Kawan-Kawan yang dah resigned........Bosannya

Akan diupdate nanti

Peluang Hanya Sekali..

Akan diupdate nanti

Migrate.........Why People Migrate ?

Akan diupdate nanti

Bak Semakin Sembuh...Syukur Alhamdulillah

Akan diupdate nanti

Katil Bak dah Sampai.......

Akan diupdate nanti

Gotong Royong Bersihkan Rumah Kampung..Bestnyerr

Akan diupdate nanti

Kenduri Kesyukuran

Akan diupdate nanti

Alhamdulillah...Bak dah Boleh Keluar Hospital

Publish Post

Keluarga Baru di Hospital Temerloh

Akan diupdate nanti

Kasihan kat Mak

Akan diupdate nanti

Alhamdulillah...Bak dah Sedar

Akan diupdate nanti

Berkampung di Temerloh

Akan diupdate nanti

Ya Allah...Sembuhkan Bak

Akan diupdate nanti

Akhirnya Aku Masuk Hospital

Akan diupdate tak lama lagi

Encik Halim Kembali Ke Rahmatullah (1 Ogos 2010)

Akan diupdate.

Akhirnya Aku kembali Lagi

Assalamualaikum dan salam Sejahtera Semua. Hampir setahun tak update blog ni sebab terlalu sibuk, tak ada masa, banyak keje, tak ada cerita menarik dan yang paling teruk..aku terlupa password. Hehehehe

Alhamdulillah pagi pagi tadi selepas subuh teringat nak "trial and error"....syukur pada Allah, hanya 2 kali percubaan, boleh masuk semula.

InsyaAllah lepas ni aku akan update balik apa yang dah jadik pada diriku dan kehisupan ku tahun lepas ekk.InsyaAllah

Selamat Bertemu Kembali

Perjalanan Menerangi Pelita Kehidupan Ku

Rasa macam baru sahaja kaki ku ini menjejak bumi Saudi Arabia. Rupa-rupanya sehingga ke hari ini sudah hampir 2 bulan lamanya tidak ku jejak lagi bumi itu. Kenangan selama hampir 15 hari di sana sangat indah dan sangat bermakna dalam hidupku. Memang telah ku pasangkan impian untuk ke sana seawal usia muda namun, perancangan itu hanya "diluluskan" oleh Yang Maha Esa apabila usiaku genap 10950 hari. Alhamdulillah.

Perjalanan menaiki Pesawat Saudi Airlines sangat menguji kesabaranku. Dengan ruang pesawat yang terhad telah memaksaku untuk berkongsi tempat dengan warga Arab Jati yang bersaiz sepertiku juga. Namun, tetap sabar kerana ini mungkin ujian Allah terhadap segala kesenangan dan keselesaan yang telah ku rasa sepanjang berada di bumi Malaysia selama ini. 8 jam lamanya, barulah tiba. Alhamdulillah, mujur ada rancangan rancangan menarik untuk ditonton selama berada di dalam pesawat. Hampir selama 8 jam tersebut aku sempat menonton beberapa filem menarik seperti Transformers, X-Men, Mr Bean dan banyak Lagi.

Tidak dilupakan juga, aktiviti berzikir memuji kekusaan Yang Maha Esa dan Ayat Ayat suci Al-Quran yang sentiasa berkumandang di sana sini di dalam pesawat tersebut. Pesawat ini juga mempunyai ciri ciri keIslaman yang sangat tinggi. berbangga aku jadi seorang penumpang yang beragama islam keraan setiap kali Kapten Penerbangan akan mengingatkan waktu waktu solat yang sudah masuk mengikut kawasan kawasan yang sedang dilalui oleh pesawat ini. Lebih menyeronokkan ialah apabila kita dapat mengetahui di mana arah kiblat untuk memudahkan solat. Sangat teruja ketika itu untuk mempraktikkan ilmu yang diajar oleh Ustazah Saniah (Ustazahku ketika berada di tingkatan 3). Ustazah ada mengajar tentang cara cara bersolat dalam keadaan sakit, dalam penerbangan, sewaktu peperangan dan sebagainya. Ilmu itu sungguh tidak sia sia dan tak sangka, sekali lagi aku mempraktikkan ilmu tersebut setelah sekian lama tidak bersolat di dalam pesawat penerbangan.

Meskipun saiz pesawat dan tempat duduk agak kecil bagiku, namun Alhamdulillah makanan yang disediakan sepanjang 8 jam tersebut sangat mewah dan menarik. 6 kali makan dasesunggihnya Allah Maha Pemurah lagi Maha Mengasihani. Lazat makanannya meskipun menu dan citarasa makanan adalah berunsurkan Timur Tengah namun, ia tetap lazat.

Teringat pula makanan-makanan yang pernah ku jamah ketika menuntut di Universiti islam Antarabangsa suatu ketika dahulu. Menunya tidak banyak beza. Jadi, bagiku, ini semua tidak menjadi masalah. Makan saja.

Setelah hampir 8 jam duduk dan merayau rayau di dalam pesawat sambil menonton filem filem Barat, akhirnya satu pengumuman mengejut buat pertama kali telah kudengari. Agak asing kerana selama ini, apabila menaiki pesawat penerbangan tak pernah pulak aku dengar pengumuman sebegini. Setelah diteliti dengan berhati hati barulah kufaham bahawa, kapten bertugas ingin mengingatkan bahawa, dalam beberapa minit, pesawat akan melepasi kawasan garisan MIQAT iaitu kawasan berniat Haji dan Umrah serta kawasan di mana kita perlu menukar pakaian kita kepada pakaian "ihram".

Tatkala itu juga, aku melihat ada beberapa penumpang tiba tiba bangun dan bergerak ke sana ke mari mengambil beg dan bagasi mereka. Keadaan agak kecoh. Aku bertanya kepada seorang pramugari bernama "salina" berwarganegara Filipina dan beagama Islam. "kenapa semua orang jadi kelam kabut ni? Ada apa apa masalah?". dengan tersenyum dia menjawab "Jangan risau encik. Keadaan ini dah menjadi kebiasaan apabila ada penumpang yang akan terus ke Mekah apabila tiba di jeddah nanti. Justeru. mereka perlu memakain "ihram" mereka di dalam pesawat". Oooooo barulah aku faham. Lantas aku tersenyum sorang sorang. Sungguh manis pengalaman ini. bertahun tahun menaiki pesawat, ini yang pertama kali. Best. Selepas itu, secara tiba-tiba juga semua filem barat yang sedang ditonton hilang dan "screen" menjadi gelap....dan sesuatu telah muncul iaitu satu peringatan bahawa kawasan MIQAT dan BERIHRAM sedang dilalui oleh pesawat. AKu tersenyum lagi dan apabila aku menoleh ke kiri dan ke kanan, kelihatan semua penumpang yang "kecoh" tadi sudah berbalut "putih" sambil mata mereka terpejam dan mulut mereka "terkumat-kamit". Aku percaya mereka sedang berniat IHRAM dan membaca semua doa IHRAM yang telah diajarkan kepada mereka sebelum ini.

Sayup-sayup di luar jendela pesawat, sudah kelihatan suasana semakin suram. Ini menandakan bahawa, waktu di Bumi Arab sudah hampir ke waktu malam. AKu juga dapat merasakan bahawa, pesawat agak condong (seperti biasa apabila waktu mendarat sudah tiba". Aku melihat jam, waktu di Malaysia sudah Jam 11.30 malam dan waktu di Saudi Arabia baru jam 6.30 petang. Fahamlah aku bahawa, waktu di Malaysia awal 5 jam berbanding waktu di Saudi ini.

Di luar jendela juga, sudah kelihatan awan awan tebal hampir hilang dan kini berganti kepada sesuatu yang amat menyentuh perasaan aku. Nak tahu apa? Semestinya ia adalah, bumi Jeddah. Ya...bumi Jeddah sudha kelihatan dari atas. Jauh nun ke bawah kelihatan bumi jeddah yang semakin suram dan disinari cahaya-cahaya neon. menurut seorang penumpang lain bernama Majid M.K (rakan sebelah tempat duduk ku yang berbangsa Arab), sekarang waktu musim sejuk atau salji. Ini bukan pertama kali aku menjejakkan kaki ke suatu tempat dalam musim sejuk, tetapi kali ini memang sitimewa. Sangat sangat teristimewa. Kalau aku boleh menjerit tatkala nampak bumi Jeddah, sudah lama aku menjerit macam orang gila dalam pesawat tu. Tapi bila tengok semua orang tenang, aku menjerit dalam hati jer. Berlagak seolah olah baru pertama kali (memang pertama kali pun ke Arab Saudi ni), aku dengan ringan mulut bertanya kepada rakan sebelah tempat duduk ku. "Eh, kita dah sampai ker ni? lamanya nak sampai. Aku rasa, kalau mamat Arab sebelah aku ni bukan jenis yang penyabar, mahu aku "ditumbuk" dia. maklumlah, setiap satu jam aku akan bertana dia "kita lama lagi ker nak sampai?". Tapi aku respek dia sebab dia penyabar dan senyum melayan pertanyaan aku. Biasalah, orang Islam. mesti penyabar, beriman dan berhikmah serta baik kepada saudara seIslamnya. Waktu ni, aku sangat bersyukur pada Allah kerana melahirkan aku sebagai seorang Muslim. bersyukur sangat.

Aku tanya lagi kat mamat Arab ni " kenapa macam dah gelap jer? Tapi baru pukul 6 lebih?". Dengan tersenyum dia jawab, "Oooo. Sekarang ni musim sejuk dan sesetengah tempat di Saudi ada salji. Sebab tulah gelap cepat. Justeru, waktu Malam agak panjang berbanding waktu siang. Patutlah aku lihat, cuaca dan suasana Jeddah dari angkasa seperti sudah larut malam meskipun jam menunjukkan pukul 6.30 waktu tempatan. Majid cakap, "kalau musim sejuk, selalunya jam 4.30 dah Maghrib". Ooooo patutlah, aku berkata di dalam hati. Begitu rupanya. Seolah olah ini pengalaman pertama menjejakkan kaki di sesuatu tempat di dalam musim sejuk. terlupa semua pengalaman lalu dek kerana keterujaan nak menjejakkan kaki ke Bumi Arab ini.

Akhirnya, penantian yang menyeksakan itu muncul juga. "Alhamdulillah, sampai juga aku ke Bumi Arab ni. terima kasih Allah"...itu yang aku ingat aku cakap dalam hati tatkala Kapten suruh kami semua para penumpang memakai tali pinggang keselamatan. Bila pesawat semakin condong, aku lihat di luar jendela, bumi semakin hampir dan akhirnya semuanya selamat mendarat di Lapangan terbang Sultan Abdul Aziz, Jeddah. Maka bermulalah diari hidupku sebagai "tetamuNya". Sangat teruja. Semoga semuanya sukses dan dipermudahkan Allah. Sebelum beredar pergi ke kaunter imegresen, aku dan Majid bertukar nombor telefon dan bertukar kad kami. Alhamdulillah sehingga ke hari ini kami masih berhubung di antara satu sama lain. Seronoknya, ya Allah tidak tergambar. masih banyak lagi yang akan aku hadapai selama di Bumi Arab saudi ini. Terasa debaran jantung aku semakin kencang, tak tahu apa yang menanti di hari hari hadapan sepanjang di sini. Semoga Allah merahmati ku. Aminn Ya Rabbal 'Alamin.

Jom Tanam Pokok

Volunteering: InsyaALLAH. A Forest Re-Planting activity will be conducted on this coming 22nd May 2010 (Saturday) at Raja Musa Peat Swamp Forest, Bestari Jaya Selangor. Organized by Faculty of Professional Programs incollaboration with Global Environment Center. This activity will be followed by The River Rangers Program of Cleaning the Ulu Yam's River. Cant wait to meet those volunteers......InsyaAllah

Interview

Jam 10.00 pagi: Open Universiti Malaysia telah menghubungi aku. Kata mereka aku terpilih untuk menjadi Fasilitator bagi Program Master mereka. Ya Allah, jika ini rezeki ku, maka aku redha. Dah lama tak mengajar master nih. Rasa kekok pulak nak menggunakan komunikasi secara online dengan pelajar pelajar sarjana. memang aku ketahui, rakan rakan telah memberitahu akan cabarannya mengajar OUM ini. Ada juga yang "quit" semata mata kerana pentadbiran kelas dan kuliah dilakukan secara online. Tapi aku tak pasti samada aku dah cukup bersedia untuk semua ini dengan kesakitan yang aku sedang tanggung ni, mampukah aku melaksanakan tugas seperti yang diinginkan oleh pihak OUM? Risau juga,

Pengalaman mengajar di sebuah kolej swasta yang ditadbir oleh Cina di Kuala Lumpur, aku seakan akan sudah merasa serik untuk mengajar lagi terutamanya mengajar individu individu yang tidak menghormati guru atau menghormati ilmu. Pengalaman pahit di kolej tersebut amat menyedarkan aku bahawa, warna kulit dan bangsa penting bagi sesetengah penuntut kolej swasta. Mereka lebih rela diajar oleh bangsa mereka sendiri dan lebih selesa jika seorang pensyarah itu berkomunikasi dengan mereka menggunakan bahasa Mandarin. Lebih faham dan lebih jelas. Aku? Manalah tahu berbahasa Mandarin. Hanya fasih berbahasa Inggeris, Arab dan bahasa ibunda kita, Bahasa Melayu. Tapi bagi pelajar pelajar ini, aku tidak layak mengajar sebab aku menggunakan bahasa Inggeris, walhal ramai anatara mereka "kantoi" bahasa ini ketika di sekolah dahulu. Kita ni, hanya mengikut arahan pentadbir kolej untuk menggunakan bahasa Inggeris sebagai pengantar bahasa komunikasi. Jadi, sepatutnya pelajar yang diterima masuk perlulah ada kemahiran berbahasa inggeris. Tapi di kolej ini, terbalik pulak jadinya. Sampaikan pelajar pelajar cina di kolej ini membuat laporan mengatakan bahas dan cara pengajaranku "tahap dewa".

Adakah nanti di OUM pun begitu juga? seram sejuk rasanya.....memang seronok bulan bulan dapat extra income dalam poket ni...tapi bila mengenangkan masa yang dihabiskan serta tekanan yang bakal dihadapi, risau pulak rasanya. ya Allah kuatkanlah semangatku ini, jika ini yang terbaik untuk diriku, aku redha.

Ya Allah Sakitnya

Assalamualaikum.

Hari ini aku kurang sihat sikit dan telah mendapat kebenaran cuti rehat oleh pihak Hospital Kuala Lumpur selama 2 hari (setakat ini) kerana kecederaan yang sedang ku alami ini. Dr menasihatkan aku agar terus mengambil ubat antibiotik kerana khuatir luka itu merebak. Harap harap tiada pembedahan yang dilakukan selepas ini. Rasanya sudah tidak sanggup rasanya nak menanggung semua ini. Semoga Allah mengampunkan semua dosaku selama ini.........

Ya Allah Sakitnya....

THE IMPORTANCE OF BLOOM TAXONOMY

The Taxonomy of Educational Objectives, often called Bloom's Taxonomy, is a classification of the different objectives that educators set for students (learning objectives). The taxonomy was proposed in 1956 by benjamin Bloom, at the University of Chicago.

Bloom's Taxonomy divides educational objectives into three "domains:" Affective, Psychomotor, and Cognitive Like other taxonomies, Bloom's is hierarchical; meaning that learning at the higher levels is dependent on having attained prerequisite knowledge and skills at lower levels (Orlich, et al. 2004). A goal of Bloom's Taxonomy is to motivate educators to focus on all three domains, creating a more holistic form of education.

Most references to the Bloom's Taxonomy only notice the Cognitive domain. There is also a so far less referred, revised version of the Taxonomy, published in 2001 under the name of "A Taxonomy for Learning, Teaching, and Assessing."

Affective

Skills in the affective domain describe the way people react emotionally and their ability to feel another living thing's pain or joy. Affective objectives typically target the awareness and growth in attitudes, emotion, and feelings. There are five levels in the affective domain moving through the lowest order processes to the highest:

• Receiving
  The lowest level; the student passively pays attention. Without this level no learning can occur.
• Responding
  The student actively participates in the learning process, not only attends to a stimulus; the student also reacts in some way.
• Valuing
  The student attaches a value to an object, phenomenon, or piece of information.
• Organizing
  The student can put together different values, information, and ideas and accommodate them within his/her own schema; comparing, relating and elaborating on what has been learned.
• Characterizing
  The student holds a particular value or belief that now exerts influence on his/her behaviour so that it becomes a characteristic.

Psychomotor

Skills in the psychomotor domain describe the ability to physically manipulate a tool or instrument like a hand or a hammer. Psychomotor objectives usually focus on change and/or development in behavior and/or skills. Bloom and his colleagues never created subcategories for skills in the psychomotor domain, but since then other educators have created their own psychomotor taxonomies.

Cognitive

Categories in the cognitive domain of Bloom's Taxonomy (Anderson & Krathwohl, 2001). Skills in the cognitive domain revolve around knowledge, comprehension, and "thinking through" a particular topic. Traditional education tends to emphasize the skills in this domain, particularly the lower-order objectives. There are six levels in the taxonomy, moving through the lowest order processes to the highest:

• Knowledge
  Exhibit memory of previously-learned materials by recalling facts, terms, basic concepts and answers. Knowledge of specifics - terminology, specific facts. Knowledge of ways and means of dealing with specifics - conventions, trends and sequences, classifications and categories, criteria, methodology . Knowledge of the universals and abstractions in a field - principles and generalizations, theories and structures
  Questions like: What are the health benefits of eating apples?

• Comprehension
  Demonstrative understanding of facts and ideas by organizing, comparing, translating, interpreting, giving descriptions, and stating main ideas. Its includes Translation, Interpretation &
  Extrapolation
  Questions like: Compare the health benefits of eating apples vs. oranges.
  
• Application
  Using new knowledge. Solve problems to new situations by applying acquired knowledge, facts, techniques and rules in a different way
  Questions like: Which kinds of apples are best for baking a pie, and why?
  
• Analysis
  Examine and break information into parts by identifying motives or causes. Make inferences and find evidence to support generalizations. It involves Analysis of elements,
  Analysis of relationships, Analysis of organizational principles
  Questions like: List four ways of serving foods made with apples and explain which ones have the highest health benefits. Provide references to support your statements.
  
• Synthesis
  Compile information together in a different way by combining elements in a new pattern or proposing alternative solutions. It includes the Production of a unique communication, Production of a plan, or proposed set of operations, Derivation of a set of abstract relations
  Questions like: Convert an "unhealthy" recipe for apple pie to a "healthy" recipe by replacing your choice of ingredients. Explain the health benefits of using the ingredients you chose vs. the original ones.
  
• Evaluation
  Present and defend opinions by making judgments about information, validity of ideas or quality of work based on a set of criteria. It involves the Judgments in terms of internal evidence nd Judgments in terms of external criteria.
  Questions like: Do you feel that serving apple pie for an after school snack for children is healthy? Why or why not?

S.O.P Is Crucial and Essential (Part 1)

This morning, one of my friend came to me and told me that she is worried of having the S.O.P. The worry also because of the lack of knowledge in preparing the S.O.P She needs to prepare the S.O.P together with her colleague in the department. She asked me, "Abang Im, why it is important for us to have the S.O.P? What is actually S.O.P? Do S.O.P essential and important to every organization?

Dear My Sister Tipah and Friends, here are the answers.

Standard of procedure (S.O.P) is a set of instructions having the force of a directive, covering those features of operations that lend themselves to a definite or standardized procedure without loss of effectiveness.

Standard Operating Policies and Procedures can be effective catalysts to drive performance improvement and improving organizational results. Every good quality system is based on its standard operating procedures (SOPs).

In educational system or institution regardless the levels of study, this S.O.P is compulsory purposely to guide and controll the flow of teaching and learning. In the Knowledge of Management, this S.O.P is fall under the last principles which is the Control.

In primary school, secondary school, high school, college, institution and university, this S.O.P is crucial and essential to monitor the delivery of knowledge from the academicians to the students. As an example, S.O.P is needed in the preparation of examination questions. All questions must be prepared according to the standard and requirements stated in the S.O.P.

Therefore, the focus of today discussion would be on the S.O.P in the preparation of examination questions.

What if there is no quidelines or standards to follow? Definitely, the questions prepared will be in the various formats and not standardize. In pedagogy, the preparation of examination questions must be based on the following factors:

• the level of study
• the level of intellectuality
• the coverage of syllabus
• the bloom taxonomy.
  
  

The preparation of examination questions without the S.O.P will lead to the following situations:

• Wrong format of questions
• All questions are easy or difficult
• Questions do not tally with the coverage of syllabus
• Many other bad things

Therefore, the Ministry of Higher Education has taken initiatives to overcome the instandardization of quality in higher education and lower education. Some of institutions nowadays are looking forward to have their own S.O.P.

It is not an easy task. Many hours, efforts and energies need to be sacrified in the preparation of S.O.P but don't worry, if we already have the good and complete S.O.P it will make everything smoother and all activities conducted will be successfully done.

World Class University VS Students' Satisfaction Level

DETERMINING WORLD CLASS UNIVERSITY FROM THE EVALUATION OF SERVICE QUALITY AND STUDENTS SATISFACTION LEVEL

Arman Bin Ahmad *, Zainuddin Bin Zakaria **

Universiti Utara Malaysia City Campus
UiTM Terengganu

Paper Presented at The 5th Asean Sympossium On Educational Management & Leadership (ASEMAL 5)

Sub-Theme: Managing Education and Social Problems

This paper aims to investigate the characteristics of high service quality and its relationship in determining UiTM’s Terengganu, Malaysia ability to provide a high student’s satisfaction level that may represents a world class university from the student’s perspective. More than 100 questionnaires were distributed to final year students from the Bachelors of Business Administration at UiTM Terengganu, Malaysia. Questionnaires were distributed to students who were attending a research methodology workshop. The questionnaires were used to measure the physical facilities, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, empathy and the learning outcome between what students expect and their actual experience. Furthermore, the student’s satisfaction level on the quality of the lecturers, physical facilities, the learning outcome and their demographic profiles were also evaluated. Result indicated that the student’s are satisfied with the quality of the lecturers, physical facilities and the learning outcome. However there are elements in the service delivery that need to be improved as indicated by gap between what the student’s expected and their actual experience.

INTRODUCTION

Not many researches have been done on the relationship between the achievement of a world class status university and the service delivery delivered by the academicians or lecturers of the particular university. However, it is known that, the lecturers or academicians played crucial roles in helping a university achieve a world class status. According to Sahol Hameed (2006), one of the important criteria of a world class university is its lecturers because they are the person who will deliver the knowledge, skill and experience to the students. However, the major issue to be focused is not the lecturers, but the service delivered by them to the development of a future leader of Malaysia (Mohd. Mustafa, 2006).

Based on the research by Min Wei Fang (2005), a world class university can also be known as a first class university. A first class university should have first-class disciplines, a first-class teaching contingent, first-class student sources, first-class talent training, first-class scientific research results, first-class administrative and operating mechanisms, powerful financial strengths and material as well as technological foundations. Of course, first-class universities should also make many outstanding contributions to the country and to social development. There should be no great divergences of understanding on these standards.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A WORLD CLASS UNIVERSITY

It is very difficult to classify a university as a world class university. A research conducted by Niland (2000), summarized ten characteristics of a world-class university. He said that, it is very crucial to those universities to have these ten characteristics if they want to be declared as a world class university. The ten characteristics of a world class university as outlined by Niland (2000) are:-

• Quality of faculty
• Research reputation
• Talented undergraduate
• International presence
• Proper usage of resources
• Alliances and networks
• Embrace many disciplines
• Technologically smart
• Practice the art of good management
• Internationalism of all aspects of the university
  

On the other hand, Sahol Hamid (2006) believes that, a world class university should have twelve characteristics. These twelve characteristics covers a broad range from lecturers, students, administrative staffs and all aspects involve in the development of the university. The characteristics include among others are government accredited niches program, research and cross border research collaboration, the availability of staffs and students mobility program, the enrolments and the number of registered international students, the international awards from international institution, good governance and global recognition of graduates.

At the same time, Ibrahim Ahmad Bajunid (2006) adds, if a university wanted to be a world class university, it should make sure that, it has a world class lecturers, world class students, world class administrative staffs, world class facilities and world class learning environment. If the respective university has all these world-class factors, then it is highly recommended to the university to declare itself as a world class university.

Based on the literatures and definitions above, it can be concluded that, a world-class university covers a broad range of elements such as its lecturers, students, administrative staffs and all aspects involve in the development of the university. Therefore, it is important to notice here that, instead of other external and internal factors that give a direct impacts to the development of a world-class university, the most important factors to be considered is the human capital of the university (lecturers) and its products (students or graduate). These people need to be a world class individual mentally and physically and only then the journey to reach to the world class “destination” will be easier and smoother.

As mentioned above, the lecturers and students are major indicators of a world class university. Logically, good graduates only can be produced if they are equipped with the latest knowledge, skills and experiences of lecturers. The lecturer should be able to deliver all skills, experiences and knowledge to the students efficiently. Efficiency can be measured by looking at the students’ performance during examination and at the workplace. If they are able to make their employer happy due to their high ability and skill in performing any job assigned, then, we can say that, the lecturer has delivered the appropriate knowledge to the student in a very efficient manner.

SERVICE DELIVERY IN A WORLD CLASS UNIVERSITY

A world class service is measured by a high level of customer satisfaction (Ambani, 2003). It is the services which always make the customer feel delighted and happy (Wan Jamaliah, 2004). A world class service can also be known as a first class service (Min Wei Fang, 2005). Therefore, a world class service is service that offers a very high quality products or service which simultaneously makes the customers happy and repurchase, reuse, or re-consume the same service in the future. Quality of service in education is crucial in order to develop a better human for the future. A high quality service in education contains an excellent teaching, learning and knowledge delivery from the lecturers to the students (Ibrahim Abu Shah, 2006).

In order to achieve a world class status university, the services provided by the lecturers should also be first class services (Sohaimi Zakaria, 2006). As discussed above, one of the major determinants of a world class university is its graduates. A high quality graduates should also be a first class product of a university. It is crucial to have a good and high quality education delivery in every university in the world. A high quality education delivery is the main indicator to measure the performance of a student. If the teacher is able to deliver the right, high quality and first class knowledge to the students, then the outcomes would be high performance in the examination or excellence achievement of a student in his or her study (Ibrahim Abu Shah, 2006).

According to Kudchadker (2003), students or graduates are the most important customer and asset of a university because they are the principle customers of the academia. Therefore, a university should make sure that, it has a high quality education system and should also provide a proper learning environment in order to enhance the learning process. Teachers or lecturers in a university should adopt the same attitude towards quality like what the industries has done. This was supported by Ibrahim Ahmad Bajunid (2006). He argued that a good teacher would be able to train and educate students to be better citizen if the teacher or educator delivers the knowledge in a very good and high quality manner. When discussing about the service delivery in a world class university, it is critical to ensure that the service delivery in a world class university should also be world class. Ambani (2003) stated that, world class service contains quality, good performance and excellent achievement. World class service is measured by a very high level of consumer satisfaction, optimum technological efficiency, and continuous improvement of facilities. Resilient attitude and inculcating genuine courtesy in spontaneous interaction with the consumers is also key ingredients in a world class service.

Measuring Service Quality

In general, quality is an objective measurement in manufacturing and a subjective one in the service sector (Pariseau and McDaniel, 1997). Ghobadian et al. (1994) classify the definition of quality into five broad categories as transcendent; product led; process or supply led; customer led, and value led. Ghobadian et al. (1994) also provide a specific definition on quality on a service, which is a measure of the extent to which the service delivered meets the customer’s expectations. The perception of quality is influenced not only by the service outcome but also by the service process. The perceived quality lies along a continuum. Unacceptable quality lies at one end of this continuum while the ideal quality lies at the other end. The points in-between represent different gradations of quality. In addition, numerous researchers and scholars agreed that in today’s world of fierce competition, focusing on quality service is a key for survival and success (Parasuraman et al 1985; Reichheld and Sasser, 1990; Zeithmal et al 1990). Service quality has proven to be apparently related to costs (Crosby, 1980), profitability (Rust and Zahorik, 1993), customer satisfaction (Bolton and Drew, 1991), customer retention (Reichheld and Sasser, 1990) and positive word of mouth. The later work on SERVQUAL by Parasuraman et al. (1988) sought to develop a general instrument for measuring service quality. They identified five dimensions of service quality (three original and two combined dimensions). The dimensions are defined as follows

• Tangibles: Physical facilities, teaching equipment, ambience and appearance of the teaching staff
• Reliability: Ability to perform the promised service dependably and accurate
• Responsiveness: Willingness to help the students and provide prompt service in terms of solving the student’s problem.
• Assurance: Knowledge and courtesy of the teaching staff and their ability to inspire trust and confidence
• Empathy: Caring individualised attention the teaching staff provides to the students
  

The authors proposed that service quality can be measured by looking at the degree of discrepancy between customers’ normative expectations for the service and their perceptions of the service performance. The SERVQUAL model is best known for its definitions of 5 gaps between customers’ expectations and perceptions. It includes the gap between expected services and management perceptions of the expectations (gap 1), service quality specifications and management perceptions (gap 2), service quality specifications and service delivery (gap 3), service delivery and external communications to consumer (gap 4) and customer expected service and their perception of actual service (gap 5).

Out of the five gaps identified in the model, only Gap 5 or the satisfaction gap is the researcher’s concentration since both parties; the teaching staff and the students must work hand in hand with each other in ensuring the quality of the service rendered. The management must truly understand the students’ expectations before devising any strategy or policy. The satisfaction gap, as defined by Parasuraman et al., (1988) is the discrepancy between customers’ expected service and perceived service delivered. In this study the students are the customers to the teaching staff and management. They further add that customers’ expectations are influenced by past experience, personal needs and word of mouth communications. Hence students will form certain level of expectations based on their past knowledge of UiTM, their personal needs and promotional or publicity created by the management of UiTM.

Based on the discussions above, it can be concluded that, in order to achieve a world class status university, a university should pay serious attention on the issues of education delivery from the producer (lecturers) to the customers (students). The more effective the lecturer delivers the knowledge to students, the better the students. Better and good students are crucial and very important to Malaysia in order survive in the globalise world. A good student is hoped to be a good leader who will lead Malaysia in the future. In addition, if the students produced are excellent students, then, they will help a university to achieve a world class status because. In addition to excellent lecturers, one of the major criteria of a world class university is its outstanding students. Therefore, it is important to say here that the service delivered by lectures is crucial in helping a university achieve a world class status.

OBJECTIVES OF THE RESEARCH

There are several objectives of this study. They are:

• To identify the gap between the services expected by the students of the Business Administration Faculty and the actual services experienced by them.
• To evaluate the level of satisfaction towards the physical facilities and services offered by the teaching staff at Faculty of Business Administration at UiTM Terengganu.
• To determine the relationship between the gaps of the items in the service quality dimensions and the student’s average satisfaction level.
  
  

METHODOLOGY

In this study, it is important to focus on several aspects concerning service quality that can be measured. The study is concerned with the perceptions (real experiences) of Bachelors Degree students on service quality at UiTM Terengganu and their expectations of service quality that should be provided by the Business Administration Faculty Programme at Universiti Teknologi MARA Dungun Campus. In line with the research objectives, perceptions and expectations of students towards the quality of physical facilities provided by the management of UiTM Terengganu are also determined. The theoretical framework of service quality conceptualised by Parasuraman et al. (1988) are used in this study. There are five dimensions of service quality, which include assurance, responsiveness, empathy, reliability and tangibles that can be applied in education. Likewise, the levels of students’ satisfaction are also determined in this study.

Instruments

The theoretical framework of service quality conceptualised by Parasuraman et.al (1988) is used in this study. The five dimensions stated in the framework are tangibility, reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy. A sample of 125 students was chosen from a total population of 200 students. Questionnaires were distributed during their class breaks. However, only 188 questionnaires were properly fill and used. Questionnaires were constructed with the objective of determining whether there are any gaps between the “expectations” and “perceptions” (actual experience) of the Bachelors Degree students. The gaps are expected to be in three scenarios. They can either be positive or negative or no gaps (perceptions equal expectations). Questions were further asked regarding their overall satisfaction towards the service quality at UiTM Dungun. The data are analysed using paired sample t-Test and correlation analysis.

DATA ANALYSIS

Two main analyses are used to examine the gaps analysis. The Paired Sample t-Test is chosen for the first analysis. The test helps to identify whether there is any difference in the data distribution of the expectations and perceptions of students for the Mean of each elements (tangibility, reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy) in the service quality dimensions. In addition, the difference (gap) between the students’ perception and expectation on the learning outcome were also analysed using the same analysis.

A 5-point Likert scale is used in the questionnaires and from the score of the mean values, the overall gap (Perceptions minus Expectations) of each element were determined. Results of the Paired Sample t-test reveal that the perceptions of the students are lower than their expectations for all elements of the service quality dimensions and also for the learning outcome. Furthermore, the gaps were significant at the 95% confidence level.

Satisfaction Level

The satisfaction level of the students in the business programme is also analysed based on 7 items which are Quality of Physical Facilities, Lecturer’s Physical Appearance, Lecturer’s Responsiveness, Assurance and Empathy shown by the lecturers and finally the Learning Outcome. Again, a 5 point Likert scale was used, where a score of 1 indicates that the students are extremely dissatisfied and a score of 5 indicates extreme satisfaction. Based on the Median and Mode value, the researcher discovers that the majority of students had given a score between 3 and 4 indicating high satisfaction level. The general satisfaction level also indicates that on average the students are satisfied with the services that they received from the teaching staff of UiTM Terengganu at the business faculty. This is shown by the mean value of between 3.0345 and 3.8103 which are above the average score of 2.50.

Correlations Analysis

A correlation analysis is also performed between the general satisfactions and the mean gaps (perceptions minus expectations) for all service quality items used in the questionnaire. Results of the test indicate that there is a positive and linear relationship between the gaps and the Mean satisfaction level of the Bachelors Degree students in the Business Faculty at UiTM Terengganu. This is shown by the significant value of less than 0.05. This indicates that as the gaps become more positive (Perception higher than Expectation), the satisfaction level would also increase. However, the Spearman Rho Correlation also indicates that the mean gaps (perception minus expectations) for all the service quality items listed in table 4 have a low correlation with the overall satisfaction level as shown by the correlation value between 0.185 and 0.225.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

It is clear from the analysis that there is significant difference between the expectations and the perceptions of students towards the actual services delivered by the teaching staff and the management of the Business Faculty at UiTM Terengganu. The Paired Sample t-Test revealed that a substantial number of students experienced negative gaps; which indicates that the management and teaching staff are unable to meet or exceed the students’ expectations for all the components of the service quality dimensions. As such the management have much to do in improving their services to at least match the expectations of students that are unique, complex and unpredictable. No doubt, it is a daunting task but it has to be done to ensure a high satisfaction level. In this light, the authors would like to offer some recommendations that may assist the management in enhancing the services. First and foremost, a service quality audit should be conducted on an annual basis. The main purpose of conducting this audit is to assess the quality of the students’ experiences focusing on issues such as physical facilities, care and attention given by the staff, safety and security, after-hour on-line interaction, speed of delivery, courtesy and politeness of staff. The results from the auditing process can be communicated to the management of UiTM Terengganu in order to maintain and improve the service delivery.

The correlation analysis revealed that the gap in punctuality, speed in answering question, commitment to help students, courtesy and kindness and personalised attention has a significant influence in determining the average satisfaction level of the students. Even though the correlation value is low, these are the areas of the services that need to be improved in order to ensure a higher satisfaction level among the students. An effective approach to eliminate the gaps is to provide comprehensive training to the teaching staff. Training should focus on areas such as communication, interpersonal skills, ethics, and motivation. The training should be conducted on a regular basis and reviewed from time to time. In this training, important feedback from the teaching staff can be used to improve future training. Those attending the training should also be evaluated in a consistent manner using measurable specifications.

Finally, the Perceived Quality such as images, advertising, brand names and inferences about quality are critical (O’Neill and Black, 1996). Reputation and precise communication are very important. Potential students applying to the Business Faculty at UiTM Terengganu should have accurate information on the type, volume and quality of services available. Coupled with flexibility, this will hopefully ensures that the right services are delivered at the right time and place. Thus no false expectations are created in the minds of students. While the quest for quality is obviously a continuous and difficult process, it is vital that the effort to produce outstanding students at UiTM Terengganu is not hindered by failure to deliver the highest quality services.

REFERENCES

Ambani, Mukesh. (2003) “The Meaning of World Class Quality”, World Class Quality; An Executive Handbook, Tata Mc Graw Hill.

Bolton, R.N. and Drew, J.H. (1991). A Multistage Model of Customers' Assessments of Service Quality and Value. Journal of Consumer Research, Vol. 17(March), pp. 375-384.
Crosby, P.B. (1980). Quality is free, Mentor, McGraw-Hill, New York, NY.

Ghobadian, A., Speller, S. and Jones, M. (1994). Service Quality: Concepts and Models. International Journal of Quality and Reliability Management, Vol. 11 No. 9, pp. 43 – 66.

Ibrahim Abu Shah (2006) “Menyingkap Sebuah Universiti”, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.

Ibrahim Ahmad Bajunid (2006) “The World Class University”, International Conference of University Learning and Teaching (InCULT), Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.

Institute of Leadership & Quality Management (2005) “IlQAM Bulletin” Vol 1 Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) http://www.uitm.edu.my/ilqam.

Kudchadker, Arvind P. (2003) “Bridging the Quality Gap Between Industry and The Academia” World Class Quality; An Executive Handbook, Tata Mc Graw Hill.

Min Wei Fang (2005) “Address Regarding First-Class Universities” Chinese Education & Society; Nov/Dec 2004, Vol.37 Issue 6, p8-20.

Mohd. Mustafa Mohd. Ghazali (2006) “Aplikasi Kurikulum Dalam Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran” Kursus Asas Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran Pensyarah Baru UiTM 2006.
Niland, J. (1998) ‘The Challenge Of Building World Class Universities In The Asian Region’ National University of Singapore.

O’Neill, M. and Black M. (1996), Current Quality Issues in the Northern Ireland Tourism Sector. The TQM Magazine, 8(1):15-19.

Parasuraman, A., Zeithaml, V. and Berry, L. (1985). A Conceptual Model of Service Quality and Its Implications for Future Research. Journal of Marketing, Vol. 49 No. 4, pp. 41-50.

Parasuraman, A., Zeithaml, V. and Berry, L. (1988). SERVQUAL: A Multiple-Item Scale for Measuring Customer Perceptions of Service Quality. Journal of Retailing, Vol. 64 No. 1, pp. 12-40.

Pariseau, S.E. and McDaniel, J.R. (1997). Assessing Service Quality in School of Business. International Journal of Quality and Reliability Management, Vol. 14 No. 3, pp. 204 – 218.
Reichheld, F.F. and Sasser Jr, W.E. (1990). Zero Defections: Quality Comes to Services. Harvard Business Review, September-October, pp. 105-111.

Rust, R. and Zahorik, A. (1993). Customer Satisfaction, Customer Retention and Market Share. Journal of Retailing, Vol. 69 (Summer), pp. 145-156.

Sahol Hamid Abu Bakar (2006) “Akauntabiliti Akademia”, Kursus Asas Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran Pensyarah Baru UiTM 2006.

Sohaimi Zakaria (2006) “Akauntabiliti Akademia”, Kursus Asas Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran Pensyarah Baru UiTM 2006.

Wan Jamaliah Wan Jusoh (2004) “Service Quality & Customer Satisfaction”, International Islamic University Malaysia.

Zeithaml, V.A., Parasuraman, A. and Berry, L.L. (1990). Delivering Quality Service: Balancing Customer Perceptions and Expectations, Free Press, New York, NY.

Graduates Unemployment : A Look Among Public Universities in Malaysia

Malaysian Higher Education is currently facing a big challenge when "some" of the graduates produced by Local Public Universities in Malaysia are unemployed. In this first section, i only interested to focus on the statistics and facts published by educationmalaysia.blogspot.com.

The following are the two important figures that i believe would attract our attention and interest to discuss on.

In particular, the following figures and statistics will show us the reality of unemployment among graduates in Malaysia from the "field of study" perspectives. The breakdown according to job sector showed ICT with the highest number of unemployed graduates with 3,942 (19.5%) yet to find jobs.

This is followed by

• Business Administration with 2,714 (13.4%)
• Accountancy 1,923 (9.5%)
• Electric/Electronic and Telecommunication engineers 1,229 (6.1%)
• Human Resources Management 1,022 (5.1%)
• Civil Engineers 983 (4.9%)
• Mechanical/Mechatronic Engineers 884 (4.4%)
• Literature Social Science 843 (4.2%)
• Pure Science 770 (3.8%)
• Financial/banking/insurance/investment/property 613 (3%)
• Office technology Management/Information management/Library Management 552 (2.7%)
• Architecture/Building/Quantity Surveying/ land surveying 540 (2.7%)
• Applied Science 533 (2.6%)
• Economy 440 (2.2%)
• Agriculture/Forestry, Fisheries/Environment 401 (2%)
• Others 2,828 (13.9%)
  

I dont want to comment anything but i believed that, as a teacher or lecturer these statistics will surely make us worried. It is also wiser for us to share these reality with our students. Here, i sincerely welcome any opinions from readers, teachers, lecturers and friends. The focus would be the hidden factors behind this problem.

The Elevated Standings of A Teacher in Islam

Islam has paid considerable attention to teachers for their being the first brick in the structure of social development and perfection and the cause of guiding and developing behaviors and mentalities of individuals and communities. The Prophet Muhammad P.B.U.H cared for teachers and showed their elevated standings. Once, he passed by two circles of people; the first was supplicating to God while the other listening to a teacher.

The Prophet Muhammad P.B.U.H commented, “The first is begging God (Allah S.W.T) who may or may not give them. The second was learning. I have been sent as teacher.” Hence, he joined the second. This is the best example of the Prophet’s encouraging education and teaching. Surely we can see that, teaching and educating will not complete without the existence of a Teacher.