The Victoria University Programme at Sunway College will hone students’ essential soft skills such as teamwork, communication, and critical thinking through the comprehensive Business Challenge Units.
WHILE many degree programmes offer students a chance to enhance their soft skills, few do it as intensively and comprehensively as the Victoria University (VU) Programme at Sunway College.
The Business Challenge Units, integral parts of the three-year programme, help students hone employer-desired skills such as teamwork, leadership, communication, time management, and critical thinking.
Dr Jason Cheok, programme director of Victoria University Australia-Sunway College, Bachelor of Business, revealed that the subjects were designed to meet employer demands for graduates with proven soft skills.
“Based on the survey results, VU incorporated all these requirements into a subject called the Business Challenge Unit,” he said.
Cheok highlights the role of the Business Challenge Units in enhancing students' employability.
The subject would be done three times during each year of study, and would solely focus on developing their soft skills through challenges presented to them.
In their first year, students undertake the Integrated Business Challenge, which focuses on team building and improving presentation skills, including resume presentation.
In their second year, students engage in the International Business Challenge. Here, their problem-solving skills are put to the test as they might be required to devise plans for selling a Malaysian product in the international market or introducing an overseas product into the country.
In their third year, students take on the Applied Business Challenge unit, which focuses on specialised business knowledge, internationalisation, personal attributes, and professional skills. Projects may be workplace-based, community-centred, or on-site, drawing on real industry challenges.
From the second year onward, students from different majors collaborate in the Business Challenge, each contributing to problem-solving tasks.
“While participating in these challenges, students will develop their communication skills,” said Cheok. “I think this is the subject that prepares them the most for employability,” he added.
Alumni can attest to the quality of the Business Challenge Units, with many crediting it for helping them secure jobs.
Benefits await for diploma students interested in enrolling in the programme.
For starters, they can be exempted from the courses in the first year, allowing them to obtain an Australian university degree within two years without having to leave the country.
Additionally, students can save around RM33,000 with the first-year exemption.
As for the Business Challenge unit in their first year, which may not have a directly transferable course credit from their diploma, Cheok said they would consider subjects with similar elements to allow for an exemption.
“It could be a combination of several subjects that are related to presentation skills, communication, and business projects.
“If there are no matching subjects, we could provide credit exemption from a course in their second year, allowing students to still receive exemptions for eight subjects,” he added.
Cheok added that students can choose from five double majors in the VU programme, a popular option selected by approximately 65% of the programme’s students.
“What we did was to replace a student's minor courses and elective subjects with courses from the other major.
“You would not have to spend extra money or extra time to do the other major but this will definitely give you an advantage when job hunting,” he said.
Previously, students could transfer to VU for one year, two years, or one semester; now, they have an additional option — a one-month transfer known as the Winter Block.
The Winter Block allows students to spend five weeks at the Australian campus taking a credit-bearing course, meaning they would not have to complete that subject at Sunway College.
This option occurs between the months of June and July and is the most affordable choice for those wanting to experience studying overseas.
The cost, approximately AUD9,500 (RM29,953), covers tuition fees for one subject, accommodation options (including a hostel), and basic living expenses.
VU, located in Melbourne, Australia, is ranked in the top 2% of universities worldwide according to Times Higher Education 2024.
Scholarships are available through the Jeffrey Cheah Advance and Continuing Excellence (ACE) Scholarship.
