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The Star Online: Metro: South & East

Checks on bogus degrees
Two honoured with Royal Education Award
Illicit cigarettes and alcohol confiscated from trader

Posted: 15 Oct 2012 07:35 PM PDT

JOHOR BARU: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) has developed a software to identify bogus degrees, diplomas and certificates.

The system involves printing a 'QR code' on both sides of the certificates to prevent forgery.

Its developer claimed that the software called 'Academic Record QR Information System (ARQIS) Scanner' is the first of its in the world.

UTM Built Environment Faculty lecturer Dr Muhammad Zaly Shah Muhammad Hussein who developed the system said forged documents could easily be detected by scanning the code and running it through a database.

"The software includes a scanner like those used at supermarkets.

"The codes contain important information such the name of the university where the student graduated from, course details, date of graduation and the student's basic personal information," he said.

Muhammad Zaly Shah added that higher education institutes had to purchase the ARQIS system to verify the unique QR codes that links to a student information database.

"Employers then can use a reader programme to scan the code to determine if the certificates are genuine," he said.

Even if the certificates are photocopied, the QR code could still be scanned as it cannot be forged.

The new anti-forgery software had taken a year to develop with an investment of RM100,000 and is currently used by three public and a private university.

In relation to the software, UTM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Zaini Ujang said that the univeristy would focus on marketing the product at several local universities.

"The software is an easy way to identify genuine and fake certificates, not only for paper qualifications but also marriage certificates and the likes," he added.

Two honoured with Royal Education Award

Posted: 15 Oct 2012 07:36 PM PDT

JOHOR BARU: Spurred by the mission to prove to others that one can excel academically as well as in co-curricular activities, Bachelor of Science graduate Wan Ahmad Hazman Wan Daud had worked hard to achieve his goal.

The 23-year-old who majored in Land Administration and Development at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), graduated from his course with flying colours and was one of two recipients of the university's highest honour, the Royal Education Award.

He added that there were a lot of sceptical people who think that students could usually only focus on academics or co-curricular activities, not both.

"It had been my goal since the first day I stepped into the university four years ago, to do well in both aspects by juggling and managing time well," he said when met at the university's 49th convocation here.

He also said that besides paying full attention and never skipping classes, he also juggled time between participating in Reserve Officers Training Unit (Palapes) and as national president of the Student Representative Council (MPP).

The eldest of six sons to a contractor and a housewife, Wan Ahmad Hazman also shed tears when he thanked his parents, who he said never stopped giving him support and were always there for him.

Another graduate, Lai Khin Wee, 27, who received the Chancellor Award for his PhD in Biomedical Engineering, said that the hard work was worth it despite not having many friends due to the workload.

"I studied in Germany for two years and a year at UTM under a scholarship for my PhD and had to learn basic German in four months to adapt to the life there.

"My course mates and I used to have picnics at the park but most of the time we did not have much time to socialise but it was a valuable experience academically," said Lai, who hailed from Kuching, Sarawak.Wan Ahmad Hazman and Lai were among a total of 5,304 diploma, degree, masters and PhD graduates, who received their scrolls during the convocation ceremony.

During the ceremony, Johor Sultan's Consort Raja Zarith Sofiah Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah, who is also UTM Chancellor said that the graduates needed to have the edge and initiative to be innovative and creative to compete in a global economic environment.

"I would like to remind the graduates to adopt a lifelong learning culture whether formally or informally, in order to keep up with the modern and changing times.

"Graduates should also bear in mind about balancing between career and family responsibilities and should display good personality and personal development at all times," she added.

Illicit cigarettes and alcohol confiscated from trader

Posted: 15 Oct 2012 05:15 PM PDT

MALACCA: A trader's tactic to elude the authority by camouflaging contraband with plastic products was foiled by Customs department officers who raided his premise.

The 44-year-old man had carried out his illegal activity from the shoplot in the Hang Tuah Jaya Industrial park at Ayer Keroh for three months.

But his illicit trade was short-lived when the Customs enforcement team had put him under surveillance following a public tip-off.

State Customs director Datuk Mohd Nasir Said said his officers raided the premise after concluding their surveillance mission.

"We had kept an eye on the trader and ambushed when he was at the height of his illegal activity," he said.

During the operations, some 23 brands of clove ciggarettes and ordinary cigarette brands and other liquor were seized from the shop.

"The quantity of cigarette is worth RM669,000 with unpaid excise duties close to RM4mil.

"The liquor in the premise are worth RM2,331 with an unpaid duties amounting RM9,754," he said.

Mohd Nasir added that the trader was detained and his vehicles were also impounded during the operation.

He added that the trader had used the rented shop on the pretext of selling plastic goods.

"We believe the goods were meant for local distribution and scored from neighbouring states."

Mohd Nasir said the case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967.

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

Selasa, 16 Oktober 2012