The Times Higher Education - QS World University Rankings 2008 was announced. (more…)

RM6.1 Billion Space Science University Planned In Kota Tinggi

JOHOR BAHARU, April 27 (Bernama) — A local company and its overseas partner plan to set up Space Science University of Malaysia (UniSam) costing RM6.1 billion on 2,500-acre site in Kota Tinggi.

Next Systems Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Noor Faizal Abdul Samad said the university would be equipped with modern and international-standard space science laboratories and recruit renowned experts.

“If the proposal is accepted, Malaysia will emerge as the third country in the world to have a space science university after Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida, United States, and International Space University in Strasbourg, France,” he told Bernama recently.

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IF we produce such graduates from that University, will they secure for job? We have so many examples as our mirror (the recent one), that mirror is not enough for us to learn a lesson? (more…)

Faiz: Continue space programme

KUALA LUMPUR: The Angkasawan programme should continue, with the funding shared among the relevant ministries that will benefit from the aerospace industry, suggested Mejar Dr Faiz Khaleed. The second Angkasawan said the space mission should no longer be about sending a Malaysian to space but for Malaysia to embark on the aerospace industry.

I read his words in newspaper. He said “developing research and development means investment”. It is true, R&D is an investment. But, in this case, I would rather prefer down-to-earth R&D.

Recently, we heard from our PM many projects are in reviewing, for example (more…)

Learned from Nerdy Science Blog that Malaysia cabinet still busying to discuss budget for sending second so-called Malaysian Astronaut into space in 2011. I just wonder why can’t they be down-to-earth for science in Malaysia. We no need fancy projects to stimulate interest of people for science.

I would prefer that money be channelled to right researchers for meaningful and useful scientific researches for example Bioenergy. Beware, channelled the money transparently without corruption to right place, right policies, and right person not someone you are in favour although he/she may knows nothing about science!

Europe and US are paying a lot of attention on bioenergy researches. The fossil fuels we are using now are going to be finished. Malaysia is going to be 100% fuel importer country after 2011. (more…)

I learned this news from Nerdy Science Blog.

Janda Baik site for stem cell manufacturing facility

KUANTAN: Pahang will host the world’s largest stem cell manufacturing facility when US-based Bio-Cellular Research Organisation (BCRO) sets up operations in Janda Baik, Bentong, this year.

The deal will be formalised in a memorandum of understanding to be signed between the state government-owned Pahang Technology Resources Sdn Bhd (PTR) and BCRO Stem Cell Xenotransplantation Sdn Bhd tomorrow.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is expected to witness the signing ceremony.

Frankly, what can we prove to the World if we only can build the highest, the largest facility(ies)? Now, this is another Biotechnology project had launched.

I think we deserve much better than “empty promises”. Read from the news, they said “when” and “this year”, when is the real date? Who knows? How many ghost science projects we should pay for? How about BioValley?

I may sound pessimistically here, I sincerely wish them prove me wrong. (more…)

Malaysia’s higher education at critical stage, says World Bank

MALAYSIA’S higher education system is at a critical state and lagging behind that of neighbouring countries, according to a World Bank report carried by Utusan Malaysia.

The front-page report, entitled “Malaysia and the Knowledge Economy: Building a World-Class Higher Education System,” said the country would need to focus and build clear strategies if it wants to compete on an international platform.

As such, the World Bank urged Malaysia to concentrate on choosing a more effective administration and financial model, improving overall quality of the universities, equipping graduates to function in a knowledge-based economy and creating a solid network between the private sector and universities.

The 258-page report was distributed at the Regional Higher Education Conference held at the KL Convention Centre on Monday.

We are still in top 400? We are a bit slow only? (more…)

What a joke! Learned this from Sim’s blog while I was drinking as the result

So, seems that we are a bit slow only lah. After all, it is Okay, we still in TOP 400. (more…)

The Times Higher-QS World University Rankings 2007 was announced. “Surprisingly”, Malaysian universities are not in the top 200 but top 400. Get the summary tables at here.

What the minister says? (more…)

I read this post from Uncle Lim’s Blog. Someone tells the stories inside public universities now.

Another time, all the academic staff, including the Dean, ganged up against me because I had managed to published a paper in a leading international journal. Immediately after my name was mentioned by the VC as an example, the Dean started telling other academic staff that I did not “contribute enough” to the faculty.

I was under the impression that I was there to do research and publish but for these people, who cannot do research, the priority was on social events. This Dean was not even an academic in the first place but was a civil servant before he was appointed Dean. All the academics he has appointed since he became Dean all come from his state and all are local graduates. So how to improve?

This is the culture practising in public universities now. Believe it or not, you are free to decide. I was there and experienced it before; therefore, I can understand his/her feeling.

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4. The wages system

Normally project supervisors will pay theirs post-graduate students from research grant if her/his students can’t get any scholarship. Some project supervisor offers high wage but not all. The wage is enough for the post-graduate student to maintain his/her basic needs but no more than that. Therefore, luxury expenses will be a dream to all post-graduate students.

Well, why it so important? You should aware that research grant is not bank in to supervisor’s bank account but University bank account. The project supervisor will allocate certain amount of money from the grant as wages to post-graduate students. The University Treasurer Department will take care about it. They will bank in the wages to post-graduate students monthly.

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