KPTM Bangi dalam Berita

Sila dapatkan Harian Metro hari ini 29 Mac 2011. Di halaman 24 (Edisi Tengah, edisi lain mungkin di halaman yang lain...) ada berita mengenai program Anugerah Usahawan Muda Berjaya KPTM 2011 pada Jumaat lepas di mana kita telah memberi anugerah tersebut kepada YBhg. Dato' Sani dari Sani Express dan  Sani United.

Like it or not, we have to be good at it...

Quoted from The Star - 28th March 2011 - Letters to Editor

Master English or lose out in job hunt

Students at the tertiary level who neglect English are doing so at their peril.

Instead, they should not make every effort to master the language.

Though no one can force our undergraduates to study English, they must understand that mastering it would be an asset to them.

They should not blame employers for not accepting them as most companies require graduates who are competent in English, especially at the supervisory and executive levels.

In my research on the kind of skills 73 companies in the country look for, the 12 top needs related to English are to be abe to:

• Communicate justly when there’s a difference of opinion;
• Communicate efficiently to convince clients;
• Communicate effectively to win business opportunities;
• Communicate convincingly over the phone;
• Communicate with proper etiquette or manners;
• Adapt to formal and informal situations when communicating;
• Draft and write proper letters to clients;
• Write short reports on business dealings and events;
• Understand and report what others have discussed;
• Understand and clarify information, letters and reports received;
• Present facts plainly to an audience; and
• Conduct meetings in a brief and effectual manner.

Are our graduates prepared for this?

Students must remember that English is not only for them to seek better jobs after graduating. It has become an indispensable tool for them in their everyday life.

From the tiny electronic gadgets to the Internet and books, English is the main language used. Most newsprints and journals are written in English.

Most popular international news channels on television are in English. In fact, the more languages one acquires the better standing he has in the business and across the globe.

Students who ignore English are by design “localising” the value of their degrees. Many IT graduates from India, for instance, can find jobs in the developed world aided by their good grasp of English.

If our graduates think that they can secure a job as a civil servant where the language may not be a prerequisite, the bloated civil service would not be able to accommodate that many employees.

Even then there are sectors within the civil service that require graduates to be competent in English.

In the case of China, English is taught to all schoolchildren and some universities are now giving emphasis to English. There are now Chinese universities offering graduate courses in English with well-defined programmes. In the main, some universities are offering the sciences in English.

China is now able to draw many international students to study at these universities and the quality of education has improved tremendously as there is a high level of competition among university students.

The focus now is for local and foreign students in China to be able to speak Mandarin and English.

Graduates from these institutions are able to find jobs with local and foreign companies thus making their degrees naturally “internationalised”.

Malaysia cannot talk about globalisation and at the same time ignore the English language.

We cannot dictate to the world to accept what we want. It’s the world out there that will dictate what we should do with our graduates to make them more competitive.

DR M.A. NAIR,Kuala Lumpur.

Keusahawanan & Peluang

Alhamdulillah program KPTM Bangi dengan Dato’ Sani telah berjaya dijalankan. Pihak Sani United sangat berpuashati dengan Majlis anugerah tersebut. Malah ada di antara mereka menyatakan bahawa majlis kita jauh lebih baik sambutannya dari majlis yang serupa yang dibuat oleh sebuah IPTA. Sambutan dari pelajar-pelajar kita dengan mereka berebut-rebut untuk bersalam dan bergambar dengan Dato’ Sani agak memeranjatkan warga Sani United. Syabas diucapkan kepada semua pihak yang telah bekerja bertungkus lumus untuk memastikan majlis tersebut berjalan dengan baik.

Di kesempatan saya dapat berborak dengan Dato’ Sani ketika jamuan petang tersebut, saya ada menyatakan hasrat KPTM Bangi selepas ini dan hampir kesemua cadangan atau usul saya itu diterima oleh Dato’ Sani. Antaranya :

• Kemungkinan KPTM Bangi menjadi agen tiket bas ekspres Sani Ekspres, termasuk untuk charter bas ekspres Sani jika kita dapat uruskan pencarian penumpang, terutamanya musim raya atau cuti.
• Lawatan sambil belajar pelajar-pelajar KPTM Bangi ke Sani United, terutamanya pelajar-pelajar BM117 (Transport).
• Latihan industri pelajar-pelajar AA101 dan AB101 kita ke mana-mana anak syarikat Sani United.
• Meletak brosur-brosur KPTM di dalam bas-bas Sani Ekspres.
• Memainkan CD korporat KPTM di dalam bas-bas Sani Ekspres.

Disamping itu saya rasa banyak peluang untuk kita bekerjasama dengan Sani United di dalam program-program keusahawanan pelajar. Kita seharusnya mengambil peluang perhubungan baik kita dengan Dato’ Sani ini untuk pihak beliau membantu sebaik boleh aktiviti-aktiviti keusahawanan kita. Oleh itu kita perlu dari sekarang membuat perancangan dengan teliti dan mengadakan perbincangan-perbincangan lanjutan dengan pegawai-pegawai Sani United supaya kerjasama ini akan terjalin dan mendatangkan faedah kepada kedua-dua pihak. 

Di dalam kepala saya telah terfikir banyak program boleh dibuat dengan Sani United ini. Saya rasa jika kita sama-sama brainstorm banyak lagi idea-idea kerjasama win-win ini yang akan kita lahirkan.

Let us all seize this opportunity… Carpe Diem!

Kita Semua Boleh Belajar Dari Rakyat Jepun

Terlalu 'bias' bila saya menceritakan betapa bagusnya rakyat dan negara Jepun ni sebab anak sulong saya sedang berada di sana dan belajar budaya dan mendapat ilmu dari orang Jepun. Oleh itu apa kata jika kita mendengar/membaca sendiri pengalaman dari orang asing dan orang-orang Jepun sendiri melalui tweets mereka.

FROM TWEETS AROUND JAPAN

1.

Tokyo Disneyland was handing out its shops’ food and drinks for free to the stranded people nearby. I saw a bunch of snobby looking highschool girls walking away with large portions of it and initially though “What the …” But I later I found out they were taking them to the families with little children at emergency evacuation areas. Very perceptive of them, and a very kind thing to do indeed.

2.

Cars were moving at the rate of maybe one every green light, but everyone was letting each other go first with a warm look and a smile. At a complicated intersection, the traffic was at a complete standstill for 5 minutes, but I listened for 10 minutes and didn’t hear a single beep or honk except for an occasional one thanking someone for giving way. It was a terrifying day, but scenes like this warmed me and made me love my country even more.

3.

It was cold and I was getting very weary waiting forever for the train to come. Some homeless people saw me, gave me some of their own cardboard boxes and saying “you’ll be warmer if you sit on these!” I have always walked by homeless people pretending I didn’t see them, and yet here they were offering me warmth. Such warm people.

4.

The words of BBC’s reports are so moving they make me cry. They were praising us with words of admiration! “One of the worst earthquakes in recorded history has hit the world’s most well-prepared, well-trained nations. The strength of its government and its people are put to the test. While there have been casualties, in no other country could the government and the people have worked together in such an accurate and coordinated way in the face of such tragedy. The Japanese people have shown their cultural ability to remain calm in the face of adversity.”

5.

I'm looking at Yurakucho station from above. I see people standing in line, not pushing or shoving to get onto the Yamanote Line (probably the busiest line in central Tokyo), even at a time like this!

6.

Both the government and the people, everyone is helping one another today. There are truck drivers helping evacuees move. I even heard that the “yakuza” (gangsters, organized crime groups) are helping to direct traffic in the Tohoku region! There have been many recent developments that have made me lose my sense of pride in my country, but not anymore. Japan is an amazing place! I’m just simply touched. Go Japan!

7.

I went to my neighborhood supermarket and was initially surprised that their neon signs were off. They usually are open till 1AM. I then found out that they were open, but were saving electricity so that more power could be channeled to the hard-hit coastal areas.

8.

The Oedo Subway Line for Hikarigaoka is very congested. On the platform and at the gate there are just crowds and crowds of people waiting for the train. But in all the confusion, every last person is neatly lined up waiting his or her turn while managing to keep a passage of space open for staff and people going the other way. Everyone is listening to the instructions from the staff and everyone acts accordingly. And amazingly … there isn’t even a rope or anything in sight to keep people in queue or open space for staff to pass, they just do! I am so impressed at this almost unnatural orderliness! I have nothing but praise for these people!

9.

I’ve been walking for many hours now. I’m touched at how everywhere I turn, there are shops open with people shouting “Please use our bathroom!” or “Please rest here!” There were also office buildings where people with access to information were voluntarily shouting out helpful tips, like “**** line is now operational!” Seeing things like this after walking for hours and hours made me feel like weeping with gratitude. Seriously, there is still hope for this country!

10.

Yesterday, I was impressed and touched by the actions of my neighbor’s 13-year-old-boy. He was home alone when the earthquake hit. But instead of hiding, as soon as the earthquake quieted down, he jumped on his bicycle and road around the block repeatedly shouting at the top of his voice, “Is everyone alright? Is everyone okay?” At the time, there were only women and children and the elderly in the homes. I cannot describe how comforting it was just to hear a strong voice asking if I was okay. Thank you

Tentatif = Aturcara ?????... Sejak bila??

Masalah penyalahgunaan perkataan tentatif ini pernah saya tulis dalam Notes FB saya (di bawah ini salinannya atau klik di sini untuk baca dari FB saya...) tapi ianya masih berleluasa. Agak-agak ada tak sesiapa yang terdiri dari 'Pejuang Bahasa' di luar sana yang ingin memperbetulkan keadaan ini, kerana pagi ni tadi pensyarah saya sendiri 'menyalahgunakan' perkataan tersebut.


Kalau bagus sangat perkataan tersebut, maka sahkanlah penggunaannya dengan memberikan makna sebenar dalam Kamus Dewan; tetapi apabila saya semak di Pusat Rujukan Persuratan Melayu DBP secara online makna perkataan tersebut adalah sama dengan makna perkataan asal Bahasa Inggerisnya, bermakna perkataan ini wujud sebagai perkataan Bahasa Melayu tetapi maknanya adalah berlainan dari apa yang digunapakai oleh umum/ramai (Lihat gambar di bawah):

Jadi, kalau 'ajaran sesat' macam ni, siapa yang patut dipersalahkan..??? 


--------------- My Notes in FB written on June 26, 2009 -------------------------------------
Have you ever received an invitation card and the program for the event is titled 'Tentatif Program'? 

This is now a widely misconception among the university/college students (and sad to say among the lecturers too...) where the term 'Tentatif Program' is being used to mean 'Aturcara Program' or simply 'Tentatif' to mean 'Aturcara.' 

Those of you who really know the meaning of the word 'tentative' will be surprised to know that our university/college students nowadays don't care to look up in the dictionary to check whether the words they are using are appropriate or not. Personally I've asked a few of my students the meaning of the word 'tentative' and most of them give me the answer which is synonym to 'aturcara.' How sad... sad because their teachers from their secondary schools taught them that way (or couldn't care to correct them) and sadder because their lecturers now are also in the same boat. 

Now, let's put this thing straight. 

The true meaning of the word 'tentative' is something like 'unsure' or 'not confirmed'. Nothing related to 'aturcara.' 

The word 'program' in English can mean a few things. A program can mean an event or an activity. An example of its usage is in the following sentence - 'The English Camp program is designed to help our school children to enjoy their holidays while learning and improving their proficiency in the English language.' 

The word 'program' can also mean the flow of events or 'itinerary' or in Bahasa Malaysia 'aturcara.' In the English term "Tentative Program" - program here means this - 'aturcara.' 

So here where the confusion lies. The term 'Tentative Program' means the flow of events is still not confirmed or 'aturcara masih belum confirm', so the BM translation should be 'Aturcara Tentatif' or in a more easily understandable version ' Aturcara Yang Masih Belum Disahkan Kepastiannya'; but then nobody is going to use the latter as the heading in his invitation card! So, if you should use the BM word 'tentatif' here, it should then be 'Aturcara Tentatif' or 'Program Tentatif' (here program = aturcara.) 

The mistake?? The mistake is the most common mistake we used to make when we first studied the English Language when we were in kindergarden or in Standard One. Remember that your English teachers (or parents) used to give this advice or 'rule' when you translate from English to BM -- 'Most of the time, when you translate you reverse the order'. 'Bad boy' translated into 'budak jahat' etc. 

So 'Tentative Program' should then be translated into 'Program Tentatif' NOT 'Tentatif Program'!! 

Another mistake is this - although the word remains unchanged especially in its spelling (unless you are using the British spelling for the word), the meaning actually has changed. In 'Tentative Program' the word program means 'aturcara' but when translated into 'Tentatif Program' suddenly the word program is to mean the event. How convenient!! 

And the worst-case scenario - imagine hearing this from your staff (some of them are lecturers!) - "En. Azmi, program dengan wakil universiti minggu depan tu En. Azmi kena hadir tau, tentatif dia saya bagi besok ya..." 

And do the following checking/test to your younger, fresh graduate staff at your office. "Bagi saya tengok tentatif dia dulu ya sebelum you print" and see whether they come back to correct you... 

Jangan Raikan Valentine's Day

Tajuk khutbah Jumaat hari ini di Masjid As-Solihin, Teras Jernang - masjid yang berhampiran Desasiswa KPTM Bangi - cukup sesuai kerana tarikh 14 Februari memang semakin hampir dan remaja-remaja seperti pelajar kolej (yang bukan remaja pun ada juga..) ada yang menanti untuk meraikan hari tersebut.

Hari yang dimaksudkan adalah Valentine's Day.

Sekarang ini, dengan keadaan gejala sosial yang semakin tidak terkawal, Valentine's Day ini diraikan melampaui batas sehingga ianya kini dikaitkan dengan peningkatan kelahiran anak-anak luar nikah.

Khutbah tadi dimulakan dengan keputusan Majlis Fatwa Kebangsaan yang mengharamkan umat Islam meraikan hari tersebut. Antara sebab-sebab ianya diharamkan adalah :

• Hari Valentine's adalah memperingati kematian Padri Kristian bernama St. Valentine
• Ajaran Islam tidak ada menentukan sebarang hari untuk meraikan hari kekasih

Khatib tadi ada memetik ayat al-Quran : Surah Al-Anfal ayat 63 yang berbunyi :

mafhumnya :

Dan (Dia lah) yang menyatu-padukan di antara hati mereka (yang beriman itu). Kalaulah engkau belanjakan segala (harta benda) yang ada di bumi, nescaya engkau tidak dapat juga menyatu-padukan di antara hati mereka, akan tetapi Allah telah menyatu-padukan di antara (hati) mereka. Sesungguhnya Ia Maha Kuasa, lagi Maha Bijaksana.

Secara mudahnya ayat ini memberi kesimpulan bahawa kita tak perlu sebarang hari untuk kita berkasih-kasih, berbaik antara satu sama lain kerana ianya harus berlaku setiap hari.

Maka dengan itu, wahai anak-anakku, wahai pelajar-pelajar kesayanganku, dan wahai teman-temanku, usahlah kita meraikan hari kekasih 14 Februari ini kerana ianya sudah jelas dilarang oleh Islam. 

Wallahu'alam...[sekadar menyampaikan...]

Lukisanku - 02

Ini adalah cubaan kedua. Juga kini digantung di dinding rumah.

Saya namakan lukisan ini Springtime - konon-kononnya musim bunga di mana pokok bunga mengeluarkan pelbagai warna-warni.