Malaysia Sdn Bhd.

Also present were Deputy Vice Chancellor (Student Affairs) Professor Dr Durrishah Idrus, Director of UTM Career Centre, Assoc Prof Dr Othman Ibrahim and Director of Alumni UTM, Assoc Prof Dr Mohamad Ibrahim Mohamad.

“MIM is the first company in Iskandar Puteri that UTM is signing with, and we are privileged that they MIM is very supportive of local universities like UTM.

“Being the master developer and master planner of the 2,230 acres thriving township of Medini City, I can see that the development is robust and I understand there is a strong need to retain and grow skilled workforce,” Professor Wahid said.

He cited, through the collaboration, UTM will give the opportunities to their bright students to garner experience from MIM and hone their skills while learning more about township development in the process of building a sustainable and smart Central Business District.

“The first intake will be in February next year, where MIM will recruit undergraduates and postgraduates to fulfil internship programmes at MIM, particularly in the fields of engineering and construction.

“These programmes are intended to be implemented within a timeframe of three to six months,” he added.

He said, the internship programme is a good platform for the students to learn, and get first-hand experience to build a well-planned city.

“There will be many other companies from Iskandar Puteri expected to adopt this initiative within the next few months. For now, we are happy to have kick-started the process for student placement at MIM,” he said.

Meanwhile, Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer of MIM, Dr James Tee,  said, MIM is very committed to implement the industrial partnership initiative because as a thriving Central Business District, they are building and creating new opportunities for the younger generations to acquire, learn and contribute to the success and sustainability of Medini City.

“Youths are our future leaders and this initiative of educating and nurturing crop of young people in the business of city development will make them better aware of what it takes to build a city.

“As the saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and programmes like this would make the interns better understand the requirements and appreciate the fine details of city development,” he said.

Dr James added, they chose UTM to implement the programme because of its status being one of the most prestigious and respected local universities in Malaysia that is leading in the academic and research fields of engineering, science and technology.

“We seek bright local talents to be part of this exciting and distinctive journey where Medini City also aspires to be the benchmark for future city development in Malaysia and for the region too,” he cited.

Dr James who graduated with fisrts class degree from UTM in 1995 said, more then 10 percent’s MIM staff graduated from UTM and he thanked to UTM for setting up a corner stone for his career and future.

Source: UTM and MIM, Ink Industrial Partnership Initiative

JOHOR BAHRU, 20 December 2017 – Prof Dr Khairiyah was invited to participate in a study visit to Kyoto on Problem-Based Learning (PBL) for Low Carbon Society (LCS) Education for secondary school students in the Iskandar Region project from 9th December 50 15th december 2017.

The program is funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in collaboration with the Kyoto Environment Activities Association (KEAA) and the Kyoto City.

Thirty teachers from six schools were trained at the UTM Centre for Engineering Education (CEE) and mentored to implement PBL for educating Form two students on LCS in 2017.

The visit is a part of the prizes of the PBL-LCS final competition as the finale of the implementation of PBL-LCS in 2017.

Four students and two teachers from Sekolah Menengah Johor Jaya 2, the winners of the LCS final competition, Hj Amiruddin Abdul Manaf from the Johor State Education Department (JPNJ) and Dr Ihsan Ismail from the Ministry of Education were also part of the Malaysian delegate.

The five day study visit comprised of participating in the Kyoto+20 conference in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Kyoto Protocol, meeting with the Kyoto City Mayor, presentations and discussions at two middle and high schools At Notre Dame high school in Kyoto after  students and Dr Khairiyah’s presentation to exchange information on PBL implementations, presentation on PBL by Prof Khairiyah and presentations by students from Malaysia and the Japanese schools.

The teachers and school principle, as well as officers from KEAA expressed interest in the syatematic PBL model, implementation, training and collaboration.

They were also impressed with the solution and presentations from the students who won PBL-LCS competition.

This project will be continued to 2018 with another six new schools, which make a total of 12 schools in Johor to implement PBL at their schools.

This is also in line with the STEM education and 21st century learning initiatives in Malaysia.

Source: Prof Dr Khairiyah participating in in a study visit to Kyoto