Postgraduate qualifications in multimedia

Multimedia encompasses a broad field and postgraduate qualifications in multimedia allow you to understand how multimedia can enhance business and commercial communication. Thanaletchumi Sathasivam, Programme Leader for postgraduate programmes from UCTI & APIIT explains. 

 

The multimedia industry of today pays a premium for a workforce that is able to combine creativity with niche skill sets. High technical proficiency with a select choice of tools coupled with an eye for blending various media together are what employers want. As postgraduate studies in multimedia are relatively new, students would find multimedia studies to be fresh and exciting. In addition to the variety of disciplines that multimedia touches on, a postgraduate qualification in multimedia would give graduates access to fields such as advertising, graphic design or even interior design.

 

Multimedia applications management 

One such programme is the MSc in Multimedia Applications Management. This postgraduate qualification is important as it is specifically geared towards industry or business professionals who are involved in the provision of systems for industry or business and are seeking to develop their careers in the management of multimedia systems and their production for the benefit of their organisations. This course is also for individuals or professionals involved in the redevelopment or modernisation of existing systems and customer interfaces in line with multimedia technology.

 

Hands-on practical knowledge with the ability to meet demanding deadlines are the major requirements of new recruits within the multimedia field. Skilled photo manipulators, 3D modellers and sound engineers with the ability to transfer ideas into a marketable format are preferred to a recruit with raw theoretical knowledge.

 

Multimedia has a place in postgraduate studies due to the need for deeper exposure of graduates to the techniques and application of existing tools into a myriad of IT or multimedia solutions. As postgraduate study focuses on the ability for students to apply their knowledge to industrial situations, it provides a safe avenue for students to learn and adapt their knowledge for further use in their jobs.

 

Subjects on the course

 

The core modules include:

The optional modules are:

Duration and course fees

This programme is offered by UCTI on a full-time and modular (part-time) mode. Students can complete it within one year if he or she registers on the full-time mode. Students on the modular mode will be able to complete the programme within two years. The course fees are RM29,600.

 

Some advice

If you are interested in a postgraduate qualification in multimedia, it would be better to have gained a few years of work experience before embarking on such a programme. Work experience enables you to understand the complexity of the working environment and allows you to appreciate the postgraduate programme better as modules are designed to suit different business environments.

 

Postgraduate programmes are tailored to demonstrate professional competencies in one or more specialist area and commonly draw upon the body of theoretical knowledge available and focus on educating postgraduate students on being able to use it to their professional advantage. Such programmes also create a platform to communicate extensively and graduates are expected to critically analyse, design and evaluate possible solutions in a specialised area of discipline. 

 

The best postgraduate programmes are worker sensitive – taking into account the fact that the individual is already working, probably has family commitments, and on top of everything is willing to take the time to forge ahead. Employers seem to be partial to such individuals often offering better pay packages and incentives, greater opportunity for professional growth, and of course, the ever-present sense of discipline and commitment and focus are a boon as well to both parties.

 

Multimedia has carved a permanent place in today’s society and the role it plays in the growth of an individual professionally is unlimited except to the limited mind. The reality is that to advance in our careers, we must first recognise the importance of higher education and be selective of the type and quality of the higher education sought. The Malaysian government has endeavoured to encourage the concept of lifelong learning amongst us all but this will only remain a concept unless individuals in the workplace are committed to the achievement of lifelong learning as a part of personal growth.

 

About the author

Thanaletchumi Sathasivam is a senior lecturer at UCTI. She is a BIT major in Computer Systems, 1999, Charles Sturt University, Australia and has an MSc in Business, 2002, from the University of Lincoln, UK. She is currently pursuing an engineering doctorate (EBM in Technology Management) from the University of Warwick, UK. Thana currently teaches computer networking, network programming and project management-based subjects to undergraduate and master’s students. 

 

She was previously Senior Project Manager with AMCOP. AMCOP is a local company that supports the Ministry of Defense and special projects by the Malaysian Prime Minister.  She managed Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems for the Crime Branch Special Task Force. She was also involved in managing the technology transfer project with Marconi for the Over the Horizon Radar systems for Malaysia.

 

Apart form that, Thana also managed the Technology Services Division of MIGHT-METEOR Advances Manufacturing Sdn Bhd. The IT and IS division of Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT) was also managed by her. MIGHT is a non-profit organization that reports directly to the Office of Science Adviser to the Prime Minister. Upon receiving the Book-Award from University of Lincoln, she served as a research analyst to MIGHT in preparing the blueprints for several high-tech industries.