Our 44th Convocation Ceremony

Graduation is the awarding of a degree or certificate following the satisfactory completion of a student's program of studies while convocation is the ceremony at which the degree or certificate is publicly presented. The word "Convocation" arises from the Latin "con" meaning "together" and "vocare" meaning "to call."

This morning, I've celebrated this joyous ceremony again, with my beloved Post Graduates, who have finally succeeded in their pursuit of knowledge for a better future. They have sacrificed their heart and soul to realize their dreams and truly follow their heart. As adult learners, their hard work and determination are admirably amazing and have certainly paid off..

“A man can be as great as he wants to be. If you believe in yourself and have the courage, the determination, the dedication, the competitive drive and if you are willing to sacrifice the little things in life and pay the price for the things that are worthwhile, it can be done.” ~ Vince Lombardi

My heartiest congratulations to all FPPSM Post Graduates :

Doctor of Philosophy

Roland Yeow Theng Nam
Wan Maseri Wan Mohd

Master of Science (Human Resource Development)

Adeline Mayintana Anak Jaret, Ahmad Hisham Ab Wahab, Akmalia @ Balkhis Ali, Azeyan Awee, Daliyana Mohd. Dali, Farhana M. Razin, Farhana Hanim Mohsin, Hastuti Tarawe, Intan Shahnaz Zulkifli, Loo Chuk Li, Mapijan Sapari, Mona Ghafourian, Ng Mui Noi, Nor Intan Hasalimah Hashim, Nor Zuhailah Che Hussin, Noramira Mohamad, Nur'ain Achim, Sabarudin Ahmad Sabadin, Shah Aruzaman Ismail, Shah Iskandar Fahmie Ramlee, Siew Cheng Cheng, Siti Hasmak Muhamad, Siti Masitah Ashar, Siti Salwa Norazlan, Tan Chiew Ting and Xie Yongui

Master in Technology (Management)

Anwar Y.M Ragab, Bita Seyfi, Chong Hwa Jie, Connie Ting, Ishamuddin Mustapha, Kalam Azad Abu Bakar, Mohamad Hal-Amin Abas, Noorihan Mahtar @ Mokhtar, Norhasni Jamlie, Nur Syazwani Mohd Rozi, Nurul Huda Che Ali, Siti Hajar Abdul Rauf, Suhaili Khidzir, Tan Owee Kowang, Thoo Ai Chin, Wan Maisara Wan Mohamad and Yee Shuh Fieu.























A special message dedicated to my Post Graduates....

Today is your day. It is an important and memorable event in your lives. You have achieved distinction and made your family proud. Remember this moment... The degree you have obtained is a recognition of success. Apply the things you have learned as much as you could. Your degree represents an advantage in today's marketplace. Be proud of what you have accomplished. Build on it for the future. Spark up your creative minds to innovativeness that would reinforce your knowledge and other capabilities that are vital in this challenging globalisation era.

From :

Effective PowerPoint Presentations

TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS


FONTS

1. Select sans-serif fonts such as Arial or Helvetica. Avoid serif fonts such as Times New Roman or Palatino as they are sometimes more difficult to read.

2. Clearly label each screen. Use a larger font (35-45 points) or different color for the title.

3. Use a single sans-serif font for most of the presentation. Use different colors, sizes and styles (bold, underline) for impact.

4. Avoid italicized fonts as they are difficult to read quickly.

5. No more than 6-8 words per line.

6. For bullet points, use the 6 x 6 Rule. One thought per line with no more than 6 words per line and no more than 6 lines per slide

7. Use dark text on light background or light text on dark background. However, dark backgrounds sometimes make it difficult for some people to read the text.

8. Do not use all caps except for titles.

To test the font, stand back six feet from the monitor and see if you can read the slide.


GRAPHICS AND DESIGN

1. Keep the background consistent and subtle.

2. Use only enough text when using charts or graphs to explain clearly label the graphic.

3. Keep the design clean and uncluttered. Leave empty space around the text and graphics.

4. Use quality clipart and

5. Try to use the same style graphics throughout the presentation (e.g. cartoon, photographs)

6. Limit the number of graphics on each slide.

7. Check all graphics on a projection screen before the actual presentation.

8. Avoid flashy graphics and noisy animation effects unless they relate directly to the slide.

9. Limit the number of transitions used. It is often better to use only one so the audience knows what to expect.


COLOR

1. Limit the number of colors on a single screen.

2. Bright colors make small objects and thin lines stand out. However, some vibrant colors are difficult to read when projected.

3. Use no more than four colors on one chart.

4. Check all colors on a projection screen before the actual presentation. They may project differently than what appears on the monitor.


GENERAL PRESENTATION

1. Check the spelling and grammar.

2. Do not read the presentation. Practice the presentation so you can speak from bullet points. The text should be a cue for the presenter rather than a message for the viewer.

3. Give a brief overview at the start. Then present the information. Finally review important points.

4. It is often more effective to have bulleted points appear one at a time so the audience listens to the presenter rather than reading the screen.

5. Use a wireless mouse or pick up the wired mouse so you can move around as you speak.

6. If sound effects are used, wait until the sound has finished to speak.

7. If the content is complex, print out the slides so the audience can take notes.

8. Do not turn your back on the audience. Try to position the monitor so you can speak from it.

Adapted from:

1. Bankerd, Kathy. “How to Optimize Projection Technology: Using Fonts, Graphics, and Color to Maximize the Effectiveness of Your Presentation”. Syllabus. November/December 1997.

2. Bird, Linda. “Avoid the Mistakes of PowerPoint Rookies.” Smart Computing. January 2001.

3. Brown, David G. “PowerPoint-Induced Sleep.” Syllabus. January 2001.

Tips for Postgraduate presentation

Tips for postgraduate first stage/viva preparation

1) Limit your slides and vary the presentation to make it interesting.

2) If examiners tried to ask irrelevant questions, it is best to try and relate the question to your work first, if possible, before you said 'I don't know'. Or, if it really is irrelevant, then emphasise on your scope of work.

3) Always have a 'flow of presentation' slide after your 'title' slide in order for people to know how your presentation will go.

4) Normally, you are given 20 minutes for presentation for PhD work and there will be Q&A sessions afterwards.

5) If you did make a mistake in calculations or theory, try to reason why you have made that mistakes. And if it really is an unacceptable mistake, apologies and say that you will take note and improve it in your real thesis.

6) KNOW your examiner. Check his specialty and what kind of questions he/she likes to ask. Does he like to ask basic or technical questions? Is his field related to you or other area?

7) If possible, try to make network with experts around the world to check whether your research is up to date and can be recognized worldwide.

8) Make publications or have a plan on what kind of publications you wish to submit/publish before the end of your study.

9) Put page number on your slides and print out the slides for the examiners. This will make it easy reference for them and you.

10) Predict questions by examiners. And hide slides that you think are important/possible to be asked but not necessary in the 20 mins presentation. This will help you if you panicked in the Q&A.

11) Prepare your mind mentally and practice with people around you. You may be surprised that they may ask you basic questions that you don't even expect.

12) If you get provoked, try to remain calm and reason logically. Do not dwell on a question, else the examiners will only see that one mistake and forget all the other good things that you have done.

13) Write in points instead of full sentences.

14) Color the important key points in your slides to attract examiners attention to it.

15) Know your topic well. Remember, you are the expert in this field since you are the one researching on it, not the examiners. But how? This is most important especially in order to gain confidence and 'research authority' thru out the viva. It is suggested the student start with writing a review on their area of research, say from 10-50 yrs back up to today. Do organize the journals/refs chronologically (general to specific; primer to least related in specific) then tabulate things, who did what and where. This is to ensure the student will have a strong perspective from many angles; and could comments on any loophole/unresearched topic/successfully developed/contradicting among researchers etc. This will make the research more challenging and interesting.

16) Perform exhaustive keyword search through science direct or comparable technical search engine. The search should cover every possible combination of keyword to show novelty or research gap, possibly beyond reasonable doubt. One of the typical FAQ by any examiner is to question candidates on the exhaustiveness of their literature review/search. Just by showing a number of related work picked from literature, candidates often failed to demonstrate that they have indeed done an exhaustive search.

Source : http://www.fkkksa.utm.my/postgraduate/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=56&Itemid=80


To All FPPSM Post Grad Students (Masters by Coursework and also Mixed Mode Programmes):

All the best for your presentation next week!
(29th March - 2nd April 2010)


From :

Fifty Ways to Show Your Love

How can you say, "I Love You" through your words and deeds without using those three words all of the time? Here are fifty great ideas:

1. Leave a note under her windshield wiper at work.

2. Give her a flower for each month you have been together.

3. Give her a facial massage.

4. Take her to the ballet or theatre.

5. Plan an overnight at a bed & breakfast.

6. Get a babysitter every friday.

7. Give your mate a romantic basket - with bubble bath, massage oil, chocolates, etc.

8. Give her a key with a note that says, "You have the key to my heart" or, "You're the key to my happiness."

9. Send flowers to your sweetie's workplace.

10. If you go on a business trip for an extended period of time, send your mate cards timed to arrive the beginning, middle, and end of your trip.

11. Pack "I love you" notes in her suitcase or lunchbox.

12. Leave a rose on the windshield.

13. Give her 10 red roses and 2 white ones in the middle with a note that reads "You will never stand alone."

14. Complain less, compliment more.

15. Praise her in front of people.

16. Wake up every morning fifteen minutes early to cuddle with each other.

17. Make your wife breakfast in bed.

18. Do her chores for a week.

19. Wash her car.

20. Always look into her eyes when she's talking to you.

21. Give a map - "I can never be lost with you around."

22. Give her a pocket dictionary - Write "You" as the meaning next to the word "Life", mark the page and give it to them "Without you, life would have no meaning."

23. Turn her birthday into a birthday month.

24. Sit down and write your goals together.

25. Massage her shoulders whenever you get a chance.

26. Bake cookies together.

27. Take a bath together.

28. Turn the A/C on and enjoy a fire - in the summer.

29. Send a greeting card for no reason.

30. Create your own homemade card.

31. Give a fish & fish bowl with a note attached that reads, "Out of all the fish in the world I pick you!"

32. Start a journal of your thoughts and present it to your wife.

33. Celebrate her 1/2 birthday.

34. Ask the question, "What can I do for you today, honey?"

35. Hold her hand whenever you walk together.

36. Tell her that she is the best thing that has ever happened to you in your entire life.

37. Renew your wedding vows.

38. Learn to have the last word in arguments, "I'm sorry."

39. Make a list of 100 reasons why you love your wife.

40. Create a jar filled with "Love Coupons." Make the coupons redeemable for hugs, kisses, back rubs or any number of special favors. Give the jar to your lover and let him/her redeem the coupons over time.

41. If your partner is stressed out, let her take a nap and keep all distractions and emergencies away during that time.

42. Talk about your dreams together and where you two are going in life.

43. Say, "You mean the world to me."

44. Call your wife right now to say "I Love You."

45. Catch her eyes in a crowd and wink.

46. Place a card on hersteering wheel that says "You drive me crazy!"

47. Unplug the TV and leave a card on top that says "Turn me on instead."

48. Write a personalized love story and have it bound.

49. Pray over dinner every night.

50. Say, "I Love you" three times a day for the rest of your life.

Source : http://www.trap17.com/index.php/Fifty-Ways-Show-Love_t39441.html

Letting Go

Letting Go

By Dee Edgett

There was once a lonely girl who longed desperately for love. One day while she was walking in the woods she found two starving song birds. She took them home and put them in a small glided cage. She nurtured them with love and the birds grew strong. Every morning they greeted her with a marvellous song. The girl felt great love for the birds. She wanted their singing to last forever.

One day the girl left the door to the cage open. The larger and stronger of the two birds flew from the cage. The girl watched anxiously as he circled high above her. She was so frightened that he would fly away and she would never see him again that as he flew close, she grasped at him wildly. She caught him in her fist. She clutched him tightly within her hand. Her heart gladened at her sucess in capturing him. Suddenly she felt the bird go limp. She opened her hand stared in horror at the dead bird. Her desperate clutching love had killed him.

She noticed the other bird teetering on the edge of the cage. She could feel his great need for freedom. His need to soar into the clear, blue sky. She lifted him from the cage and tossed him softly into the air. The bird circled once, twice, three times.

The girl watched delighted at the bird's enjoyment. Her heart was no longer concerned with her loss. She wanted the bird to be happy. Suddenly the bird flew closer and landed softly on her shoulder. It sang the sweetest melody, she had ever heard.

The fastest way to lose love is to hold on too tight, the best way to keep love is to give it -- WINGS!

Source : http://www.lifeofhope.com/letting_go.htm