Life Again !

Creative or not ?

" I'm not creative like you. I can't do it. "

We born as a creative person. Idea not come if we not thinking !

Try to not give an excuse !

Try to believe !

How Your LIfe?

Think about it . . .

IT NEWS FROM IPTS : INTI's Industry Collaborations Link Students to Latest Resources in ICT

IBM, Cisco and SAP are among INTI’s list of global IT partners providing students with cutting edge technological know-how and professional certification to ensure their high employability upon graduation.

In fulfilling its brand promise to bring industry into the classroom, INTI through synergistic alliances such as MyUniAlliance with SAP and Software Career Training (SCT) with IBM, have enabled its students to gain access to a wealth of resources, technologies, industry best practices and business solutions.

INTI was one of the first educational institutions in Malaysia to participate in MyUniAlliance, an initiative by Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) to upscale and hone the abilities of undergraduates in ICT. A special hosting service is available to INTI’s students to access SAP systems for hands-on learning under a free software license that will provide knowledge of integrated business processes and industry best practices.

“Graduates need to be knowledgeable about Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems which integrate internal and external management information across an entire organization. We are very pleased to be in partnership with SAP, the world’s largest ERP solutions provider, to create educational opportunities and promote innovation among our students,” said Professor Walter Wong, Vice-Chancellor of INTI International University.

Professional certification provides INTI students with additional practical skills and knowledge that will give them a competitive edge over their peers. IBM’s SCT programme offers students a combination of technical knowledge, IBM leading technology, industry best practices and personal professional development in one integrated, career-enhancing learning experience. Graduates will acquire a high quality and recognised Malaysian qualification from INTI as well as an international IBM professional certification which gives them an immediate edge in job interviews and employment.

INTI has also worked alongside Cisco Networking Academy for many years. By incorporating the CCNA and CCNA wireless syllabus into its Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Network & Mobile Computing programme, INTI ensures that students develop the skills to design and manage medium-sized networks. The partnership also presents a pathway to professional certification in CCNP and CCIE.

The INTI curriculum emphasises on all-rounded development of a student’s cognitive and practical skills. Close collaboration with the industry ensures that the curriculum developed is relevant to the market’s needs, and more importantly, focuses on soft skills such as project management, team work, and proposals among others, which are essential skills when entering the work force.

Students of INTI benefit not only from the institution’s over 25 years of experience and strong track-record, but also gain from the global synergy and resources that Laureate International Universities provides. Laureate – the world’s largest private education network – has a presence in 29 countries, with more than 60 accredited universities and 130 campuses, serving more than 675,000 students globally.

KLIUC Improves Internet User Experiences with SANGFOR

Kuala Lumpur Infrastructure University College (KLIUC), the well-known Malaysia tertiary education institution, has improved the Internet accessing experiences for campus users by deploying SANGFOR's IAM solution. IAM's bandwidth management feature based on application guarantees smooth web accessing speed and provide an enjoyable Internet environment for students and staffs.

KLIUC which was established in 1998, is the focus of Kumpulan Ikram's tertiary education activities. Guided by motto of "For Knowledge, For Humanity", KLIUC aim to produce graduates with outstanding technological and management skills, possess high moral values to meet the challenges of Vision 2020 and the K-economy.

Enhanced with up-to-date academic facilities, highly qualified lecturers among whom are industry practitioners, KLIUC strives to ensure high quality education in areas of Engineering, Business and Information Technology. 3 years into the business of education, KLIUC is already recognized for its quality management system achieved through ISO 9001 :2000 certification in December 2000.

By deploying SANGFOR Internet Access Management solution, KLIUC is able to audit the the Internet flow situation through detailed reports. It is identified large amount of P2P download and on-line video stream occupying bandwidth and causing slow Internet accessing speed. Therefore, IAM performs the bandwidth limitation for P2P and on-line media, which make sure enough bandwidth for campus related applications.

UNITEN Grabs Eleven Medals at Malaysia Technology Expo 2010

Another round of applause for UNITEN when 11 out of 14 inventions presented in the recent Malaysia Technology Expo (MTE 2010) secured medals ranging from bronze to gold. UNITEN team, ten inventions from College of Engineering (COE) and four inventions from College of Information Technology (COIT) won three gold medals, three silver medals and five bronze medals. In addition, Dr. Rohayu Che Omar from COE won the Taiwan Invention Product Promotion Association or TIPPA Special Award for her invention entitled “INNOVATIVE MONITORING RATING SYSTEM (IMRS)”. UNITEN was also successful in winning the third prize for the Best Booth Design Award under the Shell Scheme Category. 

Prof. Mashkuri with the UNITEN team at MTE 2010

Prof. Mashkuri and Prof. Ramesh receiving the VIP’s at UNITEN booth after the opening ceremony at PWTC

Malaysia Technology Expo 2010 (MTE 2010), an annual event, jointly-organised by MARS (Malaysian Association of Research Scientists) and PROTEMP Exhibitions Sdn. Bhd., is the largest invention and innovation Expo in Malaysia. Listed as 'Malaysia's Largest Science & Technology Event' in the Malaysian Book of Records in the year 2001, the Malaysia Technology Expo has since grown from strength to strength with 10,500 visitors at MTE 2009. The theme of MTE 2010 "Driving Innovation towards Commercialization" is set to offer a wealth of new ideas, new solutions, and new opportunities in propelling innovation towards business, marketing and industrial growth in the country.

 
Dr. Rohayu in action during the judging

Prof. Hasan Akay (External Examiner for ME Dept., COE) and Prof. Ramesh celebrating UNITEN’s victory at the MTE 2010 award ceremony

MTE 2010 is fully supported by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) as one of their platform to facilitate enhancement in science and technology, R&D, business matching and partnering amongst the public and private sectors. In this year MTE, there were about 500 inventions being showcased from 90 organisations including universities, research institutions, young inventors, corporate sectors and individual as well as inventors from overseas i.e. Singapore, Russia, Spain, Taiwan, Poland, Korea and Croatia.

Quality education for all at Unisel

UNIVERSITI Industri Selangor (Unisel) is the largest state-owned institution of higher learning and has successfully churned out many graduates to fill the employment needs of the state.

When Unisel started in 1999, it only had 200 students, compared to the 11,000-student annual intake in recent years.

With two campuses, one in Shah Alam and the other in Bestari Jaya, Kuala Selangor, Unisel has proven to be an institution able to provide quality education and training to students.

The university provides more than 80 courses in a wide range of fields including engineering, health care, business, communication and media, information technology, language study and biotechnology.

Unisel president and vice-chancellor Datuk Dr Rosti Saruwono said the university’s research and development programmes was currently focusing on biotechnology.

“We have sent a lecturer to Cambridge University in September to conduct further research in this field,” he said, adding that Unisel had collaborated with Cambridge and several other universities in England.

It is also hoping to have more twinning programmes with foreign universities.

Dr Rosti added the purpose for research and development programmes was to produce skilled and competent graduates able to compete in the rapidly changing global market.

He added that Unisel’s research programmes, especially that in biotechnology, was funded by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation and the Selangor government.

Asked if the university focused on any other courses, Dr Rosti said Unisel had introduced primary and pre-school education programmes.

Such courses are very popular among students, he added.

“It is very important to have the right teachers equipped with the right teaching methods to shape young minds,” he added.

Dr Rosti said Unisel designed relevant courses to fit current market needs.

“This way, the graduates will find themselves able to secure employment while industries will not be caught in the problem of being unable to find skilled workers.

“About 60% of the 3,000 graduates this year found employment before graduation day,” said Dr Rosti.

The university, he added, would be introducing a nursing programme in January 2011.

“There is a huge demand for nurses but there are not many institutions offering the course,” said Dr Rosti.

Unisel is also trying to intensify efforts to get more graduates to enrol in its post-graduate programmes.

Dr Rosti said 40 of the 400 lecturers in Unisel were PHD holders

UTAR and Hai-O agree on new technology exploration and student internships

Fri, 27 July 2012 10:49:37 PM

Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) and Hai-O Energy (M) Sdn. Bhd., a subsidiary of Hai-O Enterprise Bhd., formalised their collaboration through two memoranda of understanding at a signing ceremony held at the Bankers' Club in Kuala Lumpur on 23 August 2010 and graced by Dr. Hou Kok Chung, Deputy Minister of Higher Education Malaysia .

The first MoU is for collaborative research into the theory and applications of an innovative heat transfer material proprietary to Hai-O Energy with the objective of expanding the usage of this new and high industrial technology which can help reduce energy consumption and conserve the environment. UTAR President Ir. Professor Dato' Dr. Chuah Hean Teik said that he was impressed by the technological breakthrough and the MoU provided a great opportunity for UTAR researchers to further develop the material with Hai-O Energy. He added that it was important for University researchers to do research for the public good.

Chairman of Hai-O Enterprise Bhd. Tan Sri Osman Cassim said, "It was the opening of a new milestone with the signing of the MoUs with UTAR." He said that by teaming up with UTAR researchers, Hai-O Energy could further develop its High Intensity Heat Transfer Technology to play a significant role in energy saving and heat recovery. He elaborated that the setting up of Hai-O Energy, a technology company with R & D capability, signified Hai-O's expansion and diversification into the field of science and technology.

On the collaboration, Chairman of Hai-O Energy Mr. Tan Kai Hee said that it would provide the opportunity to share knowledge and nurture development of energy-saving products for commercial use. He looked forward to the day when the products would be launched.

The second MoU is on the provision of internships to UTAR students and jobs to UTAR graduates in Hai-O Group. This understanding is a win-win arrangement for both partners as UTAR students and graduates will be provided with more internship and job opportunities while Hai-O Group can secure a ready source of qualified and well-trained employees.

Dr. Hou Kok Chung congratulated both UTAR and Hai-O Energy on the synergistic collaboration and said that the Ministry of Higher Education encouraged such academia-industry collaboration as it could contribute to the nation's progress and development.

The signing ceremony signified the beginning of a stronger relationship between the two partners. Also present at the ceremony were Hai-O Group directors and senior management staff and UTAR senior management staff.

During the question and answer session after the ceremony, Suvit Lee, the inventor of the innovative heat transfer technology and also technical director of Hai-O Energy, briefed those present on the theory and benefits of the technology.

 Exchanging of documents between Prof. Chuah and Tan Kai Hee. Looking on (left to right): Suvit Lee, Dr. Hou Kok Chung and Tan Sri Osman Cassim.

IT NEWS FROM IPTA : UiTM Machang : 6,000 Students Blame Telekom For Internet Breakdown

Machang, Thursday - 6,000 students of University Institute Technology Mara, UITM Machang are in a dilema because cable line to supply the internet to that area was stolen by the culprits.

This accident had occured many many times but nothing much done by Telekom of Malaysia

According to one of the student, who refused to be identified, the most Telekom could do is to install a new cable.

When the new cable was stolen, the student become the victim, they could not complete the assignment given by the lecturers.

"It will take 4 weeks, to resume back the internet services to that area," said one telekom officer.

In the mean time, students had to by broadband by their own pocket money.

Telekom State Manager when contacted, declined his name to be quoted, said that the management of UiTM never made officials complains upon the matter.

UniMAP Collaborates With Huawei Technologies (M) Sdn Bhd

Cyberjaya, June 14, 2012 - Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) expands its cooperation with Huawei Technologies (M) Sdn Bhd in an effort to improve on the information and communication technology available in the university.

On signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), UniMAP was represented by the Vice Chancellor, Brig Gen Dato 'Prof Dr Kamarudin Hussin, while Huawei Technologies (M) Sdn Bhd was represented by Chief Executive Officer, Dai Jing Yue.

The MoU, was held in conjunction with the opening of the Malaysia Global Huawei Training Center (MGTC), was also witnessed by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. Also present were Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia, Chai Xi.

In addition, there are also a few universities that entered into similar agreement as UniMAP. The universities are Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Universiti Multimedia, Universiti Tun Abdul Razak, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Petronas dan Universiti Malaysia Sarawak.

Prof Dr Kamarudin said that UniMAP is glad that Huawei Technologies (M) Sdn Bhd is willing to collaborate with the universities. He added that the collaboration is to provide a relevant curriculum in line with the industry.

"UniMAP has a School of Engineering (PPK) Computer and Communication. I believed that with this cooperation we are able to create an outstanding communication technology teaching laboratory in order to produce graduates with high employability to fit the criteria demanded by the ICT industry” said Prof Dr Kamarudin.

“Huawei Technologies (M) Sdn Bhd is a global technology company that provides telecommunications equipment and the world's leading network by providing solutions and competitive services.”

“Therefore, UniMAP hoped that the cooperation between UniMAP and Huawei in the field of teaching, research as well as the Corporate Social Responsibily (CSR) will be able to help the local community," said Prof Dr Kamarudin.

AKRAB UTHM Anjur Kursus Forensik Digital & Keselamatan IT

Pusat Siber Taman Universiti - 15 September 2011 , Persatuan Rakan Pembimbing Perkhidmatan Awam Malaysia (AKRAB) UTHM buat pertama kalinya telah menganjurkan Kursus Forensik Digital & Keselamatan IT untuk pelajar UTHM. Kursus yang berlangsung selama sehari di Pusat Siber Taman Universiti ini telah disertai oleh 18 orang pelajar yang terdiri daripada pelbagai fakulti. Penceramahnya ialah En Sahizan Sagi dari Unit Audit Dalam UTHM yang merupakan penceramah tunggal kursus Forensik Digital di UTHM. Beliau yang juga merupakan Ketua Unit Publisiti AKRAB berpengalaman 3 tahun dalam menjalankan kursus ini kepada staf UTHM.

Antara objektif utama diadakan kursus ini ialah mempromosikan secara langsung AKRAB kepada pelajar UTHM. Memberikan pendedahan kepada pelajar bidang Forensik Digital yang sedang berkembang di Malaysia. Selain itu memberikan kesedaran kepada pelajar mengenai isu keselamatan IT dan cara menanganinya.

Kursus telah bermula seawal jam 8.30 pagi. Peserta telah diberikan terlebih dahulu modul kursus dan juga pamplet dan buletin AKRAB UTHM yang terkini. Pada sebelah pagi peserta telah diberi ceramah mengenai Forensik Digital dan menjalankan latihan praktikal manakala sebelah petang ceramah mengenai isu Keselamatan IT pula telah diberikan. Sebanyak 5 cabutan bertuah telah diberikan sepanjang kursus. Cabutan bertuah tiket kapal terbang Air Asia ke Kuching Sarawak terpaksa ditangguhkan kerana jumlah peserta belum mencapai sasaran yang telah ditetapkan penganjur.

PTM Held Video Teleconferencing with Harvard University - Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

BANGI, 7 July 2011- UKM Centre of Information Technology (PTM) successfully held a live video teleconferencing between Prof Dr Michael E. Porter from Harvard Business School in Boston with the National Professors Congress (MPN) at Putera World Trade Centre (PWTC ). 

The video teleconference with Dr Porter was held immediately after the live telecast of the Keynote Address by Prime Minister Dato' Sri Mohd Najib. Najib in his key note address stressed the need for professors as icons of knowledge to be guided by good values. 

Prof Porter gave his views on what Malaysia needed to do to propel itself into becoming a high income nation. He said Malaysia needed to concentrate on its strengths and to be more productive in all areas, reduce corruption and accelerate innovations among other things.

Director of PTM Associate Prof Dr. Mohamad Shanudin Zakaria stayed up till 2.00 am the night before to ensure everything went on smoothly for viewers. The live telecast was sponsored by TM net to enable those who were unable to attend the MPN to take part in the Teleconferencing. 

Students, lecturers and UKM staff attended the live teleconferencing in UKM Centre of Information Technology between Harvard University in Boston and MPN congress in PWTC in Kuala Lumpur.

The First 4G Outlet launched in UTM

Skudai, March 11, 2011 – “YES Campus Store”, the first 4G outlet at an institution of higher learning in the country is launched at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia today.

The UTM Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dato’ Ir. Dr. Zaini Ujang said, the initiative to open the said outlet enables the UTM community to get the 4G mobile internet services at an affordable rate.

 The package, Education Partner Program Campus Citizen Plan, facilitates the UTM community to use the 4G network which has been customised with a special package.

The Yes 4G mobile phone is also launched today exclusively for the UTM community.

The YES Campus Store was launched by Dr. Zaini.  Also present was the Executive Director of YTL Communications Sdn Bhd (YTL Comms), Yasmin Mahmood.

Although more than 80 percent of the student residential colleges have been provided with internet coverage through the installation of almost 1,000 wireless hot spots, the 4G broad band services will extend the students’ accessibility to the online learning materials and services.

The facilities enable more than 20 thousand students to utilise the advanced communication and information technology as part of their learning process. The initiative is in tandem with UTM teaching and learning policy which emphasizes the use of e-learning while focusing on the development of soft skills among students.

The expansion of the broad band and internet accessibility will give great impact to the students of UTM as it enables them to obtain the information required particularly in research and development speedily and promptly. Such facilities are most appropriate as many of the learning references and materials are made available through the internet.

In addition the technopreneur program will get the advantage of the services provided by YTL Comms through high speed internet.

:)

 

Great Job Girl !

Big Smile from me :)

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ARTICLES FROM COMPANY : TM continues its efforts to increase ICT literacy among communities

Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) today contributed additional computers to SJK (C) Serendah for its computer lab and honoured excellent students from 4 schools in Serendah and active users of the Serendah Community Broadband Centre (Serendah CBC) in a ceremony held at Serendah CBC in Taman Seri Serendah, Serendah, Hulu Selangor.

TM, mindful of its role in boosting ICT literacy among the students and the local communities, today continues to play the role by giving away 2 computers for the computer lab of SJK (C) Serendah.

The contributions were handed over by YB. Dato’ Seri Utama Dr. Rais Yatim, Minister of Information, Communications and Culture. Also present at the event was Dato’ Kairul Annuar Mohamed Zamzam, Executive Vice President, Government, TM.

The 2 computers to SJK (C) Serendah are in addition to the 3 units of computers that were handed over to the school by YB. Senator Heng Seai Kie, Deputy Minister of Information, Communications and Cultureyesterday. Earlier last night, TM also handed over 2 computers to SJK (C) Khing Ming and 1 computer equipped with broadband Internet connection to Serendah Community Centre in a ceremony held at Sen See Yeh Temple in Serendah.

By providing the school with the computers, TM aims to encourage the younger generation to embrace ICT and be part of the information society by giving them a chance to be exposed to wider usage of the ICT facilities. It is hoped that the students of SJK (C) Serendah can acquire better computer skills while equipping themselves with better IT knowledge. With a three-pronged objective which is to introduce the use of ICT in education, to introduce schools as community centre for ICT knowledge dissemination and to bridge the digital divide, this initiative is yet another testament of TM’s commitment in supporting national aspirations of producing a knowledge community.

At the same event, TM also honoured 11 high-achieving students from 4 primary and secondary schools in Serendah who obtained excellent results in their respective examinations recently. The students were from the following schools:

a) SJK (C) Serendah – 3 UPSR students
b) SK Antara Gapi – 1 UPSR student
c) SK Serendah – 3 UPSR students
d) SMK Serendah – 3 PMR and 1 SPM students 

In recognition of their excellent results, each student received cash incentive of RM300 and TM school bag. The incentive is hoped to serve as an encouragement for them to continue their excellent performance in their future studies.  

In addition, TM also rewarded 6 “Most Active Users” of the Serendah CBC. The 6 individuals, with 2 individuals each under the primary school, secondary school and adults categories were recognised as the most active users of the ICT facilities available at the Serendah CBC. Each active user walked away with a brand new laptop, courtesy of TM. This recognition is hoped to drive even more active usage among the local communities in Serendah for them to fully utilise the facilities at the Serendah CBC. The initiative is also aimed at cultivating a generation of Malaysians who are ICT-literate, will assist in bridging the digital divide.

These initiatives form a part of TM’s larger Corporate Responsibilities (CR) initiative. TM champions a three-pronged CR approach, namely education, community as well as nation building and the environment.

Under the education platform, among the initiatives are the establishment of Multimedia University (MMU) as the first private university in the country. Besides that, Yayasan TM, the social arm of TM, has awarded scholarships worth RM30 million this year to 823 deserving students to pursue their studies at government schools and universities in Malaysia and abroad. Since its inception in 1994, more than 11,000 students have benefited from this scholarship programme which amounted to over RM390 million.

Under the Community and Nation-building platform, TM focuses on enriching the lives of the needy and less fortunate by bridging the digital divide between urban and rural communities and offering donations to welfare homes, charitable organizations and NGOs


Adapted from Telekom Malaysia

Axiata Group Receives 2012 Frost & Sullivan Asia Pacific ICT Award for Best Telecom Group for the Fourth Consecutive Year

Singapore 8 June 2012, Axiata Group Berhad (“Axiata”) has been named „Frost & Sullivan‟s 2012 Asia Pacific ICT Award Best Telecom Group of the Year', for the fourth consecutive year. The Awards seek to recognise the outstanding performance by companies in the Enterprise, Telecom, and Service Provider segments of the Information, Communication and Technology industry.

The prestigious award, one of four of the coveted Best of the Best category, was determined by a high-level and respected panel of telecom experts from all over the world. Award recipients were evaluated based on their revenue growth, market share gains, leadership in new product introduction and innovation, breadth of products and solutions, major customer acquisition, and business and market strategy.

Dato' Sri Jamaludin Ibrahim, President and Chief Executive Officer of Axiata said, "It is indeed a great honour to receive this recognition for the fourth consecutive time, especially given the other very established nominees in the category. 2011 marked another solid year for Axiata and this award is recognition of the Group‟s strong presence and continued success in the region's telecommunications market”.

Serene Chan, Industry Analyst, Mobile and Wireless Asia Pacific ICT Practice, Frost & Sullivan said, “Outstanding performance was noted across a number of areas. In particular, its subsidiaries in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Indonesia achieved strong growth with notable increases in their postpaid subscribers. While expanding its footprint, effective cost management is vigilantly undertaken in consistently maintaining a high EBITA margin. At 43.3% in 2011, the Axiata Group achieved the highest EBITA margin among its peers in the Asia Pacific region. Nevertheless, cost control was never at the expense of continuous development. The management's strategic vision is exemplified through its infrastructural development where 18.5% of its revenue is channeled towards capital investment”.

Axiata's affiliate, Idea Cellular, also took home the Growth Strategy award in recognition of the group's stellar performance in 2011. Idea ended the financial year as the fastest growing Indian mobile operator with a 27% YoY revenue growth, nearly double the industry growth rate.

"The awards reflect the great team that we have with us and due recognition has to be given to all employees of the Group, who once again stepped up their efforts to achieve another year of continued results. I also congratulate all Idea employees. Idea had a fantastic 2011 and the awards are testament to this. I also have to thank our stakeholders, especially the customers, now numbering over 200 million, throughout the region. We will continue to build on our strengths as a pan-Asian carrier, providing the best in telecommunications services across the region," Dato' Sri Jamaludin Ibrahim concluded.

Adapted from Axiata

TM Continues to boost ICT literacy among students and communities

Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) today continues to play its role in boosting ICT literacy among the students and communities with its contributions to Sekolah Kebangsaan Panglima Adnan in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan.

For this cause, TM facilitated the establishment of an IT Corner or “Sudut IT” for the computer lab of SK Panglima Adnan which include upgrading the computers as well as contributing 5 new computers for the school. TM will also be providing Internet connectivity via wireless broadband utilising the existing SchoolNet’s network to enable the students and the teachers to access the Internet and reap its benefits. In addition, GITN Sdn Bhd (GITN), a wholly-owned TM subsidiary that manages SchoolNet for the Ministry of Education, is providing the school with 10 Tutor.com accounts, an online learning portal for students to do online revision to prepare them for examinations.

The IT Corner was launched by YB. Dato’ Seri Utama Dr. Rais Yatim, Minister of Information, Communications and Culture. Also present at the ceremony were Dato’ Jailani Johari, Senior Director, USP, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, Mohd Ali Hanafiah Mohd Yunus, Senior Director, Infrastructure Development Division, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, Dato’ Abdullah Mohammad, Negeri Sembilan Education Director and Saniah Abu Samah, Headmistress of SK Panglima Adnan.

CURRENT ISSUE ABOUT INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY : TM confident of attracting 500 000 SMEs by year end

KUALA LUMPUR: TELEKOM Malaysia Bhd (TM) expects its small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) customers to reach more than half a million by the end of the year as it broadens its ICT solutions business.

TM SME executive vice-president Azizi Hadi said TM had 494,000 SME customers subscribing to a wide range of TM solutions and products as of now.

He said up until May, TM had secured contracts worth RM58 million, of which 90 per cent came from its existing customers upgrading their ICT solution subscription.

Azizi said this after the prize-giving ceremony for the winners of TM's SME BizFest and BizNet 2012 lucky draws at TM headquarters here yesterday.

SME BizFest, which took place in Penang, Johor Baru and the Klang Valley this year, targeted SMEs that required ICT solutions to improve and enhance their businesses.

At the event, SMEs learned a thing or two about how to prepare for future business challenges and how to stay competitive in the market.

SME BizNet, which has taken place at 13 locations nationwide this year, is aimed at educating the customers on ICT solutions and product awareness.

"By targeting the mass market, SME BizNet 2012 served as a platform for SMEs to engage with TM to learn more about ICT offerings that would suit their businesses," said Azizi.

He added that TM was committed to support SME development and growth so as to enable them to achieve a competitive edge.

Among TM's products and offerings are Office in a Box, UniFi, SmartMap, SmartBiz, Marketing Tools and BizApp Store.

"I hope the SMEs can seize on this opportunity to reap as many benefits as they can through the technology made available by TM," said Azizi.

At yesterday's event, 17 lucky draw winners received their prizes, which include Samsung tablets, Ipad 2, netbooks, plasma televisions, an Apple Macbook, a Proton Persona and a GWM Haval H5 SUV worth RM120,000.

Multinational, local ICT firms find PFCC attractive

      Kuala Lumpur : IOI Properties Bhd, a heavyweight property developer in terms of size and profitability, expects its Puchong Financial Corporate Cebtre ( PFCC ) to be one of the most preferred corporate and financial hubs in the Klang Valley.

Multinational and local ICT companies looking for office towers in Puchong are attracted to PFCC as it has been accorded the MSC Malaysia Status and is recognised as a MSC Malaysia Cybercentre.
In a statement issued yesterday, IOI Properties said its subsidiary, Flora Development Sdn Bhd,signed a collaboration agreement with Multimedia Development Corp Sdn Bhd (MDeC) last month for the MSC Malaysia Cybercentre status.

The MSC Malaysia Cybercentre status is a prestigious award given to niche business locations that meet the MSC Malaysia Cybercentre standards and criteria.
The criteria are to provide a world-class physical and information infrastructure and globally competitive telecommunication tariffs to deliver the MSC Malaysia Bill of Guarantees to MSC-status companies.
Currently, there are fewer than ten buildings in the Klang Valley with the MSC status.
PFCC, located at Bandar Puteri Puchong, features a business class hotel and four office towers, where two have been built and the rest are to be completed by mid-2013.

The buildings are equipped with dual electricity source and state-of-the-art information technology features such as a fibre optic backbone to support high-speed broadband Internet access and mobile coverage.
Already PFCC has secured anchor tenants like the Bank Of China, OCBC Bank, Malaysia Building Society Bhd and VADS Business Process Sdn Bhd for the two completed buildings.
Operating from PFCC will allow the companies to substantially reduce their cost of doing business, the statement said.

IOI Properties Bhd, a subsidiary of IOI Group, is one of the largest property developers in Malaysia with a land bank of 2,500ha.

Adapted from News Straits Times, 10 JULY 2012

INTERNATIONAL ICT ARTICLES : Government IT is not just a cost to be managed

IT could be more agile, but so to the relationship between IT and civil service leaders. 

IT projects need to be more agile, but the relationship between IT and civil service leaders also needs work, says Sir Ian Magee. Minister for the Cabinet Office, Francis Maude, today announced that the government will save £70m on IT expenditure after successfully renegotiating a number of contracts and awarding two new ones to SAP and Microsoft.

Efficiency savings are clearly welcome, assuming they materialise, but only seeing IT as a cost to be managed can be dangerous.

The Institute for Government's (IfG) new report, System Upgrade? shows that most progress made by the government IT community over the last year has been in those areas where savings are easily quantified – specifically in contract renegotiations– and where the IT professionals can operate (at least initially) with relative autonomy.

Focus on cost should not come at the expense of innovation or expenditure that actually releases savings elsewhere. Using IT to save public servants and citizens time and money in government transactions – in taxes, benefits, health services and so on – is essential if the coalition is to have any hope of meeting its deficit reduction targets without major adverse impacts on service standards.

It entrepreneurs find surprise success in Kenya's Dadaad refugee camps

Mohammed Bashir Sheik, 22, a self-trained web-designer who lives in Dadaab, contributes to the refugee-published newspaper in the camps

Two decades on, Dadaab is home to many resourceful refugees who feel unable to return to Somalia.  Mohammed Bashir Sheik was four when he arrived at Dadaab refugee camp with his mother and sister 18 years ago. The family, along with tens of thousands of others, had fled the civil war in Somalia, looking for refuge over the border in north-east Kenya. His mother died when he was 14 and he grew up in the care of his sister.

"Survival in the camp was particularly tough after my mother died. The ration of 6kg of maize, 300g of oil and 400g of beans to last each person for 15 days was hardly enough," he recalls.

So far, Sheik's story chimes with the typical picture of a refugee. But that is where it ends. Meet Sheik aged 22. He has never left Dadaab, the world's largest refugee complex, but that has not stopped him learning how to create and host websites, set up a small business and teach others how to use computers.

When he is not out interviewing people for a newspaper produced in the camp, he can usually be found in the Hag youth information and communications technology (ICT) laboratory, in a corner of Ifo2 camp, an extension of Hagadera, one of the three camps that make up the sprawling Dadaab complex.

Innovation in ICT teaching: a Guardian roundtable debate

Experts believe the UK's lack of science graduates is a result of uninspiring ICT lessons in schools.


Last August, Eric Schmidt, the executive chairman of Google, ignited debate among educators, industrialists and policy-makers when he revealed that he was "flabbergasted to learn that, today, computer science isn't even taught as standard in UK schools". He went on: "Your IT curriculum focuses on teaching how to use software, but gives no insight into how it's made. That is just throwing away your great computing heritage."

The reaction to his speech suggested that Schmidt was saying what many were already thinking. In February, the Next Gen report, written by technology industry heavyweights Ian Livingstone and Alex Hope, had argued that the British video gaming and visual effects industry was losing its edge, in part because the ICT curriculum in schools was focused on office skills rather than programming skills. The Royal Society's report, Shut Down or Restart?, published in January this year, described the teaching of computing in schools as "highly unsatisfactory".

In January, spurred on by Schmidt's speech, the Guardian launched the digital literacy campaign in partnership with Google to improve the teaching of ICT. The education secretary, Michael Gove, meanwhile, announced that the current ICT curriculum, which he described as "demotivating and dull", would be replaced by a "flexible curriculum in computer science and programming", the content of which is to be announced in September.

Some of the key issues in improving the teaching of ICT in schools were discussed at a recent debate on digital literacy hosted by the Guardian in association with Google. The debate was held under the Chatham House rule, which allows comments to be reported without attribution, to encourage an open discussion.

Michael Gove to scrap 'boring' IT lessons

The teaching of computer science in school is to be dramatically overhauled, with the existing programme of study scrapped to make way for new lessons designed by industry and universities, Michael Gove will announce on Wednesday.

In a speech, the education secretary will say the existing curriculum in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has left children "bored out of their minds being taught how to use Word and Excel by bored teachers".

Instead he will, in effect, create an "open source" curriculum in computer science by giving schools the freedom to use teaching resources designed with input from leading employers and academics, in changes that will come into effect this September.

The announcement follows pressure from businesses critical of a shortage of computer-literate recruits – a deficit highlighted by a Guardian campaign launched this week.

ICT will remain compulsory and will still be taught at every stage of the curriculum. In a speech to BETT, a trade fair which showcases educational technology, Gove will say Britain should revive the legacy of the mathematician and wartime codebreaker Alan Turing by creating a generation of young people able to work at the forefront of technological change.

ICT lessons in schools are 'highly unsatisfactory

British schools have more computers per pupil than almost every other European country, but our computing lessons are still "highly unsatisfactory", a group of leading scientists has warned. 

The Royal Society, one of the country's most eminent scientific institutions, conducted an 18-month study into the teaching of computing in UK schools.

It found that teachers, academics and the computer science industry were in agreement that British schools had "lost their way" in teaching the subject. Schools are failing to expose pupils to the "interest, excitement and creativity that even a modest mastery of the subject offers", the study argues.

The shortcomings of computing classes –also known as Information and Communications Technology (ICT) lessons – have come under intense scrutiny over the last few months.

On Wednesday, Michael Gove, the education secretary, announced that the teaching of computer science was to be dramatically overhauled, with the existing programme of study scrapped to make way for new lessons designed by industry and universities.