MASTER OF SCIENCE
(IT ENTREPRENEURSHIP)
Institute for excellence
INTRODUCTION
This is a joint venture program implemented on a Full-time basis implemented Under School of Computing since 2003 and starting February 2019, this program will manage under Azman Hashim International Business School (AHIBS). Its main objective is to produce IT entrepreneurs (IT Technopreneurs) at the postgraduate level. This is an effort to increase the number of highly skilled local IT technopreneurs as the developers of hardware, software and creative content.
The expected duration for Full-time program is 1.5 years (3 regular semesters + 1 short semester). Technopreneurs are needed to complete 45 credits before graduation where 12 credits are dedicated to completing an IT-based product development project. For full-time students, three series of Entrepreneurship Modules (Entrepreneurship Development Training, Series 1, 2 & 3) are offered by Profesional/Practisioner to technopreneurs within the duration of their studies, which are normally scheduled during semester breaks.
Besides the normal class lectures, this program also adopts a Teaching Factory concept where technopreneurs have to undergo extensive practical exposure to enhance their business as well as their entrepreneurial skills. Industrial involvement is eminent to the success of this program, thus, technopreneurs will be engaged to industrial or business mentors through the Mentoring & Coaching concept introduced. To further equip the technopreneurs to become more competent, innovative, versatile, and possess ethical entrepreneurial values, they will be exposed to various kinds of external entrepreneurial programs such as seminars, series of short courses, business discourse, workshops, business forums & networking, business competitions, business visits etc.
PROGRAMME EDUCATION OBJECTIVES
To produce information technology (IT) technopreneur with:
- PEO 1: The ability to capitalise the opportunity, develop innovative ICT products that can be turned into sustainable and successful business.
- PEO 2: The ability to lead a profitable and sustainable globally competitive ICT business with good Financial, Human Resource and Marketing management based on ethical and entrepreneurial values.
- PEO 3: Vision, strong caliber, creative, innovative, entrepreneurial DNA, skillful and resourceful
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
IT technopreneurs.
Programme Structure
There are 13 compulsory courses that need to be undertaken by all students in this programme. These 13 courses cover the total of 45 credits, which includes University Common Elective Courses (3 credits), Faculty Compulsory Courses (6 credits), IT Core Courses (9 credits), IT Entrepreneurship Core Courses (10 credits) and Master Projects (17 credits). The total minimum number of credits required for the award of a degree is 45 (or 48 with pre-requisite course) credits and candidates must obtain a final academic grade of at least 3.0 CGPA.
Another additional course, the pre-requisite (3 credits) is offered to students who do not have basic in computer science or IT / or to selected candidates as agreed by Interview panelist. During interview session, students are informed on whether they are required to register for this course.
The details of the courses within this programme can be divided into 4 main components:
- Pre-requisite Course
- University Common Elective Course
- Faculty Compulsory Courses
- Master Projects
(3 Credits)
Synopsis: The course equips students with knowledge and skills in system development process and modeling to help them to practice in applications of system development concepts, tools and techniques. This course also covers on hands-on database and web programming.System Development
Choose 1 Course Only (3 Credit)
Synopsis: This course studies the issues related to to globalization and development, economic and social crisis that has become a global concern. It aims in developing skills in understanding and analyzing global issues and recommending relevant solutions. Issues will be discussed in details.Seminar on Global Development, Economics and Social Issues (recommended)
Philosophy of Science and Civilisation
Malaysian Society and Culture
Malay Language for Academic Writing
Faculty Compulsory Courses
Synopsis: To introduce knowledge in software/computer project management and to introduce the role of project manager in project procurements & project management activities. Sequencing, duration estimation and schedule control together with hands-on laboratory exercises using current project management tools will also be covered. Students will also be exposed to various kinds of IT project management service businesses. Case studies and field assignments will be based on real life projects. Synopsis: To introduce students on the fundamental of innovation and how creativity links to innovation. Students will also learn about the importance of innovation as a strategy for business success. Also looks into the innovation process and the sources of creativity. Then students will be exposed to the history of ICT innovation and how the information technology evolved and how this technology shaped the global community. This course will then explore the significant of ICT-enabled transformations to help students understand and appreciate the opportunities and threats presented by a new, technology-driven global economy. Students will gain a new awareness of how leading organizations apply ICT to create transformations, and how they can use technology to improve their lives, remain competitive in the workforce, and survive in this new age of constant change and re-invention. This course will also provide the participants with skills that will allow them to understand and apply the process of creativity and innovation. Furthermore, they will practice tools that can greatly enhance creativity and effectiveness in problem solving. Participants will be able to apply these skills both personally and professionally.IT Project Management & Consultancy
Product Creativity and Innovation
IT Core Courses
Synopsis: To introduce the current and upcoming technological knowledge and trends in ICT applications and systems. This includes (but not limited to) hardware, software and creative contents. Students will be exposed to various kinds of designs, developments, maintenance of hardware and software technology products and applications which include telecommunications, photonics, sensors and transducer. Business activities which cover multimedia content creation, processing, packaging and aggregation, post production, animation and virtual reality applications are also covered. By the end of this subject, it is hoped that students have much clearer picture of the technology involves in hardware, software and creative contents which would enable the advancement of their proposed idea. Synopsis: To introduce the process of IT product designing and development. Students will be exposed to various kinds of designs, developments, maintenance of hardware and software technology products and applications. By the end of this course, it is hoped that students have much clearer picture of the various ICT design and development processes, which would enable them to stimulate and advance their proposed idea. Thus allowing them to accurately produce what they have designed, and helping them to reconstruct their idea into a running prototype. Synopsis: To expose students to various IT implementations in different organizational setups with the hope that students will have more realistic understanding on how IT is being implemented in solving real world problems. These experiences will provide them with some insights and ideas of the current trends in IT business. Special attention will be given on recognizing potential business opportunities and building business networking.Trends in ICT Application and System
IT Product Design & Development
IT Business Application Domain
IT Entrepreneurship Core Courses
Synopsis: To provide thorough understanding of finance and accounting aspects in starting and running a business. The course will introduce the students with the basic resources required to start a new venture, the process involved in identifying alternative sources of funding for business creation and how to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of alternative sources of finance. The students will also be exposed to the importance of managing working capital, the ability to generate budgets and cash flow statements, and the way to generate sufficient financial information to evaluate satisfactory financial performance of a business. Furthermore, the students will also be introduced to the process of investment readiness. Synopsis: To provide students with the knowledge, understanding and necessary skills to complete a piece of business research which is needed to solve business problems. Students will be trained in a disciplined process for conducting an inquiry of a management dilemma, the problem or opportunity that requires a management decision. Introducing students with various business systems and practices in managing IT based organizations. Students will be exposed to the complete entrepreneurial process. The focus is to increase awareness and understanding of the management process involved in initiating and managing an IT business. Simulations and assignments are geared towards the enhancement of student’s entrepreneurial skills, knowledge and attitude in managing knowledge intensive enterprises of IT industry. The LPU (Entrepreneur Development Training) covers on project selection, strategies & analysis together with other business competencies. Synopsis: Introducing students with various business systems and practices in managing IT based organizations. Students will be exposed to the complete entrepreneurial process. The focus is to increase awareness and understanding of the management process involved in initiating and managing an IT business. Simulations and assignments are geared towards the enhancement of student’s entrepreneurial skills, knowledge and attitude in managing knowledge intensive enterprises of IT industry. The LPU (Entrepreneur Development Training) covers on project selection, strategies & analysis together with other business competencies.Entrepreneurial Finance & Accounting
IT Business Research & Management Systems
IT Product Marketing & Sales
IT Product Development & Business Courses
Synopsis: To employ the knowledge and skills acquired from other courses and experiences from the real world in order to come up with an idea to solve problem(s) or exploit the identified opportunity(s). To explore and organize data and information to conduct the literature review. To conduct market research to support the business idea. To produce and defend an IT based business idea proposal, which has high commercial value. This business idea proposal will be presented and defended in order to win grants (e.g., MDeC Pre-seed Fund, Cradle Investment Programme). Synopsis: To engrave technical research methodology and market research in product development using knowledge and skills learned from other courses to produce project proposal in frame of producing commercializable products. Students will also be guided on effective business plan development. To produce business plan report for evaluation. To produce detail product design specification on proposed product from Project I. Synopsis: To implement product development which have been designed in Project II. To engrave technical programming skills in product development to produce an alpha prototype as proof of concept in frame of producing commercializable products. To carry out in-house testing for the prototype that has been produced. Synopsis: To continue and finish up the prototype development and produce the beta prototype. Based on the completed prototype, the student is required to design and produce the marketing and sales strategy for that particular product. The students also are required to identify potential partners and/or investors for possible partnerships or investment. Produce marketing strategy. Prepare sales strategy. To produce thesis for evaluation. To complete business plan, which include the preliminary business plan from Project II and other enhancement component such as financial plan, marketing plan, sales plan using the knowledge and skills learned.Project I – Idea Generation & Opportunity Recognition
Project II - Product Proposal & Business Plan Development
Project III - Prototype Development & Business Strategy
Project IV – Production, Marketing & Sales
Entry Requirements
For Full-Time application, applicants must have the following academic qualifications:
a) At least a Bachelor’s degree with good honors in the area of computer science or IT related discipline from UniversitiTeknologi Malaysia or any other institutions of higher learning recognized by the university senate.
Or
b) A Bachelor’s degree from other technical background with at least two years working experience in IT related field may also be considered. A pre-requisite course is compulsory for such candidate.
Application Procedure
- Application must be made online at admission.utm.my
- The following documents must be uploaded into the online application portal:
• Certified copy of Bachelor Degree
• Certified copy of Diploma (if any)
• Certified copy of Academic Transcript(s)
• Certified copy of English Certified of IELTS/TOEFL with band score of 6.0/550 (for international candidates only)
• Passport-sized Photograph
• Copy of Passport (for international applicants)
• Two Referee Letter (Not compulsory)
• Financial Guarantee / Bank Account Statement (for self-sponsored candidate)
• Two copies of Scholarship Letter (If any)
• Proof of processing fee being paid
3.Only completed application will be processed
Fees and Payment
For more information about the admission process, please contact:
pgrad@utm.my | |
Telephone | +6075537900 |
Website | admission.utm.my |
To know more about the programme, please contact:
Name: | Assoc. Prof. Dr. Othman Ibrahim |
Email: | othmanibrahim @utm.my |
Telephone: | 012-7477698 |
Any inquiry about course registration, please contact:
Name | FM Academic Office |
academic-fm@utm.my | |
Telephone | +607-5610188 |