Admission Requirements for Higher Education

According to the Higher Education Act, admission to Bachelor’s degree programmes and unified, undivided, long-term Master’s degree is selective, with the Secondary School Leaving Certificate or its foreign equivalent as a prerequisite for admission with a few exception where practical examinations or aptitude tests are also required. The minimum requirement for admission to Master’s Degree Programmes is a Bachelor’s Degree or its equivalent. Higher Education Institutions may link admission to Master’s and Doctoral Programmes to additional criteria.

I have to stress on the need to provide the Secondary School Certificate because, only then, I will be able to validate the authenticity of the applicant. This will have to include copies of the relevant A-Level, IB or is equivalent. Under normal circumstances, students will have to sit for Entrance Examination, which is to be conducted in Kuala Lumpur. In order to ensure, that all qualified students are able to sit for the Examination. I will require early application and accepted registration by MPEC. There has been on many occasion where student are not sure, whether they really want to go. For those in such circumstances, please feel free to telephone us to discuss this matter, before ensuring, that all arrangement has been made.

The Hungarian Higher Education System

In response to questions, on the system of education by a significant number of parents, students and teachers. I have decided to publish this in my blog, so as to ensure, that, it will be much more clearer to the enquirers.

Hungary has been taking part in the Bologna Process since 1999, whose most important goal is the creation of the European Higher Education Area. With effect from 1^st of September 2006, the new Bologna regime two-cycle degree system has been introduced. The 1^st degree programmes (3 to 4 years) lead to Baccalaureus / Bachelor’s degrees, while 2^nd degree programmes (1 to 2 years) lead to Magister / Master’s degrees. Unified, undivided, long term Master’s degree programmes (5 to 6 years) are offered in 17 fields of study (e.g. in Human Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine, Architecture and in the fields of Arts). All Bachelor’s & Master’s degrees grant access to the labour market. Based on a Magister / Master’s degree or its foreign equivalent, PhD or Doctor of Liberal Arts (DLA) degrees as 3^rd cycle degrees can be awarded after 3 years of study.

In addition to the degree programmes described above, Higher Education Institutions offer non-degree programmes too, such as higher-level vocational trainings, postgraduate specialist training courses based on a 1^st of 2^nd degree as well as summer Universities and partial training in the framework of lifelong learning education.

Higher Education Programmes may be offered in full-time training or distance learning courses.

Hungarian Higher Education History

The Hungarian Higher Education has a long history. The 1st Hungarian University was founded in Pecs in South Hungary over 600 years ago, in 1367. Hungarian Higher Education Institution are autonomous, state or non-state (private & religious) Institutions recognised by the state. There are 72 Higher Education Institutions in Hungary (18 State Universities, 13 State Colleges, 41 non-state Universities & 34 non-state colleges. MPEC is proud to state our appointment for the 10 state Universities as homme d'affaires..

Science & Technology

It is prudent, for students to know the reason why they are interested in science and technology. Since, if the students are in it for fameand glory, I fear, they are in for the wrong reason, but if they are in to it because of plain love with certain expertise and want to know, then, these students are on the right track.

There will be discourse, that such a pursue may still be feasible, but I reckon it is on the ethical issues. That is my concern..

University of Pécs

MPEC has received its list of fees and programme. I am glad to admit that, although there seems to be an oncoming economic crisis, University of Pécs has not really has an excessive increase of fees. Our 4 weeks of Preparatory course for is around $1,200. Therefore, it is still fundamentally reasonable as compared to others. It will be a 6 hours a day, for 5 days in a week from the 3rd of August till 28th of August , 2009, which is the summer period. It was a sunny summer last year, so, I guess it is a very nice time this coming summer (although I know Christmas is not here yet). I am pleased that University of Pécs is offering fundamental subjects of the first semester such as Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Well, I guess I forgot to mention the BIG WORD. It is a Preparatory Course - English for Medical Purposes. , which means, the eligibility for General Medicine and Dentistry is wide open.

University of Pécs has informed MPEC that it is for students who would like to refresh their high school knowledge in the subjects before the semester begins..

Any takers?...

Deflation

It has been agreed by those who disagreed if the world economy is heading a gloomy future. However, it remains to be seen, until, anyone knows for sure, what is it really going to be like. Talking about the economy, I have to wonder, if deflation will happen. The norm of the people are so accustomed towards inflation. But, what if the opposite happens? How will it affect parents, whose genuine wish is to have the children study abroad. Will there be any future for their childen, or they will be affected by the wait and see attitude of the economy, and therefore, a brake for further education. I shudder thinking of it..

Credo quia absurdum

How could I forget on the 27th of November, at the posh PICC, for the historical moment for the lauching of the National Higher Education Strategic Plan. The noble idea, which as stated "the need for a shift in the growth trajectory with stronger emphasis on 'endogenous innovation' and 'harmonious development' etc etc....

The whole beautifully articulated expression is seems marred by the even, with issue of the VC of UM. I wonder where is the future heading actually...

Please, Cogitationis poenam nemo patitur

It can never and should never be denied

Socrates, in Plato's "APOLOGY"

'It has been my fixed principle to speak the truth', as Socrates puts it, and the adage ' Honesty is the best policy' - it is just a thought, why is it so hard to tell the truth, but it is easier to tell a lie? I have been dealing with 'powers that be', and yesterday during my meeting with Professor Shamsul of UKM, it dawn on me,that perhaps ignorance is bliss. What more can I say, I am thankful to Prof Shamsul for enlightening me on this, how can this be truer, after so many years, why do I say so many years? Machiavelli's observations remains as true today as they were in 16th Century Florence. Across the world, politicians still break their promises and lie to the people (though there are good ones) atrocities are still committed (either physically or psychologically)... I am just pondering..

As Homme d'affaires

Can an Institution sell education? Or what does it really deals with? It is interesting to note that perhaps, the idea of being accepted is something that has to do with being able to afford the tuition fees. However, knowledge cannot be bought, not matter at what price, and to acquire knowledge requires discipline, and again, can graduate (fresh), really think outside the box. I like to quote what I heard while watching TV. The person being asked by the host said - people change, but again, it is all within the same landscape, therefore, if the landscape is the same i.e. University, will therefore means, all graduates will have linear thinking along the same path? Perhaps, but, then this is when, the really 'thinking' graduates be able to be excellent employee in the work place. In any country that I lived in, there will always be people having a pro towards certain things, these are all value based, however, values change based on the society, therefore, can there be such thing as better than the other? I hope it will not go to that extreme supremacy..

Congratulations President - Elect Obama

As many others, I wish to congratulate Barack Obama, for his victory for the Presidency of the United States of America. I do hope that the US Public Policy will change, if not a major one, at least a minor one. Many years ago, when I just young and naive, I was put on a plane, to do my research in Ohio. It was something, that I look forward to, little did I realise that it will be a nightmare. Upon arriving in Philadelphia, I was stopped at the airport, and because some documentation issue, I was really close to be sent back (mind you, I was then living in London, not Kuala Lumpur), which makes it even more difficult to explain to Immigration, why a Malaysian like me, is entering the US from London, nevertheless thanks to George ( Cleveland State University), and many others, it really make me enjoy my stay there. I do hope, that preconceived ideas such as names etc, will not be used to prejudge people. Hopefully, with Barack Obama in power, it may change something. Once again, I wish all the best and hopes that things will change for the better.

2 countries divided by the same language

For us who has been and lived in the UK or the US are probably aware of this statement, reminds me during the short chat I had with my friend Mike in Liverpool, while waiting for the Theatre “ Dangerous Liaison” to start. I was in US just a year earlier, before I was ‘stationed’ in Liverpool, duh..

But, I am not going to start rambling about US and UK being divided by the same language, but it is here, right here at home (to me, ie Kuala Lumpur), and right next door, i.e. Jakarta, while I was there for only 2 days, and I spoke to so many people in Jakarta of so many different descent, like the Javanese, Acehnese, Batavian, Bandungnese (is there such thing ;-). An interesting scenario, it is however, surprising that neither Malaysian nor Indonesian are seeing it as ‘divided by the same language’ – which I must say to be a positive statement. Though, I must say it is weird with the existence of 2 divisive opinion at both end of the spectrum, either it is ‘similar but not the same’, or it is ‘a completely alien language’ to each other. But again, the leaders in both countries, used to have the expression of ‘serumpun’, If it is ‘serumpun’, why do then, certain fractions of the population are seeing it as ‘alien language’? As an individual, I have to learn certain languages throughout my line of work, I have to have appreciation, without prejudices, for instance, I cannot say ‘this language is harsh’ or ‘noisy’, it is just plain disrespectful. I have to be in it. As Professor Shamsul Amri from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia uses the word ‘assimilate and unite’, that is exactly what I need to do in each and every homes, in each and every country I lived. But, then again, where does one draw the line, without losing identity, I am not able to define it scientifically, but I know, where are my boundaries. As the Malay proverb describe ‘Ibarat menarik rambut dalam tepung, rambut jangan putus, tepung tidak berselerak’. Reminds me, once more, when I was the only ‘Bumi’ in Tuanku Abdul Rahman College, it was awesome, I have learnt about assimilation, right there, and I must say thanks to all my lecturers for being so supportive. I have learnt that me and other Tarcian, are divided by the same policy, funny huh, they thought, being Bumi is a privilege, and I thought a non-Bumi will have no financial worries ( I was naïve then), It is indeed a very true, hands on understanding. Makes me wonder, why some people reject the ‘Vision School’ concept or the ‘PLKN’. I pity Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye then for all the obstacles. Something that is so noble, but again, people tend to be emotional and did go to extreme length. Who is at fault actually? Are we, Malaysian, a really matured society? If yes, what are the evidence, if no? Why on earth, no one is doing something seriously. After reading, UKM News – I must say, I am glad there are people in this planet that sees this things seriously, and I am heartened to read the statement, ‘we don’t work for prizes, but for the society’.

Lastly, in terms of being divided by the same language, I always cherish those moments, when 3 of my friends, kept to their dialect (Hokkien, Hakka & Cantonese) while talking to each other, and yet remain fully understood. I found that amazing, it just shows, how important language is to break barriers.. Therefore, once again, I fail to understand, why there is again so much objection for the Science and Math being taught in English. It will help to contribute more for than harm (what is so wrong about being at least bilingual?). What I do object is, the changing and translation of street names in Penang. Now, that is really out of this world. After all, this is Malaysia, I have never seen anything similar along the streets in London? or even when I was in Jeddah, Moscow, Prague, or in Nagoya (and of course, Jakarta, my newest addition) or anywhere in this world. So, please, be realistic about getting political mileage.