WHILE students generally consult an education counsellor when choosing their university programmes, not many know that students can also speak with faculty members to understand what they will be studying and experiencing in their tertiary education.
“If your child is not sure of what they want to study, the best advice is to talk to faculty members at universities. Don’t stop at the academicians from the Foundation level, go ahead and speak to those from the Bachelor’s degree too.
“This will give you an idea of the kind of people you will be around and it will help in the decision-making process,” says University of Cyberjaya Faculty of Psychology and Social Sciences dean Assoc Prof Dr Anasuya Jegathevi Jegathesan.
Recognising the importance to bridge the gap between SPM leavers and faculty members at university level, University of Cyberjaya is organising Faculty Talks presented by its distinguished academicians on campus at its Open Day that will elaborate on the programmes in detail.
Dr Shairyzah Ahmad Hisham, the deputy dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy Academic Affairs, will speak about the university’s pharmacy programme, which gives students access to community pharmacies and the pharmaceutical industry during their studies.
The established Faculty of Pharmacy also thrives on research with prominent pharmaceutical researchers including Assistant Prof Dr Liew Kai Bin, a research academician spearheading the pharmaceutical technology and industry department.
Dr Liew recently secured a Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) award of RM144,300 from the Ministry of Higher Education for his research on discovering the anticancer property of Luteolin, originally a natural compound found in plants such as of the species Reseda luteola.
Also part of the Faculty Talk is Faculty of Safety and Health dean Assistant Prof Rosli Abdul Rahman, who will speak on occupational safety and health programmes. The university prides itself for having programmes under this faculty accredited by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health, Malaysia (DOSH) and the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, UK (IOSH).
“Never before have the role of health and safety officers been more than what it is now and the demand for good practitioners will continue in years to come. We believe that the care and dedication we have placed in our students will ensure that those demands not only meet, but exceed the expectations of employers,” says Rosli.
SPM leavers keen on biomedical engineering technology may be interested in a session carried out by the biomedical engineering technology programme coordinator, Dr Nor Kamalia Zahari, who will speak on ‘The Way Forward for Biomedical Engineering Technology Graduates’.
The faculty recently received several units of ANET A8 V2 3-D printers to help biomedical engineering technology students with research and application.
“I believe our students will be excited to use the printers and will definitely benefit and have a better understanding of the design process, as they will now get a hands-on experience from conception to creation,” said Dr Nor Kamalia.
Coupled with a strong curriculum in engineering, medical, science, mathematics and humanities, graduates are guaranteed to advance in both engineering and medical disciplines.
University of Cyberjaya’s Open Day also features a Faculty Talk on its Physiotherapy programme presented by physiotherapy programme coordinator Dina Adam.
Aside from a curriculum based on recommendations from the World Confederation Physical Therapy (WCPT), students will also have a pathway to postgraduate studies with its latest Master of Physiotherapy programme, which allows specialisms in either musculoskeletal or neurological physiotherapy.
“Studying physiotherapy provides students with the knowledge and practical skills at the classroom as well as at their clinical placement. Physiotherapy plays a major role in improving a patient’s life for them to get back to their daily routine, have better wellbeing and quality of life,” says Dina.
Aside from getting to meet Dina, parents and students may also tour the campus to check out the various facilities available for physiotherapy students, including the purpose-built physiotherapy lab/gym and well-equipped rehabilitation rooms that create a hospital-like environment.
All Faculty Talks will feature a question-and-answer session. For those unable to attend physically, University of Cyberjaya will also be hosting these talks live on its Facebook and YouTube pages. Those watching may pose questions via the PigeonHole platform where presenters are able to answer simultaneously.
Grab this opportunity to meet the academicians of your career choice. Register and attend University of Cyberjaya’s Open Day on Sept 17 and 18.
Find out more about the university’s October intake, programmes and scholarships at cyberjaya.edu.my/openday or message its education counsellors via WhatsApp at 011-1112 3344 or email studywithus@cyberjaya.edu.my.