MESSAGE FROM COORDINATOR (RESEARCH)

Assalamualaikum and Good Day,

Welcome to all new and returning Postgraduate research students to the new Academic Semester (Sept 2014-Jan 2015) and to all new students, thank you for making the Faculty of Accountancy, Universiti Teknologi MARA as your choice to further your study. The Postgraduate Department would like to highlight a few issues that require your attention:

1) Expansion of Postgraduate Programme

The Faculty of Accountancy-Bachelor of Accountancy Programme has moved to its new location with improved facilities at Puncak Alam campus to make room for the expansion of the Postgraduate and Professional Programmes. As both the faculty and the number of students have grown, it requires larger premises. The first stage of the gradual process of expansion of the Postgraduate Programme will begin sometime in October/November 2014, in which the movers will begin to shift the furniture on levels 10, 11 and 12. Thus, we apologise in advance for the disruption and will endeavour to complete the project as quickly as possible. We will keep you informed of the progress of the upgrade.

2) Academic Calendar

This Academic Semester has another packed programme of workshops and events that we have arranged for you. For your own benefit, we seek your cooperation and attendance at the relevant workshops that have been lined-up for you. Attendance at the workshops directly related to your research area is COMPULSORY. The Postgraduate Department also runs a number of events (e.g. Mock Defence Research Proposal, Defence Research Proposal and Progress Report Presentation) during the semester, which provides an avenue to broaden your knowledge, as well as offers the opportunity to meet with other students and to establish peer groups. For first semester students, I would encourage you to attend all these important events as there are times when it can feel lonely as a research student and these events provide an opportunity for you to be part of the wider community of PhD students in the Faculty of Accountancy. The Academic Calendar (Sept 2014-Jan 2015) is attached for your easy reference.

3) Request for Extension of Study ("Rayuan Melanjutkan Tempoh Pengajian") and Special Leave ("Cuti Khas")

For those PhD and Master by Research (MBR) students who wish to request for an Extension of Study and Special Leave, kindly take note that the DEADLINE to apply for a Request for Extension of Study and Special Leave is Wednesday, 15 October 2014 [refer to Academic Calendar (Activities-Faculty)]. We seek your cooperation to submit the document as early as possible so we will have ample time to process the document at the faculty level before our submission deadline to IPSis, i.e. 15 December 2014. I would also like to draw your attention to the following guidelines on when to apply for a Request for Extension of Study (if necessary):

Programme	Mode	Which Semester to Apply?
PhD	Full-time	Semester 10 (maximum semester)
	Part-time	Semester 12 (maximum semester)
MBR	Full-time	Semester 6 (maximum semester)
	Part-time	Semester 8 (maximum semester)

Please note that students might encounter some technical difficulties and your request for an extension may not be guaranteed if you do not apply in the correct semester. It is also important to note that you are only allowed to apply for a Request for Extension of Study ONCEthroughout the duration of your study.  

4) Compulsory Attendance for FIRST SEMESTER students: Research Methodology Classes 

To provide you with sufficient knowledge to undertake research, the faculty has made it COMPULSORY for all first semester students to join the Research Methodology classes scheduled for Master by Coursework full-time students. For this semester, all research students need to attend the classes conducted by Prof Dr Normah Hj. Omar every Wednesday (8.30 am) in Room Sumber Ikhlas, Menara SAAS. The next class will be on Wednesday, 17 September 2014.

5) Students Undergoing Thesis Correction

For this category of students, I would like to remind you again to submit your correction to the internal examiners at least 2 months before the thesis correction deadline. Failing which, the examiner will not have sufficient time to review your list of corrections. Please note that any late submission might result in your termination from the research programme.

6) Change of Mode: Full-time to Part-time

We do receive information that some full-time postgraduate research students are working full-time outside while doing their PhD/MBR. We request that if you fall into this category you change your mode from full-time to part-time, as you must remember that we are monitoring you based on the timeline of a full-time student.

7) Plagiarism Detection Test: Turnitin

Referring to the recent case of plagiarism for the Master by Coursework student last semester, the faculty treats this as a very serious matter. Students are reminded to get your supervisor to run your research proposal/thesis and ensure that the Turnitin plagiarism checker does not exclude items: publications, student work or internet resources during the plagiarism assessment.

8) General Advice:

a) Write early and write often. Start writing as early as possible in your PhD/MBR, and write regularly. At the end of the day, you will be assessed on your thesis. From my observation, most students start putting their thoughts into words too late.

b) Do not do too many important things. Some students sometimes have trouble finishing because they are so successful doing other things that they may also reasonably consider as being important. A very bright young student I know kept taking on temporary lecturing jobs at other institutions and all other kinds of exciting jobs. However, ultimately, finishing your PhD/MBR earlier outweighs taking on extra jobs, especially if you are under scholarship.

c) Remember, finished is better than perfect. I am a perfectionist by nature but I have had to learn over the last few years that finished is better than perfect. 

d) As I have said in my earlier email, you need to work closely with your main and co-supervisors. For those in semester 1 and 2, you must be in contact with the supervisors at least once a week. For those at the writing stage, you must submit your draft chapters and discuss with your supervisors at least once a month. Do not disappear and make sure your supervisors know if you are out of town for any length of time. If you are feeling depressed or are delayed with your work, tell your supervisors. Your supervisors probably will not chase after you, but it is your job to maintain contact and communication.

Last but not least, kindly be informed that I will be on campus Puncak Alam for my Bachelor classes every Tuesday and Wednesday. Other than those two days, please feel free to contact me or drop by my office anytime if you have any questions. I hope you have a great semester ahead and look forward to seeing you at some of our events. Best wishes from me and the Postgraduate Team.

Best Regards and Good Luck,

Dr Suhaily Hasnan

Coordinator (Research)

Postgraduate Department

Faculty of Accountancy 

(Office No: 03-55438483)