Kuching, 31 July 2009 -
According to the Oxford Advanced
Learner’s Dictionary, commerce is defined as “trade,
esp between countries; the buying and selling of goods.”
Commerce is an essential part of life which has long
been in existence. Buying and selling, as well as exchanging
of goods has been part of everyone’s daily routine for
as long as time memorial.
The demand for workers, specifically for skilled and
knowledgeable workers in the commerce industry is now
expanding with the ‘shrinking’ world. With today’s employers
seeking commerce graduates with analytical and investigative
mindsets, and strong problem-solving capabilities, a
commerce education alone would be insufficient if they
do not possess also a myriad of skills and abilities
other than the theoretical knowledge acquired during
their period of university studies.
UCSI University, Sarawak Campus aims to contribute in
building up the state’s human capital in supplying more
skilled and knowledgeable employees to the workforce
of the country, or even the world through its commerce
degree programme.
The B.A. (Hons) Commerce programme is a three-year degree
programme that consists of three majors, namely International
Business, Industrial Relations, and Retail Management.
It focuses on providing students with business knowledge
and skills through an enriching learning experience
and a challenging commerce curriculum. This course will
intentionally expose students to the international business
world practices, management knowledge and analytical
skills.
According to Ms. Mavis Yong, the programme leader for
the university’s commerce programme: “The International
Business major familiarizes students with the concept
of international dealings, since a lot of trade arrangements
are now between countries. Students learn about the
social, cultural and political dimensions of global
business, by learning about commerce practices in other
nations, and not just the local trade systems. With
the world shifting towards globalization, anyone in
trading would need to be familiar with both local and
international suppliers and buyers. Thus, everyone needs
to learn to optimise use of technology, since many business
transactions are now done online. Consequently, these
graduates would have an advantage over their peers holding
the conventional business administration degrees as
they would have learnt more on international matters
and trade systems.”
Career opportunities available for the International
Business graduates range from the banking sector,
internationally-oriented trade and investment organizations,
foreign Investment consultancies, to holding positions
as development managers, customs brokers, and trade
consultants. Now, a lecturer and head of programme at
UCSI University, Sarawak Campus, Mavis, had previously
worked in the banking sector for several years...
To queries of why students have to choose between
the three majors, instead of pursuing the subjects from
all streams, Mavis explains that people have personal
preferences when it comes to working in certain parts
of any industry.
While many institutions offer degrees in human resource,
with industrial relations as an elective, at UCSI University,
Industrial Relations is a major stream. Unlike
human resource graduates whose work is usually restricted
to their own company’s personnel, industrial relation
people establish contact with anyone who has any connections
with the company they work for. Thus, they have to establish
relations with both local or international potential
clients and suppliers from either the public or private
sectors. Consequently, Industrial Relations graduates
must network with firms and organizations that have
the slightest relation to the industry they are working
in. They must also establish links with employee unions
and be aware of problems or issues that affect both
their own company’s employees and everyone else who
has contact with any of their firm’s business dealings.”
Holding an Industrial Relations degree may lead
to more office and human relation jobs like training
and development manager, employee relations manager,
industrial advocacy, or even director of employment
services.
Mavis also elaborated on the importance of majoring
in Retail Management: “As most businesses nowadays
now involve retail and is about getting people to buy
products, the Retail Management graduates need to be
aware of all aspects of the international world of business,
Thus, in view of the many types of franchises all over
the world today, among the training the Retail
Management graduates receive will be on product marketing
essential steps involved in setting up a new business,
be it brand new, or a well-known franchise; establishing
contact with relevant parties from other towns or countries,
and on making product shipment orders...
Career opportunities for the Retail Management
graduates would be as marketing managers, training managers,
merchandising representatives / managers, field coordinators,
group selling managers, and department managers.
UCSI University’s B.A. (Hons) Commerce is offered at
the Sarawak Campus under the Faculty of Hospitality
and Management It is a three-year programme with all
its students undergoing training and internship prior
to their graduation. As Mavis says: “There really is
much to learn in the world of commerce, be it through
the lens of International Business, Industrial Relations,
or Retail Management.”
UCSI University, Sarawak Campus is one of the very few
institutions to be extensively linked to major industry
players of the state. Through the university’s Co-Operative
Placement (Co-Op) Training Programme, all students will
be assured skill enhancement and characterister moulding.
Other courses offered at UCSI University, Sarawak Campus
are Event and Tourism Management, Hospitality Management,
Hotel Management, Foundation Studies, and A-Levels.
For more information on UCSI University, Sarawak Campus
and its courses, view the university’s website at
www.ucsi.edu.my/sarawak or contact the course counselors
at 082-455 255.
"Without
prejudice to the rights of UCSI the information herein
is correct at the time of printing and UCSI reserves
the right to make amendments without prior notice."
Last Updated:
19 November 2009
Latest News: UCSI University Sponsors 1Malaysia Essay-Writing Contest
Press Contact Details
Cheryl Melia binti Michael Martin
Course Counselor
Email:
cherylmelia@ucsi.edu.my
Telephone:
+6082 - 455 255 extension 7033
