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VOLUME 6 NOVEMBER 2000 PERMIT NO. PPK 231/4/2001
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT)
Outlook for the community

By William Nyigor
DBNA Education Sub-Committee

Information Technology (IT) is regarded as the key driver for growth and development. This is the rationale behind the Federal Government's multimedia super corridor (MSC) project - that the development and application of IT in the key sectors of the society will propel and leapfrog the country into the next stage of development, the post-industrial stage. The future society is envisaged as a digital/smart/knowledge society where IT plays the central role to connect and drive all facets of the society and the economy. Human activities will be largely "E" (electronic) driven, as in e-commerce, e-trading, e-banking, e-government, and e- anything. This is the vision of the future. How do we, as a community, participate in this vision? What is the outlook of our community? The purpose of this article is to explore this issue, to provoke more thoughts and discussions on it. However, this article does not attempt to provide the answers. Hopefully, with more discussions on the subject, the community can develop and implement effective measures and plans to approach the issue.

The runaway rate of growth in the IT industry means those who do not join in the IT bandwagon will be left further behind. Will the community that already behind in most other sectors, be left further behind because of the IT revolution?

What do we risk missing out on? Firstly, there is risk of missing out in the development of a new growth industry. To participate , we need more IT professionals in its various fields, such as software engineering, hardware engineering, content development, IT education, IT consultancy, etc. We risk becoming bystanders in a new growth sector, just as our forefathers have done in their time.

Secondly, there is a risk of being disadvantaged in the job market and in businesses. IT literacy and skills are important and critical skills in the new IT-driven world. Many jobs now require some form of IT skills. It is also increasingly important strategic and competitive tool in businesses. No serious and big businesses can afford to ignore the use of IT. IT is also becoming a very important tool in education in providing access to information and knowledge. Students who do not have access to IT are disadvantaged.

Thirdly, there is risk of being left out in the provision of services. More and more services from the private sector and the government are now delivered through IT, such as in e-banking, e-education, e-job application, e-government, etc. E-services are going to be more prevalent in the future. Even if 'normal' manual service deliveries are provided, they are likely to be slow and inconvenient, thus putting their users at a disadvantage. E-services require the client to have access to IT facilities and to be IT-literate. Losing out on IT means losing out on what would be critical and important services in the future.

It is obvious there is an urban-rural divide in IT appreciation and usage of IT within the community. There is a very great danger that our community in the rural areas will be left far behind in IT revolution.

Proper surveys need to be done on this issue of IT and the community. More efforts are still needed to be done to promote and create greater awareness on IT in the community. We cannot afford to wait. Perhaps the promotion of IT awareness campaign be made part of the agenda of the elected representatives in the State Assembly and Parliament, the DBNA, the community leaders, the Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK), the Parent-Teachers Association (PTA) and influential individuals within the community. IT awareness can be promoted by giving talks, by donating IT equipment and software, and by organising and sponsoring IT training among organisation and members of the community.

It will be easier and more meaningful to promote IT among the rural community if they and the rural schools at least have electricity supply (and telecommunication facilities, if possible) to enable them to use and experience IT facilities and opportunities. Thus it is equally important that the YBS and other organisations and influential individuals within the community continue to push for the provision of these basic infrastructure and services for the rural community. Promotion of education and implementation of projects to uplift the income and standards of living within the rural community can help promote IT awareness and usage.

In short, IT will be the key technology of the future. Can the community afford not to participate? The current outlook is not very encouraging. Should and can this not be changed?

Career Information

By Cindy Biding
Student Councellor, SMK Teknik Kuching

Gathering career information is an important part of career planning. The more information you gather, the more exposed you are to the world of work. Career information help you to learn to discover yourself - your personality, your interest and your ability. Once you know what you are interested in and what you are good at, you can then make choices from the various jobs or fields available. As you become more confident of yourself, you can then make a decision as to what course/ programme you want to take up after SPM(V).

It is not always easy to decide what course to take up after SPM if you have not been doing any planning. First of all, you need to know that there are certain requirement to meet when you want to apply for a certain course. Therefore you need to work/study consistently to achieve excellent or at least fairly good results in SPM

I am giving you a summary of the courses available for you to consider after SPM (V).

AFTER SPM (V), WHAT NEXT?

- Institutions of higher learning - public/private (IPTA/IPTS)
- Polytechnics
- Institut Kemahiran Mara (IKM)
- Matriculation course (Ministry of Education)
- Form 6
- Teachers' Training College
- Apprenticeship
- Work (work to earn some money and study later)

INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING

1. Diploma level
Universiti Putera M'sia (UPM)    Universiti Teknologi M'sia (UTM)
Kursus
- Diploma Pertanian
- Diploma Kesihatan Haiwan & Ternakan
- Dip. Pembangunan Manusia
- Dip. Perhutanan

Kelayakan
- SPM(V) dengan 5 kepujian termasuk B.M, Mat. & Satu mata pelajaran Sains
- SPM(V) dengan 5 kepujian termasuk B.M, Mat. & Biologi
- SPM(V) dengan kepujian dalam B.M, Mat., Mata pelajaran Sains, dua kepujian lain
- SPM(V) dengan kepujian dalam B.M, Mat, satu mata pelajaran Sains, dua mata pelajaran lain. 		   Kursus
- Diploma Kejuruteraan Awam
- Diploma Sains Kompduter
- Dip. Kejuruteraan Elektrik/Elektronik
- Dip. Kejuruteraan Mekanikal
- Dip. Pengurusan Teknologi
- Dip. Ukur Tanah
- Dip. Penilaian

Kelayakan
- SPM(V) Kepujian dalam B.I.Mat., satu kepujian dalam mata pelajaran Sains/Teknikal
- SPM(V) Kepujian B.M, Mat. & satu mata pelajaran berikut: Perdagangan/Prinsip Akaun/ Ekonomi Asas/Mat. Tambahan
- SPM(V) Kepujian B.M., Mat., Tiga kepujian dalam: Mat. Tambahan/lukisan kejuruteraan/ Pengajian Kejuruteraan Awam/Jentera/Elektrik & Elektronik/Fizik/Kimia
Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM)    Institut Teknologi Tun Hussein Onn
Kursus
- Dip. Perakaunan
- Dip. Seni Lukis
- Dip.Teknologi Percetakan
- Dip.Fotografi
- Dip.Seni Muzik
- Dip.Dip. Komunikasi & Media
- Dip.Pengurusan Maklumat
- Dip.Teknologi Makanan

Kelayakan
- SPM(V) dengan kepujian dalam B.I., Mat., & tiga kepujian lain dan lulus B.M.
- SPM(V) dengan kepujian dalam Pendidikan Seni, B.M, & tiga kepujian lain
- SPM(V) dengan kepujian dalam P.Seni, Mat., Sains & dua mata pelajaran lain
- SPM(V) dengan kepujian dalam B.M., P.Seni, Mat., Sains & dua mata pelajaran lain
- SPM(V) dengan kepujian dalam B.M., gred 3 - Latihan ABRSM Lulus audition ujian pendengaran & temuduga.
- SPM(V) dengan 5 kepujian termasuk B.I & B.M.
- SPM dengan lima kepujian termasuk B.M.
- SPM(V). Lulus B.M & B.I, Kepujian Mat., B.I., Kepujian Mat,. Satu kepujian mata pelajaran Sains, dua kepujian mata pelajaran lain. 		   Kursus
- Dip. Kejuruteraan Elektrik/Mekanikal

Kelayakan
- SPM dengan kepujian dalam B.M., Mat., satu mata pelajaran Sains/Teknikal

2. Matrikulasi (Matriculation) Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia
Matrikulasi Sains - Pass SPM(V)    Matrikulasi Perakaunan - Pass SPM(V)
- Credit in B.M
- Pass in B.I
- Credit in Matematik
- Credit in 2 Science/Technical subjects. 		   - Credit in B.M
- Pass in B.I
- Credit in 2 subject:
- Add.Maths
- Prinsip Akaun
- Perdagangan
- Ekonomi Asas

3. Undergraduate/lst Degree Courses
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)
Ijazah Sarjana Muda/lntegrasi
- Ijazah Sarjana Muda Kejuruteraan Awam/Elektrik/Mekanikal
- Ijazah Sarjana MudaSains/Pengurusan (Pembangunan Sumber Manusia/Teknologi/Pemasaran)
- Ijazah Sarjana Muda Kejuruteraan (Kimia/Kimia-Bioproses/Kimia-Gas/Kimia-Polimer)
- Ijazah Sarjana Muda Teknologi serta Pendidikan (Kejuruteraan Awam/Elektrik/Mekanikal)

Kelayakan
- SPM dengan kepujian dalam: B.M, Mat.,Tiga kepujian dalam: Mat Tambahan/Fizik/ Kimia/Lukisan, Kejuruteraan/Pengajian kejuruteraan Elektrik/Awam/Jentera/Teknologi Kejuruteraan/Teknologi Elektronik/Lukisan Geometri & Elektrik/Elektronik
- SPM(V) dengan kepujian dalam B.M., Mat., Tiga kepujian dalam : Ekonomi Asas/ Perdagangan/Prinsip Akaun/B.I, Mat. Tambahan
- SPM(V) dengan kepujian dalam B.M, Mat., Tiga kepujian dalam: Mat.Tambahan/ Kimia/Fizik/Lukisan Kejuruteraan/Pengajian Kejuruteraan Awam/Elektrik/Jentera Lukisan Geometri & Bangunan/Lukisan Geometri & Kejuruteraan/Sains Kejuruteraan
- SPM(V) dengan kepujian dalam B.M., Mat. Tiga kepujian dalam: Mat. Tambahan/Pengajian Kejuruteraan Awam/Elektrik/Mekanikal/FizikLukisan Geometri & Binaan/Bangunan/ Teknologi Elektrik/Teknologi Binaan Bangunan.

4. Undergraduate/lst Degree Programme in Local Private Universities

Institution
- Universiti Petronas Malaysia
- Multi Media University

Programme
- Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) Electric & Electronic/Mechanical/Chemical/Civil
- Bachelor of Technology (Hon) Information Technology/Information System
- Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) Electrical/Electronics/Computers/Telecommunication/Multi media B.MM (Hons) Computer & Digital Art
- Bachelor in Information Technology (Hons) Information Systems Engineering/Sofeware Engineering/MuIti Media Technology B.MM(Hons) Software & Animation/Software Engineering & Games Design
- B. Acc.(Hons) B.B. A (Hons) Finance/Management/Marketing/Economics B.MM(Hons) Media Innovation & Management
- B.Sc. (Hons) Digital Media/Film Animation/Media Innovation
- B.B.A. (Hons) Human Resource Management/International Business/Entrepreneurship

Qualifications
- SPM(V) with credits in at least 5 subjects including English, Add. Mat, Physics & Chemistry
- SPM(V) with credits in at least 5 subjects including English, Mat. And any 3 of the following: Science, Add.Mat., Accounting, Commerce,etc.
- 5 credits & above inclusive of English, Mat., Add. Mat. & Physics
- 5 credits & above inclusive of English & Mat.
- 5 credits & above inclusive of English & Mat.
- 5 credits & above inclusive of English & Mat.
- 5 credits & above inclusive of English & Mat.

5. Polytechnic (Sarawak)

Diploma Courses    Certificate Courses
- Dip. In Civil Engineering
- Dip. In Mechanical Engineering
- Dip. In Electronic Engineering
- Dip. In Accountancy
- Dip. In Business Study
- Dip. In Marketing		    - Cert. In Civil Engineering
- Cert. In Land Surveying
- Cert. In Mechanical Engineering
- Cert. In Electrical Engineering
- Cert. In Bookkeeping

Entry Requirements
SPM (V) with a pass in B.M., credit in Mat. Or Add. Mat. And a pass in one of the following subjects: Phys- ics, Engineering Science., Chemistry, Commerce, Principle of Accounts, related technical or vocational subjects.

WHERE TO GET FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Sometimes a student may face financial difficulties and this may discourage him/her to go for further stud- ies. The government is giving a lot of assistance in the form of scholarship or study loan. The following are agencies from which you can seek assistance:

Yayasan Sarawak (Sarawak Foundation)
- Pinjaman Pelajaran
- Biasiswa Tunku Abdul Rahman

Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam
- Biasiswa Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam

Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional
- Pinjaman Pelajaran

PETRONAS Scholarship

SHELL Scholarship

Commercial Banks (Bank Rakyat, Bank Bumiputera-Commerce)
- Pinjaman Pelajaran

Make It Fun and Enjoyable
Motivating the Bidayuh Student Preparing For Examination


BY Andrew Alex Tuen
DBNA Education Sub-Committee

In a way, the Bidayuh community is in a better position compared to other ethnic group. Our villages are close to Kuching, so we were the first native community to be exposed to western civilization. Now most of our villages have electricity and water and are accessible by good roads, Thus, there are abundant opportunities to improve ourselves and raise our standard of living. But we cannot do it through financial backing. We need to build up our capability and competitiveness through education, training and self discipline.

When academic excellence is the goal then preparing for examination becomes a serious matter for both students and teachers, and even parents.

Preparing for examination encompasses many aspects which include early preparation, making study a pleasure and keeping fit and healthy.

Early preparation is an effective way to reduce exam related stress. It conditions the mind and body to handle the shock and outpouring of adrenaline that takes place during exam time. By preparing early you will not only reap the benefits of goods grades but a better health of mind and body.

How early should you prepare for an exam? The earlier the better. It should include general preparation and specific preparation.

The general preparation phase should be geared towards promoting the right attitude towards study and education in general. Make study a habit. Study should be viewed as a means to acquire useful knowledge. It should be a pleasure and not a burden.

The specific preparation phase depends on the exam itself. Is it a public exam or normal end- of-term exam?

It I am a student I would consider nine month for public exams and four weeks for normal end- of-term exam as reasonable for the specific preparation phase.

This specific preparation phase involve many things. Start by setting a target. In practical terms, this mean setting a minimum mark to qualify for excellence is about 80%.

Prepare a plan of study and consistently following it. Otherwise, consult your teacher for a better plan.

Make study a pleasure rather than a burden

Study becomes a burden if it is forced upon you. Be proactive and take the initiative to study.

Study is more pleasant if it arise out of a thirst for new knowledge coupled with the ease with which this knowledge is obtained. The case with which new knowledge is obtained depends on how well the subjects matter is presented in class, on the availability of texts book for reference and whether the environment is conducive for study or not.

Knowing what you want to be in future and how to get there helps to make studying more pleasant.

Another way to reduce exam related stress is to condition yourself by simulating exam situations. Try answering past years exam questions within the time period allocated for the test. After you have finished, compare your answer with the one that is normally given at the end of the book. Congratulate yourself for every answer you got right. For the ones you got wrong, find out why and how and then move on. Do Not dwell and sulk on your mistake.

Stay fit and healthy

Staying fit and healthy is absolutely essential. It also enable you to interact with your community and take part in the activities of your generation hereby avoid social stress. Physical fitness and health is achieved through good eating habit and proper exercise.

Good eating habit ensures that your body gets all the nutrients that is needed in the right quality and at the right time.

Proper exercise carried out regularly improves your fitness and health. To me though, the removal of toxic waste products from your body through sweating is equally important. Do Not forget to replenish the water lost through sweat by drinking plenty of water.

A good exercise level make you feel good while over-exercise make you tired and sleepy.

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