Learn more about Courses and the requirements, fees and other details.
Ask Questions to get an education expert’s advice immediately.
Get the latest information about education news, tips and career opportunities.
Find out information about different Institutions and apply to them directly.
A link will be sent via e-mail to initiate password reset. Please check your inbox.
If you have not received it, Seconds, please click here.
If you have not received it, please click here.
You have reached your password reset limit for today. Please check your spam folder, retry tomorrow or contact us now
A One Time Password (OTP) has been sent to your number at Update Phone Number
Skip Now
Back
Want to change your mobile number? Update Mobile Number
Didn’t get a call from us? Retry now Want to change your mobile number? Update mobile number
Want to change your mobile number? Update mobile number
We have saved your mobile number successfully! You may retry tomorrow.
Your IVR verification call has been initiated.
Visit the International Students section on our website to find out the latest news and everything you need to know about studying in Malaysia.
Published by Afterschool.my on Feb 11, 2021, 11:55 am
Pushed by the pandemic, the University makes progress in ensuring quality education continues
Like other sectors, higher education has been significantly impacted by the rapid spread of COVID-19, creating uncertainty among parents and students. Over the last year, universities and colleges have been very responsive to the current situation by implementing actions to control the spread of cases and to keep students and staff safe.
The University of Southampton Malaysia (UoSM) and its parent campus in the UK, the University of Southampton (UoS), have withstood the turbulent challenging times by undertaking various efforts to ensure that the highest quality of education continues. These collaborative efforts can serve as a model to the global community in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of coordination, solidarity, decisiveness and leadership.
Combating COVID-19
From vaccine testing to the protection of frontline medical staff and the modelling of the spread of the virus worldwide, the University of Southampton (UoS) has risen to the challenge to make major contributions to the fight against COVID-19. Among its efforts to keep shared spaces safe, the University has developed a pilot home-based, non-invasive saliva testing programme for students. Students who arrive from across the UK and overseas are encouraged to take the test to keep the infection risk low in Southampton, and to give confidence to students, staff and local communities in Southampton city.
Figure 1 COVID-19 saliva testing kit
Providing facts and resources on COVID-19
UoS and UoSM are closely monitoring the situation and responding to the measures taken to combat COVID-19 as efficiently and responsibly as possible. As the situation continues to change rapidly, their top priority is the health and safety of their students and staff in Malaysia and the UK while ensuring learning continuity for students to complete their programmes and graduate.
With the campus closure of educational institutions under the Movement Control Order (MCO) in Malaysia and the England lockdown, the University has taken decisive measures to ensure that teaching and learning for all programmes will continue to be delivered as planned. To ensure that the community is regularly updated and kept informed, both UoS and UoSM have created a comprehensive set of FAQs which have been emailed to students. Information on topics such as studying and assessments, travel, facilities and support during these times is also made available through the university social media.
Maximising online learning
Like other universities, the University realises that higher education institutions need to align their objectives with the digital age. Even prior to the pandemic, the University has already adopted many technologies to enhance learning such as providing a wealth of support and information through over 200 million digital resources to aid physical and online learning. Students can access the electronic journals and e-books from the comfort of home. This, along with customised teaching and learning methodologies in blended learning, can provide an engaging and personalised learning experience.
The University has both live sessions and flipped classrooms for virtual lectures and tutorials, whereby students can listen to a lecture online and then participate in a group discussion or work project. Understanding that some students are unable to fully benefit from online resources, the University has recorded the classes to make them accessible offline. Besides using the usual online platforms such as Microsoft Teams, students are also supported through Blackboard, a web-based service where they can find material, take online tests and use discussion boards.
Agilesh Manivannan, a Year 3 Electrical and Electronic Engineering student, said: “There has been no damage to our studies as the University allows us to use many technology-based tools at our disposal.”
Believing that lecturers have now become guides, facilitators and collaborators in the learning process, Assistant Professor Dr. Ivan Ling, an Electrical and Electronic Engineering lecturer at the University of Southampton Malaysia, created a learning portal, inspired by other online teaching and learning providers, to offer mixed media content instead of just lecture recordings.
“The world is changing and so are we. Here, at the University of Southampton Malaysia, we are thinking of innovative ways to practise what we preach, by incorporating technology into our virtual classrooms. We create a virtual environment where demonstrators and tutors can interact with students and provide the much needed support virtually.”
Supervised digital lab activities
Knowing how challenging it can be for higher education institutions and students to cope and adapt to the current shifts, the University of Southampton Malaysia continues its commitment to the students by delivering Bitscope, one of the components of the students’ laboratory projects, to their home – for free. Bitscope and other associated components are loaned to students during the shutdown period to facilitate virtual laboratories. With these virtual scopes, lecturers can guide students virtually to perform the activities and to ensure excellent grades in their assessments. Undeniably, nothing can beat the experience of hands-on activity in an actual lab setting but these efforts are parallel to the way lecturers run projects in a laboratory setting.
Figure 2 The Bitscope was delivered to students' homes to mimic actual laboratory activities
Providing personal support for wellbeing beyond classroom walls
The University understands that shifting so quickly from interacting in a four-wall classroom setting to a virtual engagement can be challenging. To enable students to feel supported, both UoS and UoSM assign a Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) to each student. The PAT offers one-to-one support and advice on their studies and other issues, especially during the pandemic. Adding to this advantage, UoSM also provides online student services to support students in any matter regarding their university experience.
Beyond this, UoS also provides several other services to students in coping with the current situation. The Enabling Services and Student Support Hub are on hand and ready to chat with students if they are feeling overwhelmed while the Ask UoS series is the university’s mitigation measures that have been put in place to support students in their studies, coursework and assessment during this challenging academic year.
While the University is agile in providing academic-related services to students during the pandemic, the student associations at both UoS and UoSM are also proactively promoting a healthy, safe and enjoyable university experience by hosting a range of virtual events to enhance the student experience such as virtual game nights, virtual treasure hunt, career webinars and festive competitions.
Figure 3 A virtual game night organised by the UoSM Student Association to break the ice between existing and new students joining the campus online
Reimagining university education at Southampton
It is challenging to say the least, but we should credit universities for the way they are adapting and responding to the pandemic. Many of the adjustments to teaching and learning, research and student engagements have brought a newer and better version of the higher education experience. Determined to further pursue this, the University of Southampton Malaysia and University of Southampton UK will continue exploring new opportunities to improve the quality of teaching and learning to benefit students even after their graduation. The University of Southampton Malaysia is a specialist in business, computer science and engineering programmes, and allow students to start their degree in Malaysia and complete it in the UK. For more information, visit www.southamptonmalaysia.edu.my
Ooi Wei Xuen, the TaxPOD Challenge 2024 Champion.Ooi Wei Xuen, a Bachelor of Business (Hons) Accounting and Finance student, emerged as the Champion of the TaxPOD Challenge 2024. Organised by YYC, a leading tax advisory and accounting firm in Malaysia and Singapore, the competition took place on 14 ..
Some paths in life are driven by a clear calling, a passion that shapes every choice, every dream and every goal. For Sharmila Ravee, this calling came in the form of brands, the art of creative thinking and the power of strategic planning. Her journey through the world of advertising didn’t s..
Muhammad Amin Rafiq bin Abu Supian, a student from the Faculty of Computing and Informatics (FCI), has made MMU proud by securing a spot in the Top 5 at the MYStartup Pre-Accelerator Cohort 4. As a finalist, Amin walked away with a cash prize of RM35,000 for his groundbreaking startup, IOXTECH GLOBA..
MMU’s BYOC lets you explore your interests and discover what you like and enjoy.In today’s rapidly evolving world, a cookie-cutter approach to education doesn’t always cut it when preparing for the dynamic challenges of the 21st century. Flexibility and personalisation are key to making the mo..
Multimedia University (MMU) has achieved an improvement in its global standing, securing a spot in the 1001-1200 range in the prestigious Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025, announced on 9 October 2024. The THE World University Rankings are widely recognised as the only glob..
As Malaysians, we’ve all had our fair share of football nights at the mamak, waving our fists in the air and yelling vehemently at the TV alongside friends and family. Lee Chun Hang managed to take the universal passion that Malaysians share for the game a step further by channelling it i..
Many Malaysian students coming out of secondary school think pre-university education boils down to a Foundation or diploma programme. While these paths may be considered the norm and most popular, these structured and exam-heavy learning environments might not be the perfect fit for everyone. In fa..
When Uzair Dar hopped off the plane in Malaysia 6 years ago, he was like many other students who had travelled abroad for tertiary study: anxious, excited and eager for a new journey.Despite Uzair’s immense excitement for travelling to a different country and embarking on a new journey, this monum..
While most engineers dream of building machines, Praveen Silvadas had his sights set higher — he dreamed of flying the skies. His transition from learning complex systems to soaring above the clouds is a story of bold ambition and boundless curiosity.Praveen's journey began in 2011 when he followe..
Management and Science University led the Accrediation Council and Engaged Universities Asia Pacific Forum in September 2024As the only globally operating quality assurance body, ACEEU – headquartered in Germany - recognises engagement and entrepreneurship in higher education.Framed aro..
Get the information first
Afterschool.my
Shares
1
0
Need help?