Promising entrepreneurial qualities:The Malaysian woman entrepreneur.

In Malaysia, publicity on women's affairs has became widespread. Women are receiving accolades for their distinguished performances in academic, education, and enterprise

Enterprise Factors Contributing to The Success of Malaysian Biotechnology SMEs: A Grounded Theory Approach

While numerous empirical studies have been conducted in Western countries on biotechnology enterprises, little empirical research has been done in Malaysia especially in respect to the factors that contribute to the success of biotechnology small and medium enterprises (SMEs). In view of this, a study was undertaken recently in Malaysia to address this gap in the existing body of biotechnology knowledge. Using a grounded theory approach, this qualitative study managed to develop a conceptual framework that sheds useful information on the enterprise factors that significantly impact the success of Malaysian biotechnology SMEs. Specifically, this study found that organizational structure, innovation activities, linkages with academic research institutions, linkages with other private enterprises, personal linkages with academic researchers, access to financial capital, the procuring of government assistances, vertical integration, enterprise image, GMP compliance and halal certification, strongly influence enterprise success

A paradigm shift of integrative learning sytles in training and education.

The paper focuses on Integrative Learning System (ILS) and philosophy with an intention to highlight the bases of this paradigm shift. It is hoped that an understanding of the system through examples of its employment in schools and other public and private sectors will be gained. The use of ILS is widespread and throughout the world, however, my main modelling thrusts are Malaysian-based

Developing a Model for Graduate Employability Transfer of Training

The focus of this research at the Talent Enhancement Institution (TEI) is to enhance the effectiveness of transfer of training in Malaysia’s graduate employability programs. This is crucial for shaping the future workforce in accordance with the Malaysian National Higher Education Strategic Plan 2021–2030 policies and the sustainable development goals for quality education. This study provides insight into the influence of trainees' self-efficacy, traits, and training design on the effectiveness of training outcome transformation. Meanwhile, learning culture acts as a moderator between every independent variable and the transfer of training. Using a practical combination of both quantitative input from 125 survey participants and qualitative insights from 25 interviews, our study seeks not only to investigate but also to gain a detailed understanding of the dynamics of knowledge and skill application after training. We will propose solutions to enhance the transfer of training and improve the effectiveness of Talent Enhancement Institution (TEI) programs in enhancing graduate employability in the dynamic global job market

P300-based EEG signal interpretation system for robot navigation control

In recent years, Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) research has provoked an enormous interest among researchers from different fields. The most popular approach is a non-invasive method, using Electroencephalogram (EEG) analysis which acquires signals from the brain. The aim of this project is to develop a brain signal interpretation system that can convert one thought into multiple movements for mobile robot navigation. A signal interpretation system is designed and developed to receive the EEG signal via User Datagram Protocol (UDP) transmission, converts the signal to several robot commands that are pre-programmed according to the robot’s programming software and send the commands to the robot through the operating computer. Using signals from four electrodes to evaluate the signal interpretation system, a success rate of 75-80% is received, while a total response time of only 61 seconds needed by the system from the start of the stimuli until the robot has finished all commands sent by the system, as compared to the conventional method of one-thought-one-movement which can take around 30 seconds per command. With this system, user can expect faster execution of the robot commands, less thinking therefore less exhausting, making BCI a pleasant experience for all users regardless of their health conditions

Vibration suppression of the horizontal flexible plate using proportional– integral–derivative controller tuned by particle swarm optimization

This paper presents the development of an active vibration control for vibration suppression of the horizontal flexible plate structure using proportional–integral–derivative controller tuned by a conventional method via Ziegler–Nichols and an intelligent method known as particle swarm optimization algorithm. Initially, the experimental rig was designed and fabricated with all edges clamped at the horizontal position of the flexible plate. Data acquisition and instrumentation systems were designed and integrated into the experimental rig to collect input–output vibration data of the flexible plate. The vibration data obtained through experimental study was used to model the system using system identification technique based on auto-regressive with exogenous input structure. The plate system was modeled using particle swarm optimization algorithm and validated using mean squared error, one-step ahead prediction, and correlation tests. The stability of the model was assessed using pole zero diagram stability. The fitness function of particle swarm optimization algorithm is defined as the mean squared error between the measured and estimated output of the horizontal flexible plate system. Next, the developed model was used in the development of an active vibration control for vibration suppression on the horizontal flexible plate system using a proportional–integral–derivative controller. The proportional–integral–derivative gains are optimally determined using two different ways, the conventional method tuned by Ziegler–Nichols tuning rules and the intelligent method tuned by particle swarm optimization algorithm. The performances of developed controllers were assessed and validated. Proportional–integral–derivative-particle swarm optimization controller achieved the highest attenuation value for first mode of vibration by achieving 47.28 dB attenuation as compared to proportional–integral–derivative-Ziegler–Nichols controller which only achieved 34.21 dB attenuation

RFID-enabled web-based interface for chemical storage management system

The management of a chemical inventory is necessary for safety purposes as well as for fulfilling regulatory compliance. In most academic laboratories, the management of chemicals is still being done manually, which is time-consuming. As a result, data are not updated and expired chemicals are unintentionally used. This research proposes that UHF Class 1 Gen 2 Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology be used in the development of a chemical inventory information system to ease chemical tracking as well as to shorten the inventory process time. An information system integrating RFID data and a web-based rule identification interface was developed. WAMP 2.2.17, PHP 5.3.5 and MySQL 5.5.8 were downloaded and a programming language was written to check the expiration date of the chemicals as well as to produce alert notification status. Wireless technology through GSM modem helped in producing alert messages using the Short Message System (SMS) of the nearly expired chemicals to the handphone of the person in charge in real time

Performance of Ultra High Frequency Gen2 Passive Tags Radio Frequency Identification in chemical laboratory environment

This research analyzes the performance of Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Gen2 Passive Tags Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology as sensing device in chemical laboratory environment. The purpose of this paper is to verify the effectiveness of using RFID for tracking chemical bottles during inventory process in a laboratory. In most laboratories, the chemical tracking process is still being done manually which is very time consuming. The advantages of RFID operaton will help to enhance the effectiveness of chemical inventory management and reduce the process time. An experiment in a laboratory was done to verify the performance of detection rate according to the specifications stated in the manual data sheet. Pre-programmed RFID passive tags were affixed onto chemical bottles and then scanned using RFID reader to detect all output data in a controlled environment. The result showed that certain conditions such as material of the container, tag-reader orientation and the size of chemical bottles play important role to get detected for this type of RFID. From the result, the paper suggested some guidelines to be taken care of during scanning process to get higher percentage of reading rates

The energy effectiveness and efficiency of green building in Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM)

Green building is a building which has an eco friendly environment and improves the safety and health of the people.It is also a building operating on green efficiency approaches which could have lower operations and maintenance costs. The development of green building in Malaysia is suitable because there are technologies which have been developed and they are compatible with the extreme weathers in Malaysia.Since there are previous studies done related to the energy efficiency and effectiveness of green building, this research aims to highlight the factors that make a building to be claimed as a green building and its effectiveness towards the users of the building as well as identifying the main factors which contributing the development of green building and how can green building helps in protecting the environment and the health of the people in the building. This study focuses on green buildings in Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM). The data was collected by a qualitative method by conducting an interview with senior assistant architect at Jabatan Pembangunan & Penyelenggaraan (JPP) UUM and field observation. The findings have shown that the development of green building in UUM starts with the implementation of the National Green Technology Policy (NGTP) in 2009 and Vice Chancellor inspiration to answer the government call towards implementing green practices.The reason why the building is effective and efficient are because of the conservation of energy cost effective and the design of the building. Green building can affect the productivity, performance and health of the occupants. Since this is a preliminary study, more researches need to be done to generalise the findings about other green buildings existed in Malaysia especially for any institutional or commercial buildings