Doctor of Philosophy (Open & Distance Learning – ODL)

Earn your doctorate in computing while balancing career, research, and remote learning.

Aims:

Step into the forefront of technological innovation with University HELP’s PhD in Computing program. Designed to cultivate world-class researchers and thought leaders, this program empowers scholars to push computing knowledge boundaries, drive breakthrough discoveries, and pioneer solutions to society’s complex challenges.

The programme aims to:

  • Address the critical global need for highly qualified computing researchers advancing knowledge in AI, cybersecurity, data science, health informatics, and emerging interdisciplinary domains.
  • Empower doctoral scholars to conduct rigorous, original research generating new knowledge, methodologies, and technologies with significant theoretical and practical implications.
  • Develop pioneering research leaders capable of identifying unexplored opportunities, establishing new paradigms, and mentoring the next generation of computing professionals.

Objective:

Upon successful completion, our graduates will be:

Distinguished Research Leaders:
Master independent, original research contributing significant new knowledge to computing, with expertise in advanced methodologies, critical analysis, and scholarly inquiry.

Innovative Problem-Solving Experts:
Possess intellectual depth and technical excellence to tackle complex, multidisciplinary challenges through novel computational approaches and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Influential Academic and Industry Contributors:
Exhibit exceptional communication, leadership, and mentorship capabilities to disseminate research findings, secure funding, lead teams, and drive innovation.

Intakes
Rolling admission (as this is a research degree programme)

Duration
Fulltime: minimum of 3 years and maximum of 5 years.
Part-time: minimum of 4 years and maximum of 8 years.

Location
HELP Damansara

Fees (For Malaysian Students)
RM38,000

Course Code
(N-DL/0610/8/0007) (07/32) (MQA/PA18346)

Why study Doctor of Philosophy (Open & Distance Learning – ODL) at HELP's ELM Graduate School?

ELM is the acronym for Entrepreneurship, Leadership and Management. It reflects the School's understanding of the multifaceted role of both individuals and organisations that at any one time the trinitarian role of entrepreneurship, leadership and management interplays to create, manage and sustain a business over different phases of its life.

The ELM Framework underlies our philosophy of the ELM Graduate School executive education and the way we teach and learn business in the HELP Group. It synthesises relevant theoretical constructs and integrates them into a practical system of decision-making for ELM. It is a useful tool for facilitating thinking out the right business model and strategy execution.

The ELM approach is used in our teaching and learning in the ELM Graduate School. This is the multi-perspective lens that we use to identify, respond and adapt to education, enterprise and execution.

This unique framework shapes our postgraduate programmes and brings depth and practical value to the knowledge and experience that all our students will no doubt gain.

Programme Overview

  • A Master’s degree (Level 7 Malaysian Qualifications Framework, MQF) in Computing or related fields as accepted by the HEP Senate; OR
  • A Master’s degree (Level 7, MQF) in Non-Computing fields with a minimum of FIVE (5) years of working experience in Computing or related fields must undergo appropriate pre-requisite courses as determined by the HEP; OR
  • A Master’s degree (Level 7, MQF) in Non-Computing fields with less than FIVE (5) years of working experience in Computing or related fields must undergo a thorough rigorous assessment as determined by the HEP to identify the appropriate prerequisite courses that equivalent to their working experience in the Computing or related fields; OR
  • Other qualifications equivalent to a Master’s degree (Level 7, MQF) in Computing or related fields recognised by the Government of Malaysia as equivalent to the above requirement.

  • English Competency Requirement (International Student)

    • Achieve a minimum of Band 4 in Malaysian University English Test (MUET) or equivalent to
    Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) (Mid B2).

  • Research Methodology
  • Thesis

  • Assessments

    • Assessments are in terms of assignments, report/thesis and presentations/viva voce. There will be regular progress monitoring to ensure that learners progress well in their research.