Multimedia University: Difference between revisions
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In 2004, the course for Bachelors of Law (LLB) was introduced in this campus. With over 120 law undergraduates under its wings, Multimedia University has plans to build an entirely new Law Building in the very near future. |
In 2004, the course for Bachelors of Law (LLB) was introduced in this campus. With over 120 law undergraduates under its wings, Multimedia University has plans to build an entirely new Law Building in the very near future. |
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==Faculty== |
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==Students== |
==Students== |
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Revision as of 04:29, 16 July 2006
Universiti Multimedia | |
| Logo of Multimedia University | |
| Type | Private University |
|---|---|
| Established | December 1996 |
| Chancellor | Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Hj Mohd Ali |
| President | Professor Datuk Dr. Ghauth Jasmon |
| Location | Malacca & Cyberjaya , Malaysia |
| Campus | Melaka & Cyberjaya |
| Website | www.mmu.edu.my |
Multimedia University is Malaysia's first private university. It has two campuses with one in Cyberjaya and another in Melaka. The distance between the two campuses are approximately 150 kilometers, via the North South highway
History
The university was formerly known as University Telekom. Its Melaka campus was set up in 1997 by Telekom Malaysia Berhad, the largest telecommunications company in Malaysia. Located in the Ayer Keroh district, the initial setting up of the campus involved converting an old campus belonging to the Institute of Telecommunication and Information Technology, which is also a subsidiary of Telekom Malaysia Berhad.
Its Cyberjaya campus opened in Malaysia's first intelligent city of Cyberjaya, on 8 July 1999. This campus was the brainchild of the country's fourth Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, as a center of learning and research for the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC), a 750 km² area designated as the country's high-tech research and industrial area. The relationship between the campus and the MSC is intended to be similar to the relationship Stanford University shares with the Silicon Valley.
Within the first five years of its founding, the university's total student population grew beyond 10,000 in both campuses.
The university is a member of LAOTSE, an international network of leading universities in Europe and Asia.
Campus
Cyberjaya Campus
This campus is located in the heart of Cyberjaya. A road in the shape of the figure eight, circles the campus with the buildings arrayed both inside and outside this shape.
Melaka Campus
The campus is nestled in Bukit Beruang (lit: Bear Hill) and has greatly affected the local community. With increase in students, the community has seen growing numbers of residential area and commercial outlets.
In 2004, the course for Bachelors of Law (LLB) was introduced in this campus. With over 120 law undergraduates under its wings, Multimedia University has plans to build an entirely new Law Building in the very near future.
Faculty
Students
As of June 2004 the university has a total of 17.000 students in both campuses, including undergraduate and graduate students. Approximately 12% of these are international students from 80 countries.
Organization
The university is headed by a President and is divided into eight faculties and five academic centers :
Faculties :
- Faculty of Engineering (Cyberjaya Campus)
- Faculty of Engineering and Technology (Melaka Campus)
- Faculty of Information Technology (Cyberjaya Campus)
- Faculty of Information Science and Technology (Melaka Campus)
- Faculty of Management (Cyberjaya Campus)
- Faculty of Business and Law (Melaka Campus)
- Faculty of Creative Multimedia (Cyberjaya Campus)
- Foundation Studies And Extension Education (Melaka Campus)
Academic Centers :
- Centre For Modern Languages And Communications (Cyberjaya Campus)
- Internet Based Degree Programme (Cyberjaya Campus)
- Distance Education (Cyberjaya Campus)
- Centre For Affiliate And Diploma Programme (Melaka Campus)
- Institute Of International Languages Multimedia University (Melaka Campus)
Controversies
Student Complaints
There have been complaints by students that the facilities available at the University is restricted for commercial use only. Students have argued that the University should allow access of its facilities for its students as they have duely paid their fees accordingly. However, the issue regarding this is not rampant, and seems to only occur within the Faculty of Creative Multimedia.
The University has also been subjected to criticsm of it being too commercially focused and not willing to contribute to the greater purpose of what an institution of learning should be, that is, to disseminate knoweldge to its students freely. Many students have complained that the University is too rigidly run as a business entity and not as a center of academic excellence where they should be focussing on research and development, and teaching.
Academic Integrity
Multimedia University's academic standard and integrity is greatly questionable when it comes to grading and Honours classification. The University allows students to retake as many subjects including final year modules. This will allow students to possibly graduate with a higher classification if they are unsatisfied with the grades they had attained. This system is extrememly controversial as it allows unfair grade inflation by giving students countless number of retakes so long they pay the additional fees. For example, a student who received a B- average would normally graduate with a 2nd Lower, but with Multimedia University's retake policy, students can retake subjects if they are not satisfied with their B- average. Therefore, giving unfair advantage to these students compared to students from other universities where they're given no retakes during their final year where grading of classification takes place. In theory, the example student could retake subjects as many times until he receives a B+ or A average which will allow him to graduate with a higher classification (2nd Upper and above). This system truly questions the integrity of Multimedia University as a whole and whether its graduates are of calibre in accordance to their grades and classification.
Students from the University themselves are also complaining that this system is unfair as it gives privileged students who are able to pay the fees for the additional retakes to get a better classification. It seems Multimedia University's vision is not of academic excellence, strong integrity and high standard, but on whether one is able to pay their way for better grades and Honours classification.
Discriminatory Policies
Multimedia University has been the subject of employing racial discriminatory policies when they have twice blundered on scholarship advertisements. The latest incident happened when the University advertised a scholarship in partnership with Motorola Malaysia that allowed only a certain race to apply. Jeff Ooi, a Malaysian political blogger, picked up on the issue and publicised it widely [1]. Motorola Malaysia replied that they were unaware of the University's advert and maintained that they did not endorse nor authorised it. They have also affirmed that they are an equal opportunity employer. The advert had since been removed from the University's website.
References
- ^ Ooi, Jeff (2006). "Scholarship: Motorola's official response". Retrieved June 14, 2006.