Feedback from the Course Manager

Hey all!

My persistence has triumphed! I have finally got the course manager Mr. Benny Chin who has been very busy to have an interview! Aren't I awesome? *no points for self-praise*

So, without further ado, here is the interview:

Interview Questions (Course Update)

1. How do you think MNS as a whole has been faring for the first half of this academic year?
MNS has been doing very well. For the Mobile Solution option, there has been many queries from the public on Mobile Apps development (especially on iPhone Apps). The Diploma has been engaged by many companies to help develop iPhone Apps such as:
· Civil Service College (CSC)
· National Climate Change Society (NCCS)
· MINDS
· Sentosa Leisure Group
· TP Library
· TP Corporate Communications department

All the Apps mentioned above should be ready for deployment in October 2011.

For the IT Service Management (ITSM) Option, many Industries have visited the Centre and have expressed interest in taking our students for internships and permanent employment.

2. With the recent developments at Apple, how do you think the Lion OS X & iOS 5 will be able to impact the development of the MNS course structure? Will the course eventually be more Mac-based?

The course structure of the Mobile Solution option will be based on the industry trend, School Advisory Committee (SAC) and our internal IIT Scanning Committee’s inputs. The Diploma will focus on the top two most popular Mobile platforms in the curriculum. Currently, we are teaching our students to develop iPhone and Android Apps.

3. Since everyone is probably putting their efforts into their final assignments for the semester & revising for their final exams, how would you advise students to maintain their good grades, or pull up their grades at this crucial point of time?

Believe in yourself and put in your best effort to achieve your best cGPA. You are in the right Diploma that is highly sought after by the Industry.

4. What direction is MNS moving towards?

MNS is preparing students for two things: Employment after graduation and further education.

Employment after graduation – we have many strong industry partners such as Avaya, Cisco and IBM. They are aware of our students’ capabilities and have been taking our students as Interns. Students can seek employment with them after graduation. According to the IDA InfoComm Manpower report 2010, the top most sort after IT job is Operations and Support (ITSM) which is what the Diploma’s strength. Also, in the IDA report, it was mentioned that there were shortage of Mobile Apps developers.

For further Education – the Diploma has secured more than 35 Universities (both Local and overseas) that will give advanced standings to MNS graduates. The advance standing ranges from half year to 2 years.

5. How much do you think MNS has improved in your time as a course manager?
· The curriculum is relevant
· Job employment demand is high for the Diploma
· MNS graduates command the highest starting pay compared to other diplomas
· Students portfolio has improved greatly with many iPhone Apps in the Apps store, many more industry projects done by students, many students attachment to big companies such as IBM, Live ITSM Centre in IIT

6. Conclusively, sum up what do you think are the best features of MNS.
Same as number 5.



I hope that this interview has provided you all with valuable information & that any queries that cloud your mind be answered!

Thank you all for taking the time to read this post!

Jaiden,
Signing out.