COURSE FOCUS
Brushing up
on soft skills
“SINCE Korean culture is now learn more about Korean very beneficial for us as we can
popular in Malaysia, we thought culture, as well as enhance their obtain some useful tips and
to use the opportunity to intercultural understanding. knowledge,” says Yu.
organise the Walk of Korea The Walk of Korea was Yu says his favourite subject
where our students can officiated by Kim Jun-Pyo, is Malaysian Taxation and has
experience and learn more chargé d’affaires of the embassy participated in the ICAEW
about Korean culture,” says Yu of the Republic of Korea to Malaysia Regional Business
Kong Sin, a BSc (Hons) in Malaysia. Challenge 2018 in Penang and
Accounting and Finance (BAF) The organising team took the Deloitte Tax Challenge.
student at Sunway University almost a year to plan the event. “I have not only gained
and the organising chairperson Behind the scenes orchestrating fundamental knowledge in my
of Walk of Korea 2019. the event was an organising studies but also brushed up on
The first Korean Fair held at team headed by Yu with 30 my soft skills from experiences
Sunway University, it was committee members and a crew obtained through participating
organised by students from the of 20 students. As the one in activities and events on
Sunway University Business overseeing the planning of the campus.”
School (SUBS) Student Concilium. event, Yu shared that leading a The BAF programme at
Inspired by the famous tourist team was not an easy task. “It Sunway University provides
Sunway University’s curriculum places importance on the development of soft destination of Hongdae in Seoul, requires effort and time, students like Yu an in-depth
skills such as communication, negotiation, teamwork and leadership, which are the event served as a platform knowing everyone in the team understanding of how
essential for personal and professional development and growth. for students to experience and and allocating tasks to them accounting and finance fits into
according to their preference the broader context of business
and expertise.” and management. Students will
Yu has been actively involved be equipped with the critical
in annual charity events since thinking and problem-solving
2017. A recipient of the Jeffrey skills needed to succeed in
Cheah Continuing Scholarship, today’s dynamic business world.
Yu is currently in his final year In addition to these technical
of the BAF programme. skills, the curriculum places
“Sunway University is widely importance on the development
recognised and the programme of soft skills such as
is validated by Lancaster communication, negotiation,
University in the United teamwork and leadership,
Kingdom. Graduates are which are essential for personal
awarded two certificates, one and professional development
from Sunway University and and growth.
another from Lancaster At Sunway University,
University.” students are encouraged to
BAF students can apply for participate in extracurricular
exemptions to pursue activities and community
professional qualifications from projects. The first-hand
professional bodies, which experience gained through
include the Association of these activities creates a
Chartered Certified Accountants learning platform for students
(ACCA), Institute of Chartered to develop skills which are
Accountants in England and constantly in demand by
Wales (ICAEW), Chartered employers.
Institute of Management SUBS offers a wide range of
Accountants, Certified Practising business, accounting and
Accountant Australia, Malaysian finance, marketing and
Institute of Certified Public management degree
Accountants and Chartered Tax programmes, including BAF,
Institute of Malaysia. BSc (Hons) Business
“I am only required to Management, BSc (Hons)
complete the last four Business Studies, BSc (Hons)
professional papers of ACCA Marketing, BSc (Hons) Financial
after completing the BAF Analysis, BSc (Hons) Financial
programme,” says Yu, who adds Economics, BSc (Hons) Global
that although some subjects Supply Chain Management, BA
were tough, his lecturers and (Hons) Entrepreneurship and
tutors are always willing to BSc (Hons) in International
spare their time to help. Business.
“There is also the Peer
Assistance Leading Programme n For more information about
(PALP) handled by the Student the programmes offered, call
Concilium, where we can have 03-7491 8622, email info@
additional classes on specific sunway.edu.my or visit
subjects with the seniors. This is university.sunway.edu.my/subs
Keep up or fold
By SRIMAYEE SEN SARMA
Sharpen your
MALAYSIA enjoys a huge advantage when it
comes to international business and
entrepreneurship. According to the World
Bank’s report Doing Business 2019, Malaysia
business acumen
was placed at No.15 for ease of doing
business in the East Asia and Pacific region,
placing it ahead of Japan and China.
Understanding the job demand created by
Malaysia’s economy, First City University
College’s (First City UC’s) Faculty of Business,
Hospitality and Communication (FBHC)
offers students the BA (Hons) International
Business and BA (Hons) Entrepreneurship management, developing entrepreneurial
programmes. skills, new venture creation,
“It is our hope that students will acquire management accounting and finance,
the necessary knowledge and skills to enter brand management and marketing.
the workforce. They will be capable of Students will learn to identify, define,
contributing innovative business ideas either assess and evaluate business concepts,
in a multinational corporation or a small ideas and issues, which are crucial to
enterprise setting,” says FBHC dean Robert adopt an informed approach to
Cheong. addressing business scenarios and
Cheong adds that students of both problems.
programmes are encouraged to apply for an This may even extend towards the act
affiliate membership with the Chartered of modifying or challenging any existing
Institute of Marketing to further enhance popular ideas. Besides becoming
their marketing skills and connect with other entrepreneurs, graduates may consider
people with similar interests. positions that include franchisee,
International Business and business consultant, strategic planner
Entrepreneurship Bachelor’s Degree and venture capitalist.
programme coordinator Aurora Lim says First City UC’s September intake is
final-year students are required to undergo currently in progress for its bachelor’s
an Industrial Training module, which will and postgraduate programmes.
provide them with the necessary hands-on Interested students should register as
experience to prepare them for a challenging soon as possible in order to qualify for
work environment. the 50% programme incentive.
Upon graduating, First City UC alumni
Equipped to meet international First City University College conducts annual career fairs for its final year students,
may even continue with the Master of
Business Administration (MBA)
business standards connecting them with potential employers. programme, which will equip them with
managerial skills should they aspire to
The BA (Hons) International Business is a workplace diversity and cross-cultural Trained to provide creative attain a leadership position within their
three-year degree programme. Students will
learn to convey international business-
management. They will also comprehend
how law, trade, finance, logistics, ethics and
business solutions workplace.
Alumni will enjoy a special 25%
related information in oral, written or visual human resource management operate across The BA (Hons) Entrepreneurship is a incentive rate should they enrol for the
form. They will also be working with diverse borders. three-year degree programme designed to programme.
group members to simulate the real-life Some of the positions open to graduates prepare students for the prospect of
cultural diversity of a global business. include international business negotiator, becoming a well-trained entrepreneur or n For more information on the
Upon completing their studies, international strategic planner, business business leader. The programme programmes and incentives offered at
graduates will be comfortable dealing with development director and multinational incorporates modules and learning First City UC, visit the campus, call
organisational and business issues such as manager. outcomes in areas such as enterprise 03-7727 3200 or visit www.firstcity.edu.my
A new dimension to
learning and teaching
CURTIN University Malaysia (Curtin fixed income, commodities and foreign
Malaysia) continues to invest in innovative exchange,” says Prof Beena.
facilities to enhance its student experience She adds that in today’s competitive job
and employability. Among the facilities is market, in-depth knowledge and mastery
the newly completed Curtin Trading Room of advanced skills are vital for students to
at its Faculty of Business in Miri, which enhance their employability. Therefore,
provides business students with a real Curtin ensures its courses are always
trading floor environment. applied, innovative and relevant to the
Fashioned after a similar facility at its world, enabling graduates to become
main campus in Perth, the Trading Room is highly competent industry professionals.
a distinctive learning space that is equipped Curtin Malaysia’s Faculty of Business is
with a multimedia financial trading system one of the region’s leading providers of
(FTS) and financial analysis software that business education, offering a
allows for financial trading simulations, comprehensive range of courses from the
virtual portfolio simulations and the use of Curtin Business School, which is accredited
analytical modules. by the prestigious Association to Advance
Students can use the FTS to learn Collegiate Schools of Business. Strong
analytical and quantitative techniques in connections with industry partners ensure
portfolio management, as well as develop that students are aligned with the latest
trading strategies, get an idea of real-time industry trends and the faculty boasts an
stock and bond prices, and keep abreast of impressive graduate employability rate due
news on businesses, industry trends and the to these connections.
wider global market.
“It is unlike any other teaching facility in n For more information on the Faculty of
Malaysia. It brings the world of finance into Business or Curtin Malaysia, visit business.
the classroom, provides access to real-world curtin.edu.my or www.curtin.edu.my
technology and simulates a real business
environment to prepare students with the
practical skills they will need to graduate
career-ready,” says Faculty of Business
acting dean Assoc Prof Pauline Ho, adding
that students will be able to access company
financials, market data, statistics and
proprietary research reports.
Deputy pro-vice-chancellor Prof Beena
Giridharan says the trading room will be a
valuable learning tool not only for
undergraduate and postgraduate business
students, but also staff and industry
professionals.
“The FTS software seamlessly integrates
data, news and analytics and provides
transparent and reliable financial, economic
and government information, covering all
major market sectors, including equity,
THE STAR, TUESDAY 6 AUGUST 2019 Course Focus 7
At the frontline of
RESEARCHERS at Monash Malaysia are
working to find new microbes in previously
unstudied habitats. The Novel Bacteria and
Drug Discovery Research (NBDD) Group and
microbe research
Biofunctional Molecule Exploratory Research
(BMEX) Group are identifying new microbes
from Malaysian mangrove swamps that may
provide us with new antibiotics and
anticancer compounds.
The Monash researchers are focusing on
one family of bacteria – the Actinomycetes.
Actinomycetes became famous in the 1940s
when Prof Selman Abraham Waksman first species produces antioxidants and bioactive
used it to isolate the potent antibiotic compounds that reduce the survival of
streptomycin. Since then, scientists have cancer cells. It does this by altering processes
identified over 10,000 bioactive compounds in the cancer cells that normally grants the
that are made by Streptomycetes species. cancer cells immortality.
Bioactive compounds are those that may be These encouraging findings were
able to fight disease and infection. published in Scientific Reports and Frontiers
More than 860 new species and subspecies in Microbiology and, in 2016, one of them
of Streptomyces have been discovered in was selected to receive the YSPSAH Excellent
almost every environment on earth, from Scientific Paper Award by the TienTe Lee
the deep seabed to hot springs to mangrove Biomedical Foundation.
swamps.
With 99% of microbes on earth still
unidentified, the researchers in the NBDD
Monash’s very own microbe
Group and BMEX Group believe that there Monash researchers have recently begun
are other species in the Actinomycetes family exploring mangrove swamps in East
waiting to be discovered that might be able (From left) Researchers from the School of Pharmacy at Monash University Malaysia Dr Malaysia for new species in the
to produce bioactive compounds. Vengadesh Letchumanan, Dr Tan Loh Teng Hern, Dr Goh Bey Hing, Dr Lee Learn Han, Dr Ser Actinobacteria family. They got off to a good
Hooi Leng and Dr Jodi Law Woan Fei. start by discovering a new Streptomyces
Malaysian mangrove microbes focus on detecting and evaluating compounds pathogens. The compounds it produces are
species in Sarawak mangrove soil (strain
MUSC 1JT) and have proposed naming the
help fight cancer made by microbes that might be bioactive. even able to kill Methicillin-resistant new microbe Streptomyces monashensis, in
Together, the two groups have discovered 15 Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Infections honour of Monash University. The “Monash
The researchers in the NBDD Group are new species in the Actinobacteria family and caused by MRSA are very difficult to treat and microbe” has shown signs that it could
focusing on finding new Actinobacteria published more than 20 research articles. MRSA can wreak havoc in clinical settings contribute to drug discovery, especially in
species, including Streptomyces, that live in Some of the new species the Monash and hospitals. Streptomyces pluripotens may the development of potential antioxidant
mangrove swamps around Malaysia. The researchers have discovered are associated provide a treatment in future. agents, which may help in the fight against
researchers study the new species from with bioactive compounds that may be used Another microbe discovered by Monash cancer.
various angles – from observing their to make new antibiotics. A recently researchers, strain MUSC 136T, has been
physical appearance to deciphering their discovered microbe named Streptomyces named Streptomyces malaysiense after n For more information on programmes at
genetic code. pluripotens (MUSC 135T) produces bioactive Malaysia. When grown in a special growth Monash University Malaysia, visit www.
Researchers from the BMEX Group then compounds that can kill several harmful medium developed at Monash Malaysia, this monash.edu.my
8 Course Focus THE STAR, TUESDAY 6 AUGUST 2019