Thanks to Adrian Yeo from MYCJN (Malaysian Youth Climate Justice Network) for sharing this.
If you have any question that you want to ask Malaysian Government Delegation to COP16 in Cancun, please post your question at http://mycjn.org/blog/?p=1776
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
The 1st Malaysia Sudoku Championship
Calling all Sudoku enthusiasts. The 1st Malaysia Sudoku Championship would be held on 12th December 2010 by Malaysia Sudoku Society.
Does it pay to be a student in the US?
Thanks to Shu Wen for sharing this article on studying in the US and the relative costs compared to studying in UK.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/mobile/magazine-11832373
Starbucks Live & Inspire Series features Dr. Chandra Muzaffar
Starbucks Live & Inspire Series features Dr. Chandra Muzaffar
Date:- 2nd December 2010
Time:- 8PM-9PM
Venue:- Starbucks, Level 2, Bangsar Village 2
We're BACK! Season 3 welcomes you to another 12 weeks of growth, fun and networking. More possibilities for you!
SPEAKER: Professor Dr. Chandra Muzaffar
TOPIC: Going back to Basics with Nation Building
P A R T N E R S and S P O N S O R S
..........................................
This series is made possible together with our sponsor MAYBANK, ACCA and our partners Starbucks, Yayasan 1Malaysia, Borders Bookstores, IACT College, The Malay Mail, Bangsar Village, Campus Plus, JobStreet, Malaysia SME, KomunitiKini, Friends to Mankind and GEW
T h e S P E A K E R*
.........................
So who is Professor Dr. Chandra Muzaffar?
Dr. Chandra Muzaffar is both a social activist and an academic. He is President of the International Movement for a Just World (JUST), an international NGO based in Malaysia. He is also the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the 1Malaysia Foundation.
He is the Noordin Sopiee Professor of Global Studies at the Science University of Malaysia (USM) in Penang.
He has published more than 20 books on civilizational dialogue, international politics, religion, human rights and Malaysian society. Among Chandra's latest publications are A Plea for Empathy, The Quest for Malaysian Unity (2010) and Religion Seeking Justice and Peace (2010).
T h e S E R I E S
......................
Holds a concept of "unconferenced" talks set in a casual "over coffee" environment. Every Thursdays, in a stint of an hour, we bring you bite size content, interesting and interactive sessions that add value to human potential and personal growth. The session focuses on the examples of ordinary people who have lived the extraordinary. It will highlight their work and accomplishments, personal struggles, strategies they used in striving to be more. These are people who live with a sense of being that inspires change, and directly influencing the evolution of the human spirit. It is about celebrating human potential.
T h e F L O W
..................
Registration 7:00 pm onwards
8.00 pm: Welcome + Introduction + Coffee Talk
8.15 pm: Speaker Session + Q & A
8.50 pm: 9.00 pm: Lucky Draw + Close
W h y C O M E ???????????????????
..................
1. Network with like-minded people
2. To have loads of fun and build friendship
3. Take the opportunity to meet the speakers in person
4. Get lucky with prizes! We've got lucky draws ranging from Starbucks merchandise to autographed CDs!
5. Create POSSIBILITIES for yourself.
6. Discover new perspectives, grow and evolve!
7. Because it's FREE!
follow us on twitter: http://twitter.com/liveandinspire and visit our series websitehttp://www.liveandinspire.com/series
SPEAKER: Professor Dr. Chandra Muzaffar
TOPIC: Going back to Basics with Nation Building
P A R T N E R S and S P O N S O R S
..........................................
This series is made possible together with our sponsor MAYBANK, ACCA and our partners Starbucks, Yayasan 1Malaysia, Borders Bookstores, IACT College, The Malay Mail, Bangsar Village, Campus Plus, JobStreet, Malaysia SME, KomunitiKini, Friends to Mankind and GEW
T h e S P E A K E R*
.........................
So who is Professor Dr. Chandra Muzaffar?
Dr. Chandra Muzaffar is both a social activist and an academic. He is President of the International Movement for a Just World (JUST), an international NGO based in Malaysia. He is also the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the 1Malaysia Foundation.
He is the Noordin Sopiee Professor of Global Studies at the Science University of Malaysia (USM) in Penang.
He has published more than 20 books on civilizational dialogue, international politics, religion, human rights and Malaysian society. Among Chandra's latest publications are A Plea for Empathy, The Quest for Malaysian Unity (2010) and Religion Seeking Justice and Peace (2010).
T h e S E R I E S
......................
Holds a concept of "unconferenced" talks set in a casual "over coffee" environment. Every Thursdays, in a stint of an hour, we bring you bite size content, interesting and interactive sessions that add value to human potential and personal growth. The session focuses on the examples of ordinary people who have lived the extraordinary. It will highlight their work and accomplishments, personal struggles, strategies they used in striving to be more. These are people who live with a sense of being that inspires change, and directly influencing the evolution of the human spirit. It is about celebrating human potential.
T h e F L O W
..................
Registration 7:00 pm onwards
8.00 pm: Welcome + Introduction + Coffee Talk
8.15 pm: Speaker Session + Q & A
8.50 pm: 9.00 pm: Lucky Draw + Close
W h y C O M E ???????????????????
..................
1. Network with like-minded people
2. To have loads of fun and build friendship
3. Take the opportunity to meet the speakers in person
4. Get lucky with prizes! We've got lucky draws ranging from Starbucks merchandise to autographed CDs!
5. Create POSSIBILITIES for yourself.
6. Discover new perspectives, grow and evolve!
7. Because it's FREE!
follow us on twitter: http://twitter.com/liveandinspire and visit our series websitehttp://www.liveandinspire.com/series
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Erasmus Mundus
Thanks to Shu Wen for sharing about this article on Erasmus Mundus. This is a great opportunity for those of you who would like to further post-graduate studies in Europe.
Michael Teoh Su Lim - Global Citizen of the Year 2010
Michael Teoh Su Lim has successfully emerged as the one of the two winners of Global Citizen of the Year 2010 at Global Entrepreneurs Week.
Michael and Carielle Doe from USA are the eventual winner and they will spend the next one year going around different communities around the world and making the difference in people's lives there.
Michael Teoh beat 44,489 entrants from 168 countries.
Syabas and Malaysia BOLEH!
Survey on University Education
Nick Edwards from The Knowledge Partnership is doing a survey for a university to understand the students' needs. Thanks Kian Ming for the link.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Attention high performing students
· Are you a top school student or undergraduate?
· Are you a Malaysian student studying engineering or computing in Australia, UK or Malaysia?
· OR are you an international student studying engineering or computing in Malaysia?
· Do you want to win an iPad?
If the answer to the above is 'yes', we'd like you to give us your opinion. We are currently undertaking research for a Top 100 university. This research is to understand the differences between students studying in Australia, the UK and Malaysia. The survey will take no more than ten minutes of your time, after which you will be entered into a prize draw to win a 32Gb iPad. Only one entry per person!
Please follow this link to take the survey http://is-nri.com/take?i=164604&h=01kf5kD-kGYdtBwHu-aUKA
About us: The Knowledge Partnership www.theknowledgepartnership.com delivers specialist research for the education sector, and works with clients in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Europe and Asia. We are the sponsors of the World 100 Conference for the top universities in the world.
Any comments about this survey, please contact me, Nick Edwards, on n.edwards@theknowledgepartnership.com
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Chevening Alumni of Malaysia talk
Below is a public talk organized by Chevening Alumni of Malaysia
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Chevening Alumni of Malaysia invites you to a Public Economic Recovery featuring Dr Jomo Kwame Sundaram on "The Global Economic Recovery: Prospects and Challenges"
& Professor Cheah Kooi Guan on "The Global Economic Recovery: Prospects and Challenges For Malaysia"
Details of the forum are as follows:
Date: Monday, December 6 2010
Time: 7:45pm - 10:00pm
Venue: Auditorium, Securities Commission (3, Persiaran Bukit Kiara)
Cost: FREE
For map to venue, see:http://www.sc.com.my/eng/html/organisation/roadmap_eng.html
Dr Jomo K S is the Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations. He is a Member of the United Nations Commission of Experts on Reforms of the International Monetary and Financial System
Professor Cheah Kooi Guan is Dean, Graduate School of Universiti Tun Abdul Razak. Prior to this appointment, he served at Universiti Sains Malaysia as Professor of Economics. With special interest in banking and financial development, Professor Cheah has undertaken consultancy work for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Bank Negara Malaysia.
To register for this forum, email your name to info@cheveningalumni.org.my .Feel free to circulate this notice to your colleagues and friends.
We look forward to welcoming you to this timely and relevant forum.
Nithi Nesadurai
President
Thursday, November 25, 2010
India's Universities Switch to US Credit Hours System
Thanks to my loyal blog contributor for sharing this.
Great that a number of universities in India agrees to adopt U.S. style credit hours. That marks a significant shift for India's higher education.
Bunch of Resources for US Education
Shu Wen has consistently been a very passionate person in education. She has continuously sent a number of educational resources. Below are a bunch of articles that she shared.
1. TJC College Applications Blog
2. College wasn't even in my vocabulary
http://chronicle.com/article/Say-Something-From-a-Refugee/125454/?sid=at&utm_source=at&utm_medium=en
3. Desperate Guide
4. Maybe Experience really can be the best teacher
5. 4 Sure-Fire Ways to Derail Your College Search
6. Early Decision Applications Surge in most Campuses
7. Liberal Arts Education
8. Future Top Universities below ranking radar
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Below is a list of US universities and colleges that offer merit-based scholarships (up to full tuition) to first-year international students (including Malaysian students) compiled by Shu Wen:
Wesleyan University. Freeman Asian Scholarships for 2 Malaysian students which cover full tuition for four years.
University of Richmond. Full tuition scholarships to up to 12 Science Scholars, 20 Boatwright Scholars, 6 Artist Scholars, 7 Oldham Scholars (this includes room and board).
University of Southern California (USC). 100 full tuition scholarships and more than 200 half tuition scholarships.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC). 70 Johnston Scholarships for entering freshmen.
Washington and Lee University (W&L). Johnson Scholarships.
New England College. Global Community Scholarships (up to full tuition).
The College of Idaho. Heritage Scholarships (full tuition).
Drury University. Trustee Scholarships (full tuition and a limited number of full scholarships).
Furman University. 2 full scholarships.
Illinois Wesleyan University. 2 President's International Student Scholarships (full tuition).
Hope College. 1 full scholarship.
Augsburg College. 11 President's Scholarships (up to full tuition).
John Carroll University. Presidential Honors Award (up to full tuition).
Hillsdale College. Distinct Honor Scholarship (up to full tuition).
University of New Orleans (UNO). 15 Homer Hitt Scholarships which cover full cost of attendance.
St. John's University. Presidential Scholarships (full tuition).
University of Miami. http://www.miami.edu/index.php/ug/scholarships/international/
DePauw University.
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Tuition-free colleges
Berea College. Only one student is admitted from each country each year. Preference for students from low-income families.
College of the Ozarks.
Deep Springs College (for men).
Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering.
The Cooper Union. Requires a U.S. mailing address to apply.
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EdUSA Weekly Updates on various scholarships
Below are the EdUSA Weekly Updates on various scholarships posted in November 2010 that Shu Wen has kindly shared.
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EdUSA Weekly Update, No. 203, November 1, 2010
MERIT-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS & GRANTS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AT DRURY UNIVERSITY
Dean's Scholarships: International Students with a B average (3.0) or higher and with ONE of the following proficiency scores: IBT TOEFL 72 , IELTS 6.0, SAT 1650, or ACT 24 are encouraged to apply. Scholarships will range from $2500 - $10000. There is no special application necessary to be considered for these scholarships. Scholarships are guaranteed for Fall 2011 if all admission requirements have been met by Jan 1, 2011.
International Baccalaureate Scholarship: International Students who have completed an international baccalaureate diploma may receive an award of $3,000 stacked with a student's Academic Dean Scholarship.
Trustee Scholarships: These are by invitation only and are available for the Fall 2011 semester. Students must submit a high school transcript of B+ (3.5) or higher and the SAT cumulative score of 1920 or higher. Scholarships range from full tuition up to a limited number of full rides.
Activity Awards: Available to international students who apply and are admitted to Drury University may qualify for an Activity Award in Art (majors only), Athletics, Debate, Music, and Theatre. Application procedures, eligibility requirements, and deadlines vary depending on the type of award.
For more information or questions, contact Julie Hockensmith, M.Ed, Director of International Admission, Drury University
Email: jhockens@drury.edu
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INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE SCHOLARSHIPS - SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF ART & DESIGN
IB Diploma Recipients who apply, are accepted and enroll at SCAD, having met or exceeded admission requirements, are awarded a scholarship of at least $10,000 per year of enrollment at SCAD, up to 225 attempted quarter hours, or until completion of a bachelor's degree.
For more information on this and other scholarship opportunities at SCAD, visit www.scad.edu/scholarships.
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EdUSA Weekly Update, No. 204, November 8, 2010
MERIT AWARDS UP TO $52,000 AT CARROLL COLLEGE
Big scholarships await - private education is affordable at Carroll College! All first year international students are automatically considered for four year merit awards ranging from $28,000-$52,000 (divided over four years).
Scholarships are based on a combination of secondary school GPA and official SAT or ACT results.
Apply today at: www.carroll.edu
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MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS TO INTERNATIONAL FRESHMAN APPLICANTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND
The University of Rhode Island offers merit scholarships to international freshman applicants. The preferred deadline for scholarships is December 1, 2010. (encourage applicants to Pharmacy and Nursing to apply by this early action deadline.) The Common Application is also accepted, which is easily accessible on the university website.
URI is a safe and scenic campus, only 16 kilometers away from the beautiful beaches along the Rhode Island coastline. There is also a train station nearby, which makes it easy to travel to such major cities as Boston (121 kilometers) and New York City (257 kilometers).
URL offers 80 majors in their seven degree-granting colleges: Arts and Sciences, Business Administration (AACSB accredited), Engineering (with ABET accredited programs), Environment & Life Sciences, Human Science and Services, Nursing, and Pharmacy.
For more information, visit: www.url.edu/admission. For questions, email Nancy Stricklin: mnancys@url.edu.
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EdUSA Weekly Update, No. 205, November 15, 2010
DREW UNIVERSITY OFFERED OVER $27 MILLION IN INSTITUTIONAL AID LAST YEAR
If you are an international student who has been successful in your studies, you may qualify for a scholarship to study in the United States at Drew University. As a matter of fact, Drew University offered over $27 million in institutional aid to their student body last year. They offer not only traditional merit-based scholarships to high achieving students, but also offer an array of special scholarships for those who excel in the arts, sciences and community service.
For more information, visit them online at www.Drew.edu where you can learn more about their scholarship opportunities, academic programs, internships and much more. International students can also apply for admission online at www.Drew.edu/apply.
Should you wish to discuss your potential scholarship eligibility, please contact Christopher M. Tyburski, Director of College Admission, directly at ctyburski@drew.edu.
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TEXAS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS UP TO $40,000
Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth, Texas automatically considers all international applicants for scholarships totaling up to $40,000 for a four-year program!
Want small classes? The average class size at Texas Wesleyan University is 14 students. They offer excellent business management, accounting, chemistry, biology, education, law, and computer science programs.
Visit Texas Wesleyan on the web at www.txwes.edu. For more information about international student scholarships, please contact Andy Harris, Assistant Director, International Programs, at aharris@txwes.edu.
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OHIO UNIVERSITY GATEWAY SCHOLARSHIPS UP TO $15,500
Merit scholarships are available to freshmen international students who take the SAT exam and begin their studies in the fall quarter through the Gateway Award Program.
Award amounts are based on combined Math and Critical Reading sections of the SAT exam and range from $6500 (score of 1130) to approximately $15,500 (score of at least 1400). Awards are renewable for up to 4 years.
The application deadline for the Fall 2011 quarter is February 1, 2011, but we recommend applying by January 1 for full scholarship consideration.
For more information visit http://bit.ly/dt4fy4
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EdUSA Weekly Update, No. 206, November 22, 2010
UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS UP TO $19,000 & GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS AT GEORGIA COLLEGE
Georgia College & State University (GCSU) is proud to announce approximately 15 International Student Scholarships of up to $19,000 per year for undergraduates and several graduate assistantships for the Fall 2011 semester!
GCSU offers challenging undergraduate and graduate programs in the Colleges of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Business, Education and Health Sciences. The international admission and scholarship application deadline for the Fall 2011 semester is April 1st, 2011.
International students can visit www.gcsu.edu/international to find out more about academic opportunities. They will also find information on scholarships and assistantships that can significantly reduce the cost of tuition while studying in the United States!
Kuala Lumpur City 2020 Draft Plan Open Day
Kuala Lumpur City 2020 Draft Plan Open Day will be held on 29th and 30th November, as well as 1st December 2010 from 9am to 5pm at Lobi DBKL, Menara 1, Jalan Raja Laut, Kuala Lumpur.
There would also be session where DBKL officers would be briefing the public at 2:45pm on all 3 days, as well as 9:30am on 30th November and 1st December. The venue of this briefing is at Dewan Megapuri Tingkat 30, Menara DBKL 1, Jalan Raja Laut.
For questions, can contact 03-2617 9545 ( Puan Norwahidah Abdsul Wahid )
03-2617 9543 ( Puan Anita Yunus / Puan Nor Zarina Senen ), 03-2617 9542 ( Encik Bongsu Khairi Hashim ) or 03-2617 9569 ( Puan Hashida Harun ).
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
The 2nd Young Corporate Malaysians Summit
The 2nd Young Corporate Malaysians Summit would be held on 11th December 2010 at Nikko Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.
Among the speakers who have confirmed for this year, include:-
Dr. Peter Bird
Managing Director, Rothschild Investment Bank Singapore
Shireen Muhiudeen
Principal and Founder, Corston Smith Asset Management ASEAN
John Pang
CEO, CIMB ASEAN Research Institute
Irhoan Tanudireja
Managing Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers Indonesia
Ferry Wong
Head of Research, PT Macquarie Capital Securities Indonesia
YBhg Dato' Dr Nik Norzrul Thani
Chairman, Zaid Ibrahim & Co and Director, Asian Institute of Finance
Hisham Abdul Rahim
Executive Director, BNP Paribas Investment Islamic Malaysia
YM Tengku Dato' Zafrul Tengku Aziz
CEO Maybank Investment
Steven Phan
Managing Director, Ernst & Young ASEAN
The topics for this year, include:-
a) ASEAN - Emerging Opportunities and Challenges
b) Indonesia - ASEAN's Next Biggest Thing
c) The Direction of Islamic Finance in ASEAN
d) Where is Malaysia in ASEAN
Do sign up at http://youngcorporatemalaysians.com/ycms2010/
Taylor's 2011 National Scholarship
Thanks to Chee Ling for sharing these resources with me. Do check out Taylor's 2011 National Scholarship, with its closing date of 31st Dec 2010. To those US-bound students, there is scholarships for American Degree Program as well. Do check the link at http://www.taylors.edu.my/prosstudents/popup/national_scholarships_2011.html If you have question, feel free to ask CheeLing.Pua@taylors.edu.my .
L'Oréal Brandstorm 2011
Thanks to Victor Lee for sharing on this L'Oréal Brandstorm 2011, a competition open to undergraduate students all around the world.
Students are to be the International Brand Managers of L'oreal and help them to attract male customers. It helps students to enhance their creativity. It also exposes them to the whole process of product management. No participation fee is required. The link is here http://www.brandstorm.loreal.com/Cand/index.asp
Sunday, November 21, 2010
List of Useful Resources from Shu Wen
Thanks to Shu Wen for a long list of useful resources for everyone!
Statistics for Early Admission
Cultures and Exchange Program Experiences
Scholarships to Study in China
Scholarships offered by Canadian Institutions
Malaysian Australian Alumni Council Scholarships
United World Colleges Applications (Deadline:- 15th Feb 2011)
ISKL IB Diploma Scholarships
China overtook India as Top Home of Foreign Students
Questionable Science Behind Academic Ranking
Number of Malaysians to study in US up by 4.2%
Release of the 2010 Open Doors Report
The University, Diversity and Autonomy
Singapore:- Shift from Science to Humanities
Colleges aim to revive the Humanities
Singapore Education Praised
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Research Internship at Nanyang Technological University
Thanks to Gwen for sharing this.
Research Internship at Nanyang Technological University
GLOBIS Dean's Seminar "Creating the No.1 Business School in Asia"
For those who aspire to do MBA in Japan.
GLOBIS Dean's Seminar "Creating the No.1 Business School in Asia"
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Guan Tyng - Experience Applying to US Universities
Guan Tyng wrote this sharing on his experience applying to US universities.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Global Innovation Game
Thanks to Karen Lee Sippel for sharing this with my blog readers.
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Malaysians Line Up to Play Official Game of GEW
By Karen Lee Sippel
Just days ago, participants in Egypt's celebration of Global Entrepreneurship Week got a sneak peek at a new social game developed for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs. Global Innovation Game is the official game of GEW 2010, creating a marketplace for ideas in which players devise solutions for problems challenging communities the world over. Players take on the role of innovator, investor or both.
Currently, the game is focused on three topic areas – energy, health and transportation – but as the game community shows interest, there are plans to expand topics to include education, the environment and other critical issue areas. Top players will be rewarded with in-game rewards and yet-to-be-announced prizes, sure to be useful to fledgling entrepreneurs.
Why did Cairo get the first glimpse at the game? For a number of reasons, one of which is because Egypt is the first country to celebrate GEW this year, a result of moving their events forward in order not to conflict with the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha. The game got a warm reception in Cairo from excited Arab entrepreneurs, eager to hear about this latest social game.
But Malaysians have also come out in droves to support the game, ranking just behind Egyptians and Americans as the country with the most fans on the GiG Facebook page. Now is the time for all of these fans to start playing the game before the rest of the world joins in when GiG officially launches during GEW the week of November 15th.
It's also the perfect time to share your thoughts on the experience so that we can continue to expand GiG to engage an audience of international entrepreneurs like you. The game is evolving rapidly in response to the great feedback we continue to receive. Send your thoughts to feedback@globalmindgames.com.
International Education Week 2010
Thanks to Shu Wen for sharing the following.
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IEW: International Education Week 2010
The IEW 2010 is back once again starting from November 15 - 19. Join us for a host of activities and come understand what American education has to offer you. Click on the title to view IEW's schedule for the week or download the following forms below to book yourself a spot for our IEW workshops.
Download Form - Web Chat: Undergraduate Education in the US: What It's All About
Download Form - Rock Hard Apss: How to Put Together a Solid Application to U.S. Universities
Download Form - Post-Graduate Study in the U.S: Your Best Choice
Download Form - How To get Into Ivy League Schools (and Why Bother?)
Source: macee.org.my
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Scholarships at Tsinghua University
Thanks to zmmaye for highlighting on the scholarships for Tsinghua University.
2 Useful NY Times Articles
Thanks to Andrew Loh for the following 2 articles.
Application Inflation
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/education/edlife/07HOOVER-t.html?ref=edlife&pagewanted=all
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/education/edlife/07HOOVER-t.html?ref=edlife&pagewanted=all
Useful Links
Thanks to Shu Wen for a bunch of following links!
Scholarships for International Students
Application Inflation: When Is Enough Enough?
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/education/edlife/07HOOVER-t.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&ref=education
Fill in the Blanks
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/education/07choice-t.html?ref=education
Looking for Students Like Me!
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/education/edlife/07Tess-t.html?ref=education
The 11 Best-Value Liberal Arts Colleges: Kiplinger List
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/03/best-value-liberal-arts-kiplinger_n_777108.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/education/edlife/07HOOVER-t.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&ref=education
Fill in the Blanks
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/education/07choice-t.html?ref=education
Looking for Students Like Me!
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/education/edlife/07Tess-t.html?ref=education
The 11 Best-Value Liberal Arts Colleges: Kiplinger List
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/03/best-value-liberal-arts-kiplinger_n_777108.html
UGRAD PROGRAM 2011-2012
Thanks to Jing Pei for sharing this.
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To get application form, click http://www.macee.org.my/05_14_content.html
2011 - 2012
GLOBAL UNDERGRADUATE EXCHANGE PROGRAM
Application Deadline: December 10, 2010
Looking for an enriching undergraduate experience in an American college or university?
The Global UGRAD program provides scholarships for one semester or one academic year of U.S. study in a non-degree program. This program is funded by U.S. Department of State. The goal of the program is to provide a diverse group of emerging student leaders, from non-elite and under-represented groups with a substantive exchange experience at a U.S. College or University.
Successful applicants can expect an in-depth exposure to U.S. society, culture and academic institutions by engaging in substantive academic exchanges at colleges and universities across the country. Students accepted into the one-semester program will travel in the fall 2011 (Aug-Sept) or in the winter (January). The length and start date of the scholarship award will depend upon the student's interests and availability.
Participants will not be able to choose their host institutions; however, based on academic interests, the program will attempt to place them at the most appropriate participating host institution. This is a non-degree program and it will be the paricipants responsibility to check with their home institutions whether any credits accumulated during the exchange can be transferred.
All Global UGRAD program participants will be enrolled full-time in undergraduate course work chosen from the host institutions existing curriculum to allow students ample opportunity for substantive interaction with U.S. faculty and student peers, and for exposure to U.S. academic and classroom culture. To ensure that students succeed in their new academic environment, host institutions will offer instructions on topics including academic research and writing, critical thinking, time management, note-taking and studying for and taking tests. Participants will live on-campus with American peers.
Participants will be required to participate in a minimum of ten hours of community service activities per semester. An internship component will be required for all academic-year participants during the academic component of the program. Internships will be related to each participant's field of study and/or career plans. They will also be required to enroll in at least one course per semester in a U.S. studies field, such as American History, Literature or Government.
Scholarships will be available in all academic fields of study. Per J-1 visa regulations, applicants from the fields of medicine, nursing, veterinary medicine, pharmacology, or other clinical fields of study, that direct patient care, including animal care, is not permitted and therefore academic course and/or program activities (e.g. internships) at participating host institutions may be limited.
Malaysian citizens only.
Participants must be 18 years of age when they arrive in the U.S. Additionally, participants should be 24 years or younger at the time of application.
Eligible students need to be currently enrolled and have completed at least one year of undergraduate study at a local institution by the time their UGRAD programs begins. Participants must also have at least one term of study remaining when they complete the program.
To apply, Get form from website mentioned above.
A complete application package will include :
- Completed and signed Global UGRAD application form
- Official/certified academic transcripts for years of university study (with English translations)
- Official results of the national general secondary school
- Letters of reference
- Grade Equivalences between local grading and U.S. grading system
- Toefl Scores (iBT minimum 61)
- Valid passport copy
Kindly submit 5 sets of complete applications to MACEE by December 10, 2010.
MACEE
Global UGrad Program
18th Floor, Menara Yayasan Tun Razak
200 Jalan Bukit Bintang
55100 Kuala Lumpur
For more information, please call 03 2166 8878 or e-mail at kalis@macee.org.my
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Young Corporate Malaysians 28th CEO Series of Talk - Ahmad Izham Omar
Live blogging for the 28th CEO Series of Talk for Young Corporate Malaysians - Ahmad Izham Omar, Executive Director of 8TV.
You can follow Ahmad Izham Omar at http://www.twitter.com/ahmadizhamomar and Young Corporate Malaysians at http://www.twitter.com/ycms . The hash tag for tonight is #ycm. There would be live tweeting there as well.
8TV broke even in a record of 18 months. Izham became the COO of 8TV, before being CEO of 8TV. Recently, he was promoted as Executive Director of 8TV. He is also the CEO for Radio Network.
Izham's main theme is "Making a Difference". He now works in TV, Radio, New Media and Music. He would be sharing a story about his journey.
Back in 1998, when he was 28 years old. He was in charge of a company, called Positive Tone. He wanted to grow the artists in his company, and EMI heard of his problem of funding, so EMI wanted to own the company 100%. It is a company that is part of Izham. The EMI people are very professional and have done extensive studies on Positive Tone.
The EMI people talked about Net Present Value, due diligence, cash flow of Positive Tone and EMI, and it really overwhelmed Izham. They told Izham that they loved him, because he was different.
Music/content comes first and then comes marketing/communications. Without great music, nothing else moves. Usually if lack of sales, it is due to bad product, and not due to bad promotion.
Back in 1995, he was hanging out with a 31-year-old guy, Tony Fernandes outside Dynasty Hotel. Tony Fernandes shared with him that "if you have one million dollars, but if you have bad music, it won't sell." So, product/service comes first, then comes marketing/communications.
The first P of Marketing Mix is Product. So, that is the most important thing.
The typical record industry infrastructure back in early 1990s are divided into Malay songs, Chinese songs, International/English songs. The TV, Radio, Press, Retailers, Record Companies all do the same, where they have different divisions/departments for it. The Mostpit said that the infrastructure is wrong.
In the 1970s/1980s, people start to gradually move into urban area, and move beyond their parents' generation. They are the urban group, who tend to be more racial blind. The urban people tend to have aspirational values. They tend to aspire to move up the value.
Then they produce OAG, which is different from the typical records. They were laughed by the infrastructure back then. Izham brought the album to MCA (which is now Universal), BMG etc. However, people can't see the value of this music.
Izham brought the song to a music shop, where the owner told Izham that he didn't know where to put the cassette. It is neither Malay songs, nor Chinese songs, nor English/International songs. People can't appreciate this different form of music.
So, at that time, Izham decided to go straight into the urban market. He decided to go straight to the indie market. This was the time he worked the hardest. He had to make flyers, distribute flyers outside the mall. He even went into toilets to stick flyer of buying OAG.
There was a time when Izham did not have money, so he even had to go back to his mother to ask for money. He finally found a distributor, who was a pirate, and it became into triple platinum. It even outsold Sharifah Aini and KRU.
However, in the end he had to turn down the distributorship, as it was a pirate.
He shared on his newsletter back in 2002. The database grew to 20,000 in a year, and then 70,000 after 3 years. He replied to all emails that he got. Izham shared that most marketers missed the main ingredient of it. Marketers today rely on others to win over their customers. Marketers often felt surprised that Izham won over his customer one by one. Izham shared that often those marketers would filter the information that is supposed to reach the top management, so all those information has been "scanned and filtered".
Izham shared that his biggest success of music industry is to transform the infrastructure of music industry. He managed to urbanize the market.
People often said Positive Tone is an innovator. Izham said that it is not original, but copied from other companies, like Motown, which has artists like Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross etc. They made Black music for White People.
Do look for clues from around the world. Learn from around the world, but not just fight within Malaysia.
Izham eventually sold Positive Tone entirely to EMI. He became EMI staff and took charge of artists like Sharifah Aini.
One day, he received a call from Abdul Rahman Ahmad, which he didn't know who he was. He found that he was CEO/Group Managing Director of MRCB. He brought along Sharifah Aini and KRU CDs when he went to meet Abdul Rahman Ahmad at Crown Princess Hotel. He was not intimidated by him, as Izham had more hair.
First thing Abdul Rahmad Ahmad said to Izham is "Dude, are you interested to start a new free TV Station". Izham's reaction "Are you mad? Are you nut?" Abdul Rahman Ahmad said that he wanted Izham because he didn't know anything in the field, so won't make the same mistake as others in the industry. The mission is to start a new, cool, free terrestrial TV for the urban young adults.
Abdul Rahman Ahmad told him to do the same thing as he did for Positive Tone, but on TV. Izham stayed cool when in front of Abdul Rahman Ahmad.
Immediately after that, he called out his friends in TV Industry. Everyone said that he won't succeed. There won't be money in it. He remembered his moshpit's days, and he asked those people who are crazy of TV, and they were excited. He took the offer.
He created a free TV, never like this before. At that time, Astro's penetration was 25%. So, he showed MTV for the first time to the remaining people who were not on Astro. He used the content strategy, and show the best shows from around the world. He got Grammy Awards, Oscars, F1, Euro 2004. He went to Hollywood a week before to get the shows, and created innovative local content, like Quickie, So you think you can dance etc.
Izham went on the street to get the publicity. In the Star youth 2 Cool Pool 2005, 8TV won 40% of the votes, and AXN was the 2nd channel at about 18%.
Izham let the young people run the show, and he stayed aside to let them make the difference. 8TV was the no.1 station for the target music, and broke even in 18 months.
Abdul Rahman suggested to start a couple of radio stations. Izham went to see his friends at Hitz, Era, Red etc. They all told him that there was no money. The moshpit told him to go ahead. Infrastructure said no and people said yes, so he decided to go ahead. He launched Hot FM in 2006 and became no.1 radio station for age below 35. Fly FM became the no. 2 English radio channel. In 2009, he started OneFM.
He wanted to keep on making music, so he started Monkey Bone. Then, Abdul Rahman Ahmad asked him to go and do digital. He was asked to take charge of Alt Media.
Today's audience has many options. People now watch things in all sort of media. Malaysia is no.3 in the world for the number of people spending over 20 hours a week on streamed/downloaded contents. Malaysia is the world no.1 for online advertising click-throughs. Malaysia are digital media junkies. He didn't need research data to tell.
He shared on his family trip, where his brother-in-law was going online next to swimming pool. Even older people are online, and of course the youngs. He introduced Catch-Up TV, where people watch online exclusive contents, online contests and make it mobile portable. He believed in an amazing, engaging, interactive future for media.
Recently, they launched TonTon in 2010, where it is world-class, intelligent and all about video. The Catch-Up TV has 1.8 million registered users. No. 1 show on TV has 4 million viewers, but the show online has 64 million video views online, and we don't even have 64 million population. He shared on people watching it during lunch time. People can chat on it, and have nice interface. There are 30,000 hours of archive video.
All those old TV programs are now on TonTon for free, and by January 2011, everyone can create their own channel. Tonton sat on intelligent media platform, and it would recommend content you like and it would serves advertising relevant to you. It would focus on showing the right advertising to the right people at the right time.
You can never imagine what wondrous things await you until you start moving.
He shared on the most important thing to making a difference is having a solid team. When he interviewed people, he looked at whether people have done something crazy. He would be observing on whether you would die for the mission.
George Bernard Shaw said "The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man."
When you have the right amount of unreasonable people around you, you can do the impossible.
He shared on his lessons learnt in making a difference.
a) Do it from the heart - The type of things that you would be excited to do when waking up at 5am.
b) There is always a new way to do something.
c) Product/Service Comes First - Google hardly do any ads.
d) Roll up your sleeves and jump into the moshpit. - hang out with the crowd
e) Look for clues from around the world
f) Leading the market is better than being a slave to it - The best way to predict the future is to make it. Give them what they don't know they want.
(Henry Ford said that people would want a faster horse, but he created car.)
g) Win your consumer one by one.
h) Have a team that will die for the mission. Surround yourself with a team that is smarter than you.
i) A little naivety goes a long way. - Izham was naive, so he was lucky. He was young and foolish and thought that he could control the world, he went and do it. He would throw people into the deep end of the pool, and see whether they can swim.
j) Have the balls to try it. If not going to try it, it would never get done.
Elvis said that he would play the black man blues. He shared on how people really go out and do it.
You can't hit a home run unless you step up to the plate.
Izham shared on William Hung, and William Hung didn't know he can't be a star. He went on to do it anyway, and he sold more than 1 Million and he went on to become a platinum in Singapore.
Q&A:-
Izham shared that for those who are age between 0 to 12, 80% of influence would be by parents and 20% by media. But by age of 13, mentality would have get stuck already. So, if people are racist by age of 13, then it would be the influence from age 0 to 12.
In his media, there would be children watch it as well, so they would get influenced. For Malaysian movies, often we don't lead them to some positive conclusion, but usually internationally, there would be such a lead into positive message.
Izham shared on his future would be on content. When he was in music, it was content. For TV, it was partially content, but not all contents are owned by him. He is looking into going into making content. He believed that he could make an internationally-known content maker company.
Izham's main goal in life is to make the Pak Guard at TV3 to love the things that he do. If that succeeded, he would have influenced the mass. He wanted the whole of Malaysia to like it. He remembered his first day at work, when the guard was listening to the song of - Anak Ayam, a Too Phat's song.
Izham shared that people have to open the eyes, and then the luck would swim by you. If people close the eyes, then you would not see the opportunities, even if opportunites come by you.
The higher you go up, the tougher it is for luck to reach you. So, make sure you build up your foundation - education and experience. The more you build you luck, the closer it would get by you.
Some people who have good education and luck went by them, yet they don't sense it.
Izham that he had a degree and master. He did Bachelor of Music, Music Production & Engineering at Berklee College of Music in 1988-1991, and then MBA at Suffolk University in 1992-1994. He did Executive Education at Harvard Business School.
Izham always went down to the street, to know what really happened at the ground. All the management team would wear 8TV's vest at least once in a quarter to go down with the troop to learn what's happening at the ground. And also go to Tweetdeck to listen to what people are saying, although those tend to be peole who have a lot to say. What needed to hear are those who might go out and tell.
Izham really enjoyed the hardship. He enjoyed the experience of having 40 cents to go to the toll. He learned from the failures. There was once, when he turned back when Jaclyn Victor won the Malaysian Idol, the crowd is 1Malaysia. He was very touched with it, and that was the highlight of his life! Usually, in entertainment area in Malaysia, people tend to be one race. In that occasion, he felt like in stadium watching badminton, where all races cheer for Malaysia.
There would always be people buying piracy, so for Tonton would provide it for free and have nice interface, so people would use it. And there is a platform for advertisers.
In TonTon, it would show relevant ads, example when the show has rice being shown, there could be advertisement of rice by a hypermarket, or when the artist wears a jacket, there could be an advertisement to buy that particular jacket. There is a lot of potential for it.
For those piracy, Izham shared that only 6% of people would be using stuff like bittorrent, but the mass would still not be exposed to it.
Izham would lead by example and do things that are beneficial for the community and the target market. He would only take advertisements that are credible.
As of now, Tonton is only available for Malaysians, due to the bandwidth issue, but hopefully by end of the year, it would be available for the rest of the world.
Work life balance can be achieved over time. Izham started work in 1994, and he got married in 1996. He cannot rest until he got things solved. He would solve the problems, whether it is portal or transmitter. He tried to control himself now.
When he first started, his wife didn't get to see him much. Now, Izham went to work late and came home early, so he would spend time to have breakfast at home. He can now rely on his talented and capable staff to make things done. He would have time to think through.
Now, he is CEO for 3 companies, but he is more relaxed than he was a manager at Positive Tone. He shared that many bosses tend not to let go. He shared that he tries to make him redundant. He shared that he only go for 1 meeting at 8TV every fortnight and responded to some emails for Shouts Award. Swee Kim handled the things and perhaps checked with him when necessary.
Principal of business, you must suffer for four years. Izham learned a lesson, one has to either becoming a millionaire or bankrupt, then one hasn't tried hard enough.
One very important thing is to hire the right people.
Both Media Prima and Astro have both invested a lot more into local content. Internet is giving them a lot of competition and it kept them always on the toes. It is not just the channels.
Izham shared that one has to make money to do good stuff. Izham has to roll the profits that he makes. Izham used to tell Too Phat to make profit, so that can make better albums. To increase everyone's talent and creativity, then one has to make profit. ONe has to weigh between social good and profit, and balance it. The problem is that people with no ethics take care of companies. The main problem is that people doing CSR due to tax credits. Eventually, the stock market would look at the financial number. So, it has to be a balance. And what matters is goes with your heart.
Izham wants to see them selling Malaysian contents to the world. Izham is only 20% of where he really wanted to be.
Above is the live blogging for Izham's talk. If there is any error, do let me know. Do check out the 2nd Young Corporate Malaysians Summit on 11th December 2010 at Nikko Hotel.
Friday, November 05, 2010
1st Malaysia Sudoku Championship
Thanks to Yee Dian for sharing on this 1st Malaysia Sudoku Championship.
It would be on 12th December 2010, 9am to 5pm at Shaw Parade, KL.
Total prizes worth close to RM15,000.
For more details, go to:-
Global Entrepreneurship Challenge
Thanks to Coyin for sharing on this Global Entrepreneurship Challenge.
This is open to any student around the world of age 18-30 and winner would get a trip to Sweden to attend the conference!
Are you up for the challenge?
100 Best Blogs for Liberal Arts Education
Thanks to Shu Wen for sharing this.
100 Best Blogs for Liberal Arts Education!
One Home Many Hopes - School in Kenya
Got an email from David Chan from CSP 5 (China Synergy Programme) on his initiative to raise fund to build a school for the poor children in coastal Kenya. Do check out the link below.
BQE Session 4 "From Survival to Strength"
Thanks to Harish for sharing this with me.
Tim Fernandez would be sharing at Building Quality Entrepreneurs (BQE) Session 4 "From Survival to Strength" on 8th November.
World Engineers' Convention 2011 in Geneva
Thanks to Kea Ching for sharing this with me.
World Engineers' Convention 2011 in Geneva from 4th to 9th September 2011.
There is discount for students and also young engineers!
Wednesday, November 03, 2010
Internship with PEMANDU
If you are passionate in helping Malaysia to develop, do check out this interesting internship opportunities by PEMANDU. Thanks to Joyce for bringing on board such opportunities and sharing on it!
Raleigh KL Introduction Weekend
Thanks to Kar Lye for sharing this.
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Event details are as below:
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Ever fancy a life of adventure, discovery and excitement?
Join a hundred strangers.
Walk a thousand miles.
With no change of socks.
To sleep with bugs and bathe in streams.
Would YOU give up the comforts of home in pursuit of a crazy dream?
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=155777574461623
Join a hundred strangers.
Walk a thousand miles.
With no change of socks.
To sleep with bugs and bathe in streams.
Would YOU give up the comforts of home in pursuit of a crazy dream?
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=155777574461623
Event: Introduction Weekend December 2010
Date: 6.00PM Friday, 3rd December 2010 – 6.00PM Sunday, 5th December 2010
Venue: International Youth Centre, Jalan Yaacob Latiff, Bandar Tun Razak, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.
Participation Fees:
Early Bird: RM55/participant (for COMPLETE registration forms submission BEFORE OR ON the 7th of November, 2010)
Normal Rate: RM70/participant (for registration forms submission AFTER 7th of November, 2010)
(This includes meals, accomodation, insurance and transportation throughout the weekend)
Online download Introduction Weekend Application Form by clicking the following link:
Online download December Introduction Weekend Poster (Spread the word out to your friends!!!)
Registration: Submit form to iwdec2010@raleighinternational.org.my
Registration Deadline: 14th of November 2010
Contact Person: Pei Ying at 012-9120321 or Geng Qian at 012-4106347
Official Website: www.raleighinternational.org.my
Thiel fellowship
Thanks to my loyal blog contributor for sharing this! To those students/youths with innovative idea, this would be great way for you to make your breakthrough in Silicon Valley!
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http://www.thielfoundation.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=18&Itemid=22
The Thiel Foundation will award up to 20 people under 20 years old cash grants of $100,000 to further their innovative scientific and technical ideas. In addition, over a two year period, our network of tech entrepreneurs and philanthropists—drawn from PayPal, Facebook, Palantir Technologies, Founders Fund, the Singularity Institute, the Seasteading Institute, and others—will teach the recipients about creating disruptive technologies and offer mentorship, employment opportunities, support, and training.
Though applicants may already have in mind scientific or technical ideas, the Thiel Fellowship is not limited to those with developed innovations. The purpose of the Fellowship program is broad: the grants are intended to enable the recipients to achieve a specific objective, produce a report or other similar project, or improve or enhance a scientific, technical, or charitable capacity, skill, or talent.
Teams of up to four persons may also apply. Each member of a selected team would receive the full fellowship; therefore, each team member must fill out the application and the team will be judged on the strength of all members.
Applications must be submitted by December 15, 2010. Applicants must be under 20 years old as of December 15, 2010. Applicants may be from anywhere in the world, except from certain countries whose residents are banned by the United States Government from participation.
The Foundation will begin announcing Fellows in January 2011. Fellowships must be accepted within one week of being offered. Offers to teams may be contingent on all members accepting. All members of a team must accept the fellowship, or the others may forfeit eligibility. Recipients may begin their two-year fellowship at any point in 2011. If currently a student, a recipient must stop active enrollment in school during the fellowship. During the two-year fellowship, recipients should not have any other employment or educational enrollment except as approved by the Thiel Foundation.
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