THE SPM results are out, and now’s the time for school-leavers to pick a course that best suits their future aspirations.
Of the many options available for pre-university studies, the foundation programme at HELP University is a popular choice.
HELP University’s foundation programmes have earned global recognition and are known for their strong preparation for university.
Two streams are offered – Foundation in Arts and Foundation in Science. Both suit the academic and assessment patterns of any modern university degree course.
Its one-year duration is shorter than the A-Level or STPM equivalents, yet it is no less rigorous. In fact, the HELP foundation offers some clear advantages.
Apart from essential subjects like English, Maths and IT, it includes modules like Study Skills, Critical Thinking Skills, Personal Development and Leadership, and Culture, Arts and Politics.
This is to develop thinking and critical minds, personal and leadership qualities and well-informed individuals cognisant of contemporary culture, arts and politics.
“Education has evolved from purely imparting knowledge to nurturing resilient individuals for the global job market”, said Dhanesh Balakrishman, dean of Faculty of University Foundation Studies.
“Being technologically savvy is also an integral component of the Foundation programmes to ensure that they are equipped for 4IR.
“Our foundation programmes cultivate meaningful and creative intelligence, and prepare students with the right values, competencies and confidence for life.”
Another advantage of the HELP foundation programmes is the large number of electives to prepare students seamlessly for admission into subject majors in university.
This broad range of subjects prepares students to major in areas like Business, Psychology, Law, Communication, TESL and IT in local and foreign universities in the UK, Australia and New Zealand – both on direct transfer and credit transfer basis.
In the Science sector, electives include Introduction in Programming that enables students to be admitted for:
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Engineering (local and UK, Australian and New Zealand universities)
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Medicine (International Medical University, AIMST University, Royal College of Surgeons Ireland and UCD Malaysian campus, Moscow Medical Academy and Volgograd State Medical University)
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Dentistry (AIMST University, Penang International Dental College)
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Pharmacy (IMU, AIMST University and universities in Australia and the UK)
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Science specialisations (local and UK, Australian and New Zealand universities).
These subjects are delivered by a large complement of 36 lecturers with specialisations in a wide variety of subjects.
True to its name, the programme familiarises students with a variety of university assessment methods. The assurance that comes with familiarity with the university mode of study and academic practice provides confidence to adjust and cope well with university life.
Further adding value to the programmes is a free Certificate in Data and Business Analytics course to equip students with analytics skills to excel as practitioners or entrepreneurs in the 4IR era.
The efficacy of the pedagogy has resulted in some excellent outcomes for foundation graduates.
The HELP Foundation programme helped to make Khoo’s law career a reality.
Emeline Khoo (Foundation in Arts) was awarded a Lord Templeman scholarship to study for an LLB at the University of the West of England, Bristol, and graduated with first class honours.
“The Foundation in Arts helped me to decide my career path. I met some of the most dedicated and passionate lecturers who were not only concerned with the syllabus and academic materials, but also ensured the development of soft skills so essential at the workplace,” said Khoo.
Khairul found the HELP Foundation programme remarkable as it instilled in him the intellectual skills and discipline to enable him to enter the top-ranked Australian National University.
Similiarly, Khairul Arif Razali described the Foundation as “remarkable and amazing” for instilling in him the intellectual skills and discipline to gain admission into the Australian National University (Australia’s top university, according to QS World University Rankings 2019) where he obtained his Bachelor of Psychology and Philosophy.
Subsequently, Khairul did postgraduate studies in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy at Flinders University – one of the leaders in psychology teaching in Australia.
The next intake for the HELP Foundation in Arts and Foundation in Science is July 1. For enquiries, email marketing@help.edu.my or call 03-2716 2000.
