The AeU flexible experience in PhD for working professionals
KUALA LUMPUR: Asia e University (AeU) is a multinational and multi-mode university which offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes.
Among the highest degree one may earn in the academic field is the PhD, with AeU offering recognised quality PhD degree programmes by research in Business Administration, Finance, Humanities, Education, and Information and Communications Technology ( ICT).
AeU recently held its 8th Convocation at Putra World Trade Centre here where 2,669 students received their scrolls.
Of the graduates, 2,093 were Malaysians while the remaining 576 were international students from Canada, Egypt, Ghana, Myanmar, India, Indonesia, Mauritius, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Somalia, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.
Those who took postgraduate programmes numbered 815, of which 18 obtained their doctoral degrees – nine in PhD ( Business Administration), three in PhD ( Education), two in PhD ( ICT) and four in Doctor of Business Administration ( DBA). A PhD Graduate of 2018, shares her AeU Experience Dr Chew Li Lian, a senior manager in group procurement of an organisation in Malaysia, who graduated in PhD ( Business Administration), said: “I became interested in doing a PhD after reading an article about the government’s plan to make Malaysia a global hub for higher education and targeted to produce 60,000 PhD holders by 2023.
“Having spent 25 years in the corporate sector, I thought gaining a PhD would enhance my knowledge and expertise to a higher level, while opening up another career avenue for me in academia.
“I believe I can offer a practical and business- driven learning experience to students if I enter the academia field in the future,” she said.
Chew added that AeU’s PhD programme is approved by the Malaysia Ministry of Education and accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency.
On top of that, she said AeU is also a multinational university established as a Malaysian government initiative under the auspices of the Asia Dialogue Countries (ACD).
“As I learned more about AeU and its focus on cross- border learning and flexibility, I realised that its philosophy met my own aspirations. Being single and working full-time in the corporate sector, AeU’s PhD programme fits my work life.
“Pursuing the PhD degree changed my whole outlook about learning, as it was like going on an ultimate learning adventure. Doing the literature review was like going through a knowledge wonderland and AeU’s e-resources was the way to the knowledge rabbit hole.”
According to her, the most difficult challenge was on research methodology which was an unknown territory of learning – an area she had no prior knowledge of.
“Again, I relied upon AeU’s wealth of e-resources for learning materials and my supervisor for guidance.
“My PhD supervisor was just awesome. He was my pillar of support, motivator, and my mentor. He was easily contactable, provided prompt and constructive feedbacks at all times. Without the support of my supervisor, it would have been impossible to complete my research and thesis.
“The dedicated team in AeU’s School of Graduate Studies was also helpful, prompt and responsive,” she said.
Chew said the most rewarding part of her PhD programme was when the findings supported the conceptual framework proposed for the research.
“The results established that the framework designed was successful and that all the paths achieved the expected relationships. That made me happy,” she recounted.
Pursuing the PhD strengthens one mentally and emotionally because you not only learn to think better, but develop perseverance and optimism, she added.
“The entire experience has been a fantastic challenge and achievement. I would definitely recommend my family, friends and colleagues to pursue their studies in AeU.” AeU at a Glance AeU is a leading Open & Distance Learning ( ODL) university in Malaysia, and one of the premier ODL institutions in Asia.
As one of Asia’s premier universities in driving the digital frontier, AeU believes that innovation and technology have the power to make education truly democratised, personalised and borderless.
Today, AeU has a strong, equitable, high- quality education system with a vibrant international focus, and proudly supported by 17,000 graduates and nearly 30,000 globally- connected students from 100 different countries.
AeU prides itself on developing career-ready graduates – innovative and resilient and well prepared for rapidly changing workforce needs.
Intakes for all PhD programmes by research are open throughout the year. For enquiries, call 0350223456 or 013- 3507270, or email to enquiries@ aeu.edu.my.
Go to www.aeu.edu.my/studentintakecampaign to apply for the January 2019 intake.