Connecting technological knowledge
INFORMATION technology (IT) continues to gain prominence in global economies, influencing almost every industry and sector.
New jobs are created as a result of such progress. For this reason, professionals should consider a postgraduate degree in IT.
Universiti Tenaga Nasional (Uniten) is an ideal tertiary institution that helps individuals unlock their talent and build future pathways in the world of IT.
“A postgraduate IT course can help students further their skills and knowledge in IT as well as develop other qualities such as communication, critical thinking, data analysis, problem-solving and better time management,” says Dr Nor’ashikin Ali, Uniten's senior lecturer and programme coordinator for PhD in Information and Communication Technology, Master of IT (by research), Master of IT (by coursework and research) and Master of Software Engineering (by coursework and research).
She adds, “The skills and qualities developed during the master’s degree will enhance one’s curriculum vitae as the additional qualification is evidence to an employer that a person has determination, tenacity and the ability to develop high-level knowledge.
At Uniten, students are assured of receiving quality education as the institution takes great care in maintaining the high standards of teaching and learning.
All postgraduate programmes at the university are approved by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency, which involves a recognised expert in the IT industry to biannually evaluate the course content and provide feedback on various aspects of the programme.
The university also engages the Industry Advisory Panel that consists of senior industry IT practitioners, who advise Uniten’s College of Graduate Studies on emerging industry trends, opportunities and IT skills requirements.
“These experts help fine-tune Uniten’s academic curriculum of our postgraduate IT programmes.
“They will also review and provide recommendations to improve teaching methodology, facilities and practices to ensure that all aspects of postgraduate learning are in tune with emerging needs of the industry,” says Dr Nor’ashikin.
Enriching experience
As part of the learning experience, students undertake real-world projects in industry settings and provide insight into the changes that IT is making in their organisations.
Students who are engaged in research projects will understand the research priorities and needs of both the industry and Government.
The Master of IT (by research) at Uniten requires students to submit a thesis and work independently with the support of a supervisor.
By the end of the programme, students are expected to have sound knowledge of the research subject, show evidence of independent thought as well as use clear and concise language.
The Master of IT (by research and coursework) is designed to provide students with the opportunity to gain knowledge in multiple areas of IT.
Students undertake a specific set of core courses, a selection of electives subjects and two semesters of research project.
Undertaking a coursework programme requires students to attend classes, complete assignments and sit for examinations where applicable in addition to a minor thesis.
According to Dr Nor’ashikin, there is always a high demand for IT graduates, particularly in areas of security, web and mobile development as well as big data or data analytics.
“These areas of digital expertise are in demand across a variety of industries, including financial services, healthcare, retail and manufacturing. Within a few years, competency in analytics and big data will be one of the most crucial skills needed by organisations,” she says.
“IT graduates must ensure they have the skills required by the industry as it will help them stand out in a highly competitive employment market.
“A postgraduate IT programme will provide students with technical and soft skills to creatively meet the demands and challenges of a broad range of IT issues.”