course focus - 25 august 2015

THE STAR, TUESDAY 25 AUGUST 2015

special

COURSE FOCUSHOSPITALITY, LAW, TEACHING & MASS COMMUNICATION

Realise your

dream career

profession has always been in my blood.”

Although Mahani had not intended to become a teacher, she took the opportunity to teach. The experience opened her eyes and led her to aim higher than becoming a school teacher.

As a result of her hard work and perseverance, she is now a lecturer at Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin.

Old vs newAs the number of young teachers

who enter this profession increases yearly, many senior teachers have their own personal opinions of them.

Poh Lee, who has 24 years of teaching experience, sees the younger generation of teachers to be IT savvy and says that they have interesting ideas that can be inculcated into the teaching and learning process.

However, she also says, “Some young teachers tend to have a lackadaisical attitude.”

“Some boundaries between lecturers and students have to be

2 course focusTHE STAR, TUESDAY 25 AUGUST 2015

More than education

EDUCATION is one of the most important investments the country makes for its people and future.

This sector has been given high priority by the Malaysian Government, as evidenced by the substantial amount of financial aid it budgets for it.

Another critical element in this field is dedicated teachers. Without quality teachers, educational institutions cannot produce the best doctors, lawyers, architects and other professionals.

What it takesTeachers are the ones who hold

the responsibility to educate and nurture the younger generation and ensure that children will have a brighter future. They equip them to contribute to society and the nation in the future.

“We need to be brave in breaking out of the norm,” says Calvin Tan Han Jin, science teacher in a high-need school in Sarawak.

He encourages teachers to not fall into the trap of stagnation and subsequently revert to the old ways and “tried and true” teaching methods.

Besides teaching, Tan Poh Lee, a secondary school science teacher, says, “To be a teacher, you should also be kind-hearted to students and show them that you care.”

Inspiration to be a teacher

As a language teacher in Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Deborah Ubung Ngerong was inspired when she realised how limited the usage of English language is in this country.

“What I notice is that the people

in this country are so afraid to speak in English because they fear being accused of ‘forgetting their roots’.

“They are so afraid that they reject English. As a result, English language proficiency has plummeted. I want to change that,” says Deborah.

Christina Chan, who did not expect to venture into this field, changed her perceptions when she started her teaching career at her first school in Perak back in 1993.

“As I started teaching, I realised that I enjoyed moulding young minds and encouraging young people to achieve more than they ever thought possible,” says Chan, who teaches English in a secondary school.

Chan believed it was her passion to teach that helped her adapt to her situation, which is what is often required of those who want to venture into the field.

In contrast, Mahani Mohamad, who was raised in a family of teachers, says, “The teaching

Rewarding teaching careerEVEN in an economic crisis, there will always be a need to employ more teachers.

If you have the passion to educate the younger generation to attain a brighter future, then the teaching profession is for you.

Over the years, this noble profession has gained the interest of many individuals, mainly SPM graduates and undergraduates.

When it comes to postings to public schools, the availability of teaching positions may vary by school location and subjects.

Be aware that there is also no

guarantee that you will be posted to a school immediately; you may be put on a waiting list.

At this point, there is contradictory information about the varying pathways that one can take to become a teacher, which has caused confusion for many who are keen to pursue a career in education.

Hopefully in due time, the relevant authorities will provide clarification regarding the matter.

n For further information,call 03-8000 8000 or visitwww.moe.gov.my

Pathways to become a teacher

l Program Ijazah Sarjana Muda (PISMP)In Malaysia, to be a teacher you are required to enrol into the Program Persediaan Ijazah Sarjana Muda Perguruan (PPISMP) in the Institut Pendidikan Guru Malaysia (IPGM). This 12-month course acts as a foundation before you further your studies with the four-year Program Ijazah Sarjana Muda (PISMP). Upon completion of the course, you will be posted to secondary schools to teach. Both PPISMP and PISMP are only conducted in full-time mode.

l Diploma Perguruan Lepasan Ijazah (DPLI)On the other hand, aspiring teachers who have obtained a bachelor’s degree in any field can opt for the Diploma Perguruan Lepasan Ijazah (DPLI). Instead of being sent to IPGM, you study this programme in selected public universities. Upon completion of the course, you will also have the opportunity to be posted to secondary schools to gain teaching experience.

Calvin Tan Han Jin.

Christina Chan.

maintained,” says Mahani, in reference to the small age gap between young lecturers and their students that allows them to act more like friends rather than maintain a teacher-student relationship.

“There is a lot to learn but some young teachers do not realise what teaching means and are also unwilling to learn. Teaching is not just a job and they have to learn quickly that it is a calling,” says Chan.

Despite all this, Chan believes

that there is still hope for the newer generation of teachers.

As a young educator in this field, Deborah is confident that she is well equipped with the qualification and knowledge to deliver what her students need to learn the importance of the English language as a medium of communication.

Meanwhile, Calvin says: “I do believe that deep down, every teacher wants to see their students achieve success – in whatever way they define it.”

Mahani Mohamad.

Tan Poh Lee.

Deborah Ubung Ngerong.

The training programme provides graduates with a stronghold in the hospitality industry.


course focus 3

Cream of the cropIN line with its mission to provide qualified hospitality graduates and guarantee the future success of Hilton Worldwide, the prestigious Hilton SEA Management Trainee programme chose Tiffany Ling, a graduate of BERJAYA University College of Hospitality (BERJAYA UCH), to join this intensive training programme.

Ling, who hails from Sibu, Sarawak, and was a student of the top-quality SMK Saint Elizabeth, chose to pursue her degree in hospitality at BERJAYA UCH.

She was advised to pursue a career in life sciences such as nursing or physiotherapy but instead followed her heart and found her passion in the field of hospitality. She has not looked back since.

“Studying in BERJAYA UCH gave me an immeasurable wealth of knowledge and experience to tackle the hospitality industry with confidence.

“My lecturers shared their industry experiences and were very well versed with their subject matter. They were always willing to share their real-life experiences and skills, which have proven valuable to me,” says Ling.

She believes that the knowledge and experience gained while studying at BERJAYA UCH has given her an edge on the professional front.

Her exposure to the real world, such as working at the restaurant Samplings on the Fourteen as part of the course curriculum, is an experience that students will gain from studying at the institution.

Ling says, “This experience helped shape our thinking and attitude towards serving customers who come from all walks of life to patronise Samplings on the Fourteen.”

Additionally, BERJAYA UCH is strategically located in the middle of the Kuala Lumpur Golden Triangle and surrounded by many hotels.

Its location has proven to be

About BERJAYA UCH

BERJAYA University College of Hospitality (BERJAYA UCH) is arguably Malaysia’s premier University College in the fields of hospitality, culinary arts, tourism and event management, situated in the Kuala Lumpur Golden Triangle.

Located on the 11th and 14th floors of Berjaya Times Square, it is conceptually designed with a five-star hotel ambiance equipped with the most comprehensive and advanced facilities that mirrors real world settings.

BERJAYA UCH also offers courses in business and liberal arts. It works to make higher education more accessible, affordable and attainable for everyone.

The PTPTN education financing scheme is available to Malaysian students. Its affiliation with the Berjaya Corporation Group of Companies also allows BERJAYA UCH to host several bursary schemes and education scholarships, which are made available to both local and international students.

a winning formula when it comes to assignments and projects as it provides easy access to the industry.

“The Golden Triangle is our hospitality lab and the five-star education at BERJAYA UCH prepared me for a five-star career,” says Ling.

Hilton SEA Management Trainee Programme is a prestigious 18-month programme that places graduates in every department within a hotel for the purpose of accelerating their knowledge of management.

This programme has three phases and the final phase involves placing a trainee in another Hilton property around the world to let them gain further exposure.

The training programme provides graduates with a stronghold in the hospitality industry, producing quality professionals with hands-on knowledge and experience in all aspects of hotel management.

The primary reason is to ensure that Hilton will have capable leaders to support its growing chain of hotels in the future.

To qualify for this prestigious programme, graduates must at least possess a bachelor’s degree and go through a series of interviews.

Five candidates are eventually selected from an initial pool of 60 applicants.

Ling was selected based on her effervescent personality, passion for the hotel industry and ability to demonstrate an organised nature in her work.

Tiffany Ling was chosen to join the prestigious Hilton SEA Management Trainee

programme.

Addressing those who are pursuing studies in hospitality, Ling says, “Be picky and selective and do a thorough survey when it comes to deciding which company to join.

“Most importantly, pursue a quality bachelor’s degree programme in hospitality such as that offered by BERJAYA UCH as it trains you to not only have the book-skills but also the soft skills that will be important when you enter the workforce.”

n For more informationon BERJAYA UCH, visitwww.berjaya.edu.my

Tiffany Ling


Out-of-classroom experienceYOU should expect to gain no less than a versatile university degree when you choose to read law.

KDU College School of Business & Law is committed to provide students with good and holistic law education.

Students who enrol at KDU have risen to become key proponents in academia, student welfare activities and extra-curricular activities.

Recently, three KDU law students Chuo Chung Cheng, Santhana Barathi and Michelle Ling Shyan Mih, accompanied by the University of London (UOL) International Programmes LLB programme leader Donna Elizabeth Tan, attended the Asian Law Students’ Association (ALSA) International Legal Training and Workshop, which was held in Manila, the Philippines.

The one-week workshop was centred on three major fields in Asia – intellectual property law, international business law and alternative dispute resolution.

Attendees comprised law students from seven Asian countries – Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei, Sri Lanka and Malaysia – who gathered together to gain practical knowledge.

The workshop proved to be beneficial for the three KDU students who attended as the speakers were experienced and the contents discussed during the workshop were complementary to the students’ lessons at KDU.

In addition to that, the workshop provided a golden opportunity for the students to network with other ALSA members representing the other six Asian countries.

The workshop was filled with academic discussions and touched on topics relevant to major fields of law in Asia.

In addition, the students were also given a night to get together and forge bonds on the Graduation Night.

The KDU students also had the opportunity to explore Manila during their free time between workshops. Their activities included a visit to the National Art Gallery, which is housed in the old Legislative Building.

The magnificent building was adorned with many intricate works of art such as awe-

inspiring paintings, artefacts, sculptures and other displayed treasures.

The students agreed collectively that the highlight of the trip to the gallery was witnessing Juan Luna’s larger-than-life painting, Spoliarium, which is the pride and joy of the National Art Gallery displayed in the Masters gallery.

KDU prides itself as a provider of holistic and quality education. By funding workshops such as this, KDU enables its students to gain not only an overseas experience but also invaluable knowledge that adds to their academic enrichment.

As a firm believer in development and education beyond the classroom, KDU equips its students with skills and knowledge that help them gain a special edge.

Through exposure to different types of education and teaching, students are propelled to hit the ground running.

KDU’s partnership with the University of London (UOL) International Programmes provides students with the opportunity to obtain a law degree from one of the oldest law schools in the United Kingdom.

The UOL law degree is internationally recognised and respected by law practitioners and academics.

Some would say it is the “gold standard” of undergraduate law degrees. It is also the only external law degree programme recognised by the Legal Profession Qualifying Board of Malaysia.

The UOL law degree gives graduates opportunities to be employed globally. Its wide range of electives caters to market needs and is consistent with students’ study interests and future ambitions.

Students pursuing the UOL programme in KDU have shown consistent excellent scores in examinations, with KDU’s results surpassing the world average in 80% of the programme subjects.

n For more information,call 03-5565 0538 (KDU University College, Utropolis, Glenmarie) or 03-7953 6688 (KDU College, Damansara Jaya) or visitwww.kdu.edu.my

(From left to right) Michelle Ling Shyan Mih, Donna Elizabeth Tan (University of London (UOL) International Programmes LLB programme leader and lecturer), Santhana Barathi and Chuo Chung Cheng at the National Art Gallery, Manila.

The students from all seven participating countries having fun on the Graduation Night of the Asian Law Students’ Association (ALSA) International Legal Training and Workshop.


course focus 5

Communication is a popular area of study as the skills obtained can be applied to a variety of careers.

Creating better communicatorsAT Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur (IUKL), the Faculty of Arts, Communication and Education (FACE) offers programmes in communications.

FACE recognises the need for professionals with dynamic communication skills as well as effective teaching skills to support today’s corporate, business and education sectors.

Its programmes are designed to meet industry requirements for highly professional personnel in various fields.

Hence, the programmes offered are versatile and support a vast range of career prospects.

Communication is becoming a popular area of study as students obtain skills from the programme that can be applied to a variety of careers. Communication graduates are well equipped with excellent skills in public speaking, presentation, writing and negotiations.

Therefore, graduates with communication majors are well prepared to enter the workforce after they graduate because they can apply their knowledge to various fields, including business, education, public relations, media and advertising.

Communication majorsCorporate communication is one of the

most popular fields of study favoured by students. If you are interested in the public relations industry and find meeting new people and building relationships exciting, then this programme is suited for you.

IUKL offers the Diploma in Corporate Communication and Bachelor of Communication (Hons) in Corporate Communication.

These programmes prepare students with extensive theoretical and practical skills of corporate communication such as organisational communication, managerial communication and crisis management, which equip students to communicate across borders.

Designed to give students an edge in their careers, graduates will not only be able to build relationships but also sustain good rapport.

The Bachelor of Communication (Hons) in Integrated Marketing Communication trains students for a career in the marketing communication field.

Students who graduate with this qualification are capable of designing marketing communication campaigns that will spark interest and generate awareness about brands and products.

Students are armed with knowledge of the various types of marketing communication tactics and strategies, from basic publicity to the use of viral marketing.

In addition, this programme provides students with the opportunity to develop

problem-solving and analytical skills to seek new and innovative solutions in integrating marketing communication functions.

Graduates will be equipped with the necessary skills needed to pursue a variety of careers in different fields such as business, marketing or communications, public relations and advertising.

This programme is a wise choice for those who want to engage in more than one aspect of the business world.

If you have a passion for writing, editing or journalism, this bachelor’s degree is one of the best programmes for you. It prepares you for the exciting, promising, challenging and competitive field of communication.

At IUKL, students can pursue a Diploma in English for Professional Communication and Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in English for Professional Communication.

These programmes prepare students with oral and written language skills for successful communication.

Students are trained to synthesise strategies for problem-solving and apply analytical skills in designing, composing, and evaluating various types of discourses.

They are also introduced to ethical principles that govern the profession. Once they graduate, they will be able to communicate effectively with professional capacity. Teaching is a profession that requires excellent communication skills.

While one may have an interest in English, the ability to teach English to others requires certain skills.

Hence, the Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages programme is designed to prepare English as a second language teachers who are theoretically informed and practically equipped, caring, committed and competent to teach English at various levels.

The graduates of this programme will be capable of using their knowledge of the current trends in language teaching, apply creative approaches to teaching and problem-solving as well as integrate computer skills in classroom teaching.

IUKL Info DayIUKL Info Day will be held on Sept 12 and

13 from 10am to 4pm at its 100-acre (40.5ha) campus.

The September intake is in progress and you can start a programme at IUKL with RM100 and enjoy a RM500 rebate for on-the-spot registration on Info Day.

Scholarships and a tuition fee waiver of up to 60% are offered to students who excel in their studies. Study loans from PTPTN, Mara and Yayasan Negeri are also available.

n For more information call 1800 88 STUDY (78839) or visit www.IUKL.edu.my


Beyond textbooksAT Monash University Malaysia’s School of Arts and Social Sciences (SASS), students can pursue arts-related degrees and majors in communication, journalism, writing, psychology or international studies.

As future social scientists, students are required to engage in principled debates on current social and political issues in a fun and safe environment, monitored by experienced lecturers who are leaders in their respective fields of specialty.

Monash uses an interdisciplinary approach to teaching and draws theoretically from disciplines such as journalism, gender studies, sociology, history, literature and film studies, anthropology, political science and international studies.

Tay Siao Lin, who is currently pursuing her honours degree in the Bachelor of Communication, says, “I was really shy growing up, but being in Monash has helped me open up to people a lot more.

“My time at Monash has taught me to think more critically. It has expanded my intellectual horizons beyond what’s available in textbooks. Ever since starting my degree, my perspective on careers has also changed significantly. Although I was initially adamant on being a journalist, that changed.

“The exposure to various units, helped put me on the pathway to pursue a career in academia,” says Tay.

Learning about the world in the classroom alone is never enough, which is why study trips are essential.

“During my time at Monash, I was

Monash University Malaysia nurtures sophisticated communicators and analytical thinkers.

fortunate enough to travel on study trips to Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines. This provided me with the opportunity to study the different cultures and people.

“In addition, I was able to hone my creativity by producing content for radio documentaries and magazine articles,” says Helen Jambunathan, who graduated with honours in the Bachelor of Arts from Monash Malaysia and is currently a sessional tutor and research assistant with the School of Arts.

SASS students have the opportunity to participate in the Monash Abroad programme to either Monash’s South African campus or Australian campus for a semester.

The student exchange programme, on the other hand, allows students to study in any of the 150 partner universities in 30 countries around the world.

n For more information, visitwww.sass.monash.edu.my


course focus 7

Emerging at the topATTAINING a first class honours degree from the University of London’s International Undergraduate Laws Programme is something that only the crème de la crème of students will achieve.

True to its tradition of excellence, Advance Tertiary College (ATC) has produced a student who has made such an achievement.

Tan Chuan Yi from ATC’s Kuala Lumpur campus is the 15th student from ATC to obtain this world-class achievement in the 28-year history of this long-standing institution.

A first class honours student in this particular degree programme does not only have to study hard but also ensure that their answers and arguments stand out among the thousands of students sitting for the same examination.

“When I started my A-Levels at ATC, I worked closely with my friends and lecturers, many whom have a great passion and dedication towards the study of law. ATC provides us with one-on-one sessions with the lecturers called SASSY sessions. These sessions help us shed light on the subject matter and clear up any doubt regarding the subject,” says Tan.

This year, ATC also produced the winner of the Malaysian Law

Scholarship for 2015, awarded to Daphne Sit Wei Jing from ATC’s Kuala Lumpur campus.

Each year, the scholarship goes to the student who obtained the highest marks in Year 1 of the University of London’s International Undergraduate Laws

Programme. It gives its recipient a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to complete Year 2 and Year 3 of the Undergraduate Laws Programme at the reputable King’s College London.

Both Tan and Sit credit their lecturers at ATC for their

remarkable success. “The lecturers at ATC provided

me with a strong platform and foundation to pursue and cultivate my passion for law,” says Sit.

Tan adds, “I could not have achieved this without the help of the lecturers at ATC. They are

always ready to help and never selfish with their time. I think that the secret ingredient to success is to have dedicated teachers and that is something that ATC is proud to offer.”

ATC lecturers have many years of experience that shape their teaching technique to result in a successful and unique ATC learning experience.

ATC’s consistent track record of success is unrivalled. In its 28-year history of educating and producing the finest legal professionals, ATC remains the single institution with the most awards.

The exceptional quality of the students of ATC has been recognised by the University of London with the university awarding the students with various book prizes and prestigious scholarships year after year.

The intakes for both the Kuala Lumpur and Penang ATC campuses are in progress.

n For more information,call 1800 889 292 or e-mail [email protected] or visit www.atc2u.com

(From left) ATC chief executive officer-cum-principal Dr Danny Choong with Daphne Sit Wei Jing and Tan Chuan Yi.

NOWADAYS, hospitality is not offered as a stand-alone course in tertiary education but rather a combined one with several inter-related disciplines such as tourism, management and culinary arts.

Such combinations provide opportunities for this field to develop further in the near future, thus increasing the country’s revenue.

What it’s likeDespite an irregular working

schedule and being busier during the weekends and public holidays, those who enjoy working in this industry will

experience a higher level of satisfaction where they are able to provide warm hospitality to their guests.

Furthermore, those who are in this field will have the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life, thus broaden their horizons.

Possible careers There has been a growing

demand for hospitality professionals in Malaysia due its current multi-disciplinary nature.

Here is a list of possible career titles that a hospitality graduate can hold:

Specialty chef

Possible career titles Job description

• Designs a suitable meal or substitute certain dishes for diners who follow a restrictive diet

Wedding consultant/planner • Discusses with couples on their wedding requirements and budget • Suggests a wide range of creative ideas and themes• Advises clients on wedding customs and etiquette

Gallery/museum curator • Acquires a collection of artefacts or works of art for display• Displays interesting objects for the public to access and engage

Providing thebest service


Quest International University Perak (QIUP) offers hospitality, tourism and hotel management programmes to prepare students for a rewarding career in the fast-growing industry.

Be a management professionalSTUDENTS interested in a career in the hospitality and tourism industry can consider pursuing a programme at Quest International University Perak (QIUP) in Ipoh.

The related areas of tourism, hospitality and event management offer huge opportunities for rewarding management careers globally. Tourism, together with travel, is now regarded as the world’s fastest-growing industry.

Realising that the hospitality industry is in continuous need of managerial staff who can work effectively in a professional, people-focused environment and are equipped with the right skills, QIUP introduced the Bachelor of Business Administration (Hons) in Hospitality and Tourism Management.

The university also offers the Diploma in Hotel Management and Diploma in Tourism Management.

The hospitality, tourism and hotel management programmes at QIUP equip students with the skills

necessary to manage operations as diverse as hotels, resorts, cruise ships, airlines, tour and exhibitions and conferences.

Each programme provides a broad coverage of the best practices in the hospitality industry as well as training in critical soft skills integral to the profession.

The curriculum received valuable industry input in its design and includes both research and internship components.

The internship involves valuable hands-on training on the multiple facets of hotel management at premier local and international hotels identified by the university.

Students can choose the hotels in which they want to perform their internship.

An integral part of the programmes is the development of communication and interpersonal skills that will have a vital impact on the career paths of graduates.

These programmes provide a

global, industry-specific and quality education at affordable prices.

At QIUP, the minimum study duration for the full-time mode is three years for degree programmes and two and a half years for diploma programmes. Besides full-time study, QIUP also offers its programmes in part-time mode.

There are three faculties and two centres at QIUP – Centre for Foundation Studies, Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Integrative Sciences & Technology, Faculty of Business Management & Social Sciences, and Centre for Graduate Research.

QIUP offers programmes at the foundation, diploma, degree and postgraduate levels.

The September intake is open for registration.

n For more information, call1800 88 QIUP (7487), e-mail [email protected] or visit www.qiup.edu.my

Practice makes perfect“WITH the right attitude and guidance from the university’s expert lecturers, almost anyone can learn how to cook professionally,” says Amirul Amin Anuar, who is pursuing the Diploma in Culinary Arts at Nilai University (Nilai U).

He points out that just as an aircraft maintenance engineering student would not know how to fix a plane before undergoing an engineering programme, not all new culinary arts students should be expected to be able to whip up a storm in the kitchen.

That said, Amirul is no novice in cooking, having gleaned many kitchen secrets from his mother.

“It started when I challenged my elder brother to a burger-making contest when I was in Year One and won. From then on, I would help my mother in the kitchen whenever possible,” he recalls.

“By the time I was in Year Six, I was confident enough to take up the responsibility of cooking for the family when my mother was pregnant.”

It was no surprise to his family

when Amirul chose to pursue culinary arts at Nilai U.

“I had no plan to do anything else except pursue my passion for cooking. I had my parents’ blessings and was ecstatic when I was offered a place in Nilai U’s Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism,” he says.

The 20-year-old Felda scholar admits to being slightly nervous at the prospect of an all-English syllabus in the beginning, but soon adapted to the programme.

“My lecturers helped me navigate through my first few months at the university. Through group discussions and constant reading, I became more confident about using English.”

“I get to learn in a large training kitchen and am exposed to cuisines from all over the world. I am no longer confined to traditional Malay cuisine,” he says.

His immediate plan is to secure an internship before working towards his dream of becoming a restaurant owner.

“I urge all students, whether confident cooks or complete novices,

to check out Nilai U’s Diploma in Culinary Arts programme,” says Amirul.

“I believe that many will be surprised at their own abilities and how the programme can lead to a successful and enriching career in the food and beverage industry.”

n For more information, call 06-850 2308 or 07-226 2336 or visit www.nilai.edu.my

Amirul Amin Anuar, student of the Diploma in Culinary Arts at Nilai University.