Tag: Academia

Welcome back to the university for the academic year 2024!

I hope this message finds you well and ready for an exciting and fulfilling semester ahead.

Reflecting on the challenges of the past years, we have witnessed significant transformations, especially in the education landscape AI and other advancements is crucial. Adapting to these innovations has been a journey for us all. Now, as we step into 2024, it’s time for us to creatively embrace these changes and strive for greater success, InshaAllah.

I am enthusiastic about the upcoming semester =), where I’ll be teaching various subjects, including BTE 3232 Communication System Design Laboratory, BTE 1522 Programming & Innovation, Final Sem Diploma Project, Undergraduate Research Project I & II, and Final Year Project I. These courses are designed to provide you with a comprehensive and hands-on learning experience, preparing you for the challenges and opportunities in the field.

Additionally, I’ve curated a series of intriguing mentoring activities at the UMP STEM Lab (http://ee.ump.edu.my/hazlina/#outreach). These activities encompass Arduino Robotics, R-Pi IoT, pico-satellites =), Software Radios, and Web Development.

Stay tuned for announcements, as there might be some exciting free lunches on board for participants :). It’s an excellent opportunity to delve into practical applications and enhance your skills in these cutting-edge technologies.

I am eager to facilitate engaging, interactive, and fruitful academic programs this semester. Let’s collaborate, learn, and keep abreast with  technological advancements, InshaAllah. If you have any questions or need guidance throughout the semester, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Here’s to a successful and enriching semester ahead!

Warm regards,

It’s currently exam week on campus, and I find myself appreciating the unique experience exams offer. In these moments, it feels like a solitary journey between you (the examinee), the paper (accompanied by pen and pencil), and Allah. There’s an absence of prejudice, favoritism (at least during the exam itself), and social pressure.

The preparation for exams is a distinctive journey. Despite meticulous preparation, occasional failure is a reality. Although there’s a negative stigma surrounding exam-oriented learning, I firmly believe it remains one of the most effective ways to learn, given that the exam questions are thoughtfully crafted. What’s crucial, however, is the ability to respond gracefully to exam results.

While achieving straight A’s or a perfect score is often the ultimate goal, it’s important to recognize that exam results don’t determine one’s entire future. Throughout my academic journey, I’ve encountered high achievers with straight A’s who excelled in life, as well as individuals with average scores who found success. Conversely, there are those who scored well in exams but faced challenges in their careers or personal lives. Distinguishing between exam achievement and life achievement is essential, as correlation does not necessarily imply causation.

In major exams covering a learning span of more than 2-3 years, the stakes are high. Motivation may fluctuate, and the impact of results on one’s motivation is significant. It becomes imperative to focus not only on the preparation journey but also on the aftermath, maintaining resilience regardless of the results.

As the impact is huge – imagine preparing for an exam for five years and then facing failure – alternative assessment methods, such as project-based evaluations or formative exams, are proposed. While these creative approaches allow room for growth, traditional examinations, whether written or oral, remain a crucial step in evaluating one’s understanding of a subject.

Crafting exam questions is a delicate task, whether they are close-ended or open. To serve as relevant instruments, exam questions should avoid unnecessary complexity and abstraction. The exam answer scheme plays a significant role, acting as a guiding scale for evaluators. However, it’s at their discretion whether to read or refer to it. Striking the right balance is crucial; being too rigid may stifle creativity, while being too loose may compromise the examination’s reliability.

As an evaluator, marking exam papers is a mix of enjoyment and challenge. While marking, there’s a desire to empathize – especially when familiar with the student’s script – yet an expectation exists for answers that go beyond the confines of the classroom.

In the end, on exam day, it’s between you, the paper, and Allah.

One of my resolution this year is to publish. Both for academic and leisure purposes.

A nice talk by PAKAD on academic publishing.