Mapping their future: People visiting the Star Education Fair 2024 at Setia Spice Convention Centre. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
Student eyes disabled-friendly universities at Star Education Fair 2024
GEORGE TOWN: His disability is no obstacle to his pursuit of academic goals.
“I wanted to check which university or college could accommodate disabled students like me after my SPM exams,” said Yoong Chee Hong, who is wheelchair-bound.
Yoong, 15, has been suffering from spina bifida since birth.
Accompanied by his parents and younger brother, he visited the Star Education Fair 2024 at the Setia Spice Convention Centre in search of the right university and course.
Yoong, who studies at Chung Ling High School, will be in Form Four next year. He hopes to get into the Science stream as he aspires to be a scientist one day.
About his visit to the education fair, he said it was one of the best avenues for students looking to further their studies.
Yoong said among the booths he visited was that of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman – an institution he found to have disabled-friendly facililties for students like him.
Yoong was among 1,000 visitors yesterday at the two-day fair, which saw 32 higher learning institutions having 52 booths offering their courses and programmes.
One of the exhibitors was Inti International University & Colleges, which has programmes ranging from SPM-level courses, A-Level courses and foundations to postgraduate programmes.
Its assistant vice-president (admission and counselling office) Patrick Ooi Chin Aun said the institution also provides flexible learning programmes, suitable for working adults.
“For the students, as long as you have a mobile phone, you can attend classes any time and anywhere you want,” he said.
Ooi said the university has also launched the Master of Engineering in Electronics and Electrical and Mechanical Engineering in collaboration with Coventry University in England.
He said Inti is the only institution offering the programmes, which provides direct admission for students to pursue a PhD upon completing their courses.
Furthermore, Ooi said that Inti provides financial assistance like merit-based scholarships to eligible students.
The Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology also has several new programmes for students looking to further their studies.
Its Department of Business and Accounting programme leader Samuel Tan said the Computer Sciences and Business diploma offered by the university has a pathway into a degree programme.
“We have various diploma studies from Computer Sciences and Business to Engineering,” he said.
The Applied Business Analytics programme will be offered in June next year to meet industrial needs.
As for those who are looking into AI-driven courses, Educlaas Malaysia is offering academic programmes ranging from foundation, diplomas to master’s degrees, with seamless progression into bachelor’s programmes after foundation.
Its senior digital sales manager Sheenee Leong said the institution is accredited by Educlaas Singapore and students can get recognition from the United Kingdom and Italy upon graduation.
“We emphasise a work-study bachelor’s degree model, allowing students to gain up to two years of work experience before completing their studies.
“This approach is designed to enhance employability and address the challenges fresh graduates face in the job market,” she said.
Leong said the institution offered bachelor’s degree programmes in digital business and software engineering and postgraduate specialisations in advanced digital technologies, including AI and data science.
Peninsula College at The Ship Campus is offering hands-on exposure to its students in line with the industry’s demands.
Its deputy chief executive (academics) Edwin Goh said the college offers programmes ranging from certificates and foundation studies to diplomas and degrees in collaboration with the University of Plymouth.
“Our flagship programme in Logistics and Maritime Business stands out due to our connection with the renowned Logistics Group, giving students a distinct advantage in this field,” he said.
Goh also said prospective students who enrol during the fair would enjoy a rebate of RM1,000 on registration fees.
Aspiring entrepreneurs who want to turn their business ideas into reality can look into a 10-day course by 21 MI Academy from Belgium.
“The 10-day course is intense, and with lots of feedback from people around globe,” said its director Dr Jean Blondeel.
“It also includes two days of team building in Langkawi so that you get out of your comfort zone to challenge yourself and your peers,” he said.
He said they would learn the know-how to navigate in the international entrepreneurship world ecosystem.
Students wanting exposure in business and finance can consider furthering their studies at the London School of Business and Finance (LSBF) in Kuala Lumpur.
Located near Masjid Jamek , the school offers 13 programmes in engineering, business and management, accounting and finance, health sciences and English studies.
LSBF student recruitment executive Aisyahtul Balqis Akmal Kamaruddin said SPM and STPM school leavers should check out courses offered at the school.
“We have a futuristic classroom where students can go for open distance learning. We have lecturers from Singapore, London and Malaysia,” she said.
The Star Education Fair continues today.
