MMU is focused on bringing in the latest approaches and technologies to better prepare students for the industry upon graduation, says Prof Mazliham. — LOW LAY PHON/The Star
IN a fast-evolving world, students now, more than ever, need to equip themselves with not only academic knowledge, but also skills, experience and an all-round character that can give them an edge upon graduation.
With its vision to transform society with innovation, Multimedia University (MMU) has made great strides in shaping the future of its students.
As a testament to its continuous pursuit of excellence in education, the university recently received the platinum award at the 2023 Putra Brand Awards for the Education and Learning category.
MMU president and chief executive officer Prof Datuk Dr Mazliham Mohd Su’ud said the award represents a significant milestone.
“The platinum award signifies more than just academic excellence. It serves as tangible evidence of MMU’s ongoing dedication to exceeding the expectations of its stakeholders.
“From students and alumni to industry partners and the wider community, MMU remains committed to delivering exceptional educational experiences that not only meet, but also surpass the evolving needs of its diverse audience,” he said.
New philosophy
Central to MMU’s multi-pronged strategies to futureproof its students is its approach to integrating research and innovation into its ecosystem.
With its new philosophy of becoming a research-led, industry-driven university, Prof Mazliham said MMU is focused on bringing in the latest approaches and technologies to better prepare students for the industry upon graduation.
“This university was built to ensure our students are trained on the latest technologies in the digital era. What we are doing now is to enhance this.
“We are enhancing our artificial intelligence (AI) and creative multimedia programmes, and injecting new technologies into our curriculum,” he said.
In addition, the dynamic ecosystem in the university fosters collaboration, creativity and entrepreneurship.
Cognisant of the symbiotic relationship between academia and industry in driving technological progress, the university – the tertiary education arm of Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) – recently welcomed the integration of TM’s full-fledged research and innovation company as the university’s subsidiary and research arm, with the aim of enhancing its research culture.
“This research company serves as the focal point for all our research activities.
“It facilitates collaborations between researchers from both MMU and the research entity, as well as industry partners and other stakeholders, enabling us to propose research that can solve real-world problems, especially in the digital domain,” he said.
He added that MMU has also established six research centres of excellence, each focusing on cutting-edge areas.
The university has also formed numerous partnerships with industry players to prepare students for the real work environment.
“Through strategic partnerships and the acquisition of research grants, we are able to pursue innovative projects that have a tangible impact on society.
“We established industry-on-campus labs in collaboration with partners such as ZTE, Agmo, Astro, CIMB-CGS, and Huawei, providing students with hands-on experience and exposure to real-world industry practices,” he said.
Cadetships and character-building
While industry-academia collaborations and internship programmes are common in higher education, MMU takes a step further and presents its own development of industrial cadetship (iCadet) and entrepreneurial cadetship (eCadet) programmes.
According to Prof Mazliham, the iCadet Programme goes beyond traditional internship programmes.
Students starting from their second year will be attached to a company, observing the company culture to get them familiarised with the working environment; at the same time, they will also observe issues that they might propose the solutions for.
“It immerses students in industry settings through talks, company visits, and the innovative iFYP (Final Year Project), where students collaborate directly with industries on research projects. This unique approach ensures MMU graduates are not just academically prepared but industry-ready from day one,” he said.
He added that MMU is pioneering eCadet to nurture an entrepreneurial spirit among its graduates.
MMU students at an iCadet fair, which showcases activities they conducted in the companies they are attached to.
“Through entrepreneurship bootcamps and on-campus businesses, students receive hands-on training and mentorship to kickstart their entrepreneurial journeys,” he said.
Character-building is also part of the process of getting students ready for industry.
Prior to their industry training, students starting their first year at MMU are in for personal development through three compulsory non-exam modules – character-building; environmental, social and governance (ESG); and integrity.
“In the character-building module, they can choose whether to build character through cultural, sports, entrepreneurship and uniform bodies. If they choose to join the cultural track, they have a few options, such as dancing and theatre. At the end of the semester, the students will stage a performance with different roles such as performing, stage managing, directing and promoting the event.
“We want to make sure that our students have the character to communicate, work in a team, and be more resilient in a VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous) world,” he said.
“In the second trimester, students will join the ESG programme where they will attend classes and activities, especially corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities. We want to encourage them to serve the community.
“In the third trimester, we teach them how to be a person with a very high integrity value,” he shared.
Holistic experience
While empowering students in research, industry and character-building activities, the university is committed to ensuring academic excellence.
Prof Mazliham affirmed that MMU upholds rigorous standards of quality and excellence in its academic programmes through a comprehensive approach.
“We maintain a robust internal quality assurance system, which involves regular programme reviews conducted by faculty members and academic leaders. These reviews ensure that academic programmes align with industry needs, adhere to international best practices, and meet accreditation standards set by relevant professional bodies.
“Additionally, we actively engage in continuous improvement initiatives, leveraging feedback from stakeholders, including students, alumni, employers and industry partners, to enhance our programme quality and relevance,” he said.
He added that MMU fosters a culture of academic excellence through faculty development programmes, and research-led teaching and learning approaches that promote critical thinking, creativity and lifelong learning.
To enrich student learning and experience, the university has also undergone a significant transformation in its campus lifestyle.
Last year, MMU implemented several initiatives aimed at creating a dynamic and conducive environment for its students.
These initiatives include the introduction of HyFlex and HySpace digital teaching spaces, which blend traditional classroom learning with online instruction, offering students greater flexibility and accessibility to educational resources.
“Furthermore, we revamped the campus dining experience with the introduction of the MMU Starbees food complex and the integration of He & She Coffee Café into the Siti Hasmah Digital Library, offering students convenient access to quality food and beverages,” said Prof Mazliham.
He added that MMU prioritises student well-being by organising various lifestyle programmes and activities aimed at promoting physical and mental health.
“Through these initiatives, MMU is fostering a vibrant and inclusive campus community where students can thrive academically, professionally and personally,” he said.
He also said students can benefit from a unique multiracial setting in the university campuses.
“This reflects the real environment when you go out and work. We try to make sure students are exposed to multiracial relations,” he said.
March intake
MMU’s March 2024 intake is currently open for applications, covering foundation, bachelor’s, master’s and PhD programmes in these six domains: business, management and accounting, information technology and computer science, engineering, strategic communication, and creative multimedia and cinematics arts – with its law programme open for applications in October every year.
Classes for the March intake are scheduled to commence on March 25.
To ensure a smooth transition into university life, MMU’s orientation programme, known as WIN (Week of Immersion and Networking), is scheduled to take place from March 16 to 21.
This event provides new students with insights, resources and opportunities to familiarise themselves with MMU’s campus, culture and academic expectations.
Prospective students have until April 3 to submit their applications for the March intake.
For those who are unable to attend the physical orientation, the second batch of the intake orientation is scheduled for April 4 and will be conducted virtually.
Established in 1996, MMU, with its tagline of “MMU is You Leading the Digital Future”, currently has more than 16,000 students, including 1,400 students from 70 countries, in its campuses in Cyberjaya and Melaka, and has produced more than 70,000 graduates since its inception.
For more information on MMU, visit www.mmu.edu.my.
