Professor Dr Shukri holds a PhD in Management and he is the Founder and President of the Management & Science University (MSU). As an edupreneur, Professor Shukri has been instrumental in the development of Malaysia’s and the region’s educational landscape.
His opinion and expertise is sought after in the development of higher education and training. Professor Shukri is also instrumental in ensuring access and equity in higher education. Under his leadership MSU has redefined the internationalization of education through the enhancement of students’ mobility, research collaboration among global institutions as well as faculty exchanges among them.
I interviewed this eminent educationist of international repute to glean information on a much debated topic: What’s Sri Lanka’s defining university..?
Q. Why do you “define MSU as The University of Choice” ..?
A. “Total Personal Development beyond chalk and talk” is what defines Management & Science University in Colombo. At MSU it is all about developing the students. In this context learning should add value and develop the students personal skills.
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| Prof Dr Mohd Shukri Ab. Yajid |
Our faculty members are more than teachers they are the students’ mentors, their friends and their confidante. We strive to create the difference among students through holistic experiences, among others, encompassing community engagement and international exposure activities.
The students will begin to appreciate the challenges inherent in these activities and such challenges are capable of transforming the students’ mind-sets and attitudes.
The industry relevant programme of studies offered, and the various industry visits and internship programme that MSU organises also help shape the students carrier perceptions. These and many activities that students immerse themselves in will bring out the best in them and ensure their employability standing upon graduation.
At MSU, we create a myriad of opportunities for students to prosper in life. The learning experience here is challenging, exciting and rewarding
Q.How did MSU come into being..?
A. It has been over thirty years since MSU began its offering of critical and relevant programme of studies in its effort at developing the quality human capital needs in this region. MSU is determined to ensure that there is equal access and opportunity to all for higher education and it strongly believes in the principle of lifelong learning.
Q. Why is MSU considered unique amongst other international universities in Sri Lanka.?
A. Staying true to our vision as The University of Choice, MSU aligns itslef with several key educational goals and objectives. These are parameters within which the calibration of quality graduates through the enhancement of positive learning experience will take place.
Over the years, our effort has borne results and further entrenched ourselves as a university to be reckoned with. The Ministry of Higher Education of Malaysia ranking of MSU as an “Excellent Status University” and the Accreditation Services of International Colleges (ASIC) UK, ranking of us as one of the top universities are testimonies to our effort of giving the best to our students.
We are also the first non-Japanese university to be accredited by the Alliance on Business Education and Scholarship for Tomorrow (ABEST21) Japan. MSU is also a Member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), the Asia Pacific Business Schools (AAPBS) Korea and the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) Belgium.
MSU Students are a privileged lot by any yardstick; they’re capable of earning a dual degree from the Coventry University UK & the University of Newcastle, Australia while having the added advantage of experiencing MSU’s International Students Exchange Programme (IESP) with more than 40 partner universities worldwide.
Q. Could you elaborate briefly on the faculties and centres of learning at MSU ?
A. The programme of studies at MSU are offered through several faculties and centres of learning. They all provide programme of studies which are industry relevant. The Faculty of Business Management and Professional Studies (FBMP) offers eighteen bachelor and thirteen diploma programmes, among others, on accounting and finance, business and management; hospitality and tourism; law and social sciences.
The Faculty of Health and Life Sciences (FISE) offer courses such as BSc Hons in Forensic Science; BSc Hons Biomedical Science, BSc Hons in Food Service Technology, Diploma in Nursing to name a few. MSU works closely with major private hospitals in the country to provide practical training for students. These courses could be either completed in its entirety in Colombo or a part of it could be pursued in the main campus in Malaysia depending on students’ choice.
The Faculty of Information Sciences and Engineering (FISE), on other hand, provides studies in the areas of computing encompassing, computer science, software engineering, games design animation, computer forensic and other computer related disciplines.
The International Medical School (IMS) offers programmes of study leading to the MBBS (Bachelor in Medicine and Bachelor in Surgery) degree. This can be done in our main campus in Shah Alam or at our offshore campus in Bangalore India.,
The School of Pharmacy offers programme of studies in pharmacy at the diploma and bachelor level.
The Center for Foundation Studies assists students in getting a head start prior to obtaining a specialized undergraduate qualification;
The School of Graduate Studies – has PhD and Masters Programmes that are research based.
The Graduate School of Management is focused on providing Global Opportunities to students through Global Knowledge via Global Networking.
We are also looking forward to developing the human capital needs in the hospitality sector of this country in line with the Sri Lanka government’s vision to make itself a major tourist destination. Our emphasis is on quality education, training and student exchange programmes. We are currently working with the Colombo University on students and staff exchange. In this context we take students in Colombo University’s Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism and provide them further training in MSU Malaysia.
Our academia comprises highly qualified teaching staff from some of the world’s top universities, in fact 47% of them possess PhDs.
Q. MSU is growing in popularity these days as the epicenter for tourism and hospitality studies; what is it that has made MSU so attractive..?
A. The hospitality and tourism industry is experiencing a boom time all over the world, especially in Sri Lanka. New hotels have been opened; contract catering is becoming an ever-stronger force to be reckoned with; new concepts abound; and there is a constant need for top-level industry consultants to advise the profession as the industry grows globally.
Jobs for graduates with hospitality and tourism management programs from universities find a rosy employment outlook with high paying positions because of the doors that often open with a university degree.
This is where MSU has made its presence. The Department of Hospitality and Tourism in the Faculty of Business Management and Professional Studies have just the kind of courses for those aspiring to excel in this exciting field.
Bachelor Degrees and Diploma’s in Hospitality and tourism management, culinary art, outdoor & leisure, event management, to name a few are industry relevant and provide specific knowledge that will assist graduates in their professional undertakings.
Currently, MSU students enjoy a ninety five per cent employability rate six months upon their gradation.
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