Vol 6 Issue 21 - Sunway College

CONTENTS
MOVERS & SHAKERS
The Sunway Education Group
Sunway College
WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!
No. 2, Jalan Universiti
Bandar Sunway
47500 Selangor Darul Ehsan
Malaysia
T: 603-5638 7176
E: info@sunway.edu.my
sunway.edu.my/college
Sunway University
T: 603-7491 8622
E: info@sunway.edu.my
sunway.edu.my/university
Monash University Malaysia
T: 603-5514 6000
E: mum.info@monash.edu
monash.edu.my
Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine
and Health Sciences
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08
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T: 603-5514 6000
E: mum.info@monash.edu
med.monash.edu.my
We Are the Champions!
MOVERS & SHAKERS
Cambridge International Examinations
Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards
Graduating First Batch of Foundation in Science and Technology
Sunway College Welcomes the Best and Brightest of 2016
A Second Honorary Doctorate for Elizabeth Lee
Challenges in the Dark - An Experiential Workshop
Staying Active @ Monash University Foundation Year Games
First Ever Alumni Catch Up
Five from Nepal Receive the Gift of Education
Inspiring All in the Journey of Life
FACE TO FACE
Fascinated by Design and Structure
KPM Scholar Plans a Future in Dentistry
A Preference for Canadian International Matriculation Programme
Priceless Moments with Victoria University MBA
Keeping an Open Mind
Headed Down Under for the Next Step
Photos in UP2 are also courtesy of students and staff from the respective departments & programmes.
Sunway International School
T: 603-7491 8070
E: infosis@sunway.edu.my
sis.sunway.edu.my
Sunway College Johor Bahru
T: 607-359 6880
E: infojb@sunway.edu.my
sunway.edu.my/jb
Sunway College Ipoh
T: 605-545 4398
E: infoipoh@sunway.edu.my
sunway.edu.my/ipoh
Sunway College Kuching
T: 6082-451 221 / 573 251 / 573 252
E: info@swck.edu.my
swck.edu.my
Sunway-TES
Centre for Accountancy Excellence
T: 603-7491 8622
E: info@sunway.edu.my
sunway.edu.my/college/sunwaytes
Sunway International Business
& Management
T: 603-7493 7023
E: info@sibm.com.my
sibm.com.my
UP2 or UPP or Uniquely Purposeful Programmes is a quarterly publication that represents a
progressive Sunway College. Owned and governed by the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation, this
leading private institution of higher learning is forging ahead towards the next level
of excellence.
Shanghai Sunway Financial Training Co. Ltd.
Advisor
: Dr Elizabeth Lee
Editorial &
: Jerrine Koay
Photography Team Katherine Kee
Chan Yee En
Concept & Design : Writers Ink
Printer
: Gloverin
UP2 is published by Sunway College
Sunway Le Cordon Bleu Institute of
Culinary Arts
Should you have any comments,
kindly contact:
T: 603-5632 1188
E: yuwmingh@sunway.edu.my
lecordonbleu.com.my
19-05, The Pinnacle, Block B, 19th
Floor, Jalan Lagoon Timur, 47500
Bandar Sunway, Selangor
The Public Relations Department
Sunway Education Group
T: 603-7491 8622
E: pr@sunway.edu.my
www.sunway.edu.my/college
T: 603-7491 8622
E: info@sunway.edu.my
sunway.edu.my/college/ssft
The global champion of the IEC with Sunway TES alumnus Stephen Lee How Hwang (right) and Sunway TES lecturer, Low Sze Jein (left)
Emerging as global champions in the Premier League Enterprise’s International Enterprise Champion (IEC) 2015/16, Team
Kaki Bangku from Malaysia beat six other national teams from Nigeria, Zambia, South Africa, Botswana, Vietnam, and
Ethiopia.
The team of five students representing Malaysia are from Sunway TES Centre for Accountancy Excellence (Sunway TES
CAE). An all-female team comprising of Janice Kung Shu-En, Cheong Kah Xuan, Yong Cui Ning, Tan Ching Hui and
Jossmita Pillai beat eleven other Sunway TES teams in the preliminaries in January 2016 to qualify for the opportunity to
compete against participants from other local institutions. Team Kaki Bangku then emerged as national champions on 20
February 2016 just in time to qualify for the grand final of the IEC.
A partnership between the British Council and the Premier League, the IEC aims to engage, encourage and inspire
students aged between fourteen to eighteen to unlock and develop their business and enterprise skills. Using real life
examples drawn from the commercial football sector of the Premier League, students who take up the IEC challenge
are judged based on their ideas, creativity, presentation slides, skills, time management, teamwork and research.
The IEC was initiated in Sunway TES CAE in early 2014 by an alumnus of Sunway TES CAE Certified Accounting Technician
(CAT) and Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Stephen Lee How Hwang who is currently an
Assistant Manager of Sunway Group Internal Audit. Chosen as one of the five mentors from Malaysia in 2014, Stephen
was trained by trainers from the Premier League in an intensive 6-day training programme in Danang, Vietnam in order
for him to run workshops and competitions for participants in the affiliated institutions.
Pleased with Stephen’s efforts in running this competition at Sunway TES CAE, the Executive Director of Sunway College,
Teo Ee Sing encourages Sunway students to participate in all kinds of competition and activities that will enable the
students to grow into all-rounded individuals.
During the preliminaries in January 2016, there were originally twelve teams competing. The teams were challenged to
imagine themselves working in the marketing department of a football club. Asked to develop a strategy to encourage
attending fans to spend more time in the stadium on match days, these teams were also tasked with generating
commercial opportunities. To help participants with this challenge, a 2-day intensive workshop on football, soft skills, and
presentation skills was provided and conducted by Stephen at Sunway College.
T: 603-7491 8622
E: joycet@sunway.edu.my
jci.edu.my
Championing the idea of a “Prime Time Card”, Team Kaki Bangku came up with the idea to record the amount of
time football fans spent in a stadium with the card. The card then enabled these fans to accumulate points via games’
participation and other activities before and after the football match, including purchases of merchandise. Within the
time frame of three years, the points accumulated could then be redeemed for discounted merchandise, rebates,
special VIP seats, exclusive stadium tours and limited edition football related gifts.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed
or implied in UP2 are those of the authors or
contributors and do not necessarily reflect those of
the Sunway Education Group.
Team Kaki Bangku moved into the national levels with the same business proposal and emerged as winners in February
to champions in the grand final of the IEC. To watch the IEC Global Champion’s video produced by the champions,
Sunway TES Team Kaki Bangku, please log on to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZ3fEeKuP2M
Jeffrey Cheah Institute on Southeast Asia
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FACE TO FACE
FASCINATED BY DESIGN
AND STRUCTURE
MOVERS & SHAKERS
CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL EXAMINATIONS
OUTSTANDING CAMBRIDGE LEARNER AWARDS
Sunway College award recipients with A Level lecturers, Dato’ P. Kamalanathan, Dr Elizabeth Lee, Dr Ben Schmidt and Ng Kim Huat
Out of ninety-two awards given for the recent Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) Outstanding Cambridge
Learner Awards, students from Sunway College took home twenty-four of the awards. The awards included fifteen Top
in the World, seven Top in Malaysia, one Best across Three Cambridge International A Levels and one Best across Four
Cambridge International AS Levels.
Among the twenty award winning students from Sunway College was former International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO)
winner, gold medalist Anzo Teh Zhao Yang who received the Top in the World award for Cambridge International A Levels
Mathematics. Teh Zee Hoe, another recipient of the Cambridge International AS Levels Top in the World for Mathematics
award prepared for the examinations by doing 3 sets of questions daily, each set containing 10 questions. Teh hopes to
pursue studies in Dentistry or Medicine in China or Hong Kong.
Chin Teck Yang never expected to receive the Cambridge International AS Levels Top in the World for Mathematics
although Mathematics is his favourite subject. Chin is very grateful to his lecturers Ms Wong Sock Leng and Mr Yong
Yau, for their support. Teh Boon Jie from Sungai Petani, Kedah is pleased with winning the Best across Four Cambridge
International AS Levels and a Cambridge International AS Levels Top in the World for Mathematics as he spends a lot of his
time studying in the library. He feels he is prepared for the upcoming examinations in June. Taking home 2 awards for the
day, Choo Hao Rui from Kuala Lumpur received a Cambridge International AS Levels Top in the World for Mathematics
and Cambridge International AS Levels Top in Malaysia for Thinking Skills.
The youngest of five siblings from Negeri Sembilan, Chan Zhen Hoe is a Jeffrey Cheah Foundation-Sunway Berhad
Scholarship recipient whose hobbies include Rubik’s Cube, chess, badminton and has recently read Paper Towns by
John Green. Currently pursuing a four-year degree in Bachelor of Civil Engineering at Monash University, Zhen Hoe
has always been fascinated by the design and structures of buildings and hopes to have the opportunity to design
and construct a building in the future.
The scholarship covers full tuition fees as well as living allowance for 4 years of studies in Monash University. Zhen Hoe
is very much looking forward to university life being more interesting as there are many clubs and societies he can
participate in. Excited about the new things he is going to learn from the experienced lecturers in Monash University,
he has found the spaghetti-bridge-building group project very much to his liking.
Before joining Monash University, Zhen Hoe enrolled in the A Level programme at Sunway College on a Nanyang
scholarship which he completed in November 2014. He achieved 3As and he is grateful to Ms Leong Lai Wan for
being a responsible lecturer who prepared notes, answered all questions asked in detail and for her dedication to
her students.
Although surrounded by people who were better than him in A Levels, Zhen Hoe realised he needed to improve in
order to compete with them. For those intending to take up A Levels, Zhen Hoe has this advice for you, ”Establish
a balance between studies and extra-curricular activities as you need to keep your mind sharp. Extra-curricular
activities play an important role in providing stress relief. Do past year papers and do not hesitate to ask the lecturers
when you are having problems in your studies.”
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Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia (KPM) scholar, 20-year old Tharshini Batumalai, who is currently pursuing Accounting
and Finance at Monash University Malaysia received the Top in Malaysia award for Cambridge International A Levels
Psychology, having completed her A Levels in Accounting, Mathematics, Economics and Psychology. Tharshini believes
her time at Sunway College contributed to every aspect of her growth, with her becoming more extroverted and more
capable in making new friends. With motivated lecturers, Tharshini was encouraged to study hard and hang on to her
fourth subject, Psychology which surprised her with a Top in Malaysia.
Awarded the Best across Three Cambridge International A Levels, Lin Zi Khang, a KPM scholar from Penang scored
straight A*s in 3 subjects in the AS Level and 4 subjects in the A2 Level. The best experience for Lin is definitely the people
he has met – the kind and patient lecturers who guided him, and his new friends who are friends for life. Having received
an offer to study Mathematics at Churchill College, University of Cambridge, Lin is hoping to secure a full scholarship to
Cambridge. Grateful for the experience of staying far away from home in Sunway Monash Residence (SMR) with eight
other KPM scholars who are also studying for the July intake of A Levels, Zi Khang learned to improve his skills in networking
and socialising, plus gaining the confidence he needs to pursue his dreams abroad.
Congratulating the learners across Malaysia for their outstanding results and wishing them every success, Ng Kim Huat,
Country Director-Malaysia and Brunei, Cambridge International Examinations credited the stellar achievements to a
combination of factors like the partnerships Cambridge has established with schools, the dedication and commitment
of the teachers, the support of family and friends plus the determination to succeed on the part of the Cambridge
learners. Held at Sunway, the event was graced by YB Dato’ P. Kamalanathan, Deputy Minister of Education I, Ministry
of Education Malaysia. Present for the ceremony were Dr Ben Schmidt, Regional Director Southeast Asia and Pacific,
Cambridge International Examinations; and Dr Elizabeth Lee, Senior Executive Director of Sunway Education Group and
Sunway University.
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FACE TO FACE
MOVERS & SHAKERS
KPM SCHOLAR PLANS A FUTURE IN DENTISTRY
Nineteen-year old Kan Chang Yu who
completed his A Levels in November 2015
is currently waiting for an offer to pursue a
Bachelor of Dental Surgery or Dental Science in
International Medical University (IMU) Malaysia
or any of the following universities offering
dentistry in the United Kingdom (Cardiff,
Dundee, Liverpool or Sheffield).
Honoured to have received the Best Across Four
Cambridge International AS Levels, Chang Yu
is delighted he performed better than his own
expectations. Although he had difficulties with
the levels of English required for a subject like
Thinking Skills, Chang Yu still found the syllabus
taught in A Levels interesting. His favourite
subject was Physics and his favourite lecturer,
Jackie Chan taught Physics in a stimulating
environment full of questions, with interesting
explanations given to questions, which would
lead to more questions about a particular topic.
Active in the Sunway Student Volunteers,
Chang Yu got involved in volunteering for
race events, recycling events, planting trees
in environmental programmes plus visits to an
orphanage and old folks’ home organised by
the Sunway Pre-dental Club.
Discovering Sunway College to be an awesome
learning experience, this Kementerian Pelajaran
Malaysia (KPM) scholar is appreciative of every
single minute he spent in the A Levels. Having
learnt to plan his activities according to a
schedule, Chang Yu found a balance between
studying and time for his own activities which
has given him the opportunity to grow into a
more considerate person.
Appreciating all that he has now, Chang Yu’s
wish is to be a skilful and established dentist
after serving with the government. When the
time is right, Chang Yu hopes to serve and give
back to society by owning his own dental clinic.
For future students of the A Levels, Chang
Yu has this to say, “Work hard for what you
think is right but do not expect too much. The
best moment in life is when the result of your
efforts turn out to be a lot better than your
expectations.”
Chang Yu with his parents
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GRADUATING FIRST BATCH OF FOUNDATION
IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Sunway College first cohort of Foundation in Science and Technology programme graduates
A total of three hundred and twenty-five graduates celebrated in the recent ceremony for the Foundation in Arts
(FIA) and Foundation in Science and Technology (FIST) programmes. The students join thousands of other graduates
preceding them who have continued on to their undergraduate studies. The batch of students graduating from the FIST
programme is the first cohort of graduates for Science and Technology, and all of the graduates in this pioneer batch
received the Jeffrey Cheah Continuing Scholarship.
The two home grown programmes were developed to prepare students for tertiary studies. The ceremony had a total
of two hundred and forty-nine students receiving scholarships to pursue studies in business, communication, psychology,
hospitality or the Victoria University degree programme under the Jeffrey Cheah Continuing Scholarship.
Surprised and excited to be awarded the Vice-Chancellor’s Subject Award for Sciences and the Certificate of Academic
Excellence, nineteen-year old Yap Jian Wei is the very first full scholarship recipient under the Jeffrey Cheah Continuing
Scholarship from FIST. Yap found the subjects offered in the programme interesting as it involved exams and incorporated
coursework to help further develop students’ soft skills. He intends to locally pursue further studies in Computer Science.
Foundation in Arts student, Farah Hayati Mohd Faisal Izan received the Certificate of Academic Excellence award and
the Vice-Chancellor’s Subject Award for Enrichment Electives. Finding it hard at the beginning of the programme, she
found it got easier and more interesting later with the help of good lecturers. Farah also received the Jeffrey Cheah
Continuing Scholarship, having achieved an aggregate of 90.55%. Hoping to pursue further studies in Accounting and
Finance, Farah believes in finding a good balance in her studies.
Wong Cheng Yee from Kepong was surprised to receive the Certificate of Academic Excellence award and the Jeffrey
Cheah Continuing Scholarship. Currently in the BSc (Hons) in Actuarial Studies programme at Sunway University, Cheng
Yee mentioned his parents are happy and proud of his achievement.
Presented with Certificates of Appreciation were six other students - Kishen Ganason, Chay Sze Zee, Jevon Cheng
Zhi Yang, Kwan Yi Pei, Benjamin Yee Seng Yan and Jonathan Tan Park Lun for their various contributions as Student
Committee of the Foundation programme.
The Student Committee President, Kishen liked the fact he had the opportunity to organise several events while in the
Foundation programme. He found the Harvard Summer Camp and Winter Conference to be a life changing experience
which presented him with this learning - a great leader will not wait for opportunities to present themselves, but instead
will create them.
Long recognised as a holistic programme, the FIA has helped to broaden general knowledge, develop communication
skills and is underpinned by literacy and numeracy, the 2 pillars of student success. Dr Elizabeth Lee, Senior Executive
Director of Sunway Education Group and Sunway University, who was present at the graduation ceremony advised the
graduates to never give up or lose hope as challenge and adversity makes one stronger, polishing one into great leaders
in their field of choice. Of the sixty-two Sunway University students awarded with First Class Honours in their undergraduate
studies in 2015, twenty-two were formerly from the FIA programme.
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MOVERS & SHAKERS
FACE TO FACE
SUNWAY COLLEGE WELCOMES THE BEST AND
BRIGHTEST OF 2016
A PREFERENCE FOR CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL
MATRICULATION PROGRAMME
At this year’s Special Scholarship Awards Ceremony, a total of three hundred and eighty-six students received
scholarships under the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation to pursue further studies in the six Pre-University programmes that is
the Cambridge GCE A Levels, Australian Matriculation Programme (AUSMAT), Canadian International Matriculation
Programme (CIMP), Monash University Foundation Year (MUFY), Foundation in Arts (FIA), Foundation in Science and
Technology (FIST), Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) and Certificate in Finance, Accounting and Business (CFAB).
Valued at a total of RM3.5 million, these scholarships were awarded to deserving students throughout Malaysia based
on academic performance and their active participation in extra-curricular activities in school. Congratulating the
successful scholarship recipients, Dr Elizabeth Lee, Senior Executive Director of Sunway Education Group and Sunway
University asked these recipients to fully embrace the opportunities given to them. Dr Lee hopes the students will fully
embrace the process of learning in order to achieve personal fulfilment.
With a strong emphasis on extra-curricular activities, students studying within the programmes are encouraged to
participate in clubs, societies, sports and community service with the same amount of enthusiasm they have for their
studies. Acquiring skills in leadership, teamwork, communications and building their confidence through these extracurricular activities, the students at Sunway are provided with the opportunities to develop themselves further.
A total of two thousand and thirty-eight
applications were received this year and
among the three hundred and eighty-six
recipients this round was Melvin Siew Jen
Fung, a visually impaired 18-year who has just
initiated studies in the Sunway Foundation
in Arts (FIA) programme. Melvin is looking
forward to his studies at Sunway College
as he has found friends, classmates and
lecturers to be very helpful. A former student
of SMK Sri Hartamas, Melvin has discovered
the FIA offers a broad range of subjects and
he intends to further his studies in Computer
Science after completing the FIA.
To date, the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation
has awarded more than RM210 million to
thousands of deserving students to pursue
quality education.
Nichole at Winthrop Hall
An avid reader with a penchant for mystery, thriller and crime novels,
Nichole Gan Min Huey chose the Canadian International Matriculation
Programme (CIMP) as her preferred pre-university programme.
The flexibility of CIMP allows students to choose from various fields
of study, be it science, social science or business subjects. Nichole
took six subjects in CIMP and scored over 90 percent for all the
subjects taken. Instead of taking up the Tan Sri Dato Seri Dr Jeffrey
Cheah Scholastic Award she was offered, Nichole has chosen to
enrol in University of Western Australia to major in Anthropology and
Sociology and, Anatomy and Human Biology.
During her time in the CIMP, Nichole loved the new experiences and
people she met, the diversity and the amazing teachers. Although
CIMP is only 30% exam-based and is 70% assignment-based, the unit
quizzes and tests given every few weeks are part of the assignments
and help make up 70% of the final grade. So all CIMP students had
to be constantly on their toes and had to put in the same amount of
effort and commitment into every quiz, test, and assignment in order
to secure the desired final grade.
Melvin Siew with his parents
Nichole with her friend Emma
Nichole has no regrets about joining CIMP as her time in the
programme has taught her there is more to the world than what
one usually sees or hears – whether it be from the media or word of
mouth. She has learnt to listen, understand and analyse things, look
into topics and expand her knowledge base.
She would encourage others to join CIMP as the programme teaches things related to the subjects taken plus indirectly
taught Nichole about new cultures, traditions, and ideas from the people she was surrounded by. With extremely helpful
teachers in the programme, she advises those wishing to do the CIMP to be hardworking, do the best they can plus
enjoy the time in CIMP meeting and getting to know people.
Special scholarship recipients with Sunway College management staff
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Having spent a year at the University of Western Australia (UWA) Nichole says she has definitely had her fair share of
stressful moments (which were mostly thanks to daunting assignment deadlines). “Surprisingly, I managed to adapt to
university life reasonably well (mainly thanks to CIMP so, thank you, CIMP!). Life in UWA comes with A LOT of surprises - this
includes pigeons stealing my food during lunchtime and the fact that there are actual ducks and peacocks scattered
all around campus. Yes, peacocks! - and just walking from one class to another on campus helps me fulfill my daily, no,
weekly exercise needs”, she explains.
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FOCUS
FOCUS
INSPIRING ALL IN THE JOURNEY OF LIFE
Professor Colin Clark, Dean, College of Business with Pranav Satish Davda
(Tanzania), Mayur Desai (Zimbabwe) and Elza Raraspradipta (Indonesia)
VUBC Presidents Liew Kwai See, Ong Lee Yan and Gabriel Oh
Professor Peter Dawkins, Dr Elizabeth Lee, Ong Lee Yan and George Pappas
Graduates from Indonesia posing with the VU staff
Lecturer Uma Devi Uturaju with her students Alton Choong, Devianty Christina, Michelle and Lim Jing Kai
At the launching point to the next chapter of their lives, a total of four hundred and thirty graduands were present at
the largest graduation ceremony for Victoria University (VU) in Malaysia. More than a thousand guests came to witness
three hundred and thirty graduating with a Bachelor in Business from Sunway College Kuala Lumpur and Sunway College
Johor Bharu. Another hundred students from Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong and Hanoi graduated with a Master in Business
Administration or Master in Teaching in English.
Present at the graduation ceremony from VU were Chancellor, George Pappas; Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor
Peter Dawkins; Dean of College of Business, Professor Colin Clark; Academic Registrar and Executive Director, Student
Services, Teresa Tjia; and Director, International Development, Rhys Williams. Representing Sunway were Puan Sri Datin Seri
Dr Susan Cheah; Head, Australian University Programme, Greeja Hemalata De Silva; Head, VU MBA, Dr Hendry Ng and
Principal, Sunway College Johor, Hor Poh Choo.
The day marked a special occasion for Dr Elizabeth Lee as she was given an Honorary Doctorate by VU in recognition
of her contributions to Education. Dr Lee urged the graduands to ask themselves, who do you want to be? and what
inspires you? as her path into Education was a result of her love for teaching and knowledge. She reminded the
graduands learning does not stop with earning a degree and one has to learn to be their own instructor.
In thanking Dr Lee for her speech, the Chancellor mentioned Dr Lee had always made VU Melbourne feel part of the
Sunway family and her personal warmth made them feel welcomed and appreciated. Extending a very warm welcome
to the graduands on this day, the Chancellor mentioned that the year of 2016 marks the 100-year anniversary of Victoria
University, which had humble beginnings as Footscray Technical School in 1916.
In her valedictorian speech, Ong Lee Yan asked her fellow graduates to live their lives to the fullest by being the best
they can be, inspiring all the people they meet in their journey of life.
The largest graduation ceremony for VU in Malaysia concluded with the reading of the Charge by the Vice-Chancellor,
reminding the graduates to use their knowledge and skills for the community, both local and global, and to uphold
excellence.
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International students Hamza Mohamed (Kenya), Mayur Desa (Zimbabwe), and Andriamanantena Hatso Niaina (Madagascar) with
Professor Colin Clark, Dean, College of Business
11
MOVERS & SHAKERS
A SECOND HONORARY DOCTORATE
FOR ELIZABETH LEE
MOVERS & SHAKERS
CHALLENGES IN THE DARK
- AN EXPERIENTIAL WORKSHOP
A social enterprise established in Germany twenty-five years ago called Dialogue in the Dark developed a workshop
recently in Sunway College for a group of thirty Victoria University Master of Business Administration (VUMBA) students.
The group of students were tasked with solving challenges in the dark as a team. Part of the Business Ethics and
Sustainability core subject in the VUMBA programme, this workshop was developed to help the students gain a different
perspective. On being given the experience of a non-visual world, participant Philip Lee found the experience humbling
and has developed a whole new respect for the blind. A Research Manager in a local bank, Philip discovered his mind
became more alert when in the dark.
Another participant, Khoo May Ling, a Treasury Assistant Vice President in the palm oil industry learnt to appreciate the
gift of sight and believes her most important take away from the workshop was the uniting of individuals into a team that
depended on each other regardless of gender, race, religion and age.
Set up in Sunway University last year, Dialogue in the Dark hopes to empower the visually impaired community and
enlightened the public in Malaysia to appreciate the gift of sight. Sunway University is the first Malaysian education
institution to pioneer the initiative and support the social enterprise.
BACKGROUND ON DIALOGUE IN THE DARK
Dialogue in The Dark was set up in Malaysia in Sunway University by Stevens Chan to facilitate the social inclusion of
marginalised people. Through the medium of darkness, Stevens hopes people will learn to discover empathy, love and
appreciate light and not to take their gift of sight for granted.
Visitors to the specially constructed dark rooms within the Dialogue in the Dark Experiential Centre in Sunway University
can experience daily environments like a park, a city, a boat cruise or a bar with the help of blind guides.
Dialogue in the Dark consistently appeals to a wide audience as it initiates a dialogue which endures beyond the dark
rooms while creating jobs for disabled people.
Dr Elizabeth Lee receiving her award from George Pappas
In honour of Victoria University’s centenary celebrations which coincides with the founding of the Footscray Technical
School in February 1916 (Victoria University’s predecessor), Elizabeth Lee, Senior Executive Director of the Sunway
Education Group and Sunway University was conferred a Doctorate of the University, honoris causa by the Council and
Senate of Victoria University, Australia in recognition of her role as a distinguished educator and for her work in promoting
international education and issues relating to the education of women.
George Pappas, Victoria University Chancellor was present to witness the graduation of four hundred and thirty
graduates and to recognise Dr Lee for her pivotal role in growing the partnership between Victoria University and the
Sunway Education Group.
In awarding this second honorary doctorate to Dr Lee, Pappas commended her on her significant contributions to
Victoria University in the development and stewardship of Victoria University’s partnership with the Sunway Education
Group, as well as her tireless efforts to champion education for women.
“A thought leader in the field of international education and a great role model, Ms Lee has made a huge contribution
to the strong partnership between Victoria University and the Sunway Education Group. It is also befitting someone of her
status to be honoured at the largest graduation ceremony in Malaysia,” Pappas said.
Dr Lee joins a list of luminaries who have received the award, including fellow Malaysians Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah,
Founder and Chairman of the Sunway Group; Puan Sri Dr Susan Cheah, EXCO Member of the Sunway Group; Dr Bertie
Ahern, former Prime Minister of Ireland; Dr Kirsty Sword Gusmao, Founding Director of the Aloha Foundation, formerly
First Lady of East Timor and Australians like The Honourable Dr Julia Gillard, Chairwoman of the Global Partnership for
Education, formerly 27th Prime Minister of Australia and The Right Honourable Dr John So, 102nd Lord Mayor of Melbourne.
Having helmed the education division of the Sunway Group since 1992, Dr Lee has been instrumental to the
development of the Sunway Education Group. Currently sitting on the Board of Directors of the Sunway Education
Group and most of the institutions’ boards within the Group, Dr Lee has aided in the development and growth of Sunway
Education Group as a premier education provider in Malaysia.
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VUMBA participants with the Dialogue in the Dark team
13
FACE TO FACE
MOVERS & SHAKERS
PRICELESS MOMENTS WITH VICTORIA
UNIVERSITY MBA
STAYING ACTIVE @ MONASH UNIVERSITY
FOUNDATION YEAR GAMES
Completing his Masters in Business
Administration from Victoria University
(VUMBA) in June this year, 29-year old
Philip Lee Fee Lip is very much looking
forward to a brighter future career path.
Bright and early one Thursday morning, Monash
University Foundation Year (MUFY) students
were ready to have fun and outplay everyone
else at the three different spots selected for
the MUFY Games. The Monash University Sports
Centre, Sunway Pyramid Mega Lanes and
Sunway College were filled with MUFY students
waiting for their turn to shine at the games of
their choice.
Starting out in Alliance Bank as a
Management Trainee, Philip has enjoyed
his time in the banking industry as he
finds Alliance Bank to be a friendly bank
that has enabled new recruits like him
to be exposed to processes, interactions
between departments and having
the opportunity to work with the senior
management. Having spent the last four
years in Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad
as a Market Insights Manager, Philip has
discovered the VUMBA has aided him in
developing his thinking skills a bit more.
Giving him the opportunity to speak up
during class and sharing of experiences
with his other classmates in other
industries has helped him answer a lot
of questions. This has proven to be a
crucial factor in getting him to classes on
Saturday and Sunday.
Finding the modules relevant and the
structure of the programme fit for a
working person, the practicality of the
classes has allowed him to apply what
he learns during the weekend to what he
does in the office on Monday.
A yearly event for the students, the MUFY
Games drew a crowd of blue and black tees
to compete in a variety of games ranging
from bowling, badminton, basketball, captain
ball, tele-match, futsal, table tennis, blitz chess,
taboo and “win, lose or draw”.
Organised by the students themselves, the
MUFY Games saw a wonderful display of
sportsmanship and camaderie building
amongst the students as they bowled, tugged,
jumped and duck walked their way through
the slew of activities that lasted till one in the
afternoon. The exhausted students were treated
to a hearty lunch after the MUFY Games.
During the prize giving ceremony for the
winners in the MUFY Games, Lee Thye Cheong,
Director of MUFY thanked all the participants
for their taking a break from their studies and
for being such great sports by participating in
the games.
As part of his VUMBA programme, Philip
had the opportunity to experience a
Dialogue in the Dark workshop. Finding
the experience humbling, the workshop
taught him to never underestimate
anyone’s ability. “When everyone has
something to put on the table, we just
need to find a larger table so everyone
can partake”, he said.
The informal relationships built with his
classmates are very much an integral
part of his life now. For Philip and
his group of friends, the VUMBA is a
meaningful journey for it has allowed
them to party, celebrate special
occasions and travel together overseas,
Hoping to own his own business in the
near future and to be able to lead a
life that conforms to his values, Philip is
working hard on his future for the health
and wellbeing of his loved ones.
Jubilant MUFY students with Lee Thye Cheong (far right in red)
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FACE TO FACE
FACE TO FACE
KEEPING AN OPEN MIND
Wanting to experience life from a different perspective, 19-year old Fariz Hizary Anuar spent the first half of 2015 in Beloit
Memorial High School, Wisconsin as part of the AFS Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Program (KL-YES).
During the six months spent in Beloit, Fariz learnt to be more open minded, to accept ideas different from his own,
especially when it came to contrasting ideas. He has accepted everyone is entitled to their own opinions and has
realised how important it is to listen to other people’s perspectives and to form his own personal opinion out of that. Fariz
learnt to love tennis there as his closest friends are from the Tennis Club in Beloit Memorial High School.
Assimilating into the foreign environment proved to be a challenge but
Fariz adapted by becoming more independent and learning to be a YES
man, saying yes to everything that is legal and does not cause harm. He
picked up skills like cooking, kayaking, using the Dewey Decimal System
for book organising in the library plus has a new outlook on life.
From his stint spent in Wisconsin, Fariz has gained a greater love for
food (roti canai and teh tarik) and intends to make a better Malaysia
as he believes a greater foundation of our strength is the melting pot of
cultures that makes us unique.
Having started MUFY in July 2015, Fariz picked Sunway College based
on his sister’s recommendation. Time has proven to be a huge factor for
Fariz in MUFY. Having to be very good with time management, juggling
between tests, assignments and other general activities has kept Fariz
quick on his feet. Finding his sense of responsibility and discipline being
tested, Fariz believes the tests and assignments are constructed in a way
that has one’s scores reflecting one’s efforts very obviously. Amazed by
the motivation of his friends in MUFY, Fariz is in turn motivated to do better
as many are working hard to gain more out of the programme.
The tight bonds among the students of MUFY has made his learning
process a good one and the diversity of nationalities in the MUFY
population has Fariz appreciating ideas and perspectives he was not
familiar with before the programme. His confidence received a healthy
boost recently when he was chosen by Lee Thye Cheong, Director of
MUFY to participate in creating a video for Sunway University.
HEADED DOWN UNDER FOR THE NEXT STEP
Leaving to pursue a Bachelor of Science with a
major in Mathematics at the University of Melbourne
in July 2016, 17-year old Ng Li Ling from Subang Jaya
and the youngest in the family is looking forward to
the experience. The opportunity to be independent
and to grow as an individual away from the comforts
of home is next on her to-do list.
Having scored an ATAR of 99.3 in the Western
Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) in 2015,
Li Ling found her time in the Australian Matriculation
(AUSMAT) programme to be an enjoyable
experience as she worked hard and played hard.
Li Ling liked having the ability to schedule her own
timetable and had a difficult time in finalising the
five subjects for WACE. Being someone who loves
Mathematics, AUSMAT offered her three Mathematic
subjects so deciding on the five subjects turned out
to be the most challenging part of being in AUSMAT.
In choosing to do AUSMAT after her SPM, Li Ling
liked the idea of the final results being based on 50%
internal assessments and 50% final examinations. As a
member of the AUSMAT student council, she had the
opportunity to try out experiences like campaigning
for a position in the council, winning a silver medal
for the Kangaroo Math Competition (KMC),
organising big events like Teacher’s Appreciation
Day and The Ausmazing Race plus working with a
team of wonderful, hard-working Ausmates with the
same goal as herself that is to make the AUSMAT
experience an enjoyable one for everyone.
Her AUSMAT experience has taught her to express
herself better, socialise more, sharpened her people
skills and helped her learn leadership qualities.
Discovering that perseverance and good time
management is vital to achieving her goals, Li Ling
preferred to study on her own.
Keeping her studying methods simple, Li Ling kept
on doing questions for Mathematics, Chemistry and
Accounts. For her theoretical segment, she would
read her notes out loud to ‘teach’ herself and for a
subject like English as Additional Language or Dialect
(ELD), she went online to enhance her speaking and
presentation skills. When stressed, Li Ling would take
a break from studying and relax listening to music,
cooking, watching sports. She motivated herself by
thinking positively, thinking of her target and goals
she wanted to achieve.
For her, the road to achieving her goals in AUSMAT
had many ups and downs. To Li Ling, that is how
life is going to be. She advises future students
to persevere and keep on giving their best in
everything. Exploring Australia and tasting the food
Australia has to offer is next on her life menu. Li
Ling hopes to do just as well in her degree course,
graduate and make her family proud.
Fariz with Ayna (Kazakhstan), Edurne (Spain), Carmen (Spain), Finn (Germany) and Mohammed (Egypt) at the Cloud Gate, Chicago
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MOVERS & SHAKERS
FIRST EVER ALUMNI CATCH UP
MOVERS & SHAKERS
FIVE FROM NEPAL RECEIVE THE GIFT
OF EDUCATION
Working together with Mercy Malaysia, the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation (JCF) and the Sunway Education Group set up the
very first scholarship for international students from a developing country affected by a natural disaster. By extending a
helping hand to those in need and helping to ensure a better and brighter future for them, the JCF committed RM1 million
worth of scholarships to the Mercy Malaysia’s Nepal Relief Fund last year to provide students affected by the earthquake
the opportunity to take up further studies at Sunway.
After going through a stringent interview process with Mercy Malaysia and the Sunway Education Group, the five selected
were Pratima Tamang and Bashanta Pudasaini from the Nuwakot district, Upama Pokharel from Kathmandu, Mira Silwal
from the Sindhupalchowk district, and Ajnish Ghimire from the city of Bharatpur in the Chitwan district. They joined Sunway
College in the March 2016 intake.
In a small get-together the five met with His Excellency Dr Niranjan Man Singh Basnyat, Ambassador of Nepal; Puan Sri Dr
Susan Cheah, EXCO Member, Sunway Group; Dr Elizabeth Lee, Senior Executive Director, Sunway Education Group and
Sunway University; Ir Amran Mahzan, Deputy Director, Shah Fiesal Hussain, Head of Volunteer Management and Azizah
Mohd Nasir, Fundraising and Sponsorships from Mercy Malaysia. The students who had just started classes on campus for
about a week were presented with a surprise gift of a laptop each by Puan Sri Dr Susan Cheah.
His Excellency Dr Niranjan thanked the Sunway Education Group, the JCF and Mercy Malaysia for this initiative. He urged
the students to work hard for academic excellence and expressed the hope they will prove to be an asset to their country.
Sunway TES CAE alumni with Teo Ee Sing
Off to a good start, more than thirty alumni from the Sunway TES Centre for Accountancy Excellence (Sunway TES CAE)
gathered for an event filled with networking sessions, campus tours and a special performance by a former alumna.
Organised by the Sunway TES Accountancy Graduates Club (SAGC), this first ever catch-up event of the year brought
together graduates and affiliates of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Certified Accounting
Technician (CAT), Certificate in Finance, Accounting and Business (CFAB), Institute of Chartered Accountants in England
and Wales (ICAEW) and the Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA).
Encouraging the alumni to stay in touch and find ways to contribute back to Sunway, Teo Ee Sing, Executive Director of
Sunway College extended a warm welcome to them to come back to teach and share their know-how with existing
students.
Having left Sunway TES in 2007 with CAT and ACCA qualifications, Stephen Lee How Hwang has been actively involved
with the Sunway Mentoring Programme which provides current Sunway College students opportunities to learn from their
Sunway alumni mentors. Currently an Assistant Manager within Sunway Group’s Internal Audit, Stephen was the one who
introduced the International Enterprise Challenge to Sunway TES.
In welcoming the students to Sunway with the scholarships which covers tuition fees, accommodation and monthly living
allowance during their 4 years of study at Sunway, Dr Lee hopes the students will take this opportunity to make full use of
their time here. She hopes they have the yearning and craving, upon completion of their studies to go back, contribute
and make a difference in their home country of Nepal.
18-year old Pratima mentioned she is here to learn and to improve herself, to be a better person so that she can go back
and help with the development of her country. 19-year old Bashanta, expressed he was happy to receive the scholarship
and to get a chance at a brighter future. Bashanta is glad to be a member of the Sunway community and has promised
to work hard at scoring good marks to pursue his studies in Information Technology.
National basketball player Upama hopes to be able to rejoin the national team when she goes home and she believes
her time at Sunway is a step towards a better future for her. Though she admits she misses her family. Mira is proud and
thankful to be among the five selected and awarded the scholarship and she hopes to further her studies in Information
Technology after the Foundation in Arts (FIA) programme.
Pleased and happy to receive the scholarship, Ajnish believes his parents’ burden of having to pay for his studies will
be eased. Looking forward to doing his best academically, he hopes to actively participate in activities and events at
Sunway. Currently enrolled in the Foundation in Science and Technology (FIST) programme, he plans to do well and
pursue the BSc (Hons) Medical Biotechnology at Sunway University.
The International Enterprise Challenge aims to engage, inspire and unlock the potential of Sunway TES CAE accounting
students by developing their business and entrepreneurial skills utilising the global appeal of the English Football Premier
League as a platform for the competition. Under Stephen’s guidance, the Sunway TES team emerged as world
champions in the second International Enterprise Challenge.
Kiren Seth, a lecturer with Sunway TES for over twelve years has touched the lives of many of the alumni who were
present. A mother of two, Kiren recently became a Sunway TES alumna upon completing the Certified Internal Auditor
(CIA) programme and confided the CIA programme definitely kept her on her toes as it filled her teaching gaps and
enables her teaching to be up-to-date.
Having gained his CAT and ACCA qualifications in 2013, Wong James Jack sees that the institution is definitely expanding
and envies the students as they get to enjoy the newly installed facilities like the FIFA certified football field which were
not available during his time.
Bringing hilarity to the event was alumna Juliana Heng Hui Jing with her stand-up comedy performance. Having
graduated in 2011 with CAT and ACCA qualifications, Juliana stays serious on her day job as a Management Services
Executive in a Malaysian property investment company.
Seated from left: Ir Amran Mahzan, Puan Sri Dr Susan Cheah, His Excellency Dr Niranjan Man Singh Basnyat, Dr Elizabeth Lee and Shah Fiesal Hussain
Standing from left: Pratima Tamang, Upama Pokharel, Ajnish Ghimire, Bashanta Pudasaini and Mira Silwal
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