Education and Research via the Open University Malaysia (OUM) – An Opportunity for Local Government

In this era, the provision of education and dissemination of research-based knowledge need not be restricted to conventional methods such as classroom settings and face-to-face interactions. Advancements in communications via improved technologies enable people from all over the world to seek knowledge to support their needs, conduct global research via teleconferencing, and study at their own pace wherever they are and according to their level of ability. Naturally governments, too, are aware of this flexibility to increase their effectiveness and improve the capacity of their staff

Education and Research via the Open University Malaysia : An Opportunity for Local Government

In this era, the provision of education and dissemination of research-based knowledge need not be restricted to conventional methods such as classroom settings and face-to-face interactions. Advancements in communications via improved technologies enable people from all over the world to seek knowledge to support their needs, conduct global research via teleconferencing, and study at their own pace wherever they are and according to their level of ability. Naturally governments, too, are aware of this flexibility to increase their effectiveness and improve the capacity of their staff. In this context, local government can move towards a more knowledge-intensive and professional entity that can deliver its services more efficiently to the public through open and distance learning. This is especially so for local government in Malaysia where the employees of local authorities may be located in various parts of the country and training via open and distance learning means increased access and flexibility in a combination of work and education without the hassle of having to attend training at a fixed locality. Generally, the Malaysian public is aware of the need for a better quality of life and this has impacted on the services provided by local authorities, which have to be developed and upgraded according to their target groups. Hence local government has to ensure that its workforce is given the support to enhance the quality and relevance of people's skills. However, using only conventional and existing educational structures may limit the effectiveness and increase the cost of training local government staff. Meanwhile, the Malaysian government is supporting the use of relevant technology to promote innovation and cooperation between departments to upgrade public facilities and services, exchange information, and enhance the skills of employees

Motivation and study habits of working adults : a case study of Masters students in Open University Malaysia

The objective of this study was to explore what motivates working adults to continue with their studies and what are their study habits. A group of OUM masters students from the Faculty of Business and Management were studied using the case study approach. The main implication from the case findings is that working adults are highly motivated in pursuing their studies and that there are many sources of motivation for them. A new job, increased career prospects, gaining knowledge, a pay increase and filling their time are some of the factors that motivate these students to further their studies. Their study habits also differ widely from a short time span to full concentration, from early in the morning to late at night and from formal sessions to minutes of stolen time. The research looked at how the students studied and how motivated they are. The findings from the study are useful to students, academicians and university administrators alike. Students can seek to learn from their friends’ experiences, academicians can tailor the learning process to cater to students’ needs and behaviour, whilst university administrators can find ways to market their programmes and retain their students. As the research has initiated some new questions in the behaviour of working adults, it can serve as the basis for further research in the area. (Abstract by authors

Induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis by copper complex Cu(SBCM)₂ towards oestrogen-receptor positive MCF-7 breast cancer cells

Copper complexes have the potential to be developed as targeted therapy for cancer because cancer cells take up larger amounts of copper than normal cells. Copper complex Cu(SBCM)2 has been reported to induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis towards triple-negative breast cancer cells. Nevertheless, its effect towards other breast cancer subtypes has not been explored. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the effect of Cu(SBCM)₂ towards oestrogen-receptor positive MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Growth inhibition of Cu(SBCM)₂ towards MCF-7 and human non-cancerous MCF-10A breast cells was determined by MTT assay. Morphological changes of Cu(SBCM)2-treated-MCF-7 cells were observed under an inverted microscope. Annexin V/PI apoptosis assay and cell cycle analysis were evaluated by flow cytometry. The expression of wild-type p53 protein was evaluated by Western blot analysis. The intracellular ROS levels of MCF-7 treated with Cu(SBCM)₂ were detected using DCFH-DA under a fluorescence microscope. The cells were then co-treated with Cu(SBCM)₂ and antioxidants to evaluate the involvement of ROS in the cytotoxicity of Cu(SBCM)2. Docking studies of Cu(SBCM)2 with DNA, DNA topoisomerase I, and human ribonucleotide reductase were also performed. The growth of MCF-7 cells was inhibited by Cu(SBCM)2 in a dose-dependent manner with less toxicity towards MCF-10A cells. It was found that Cu(SBCM)₂ induced G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in MCF-7 cells, possibly via a p53 pathway. Induction of intracellular ROS was not detected in MCF-7 cells. Interestingly, antioxidants enhance the cytotoxicity of Cu(SBCM)2 towards MCF-7 cells. DNA topoisomerase I may be the most likely target that accounts for the cytotoxicity of Cu(SBCM)₂

A Brain-Computer Interface Based Attention Training Program for Treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

10.1371/journal.pone.0046692PLoS ONE710

Using Random Parameter Logit in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) Institutions in Malaysia

Attention has been drawn to Open Distance Learning (ODL) as a mode for teaching and learning with the advancement in communication via the Internet. Education today has expanded the role of ICT in learning and knowledge generation, leveraging on Internet technology to transmit education across the country. Due to the advancement of technology and the introduction of ODL in education, a much heated competition among these private higher education providers in Malaysia has been created. ODL mode offers a flexibility form of learning. Learners of ODL tend to be more challenging to fulfill their needs as they have other commitments in life, therefore, these learners will have certain criteria when choosing their choice of learning education institution. The aim of this study is to investigate the vital attributes that contributes in choosing an ODL higher education institution in Malaysia and to explore the consumers' socioeconomic with consumers' willingness-to-pay fees. Although there are studies on the attributes that influence student choice of a university, but has failed to use the choice experiment method to examine the attributes that influence choice of ODL education provider. The sample population was 320 using face-to-face interview. The results would be able to provide highlight to ODL education provider in Malaysia to make the right marketing strategy. (Abstract by authors

Mammalian Systems Biotechnology Reveals Global Cellular Adaptations in a Recombinant CHO Cell Line

International audienc

Exome sequencing of gastric adenocarcinoma identifies recurrent somatic mutations in cell adhesion and chromatin remodelling genes

10.1038/ng.2246Nature Genetics445570-574NGEN

Handbook of Cell Biosensors

Handbook of Cell Biosensor