INTRODUCTION
This program's main objective is to produce IT entrepreneurs (IT Technopreneurs) at the postgraduate level. This is an effort to increase the number of highly skilled local IT technopreneurs as the developers of hardware, software, and creative content.
The expected duration for a full-time program is 1.5 years (3 regular semesters + 1 short semester). Technopreneurs are needed to complete 45 credits before graduation where 12 credits are dedicated to completing an IT-based product development project. For full-time students, three series of Entrepreneurship Modules (Entrepreneurship Development Training, Series 1, 2 & 3) are offered by professionals/practitioners to technopreneurs within the duration of their studies, which are normally scheduled during semester breaks.
Besides the normal class lectures, this program also adopts a Teaching Factory concept where technopreneurs have to undergo extensive practical exposure to enhance their business as well as their entrepreneurial skills. Industrial involvement is eminent to the success of this program, thus, technopreneurs will be engaged with industrial or business mentors through the Mentoring & Coaching concept introduced. To further equip the technopreneurs to become more competent, innovative, versatile, and possess ethical entrepreneurial values, they will be exposed to various kinds of external entrepreneurial programs such as seminars, series of short courses, business discourse, workshops, business forums & networking, business competitions, business visits, etc.
PROGRAMME EDUCATION OBJECTIVES
To produce information technology (IT) technopreneur with:
The ability to capitalize on the opportunity, and develop innovative ICT products that can be turned into a sustainable and successful business.
The ability to lead a profitable and sustainable globally competitive ICT business with good Financial, Human Resource, and Marketing management based on ethical and entrepreneurial values.
Vision, strong caliber, creative, innovative, entrepreneurial DNA, skillful and resourceful.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
IT technopreneurs.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
There are 13 compulsory courses that need to be undertaken by all students in this programme. These 13 courses cover a total of 45 credits, which includes University Common Elective Courses (3 credits), Faculty Compulsory Courses (6 credits), IT Core Courses (9 credits), IT Entrepreneurship Core Courses (10 credits), and Master Projects (17 credits). The total minimum number of credits required for the award of a degree is 45 (or 48 with pre-requisite course) credits and candidates must obtain a final academic grade of at least a 3.0 CGPA.
Another additional course, the pre-requisite (3 credits) is offered to students who do not have a basis in computer science or IT / or to selected candidates as agreed by the interview panelist. During the interview session, students are informed on whether they are required to register for this course.
The details of the courses within this programme can be divided into 4 main components:
Pre-requisite Course (3 Credit)
Faculty Compulsory Courses (24 Credit)
Master Projects (17 Credit)
University Common Elective Course (3 Credit)
SYNOPSIS OF COURSE
PRE-REQUISITE COURSE
Code: MCSM 0213
Course: System Development
Synopsis: The course equips students with knowledge and skills in system development process and modeling to help them to practice in applications of system development concepts, tools and techniques. This course also covers on hands-on database and web programming.
FACULTY COMPULSORY COURSES
Code: MCSM 1273
Course: IT Project Management & Consultancy
Synopsis: To introduce knowledge in software/computer project management and to introduce the role of a project manager in project procurements & project management activities. Sequencing, duration estimation, and schedule control together with hands-on laboratory exercises using current project management tools will also be covered. Students will also be exposed to various kinds of IT project management service businesses. Case studies and field assignments will be based on real-life projects.
Code: MCSM 1323
Course: Product Creativity and Innovation
Synopsis: To introduce students to the fundamental of innovation and how creativity links to innovation. Students will also learn about the importance of innovation as a strategy for business success. Also looks into the innovation process and the sources of creativity. Then students will be exposed to the history of ICT innovation and how information technology evolved and how this technology shaped the global community. This course will then explore the significance of ICT-enabled transformations to help students understand and appreciate the opportunities and threats presented by a new, technology-driven global economy. Students will gain a new awareness of how leading organizations apply ICT to create transformations, and how they can use technology to improve their lives, remain competitive in the workforce, and survive in this new age of constant change and re-invention. This course will also provide the participants with skills that will allow them to understand and apply the process of creativity and innovation. Furthermore, they will practice tools that can greatly enhance creativity and effectiveness in problem-solving. Participants will be able to apply these skills both personally and professionally.
IT CORE COURSES
Code: MCSM 1163
Course: Trends in ICT Application and System
Synopsis: To introduce the current and upcoming technological knowledge and trends in ICT applications and systems. This includes (but is not limited to) hardware, software, and creative content. Students will be exposed to various kinds of designs, developments, and maintenance of hardware and software technology products and applications which include telecommunications, photonics, sensors, and transducer. Business activities that cover multimedia content creation, processing, packaging and aggregation, post-production, animation, and virtual reality applications are also covered. By the end of this subject, it is hoped that students have a much clearer picture of the technology involved in hardware, software, and creative content which would enable the advancement of their proposed idea.
Code: MCSM 1233
Course: IT Product Design & Development
Synopsis: To introduce the process of IT product designing and development. Students will be exposed to various kinds of designs, developments, and maintenance of hardware and software technology products and applications. By the end of this course, it is hoped that students have a much clearer picture of the various ICT design and development processes, which would enable them to stimulate and advance their proposed idea. Thus allowing them to accurately produce what they have designed, and helping them to reconstruct their idea into a running prototype.
Code: MCSM 1223
Course: IT Business Application Domain
Synopsis: To expose students to various IT implementations in different organizational setups with the hope that students will have a more realistic understanding of how IT is being implemented in solving real-world problems. These experiences will provide them with some insights and ideas about the current trends in the IT business. Special attention will be given to recognizing potential business opportunities and building business networking.
IT ENTREPRENEURSHIP CORE COURSES
Code: MCSM 1053
Course: Entrepreneurial Finance & Accounting
Synopsis: To provide a thorough understanding of finance and accounting aspects in starting and running a business. The course will introduce the students to the basic resources required to start a new venture, the process involved in identifying alternative sources of funding for business creation, and how to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of alternative sources of finance. The students will also be exposed to the importance of managing working capital, the ability to generate budgets and cash flow statements, and the way to generate sufficient financial information to evaluate the satisfactory financial performance of a business. Furthermore, the students will also be introduced to the process of investment readiness.
Code: MCSM 1014
Course: IT Business Research & Management Systems
Synopsis: To provide students with the knowledge, understanding, and necessary skills to complete a piece of business research which is needed to solve business problems. Students will be trained in a disciplined process for conducting an inquiry of a management dilemma, the problem or opportunity that requires a management decision. Introducing students with various business systems and practices in managing IT based organizations. Students will be exposed to the complete entrepreneurial process. The focus is to increase awareness and understanding of the management process involved in initiating and managing an IT business. Simulations and assignments are geared towards the enhancement of student’s entrepreneurial skills, knowledge and attitude in managing knowledge intensive enterprises of IT industry. The LPU (Entrepreneur Development Training) covers on project selection, strategies & analysis together with other business competencies.
Code: MCSM 1063
Course: IT Product Marketing & Sales
Synopsis: Introducing students with various business systems and practices in managing IT based organizations. Students will be exposed to the complete entrepreneurial process. The focus is to increase awareness and understanding of the management process involved in initiating and managing an IT business. Simulations and assignments are geared towards the enhancement of student’s entrepreneurial skills, knowledge and attitude in managing knowledge intensive enterprises of IT industry. The LPU (Entrepreneur Development Training) covers on project selection, strategies & analysis together with other business competencies.
MASTER PROJECTS
IT PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT & BUSINESS COURSES
Code: MCSU 6313
Course: Project I – Idea Generation & Opportunity Recognition
Synopsis: To employ the knowledge and skills acquired from other courses and experiences from the real world in order to come up with an idea to solve problem(s) or exploit the identified opportunity(s). To explore and organize data and information to conduct the literature review. To conduct market research to support the business idea. To produce and defend an IT based business idea proposal, which has high commercial value. This business idea proposal will be presented and defended in order to win grants (e.g., MDeC Pre-seed Fund, Cradle Investment Programme).
Code: MCSU 6324
Course: Project II - Product Proposal & Business Plan Development
Synopsis: To engrave technical research methodology and market research in product development using knowledge and skills learned from other courses to produce project proposal in frame of producing commercializable products. Students will also be guided on effective business plan development. To produce business plan report for evaluation. To produce detail product design specification on proposed product from Project I.
Code: MCSU 6335
Course: Project III - Prototype Development & Business Strategy
Synopsis: To implement product development which have been designed in Project II. To engrave technical programming skills in product development to produce an alpha prototype as proof of concept in frame of producing commercializable products. To carry out in-house testing for the prototype that has been produced.
Code: MCSU 6345
Course: Project IV – Production, Marketing & Sales
Synopsis: To continue and finish up the prototype development and produce the beta prototype. Based on the completed prototype, the student is required to design and produce the marketing and sales strategy for that particular product. The students also are required to identify potential partners and/or investors for possible partnerships or investment. Produce marketing strategy. Prepare sales strategy. To produce thesis for evaluation. To complete business plan, which include the preliminary business plan from Project II and other enhancement component such as financial plan, marketing plan, sales plan using the knowledge and skills learned.
UNIVERSITY GENERAL COURSES
UBSS 6013 - Organization Behaviour and Development
UBSS 6023 - Business Ethics, Responsibility and Sustainability
UHMS 6013 - Seminar on Global Development, Economic and Social Issues
UHMZ 6023 - Malaysian Society and Culture
UHIS 6013 - Philosophy of Science and Civilization
UHPS 6013 - Dynamics of Leadership
UHLM 6013 - Malay Language for Post Graduates
URTS 6013 - Environmental Ethics
UECS 6013 - IT Project Management
UECS 6023 - Introduction to Technopreneurship
UMJJ 6013 - Basic Japanese Language & Culture
CLASS SCHEDULE FOR UNIVERSITY’S GENERAL COURSE