Information Technology: A Guide for Malaysian Students

2023-08-11 | 5 MINS READ

What is Information Technology?


Information Technology (IT) refers to the use of computers, software, networks, and electronic systems to manage and process information. It involves using various technologies to create, store, retrieve, transmit and manipulate data.

IT plays a crucial in every aspect of our daily lives. For example, when you have trouble installing a new software application, you can call technical support to help you resolve the issue. If you need to find out how well a new product is doing in the market, a data analyst can help you gather data and analyse its performance. From personal communications to business operations, healthcare and research, the application of IT is limitless.


What are the Fields of Information Technology in Malaysia?


Here is a list of IT specialisations:

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Refers to the creation of computer systems that can think, learn and solve problems like humans, enabling them to optimise processes and perform complex tasks.

  • Cloud Engineering
  • Focuses on designing, building and managing cloud platforms. This technology allows you to store, access and manage data and applications over the internet.

  • Computer Networking & Security/Cybersecurity
  • Deals with the connection between computers, devices and systems to share information while protecting these systems from unauthorised access and cyberattacks.

  • Data Analytics
  • Uncovers patterns, trends and insights from large amounts of data using various tools to make business decisions.

  • Internet of Things (IoT)
  • Refers to a network of connected devices that can exchange data over the internet. Examples of IoT are smart homes and smart watches.

  • Software Engineering
  • Focuses on developing, testing and maintaining software applications like apps and websites.


Why Study Information Technology?


  1. High Demand for IT Professionals
  2. Demand for IT professionals continues to see an upward trend as more industries rely heavily on Information Technology.

  3. Diverse Career Pathways
  4. Whether you want to go be involved in technical support, coding, or cybersecurity, majoring in IT can lead to tons of exciting opportunities.

  5. High Earning Potential
  6. IT professionals can enjoy lucrative careers as they gain more experience and develop specialised skill sets in their fields.


Your Pathways to an Information Technology Course


  1. Diploma in Information Technology
  2. If you want to pursue a Diploma in Information Technology, take note of the following general entry requirements:
    • SPM / O-Levels: Min. 3 credits including Mathematics and a pass in English
    • UEC: Min. 3Bs including Mathematics and a pass in English

    *SPM Holders must have a pass in Bahasa Melayu and Sejarah.

    A Diploma in Information Technology takes roughly 2 – 2.5 years to complete, and you can enter the workforce after graduation. If you choose to pursue a Degree in Information Technology after Diploma, you can start from Year 2 of the Degree programme.

  3. Bachelor of Information Technology
  4. A Bachelor of Information Technology programme is usually 3 years long.

    SPM / O-Level students need to complete Pre-U before enrolling in a Bachelor of Information Technology programme. The entry requirements you need to fulfil are as follows:
    • A-Levels: Min. 2Ds
    • STPM: Min. 2Cs
    • Relevant Foundation: Min. CGPA of 2.50
    • Relevant Diploma: Min. CGPA of 2.50

    *You also need to have at least a credit in Mathematics and a pass in English in SPM/O-Levels.

    UEC students generally need to obtain a minimum of 5Bs including Mathematics and a pass in English.

    As entry requirements may vary between universities, reach out to us for clarification before you apply!


Skills Needed in Information Technology


These are some of the skills you need to perform well in your Information Technology course:

  1. Problem-solving Skills
  2. Majoring in IT gives you plenty of opportunities to hone your problem-solving skills. For example, you can learn to write short codes and still achieve the intended results.

  3. Attention to Detail
  4. Having a keen eye for detail helps you spot errors and ensures the systems you set up and configure perform optimally.

  5. Continuous Learning
  6. A course in Information Technology is a great start to your career in the field, but you shouldn’t be solely reliant on it. Look for other avenues and keep practising to develop your skills and increase your competency.


What are Your Career Prospects in Malaysia?


Here is a list of careers within the field of Information Technology:

  • IT Executive
  • System Analyst
  • System Engineer
  • Network Administrator
  • Web Designer / Developer
  • IT Project Manager


So, What’s Next?


Now that you’ve read this post, you have a better idea about the pathway to study Information Technology. The next step is figuring out the right universities to pursue your studies while taking various factors into account (e.g. budget, scholarships, accommodation).

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