The Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology (FCSIT) at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) proudly welcomes Dr. Ramesh Perumal, PhD, software engineer at Intel Corporation as the Industrial Advisor for its Master in Computer Science (MCS) Program.
His appointment marks an exciting step in aligning academic endeavors with industry standards to ensure students are future-ready.
A Collaborative Exchange with Industry Leaders
Dr. Perumal’s appointment coincides with a dynamic discussion session involving key industry advisers and academic examiners.
Esteemed participants included Dr. Khairul Hafiz Sharkawi from Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) and Dr. Bengyong Lee from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Cawangan Sarawak.
These discussions emphasized collaboration as a cornerstone for curriculum development, highlighting the importance of integrating industry insights into academia.
Dr. Perumal’s Role as an Industrial Adviser
As a member of the Industrial Advisor Panel (IAP), Dr. Ramesh Perumal plays a critical role in bridging the gap between academic programs and industry requirements.
His responsibilities include evaluating the effectiveness of the curriculum by providing valuable feedback on how well the courses address current industry demands.
He also proposes improvements to ensure the curriculum aligns with international standards and adapts to the evolving landscape of the industry.
Additionally, Dr. Perumal assesses the program’s objectives to determine their relevance and feasibility, ensuring they align with broader academic and market goals.
Furthermore, he drives continuous quality improvement by recommending strategies to enhance the program’s quality, ultimately preparing graduates to excel in competitive professional environments.
Key Insights and Recommendations
During his tenure, Dr. Ramesh Perumal conducted a thorough evaluation of the program, examining critical areas such as program development, student support services, academic staff performance, and program management.
His findings were both constructive and forward-looking, aimed at aligning the program with current industry standards.
Among his key recommendations was the modernization of course content to align with globally recognized platforms like Coursera, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and Amazon Web Services (AWS), ensuring the curriculum remains relevant to industry trends.
He also advocated for providing limited free access to public cloud platforms, enabling students and faculty to gain practical, hands-on experience.
Additionally, he emphasized the importance of professional certifications, encouraging both faculty and students to pursue credentials through platforms like Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, AWS, and GCP, while also participating in global data competitions such as Kaggle.
To further enrich the learning experience, Dr. Perumal recommended inviting industry experts to conduct webinars and online sessions, particularly in cutting-edge fields like Data Science.
These recommendations aim to enhance the program’s quality and better prepare graduates for the demands of the job market.
A Step Towards Academic Excellence
Dr. Perumal’s involvement underscores FCSIT’s commitment to fostering academic excellence and producing industry-ready graduates.
His invaluable expertise and recommendations are set to enhance the Master in Computer Science Program, ensuring it remains relevant, competitive, and aligned with global standards.
With this collaboration, UNIMAS continues strengthening its position as a leading institution, shaping the future of computer science education in Malaysia and beyond.