UUM English Programme Can Generate RM20 million

SINTOK, 31 Jan (Bernama) -- Universiti Utara Malaysia's (UUM) English skills programme can generate RM20mil in five years, said Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mohamed Mustafa Ishak.

The programme followed signing of a memorandum of agreement (MoA) in education between the governments of South Korea and Malaysia.

"We will train 600 South Korean students annually in English and communication skills as preparation for their enrolment into university.

"The programme will generate RM20mil to UUM in five years," he said at the signing of MoA between R&D SerindiT Com Sdn Bhd and South Korean computer company Jin Woo Han Sdn Bhd here Monday.

The MoA involves human resource development, knowledge sharing via smart partnership in education an training.

Dr Mohamed said the MoA provides R&D SerindiT growth opportunity via exchange of educational programmes and transfer of technology.

Jin Woo Han managing director Lee Byung Doo said it was not only interested in the English programme but also golf, go-kart, equine, sauna and swimming facilities.

R&D SerindiT Com Sdn Bhd is a UUM subsidiary while Jin Woo Han Sdn Bhd is a South Korean computer company.

-- BERNAMA

Tan Sri Sidek Hassan Heads List Of Federal Territories Award Recipients

PUTRAJAYA, Feb 1 (Bernama) -- Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan on Monday led the list of 256 people conferred with awards and medals, in conjunction with Federal Territories (FT) Day 2011.

He received the Seri Utama Mahkota Wilayah (SUMW) award, which carries the title "Datuk Seri Utama".

The investiture ceremony at Istana Negara was attended by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin.

Other recipients of the SUMW award are Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor and Public Bank Berhad non-executive director Tan Sri Thong Yaw Hong.

Three people received the Seri Mahkota Wilayah (SMW) award, which carries the title "Datuk Seri".

They are Bukit Aman Special Branch director Datuk Seri Akhil Bulat, People's Progressive Party president Datuk Seri M. Kayveas and Malaysian Real Estate and Housing Developers' Association president Datuk Seri Yam Kong Choy.

A total of 35 individuals received the Panglima Mahkota Wilayah (PMW) award, which carries the title "Datuk".

Among them are High Court Judicial Commissioner Datuk Dr Hamid Sultan Abu Backer, Kumpulan Utusan Melayu (M) Berhad executive director Datuk Mohd Nasir Ali, New Straits Times Press managing editor Datuk Nuraina Abdul Samad, former national shooter Datuk Sabiamad Abdul Ahad, former national footballer Datuk Santokh Singh, Security Commission Commissioner Datuk Tah Leh Kiah, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission director Datuk Mustafar Ali, Federal Territory Islamic Department director Datuk Che Mat Che Ali and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) director-general Datuk Salleh Yusup.

Medical Respiratory Institute director Datuk Dr Aziah Ahmad Mahayiddin, Prime Minister's Department Economic Planning Unit deputy director-general Datuk Himmat Singh, Higher Education Ministry secretary-general Datuk Ab Rahim Md Noor, Kuala Lumpur Hospital Dermatology Department head Datuk Dr Rashidah Baba, Federal Territories and Urban Well-Being Ministry deputy secretary-general (development) Datuk Bakaruddin Othman, Prime Minister's special officer Datuk Ravindren Chelliah, Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council chief executive officer Datuk Anan C. Mohd and Labuan Financial Services Authority director-general Datuk Azizan Abd Rahman also received the PMW award.

Other recipients of the PMW award are National Heart Institute (IJN) cardiology and electrophysiology consultant Datuk Dr Razali Omar, IJN cardiologist Datuk Dr Azhari Rosman, Pelaburan Hartanah Berhad chief executive officer and managing director Datuk Kamalul Arifin Othman, Malaysian Resources Corporation Berhad chief executice officer Datuk Mohamed Razeek Md Hussin Maricar, Universiti Malaya (UM) biological science professor Datuk Dr Amru Nasrulhaq Boyce, UM molecular medicine profesor Datuk Dr Rohana Yusof, CRSC Holding Berhad chairman Datuk Low Wui Keong, Federal Territory Wanita Umno chief Datuk Azizah Abd Samad, Malaysian Makkal Sakti Party president Datuk Thanenthiran Ramankutty and Kepong MCA deputy chief Datuk Ong Teck Eng.

Completing the list of PMW recipients are Federal Territory MIC Education Bureau secretary Datuk Sothinathan Asaipillai, Federal Territory Bumiputera Hawkers and Petty Traders Association president Datuk Bahrim @ Baharuddin A Razak, Kuala Lumpur Chinese Assembly Hall president Datuk Liew Kon Seng, Taman Lucky Residents Association president Datuk Ir Nordeen Mohd Salleh, DBKL former Senior Officers Association deputy president Datuk Khuzaimah Yunos, Resorts World Berhad security operations deputy president Datuk Paul Kiong, Prince Court Hospital ear, nose and throat specialist Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh and Radzuan Fashion Design director Datuk Radzuan Radzi.

A total of 25 people received the Johan Mahkota Wilayah (JMW) award, 50 received the Kesatria Mahkota Wilayah (KMW) award, 66 were awarded the Ahli Mahkota Wilayah (AMW) award, including Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) International Service Editor Nor Faridah Abdul Rashid, and 74 the Pingat Pangkuan Mahkota Wilayah(PPW) award.

-- BERNAMA

Classroom Technology

The Star (Sunday January 30, 2011)

TEACHING children who grew up in the age of the Internet and limitless information can present an entirely new set of challenges to teachers, and classroom teaching and the learning process have to evolve or risk becoming outdated.

Recognising this, Intel started its own Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) learning programme in 2000, designed to enable teachers to support 21st century learning through project-based approaches in the classroom.

To commemorate the programme’s 10-year milestone recently, five key drivers of Intel Teach Programme (ITP) from schools and teacher training colleges throughout Malaysia gathered to share their experiences, and to give their insight on using technology in the classroom.

Intel K12 Education Programme Manager and corporate affairs executive Hasnan Hakim said, “ITP is available in almost all teacher training institutions throughout Malaysia, and we have trained about 70,000 teachers to date.”

Savvy teachers: (from left) Liew, Jayanti, Chua Lay Soik, Ooi, IPGM Kampus Pendidikan Islam lecturer Dr Bushro Ali and Hasnan.

As the main objective of the programme is to educate teachers on how and when to use ICT-based approaches in the classroom, ITP constantly revamps its syllabus as technology advances.

IPGM Kampus Bahasa Antarabangsa lecturer Ooi Say Tin, who started using ITP as a trainer from its early days, said, “Technology today is more advanced than 10 years ago, when we did more activity-based learning.

“Today, we incorporate things like blogging in our teaching. We are constantly developing our programmes to keep up with the times.”

A teacher from Kolej Tun Datu Tuanku Haji Bujang in Miri, Liew Tho Lip said that while many teachers were afraid of using technology when it was first introduced to schools, most are now computer-savvy and are excited about the programme and its developments.

“We even have a colloquium where we share ITP methods with the surrounding schools,” he added.

The projects under ITP revolve around real issues faced by students daily, such as turning kitchen waste into compost, and promoting safety awareness among primary school pupils, to name a few.

The Education Ministry’s English Language Teaching Centre lecturer Jayanti Sothinathan said, “Projects like these make learning meaningful because the children are learning through experience and discovery.

“When we put them into teams for the project, the children learn time management skills, self-discipline, and they become self-directed learners.”

Jayanti added that the programme was valuable because it moved away from traditional teacher-centric methods and emphasised students’ curiosity and discovery.

“ITP provides a systematic logical framework to guide the students. We give the students a curriculum as a guide, but it is through the process of finding the answers does the learning really take place,” she said.