I wish you health, so you may enjoy each day in comfort.
I wish you the love of friends and family, and peace within your heart.
I wish you the beauty of nature, that you may enjoy the work of God.
I wish you wisdom to choose priorities, for things that really matter in life.
I wish you generousity so you may share, all good things that come to you.
I wish you happiness and joy, and blessings for the New Year.
I wish you the best of everything, that you so well deserve.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Colloquium on Maths and Science in English
THE teaching of Mathematics and Science in English remains a much-debated issue among Malaysians, even five years after its implementation.
In view of this, the Malaysian English Language Teaching Association (Melta) will be hosting a one-day National Colloquium on the Teaching of Mathematics and Science in English on 11th December 2007, from 9am to 6pm, at the Palace of the Golden Horses, Kuala Lumpur.
Through this national colloquium, Melta hopes to bring together officers from the Education Ministry, teachers, the press, publishers, corporate leaders, non-government organisations, members from teacher training institutions, universities, professional organisations and the public to discuss and deliberate on the issues and challenges facing the teaching of Maths and Science in English.
About 200 participants are expected to attend the colloquium.
The event is aimed at creating awareness among Malaysians of the Government's efforts in relation to the teaching of Maths and Science in English and identifying strengths and challenges.
Other aims include suggesting possible measures to meet these challenges, addressingfuture directions, and creating networking opportunities among stakeholders to share knowledge and resources.
Among the topics that will be discussed are the viability and necessity for the continued teaching of Maths and Science in English, and the strategies and methodologies that need to be instituted if the two subjects are to be taught in the English language.
A comprehensive report based on the keynote address, papers and roundtable discussions will be compiled and presented to the Education Ministry.
Participation is by invitation. Those interested in attending the colloquium can contact Melta at 03-8944 1027 or e-mail: melta@tm.net.my . The Star is the media sponsor for the colloquium.
In view of this, the Malaysian English Language Teaching Association (Melta) will be hosting a one-day National Colloquium on the Teaching of Mathematics and Science in English on 11th December 2007, from 9am to 6pm, at the Palace of the Golden Horses, Kuala Lumpur.
Through this national colloquium, Melta hopes to bring together officers from the Education Ministry, teachers, the press, publishers, corporate leaders, non-government organisations, members from teacher training institutions, universities, professional organisations and the public to discuss and deliberate on the issues and challenges facing the teaching of Maths and Science in English.
About 200 participants are expected to attend the colloquium.
The event is aimed at creating awareness among Malaysians of the Government's efforts in relation to the teaching of Maths and Science in English and identifying strengths and challenges.
Other aims include suggesting possible measures to meet these challenges, addressingfuture directions, and creating networking opportunities among stakeholders to share knowledge and resources.
Among the topics that will be discussed are the viability and necessity for the continued teaching of Maths and Science in English, and the strategies and methodologies that need to be instituted if the two subjects are to be taught in the English language.
A comprehensive report based on the keynote address, papers and roundtable discussions will be compiled and presented to the Education Ministry.
Participation is by invitation. Those interested in attending the colloquium can contact Melta at 03-8944 1027 or e-mail: melta@tm.net.my . The Star is the media sponsor for the colloquium.
New pro vice-chancellor
Professor Robin Pollard is the new pro vice-chancellor and president (Malaysia) of the Monash University campus in Bandar Sunway.
He takes over from Prof Merilyn Liddell.
Professor Robin Pollard, was previously the deputy vice-chancellor and professor of the University of New England, Australia.
He was also foundation professor and head of school at the campus from 1998 to 2000.
Prof Pollard background is in condensed matter physics, but he has also held academic positions in information technology, marketing and chemistry.
He has worked in New Zealand, Canada, the United States and Britain.
Monash University's campus in Bandar Sunway is one of eight it operates in three countries.
The university celebrates its 50th anniversary next year.
He takes over from Prof Merilyn Liddell.
Professor Robin Pollard, was previously the deputy vice-chancellor and professor of the University of New England, Australia.
He was also foundation professor and head of school at the campus from 1998 to 2000.
Prof Pollard background is in condensed matter physics, but he has also held academic positions in information technology, marketing and chemistry.
He has worked in New Zealand, Canada, the United States and Britain.
Monash University's campus in Bandar Sunway is one of eight it operates in three countries.
The university celebrates its 50th anniversary next year.
Their Degree Not Recognised?
Some 300 non-graduate teachers who pursued distance learning at the Open University of Malaysia may see up to RM6 million going down the drain.
They have been told that the degrees obtained in information technology were not recognised by the Education Ministry.National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) secretary-general Lok Yim Pheng said they could not be promoted to the DG41 graduate salary scale.
She said they had been told this in no uncertain terms by the ministry’s Teacher Education Division. She said the teachers had claimed that they were misled into believing that the degrees would be recognised by the Public Service Department (PSD).
"The PSD offer to the teachers shows that the degree was recognised by the PSD and the government," she said after meeting 100 Perlis NUTP members at Sekolah Kebangsaan Arau.The NUTP, which has received complaints about the problem from affected teachers, is urging the ministry to lend a helping hand to those affected.
Lok said a working paper would be submitted to the Teachers’ Education Division on why the degrees should be recognised."Many teachers had spent up to RM20,000 each on their degrees, but the teacher education division said that their degrees were not recognised. "This is serious as many teachers are involved.
"The Open University uses the quality, prestige and capabilities of its owners — a consortium of 11 public universities. It was incorporated as a private university under the Private Higher Education Institutions Act 1996.
They have been told that the degrees obtained in information technology were not recognised by the Education Ministry.National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) secretary-general Lok Yim Pheng said they could not be promoted to the DG41 graduate salary scale.
She said they had been told this in no uncertain terms by the ministry’s Teacher Education Division. She said the teachers had claimed that they were misled into believing that the degrees would be recognised by the Public Service Department (PSD).
"The PSD offer to the teachers shows that the degree was recognised by the PSD and the government," she said after meeting 100 Perlis NUTP members at Sekolah Kebangsaan Arau.The NUTP, which has received complaints about the problem from affected teachers, is urging the ministry to lend a helping hand to those affected.
Lok said a working paper would be submitted to the Teachers’ Education Division on why the degrees should be recognised."Many teachers had spent up to RM20,000 each on their degrees, but the teacher education division said that their degrees were not recognised. "This is serious as many teachers are involved.
"The Open University uses the quality, prestige and capabilities of its owners — a consortium of 11 public universities. It was incorporated as a private university under the Private Higher Education Institutions Act 1996.
One-Stop Centre for Children with Special Needs
Providing services such as speech therapy, physiotherapy, counselling and audiology, the centre aims to provide such children with proper and equal access to education, which is on par with normal children.
It is a result of a collaboration between the Education Ministry, the Health Ministry and the Higher Education Ministry, with volunteers from Japanese International Co-operation Agency and Sunway Medical Centre.
Eight specialists are employed, comprising pathologists, audiologists and psychologists.Tenaga National Foundation provided RM250,000, which was the cost of building the centre, while RM100,000 was provided by the Rotary Club for other equipment.
Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the ministry would focus on special education this month to create awareness among the public.
“I consider children with special needs an important asset to our country. It is time our efforts towards special education are given priority.
They have the same rights as other students,” he said when opening the Putrajaya special education centre here yesterday.
The centre will also be a benchmark for six other existing centres nationwide, set up since 2002.
The centre will also be an information and rehabilitation spot for very young children.
Hishammuddin said it would focus on disabilities such as dyslexia, autism, attention-deficit hyperactive disorder, blindness and deafness. For more details, call the Putrajaya special education centre at 03-88849144 on weekdays, except Fridays.
It is a result of a collaboration between the Education Ministry, the Health Ministry and the Higher Education Ministry, with volunteers from Japanese International Co-operation Agency and Sunway Medical Centre.
Eight specialists are employed, comprising pathologists, audiologists and psychologists.Tenaga National Foundation provided RM250,000, which was the cost of building the centre, while RM100,000 was provided by the Rotary Club for other equipment.
Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the ministry would focus on special education this month to create awareness among the public.
“I consider children with special needs an important asset to our country. It is time our efforts towards special education are given priority.
They have the same rights as other students,” he said when opening the Putrajaya special education centre here yesterday.
The centre will also be a benchmark for six other existing centres nationwide, set up since 2002.
The centre will also be an information and rehabilitation spot for very young children.
Hishammuddin said it would focus on disabilities such as dyslexia, autism, attention-deficit hyperactive disorder, blindness and deafness. For more details, call the Putrajaya special education centre at 03-88849144 on weekdays, except Fridays.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Welcome to LIMA 2007
The Ninth Edition of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) 2007 Exhibition began in this tourist island Tuesday, with a spectacular airshow at the Langkawi International Airport.
The airshow saw Royal British Air Force's Red Arrows performing dare-devil stunts, "Suryakiran" aerobatic team from the Indian airforce and Royal Malaysian Air Force fighter jets displaying aerial manoeuvres and formations.
The displays were witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, foreign and local dignitaries.
Abdullah and Najib will witness signings of several sale and purchase agreements for maritime and aerospace apparatus today apart from witnessing the delivery of six Russian-made Sukhoi jet fighters to the Malaysian government.
This year's LIMA has attracted the participation of 450 defence industry companies from 20 countries to showcase their products and latest aerospace and maritime technologies.
The five-day LIMA is divided into two segments, with the aerospace component at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre in Padang Matsirat, and the Maritime segment at Awana Porto Malai.
Eighty aircraft and 71 ships, including 32 navy and coast guard patrol vessels, are taking part in the exhibitions restricted to only trade delegations and visitors from today till Thursday.
The exhibitions will be opened to the public on Friday and Saturday from 10am to 5.30pm. LIMA ends on Saturday.
The airshow saw Royal British Air Force's Red Arrows performing dare-devil stunts, "Suryakiran" aerobatic team from the Indian airforce and Royal Malaysian Air Force fighter jets displaying aerial manoeuvres and formations.
The displays were witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, foreign and local dignitaries.
Abdullah and Najib will witness signings of several sale and purchase agreements for maritime and aerospace apparatus today apart from witnessing the delivery of six Russian-made Sukhoi jet fighters to the Malaysian government.
This year's LIMA has attracted the participation of 450 defence industry companies from 20 countries to showcase their products and latest aerospace and maritime technologies.
The five-day LIMA is divided into two segments, with the aerospace component at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre in Padang Matsirat, and the Maritime segment at Awana Porto Malai.
Eighty aircraft and 71 ships, including 32 navy and coast guard patrol vessels, are taking part in the exhibitions restricted to only trade delegations and visitors from today till Thursday.
The exhibitions will be opened to the public on Friday and Saturday from 10am to 5.30pm. LIMA ends on Saturday.
BANNED: 'Scratch and Win Contest'
It is the end of the road for scratch-and-win contests. The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry is also setting up a task force to book those running get-rich-quick schemes and direct-selling scams.
Minister Datuk Mohd Shafie Apdal said the enforcement unit would go after companies which continued offering scratch-and-win schemes.
These companies risk losing their licences."We are also coming down hard on multi-level marketing companies involved in such scams. We are doing this to protect consumers."These schemes are mostly scams and benefit no one,"
Shafie said.The ministry said scratch-and-win contests had been abused by several companies, which had represented themselves as direct-selling firms. "They offer many attractive prizes like cash, cars, motorbikes, household items and holiday packages.
"It said 20 direct-selling companies had their licences revoked for conducting scratch-and-win activities between 2005 and October."Many complaints have been received on get-rich-quick schemes, lucky draws and scratch-and-win tactics.
The statement said 2005 saw 1,571 cases filed with the Consumer Claims Tribunal, 241 complaints lodged with the police and 1,066 at the Public Complaints Bureau.Between 2005 and September last year, the ministry's enforcement division seized more than RM4 million worth of goods involving 145 scratch-and-win cases.
Shafie had indicated the possibility of banning scratch-and-win contests. He was quoted as saying that he had instructed his officers to look into the matter.
They would look into it from the legal, implementation and malpractice aspects.Meanwhile, Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) president Datuk N. Marimuthu welcomed the move.
"We want the ministry to learn something from this and not wait till people lose millions."Marimuthu added that even though scratch-and-win contests had been banned, the ministry should keep tabs on the direct-sales industry.
"Sometimes, the industry is more intelligent than the regulators and will come up with new scams."National Consumer Complaints Centre director Darshan Singh described the ministry's move as a "victory for consumers".
"With this, we hope that there will be no more problems arising out of scratch-and-win contests."Consumer Claims Tribunal chairman Rungit Singh said the move was timely due to the large number of cases filed with the tribunal.
"This business cuts across all walks of life, affecting consumers of various backgrounds. It's timely the law has stepped in to stop it."
"Although the tribunal has been bringing companies to book, a ban will send a clear signal that such a transaction is not allowed by law.
"The public should contact the ministry at 1-800-886-800, SMS 32255 or email e-aduan.kpdnhep.gov.my, if they come across scratch-and-win contests.
Minister Datuk Mohd Shafie Apdal said the enforcement unit would go after companies which continued offering scratch-and-win schemes.
These companies risk losing their licences."We are also coming down hard on multi-level marketing companies involved in such scams. We are doing this to protect consumers."These schemes are mostly scams and benefit no one,"
Shafie said.The ministry said scratch-and-win contests had been abused by several companies, which had represented themselves as direct-selling firms. "They offer many attractive prizes like cash, cars, motorbikes, household items and holiday packages.
"It said 20 direct-selling companies had their licences revoked for conducting scratch-and-win activities between 2005 and October."Many complaints have been received on get-rich-quick schemes, lucky draws and scratch-and-win tactics.
The statement said 2005 saw 1,571 cases filed with the Consumer Claims Tribunal, 241 complaints lodged with the police and 1,066 at the Public Complaints Bureau.Between 2005 and September last year, the ministry's enforcement division seized more than RM4 million worth of goods involving 145 scratch-and-win cases.
Shafie had indicated the possibility of banning scratch-and-win contests. He was quoted as saying that he had instructed his officers to look into the matter.
They would look into it from the legal, implementation and malpractice aspects.Meanwhile, Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) president Datuk N. Marimuthu welcomed the move.
"We want the ministry to learn something from this and not wait till people lose millions."Marimuthu added that even though scratch-and-win contests had been banned, the ministry should keep tabs on the direct-sales industry.
"Sometimes, the industry is more intelligent than the regulators and will come up with new scams."National Consumer Complaints Centre director Darshan Singh described the ministry's move as a "victory for consumers".
"With this, we hope that there will be no more problems arising out of scratch-and-win contests."Consumer Claims Tribunal chairman Rungit Singh said the move was timely due to the large number of cases filed with the tribunal.
"This business cuts across all walks of life, affecting consumers of various backgrounds. It's timely the law has stepped in to stop it."
"Although the tribunal has been bringing companies to book, a ban will send a clear signal that such a transaction is not allowed by law.
"The public should contact the ministry at 1-800-886-800, SMS 32255 or email e-aduan.kpdnhep.gov.my, if they come across scratch-and-win contests.
Monday, December 03, 2007
Excellent Teacher
Guru Cemerlang (Excellent Teacher) is an award given to teachers who are regarded as experts in their field of teaching and subject matter. The rationale of giving this award is due to the progression of teacher promotion.
In the past, teachers who fit the criteria are promoted to the post of principals, vice principals or education officers. In getting promoted, the teacher seems to be moving away from teaching in the classroom to doing administrative work.
This means teachers who are dedicated and expert in their subject matter are lost in the systems, their skills and talent are inaccessible due to their promotion.
The awarding of Guru Cemerlang ensures that even if the teacher is promoted, he/she will still be teaching and his/her knowledge and expertise can be used by the school and the schools in the district. In 1993 the Guru Cemerlang promotion was introduced.Objectives of the Guru Cemerlang Promotion Scheme;
* To acknowledge teachers who are excellent in their field or subject.
* To improve the quality of teaching.
* To Guru Cemerlang as role model to other teachers.
* To enhance school excellence by utilising the experience and expertise of the Guru Cemerlang.
* To expand horizon of promotion in educational services.
* To promote teachers without leaving teaching behind or changing to administrative duties.
* To give promoted teachers opportunity to get promoted to a higher grade quickly.
In the past, teachers who fit the criteria are promoted to the post of principals, vice principals or education officers. In getting promoted, the teacher seems to be moving away from teaching in the classroom to doing administrative work.
This means teachers who are dedicated and expert in their subject matter are lost in the systems, their skills and talent are inaccessible due to their promotion.
The awarding of Guru Cemerlang ensures that even if the teacher is promoted, he/she will still be teaching and his/her knowledge and expertise can be used by the school and the schools in the district. In 1993 the Guru Cemerlang promotion was introduced.Objectives of the Guru Cemerlang Promotion Scheme;
* To acknowledge teachers who are excellent in their field or subject.
* To improve the quality of teaching.
* To Guru Cemerlang as role model to other teachers.
* To enhance school excellence by utilising the experience and expertise of the Guru Cemerlang.
* To expand horizon of promotion in educational services.
* To promote teachers without leaving teaching behind or changing to administrative duties.
* To give promoted teachers opportunity to get promoted to a higher grade quickly.
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