Johor students have achieved the best Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) examination results in five years.
Johor Education director Sufa’at Tumin said Johor had shown an improvement in School Average Grade or “Gred Purata Sekolah” (GPS) by obtaining a score of 2.84.
“This is the best GPS in five years,” he said, adding that the percentage of students who passed was 63.32% and the percentage of students who obtained excellent results was 5.65%, compared with 4.93% in 2007.
He said that out of 57,613 students who took the examination, 356 scored 9As, 2,348 obtained 8As while 327 scored 7As.
Sufa’at added that the teaching of Maths and Science in English did not affect the students as 88.74% of the students obtained Grade A, B, C, and D in Mathematics and 89.19% in Science. He said the number of students who obtained all Es dropped from 42 in 2007 to 24 this year.
The top three schools in the state are Sekolah Tun Fatimah, Johor Baru; SM Sains Johor, Kluang; and SM Sains Kota Tinggi.
In Ipoh, Perak Education director Mohd Radzi Abd Jabar said a total of 2,591 candidates (or 6.11%) scored straight As. Of the 2,591 pupils, 206 scored nine As, 1,174 had eight As while 611 obtained seven As.
A total of 41,676 pupils sat for the examinations in Perak.
In Kuantan, State Education Department director Datuk Abdul Aziz Latiff said 1,377 from 27,028 Pahang students scored all As in all subjects taken. He added that 253 students scored 9As while 1,029 scored 8As and nine scored 7As. He said a total of 17,298 of them passed all their subjects.
Thirteen schools – the same as last year – recorded 100% passes. They are Sekolah Menengah (SM) Sains Tengku Abdullah, SM Sains Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah, SM Sains Sultan Ahmad Shah, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Abdul Rahman Talib, SMK Berasrama Penuh Integrasi, SMK Sultan Abu Bakar, SMK Ahmad, SMK Seri Jengka, SMK Sultanah Hajjah Kalsom, SMK Seri Bentong, SMK Muadzam Shah, SMK Seri Pekan and SMK Jengka Pusat.
In Malacca, state Education Department director Isa Abu said some 65.1% or 9,272 students chalked passes compared with 9,301 students last year. He said there was also an improvement in the quality of passes with 879 students scoring straight As, an increase of six from last year.
He added that the improvement in the overall passing results was also seen in English (76.4%), Mathematics (87.3%) and Science (91.4%) compared with last year.
SMK Sains Muzaffar Shah in Ayer Keroh, SMK Infant Jesus Convent in Bandar Hilir and SMK Agama Sharifah Rodziah in Telok Mas came up tops with 100% passes.
Meanwhile, all 54 students of private boarding school College Yayasan Saad in Ayer Keroh scored straight As.
In Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Education Department deputy director Dr Muhiddin Yusin said the number of students who scored between 7As and 9As increased to 660 from 596 last year.
He said of the 39,487 students who sat for the examinations this year, 20,500 or 54.24% obtained at least a D grade.
TS
December 30, 2008
Some Tamil schools making admissions difficult
THE Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) has received complaints that some Tamil schools are asking for parents’ marriage certificates and identity cards before their children are admitted to the school
Its commissioner Datuk N. Siva Subramaniam said only children’s birth certificates need to be produced as they had all the necessary information to admit a child in school.
parents whose children had been denied entry into schools to forward their complaints to Suhakam.
> Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s department Datuk S. K. Devamany said MIC and Permodalan Nasional Berhad had held three meetings to discuss raising the equity of Indians to 1.5% by 2010, reported Malaysia Nanban.
He said the meetings focused on guidelines and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak would make an announcement on the matter soon.
Its commissioner Datuk N. Siva Subramaniam said only children’s birth certificates need to be produced as they had all the necessary information to admit a child in school.
parents whose children had been denied entry into schools to forward their complaints to Suhakam.
> Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s department Datuk S. K. Devamany said MIC and Permodalan Nasional Berhad had held three meetings to discuss raising the equity of Indians to 1.5% by 2010, reported Malaysia Nanban.
He said the meetings focused on guidelines and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak would make an announcement on the matter soon.
Kah Fai gets a flood of As for his effort
Top PMR student Ho Kah Fai waded in chest-deep floodwaters and waited for four hours at a McDonalds outlet before walking to Penang Free School to sit for his Integrated Living Skills paper last October.
His home at the flood-prone Jalan P. Ramlee was inundated from midnight after heavy rains.
While his family members relocated to the flood centre, 15-year-old Kah Fai made his way to the McDonald’s outlet in Green Lane so he would not be late for his examination the next morning.
“I waited there from 3am staring at my revision books and worrying that I might not be able to do well.
“I feel so thankful that I scored seven As,” he said, adding that he planned to celebrate by watching a movie and having a good meal at Gurney Plaza with his best friend.
Schoolmate S. Tamilkumaran, 15, also scored 7As. He said his father N. Sevabalan had promised to buy him a mobile phone.
Housewife Nisha Kassim, 48, cried with joy when her son Muhammad Firdaus Gullam Rasal, 15, told her he got eight As.
“I feel so proud of him because he had studied hard. His sister and brother are also top-scorers and they have definitely set a good example for him,” she said.
Kah Fai, Tamilkumaran and Muhammad Firdaus were among 84 students with straight As out of 204 candidates who sat for the PMR at the school.
Chung Ling High School prefect Lim Yu Xian, 15, who scored eight As said he had given up all entertainment three months before the PMR and had studied late into the night.
“My dad has promised me RM200 per A scored and I can’t wait to show him my results!” he said, adding that his ambition was to be an architect.
Fellow prefect Teh Jin Yee, 15, who also scored eight As said the study groups and discussions had helped.
Yu Xian and Jin Yee were among 514 PMR candidates from the school, of whom 134 scored eight As and 136 scored seven As.
School principal Chuah Yau Chou said that his school’s performance was better than last year’s with 52.5% scoring eight and seven As.
TS
His home at the flood-prone Jalan P. Ramlee was inundated from midnight after heavy rains.
While his family members relocated to the flood centre, 15-year-old Kah Fai made his way to the McDonald’s outlet in Green Lane so he would not be late for his examination the next morning.
“I waited there from 3am staring at my revision books and worrying that I might not be able to do well.
“I feel so thankful that I scored seven As,” he said, adding that he planned to celebrate by watching a movie and having a good meal at Gurney Plaza with his best friend.
Schoolmate S. Tamilkumaran, 15, also scored 7As. He said his father N. Sevabalan had promised to buy him a mobile phone.
Housewife Nisha Kassim, 48, cried with joy when her son Muhammad Firdaus Gullam Rasal, 15, told her he got eight As.
“I feel so proud of him because he had studied hard. His sister and brother are also top-scorers and they have definitely set a good example for him,” she said.
Kah Fai, Tamilkumaran and Muhammad Firdaus were among 84 students with straight As out of 204 candidates who sat for the PMR at the school.
Chung Ling High School prefect Lim Yu Xian, 15, who scored eight As said he had given up all entertainment three months before the PMR and had studied late into the night.
“My dad has promised me RM200 per A scored and I can’t wait to show him my results!” he said, adding that his ambition was to be an architect.
Fellow prefect Teh Jin Yee, 15, who also scored eight As said the study groups and discussions had helped.
Yu Xian and Jin Yee were among 514 PMR candidates from the school, of whom 134 scored eight As and 136 scored seven As.
School principal Chuah Yau Chou said that his school’s performance was better than last year’s with 52.5% scoring eight and seven As.
TS
Failing sight but great passing marks
Visually impaired student Regina Hoo Lai Kim turned speechless when her teacher told her that she had scored 6As and one B in her PMR examination.
The 15-year-old student who was accompanied by her father Hoo Chiew Chuan, 48, a businessman, and mother Sharmani Jane, a homemaker to collect her results from the St George’s Girls School, said she expected to fail in all her seven subjects.
Regina shows her results to her parents in George Town yesterday.
Regina who got a B in her Geography said she had the determination to succeed but at the same time she was worried about her results due to her poor vision.
“I studied on my own for about four to five hours each day and relied on my friends’ help in Mathematics.
“I also owe my success to my teachers who had made the subjects as interesting as possible and who went out of their way to help me.’’
Regina, who has two other siblings aged 12 and 11, said she preferred to continue her Form Four studies in the Arts stream as her ambition was to be active in the theatre.
Regina’s schoolmate Aliah Amil received the best birthday gift she could have asked for when she scored 8As in her PMR.
Aliah, who turned 15 yesterday, said her parents had promised her a video camera if she did well.
My parents promised to treat me to my favourite pizza for lunch,’’ she said.
The third in a family of five siblings, who aspires to become a lawyer, said both her elder sisters are her role models as they too were straight A scorers.
She said although she did not attend tuition, she was coached by her mother who is a teacher.
“My school teachers also helped me a lot,” Aliah said.
In Johor Baru, another disabled person was a top-scorer.
Low Zhin Mein was born with hearing disabilities but this did not stop her from scoring 7As.
The 16-year-old student from SMK Pasir Gudang 2 received a certificate and a trophy as the state’s top student in the special students category.
Zhin Mein, who has only 20% hearing, said she had to work harder as she was the only disabled person in her class.
“I am very happy,” she said softly in Bahasa Malaysia.
Her parents speak to her in Bahasa Malaysia because that is the language that she uses in school.
Her father Low Piang Woon, 50, said that they used to send her to a primary school for the deaf and mute.
“We also sent her for speech therapy after she had an operation five years ago to enable her to hear,” he said, adding the previously she could not hear anything at all.
Zhin Mein is among 11 special students in the state who received the “Excellent Award”.
TS
The 15-year-old student who was accompanied by her father Hoo Chiew Chuan, 48, a businessman, and mother Sharmani Jane, a homemaker to collect her results from the St George’s Girls School, said she expected to fail in all her seven subjects.
Regina shows her results to her parents in George Town yesterday.
Regina who got a B in her Geography said she had the determination to succeed but at the same time she was worried about her results due to her poor vision.
“I studied on my own for about four to five hours each day and relied on my friends’ help in Mathematics.
“I also owe my success to my teachers who had made the subjects as interesting as possible and who went out of their way to help me.’’
Regina, who has two other siblings aged 12 and 11, said she preferred to continue her Form Four studies in the Arts stream as her ambition was to be active in the theatre.
Regina’s schoolmate Aliah Amil received the best birthday gift she could have asked for when she scored 8As in her PMR.
Aliah, who turned 15 yesterday, said her parents had promised her a video camera if she did well.
My parents promised to treat me to my favourite pizza for lunch,’’ she said.
The third in a family of five siblings, who aspires to become a lawyer, said both her elder sisters are her role models as they too were straight A scorers.
She said although she did not attend tuition, she was coached by her mother who is a teacher.
“My school teachers also helped me a lot,” Aliah said.
In Johor Baru, another disabled person was a top-scorer.
Low Zhin Mein was born with hearing disabilities but this did not stop her from scoring 7As.
The 16-year-old student from SMK Pasir Gudang 2 received a certificate and a trophy as the state’s top student in the special students category.
Zhin Mein, who has only 20% hearing, said she had to work harder as she was the only disabled person in her class.
“I am very happy,” she said softly in Bahasa Malaysia.
Her parents speak to her in Bahasa Malaysia because that is the language that she uses in school.
Her father Low Piang Woon, 50, said that they used to send her to a primary school for the deaf and mute.
“We also sent her for speech therapy after she had an operation five years ago to enable her to hear,” he said, adding the previously she could not hear anything at all.
Zhin Mein is among 11 special students in the state who received the “Excellent Award”.
TS
Majority opted for English when answering Science paper
The percentage of students who answered the Science paper of this year’s Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) entirely in English rose by 138% compared with last year’s figure.
This is the first time ever that a majority of students had answered the paper in English.
This year, 51.2% of candidates chose English, compared with 30.8% who answered in Malay and 18% who used a combination of both languages. Last year, only 21.5% of candidates answered the PMR Science paper wholly in English.
Education director-general Datuk Alimuddin Mohd Dom described the increasing trend of candidates using English as “very encouraging.”
“This year marks the fourth batch of students who took the PMR after studying Mathematics and Science in English from Form One,’’ he said.
He said the final decision on whether the subjects would continue to be taught in English rested with Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.
“We have already decided that the 2009 PMR will remain bilingual,” he said at a press conference to announce the 2008 PMR results.
The subject that showed the biggest improvement in performance was English – the pass rate increased by 3.6% from 71.2% in (2003-2007) to 74.8% this year.
“Students are more comfortable using the language as they have studied Mathematics and Science in English for three years,’’ he said when asked whether the improvement was linked to the policy of teaching both subjects in English.
A total of 26,378 candidates or 5.96% scored straight As in the PMR. Last year the figure was 5.65%, while in 2006 it was 4.83%.
Alimuddin said that at least 15% of candidates scored As in all the 16 subjects offered under the PMR.
“In many subjects, more than 20% of candidates scored As,’’ he said.
The subjects with the most number of A scorers were Punjabi (56.2%), Iban (30%) and Living Skills – Technical (30.1%).
The disparity between the performance of urban and rural students was also narrowing. “Each year we see an improvement in the achievements of rural students,” he said.
An expert from Cambridge International Examinations in Britain, Kate Newcombe sat in on the evaluation process and setting of standards of this year’s PMR.
“She said the standard of our Mathematics and Science paper was higher than Britain’s,’’ said Alimuddin.
This is the first time ever that a majority of students had answered the paper in English.
This year, 51.2% of candidates chose English, compared with 30.8% who answered in Malay and 18% who used a combination of both languages. Last year, only 21.5% of candidates answered the PMR Science paper wholly in English.
Education director-general Datuk Alimuddin Mohd Dom described the increasing trend of candidates using English as “very encouraging.”
“This year marks the fourth batch of students who took the PMR after studying Mathematics and Science in English from Form One,’’ he said.
He said the final decision on whether the subjects would continue to be taught in English rested with Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.
“We have already decided that the 2009 PMR will remain bilingual,” he said at a press conference to announce the 2008 PMR results.
The subject that showed the biggest improvement in performance was English – the pass rate increased by 3.6% from 71.2% in (2003-2007) to 74.8% this year.
“Students are more comfortable using the language as they have studied Mathematics and Science in English for three years,’’ he said when asked whether the improvement was linked to the policy of teaching both subjects in English.
A total of 26,378 candidates or 5.96% scored straight As in the PMR. Last year the figure was 5.65%, while in 2006 it was 4.83%.
Alimuddin said that at least 15% of candidates scored As in all the 16 subjects offered under the PMR.
“In many subjects, more than 20% of candidates scored As,’’ he said.
The subjects with the most number of A scorers were Punjabi (56.2%), Iban (30%) and Living Skills – Technical (30.1%).
The disparity between the performance of urban and rural students was also narrowing. “Each year we see an improvement in the achievements of rural students,” he said.
An expert from Cambridge International Examinations in Britain, Kate Newcombe sat in on the evaluation process and setting of standards of this year’s PMR.
“She said the standard of our Mathematics and Science paper was higher than Britain’s,’’ said Alimuddin.
December 28, 2008
Slowdown hits workers
Some 1,429 workers from 17 factories in Kedah will be temporarily laid off in the wake of the economic slowdown.
Their employers had notified the state labour department of the move, which will take place within the next two months.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam said the factories would also reduce the number of working days.
He said five other factories had also given notice of the impending retrenchment of 102 workers in the same period.
“Although the numbers are not serious now, we are unable to predict the demand for the workforce after this period.
“We hope the workers who will be temporarily laid off will not be subsequently retrenched,” he said after opening a “Work Ethics for Indian Youths” seminar here.
The event was organised by his ministry and various Indian associations in Kedah.
Dr Subramaniam said the labour department had opened operations centres nationwide to register retrenched workers to assist them in finding alternative employment.
At a later function in Butterworth, Dr Subramaniam said employers should tap the seven million unemployed Malaysians to reduce their dependency on foreign labour.
He said most of them were housewives, single mothers and fresh graduates.
“Many employers are now reluctant to hire them as they are unsure of the benefits they should pay in case their services are no longer required,” he said at the launch of a tele-working workshop at Dewan Haji Ahmad Badawi.
The ministry, he said, was studying whether part-time workers should be paid Socso, EPF and retrenchment benefits and be given annual leave.
He said the Cabinet had approved RM100mil to help re-train retrenched workers and RM70mil to provide skills training for single mothers and unemployed graduates to enable them to find jobs.
He said some 10,000 unemployed graduates and 20,000 retrenched workers were expected to benefit from the funds.
Dr Subramaniam said up to Dec 25, some 29,000 workers had been retrenched, mostly from the electrical and electronics sector.
TS
Their employers had notified the state labour department of the move, which will take place within the next two months.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam said the factories would also reduce the number of working days.
He said five other factories had also given notice of the impending retrenchment of 102 workers in the same period.
“Although the numbers are not serious now, we are unable to predict the demand for the workforce after this period.
“We hope the workers who will be temporarily laid off will not be subsequently retrenched,” he said after opening a “Work Ethics for Indian Youths” seminar here.
The event was organised by his ministry and various Indian associations in Kedah.
Dr Subramaniam said the labour department had opened operations centres nationwide to register retrenched workers to assist them in finding alternative employment.
At a later function in Butterworth, Dr Subramaniam said employers should tap the seven million unemployed Malaysians to reduce their dependency on foreign labour.
He said most of them were housewives, single mothers and fresh graduates.
“Many employers are now reluctant to hire them as they are unsure of the benefits they should pay in case their services are no longer required,” he said at the launch of a tele-working workshop at Dewan Haji Ahmad Badawi.
The ministry, he said, was studying whether part-time workers should be paid Socso, EPF and retrenchment benefits and be given annual leave.
He said the Cabinet had approved RM100mil to help re-train retrenched workers and RM70mil to provide skills training for single mothers and unemployed graduates to enable them to find jobs.
He said some 10,000 unemployed graduates and 20,000 retrenched workers were expected to benefit from the funds.
Dr Subramaniam said up to Dec 25, some 29,000 workers had been retrenched, mostly from the electrical and electronics sector.
TS
Promotion for education grads
A total 0f 3,169 graduate education officers have been considered for promotions in the Education Ministry’s Graduate Education Officers Service.
Education Ministry secretary-general, Tan Sri Dr Zulkurnain Awang said that of the total, 2,534 were Malays, 445 Chinese, 144 Indians and 46 from the other races.
Education Ministry secretary-general, Tan Sri Dr Zulkurnain Awang said that of the total, 2,534 were Malays, 445 Chinese, 144 Indians and 46 from the other races.
November 28, 2008
Students get a lesson about working life
Monday November 24, 2008
Although they are still pursuing their studies, 60 tertiary students spent their time preparing for the working world at the March Forward: Road to Graduation workshop at Menara Star yesterday.
The students participated in interactive sessions on how to give a good first impression and interview sessions.
"I find the topics very relevant, especially the image class as I'll be in the marketing line in the future.
"Grooming is very important for us and it's good to have the knowledge beforehand," said twenty-four-year-old marketing student Nurul Asyikin Jamal Azmi.
The students learned about personal grooming through demonstrations on how to dress for an interview.
The sessions became livelier as they played team-building games which included role playing on interviewing skills.
"Although we spoke different languages we could work together when we have a common goal in the games.
"We were also thrown into sudden changes halfway through the game and it made me realise that we must be able to adapt and have a Plan B," says Phang Wen Bin, 19.
Although it is still months or years away before they graduate, the participants have a better grasp of what employers are looking for and how they can position themselves to get a head start in their future career.
The workshop is organised by R.AGE and supported by Maybank Graduate Banking.
R.AGE is The Star's youth pullout dedicated to tertiary and Form Six students.
TS
Although they are still pursuing their studies, 60 tertiary students spent their time preparing for the working world at the March Forward: Road to Graduation workshop at Menara Star yesterday.
The students participated in interactive sessions on how to give a good first impression and interview sessions.
"I find the topics very relevant, especially the image class as I'll be in the marketing line in the future.
"Grooming is very important for us and it's good to have the knowledge beforehand," said twenty-four-year-old marketing student Nurul Asyikin Jamal Azmi.
The students learned about personal grooming through demonstrations on how to dress for an interview.
The sessions became livelier as they played team-building games which included role playing on interviewing skills.
"Although we spoke different languages we could work together when we have a common goal in the games.
"We were also thrown into sudden changes halfway through the game and it made me realise that we must be able to adapt and have a Plan B," says Phang Wen Bin, 19.
Although it is still months or years away before they graduate, the participants have a better grasp of what employers are looking for and how they can position themselves to get a head start in their future career.
The workshop is organised by R.AGE and supported by Maybank Graduate Banking.
R.AGE is The Star's youth pullout dedicated to tertiary and Form Six students.
TS
Getting more to pledge organs
Monday November 24, 2008
More than 4,000 people, on the waiting list for the "Gift of Life" would have their wishes granted if only the organs of 7,000 who died in road accidents last year had been transplanted.
To get more Malaysians to donate organs, the Government has launched a media campaign costing RM2.4mil which started yesterday.
National Transplantation Council Action Committee chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said it was unfortunate that there had only been 229 cadaveric donors since 1976.
"These donors were either brain dead or had died in accidents.
"Currently, our database has about 121,000 pledges for donation."
However, he said that most of those people who had pledged had not informed their next of kin, causing problems later if they refuse.
"It is sad that donors have pledged to donate but the authorities cannot harvest the organs to save a life."
Lee said the media played a vital role in creating awareness.
Stressing on the power and easy access of the Internet today as a tool, Lee also launched the transplant resource centre's website.
"The website is designed to provide the public with the mechanics and details of organ donation and how one can pledge to be an organ donor."
For more information on organ donation, go to www.agiftoflife.gov.my or call 03-2615 6576 or 1-800-88-9080.
TS
More than 4,000 people, on the waiting list for the "Gift of Life" would have their wishes granted if only the organs of 7,000 who died in road accidents last year had been transplanted.
To get more Malaysians to donate organs, the Government has launched a media campaign costing RM2.4mil which started yesterday.
National Transplantation Council Action Committee chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said it was unfortunate that there had only been 229 cadaveric donors since 1976.
"These donors were either brain dead or had died in accidents.
"Currently, our database has about 121,000 pledges for donation."
However, he said that most of those people who had pledged had not informed their next of kin, causing problems later if they refuse.
"It is sad that donors have pledged to donate but the authorities cannot harvest the organs to save a life."
Lee said the media played a vital role in creating awareness.
Stressing on the power and easy access of the Internet today as a tool, Lee also launched the transplant resource centre's website.
"The website is designed to provide the public with the mechanics and details of organ donation and how one can pledge to be an organ donor."
For more information on organ donation, go to www.agiftoflife.gov.my or call 03-2615 6576 or 1-800-88-9080.
TS
November 23, 2008
Student year-long burden
Sunday November 23, 2008
SPM candidate Maragatha Ambiga wakes up at 3am to tap rubber for three hours before rushing to school.
This is what the Fifth Former, 16, has been doing since her parents fell ill in August last year.
She would ride a motorcycle to the 4.6ha rubber estate in Bukit Jalor, about 10km away, and help a neighbour tap rubber for three hours before returning home at 6am.
She would then clean up and head to SM Bukit Jalor which is 3km away.
She gets RM20 a day tapping the rubber. If it rains, she would not get any money.
Student breadwinner: Rajagopalu taking a look at Ambiga’s SPM’s revision books. With them are her father Ramasamy mother Tamil Shelvy and brother Suriya. Looking on is Tampin MIC division chairman R. Rajendran
He mother V. Tamil Shelvy, 42, became asthmatic in August last year and was unable to work.
Her father P. Ramasamy, 48, was a lorry driver before joining his wife to tap rubber.
He also had to stop working because he is a diabetic and has high blood pressure and heart problem.
She has a brother, Suriya, 10, who is studying in a Tamil primary school.
Ambiga’s plight was brought to the attention of Negri Sembilan MIC chairman Datuk T. Rajagopalu who visited the family in Taman Air Kuning Selatan, near Gemen-cheh about 75km from here.
Tamil Shelvy said her daughter’s rubber tapping provides the only source of income for the family in addition to the RM200 welfare assistance for the children’s schooling.
She said that her family members had refused to help her out and instead, had asked her to get her daughter married off.
“I want my daughter to study hard and be somebody in life.
“I have confidence in her,” she said.
Ambiga, who is currently sitting for her Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations, said she had to work for the sake of her family.
“I am confident of passing and hope to secure a place to attend teacher training course as I want to become a teacher,” she said.
Rajagopalu said he would assist the children with their education.
He had also made arrangement for Ambiga’s parents to receive treatment at Seremban Hospital and for a contractor to do some repairs to their house.
TS
SPM candidate Maragatha Ambiga wakes up at 3am to tap rubber for three hours before rushing to school.
This is what the Fifth Former, 16, has been doing since her parents fell ill in August last year.
She would ride a motorcycle to the 4.6ha rubber estate in Bukit Jalor, about 10km away, and help a neighbour tap rubber for three hours before returning home at 6am.
She would then clean up and head to SM Bukit Jalor which is 3km away.
She gets RM20 a day tapping the rubber. If it rains, she would not get any money.
Student breadwinner: Rajagopalu taking a look at Ambiga’s SPM’s revision books. With them are her father Ramasamy mother Tamil Shelvy and brother Suriya. Looking on is Tampin MIC division chairman R. Rajendran
He mother V. Tamil Shelvy, 42, became asthmatic in August last year and was unable to work.
Her father P. Ramasamy, 48, was a lorry driver before joining his wife to tap rubber.
He also had to stop working because he is a diabetic and has high blood pressure and heart problem.
She has a brother, Suriya, 10, who is studying in a Tamil primary school.
Ambiga’s plight was brought to the attention of Negri Sembilan MIC chairman Datuk T. Rajagopalu who visited the family in Taman Air Kuning Selatan, near Gemen-cheh about 75km from here.
Tamil Shelvy said her daughter’s rubber tapping provides the only source of income for the family in addition to the RM200 welfare assistance for the children’s schooling.
She said that her family members had refused to help her out and instead, had asked her to get her daughter married off.
“I want my daughter to study hard and be somebody in life.
“I have confidence in her,” she said.
Ambiga, who is currently sitting for her Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations, said she had to work for the sake of her family.
“I am confident of passing and hope to secure a place to attend teacher training course as I want to become a teacher,” she said.
Rajagopalu said he would assist the children with their education.
He had also made arrangement for Ambiga’s parents to receive treatment at Seremban Hospital and for a contractor to do some repairs to their house.
TS
November 07, 2008
Changing the Indian Mind-set
Saturday November 8, 2008
Nothing seems impossible for academic Dr Siva Kumar Balasundram and his colleagues, who between them, have set up TheMind (Malaysian Indian Educational Development) Association, an organisation of high academic achievers who are helping some Malaysian Indians achieve excellence and success through education.
They themselves had struggled to achieve high academic status and believe that with the right help, encouragement and motivation, other Indians too can achieve similar success through education.
“We believe educational attainment is the one sure path for Malaysian Indians to advancement in life and success,” said Dr Siva, 37, a senior lecturer at UPM and a specialist on precision agriculture.
A core group of about 20 high achievers are running TheMind, and they organise opportunity seminars, motivation forums, courses and seminars for Indians.
They also organise sessions with rural Indian youths to place them in training institutes after they have completed their SPM.
In addition, TheMind has set up an e-mail network of over 50,000 individuals who act as initiators or helpers, offering advice, job vacancies and other pointers to needy individuals, for instance, where to get loans, scholarships and jobs.
“It is like a help-line and it’s growing in size,” said association vice-president Dr Ganesan Vadamalai, 36, an agricultural scientist, referring to TheMind Bulletin Board.
In 2005, the group organised the 9th Malaysia Plan – Voices of the Grassroots, a joint programme with ERA Consumer that was supported by the Friedrich Nauman Foundation and the European Union.
In 2007, they organised the National Indian Youth Convention, which attracted widespread attention from Indian youths, teachers, professionals and business people hungry to develop themselves, network and succeed in life.
Among the speakers at this convention was Petra Group founder president and CEO Datuk Vinod Sekhar, whose late father Tan Sri B. C. Sekhar was a world-reknown rubber specialist.
A one-day seminar in Kulim in April this year saw TheMind enthusiasts like Dr Ganesan coming face-to-face with the myriad problems Indian youths face – poverty, low skills, low academic achievements, lack of scholarships and being sidelined from mainstream development.
“They were in the low information group, and did not have adequate information on how to seize the opportunities and advance themselves,” Dr Ganesan said, adding that 15 youths who had completed their SPM and were about to enter the job market as low-skilled employees were persuaded to study new skills at vocational institutes.
“They can get much higher wages with higher skills,” Dr Ganesan said, adding the TheMind intended to conduct more forums to place Indian youths in skills training centres.
“We want to make this a permanent feature of our activities because Indian enrolment in skills institutes is low.”
TheMind is a registered organisation and entirely voluntary, said Dr Siva.
“We could use more support and help. We also hope others set up similar voluntary organisations to show the way and motivate our people.”
TheMind started with one man, Saravanan Kandasamy, an electronic engineer with Maxis who sent out e-mails in 2004 to Indian professionals whose addresses he had collected after diligent research on the Internet.
“Saravanan argued that Indian professionals needed to get involved to help the community and not just take care of themselves,” Dr Siva said.
A meeting was held, attended by about 20 people and from that, a core group of five formed TheMind.
Saravanan runs its bulletin board from Porta City, Portugal, where he is studying for his PhD on a Portuguese government scholarship.
“Although he is far away, we keep in regular touch,” Dr Siva said.
TheMind’s latest initiative is “An Afternoon with Datuk Vinod Sekhar” at the UPM campus from 2pm today where the successful businessman appears as a role model for Indian youths.
He will be offering pointers, sharing ideas and taking questions on the subject of the challenges facing Indian youths today.
The event is sponsored by the Sekhar Foundation, which is chaired by Vinod who was impressed enough by TheMind to promise help and funding for the group’s initiatives.
TS
Nothing seems impossible for academic Dr Siva Kumar Balasundram and his colleagues, who between them, have set up TheMind (Malaysian Indian Educational Development) Association, an organisation of high academic achievers who are helping some Malaysian Indians achieve excellence and success through education.
They themselves had struggled to achieve high academic status and believe that with the right help, encouragement and motivation, other Indians too can achieve similar success through education.
“We believe educational attainment is the one sure path for Malaysian Indians to advancement in life and success,” said Dr Siva, 37, a senior lecturer at UPM and a specialist on precision agriculture.
A core group of about 20 high achievers are running TheMind, and they organise opportunity seminars, motivation forums, courses and seminars for Indians.
They also organise sessions with rural Indian youths to place them in training institutes after they have completed their SPM.
In addition, TheMind has set up an e-mail network of over 50,000 individuals who act as initiators or helpers, offering advice, job vacancies and other pointers to needy individuals, for instance, where to get loans, scholarships and jobs.
“It is like a help-line and it’s growing in size,” said association vice-president Dr Ganesan Vadamalai, 36, an agricultural scientist, referring to TheMind Bulletin Board.
In 2005, the group organised the 9th Malaysia Plan – Voices of the Grassroots, a joint programme with ERA Consumer that was supported by the Friedrich Nauman Foundation and the European Union.
In 2007, they organised the National Indian Youth Convention, which attracted widespread attention from Indian youths, teachers, professionals and business people hungry to develop themselves, network and succeed in life.
Among the speakers at this convention was Petra Group founder president and CEO Datuk Vinod Sekhar, whose late father Tan Sri B. C. Sekhar was a world-reknown rubber specialist.
A one-day seminar in Kulim in April this year saw TheMind enthusiasts like Dr Ganesan coming face-to-face with the myriad problems Indian youths face – poverty, low skills, low academic achievements, lack of scholarships and being sidelined from mainstream development.
“They were in the low information group, and did not have adequate information on how to seize the opportunities and advance themselves,” Dr Ganesan said, adding that 15 youths who had completed their SPM and were about to enter the job market as low-skilled employees were persuaded to study new skills at vocational institutes.
“They can get much higher wages with higher skills,” Dr Ganesan said, adding the TheMind intended to conduct more forums to place Indian youths in skills training centres.
“We want to make this a permanent feature of our activities because Indian enrolment in skills institutes is low.”
TheMind is a registered organisation and entirely voluntary, said Dr Siva.
“We could use more support and help. We also hope others set up similar voluntary organisations to show the way and motivate our people.”
TheMind started with one man, Saravanan Kandasamy, an electronic engineer with Maxis who sent out e-mails in 2004 to Indian professionals whose addresses he had collected after diligent research on the Internet.
“Saravanan argued that Indian professionals needed to get involved to help the community and not just take care of themselves,” Dr Siva said.
A meeting was held, attended by about 20 people and from that, a core group of five formed TheMind.
Saravanan runs its bulletin board from Porta City, Portugal, where he is studying for his PhD on a Portuguese government scholarship.
“Although he is far away, we keep in regular touch,” Dr Siva said.
TheMind’s latest initiative is “An Afternoon with Datuk Vinod Sekhar” at the UPM campus from 2pm today where the successful businessman appears as a role model for Indian youths.
He will be offering pointers, sharing ideas and taking questions on the subject of the challenges facing Indian youths today.
The event is sponsored by the Sekhar Foundation, which is chaired by Vinod who was impressed enough by TheMind to promise help and funding for the group’s initiatives.
TS
443,000 to sit for SPM exam for 2008
Saturday November 8, 2008
A total of 442,936 students will sit for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination at 3,939 testing centres nationwide beginning Wednesday.
The examination will end on Dec 5.
Education director-general Datuk Alimuddin Mohd Dom reminded students to check the examination timetable to be sure of when they needed to sit for their test papers.
“They must also have their identity cards with them at all times,’’ he said in a statement.
Alimuddin also reminded students to watch out for news on any change in the examination schedule or venue if there were floods or fires.
He also advised students and parents to disregard rumours that the examination papers had been leaked.
TS
A total of 442,936 students will sit for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination at 3,939 testing centres nationwide beginning Wednesday.
The examination will end on Dec 5.
Education director-general Datuk Alimuddin Mohd Dom reminded students to check the examination timetable to be sure of when they needed to sit for their test papers.
“They must also have their identity cards with them at all times,’’ he said in a statement.
Alimuddin also reminded students to watch out for news on any change in the examination schedule or venue if there were floods or fires.
He also advised students and parents to disregard rumours that the examination papers had been leaked.
TS
November 03, 2008
Discuss Maths and Science at Cabinet level first
The Education Ministry cannot decide whether to continue having Science and Mathematics taught in English or revert to Bahasa Malaysia before the matter is discussed in the Cabinet.
Minister Datuk Seri Hisham-muddin Tun Hussein said the ministry must also wait for the release of the UPSR results which is expected in the middle of next month.
"We also have to analyse what has been said in the four roundtable discussions we have held with stakeholders for their views," he told reporters after presenting certificates to 331 excellent teachers at a teaching conference.
Making a point: Hishammuddin (third from right) having an informal chat with some of the excellent teachers at the teaching conference Thursday.
Asked whether it was possible to make an announcement at the end of this year or early next year, Hishammuddin said it would depend on how long it took to analyse the differing views.
"Whatever we decide, we can't start in January anyway as it is far too soon," he said, adding that any decision would not affect those already in the system and that it would start with a new group of Year One pupils.
He advised people not to worry about pupils' ability to master English as there were plans to strengthen the subject in primary school.
"Whatever decision we make will not fulfil everyone's wish or satisfy everyone but at least we have the facts and figures to back our decision," he said, adding that the decision could include fine-tuning the existing policy.
Hishammuddin said the decision "did not have to be black and white, or a yes and no".
The policy of teaching Science and Mathematics in English was implemented in phases, starting with Year One, Form One and Lower Six in 2003.
Hishammuddin also announced that 233 graduate headmasters in primary schools have created history by being promoted to grade DG44 from DG41 with a minimum salary increase at about RM300.
The Government, he added, considered requests from teaching unions for faster promotions for headmasters who had served at least three years in the DG41 grade.
National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) secretary-general Lok Yim Pheng who welcomed the move hoped that the Government would also consider extending the scheme to
senior assistants who had to wait at least 10 years to be upgraded to DG44.
TS
Minister Datuk Seri Hisham-muddin Tun Hussein said the ministry must also wait for the release of the UPSR results which is expected in the middle of next month.
"We also have to analyse what has been said in the four roundtable discussions we have held with stakeholders for their views," he told reporters after presenting certificates to 331 excellent teachers at a teaching conference.
Making a point: Hishammuddin (third from right) having an informal chat with some of the excellent teachers at the teaching conference Thursday.
Asked whether it was possible to make an announcement at the end of this year or early next year, Hishammuddin said it would depend on how long it took to analyse the differing views.
"Whatever we decide, we can't start in January anyway as it is far too soon," he said, adding that any decision would not affect those already in the system and that it would start with a new group of Year One pupils.
He advised people not to worry about pupils' ability to master English as there were plans to strengthen the subject in primary school.
"Whatever decision we make will not fulfil everyone's wish or satisfy everyone but at least we have the facts and figures to back our decision," he said, adding that the decision could include fine-tuning the existing policy.
Hishammuddin said the decision "did not have to be black and white, or a yes and no".
The policy of teaching Science and Mathematics in English was implemented in phases, starting with Year One, Form One and Lower Six in 2003.
Hishammuddin also announced that 233 graduate headmasters in primary schools have created history by being promoted to grade DG44 from DG41 with a minimum salary increase at about RM300.
The Government, he added, considered requests from teaching unions for faster promotions for headmasters who had served at least three years in the DG41 grade.
National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) secretary-general Lok Yim Pheng who welcomed the move hoped that the Government would also consider extending the scheme to
senior assistants who had to wait at least 10 years to be upgraded to DG44.
TS
November 02, 2008
Matriculation stays
Sunday November 2, 2008
The matriculation programme will not be abolished, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.
He said the Government was committed to ensuring its continuous existence in line with the country’s mainstream development.
“This programme has proven to be successful in paving the way for SPM students, particularly bumiputras, who obtained good results to enter local universities.
“The selection process is based on meritocracy which is fair to all parties. I believe non-bumiputras too benefited as a quota of 10% has been set aside for them,’’ he said in his speech during the celebration of a decade of matriculation programme in Felda Chini Timur near here yesterday.
He said there was no manipulation in the programme.
His speech was read out by Deputy Education Minister Datuk Razali Ismail, who also launched a foster parents programme in which matriculation students were adopted by the local community here.
The matriculation programme was started in 1998 when Najib was Education Minister.
Najib, who is also Pekan MP, said the Government would ensure the programme would be of high standard in terms of management, up-to-date and relevant curriculum, in addition to receiving recognition both in and out of the country.
“So far, we have nine matriculation and two Mara colleges throughout the country.
“Under the 9th Malaysia Plan, three more colleges will be built to further strengthen the programme to churn out more graduates in critical fields such as medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, engineering, architecture, accounting and management,” he said.
Najib said the Selangor Matricula- tion College would receive its first intake of students by 2010, to be followed by the colleges in Kelantan, Sabah and Terengganu.
“There are plans to upgrade four initial colleges to meet the present development needs and increasing number of applicants,” he said.
He said plans were in the pipeline to award matriculation certificates so that graduates of the programme would be recognised overseas.
“Recently, several universities in Britain had accepted and recognised the programme’s syllabus,” he said, adding that 50 matriculation students had been selected to participate in a teachers’ training programme in Britain this year.
TS
The matriculation programme will not be abolished, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.
He said the Government was committed to ensuring its continuous existence in line with the country’s mainstream development.
“This programme has proven to be successful in paving the way for SPM students, particularly bumiputras, who obtained good results to enter local universities.
“The selection process is based on meritocracy which is fair to all parties. I believe non-bumiputras too benefited as a quota of 10% has been set aside for them,’’ he said in his speech during the celebration of a decade of matriculation programme in Felda Chini Timur near here yesterday.
He said there was no manipulation in the programme.
His speech was read out by Deputy Education Minister Datuk Razali Ismail, who also launched a foster parents programme in which matriculation students were adopted by the local community here.
The matriculation programme was started in 1998 when Najib was Education Minister.
Najib, who is also Pekan MP, said the Government would ensure the programme would be of high standard in terms of management, up-to-date and relevant curriculum, in addition to receiving recognition both in and out of the country.
“So far, we have nine matriculation and two Mara colleges throughout the country.
“Under the 9th Malaysia Plan, three more colleges will be built to further strengthen the programme to churn out more graduates in critical fields such as medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, engineering, architecture, accounting and management,” he said.
Najib said the Selangor Matricula- tion College would receive its first intake of students by 2010, to be followed by the colleges in Kelantan, Sabah and Terengganu.
“There are plans to upgrade four initial colleges to meet the present development needs and increasing number of applicants,” he said.
He said plans were in the pipeline to award matriculation certificates so that graduates of the programme would be recognised overseas.
“Recently, several universities in Britain had accepted and recognised the programme’s syllabus,” he said, adding that 50 matriculation students had been selected to participate in a teachers’ training programme in Britain this year.
TS
Apply online for admission to IPTAs
Sunday November 2, 2008
SPM school leavers who sat for the examination in 2006, 2007 and 2008 must apply online for admission to public institutions of higher learning (IPTAs) for the 2008/2009 academic session.
The Higher Education Ministry, said yesterday that the online application registration would be implemented in two phases with Phase 1 opened from Nov 3 to Dec 31.
Applicants are only required to use their identity card/MyKad numbers and a password.
The rule applies to applicants with qualifications equivalent to the SPM as well. The applications are to be sent to www.mohe.gov.my.
The second phase, to be opened at noon on Feb 3, 2009, is for applicants to verify their applications.
To submit the applications for the second phase, applicants are required to buy the Unique ID Numbers for RM10.60 at any Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) counter, through SMS banking and at Automated Teller Machines (only for BSN Giro account holders).
Applicants will be allowed to submit their applications once. They are also allowed three times to make changes to their applications before the closing date.
For clarification and enquiries, they can contact the Student Admission Management Division of the Higher Education Department at 03-88835801 or 03-88835802 or send an e-mail to upu@mohe.gov.my.
TS
SPM school leavers who sat for the examination in 2006, 2007 and 2008 must apply online for admission to public institutions of higher learning (IPTAs) for the 2008/2009 academic session.
The Higher Education Ministry, said yesterday that the online application registration would be implemented in two phases with Phase 1 opened from Nov 3 to Dec 31.
Applicants are only required to use their identity card/MyKad numbers and a password.
The rule applies to applicants with qualifications equivalent to the SPM as well. The applications are to be sent to www.mohe.gov.my.
The second phase, to be opened at noon on Feb 3, 2009, is for applicants to verify their applications.
To submit the applications for the second phase, applicants are required to buy the Unique ID Numbers for RM10.60 at any Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) counter, through SMS banking and at Automated Teller Machines (only for BSN Giro account holders).
Applicants will be allowed to submit their applications once. They are also allowed three times to make changes to their applications before the closing date.
For clarification and enquiries, they can contact the Student Admission Management Division of the Higher Education Department at 03-88835801 or 03-88835802 or send an e-mail to upu@mohe.gov.my.
TS
October 30, 2008
Students to be involved in agricultural activities
Thursday October 30, 2008
The Green Earth Programme will involve 400 schools in theinitial stages, Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Husseinsaid.He said the programme would enable students to become involved inagricultural and environmental activities."Agriculture was once considered a sunset industry but it is nowimportant," he said.Green earth: Jeanne Abdullah and Hishammuddin admiring maturing ladiesfingers planted at SMK Bandar Barmu Sungai Long, Kajang, yesterday.He was speaking to reporters after the launch of the programme byDatin Seri Jeanne Abdullah, wife of Prime Minister Datuk Seri AbdullahAhmad Badawi, at SMK Bandar Baru Sg Long near here yesterday.Jeanne said that under the subject, Nature Study, in the 1960s,students learned about plants."My parents encouraged my siblings and I and we learned to plantthings such as chillies and pineapples at home."We had to care for the plants ourselves and we were so pleased whenthey praised us for having the best or sweetest fruit," she said inher speech.Jeanne urged students who were interested in agriculture to make ittheir careers."There are many modern methods now which bring good returns," she said.SMK Bandar Baru Sg Long principal Salimah Jafri said the school hadplanted vegetables in the compound since it was established in 2002and the project was developed on a larger scale last year."As part of their extra-curricular activities, some secondary schoolpupils plant vegetables such as ladies' fingers, kangkung, brinjal,cucumber, pumpkin, kai lan and sawi in the school compound," she said.Salimah said the vegetables were sold to the cooperative, which inturn sold them to students and teachers.She said the school also reared ikan keli in four large tanks withinthe compound.
TS
The Green Earth Programme will involve 400 schools in theinitial stages, Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Husseinsaid.He said the programme would enable students to become involved inagricultural and environmental activities."Agriculture was once considered a sunset industry but it is nowimportant," he said.Green earth: Jeanne Abdullah and Hishammuddin admiring maturing ladiesfingers planted at SMK Bandar Barmu Sungai Long, Kajang, yesterday.He was speaking to reporters after the launch of the programme byDatin Seri Jeanne Abdullah, wife of Prime Minister Datuk Seri AbdullahAhmad Badawi, at SMK Bandar Baru Sg Long near here yesterday.Jeanne said that under the subject, Nature Study, in the 1960s,students learned about plants."My parents encouraged my siblings and I and we learned to plantthings such as chillies and pineapples at home."We had to care for the plants ourselves and we were so pleased whenthey praised us for having the best or sweetest fruit," she said inher speech.Jeanne urged students who were interested in agriculture to make ittheir careers."There are many modern methods now which bring good returns," she said.SMK Bandar Baru Sg Long principal Salimah Jafri said the school hadplanted vegetables in the compound since it was established in 2002and the project was developed on a larger scale last year."As part of their extra-curricular activities, some secondary schoolpupils plant vegetables such as ladies' fingers, kangkung, brinjal,cucumber, pumpkin, kai lan and sawi in the school compound," she said.Salimah said the vegetables were sold to the cooperative, which inturn sold them to students and teachers.She said the school also reared ikan keli in four large tanks withinthe compound.
TS
Ministry's plan to face financial crisis
Thursday October 30, 2008
The Higher Education Ministry has laid out plans to facethe financial crisis, including attracting more foreign students andincreasing graduate employability, said Minister Datuk Seri MohamedKhaled Nordin."Malaysia is intensifying its effort to attract foreign students,especially from Africa and the Middle East, since this will contributegrowth to its economy," he said at the Regional Focal Points(Asia/Pacific) meeting opening ceremony yesterday."Under the Iskandar Malaysia growth corridor, certain areas have beenearmarked for foreign universities to set up their campuses," he said.Khaled said though there may be some repercussions of a recession onuniversities and colleges, students should not be too affected asthere were many options to gain tertiary education."Our net is very wide, if students cannot get into universities, theycan still enrol in polytechnic institutions and community colleges."From past experience, we have seen higher enrolment of studentsduring economic downturn so my department has told institutions ofhigher learning to be ready for an increase in enrolment," he said.On another issue, Khaled said the ministry would be bidding toestablish a Commonwealth tertiary education centre in the country tocollect and share information in the area of education knowledge andpolicy among Commonwealth countries.The suggestion of a facility was brought up at the 16th Conference ofCommonwealth Education Ministers.
TS
The Higher Education Ministry has laid out plans to facethe financial crisis, including attracting more foreign students andincreasing graduate employability, said Minister Datuk Seri MohamedKhaled Nordin."Malaysia is intensifying its effort to attract foreign students,especially from Africa and the Middle East, since this will contributegrowth to its economy," he said at the Regional Focal Points(Asia/Pacific) meeting opening ceremony yesterday."Under the Iskandar Malaysia growth corridor, certain areas have beenearmarked for foreign universities to set up their campuses," he said.Khaled said though there may be some repercussions of a recession onuniversities and colleges, students should not be too affected asthere were many options to gain tertiary education."Our net is very wide, if students cannot get into universities, theycan still enrol in polytechnic institutions and community colleges."From past experience, we have seen higher enrolment of studentsduring economic downturn so my department has told institutions ofhigher learning to be ready for an increase in enrolment," he said.On another issue, Khaled said the ministry would be bidding toestablish a Commonwealth tertiary education centre in the country tocollect and share information in the area of education knowledge andpolicy among Commonwealth countries.The suggestion of a facility was brought up at the 16th Conference ofCommonwealth Education Ministers.
TS
Chance to show business skills in contest
Thursday October 30, 2008
Higher education students can now participate in acompetition that will equip them with the right business skills forthe future.Known as the HSBC Young Entrepreneur Awards (YEA) 2008/09, it is opento teams of up to three members who are pursuing diploma or degreestudies at a higher education institution in Malaysia.HSBC Bank Malaysia Bhd deputy chairman and chief executive officerIrene M. Dorner (pic) said this was a regional business plancompetition run concurrently in five other countries."We hope this will provide undergraduates with the opportunity todevelop their interest in entrepreneurship, enhance their creativityand help them acquire new business skills," she said at the launch ofthe competition.Dorner said gold award winners would walk away with RM15,000, anincrease from the RM10,000 given away in previous years."At HSBC, we believe that it is the younger generation who will becomeour future leaders."We also believe it is the younger generation with an enterprisingspirit that will help propel the nation to the next economic level,"she said.The competition will first be judged on a national level and the goldaward winner from each country will then move on to compete in theregional competition which will be held in Hong Kong.For the first round of the competition, students have to submit anoutline of an innovative business idea through an online submissionform.Students can apply for entry into the competition at the YEA websiteat www.asiayea.com.The closing date for entries is Dec 12. Look out for more details inthe Star Education pullout in the weeks ahead.
TS
Higher education students can now participate in acompetition that will equip them with the right business skills forthe future.Known as the HSBC Young Entrepreneur Awards (YEA) 2008/09, it is opento teams of up to three members who are pursuing diploma or degreestudies at a higher education institution in Malaysia.HSBC Bank Malaysia Bhd deputy chairman and chief executive officerIrene M. Dorner (pic) said this was a regional business plancompetition run concurrently in five other countries."We hope this will provide undergraduates with the opportunity todevelop their interest in entrepreneurship, enhance their creativityand help them acquire new business skills," she said at the launch ofthe competition.Dorner said gold award winners would walk away with RM15,000, anincrease from the RM10,000 given away in previous years."At HSBC, we believe that it is the younger generation who will becomeour future leaders."We also believe it is the younger generation with an enterprisingspirit that will help propel the nation to the next economic level,"she said.The competition will first be judged on a national level and the goldaward winner from each country will then move on to compete in theregional competition which will be held in Hong Kong.For the first round of the competition, students have to submit anoutline of an innovative business idea through an online submissionform.Students can apply for entry into the competition at the YEA websiteat www.asiayea.com.The closing date for entries is Dec 12. Look out for more details inthe Star Education pullout in the weeks ahead.
TS
October 29, 2008
RM4.8bil in loans for Chinese students
CHINESE students received RM4.8bil in loans from the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) since its establishment in 1997, China Press reported.
Deputy Higher Education Minister Dr Hou Kok Chung was quoted as saying that the sum was part of the RM23bil in loans disbursed by the corporation.
He said the Government was aware of its responsibility in the development of education.
"The vitality of a society largely depends on the community. In this aspect, the Chinese associations have played their role effectively in the future development of the country and its economy.
"They always set up an education fund to assist the less fortunate students," he said.
Dr Hou said students who had benefited from the fund should contribute to the society once they graduated.
Deputy Higher Education Minister Dr Hou Kok Chung was quoted as saying that the sum was part of the RM23bil in loans disbursed by the corporation.
He said the Government was aware of its responsibility in the development of education.
"The vitality of a society largely depends on the community. In this aspect, the Chinese associations have played their role effectively in the future development of the country and its economy.
"They always set up an education fund to assist the less fortunate students," he said.
Dr Hou said students who had benefited from the fund should contribute to the society once they graduated.
Don’t fall for those selling ‘exam questions’
Wednesday October 29, 2008
There are people offering to sell questions that will purportedly appear in the coming public examinations.
However, Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein has advised students not to fall for it and assured parents that the ministry was doing its best to ensure that there is no leakage of exam questions.
“Some cases have been investigated and found to be untrue while others were mere coincidence,” he said when commenting on a report of students paying for tips on exam questions.
Hishammuddin said the ministry’s Private Education Division would monitor the situation.
“Those who say they can actually anticipate or know what is going to come out are defrauding the public and exploiting their desperation as the date of the examination draws closer,” he said, adding that some parents were willing to pay for the tips.
Hishammuddin said the reforms to the new primary school curriculum to be implemented by 2010 would place less emphasis on exams and education would be looked at a more holistic way.
“The plan is to have more schools-based assessment and hopefully this means parents and students will not rely so much on spotting questions or going for tuition,” he told reporters when presenting “expandable mobile schools” to the Myanmar Children’s Cyclone Appeal 2008.
On another matter, Hishammuddin said the ministry was building classrooms on a cabin format for rural areas.
“Each cabin costs RM370,000 and comprises two classrooms with electrical wiring and toilets. It is built with emphasis on natural light and circulation,” he said.
TS
There are people offering to sell questions that will purportedly appear in the coming public examinations.
However, Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein has advised students not to fall for it and assured parents that the ministry was doing its best to ensure that there is no leakage of exam questions.
“Some cases have been investigated and found to be untrue while others were mere coincidence,” he said when commenting on a report of students paying for tips on exam questions.
Hishammuddin said the ministry’s Private Education Division would monitor the situation.
“Those who say they can actually anticipate or know what is going to come out are defrauding the public and exploiting their desperation as the date of the examination draws closer,” he said, adding that some parents were willing to pay for the tips.
Hishammuddin said the reforms to the new primary school curriculum to be implemented by 2010 would place less emphasis on exams and education would be looked at a more holistic way.
“The plan is to have more schools-based assessment and hopefully this means parents and students will not rely so much on spotting questions or going for tuition,” he told reporters when presenting “expandable mobile schools” to the Myanmar Children’s Cyclone Appeal 2008.
On another matter, Hishammuddin said the ministry was building classrooms on a cabin format for rural areas.
“Each cabin costs RM370,000 and comprises two classrooms with electrical wiring and toilets. It is built with emphasis on natural light and circulation,” he said.
TS
Don’t fall for those selling ‘exam questions’
Wednesday October 29, 2008
There are people offering to sell questions that will purportedly appear in the coming public examinations.
However, Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein has advised students not to fall for it and assured parents that the ministry was doing its best to ensure that there is no leakage of exam questions.
“Some cases have been investigated and found to be untrue while others were mere coincidence,” he said when commenting on a report of students paying for tips on exam questions.
Hishammuddin said the ministry’s Private Education Division would monitor the situation.
“Those who say they can actually anticipate or know what is going to come out are defrauding the public and exploiting their desperation as the date of the examination draws closer,” he said, adding that some parents were willing to pay for the tips.
Hishammuddin said the reforms to the new primary school curriculum to be implemented by 2010 would place less emphasis on exams and education would be looked at a more holistic way.
“The plan is to have more schools-based assessment and hopefully this means parents and students will not rely so much on spotting questions or going for tuition,” he told reporters when presenting “expandable mobile schools” to the Myanmar Children’s Cyclone Appeal 2008.
On another matter, Hishammuddin said the ministry was building classrooms on a cabin format for rural areas.
“Each cabin costs RM370,000 and comprises two classrooms with electrical wiring and toilets. It is built with emphasis on natural light and circulation,” he said.
TS
There are people offering to sell questions that will purportedly appear in the coming public examinations.
However, Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein has advised students not to fall for it and assured parents that the ministry was doing its best to ensure that there is no leakage of exam questions.
“Some cases have been investigated and found to be untrue while others were mere coincidence,” he said when commenting on a report of students paying for tips on exam questions.
Hishammuddin said the ministry’s Private Education Division would monitor the situation.
“Those who say they can actually anticipate or know what is going to come out are defrauding the public and exploiting their desperation as the date of the examination draws closer,” he said, adding that some parents were willing to pay for the tips.
Hishammuddin said the reforms to the new primary school curriculum to be implemented by 2010 would place less emphasis on exams and education would be looked at a more holistic way.
“The plan is to have more schools-based assessment and hopefully this means parents and students will not rely so much on spotting questions or going for tuition,” he told reporters when presenting “expandable mobile schools” to the Myanmar Children’s Cyclone Appeal 2008.
On another matter, Hishammuddin said the ministry was building classrooms on a cabin format for rural areas.
“Each cabin costs RM370,000 and comprises two classrooms with electrical wiring and toilets. It is built with emphasis on natural light and circulation,” he said.
TS
October 27, 2008
End of the La Salle Brothers’ era
Sunday October 26, 2008
St Xavier’s Institution being the first school the La Salle Brothers established in the country, Brother Paul Ho’s retirement will be a double milestone as he represents the last Brother principal in Malaysia.
“I joined the brotherhood at the age of 20.
“It was just a feeling I had because all along I’d been taught by the Brothers in primary and secondary school in Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh.
“I just knew this was what I wanted to do,” says Brother Paul, 54.
Principal's principle: Brother Paul teaching an English Literature class at St Xavier’s Institution and (below)....
He said when he attended St Joseph’s Novitiate in 1974 to receive his religious training, there were quite a number of men joining the Brotherhood, but the numbers have dwindled over the last 20 years.
After postings to schools in Klang and Malacca and two trips to England to obtain a Bachelor’s degree and Masters in English, Brother Paul was finally posted to SXI as headmaster in 1993.
“I suppose what makes the Brothers special is that we have no career ambitions.
“We are called to do our best for the kids and the teachers while following the principles of fairness and justice.
“Although everyone knows that SXI is a Christian school, there has been no such thing as evangelising the students. Race and religion are never brought up because this is a school,” he said.
“The legacy we have in SXI is one of pastoral care in which no child is left behind.
“We accept everyone, even those who cannot read or write. They all have a place here,” he adds.
In an effort to equip less academically gifted students, Brother Paul honed in on his personal skills and opened a bakery 10 years ago for Form 4 and 5 students who did poorly in the PMR examination.
“After the Ministry of Education changed its policy to make it compulsory for students to continue to Form 4 regardless of their results in PMR, many of our end classes started to come back,” said Brother Paul, himself a certified baker after enrolling in free Cordon Bleu courses while studying in Manchester.
Asked what he enjoyed about SXI, Brother Paul, known for his friendliness and brisk walk, said he would remember the noise of the students and the school’s working spirit.
...getting a student to dig right in and mix the dough at a bread-making session in the school’s bakery, extolling the ‘no child left behind’ principle.
For those who are used to seeing the presence of a figure in a white cassock walking the corridors, the end of the La Salle order in the school has been met with a sense of foreboding.
“I think there is always apprehension among Old Boys and parents because they are so used to the way it has been for the last 156 years,” Brother Paul said.
On his retirement, Brother Paul said he planned to live with his family in Australia and take up cross stitching.
“I am going to give myself a lot of time to think about what I’d like to do.
“I never knew I would be the last (of the Lasallian principals) and I think that reality will hit me next year,” he said.
TS
St Xavier’s Institution being the first school the La Salle Brothers established in the country, Brother Paul Ho’s retirement will be a double milestone as he represents the last Brother principal in Malaysia.
“I joined the brotherhood at the age of 20.
“It was just a feeling I had because all along I’d been taught by the Brothers in primary and secondary school in Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh.
“I just knew this was what I wanted to do,” says Brother Paul, 54.
Principal's principle: Brother Paul teaching an English Literature class at St Xavier’s Institution and (below)....
He said when he attended St Joseph’s Novitiate in 1974 to receive his religious training, there were quite a number of men joining the Brotherhood, but the numbers have dwindled over the last 20 years.
After postings to schools in Klang and Malacca and two trips to England to obtain a Bachelor’s degree and Masters in English, Brother Paul was finally posted to SXI as headmaster in 1993.
“I suppose what makes the Brothers special is that we have no career ambitions.
“We are called to do our best for the kids and the teachers while following the principles of fairness and justice.
“Although everyone knows that SXI is a Christian school, there has been no such thing as evangelising the students. Race and religion are never brought up because this is a school,” he said.
“The legacy we have in SXI is one of pastoral care in which no child is left behind.
“We accept everyone, even those who cannot read or write. They all have a place here,” he adds.
In an effort to equip less academically gifted students, Brother Paul honed in on his personal skills and opened a bakery 10 years ago for Form 4 and 5 students who did poorly in the PMR examination.
“After the Ministry of Education changed its policy to make it compulsory for students to continue to Form 4 regardless of their results in PMR, many of our end classes started to come back,” said Brother Paul, himself a certified baker after enrolling in free Cordon Bleu courses while studying in Manchester.
Asked what he enjoyed about SXI, Brother Paul, known for his friendliness and brisk walk, said he would remember the noise of the students and the school’s working spirit.
...getting a student to dig right in and mix the dough at a bread-making session in the school’s bakery, extolling the ‘no child left behind’ principle.
For those who are used to seeing the presence of a figure in a white cassock walking the corridors, the end of the La Salle order in the school has been met with a sense of foreboding.
“I think there is always apprehension among Old Boys and parents because they are so used to the way it has been for the last 156 years,” Brother Paul said.
On his retirement, Brother Paul said he planned to live with his family in Australia and take up cross stitching.
“I am going to give myself a lot of time to think about what I’d like to do.
“I never knew I would be the last (of the Lasallian principals) and I think that reality will hit me next year,” he said.
TS
St Xavier’s marks a new chapter after 156 years
Sunday October 26, 2008
Next year will mark the end of an era for the La Salle Brothers’ public school administration in Malaysia when the last Brother principal in the country retires.
St Xavier’s Institution (SXI) here will see a government servant lead the institution for the first time in over 150 years when Brother Paul Ho, its 29th religious head, steps down in June.
“SXI was the first school in the nation to be administered and fully owned by the Brothers and it can be called the epicentre of spreading the La Salle vision of educating the young,” said Brother Director of Malaysia Anthony Rogers.
Although Brother Paul’s retirement would mark the end of the line of Brother headmasters in the country, Brother Anthony says it will not be the end of the Lasallian legacy.
“A long time ago, when people thought of the schools, they would always think about the Brothers but over the years, we have grown beyond that.
“There is now a whole La Salle family made up of every boy and girl who has studied in our schools along with the teachers, parents, staff and collaborators who have had ties with the schools.
“We’re handing over the baton and it’s a new paradigm which is formed with the same message by a community that knows what it means to be a Lasallian,” he said.
“Brother Paul’s incident is not new. Over the years, all our other schools have also been taken over by lay people.
“There is no real cause for concern as strong boards of governors have been formed to safeguard the traditions and it has been a long-standing promise by the Govern-ment to give us consultation in the appointing of heads in our schools,” Brother Anthony added.
“Since 1852 to 1965, the Brothers built 46 schools in Peninsular Malaysia and were also given 10 more in Sabah and Sarawak by the Bishop to administer,” he said.
On the future of the La Salle Brothers, Brother Anthony said there were many more good things to come.
“The Brothers’ initial priority was to set up a basic education system in the country and the Government has successfully taken over that responsibility.
“There are currently about 10 Brothers aged 40 to 60 who are still active in Malaysia and there has been a lot of thought about branching out into the setting up of private colleges or even universities.
“There is also an increasing number of children suffering from autism and providing education for children with special needs is also part of our plans,” he said.
Brother Paul, too, is positive about his impending retirement, and says the La Salle Brothers have achieved what they had set out to do.
“It’s okay. It’s moving and we have left our legacy.
“We hope that in whatever we have done, we have given the people what was expected. That is our yardstick of what a school should be.
“After all, we only came here to give education to the people of Malaysia and at the end of the day, we have done our job,” he said.
TS
Next year will mark the end of an era for the La Salle Brothers’ public school administration in Malaysia when the last Brother principal in the country retires.
St Xavier’s Institution (SXI) here will see a government servant lead the institution for the first time in over 150 years when Brother Paul Ho, its 29th religious head, steps down in June.
“SXI was the first school in the nation to be administered and fully owned by the Brothers and it can be called the epicentre of spreading the La Salle vision of educating the young,” said Brother Director of Malaysia Anthony Rogers.
Although Brother Paul’s retirement would mark the end of the line of Brother headmasters in the country, Brother Anthony says it will not be the end of the Lasallian legacy.
“A long time ago, when people thought of the schools, they would always think about the Brothers but over the years, we have grown beyond that.
“There is now a whole La Salle family made up of every boy and girl who has studied in our schools along with the teachers, parents, staff and collaborators who have had ties with the schools.
“We’re handing over the baton and it’s a new paradigm which is formed with the same message by a community that knows what it means to be a Lasallian,” he said.
“Brother Paul’s incident is not new. Over the years, all our other schools have also been taken over by lay people.
“There is no real cause for concern as strong boards of governors have been formed to safeguard the traditions and it has been a long-standing promise by the Govern-ment to give us consultation in the appointing of heads in our schools,” Brother Anthony added.
“Since 1852 to 1965, the Brothers built 46 schools in Peninsular Malaysia and were also given 10 more in Sabah and Sarawak by the Bishop to administer,” he said.
On the future of the La Salle Brothers, Brother Anthony said there were many more good things to come.
“The Brothers’ initial priority was to set up a basic education system in the country and the Government has successfully taken over that responsibility.
“There are currently about 10 Brothers aged 40 to 60 who are still active in Malaysia and there has been a lot of thought about branching out into the setting up of private colleges or even universities.
“There is also an increasing number of children suffering from autism and providing education for children with special needs is also part of our plans,” he said.
Brother Paul, too, is positive about his impending retirement, and says the La Salle Brothers have achieved what they had set out to do.
“It’s okay. It’s moving and we have left our legacy.
“We hope that in whatever we have done, we have given the people what was expected. That is our yardstick of what a school should be.
“After all, we only came here to give education to the people of Malaysia and at the end of the day, we have done our job,” he said.
TS
October 25, 2008
Rating system to be extended
Friday October 24, 2008
The Rating System for Malaysian Higher EducationInstitutions (Setara) will be extended to private higher educationinstitutions by next year.Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said thiswould provide an overview of where public and private universitiesrank in the national education system."This will provide the baseline data from which these institutionswill seek to improve and ensure the continuous drive towardsexcellence is achieved in our national higher education framework," hesaid at a ceremony to unveil UCSI University, formerly known asUniversity College Sedaya International, last night.Bold symbol: Mohamed Khaled (centre) launching UCSI University's coatof arms Thursday night. Looking on are Ng (right) and chancellor TanSri Dr Abdul Rahman Arshad.Mohamed Khaled said the first step towards achieving a competitivedrive in the higher education system was to enable universities, bothprivate and public, to be reviewed and evaluated as equalcounterparts.On awarding university status to UCSI, Mohamed Khaled said this wasbecause it had fulfilled the criteria."These include qualified teaching staff, meeting the prescribed numberof academic staff with PhD and masters' research capabilities, goodgovernance, availability of excellent teaching and learning facilitiesand good student accommodation," he said."This is indeed a milestone achievement for UCSI and a well-deservedsymbol of excellence after 22 years of dedication in the field ofhigher education," he said.UCSI University group president and vice-chancellor Peter Ng said hewas proud that the university had transformed from a computer trainingcentre with just two computers to four campuses in four states in over20 years."We will soon offer hospitality and tourism courses at our Sarawakcampus and petroleum and gas courses at our Terengganu campus," hesaid.The eventual objective was to create niche specialisations at itsbranch campuses, he said, adding that it would soon offer doctorateprogrammes
TS
The Rating System for Malaysian Higher EducationInstitutions (Setara) will be extended to private higher educationinstitutions by next year.Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said thiswould provide an overview of where public and private universitiesrank in the national education system."This will provide the baseline data from which these institutionswill seek to improve and ensure the continuous drive towardsexcellence is achieved in our national higher education framework," hesaid at a ceremony to unveil UCSI University, formerly known asUniversity College Sedaya International, last night.Bold symbol: Mohamed Khaled (centre) launching UCSI University's coatof arms Thursday night. Looking on are Ng (right) and chancellor TanSri Dr Abdul Rahman Arshad.Mohamed Khaled said the first step towards achieving a competitivedrive in the higher education system was to enable universities, bothprivate and public, to be reviewed and evaluated as equalcounterparts.On awarding university status to UCSI, Mohamed Khaled said this wasbecause it had fulfilled the criteria."These include qualified teaching staff, meeting the prescribed numberof academic staff with PhD and masters' research capabilities, goodgovernance, availability of excellent teaching and learning facilitiesand good student accommodation," he said."This is indeed a milestone achievement for UCSI and a well-deservedsymbol of excellence after 22 years of dedication in the field ofhigher education," he said.UCSI University group president and vice-chancellor Peter Ng said hewas proud that the university had transformed from a computer trainingcentre with just two computers to four campuses in four states in over20 years."We will soon offer hospitality and tourism courses at our Sarawakcampus and petroleum and gas courses at our Terengganu campus," hesaid.The eventual objective was to create niche specialisations at itsbranch campuses, he said, adding that it would soon offer doctorateprogrammes
TS
October 17, 2008
Ministry urged to help in training more teachers
Tuesday October 14, 2008
STEPS are being taken to overcome the shortage of trained teachers in 523 Tamil schools, reported Malaysia Nanban.
Human Resources Minister and MIC secretary-general Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam said MIC would seek the cooperation of the Education Ministry to ensure that the 1,400 temporary teachers who are currently teaching in Tamil schools across the nation would be given the opportunity to pursue the teacher's training course during the holidays within the next four years.
He said the Education Ministry had previously approved 100 places in the course for such teachers during the holidays, but at the request of MIC, had doubled the number of places to 200.
He said, however, that MIC found this number to be insufficient and had urged the ministry to allocate at least 300 places each year for temporary teachers from Tamil schools.
He was speaking to reporters after launching Canteen Day at the Meru Tamil School.
He said MIC was also in the midst of identifying problems faced by partly-aided schools and was taking the necessary action to solve these issues so that they could be converted to fully-aided schools.
TS
STEPS are being taken to overcome the shortage of trained teachers in 523 Tamil schools, reported Malaysia Nanban.
Human Resources Minister and MIC secretary-general Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam said MIC would seek the cooperation of the Education Ministry to ensure that the 1,400 temporary teachers who are currently teaching in Tamil schools across the nation would be given the opportunity to pursue the teacher's training course during the holidays within the next four years.
He said the Education Ministry had previously approved 100 places in the course for such teachers during the holidays, but at the request of MIC, had doubled the number of places to 200.
He said, however, that MIC found this number to be insufficient and had urged the ministry to allocate at least 300 places each year for temporary teachers from Tamil schools.
He was speaking to reporters after launching Canteen Day at the Meru Tamil School.
He said MIC was also in the midst of identifying problems faced by partly-aided schools and was taking the necessary action to solve these issues so that they could be converted to fully-aided schools.
TS
Student determined to sit for PMR exam
Tuesday October 14, 2008
Form Three student Sarah Mazlin Zahari may be down with a severe headache but she is determined to sit for the Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) examination.
The 15-year-old girl even managed some last-minute revision before sitting for the Bahasa Malaysia I paper at the Tengku Ampuan Afzan hospital yesterday.
Exemplary student: Sarah managed to do last-minute revision before sitting for the Bahasa Malaysia 1 PMR paper at the Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital in Kuantan yesterday. — Bernama
The SMK Bukit Goh student has been suffering from headache since Sunday.
A total of 27,083 candidates sat for the PMR examination at 223 centres in Pahang.
In Kuala Lumpur, starting early proved vital for some SMJK Confucian students who left the exam hall beaming with excitement after sitting for their Bahasa Malaysia I and II papers.
Among them were Lai Chen Yee and Chong Kok Cheun, both 16, who started preparing for the PMR examination months ago by revising past years' questions.
"It wasn't so hard this year and I'm confident of doing well," said Lai.
"The first day of the PMR was good for me and I hope it continues this way," she said.
A statement from the Education Ministry says 472,060 students are sitting for this year's PMR at 3,458 examination centres nationwide
TS
Form Three student Sarah Mazlin Zahari may be down with a severe headache but she is determined to sit for the Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) examination.
The 15-year-old girl even managed some last-minute revision before sitting for the Bahasa Malaysia I paper at the Tengku Ampuan Afzan hospital yesterday.
Exemplary student: Sarah managed to do last-minute revision before sitting for the Bahasa Malaysia 1 PMR paper at the Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital in Kuantan yesterday. — Bernama
The SMK Bukit Goh student has been suffering from headache since Sunday.
A total of 27,083 candidates sat for the PMR examination at 223 centres in Pahang.
In Kuala Lumpur, starting early proved vital for some SMJK Confucian students who left the exam hall beaming with excitement after sitting for their Bahasa Malaysia I and II papers.
Among them were Lai Chen Yee and Chong Kok Cheun, both 16, who started preparing for the PMR examination months ago by revising past years' questions.
"It wasn't so hard this year and I'm confident of doing well," said Lai.
"The first day of the PMR was good for me and I hope it continues this way," she said.
A statement from the Education Ministry says 472,060 students are sitting for this year's PMR at 3,458 examination centres nationwide
TS
September 27, 2008
Don’t politicise vernacular education
Saturday September 27, 2008 MYT 6:39:59 PM
Mother-tongue education in Malaysia would be better developed if it were not politicised, MCA deputy president Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy said.
He said its politicising had brought about many obstacles that restricted its development.
“Mother-tongue education in this country could have seen more improvement,” he said Saturday at the launch of SJK (C) Kuen Cheng 2 here. Chan said the country needed to rectify the situation by looking at the issue from a different perspective.
“If we can look at it as a platform that develops human capital, I am sure it would have done better,” he said.
He said no one could deny the importance of the Chinese language any longer due to various global developments including the success of the Beijing Olympics and the launch of Shenzhou 7 space mission.
“In 1970s, many people, including Chinese leaders, agreed that Chinese was just a communication tool among the Chinese.
“However, if anyone were to have the same thinking these days, it will only show how ignorant they are,” he said.
Mother-tongue education in Malaysia would be better developed if it were not politicised, MCA deputy president Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy said.
He said its politicising had brought about many obstacles that restricted its development.
“Mother-tongue education in this country could have seen more improvement,” he said Saturday at the launch of SJK (C) Kuen Cheng 2 here. Chan said the country needed to rectify the situation by looking at the issue from a different perspective.
“If we can look at it as a platform that develops human capital, I am sure it would have done better,” he said.
He said no one could deny the importance of the Chinese language any longer due to various global developments including the success of the Beijing Olympics and the launch of Shenzhou 7 space mission.
“In 1970s, many people, including Chinese leaders, agreed that Chinese was just a communication tool among the Chinese.
“However, if anyone were to have the same thinking these days, it will only show how ignorant they are,” he said.
September 21, 2008
Doing Malaysia proud in Dubai
Monday September 22, 2008
Malaysian Muhammad Ahmad Zahid’s mesmerising recital of the Quran has helped him win the best recitation category at the 12th edition of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award (Dihqa).And the 13-year-old hafiz (a person who knows the Quran by heart) was given the honour of reciting verses of the Quran at the prize-giving ceremony graced by the Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum at the end of the competition yesterday.Looking smart in a baju Melayu and songkok, Muhammad, from Sekolah Darul Hikmah in Ampang, Selangor, was all smiles as he was congratulated by government officials, fellow contestants and others who were at the Cultural and Scientific Association Centre, the venue of Diqha, in Al Mamzar.Muhammad took three years to memories the Quaran. - Bernama
The teenager, who took three years to memorise the Muslim holy book, received his prize at a separate ceremony a few days ago.The overall winner of the Dihqa, which began early this month, was Yemeni Fares Al Aagam, followed by Libya’s Noor Al Deen Al Younsi and Khalid Al Ainati from Kuwait.The first three winners of the Quran recitation competition received 250,000 dirham (RM235,000).A total of 85 contestants took part in the competition.
Muhammad said he began memorising the Quran at seven.
“It was really tough in the beginning but it got easier along the way. And a keen interest in what I was doing also helped me greatly,” he said.
He counted his legal adviser father and mother, a dentist, as among his biggest supporters.
Asked what were his secrets of success, Muhammad said: “Hard work, doa (prayers) and perseverance.”Besides Dubai, his talent had taken him to places like Austria where he was invited for a Quranic performance in 2006.He often receives invitations to lead in prayers at mosques in Malaysia.The teenager, who spent much of Ramadan in Dubai, said he was looking forward to returning home to be with his family for the remainder of the fasting month and Aidilfitri celebrations.
TS
Malaysian Muhammad Ahmad Zahid’s mesmerising recital of the Quran has helped him win the best recitation category at the 12th edition of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award (Dihqa).And the 13-year-old hafiz (a person who knows the Quran by heart) was given the honour of reciting verses of the Quran at the prize-giving ceremony graced by the Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum at the end of the competition yesterday.Looking smart in a baju Melayu and songkok, Muhammad, from Sekolah Darul Hikmah in Ampang, Selangor, was all smiles as he was congratulated by government officials, fellow contestants and others who were at the Cultural and Scientific Association Centre, the venue of Diqha, in Al Mamzar.Muhammad took three years to memories the Quaran. - Bernama
The teenager, who took three years to memorise the Muslim holy book, received his prize at a separate ceremony a few days ago.The overall winner of the Dihqa, which began early this month, was Yemeni Fares Al Aagam, followed by Libya’s Noor Al Deen Al Younsi and Khalid Al Ainati from Kuwait.The first three winners of the Quran recitation competition received 250,000 dirham (RM235,000).A total of 85 contestants took part in the competition.
Muhammad said he began memorising the Quran at seven.
“It was really tough in the beginning but it got easier along the way. And a keen interest in what I was doing also helped me greatly,” he said.
He counted his legal adviser father and mother, a dentist, as among his biggest supporters.
Asked what were his secrets of success, Muhammad said: “Hard work, doa (prayers) and perseverance.”Besides Dubai, his talent had taken him to places like Austria where he was invited for a Quranic performance in 2006.He often receives invitations to lead in prayers at mosques in Malaysia.The teenager, who spent much of Ramadan in Dubai, said he was looking forward to returning home to be with his family for the remainder of the fasting month and Aidilfitri celebrations.
TS
September 19, 2008
Transvestite teacher to be transferred
Friday September 19, 2008
A TEACHER who admitted in a Syariah Court in Bachok last Sunday to taking part in a beauty contest for transvestites would not be returning to teaching, but would be transferred to an administrative post, Berita Harian reported.
Education director-general Datuk Alimuddin Mohd Dom said transvestite teachers were not suitable for the job.
Teachers, he said, had to be good role models for their students.
"This case will be given priority because it could damage the pro-fessional image of teachers," he said.
He said the decision would be finalised by the Education Ministry's disciplinary committee, which is chaired by the secretary-general.
Alimuddin was responding to a report on the teacher being hit with a RM1,000 personal and a good behaviour bond for two years by the Bachok Syariah Court on Sunday.
A TEACHER who admitted in a Syariah Court in Bachok last Sunday to taking part in a beauty contest for transvestites would not be returning to teaching, but would be transferred to an administrative post, Berita Harian reported.
Education director-general Datuk Alimuddin Mohd Dom said transvestite teachers were not suitable for the job.
Teachers, he said, had to be good role models for their students.
"This case will be given priority because it could damage the pro-fessional image of teachers," he said.
He said the decision would be finalised by the Education Ministry's disciplinary committee, which is chaired by the secretary-general.
Alimuddin was responding to a report on the teacher being hit with a RM1,000 personal and a good behaviour bond for two years by the Bachok Syariah Court on Sunday.
Ministry urged to reconsider decision on SPM timetable
Friday September 19, 2008
By KAREN CHAPMAN
Parents and students are asking the Education Ministry to reconsider its decision not to change the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) timetable.
Many wrote to The Star to complain about the timetable which they claimed gave students insufficient rest-time between papers.
On Nov 18, SPM candidates would be sitting for Additional Mathematics 1 from 8am to 10am, Additional Mathematics 2 (10.30 am to 1pm) and Moral Education 1 or Al-Quran and Al-Sunnah Education 1 (2pm to 4.30pm.)
The parents and students want the Moral Education 1 paper to be rescheduled to Nov 19.
Mother Chris Au appealed to the ministry to be more sensitive to the needs of the students.
"These students will be mentally exhausted and their hands will also be tired after writing for so long for the Additional Mathematics papers," she said.
Student Lisa Ho said she and her classmates had complained to their teacher after getting the timetable last month.
She said that students have to write a lot as they need to answer eight structured questions and two essay questions within two-and-a-half hours.
As a teacher and father, A. Lai said he thanked education director-general Datuk Alimuddin Mohd Dom for his suggestion that the Moral Education 1 and Al-Quran and Al-Sunnah Education 1 papers be held half-an-hour later than stated in the SPM timetable.
"Instead, I hope the ministry will issue a notification for the adjustment of dates for the Moral Education 1 paper.
"The chief invigilator at each examination centre can then inform the students and there would be no need for the papers to be reprinted," he said.
Lai said changing the paper to another day should not disrupt the flow of the timetable, he said, adding that students would benefit from the decision.
On Tuesday, Alimuddin said the Moral Education 1 and Al-Quran and Al-Sunnah Education 1 papers would now be held half-an-hour later.
He said the examination had to finish by 5pm as it would be dark in in rural areas in Sabah and Sarawak by then.
On why the Moral Education 1 paper could not be postponed to Nov 19, Alimuddin said this was because the examination dates had already been approved and the question papers printed.
There are a total of 141 question papers for the 110 subjects that would be be offered during the SPM, which will be held from Nov 11 to Dec 5.
TS
By KAREN CHAPMAN
Parents and students are asking the Education Ministry to reconsider its decision not to change the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) timetable.
Many wrote to The Star to complain about the timetable which they claimed gave students insufficient rest-time between papers.
On Nov 18, SPM candidates would be sitting for Additional Mathematics 1 from 8am to 10am, Additional Mathematics 2 (10.30 am to 1pm) and Moral Education 1 or Al-Quran and Al-Sunnah Education 1 (2pm to 4.30pm.)
The parents and students want the Moral Education 1 paper to be rescheduled to Nov 19.
Mother Chris Au appealed to the ministry to be more sensitive to the needs of the students.
"These students will be mentally exhausted and their hands will also be tired after writing for so long for the Additional Mathematics papers," she said.
Student Lisa Ho said she and her classmates had complained to their teacher after getting the timetable last month.
She said that students have to write a lot as they need to answer eight structured questions and two essay questions within two-and-a-half hours.
As a teacher and father, A. Lai said he thanked education director-general Datuk Alimuddin Mohd Dom for his suggestion that the Moral Education 1 and Al-Quran and Al-Sunnah Education 1 papers be held half-an-hour later than stated in the SPM timetable.
"Instead, I hope the ministry will issue a notification for the adjustment of dates for the Moral Education 1 paper.
"The chief invigilator at each examination centre can then inform the students and there would be no need for the papers to be reprinted," he said.
Lai said changing the paper to another day should not disrupt the flow of the timetable, he said, adding that students would benefit from the decision.
On Tuesday, Alimuddin said the Moral Education 1 and Al-Quran and Al-Sunnah Education 1 papers would now be held half-an-hour later.
He said the examination had to finish by 5pm as it would be dark in in rural areas in Sabah and Sarawak by then.
On why the Moral Education 1 paper could not be postponed to Nov 19, Alimuddin said this was because the examination dates had already been approved and the question papers printed.
There are a total of 141 question papers for the 110 subjects that would be be offered during the SPM, which will be held from Nov 11 to Dec 5.
TS
35,000 teachers to be hired to meet acute shortage
Thursday September 18, 2008
Thirty-five thousand new teachers will be recruited by the Education Ministry to meet the acute shortage of trained teachers in primary and secondary schools.
Deputy Education Minister Datuk Razali Ismail, who announced this, said the recruitment was vital to improve the teacher-to-classroom ratio from 15:10 to 17:10.
Stressing a point: Razali (seated centre) speaking to reporters while behind him are representatives from various teachers unions in George Town yesterday.
"This move is one of the ways to lessen teachers' burden in managing their daily teaching routine," he said after meeting 72 representatives from 24 teachers unions at a hotel here yesterday.
Razali said the ministry was always prepared to listen to issues raised by the teachers unions.
Among the matters raised was the need to reduce teachers' workload.
On the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English, Razali said at least 50% of students living in urban areas had shown significant progress in the subjects.
"Only those living in the rural areas are facing difficulties in coping. There is also a lack of good English teachers and the ministry is looking at these weaknesses," he said.
However, Razali said, teachers should not be entirely blamed over the issue.
"This is because all this while they have been using Bahasa Malaysia as the teaching medium. They need time to master the language," he said.
Razali also said the ministry was looking at ways to increase the number of support staff to manage computer labs.
"We need more hands to run the labs to enable teachers to concentrate on their work in classrooms," he added
TS
Thirty-five thousand new teachers will be recruited by the Education Ministry to meet the acute shortage of trained teachers in primary and secondary schools.
Deputy Education Minister Datuk Razali Ismail, who announced this, said the recruitment was vital to improve the teacher-to-classroom ratio from 15:10 to 17:10.
Stressing a point: Razali (seated centre) speaking to reporters while behind him are representatives from various teachers unions in George Town yesterday.
"This move is one of the ways to lessen teachers' burden in managing their daily teaching routine," he said after meeting 72 representatives from 24 teachers unions at a hotel here yesterday.
Razali said the ministry was always prepared to listen to issues raised by the teachers unions.
Among the matters raised was the need to reduce teachers' workload.
On the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English, Razali said at least 50% of students living in urban areas had shown significant progress in the subjects.
"Only those living in the rural areas are facing difficulties in coping. There is also a lack of good English teachers and the ministry is looking at these weaknesses," he said.
However, Razali said, teachers should not be entirely blamed over the issue.
"This is because all this while they have been using Bahasa Malaysia as the teaching medium. They need time to master the language," he said.
Razali also said the ministry was looking at ways to increase the number of support staff to manage computer labs.
"We need more hands to run the labs to enable teachers to concentrate on their work in classrooms," he added
TS
Only 10% use English to teach Maths, Science
Thursday September 18, 2008
A RANDOM survey by the Centre for Malaysian Chinese Studies showed that only 10% of Science and Maths teachers used English to teach the two subjects, reported Sin Chew Daily.
The daily quoted the centre director, Voon Phin Keong, as saying that the remaining 90% of teachers used Malay and Mandarin when conducting their classes.
"These teachers found that the teaching of Science and Maths in English is not very practical," he said.
The survey showed that 20% of the teachers admitted that they lacked confidence and faced difficulties in using English.
"A Maths teacher and two Science teachers don't use English at all to teach," Voon said.
He also revealed that 8.4% of Mathematics teachers and 13.5% of Science teachers admitted that more than 80% of the classes were not conducted in English.
The respondents of the survey were 443 Mathematics and Science teachers and 787 Year Five students in 20 primary schools in three states.
It also sought the consultation of 13 principals and seven deputy principals.
He said the centre's stand is that the two subjects should be taught in the mother tongue in primary schools while secondary schools could continue using English to teach Maths and Science.
TS
A RANDOM survey by the Centre for Malaysian Chinese Studies showed that only 10% of Science and Maths teachers used English to teach the two subjects, reported Sin Chew Daily.
The daily quoted the centre director, Voon Phin Keong, as saying that the remaining 90% of teachers used Malay and Mandarin when conducting their classes.
"These teachers found that the teaching of Science and Maths in English is not very practical," he said.
The survey showed that 20% of the teachers admitted that they lacked confidence and faced difficulties in using English.
"A Maths teacher and two Science teachers don't use English at all to teach," Voon said.
He also revealed that 8.4% of Mathematics teachers and 13.5% of Science teachers admitted that more than 80% of the classes were not conducted in English.
The respondents of the survey were 443 Mathematics and Science teachers and 787 Year Five students in 20 primary schools in three states.
It also sought the consultation of 13 principals and seven deputy principals.
He said the centre's stand is that the two subjects should be taught in the mother tongue in primary schools while secondary schools could continue using English to teach Maths and Science.
TS
Out to even the score
Thursday September 18, 2008
By ALLAN KOAY
Women are excelling in previously male-dominated arenas.
IT'S no longer a man's world today, that's for sure. Many women have entered professions which were previously perceived as solely male domains.
The message is clear, women are saying to the men: "Whatever you can do, we can too, maybe even better."
More recent examples include Linda Cook, director of gas and power on Shell's executive committee. Women consist of only 11% of total directorships of blue chip firms in Britain's FTSE 100 index. But they're there, and Cook's position is all the more notable in an industry with a perceived masculine image.
Then there's Angela Merkel, the first woman to be chancellor of Germany who ranks number one on Forbes' list of the world's 100 most powerful women.
Women today are aiming for the world stage. Three women who are not inclined to just sit back and be perceived as the fairer sex speak to Star Two.
Commercial airline pilot
Nur Moana Ishak is flying high these days, literally. She is one of the first female commercial airline pilots in Malaysia and is now a first officer with AirAsia.
Her small frame belies her ability to control and fly multiple-tonne hunks of metal high above the earth. She says she certainly gets surprised reactions from people.
"At first, they don't believe me because of my size," she says, smiling. "When I meet people and tell them I work with AirAsia, they immediately respond, 'Stewardess?' I'd tell them 'no, I fly the aircraft'. I do get that a lot."
Her interest started when she was 11 years old. She says she loves the sound of the aircraft engine, for reasons she herself can't explain.
Defying stereotypes: When commercial airline pilot Nur Moana Ishak tells people she works with AirAsia, they automatically assume that she is a flight attendant.
"At first, I wanted to become a fighter pilot," she reveals. "I sent in my application but was unsuccessful. Then I applied to be a commercial airline pilot. After finishing school, I had my training in Malacca at the Malaysian Flying Academy. I went through 15 months of intensive study, both theory and practical, and had to accumulate 200 hours of flight."
Nur Moana was one of the pioneer batch of female pilots to graduate from the MFA. She recalls that there were only three women in her batch of 21 students.
In AirAsia, there are currently 10 female pilots, while three are still in training. Asked if her male colleagues treat her differently, Nur Moana says they treat as just one of the guys.
"During training, everyone has to be on par with each other."
For Nur Moana, the most difficult thing about flying is going through bad weather, which is when her skills are really put to the test. But she says the responsibility towards her passengers is really what drives her confidence.
"It drives me further to take them safely to their destination," she says.
While some pilots might think that commercial flights are not "real flying," because everything is programmed, Nur Moana believes otherwise. The human touch is always needed, she says.
"We still have to monitor the system, every minute, every second," she says.
As for being one of the very few female pilots in the country, she says: "I do feel proud of what I've achieved. I've had this dream since I was a kid."
Malaysia's top female rock climber Salfarina Mohd Drus in action during the X-Games Asia in Shanghai, China last year.
Rock climber
Anyone who has followed the Asian X-Games would be familiar with Salfarina Mohd Drus, Malaysia's No.1 female rock climber. At 26, she ranks 58 in the world and seventh in the Speed Category at the Asian X-Games. She has also been a semi-finalist in the Expert Difficulty Category in the World Cups held in Singapore and Malaysia.
Salfarina says she has been interested in climbing since her school days. Back then she did a lot of mountaineering and trekking, before a friend introduced her to wall-climbing.
"It was only after I finished school that I actively participated in competitions," she says. "In 2000, I won a competition in the novice category. I enjoyed it so much that I persevered until the advanced level."
Salfarina, who works as a full-time instructor, is currently in grade 7A; the highest and toughest grade in rock-climbing is 9A. In competitions, the men are usually given higher grades to climb.
She participates in international competitions four to five times a year. She says European competitors are the toughest to beat because they actively compete around the world. She trains three times a week for local competitions, but for international ones, she trains eight hours a day, six days a week.
Rock climber Salfarina sometimes competes in the men's events, despite the tougher grade.
But she laments the lack of competitions in Malaysia, especially for women. Locally, there are currently six women climbers who are actively competing, although when she started out, there were 15 to 20.
"Sometimes I have to compete with the guys because there are no women's competitions here. Usually the organisers don't allow it, but I plead with them," she laughs.
The men's grades are higher than the women's, therefore it's psychologically and physically tougher to compete with the guys.
"But I can't just stop at competing with women. For me, that's not enough. I need to beat the guys!" she says with a snigger.
When asked how many male competitors she has beaten before, she replies: "Oh, many."
And how do they take being beaten by a woman?
"Some of them are quite shy about it and some tell me, 'Sal, you're not a girl!' But still, they are supportive and we learn together," she says with a big smile.
Artist
Lee Hui Ling is the daughter of famous artist/sculptor Lee Kian Seng. At the young age of 26, Lee has already had shows in Kuala Lumpur and New York. She had her first solo exhibition in KL when she was only 19.
The young prodigy currently works out of a studio in New York. She was the recipient of the prestigious Sarah Lawrence College Board of Trustees Scholarship and the Gaylord Donnelley Family Scholarship.
Hailing from Klang, Selangor, Lee says she was homesick a lot when she first went to New York to study at Sarah Lawrence College, one of the top liberal arts colleges in the United States.
"But the exposure was wonderful," she says. "You get to see all kinds of art. It was good to see other people's art and to see where you stand. Also it was a big culture shock. When I first got there, I was such a country bumpkin!"
New York-based artist Lee Hui Ling held her first solo exhibition in Kuala Lumpur at the age of 19.
She spent a lot of time at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, did a lot of sketches and hung around galleries.
After college, she continued to develop her art, had a couple of shows, and also presented some papers for the Kuala Lumpur International Batik Convention in 2005 and 2007. She decided to base herself in New York because she finds it "an amazing place, full of vibrant energy and creative people."
Lee's first exhibition in KL in 2001 featured her paintings of people and places in Klang, and by her third exhibition in 2003, her work had grown in maturity, with a collection of sceneries, flowers and sculptures done in charcoal, ink, watercolours and oils.
As for growing up with parents who are artists (her mother, Shoko Lee, is an illustrator), she says: "Naturally you get lots of advice, a lot of insider tips and a lot of know-how. And the best art materials!"
Lee says even though there's great support for the arts in New York, and there's no shortage of exhibition spaces, an artist has to keep working and be original.
"You have to have your own vision, and you must know what you're about, what you're doing, and what you want to show to the public," she says.
She says she has to constantly challenge herself to do new things and to explore different mediums and subjects.
"It's always been a matter of expressing my personal style," she explains.
"I feel that there are the yin and yang energies within us and it manifests itself in the artwork according to the intention of the artist."
These young Malaysian women were selected by Dutch Lady to inspire other women in its "It Starts in Me" campaign.
TS
By ALLAN KOAY
Women are excelling in previously male-dominated arenas.
IT'S no longer a man's world today, that's for sure. Many women have entered professions which were previously perceived as solely male domains.
The message is clear, women are saying to the men: "Whatever you can do, we can too, maybe even better."
More recent examples include Linda Cook, director of gas and power on Shell's executive committee. Women consist of only 11% of total directorships of blue chip firms in Britain's FTSE 100 index. But they're there, and Cook's position is all the more notable in an industry with a perceived masculine image.
Then there's Angela Merkel, the first woman to be chancellor of Germany who ranks number one on Forbes' list of the world's 100 most powerful women.
Women today are aiming for the world stage. Three women who are not inclined to just sit back and be perceived as the fairer sex speak to Star Two.
Commercial airline pilot
Nur Moana Ishak is flying high these days, literally. She is one of the first female commercial airline pilots in Malaysia and is now a first officer with AirAsia.
Her small frame belies her ability to control and fly multiple-tonne hunks of metal high above the earth. She says she certainly gets surprised reactions from people.
"At first, they don't believe me because of my size," she says, smiling. "When I meet people and tell them I work with AirAsia, they immediately respond, 'Stewardess?' I'd tell them 'no, I fly the aircraft'. I do get that a lot."
Her interest started when she was 11 years old. She says she loves the sound of the aircraft engine, for reasons she herself can't explain.
Defying stereotypes: When commercial airline pilot Nur Moana Ishak tells people she works with AirAsia, they automatically assume that she is a flight attendant.
"At first, I wanted to become a fighter pilot," she reveals. "I sent in my application but was unsuccessful. Then I applied to be a commercial airline pilot. After finishing school, I had my training in Malacca at the Malaysian Flying Academy. I went through 15 months of intensive study, both theory and practical, and had to accumulate 200 hours of flight."
Nur Moana was one of the pioneer batch of female pilots to graduate from the MFA. She recalls that there were only three women in her batch of 21 students.
In AirAsia, there are currently 10 female pilots, while three are still in training. Asked if her male colleagues treat her differently, Nur Moana says they treat as just one of the guys.
"During training, everyone has to be on par with each other."
For Nur Moana, the most difficult thing about flying is going through bad weather, which is when her skills are really put to the test. But she says the responsibility towards her passengers is really what drives her confidence.
"It drives me further to take them safely to their destination," she says.
While some pilots might think that commercial flights are not "real flying," because everything is programmed, Nur Moana believes otherwise. The human touch is always needed, she says.
"We still have to monitor the system, every minute, every second," she says.
As for being one of the very few female pilots in the country, she says: "I do feel proud of what I've achieved. I've had this dream since I was a kid."
Malaysia's top female rock climber Salfarina Mohd Drus in action during the X-Games Asia in Shanghai, China last year.
Rock climber
Anyone who has followed the Asian X-Games would be familiar with Salfarina Mohd Drus, Malaysia's No.1 female rock climber. At 26, she ranks 58 in the world and seventh in the Speed Category at the Asian X-Games. She has also been a semi-finalist in the Expert Difficulty Category in the World Cups held in Singapore and Malaysia.
Salfarina says she has been interested in climbing since her school days. Back then she did a lot of mountaineering and trekking, before a friend introduced her to wall-climbing.
"It was only after I finished school that I actively participated in competitions," she says. "In 2000, I won a competition in the novice category. I enjoyed it so much that I persevered until the advanced level."
Salfarina, who works as a full-time instructor, is currently in grade 7A; the highest and toughest grade in rock-climbing is 9A. In competitions, the men are usually given higher grades to climb.
She participates in international competitions four to five times a year. She says European competitors are the toughest to beat because they actively compete around the world. She trains three times a week for local competitions, but for international ones, she trains eight hours a day, six days a week.
Rock climber Salfarina sometimes competes in the men's events, despite the tougher grade.
But she laments the lack of competitions in Malaysia, especially for women. Locally, there are currently six women climbers who are actively competing, although when she started out, there were 15 to 20.
"Sometimes I have to compete with the guys because there are no women's competitions here. Usually the organisers don't allow it, but I plead with them," she laughs.
The men's grades are higher than the women's, therefore it's psychologically and physically tougher to compete with the guys.
"But I can't just stop at competing with women. For me, that's not enough. I need to beat the guys!" she says with a snigger.
When asked how many male competitors she has beaten before, she replies: "Oh, many."
And how do they take being beaten by a woman?
"Some of them are quite shy about it and some tell me, 'Sal, you're not a girl!' But still, they are supportive and we learn together," she says with a big smile.
Artist
Lee Hui Ling is the daughter of famous artist/sculptor Lee Kian Seng. At the young age of 26, Lee has already had shows in Kuala Lumpur and New York. She had her first solo exhibition in KL when she was only 19.
The young prodigy currently works out of a studio in New York. She was the recipient of the prestigious Sarah Lawrence College Board of Trustees Scholarship and the Gaylord Donnelley Family Scholarship.
Hailing from Klang, Selangor, Lee says she was homesick a lot when she first went to New York to study at Sarah Lawrence College, one of the top liberal arts colleges in the United States.
"But the exposure was wonderful," she says. "You get to see all kinds of art. It was good to see other people's art and to see where you stand. Also it was a big culture shock. When I first got there, I was such a country bumpkin!"
New York-based artist Lee Hui Ling held her first solo exhibition in Kuala Lumpur at the age of 19.
She spent a lot of time at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, did a lot of sketches and hung around galleries.
After college, she continued to develop her art, had a couple of shows, and also presented some papers for the Kuala Lumpur International Batik Convention in 2005 and 2007. She decided to base herself in New York because she finds it "an amazing place, full of vibrant energy and creative people."
Lee's first exhibition in KL in 2001 featured her paintings of people and places in Klang, and by her third exhibition in 2003, her work had grown in maturity, with a collection of sceneries, flowers and sculptures done in charcoal, ink, watercolours and oils.
As for growing up with parents who are artists (her mother, Shoko Lee, is an illustrator), she says: "Naturally you get lots of advice, a lot of insider tips and a lot of know-how. And the best art materials!"
Lee says even though there's great support for the arts in New York, and there's no shortage of exhibition spaces, an artist has to keep working and be original.
"You have to have your own vision, and you must know what you're about, what you're doing, and what you want to show to the public," she says.
She says she has to constantly challenge herself to do new things and to explore different mediums and subjects.
"It's always been a matter of expressing my personal style," she explains.
"I feel that there are the yin and yang energies within us and it manifests itself in the artwork according to the intention of the artist."
These young Malaysian women were selected by Dutch Lady to inspire other women in its "It Starts in Me" campaign.
TS
September 01, 2008
D-G: More scientists needed
Monday August 25, 2008
Malaysia needs a ratio of at least 60 researchers, scientists and engineers to every 100,000 people to achieve Vision 2020, said Higher Education Department director-general Prof Datuk Dr Ir Radin Umar Radin Sohadi.
He said the current ratio is 17 to 100,000 people as compared to Singapore that has 87 and United Kingdom with 76.Higher learning: The group of Malaysian students who will leave for universities in the United Kingdom and Ireland after attending the preparatory programme in Kuala Lumpur yesterday."At only 17, we simply don't have the numbers. The research field in the country is a rather 'vague' field. Other developed countries practice an industrial-based research and development field."Students who are studying overseas need to come back and serve the country to reach the critical mass of such experts," he said.
He was speaking at a preparatory programme for local students who will leave for universities in Britain and Ireland organised by the ministry at the Putra World Trade Centre here, yesterday.
Other panel members were Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Orthopaedic and Traumatology Department director Prof Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Razak and Maybank chief executive Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar."Some of us want to stay (in the foreign country) to further studies or just to prolong the cultural experience there.
This should be taken in a positive light but eventually, the students must come back," said Prof Radin.He added that students who opted to remain a few more years at the foreign country would then come back with more experience."This way, it will be 'brain gain' instead of 'brain drain'," he said.An equally important issue, said Prof Radin, was "burnout" before graduation.
"The students have studied so hard to achieve excellent results. Once they reach university, they are already exhausted," he said, adding that balance in studies and life was important.
TS
Malaysia needs a ratio of at least 60 researchers, scientists and engineers to every 100,000 people to achieve Vision 2020, said Higher Education Department director-general Prof Datuk Dr Ir Radin Umar Radin Sohadi.
He said the current ratio is 17 to 100,000 people as compared to Singapore that has 87 and United Kingdom with 76.Higher learning: The group of Malaysian students who will leave for universities in the United Kingdom and Ireland after attending the preparatory programme in Kuala Lumpur yesterday."At only 17, we simply don't have the numbers. The research field in the country is a rather 'vague' field. Other developed countries practice an industrial-based research and development field."Students who are studying overseas need to come back and serve the country to reach the critical mass of such experts," he said.
He was speaking at a preparatory programme for local students who will leave for universities in Britain and Ireland organised by the ministry at the Putra World Trade Centre here, yesterday.
Other panel members were Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Orthopaedic and Traumatology Department director Prof Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Razak and Maybank chief executive Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar."Some of us want to stay (in the foreign country) to further studies or just to prolong the cultural experience there.
This should be taken in a positive light but eventually, the students must come back," said Prof Radin.He added that students who opted to remain a few more years at the foreign country would then come back with more experience."This way, it will be 'brain gain' instead of 'brain drain'," he said.An equally important issue, said Prof Radin, was "burnout" before graduation.
"The students have studied so hard to achieve excellent results. Once they reach university, they are already exhausted," he said, adding that balance in studies and life was important.
TS
Varsity expansion good for Score
Monday August 25, 2008
KUCHING: The state's demand for a highly educated and trained workforce, particularly for its regional corridor of development, will be partly met by the Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak.
Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (Score) was expected to create 1.6 million jobs by 2030 in 10 high-priority sectors including petroleum, aluminium, metal and glass production, tourism and engineering.
"The demand for highly-skilled human resources for the industrialisation of Sarawak is both a challenge and a huge opportunity for us," he said at the opening of Swinburne Sarawak's expanded campus at Jalan Simpang Tiga here on Saturday.
Taib said the new RM110mil facilities had taken tertiary education in Sarawak to a higher level.
"Today, Sarawakians do not have to travel abroad to further their studies," he said.
Earlier Swinburne University of Technology chancellor Bill Scales said the opening of the expanded campus marked a new chapter for Swinburne Sarawak and thanked the state government for inviting Swinburne Australia to establish a campus in Sarawak eight years ago
The expanded campus has eight new buildings including the Chancellery, lecture theatre, student hostels and a multi-purpose hall
TS
KUCHING: The state's demand for a highly educated and trained workforce, particularly for its regional corridor of development, will be partly met by the Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak.
Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (Score) was expected to create 1.6 million jobs by 2030 in 10 high-priority sectors including petroleum, aluminium, metal and glass production, tourism and engineering.
"The demand for highly-skilled human resources for the industrialisation of Sarawak is both a challenge and a huge opportunity for us," he said at the opening of Swinburne Sarawak's expanded campus at Jalan Simpang Tiga here on Saturday.
Taib said the new RM110mil facilities had taken tertiary education in Sarawak to a higher level.
"Today, Sarawakians do not have to travel abroad to further their studies," he said.
Earlier Swinburne University of Technology chancellor Bill Scales said the opening of the expanded campus marked a new chapter for Swinburne Sarawak and thanked the state government for inviting Swinburne Australia to establish a campus in Sarawak eight years ago
The expanded campus has eight new buildings including the Chancellery, lecture theatre, student hostels and a multi-purpose hall
TS
Foundation picks 50 undergrads for scholarships
Wednesday August 27, 2008
Fifty undergraduates have been selected to receivescholarships worth RM2mil by the Tunku Abdul Rahman Foundation thisyear.Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, who isfoundation chairman, said the good response and increased quality ofthe applicants had resulted in 20 more recipients being awarded thisyear."This is a prestigious and exclusive scholarship. The recipients mustmeet strict criteria and go through a rigorous selection processbefore they can be declared Tunku Scholars," he said after launchingthe ministry-level Merdeka celebrations at Universiti Putra Malaysiain Serdang near here.This year, a total of 816 applications were received with 508 meetingthe criteria. Of this number, 100 were short-listed to attend a campand 68 were called for an interview.The scholarships are offered annually to undergraduates who havecompleted their first year of study at public or private universities.The scholarships cover all the students' fees as well as a livingallowance of RM1,000 per month. The foundation also provides a RM500book allowance per semester and an annual return air ticket for Sabahand Sarawak students studying in the peninsula and vice versa.The foundation was set up in 1966 to provide financial assistance totertiary-level students. Since 2006, the foundation has been givingout scholarships instead of educational loans.
TS
Fifty undergraduates have been selected to receivescholarships worth RM2mil by the Tunku Abdul Rahman Foundation thisyear.Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, who isfoundation chairman, said the good response and increased quality ofthe applicants had resulted in 20 more recipients being awarded thisyear."This is a prestigious and exclusive scholarship. The recipients mustmeet strict criteria and go through a rigorous selection processbefore they can be declared Tunku Scholars," he said after launchingthe ministry-level Merdeka celebrations at Universiti Putra Malaysiain Serdang near here.This year, a total of 816 applications were received with 508 meetingthe criteria. Of this number, 100 were short-listed to attend a campand 68 were called for an interview.The scholarships are offered annually to undergraduates who havecompleted their first year of study at public or private universities.The scholarships cover all the students' fees as well as a livingallowance of RM1,000 per month. The foundation also provides a RM500book allowance per semester and an annual return air ticket for Sabahand Sarawak students studying in the peninsula and vice versa.The foundation was set up in 1966 to provide financial assistance totertiary-level students. Since 2006, the foundation has been givingout scholarships instead of educational loans.
TS
August 22, 2008
Our girl wins award
Sunday August 17, 2008
THE Star journalist Tan Shiow Chin is the recipient of the second IDRC-SciDev.Net Science Journalism Award.
The US$58,500 (RM194,337) award consists of a six-month internship with SciDev.Net (Science and Development Network — a science news website), which will allow Tan to develop her professional skills as a science journalist.
Tan, who is with Star Education, has a Bachelor of Science (Medical Science) from Universiti Putra Malaysia and writes about a wide range of topics, many of which are science- and health-related.
During the internship, she will spend time working both in the network's main office in London and reporting from a number of developing countries.
She will also take part in the Global Ministerial Forum on Research for Health in in Bamako, Mali, in November.
The award is one of four granted this year by IDRC (International Development Research Centre). Applications were invited by SciDev.Net from journalists involved in science and health reporting from developing countries.
"This is a fantastic opportunity and I will make use of it to the fullest,'' said an excited Tan.
"I can't think of a better place than SciDev.Net to gain an insight and valuable skills in science reporting," she added.
Its director David Dickson said that the network was looking forward to having Tan on the team during the period.
"This internship will provide her with the necessary skills to pursue her goals in science journalism and in return, we will benefit from Tan's insights and experience as a journalist in Malaysia."
The 2008 Science Journalism Award attracted 156 applications from 39 developing countries from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.
Tan was selected from a group of four finalists. The other shortlisted finalists wereCaroline Roatta (Colombia), Joseph Othieno (Kenya) and Abiose Adelaja (Nigeria).
"We wish to thank all applicants for handing in their submissions. We were delighted with the number and quality of the applications received," Dickson added.
"The level of interest generated by the award highlights the need to build capacity in science communication in the developing world, and the network is committed to helping fulfil that need," he said.
The Canadian-based IDRC works closely with researchers in developing countries to find ways to build a healthier, more equitable, and more prosperous society.
IDRC has created these awards to "foster a vibrant culture of science journalism" and to "promote a field-based understanding of developing countries' scientific realities", said Rita Bowry, an IDRC senior programme officer.
"These awards will enable them to use their professional skills to report the work of scientists in the region more effectively and thus, influence decision makers in their respective countries," she added.
THE Star journalist Tan Shiow Chin is the recipient of the second IDRC-SciDev.Net Science Journalism Award.
The US$58,500 (RM194,337) award consists of a six-month internship with SciDev.Net (Science and Development Network — a science news website), which will allow Tan to develop her professional skills as a science journalist.
Tan, who is with Star Education, has a Bachelor of Science (Medical Science) from Universiti Putra Malaysia and writes about a wide range of topics, many of which are science- and health-related.
During the internship, she will spend time working both in the network's main office in London and reporting from a number of developing countries.
She will also take part in the Global Ministerial Forum on Research for Health in in Bamako, Mali, in November.
The award is one of four granted this year by IDRC (International Development Research Centre). Applications were invited by SciDev.Net from journalists involved in science and health reporting from developing countries.
"This is a fantastic opportunity and I will make use of it to the fullest,'' said an excited Tan.
"I can't think of a better place than SciDev.Net to gain an insight and valuable skills in science reporting," she added.
Its director David Dickson said that the network was looking forward to having Tan on the team during the period.
"This internship will provide her with the necessary skills to pursue her goals in science journalism and in return, we will benefit from Tan's insights and experience as a journalist in Malaysia."
The 2008 Science Journalism Award attracted 156 applications from 39 developing countries from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.
Tan was selected from a group of four finalists. The other shortlisted finalists wereCaroline Roatta (Colombia), Joseph Othieno (Kenya) and Abiose Adelaja (Nigeria).
"We wish to thank all applicants for handing in their submissions. We were delighted with the number and quality of the applications received," Dickson added.
"The level of interest generated by the award highlights the need to build capacity in science communication in the developing world, and the network is committed to helping fulfil that need," he said.
The Canadian-based IDRC works closely with researchers in developing countries to find ways to build a healthier, more equitable, and more prosperous society.
IDRC has created these awards to "foster a vibrant culture of science journalism" and to "promote a field-based understanding of developing countries' scientific realities", said Rita Bowry, an IDRC senior programme officer.
"These awards will enable them to use their professional skills to report the work of scientists in the region more effectively and thus, influence decision makers in their respective countries," she added.
A shining beacon
Sunday August 17, 2008
He left Vietnam in search of a better future and ended up as a lieutenant governor in South Australia. ONE of the first Vietnamese refugees to arrive in Australia, Hieu Van Le never imagined that he would, one day, be appointed the lieutenant (deputy) governor of South Australia. All he wanted when he left Vietnam was a better future.
That was in 1977, two years after the fall of Saigon (now known as Ho Chi Minh City) to the communists. Le was then 20 years old.Le believes it is important to learn about other cultures.
"In the aftermath of the war, I realised we didn't have much of a future (in Vietnam) as family members who had been part of the South Vietnamese government were placed in re-education camps while our property was confiscated."We had nothing except the clothes we were wearing," he shares, in an interview in Adelaide.So, Le and his wife Lan, made the decision to leave Vietnam. They arrived at a refugee camp in Pulau Tengah, Malaysia, in 1977, in a wooden fishing boat."We stayed at the camp for a few months. I befriended an ex officer from the South Vietnamese navy who taught me about navigation."Eventually, with permission from the Malaysian Government and the assistance of the Red Crescent Society, we managed to buy a good map," he says.Le and Lan, together with 39 other people, left for Australia in the same boat they had taken from Vietnam. It took them a month to arrive in Darwin, with Le as navigator. They were put in a quarantine complex for a week.
"We were sent to Adelaide where we have lived ever since," says Le.
Le now has two sons; the elder is in his final year of a pharmacy degree while the younger is in Year 12. Le says language was not a problem when he first arrived as English was one of the languages he had been taught in school in Vietnam.
"However, I had an American accent as our teachers were from the United States. It was a matter of adapting (the accent) so others could understand us," he says, adding that his teacher was from Texas."Language is so important when integrating into a new society," he says.
Unfortunately, his qualifications in economics and management from a university in Dalat, Vietnam, were not recognised in Australia.But this did not deter him and he eventually obtained both a bachelors degree in economics and accounting and a masters degree in business administration from Adelaide University.Le is now a senior manager with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, and also a member of the Australian Society of Certified Practising Accountants.Le is the first to admit that he has been lucky in life.
"Starting anew in a strange country is not easy but we received a lot of assistance. I was overwhelmed by the kindness shown, and wanted to repay this kindness," he shares.
When they first arrived in Australia, not many people knew the Vietnamese culture. But they did know about the Vietnam war, from television, Le adds.
This instilled in him a desire to promote the Vietnamese culture so that others would know more about it. He soon became committed to promoting multiculturalism in the state. South Australia alone has migrants from 200 countries.
One thing led to another and in 1995, Le became a member of the South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission.
He even served as its deputy chairman before becoming the first Asian appointed commission chairman in January last year.
"The role of the commission is to advise the government on multicultural or ethnic affairs. We are the eyes and ears for the government on such issues," he explains.
The commission also aims to enhance understanding about ethnic diversity among the South Australian community.
According to Le, new migrants need a good support system. To help them, the commission provides services such as interpreting.
The government also funds the commission to teach migrant children their native language, be it Cambodian or Chinese, so they do not lose their ability to converse in their mother tongue.
"We hope that by doing so, the younger generation will grow up to be multi lingual and multi cultural," he adds.
By KAREN CHAPMAN
He left Vietnam in search of a better future and ended up as a lieutenant governor in South Australia. ONE of the first Vietnamese refugees to arrive in Australia, Hieu Van Le never imagined that he would, one day, be appointed the lieutenant (deputy) governor of South Australia. All he wanted when he left Vietnam was a better future.
That was in 1977, two years after the fall of Saigon (now known as Ho Chi Minh City) to the communists. Le was then 20 years old.Le believes it is important to learn about other cultures.
"In the aftermath of the war, I realised we didn't have much of a future (in Vietnam) as family members who had been part of the South Vietnamese government were placed in re-education camps while our property was confiscated."We had nothing except the clothes we were wearing," he shares, in an interview in Adelaide.So, Le and his wife Lan, made the decision to leave Vietnam. They arrived at a refugee camp in Pulau Tengah, Malaysia, in 1977, in a wooden fishing boat."We stayed at the camp for a few months. I befriended an ex officer from the South Vietnamese navy who taught me about navigation."Eventually, with permission from the Malaysian Government and the assistance of the Red Crescent Society, we managed to buy a good map," he says.Le and Lan, together with 39 other people, left for Australia in the same boat they had taken from Vietnam. It took them a month to arrive in Darwin, with Le as navigator. They were put in a quarantine complex for a week.
"We were sent to Adelaide where we have lived ever since," says Le.
Le now has two sons; the elder is in his final year of a pharmacy degree while the younger is in Year 12. Le says language was not a problem when he first arrived as English was one of the languages he had been taught in school in Vietnam.
"However, I had an American accent as our teachers were from the United States. It was a matter of adapting (the accent) so others could understand us," he says, adding that his teacher was from Texas."Language is so important when integrating into a new society," he says.
Unfortunately, his qualifications in economics and management from a university in Dalat, Vietnam, were not recognised in Australia.But this did not deter him and he eventually obtained both a bachelors degree in economics and accounting and a masters degree in business administration from Adelaide University.Le is now a senior manager with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, and also a member of the Australian Society of Certified Practising Accountants.Le is the first to admit that he has been lucky in life.
"Starting anew in a strange country is not easy but we received a lot of assistance. I was overwhelmed by the kindness shown, and wanted to repay this kindness," he shares.
When they first arrived in Australia, not many people knew the Vietnamese culture. But they did know about the Vietnam war, from television, Le adds.
This instilled in him a desire to promote the Vietnamese culture so that others would know more about it. He soon became committed to promoting multiculturalism in the state. South Australia alone has migrants from 200 countries.
One thing led to another and in 1995, Le became a member of the South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission.
He even served as its deputy chairman before becoming the first Asian appointed commission chairman in January last year.
"The role of the commission is to advise the government on multicultural or ethnic affairs. We are the eyes and ears for the government on such issues," he explains.
The commission also aims to enhance understanding about ethnic diversity among the South Australian community.
According to Le, new migrants need a good support system. To help them, the commission provides services such as interpreting.
The government also funds the commission to teach migrant children their native language, be it Cambodian or Chinese, so they do not lose their ability to converse in their mother tongue.
"We hope that by doing so, the younger generation will grow up to be multi lingual and multi cultural," he adds.
By KAREN CHAPMAN
A passion for design
Sunday August 17, 2008
Strong academic credentials aren't important so long as students are determined to explore their creative side at the Equator Academy of Art.
CREATIVITY and passion are the name of the game at Equator Academy of Art in Penang.
Chuah posing beside one of the many Greek sculptures that greets visitors at the foyer of its Leith Street campus. Established in 1987, the homegrown college is fast becoming what founder and principal Datuk Chuah Kooi Yong envisioned it to be — a landmark learning centre in the northern region for young artists."The thing we insist on here is passion. Many students come here with no proper basics in art, but as long as they are focused and are sure that this is what they want to do, we accept them."All students are interviewed before they register. We ask them to reconsider: 'Are they here because they did not fare well in the exams or because they are undecided about their future,'" he said.Chuah, a renowned artist in water painting who is popularly known as Kooi Yong, said that it was pointless taking in students who had no interest in art."Students with a passion for art take only a few months to catch up although they may be without basic skills, compared to those with absolutely no interest in the subject," he added.
"Those who enrol for the certificate-level course will have to start off with drawing, colour studies, working on basic sculptures, 3D figures and print making.
"After completing these subjects, they choose one of six majors for the last semester," he said.
Most students go on to complete one of five diploma programmes — Architectural Technology, Fashion Design Technology, Fine Arts, Graphic & Multimedia Design or Interior Design.
The 1907 Leong Fee Mansion on Leith Street is one of Equator's two campuses in Penang.
All Equator's programmes, including its certificate course in Art and Design, are accredited by the Malaysian Qualification Agency (MQA).Chuah's wife and Equator director Datin Pauline Chuah said there was a long waiting line for Equator's students because of their sound basic knowledge in the various aspects of art, design and drawing.
"One of the most important assets a student can have is good drawing skills. A lot of people think everything can be done on computers now, but that isn't the case.
"When one is applying for a job, it's always impressive if the interviewee can come up with an on-the-spot image or design," she said.While many colleges are focused on giving students the widest possible choice of subjects, Chuah said Equator specialised only in art and design and has become synonymous with excellence in these areas.
He added that the college was planning to introduce 3D animation and advertising diploma courses next year.Equator students study in two campuses in Penang — the 1907 Victorian-style Leong Fee Mansion on Leith Street and the modern five-storey Wisma Equator on Amoy Lane.
The Leith Street campus caters to certificate students.
The structure's high ceilings, spiral staircase and two enclosed courtyards provide the perfect environment for young artists to get their creative juices flowing.
After leasing the building from the Christian Brothers six years ago, Chuah ordered several life-sized Greek sculptures made from plaster of Paris that now adorn the pre-war building.
The Amoy Lane Campus, on the other hand, embodies the latest trends in its chic, dark glass-panelled structure."The campus houses the library, the computer labs as well as the photography and architectural studios," Pauline said.Equator, which received the Platinum Award (Top 10) at the Enterprise Awards Malaysia 2007, offers short courses to foreign students and keeps up-to-date with the newest technology as an authorised Autodesk Training Centre."As an Autodesk partner, our students get to use and test the latest technologies before they are in the market," Chuah said.
Equator is a contributor to the Star Education Fund.
TS
Strong academic credentials aren't important so long as students are determined to explore their creative side at the Equator Academy of Art.
CREATIVITY and passion are the name of the game at Equator Academy of Art in Penang.
Chuah posing beside one of the many Greek sculptures that greets visitors at the foyer of its Leith Street campus. Established in 1987, the homegrown college is fast becoming what founder and principal Datuk Chuah Kooi Yong envisioned it to be — a landmark learning centre in the northern region for young artists."The thing we insist on here is passion. Many students come here with no proper basics in art, but as long as they are focused and are sure that this is what they want to do, we accept them."All students are interviewed before they register. We ask them to reconsider: 'Are they here because they did not fare well in the exams or because they are undecided about their future,'" he said.Chuah, a renowned artist in water painting who is popularly known as Kooi Yong, said that it was pointless taking in students who had no interest in art."Students with a passion for art take only a few months to catch up although they may be without basic skills, compared to those with absolutely no interest in the subject," he added.
"Those who enrol for the certificate-level course will have to start off with drawing, colour studies, working on basic sculptures, 3D figures and print making.
"After completing these subjects, they choose one of six majors for the last semester," he said.
Most students go on to complete one of five diploma programmes — Architectural Technology, Fashion Design Technology, Fine Arts, Graphic & Multimedia Design or Interior Design.
The 1907 Leong Fee Mansion on Leith Street is one of Equator's two campuses in Penang.
All Equator's programmes, including its certificate course in Art and Design, are accredited by the Malaysian Qualification Agency (MQA).Chuah's wife and Equator director Datin Pauline Chuah said there was a long waiting line for Equator's students because of their sound basic knowledge in the various aspects of art, design and drawing.
"One of the most important assets a student can have is good drawing skills. A lot of people think everything can be done on computers now, but that isn't the case.
"When one is applying for a job, it's always impressive if the interviewee can come up with an on-the-spot image or design," she said.While many colleges are focused on giving students the widest possible choice of subjects, Chuah said Equator specialised only in art and design and has become synonymous with excellence in these areas.
He added that the college was planning to introduce 3D animation and advertising diploma courses next year.Equator students study in two campuses in Penang — the 1907 Victorian-style Leong Fee Mansion on Leith Street and the modern five-storey Wisma Equator on Amoy Lane.
The Leith Street campus caters to certificate students.
The structure's high ceilings, spiral staircase and two enclosed courtyards provide the perfect environment for young artists to get their creative juices flowing.
After leasing the building from the Christian Brothers six years ago, Chuah ordered several life-sized Greek sculptures made from plaster of Paris that now adorn the pre-war building.
The Amoy Lane Campus, on the other hand, embodies the latest trends in its chic, dark glass-panelled structure."The campus houses the library, the computer labs as well as the photography and architectural studios," Pauline said.Equator, which received the Platinum Award (Top 10) at the Enterprise Awards Malaysia 2007, offers short courses to foreign students and keeps up-to-date with the newest technology as an authorised Autodesk Training Centre."As an Autodesk partner, our students get to use and test the latest technologies before they are in the market," Chuah said.
Equator is a contributor to the Star Education Fund.
TS
Ungku Aziz to be honoured with inaugural Merdeka Award
Friday August 22, 2008
Royal Professor Ungku Abdul Aziz Ungku Abdul Hamid (pic) will be accorded the inaugural Merdeka Award 2008 for the education and community category.
Chairman of the Merdeka Award Board of Trustees Tan Sri Hassan Marican announced yesterday that Ungku Abdul Aziz was selected the Merdeka Award recipient for that category for his contribution to the eradication of poverty, rural economics and the development of Pilgrims Management and Fund Board (Tabung Haji).
Hassan said the award also recognised his iconic status in the field of education.
Born in Hampstead, London, England on Jan 28, 1922, Ungku Abdul Aziz is a renowned economist, administrator, academician, sportsman and writer.
He is the first Malaysian and longest serving vice-chancellor of Universiti Malaya, the first Malay economist and the sole person to have been accorded the status of royal professor in the country.
The Malaysian Nature Society emerged as the recipient of the Merdeka Award for the environment category for its achievement and relentless efforts in the conservation of the Belum-Temenggor Forest Reserves in Perak, which is over 130 years old.
Established in 1940, MNS is the oldest nature society in the country, which focuses on fighting for environmental conservation, protection, enhancement, public education and awareness.
For the Health, Science and Technology category, the joint winners were the Nipah Encephalitis Investigation Team from the Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya and Prof Datuk Dr Khalid Kadir for his breakthrough work in the study and understanding of diabetes.
Datuk Leslie Davidson emerged as the recipient for the outstanding contribution to the people of Malaysia category.Davidson, a British citizen, was selected for his breakthrough in revolutionising the insect pollination of oil palms using weevils, which consequently increase productivity and reduced the cost of production.The recipients of each category will be awarded RM500,000, a trophy and a certificate to be presented later this year.
However, there is no winner for the outstanding scholastic achievement category for this year.
The award was founded by Petronas, ExxonMobil and Shell in conjunction with the 50th Merdeka Day last year.
TS
Royal Professor Ungku Abdul Aziz Ungku Abdul Hamid (pic) will be accorded the inaugural Merdeka Award 2008 for the education and community category.
Chairman of the Merdeka Award Board of Trustees Tan Sri Hassan Marican announced yesterday that Ungku Abdul Aziz was selected the Merdeka Award recipient for that category for his contribution to the eradication of poverty, rural economics and the development of Pilgrims Management and Fund Board (Tabung Haji).
Hassan said the award also recognised his iconic status in the field of education.
Born in Hampstead, London, England on Jan 28, 1922, Ungku Abdul Aziz is a renowned economist, administrator, academician, sportsman and writer.
He is the first Malaysian and longest serving vice-chancellor of Universiti Malaya, the first Malay economist and the sole person to have been accorded the status of royal professor in the country.
The Malaysian Nature Society emerged as the recipient of the Merdeka Award for the environment category for its achievement and relentless efforts in the conservation of the Belum-Temenggor Forest Reserves in Perak, which is over 130 years old.
Established in 1940, MNS is the oldest nature society in the country, which focuses on fighting for environmental conservation, protection, enhancement, public education and awareness.
For the Health, Science and Technology category, the joint winners were the Nipah Encephalitis Investigation Team from the Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya and Prof Datuk Dr Khalid Kadir for his breakthrough work in the study and understanding of diabetes.
Datuk Leslie Davidson emerged as the recipient for the outstanding contribution to the people of Malaysia category.Davidson, a British citizen, was selected for his breakthrough in revolutionising the insect pollination of oil palms using weevils, which consequently increase productivity and reduced the cost of production.The recipients of each category will be awarded RM500,000, a trophy and a certificate to be presented later this year.
However, there is no winner for the outstanding scholastic achievement category for this year.
The award was founded by Petronas, ExxonMobil and Shell in conjunction with the 50th Merdeka Day last year.
TS
Asians want bigger say in global matters
Friday August 22, 2008
The West should not be alarmed when Asian nations seek a bigger role in global matters.
The Raja Muda of Perak, Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, said that as Asian economies grew, it was only natural that Asians would want a bigger say in global matters.
Beyond borders: Nazrin speaking to David Tang Yue Tan from Hong Kong who chaired the Economics Youth Workshop. At left is University Malaya Vice-Chancellor Datuk Rafiah Salim.
"History has taught us that the rise of new powers had never been smooth. We have learnt, and hopefully the voices of moderation will prevail," he said.
Raja Nazrin said for the world to remain peaceful and productive, the West must recognise Asia's rise.
However, he said there was no threat of Asia leapfrogging Western nations in the near future as even fast-rising economies like China have "some way to go before it catches up".
"Many are referring to the 21st century as the Asian century. China and India and other tiger economies are pounding on the door of the West asking for recognition.
"Will this turn the US and Europe into has-beens? This fear is overblown," he said.
He said there were already calls for the United Nation's security council to be restructured so that more seats were given to Asia, as well as having more Asians fill top positions in the World Bank.
"The East and the West have always been able to meet when they recognised the strengths of each other. We should acknowledge our differences, and embrace our differences," he said.
Raja Nazrin, who is also Universiti Malaya pro-chancellor and an alumnus of Harvard University, was speaking at the launch of the Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations academic conference, which was themed "Beyond Borders: Asia on the World Stage."
He said the theme was timely and relevant, as Asian societies were now more integrated in the global economy as never before.
Using, as an example the overseas Chinese and Indians, who number 40 million and 25 million respectively, Raja Nazrin said there were plenty of Asians living in the West and vice-versa.
More than 200 students from about 30 countries gathered to interact with business, academic and political leaders at the four-day conference hosted by Universiti Malaya.
The Star is the official media for the event.
TS
The West should not be alarmed when Asian nations seek a bigger role in global matters.
The Raja Muda of Perak, Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, said that as Asian economies grew, it was only natural that Asians would want a bigger say in global matters.
Beyond borders: Nazrin speaking to David Tang Yue Tan from Hong Kong who chaired the Economics Youth Workshop. At left is University Malaya Vice-Chancellor Datuk Rafiah Salim.
"History has taught us that the rise of new powers had never been smooth. We have learnt, and hopefully the voices of moderation will prevail," he said.
Raja Nazrin said for the world to remain peaceful and productive, the West must recognise Asia's rise.
However, he said there was no threat of Asia leapfrogging Western nations in the near future as even fast-rising economies like China have "some way to go before it catches up".
"Many are referring to the 21st century as the Asian century. China and India and other tiger economies are pounding on the door of the West asking for recognition.
"Will this turn the US and Europe into has-beens? This fear is overblown," he said.
He said there were already calls for the United Nation's security council to be restructured so that more seats were given to Asia, as well as having more Asians fill top positions in the World Bank.
"The East and the West have always been able to meet when they recognised the strengths of each other. We should acknowledge our differences, and embrace our differences," he said.
Raja Nazrin, who is also Universiti Malaya pro-chancellor and an alumnus of Harvard University, was speaking at the launch of the Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations academic conference, which was themed "Beyond Borders: Asia on the World Stage."
He said the theme was timely and relevant, as Asian societies were now more integrated in the global economy as never before.
Using, as an example the overseas Chinese and Indians, who number 40 million and 25 million respectively, Raja Nazrin said there were plenty of Asians living in the West and vice-versa.
More than 200 students from about 30 countries gathered to interact with business, academic and political leaders at the four-day conference hosted by Universiti Malaya.
The Star is the official media for the event.
TS
Parents: Teachers targeting Indian pupils
Friday August 22, 2008
More cases of teachers picking on Indian students here have emerged.
Several parents of children attending a primary school here have lodged police reports since November last year alleging that five teachers in the school had physically and verbally abused Indian students.
R. Sathasnam, 52, said he and another parent had complained to the school's administration repeatedly but the abuses continued.
He alleged that these five teachers regularly hit the students and told them to transfer out of the school, as they (the teachers) were "fed-up of seeing their faces".
"One of the teachers called some Indian students derogatory names ," alleged Sathasnam.
He alleged that many Indian students were slapped, kicked, punched and caned by these teachers for misdemeanours such as talking while lining-up to enter the classroom.
"My 10-year-old son was lifted-up by the ears by a male teacher and slapped and kicked for talking before entering the classroom after recess in February," alleged Sathasnam.
He claimed his son's ears turned blue-black and his cheeks swelled after the beating. When he rushed his son to the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital, the doctor there advised him to file a police report.
Another parent R. Viganaspary, 40, said her son was repeatedly hit on the head with a rolled-up newspaper and caned on the legs for not having a particular exercise book.
Meanwhile, Coalition of Malaysian Indian NGOs secretary Gunaraj George, who met Sathasnam and Viganaspary recently, said the coalition would present a memorandum on the matter to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi soon.
"These are young impressionable children and the alleged incidents will only teach them to hate," said Gunaraj.
When contacted, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Senator T. Murugiah said he would speak to the principal next week when school reopens.
Deputy Education Minister Dr Wee Ka Siong said he would comment only after he had seen copies of the police reports.
The alleged incident in the primary school comes on the heels of the transfer of a teacher from a secondary school in Banting. The teacher is facing an inquiry after she admitted to levelling racial slurs against Indian students.
TS
More cases of teachers picking on Indian students here have emerged.
Several parents of children attending a primary school here have lodged police reports since November last year alleging that five teachers in the school had physically and verbally abused Indian students.
R. Sathasnam, 52, said he and another parent had complained to the school's administration repeatedly but the abuses continued.
He alleged that these five teachers regularly hit the students and told them to transfer out of the school, as they (the teachers) were "fed-up of seeing their faces".
"One of the teachers called some Indian students derogatory names ," alleged Sathasnam.
He alleged that many Indian students were slapped, kicked, punched and caned by these teachers for misdemeanours such as talking while lining-up to enter the classroom.
"My 10-year-old son was lifted-up by the ears by a male teacher and slapped and kicked for talking before entering the classroom after recess in February," alleged Sathasnam.
He claimed his son's ears turned blue-black and his cheeks swelled after the beating. When he rushed his son to the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital, the doctor there advised him to file a police report.
Another parent R. Viganaspary, 40, said her son was repeatedly hit on the head with a rolled-up newspaper and caned on the legs for not having a particular exercise book.
Meanwhile, Coalition of Malaysian Indian NGOs secretary Gunaraj George, who met Sathasnam and Viganaspary recently, said the coalition would present a memorandum on the matter to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi soon.
"These are young impressionable children and the alleged incidents will only teach them to hate," said Gunaraj.
When contacted, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Senator T. Murugiah said he would speak to the principal next week when school reopens.
Deputy Education Minister Dr Wee Ka Siong said he would comment only after he had seen copies of the police reports.
The alleged incident in the primary school comes on the heels of the transfer of a teacher from a secondary school in Banting. The teacher is facing an inquiry after she admitted to levelling racial slurs against Indian students.
TS
August 17, 2008
UTM grads win royal education award
Sunday August 17, 2008
Two university graduates, who were among the first Malaysians to represent the country under the Harvard College Asia Programme, were honoured with the Royal Education Award from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM).
The UTM graduates Jasrul Jamani Jamian, 23, and S. Ratnakala, 25, received the award from Sultanah Zanariah Tunku Ahmad during the university’s 41st convocation ceremony yesterday.
Award recipients: (From left) Noratiqah, Izwyn, Ling, Ratnakala and Jasrul Jamani linking hands as they display their awards to reporters in Johor Baru yesterday.
Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) degree holder Jasrul Jamani said he was honoured to be selected for the award as there were also other graduates who had excelled in academic and co-curricular activities.
“Our participation in the programme is perhaps one of the major contributing factors that led us to winning the award,” said the son of a lorry driver.
He was among a group of nine UTM students who were the first Malaysians to undergo the one-week programme in February last year.
He said he learnt how to prepare and conduct conferences that included participants from other countries such as Singapore, Japan and India.
“I have also learnt how lessons were conducted at Harvard University, which saw greater participation from students,” he said.
He started tutoring at UTM three weeks ago and planned to further his studies there.
His father Jamain Mathan, 50, said he was proud of his son’s success, adding that he would be a role model to his five younger siblings.
Ratnakala, who graduated with a Bachelor in Architecture, said she had received offers of employment from several companies and was still considering what she should do.
The youngest of three siblings said being involved in various activities also helped her grow.
“I also learnt to trust God in many ways after my father passed away in 2000. My father and I were very close.”
The recipients of the Chancellor's Award were Ling Dian Mioa (Bachelor of Engineering – Electrical – Mechatronics) and Izwyn Zulkapri (Bachelor of Science with Education – Sports Science).
The Academic Excellence Award went to Noratiqah Mohd Ariff (Bachelor of Science – Mathematics), who obtained a CGPA of 4.0 for all semesters.
All five award winners were among 6,531 graduates in the five-day convocation who received PhDs, Master's, Bachelor's degrees and diplomas.
TS
Two university graduates, who were among the first Malaysians to represent the country under the Harvard College Asia Programme, were honoured with the Royal Education Award from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM).
The UTM graduates Jasrul Jamani Jamian, 23, and S. Ratnakala, 25, received the award from Sultanah Zanariah Tunku Ahmad during the university’s 41st convocation ceremony yesterday.
Award recipients: (From left) Noratiqah, Izwyn, Ling, Ratnakala and Jasrul Jamani linking hands as they display their awards to reporters in Johor Baru yesterday.
Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) degree holder Jasrul Jamani said he was honoured to be selected for the award as there were also other graduates who had excelled in academic and co-curricular activities.
“Our participation in the programme is perhaps one of the major contributing factors that led us to winning the award,” said the son of a lorry driver.
He was among a group of nine UTM students who were the first Malaysians to undergo the one-week programme in February last year.
He said he learnt how to prepare and conduct conferences that included participants from other countries such as Singapore, Japan and India.
“I have also learnt how lessons were conducted at Harvard University, which saw greater participation from students,” he said.
He started tutoring at UTM three weeks ago and planned to further his studies there.
His father Jamain Mathan, 50, said he was proud of his son’s success, adding that he would be a role model to his five younger siblings.
Ratnakala, who graduated with a Bachelor in Architecture, said she had received offers of employment from several companies and was still considering what she should do.
The youngest of three siblings said being involved in various activities also helped her grow.
“I also learnt to trust God in many ways after my father passed away in 2000. My father and I were very close.”
The recipients of the Chancellor's Award were Ling Dian Mioa (Bachelor of Engineering – Electrical – Mechatronics) and Izwyn Zulkapri (Bachelor of Science with Education – Sports Science).
The Academic Excellence Award went to Noratiqah Mohd Ariff (Bachelor of Science – Mathematics), who obtained a CGPA of 4.0 for all semesters.
All five award winners were among 6,531 graduates in the five-day convocation who received PhDs, Master's, Bachelor's degrees and diplomas.
TS
UTM grads win royal education award
Sunday August 17, 2008
Two university graduates, who were among the first Malaysians to represent the country under the Harvard College Asia Programme, were honoured with the Royal Education Award from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM).
The UTM graduates Jasrul Jamani Jamian, 23, and S. Ratnakala, 25, received the award from Sultanah Zanariah Tunku Ahmad during the university’s 41st convocation ceremony yesterday.
Award recipients: (From left) Noratiqah, Izwyn, Ling, Ratnakala and Jasrul Jamani linking hands as they display their awards to reporters in Johor Baru yesterday.
Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) degree holder Jasrul Jamani said he was honoured to be selected for the award as there were also other graduates who had excelled in academic and co-curricular activities.
“Our participation in the programme is perhaps one of the major contributing factors that led us to winning the award,” said the son of a lorry driver.
He was among a group of nine UTM students who were the first Malaysians to undergo the one-week programme in February last year.
He said he learnt how to prepare and conduct conferences that included participants from other countries such as Singapore, Japan and India.
“I have also learnt how lessons were conducted at Harvard University, which saw greater participation from students,” he said.
He started tutoring at UTM three weeks ago and planned to further his studies there.
His father Jamain Mathan, 50, said he was proud of his son’s success, adding that he would be a role model to his five younger siblings.
Ratnakala, who graduated with a Bachelor in Architecture, said she had received offers of employment from several companies and was still considering what she should do.
The youngest of three siblings said being involved in various activities also helped her grow.
“I also learnt to trust God in many ways after my father passed away in 2000. My father and I were very close.”
The recipients of the Chancellor's Award were Ling Dian Mioa (Bachelor of Engineering – Electrical – Mechatronics) and Izwyn Zulkapri (Bachelor of Science with Education – Sports Science).
The Academic Excellence Award went to Noratiqah Mohd Ariff (Bachelor of Science – Mathematics), who obtained a CGPA of 4.0 for all semesters.
All five award winners were among 6,531 graduates in the five-day convocation who received PhDs, Master's, Bachelor's degrees and diplomas.
TS
Two university graduates, who were among the first Malaysians to represent the country under the Harvard College Asia Programme, were honoured with the Royal Education Award from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM).
The UTM graduates Jasrul Jamani Jamian, 23, and S. Ratnakala, 25, received the award from Sultanah Zanariah Tunku Ahmad during the university’s 41st convocation ceremony yesterday.
Award recipients: (From left) Noratiqah, Izwyn, Ling, Ratnakala and Jasrul Jamani linking hands as they display their awards to reporters in Johor Baru yesterday.
Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) degree holder Jasrul Jamani said he was honoured to be selected for the award as there were also other graduates who had excelled in academic and co-curricular activities.
“Our participation in the programme is perhaps one of the major contributing factors that led us to winning the award,” said the son of a lorry driver.
He was among a group of nine UTM students who were the first Malaysians to undergo the one-week programme in February last year.
He said he learnt how to prepare and conduct conferences that included participants from other countries such as Singapore, Japan and India.
“I have also learnt how lessons were conducted at Harvard University, which saw greater participation from students,” he said.
He started tutoring at UTM three weeks ago and planned to further his studies there.
His father Jamain Mathan, 50, said he was proud of his son’s success, adding that he would be a role model to his five younger siblings.
Ratnakala, who graduated with a Bachelor in Architecture, said she had received offers of employment from several companies and was still considering what she should do.
The youngest of three siblings said being involved in various activities also helped her grow.
“I also learnt to trust God in many ways after my father passed away in 2000. My father and I were very close.”
The recipients of the Chancellor's Award were Ling Dian Mioa (Bachelor of Engineering – Electrical – Mechatronics) and Izwyn Zulkapri (Bachelor of Science with Education – Sports Science).
The Academic Excellence Award went to Noratiqah Mohd Ariff (Bachelor of Science – Mathematics), who obtained a CGPA of 4.0 for all semesters.
All five award winners were among 6,531 graduates in the five-day convocation who received PhDs, Master's, Bachelor's degrees and diplomas.
TS
July 29, 2008
Teaching grads let down by conflicting standards
Wednesday July 30, 2008
Differences in criteria set by the Education Ministry for teaching graduates from public universities and teacher training institutes have caused disinterest in future applicants and those presently studying for their undergraduate degrees in education.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said this included teaching graduates needing to obtain a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.75 before they can sit for a test and interview to become teachers.
“Those from teacher training institutes are placed in schools straight away,” he said in his speech yesterday at the launch of the university and cluster schools network read by his deputy Datuk Idris Haron.
He said teaching graduates from public universities had met the conditions to graduate but the ministry’s requirement was that those who obtained a CGPA of less than 2.75 were not qualified.
Mohamed Khaled said public university lecturers felt that the teacher selection process seemed to reject the education and training provided by experienced lecturers at the universities’ education faculties.
Speaking at a joint press conference later, Deputy Education Minister Dr Wee Ka Siong, who represented Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein at the function, said this was a technical problem, which could be ironed out at the ministry’s joint committee meeting.
Earlier in Johor Baru, Dr Wee said numerous efforts have been taken by the Education Ministry to raise the leadership capabilities of school principals.
This included leadership and management training to ensure their proficiency in leading the students to success, he said at the opening ceremony of a convention attended by 870 secondary school principals.
Dr Wee urged principals to be role models for students with their leadership capability.
TS
Differences in criteria set by the Education Ministry for teaching graduates from public universities and teacher training institutes have caused disinterest in future applicants and those presently studying for their undergraduate degrees in education.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said this included teaching graduates needing to obtain a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.75 before they can sit for a test and interview to become teachers.
“Those from teacher training institutes are placed in schools straight away,” he said in his speech yesterday at the launch of the university and cluster schools network read by his deputy Datuk Idris Haron.
He said teaching graduates from public universities had met the conditions to graduate but the ministry’s requirement was that those who obtained a CGPA of less than 2.75 were not qualified.
Mohamed Khaled said public university lecturers felt that the teacher selection process seemed to reject the education and training provided by experienced lecturers at the universities’ education faculties.
Speaking at a joint press conference later, Deputy Education Minister Dr Wee Ka Siong, who represented Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein at the function, said this was a technical problem, which could be ironed out at the ministry’s joint committee meeting.
Earlier in Johor Baru, Dr Wee said numerous efforts have been taken by the Education Ministry to raise the leadership capabilities of school principals.
This included leadership and management training to ensure their proficiency in leading the students to success, he said at the opening ceremony of a convention attended by 870 secondary school principals.
Dr Wee urged principals to be role models for students with their leadership capability.
TS
July 19, 2008
Education Ministry invites public for discussions
Sunday July 20, 2008
The public has been invited to contact the Education Ministry to participate in a discussion on the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English at the end of August.
Education director-general Datuk Alimuddin Mohd Dom said members of the public could e-mail him at alimuddin.dom@moe.gov.my if they wanted to attend.
“They can also e-mail me their views on the policy,” he told reporters after the ministry’s post-Cabinet meeting on Friday.
Alimuddin said the first in a series of roundtable discussions on the policy was held from Monday to Wednesday, adding that it comprised public university vice-chancellors, researchers and representatives from the Council of School Principals and Headmasters.
“After our discussion, we found that students’ achievements and the teaching in rural schools have to be improved when compared with urban schools,” he said.
He said suggestions were also made to further improve teachers’ competencies, facilities and support programmes.
The discussion at the end of August would also involve parent-teacher associations, school management committees, non-governmental organisations and teacher unions.
The ministry, he added, would hold another roundtable discussion in September for politicians.
Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein had earlier announced that a decision on whether Science and Mathematics would continue to be taught in English would be made after the Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) results were released at the end of the year.
The policy of teaching Science and Mathematics in English was implemented in phases, starting with Year One, Form One and Lower Six students in 2003.
Hishammuddin also clarified misconceptions that a decision on whether to continue using English as the medium of instruction would be based on this year’s UPSR results.
He said the decision would not be based on the UPSR results but that the ministry was only announcing the decision after the results were out as it needed time to go through more roundtable discussions.
TS
The public has been invited to contact the Education Ministry to participate in a discussion on the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English at the end of August.
Education director-general Datuk Alimuddin Mohd Dom said members of the public could e-mail him at alimuddin.dom@moe.gov.my if they wanted to attend.
“They can also e-mail me their views on the policy,” he told reporters after the ministry’s post-Cabinet meeting on Friday.
Alimuddin said the first in a series of roundtable discussions on the policy was held from Monday to Wednesday, adding that it comprised public university vice-chancellors, researchers and representatives from the Council of School Principals and Headmasters.
“After our discussion, we found that students’ achievements and the teaching in rural schools have to be improved when compared with urban schools,” he said.
He said suggestions were also made to further improve teachers’ competencies, facilities and support programmes.
The discussion at the end of August would also involve parent-teacher associations, school management committees, non-governmental organisations and teacher unions.
The ministry, he added, would hold another roundtable discussion in September for politicians.
Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein had earlier announced that a decision on whether Science and Mathematics would continue to be taught in English would be made after the Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) results were released at the end of the year.
The policy of teaching Science and Mathematics in English was implemented in phases, starting with Year One, Form One and Lower Six students in 2003.
Hishammuddin also clarified misconceptions that a decision on whether to continue using English as the medium of instruction would be based on this year’s UPSR results.
He said the decision would not be based on the UPSR results but that the ministry was only announcing the decision after the results were out as it needed time to go through more roundtable discussions.
TS
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)