Asiaone Education - Article

I could not help my self from either to smile or pity these students who paid, $13,000 - $19,000 perhaps from their life saving or loans, for an 'American' Degree & Post Graduate Degree', with a pompous celebration, only to find out later that it is 'unaccredited University' from Panama. I am just wondering how this could have happen, from our experience with student that MPEC Edulink counselled, As the DoS (Director of Studies), I am always answering questions (whether I like it or not) on accreditation, it is a cardinal rule, matter of factly speaking, for anyone to pursue higher degree. Therefore it could be either ignorance (highly unlikely) or because of its name? -a brand myopia, no pun intended, but again, this is not even an American Institution, so the crux of the issue goes back to the student, students should have known 'Frontis nulla Fides' . It is intriguing, however, to read it happening in Singapore.

However, do remember :-
If these students needed to have a degree (which is obvious, and who am I trying to kid?) and these students did learn something, from this Institution, and are 'developing their potential', then by all means, go ahead. It is fair to them for being given the opportunity, it is something noble, isn't it?

However, if this is about 'paper chase' and contributing to the fact that "At least two American states have outlawed degrees from WCU, describing it as a 'degree supplier' that offers 'fraudulent or substandard degrees'. That is what concerns me most..

My last word is 'makejang saba hada' (if you do not know what it means, then ask someone from Bali..)

http://www.asiaone.com/News/Education/Story/A1Story20081024-95917.html

To my commentator - on New Europe, New World, my statement is 'neither do I', thanks

2010 , European Capital of Culture

A Hungarian writer, Gyorgy Konrad, once described, “ A great city is one that we visit with pleasure.” It is indeed holds true, during my trip to Pecs last September, I am simply captivated by its beauty, and the warmth of its people. Thanks to my colleagues from Pecs University, for being really nice and hospitable. The lunch was great, it was Ramadhan, but since I had a fever, and have to take my medicine…

Prof Ferenc, took us for a walk, all over the city, and I amazed that the building, which is a church and a mosque together in one. It reminds me of Hagia Sophia, and when we went to the top of a hill, once again, I am surprised that I could see Croatia, which is yojana (a Balinese word that means : the distance the eye can see)..I promised Prof Ferenc that I will ensure, more Asian to be exposed to this beauty and its uniqueness, after all, it is such a waste not to let the world know about such beauty. The pictures are available on my space ; Mista Najieb, Cheers..

What is Aerospace Engineering?

AEROSPACE engineering is the branch of engineering behind the design, construction and science of aircraft and spacecraft. Aerospace engineering has broken into 2 major and overlapping branches: aeronautical engineering and astronautical engineering. The former deals with craft that stay within Earth’s atmosphere, and the latter deals with craft that operates outside of Earth’s atmosphere.

While ‘Aeronautical’ was the original term, the broader aerospace has superseded it in usage, as flight technology advanced to include craft operating in outer space.

Aerospace engineering is often informally called ROCKET SCIENCE.

Modern flight vehicles undergo severe conditions such as differences in atmospheric pressure and temperature or heavy structural load applied upon vehicle components. Consequently, they are usually the products of various technologies including aerodynamics, avionics, materials science and propulsion.

These technologies are collectively known as aerospace engineering. Because of the complexity of the field, aerospace engineering is conducted by a team of engineers, each specializing in their own branches of science. The development and manufacturing of a flight vehicle demands careful balance and compromise between abilities, design, available technology and costs.

Bauman Moscow State Technical University (BMSTU), founded in 1830 is a leading University as a Centre of Higher Education & Research Engineering. Professor N.E. Zhukovsky, the "Father of Russian Aviation" is the founder of BMSTU School of Engineering Mechanics & Aerodynamics. At present there are over a 100 scientific schools in BMSTU not to forget, that 9 BMSTU graduates are became COSMONAUTS. That basically reflect the status enjoyed by BMSTU graduates.

Shanghai Jiao Tong 2008 Ranking

Finally I am able to convince myself to accept and acknowledge the University ranking for this year, although there will be Universities Rectors and VC (whose University did not make it in the listing, either this list or the other) by saying ranking is not the only determinant, I do beg to differ, so to say, that Eotvos Lorand, Budapest is in the ranking. As the Director of Studies, I have to say, I am really pleased..Hopefully it will at least clear if not a lot, at least some ambiguities. Still, I can never forget, one of the most popular statement mentioned by one of my colleague, when I was living in London "it is impossible to please all of the people, all of the time..", how could I ever forget that..

2006 (Bangkok), 2007 (Kuala Lumpur), 2008 (Jakarta)

Every year the Higher Education Council in the European Union will organise its annual exhibition, within this region, South East Asia. I am glad during the 2006 exhibition, MPEC - University Albert-Szent Gyorgi in Szeged, sent the Dean of the Medical Faculty, Prof. Szabo to be in Bangkok, and he did include Kuala Lumpur in his trip to the region, through the initiative from Budapest, MPEC was able to push forward the existence of this world renowned University, and hopes that local Asian will be able to have an additional option if not advantage for another destination for tertiary education. The fair in Kuala Lumpur, last year, I must admit, Malaysians are still very obsessed with 'premium' countries. I have no idea on what to expect in Jakarta, but, it is part of my job to ensure, I am keeping track of the progress. Ironically, this will also be my very first trip to Jakarta, Indonesia, as the saying goes 'so near yet so far'. Having been from Siberia in Russia to Pennsylvania in America, from Mecca to Nagoya, I will finally set foot to a neighbouring country. Nevertheless I am looking forward to it. Jakarta, here I come...

New Europe? New World?

During my most recent trip in to Budapest recently, I had a short stop over in London. Met good old friends who are Londoners.. They were asking me, how is the situation in South East Asia, and whether there is any positive development. Well, so unfortunate for my friends in England, they are jobless, and looking at todays news, does not sound promising either, it seems like everywhere in the world. It reminds me, what happen to all the hype of Greater Europe, the European Union, can't is sustain the global crisis. Well, it seems there is just no such immunity, I went through the painful period in 97, when the 'Tiger Economies - Malaysia, Indonesia, HK & South Korea included' were losing its grip, thank God, the situation improved, and hopefully, people learnt, I mean here in South East Asia, after all, as the saying goes 'History repeats Itself', so, it is prudent to be careful.

Now, how does that affect students, I am curious to know the current policy of education budget, knowing for a fact what happened in 97, only for those pursuing 'critical subject' will be given priority i.e. scholarship & study loans. Logically, then, shouldn't these students then, be sent where the quality persist at a fraction of the fee as compared to 'premium' countries. We are talking about comparative advantage here, a very basic economic principle. But, again, aren't we, the modern consumer are obsessed with BRANDING?, perhaps, there is a need to have our principle on Branding re - analysed without FEAR or FAVOUR

Educational Excellence

When one decides to enroll in a particular institution, how does one decide? What are the principles applied towards making this decision? Reading page 126, Campus Asia, I am amazed at the similarity that exist between Malaysia and Indonesia. Pitan Daslani wrote ‘Education…can be geared towards development of human potential as a whole for the sake of human beings across the globe and not just for certain government’. My question then will be, are accredited Institution carries the connotation of being Excellent? If yes, then, from whose point of view, is it the students or the government? If the University is not accredited, yet it delivers towards full development of human potential, does it make it 2^nd class because it is not accredited? But again, who accredit the accreditation bodies?

5 years into the New Millennium

In the year 2005, after my annual meeting with the Universities in St. Petersburg & Moscow in the Russian Federation, namely :
1. Bauman Moscow State Technical University
2. St. Petersburg State Pediatric Medical Academy
3. St. Petersburg State Pavlov Medical University
4. St. Petersburg Chemical & Pharmaceutical Academy,

On top of that, I went to Tula, and visited the Tula State University, I am thankful for the people in Tula for the warm welcome and friendliness

On the next day, I went to the Embassy of Malaysia, and officially presented my credentials to His Excellency, Dato' Mohd Khalis, I provided him copies of the Appointment of MISSIB Management (Consultancy), which is a renewed mandate as homme d'affaires to act on the Institutions' behalf in Malaysia and the Region. He was positive about it, and I applaud his commitment towards Education

Recognition? Accreditation? What it means…

at least in Malaysia. Through out my time serving MPEC Universities as the Director of Studies, I came across many questions by students, parents & teachers alike in regards to, if it is recognised? Is it accredited?

From the point of view as an Academician, it is a very tricky question. As a rule of thumb, I will tell them facts such as, what is the purpose of accreditation and why it is important to them as ASEAN Students. MISSIB Professional & Educational Centre i.e. MPEC is the EDUCATION OFFICE for renowned Institutions in St. Petersburg, Moscow as well as Hungary in Central Europe. MPEC Universities has had 100% pass for the USMLE, and of course since Hungary joins the European Union, there has been no further requirement for accreditation, there are Hungarian Medical Doctors working in London Hospitals over weekends. Now, where does that put us?

It is also a very puzzling situation for European Universities to understand, after many years of traditional excellence, and producing Nobel Laureates, they have to be vetted, inspected by Malaysian Authorities, so as to ensure, these Institution are good enough for Malaysian bright, young, intellectual students. I leave it to the 'power that be' to decide and see things from the point of view of these EUROPEAN SCHOLARS. It is interesting to understand the logic (at least try to understand them), are Engineering Programmes in Russia recognised by Malaysia & other ASEAN Countries? Perhaps it is not even known by us, but again..didn't Malaysia sent its very first cosmonaut (I will keep to the Russian terminology) via training in Star City, Moscow? It is a very ironic situation, but again, are students sent to study Engineering there, or Malaysia send them somewhere else? I believe, the answer does not require rocket science knowledge. By the way, where was Sukhoi and MIG, invented?