Improving human lives
OVER a decade ago, Malaysia embarked on a profound quest to make the bio-based industry the key economic driver by 2020. Biotechnology offers natural solutions that benefit four major industrial areas, including healthcare, agricultural, food and environmental uses and in the meantime, sustaining the commercial and ecological landscape expected to improve human lives.
Nilai University School of Applied Sciences head, Dr Ng Shee Ping, explained that the term biotechnology refers to the technology that exploits biological systems to generate products or applications, which improve human well-being. In fact, biotechnology is not a new hype.
“The School of Applied Sciences at Nilai University offers broadbased undergraduate programmes for biotechnology and researchbased postgraduate programmes in applied sciences,” said Dr Ng.
Students who have completed their SPM may first enrol in the Foundation of Science programmes and then pursue their degree.
In opting so, they will complete their degree in four years. If students pursue the Diploma in Biotechnology at Nilai University, they can get an exemption of up to 31 credit hours in the Bachelor of Science (Hons) Biotechnology programme – under normal circumstances, students will graduate with a diploma and degree within four and a half years.
The minimum entry requirement for local students to pursue the Diploma in Biotechnology is: 1) SPM/O-level – 3Cs
2) UEC – 3Bs
3) SKM/SKK (MQF Level 3) in a related field – Pass and pass SPM with 1C
4) Certificate (MQF Level 3) in a related field – CGPA 2.0
In the two-and-a-half-year diploma programme, students will be exposed to knowledge in various disciplines as well as practical skills. Should students seek employment after completing their diploma, the courses undertaken will give them a solid footing in the four major industries mentioned earlier.
If students opt to pursue the Bachelor of Science (Hons) Biotechnology after their diploma, they are entitled to some course exemptions for the first year – they may directly enrol for sophomore year courses in the degree programme.
The biotechnology degree programmes incorporate electives in business, communications, marketing, accounting and management.
“With the best of both worlds – science and business, we hope our graduates will excel in the global bio-economy initiatives outlined by the Malaysian government. It will allow our graduates the flexibility to switch in an ever challenging business landscape,” says Dr Ng.
“Students who have completed their foundation in science will study the basic subjects of biological sciences. The basic courses serve as a strong base to prepare them for the courses in the subsequent years. As students advance to their third year, practical skills will be emphasised; especially lab-based courses such as Cell and Molecular biology laboratory as well as Immunology Technique in Biotechnology.
“In addition, students will carry out a supervised final year research project through the Research Methods and Design and Capstone courses. Essentially, we train students to conduct their research through methodological research skills,” added Dr Ng.
Both graduates of the diploma and degree programmes would undergo a four-month internship programme.
“An internship tutor will guide the final year students to prepare their resume when applying for internship placement. Endowed with the freedom to choose their preferred industry, students will learn to be discreet about their career choices. This is because the multi-disciplinary nature of both the diploma and degree programmes allow our students the flexibility to do so,” said Dr Ng.
Students can expect to jumpstart their careers as a technical executive, science laboratory technologist, research scientist, quality assurance or quality control executive, educators, service analyst and product specialist.
As science advances and evolves, so will the field of biotechnology – it is an endless loop. Graduates charting their careers towards leadership roles ought to consider pursuing their postgraduate study.
Nilai University offers a full research-based Masters of Applied Sciences and Doctor of Philosophy (Applied Sciences) for those who aspire to move towards leadership roles within the higher education or professional sector in the field of applied sciences.
■ For further details, call 06-850 2308 for an appointment with education counsellors or email marketing@nilai.edu.my or visit Nilai University’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ NilaiUniversity/ or its website at www.nilai.edu.my .Itisopenfor consultation during office hours, Monday till Friday (9am till 5pm).