UPSI LAUNCHES FIRST PSYCHOMETRICS PROFILING FOR UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AND ACADEMIC STAFF

Profiling developed in collaboration with MIMOS aims to enhance decision-making towards quality education

KUALA LUMPUR, 24 SEPTEMBER 2013:  Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) in Tanjung Malim, Perak recently launched UPSI Pscychometrics; a project developed in collaboration with MIMOS to be used in educational institutions to better assess students as well as academic staff.

This strategic partnership between UPSI and MIMOS successfully blends both respective expertise and technologies to jointly develop 4 instruments that can be used to better assess the suitability of students towards their topic of study, and therefore, to maximise the students potential to excel in their education.

UPSI Psychometrics launched by Datuk Dr Abu Bakar Mohamad Diah, MOSTI Deputy Minister. Looking on is Dr Haniza Yon, Head of MIMOS Psychometrics Cluster.

The Psychometrics Cluster at MIMOS is instrumental is promoting and practising psychometrics in Malaysia and has the expertise in the fundamentals and applications of psychometrics theories and techniques as well as psychometric-related technologies for educational as well as psychological testing in Malaysia.

MIMOS’ collaboration with UPSI, synonymous with the Malaysian education field creates a synergy with the latter as a subject matter expert in the development of tests namely in the field of Psychology, ICT, Mathematics, Malay Language, English language to enhance decision-making towards quality education.

Dr Haniza Yon, Head of MIMOS Psychometrics Cluster said that four of the developed tests by UPSI and MIMOS are Aptitude Test for University, Proficiency in ICT, Computer-assisted English Language Test and Ujian Nilai BITARA.

“This Psychometrics Profiling will enhance decision-making in the selection of students by systematically gauging their abilities as well as evaluate the proficiency of university staff. It is time Malaysia adopts a methodical and objective approach such as these, which will benefit not just the university, but the community in the long run,” added Dr. Haniza.
The Aptitude Test for University (AT4U) identifies students’ potential thus enhances their learning based on their ability and can also identify the best candidates for placement purposes into programmes offered by the university.

The Proficiency in ICT (ProfIT) measure competencies of individuals in using various ICT applications for placement purposes. It can identify individuals’ strengths and weaknesses in ICT competencies and assists learning institutions in evaluation and benchmarking of their ICT programmes.

The Computer-assisted English Language Test (CaELT) serves as a placement test into programmes based on students’ strengths and weaknesses in English language. This will enable scaffolding to weak students and at the same time provide insights into their future English capability.

Lastly, the Ujian Nilai BITARA helps in professional development and selection of academic staff to ensure that academicians’ values are align with institution’s vision and mission.

JARING SECURES RM14.25M CONTRACT FROM UPSI

KUALA LUMPUR, OCTOBER 23, 2012 – JARING Communications Sdn Bhd (JARING), the nation’s premier Internet Service Provider, signs a five-year contract recently, worth RM14.25 million, with Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) to upgrade the university’s communications infrastructure.

The internet access at UPSI, from the current 155Mbps will be upgraded to 1Gbps thus equipping the university with the fastest internet connection and making it a benchmark for other universities in terms of JARING Secured Infrastructure.

Datuk Dr Md Khir (third from left) exchanges the signed document with Prof Datuk Dr Zakaria Kasa (third from right).  Looking on (from left) are Encik Wan Mohd Nazmi Wan Ahmad Najid (COO, JARING), Datuk Rusley Taib (Registrar, UPSI), Encik Mohd Nawi Che Ab Rahman (Division Secretary, Information Management Division, Ministry of Higher Learning), Tuan Haji Mohd Nazri Md Saad (CIO, UPSI) and Puan Hajah Khadijah Hamdan (Treasurer, UPSI)

Via this agreement, UPSI will be able to maximise a wide range of communications services provided by JARING such as the My015 IP Telephony, Data Recovery Centre, WiFi at students’ residence and Cloud Computing services which now hosts the university’s e-learning platform.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Datuk Dr Md Khir bin Abdul Rahman, Chairman / Acting CEO of JARING said that the latest agreement was a testimony of how JARING would be able to deploy its expertise and know-how to help develop the IT infrastructure of its customers.

“Our partnership with UPSI was established in as early as 1998 when JARING was given the contract to provide a 2Mbps LL internet access to the university and this was followed by additional tasks to upgrade the access capacity.

“We are honoured to be able to fulfill the vision of the university which had planned its IT infrastructure systematically to meet the current and future IT demands.  As a result of this, UPSI is currently well-connected via the Net and its 25,000 population is able to operate in a full and efficient IT environment,” added Datuk Dr Md Khir.    

Currently, UPSI has two main campuses namely the Sultan Abdul Jalil Shah campus in Tanjung Malim and the Sultan Azlan Shah campus located in Proton City which is approximately 5km away from the former campus.

The communications technology offered by JARING is expected to encourage more VOIP interactions between the two campuses due to its lower subscription as compared to the market rate.

“In addition, in line with the current levels of technology, JARING is also providing UPSI with a comprehensive WiFi coverage which now allows mobility of usage campus-wide through various mobility tools such as smart phones, tablets, pads and notebooks.

“The WiFi services were implemented since 2006 and is now being gradually enhanced to allow more access points and to encourage internet-based learning.

“A new contract for another 15 years has been awarded to ensure the improvement of the WiFi coverage,” said Datuk Dr Md Khir.

Taking advantage of JARING’s Cloud Computing Carrier Class Services, which is now being fully operational, UPSI has moved ahead to implement its e-learning platform via the JARING’s Cloud.

“We are pleased as UPSI is also ready for any eventuality and ensure that all service applications run smoothly all the time through the Data Recovery Centre (DRC) services supplied by JARING since 2006 and has been enhanced further in 2010.

“At the same time, for institutions that have a fully ICT culture such as UPSI, network and content security factor are the main essence of all ICT projects.  The ability to determine the level of 'health' network, traffic visibility, ability to make tuning and capacity planning is very important.  Users will feel safe because all JARING network is continuously monitored from security threats including DDOS attacks, viruses, phishing, and hacking activities,” said Datuk Dr Md Khir.

Datuk Dr Md Khir signed on behalf of JARING while UPSI was represented by its Vice Chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr Zakaria bin Kasa.

Winners of the recently concluded ‘National Educational Blogging Competition 2012’, organised by UPSI, were also present during the event to receive their prizes from Professor Datuk Dr Zakaria bin Kasa.

JARING通讯 获马来西亚苏丹依德利斯师范(UPSI) 颁布1425万工程

(吉隆坡23日讯)  全马首屈一指的网络服务供应商JARING 通讯今日与苏丹依德利斯师范 (UPSI) 签署期5年总值 1425万令吉的合约，以提升该校互联网通讯设施。

随着这项互联网设施的提升， UPSI校园将享有最快的网速，从原本的155Mbps提升至1Gbps。

透过这项合约，UPSI 将能够享有JARING提供的各项服务，例如My015 IP 电话、数据中心, 宿舍无线网络服务和以及支撑该大学E-学习平台的云端服务。

JARING主席兼代首席执行员Datuk Dr Md Khir bin Abdul Rahman在签署仪式上指出，这项合约应证JARING如何利用其专业，为客户互联网基建设施。

他说：“JARING和UPSI的合作伙伴关系早从1998年开始，JARING当时获该校颁发提供网速2Mbps互联网服务的合约工程，以及提升网络接入服务工程。”

Datuk Dr Md Khir指出：“我们很高兴能够协助UPSI有系统的规划IT基建，以满足目前和未来的IT需求。截至目前为止，UPSI的网络系统能够衔接该校2万5000名网民，提供完善和有效率的IT环境。”

目前，UPSI 主要的校园包括位于丹绒马林的Sultan Abdul Jalil Shah校园，以及坐落于普腾城校的Sultan Azlan Shah分校。

JARING所提供的技术，料鼓催两个校园的网际网络语音电话的发展，因目前该科技的普及率，较市场低。

“JARING也提供UPSI无线覆盖网络，用户可以使用智能手机、平板电脑和手提电脑在校园内的任何一个角落上网。”

“我们从2006年提供无线网络服务，至今已逐渐提升和增加更多的接入点，鼓励更多的网络学习。”

Datuk Dr Md Khir指出：JARING获颁长达15年的合约，提升和改善校园的无线网络服务。”

UPSI已启用JARING的云端服务，全面实行网络教学。

“JARING在2006年开始提供数据还原中心服务，并在2010年获得全面改善，确保所有应用程式能全天候操作。”

出席签约仪式的是Datuk Dr Md Khir；UPSI的代表则是副校长Datuk Dr Zakaria bin Kasa教授。

Sun and UPSI Launch Green IT Learning Centre

Thin Client Centre to support UPSI’s bid for K-community and sustainable computing for a greener environment

TANJONG MALIM, PERAK, Malaysia – February 26, 2009 – Sun Microsystems Malaysia Sdn Bhd (Sun) and University Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) yesterday launched the Thin Client Centre at UPSI’s main library, ‘Perpustakaan Tuanku Bainun’ – to meet the needs of a new digital generation.

The Thin Client Centre will provide UPSI’s students community with three education essentials; access, communication, and collaboration, in order to address the growing demand for better eco-solution awareness, as UPSI works towards achieving a greener environment.

“The UPSI and Sun partnership goes a long way back – we have been working with Sun to educate the university community on the ecological impact of today’s technologies and how we can be part of the eco-responsibility initiative to reduce energy costs and IT environmental impact.

“Our partnership with Sun is in line with our efforts to work towards a k-Perak, an IT initiative by the Perak state government to develop ICT as a sector and as an enabler towards achieving Perak as an entry level Knowledge State by 2010 and a fully developed Knowledge State by 2020,” said Prof. Dr. Mustamam Abd Karim, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research & Innovation), UPSI.

According to Prof. Dr. Mustamam, UPSI went with Sun thin client technology because of its environmental benefits and efficiencies. Sun Ray thin client devices deliver a 75 percent energy saving over the average PC, not least because of better resource utilisation.Sun, together with its distributor BT Frontline, have been working closely with UPSI in the last few years to raise IT awareness and the importance of education via technology among the university community. Sun will deploy a new batch of Sun Ray 270 Virtual Display Clients and Sun Fire x4100 servers in UPSI’s main library as part of UPSI’s Library Open Public Access and training labs. This is on top of the existing Sun Ray thin clients and Sun Fire v250 servers that are currently in use at the library, the Treasury department and at the ICT centre.

“The Thin Client Centre will provide a one-stop support and integration centre for UPSI and their students. Besides a centralized data and applications system, there is greater security with Sun Ray thin client as virus attacks are virtually eliminated. Furthermore, its lower consumption of power and waste reduction makes this a ‘green’ solution. We are confident that UPSI will be able to reap the benefits of the Sun Ray implementation and enjoy greater savings in terms of costs, plus a greater boost to security,” commented CP Loo, managing director, Sun Microsystems Malaysia.

The Thin Client Centre has a collaboration center where it provides UPSI students a collaborative platform that enhances participation and sharing of ideas through various form of communication platforms such as forums, blogs and wikis.

There is a Services Kiosk at the Centre for students to get access to more efficient printing resources for class and projects submission and documentation. In addition, students can have immediate access to all their education technologies to facilitate and enhance their learning experiences. These include easy access to various software applications tool packages and more secured access to their working files and data.

The launch of the Thin Client Centre was held yesterday at UPSI, Tanjong Malim, Perak. The event was attended by Prof. Dr. Mustamam Abd Karim, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research & Innovation), UPSI, Joe Hartley, Vice President, Global Government, Education and Healthcare, Sun Microsystems Inc., CP Loo, managing director of Sun Microsystems Malaysia, Tuan Haji Abd Rahman, CEO BT Frontline and other distinguished guests.