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Pre-University
and Beyond
What Makes A Good University
here is a lot of hype about rankings, and the real question is: ‘Are
these rankings important and should you use these to choose
Tyour university?’ Absolutely! They are important. Why? Because
of the criteria used for ranking. These criteria include the student
experience, the quality of staff and quality of graduates, the volume
of research, and the internationalisation of the campus community.
More importantly, some new criteria include the impact of research on
societies, health and the environment, the ethical and inclusion focus,
Professor and the institution’s social responsibility.
Beverley What to Look Out for in a University
Webster, Vice You want to study at a university that produces the graduates who get
great jobs, become future leaders and have the ability and opportunities
President to make a difference in local and wider communities. Look for a
(Education), university which has an international and culturally rich environment.
These experiences provide you with opportunities to develop that global
Monash outlook which is very much sought after by employers, especially those
University multinational companies. You want to go to a university that engages in
Malaysia, gives and has a reputation for impactful and ground-breaking research. Look
at the staff in your discipline of interest, who they are and what they
her views on have achieved. You want to be taught by the best. In addition, institutions
what makes a that consider the health and well-being of their students, who have
programs focused on the personal and the social, are those to search
good university. for. Opportunities are plentiful when you graduate from a highly-ranked
and well-respected university.
166 www.EducationDestinationMalaysia.com
A Course of Study that Aligns with meeting minimum standards around issues of
the Student’s Interests quality. This is all good news for students, graduates
Remember that these days, jobs are not necessarily and employers. Focusing on the following areas
for life. The average person changes their career means that higher education institutions who are
between three and seven times. This could be within registered are doing their job when it comes to the
the same company or moving to another. Considering graduates they produce:
your career(s), it is important to find a course of
study that matches your potential capabilities. • Quality of the course and the curriculum
However, it is equally, if not more important, to find • Ensuring assessments are designed to enable
a course of study that aligns with your interests. students to demonstrate they meet the learning
One that provides you with growth and development outcomes
opportunities and one that excites and challenges • Demonstrating that the grading criteria are reliable
you. It is possible to change your course of study and valid and are at the appropriate level of learning
should you decide on a different direction. That is for the degree
not uncommon, nor is it a bad thing. A university that • Support provided to students’ needs meets the
provides this type of flexibility and recognition of needs around their learning
study completed is something to look out for. • Developing 21st-century capabilities
A Continuity of Educational Experience MQA will interrogate the documentation for
A university that is committed to providing continuity registration in addition to doing site visits to ensure
of the educational experience of its students is a an appropriate level of investment in infrastructure
key consideration in choosing a university during commensurate with the offering degrees. Whilst
these times. Are you able to start or continue the notion of ‘regulation’ may not be palatable, it is
your studies amidst restrictions on access to an important signal for potential students that due
campus? Is the university investing in its staff and diligence is conducted.
curriculum to ensure a comparable experience
in the virtual and online environment? These are Rankings are clearly important. A good university
significant considerations. Flexibility is not to be is one that has an international and culturally rich
underestimated. A university that provides you with environment, fosters a global outlook, engages in
opportunities to continue with an online or more ground-breaking research, has outstanding staff and
flexible study should your circumstances require, pays attention to the personal and social well-being
of its students. The course a student chooses should
could be what you are looking for. You may not
be located close to your university but still wish be one that aligns with his interests, provides growth
to progress in your studies. The circumstances and development opportunities and be one that
excites and challenges him. There should also be the
surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted
in universities rethinking how students will engage flexibility to allow the student to change his course of
in the curriculum and the assessment. Many of the study and pursue something different, while providing
due recognition for work accomplished. The
innovative solutions implemented by universities are
very positive and may not be temporary. Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) Regulation
ensures that the university demonstrates and
provides evidence that the university is meeting the
The Malaysian Qualifications Agency minimum standards around issues of quality. This is
Ensures Standards are Met
Universities in Malaysia are regulated by the good news for students, graduates and employers.
For more information, please visit
Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA). Regulation www.monash.edu.my
includes a rigorous process whereby the university
demonstrates and provides evidence that they are
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