Choosing study path after SPM (O-Level) for future career.

 Recently, SPM has been announced. Congratulations to all of you who has passed the level. Regarding this post, of course there will be a lot to self questioning on what is next to study or not to study 😆. Well, always keep in mind that any religion will always mention, knowledge is best weapon. And, this is true indeed. I was being laid off. Now I am starting my own business on the thing that I am expert in and of course it is also related to my hobby. To do all these, I am really relying on the knowledge and my research that I have done. Even now, I am still a student.

Come back to the topic.

After high school, there are options to go for higher institutions such as universities, colleges, polytechnic or even professional courses. Even you failed your SPM, it doesn't mean you have failed in your life! You still have options!

Path after SPM

For those who passed (as long as you PASSED), be grateful that you have more options. To go University for undergrad courses, first you need to go through foundation course (aka. asasi or matriculation). Here, it prepares you for the obstacles that you will have to face during your undergraduate studies. Besides, you can choose diploma courses in university or colleges or even in polytechnic. During this time, you will see the different level of teachers who will narrow down your focus and let you become better than they are. In fact during this time it is really fun as you will learn more than that in the school. But from all of this, how you want to choose the program that you want to study?

To choose a course to enroll, you need to know yourself what you like. Maybe you can look into something about your hobby which can relate to the courses that you want. Example, you like playing online games. Online is related to internet, communication, electronics, programming, IT, AI and so on. From here, you can narrow down to something that catch your interest. Besides, we also have chatgpt which can narrow down to you interest of study. You can ask that chatgpt to help you to find which kind of course suitable for you. But do think of the consequences of the course that you are doing. The prospects of the degree that you obtain, will it be secure you a job or not? All this info you can find it from the respective university website about the job prospects. Do a bit of research from the website. Future also important unless you know how you want to shape your future. Upon choosing the courses, do check about validity or certification of the courses from MQA. In Malaysia, for any courses that you enrolled, MUST be MQA certified.

For duration of study, professional courses like engineering, there will be at least 4 years of undergraduate study. But you might question why not 3 years? Professional courses are audited by the professional bodies. In engineering, it has Engineering Accredited Council (EAC) to monitor. Law they have their bodies and so on. These bodies are the people who guided the courses so that it adhere to the current standard of qualities. But this will be varies for diplomas and certificates level.

For those who are doing not good in your SPM, cheers! You already passed the stage of your study life. But you still can opt for the professional courses too. Through out my teaching career, I do met those who are not good in their study. To my surprise, my that student already plan for culinary course. This is a very good option too. Besides, there are many courses like this available. You know you can ask Google about this like "courses without SPM". Furthermore, you need to pickup the skills of interest and certificates to show that you too can survive! Your knowledge is different from others. Just keep in mind that, not all animal can climb tree. 

All in all, we still have STPM level. STPM is just like matriculation. This one also prepare you well for further study. I personally recommend to go for this level of you can not get a place in the varsity. Study is not hard, everything is in the book. It just the matter of you yourself have the initiative to push yourself or not. Besides, make education as your part time business, you will surely learn more!

Where ever you are, do choose your friends wisely. They can bring a different level of you. Be humble, be nice to your teachers and friends too even though they give hard time. (Hard time is only when you are working). Last but not least, do enjoy of your study life. This is final stage you will be with your friends. All the best!

Life as a Lecturer (a teacher, a scientist and an engineer)

 It has been cool having title as Lecturer in one well-known university in Malaysia. I was lecturing in the Multimedia University for almost 12 years. That has been long time though. I was happy with the job until I have completed my PhD as I wanted to try something new. I just love to try new things!

As a Lecturer, I would say life is quite enjoying. One of the reason is the flexible working time. Means that you can go to work in the afternoon see your office and go back!!! How a person don't like that kind of working man! Too bad, I like something that is challenging... 

Moreover, I have been giving lecturing in front hundreds of students. You can really make more friends, creating new connection with these young future engineers. Furthermore, teaching and sharing working experiences it is kind of preparing the students for their future working life. That's what generally what public seeing as a Lecturer.

As a lecturer, course structures are important pillar that must have in order to guide a class of students for a subject. These structures are consisted teaching schedule, approved syllabus, teaching member and so on. Other than that, you also need to set final exam questions, quizzes, midterm tests, assignment and so on. All these will be guided by Bloom's Taxonomy. Usually in undergraduate studies, it covers on level 3 and above but not more than level 5.

 

Levels of Bloom's Taxonomy 

On the other side, that will be the other sides of lecturing (which public don't see) are that they have to become a scientist and an engineer. This mean they have to do research, consultation and administration duties. 

Be a scientist is really a cool thing, I never imagine in my life I would become one 😂. I only realized when I need to published scientific articles. As you are publishing more, then the chances to go up the hierarchy to be a professor is higher. Besides, research as can boost ones to contribute to the world as role model too. This were done by reviewing other scientist papers, organizing conferences, conference speakers, and also can be an advisor to companies provided your research contribution is really awesome. 

To become good researcher, you must have research funding. To do this, you must submit proposal to the organization that provide research funding of your interest. For example, the government of Malaysia research funding like Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS). And of course you have to make sure that you must meet the objective of the grant at the stipulated time. 

As a technical lecturer and an engineer, you also need to collaborate with other varsity, educational institutions or manufacturer. This is another way to expand to expand working connection for research and consultation purposes. However for consultation, you need to go through university synergy (middle man). This is to make way for university to generate some income. 

On the administrative work, I was in marketing team. In this team, I have to travel a lot. I just like it. In fact talking to potential customers also a nice experience. Besides that, I also have to take care teaching documents as for auditing purposes, creating new syllabi for new subjects and so on. 

Through all the hassle that a lecturer facing, I still find that lecturer life is still okay la. Maybe 12 years of experiences that help me get through a lot. But I still want to live my life to the fullest. I am just going with flow currently. Do the things that I like. As long as no stress, just live on. Cheers!

Me A Nerd 🤓 but Not One 😝

 During the past decade, I was enrolled into post grad studies. This ended up me into PhD in engineering. Well, I am considering myself this is my bonuses in life. I never target my to be at this level. I was targeting a degree (in which ever course) and started my working life. 

The only thing that drive me to get knowledge is bicycle, a two-wheeler human drive transport. The first time I was into bike when the bike made of steel. That time Reynolds steel was quite famous. The metal was then heat treated and combined the tubings by either TIG and brazing to become a bike. This has triggered me about weldings. So learned Arch welding and able to master it. That was a good thing. Due to all this, I wanted to know more hence Without thinking twice, I was enrolling myself in mechanical engineering courses.

Reynolds tubing. Courtesy from Wikipedia.

I was studying Diploma Port Dickson at first, then going for Multimedia University (MMU) in  Melaka (so called further study). At that time, Giant bicycle produced MCR1 road bike, followed by Trek Bikes with it's Y-bikes. Both were made of carbon fibres. Wow, that were the "UMPH" at that time, but I have no idea what is the materials is that. Until I did my final year project on betelnut fibre. 

Giant MCR. Courtesy from Road.cc.

Trek Y bikes. Courtesy from Popular Mechanics, 1996.

Talking a bout betelnut fibre, I was in my hometown peeling the betelnut husk. As I peeled husk showed fine fibres. This straight strucked an idea about the fibres in the bikes. I took the fibres back to my university and showed to my supervisors, Dr. Belal Yousif. To his surprise, we straight away began the work to studies on the fibres. From the work we a able to publish a journal research article.

My first journal article.

I was working in industry for a year after my graduation. However, my eager to know more about the fibres escalated in fabricating tubing products and so on. I was lucky enough to secure a new in MMU as assistant lecturer. The good thing working in MMU is I can further my studies. For my postgraduates studies, I was working with professors from Universiti Teknikal Malaysia, Melaka. My first Professor is Datuk Prof. Radzai Saad and then Prof. Mohd Yuhazri Yaakob. Working them I am able to get what I am targeting for. Besides journals publications, there are collaborations with the industries and universities make the concept ideas into real applications.

First prototype during my post grad.

I was attached to MMU for more than 10 years. Well, experience in teaching is one thing. Moreover, for the skills of writing journal articles is another thing. I will share about that soon.

I was attached again with automotive related industry for another time after my PhD. However due to ecomic uncertainty I was laid off. Currently, I am being self employed in COMPSiTs.blogspot.com. And I am doing what I suppose to do. 😂

Self-employed in here.

Need to live up again

 It has been more than 10 year not to live up this blog. 

What I have accomplished all this while? Why I have so long not active in blogging?

Well, these 10 year there are many thing to update. From a normal degree holder and ended up to a PhD. 

Not only that, I have made my dream come true as an IronMan 2019. But I need to renew that one though.

Will update more about this, and what I have done. Seems like there will be more things to share!

A new me to share more about my experience.

Stay tune!

As a Buddhist Devotee

Life is life, and we all know life will be end which mean one day we will leave the earth. As a buddhist devotee, I am proud that I have done something which is really meant for me, for my parent, and for those who have passed away. During the day when I was become a monk, I really wish that my grandma who had just passed away, be beside me and watch the ceremony as she wish me to be monk when I was newly born.

However, during the monk days, my friends and I were being tought from the history before Gautama Buddha were born until his final breath. Who is he? Why he is so great? What is his teaching to the people? etc. A lot doubts that I have were also being cleared, and what I know that his teaching are all perfect, and karma is great. The best part is before I was to becoming a monk, tonnes of infomation can be found online such as in http://www.urbandharma.org/.

Well, I think it will be better that I share some of the pictures here.

 

Practiced to become a monk.

A ceremony before my hair shaved

My mum did the shaving.

And my dad wore the 'hat' for me.

Dad, mum, forgive for the past. I will be monk for you.

'Alway by my side' helper :)

This was the moment when I get my Sangkatik, Civorn, and Sabung.

The ceremony to receive 10 percepts.

Then 227 percepts will be doing in another strict area where during the ceremony nobody can go out from that place till the ceremony end.

This is me.

with my dad. (spot the difference)

My parent.

Annual Dinner in HaadYai Thailand

This year my company I am working for has planned having dinner for 3 days 2 nights in HaadYai, Thailand. This occasion was held from 22nd until 24th of Jan. Well, for the first time I am having this kind of occasion in my life (my first job annual dinner), it feels so excited and nervous. Furthermore this event was organised outside of the country.

 Datin SitiHajar and her colleague

PPI Stage in Thailand

 PPI Beautiful Lady

  

 My Macha is a cameraman

  Electrical Engineer and Manufacturing manager

  

 Sweet smile for you, PPI

  Opening ceremony

  Yam Seng Tai Ko

  PPI gethering

  Me with the machas

  

 Belly dancing

 1 PPI show

  

 PPI artist

  Bangrah dance performance

  PPI Cute ladies

  Aqua show

  Beautiful Aqua or Thai girl???

  

 Too beautiful until you get confuse

  Nice performance

MALAKOFF Interstate Fellowship Ride

Day 1 (31/12/09)

The ride was began at 0730 hours sharp at Auto-City, Juru. Before that, registration of the rider is a must in order to get the number plate and checked in for day 1 ride which cover the route from Juru-Kulim-Bkt. Merah-Bagan Serai and ruturned to Juru.

At beginning, everything seems to be fine. The ride was not that fast on the front group (apporixmately 38km/hr). Well, may be the ride was still long way to go, I guess. However, I wasn't that lucky on that day. Still having punctured on my rear wheel after 15km ride due to hitting on the railway rail. Having a spare tube, I try to fix the wheel. It was not quite far away, sweeper car was not that far behind. It is so shameful to me that I have to repair my wheel in the car (4 by 4 ATV). I was told that they will not let me go down to ride until the next stop where it will be in Mahang I think so. This really turned me down.

After 2 km in the sweeper car, there were three riders who left behind. He wanted to take all those three but couldn't make it due limited space in the car. Furthermore, the sweeper lorry which supposed to follow him was not there. In my little heart, this is a chance for me to roll my bike on the road again. I offered myself to go to ride again. Pheww.. He allowed me to do so.. Lucky me..

Now my work is to catch the peloton in front me. I knew they are very far away now. Riding at 35 km/hr isn't that easy for me.. My bike is not really suited to do time trialling (the bike isn't suited for me anyway). But what to do, still need to catch them. Following the direction given on the junctions, I managed to overtake rider one by one.

Riding in a fast lane for about 1 and 20 minutes I came to Petronas in Mahang I guess so. There the journey made a pit stop. Drinking water supply and bananas are in a lump. I was quite shock to this due to the recent Taiping Jamboree didn't spend so much for this. This was a great ride.
Then the journey continue to Bukit Merah.

Reached Bukit Merah at almost 1100 hour, the journey was not bad. Great scenery to enjoy upon reaching the place. Same as previous stop, bananas, drinking water, and Suntonic drink were supplied. Journey was then heading back to Juru using Bagan Serai road.
On the way back, we stop again at Petronas to have drinks and food. At about 1330, we reached Juru.

Day 2 (01/01/10)

On the second day of the ride, the journey was heading from Juru – Penang Bridge – Relau – Teluk Bahang – Batu Ferringgi and lastly end at Youth Park.
Same as previous day, the ride begin at 0730 sharp. Up to the bridge, head wind was quite strong. However riding in the pace, it was not a problem at all. It was very excited for me. I was there about a month ago during my participating for PBIM Full Marathon run. The ride was stop at Relau peak.

The ride was just nice. Having downhill after the peak, riding uphill at Teluk Bahang, my luck was bad again. This time, my front wheel punctured. More than that, tyre and inner tube were get snake bite. Damn, this is really bad. No spare tube this time. Real bad luck. I can't do anything just that have to wait for sweeper car another time.
Not quite long waiting, there was rider, Ah Beng if I am not mistaken, come to an aid. He gave me a spare tube. More than that, he fixed the tyre for me. I was damn lucky enough to meet this guy man.. Really thanks to this guy...

Upon reaching Youth Park, there was stop at Ayer Hitam Dam. I didn't take long time to rest at the place. Moreover, route Youth Park is climbing route. Futhermore, I can not ride fast due to broken tyre that incurred.

Finally, in Youth Park. After claiming the goodies and having lunch over there, I have to ride back to Juru with few MTB friends that we always met in Jmaboree.

Overall, this event was superb. Food, drinks they supplied are far more than enough. Hope to get this kind of ride again in the next time around.

Indonesia rider from Team Ritchey.

Balik Pulau Scenery. View from Relau Peak.

Thanks.