Quest International University Perak (QIUP)’s recently appointed Industry advisors for the Biotechnology programme, Dr Mahaletchumy Arujunan and Mrs Arni Balkish were recently at the University to meet faculty members and also present talks to staff and students of the QIUP.
The appointments of distinguished experts in relevant fields are in line with the University’s commitment to ensure that our programmes are Industry relevant and our students are job ready when they graduate. We are confident that Dr. Mahaletchumy and Mrs Arni Balkish’s vast experience will contribute immensely to the future development of the Bachelor Of Biotechnology (Hons) programme under the Faculty of Integrative Sciences and Technology (FIST).
Among their contributions to FIST will be programme review with an expert’s focus on its relevance to industry requirements and continued enhancement of programmes that meet the future requirements of the industry. They will also advise the Faculty on relevant matters to stay abreast of technology and industry practices, and collaborate to enhance and sustain academic standards of programmes.
Dr Mahaletchumy Arujanan, has a bachelor degree in biochemistry and microbiology from University Putra Malaysia, and a Masters in Biotechnology and PhD in Science Communication from University of Malaya. She joined MABIC in Jan 2003 as a project officer and later took over as the executive director in May 2005. She was listed as one of the 100 most influential people in the field of biotechnology by the 7th edition of The Scientist American Worldwide View: A Global Biotechnology Perspective Journal. She founded the country’s first Biotechnology newspaper, The Petri Dish. She is a recipient of 2010 Third World Academy of Sciences Regional Prize for Public Understanding of Science for East, Southeast Asia and Pacific Region, and has been listed as one of the prominent women in biotechnology law and regulations by the Biotechnology Law Report, a journal devoted to the evolving body of law and government regulation concerning biotechnology.
Mrs Arni Balkish is the Vice President of the Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation, Malaysia. She has almost 10 years of experience in developing talent, specifically in the Biotechnology industry.
She is a talent development specialist, particularly in talent nurturing program planning & development and new educational product architecture with a strong background in the development of talents that meet industry needs. Arni’s areas of expertise include Module Development and Enhancement, Graduates Career Coaching, Creative Career & Skills Promotional Initiatives and Educational Product Marketing.
Besides meeting with Faculty members, Dr. Mahaletchumy presented a talk entitled “Biotechnology Industry in Malaysia” and Mrs. Arni Balkish presented a talk entitled “Careers in Biotechnology”.
There was also a STUDIO 1310 held by Bioeconomy Academy at the University. STUDIO 1310, a boutique career coaching studio created by Bioeconomy Academy for biotechnology and life sciences students & graduates, offering coaching and guidance to the students on industry updates. The students were also shown interview tools & techniques and grooming skills that are essential for them to be employable. The students that took part in this session experienced personalised and hands-on guidance from leading career coaches.
