First Week of Technical Module

Monday, 5th April and Tuesday, 6th April
(Creative Thinking Skill by Prof. Dr. Barjoyai Bardai)

This was the first topic of our training module. The three day lessons on this topic covered the introduction into creativity, creative thinking techniques and approach, as well as the innovation process.

Basically, creativity is not simply a way to make things better. However, without creativity, we are unable to make full use of the information and experience that is already available to us and is locked up in old structures, old patterns, old concepts, and old perceptions. Being wrong is often an essential part of creativity, as it acts as a stepping-stone to an idea which is perfectly valid. According to Prof. Barjoyai, creativity is defined as the ability to discover new relationships, to look at subjects from new perspectives, and to form new combinations from two or more concepts already in the mind.

The five steps to creativity are:
1) Knowledge: acquire diverse knowledge utilizing all the five senses.
2) Thinking: think deeply.
3) Incubation: relax and do something unrelated to the problem.
4) Eureka: I found it! Moment of inspiration.
5) Development: developing ideas into useful and practical application.

The basic rules in creative thinking include:
>> Be imaginative and promote imagination
>> Have initiative to provoke our mind by ‘thinking wrong’
>> Defer judgment: better still by-pass judgment
>> Use movement in thinking all the time

As mentioned by Prof. Barjoyai, there are four creative problem-solving techniques, which are:
i. By increasing the amount of relevant information available to the problem solver.
ii. Increase the number of potential alternatives that are generated, and thus improve the
chances of finding a very good solution.
iii. Increase competitive advantage by producing more unusual solutions.
iv. Decrease the number of revisions once a solution has been implemented, thus conserving
critical resources.

Innovation is the process by which an invention or idea is translated into the economy. The aesthetic, ergonomic, technical, and economic factors are some of the things we discussed in economics product design.

Besides the theory lesson, we did some fascinating activities related to the topic, such as presentations on our creative products and problem-solving, doodling, bread baking, poking straw through a potato, and walking on eggs.

awesome bread made by bread-factory

my doodling (what can you interpret?...)

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Wednesday, 7th April – Friday, 9th April
(5 Disciplines of Innovation by Dr. Khairudin Damhoeri)

According to Dr. Khairudin, innovation is defined as the introduction of new ideas, goods, services, and practices which are intended to be useful. The main driver for innovation is often the courage and energy to better the world. An essential element for innovation is its application in a commercially successful way. However, there is a common misconception about innovation where it is synonymous to creativity. Creativity is actually just a component of innovation (where strategy and implementation are also important in the innovation process). Therefore, it can be summarized that INNOVATION = CREATIVITY + COMMERCIALIZATION.

Failure is an inevitable part of the innovation process, and most successful organizations factor in an appropriate level of risk. In most organizations, the causes of failure within the innovation process are poor goal definition, poor alignment of actions to goals, poor participations in teams, poor monitoring of results, as well as poor communication and access to information.

After a brief introduction on innovation, Dr. Khairudin taught us about the five disciplines of innovations which are:
1) Important customer and market needs
2) Value creation
3) Innovation champions
4) Innovation teams
5) Organizational alignment

As an activity to see our understanding towards the topic, we were required to create/design a new biotech-related product and present the elevator pitch of the product to the prospective customers and investors.

Dr. Khairudin was giving his comment on our presentation

MC leave

I was on MC leave for about a week. I missed the lessons and activities on The Role of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) in Communication and Powerful Presentation Skills. However, thanks to my supportive friends who kept updating me on their activities in the class. How unfortunate for me to miss the opportunity to learn the NLP. I was impressed with the stories told by my friends. I wish I could meet Mr. Faizal and delete all the fears and negative feelings inside myself.

Week Four of Communication Module

Monday, 22nd March
(The Art of Negotiation Skills by Mr. Hisham Ab. Karim)

A negotiation is an interactive communication process that may take place whenever we want something from someone else or another person wants something from us. Most of us negotiate with one another frequently. Once we realize this, theoretically, we have two choices: accept the fact that negotiation is a way of life in our culture and improve our skills so that we can negotiate with confidence; or, do nothing about it.



A day full of energy interactive with Mr. Hisham, I learned new things and knowledge about negotiation skills. Basically, there are two primary kinds of negotiation, which are distributive negotiation and integrative negotiation. Four fundamental concepts in skilled negotiation had also been explained by Mr. Hisham. There are BATNA (Best Alternative To Negotiated Agreement), Reservation Price, ZOPA (Zone Of Possible Agreement), and Value Creation Through Trades.

To have an effective negotiation:
1) Getting the other side to the negotiation table
2) Making a good start
3) Establish the right tone, use small talk and build relationship slowly
4) Do the active listening, take notes as appropriate
5) Close the deal, write down the terms

However, there are some possible barriers to the agreement such as die hard bargainers, lack of trust, differences in gender and culture, as well as difficulties in communication.

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Tuesday, 23rd March
(Writing an Article for Publications by Miss Liew Suet Fun and Madam Sarasvati A/P Rajindra)

We were fortunate to have a veteran writer, Miss Liew Suet Fun as our trainer. For me, she is a flexible writer with multiple genres. She can write poems, documentaries, news articles, short stories, etc. Based on her stories, she really enjoys doing her work. It showed when she was talking to us, as there were no signs of regret in her eyes. She always believes that the more we write, the better our writing will be.



Miss Suet Fun trained us on creative and scientific writing. As mentioned by her, creative writing involves sympathetic, emotive, subtle, not literal, subjective, and creative aspects. In order to produce decent writing, idea is the key to create desirable content. Brainstorming is a technique that involves observation and a little bit of role-playing. Research comes next. If we believe that our idea is solid, it is helpful to find some key points to help organize our article’s theme, idea and how-to. We need to bear in mind that writing is a learned craft and no one does a first draft that is perfect.

As an exercise, we were divided into groups and were given two different articles each group. We were required to go through and weigh the articles based on certain aspects we had learned before.

Third Week of Communication Module

Monday, 15th March & Tuesday, 16th March
(Interview Techniques by Mr. Farizal Mohd Razalli)

Good interview technique requires practice so we can’t expect to master it immediately. This two days lesson gave me a reasonable understanding of how interviews work, what to do and what not to do. I also had the opportunity for a mock job interview. Generally, things we should do for an interview are:

1) Research
-on the position we apply for
-about the organization
2) Prepare and Rehearse
3) Expect tough questions from the interviewer
4) Ask questions to the interviewer during the interview session

As mentioned by Mr. Farizal, character is the most important, not the reputation. This is because character is what we really are, while reputation is what others think we are. Therefore, it is crucial to always be honest during the interview session. Most interviewers including the Human Resource personnel most probably know if we are lying. No matter how smart or talented we are, an interview candidate who tells lies during the interview has no place in the new company.

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Wednesday, 17th March
(Body Language for Presentation: A Picture Paints a Thousand Words by Madam Fatimah Abu Bakar)

We were so lucky to have a special well-known person, Madam Fatimah as our trainer to discuss on Power of Body Language in Presentation. I gained many useful inputs and tips from her.

As emphasized by Madam Fatimah, more than half of our impact as a presenter depends upon our body language. Madam Fatimah once told us, ‘‘the body says what words cannot.’’ In any speech or presentation, body language adds power to the message. It supports what the words are saying. Body language must be in tune with the message, and not distract or detract from the message. If they are denying each other, then the presentation will fail.

Effective body language supports the message and projects a strong image of the presenter. Audiences respond best to presenters whose bodies are alive and energetic. Audiences appreciate movement when it is meaningful and supportive of the message.

To summarize, body language comprises gestures, stance, and facial expression is important when all eyes of an audience are upon us. When we are presenting, strong and positive body language becomes an essential tool in helping us to build credibility, express our emotions, and connect with our listeners. It also helps our listeners to focus more intently on us and what we are saying.

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Thursday, 18th March
(Grooming and Dining Etiquette by Madam Noraini Othman)

Grooming and dining etiquette was one of the most fascinating topics in our communication module. A cheerful and friendly person, yet professional, Madam Noraini had successfully got all of us into the topic.

In most cases, professional dress and dining are two really important aspects of business etiquette. Dressing right and eating with good manners are essential to the job interviewing process. To most employers, first impressions still count, and poor personal appearance at an interview is a major factor leading to the rejection of applicants.

In the morning session, Madam Noraini taught us on dining etiquette. We learned about table settings, dos and don’ts, and proper table mannerisms. At the end of this session, we realized that knowing the proper table mannerisms can be extremely important for job interviews and social occasions that we attend with a supervisor, client, or business associate. By being knowledgeable and practiced, we will be able to avoid embarrassment and the possibility of offending someone.

We were divided into two groups for the grooming session in the afternoon. The guys were having the session with Mr. Farizal, as the ladies with Madam Noraini. For the ladies, Madam Noraini had clearly explained the dressing, hair, makeup and even fragrance to all of us. Dressing and grooming are important because dress extremes may attract some people, but turn others off.



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Friday, 19th March
(Advance Report Writing by Madam Norliza Hashim and Madam Farahiyah Mohamad Kamal)

This topic was a continuation of the previous Introduction to Advanced Report Writing topic. Throughout the day, we worked on creating and completing the surveys on any aspects of BeST Program. We will then need to prepare a report based on the surveys and will be presenting the report on 29th March.

...BeST Program 2010...

I have been here, at UniRazak City Campus for almost three weeks.

Why am I here? Well, actually I am one of the trainees for BeST Program. Some might wonder what BeST Program is? BeST stands for Biotechnology Entrepreneurship Special Training. This is a fully funded program by BiotechCorp. Basically, BeST is a six-month intensive program, which combines classroom-based instructions, laboratory works and industry internship. The purpose is to equip the participants with vital knowledge and skills for entry-level positions within biotechnology or biotechnology-related companies.

I honestly feel very lucky and proud to be chosen as one of the participants for this BeST Program. Over the past two weeks, I learned and gained many useful inputs. The topics that had been discussed were Effective Resume and Cover Letter (by Madam Farahiya and Madam Liza), Effective Meeting (by Madam Suzelina and Madam Iris D’ Cruz), Public Speaking Techniques (by Mr. Farizal), Advanced Report Writing (by Madam Farahiya and Madam Liza), and Business Writing (by Miss Sofia and Miss Tara). All these topics are very relevant and important in order to help myself grow further professionally.

Throughout these topics, I had learned on how to catch the employer’s attention through an impressive resume and cover letter, how to conduct an effective and successful meeting, valuable tips to improve communication skills, as well as some techniques on writing business and advance report.

My 1st impression of UniRazak City Campus...

Blurrr...why?? because we were suddenly asked by Mr. Khairuddin, our special trainer for today to post our first entry on our 'first impression of UniRazak city campus'...but then after few minutes luckily I managed to get back on track... =)

OK...My first impression of UniRazak City Campus has been overwhelmingly positive and I expect that this impression will last throughout the BeST program. UniRazak City Campus provides the necessary conducive environment for learning experiences, with a comprehensive list of features and facilities to cater to the students’ learning needs and comfort. Modernly designed, yet fully air-conditioned and technologically-advanced lecture facility, the spacious classrooms serve as a highly conducive teaching learning environment for both the lecturers and students. The computer laboratory is equipped with the multimedia hardware and software with free access to global information via the internet for the students to utilize for their assignments and projects. Other facilities such as library, language laboratory, student lounges, and prayer rooms are also purposely designed to fulfill students’ needs to enhance their learning experiences.

The lecturers are humble, yet they are professional and knowledgeable in their own areas. One morning I met one of them in the restroom. We were having a conversation and I thought she is a student here but then I found out that she is actually a lecturer. What a humble person and I was so impressed.

Lots more to write about the awesomeness of UniRazak but my brain couldn't work very well in this SUNDAY morning... @_@

Hope to continue on the next entry...