3 weeks in Sutton

Id thought of not posting anymore, but it doesnt feel right, i need to reflect and recap, and writing is a good channel for fragmenting my thoughts and experiences. For my family and friends as well, to inform them that i am still the same hafiz three weeks before ;)

Where to start? Aha the place, Sutton aka London Borough of Sutton, although its in Surrey, it is still considered part of London, its a subUrb of London I guess. In Zone 6, the furthest zone from the central. Its nice here, basically filled with lots of houses, typical English houses, and tress, and wildlife hehe, seriously u can easily spot squirrels, pigeons, other birds that i never saw before, and foxes too! And their size is bigger than their family in Malaysia. The cats too are rather bigger. Probably bcos of the thicker fur. With that in mind, i hope i dont grow too much hair during my stay here hehe. Its cold here, and the weather is unpredictable. but anyway i somehow do like it, bcos its hard to become sweaty here, which is quite a problem for me before.

What else, the ICR. It is a nice place. I got two cards, one to access the hospital (the NHS) and the other for the institute, which is somehow cool! The peoples are nice, and extremely bright! and sometimes i do feel like, am i the only one stupid here? haha. Most of the students in my group have a very strong background in either physics and maths which is seriously intimidating. Thus, I guess i need to work twice as hard.

My supers, they are nice as well, extremely patience with my stupidity hehe. I think they are the most patient academics i ever met. seriously, even after three weeks im performing below par, on the weekly meeting, They are still calm and collected tackling on my weakness, and recommending more reading materials, so that i have a strong related science foundation to pursue on my research.

aha, my housmate, is a very nice guy, hail from switzerland and is very nice (did i repeat? hehe).So nice that, you might think that he is gay if he dont have a gf. He is an atheist, but anyway quite tolerant in dealing with all my 'no'. We do the veges, if we eat together, so there is no problem in the eating department. And his gf is an Indian livin in London, she stop by at our house like every weekend, and she is very nice as well, so i have the chance to feel like 'home', after weekdays spending time with the whites. Bcos of this east and west mix, my house does have curry, rice and not only bread. So its not that bad. Just that Ive to eat sandwiches for lunch at the institute, which left me feeling not so full. Cant imagine how they do that everyday. I bought my own food for lunch, bcos the only sandwich i can eat at the cafes is the cold cheese and tomate sandwich, which taste like yuks.

I havent been to the central London, Id planned to go there today, but I just realised this morning that I havent got my student oyster (a saving transport card for student), so I have to cancel the plan. And went to the town center instead, which have everything u need. Probably next week Ill visit it.

I think thats the major highlight for now. Thanks all for your care and concerns about my life here, Really terharu. And sorry for being idle and my apology for the delay on responding to yr msgs and emails and friendster's comments.

Have a great life everyone!

will be MIA

The Freshers' week
1st Oct: Pub Quiz Night (probably in Cheam)
2nd Oct: No scheduled event
3rd Oct: Ten Pin Bowling @ Bloomsbury bowl, Tavistock Sq, Central
London
4th Oct: Comedy @ Jongleurs, Clapham
5th Oct: Induction day for new students - PhBar + Pizzas + Games +
Band

U know what? I am exempted, hehe, my reason: I want to celebrate Eid with my family here in Msia, and my super said, dont worry, Ull catch up the induction later.
Isnt my super, super nice :)
(jgn jeles kengkawan ku yg slalu kena marah dgn supernya, sabar je la ye hehe)

And yah, a huge sum of money need to be deposited to my housemate account for my house in the UK,
Will money transfer frm Malaysian bank account to Europe's gonna take some time? I know cheque will take at least a month long. For those who are expert in ths, PM me pls Thx

Money2, where are you, I can sense a future of part time Janitor LOL

p.s. my niece is one year old today. Selamat Hari Lahir Amni Nasuha from yr only PakNgah. She is way much brighter now...

30 More Days...

Its official; in 30 Days, I am going to leave my beloved country, my comfort zone, to a foreign land...InsyaAllah

By this time; in 30 Days, I will be 10 Megameters away from home, in the Capital of the United Kingdom, to pursue my next level of education in an institute ranked 4th in its research and listed among the best company in the UK.

It does feel surreal, I always felt that I am just an average Joe (or average Awang in Malay context).

Its been an emotional roller coaster, recently.

Sometimes I am high, happy that the new chapter in my life will soon begin, my baby steps towards my dream realisation.

But sometimes I do feel down, with excessive anxiety. How I am going to cope when I got there? In fact, I never went out of Malaysia! Just once to Singapore, but that happened during my earliest childhood time (in the 80s), where I can barely remember (My mum told me that I was dragging my newly bought bigger-than-me sized stuff bear all over the city, haha)

The fact that Ill be in a place so foreign, plus Ill be the only Malaysian at the institute, does scared the hell out of me.

Ill try hard to always remain positive. I have a friend who had just went to Canada, the only Malaysian at the University, it is hard, yup, but still endurable, and the fact that my friend is a she, makes me feel that I don't deserve to be down, I'm sure its even harder for her.

Thus, Ill try to stay strong.

My patriotism works?

Yesterday, Malaysian Budget for 2008 had announced that there will be an increase in government sponsored students' COLA (Cost of Living Allowance) in the UK, the US and Canada starting this month. The increment will be up to 97%, which is almost double the previous rate, but that doesn't mean a 97% increase, im sure the UK will get a lower increment (thx to the freakin high exchange rate), but still Alhamdulillah at least there will be an increase, insyaAllah gov sponsored student at these countries will no longer live below the poverty line hehe (how many increase did i repeat? haha I am freakin obses with the word now)

While searching for the exact amount of the increment on the net (yea, im a patient guy :P), I stumbled upon few interesting blogs writing about this, most are happy (yea the benefiters i.e. the students), but it can never satisfies all, I also stumbled upon a person who did not agree about the increment (this fella argue that the students are wasting the taxpayers money, touring europe and didnt return) let this fella disagree, he need to be in the students' shoe, then only he is able to understands how hard it is Anyway forget about this, I think the funniest comment about the increment is below (LMAO)

"Rasa macam nak berenti cuci jamban hari ni jugakkk:"
<source>

Among other things in the budget that I really applaud is that it covers the whole spectrum of Malaysians. I think its great, if the budget is really the plan (i mean not just a freakin piece of writing), im sure a lot of peoples will benefit from it.

The couple of patriotism posts recently is worthy I guess

My thanks to all peoples that had worked hard to make this a realisation. Esp the students that never give up writing to the gov, letting them know that they dont hv enough money, apparently it is no longer fell on deaf ears

p.s. Haha Funny when I think how easy I was being bought

Malaysian, forget Malaysia truely Asia! are we truely Malaysian?

"Kamu semua tahu tak, Cina tak mandi pagi sebelum pergi sekolah, sebab tu mata dia sepet"
“You all know? Chinese don’t take a morning shower before they go to school, that’s why their eyes like that”

I heard that phrase when I was teaching at a tuition center this evening. It’s not from a student, instead its from a teacher in the next class beside mine, who is easily classified in the male's prime age (supposed to be mature enough). I cant understand why he had to speak like that in front of his all Malay student. Its immature (even though I know his intention is to uplift the spirit of the PMR candidate, to study hard - among other issue that arises). Furthermore it is not appropriate especially in Kelantan context, where it is literally hard to find Chinese around, therefore its harder for these students to mix with others. I don’t want them to get a wrong impression about other Malaysian. And its not fair to the Kelantanese Chinese since they are generally and relatively nicer compared to their kin in other states (blend in well and speak very good Malay).

I bet, that teacher’s political ideology differs than the ruling state’s, based on his ideas of nationalism which I frequently overheard when he teaches next my class. He is supposed to be the role model, not advocating racism. I later shut off the sliding door partitioning the two classes, indicating my objection.

Even though we are proud to say that we are all Malaysian, we live in peace and harmony despite the differences in culture and belief, we branded our nation as the Truly Asia! Yet I found that most of us are hypocrites.

Take a look at the pics below.

What came up on yr mind? Yr feeling?

I knew this from my university’s alumni online group. The pics and some more got into the group from several similar FORWARD post by fellow Malays who got pissed by the way she hold the pig and ‘proudly’ (quote from what they say) take pics with the animal. The group was flooded with similar post, one after another but with different title.

An example:
Anak sapa la ni…kerja ladang babi…
Whose daughter is this? Work in the pigs’ barn

What is the purpose of forwarding this email? The clear intention is to demonize this girl, which in my opinion hasn’t done anything wrong. Its not that she had choped off the pig’s head or slaughtered it, roasted it’s meat, and eat it.

It is even sadder when later, many of the group member (yup, the so called educated people of Malaysia) start leavin their comment about the pic, and demanding explanation from this poor girl. Which later replied by a university’s lecturer, explaining that she is in the Vet program of the uni. But still people cannot accept the way she posed in front of the cam and accused her on putting Islamic law behind. Its ridiculious. I learned that Muslim is just not allowed to eat its meat, we can still touch with a precondition that we clean it later as described by the scholars.

This chaos can give Islam a bad impression. Thanks to these Muslim chaotic maker.

We all tend to mix things up. I think it is the stigma. We are banned to eat its meat. That’s it. Why we have to ‘jump’, and make a big mountain over not even a molehill. Be sensitive, we live in a country, where there are others that appreciate its meat.

That’s why I said we are hypocrite. When we have the opportunity to speak up anonymously, we put aside the borders and say all the insensitive things about others without deep thinking and analysis and this clearly potrays our shallow stands in the issues . This also apply to other races, I often found racist comments by the Chinese in the internet media (the blog and its comments) and even in my blog as well like in this, this and this posts' comment section. Some are insensitive remark on Islam, which was a direct results of Muslims failed to portray the true teaching of the religion. So its not their fault either, it is also ours, that carry the Islamic image in Malaysia.

Its not that I want to stir a racial tension, but it is what we all face, really.

Take a look at the ruling party, they themselves portrayed the similar issue. When one of the subparty declared that we are an Islamic nation, but then the other sub denied it. See, their understanding of our constitution is also clearly apart. It is not a surprise that the peoples they rule, themselves have the common misunderstanding, hypocritical stand in few issue.

The recent popular arguments, Bahasa Malaysia or Bahasa Melayu. My views? I don’t care! Even after we had changed our school’s name frm Sekolah Melayu to Sekolah Kebangsaan, still some despise these schools and choose vernacular instead. It is not about the branding! Not that I blame this to only nonMalay, we shouldn’t just look at things superficially, try to understand, why there are such reluctance. Is it the way the school being handle? Is it their teachers? (I’m sure the example at the top can influence in someway). We need more than, just accusing people being unpatriotic because they don’t want to follow 'the national custom'. Why don’t we all embrace all custom, don’t limit us just to the so called national Identity.

Luckily we all are very nice people, rarely causes any real problem, despite the issues and disagreement hidden beneath our friendly faces.

50 years had past…

I think we are lucky, living in a 'dream nation', but we all have to stop day dreaming and face the reality somehow. There are still lots of issues that need to be straighten up, esp. when the scenario still permit such discussion, fix where possible, before its too late!

Selamat Menyambut Ulang tahun yang ke-50, its time to bring it to the next level, Mutual-understanding is no longer enough…

p.s. I sometimes sense that we are seriously being attacked and poked by non-Malaysians esp. some of our ‘neighbors’, which have their own agenda. I think there are peoples that loath Malaysian peace and will do whatever it takes (thx to the www anonymity) to destroy the current state of serenity. So beware fellow Malaysians!

My Twisted Love *updated KBMall PC Fair Kelantan

HP Pavilion TX1000

Read review by the professional here



My review:
Pros: the design, tablet (u can write on the screen, but its not very sensitive, need to press a bit harder than normal writing on paper); finger print reader; remote for media; plus almost all other things usually on normal notebook
Cons: like i said the touchscreen is a lil insensitive, but still alright, very useful for research student, as they will spent large amount of time reading journals digitally; can get pretty hot but not burning hot; Vista OS (hv few problems, normal microsoft thingy, is it a conspiracy?); no international warranty, only Asia Pacific; quite thick, but not that heavy.

It is now retaild at August's PCFair at RM2999 (for AMD Athlon X2 processor model, not the Turion, Turion is at RM4999, other specs are the same). I just wanna share this great deal. I almost going to spend 5K for it, Alhamdulillah I did went to Penang's PC Fair, and found about this there)

I think you can still grab this twisted beauty at venues below from HP's authorised reseller, HP only hv booth in KL's PCFair, which was held last week. I grab mine at Penang's, from one of the reseller, which v.nicely throw me a free HP carrying case along with this great deal (anybody wanna buy the bag, let me know, im going to put on ebay in few days).

The next/current PC Fair venues

10 - 12 August 2007
11:00 am - 9:00 pm

Johor Bahru City Square, Johor
Jalan Wong Ah Fook, 80000 Johor Bahru
Stadium Indera Mulia, Ipoh, Perak
Jalan Stadium Perak, 31400 Ipoh
Central Square, Sungai Petani, Kedah
Jalan Kampung Baru, 08000 Sungai Petani
Dewan Sri Mentakab, Pahang
Mentakab, Pahang

16 - 18 August 2007
11:00 am - 9:00 pm

KB Mall, Kota Bharu, Kelantan
Jalan Hamzah, 15050 Kota Bharu
Terengganu Trade Centre, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu
Padang Hiliran, 21100 Kuala Terengganu

17 - 19 August 2007
11:00 am - 9:00 pm

Mahkota Parade Melaka
Jalan Merdeka, 75000 Bandar Hilir, Melaka
Star Parade, Alor Star, Kedah
Jalan Teluk Wanjah, 05200 Alor Star
Dewan Merdeka MP Manjung, Perak
Jalan Pinang Raja, 32040 Seri Manjung

This is a must have notebook for college students esp the postgrads, its the cheapest Tablet u can get, most Tablet sell at a whopping retail price of 7K and above (Fujitsu, IBM etc)

p.s. I did went to the Kelantan's PC Fair this evening. This deal is not available here based on the HP's pamplet. Just wanna let you know.
Prbbly u have to checked it yourself at the PC Fair, bcos there is a booth I didnt visit, which is owned by the person I quarelled with in this post.

What is gay? by a 12 years old boy

Look at the diagram below, observe the pictures and read the hyphenated words.

No, I’m not asking you to do the task. (If u want to, please, and please don’t ask me to mark, I am myself have lots of grammatical error in my sentences :P) But this task was given by me to a group of 12 years old for their English class. I was their on-call teacher.

Student A & B: [Talking and laughing]
Me: Boys, Whats so funny about?
Student A: He said Gerald is gay. [Pointing at student B]
Student B: [Sheepishly smile and avoid eye contact]
Me: [Not sure whats appropriate to say for a second. Come up with a question to Student A] What is gay?
Student A: Pondan! sir [confidently tell me]
Me: No, its not. [cant hold the straight face, I did smile]
Student A: Yes, it is [smiling]
The girls: [Smiling too]
Other boys: [No reaction]
Me: [Change topic, and laughing inside (No, im not going to change this English class to a sexual education forum)]

Im not surprise they know the jargon (which should not be known by their age at my time), its all over the media (the celebrity gossip etc). But I just don’t understand how they come up with that conclusion (Gerald is gay). Obviously they associate the term with effeminate male (they pics suggest he is befriending with two girls, thus Gerald is not masculine, maybe?), and its not about sexual orientation Haha Even many adult don’t understand this, how can I expect their kids to understand (speakin in Malaysian context). Even some of the so called expert on TV somehow suggest to viewers that gay is about the sexual activity u-know-between-not-the opposite-sex.
Thank God im not that shallow and I did take some social science subjects back in college.

Green for Fly, Red for Politics

This post is not about green/red apple nor political parties official colour.
But Its a bout me! metaphorically described.
As I am about to cross an important junction in my life.

Finally, an absolute green light from the scholarship provider.
Insya'Allah Im going to leave Msia this October, but not for-ever, I hope.
Finally, I think I'm happy, but mixed with all kind of emotions.
Perhaps, I am not really happy, huh emotion are complicated, wont be able to comprehend myself.

I have to start prepping spiritually, mentally and physically, I think I did already start, probably I need to multiply the effort.
More time on enriching these.
Maybe by cutting down my online hours, especially the time spend on political web-logs and news.
I came up to a conclusion recently that I don't feel I gained anything positive from reading 'em. Just plain hatred, which only boils my blood (haha, a bit exaggerating). But cant deny that I am pissed when the truth will usually find its way under the carpet. Swept by the prime media and lies.
At the end of the day, what I felt is a sense of anger and helpless. Which is not good for me, I need to cheer up and loosen up more.

I cant do anything to correct it, yes, but I did note it in my mind, Ill give my attention to this when the time comes, in the near future.

I have to focus in the most important things for me, for now, and let the other things revolve around. Prioritize!

Thanks all for your extended prayers, God bless.
Thank You, for the only You, the only one entitled for the credit, for all the blessing.
Hoping for bright years ahead.

p.s. Ive been tagged by Zafi.
Did saw the same tag on MarinaM's blog few weeks bfor,
will get back to the questions soon.

Before Tomorrow

I’m going to drive my Kancil back home tomorrow, since Ill be MIA for few years in few months, so its best that my sister use it in Penang.

Ill be missg him, he had served me and being a good friend for almost 2 years and he rarely breakdown (just some minor) although he is not a virgin when I got him (a second hand car).
He is the Kancil, yup a he-car, because he rarely causes any trouble, haha, sorry girls, a male chauvinistic remark, I’m just jesting. You all know im not a he-ass :P or am I?

Finally, I got the electronic copy of my offer letter last night, the original was mailed but haven’t yet arrived. Astounded by the amount of fees needed to be paid which is about 25k pound annum (Fee 14.5k + Consumable 10.4k), I thought it was a mistake. But when I checked with other good universities in the UK, it’s a common/standard international fee for medical related research degrees, obviously it’s a profit making business.
Well, Its not that I’m the one who is going to pay the fees, but I feel that (actually, Im not sure how I felt) it’s a lot of money spend especially when it is converted to Malaysian ringgit. Feel like it’s a huge responsibility for me to put my whole+extra effort in it, so that the money will be well spent.

Wonder why our public universities don’t charge a noticeable fee difference for the international students (In the UK, the fee for EU/UK students are much lower compared to internationals’). Plus most of the international students in Malaysia are very rich, their country too esp the middle eastern countries like UAE. But then, when I heard these countries are spending billions in our local universities research. I think it’s a simple give and take. Anyway, we have to charge based on our quality of education, probably higher rate in the future when the quality get better, hopefully, with all the sudden baby steps taken by MOHE.

Will forward the offer letter tomorrow to the scholarship provider, hope everything will be fine, the next meeting for finalizing the scholarship is in the next week, and I was told in a phone conversation with the officer that the fees wont be a problem. Lega! Anyway I'm still hoping a smooth process ahead.

And the stated date for the 2007/08 intake in the offer letter is the 1st October. OMG it is in Ramadan which is before Eid. Felt like I wanna burst when I realized bout it. Probably I can forward the date to after Eid hopefully, hey Im a paid customer, I can do what I want hehe

Tomorrow too, my buddy is going to leave Malaysia for a month. Goodbye mate, sorry can’t wave g'bye at the airport. Im sure u’ll be fine and come back home in one piece. Ill pray for your safety. Thx for the sate treat ths evening, huhu, Im actually sad u r goin to leave.


And this stack of books plus some more at home in Penang is for my friend who is going to pursue her Masters which will start tomorrow. All the best, pal. Hope all these notes help. She wrote in her blog that I'm one of the person that has inspired her to discontinue her job and continue with her study. I am very flatterd Id unintentionally persuade someone for something good, but a bit weird as I myself don't feel that I can be inspiring. I'm sure you wont regret your decision on doing this, pal. Knowledge is power!

Off topic, I haven’t blog bout current affairs esp politic for sometime, but Im very happy bout the release of the BBC reporter in Palestine yesterday. See, Hamas is not a bad group of people; they had shown to the international that they are not an extremist; they are just fighting for their land which was stolen. Hopefully this event will clean up their image.

Cant wait to be in Penang tomorrow, I felt attached there probably because I grew up there. Will spend the few days, with friends back home and my cute nice. She is so smart right now, sometimes a bit naughty. Will blog bout her when I come back.


Till then. Adios!

p.s. Cikgu Hafiz (as addressed by lots of my fren recently haha) have to take few days leave for his trip to Penang. He'll be back in few days, teaching and at the same time learning.

Future Malaysian Neuroscientist?

Utusan Malaysia 29 Jun 2007 (Timur)

2 pelajar USM catat sejarah

KOTA BHARU 28 Jun - Dua penuntut Sarjana Sains Neuro, Pusat Pengajian Sains Perubatan (PPSP) Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Kubang Kerian mencatat sejarah apabila terpilih menyertai program kajian berkaitan bidang berkenaan di peringkat antarabangsa.

Dua penuntut sarjana tersebut, Mohd. Nor Azim Ab. Patar, 24, dan Rahida Mohd. Shadli, 26, terpilih setelah kajian mereka mendapat pengiktirafan badan penyelidikan antarabangsa yang membolehkan mereka menyertai program dan kursus intensif dalam bidang sains neuro.


MOHD. Nor Azim Ab. Patar dan Rahida Mohd. Shadli berbincang mengenal kajian kecederaan otak dan tulang belakang di Kampus Kesihatan, USM Kubang Kerian, Kota Bharu, semalam.

Mohd. Nor Azim yang kini meneruskan pengajian dalam bidang kecederaan otak dan tulang belakang di PPSP, mendapat tajaan Pertubuhan Penyelidikan Otak Antarabangsa yang beribu pejabat di Switzerland.

Dengan penajaan itu, beliau akan mengikuti kursus di State University Ohio, Anierika Syarikat, selama sebulan mulai 6 Julai hingga 6 Ogos depan.

Mohd. Nor Azim juga merupakan antara 16 penuntut dari seluruh dunia yang terpiih dan satu-satunya pelajar tunggal dari negara ini mendapat tawaran kursus berprestij itu.

Beliau yang ditemui berkata, peluang tersebut akan dimanfaatkan sepenuhnya dengan memberikan tumpuan untuk mendapat sebanyak mungkin pengalaman dan pendedahan menerusi kursus itu.

Katanya, ini kerana peluang mengikuti kursus di universiti tersebut cukup berharga kerana di situlah terkumpulnya ramai pakar perubatan yang terlibat dalam rawatan kecederaan otak dan tulang belakang.

Beliau ditemui selepas majlis perasmian Bengkel Pengenalan Sains Neuro anjuran Jabatan Neurosains PPSP, Kampus Kesihatan, Universiti Sains Malaysia di sini hari mi.
Mohd. Nor Azim yang berasal dan Kota Bharu berkata, beliau sebelum ini berpeluang mengikuti kajian kecederaan otak dan tulang belakang secara praktikal di Universiti Tarbiat Modaras, di Tehran pada tahun 2006.

Kemampuan beliau menguasai pengajian dalam bidang tersebut juga membolehkannya menyertai Konvensyen Kyoto di Jepun tajaan Elsevier, sebuah syarikat antarabangsa yang mencetak dan mengeluarkan bahan serta jurnal sains.

Berikutan pelbagai peluang yang diperoleh itu, Mohd. Nor Azim berazam untuk melanjutkan pengajiannya ke peringkat doktor falsafah.

Bagi Rahida pula, beliau mendapat tawaran untuk membentangkan kertas keija berkaitan di Program Musim Panas Institut Sains Otak RIKEN di Kyoto, Jepun.

Katanya, peluang menyertai program itu dapat menambahken pengetahuan dan pengalaman terutamanya dalam mengendalikan kes trauma berpunca daripada kecederaan otak pada masa hadapan.

“Saya akan menumpukan kepada bidang kajian psikologi neuro serta kesan akibat kecederaan otak yang merupakan minat saya selama mi,” jelasnya.

Congratulation to En Azim (for making a headline) :D, and Bon Voyage. Take care Bro

p.s.
Sorry Azim, I have to publish this article although u didnt let me hehe. Its for your own good, Im digitizing it, and making sure it lasted for long, so u can show this to yr grandchildren in the future, InsyaAllah

Instant Academician?

Lately there has been sudden move by the gov, to spend large amount of money on sponsoring students to continue their postgrad studies up to the PhD level. Well, I shouldn't bitch bout this, as I did benefit from it, Thank You.

I just found bout the latest method of hiring academician from TonyP, Education in Malaysia. Below is the extract of the hiring advert from MOHE.

Putrajaya — Temuduga pengambilan tenaga akademik secara berpusat bagi calon-calon yang memiliki ijazah Doktor Falsafah (PhD) akan diadakan pada 26-28 Mei 2007 mulai jam 9.00 pagi hingga 4.00 petang di Aras 2, Stesen Sentral, Kuala Lumpur.
Bagi calon-calon yang berminat terutamanya pemegang ijazah PhD yang mempunyai pengalaman kerja di sektor kerajaan atau industri amat dialu-alukan terutamanya di kalangan bukan bumiputra.
Program ni dilaksanakan oleh Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi (KPT) selaras dengan dasar untuk meningkatkan bilangan tenaga akademik yang berkelayakan PhD atau setaraf denganya sehingga 60% menjelang 2010 di PTA.
Pada masa yang sama temuduga bagi penajaan Biasiswa KPT ke peringkat PhD dan Sarjana serta pameran IPTAjuga diadakan. Selain datang sendiri ke lokasi temuduga in pemohon juga boleh mengemukakan permohonan melalui laman web IPTA berkenaan. Pemohon yang datang sendiri dikehendaki membawa bersama-sama kad pengenalan asal, sijil asal SPM, ljazah Sarjana Muda/Sarjana/PhD, biodata peribadi dan gambar berukuran passport berserta dua salman setiap satu.

I didnt feel the sudden need for hiring more PhD holders as I graduated from a local institution with the largest amount of PhD holders, all my lecturers have the title Dr.
Alhamdulillah, I personally believe that I got my 1st degree and master at&from the best here.

But I do realise, its rare for majority of other institution to have such dynamic academicians, its not that Im dissing lecturers with no PhDs, but it is a need, to have Dr. to supervise student's project, not lecturer's with masters degree supervising masters student? Or a bachelor degree lect teach first degree students, right? like what happened with most other institution.

So, in this pandemic shortage, MOHE had come up with this new method of hiring.
Its a walk-in interview at the central station (yes, the train station), bring yr biodata (erk, what is biodata?) and what intrigue me to write is not the method but the result of the interview written in the Star today. Full news here.

KUALA LUMPUR: Universities hired more than 200 academic staff on the first day of a centralised recruitment fair organised by the Higher Education Ministry.

Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed described the initial response to the three-day event as “beyond expectation” and said that police had to be called in on Saturday, the first day of the fair, to help control the crowd.

A total of 38 PhD holders were hired while 106 master’s holders will be sponsored to do their PhD by the universities, and 63 first-degree holders their master’s.

Alright, its stated that more than 200 were hired in the first day. Thats a lot of people for a day.

And 38 of them are PhD holders, erk, who are these peoples? Are they from the industry that suddenly wanna switch to academic? I dont think so, common sense, money is the main decision factor, people wont switch carrier unless they got higher pay, which is not that high. Is PhD in this country not worthed? Scary to think about this. But then who am I to judge these people, probably they have the purest intention towards our public uni progress, not bcos of desperation for job.

Another thing is, why it (the hiring) need to be centralised? There are already mechanism for each university to hire their own academician, through direct hiring or scholarship scheme. Or is MOHE doesnt like the way each university conduct it? Some peoples do make a good point that, centralised hiring does make the process more translucent.

No matter how, I always hope for the best outcome, if through this we can hire the best, let it done this way then, or any way much better.
The most important thing is, Education need to be free! Not just monetary but also politically.