KUALA LUMPUR, June 22 – The UTM-Harvard Global Outreach Programme (GOP) was introduced by UTM Vice Chancellor, Professor Dato’ ‘Ir. Dr. Zaini Ujang, in January 2010. This programme involves selected students for the Harvard Summer School programme which is held in the summer at the renowned Harvard University, USA.
Harvard University is the chosen destination of UTM because this university is the most prestigious higher learning institution in the world. At the same time, UTM is using the Harvard Business School Case Studies as part of the learning materials at the university to provide exposure to real life case studies and how to effectively handle issues related to current situations.
The objective of the Harvard Summer School programme is to provide opportunities for students to gain experience abroad and give exposure to the learning environment at a university with World Class University (WCU) standard.
In addition, the exposure aims to enhance the students’ generic skills such as communication skills and team work. Besides, UTM can provide students with a diverse approach to pedagogy while gaining insightful experience in the process of developing mature students who are able to face challenging competition in a globalised world.
In the face of life in a foreign country, students will become more independent and resourceful. UTM hopes to prepare graduates to be global citizens in all aspects, especially in the current world economic development where creativity and innovation is the key to remain relevant and competitive.
Students will pursue eight credits at Harvard University and spend time on campus and gain international teaching experience and culture there. In 2010, UTM sent three students to Harvard University to participate in this programme.
Once again, UTM gave the chance to five UTM students to participate in the programme. Those selected are students who have met the minimum requirements set by the university including good academic qualification with a minimum CGPA of 3.0. The candidates should also have studied for at least one semester in UTM in the 1st semester of 2010/2011 session.
They must also pass the TOEFL and IELTS test with a minimum score as follows: 250 CBT/100 TOEFL PBT IBT/600 OR; Band 7.0 for IELTS examination and have passed the interview conducted by UTM. The selected students for the programme are Tan Chin Chee from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Chong Sung Ching, Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Nur Hidayah Abd. Shukor, Faculty of Education, Tham Kok Hui, Faculty of Geoinformation and Real Estate and Yi Ting Ling, Faculty of Electrical Engineering.
This year, UTM pays all the expenses such as accommodation, flight tickets and tuition fee3s worth RM 25,000 for each participant. The participants left for Boston, United States on June 23, 2011 and the programme began on June 27 until August 12, 2011.