Master of Strength and Conditioning (MSC)

The introduction of the Master of Strength and Conditioning is in line with the needs of the 11th Malaysian Plan (RMK-11) and the National Sports Policy 2016.

Among the goals of the RMK-11 are:

1. Chapter 3 Enhancing inclusiveness towards an equitable society;Focus AreaB, Strategy B5 – promote active ageing. Based on this direction, the MSC is able to fully accommodate the government's aspirations by providing expertise, human resource and professionals to run activity centers for older adults.
    
2. Chapter 4 Improving well-being for all includes activities for children, youth and older adults. Focus Area F, Strategy F1, F2 and F3: Develop High-Performance athletes for global prominance like the 2020 Olympics. The MSC is able to fully accommodate the Government's aspirations by providing the necessary expertise, human resource and professionals to run programmes for both the wellbeing for all and high-performance sports.

A. Among the objectives of the National Sports Policy are to:

1. Build a healthy, disciplined and united society.

2. Provide opportunities and facilities to meet fundamental social, psychological and physiological needs.

3. Develop and enhance the knowledge and practice of sports to fulfull the social needs of the individual.

4. Achieve excellence at the highest levelin the true spirit of sportsmanship.

The MSC is able to fully accommodate the Government's aspirations by providing expertise, human resource and executives in realizing the objectives of the National Sports Policy.

B. Based on the market survey, there is a demand for the MSC programme from both the private (local and international) and public sectors. (Please refer to Appendix 2.1: Market Survey for the new programme)

C. The growth in the development of the latest technology such as the use of smartphones, applications, innovative equipment in physical conditioning and training programs, the MSC programme is in tandem with these latest developments and is capable of producing graduates who can incorporate technology into their applied field.

D. This programme is not conducted with other institutions in Malaysia.

E. Other relevant justifications:

The Thirteenth Parliamentary Report on 22 December 2015 stated that 44.2% of Malaysians are overweight, which is the highest obesity rate in Southeast Asia. Other non-communicable diseases (such as diabetes and back pain) are also widespread in the country. To address this problem, many fitness centers have been set up, however, there are few knowledgeable, skilled and professional individuals and more are needed. This issue can be resolved with the introduction of this MSC program. Physical conditioning experts are also required to improve overall sports performance in the country.

Most institutions of higher learning in developed countries have been offering such programmes and it is timely that Malaysia introduces this Master of Strength and Conditioning programme. Skilled workers also need to be kept up to date with the latest development in technology and research that will be presented in this programme. This programme also opens up opportunities for more students to pursue their studies at a Masters level through alternative modes (course work mode) as well as the existing research mode.