A 21-year-old has done Malaysia proud when she was adjudged top student in English at the University of London’s Queen Mary College recently.
Adelina Raisa Sufian, who obtained a Bachelor of Arts (English) degree with first class honours, won the coveted 2009 Westfield Trust Prize for outstanding academic achievement in English at the university last month.
Commenting on her achievement, Adelina attributed her success to encouragement from her parents, businessman Datuk Sufian Majid and Datin Alissa Fitri.
Top scorer: Adelina (left) posing for a photo with friends after she won the Westfield Trust Prize at the University of London recently. — Bernama
“I set a target throughout my study,” she said. “Most importantly, we must have the determination and confidence to succeed.
“I am glad that I was able to compete with native speakers of English, as well as students from other countries,” she told Ber- nama.
Adelina, who is also an accomplished pianist, has represented Queen Mary College in choir and mathematics competitions.
While pursuing higher education at the Oakham School, Britain, in 2004, she won the Headmaster’s Prize and was adjudged top student in Mathematics, English and Chemistry.
On her future, Adelina said she planned to write, pursue a Master’s degree and work in Malaysia.
“I love my country,” she added.
September 15, 2009
Students turn homework essays into a book
A class of 33 fifth formers from Five Arif at SMK Bandar Baru Sungai Buloh decided to turn their English essays into a book rather than waste their hard work.
One of the fifth formers, Azalea Azarae, said the class was given the task of writing 30 essays, each 1,500 words long, during their year-end holidays last year.
“Our English teacher Puan Shantini (Karalasingam) wanted us to hand in our work on the first day of school this year,” she said, after representing her class in presenting copies of the book, entitled You Should Read This ... From Teens to Teens, to Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin at the Education Ministry.
Well done: Muhyiddin congratulating the students of SMK Bandar Baru Sungai Buluh for the hard work they have put in to compile their essays into a book.
She said Muhyiddin congratulated them on their book and encouraged them to work hard.
Fellow student Amizah Sulaiman, said after handing over the 900-odd essays to the teacher, they held a discussion and decided to compile the essays into a book.
“But as we could not put all 900 essays in, we formed an editorial panel, comprising fellow students who are good in English, to decide,” she said.
Classmate Lee Lai Fong said every student’s essay is in the book, with some having two.
“All the hard work is worth it now,” she added. SMK Bandar Baru Sungai Buloh principal Abdul Hakim Kassim said he was proud of his students as they had done all the work themselves.
One of the fifth formers, Azalea Azarae, said the class was given the task of writing 30 essays, each 1,500 words long, during their year-end holidays last year.
“Our English teacher Puan Shantini (Karalasingam) wanted us to hand in our work on the first day of school this year,” she said, after representing her class in presenting copies of the book, entitled You Should Read This ... From Teens to Teens, to Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin at the Education Ministry.
Well done: Muhyiddin congratulating the students of SMK Bandar Baru Sungai Buluh for the hard work they have put in to compile their essays into a book.
She said Muhyiddin congratulated them on their book and encouraged them to work hard.
Fellow student Amizah Sulaiman, said after handing over the 900-odd essays to the teacher, they held a discussion and decided to compile the essays into a book.
“But as we could not put all 900 essays in, we formed an editorial panel, comprising fellow students who are good in English, to decide,” she said.
Classmate Lee Lai Fong said every student’s essay is in the book, with some having two.
“All the hard work is worth it now,” she added. SMK Bandar Baru Sungai Buloh principal Abdul Hakim Kassim said he was proud of his students as they had done all the work themselves.
Teach children to know the difference between tattling and helpful reporting
MUMMY! Jack hit me!” yells your five-year-old daughter. Your son shouts back: “No! I did not do anything to her. She is always lying.” Many parents have to deal with tattling among siblings. It takes a toll on worn-out parents when the whining and tattling get too much.
We want our children to speak up when they are hurt or in trouble. But we hardly encourage them to do so. We often respond to them with mixed messages such as: “Stop telling lies about your brother.” Or “Please stop all this bad talk at once! I don’t want to listen anymore.”
We want to teach children to know the difference between tattling and helpful reporting. If your child knows someone is in trouble and helps to tell an adult about it, that is helpful reporting. But if you tell on someone to get him in trouble, then that is tattling.
Parents have to teach children how to report clearly to protect them from those who want to hurt them. It is known that dangerous characters would tell children that nobody would believe them or they have to keep it a secret.
Children in the early years have difficulty sorting out what is right and wrong. It is up to parents to keep sharing with them ideas on doing the right thing. They need to know that certain words they use will hurt other people’s feelings. They must also learn how to tell so that people will believe them.
Sometimes they act impulsively to tattle on a friend or a sibling. In doing so, they get the attention they want or get the other person in trouble. Young children can be confused by what others do to them. They tell an adult using the wrong choice of words that will make matters worse.
One eight-year-old told her mother that a prefect in school scolds her all the time. Her mother probed further and found out that this prefect was telling her not to make friends with certain girls in class.
We want children to tell if they need help or if someone is in need of help. For example, a primary school child tells her friend that her uncle is touching her inappropriately. This young friend must know how to tell her parent or teacher instead of keeping mum.
Parents and teachers can teach children how to use certain words that will get them the appropriate attention. Siblings usually tell on one another to seek favour from parents. You do not want to punish the other child unfairly or reinforce the tattling behaviour.
Preschoolers and early primary school age children know certain rules and they may not like it when others do not follow these rules. A primary school teacher who taught Year One pupils, once told me that a student handed her a ruler and reminded her that she had set the rule that anyone who talked in class would be punished.
Listen carefully to what your child tells you. Do not brush her off by saying, “I don’t want you to tell on your brother.”
This can make your child feel slighted and ridiculed. Sometimes all you need to do is to listen; do not get roped into sibling fights.
If you want to do something, you can respond to “John took my colour pencils without asking for permission,” by teaching your child how to clearly state her feelings and opinion to her sibling.
Teach her to use words that will empower her to get things done properly. Together you can work out ideas on what she should do next. Turn-taking, sharing, negotiating or exchanging may be possible solutions for your child to solve the problem by herself.
Teach your child how to use appropriate words. Let her know that she can approach the person directly. “You are angry with your brother. Let him know this. Tell him that you don’t like it when he takes your things without asking you first.”
Parents can set the right example for their children by using “feeling” words in their messages. You can say: “I’m very happy that you told me how you feel instead of lashing out in anger.”
Children learn from parents how to use “feeling” words appropriately and understand their own feelings better.
For children to have self-confidence and respect for others, they need to be equipped with the knowledge and skill to act and speak appropriately
We want our children to speak up when they are hurt or in trouble. But we hardly encourage them to do so. We often respond to them with mixed messages such as: “Stop telling lies about your brother.” Or “Please stop all this bad talk at once! I don’t want to listen anymore.”
We want to teach children to know the difference between tattling and helpful reporting. If your child knows someone is in trouble and helps to tell an adult about it, that is helpful reporting. But if you tell on someone to get him in trouble, then that is tattling.
Parents have to teach children how to report clearly to protect them from those who want to hurt them. It is known that dangerous characters would tell children that nobody would believe them or they have to keep it a secret.
Children in the early years have difficulty sorting out what is right and wrong. It is up to parents to keep sharing with them ideas on doing the right thing. They need to know that certain words they use will hurt other people’s feelings. They must also learn how to tell so that people will believe them.
Sometimes they act impulsively to tattle on a friend or a sibling. In doing so, they get the attention they want or get the other person in trouble. Young children can be confused by what others do to them. They tell an adult using the wrong choice of words that will make matters worse.
One eight-year-old told her mother that a prefect in school scolds her all the time. Her mother probed further and found out that this prefect was telling her not to make friends with certain girls in class.
We want children to tell if they need help or if someone is in need of help. For example, a primary school child tells her friend that her uncle is touching her inappropriately. This young friend must know how to tell her parent or teacher instead of keeping mum.
Parents and teachers can teach children how to use certain words that will get them the appropriate attention. Siblings usually tell on one another to seek favour from parents. You do not want to punish the other child unfairly or reinforce the tattling behaviour.
Preschoolers and early primary school age children know certain rules and they may not like it when others do not follow these rules. A primary school teacher who taught Year One pupils, once told me that a student handed her a ruler and reminded her that she had set the rule that anyone who talked in class would be punished.
Listen carefully to what your child tells you. Do not brush her off by saying, “I don’t want you to tell on your brother.”
This can make your child feel slighted and ridiculed. Sometimes all you need to do is to listen; do not get roped into sibling fights.
If you want to do something, you can respond to “John took my colour pencils without asking for permission,” by teaching your child how to clearly state her feelings and opinion to her sibling.
Teach her to use words that will empower her to get things done properly. Together you can work out ideas on what she should do next. Turn-taking, sharing, negotiating or exchanging may be possible solutions for your child to solve the problem by herself.
Teach your child how to use appropriate words. Let her know that she can approach the person directly. “You are angry with your brother. Let him know this. Tell him that you don’t like it when he takes your things without asking you first.”
Parents can set the right example for their children by using “feeling” words in their messages. You can say: “I’m very happy that you told me how you feel instead of lashing out in anger.”
Children learn from parents how to use “feeling” words appropriately and understand their own feelings better.
For children to have self-confidence and respect for others, they need to be equipped with the knowledge and skill to act and speak appropriately
July 29, 2009
120 pupils cramped in two double-storey premises
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk T. Murugiah has expressed shock at the plight of some 120 pupils of a Tamil school in Lukut near here.
Murugiah, who made an unscheduled stop at SJKT Ladang Singai Salak yesterday, was dismayed to see the pupils studying in cramped conditions in two rented, double-storey shoplots.
“This looks like a fire-trap, it certainly doesn’t look like a school to me. I will do whatever I can to help them move to a better place,” he said.
Not an ideal location: It may not be that old but the two double-storey shophouses in Lukut cannot be a conducive learning place and certainly not a place to call school for the 120 pupils of SJKT Ladang Sg Salak.
The school was previously located in Siliau but was moved when its student population dwindled. It was then allowed to squat at SJKT Bandar Springhill for two years.
It was moved to its present location when the student population increased.
Parents, when met outside the school, also expressed hope that the authorities would help to relocate the school.
Murugiah said the school was unable to accept more students as there was no space for expansion. It has been operating from the shoplots for the last two years.
Murugiah said he would consult with Deputy Education Minister Datuk Wee Ka Siong on the possibility of moving the school to a plot reserved for another Tamil school.
It is learnt that the other Tamil school, at the seventh kilometre of Jalan Pantai, was supposed to have moved to the plot but the plan was aborted.
“I will appeal to the Education Ministry to allow this school to be moved there,” he said.
Murugiah, who made an unscheduled stop at SJKT Ladang Singai Salak yesterday, was dismayed to see the pupils studying in cramped conditions in two rented, double-storey shoplots.
“This looks like a fire-trap, it certainly doesn’t look like a school to me. I will do whatever I can to help them move to a better place,” he said.
Not an ideal location: It may not be that old but the two double-storey shophouses in Lukut cannot be a conducive learning place and certainly not a place to call school for the 120 pupils of SJKT Ladang Sg Salak.
The school was previously located in Siliau but was moved when its student population dwindled. It was then allowed to squat at SJKT Bandar Springhill for two years.
It was moved to its present location when the student population increased.
Parents, when met outside the school, also expressed hope that the authorities would help to relocate the school.
Murugiah said the school was unable to accept more students as there was no space for expansion. It has been operating from the shoplots for the last two years.
Murugiah said he would consult with Deputy Education Minister Datuk Wee Ka Siong on the possibility of moving the school to a plot reserved for another Tamil school.
It is learnt that the other Tamil school, at the seventh kilometre of Jalan Pantai, was supposed to have moved to the plot but the plan was aborted.
“I will appeal to the Education Ministry to allow this school to be moved there,” he said.
July 23, 2009
Shame on spectators for booing our boys
I WAS among the many who watched the Manchester United-Malaysia football match at Bukit Jalil last Saturday. I think the Malaysian boys did us proud that night and I found myself rooting for our national team despite being a Manchester United supporter.
What disappointed me though was the attitude of the Malaysian spectators. Not cheering for the national team is one thing but to boo them is quite another. Countless times, when a Malaysian player misplaced a pass, the stadium would start ringing with boos and taunts for the players to “balik lah”. When our two-goal hero Amri Yahyah was substituted, only a handful of spectators stood up to applaud him off.
Many of them didn’t even recognise who was the one who dragged Malaysia back into the game. Even our national team coach Rajagopal said he was disappointed with the lack of support for our players.
The same happened when the Malaysian players applauded the crowd after the match. The ovation granted to our players was relatively minuscule compared to that when the United team sat down for a warm-down.
Of course, I realise Manchester United are the main draw here, but this is our country for crying out loud! We see letters in The Star all the time criticising the national team but when they finally do us proud, where is the support?
Are Malaysians not patriotic enough to put country before club – a foreign club 6,000 miles away at that?
What disappointed me though was the attitude of the Malaysian spectators. Not cheering for the national team is one thing but to boo them is quite another. Countless times, when a Malaysian player misplaced a pass, the stadium would start ringing with boos and taunts for the players to “balik lah”. When our two-goal hero Amri Yahyah was substituted, only a handful of spectators stood up to applaud him off.
Many of them didn’t even recognise who was the one who dragged Malaysia back into the game. Even our national team coach Rajagopal said he was disappointed with the lack of support for our players.
The same happened when the Malaysian players applauded the crowd after the match. The ovation granted to our players was relatively minuscule compared to that when the United team sat down for a warm-down.
Of course, I realise Manchester United are the main draw here, but this is our country for crying out loud! We see letters in The Star all the time criticising the national team but when they finally do us proud, where is the support?
Are Malaysians not patriotic enough to put country before club – a foreign club 6,000 miles away at that?
Hard to cope with increase in food prices
Ninety-five per cent of families in the country are finding it hard to cope with the rise in food prices.
National Population and Family Development Board director-general Datuk Aminah Abdul Rahman said this was revealed in an opinion research survey conducted in 2008 on the impact of inflation on families.
“Some 44% of women in the lower-income group also said that misunderstandings arose over finances due to the increase,” she said in her speech after launching a family finance management programme here yesterday.
Aminah said there were also complaints of harassment from loan sharks and bank warnings issued to families for failing to pay their loans just because they did not know how to manage their finances.
Participants of the programme learnt to differentiate between their wants and needs when managing their household budget.
Family Development Department head Fauwas Hasbullah said the programme was organised to educate the public on how to live within their budget without having to borrow from loan sharks.
“Through interactive activities, participants get to play the role of a family member and learn how to manage money as a family,” he said.
The programme will be held nationwide until the end of this year with the help of Bank Negara’s Counselling and Credit Management Agency.
A participant, Syahizwan Osman, 25, said the programme taught him how to manage his income in an orderly manner.
“It will take some time for me to change but this programme is a kick-start for me to make changes in my lifestyle one step at a time,” he said.
TS
National Population and Family Development Board director-general Datuk Aminah Abdul Rahman said this was revealed in an opinion research survey conducted in 2008 on the impact of inflation on families.
“Some 44% of women in the lower-income group also said that misunderstandings arose over finances due to the increase,” she said in her speech after launching a family finance management programme here yesterday.
Aminah said there were also complaints of harassment from loan sharks and bank warnings issued to families for failing to pay their loans just because they did not know how to manage their finances.
Participants of the programme learnt to differentiate between their wants and needs when managing their household budget.
Family Development Department head Fauwas Hasbullah said the programme was organised to educate the public on how to live within their budget without having to borrow from loan sharks.
“Through interactive activities, participants get to play the role of a family member and learn how to manage money as a family,” he said.
The programme will be held nationwide until the end of this year with the help of Bank Negara’s Counselling and Credit Management Agency.
A participant, Syahizwan Osman, 25, said the programme taught him how to manage his income in an orderly manner.
“It will take some time for me to change but this programme is a kick-start for me to make changes in my lifestyle one step at a time,” he said.
TS
June 29, 2009
Keep youths from crime, cops tell Indian leaders
INDIAN community leaders need to play a more important role in helping to reduce the crime rate among Indian youths, Tamil Nesan quoted Larut Matang Selama OCPD ACP Raja Musa Raja Razak as saying.
Some of the youths have realised their mistakes while serving their sentences in the prisons.
“Political parties, social organisations and religious groups should monitor these youngsters and organise events or activities to keep them occupied,” he said.
TS
Some of the youths have realised their mistakes while serving their sentences in the prisons.
“Political parties, social organisations and religious groups should monitor these youngsters and organise events or activities to keep them occupied,” he said.
TS
May 29, 2009
10-subject limit for SPM from next year
From next year, students sitting for the SPM examinations will only be allowed to sit for a maximum of 10 subjects.
The grading system for the examination will also be improved to better reflect the academic achievements of the students.
Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the ministry decided to do away with the open certificate system, which allows students to sit for as many subjects, as the majority only took 10 subjects or fewer.
“Records show that some 90% of students sitting for the SPM exam take 10 or fewer subjects,” the Deputy Prime Minister told reporters yesterday after laying the foundation stone for the new RM1.3bil Education Com-plex at Bandar Enstek near here.
“We want to streamline this as it will also be an easier way to determine the awarding of scholarships.”
Some 450,000 students sat for the SPM exam last year.
Muhyiddin said teachers would also be able to focus better if students were only allowed to take up to 10 subjects because they would not be burdened with teaching other subjects.
“Parents also will not have to rush their children for too many tuition classes.”
On the grading system, Muhyid-din said instead of giving students 1A, B or C, their grades would include A+, A and A- from next year to make it more effective in deciding who was most qualified for a scholarship.
The Star
The grading system for the examination will also be improved to better reflect the academic achievements of the students.
Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the ministry decided to do away with the open certificate system, which allows students to sit for as many subjects, as the majority only took 10 subjects or fewer.
“Records show that some 90% of students sitting for the SPM exam take 10 or fewer subjects,” the Deputy Prime Minister told reporters yesterday after laying the foundation stone for the new RM1.3bil Education Com-plex at Bandar Enstek near here.
“We want to streamline this as it will also be an easier way to determine the awarding of scholarships.”
Some 450,000 students sat for the SPM exam last year.
Muhyiddin said teachers would also be able to focus better if students were only allowed to take up to 10 subjects because they would not be burdened with teaching other subjects.
“Parents also will not have to rush their children for too many tuition classes.”
On the grading system, Muhyid-din said instead of giving students 1A, B or C, their grades would include A+, A and A- from next year to make it more effective in deciding who was most qualified for a scholarship.
The Star
May 25, 2009
MCA to help students get funding
The MCA will continue to help students facing difficulty in getting matriculation scholarships, says president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat.
He said more non-bumiputras were applying for matriculation now although there was only a 10% allocation for them.
Ong added that the Public Service Department scholarship issue was not racial.
“It is rather the transparency and the criteria that many people are concerned about,” Ong said.
Citing an example, he said two Chinese students from the same class with almost similar background and curricular activities applied for a PSD scholarship but the student who did better did not get the scholarship.
“To classify it as a racial issue is not accurate. It is the criteria used in the selection process and it is not a racial quota,” he told reporters after chairing the party central committee meeting yesterday.
He said the MCA had received more than 1,000 appeal cases for scholarships and he had instructed the education bureau to follow up on the matter.
The Star
He said more non-bumiputras were applying for matriculation now although there was only a 10% allocation for them.
Ong added that the Public Service Department scholarship issue was not racial.
“It is rather the transparency and the criteria that many people are concerned about,” Ong said.
Citing an example, he said two Chinese students from the same class with almost similar background and curricular activities applied for a PSD scholarship but the student who did better did not get the scholarship.
“To classify it as a racial issue is not accurate. It is the criteria used in the selection process and it is not a racial quota,” he told reporters after chairing the party central committee meeting yesterday.
He said the MCA had received more than 1,000 appeal cases for scholarships and he had instructed the education bureau to follow up on the matter.
The Star
May 18, 2009
Cabinet to hear cases of 800 top scorers who didn’t get scholarships
More than 800 straight-A students will have their appeals for Public Services Department (PSD) scholarships taken up to the Cabinet for discussion.
Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said the group, comprising 280 who scored straight 1As, had submitted their appeals to the MCA.
Recurrent problem: Dr Wee talking to students who failed to get PSD scholarships in Kuala Lumpur in a May 16, 2006, file photo.
“I have just briefed the party president (Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat) on the matter and the four MCA ministers will bring it to the Cabinet,” he said here yesterday.
Dr Wee said the situation this year had shocked even him – although the MCA Youth chief and party national education bureau chairman had been handling education and scholarship issues since 2001.
He cited the case of a student with 6A1 and 4A2 who obtained a scholarship to study engineering. On the other hand, there were complaints from students with 13A1s and 14A1s that they were given places to do matriculation instead of being awarded with scholarships.
He stressed that such alternatives should be made known earlier, not just dished out to the students.
Dr Wee added there must also be a transparent system of awarding scholarships.
Asked whether publishing the names of the scholarship recipients could help address the question of fairness and transparency in selection, Dr Wee said he hoped this would be done by the PSD not too long from now.
The Cabinet had in January refined the distribution of scholarship: 20% solely on merit, 10% for the underprivileged, 10% for those from Sabah and Sarawak and the remaining based on ethnic quota, co-curriculum, results and socio-economic background.
Meanwhile students, parents and teachers who contacted The Star said they were shocked by the “consolation prize” (getting a place to do matriculation instead of a scholarship to study overseas) given to many of those with 13A1s and 14A1s.
They also raised a host of other problems, including that the scholarship recipients were not told which country they would be sent to study.
Meanwhile, the DAP wants the Government to show the selection criteria for the PSD scholarships and explain why there was a shift in implementation.
DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz had reiterated in Parliament that 55% of the scholarships would be given to bumiputras while the rest was reserved for non-Malays.
“All of a sudden, they just changed the selection criteria. We want to know how many percent of the scholarships are given to bumiputras and non-bumiputras,” the Ipoh Timur MP told a press conference here yesterday.
Lim, three other DAP MPs and three state assemblymen had met with PSD director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Adam to discuss the matter.
The Star
Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said the group, comprising 280 who scored straight 1As, had submitted their appeals to the MCA.
Recurrent problem: Dr Wee talking to students who failed to get PSD scholarships in Kuala Lumpur in a May 16, 2006, file photo.
“I have just briefed the party president (Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat) on the matter and the four MCA ministers will bring it to the Cabinet,” he said here yesterday.
Dr Wee said the situation this year had shocked even him – although the MCA Youth chief and party national education bureau chairman had been handling education and scholarship issues since 2001.
He cited the case of a student with 6A1 and 4A2 who obtained a scholarship to study engineering. On the other hand, there were complaints from students with 13A1s and 14A1s that they were given places to do matriculation instead of being awarded with scholarships.
He stressed that such alternatives should be made known earlier, not just dished out to the students.
Dr Wee added there must also be a transparent system of awarding scholarships.
Asked whether publishing the names of the scholarship recipients could help address the question of fairness and transparency in selection, Dr Wee said he hoped this would be done by the PSD not too long from now.
The Cabinet had in January refined the distribution of scholarship: 20% solely on merit, 10% for the underprivileged, 10% for those from Sabah and Sarawak and the remaining based on ethnic quota, co-curriculum, results and socio-economic background.
Meanwhile students, parents and teachers who contacted The Star said they were shocked by the “consolation prize” (getting a place to do matriculation instead of a scholarship to study overseas) given to many of those with 13A1s and 14A1s.
They also raised a host of other problems, including that the scholarship recipients were not told which country they would be sent to study.
Meanwhile, the DAP wants the Government to show the selection criteria for the PSD scholarships and explain why there was a shift in implementation.
DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz had reiterated in Parliament that 55% of the scholarships would be given to bumiputras while the rest was reserved for non-Malays.
“All of a sudden, they just changed the selection criteria. We want to know how many percent of the scholarships are given to bumiputras and non-bumiputras,” the Ipoh Timur MP told a press conference here yesterday.
Lim, three other DAP MPs and three state assemblymen had met with PSD director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Adam to discuss the matter.
The Star
May 11, 2009
More avenues for varsity students to boost talents
Varsity students will have more avenues to showcase their creativity and innovations.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said this was necessary to bring out the best in students and the ministry would do its utmost to help.
“More technology-oriented competitions will be held in the near future to ensure graduates are highly motivated and innovative,” he said at the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) Robocon 2009 finals at Stadium Malawati.
“We will hold the Imagine Cup with Microsoft soon and students will have to use technology to tackle some of the world’s challenges.
“We will also hold a green energy competition with Shell.
“Innovation is the key to Malaysia moving away from a resource-based extraction economy,” Khaled said, adding that the ministry had conducted a study on human capital development last year.
The study, costing RM350,000, was done in collaboration with the Malaysian Invention and Design Society, Universiti Teknologi Mara and the Malaysian Design Council.
“We will create a blueprint based on the results and targets, and key performance indicators will be set up after that,” he added.
On Robocon 2009, Khaled said that the contest was more than just a yardstick of innovation as fair play and competition were promoted amongst the 64 participating teams from various public and private universities.
Held annually since 2002, the eighth edition of Robocon saw Roboforce 1 of Multimedia Univer-sity (MMU) Melaka defending its title.
They received a RM10,000 cheque, an ABU special award worth US$1,000 (RM3,515) and will represent Malaysia at the global finals in Tokyo, Japan.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said this was necessary to bring out the best in students and the ministry would do its utmost to help.
“More technology-oriented competitions will be held in the near future to ensure graduates are highly motivated and innovative,” he said at the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) Robocon 2009 finals at Stadium Malawati.
“We will hold the Imagine Cup with Microsoft soon and students will have to use technology to tackle some of the world’s challenges.
“We will also hold a green energy competition with Shell.
“Innovation is the key to Malaysia moving away from a resource-based extraction economy,” Khaled said, adding that the ministry had conducted a study on human capital development last year.
The study, costing RM350,000, was done in collaboration with the Malaysian Invention and Design Society, Universiti Teknologi Mara and the Malaysian Design Council.
“We will create a blueprint based on the results and targets, and key performance indicators will be set up after that,” he added.
On Robocon 2009, Khaled said that the contest was more than just a yardstick of innovation as fair play and competition were promoted amongst the 64 participating teams from various public and private universities.
Held annually since 2002, the eighth edition of Robocon saw Roboforce 1 of Multimedia Univer-sity (MMU) Melaka defending its title.
They received a RM10,000 cheque, an ABU special award worth US$1,000 (RM3,515) and will represent Malaysia at the global finals in Tokyo, Japan.
Review of education curriculum
Sports must once again be given serious emphasis in schools so as to produce well-rounded students.
Pointing out that education should be fun and interesting, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also Education Minister, proposed a review of the education curriculum to place more importance on sports.
“When I was in school, sports was a very important co-curricular activity. We would go back to school to train and our teachers would guide and motivate us,” he said.
“Sports Day in schools was something the whole town would get involved in. It was such a big event with our parents showing up to lend their support.” Muhyiddin said that the present situation was nothing like that.
“I have a son who is in Victoria Institution, and I did not even know when his Sports Day was. I did not even see him go for training,” he said.
Congratulations: Muhyiddin (right) presenting the trophy to winner Jamalluden Abdul Rosli at the Mines Golf and Country Club yesterday.
“I think we are missing something that is very important in life. Sports is not only for health but also provides a form of bonding,” he said, adding that children now bonded with the use of a computer.
Muhyiddin said as the new Education Minister, he wanted to “bring back sports to schools.”
“In the United Kingdom, it is compulsory to take up two sports, even in universities,” he said in his speech at the prize-giving ceremony of the Tan Sri Muhyiddin Patron’s Cup here.
However, Muhyiddin added that it would not be easy to revamp the system. “For one, not all schools have fields now and there are also not enough sports teachers.”
Pointing out that education should be fun and interesting, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also Education Minister, proposed a review of the education curriculum to place more importance on sports.
“When I was in school, sports was a very important co-curricular activity. We would go back to school to train and our teachers would guide and motivate us,” he said.
“Sports Day in schools was something the whole town would get involved in. It was such a big event with our parents showing up to lend their support.” Muhyiddin said that the present situation was nothing like that.
“I have a son who is in Victoria Institution, and I did not even know when his Sports Day was. I did not even see him go for training,” he said.
Congratulations: Muhyiddin (right) presenting the trophy to winner Jamalluden Abdul Rosli at the Mines Golf and Country Club yesterday.
“I think we are missing something that is very important in life. Sports is not only for health but also provides a form of bonding,” he said, adding that children now bonded with the use of a computer.
Muhyiddin said as the new Education Minister, he wanted to “bring back sports to schools.”
“In the United Kingdom, it is compulsory to take up two sports, even in universities,” he said in his speech at the prize-giving ceremony of the Tan Sri Muhyiddin Patron’s Cup here.
However, Muhyiddin added that it would not be easy to revamp the system. “For one, not all schools have fields now and there are also not enough sports teachers.”
May 05, 2009
Groups give ministry time to review English policy
Many educationist groups have welcomed the Education Ministry’s willingness to continue to listen to various views before making a decision on the policy of teaching Mathematics and Science in English.
Linguist and former Universiti Malaya Academy of Malay Studies director Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Nik Safiah Karim was happy that Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was not in a hurry to make a decision.
“I hope he will listen to all views before a decision is made by the Cabinet,” she said.
Muhyiddin, who is Deputy Prime Minister, said he was willing to listen to more views and accept memoranda on the issue before bringing the matter to the Cabinet for a decision.
Dr Nik Safiah said due recognition should be given to Bahasa Malaysia as the national and official language, adding that there were other ways of improving the standard of English such as by increasing the number of periods in school.
The Teaching of Mathematics and Science in English (better known by its Malay acronym PPSMI) policy was implemented in phases, beginning with Year One, Form One and Lower Six students in 2003.
Parent Action Group for Education (PAGE) chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abd Rahim said the ministry should only assess the policy after the pioneer batch sat for the SPM examination in 2013.
Gerakan Mansuhkan PPSMI (GMP – Movement for the Abolition of Teaching and Learning Science and Mathematics in English) chairman Datuk Dr Hassan Ahmad said GMP’s stand was clear.
“We want the Government to revert to the original policy before 2003 as it was successful,” he said.
National Laureate Datuk A. Samad Said, who is a member of the GMP, said the authorities had contravened the Constitution by switching the language of instruction from Bahasa Malaysia to English.
“Our members, who include Malay scholars and educators, are not against the English Language. But it is wrong to implement a policy in a hurry with no regard to the negative consequences.
“Language is a reflection of our identity. Our country will lose that identity when this policy is implemented,” he said yesterday.
Linguist and former Universiti Malaya Academy of Malay Studies director Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Nik Safiah Karim was happy that Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was not in a hurry to make a decision.
“I hope he will listen to all views before a decision is made by the Cabinet,” she said.
Muhyiddin, who is Deputy Prime Minister, said he was willing to listen to more views and accept memoranda on the issue before bringing the matter to the Cabinet for a decision.
Dr Nik Safiah said due recognition should be given to Bahasa Malaysia as the national and official language, adding that there were other ways of improving the standard of English such as by increasing the number of periods in school.
The Teaching of Mathematics and Science in English (better known by its Malay acronym PPSMI) policy was implemented in phases, beginning with Year One, Form One and Lower Six students in 2003.
Parent Action Group for Education (PAGE) chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abd Rahim said the ministry should only assess the policy after the pioneer batch sat for the SPM examination in 2013.
Gerakan Mansuhkan PPSMI (GMP – Movement for the Abolition of Teaching and Learning Science and Mathematics in English) chairman Datuk Dr Hassan Ahmad said GMP’s stand was clear.
“We want the Government to revert to the original policy before 2003 as it was successful,” he said.
National Laureate Datuk A. Samad Said, who is a member of the GMP, said the authorities had contravened the Constitution by switching the language of instruction from Bahasa Malaysia to English.
“Our members, who include Malay scholars and educators, are not against the English Language. But it is wrong to implement a policy in a hurry with no regard to the negative consequences.
“Language is a reflection of our identity. Our country will lose that identity when this policy is implemented,” he said yesterday.
Rope in experts to assess education system
Local and foreign experts will be asked to assess the country’s education system.
Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said this was to ensure the education system was effective and to identify any weaknesses.
“Quality is the key word here as we can’t compromise on our children’s future,” he told reporters after delivering his first message at the ministry’s monthly gathering.
Muhyiddin, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, said the assessment would be headed by an individual within the ministry.
“But I would want to find some experts in education from within the country and outside to assess how good our system is or how can we make it better,” he said.
Muhyiddin said time management and decision-making were very important.
“If we can correct any problems, we must do so. Otherwise, those who lose out will be all of us,” he said.
On the 1Malaysia concept in education, Muhyiddin said it was already in the existing syllabus.
“What we want is to give a new understanding for education to integrate people of different races, cultures and religions. Schools are the best platforms to promote integration among students.”
Asked about his deputy Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong’s statement on reviewing history books, Muhyiddin said he was open to ideas.
“People can make propositions. I am always open to ideas and we will see whether the propositions are reasonable and (if) there is a need to make changes to books, it must be based on certain principles of correctness.
“People cannot re-write or re-invent history. What is past and has been recognised as part of history of this country should be recognised and of course hopefully written in a manner that is correct,” he said.
Asked about Dr Wee wanting all races’ contributions to be noted, Muhyiddin said no one stated there were no contributions to history or development of this country.
“We do recognise contributions of various races in the development of Malaysia from before, during and after independence but what is important in history is to recognise whatever the races have done.
“Malays fought for independence first, joined in by leaders of other races,” he said.
It was reported last month that Dr Wee had said a review was timely to correct the “selective representation of facts” in history textbooks.
Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said this was to ensure the education system was effective and to identify any weaknesses.
“Quality is the key word here as we can’t compromise on our children’s future,” he told reporters after delivering his first message at the ministry’s monthly gathering.
Muhyiddin, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, said the assessment would be headed by an individual within the ministry.
“But I would want to find some experts in education from within the country and outside to assess how good our system is or how can we make it better,” he said.
Muhyiddin said time management and decision-making were very important.
“If we can correct any problems, we must do so. Otherwise, those who lose out will be all of us,” he said.
On the 1Malaysia concept in education, Muhyiddin said it was already in the existing syllabus.
“What we want is to give a new understanding for education to integrate people of different races, cultures and religions. Schools are the best platforms to promote integration among students.”
Asked about his deputy Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong’s statement on reviewing history books, Muhyiddin said he was open to ideas.
“People can make propositions. I am always open to ideas and we will see whether the propositions are reasonable and (if) there is a need to make changes to books, it must be based on certain principles of correctness.
“People cannot re-write or re-invent history. What is past and has been recognised as part of history of this country should be recognised and of course hopefully written in a manner that is correct,” he said.
Asked about Dr Wee wanting all races’ contributions to be noted, Muhyiddin said no one stated there were no contributions to history or development of this country.
“We do recognise contributions of various races in the development of Malaysia from before, during and after independence but what is important in history is to recognise whatever the races have done.
“Malays fought for independence first, joined in by leaders of other races,” he said.
It was reported last month that Dr Wee had said a review was timely to correct the “selective representation of facts” in history textbooks.
April 17, 2009
Selection trial for entry into USM on 18 April 09
The 26,635 students who applied to enter apex-status Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) must not miss the Malaysian University Selection Inventory (Munsyl) special assessment test tomorrow.
USM deputy vice-chancellor (Academic and International Affairs) Prof Ahmad Shukri Mustapa Kamal said the test would enable them to select applicants who were suitable for the course they had opted for.
“Anyone who misses the test will miss a chance to study in USM. It’s just a one-hour test and it is to help the university and applicants make the right choice.”
He said USM had selected 117 locations nationwide for the applicants to attend the assessment tomorrow.
“Only 3,500 applicants will be picked to enrol in the university. The applicants will know their status at the end of this month.”
Prof Ahmad Shukri said unsuccessful applicants would have their applications submitted to the University Admission Unit (UPU) for other public universities.
He said those sitting for the Munsyl must print the attending slip from www.usm.my, bring their identification card, pencils and erasers to sit for the assessment.
“The location for them to sit the assessment can be found online,” he said, adding that the university had sent out SMSes to the candidates
USM deputy vice-chancellor (Academic and International Affairs) Prof Ahmad Shukri Mustapa Kamal said the test would enable them to select applicants who were suitable for the course they had opted for.
“Anyone who misses the test will miss a chance to study in USM. It’s just a one-hour test and it is to help the university and applicants make the right choice.”
He said USM had selected 117 locations nationwide for the applicants to attend the assessment tomorrow.
“Only 3,500 applicants will be picked to enrol in the university. The applicants will know their status at the end of this month.”
Prof Ahmad Shukri said unsuccessful applicants would have their applications submitted to the University Admission Unit (UPU) for other public universities.
He said those sitting for the Munsyl must print the attending slip from www.usm.my, bring their identification card, pencils and erasers to sit for the assessment.
“The location for them to sit the assessment can be found online,” he said, adding that the university had sent out SMSes to the candidates
Students can contact Dep Higher Education Minister at Facebook
University students who wish to bring up grievances regarding their tertiary institutions may do so by directly contacting Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah through Facebook.
He will be live on Facebook every first and third Wednesday of the month from 10 to 11 pm.
He will be live on Facebook every first and third Wednesday of the month from 10 to 11 pm.
Education Ministry to help develop Permata Pintar programme
The Education Ministry will help develop the national Permata Pintar programme to improve early education among children aged below five.
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also the Education Minister, said this did not mean that the ministry would take over the running of the programme.
“We want to further expand the concept of early education. The Education Ministry has been entrusted with the responsibility to help programmes like this for children below five,” he said after closing the international conference on Early Childhood Education and Care.
He commended Permata patron Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, wife of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, for establishing Permata centres and formulating the national policy on early childhood education and care, and its curriculum which advocated holistic development for children below five.
“While we have done very well in pre-school right up to secondary education, it is thus very timely for us now to focus our attention on early childhood education for children,” he said.
Muhyiddin said Malaysia was one of the countries with the “highest enrolled and continued education (survival) rate” out of 56 countries in a Education for All assessment undertaken by Unesco and Unicef.
“We are also fortunate that there is no gender discrimination and boys and girls have equal opportunities for education,” he said adding that the Unesco Education for All global monitoring report 2006 noted that enrolment for five-year-olds in Malaysia was among the highest in South-East Asia.
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also the Education Minister, said this did not mean that the ministry would take over the running of the programme.
“We want to further expand the concept of early education. The Education Ministry has been entrusted with the responsibility to help programmes like this for children below five,” he said after closing the international conference on Early Childhood Education and Care.
He commended Permata patron Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, wife of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, for establishing Permata centres and formulating the national policy on early childhood education and care, and its curriculum which advocated holistic development for children below five.
“While we have done very well in pre-school right up to secondary education, it is thus very timely for us now to focus our attention on early childhood education for children,” he said.
Muhyiddin said Malaysia was one of the countries with the “highest enrolled and continued education (survival) rate” out of 56 countries in a Education for All assessment undertaken by Unesco and Unicef.
“We are also fortunate that there is no gender discrimination and boys and girls have equal opportunities for education,” he said adding that the Unesco Education for All global monitoring report 2006 noted that enrolment for five-year-olds in Malaysia was among the highest in South-East Asia.
March 18, 2009
Tampering will not hurt students’ applications
The online applications to public universities of three former SMK Seri Teja students will not be affected although their eight choices had all been changed to Islamic Studies by an unidentified hacker.
Deputy Higher Education Minister Dr Hou Kok Chung gave the assurance after receiving their appeal letters.
“We will process their applications based on their choices and not their online applications that were tampered,” he told reporters after attending the dialogue between MCA leaders and Chinese guilds and associations leaders at Wisma MCA yesterday.
He said the ministry was looking into the online system to ensure that this incident did not recur.
Last Friday, the university hopefuls were shocked to find their online applications had all their eight choices changed to Islamic Studies. They were also unable to amend the changes.
The students said they had received SMSes from an unidentified person who admitted to making the changes to their applications
Deputy Higher Education Minister Dr Hou Kok Chung gave the assurance after receiving their appeal letters.
“We will process their applications based on their choices and not their online applications that were tampered,” he told reporters after attending the dialogue between MCA leaders and Chinese guilds and associations leaders at Wisma MCA yesterday.
He said the ministry was looking into the online system to ensure that this incident did not recur.
Last Friday, the university hopefuls were shocked to find their online applications had all their eight choices changed to Islamic Studies. They were also unable to amend the changes.
The students said they had received SMSes from an unidentified person who admitted to making the changes to their applications
Students’ online application for public varsity tampered with
Three university hopefuls were shocked to find their online applications to public universities tampered with.
The former SMK Seri Teja students, who had just received their STPM results on Thursday, had all their eight choices filled with Islamic Studies.
To make matters worse, they were unable to amend the changes.
Chow Hon Mun, 21, said they could only make changes to the details on the online application website three times.
“I panicked when I could not make any changes and told my teachers about it,” said Chow when met at the Gopeng MCA service centre yesterday.
“My teachers then advised me to lodge a police report,” he said, adding that his first choice was engineering and that he had no intention of taking up Islamic Studies.
Chow added that recently he and his two friends had also received SMSes from an unidentified person who admitted to making the changes to their applications.
“I initially thought it was a prank but soon realised the person was telling the truth,” he said, adding that he was puzzled that the person had managed to procure confidential information about him and his two friends.
The other two victims were Chai Yick Loong, 21, and Ang Chun Heng, 20.
Chai said he wanted to take up an engineering course, and hoped the Higher Education Ministry could help them with their predicament.
Ang said he wanted to change the list back to his primary choices before the public university acceptance application ends on March 23.
“I hope the relevant authorities will upgrade the security system on the website so that it won’t be so easily hacked by people,” he added.
Gopeng MCA division chief Albert Chang said he would refer the matter to Deputy Higher Education Minister Dr Hou Kok Chung.
“We will help them gather all their result slips, application forms and official school letters and send the documents to Dr Hou through our education bureau,” said Chang.
He urged all public university hopefuls to check their online applications to ensure their forms were not tampered with.
The former SMK Seri Teja students, who had just received their STPM results on Thursday, had all their eight choices filled with Islamic Studies.
To make matters worse, they were unable to amend the changes.
Chow Hon Mun, 21, said they could only make changes to the details on the online application website three times.
“I panicked when I could not make any changes and told my teachers about it,” said Chow when met at the Gopeng MCA service centre yesterday.
“My teachers then advised me to lodge a police report,” he said, adding that his first choice was engineering and that he had no intention of taking up Islamic Studies.
Chow added that recently he and his two friends had also received SMSes from an unidentified person who admitted to making the changes to their applications.
“I initially thought it was a prank but soon realised the person was telling the truth,” he said, adding that he was puzzled that the person had managed to procure confidential information about him and his two friends.
The other two victims were Chai Yick Loong, 21, and Ang Chun Heng, 20.
Chai said he wanted to take up an engineering course, and hoped the Higher Education Ministry could help them with their predicament.
Ang said he wanted to change the list back to his primary choices before the public university acceptance application ends on March 23.
“I hope the relevant authorities will upgrade the security system on the website so that it won’t be so easily hacked by people,” he added.
Gopeng MCA division chief Albert Chang said he would refer the matter to Deputy Higher Education Minister Dr Hou Kok Chung.
“We will help them gather all their result slips, application forms and official school letters and send the documents to Dr Hou through our education bureau,” said Chang.
He urged all public university hopefuls to check their online applications to ensure their forms were not tampered with.
Decision known by mid-April on language for Maths and Science
The Cabinet is expected to make a decision on the language of instruction for Mathematics and Science in mid-April.
Education Minister Datuk Seri Hisham-muddin Tun Hussein said this was the earliest he could possibly present it to Cabinet, in reference to whether the teaching of the two subjects continues in English or reverts to Bahasa Malaysia and mother tongue (Chinese and Tamil).
"There is no hurry anyway as we have spent RM3bil since the introduction of the policy in 2003."- DATUK SERI HISHAMMUDDIN TUN HUSSEIN EDUCATION MINISTER
“It is not possible to table it this Friday as a memorandum is being circulated to various ministries for feedback.
“There is also time to hear what the delegates have to say at the Umno assembly next week,” he told The Star.
Hishammuddin said parent-teacher associations nationwide were also holding their annual meetings and he had asked that they make this a part of their agenda.
“There is no hurry anyway as we have spent more than RM3bil since the introduction of the policy in 2003,” he said.
Almost 100,000 teachers were involved and over six million students had gone through the policy, he added.
“Two-and-a-half months since the release of the UPSR results for the first cohort (who were taught the two subjects in English from Year One in 2003) is not long,” he said.
On a report in online news portal, Malaysian Insider, quoting sources that the policy was likely to revert to Bahasa Malaysia and mother tongue for primary schools, Hishammuddin said this was not possible.
“Any policy decision must go through the Cabinet. The decision in 2003 was also made by the Cabinet,” he said.
Education director-general Datuk Alimuddin Mohd Dom urged the public to refrain from speculating on the policy.
“A memorandum on the policy was circulated to several ministries for feedback last week,” he said.
The Teaching of Mathematics and Science in English (ETeMS or better known by its Malay acronym, PPSMI) policy was implemented in phases, beginning with Year One, Form One and Lower Six students in 2003 during the tenure of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
It was reported last week that Dr Mahathir defended the use of English to teach Science and Mathematics, saying it was necessary to ensure Malaysia could keep up with the rest of the world.
He said it would be better for people to know the language so they could get the information themselves.
Education Minister Datuk Seri Hisham-muddin Tun Hussein said this was the earliest he could possibly present it to Cabinet, in reference to whether the teaching of the two subjects continues in English or reverts to Bahasa Malaysia and mother tongue (Chinese and Tamil).
"There is no hurry anyway as we have spent RM3bil since the introduction of the policy in 2003."- DATUK SERI HISHAMMUDDIN TUN HUSSEIN EDUCATION MINISTER
“It is not possible to table it this Friday as a memorandum is being circulated to various ministries for feedback.
“There is also time to hear what the delegates have to say at the Umno assembly next week,” he told The Star.
Hishammuddin said parent-teacher associations nationwide were also holding their annual meetings and he had asked that they make this a part of their agenda.
“There is no hurry anyway as we have spent more than RM3bil since the introduction of the policy in 2003,” he said.
Almost 100,000 teachers were involved and over six million students had gone through the policy, he added.
“Two-and-a-half months since the release of the UPSR results for the first cohort (who were taught the two subjects in English from Year One in 2003) is not long,” he said.
On a report in online news portal, Malaysian Insider, quoting sources that the policy was likely to revert to Bahasa Malaysia and mother tongue for primary schools, Hishammuddin said this was not possible.
“Any policy decision must go through the Cabinet. The decision in 2003 was also made by the Cabinet,” he said.
Education director-general Datuk Alimuddin Mohd Dom urged the public to refrain from speculating on the policy.
“A memorandum on the policy was circulated to several ministries for feedback last week,” he said.
The Teaching of Mathematics and Science in English (ETeMS or better known by its Malay acronym, PPSMI) policy was implemented in phases, beginning with Year One, Form One and Lower Six students in 2003 during the tenure of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
It was reported last week that Dr Mahathir defended the use of English to teach Science and Mathematics, saying it was necessary to ensure Malaysia could keep up with the rest of the world.
He said it would be better for people to know the language so they could get the information themselves.
March 15, 2009
School with one pupil all set for relocation
A Chinese school with only one student in Batu Pahat will be relocated to Horizon Hills in Nusajaya next year, said MCA vice-president Tan Kok Hong.
The relocation of SJK (C) Ming Chih would begin next month and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Tan said the first phase of the project would be a canteen and a four-storey building which would have 16 classrooms, a library, computer room and science laboratories.
He said the school would be able to accommodate 1,200 pupils.
He said the sole student of the school was in Year Six this year and they hoped to take a fresh batch of students by 2010.
“The registration for Year One to Year Three students for the school will be held next week at SJK (C) Pei Hwa and SJK (C) Kuo Kuang 2,” he told reporters after the presentation of plans for the school in Horizon Hills Golf and Country Club here yesterday.
Tan added that the 2ha land and the construction cost for the school would be borne by Gamuda Land and UEM Land, which jointly developed Horizon Hills.
Tebrau MCA deputy chairman Senator Khoo Soo Seang said he would apply for tax exemptions for the building so the money could be channelled to improving the school later.
Gelang Patah MP Tan Ah Eng, who was also present, said the new school would support the needs of pupils as the population in Nusajaya was growing rapidly.
Horizon Hills senior marketing manager Jim Woon said they hoped to continue working with the MCA and school authorities to organise charity drives to raise funds for construction of following phases.
TS
The relocation of SJK (C) Ming Chih would begin next month and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Tan said the first phase of the project would be a canteen and a four-storey building which would have 16 classrooms, a library, computer room and science laboratories.
He said the school would be able to accommodate 1,200 pupils.
He said the sole student of the school was in Year Six this year and they hoped to take a fresh batch of students by 2010.
“The registration for Year One to Year Three students for the school will be held next week at SJK (C) Pei Hwa and SJK (C) Kuo Kuang 2,” he told reporters after the presentation of plans for the school in Horizon Hills Golf and Country Club here yesterday.
Tan added that the 2ha land and the construction cost for the school would be borne by Gamuda Land and UEM Land, which jointly developed Horizon Hills.
Tebrau MCA deputy chairman Senator Khoo Soo Seang said he would apply for tax exemptions for the building so the money could be channelled to improving the school later.
Gelang Patah MP Tan Ah Eng, who was also present, said the new school would support the needs of pupils as the population in Nusajaya was growing rapidly.
Horizon Hills senior marketing manager Jim Woon said they hoped to continue working with the MCA and school authorities to organise charity drives to raise funds for construction of following phases.
TS
February 07, 2009
Check matric status online
Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) school-leavers who have applied for the Matriculation Programme for 2009/2010 can check the status of their applications via the Educa—tion Ministry’s website at http://www.moe.gov.my from Feb 9 to 20.
Applicants who applied by filling in the optical mark reader (OMR) form or through the Internet can also amend and check their particulars and the stream of studies by logging on to the same website.
Students are required to key in their identity card number or Examination Board Number and their SPM index number.
They can also call the Matriculation Division’s helpline at 03-8884 4100 between 8.30am and 4pm on weekdays
Applicants who applied by filling in the optical mark reader (OMR) form or through the Internet can also amend and check their particulars and the stream of studies by logging on to the same website.
Students are required to key in their identity card number or Examination Board Number and their SPM index number.
They can also call the Matriculation Division’s helpline at 03-8884 4100 between 8.30am and 4pm on weekdays
Check matric status online
Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) school-leavers who have applied for the Matriculation Programme for 2009/2010 can check the status of their applications via the Educa—tion Ministry’s website at http://www.moe.gov.my from Feb 9 to 20.
Applicants who applied by filling in the optical mark reader (OMR) form or through the Internet can also amend and check their particulars and the stream of studies by logging on to the same website.
Students are required to key in their identity card number or Examination Board Number and their SPM index number.
They can also call the Matriculation Division’s helpline at 03-8884 4100 between 8.30am and 4pm on weekdays
Applicants who applied by filling in the optical mark reader (OMR) form or through the Internet can also amend and check their particulars and the stream of studies by logging on to the same website.
Students are required to key in their identity card number or Examination Board Number and their SPM index number.
They can also call the Matriculation Division’s helpline at 03-8884 4100 between 8.30am and 4pm on weekdays
No certs – and no school
Ten-year-old K. Tharsini wants to go to school. But she can't.
The Arutperum Jothi Children's Welfare Home resident does not have a birth certificate.
And despite an Education Ministry announcement in February that children with no birth certificates can be enrolled into schools, no school will take her.
Caught in a bind: (From left) Tharsini, 10, N. Pandian, seven, S. Velan, 11, N. Roja, five and N. Dineshkumar, six, posing for journalists in Ipoh Thursday. They were all abandoned by their parents.
Her guardian Babaji Indhu Adigalar said that besides Tharsini, his four other charges aged between five and 11 years were also facing the same problem.
"I have been trying to enrol them into primary schools since 2004 but the children were turned away because they do not have birth certificates," said the 60-year-old, adding that he had documents proving the children were born in Malaysia.
Speaking to reporters from their home in Buntong here yesterday, Babaji said he thought his problems were over when the ministry made the announcement.
"However, the children and I were again left disappointed when the schools that I approached refused to admit them as they claimed there had been no circular on the matter," he added.
Babaji, who sought the assistance of Perak MIC, said the five children had been abandoned by their parents.
"Because of that, I face difficulty in getting them birth certificates," he said, adding that attempts to get in touch with the children's next-of-kin had failed.
As a result, the children have only attended kindergarten.
They are currently being home-schooled, he said, adding that he did not know what to say when the children asked him they could not attend school like their friends.
On Feb 22, Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein announced in Putrajaya that the Cabinet had decided that children from estates or rural areas without birth certificates could be enrolled as long as they got a letter from the village headman or security and development committee members saying they were citizens.
All school heads have been directed to accept such pupils, he had added.
However, State MIC chairman Datuk G. Rajoo said a check with the Education Department on Monday confirmed that such a circular had not been issued.
"I urge the Ministry to do so fast as the children's future is at stake," he added.
The Arutperum Jothi Children's Welfare Home resident does not have a birth certificate.
And despite an Education Ministry announcement in February that children with no birth certificates can be enrolled into schools, no school will take her.
Caught in a bind: (From left) Tharsini, 10, N. Pandian, seven, S. Velan, 11, N. Roja, five and N. Dineshkumar, six, posing for journalists in Ipoh Thursday. They were all abandoned by their parents.
Her guardian Babaji Indhu Adigalar said that besides Tharsini, his four other charges aged between five and 11 years were also facing the same problem.
"I have been trying to enrol them into primary schools since 2004 but the children were turned away because they do not have birth certificates," said the 60-year-old, adding that he had documents proving the children were born in Malaysia.
Speaking to reporters from their home in Buntong here yesterday, Babaji said he thought his problems were over when the ministry made the announcement.
"However, the children and I were again left disappointed when the schools that I approached refused to admit them as they claimed there had been no circular on the matter," he added.
Babaji, who sought the assistance of Perak MIC, said the five children had been abandoned by their parents.
"Because of that, I face difficulty in getting them birth certificates," he said, adding that attempts to get in touch with the children's next-of-kin had failed.
As a result, the children have only attended kindergarten.
They are currently being home-schooled, he said, adding that he did not know what to say when the children asked him they could not attend school like their friends.
On Feb 22, Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein announced in Putrajaya that the Cabinet had decided that children from estates or rural areas without birth certificates could be enrolled as long as they got a letter from the village headman or security and development committee members saying they were citizens.
All school heads have been directed to accept such pupils, he had added.
However, State MIC chairman Datuk G. Rajoo said a check with the Education Department on Monday confirmed that such a circular had not been issued.
"I urge the Ministry to do so fast as the children's future is at stake," he added.
February 02, 2009
Majority wants Science, Maths taught in English
Although there have been objections from sections in the public on the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English, a recent poll conducted by the Merdeka Center for Opinion Research suggests that the majority are for it.
Of the 1,018 participants of the Fourth Quarter 2008 Peninsular Malaysia Voter Survey, 57% agreed that the subjects should be taught in English.
“This means people recognise the importance of the language in the education system,” said the centre’s programme director Ibrahim Suffian yesterday.
He, however, added that the results were just a “scratch of the surface” because authorities should explore other aspects of the policy like the challenges it may pose to students as well as ways to improve the quality of teaching in English.
The survey also revealed that the public had mixed reaction on whether they were pleased with Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s performance as Prime Minister, with 46% saying they were and another 46% expressing dissatisfaction.
Ibrahim said the results reflected the current political mode of society whereby the public recognised the Opposition as an alternative to the country’s leadership.
Some 41% of the respondents believed that Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak would make a good prime minister when he assumed office, as opposed to 36% who disagreed.
“The numbers show that Najib enjoys more support from the Malays compared with the non-Malays.
“This indicates that the non-Malays are still uncertain about his capabilities and are waiting to see what he can do,” Ibrahim said.
The public was also split about the newly-formed Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, with 43% expressing confidence in the body to succeed in fighting corruption while another 45% were sceptical.
Of the 1,018 participants of the Fourth Quarter 2008 Peninsular Malaysia Voter Survey, 57% agreed that the subjects should be taught in English.
“This means people recognise the importance of the language in the education system,” said the centre’s programme director Ibrahim Suffian yesterday.
He, however, added that the results were just a “scratch of the surface” because authorities should explore other aspects of the policy like the challenges it may pose to students as well as ways to improve the quality of teaching in English.
The survey also revealed that the public had mixed reaction on whether they were pleased with Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s performance as Prime Minister, with 46% saying they were and another 46% expressing dissatisfaction.
Ibrahim said the results reflected the current political mode of society whereby the public recognised the Opposition as an alternative to the country’s leadership.
Some 41% of the respondents believed that Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak would make a good prime minister when he assumed office, as opposed to 36% who disagreed.
“The numbers show that Najib enjoys more support from the Malays compared with the non-Malays.
“This indicates that the non-Malays are still uncertain about his capabilities and are waiting to see what he can do,” Ibrahim said.
The public was also split about the newly-formed Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, with 43% expressing confidence in the body to succeed in fighting corruption while another 45% were sceptical.
January 28, 2009
Only 12 but Victoria has written eight books
Schoolgirl Victoria Siaw Wei Yah has been writing stories since she was nine years old.
Now, at the age of 12, she is the author of eight children's books with titles including The Lonely Lion, The Cunning Thief and The Naughty Brother.
Child author:
Victoria showing reporters some of the eight children's books which she has written since she was nine years old.
The books were published by Future Text Publications Sdn Bhd at the beginning of this year.
A Form One student at Lodge School here, Victoria said writing stories is her hobby.
"I feel good when I'm writing because it helps me express my feelings," she said, adding that it usually takes her a few hours to write a story, depending on inspiration.
She also enjoys reading and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl is one of her favourite books.
As for her published stories, Victoria said about half of them started out as schoolwork while the rest were written in her spare time.
Of the eight books, the one she likes best is The Special Cake, which is about a maid who returns home after working for the Tan family. She bakes two cakes, one for herself and one for the family as a farewell gift. However, she forgets to bring her cake home and the Tans have a surprise when they eat it later.
Victoria, who wants to become a scriptwriter one day, said she is now working on a novel.
"I've written about 20 pages so far. It's about a girl who is kidnapped by a giant and the adventures she has in Giantland," she said.
According to her mother Roselind Wee, Victoria has many ideas which she turn into stories.
Wee, an English lecturer at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Sarawak, added that the initial run of 1,000 copies was intended for libraries.
Now, at the age of 12, she is the author of eight children's books with titles including The Lonely Lion, The Cunning Thief and The Naughty Brother.
Child author:
Victoria showing reporters some of the eight children's books which she has written since she was nine years old.
The books were published by Future Text Publications Sdn Bhd at the beginning of this year.
A Form One student at Lodge School here, Victoria said writing stories is her hobby.
"I feel good when I'm writing because it helps me express my feelings," she said, adding that it usually takes her a few hours to write a story, depending on inspiration.
She also enjoys reading and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl is one of her favourite books.
As for her published stories, Victoria said about half of them started out as schoolwork while the rest were written in her spare time.
Of the eight books, the one she likes best is The Special Cake, which is about a maid who returns home after working for the Tan family. She bakes two cakes, one for herself and one for the family as a farewell gift. However, she forgets to bring her cake home and the Tans have a surprise when they eat it later.
Victoria, who wants to become a scriptwriter one day, said she is now working on a novel.
"I've written about 20 pages so far. It's about a girl who is kidnapped by a giant and the adventures she has in Giantland," she said.
According to her mother Roselind Wee, Victoria has many ideas which she turn into stories.
Wee, an English lecturer at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Sarawak, added that the initial run of 1,000 copies was intended for libraries.
Hopes firms will sponsor needy students
The corporate sector can help poor students continue schooling, said Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.
He said he did not want these students to stop schooling especially during times of economic uncertainty.
"I truly hope to get the collaboration from all parties to make the educational programmes a success, especially in the outskirts. I do not want poverty to be the cause of our children not going to school," he said.
Hishammuddin said the ministry has taken several steps to counter the global inflation trend.
This included postponing projects that could not be completed within the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP), he said, adding that those affected included construction of school projects with land problems.
"The projects were put on hold pending solutions to the problems and the allocation can be used for more needy programmes such as the textbooks scheme," Hishammuddin, who is also Sembrong MP, told reporters at a community programme at Felda Ulu Penggeli here yesterday.
He said the additional allocation of RM1bil obtained after the Mid-Term Review of 9MP would be used in education-development projects, focusing on outskirt areas.
"We also make sure that the supplementary assistance such as food and tuition voucher schemes of nearly RM1bil per year go into the right hands," he said.
In Johor Baru on Saturday, Deputy Education Minister Dr Wee Ka Siong scoffed at speculation that the construction of SJK (C) Kulai 2 was halted.
He said his ministry was adjusting the cost due to the price hike on construction materials.
hasEML = false;
He said he did not want these students to stop schooling especially during times of economic uncertainty.
"I truly hope to get the collaboration from all parties to make the educational programmes a success, especially in the outskirts. I do not want poverty to be the cause of our children not going to school," he said.
Hishammuddin said the ministry has taken several steps to counter the global inflation trend.
This included postponing projects that could not be completed within the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP), he said, adding that those affected included construction of school projects with land problems.
"The projects were put on hold pending solutions to the problems and the allocation can be used for more needy programmes such as the textbooks scheme," Hishammuddin, who is also Sembrong MP, told reporters at a community programme at Felda Ulu Penggeli here yesterday.
He said the additional allocation of RM1bil obtained after the Mid-Term Review of 9MP would be used in education-development projects, focusing on outskirt areas.
"We also make sure that the supplementary assistance such as food and tuition voucher schemes of nearly RM1bil per year go into the right hands," he said.
In Johor Baru on Saturday, Deputy Education Minister Dr Wee Ka Siong scoffed at speculation that the construction of SJK (C) Kulai 2 was halted.
He said his ministry was adjusting the cost due to the price hike on construction materials.
hasEML = false;
Seven Malaysians among 13 honoured at Asia HRD Congress Awards
Seven distinguished human resource development practitioners representing Malaysia were among 13 recipients honoured with the Asia HRD Congress Awards for 2008 at a ceremony here last night.Citibank Berhad chief executive officer Sanjeev Nanavati, MIMOS Berhad president and CEO Datuk Abdul Wahab Abdullah and Giant GCH Retail (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd received the award in the 'Contribution to the Organisation' category.Proton Holdings Berhad director of Group Human Resources Hasnah Ismail, Freescale Semiconductor (M) Sdn Bhd Human Resources director Mohd Khalis Abdul Rahim and Sime Darby berhad Vice President Group Human resources Roslan Abdul Razak were honoured in the 'Contribution to the HR Community'.The award for 'Contribution to the Society' went to Malaysian Trades Union Congress president Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud.Malaysian Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam presented the annual awards which were launched in 2003 as an independent initiative to recognise and honour HRD professionals and practitioners who have made significant contributions to human capital development.Dr Saparinah Sadli of the University of Indonesia Graduate Women's Studies Programme was honoured with the 'Special Lifetime Achievement' Award.
Bernama
Bernama
PTPTN must be flexible when handing out loans
THE 1% charge to be imposed by the National Higher Education Loan Fund Board (PTPTN) is about the minimum figure for borrowers.
This is already a significant reduction based on the last rate, which was 4%, and which led to complaints that it was a burden to loan recipients.
However, based on a fixed rate, borrowers would have to pay at least 50% more in installments, which would be a bit high. A fair way of calculation would be on a reducing scale, but this would be quite complicated for those in charge of the scheme.
The borrowers would still have to pay slightly more than the 1% on completion of their payments. Still, the new figure would mean considerable savings for students.
After having been in operation for a number of years, there are a few procedures for those interested in such financing. One common occurrence is that PTPTN employees have been quite slow in replying to inquiries of the outstanding amount.
For example, those wishing to settle their debt in one lump sum usually find it difficult to know the exact amount they have to pay, sometimes for months.
Surely with computers and other equipment, it would have been quite simple for PTPTN employees to do this at the touch of a finger. Yet, the borrowers have to go to the department several times and waste a lot of time, yet come away without getting a satisfactory answer. This process needs to be speeded up to make life easier for the public.
The public finds this puzzling since they expect the department to be happy that some people are prepared to pay off their loans immediately.
More should be encouraged to do so, and this will certainly help to recover the money from those reluctant to meet their loan obligations. There is no reason to inconvenience the public.
PTPTN needs to look at another issue concerning the frustration faced by some in loan disbursement. While this happens only once or twice a year, depending on the academic term, it should be able to streamline the process.
It was reported recently that applicants at a private college waited days without being able to deal with PTPTN staff.
Many who went to the centre at 7am, the time when applications were dealt with, waited the whole day in vain.
The reason was that the staff could deal with only 500 applicants a day and they closed shop after that. Those left out have to return the next day. With thousands of students seeking loans, there just was not enough time and many were left out when the period was up.
Surely a better method could be found when handling so many applicants, and PTPTN should show some flexibility until every eligible borrower could be dealt with.
Since they are providing an extremely useful service, they must be more accommodating in meeting the aspirations of those in need of such finance.
This is already a significant reduction based on the last rate, which was 4%, and which led to complaints that it was a burden to loan recipients.
However, based on a fixed rate, borrowers would have to pay at least 50% more in installments, which would be a bit high. A fair way of calculation would be on a reducing scale, but this would be quite complicated for those in charge of the scheme.
The borrowers would still have to pay slightly more than the 1% on completion of their payments. Still, the new figure would mean considerable savings for students.
After having been in operation for a number of years, there are a few procedures for those interested in such financing. One common occurrence is that PTPTN employees have been quite slow in replying to inquiries of the outstanding amount.
For example, those wishing to settle their debt in one lump sum usually find it difficult to know the exact amount they have to pay, sometimes for months.
Surely with computers and other equipment, it would have been quite simple for PTPTN employees to do this at the touch of a finger. Yet, the borrowers have to go to the department several times and waste a lot of time, yet come away without getting a satisfactory answer. This process needs to be speeded up to make life easier for the public.
The public finds this puzzling since they expect the department to be happy that some people are prepared to pay off their loans immediately.
More should be encouraged to do so, and this will certainly help to recover the money from those reluctant to meet their loan obligations. There is no reason to inconvenience the public.
PTPTN needs to look at another issue concerning the frustration faced by some in loan disbursement. While this happens only once or twice a year, depending on the academic term, it should be able to streamline the process.
It was reported recently that applicants at a private college waited days without being able to deal with PTPTN staff.
Many who went to the centre at 7am, the time when applications were dealt with, waited the whole day in vain.
The reason was that the staff could deal with only 500 applicants a day and they closed shop after that. Those left out have to return the next day. With thousands of students seeking loans, there just was not enough time and many were left out when the period was up.
Surely a better method could be found when handling so many applicants, and PTPTN should show some flexibility until every eligible borrower could be dealt with.
Since they are providing an extremely useful service, they must be more accommodating in meeting the aspirations of those in need of such finance.
MY daughter - Stressed about school
Overcome shyness and timidity with lots of support and encouragement.
MY daughter is in Year One. She is very shy and worries a lot. She cries every morning without fail as she always has something to worry about.
During the first few days of school, she was scared and my husband and I took leave to be with her. We tried to help her to adapt to the new environment.
Today, I received a phone call from her school asking me to take her home as she had fever. When I arrived at her school, her class teacher told me that when she checked my daughter’s forehead, it did not seem like she had any fever.
I knew my daughter was lying to me because she was afraid to attend Chinese class. I was very disappointed and angry with her.
My daughter has a full week with tuition classes in different subjects. This year, she has one extra tuition class – Bahasa Malaysia.
Am I putting too much pressure on her? I want my daughter to be happy. She’s just six-plus, and she worries so much. I’m worried that she may have a breakdown one day. – Worried Mother
Starting formal schooling is a stressful time for children. Shyness is normal when the social expectations are new. It can be a problem for your daughter who worries about meeting new people and being in new places.
Your daughter’s daily schedule with after-school tuition looks overwhelming. Children need a balance of leisure, rest and structured learning. They also need quiet time to find balance within themselves and to digest everything that is happening around them.
Children who are over-worked and tired may not be able to express themselves properly. Your daughter’s fear of meeting new teachers and starting new classes shows that she needs help.
You may want to consider whether all the tuition classes are necessary. The more classes you schedule for her, the more she realises that she is incapable of doing well. She may fear doing badly in school and facing the teachers’ wrath.
Maybe she needs more time to play and be a child. Let her show off what she is good at. This will boost her confidence. Rather than telling her what to do all the time, let her take the lead and make suggestions.
It is futile to impose your will on your child to change her behaviour. No amount of scolding or threats can make her feel any better about school. Your daughter needs your guidance, instead of learning to submit to your will.
To help her, you can start by focusing on what is really important for her.
You have been focusing on her academic learning, and putting a heavy workload on her. Starting school means learning to deal with new emotions. Your daughter has to know how to deal with social expectations.
For starters, she must feel good about herself. Help her to sort out her feelings by listening to her. Accept and acknowledge her feelings. There is more to school than just teachers and school subjects. If you are more relaxed with her, she will also feel less anxious.
Focus on what she is doing right in school and encourage her by highlighting her strengths.
MY daughter is in Year One. She is very shy and worries a lot. She cries every morning without fail as she always has something to worry about.
During the first few days of school, she was scared and my husband and I took leave to be with her. We tried to help her to adapt to the new environment.
Today, I received a phone call from her school asking me to take her home as she had fever. When I arrived at her school, her class teacher told me that when she checked my daughter’s forehead, it did not seem like she had any fever.
I knew my daughter was lying to me because she was afraid to attend Chinese class. I was very disappointed and angry with her.
My daughter has a full week with tuition classes in different subjects. This year, she has one extra tuition class – Bahasa Malaysia.
Am I putting too much pressure on her? I want my daughter to be happy. She’s just six-plus, and she worries so much. I’m worried that she may have a breakdown one day. – Worried Mother
Starting formal schooling is a stressful time for children. Shyness is normal when the social expectations are new. It can be a problem for your daughter who worries about meeting new people and being in new places.
Your daughter’s daily schedule with after-school tuition looks overwhelming. Children need a balance of leisure, rest and structured learning. They also need quiet time to find balance within themselves and to digest everything that is happening around them.
Children who are over-worked and tired may not be able to express themselves properly. Your daughter’s fear of meeting new teachers and starting new classes shows that she needs help.
You may want to consider whether all the tuition classes are necessary. The more classes you schedule for her, the more she realises that she is incapable of doing well. She may fear doing badly in school and facing the teachers’ wrath.
Maybe she needs more time to play and be a child. Let her show off what she is good at. This will boost her confidence. Rather than telling her what to do all the time, let her take the lead and make suggestions.
It is futile to impose your will on your child to change her behaviour. No amount of scolding or threats can make her feel any better about school. Your daughter needs your guidance, instead of learning to submit to your will.
To help her, you can start by focusing on what is really important for her.
You have been focusing on her academic learning, and putting a heavy workload on her. Starting school means learning to deal with new emotions. Your daughter has to know how to deal with social expectations.
For starters, she must feel good about herself. Help her to sort out her feelings by listening to her. Accept and acknowledge her feelings. There is more to school than just teachers and school subjects. If you are more relaxed with her, she will also feel less anxious.
Focus on what she is doing right in school and encourage her by highlighting her strengths.
Singapore school has world's top 25 MBA
The Nanyang Business School here has broken into the top 25 in a world ranking of Master of Business Administration (MBA) programmes -- a first for Singapore universities.
Nanyang was placed 24th globally, up from 46th last year in the Financial Times’ closely watched annual MBA rankings.
NUS Business School also had something to boast about. Its MBA programme rocketed 46 places to this year’s 35th spot in the Financial Times table from its previous 81st position in 2007.
NUS was unranked last year due to “incomplete data collected.” The previous dean, Professor Christopher Earley, had stepped down and a replacement had to be found.
The Financial Times ranking assesses three broad criteria: The career progression of alumni; international diversity; and how well ideas are generated.
The Nanyang Business School scored well in these areas: Career progress, gender diversity and the international nature of its board, faculty and students.
Nanyang and NUS were also ranked fourth and sixth respectively among its peers in the Asia-Pacific region, which also includes Australia.
The Financial Times MBA rankings have traditionally been dominated by business schools in the United States and Europe.
However, the latest rankings show that more business schools in countries such as China, India and Singapore are beginning to emerge as strong players in the lucrative MBA arena.
For example, in 1999, 17 of the top 20 business schools were from the United States, but fast-forward to 2009 and there are only nine US business schools in the top 20 rankings.
This year, Wharton at the University of Pennsylvania and the London Business School jointly topped the rankings, while Harvard and Columbia were placed third and fourth respectively.
Other Asian business schools which have made it into the top rankings include Shanghai-based China European International Business School (eighth) and the Indian School of Business (15th).
By coming eighth in the rankings, the China European International Business School was also the first China-based business school to make the list of top 10 business schools globally.
-- ANN/ The Straits Times
Nanyang was placed 24th globally, up from 46th last year in the Financial Times’ closely watched annual MBA rankings.
NUS Business School also had something to boast about. Its MBA programme rocketed 46 places to this year’s 35th spot in the Financial Times table from its previous 81st position in 2007.
NUS was unranked last year due to “incomplete data collected.” The previous dean, Professor Christopher Earley, had stepped down and a replacement had to be found.
The Financial Times ranking assesses three broad criteria: The career progression of alumni; international diversity; and how well ideas are generated.
The Nanyang Business School scored well in these areas: Career progress, gender diversity and the international nature of its board, faculty and students.
Nanyang and NUS were also ranked fourth and sixth respectively among its peers in the Asia-Pacific region, which also includes Australia.
The Financial Times MBA rankings have traditionally been dominated by business schools in the United States and Europe.
However, the latest rankings show that more business schools in countries such as China, India and Singapore are beginning to emerge as strong players in the lucrative MBA arena.
For example, in 1999, 17 of the top 20 business schools were from the United States, but fast-forward to 2009 and there are only nine US business schools in the top 20 rankings.
This year, Wharton at the University of Pennsylvania and the London Business School jointly topped the rankings, while Harvard and Columbia were placed third and fourth respectively.
Other Asian business schools which have made it into the top rankings include Shanghai-based China European International Business School (eighth) and the Indian School of Business (15th).
By coming eighth in the rankings, the China European International Business School was also the first China-based business school to make the list of top 10 business schools globally.
-- ANN/ The Straits Times
January 02, 2009
800 descendants of Jamak clan come together
FOR the first time in the family’s lengthy history, more than 800 descendants of Jamak and Aminah came together for a long awaited family reunion.
The reunion at the Puspanita in Putrajaya was to honour the founding patriarch Jamak of the Bugis tribe, who was born in Sulawesi, Indonesia, in 1850.
It took Datin Kalsom Taib, 66, and Siti Zainab Sheikh Abu Bakar, 67, about a year and numerous meetings to make possible the coming together of six generations of family members.
Big clan: Members of the Jamak Family listening to the goings-on stage and other highlights by compere Mahadzir Lokman
It was in Johor that the union of Bugis blood was established when the young Jamak who followed his father to the Malay peninsula, met Aminah Derima.
This was the beginning of a strong ancestry in the Jamak line, in which all his descendants take pride in.
Jamak and Aminah raised their 10 children at Parit Bakar in Muar, Johor, thus planting the seeds of a deep-rooted family tree.
Now in its sixth generation, the Jamak bloodline can trace 1,550 descendants and, if their spouses are included, the number swells to 2,150.
“This is a good number for a start as we expect a bigger turnout in our future family reunions,’’ said Kalsom, daughter of Tan Sri Taib Andak, the former chairman of Felda and Maybank.
Family history: Kalsom presenting the books to her mother Puan Sri Zainab Ahmad 89.
The oldest in the current lineage is 91-year-old Fatimah Jana and the youngest from just a few months old.
To commemorate the special occasion, three books to record the history of the family – Salasilah dan Direktori Keluraga Jamak, Continuation of a Bugis Heritage – were published.
The Taib Andak: In Class of His Own was launched by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak at the Maybank Head Office on Dec 11.
“The purpose of this launch is done with the hope that the descendants of Jamak will discover more about their heritage and will yearn to add to the family’s legacy,’’ said Kalsom, author of the book on her father.
Some illustrious Malaysians have come from the Jamak family and they include former Bank Negara governor Tan Sri Jaafar Hussein and Datin Paduka Fatimah Abdul Majid, the oldest living second generation and the first woman elected to the Johor state assembly in 1958 and the first woman from Johor to be elected an MP in 1964.
Kalsom herself is the first woman to become president of the Malaysian Mining Employers Association.
According to Kalsom, this year’s reunion will be the first of many to come, as the Jamak family grows in number and stature.
She said part of the proceedings from the sale of the books would go towards the Jamak Welfare Fund.
The programme of the day-long reunion gathering included outdoor activities where family members took part in group games, ice-breaking and break-out games.
For details, call 012-2882396 (Kalsom Taib) or 012-2114737 (Junita Shah).
The reunion at the Puspanita in Putrajaya was to honour the founding patriarch Jamak of the Bugis tribe, who was born in Sulawesi, Indonesia, in 1850.
It took Datin Kalsom Taib, 66, and Siti Zainab Sheikh Abu Bakar, 67, about a year and numerous meetings to make possible the coming together of six generations of family members.
Big clan: Members of the Jamak Family listening to the goings-on stage and other highlights by compere Mahadzir Lokman
It was in Johor that the union of Bugis blood was established when the young Jamak who followed his father to the Malay peninsula, met Aminah Derima.
This was the beginning of a strong ancestry in the Jamak line, in which all his descendants take pride in.
Jamak and Aminah raised their 10 children at Parit Bakar in Muar, Johor, thus planting the seeds of a deep-rooted family tree.
Now in its sixth generation, the Jamak bloodline can trace 1,550 descendants and, if their spouses are included, the number swells to 2,150.
“This is a good number for a start as we expect a bigger turnout in our future family reunions,’’ said Kalsom, daughter of Tan Sri Taib Andak, the former chairman of Felda and Maybank.
Family history: Kalsom presenting the books to her mother Puan Sri Zainab Ahmad 89.
The oldest in the current lineage is 91-year-old Fatimah Jana and the youngest from just a few months old.
To commemorate the special occasion, three books to record the history of the family – Salasilah dan Direktori Keluraga Jamak, Continuation of a Bugis Heritage – were published.
The Taib Andak: In Class of His Own was launched by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak at the Maybank Head Office on Dec 11.
“The purpose of this launch is done with the hope that the descendants of Jamak will discover more about their heritage and will yearn to add to the family’s legacy,’’ said Kalsom, author of the book on her father.
Some illustrious Malaysians have come from the Jamak family and they include former Bank Negara governor Tan Sri Jaafar Hussein and Datin Paduka Fatimah Abdul Majid, the oldest living second generation and the first woman elected to the Johor state assembly in 1958 and the first woman from Johor to be elected an MP in 1964.
Kalsom herself is the first woman to become president of the Malaysian Mining Employers Association.
According to Kalsom, this year’s reunion will be the first of many to come, as the Jamak family grows in number and stature.
She said part of the proceedings from the sale of the books would go towards the Jamak Welfare Fund.
The programme of the day-long reunion gathering included outdoor activities where family members took part in group games, ice-breaking and break-out games.
For details, call 012-2882396 (Kalsom Taib) or 012-2114737 (Junita Shah).
Ministry to woo foreign students
The Higher Education Ministry is drawing up strategies to attract more students from Africa and the Middle East to study in Malaysia.
“Malaysia houses not only institutions of higher learning established by locals, but also many campuses set up by other international institutions here,” Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin told a press conference in Plentong yesterday.
“With 41 private and 20 public institutions in the country, we are in a good position to attract them,” he said.
Khaled said the ministry would ensure the institutions’ policies and the disciplines offered were of international standard.
He said that organisations like the Malaysian Qualification Agency and Malaysia Medical Council would ensure the quality of education provided by the institutions remained high.
“We have also requested all the private institutions to participate in the rating programme (for institutions of higher learning),” he said.
He said Africa and the Middle East were huge potential markets with 43 million people having qualified for tertiary education.
The 60,000 foreign students currently studying here were also working on recruiting more students from their home countries, he added.
TS
“Malaysia houses not only institutions of higher learning established by locals, but also many campuses set up by other international institutions here,” Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin told a press conference in Plentong yesterday.
“With 41 private and 20 public institutions in the country, we are in a good position to attract them,” he said.
Khaled said the ministry would ensure the institutions’ policies and the disciplines offered were of international standard.
He said that organisations like the Malaysian Qualification Agency and Malaysia Medical Council would ensure the quality of education provided by the institutions remained high.
“We have also requested all the private institutions to participate in the rating programme (for institutions of higher learning),” he said.
He said Africa and the Middle East were huge potential markets with 43 million people having qualified for tertiary education.
The 60,000 foreign students currently studying here were also working on recruiting more students from their home countries, he added.
TS
Busy day at school for parents
Orientation Day for Year One pupils was a busy time for many parents as they witnessed the start of a new chapter in the life of their children who will start formal schooling on Monday.
A check at several primary schools yesterday saw many parents busy registering their children, waiting in line to place them in their respective classes, locating the classrooms for them and then to the bookstore.
At SK Convent Green Lane here, the entrance to the school compound was choked with cars.
First day confusion reigned as some pupils went into the wrong classes until the teachers guided them to the right ones.
Engineer Ooi Soon Peng, 37, said that his daughter had been crying the day before the orientation.
“She did not want to come to school this morning as she was afraid she couldn’t get used to the new environment.
“After all, it had been a happy-go-lucky experience for her during her days in kindergarten,” he said.
Engineering manager G. Rajasegar, 40, said he had earlier “brainwashed” his daughter before attending the orientation so that she would not cry.
“I told her it would be fun to meet new friends and wearing a nice school uniform.
“Initially I was a bit worried for her but it seems that she is doing fine,” he said.
As for housewives Sahliza Haroon and Zaiton Mat, both 30, their children were looking forward to attending school.
TS
A check at several primary schools yesterday saw many parents busy registering their children, waiting in line to place them in their respective classes, locating the classrooms for them and then to the bookstore.
At SK Convent Green Lane here, the entrance to the school compound was choked with cars.
First day confusion reigned as some pupils went into the wrong classes until the teachers guided them to the right ones.
Engineer Ooi Soon Peng, 37, said that his daughter had been crying the day before the orientation.
“She did not want to come to school this morning as she was afraid she couldn’t get used to the new environment.
“After all, it had been a happy-go-lucky experience for her during her days in kindergarten,” he said.
Engineering manager G. Rajasegar, 40, said he had earlier “brainwashed” his daughter before attending the orientation so that she would not cry.
“I told her it would be fun to meet new friends and wearing a nice school uniform.
“Initially I was a bit worried for her but it seems that she is doing fine,” he said.
As for housewives Sahliza Haroon and Zaiton Mat, both 30, their children were looking forward to attending school.
TS
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