Nilai U’s Life Sciences Society organised another successful Dawn of the Greenage campaign.
Lecturers and committee members of Nilai U's Life Sciences Society celebrate their 5th anniversary.
“At Nilai University (Nilai U), lessons are not confined to the classrooms. We believe in making learning an interactive and fun experience. The Life Science Society has been organising the annual Dawn of the Greenage for the last three years and it is a chance for biotechnology students to put into practice what they learn in the classrooms,” says Dr. Rashmi Rekha Sahoo, Assoc. Prof of Nilai U’s School of Engineering, Science and Technology. The Life Science Society is the Department of Mathematics and Science’s extracurricular arm where Biotechnology and Agricultural Management students organise various eco-awareness programmes. “The Life Sciences Society’s goals are to encourage greater interest in the field of biotechnology and also to make Nilai U campus a more environmentally-friendly place.”
Dr Rashmi is keen to stress the importance of showing students how biotechnology can impact the immediate environment the students interact in. “It is one thing to learn from text books and to conduct experiments in the laboratories, but it really does make a difference to students’ attitudes when they see that they are making a real difference. Something as simple as a recycling campaign can show the students the amount of wastage that happens daily all around them,” she stresses. Nilai U has always prided itself on producing well-rounded graduates who can make a positive contribution to society. The Dawn of the Greenage is an example of the process in which Nilai U inculcates in its students the right values. Part of the campaign is that the campus is turned into a plastic-bag free zone for a week, emphasising to students how a simple effort can make a huge difference to the environment. Other events held during the Dawn of the Greenage include recycling competition (between Nilai U’s six schools), talks by invited guests, exhibitions, nature photography competition, and to mark the fifth anniversary of the Life Science Society, a Gala Night.
Life Sciences Society's committee members with their lecturer-advisor, Dr. Rashmi Rekha Sahoo, Assoc. Prof of Nilai U’s School of Engineering, Science and Technology after the successfully-organised Dawn of the Greenage Gala Night 2013.
Nilai U offers both diploma and degree options in biotechnology and diploma in Agricultural Management, with many students from the former opting to further their studies. “Many students realise the importance of having higher qualifications. It is proof to potential employers that they have undergone higher level of learning and have greater in depth knowledge in this field,” says Dr Rashmi. Entry requirements for the two-and-a-half year diploma programme are three credits in SPM, including two credits in mathematics or science and a pass in Bahasa Melayu. Students wishing to enter the three-year degree programme will need a two principal passes in STPM or A-levels or a pass in Nilai U Foundation in Science programme. Students from the Diploma in Biotechnology programme will be exempt from the first year of the degree programme.
To ensure that the syllabus of this ever-evolving field is kept up-to-date, Nilai U has set up an industry advisory panel to provide input on the latest industry developments and updates as well as advice on the traits that are highly valued by employers. The panel comprises representatives from Biotechnology Corporation, Felda Biotechnology, Inno Bio Ventures, Malaysian Biotechnology Information Centre, and Vivantis Technology. Arrangements for internship are also made to ensure Nilai U students get firsthand experience working in this field before they graduate. “I strongly recommend school leavers who are strong in the science subjects, especially biology and chemistry, to consider applying to Nilai U’s biotechnology and Agricultural Management programmes. There are numerous career options in this fast-growing sector. Join us and they can also join in the fun of future Dawn of the Greenage events!” says Dr Rashmi.
Nilai U was established in 1997 and all of its programmes are approved by the Ministry of Education. It is rated Setara 5/Excellent by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency. For more information, please browse the website or call 06-8502308 / 07-2262336 / 03-79603089.
