3rd article, IPTS : Postgraduate: Mixing IT, business

The Master of Business Information Systems (MBIS) offers a unique take for students to gain a mature understanding of business information systems to a new level of depth and sophistication. 

The course, which is in its first year of commencement at Monash University Sunway campus (applications close 24 Feb), has been introduced in Malaysia to meet the demand among career professionals who want to understand how the field of business is influenced by information technology.

Thus, the MBIS is a flexible master’s degree open to students from any educational or professional background. The course is particularly suited for those wishing to advance their career in IT management, applications development, information systems, business consultancy and knowledge management.

The Master of Business Information Systems will provide students with the knowledge, understanding and experiences to deal with rapid changes in the IT field.

Students of the course must compete completion four foundation IT units and at least one four-unit specialisation selected from: Business application development, Business intelligence, Business systems, Corporate information and knowledge management, Enterprise systems, Library, archival and recordkeeping systems or Project management; plus electives.

In today’s mammoth corporate world, IT leadership positions require technological expertise, management skills and a knack for fostering innovation.

Using the smart phone as an example -  it takes various aspects of IT and engineering to design the parts of the smart phone that one may not even consider. For example, computer science makes the touch screen work, information architecture designs the menu, while information technology creates the applications.

When a student graduates with the MBIS postgraduate degree in hand, they would have picked up experiences that transcended technologies, making them well-placed to deal with on-going and rapid chances in the field of information technology.

Students may also exit the programme after completing four specific units, with a Graduate or Postgraduate Certificate in Business Information Systems, or after completing eight specific units, leave with a Graduate or Postgraduate Diploma in Business Information Systems.

The School of Information Technology at Monash University Sunway campus prides itself on an industry-relevant curriculum that similarly offers a global perspective.
Researchers at the school are made up of academics from around the globe with solid and recognised qualifications, and who are well-experienced in research-based teaching.

The highly flexible course structure opens up a variety of career opportunities. Graduates of the program will be expected to play leading professional roles in the field locally and overseas.

2nd article, IPTS : Undergraduate Focus: A vast IT world awaits

INFORMATION technology has become a significant component of world economic activity and is recognised as a major economic resource. Organisations have grown to view their information resources as strategic assets, utilising these resources as an instrument in enhancing the country’s competitiveness in industry and international trade. Traditionally, major organisational assets were classified as human, financial, material, equipment and management resources.

In order to enhance information technology, University College Shahputra (UCSA) through its Faculty of Information and Interactive Technology (FIIT) is passionate in research, teaching and learning in the computer science, information technology and multimedia fields.

Students can choose to major in computer science, information technology or multimedia and will acquire problem solving skills that are needed in the working world.

To gain entry into the Bachelor in Information Technology and Bachelor of Information Technology (Hons) Software Engineering programmes, students can apply through three options. The first option is through a recognised matriculation or foundation with CGPA 2.0 and a credit in mathematics at the SPM or SPMV level.

The second option is entry with an STPM or A-Level with two full passes or equivalent qualification or equivalent with minimum CGPA of 2.0. The third option is entry with a diploma. The last option is entry with any other diploma with a minimum CGPA of 2.5, and a credit in mathematics at SPM/SPMV levels.

Graduates from the Bachelor in Information Technology programme can apply for jobs as project managers, systems administrators, IT officers, network administrators, systems analysts, programmers, webmasters, educators or even database administrators.

Graduates from Bachelor of Information Technology (Hons) Software Engineering can find employment as software engineers (application/system), systems analysts, project managers, educators, web designers, games programmers, software/web developers, and business/system engineers.

UCSA also offers diploma programmes including the Diploma in Information Technology, Diploma in Interactive Multimedia and Diploma in Software Development.

To gain entry into the Diploma in Information Technology programme, students must obtain at least three credits including mathematics. The second option is through entry with STPM or A-levels qualification with at least one principal pass in any subject and a credit in mathematics at SPM or SPMV levels. The last option is entry with a technical, vocational or computing certificate or equivalent qualification with one year of relevant work experience or one semester of a bridging programme.

For the Diploma in Interactive Multimedia programme, students must pass their SPM with at least three credits in any subject and a pass in arts.  For applicants without an arts qualification, they must pass an interview session, drawing test or portfolio review.

Students interested in the Diploma in Software Development programme, must obtain at least three credits including mathematics. They can also gain entry with an STPM or A-levels qualification with at least one principal in any subject and a credit in mathematics at SPM or SPMV levels. The last option is entry with a technical or vocational or computing certificate or equivalent recognised qualification coupled with one year of relevant working experience or one semester of a bridging programme.

1st article, IPTS : Pixels: Bargains galore at camera expo

VELOCITY Media Sdn Bhd recently organised the Digital Camera, Imaging and Media Show 2011 (DCIM Show 2011) at Mid Valley Exhibition Centre, Kuala Lumpur. Exhibitors included major brands such as Canon, Fujifilm Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic and Samsung, and accessories players such as Lowepro, Kingston and Sandisk.

(From left) AC Ryan Asia Pacific regional sales manager Larry Yeo, Ideatools Technology’s business manager Khoo Swee Khean, and Promise Technology’s product manager Arthur Chang showing off the new products.

The side events comprised Velocity Angel Search model search contest, seminars and workshops helmed by photography professionals and a photo exhibition.
Lucky visitors who registered their MyKad at the Velocity Media booth also walked away with attractive prizes.

Engineering student wins video contest

UNITEN mechanical engineering student Keng Cheng Yoong emerged as winner of the “What’s Your Story?” Video Competition organised by Trend Micro recently.

His thriller video on online safety beat more than 200 other submissions and garnered the most number of “Likes” on Trend Micro’s Facebook page. Keng took home RM5,000 for his effort.

His video, which was shot in his hometown of Teluk Intan during a semester break, features a teenage girl who falls victim to a stalker, who follows her status and location detail through social networking.
First runner-up was Web designer Jason Goh while professional photographer Geh Chee Minh took the second runner-up spot. They received RM1,000 and RM500 respectively.

New tech tools for digital living

IDEATOOLS Technology Sdn Bhd has introduced a new range of high-end products to help consumers embrace the digital lifestyle. These include the Thunderbolt-ready Pegasus R4 and R6 high performance RAID storage solution from Taiwan-based hardware company Promise Technology, Inc. The Pegasus line is capable of delivering over 800 MB/s of bandwidth, which is 12 times faster than USB 2.0.

The Pegasus R4, which is a 4-bay solution and the R6 (6-bay solution) are designed to suit small servers, creative pro workstations, power users and consumers who require high capacity external storage. Prices of the two models without hard disk are RM2,500 and RM3,790 respectively.

Meanwhile the Veolo Smart Android Hub is an advanced media player based on Android 2.2 Froyo platform. Designed to bring enhanced functionalities to the simple television with browser, apps and games, this product is priced at RM859. Under the SmartStor NSX700 series, the two models NS4700 and NS6700 are priced at RM2,699 and RM3,749 respectively.