THE STAR, TUESDAY 5 MARCH 2019
COURSE FOCUS
By SRIMAYEE SEN SARMA
AFTER the dreaded Sijil Pelajaran
Malaysia (SPM) is over, students
need to consider the next big
chapter of their lives, which is
pursuing a pre-university course.
This is a necessary step towards
entering a university and getting a
degree.
While some school-leavers have
a clear idea of which career path to
take and how to reach their career
goals, most need guidance on the
most suitable direction for them.
One factor to consider along the
career pathway is the duration of
the pre-university course. A
shorter pre-university course
would give students an edge over
their peers in terms of graduating
earlier and entering the workforce
sooner.
According to Vinoshni
Rawindran, an education
counsellor at Afterschool.my – a
website that hosts information on
different courses and universities
for school-leavers – popular pre-
university courses among students
in Malaysia are the Sijil Tinggi
Pelajaran Malaysia, diploma,
foundation, A-Levels and
matriculation, while the Australian
Matriculation (Ausmat), SACE
International and Canadian Pre-
University (CPU) are less popular.
“The shortest pre-university
courses are the Australian
matriculation programmes
(Ausmat and SACE International),
with each taking around 10 months
to complete. Among the common
courses, the fastest way to getting
into university would be through
foundation programmes, which
usually take one year to complete.
The catch is that students need to
be sure of their career direction if
they want to pursue this course.”
The right direction
Although it is crucial, duration
should not be the only deciding
factor in choosing a pre-university
Info Day for prospective healthcare students
INTERNATIONAL Medical
University (IMU), Malaysia’s first
and most established private
medical and healthcare university
with more than 27 years of
dedicated focus in healthcare
education, invites prospective
students and their parents to its
Foundation in Science (FiS) Info
Day on Mar 24 at its Bukit Jalil
campus from 10am to 4pm.
FiS Info Day is the perfect
opportunity for prospective
students to obtain first-hand
information on the university and
meet students and staff to chat
about how FiS can provide
students an entry to IMU’s
undergraduate programmes, which
would lead them to exciting and
promising career opportunities.
Prospective parents and students
can also talk to faculty members
about life in IMU and seek
information on a variety of issues,
including the application process,
financing (including fees and
financial assistance) and
accommodation. This is also an
opportunity to find out more about
IMU’s scholarships and bursary for
students with excellent Sijil
Fast track to your career
course. The most vital point to
consider is the career path that
a student wants to ultimately end
up in and the best way towards it.
Vinoshni notes that most
students who come to her for
career advice are not sure of this
end-point. According to her, they at
least have an idea, however vague,
of the pre-university courses they
want to pursue and the subjects
they want to take, but most don’t
Is a foundation course a good choice for you?
One of the shortest pre-
university courses, the duration
of a foundation course is just one
year, after which students can
enrol in a relevant degree
programme. This course is most
suitable for students who are
sure of their career paths and
will give them a head start in
obtaining a degree.
However, this is also its biggest
disadvantage as students who
are unsure of their career
choices may have to enrol in an
entirely new course should they
be interested in a different
education field midway through
their foundation programme.
For example, a student who
enrolled in a foundation in arts
or foundation in business
programme will have to enrol in
a new programme altogether if
he decides that his passion lies in
engineering.
In addition, students need to
be sure of which university
they want to obtain their
undergraduate degree from.
Foundation courses in one
university are tailored to prepare
students for bachelor
programmes offered at that
Pelajaran Malaysia results. The
exact scholarship or bursary
offered will vary depending on the
students’ results.
The FiS is the preferred
foundation for entry into any of
IMU’s undergraduate degree
programmes and provides the
academic preparation required for
admission into a science-related
degree. Students will be equipped
with strong fundamental
knowledge and skills to pursue
their studies in medicine, dentistry,
pharmacy and health sciences.
The programme aims to prepare
students academically and
holistically for their undergraduate
studies in IMU. With that aim in
mind, the teaching methodology
and assessment methods employed
in the FiS programme are aligned
with the methodologies used in the
undergraduate programmes.
Students benefit from these as it
gives them early exposure and a
head start to the undergraduate
learning environment.
Conducted in the same facilities
and environment as the other
programmes IMU has to offer, FiS
students adapt to the facilities and
have the slightest clue about the
career direction they want to
pursue.
“At this point in their lives, they
do not understand what they like.
All they want is a high-income
career upon graduation. The pre-
university courses they choose are
based on only the knowledge of
which field they want to work in,
which is why they would often
change their direction after a
university only, thus making it
difficult for students to switch
universities between foundation
and degree programmes, even if
they want to pursue the same
field of study.
As foundation subjects of the
previous university may not be
recognised by the new university,
the student may have to retake a
few subjects or worse, retake an
entire foundation programme.
However, this is not a hard and
fast rule since there are certain
foundation courses that are
accepted by other universities. It
is advised that students check
their options before enrolling.
While this route may be risky
for school-leavers who do not
have a clear idea of their future,
it remains a popular choice
among Malaysian students.
Puteri Yasmin Suraya (pic),
who works as an online content
writer, shares why she chose this
pre-university course over
others.
“I knew the degree course I
wanted to do was only available
in that particular university, so I
decided to do the university’s
foundation as it was a fast-track
environment at a much earlier
stage. FiS students also get to
enjoy a sneak preview into IMU’s
degree programmes, experiencing
for themselves what each of these
programmes have to offer. This is
made possible through the “Look,
See, Feel” engagement activities
arranged for FiS students.
The current IMU FiS team
consists of carefully selected, well-
qualified and experienced staff
with specific skill sets that make
them ideal pre-university
academicians. The team has a
clear understanding of
undergraduate degree
programme requirements and are
assisted in this regard by degree-
level academics, who also advise
the students on available
undergraduate pathways while in
foundation.
The programme celebrated its
fifth birthday on Jan 11 at IMU’s
Bukit Jalil campus. Over the span
of five years, the FiS has opened
its doors to more than a thousand
students, nurturing these hopeful
faces into the degree programmes
that they are interested in.
The FiS has three intakes a year,
counselling session.” Daniel Abraham, a digital
The point to note is that times marketer who pursued SACE
change. For instance, information International, believes that any pre-
technology may be in high university course, including the one
demand in the job market right he pursued, should offer more
now, but this may not be the case flexibility in choosing elective
in four to five years. subjects so that students can try
“Students must do more many different subjects and fields of
research to know whether the study.
career path they wish to pursue “I feel like that would give the
will still be relevant when they
graduate,” she advises. > TURN TO PAGE 2
option. The foundation led me track programme of one year or
directly into the degree less, so you can advance to your
programme in one year.” degree programme faster,” she
For students such as Puteri concludes.
Yasmin who are sure of their
career direction, there is more
than one benefit of choosing this
course.
“I did a foundation in arts
and found the course quite
balanced as I managed to learn
many different subjects that
may or may not be related to
the degree course I wanted to
pursue. I wanted to do a
degree in English
literature, but the
foundation course
covered subjects such
as management, law
and politics. These
subjects were difficult
but still I found them
interesting.”
She enthusiastically
recommends the
foundation course because
assessments are in the
forms of coursework and
examinations, so students
can learn to manage their
time more efficiently.
“Besides, it is a fast-
in April, July and September. Apply for the FiS programme at the
These start dates will enable a FiS Info Day and get a waiver of
smooth transition into the RM450 (terms and conditions
preferred degree courses that apply).
students are interested in upon
successful completion of the n For more information, call
programme. 03-2731 7272, email start@imu.edu.
Don’t miss this opportunity. my or visit www.imu.edu.my
Through the FiS’
“Look, See, Feel”
engagement
activities, students
can get a sneak peek
into what various
degree programmes
have to offer.
2 Pre-University
Foundation in IT Do your research
IN this digital era, there is a pressing need
for skilled manpower in information
technology. Responding to these
developments and to meet industry talent
needs, Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysian
Institute of Information Technology (UniKL
MIIT) has introduced the Foundation in
Computer Technology (FiCT) programme, the
second intake of which will be in June.
UniKL MIIT Technical Foundation Section
head Dr Yasmin Yahya says FiCT was
introduced to provide Sijil Pelajaran
Malaysia (SPM) and O-Level graduates a
pathway to pursue a bachelor’s degree in
information technology and is open to local
and international students. The programme
also welcomes those in government or
private sectors who wish to pursue higher
education.
The FiCT programme aims to provide a
combination of academic skills and content-
specific modules that provide students with
a grounding in computer technology as well
as critical thinking, academic literacy and
communication skills. Through the FiCT
programme, students can utilise computing
tools and techniques by applying their
knowledge and interpreting information to
solve problems. They are also taught to be
proficient in the use of tools relevant to their
field of study.
“The three-semester foundation
programme is the right pathway
for students interested in the
field of computer technology
as they are assured a direct
path to nearly all degree
programmes offered
by UniKL MIIT,” says
Dr Yasmin.
Dr Yasmin says by
enrolling in the
programme, students
can save a lot of time
compared with a diploma,
which will take them close to three years
before they can continue on to their
bachelor’s.
The next step
After completing the FiCT, students have a
choice of entering the Computer System
Security, Software Engineering, Computer
Engineering, Computer Entrepreneurial
Management and Networking System degree
programmes. These programmes focus on
essential theory without neglecting the
practical skills that the industry prizes.
UniKL MIIT has also introduced cutting-
edge technologies, including machine
learning, artificial intelligence, Big Data
Analytics and virtual and augmented reality
into our degree programmes.
UniKL allows no more than 20 students
per class. By keeping classroom sizes small,
the dedicated teaching staff can really focus
on the needs of the students and nurture
them into quality graduates who are prized
for their academic and practical skills.
UniKL MIIT offers special tuition fee rates
of RM5,500 for Malaysian students.
n For further information, call 03-2175 4146
or visit www.admission.unikl.edu.my
> FROM PAGE 1
student a much better understanding of what
he intends to do when he graduates, because
at the point of time when students have to
choose subjects for pre-university courses,
very few are sure of the direction they want
The shortest routes to success
By far the fastest pathways to beginning
a degree, Australian Matriculation
(Ausmat) and SACE International are
Australian pre-university courses.
Recognised by several universities in
Malaysia and overseas, the similarities
between the two Australian pre-university
programmes lie in the fact that both are
based on the Australian education system
and the gradings are according to the
Australian Tertiary Admission Rank. The
minimum duration for both the courses is
the same as well, which is approximately
10 months.
The differences are in the course
structure (the amount of weightage given
to examinations and coursework) and
governing bodies of the two courses. While
Ausmat is overseen by the West Australian
government, SACE International is under
the South Australian government.
Former SACE International student
Daniel Abraham says that he would
recommend the course over A-Levels.
“SACE International offered a good blend
of textbook material and practical work
and was also cheaper than some other pre-
university courses. I pursued it because it
is not purely examination-based, and I
liked how the assignments and projects
contributed to my final grade.
“The biggest advantage was the duration
of the course, which is also why I suppose
many students avoid pursuing it. Because
THE STAR, TUESDAY 5 MARCH 2019
to go in. It would save them a lot of time,
money and disappointments.”
Make sure you think long and hard and
consider different factors before committing
to a course. A short pre-university course
may take you to a destination faster, but it
may not be the destination for you.
it is all crammed into 10 months, much
like a crash course, it was a stressful and
hectic time, with deadlines upon deadlines.
“However, I think that the stress was
eventually helpful since it trained me to be
able to work under pressure and meet
targets. It is the kind of stress that you can
learn from. I ended up graduating earlier
than my peers, which gave me time to
experiment with jobs in different
industries after graduating.”
A medical student, Diana (not her real
name), pursued the express SACE
International, completing her pre-
university in just eight months. She agrees
wholeheartedly with Daniel and believes
that SACE International offers a good
balance between traditional study
methods and newer ways of learning,
especially for subjects such as mathematics
and chemistry.
However, she also points out that
because there was such a short time frame
to cover five subjects, it can get hectic.
“What other students were taking two
weeks to learn, we would have to cover in
one week or less so there wasn’t much
time to participate in extracurricular
activities or do anything else. The upside
is that if you work well under pressure,
you may do well in the express course
because it is completely focused on
academics and you will not be distracted
by anything else.”
THE STAR, TUESDAY 5 MARCH 2019 Pre-University 3

Your starting point to a

THE International Foundation
Programme (IFP) at the University
of Reading, a global Top 200
university, was one of the first to

world-class qualification
be established in the United
Kingdom back in the 1980s. The
IFP is offered at both the
University of Reading’s UK
campus and its Malaysian campus
in Educity Iskandar, Johor.
At the University of Reading’s
Malaysia campus, there are two
IFP intakes per year, in April and
September, aimed largely at
students who have completed
their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia. A
unique feature of the IFP is that
students who have successfully
completed the IFP can progress to
their chosen degree either at the
university’s UK campus in the
beautiful town of Reading, which
is only 25 minutes from London
by train, or continue their degree
at the Malaysian campus.
Through the IFP, students have
the option to study a foundation
in business or science, from
which various pathways are
available to them, including:
l Accounting and finance
l Business
l Real estate
l Building and construction University of Reading’s Malaysia campus in Educity, Johor, allows students International Foundation Programme students are taught to be
l Psychology to focus on their studies while still having fun and enjoying their social life. independent learners.
l Pharmacy
l Law (subject to provisional information and examining issues benefit from greater personal sports facilities, including an representatives at the Education &
accreditation in Malaysia) and less dependent on being interaction with faculty and other indoor stadium, Olympic-size Further Studies Fair that is being
spoon-fed. students. swimming pool, fitness centre and held at Mid Valley Exhibition
Note that irrespective of In addition to academic skills, A key advantage of studying at running track. Centre on Mar 16, 17, 23 and 24.
campus, the programmes taught the IFP also helps students the University of Reading’s The University of Reading’s Remember to bring your SPM
are identical in terms of develop soft skills, such as Malaysia campus in Educity, Johor, stunning Malaysia campus allows results.
curriculum, teaching materials problem-solving, working in is the environment. Educity is a students to focus on their studies
and academic quality and teams and interpersonal dedicated education hub while still having fun and n To speak to a University of
standards. communication, which we know established by the Government as enjoying their social life, without Reading’s Malaysia campus
Given the university’s are vital for their career part of the Iskandar Malaysia the hassle of living in a big city. counsellor or arrange a tour, call
experience in Malaysia, a key goal development. development plan and is home to Register now for the University 07-268 6205, WhatsApp 016-772
of the IFP is to help students The small class sizes at the eight academic institutions, of Reading’s Malaysia campus 5400, email my.enquiry@reading.
become independent learners University of Reading’s Malaysia including the University of Open Day on Mar 16 and 23. edu.my or visit www.reading.edu.
who are capable of acquiring campus also allow students to Reading. Educity has excellent Alternatively, find the university's my
4 Pre-University
Stepping into university life
THROUGH fiction you have been
exposed to, it’s easy to conjure images
of what your future university life
will be like. The idea of lounging on a
lush green lawn in a circle with your
multicultural friends on campus –
exactly like all the ads or movies
you’ve seen – is a possibility, but here
are some other things to take note of
so as not to begin your university life
with culture shock.
Tick tock, tick tock
The fun parts of university life, as
is too often portrayed in movies, are,
more often than not, exaggerations.
What is never shown is how much
time you’ll be spending in class and
completing assignments.
You’ve heard it throughout your
school years and will still be hearing
it throughout your time at university:
time management is key.
As assignments get heavier and
require more quality work, you will
need to better manage your time to
complete your work in a timely
manner. Cramming sessions and last-
minute work will not be sustainable.
There will be a price to pay, either in
health or in grades, for bad time
management.
Relearning how to learn
University differs from secondary
school, right down to its learning
process. Rote learning, an essential
skill in school, will simply not cut it in especially since you can expect to
university.
Be prepared to invest the time to
get up to speed if there is something
you are not familiar with and know
that self-studying and being curious
are essential skills at university.
And, unlike school teachers,
lecturers are not constantly nagging
you to ensure you are studying. You,
and you alone, are responsible for
attending your classes, taking notes
and handing in assignments on time. be a unique experience, dictated only
Beyond academics
University life is not just about
THE STAR, TUESDAY 5 MARCH 2019
hitting the books. Your future
university will likely host multiple
clubs, one or a few in which you may
find your perfect fit. Joining clubs
can also help you hone skills and
increase your social opportunities.
Chances are, you won’t be sharing
many classes with the same group of
people. As such, it is important to be
seen as approachable and willing to
make friends with course mates,
have group assignments. Being on
good terms with fellow students will
soften the prospect of group work.
Additionally, you may be attending
a university far from your friends
and family, in which case distance
can strain your relationships. By
putting in a little extra effort, you can
maintain your relationships with
those dear to you.
Above all, your university life will
by you. Through the choices you
make, you can turn your #unilife into
an enjoyable one and a time in your
life you will recall fondly.
THE STAR, TUESDAY 5 MARCH 2019
Established pathways to uni
SUNWAY College, a leading institution in Asia,
provides school-leavers with six
internationally recognised pre-university
programmes. Sunway College was rated 6
Stars each in the Cluster Based Category for
General Programmes, International Student
Services Category and College Based Category
of the Malaysian Quality Evaluation System
for Private Colleges 2016/2017.
An Australian leg-up
Sunway College is the largest overseas
provider of the Australian Matriculation
(Ausmat) programme in the world and the
only provider of that certification in Malaysia
to offer the Australian Tertiary Admissions
Rank and general courses.
Students with the Ausmat qualification can
enrol in renowned universities in Australia
as well as the United States, the United
Kingdom, Canada, Singapore and New
Zealand. It is also recognised by Malaysian
private universities.
Alumna Veeanna Lee says, “The Ausmat
programme taught me to be independent and
resourceful in my studies. The flexibility of
the programme and guidance from amazing
teachers prepared me well for my university
journey. I gained many opportunities in my
time at Sunway College, as well as countless
friendships and connections.”
Acclaimed British qualification
Considered the benchmark in British
educational excellence, the A-Levels is a sure-
fire ticket to top UK universities. Sunway
College holds a remarkable record of 50%
straight A*/As and a 100% pass rate with
more than 229 Top in the World and Top in
Malaysia awards in the Cambridge GCE
A-Levels examinations.
Alumna Shanna Chung Sim Ler says, “The
Sunway College's six internationally recognised pre-university programmes provide school-
leavers with a breadth of choice to fulfil their dreams.
continuous support and guidance from my
experienced A-Levels lecturers during and
after class aided me greatly. The devotion
and assistance that Sunway provides for its
students throughout their university
applications is exceptional.”
Global No.1 education system
The Canadian Year 12 curriculum,
according to the requirements of the
Ontario (Canada) Ministry of Education, is
split into three major pathways – health
sciences, engineering and business.
Students graduate with the internationally
recognised Ontario Secondary School
Diploma as well as necessary academic and
interpersonal skills to succeed in the global
world.
The Canadian International Matriculation
Programme (CIMP) offered at Sunway
College is the only Canadian Year 12
curriculum in Malaysia that is delivered
according to the Ontario (Canada) Ministry
of Education’s requirements.
Alumnus Eric Chiang Hinn Yuen shares,
“The exceptional academic and
extracurricular experience I gained during
the CIMP has provided me with a strong
foundation to pursue my ambition. If not for
CIMP, I believe my dream would have
remained just a dream.”
Direct path to Monash University
Sunway College is the only institution that
provides an academic bridge to Monash
University through the Monash University
Pre-University 5
Foundation Year (MUFY) programme.
MUFY is recognised by all Australian
universities, selected New Zealand and UK
universities, foreign branch campuses in
Malaysia and other Malaysian private
universities.
Alumnus Tan Wen Liang says, “The MUFY
programme helped me boost my confidence
and skills to adapt to the challenging
environment of my engineering degree at
Monash University. The invaluable
experience continues to inspire me in my
PhD studies.”
Homegrown, quality foundation
programme
The Sunway Foundation Programme
contributes the highest number of Sunway
University’s first-class honours graduates. It
is divided into the Foundation in Arts (FIA)
and Foundation in Science & Technology
(FIST).
“Sunway’s FIA taught me to be creative,
innovative and proactive. I assure you that
your time spent in FIA will be the most
memorable and amazing experience in your
learning journey,” says alumna Ko Chia
Huey.
“The FIST was life-changing. Not only
was I able to affirm my passion and interest
in the workings of the human mind, the
programme also helped me develop
self-confidence, social abilities and a
passion to educate,” says FIST alumnus
Kamaleshwaran.
Sunway College is introducing new
scholarship support packages for 2019. Visit
Sunway College’s Open Day from 10am to
4pm on Mar 16, 17, 23 and 24.
n For more information, visit college.sunway.
edu.my
6 Pre-University
DECIDING what to study after your Sijil
Pelajaran Malaysia is not as easy as it seems
for many school leavers. While some may
choose to take a pre-university programme
with a broader scope of study so that they
will have more flexibility in choosing their
field later, others may have already set their
sights on their desired discipline for their
tertiary education and believe that a focused
pre-university programme will be a better
option.
With close to 50 years of academic
excellence in providing pre-university
education, Tunku Abdul Rahman University
College (TAR UC) has prepared many
students for TAR UC’s undergraduate
programmes via its Foundation programme,
which is intensive, academically focused and
rigorous. The programme provides students
with a solid grounding as they advance their
studies in TAR UC.
Conducted by TAR UC’s Centre for
Pre-University Studies (CPUS), the
Foundation programme’s structure is tailor-
made to ensure students gain a deeper
understanding of requisite subjects so they
will be well-prepared to continue their
studies in-depth at the undergraduate level.
TAR UC currently offers Foundation in
Arts and Science programmes, which
prepare students for a wide range of TAR
UC’s undergraduate programmes. For a
more specialised pathway, the Foundation in
Accounting, Foundation in Business and
Foundation in Engineering programmes
provide students with firm grounding as
they progress into undergraduate studies in
the corresponding disciplines.
The Foundation in Accounting programme
offers a number of accountancy and
commerce-based courses, while the
Foundation in Business programme
focuses more on business-related subjects.
The Foundation in Engineering programme
Build a solid base
for future excellence
offers a number of science-based courses
relating particularly to engineering.
Having their mind set on pursuing their
undergraduate degree in accounting, twins
Chan Lai Jin and Chan Lai Pei are both
enrolled in TAR UC’s Foundation in
Accounting.
“The programme stood out because it is a
fast-track pathway to a TAR UC accounting
degree,” they share. “When
we found out that TAR
UC was offering a
new foundation
programme that
Twins Chan Lai Jin and Chan Lai Pei say TAR UC’s Foundation in Accounting programme
stands out because it is a fast-tracked pathway to an accounting degree.
is structured to complement its
undergraduate accountancy programmes, it
immediately piqued our interest because we
do plan to pursue a career in accounting.
“TAR UC has a stellar reputation in
producing high achievers in external
examinations. TAR UC’s accountancy
programmes are also granted maximum
exemptions from global professional bodies,
including the Association of
Chartered Certified
Accountants, Chartered
Institute of
Management
Top-notch education
AS the largest education provider in Western
Australia (WA), TAFE International WA
delivers vocational (VET) courses to more
than 100,000 students every year. Across 25
campuses, TAFE International WA offers
Malaysian students practical, industry-
relevant training programmes in world-class
facilities. TAFE International WA is owned
and operated by the state government of
Western Australia.
TAFE International WA students come
from around 100 different countries. Perth,
the capital city of WA, is a 5.5-hour direct
flight from Kuala Lumpur and shares the
same time zone.
TAFE International WA has intakes in July
(semester two) and February (semester one).
July is in the heart of Perth’s winter months,
with average maximum temperatures of
around 18°C. February, with an average
maximum of 31°C, is summer’s last month
before autumn arrives in March.
Perth has everything to offer, from food to
music, entertainment, sports, culture, clean
air and incredible scenery. For basketball
and football lovers, Perth’s league teams in
each discipline (the Wildcats and Glory,
respectively) are two of the most successful
teams in Australian sports, both of which are
atop their 2019 league ladders. Perth is a
young, dynamic, culturally diverse city with
a strong aboriginal history.
TAFE International WA goes back over 100
years to 1898, when it was delivering
technical courses in the City of Fremantle
just 15km down the Swan River from the
City of Perth. Fast forward to 2019 and TAFE
International WA is one of Australia’s best
training institutions. It is a finalist for Large
Training Provider of the Year Award by the
Australian Training Awards 2018.
TAFE International WA’s lecturers are
some of the best in the business, winning the
VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year Award at
the Australian Training Awards 2017,
bringing industry expertise to the classroom.
Students will be equipped with job-ready
skills through Australian Government-
recognised training.
Students have flexibility and choice at
TAFE International WA. Some enrol to boost
employment prospects, as research from the
Skilling Australia Foundation Report 2017
shows employment rates are higher for VET
THE STAR, TUESDAY 5 MARCH 2019
Accountants, Institute of Chartered
Accountants in England and Wales, and CPA
Australia,” they add.
Drawn to TAR UC’s Bachelor of
Engineering (Hons) Mechatronic
programme, Ng Ming Li knew that he
needed a Foundation in Engineering to start
him off on the right foot.
“What attracted me to this programme is
its emphasis on engineering. My lecturers
are very knowledgeable, and the lab
facilities help me understand my subjects
better,” he says.
“The vibrant student lifestyle around
campus and TAR UC’s top-notch facilities
such as its library, Olympic-size swimming
pool, gym and cyber centre make campus
life enjoyable and unforgettable.”
To know more about TAR UC’s foundation
programmes, visit TAR UC’s Open Day from
Mar 21 to Apr 14 from 9am to 5pm at TAR
UC’s main campus in Kuala Lumpur or any
TAR UC branch campus in Penang, Perak,
Johor, Pahang and Sabah. You can also visit
TAR UC’s booth at major education fairs
nationwide. Attractive scholarships are
available at TAR UC on the basis of academic
merit and sibling discount for eligible
students. 
n For more information, visit
www.tarc.edu.my
The Greenskills Building at TAFE
International WA’s East Perth Campus, just
east of Perth's central business district.
graduates than university graduates.
Others move on from TAFE International
WA to university, benefitting from generous
credit or advanced standing arrangements.
These students may not only save time and
money in their university pathway, but
because of their TAFE International WA
qualification, they often find part-time work
that is more relevant to their degree.
TAFE International WA partners with
Curtin, Murdoch and Edith Cowan
Universities, as well as the University of
Western Australia. A Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia
student, for example, could complete two
years of hospitality training at TAFE
International WA and gain up to 1.5 years’
credit towards the Bachelor of Hospitality
and Tourism Management at Edith Cowan
University, leaving just 1.5 years of the
degree to complete. The TAFE International
WA component of this pathway would cost
around RM45,000 to RM50,000 per year.
Other courses at TAFE International WA
include engineering, early childhood
education, business and nursing.
There has never been a better time to
acquire a skill. A course at TAFE
International WA presents a world of
opportunity. TAFE International WA is open
for visits and campus tours for Malaysian
families visiting Perth.
n For more information, email michael.
ingram@dtwd.wa.gov.au or visit www.
tafeinternational.wa.edu.au
THE STAR, TUESDAY 5 MARCH 2019
Keep your pre-u options open
DONE with school? Wondering what’s next?
Choosing an appropriate programme to start
your educational journey can be such a
hassle for some, yet so easy for others.
Deciding on which degree to pursue can be
made easier by going through a one-year
preparatory course, also known as
foundation studies.
Tertiary education will be different from
what you have been used to in school.
Foundation studies will help you to adapt
and learn new learning habits before you
commit to pursuing a degree.
Taking the first steps
A foundation programme will help
prepare you for tertiary education. The one-
year Foundation Studies programme at
Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur
(IUKL) provides students the fastest access to
their desired degree programme after their
Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia or O-Levels.
IUKL offers two foundation programmes –
Foundation in Science and Foundation in
Arts. Unlike other foundation programmes,
which are highly specialised, and thus
narrow down students’ choices for their
degree programmes, IUKL foundation
studies are designed to keep students’
options open.
The idea is to provide students a wider
range of programmes when pursuing their
bachelor’s degrees.
Path to quality
medical studies
IT goes without saying that the road to
becoming a doctor is paved with ambition,
discipline and dedication. But above all, it
begins with the right drive. That is what
makes RCSI & UCD Malaysia Campus (RUMC)
students stand out from the rest.
On top of promoting academic excellence,
the cornerstone of RUMC being a successful
medical school lies not only in the quality of
the education it provides, but also in how it
engenders students’ motivation in pursuing
a career in medicine.
At RUMC, the first Irish foreign university
branch campus in Malaysia, students begin
their transnational journey in Dublin,
Ireland, where they will receive an Irish
medical education as they undertake a 2.5-
year pre-clinical study at the Royal College of
Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) and University
College Dublin (UCD), two renowned medical
universities.
Upon completion, the students return to
Penang for a 2.5-year clinical phase, where
they will receive on-site training and interact
with patients at Penang General Hospital,
Seberang Jaya Hospital and Taiping Hospital.
As the demand for doctors continues to
grow, there is a greater need to ensure
medical graduates are industry-ready.
RUMC’s unique relationship with the
Health Ministry allows exclusive use of
the Penang General Hospital for the
students’ clinical training. As such,
RUMC doctors-in-training have better
access to patients, allowing them to
focus and nurture their patient care and
medical skills to full potential.
Upon concluding their clinical training,
students will graduate as doctors,
Pre-University 7
A slice of the world through communication/IT degree programme and option of fields at the bachelor’s degree
soft skills to boost their presentation ability level and allow yourself another year to
science and confidence. think about it. However, if you can
Science is not restricted to experiments in identify your area of interest quite
labs. There is a whole world to discover as it
is the foundation of so many fields. If you
Should I opt for foundation or decisively, you might want to consider a
diploma programme instead.
opt for the Foundation in Science at IUKL, diploma?
you can choose between the engineering
option and non-engineering option. To answer this question, you must first Register with IUKL
For students who aspire to take up consider two factors. The first is your To figure out which field of study is best
engineering, be it civil, mechanical, preferred duration of study. You need only for you, book a free counselling session
electronics and electrical or automotive one year after SPM or O-Level to complete with IUKL. Alternatively, you are invited
technology, the engineering option, your foundation programme and enrol in a to attend IUKL’s Info Day on Mar 23 and
which gives more weight to physics and bachelor’s degree. If time is your concern, 24 from 10am to 4pm. Registration on-the-
mathematics, will equip you with a solid
base of knowledge for you to excel in an
you should consider this option seriously.
The second factor is your field of study.
spot will entitle you to a RM3,000 tuition
fee rebate.
engineering programme. If you are not able to decide on your field
The non-engineering option, which of study after SPM or O-Level, it’s advised n For more information, call 1800 88
focuses on chemistry and biology, aims at that you first attend a foundation STUDY (78839), email inquiry@iukl.edu.
preparing students for a bachelor’s degree in programme that provides you a wider my or visit www.iukl.edu.my
pharmacy, health science, food science,
biotechnology and agriculture.
Art inspires creative thinkers
Art isn’t solely the act of creating or
producing something, but also the capability
to generate useful ideas. Through IUKL’s
Foundation in Arts, students will acquire
knowledge and skills needed to embark on
various degree programmes in the fields of
architecture, communication, information
technology, education, language studies and
business and accounting.
The programme also provides students
with two options to choose from. The
architecture option is perfect for those who
are enthusiastic about architectural
design and wish to pursue it as a
career. Elective subjects include
Introduction to Architecture and
Architectural Graphics, Painting
and Sketching, and
Application of AutoCAD.
Students in the business, IT
and language studies option
will be exposed to the
fundamental knowledge
required in a business/
receiving an internationally recognised
medical degree (Bachelor of Medicine,
Bachelor of Surgery or Bachelor of
Obstetrics) followed by a two-year placement
as house officers.
Complementing RUMC as a hub for
excellent medical education is its Foundation
in Science (FiS) programme, a unique pre-
university pathway allowing students to
have an early introduction to the medical
and clinical field in a hospital setting before
deciding to take on the five-year medical
degree programme. Through FiS, students
can get a head start in the globally sought-
after RUMC experience.
RUMC also offers postgraduate study
options, namely the MSc in Public Health
and MSc in Health Research. The
programmes are conducted in collaboration
with RCSI and UCD and fully accredited and
awarded by the National University of
Ireland.
n For more information, call 04-217 1999 or
email enquiry@rcsiucd.edu.my
8 Pre-University THE STAR, TUESDAY 5 MARCH 2019

New teaching fellows welcomed

NEWCASTLE University Medicine Malaysia
(NUMed) welcomed a fresh batch of
graduates to its Bachelor of Medicine &
Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) Teaching Fellow
Programme, which is designed to provide a
platform for them to take part in teaching
the university’s current MBBS undergraduate
students.
Throughout the programme, the fellows
will also have the opportunity to develop
their own professional educational
knowledge and teaching skills as they
continue honing their medical knowledge
using a variety of methods.
As fresh graduates, the fellows are better
able to understand and relate to what the
undergraduate students are going through.
This enables them to offer invaluable
insights even as they share their
accumulated experience and knowledge
with the students.
“Through the MBBS Teaching Fellow
Programme, we are better able to help
undergraduate students who are struggling
to understand certain medical concepts by
being given the opportunity to share our
knowledge, while subsequently growing our
passion to teach,” says Paul Khoo, a current
MBBS Teaching Fellow.
Leo See Wei, another MBBS Teaching
Fellow, concurs.
“I am grateful I have the opportunity to be
involved in the development, delivery and
monitoring of the courses throughout the
whole MBBS programme, from Year 1 to NUMed’s MBBS Teaching Fellow Programme provides recent graduates the opportunity to develop their own professional educational
Year 5. Not only that, I get to carry out knowledge and teaching skills.
educational projects as well, such as the
development of new innovative teaching “In addition, I get to revise all my medical medicine. Among other accolades, the their journey in medicine and biomedical
materials and an audit,” she says. concepts at the same time. My stint as a university was awarded five plus stars sciences.
“I have so much to learn in medicine and teaching fellow has allowed her to overall in the QS Stars Rating System 2018.
am determined to be more hardworking tremendously improve her self-confidence.” Committed to providing a holistic learning n To find out more about NUMed’s
compared with when I was a student. Now I NUMed is the international branch experience, NUMed features expert faculty programmes, excellent facilities and student
have to make sure I thoroughly understand campus of Newcastle University in the members and cutting-edge facilities, making life, visit its campus on its Open Day on Mar
the topic before teaching it. United Kingdom, a leading university for it an ideal place for students to embark on 16 and 23 or visit www.newcastle.edu.my