Flexible IT Degree

“One of the main reasons I am willing to travel all the way from Banting to Kota Damansara is because of the lecturers and IT staff.” – Louis Boey

11 November 2009

Louis Boey is a young IT undergraduate with a vision to succeed in business. That is one of the reasons students like him choose to undertake the Bachelor of Science in Applied Business Computing.

“What I like about the Applied Business Computing degree is that it allows me to have flexibility when I graduate. I learn the basics of all the areas in computing while also gaining a foundation in business. Next time when I graduate I can move into different areas of IT instead of being restricted to one,” said Louis.

“The business aspect covered in the degree will be extremely useful. I’m now doing part-time sales and I can apply this knowledge to my work. After gaining some working experience I plan to start my own business,” Louis said with a confident smile.

Even though Louis stays in Banting, he still prefers to continue his studies at SEGi. “I finished my diploma programme at SEGi. One of the main reasons I am willing to travel all the way from Banting to Kota Damansara is because of the lecturers and IT staff.”

“I’m very familiar and comfortable with Mr Tang and the other IT lecturers here. Mr Tang is the Head of School of IT. I can talk openly with them and they are ever willing to help. I’m really grateful for what they have done for me,” Louis quipped.

Louis is in the second year of the 3+0 degree programme which is offered in collaboration with the University of Sunderland, UK at SEGi University College. BSc (Hons) Applied Business Computing (3+0) is designed to train and prepare students to handle a career in the Business IT industry. Graduates from this programme can enter a career in systems analysis, business process re-engineering or tailoring common business applications.

The course covers graded modules on Information Systems for Industry and Commerce, and Software Engineering. In the first year, students learn important basic subjects in Application Programming, Fundamentals of Databases, Introduction to Web Authoring, and IT and People.

The second year covers these important topics: Applied Networking, Database Systems Development, Intermediate Application Building, and Systems Analysis and Design. The final year is more focused on project work as well as management related subjects: Electronic Commerce, Strategy & Management, Human-Computer Interaction and Information System Project Management.

IT solutions are now used to facilitate the running of a wide range of businesses. Examples of IT solutions in business include the usage of IT to manage information, create systems to better manage business operations and so on.

Students studying Business in IT (BIT) will be educated in the latest industry standard software tools and techniques using current computer technology. Students will also learn how to develop solutions by tailoring software while learning about business systems review and integrating business with and software systems.

A course in BIT is vastly different to courses solely related to general business or information technology as they provide students with an understanding of the application of information technology to the development of business solutions. Essentially, this means students will gain the knowledge and skills required not only to develop the systems but also to understand end user requirements and how the systems will affect business operations.

For this reason, having a degree in BIT would give graduates the best competitive edge when looking for a career in this field as it specifically teaches students how to cater IT solutions for a business as well as trains them to do well at management level. Graduates of an IT course or those with good IT knowledge and business skills can also bridge into a BIT career. However, a greater amount of on-the-job training and general skills would need to be developed.

Apart from the BSc (Hons) Applied Business Computing, SEGi Group of Institutions offers other computing programmes from certificate to master’s degree level, such as the Master of Science Information Systems Management in collaboration with the University of Greenwich (UOG), UK.

Other 3+0 degree programmes offered in collaboration with UOG are: Bachelor of Science (Hons) Computing, Bachelor of Science (Hons) Computing with Games Development and Bachelor of Science (Hons) Computing with Multimedia. These degrees are recognised by The British Computing Society, a leading professional body for those working in the IT field and qualifying body for Chartered IT Professionals (CITP).SEGi also offers the Certificate in Information Technology, Foundation programmes in Science and in Information Technology, as well as Diploma programmes in Creative Multimedia, Information Technology and Computer Studies. Graduates of these programmes have full pathways into the 3+0 degree programmes.

SEGi University College and its campuses are equipped with numerous computer laboratories with high speed Internet access and the latest software. Students with notebooks can take advantage of the wireless environment on the campuses.

Education at SEGi doesn’t stop in the lecture halls or computer laboratories. SEGi extends it by organising extra talks, seminars, workshops and competitions for students to gain exposure into new areas of the IT industry.

The latest seminars organised by SEGi were on a relatively new IT field - Ethical Hacking. Students were given a detailed rundown of the different types of certifications, career prospects and a live demonstration. Students at SEGi University College and SEGi College Penang were later given special discounts to attend the Certified Ethical Hacking (CEH) course conducted by EC-Council Academy. EC-Council is a leading IT security certification body in the Asia Pacific.

For more information on Computing programmes, call SEGi University College (03-6145 1777 or 1800-88-7344) SEGi College Subang Jaya (03-86001888 or 1800-888-622), SEGi College Kuala Lumpur (03-20702078 or 1800-888-028), SEGi College Penang (04-2633888), SEGi College Sarawak (082-252566), email to askme@segi.edu.my or log on to www.segi.edu.my.