Double degrees, double benefits

When a student is considering the pursuit of a bachelor’s degree, he needs to do several things: embark on a detailed market survey to gauge whether there is an industry need for job candidates with the particular qualification, the requirements of the particular profession, where the prospective student sees himself in the future, and how he can contribute to the industry.

Monash University Malaysia’s School of Business senior lecturer and undergraduate studies director Dr Adnan Trakic said a double degree makes a compelling case for prospective students to consider.

“Sometimes they are not sure of the degree programme to study as they may have interest in two fields. Pursuing a double degree gives an option to venture into both fields concurrently.”

A double degree programme promotes multidisciplinary learning — the studies are complementary in nature and share common ground. “It offers the chance to master two completely different disciplines and that exposure is priceless,” Trakic said, adding that it gives the student added value to future employers.

Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) academic affairs division’s curriculum affairs director Associate Professor Dr Sharipah Ruzaina Syed Aris echoes Travic’s point of view, saying that jobs in the future will require a combination of skills.

“The curriculum of the future will no longer be fragmented but will reflect multiple disciplines to produce a multi-skilled and multitalented workforce. We have seen the emergence of interdisciplinary fields such as engineering with medicine, engineering with arts, and arts with technology.

“This can produce graduates who are able to deal with unforeseen challenges of the future. Taking into consideration future demand for graduates with multi-skill sets, there is a strong case for double degree programmes,” she said. Professor Lee Miin Huui, who is dean of the Faculty of Business, Design and Arts at Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, said that while better job prospects are a significant advantage of double degrees, there are other benefits.

“Double degree students embark on two programmes that they are passionate about, without sacrificing the potential in either. They are more competitive with dual competencies and broader scope of skill sets, lending flexibility to traverse across and integrate different disciplines in the industry.”

With wider areas of expertise, it is easier for those with double degrees to make a career change or career shift.

“Pursuing two degrees at once will enable students to expand their networks crucial for future career development.” UiTM academic affairs division’s curriculum affairs director extra reading lists, the subjects taught by two faculties enrich the student with different perspectives and breadth of knowledge.

Monash University Malaysia’s School of Business combines business studies as well as the arts in its Bachelor of Business and Commerce and Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies double degree programme. The business and commerce degree provides high level skills in a range of key business disciplines while the communication course develops knowledge and skills in the use and effects of traditional and new communications technologies.

Trakic, who is also course director of the Bachelor of Business and Commerce programme at Monash University Malaysia, said: “Students from this double degree programme, who join the business industry, have gone through rigorous report writing classes and are able to communicate and express themselves effectively, and have strong 21st century skills such as navigating social media.

“Communications is very important but it is very hard to teach quantitative minds the skills. A double degree in business and communications will certainly offer an edge.”

The university’s School of Business in Australia offers more double degree combinations such as law and business, engineering and business, law and engineering, and psychology and business.

“These areas of study are a natural fit and make powerful combinations.”

At Swinburne, double degree programmes are offered by the Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science, and Faculty of Business, Design and Arts. The two faculties also jointly offer cross discipline double degrees such as Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Business; Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Computer Science; and Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Information, Communications and Technology.

Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science dean Professor Su Hieng Tiong said entry into double degree programmes is based on single degree programme entry requirements, whichever is higher.

“From next year, the faculties plan to broaden double degree offerings to cover more majors and disciplines under engineering and computer science, for example majors in Internet of Things and cybersecurity under computer science in response to the state government initiatives in digital economy and global industry trend moving towards Industry 4.0, bringing together computing, automation, robotics and machine learning to produce highly efficient and integrated cyber-physical systems,” he added.

He stressed that a double degree enhances students’ skills and knowledge, and enables them to work across multiple disciplines and industries with ease. “A double

The curriculum of the future will no longer be fragmented but will reflect multiple disciplines to produce a multiskilled and multitalented workforce.

qualification ― in what may take as few as an additional year of full-time study ― will help students stand out from other graduates in the job market.”

SHARIPAH RUZAINA RUZAINA SYED ARIS

UiTM will be offering double degrees from March next year, said Sharipah Ruzaina.

Four faculties are involved in the initiative: the first partnership is between the Faculty of Applied Sciences and Faculty of Art and Design, and the second collaboration is between the Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences and Faculty of Business and Management.

An example of a double degree from the first partnership is the combination comprising Bachelor of Science (Honours) Textile Science and Fashion Technology and Bachelor in Textile Design (Honours).

“Graduates from this programme gain knowledge and skills in textile technology and the art of textile and fashion. The double disciplines are developed to complement one another in producing multi-skilled graduates in the field of fashion and the textile industry. The course does not only enhance knowledge in fashion design but also the sciences behind the textile industry,” added Sharipah Ruzaina.

The second partnership will offer Bachelor in Science (Honours) Management Math-