USM Campus News

JANGAN KORBANKAN SASARAN - Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam

2011-12-30T20:30:00.004+08:00

by TAN SRI RAMON NAVARATNAM, Chairman, ASLI Center of Public Policy Studies.

Berikut adalah terjemahan dari tulisan asal Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam yang boleh dibaca di sini.

Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam (JPA) dan Cuepacs patut di beri sekalung tahniah kerana dapat bersetuju dengan satu perjanjian secara segera selepas di desak oleh Perdana Menteri agar kedua-dua pihak bersemuka untuk menyelesaikan permasalahan mengenai skim SBPA yang telah dimuktamadkan oleh JPA baru-baru ini.

Ia telah menjadikannya satu hadiah kepada seramai 1.4juta penjawat awam, yang kita harap dapat memanfaatkan rakyat dan negara amnya.

Orang ramai, sebagaimana Cuepacs dan kerajaan, akan secara amnya merasa lega diatas persetujuan ini yang berjaya diselesaikan diakhir-akhir tahun ini.

Bagaimanapun, ada beberapa kerisauan umum iaitu mengenai perubahan kepada “on the spot amendments” yang dibuat secara rundingan tergesa-gesa sepatutnya tidak diambil kira memandangkan harga atau perbelanjaan yang begitu tinggi yang dibayar, untuk meningkatkan keberkesanan Skim Baru Perkhidmatan Awam (SBPA).

Pertama, peningkatan yang ketara untuk SBPA sebenarnya konsesi yang dibuat kepada Cuepacs, untuk mengurangkan markah Penilaian Prestasi Laporan Tahunan, daripada 75% kepada 65%, kenaikan gaji.

Ini bermakna bahawa JPA telah MENGORbankan prestasi sasaran untuk memudahkan kakitangan awam layak mendapat kenaikan gaji.

Orang ramai secara sah akan bertanya sama ada penurunan standard prestasi ini mewajarkan perbelanjaan cukai yang lebih tinggi, lebih-lebih lagi apabila Kerajaan ini telah berjanji untuk memotong berkembang defisit bajet?

Kedua, satu lagi konsesi utama yang diberikan kepada Cuepacs adalah untuk mengurangkan tanda-tanda untuk Dasar Keluar (iaitu meninggalkan perkhidmatan kepada ketidakcekapan), dari 70% kepada 60%.

Tempoh prestasi yang lemah juga kini diperluaskan kepada 12 bulan daripada enam bulan yang dicadangkan.

Persoalannya adalah mengapa kita perlu bertolak ansur dengan prestasi yang lemah pada 60% dan selama satu tahun? Satu tahun rakyat awam akan berdepan dengan ketidakcekapan ini.

Walau bagaimanapun, perjanjian untuk mengadakan rundingan bersama tiap-tiap tiga bulan patut dipuji.

Ini akan membolehkan lebih banyak peluang untuk menggalakkan Cuepacs akan datang dengan cara dan kaedah meningkatkan taraf kualiti dalam perkhidmatan awam, dan bukannya memberi tumpuan terutamanya kepada kenaikan gaji.

Perundingan ini tambahan perlu meningkatkan hubungan majikan / pekerja sektor awam dan pemahaman tentang tadbir urus yang baik dan diharap dapat mengurangkan pembaziran kewangan dan rasuah?

Adalah diharapkan bahawa semasa perundingan suku tahun ini, Kerajaan akan juga mengajar pemimpin-pemimpin Cuepacs mengenai prestasi ekonomi negara dan bajet.

Ini pendekatan perundingan yang lebih luas akan membantu untuk meningkatkan penghargaan Cuepacs bahawa lebih banyak konsesi dan subsidi, LANGSUNG tidak akan membantu kita mencapai matlamat Wawasan 2020 kita.

Cuepacs mesti sedar iaitu kecuali produktiviti dan kecekapan mereka memperbaiki itu adalah lebih daripada kenaikan kos peningkatan gaji, yang dalam banyak bidang melebihi pekerja di sektor swasta, belanjawan kita akan dibebani dengan defisit yang lebih besar dan kita akan lebih banyak berhutang.

Kemajuan dan kemampanan ekonomi kita mesti dilindungi, seperti juga keselamatan dan pertahanan kita, dengan apa kos sekalipun.

Bagaimanapun kita ucapkan tahniah kepada Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam dan Ceupacs diatas kejayaan ini sebelum kita menyambut tahun baru.

78 skim perkhidmatan dibawah SSM yang dijumudkan dibawah SBPA

2011-12-21T19:28:00.001+08:00

Faktor

•fungsi tidak relevan

•fungsi boleh diambil alih

•fungsi boleh diswastakan/ diasingkan saraan/ dialih daya (outsource)

• Perkhidmatan jumud ialah perkhidmatan yang tidak lagi diperlukan (obsolete) dan semua pelantikan baru diberhentikan. Ia dikekalkan khusus bagi menampung penyandang sedia ada dan jawatan jumud akan dimansuhkan apabila penyandang bersara atau meninggalkan perkhidmatan.

• Di bawah SBPA – terdapat 78 skim perkhidmatan dijumudkan. Penyandang yang bersetuju menerima SBPA akan ditukar lantik kepada skim perkhidmatan SBPA manakala penyandang yang menolak SBPA akan dikekalkan secara KUP dalam skim perkhidmatan beliau manakala jawatan penyandang akan ditukar kepada jawatan SBPA.

• Terdapat 97 skim perkhidmatan yang telah dijumudkan semasa JKK, SSB dan SSM yang masih mempunyai penyandang (3,352 orang).

Berikut adalah senarai 78 skim perkhidmatan dibawah SSM

yang dijumudkan dibawah SBPA

1.	Pembantu Kawalan Trafik Udara
2.	Pemandu Lokomotif Sabah
3.	Pereka
4.	Pegawai Kebudayaan
5.	Ahli Fotografi
6.	Jurusolek
7.	Pegawai Galian
8.	Pegawai Kimia Bumi
9.	Pegawai Kaji Bumi (Geofizik/Kaji Bumi)
10.	Penolong Pegawai Galian
11.	Penolong Pegawai Kimia Bumi

12.	Pembantu Galian
13.	Pembantu Kaji Bumi
14.	Pegawai Makmal Filem
15.	Penolong Pegawai Makmal Filem
16.	Pembantu Makmal Filem
17.	Pegawai Perkhidmatan Pendidikan Siswazah
18.	Pegawai Perkhidmatan Pendidikan Lepasan Diploma
19.	Pensyarah Perubatan
20.	Pensyarah Pergigian
21.	Pembantu Pegawai Latihan Vokasional/ Penolong Pegawai Latihan Vokasional/ Pegawai Latihan Vokasional
22.	Pengajar Kraf

23.	Pembantu Pertanian
24.	Pembantu Veterinar
25.	Renjer Hutan
26.	Pengajar Membalak
27.	Pengawas Hutan
28.	Pembantu Hidupan Liar
29.	Pembantu Hidupan Liar Rendah
30.	Tukang K1
31.	Tukang K2
32.	Tukang K3
33.	Pemandu/ Operator Jentera Pemunggah

34.	Operator Loji
35.	Pekerja Awam Khas
36.	Pekerja Awam
37.	Penyelamat
38.	Pelukis Pelan
39.	Juruteknik Landskap
40.	Juruteknik
41.	Juruteknik Ukur
42.	Juruteknik Perancang Bandar dan Desa
43.	Pembantu Pemeriksa Kilang dan Jentera
44.	Penguasa Bekalan Air
45.	MerinyuTali Air

Bil.

46.	Pegawai Perhubungan Preman
47.	Penyelia Jeti
48.	Penghantar Notis
49.	Pembantu Kamera/Pemandu
50.	Pemandu Kenderaan
51.	Pembantu Am Pejabat
52.	Pengurus Stesen
53.	Penyelia Jurupakaian
54.	Peniup Kaca
55.	Pegawai Khidmat Pelanggan
56.	Pengawas Pemulihan

Bil.

57.	Pegawai Penerbitan
58.	Penolong Pegawai Penerbitan
59.	Pembantu Penerbitan
60.	Operator Kamera Offset/ Pembuat Plat
61.	Penolong Operator Kamera
62.	Penolong Pegawai Penyelidik Sosial
63.	Pembantu Penyelidik Sosial
64.	Pengurus Asrama
65.	Penolong Pengurus Asrama
66.	Penyelia Asrama

67.	Penolong Pegawai Tadbir Tanah
68.	Pembantu Tadbir Tanah
69.	Pegawai Pemeriksa Paten
70.	Pemandu Enjin (Keretapi Bukit Bendera)
71.	Pembantu Pemuliharaan
72.	Jurulatih Kawad
73.	Pembantu Wartawan/Wartawan
74.	Atendan Kesihatan
75.	Penolong Pegawai Penaksir
76.	Pegawai Aktuari
77.	Pegawai Angkatan Tetap, Angkatan Tentera Malaysia
78.	Askar Laskar Angkatan Tetap, Angkatan Tentera Malaysia

Youtube Access in USM to close on 30 December 2011

2011-11-21T09:11:00.000+08:00

Hey guys USM net surfers,

If you want to watch Youtube in USM main campus, better do that before the end of the year, because the PPKT is flip-flopping again.

Makluman Pembukaan Capaian Laman Youtube - Kampus Induk Saja
Pentadbir Emel

Sent:	Sunday, November 20, 2011 2:53 PM
To:	allUsers-Administrative; admin@nav6.usm.my; allstaff@amdi.usm.edu.my; alluser-eng; allusers-academician; lecturer@nav6.usm.my; math_staff@cs.usm.my; Pentadbir Emel; staff@cs.usm.my

Kepada Semua Pengguna,

Pusat Pengetahuan Komunikasi & Teknologi (PPKT) telah membuka capaian ke Laman Youtube dari 27 September 2011 kepada semua pengguna di kampus Induk SAHAJA dan akan ditutup kembali pada 30 Disember 2011.

Tindakan ini adalah untuk menilai implikasi sebenar pembukaan Laman Youtube ke atas kapasiti Bandwidth Jalur Lebar sedia ada dan prestasi capaian ke Internet secara amnya di sepanjang tempoh ini.

Sekian, Harap Maklum

A Call for Organ Transplant Donation

2011-10-20T13:17:00.000+08:00

Malaysians, do you know that…..

1. There are as many as 14,037 Malaysians are waiting for organ? Majority of them are kidney patients.

2. From 1975 until September 2011, the number of deceased donors (donation after death) in Malaysia is only 342?

3. In 2011 (until September 2011), Malaysia has recorded 33 deceased donors?

Let’s think about it…..

This message is brought to you by the Ministry of Health Malaysia, in conjunction with the National Organ Donation Awareness Week 2011, 16 - 24 October.

Pledge now as organ donor and please inform your family.

To know more please log on to Malaysian Society of Transplantation or www.agiftoflife.gov.my or www.facebook.com/agiftoflife or call us 1-800-88-9080.

USM to set up ombudsman

2011-08-12T12:58:00.000+08:00

USM to set up ombudsman

2011/08/11
By Yiswaree Palansamy
yiswaree@nst.com.my

om·buds·man/ˈämbədzmən/
Noun: An official appointed to investigate individuals' complaints against maladministration, esp. that of public authorities

GEORGE TOWN: University Sains Malaysia (USM) will establish an ombudsman office to provide a platform for its academic staff and undergraduates to voice out their dissatisfactions on various issues in the university.

The office will also oversee the safety of whistleblowers who reveal information about issues or academic personnel's involved in unlawful activities which are deemed an offence under USM's law and constitution.

USM Vice-Chancellor Professor Tan Sri Dzulkifli Abdul Razak (pic above) said the setting up of the ombudsman office would be a milestone in democratic practice at the university.

Meanwhile, USM senior deputy legal adviser Khairul Anuar Che Azmi (pic right) said ombudsman officers will be selected from among the university's high-ranking academic and non-academic fraternity.

The ombudsman office will be established by the end of this year and will be in accordance with Section 15 of the University Sains Malaysia Constitution.

The formation of the ombudsman office will add another feather to USM's hat, which is also the country's first and only Apex status accreditted university.

Khairul said the concept of having an ombudsman office within a university was still a novel idea, especially when it came to Asian universities.

"However, it is a very valuable inception in a university's administration," he said when met at USM's first ever senate members election day at the university yesterday.

The election is the first of its kind, after USM gazetted its new constitution in July.

USM is believed to be the first university in the country to select senate members via balloting.

Earlier, Dzulkifli said the formation of the senate marks the beginning of an autonomous driven governance in USM, as the senate will be overseeing policy and academic courses development matters.

He said they were also looking at having an undergraduate in the senate, to enable all quarters to have a representative.

The senate election, will take place once in every three years.

Yesterday's election took place simultaneously at all of USM's campuses including the Health Sciences campus in Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Advanced Medical and Dental Institution in Kepala Batas and the it's engineering campus in Kepala Batas.

A total of 195 candidates will be elected into the Senate and will see votes being cast by 576 voters comprising USM's academic fraternity, namely professors, full-time associate professors and visiting professors.

Koperasi USM Berhad was ranked 37th but I couldn't find it in the list

2011-08-03T12:59:00.003+08:00

This was the letter I replied to the the Pentadbir Email of usm.my et.al, but the mail couldn't get through. I guess this new usm.my mail system is depriving us users of access to others through the only means we can get their response. Do check the link, but I couldn't find Koperasi USM there. Okay, even if this is a mistake by any party, this new mail system isn't very friendly and interactive, which is the gist of this blog post.

To:

Pentadbir Emel; allUsers-Administrative; admin@nav6.usm.my; allstaff@amdi.usm.edu.my; alluser-eng; allusers-academician; lecturer@nav6.usm.my; staff@cs.usm.my

Tahniah kpd Koperasi USM Berhad.

soalan: saya dok cari dalam senarai ni: http://skm.gov.my/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=12defec7-aa26-401c-ad0a-af678d35ce1e&groupId=68551
tapi tak jumpa pun nama koperasi USM Berhad?
________________________________________
From: Pentadbir Emel
Sent: Monday, August 01, 2011 2:55 PM
To: allUsers-Administrative; admin@nav6.usm.my; allstaff@amdi.usm.edu.my; alluser-eng; allusers-academician; lecturer@nav6.usm.my; Pentadbir Emel; staff@cs.usm.my
Subject: Koperasi Universiti Sains Malaysia Berhad

HEBAHAN KEPADA SEMUA KAMPUS USM

Y. Bhg. Tan Sri, Puan Sri, Dato’/Datin, Tuan/Puan,

Lembaga Pengarah dan Staf Koperasi Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Berhad dengan penuh takzimnya ingin merakamkan setinggi-tinggi penghargaan dan terima kasih khususnya kepada Naib Canselor USM, Y.Bhg. Profesor Tan Sri Dato’ Dzulkifli Abdul Razak dan amnya, ahli-ahli Koperasi USM Berhad dan seluruh warga kampus di atas sokongan jitu dan kerjasama erat yang diperpanjangkan; sehingga meletakkan Koperasi Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Berhad tersenarai di tempat ke-37 dalam Indeks 100 Koperasi Terbaik Malaysia seperti yang diumumkan Suruhanjaya Koperasi Malaysia (SKM) baru-baru ini.

Koperasi USM Berhad sentiasa memberi penekanan untuk menjalankan tadbir urus terbaik dalam aspek-aspek pengurusan termasuk kewangan, pelaburan, inovasi dan dari situ juga kita mahu pihak luar menilai usaha yang kita jalankan untuk penambahbaikan. Koperasi juga akan menumpukan kepada faktor sumber manusia kerana manusia adalah indikator utama dalam menentukan perkembangan sesebuah perniagaan selain dari aspek lain seperti aset, kewangan, logistik pelaburan dan sebagainya,

Kejayaan ini menjadi penyuntik semangat kepada pihak pengurusan Koperasi USM Berhad dan warga kampus untuk terus meningkatkan kejayaan dan mengharumkan nama universiti.

Sekian, terima kasih dan Selamat Berpuasa,

Prof. Madya Mohamad Suhaimi Jaafar
Pengerusi Lembaga Pengarah Koperasi USM Berhad

Madu lebah penawar ulser diabetes

2011-07-14T10:49:00.000+08:00

Oleh HAPIZAH AZIZ

utusankelantan@utusan.com.my

MAFAUZY Mohamed (kanan) menunjukkan contoh ternakan madu lebah di kawasan persekitaran USM Kampus Kesihatan, Kubang Kerian, Kota Bharu, baru-baru ini. - UTUSAN/HAPIZAH AZIZ

Kota Bharu 12 Julai - Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Kampus Kesihatan mempelopori penggunaan madu lebah bagi merawat ulser diabetes dan mengurangkan masalah inflamasi pada mukosa mulut pesakit kanser nasofarign yang menjalani rawatan radiasi di Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM).

Penyelidikan melibatkan madu lebah untuk kedua penyakit tersebut telah dijalankan oleh pakar perubatan hospital berkenaan kira-kira 20 tahun lalu.

Kini, kajian tersebut diteruskan dengan kerjasama Lembaga Pemasaran Pertanian Persekutuan (FAMA) yang menyumbangkan madu lebah tualang dan gelam bermula tahun 2005.

Berikutan USM dianugerahkan status universiti penyelidikan oleh Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi pada tahun 2005, sekumpulan pakar perubatan mengambil peluang memulakan penyelidikan melibat madu tempatan.

Projek penyelidikan pertama bertajuk Keberkesanan Pengambilan Madu Terhadap Gejala Pernafasan di Kalangan Jemaah Haji Malaysia berjaya dijalankan dan ia merupakan antara 46 penyelidikan madu yang telah dan sedang dijalankan di USM Kampus Kesihatan.

Pengarah Kampus USM Kampus Kesihatan, Prof. Datuk Dr. Mafauzy Mohamed berkata, sebanyak RM2 juta Geran Penyelidikan Universiti dianugerahkan kepada pensyarah bagi menjalankan penyelidikan madu lebah tualang tersebut.

Menurutnya,di samping menjalankan kajian keberkesanan penggunaan madu untuk pelbagai jenis penyakit, penyelidikan tersebut turut membantu meningkatkan pengetahuan masyarakat mengenai khasiat perubatan madu tempatan secara saintifik.

''Pengetahuan yang diperoleh menyebabkan pasaran madu tualang kini meningkat sekali gus memberi pendapatan lumayan kepada pencari lebah dan penternak terlibat," katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian semasa berucap di Majlis Menandatangani Perjanjian Persefahaman antara USM Kampus Kesihatan dan Universitas Hasanuddin Makasar serta Syarikat Aifa Health Sdn. Bhd. di Kubang Kerian di sini, baru-baru ini.

Universiti Hasanuddin Makasar diwakili oleh Pembantu Rektor, D.A Suriamiharja, manakala Syarikat Aifa Health Sdn. Bhd. oleh Ketua Eksekutifnya, Aisan Fadhli Ab. Halim.

Mafauzy menambah, kajian yang dilakukan itu juga berbentuk serampang dua mata, di samping mengkaji khasiat madu lebah, usaha itu juga membantu meningkatkan taraf hidup pencari lebah yang rata-ratanya daripada golongan bottom bilion.

USM katanya, prihatin dengan nasib golongan berkenaan dan mendapati hasil kajian membolehkan mereka meningkatkan pengetahuan serta mempromosikan madu lebah yang dicari seterusnya menjadikan ia sebagai sumber pekerjaan.

'Harga madu di pasaran juga meningkat dan menjadi pilihan ramai sebagai makanan kesihatan untuk semua peringkat masyarakat," katanya.

Tambahan pula, katanya, hasil penyelidikan melibatkan herba, madu dikenalpasti berpotensi menurunkan paras gula dalam darah serta meningkatkan kesihatan fizikal .

Katanya lagi, sehubungan itu pensyarah dan penyelidikan di Kampus Kesihatan digalakkan mendapatkan geran penyelidikan dari sumber luar untuk mempelbagaikan penyelidikan mereka dalam meningkatkan kualiti.

''Selain madu lebah, USM turut meluluskan geran di bawah Bahagian Jaringan Industri dan Masyarakat berjumlah RM50,000 bagi projek ternakan madu lebah kelulut.

''Setakat ini usaha membangunkan produk madu lebah kelulut bagi kegunaan merawat penyakit dan pemakanan kesihatan telah dimulakan," katanya.

Dr. Mafauzy menambah, pihaknya juga mengalu-alukan perjanjian persefahaman yang diadakan dengan Universiti Hasanuddin Makasar dalam kajian melibatkan madu lebah serta pembangunan produknya.

Beliau berharap, kerjasama itu mampu menghasilkan suatu modul perawatan yang komprehensif dan dapat ditawarkan kepada pengamal perubatan tempatan dan global.

''Begitu juga, gabungan kerjasama dengan Syarikat Aifa Health Sdn. Bhd. yang secara prinsipnya bersetuju menyumbangkan sejumlah dana untuk mengadakan sebuah Makmal Efikasi Pre-Klinik dalam menjalankan kajian berkaitan," katanya.

Beliau turut melahirkan rasa bangga dengan perhatian ahli akademik, pelajar dan warga USM Kampus Kesihatan yang sensitif dengan keperluan masyarakat dalam membangunkan perubatan tradisional dan komplementari berasaskan madu.

Katanya, kajian berasaskan saintifik itu mampu diintegrasikan dalam sistem perubatan yang sedia ada dan usaha tersebut dapat dilihat sebagai salah satu daripada strategi Blue Ocean yang tidak memerlukan USM bersaing dengan institusi pengajian tinggi yang lain.

Measuring Online Influence with Klout.com

2011-06-24T09:18:00.000+08:00

Klout Comes to Facebook Fan Pages

June 22nd, 2011 by Megan Berry
Today, we’re proud to announce that we’re partnering with Involver to allow brands to provide customized experiences to their Facebook fans based on Klout Scores. Besides the number of fans, brands know surprisingly little about who those people are, their potential reach, and have little ability to message them individually. Now, with this partnership, brands can choose to give different offers, promotions, or messaging to fans based on their Klout. We’re excited to have Audi on board as our first partner on their Audi USA fan page.

Read the full press release below:

Klout Comes to Facebook: Brands and Agencies Can Now Engage Facebook Fans Based on Klout Scores
Involver App, built in SML™, allows brands and agencies to customize engagement, promotions, and offers to reward influential fans

SAN FRANCISCO – June 22, 2011 – Involver Inc., the web’s most trusted social marketing platform, and Klout, the standard for influence across the social web, today bring Klout to Facebook, giving brands a new way to engage with their most influential fans, and rewarding consumers based on their influence, as measured by Klout. Facebook has been largely devoid of the ability to filter how brands focus their attention. This integration marks the first time brands can engage with their fans on Facebook using the Klout scoring system.

Audi USA, the brand with the most actively engaged Facebook fans, has deployed the new Klout app to engage with its nearly 4 milion fans in a more customized and personalized way. Live now on Audi’s Facebook fan page, users will receive a customized brand experience, tailored to them based on their Klout score. On Audi’s Facebook page, fans who sign up to get their Klout Score will receive a custom digital Perk.

With this integration the Klout app is fully developed in Involver’s SML™, which means brands and agencies can incorporate a user’s Klout scores to dynamically change the content/interaction with the Involver platform applications. An agency or brand can create highly customized experiences across the spectrum of Klout scores, unlocking the ability to uniquely target connected influencers.

By partnering with Involver, Klout’s Facebook app is easily deployed to more than 400,000 brands and agencies using Involver’s platform. The Klout app is available as a free application and with progressivly more features enabled as a part of Involver’s Professional, Business, and Enterprise offerings with advanced features including deeper customization, and content control based on Klout scores.

How the Klout App Works
● A brand deploys the Klout App and configures it settings
● Once fan interacts with the application the brand is able to show different content based on users’ Klout scores. Like a “fan-gate” on steroids.
● Example: When a user above a certain threshhold interacts, they get access to special, unreleased content (a new trailer, product, coupon, etc.). That person is more likely to share it, and it’s more likely to catch on.

“We identified Klout as a skilled partner to help us recognize and idenfity our Facebook fans with followings and influence,” said Doug Clark, General Manager, Social Media & Customer Engagement, Audi of America whom is currently using the application “We currently have over 3,500,000 fans on Facebook and we see this as a great tool to help manage and work more directly with our fan base.”

“Facebook represents a huge opportunity for brands to connect with their fans and deliver a unique experience,” said Joe Fernancez, founder and CEO, Klout. “The real value for brands comes in being able to personalize and customize that experience based on specific attributes of individuals. Involver helped us make Klout scores actionable for brands and agencies on the most influential social platform out there.”

“The new Klout app is particularly exciting for us because of the deep customization and personalization around fan engagement,” said Rahim Fazal, CEO and Co-Founder, Involver. “Brands like Audi have massive followings, and the logical next step is to empower those brands and their agencies to engage with their fans in specific, highly personalized ways.”

The Klout app is now available directly from Klout and Involver.

About Involver
Involver is the solution of choice for the world’s biggest brands trying to connect with customers on social networks. Over 400,000 brands and agencies — including Nike, Facebook, Cisco, and the NFL — use Involver to power their marketing efforts to a combined audience of over a billion relationships.
Involver pioneered the first social app suite on Facebook and is now leading the industry with SML (Social Markup Language), allowing front-end developers to achieve pixel-perfect application development. Involver’s Audience Management Platform acts as a marketer’s system of record, bringing everything from app management and wall response/moderation to publishing updates and analytics into a single intuitive interface.

Involver is a Facebook Preferred Developer and a technology provider for Facebook’s internal marketing team, with applications like the Involver Leaderboard and Stories. Headquartered in San Francisco, CA with Offices in Austin, TX and New York, NY Involver was founded in 2007 and investors include Bessemer Ventures, Cervin Ventures and WTI. Learn more at www.involver.com.

If you are interested in a similar integration for your fan page, please email partners@klout.com. Note that this is not a way of measuring the Klout Score of your page, but a way to engage with your fans based on their score. Thanks!

Any email that contains "Password_:" will be denied

2011-06-03T12:23:00.005+08:00

I just need to post something to this blog. Have been neglecting it for almost 2 months.

I got this email from our 'trusted' communications management team a.k.a. ICT Security at USM -- the PPKT (Pusat Pengetahuan, Komunikasi & Teknologi) entitled: Makluman Berkenaan Aktiviti Phishing / Acknowledgement on Phising Activities.

Not sure yet whether the USM's ICT Security effort to tighten outgoing email by filtering and denying all emails that has the word "password" is a smart idea.

What if we receive official emails from outside that say something like this:

After you have sent in your application, we will sent you all the details. You will need to go to our website and log-in with your name and the password given...." or something to the effect in which the other party has to use the word 'password'.

Anyway this was the email sent to all USM staf today:

Good day,

Regarding to recent email scam activities (phising), we like to advice user to:

1. DO NOT reply to email that asked for password or personal information.

2. DO NOT give any password or personal information via phone conversation.

3. DO NOT click on any link directly from email.

4. DO NOT forward scam emails to friends or reply back to sender.

5. DO NOT fill in unvarified online form that asked for password or personal information.

6. DO NOT be greedy to any promises in emails or web sites.

7. ALERT us on any scam emails that you have received.

ICT Security USM, Email services or any other service providers will not ask for password. You should ignore such request.

Hereby ICT Security USM had tightened outgoing email filter. Any email that contains "Password_:" or "spreadsheets._google._com" (without _) will be denied.

Regards.

Infostruktur Keselamatan ICT

PPKT, USM

USM Hasilkan Pengkumur Mulut Untuk Cegah Kanser

2011-04-18T11:18:00.000+08:00

GEORGE TOWN: Sekumpulan penyelidik dari Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) mencipta bahan pengkumur mulut yang berfungsi sebagai agen pencegahan kanser mulut.

Pokok Kesinai (streblus asper) yg dijadikan bonsai

Ketua Penyelidik itu, Dr Azman Seeni Mohamed berkata pengkumur mulut itu dihasilkan menerusi rebusan akar pokok bonsai tempatan iaitu pokok kesinai.

Pokok yang dikenali dengan nama saintifiknya "streblus asper" itu hanya terdapat di utara Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka dan India, katanya kepada pemberita di sini Khamis.

Beliau berkata, menerusi kajian makmal, pokok itu berpotensi untuk membunuh bakteria mulut, menghilangkan bau mulut, mengurangkan dan mencegah bengkak gusi, serta dapat membantu mencegah kanser mulut terutamanya golongan berisiko tinggi seperti perokok.

Daun Kesinai

"Produk yang dikenali SA Cleanse adalah yang pertama dihasilkan menerusi proses merebus akar pohon itu sebelum dimasukkan bahan pewarna adalah lebih baik berbanding dengan produk yang berada di pasaran sekarang kerana ia tidak mengandungi alkohol, dicipta menerusi tiga warna iaitu merah, hijau serta kuning yang mempunyai perisa pudina dan strawberi," katanya.

Azman berkata produk itu juga dapat membantu merencatkan pertumbuhan sel kanser tulang dan kanser lidah dengan merencatkan aktiviti proliferasi sel, meningkatkan proses kematian sel semula jadi dengan mengubah kadar sintesis DNA.

Katanya, produk itu juga tidak mengandungi kesan mutasi untuk jangka masa panjang kepada pengguna dan ia mendapat kelulusan Biro Farmaseutikal Negara.

"Ujian makmal itu dilakukan ke atas sel yang diambil daripada pesakit kanser dan hasil penyelidikan itu didapati berkesan sebagai alat pencegahan kanser," kata Azman.

Beliau berkata, selain akar, penyelidikan akan dilakukan dengan lebih meluas ke atas daun dan ranting pokok itu untuk ujian pra-klinikal haiwan bagi kanser mulut, ujian percubaan manusia (kesihatan mulut), ujian sel manusia (kanser pangkal rahim), penyakit prostat dan kosmetik.

Kajian untuk mencipta produk itu bermula pada 2009 dengan menggunakan geran jangka pendek USM dan Geran Insentif USM berjumlah RM45,000.

Produk yang telah dipatenkan di peringkat tempatan dan antarabangsa itu akan dipasarkan tidak lama lagi dengan harga RM12 hingga RM20 sebotol. - BERNAMA

Vitamin D penghalang buta akibat AMD

2011-04-12T13:32:00.001+08:00

Satu kajian yang dijalankan di University of Buffalo yang dilaporkan Xinhuanet mendapati vitamin D adalah agen penghalang penyakit buta/kurang penglihatan akibat degenerasi makula yang berkait usia (AMD).

Kajian dibuat terhadap golongan wanita yang berusia kurang 75 tahun yang mengambil vitamin D secukupnya. Ia mendapati mereka dapat mengurangkan risiko diserang AMD pada kadar 59% dibandingkan dengan wanita yang kurang mengambil vitamin D.

Bagaimanapun, penyelidik mendapati pesakit-pesakit dalam kajian mereka ini mendapat konsumsi atau dos harian vitamin D melalui diet pemakanan ke atas beberapa jenis ikan, susu, telur dan sayuran hijau, bukan dari pendedahan matahari.

Laporan penuh: Vitamin D may ward off age-related vision loss, study

USM graduates employability: is the 76.6% rate something to shout about?

2011-03-08T17:39:00.004+08:00

Last week's news report which mentioned USM has surpassed its 2010 Key Performance Indicators (KPI) target of graduates' employability is something we at USM can talk about.

The 2010 Tracer Study or Kajian Pengesanan Graduan 2010 by the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) had proved that in just 4 months, some 76.6% of USM students who graduated that year has been employed in various government agencies, the private sectors and international conglomerates, locally and abroad.

Source: 76.6% GRADUAN USM BEKERJA DALAM TEMPOH 4 BULAN

USM had earlier set the benchmark of its 2010 graduates employability rate at 75% and as far as this target is concerned it had been met. The questionnaires were usually given and the results collected during and after the graduates had received their scroll on convocation day (roughly 4-7 months after their final exams/results).

In 2007, the MoHE Tracer Study gave an overall result of 53.4% for the total IPTA graduates in Malaysia who were employed, while 29.7% were not.

In the same study (2007), Universiti Malaya graduates were tops with an employability rate of 97%. Universiti Teknologi Malaysia was in second place (84%), next was USM on third place (69%), UPM fourth (67%), UKM fifth (54%) and at sixth position is UUM (49%).

Source: PRODUCTIVITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM IN MALAYSIA by Chan Lee Yee and Norehan Abdullah, Universiti Utara Malaysia (Kajian Malaysia, Jld. XXV, No. 2, Disember 2007), .

However, in the article the writers had sought that in order to achieve a high level of effectiveness, each university (IPTA) should achieve at least 90% of the graduates employability rate.

The writers gave the example of the 2007 Tracer Study results where they pointed out that the overall IPTS graduates were more productive than graduates of public universities.

The multiple studies also proved that the Malaysian higher education system is less efficient and not able to reduce the problem of graduate unemployment. So, in conclusion the study found that the productivity of Malaysian higher education system is rather weak and more should be done in order to effectively reduce the unemployment rate.

Phew 90%...! it's a long way to go...!

Anyway, congratulations to USM graduates and all the people involved, especially USM's academic staff, for making this 75% employability target possible.

Maybe next year we can set a higher target at 90% as suggested by the study above.

USM's Policy on Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)

2011-03-03T10:40:00.000+08:00

According to a Vice Chancellor's Executive Committee meeting on 4 August 2009 (that's two years ago), the committee has approved the USM CCTV Policy including the establishment of a USM CCTV Committee.

The Occupational Health and Safety Unit (UKKP) was appointed as the secretariat to the USM CCTV Committee.

The USM CCTV policy can be accessed via the following link;

http://web.usm.my/ukkpu/upload/peraturan/CCTV%20December%202010%20edit.pdf
It's a pdf file and a very long read. For easy access I am reproducing it here in toto:

Universiti Sains Malaysia Policy on Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Monitoring, Recording, Role & Technical Standards

Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is committed to providing a safe environment by integrating the best practices of crime prevention and policing with state of the art technology. A critical component of a comprehensive safety and security plan is Closed Circuit Televisions (CCTV) – a technology that can remotely monitor and record activity on campus.

The purpose of this Policy is to provide guidelines for the use of CCTV on the University property in a way that enhances safety and security, but also respects the expectation of reasonable privacy among members of the community. This Policy applies to all students, faculty, and staff within the University community1.

(I) General Principles

A. The purpose of CCTV monitoring is to deter crime and to protect the personal

safety and property of the University Community. Safety and security purposes

include, but are not limited to:

• Protection of individuals, including students, faculty, staff and visitors;

• Protection of University owned and/or operated property and buildings,

including building perimeters, entrances and exists, lobbies and corridors,

receiving docks, special storage areas, laboratories, and cashier locations;

• Verification of alarms and access control systems;

• Patrol of common areas and areas accessible to the public, including bus

stops, parking lots, public streets and pedestrian walks; and

• Investigation of criminal activity and serious disciplinary activity such as,

for example, sabotage of research projects, in accordance with this Policy.

Any diversion of security technologies for purposes other than the safety and

security purposes contemplated by this Policy is prohibited.

1 Uses of CCTV technology covered by University policies governing research with human subjects or animal

subjects are excluded from this Policy.

B. CCTV monitoring will be conducted in a professional, ethical and legal manner.

Personnel involved in monitoring will be appropriately trained and supervised in

the responsible use of this technology. Violations of the Code of Procedures set

forth under Section III below may result in disciplinary action consistent with the

rules and regulations governing employees of the University.

C. Information obtained through monitoring will only be released when approved by

the Vice Chancellor, or any of their designees according to procedures

established in this Policy.

D. Monitoring will be conducted in a manner consistent with all existing University

policies, including the Non-Discrimination Policy, the Sexual Harassment Policy,

and other relevant policies. Monitoring based on the characteristics and

classifications contained in the Non-Discrimination Policy (e.g., race, gender,

sexual orientation, national origin, disability, etc.) is strictly prohibited.

E. Monitoring shall be limited to uses that do not violate the reasonable expectation

to privacy

(i) Students have a greater expectation of privacy in their personal dormitory

rooms and in the lounges of dormitory facilities. Therefore, monitoring for

safety and security purposes will not be used in dormitory rooms and

lounges unless the Head of Security Department, in consultation and

approval from the University’s CCTV Committee, determines that a specific

safety/security risk exists. Monitoring of dormitory rooms shared by more

than one student or common areas is not permitted under this Policy

without authorization from all residents of the subject room.

(ii) Faculty and staff also have a greater expectation of privacy in lecture halls,

tutorial rooms and faculty lounge facilities. Therefore, monitoring for safety

and security purposes will not be used in lecture halls, tutorial rooms and

lounges unless the Head of Security Department, in consultation and

approval from the University’s CCTV Committee, determines that a specific

safety/security risk exists.

F. The existence of this Policy does not imply or guarantee that cameras will be

constantly monitored in real time.

G. All existing uses of video monitoring and recording shall be brought into

compliance with this policy within five (5) months of the approval of this Policy.

H. Five (5) months following the adoption of this Policy, the CCTV Committee shall

review the Policy and make recommendations for revisions, if any, to the Vice

Chancellor. The Vice Chancellor may amend this Policy at anytime provided that

notice is given to the University community by the posting of a revised Policy on

the University website and other official channels.

(II) Responsibilities

A. The Security Department in consultation with the University’s CCTV

Committee and Vice Chancellor are authorized to oversee the use of CCTV

monitoring for safety and security purposes at the University. All University

areas using CCTV monitoring are responsible for implementing this Policy.

B. The Vice Chancellor has the responsibility to authorize all long-term CCTV

monitoring recommended by the University’s CCTV Committee. The Head of

Security Department have the responsibility to authorize any temporary

installation as deemed necessary in connection with a criminal investigation,

for enhanced security for special events or as otherwise deemed necessary

to protect the safety and security of the University.

C. A CCTV Committee will be appointed by the Vice Chancellor. The CCTV

Committee will be made up of at least ten (10) members who will serve for a

period designated by the Vice Chancellor. The CCTV Committee shall

include the Head of Security Department; the Head of Occupational Safety

and Health Unit (UKKP); one representative from the Student Council

nominated by DVC Student Affairs & Development; one representative from

the Graduate School; at least one representative each from, Center for

Instructional Technology & Multimedia (PTPM), Centre for Knowledge,

Communication & Technology (PPKT); Development Department and at least

six (6) faculty and staff representing Academic and Administrative Staff

Associations of USM (PKAPUSM), General Staff Union of USM (KKAUSM),

Main Campus, Engineering Campus, Health Campus and Advance Medical &

Dental Institute (IPPT). In addition, the Legal Officer of the university will be

appointed as a member of this committee. The Vice Chancellor will appoint a

Chair.

The CCTV Committee shall have responsibilities as described in this Policy

and such other responsibilities that may be assigned from time to time by the

Vice Chancellor. The Chair of the CCTV Committee may elect to convene a

meeting of CCTV Committee members for CCTV Committee action required

under this Policy. In lieu of a meeting, the Chair may choose to consult with

members by phone or internet. All members should be given the opportunity

to participate in such consultation. Any CCTV recommendation under this

Policy must include the input of the majority of CCTV Committee members.

The Committee is also strongly encouraged to seek input from administrators,

faculty, staff and students in areas affected by the use/proposed use of CCTV

and to consider such input before making a final recommendation.

D. All new Department installations will follow this Policy. Departments wishing

to install monitoring systems must submit a written request to the CCTV

Committee for approval. The written request should include the following

information:

• a description of the safety or security issue warranting the installation of

CCTV monitoring systems;

• the number and proposed location of camera(s) to be installed;

• whether the location of cameras involve the recording of activity by

students, faculty, staff or the general public and to what extent;

• the names and titles of the individuals who will be responsible for

monitoring the cameras;

• the frequency by which the recordings will be reviewed (i.e. real time,

daily, randomly, when an alarm is sounded);

• the length of time recordings will be stored; and

• the location where recordings will be stored.

The CCTV Committee will consider the petition and make a recommendation

as to approval of the installation to the Vice Chancellor. The Committee’s

recommendation can propose an installation that is less or more extensive

than described in the original Department petition. The Vice Chancellor for

will make the final decision regarding the appropriateness of an installation

weighing the concerns of the Department making the requests and safety

and security of the entire community and the privacy interests of those whose

activity may be recorded.

E. Students, faculty and staff entering certain sensitive locations on campus

may have an increased concern for privacy or confidentiality. In order to

prevent a possible chilling effect at these locations, concerned persons

may petition the CCTV Committee to forgo the installation of a proposed

camera or for the removal of an existing camera. The petition should

identify the location/proposed location of the subject cameras and should

detail the basis for the request for removal. The CCTV Committee will

consider the petition and make a recommendation to the Vice Chancellor.

The Vice Chancellor will make the final decision regarding the

appropriateness of foregoing to install/removing camera(s), weighing the

concerns of the person(s) making the requests and the safety and security

of the entire community.

F. The Head of Security Department, in consultation with the Legal Officer,

will review and respond to subpoenas from outside law enforcement to

release recordings obtained through CCTV monitoring. Requests for CCTV

recordings made in connection with internal investigations of University

disciplinary matters will be forwarded to the CCTV Committee. The CCTV

Committee will review such requests and make recommendations to the

Vice Chancellor. The Vice Chancellor will make the final decision regarding

the appropriateness of releasing the recordings, weighing the concerns of

the disciplinary official/committee making the request against privacy

interests and safety and security of the entire community.

G. Any appeal of a decision by the Head of Security Department will be

reviewed by the Vice Chancellor who will render a decision. An appeal may

be taken to the Board of Directors to review the decision rendered by the

Vice Chancellor; the Board of Directors decision is final.

H. The CCTV Committee may audit any Department’s CCTV surveillance

operations, including recording storage and retention.

(III) Code of Procedures

A. All operators and supervisors involved in video surveillance will perform their

duties in accordance with this Policy.

B. The Security Department will limit camera positions and view of residential

housing in compliance with the Policy.

C. Surveillance/Monitoring center will be configured to prevent camera operators

tampering with or duplicating recorded information.

D. Recordings may be retained for a period not to exceed 45 days and will then

be erased, unless retained as part of a criminal investigation or court

proceeding (either civil or criminal), or other bona fide use as approved by the

Director of Security.

E. Recordings will be retained in a secure location with access by authorized

personnel only.

F. Camera control operators who view recordings must do so in the presence of

a supervisor to maintain the integrity of the recording.

G. Camera control operators will be trained in the technical, legal and ethical

parameters of appropriate camera use. Camera control operators will receive

a copy of this Policy and provide written acknowledgement that they have

read and understood its contents.

H. Camera control operators will not monitor individuals based on characteristics

of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, or other classifications

protected by the Campus’s Non-Discrimination Policy. Camera control

operators will monitor based upon suspicious behavior, not individual

characteristics.

I. Camera control operators will NOT view private rooms or areas through

windows.

J. Camera control operators will not spot and continuously view people

becoming intimate in public areas.

K. Portable hidden cameras with recording equipment will only be used for

criminal investigation by the approval of the Head of Security Department for

Universiti Sains Malaysia.

(IV) Roles and Responsibilities

A. Security Department

1. The Security Department is fully responsible for safety and security on

campus. Thus, the Security Department is also responsible for overall operations

of the CCTV system on campus. The Security Department will coordinate and

manage all activities at the Surveillance, Monitoring & Recording Center

(SMRC).

2. Surveillance, Monitoring & Recording Center (SMRC)

SMRC must be managed by skilled and trained personnel.

SMRC must be fully equipped in order for it to operate smoothly and

efficiently.

SMRC also must be equipped with high-tech large screen monitors for the

effective surveillance and monitoring.

SMRC will be connected to all the external CCTVs.

SMRC will also monitor CCTVs which will be strategically located at the

University’s four (4) main entrances and exits.

SMRC will be equipped with state of the art technology for video analytics.

SMRC will make certain that all security data will be controlled and stored

in a secured manner.

3. The surveillance of only all external CCTVs as well as CCTVs located at the

University’s four (4) main entrances and exits will be monitored and controlled by

the Security Department through SMRC. All other existing CCTVs installed at

departments, lecture halls and student hostels will continued to be managed by

the relevant departments responsible.

4. All application for the new CCTVs will be referred to the University’s CCTV

Committee.

5. Appropriate job positions must be added to the Security Department for the

purpose of managing the CCTV system at SMRC. The proposed positions

include: (1) J29 (Pembantu Teknik Elektronik) and (2) F29 (Penolong Pegawai

Sistem Maklumat) .

B. Centre for Insructional Technology and Multimedia (PTPM)

PTPM will provide expert technical services regarding equipment and

specification. PTPM will also act as a resource center.

C. Centre for Knowledge, Communication and Technology (PPKT)

PPKT will provide expert technical services regarding software and ICT

materials. In addition PPKT will also be responsible for the network

system required to effectively operate the CCTV system on campus.

D. Development Department

Development Department will provide technical support, relevant

infrastructure. In addition, Jabatan Pembangunan will also act as the

resource center for issues related to buildings, grounds and general

facilities on campus.

E. Occupational Safety and Health Unit (UKKP)

UKKP will provide expert services and support regarding safety issues

related to this system.

In addition UKKP will also act as the secretariat for the University’s CCTV

Committee.

UKKP will on a regular basis (quarterly) or on special request by the

CCTV Committee will audit the CCTV system at SMRC and other

locations.

(V) CCTV Technical Standards

1. Surveillance

CCTV locations – ”hotspots” will be identified by experts in University’s

CCTV Committee.

CCTV guidelines must be fully adhered when installing new cameras.

Privacy issues must be fully adhered to when installing new cameras.

2. VideoSystem

Existing CCTV system will be upgraded and modified relevant to the new

software.

Analog system will be re-matched accordingly to able it be converted to

digital (convertible).

UPS system to manage temporary interruption and storing of data.

A more able/efficient new system.

Comments towards the camera specification are:-

Analog types of camera’s are relevant to be used even technology

changes with responds to the time.

PTZ camera’s will be equipped by assay technology characteristicsvideo

analytics and suitable to be fixed outside buildings which needs

more broader surveillance.

Static camera’s will be upgraded with better managing software.

IR camera’s are suitable to be fixed at locations that is less lights or dark

especially to capture images at night.

Image quality not lesser than 540 TVL

”Absorption protection” not lesser than 65 (IP > 65) for external PTZ.

Wide Lens – wide angle depends on the location and purpose.

Digital Video Recording (DVR) can function to record and display images

from camera at the real time.

DVR also can be used to store the data and images into Hard Disk Drive

(HDD) which has storage capacity up to 4000GB’. It also equiped with the

backup system either through USB, CD-RW and also Network.

DVR also can be configure through networks and it has TCP/IP protocol to

able the web based access.

Cabel used is the type of RG6 or RG59U suitable for video system.

If the distance between the camera and DVR is more 300meter than it has

to be connected with Transmitter/Receiver using cabel RJ45.

3. Vulnerability

Able to manage threat - jamming, laser lights or destroy – vandalism.

Cables and equipments must be closed and hidden.

4. Allocation

Enough allocation should be given to the development of the CCTV

system as well as to manage it accordingly and effectively.

(Approved by Vice Chancellor’s Executive Committee, August 2009)

No fear for Muslims halal industry has started production

2011-02-24T20:28:00.001+08:00

I found this 'bad writing' in one internal publication and felt that I should look into it -- to find out what the problem really is with this guy's (or gal's) writing.

No need to point out which publication this write-up appeared in, because some people would not be apologetic enough to admit or oblige to their mistakes. I'll just give my point of view and then leave it as it is for readers to judge for themselves.

The writer and the publisher can also breathe a sigh of relief as I am not out to have a field day nitpicking on small mistakes or poking fun at this person's writing and its publication. I am just trying to share my concern by analyzing what's wrong with this 'bad writing' -- or to put it nicely -- poor use of English.

However, this piece is not a tutorial on grammar lessons for the writer, but just pointing out where the problem lies upon.

First of all, can you figure out what the sentence as per the title of this (blog) entry means?: "No fear for Muslims halal industry has started production".

No prize for the correct answer, but if you are an ethnic Malay it is easy to guess,...right?

But if your mother tongue, writing and reading is basically English, then you might be clueless to what this writer wants to tell you.

If you translate this sentence in Malay literally, it can be understood as: Jangan khuatir, kerana industri untuk produk makanan halal sudah bermula. - easy to understand, ...right?

Even if you translate it in Malay word-by-word: Jangan risau sebab Muslims halal industri sudah mula produksi, it is also understandable, ...correct?

But if the writer meant it that way, I do believe there's a better way to express it, for example: Muslims can sigh for relief, as the industry for halal food production has already begun.

Here, have a look at the whole thing (it is supposed to be a an editorial piece) and see for yourself the quality of the write-up. Try find any other 'errors' as I believe there are also other glaring mistakes/inconsistencies:

No more Halal dilemma

No fear for Muslims halal industry has started production. Now Muslims can make a choice when buying food, clothes, drinks, and other things to consume without any doubt of the production being haram. Muslim now not only trust the halal logo when purchasing products because producers from Halal Devlopment Cooperation, HDC are guarantee halal.

Malaysia has established halal Development Cooperation, HDC since 2008 which coordinates the overall development of the halal Industry and contributes to the economic growth. HDC provides support to businesses by providing branding and promotion of Halal products and industries. It provides training and consultancy services to support Halal certification (http://www.hdcglobal.com).

HDC as a catalyst for the growth of halal not just focusing on food but also focuses on more holistic halal such as feed and farm management, ingredients, manufacturing or processing, research & development, innovation, Islamic finance and even to logistic services.

You might be wondering why halal industry has got to do with logistic service? If we refer the context of halal, it is a meaningful lawful and is the Islamic dietary law that identifies food permitted for Muslims (http://www.ifanca.org). It is safe for Muslims to eat and applied from those product that comply with conditions set out by Muslim bodies.

Halal does not only mean the product is halal based on halal logo but it is the process how the product is being made, manufactured and the delivered. Let say once the product has been manufactured from the factories, the product will deliberately been sent into a lorry and the product will be placed with other products which is non-halal. In this situation, the products are are considered haram. This is because the halal products are placed in the same truck with the non-halal products. Halal products are not allowed to be in the same place with non-halal products.

The Muslims sometimes have the difficulty to trust on the halal logo. There are many claims some of these logos are faked. Thus, it puts the Muslim consumer in a dilemma. Therefore HDC as a halal development body has a multiple role to play not only placing halal logo on the products but ensuring on specific role in every process are in a halal manner. Besides trusting the halal logo, the Muslim consumer could check whether the product has been approved by HDC.

See what I mean! I wasn't nitpicking due the first 'glaring' sentence I found on this write-up. But after reading the rest of the write-up, if you still think so (I nitpick), then I do not know what's not?

Okay, first of all can I deduce that this writer is basically a Malay reader and writer, but he/she may not necessarily be an ethnic Malay?

Secondly, I can also deduce that he/she not only reads Malay books, newspapers, magazine, writings, literature etc, but also thinks, eats, breathes, talks, and writes in Malay. In other words, he/she probably is an ethnic Malay.

Hence the portrayal by many of the sentences, which reflect a similar parallel of a type of literal translation from the Malay language to English.

English may be his/her second language where it is taught in school and university, but this writer has yet to grasp the (writing) essence of the language, what more be called an English writer who writes for an English newspaper. More so if he/she is to be an editor/editorial team member of a real mainstream newspaper.

Please, do not misconstrue my statements above as trying to demean the writer as if I am out to psycho-analyze him/her. I am just analyzing the writing, hence by figuring out what sort of person, his/her ethnic background and education background is, we can understand his/her writing problem.

Finally, the problem might be due to the publication itself, where there is none or less deliberation done on editing work and 'gate-keeping' before any write-up goes out for print.

But be rest assured, this publication is not a push-button-type-publishing where you can find it in online sites like social networking sites, online journals or blogs. It is a real print publication and its readers are from tertiary level onwards.

So, what does it say about the writer and the publication?

You be the judge.

To the writer and publication team, if they happen to read this, be magnanimous, do not miss the woods for the trees. Go for the message, not the messenger.

Yes, there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run. There's still time to change the road you're on......says Led Zeppelin (Stairways to heaven, 1971).

Who's who - some position changes and reshuffling at MoHE & USM

2011-02-21T11:49:00.006+08:00

Re: Maklumat tentang pelantikan dan perubahan struktur

Prof. Dr. Rujhan bin Mustafa telah dilantik sebagai Ketua Pengarah Jabatan Pengajian Tinggi, Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi Malaysia berkuatkuasa 1 Januari 2011.

Prof. Dr. Morshidi Sirat, Pengarah Institut Penyelidikan Pendidikan Tinggi Negara USM telah dilantik sebagai Timbalan Ketua Pengarah (Sektor Pengurusan IPTA) Jabatan Pengajian Tinggi, Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi mulai 16 Februari 2011.

Prof. Susie See Ching Mey, 55, dilantik sebagai Timbalan Naib Canselor (Bahagian Jaringan Industri dan Masyarakat) USM bermula 1 Februari 2011 hingga 31 Januari 2014 menggantikan Prof. Lim Koon Ong yang telah tamat tempoh perkhidmatannya baru-baru ini.

Selaras dengan Perlembagaan baru USM, Jawatankuasa Eksekutif Naib Canselor (JKENC) telah dimansuhkan dan digantikan dengan Jawatankuasa Pengurusan Universiti (JKPU) sejak September 2010 yang telah dipersetujui oleh Lembaga Pengarah Universiti. JKPU akan meneliti dan membuat keputusan-keputusan penting berkaitan dasar utama sebelum dibawa ke jawatankuasa-jawatankuasa lain terutamanya Jawatankuasa Tetap Kewangan dan Lembaga Pengarah Universiti. Ia akan diadakan paling kurang sebulan sekali, namun dalam keadaan biasa setiap dua minggu sekali yang dipengerusikan oleh Naib Canselor atau mana-mana Timbalan Naib Canselor yang memangku tugas Naib Canselor semasa Naib Canselor mempunyai urusan rasmi lain di luar Pulau Pinang. JKPU juga akan memantau perjalanan dan pencapaian APEX secara berterusan.

JKPU dalam empat mesyuaratnya sebelum ini telah memutuskan beberapa perkara berikut:

Penubuhan Pejabat Komunikasi Strategik dengan Pengarahnya Prof. Badaruddin Mohamed yang juga Dekan Penyelidikan Pelantar Transformasi Sosial bertanggungjawab untuk merancang, menyusun dan melaksanakan strategi komunikasi serta melaksanakan usaha untuk mengetengahkan pencapaian kecemerlangan USM di bawah APEX di samping pemantauan NADI sebagai sumber rujukan utama pencapaian USM di bawah APEX. Pelantikannya bermula 1 Februari 2011.

Perubahan struktur tanggungjawab Encik Mohamad Omar Bidin, Pengarah Dewan Budaya terus di bawah Timbalan Naib Canselor (Hal-Ehwal dan Pembangunan Pelajar) mulai 1 Disember 2010 untuk meneruskan apa jua aktiviti dan peranannya dalam konteks pembangunan akademik dan pada masa yang sama melakukan usaha-usaha perkembangan, pemajuan dan pembangunan seni dan budaya dalam kalangan pelajar dan juga warga universiti seluruhnya serta mengambil kira keperluan dari perspektif yang lebih luas terutamanya untuk memperkasakan aktiviti seni dan budaya dalam kalangan mahasiswa.

Pelantikan En. Mohamad Mohd. Hanif sebagai Pengarah Pusat Sukan dan Rekreasi selaras dengan usaha menaikkan taraf Unit Sukan, juga bertanggungjawab terus di bawah Bahagian hal-Ehwal dan Pembangunan Pelajar.

Memperkasakan Bahagian Pembangunan Lestari dan Korporat sebagai Bahagian Pengurusan Korporat dan iPMO di bawah Prof. Muhamad Jantan yang bertanggunggjawab untuk memantau kemajuan dan pencapaian Program Pemacuan untuk Kecemerlangan (APEX). Bahagian Pembangunan Korporat dan iPMO akan menyelaras dan memastikan USM benar-benar melakukan transformasi APEX dengan menyediakan laporan setiap dua minggu sekali untuk perbincangan, perhatian dan ketetapan oleh JKPU sebelum dilaporkan kepada Mesyuarat Lembaga Pengarah Universiti (LPU).

Sekretariat Kampus Sejahtera dan Pusat Kepakaran Serantau kini diletakkan di bawah Pusat Kajian Kelestarian Global – bertanggungjawab terus kepada Pengarah Pusat Kajian Kelestarian Global manakala Sektetariat Warga Sejahtera kini diletakkan di bawah Pusat Sejahtera – bertanggungjawab terus di bawah Pengarah Pusat Sejahtera.

Pelantikan Dr. Rumaizi Shaari sebagai Pengarah Pusat Penyelidikan dan Perkhidmatan Haiwan mulai 1 Januari 2011 hingga 31 Disember 2012 manakala Dr. Nor Aini Saidin dilantik sebagai Timbalan Pengarah, Pusat Penyelidikan dan Perkhidmatan Haiwan mulai 1 Februari 2011 hingga 31 Disember 2012.

(MOHAMAD ABDULLAH)

Pejabat Naib Canselor
Universiti Sains Malaysia
T: 04.653 2193/3105
F: 04.658 8444

Berita KKA USM dalam edisi terbaru Berita Kampus

2011-01-31T12:49:00.001+08:00

Berita Kampus edisi 8 sesi 2010/2011 ini hanya akan diedar pada 7 Februari. 2011. Teks sepenuhnya dibawah

Sila klik gambar untuk gambar yang lebih besar

Kesatuan Kakitangan Awam Universiti Sains Malaysia (KKA USM) telah menyampaikan sumbangan sebanyak RM 160,000 kepada tiga staf sokongan USM yang tidak berupaya melakukan kerja- kerja lain selepas ditimpa musibah beberapa tahun lalu melalui kerjasama dari AmInsurans Sdn. Bhd.

Antara yang menerima sumbangan, Khairunbee Abd. Hamid, 47, yang merupakan kakitangan awam Desasiswa Bakti Permai yang terlantar sakit akibat serangan jantung sejak tujuh tahun lalu. Beliau menerima sebanyak RM 40,000 sebagai wang sumbangan ihsan.

Selain itu, turut menerima sumbangan tersebut ialah dua staf dari Kampus Kesihatan iaitu Nik Wel Hussain yang juga telah meninggal dunia dua tahun lalu. Beliau menerima sumbangan sebanyak RM80,000 dan seorang lagi, Mohd Shukri Yusof dengan cek yang berjumlah RM40,000 bagi membiayai kos rawatan kesihatannya.

Menurut Khairunbee, beliau sangat bersyukur atas pemberian tersebut setelah sekian lama terlantar sakit dan sumbangan tersebut akan digunakan sebaiknya.

Menurut Wakil Zon 3 KKA USM, Nurul Huda Zainal Abidin, permohonan untuk sumbangan tersebut telah lama dibuat dan baru- baru ini barulah permohonan tersebut telah diluluskan.

Tambahnya lagi, KKA ditubuhkan bagi menjaga kemaslahatan dan kebajikan karyawannya yang layak dan memerlukan bantuan tersebut.

“Inilah sumbangan yang mampu diberikan oleh pikak KKA USM melalui AmInsurans bagi membantu kakitangannya,” ujarnya.

Jelasnya lagi, sumbangan seperti ini adalah sumbangan yang terakhir kepada bekas pekerja yang dilanda musibah memandangkan tempoh untuk kelulusan sesuatu permohonan adalah dalam tempoh jangka masa yang panjang.

“Disebabkan tempoh menjadi wakil KKA adalah selama dua tahun setiap seorang, maka hal ini akan merumitkan keadaan kerana tempoh kelulusan tersebut adalah lama dan kami pihak KKA akan membantu karyawan melalui cara lain seperti mengadakan bengkel, memberi motivasi dan sebagainya.

Sumbangan cek tersebut disampaikan oleh bendahari KKA, En. Hud Hj. Mat Yasin kepada ketiga- tiga kakitangan itu di kediaman masing-masing dengan kerjasama KKA USM dan AmInsurans.

HEALTHY JUICES

2011-01-26T09:22:00.001+08:00

Quite interesting!

Carrot + Ginger + Apple - Boost and cleanse our system.

Apple + Cucumber + Celery - Prevent cancer, reduce cholesterol, and eliminate stomach upset and headache.

Tomato + Carrot + Apple - Improve skin complexion and eliminate bad breath.

Bitter gourd + Apple + Milk - Avoid bad breath and reduce internal body heat.

Orange + Ginger + Cucumber - Improve Skin texture and moisture and reduce body heat.

Pineapple + Apple + Watermelon - To dispel excess salts, nourishes the bladder and kidney.

Apple + Cucumber + Kiwi - To improve skin complexion.

Pear & Banana - regulates sugar content.

Carrot + Apple + Pear + Mango - Clear body heat, counteracts toxicity, decreased blood pressure and fight oxidization .

Honeydew + Grape + Watermelon + Milk - Rich in vitamin C + Vitamin B2 that increase cell activity and str engthen body immunity.

Papaya + Pineapple + Milk - Rich in vitamin C, E, Iron. Improve skin complexion and metabolism.

Banana + Pineapple + Milk - Rich in vitamin with nutritious and prevent constipation

Also check this out......

The Organs of your body have their sensory touches at the bottom of your foot, if you massage these points you will find relief from aches and pains as you can see the heart is on the left foot.

Click on pic to see a bigger view

Typically they are shown as points and arrows to show which organ it connects to.

It is indeed correct since the nerves connected to these organs terminate here.

This is covered in great details in Acupressure studies or textbooks.

God created our body so well that he thought of even this. He made us walk so that we will always be pressing these pressure points and thus keeping these organs activated at all times.

So, keep walking...

The Unproven vs The Proven So and So - Abu Dzarr Abdullah

2011-01-19T16:26:00.004+08:00

I received this letter in my mail from my other half today.

It's a very long write-up and might tire you all along, but if you try to grasp the gist of the message it'll be a worth read.

Of course, the contents may not be so meaningful to people who are not from the Medical, Pharmacy or other applied science base, but the crux of the message can also be understood, appreciated and is applicable to others not in this fraternity.

Abu Dzarr Abdullah is a Medical Lecturer and a Hemato-Oncologist at the Department of Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, USM, Health Campus, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan.

Abu Dzarr can be reached at

abudzarr@hematologi.net

The Unproven vs The Proven So and So.

by Abu Dzarr Abdullah (Jan 2011)

Based on my communications with Dr Abu Dzarr, I agree with him that it is in the best of intents and interest that the article be removed.

Abu Dzarr wrote: contents removed

Any inconvenience or dissatisfaction due to the publishing and later removal of this article is duly regretted.

Al-Kauthar Institute brings you to : World Of The Unseen

2011-01-10T10:11:00.001+08:00

Humaniversity: Is the heart part of 'human capital'?

2011-01-05T16:07:00.004+08:00

It is the beginning of the year and as a loyal and seasoned USM staf, we (me and wife) were at the Vice Chancellor's annual speech again this morning.

We came as early as 8.45am and as we walked inside the almost empty hall I counted, we were the fourth and fifth person to be seated somewhere at the front row of the Dewan Budaya.

En. Mohamad, the emcee warned that VC's speech could take longer then usual as the slides were at least a hundred when he counted them last night at the rehearsal.

It was indeed a long a winding speech. The first hour (or so) was mainly a recap of what has happened the previous year (2010). But some of what was said today was also a repetition of what was mentioned the previous year.

I believe it was deliberated -- that VC wanted to emphasize the importance of a point he made last year regarding the concept of challenging the status quo as he showed again the newspaper clip of the statement by the Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan.

But the main point vis-à-vis the title or theme of the speech: Humaniversity: Transformation to Humanise the University was brilliantly conveyed in a series of slides on the plans to transform the university into what it was set out to be.

The conclusion, 'To Humanise the University' as pointed out by the VC among others were:

~ The university is not a business. It is not a factory.

~ the university must seek to right the balance by transforming the prevailing situation to ensure core ethos of humanity is restored

~ the focus is on the enhancement of the core ethos of the university.

~ to transform the university as an urgent universally accepted commitment.

The VC's speech was also filled with quotes, excerpts and citations from the Qur'an, the Hadith, philosophy and a media practitioner.

Among others which caught my attention was the Prophet Muhammad saying: "Surely there is in the body a small piece of flesh; if it is good, the whole body is good, and if it is corrupted, the whole body is corrupted, and that is surely the heart (qalbu)".

Below the hadith is a question: Is the heart part of 'human capital'?

The other quote was by the internationally famous media mogul Rupert Murdoch (pic below) who said: "We've been living in the Western world way above our means. We've been on a great binge and it's come to an end and we have to live through the correction."

The hall was filled to the brim. Some sat on the stairs and some sat on the aisles at the side of the hall. Some just lingered outside waiting for a chance to get into the crowded hall as those already in ushered their way to chance a better place to a seat.

Towards the end, the VC's speech was a bit bland as he speedup a bit and skipped a few slides as if trying to catch-up on something more important. But the crowd was not perturbed. Most waited until the end.

After the speech, I asked my wife how long did it take VC to finish. She said about 45 minutes.

Strange, I thought it took much longer. I lost my attention span roughly half an hour through it and then regained it back 10 minutes later. The gentlemen beside us dozed off a few minutes in between the speech.

I tried to look if Prof Lik Meng was around as he usually sat at the aisle beside us (today) with his faithful DSLR. Anyway, he got to his update blog first today and wrote: it took the VC about one and half hour.

Nonetheless, altogether it was a great speech, easy to digest and definitely better than the year before. The video clips and multimedia presentations were also a great support to the overall speech.

After the VC's speech there was a promotional talk on a new telecoms product and Internet service by the CEO of YTL Communications, Mr Wing K. Lee and also an MoU signing ceremony between USM and YTL Communications.

The company was represented by its parent corporation, YTL Managing Director, Tan Sri Dato' Francis Yeoh.

We left before Mr Wing (pic right) finished his talk as our nervous system was already working hard sending alert signals between the brain and the stomach.

Outside the hall, we felt relieved as nasi bariyani was there waiting for us.

As part of our responsibility in fulfilling the needs of 'human capital' the bariyani was easily digested.

Related article: Humanise the University by Bernard E. Meland

Iklan Jawatan Kosong di USM - 25 Disember 2010

2010-12-29T09:03:00.001+08:00

Sila klik di sini untuk mendaftar e-recruit

Iklan Disember 2010 (Kampus Kejuruteraan) (Dibuka dari 26/12/2010 sehingga 9/1/2011)

	Jawatan	Jabatan	Bidang	Jenis
1/1.	Juruteknik J17		Elektrik & Elektronik	Tetap
2/2.	Juruteknik J17		Aeroangkasa/Mekanik	Tetap
3/3.	Pegawai Pergigian U41			Tetap
4/4.	Pegawai Perubatan UD41			Tetap
5/5.	Pembantu Pembedahan Pergigian U17			Tetap

Iklan Disember 2010 (Kampus Induk, Pulau Pinang) (Dibuka dari 26/12/2010 sehingga 9/1/2011)

	Jawatan	Jabatan	Bidang	Jenis
1/6.	Ahli Fotografi B17			Tetap
2/7.	Jururawat Pergigian U29			Tetap
3/8.	Juruteknologi Makmal Perubatan U29			Tetap
4/9.	Pegawai Farmasi U41			Tetap
5/10.	Pegawai Kewangan W41			Tetap
6/11.	Pegawai Penyelidik Q41/Q43/Q47/Q51/Q53		Kejuruteraan Kimia/ Kimia	Tetap
7/12.	Pegawai Penyelidik Q41/Q43/Q47/Q51/Q53		Fisiologi/ Farmakologi/ Social Adminstrative Pharmacy	Tetap
8/13.	Pegawai Pergigian U41			Tetap
9/14.	Pegawai Perubatan UD43			Tetap
10/15.	Pembantu Laut A17			Tetap
11/16.	Pembantu Pembedahan Pergigian U17			Tetap
12/17.	Pembantu Tadbir (Pekeranian/Operasi) N17			Tetap
13/18.	Penolong Akauntan W27			Sambilan
14/19.	Penolong Pegawai Belia Dan Sukan S27			Sambilan
15/20.	Penolong Pegawai Penerbitan N27			Tetap
16/21.	Penolong Pegawai Penerbitan N27		Berpengalaman dalam bidang penerbitan atau berpengalaman sebagai wartaw...	Tetap
17/22.	Penolong Pegawai Sains C27			Tetap

Iklan Disember 2010 (Kampus Kesihatan/HUSM, Kelantan) (Dibuka dari 26/12/2010 sehingga 9/1/2011)

	Jawatan	Jabatan	Bidang	Jenis
1/23.	Juru X-ray U29		Diagnostik/Terbuka	Tetap
2/24.	Jurupulih Perubatan U29		Cara Kerja	Tetap
3/25.	Jururawat Pergigian U29			Tetap
4/26.	Juruteknik Komputer FT17			Tetap
5/27.	Juruteknologi Pergigian U29			Tetap
6/28.	Pegawai Kewangan W41			Tetap
7/29.	Pegawai Penyelidik Q41/Q43/Q47/Q51/Q53			Tetap
8/30.	Pegawai Pergigian U41			Tetap
9/31.	Pegawai Perubatan UD43			Tetap
10/32.	Pegawai Teknologi Maklumat F41			Sambilan
11/33.	Pegawai Veterinar G41			Tetap
12/34.	Pekerja Awam Khas R3			Tetap
13/35.	Pembantu Kesihatan Awam U17			Tetap
14/36.	Pembantu Pembedahan Pergigian U17			Tetap
15/37.	Pembantu Setiausaha Pejabat/Setiausaha Pejabat N27			Tetap
16/38.	Pembantu Tadbir (Pekeranian/Operasi) N17			Sambilan
17/39.	Penolong Pegawai Teknologi Maklumat F29			Tetap
18/40.	Penolong Pengurus Asrama N27			Tetap

Iklan Disember 2010 (Institut Perubatan & Pergigian Termaju) P Pinang (Dibuka dari 26/12/2010 sehingga 9/1/2011)

	Jawatan	Jabatan	Bidang	Jenis
1/41.	Pegawai Pergigian U41			Tetap
2/42.	Pegawai Perubatan UD43		Perubatan Intergratif/ Hematologi/ Perubatan Transfusi/ Pakar Bius/ Pak...	Tetap
3/43.	Pegawai Perubatan UD47/UD48		Perubatan Intergratif/ Hematologi/ Perubatan Transfusi/ Pakar Bius/ Pak...	Tetap
4/44.	Pegawai Perubatan UD51/UD52		Perubatan Intergratif/ Hematologi/ Perubatan Transfusi/ Pakar Bius/ Pak...	Tetap
5/45.	Pegawai Perubatan UD53/UD54		Perubatan Intergratif/ Hematologi/ Perubatan Transfusi/ Pakar Bius/ Pak...	Tetap
6/46.	Pegawai Veterinar G41

120 USM posts vacant by year end?

2010-12-21T17:05:00.001+08:00

By the end of this year a total of 110 USM staff will retire from their service in the university.

77 of them are from Kampus Induk (Main Campus, Penang)

10 are from Kampus Kejuruteraan (Engineering Campus, Nibong Tebal, Penang)

23 are from Kampus Kesihatan (Health Campus, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan).

Total: 110

10 of them has died while in service, making a total 120 of posts left vacant.

Question: will the posts be filled with an intake of new staffers?

Source: Kakitangan USM Perlu Kental Hadapi Cabaran

School of Communication USM - something to shout about

2010-12-16T15:20:00.000+08:00

I just got this in my mail:

Salam Sejahtera,

Sukacita dimaklumkan bahawa kumpulan penuntut projek tahun akhir 2009/2010, 'NEMGRADS USM-MALAKOFF Environmental Awareness Project 2010" di bawah penyeliaan Dr.Jamilah Haji Ahmad telah dipilih oleh The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) untuk dianugerahkan dengan ACU PR AWARDS 2010 bagi kategori "OUTREACH AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS". Majlis penganugerahan telah diadakan pada 24 November 2010 di Melbourne, Australia.

TAHNIAH kepada Dr.Jamilah dan kumpulan NEMGRADS yang meletakkan nama PPK di peringkat antarabangsa.

Sekian, Terima Kasih

Dr. Azman Azwan Azmawati
Deputy Dean (Academic and Student Development)
School of Communication
Universiti Sains Malaysia
11800, Penang, Malaysia

The PRESS RELEASE
Universities from around the Commonwealth win awards for PR excellence
Universities in Australia, Canada, India and South Africa were amongst the winners of the annual Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) PR, Marketing and Communications Awards, announced at a special Gala Dinner last night (25 November) in Melbourne, Australia.
The award winners – provided with a bursary by the ACU to attend the conference – each received a trophy in recognition of their achievement. The awards were presented by Peter Reader, Director of Marketing and Communications at the University of Portsmouth, UK, and Chair of the PR, Marketing and Communications Network steering committee. He emphasised the high quality of entries across all four categories, and praised the diversity of submissions – 81 entries were received from 43 universities in 15 countries.
The results of the 2010 ACU PR, Marketing and Communications Awards are:
Student publications
Winner: Athabasca University, Canada – Athabasca University Student Recruitment Publications
Honourable mentions: Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, South Africa – Way2Go and Aspire
University of Leicester, UK – Postgraduate Prospectus
Corporate publications
Winner: Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, India – Raintree – Notes from the Campus
Honourable mentions: Wilfrid Laurier University, Canada – 2010 President's Report
University of the Free State, South Africa – Dumela Newsletter
Websites
Winner: Murdoch University, Australia – Beyond the student prospectus: Blogs, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube: http://bloggers.murdoch.edu.au/winners
Honourable mentions: Strathmore University, Kenya – Strathmore University website,
www.strathmore.edu
University of the West Indies at St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago – UWI Today, http://sta.uwi.edu/uwitoday/default.asp
Outreach and community relations
Winner: Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia – NEMGRADS USM-MALAKOFF Environmental Awareness Project 2010
Honourable mentions: Glasgow Caledonian University, UK – The Caledonian Club
North West Frontier Province University of Engineering and Technology, Pakistan – UET Gemstone Development Centre (GDC)
ENDS
Notes to editors:
1. The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) was established in 1913 and is the oldest inter-university network in the world, with over 500 members in six continents. Its
mission is to strengthen the higher education institutions within its membership through international co-operation and understanding. The ACU operates a series of professional networks for staff in key roles, undertakes research and policy analysis on key issues in international higher education, and has active programmes in libraries and information, research management, gender and university governance. Her Majesty the Queen, the Head of the Commonwealth, is Patron of the ACU. For further information, visit www.acu.ac.uk
2. The ACU PR, Marketing and Communications Network was launched in 2003 and currently has over 400 members across 300 institutions Commonwealth-wide. The network is open to communications professionals in all ACU member organisations. It brings together professionals in the field and provides a practical channel through which members can exchange experiences, share good practice and keep abreast of current thinking. The network is hosting its 3rd biennial conference in Melbourne, from 24-26 November 2010.
3. The ACU PR, Marketing and Communications Awards began in 2005, and aim to recognise, encourage and celebrate the achievements of universities and the professionals who work within them, and to draw attention to models of good practice for the higher education sector internationally. Entries are judged by an international panel of experts, and all entrants receive feedback on the strengths of their entry and recommendations for its enhancement.
4. For further information, please contact:
Natasha Lokhun
+44 (0)20 7380 6760
n.lokhun@acu.ac.uk

Malaysian IPTA & IPTS website ranking according to Webometrics

2010-12-09T11:39:00.000+08:00

If you think the Alexa.com and bizinformation.org/my/ ranking of local IPTAs as published in this blog previously is superficial as it only gathers the number of hits (or popularity) of the websites, then this Webometrics ranking will give you a more balanced answer to whatever needs your curiosity might demand.

The Webometrics is an initiative of the Cybermetrics Lab, a research group belonging to the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), the largest public research body in Spain. It is also called the Ranking Web of World Universities.

Since 2004, the Ranking Web is published twice a year (January and July), covering more than 20,000 Higher Education Institutions worldwide. Its intention is to motivate both institutions and scholars to have a web presence that reflect accurately their activities.

For more clarification regarding the motivations of the Ranking or the methodology, please read the FAQ.

As stated in its website, the original aim of the Ranking is to promote Web publication.

Therefore, if an institution's web performance is below the expected position (according to their academic excellence), university authorities should reconsider their web policy, promoting substantial increases of the volume and quality of their electronic publications.

Listed below is the 16 top ranking Malaysian IPTA and IPTS according to webometrics as gathered on 9 December 2010.

No 1. Universiti Sains Malaysia
No. 9 in South East Asia, No.58 in Asia and No.585 in world ranking

No.2. Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
No. 13 in South East Asia, No.77 in Asia and No.758 in world ranking

No.3. Universiti Putra Malaysia
No. 14 in South East Asia, No.81 in Asia and No.773 in world ranking

No.4. University of Malaya
No. 18 in South East Asia, No.96 in Asia and No.850 in world ranking

No.5. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
No. 20 in South East Asia and No.913 in world ranking

No.6. Universiti Teknologi Mara
No.29 in South East Asia and No.1246 in world ranking

No.7 International Islamic University Malaysia
No. 32 in South East Asia and No.1400 in world ranking

No. 8 Multimedia University
No. 33 in South East Asia and No.1403 in world ranking

No. 9 Universiti Utara Malaysia
No. 40 in South East Asia and No.1534 in world ranking

No.10 Universiti Malaysia Perlis
No. 44 in South East Asia and No.1629 in world ranking

No.11 Universiti Teknologi Petronas
No. 67 in South East Asia and No.2304 in world ranking

No.12 Universiti Tenaga Nasional
No. 72 in South East Asia and No.2361 in world ranking

No.13 University of Nottingham Malaysia
No. 80 in South East Asia and No.2643 in world ranking

No.14 Universiti Malaysia Sabah
No. 88 in South East Asia and No.2825 in world ranking

No.15 Universiti Malaysia Pahang
No. 89 in South East Asia and No.2840 in world ranking

No.16 Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia
No. 94 in South East Asia and No.2983 in world ranking

Malaysian IPTA website ranking according to Alexa and Bizinformation

2010-12-02T13:15:00.001+08:00

Below are the details of the top Malaysian IPTAs website and their popularity ranking according to Alexa.com.

Also included are details from bizinformation.org/my/ and the internet valuation of the sites.

Both data were collected on 1 December 2010.

Only 16 IPTA websites were listed for this survey, as the rest of the IPTA sites were far off the ranking from this top group (of 15). Even the last IPTA website, No.16 umk.edu.my was ranked 13,746 in Alexa Malaysia's ranking.

For more details on how Alexa.com rates your website, go to its Website Information

And as for how bizinformation.org/my/ rates the value of your website, not much info is given. The home page only says it is just an estimated value of your website.

1. uitm.edu.my

Number of Pages 103,971

External Links 29,705

Alexa Traffic Rank: 34,014
Traffic Rank in MY: 159
Sites Linking In: 416

bizinformation.org/my/ valuation RM 1.27 Million

Daily Pageviews	49,663 *
Daily Visitors	10,728 *

2. utm.my

Number of Pages 183,683

External Links 35,945

Alexa Traffic Rank: 38,800
Traffic Rank in MY: 253
Sites Linking In: 461

bizinformation.org/my/ Valuation RM 1.14 Million

Daily Pageviews	43,362 *
Daily Visitors	9,610 *

3. um.edu.my

Number of Pages 113,197

External Links 39,975

Alexa Traffic Rank: 37,171
Traffic Rank in MY: 276
Sites Linking In: 569

bizinformation.org/my/ valuation RM 1.26 Million

Daily Pageviews	56,715 *
Daily Visitors	10,599 *

4. ukm.my

Number of Pages 92,939

External Links 40,625

Alexa Traffic Rank: 46,405
Traffic Rank in MY: 289
Sites Linking In: 582

bizinformation.org/my/ valuation RM 1.11 Million

Daily Pageviews	47,563 *
Daily Visitors	9,331 *

5. upm.edu.my

Number of Pages

130,431

Alexa Traffic Rank: 42,892
Traffic Rank in MY: 300
Sites Linking In: 487

bizinformation.org/my/ valuation RM 2,234.72

6. usm.my

Number of Pages 136,014

External Links 46,865

Alexa Traffic Rank: 53,582
Traffic Rank in MY: 465
Sites Linking In: 716

bizinformation.org/my/ valuation RM 886,250.32

Daily Pageviews	24,156 *
Daily Visitors	7,439 *

7. uum.edu.my

Alexa Traffic Rank: 110,539
Traffic Rank in MY: 641
Sites Linking In: 358

bizinformation.org/my/ Valuation RM 2,054.16

8. upsi.edu.my

External Links

15,925

Alexa Traffic Rank: 165,512
Traffic Rank in MY: 929
Sites Linking In: 237

bizinformation.org/my/ valuation RM 263,581.57

Daily Pageviews	11,103 *
Daily Visitors	2,193 *

9. iium.edu.my

Alexa Traffic Rank: 98,984
Traffic Rank in MY: 1,047
Sites Linking In: 90

bizinformation.org/my/ Valuation RM 2,073.09

10. uthm.edu.my

Number of Pages	23,412
External Links	10,985

Alexa Traffic Rank: 200,891
Traffic Rank in MY: 1,333
Sites Linking In: 166

bizinformation.org/my/ Valuation RM 143,612.4

Daily Pageviews	3,751 *
Daily Visitors	1,182 *

11. ums.edu.my

External Links

26,130

Alexa Traffic Rank: 189,397
Traffic Rank in MY: 1,356
Sites Linking In: 371

bizinformation.org/my/ valuation RM 217,321.53

Daily Pageviews	7,352 *
Daily Visitors	1,806 *

12. unimas.my

External Links

29,445

Alexa Traffic Rank: 390,169
Traffic Rank in MY: 3,822
Sites Linking In: 375

bizinformation.org/my/ valuation RM 123,276.21

Daily Pageviews	3,601 *
Daily Visitors	1,010 *

13. usim.edu.my

Number of Pages	7,397
External Links	10,140

Alexa Traffic Rank: 282,509
Traffic Rank in MY: 3,940
Sites Linking In: 151

bizinformation.org/my/ valuation RM 164,044.39

Daily Pageviews	3,751 *
Daily Visitors	1,354 *

14. unimap.edu.my

Number of Pages	74,072
External Links	8,255

Alexa Traffic Rank: 357,150
Traffic Rank in MY: 5,789
Sites Linking In: 121

bizinformation.org/my/ valuation RM 110,319.02

Daily Pageviews	2,701 *
Daily Visitors	903 *

15. udm.edu.my

Number of Pages	3,509
External Links	8,060

Alexa Traffic Rank: 818,258
Traffic Rank in MY: 6,693
Sites Linking In: 120

bizinformation.org/my/ valuation RM 123,283.7

Daily Pageviews	5,852 *
Daily Visitors	1,010 *

16. umk.edu.my

Number of Pages	1,775
External Links	6,890

Alexa Traffic Rank: 1,548,326
Traffic Rank in MY: 13,746
Sites Linking In: 105

bizinformation.org/my/ valuation RM 33,846.02

Daily Pageviews	600 *
Daily Visitors	258 *

Interview with LIFE: THE MALAYSIAN STYLE! writer Peggy Tan

2010-10-21T12:41:00.003+08:00

I reproduce here the interview with Peggy Tan Pek Tao taken from Berita Kampus' latest issue (pg 15, Volume 40. No 6) due for distribution on Monday 25 October 2010. Reason: there is a slim chance it would be published on Berita Kampus Online.

Peggy Tan Pek Tao, 54 lectures at Universiti Sains Malaysia’s School of Languages, Literacy’s and Translation. Her book Life: The Malaysian Style won first prize in the non-fiction category of the Popular-The Star Readers’ Choice Award 2010 which was held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on 6 September during the ongoing BookFest@Malaysia 2010. Follow the exclusive interview by Berita Kampus' journalist, Amanina Nazari and Winarti Talib.

Q: Can you tell us an overview about your background?
A: I have been teaching for 30 years and 25 years in USM. I have three grown up children and have a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in English literature and I love teaching. I have written grammar books and published articles on strategies in teaching English language using drama, and have published books on english literature and grammar. I have acted in plays with the Penang Players. I am a mountain climber and scuba diver. I have written on nature conservation, feminism articles in newspapers and magazines.

Q: When do you begin writing? What encouraged you to give it a try?
A: I have always desired to write but I have found it is kind of difficult having three children so I began when they grew up. I write because there are few Malaysian writers and it

Q: Is Life: The Malaysian Style your first writing?
A: I have published academic articles and journals in America and local universities and I have lectured on english literature, language teaching, learning and feminist studies. Is Life: The Malaysian Style is my second publications, my first book is entitled Tales of the heart. In Is Life: The Malaysian Style I write about the cultural aspects and the fascinating Malaysian lifestyle. Malaysian life is unique and being multi-racial, many foreigners admire our life here. This book gives an insight to the light and sparkling side of local experiences.

Q: Where do you draw inspiration/strength?
A: I am inspired by the colourful life and by friends and students.

Q: Why do you think your books are such a success?
A: Malaysians enjoy reading local books written by Malaysians. Generally we wish to encourage our own local writers to get published. My book is humorous and reflects real life and they are true stories and they reflect how people cope with their problems and seek fulfilment. That's why it is the best seller in Malaysia.

Q: Can you tell readers about your next project after the book Life: The Malaysian Style?
A: My next book is entitled Gifts from the Hearts will be published by Pelanduk Publishers, Kuala Lumpur. This book is more literally and half of the book is literature based. Life: The Malaysian Style 2 will be published next year. This book will be similar to my book which won the award.

Q: October is reading month, what is your advice to encourage reading habits among students?
A: Lecturers and schools at USM have to play significant roles and take effort to encouraged students to read books. For examples, lecturers should ask students read more books and write summary of the books. For science subject, lecturers should encourage them to borrow more books from the library. USM also can take actions such as all the schools at USM have to organize English Week for example a few times in a semester. All the students must talk in English in class or around the campus for whole week or month maybe.

*Life: The Malaysian Style is a collection of true anecdotes that shows the sparkling side of Malaysian experiences in love, work and life.

TheStar news: English lecturer’s book bags first prize in non-fiction

Peggy's blog : Sunny Life by Peggy Tan

USM's Student Parliament on the go

2010-10-12T11:03:00.000+08:00

The student “parliament” in USM materialised with its first trial run at the Dewan Persidangan Utama, USM main campus on 25 September 2010 after receiving approval from the University's governing body, the LPU (Lembaga Pengarah Universiti).

The student “parliament” is called Dewan Perundingan Pelajar or Student Consultative Council and is governed by the university under the USM's constitution (section 64).

Deputy Vice Chancellor (BHEPP), Prof Datuk Omar Osman (pic below), while officiating the "parliament" wants students to take this opportunity to prove that 'we' are a role model for student leaders in this country and that we still lead, as the moto of the university says.

A total of 58 board members of "Yang Berhormat" had a chance to voice out their opinions and concerns of students in this first trial "Parliament". Out of the 58 members, 39 were chosen from the existing Student Representative Council (Majlis Perwakilan Pelajar, USM) while another 19 were selected from the 177 such societies, bodies and clubs in USM.

Prof Omar Osman said the "Parliament" will be given full liberty to operate on its own without the university's official participation.

Omar also stressed that all members of the Student Consultative Council has an equal status as a member of the board and that every member can debate without having to affiliate themselves with any party, body or society, whether government or NGOs.

This also means that there are no supporting nor opposition party in the "Parliament". Each and every member can debate in support or oppose one another based on the motion or issues proposed. More detailed news on the student "Parliament" can be found in the latest publication of Berita Kampus, 11 October 2010.

USM was the first university in the country to come out with a proposal to form a student “parliament” since a few years back.

Early this year in January, Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said he expected universities in the country to start their own “students’ parliament and to come out with their own models as the ultimate aim is to encourage intellectual discussions amongst students.

Saifuddin said the proposal came from his “teh tarik” meetings with university students two weeks earlier which was organised through his own Facebook page. He added that the formation of the “parliament” will mark a new milestone in increasing the participation of undergraduates in discussions concerning government policies.

Initially, the idea was initiated by USM's Vice Chancellor, Prof Dzulkifli Abdul Razak back in 2004, calling for the formation of such a body with the “constituencies” comprising all the country’s universities.