2 Deserving Cambodians hogged the ASEAN Scholarship!

In line with its mission of sharing its success with stakeholders and the community it serves, KDU University College is proud to announce its collaboration with ECM Libra Foundation in providing financial assistance to needy students from across the ASEAN region through the Joint ECM Libra Foundation KDU University College ASEAN Scholarship.

From left: Mong Sorik Rath, Dato’ Seri Kalimullah bin Masheerul Hassan (One of the Founders of ECM Libra Foundation), Dr. Khong Yoon Loong (Vice Chancellor, KDU University College) and Va Synel. We are extremely proud and happy for these students as they grabbed hold this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to pursue their education here at KDU University College.

British Council IELTS Scholarships 2012 - Application Deadline 30 June 2012

Greetings from the British Council and Happy New Year 2012!

A good news to share with you as a start of 2012 – We are pleased to announce that the British Council IELTS Scholarships 2012 are now open for application. A total of RM50,000 is awarded to five Malaysians who are pursuing their undergraduate or postgraduate programmes in an higher educational institution in Malaysia or overseas that recognises IELTS as an entry requirement in 2012 (In 2011, we only offered to overseas universities).  Two scholarships will be awarded exclusively for students who are applying for a university in Australia and the United States.

To be eligible, the applicant should comply with the following minimum requirements:

·       be a Malaysian citizen

·       begin undergraduate or postgraduate study in Malaysia or overseas in 2012

·       attend a higher education institution that accepts IELTS as part of the admissions requirements

·       have taken the most recent IELTS test with a British Council IELTS Centre

·       have taken the test from 1 January 2012 onwards

·       have a valid IELTS score, with a minimum overall band score of 6.5

·       be able to provide an acceptance letter from the attending institution by 31 July 2012

Application deadline: 30 June 2012

We are currently preparing the necessary printed materials and we will send to your office once they are ready. Meanwhile, the information is available on the British Council Malaysia Homepage.

Dato' Lee Chong Wei- KDU Education Group Scholarship Presentation Ceremony

Dato' Lee Chong Wei, surrounded by avid fans and supporters

There were more than hundred applications from students who applied for the Dato' Lee Chong Wei KDU Education Group Scholarship 2012. Some were merely a fan of his, some were sports enthusiasts, some were enthusiastic about their dreams and making it real, some were wanting to show their inspirational side of story, and some, were students who dare to dream.

However, only ten selected ones received the scholarship. 

The scholarship presentation ceremony took place at KDU University College, Damansara Jaya campus on 18th January 2012.

Dato' Lee Chong Wei, the KDU Education Group brand ambassador, has been an inspirational icon to many, despite the age of different generations. He has a huge following of fans and followers. He has been through thick and thin, faced many challenges and obstacles, but his strong spirit and will made him one of many that stood out. Today, he is the World's number 1 Badminton Player.

Scholarship Crosses ASEAN Borders

The United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, Article 26 makes clear that education should be free at the “elementary and fundamental stages,” and that “elementary education shall be compulsory,” with “technical and professional education....and higher education...equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.” The premise is sound, and is further supported by the European Convention of Human Rights, Protocol 1; Article 2, which “provides for the right not to be denied an education.” 

A number of years ago, three unique individuals founded a charitable organization: The ECM Libra Foundation. The organization has only one objective; providing “financial assistance for educational purposes for the poor Malaysian, irrespective of race, religion or creed.”

The ECM Libra Foundation believes firmly that education is an inalienable right, one that sparks hope in hearts and minds, but also gives births to dreams of a brighter future, thus making education the ultimate weapon in the fight against the cycle of poverty. 

GUESS WHO IS COMING TO KDU TOMORROW?

GUESS WHO IS COMING TO KDU TOMORROW? It is none other than the KDU Education Group Ambassador, Dato' Lee Chong Wei! He will be visiting KDU Damansara Jaya campus for the Dato' Lee Chong Wei KDU Education Group Scholarship presentation.

Let's all congratulate him in winning the Malaysian Open 2012. Give him a warm welcome at the main entrance at 12.45pm.

Flying to Manchester on a Maybank Scholarship

Written by: Ida Lopez, Lecturer, School of Business and Law

Jasmin Harjono completed KDU Diploma in Business Administration in March 2011. In August, she received the Maybank scholarship to pursue BA (Econ) at The University of Manchester, UK. She leaves for Manchester in September. She shares her thoughts on her experience at KDU University College and her aspirations for the future.

1. What was your experience studying the diploma program in KDU?
I entered KDU just in time for the business students to attend their classes in the new campus in Section 13. After a week of going to classes, I've made wonderful friends that I will cherish forever. My experience in KDU, socially, was not a problem. Students in KDU are all friendly people. My new friends were not all students, but lecturers too. Here in KDU, the lecturers will go the distance to help you, not just regarding your studies but also in life. I thank all my lecturers for “waking me up” to put more effort in my studies. I do not and will never regret my time in KDU!

2. Why did you choose to study in the UK, particularly in The University of Manchester?
The United Kingdom is a fully developed country and it is known for their quality of education. The Malaysian education system is still based on the UK system. Hence, I feel I will be able to adapt well in UK. Moreover, my mother has lived in the UK before and she would love me to experience what she had experienced. I chose The University of Manchester as it is indeed a reputable university.

3. Why did you select to major in Economics and Finance?
I am interested in the game of numbers, but not to spend my life doing Mathematics or Accounting. I would love something more challenging, realistic and intricate. When I first did my Economics subject at diploma level, I fell in love with it immediately. I was and still am curious about things intangible. Economics sort of gave me an avenue to solve mysteries. As competition in the industry becomes more demanding, I decided to choose Finance as the Second Major, which adds value to my curriculum vitae

4. What was your experience in applying for the Maybank Scholarship?
The process of applying for a scholarship was not easy and it was definitely intense. Despite many unsuccessful scholarship applications, I was determined never to give up. Finally, Maybank agreed to sponsor my future studies in UK. My advice to students who are looking for scholarships (trust me), is: do not give up; always appear strong and sophisticated, and make sure to do a lot of research about sponsors. They also are looking for star quality, one of which is your critical thinking skill, which is incredibly important.

5. How did you feel after getting the scholarship?
After getting that phone call announcing that I got the scholarship, I feel so grateful and I am still on cloud 9! I just couldn't believe that I have finally seen the fruit of my labour. I guess that is why it is not easy to get a scholarship, because after you manage to obtain one, the satisfaction is pure happiness!

6. How do you see yourself in 5-10 years time?
In 5-10 years, hopefully I will still be serving Maybank. I may have settled down with a family, but I will continue to focus on building my career. In 10 years, I think I will be fully capable to give back to society and truly be serving my country.

Winning teams from SMK Bandar Utama 3

by: Ann Teoh

Captains of the Champion Basketball teams
(L-R): Wong Shin Ying and Ron Chueng

19th July, Petaling Jaya

It's been a winning streak for SMK Bandar Utama 3. On 1st July, their student, Tew Zi Yi, won the 3rd prize at the annual KDU College Math & Science Quiz 2010. Two other students, Loo Yee Ying and Kua Wee Nie also won the 10th and 19th placings respectively. Tew Zi Yi professed that "to improve in Math, you have to do a lot of self-practice. Also thanks to our Math teacher, Puan Norazlina and Add Math teacher, Pn Gan, who are inspiring teachers." Yee Ying who aspires to be an Engineer, and Wee Nie who aims to be a doctor, shared that they both have the passion and interest for Math and this has enabled them to do well.

JPA Scholars registered at KDU's Centre for Pre-University Studies

by: Ann Teoh

Lucky girl: Jolyn Tan

29 June 2010, Damansara Jaya Campus - Ms Sathya, the Academic Department Head of the Centre for Pre-University Studies (CPUS) welcomed a new cohort of 16 JPA-sponsored students who have registered for the GCE A-Levels programme. They will, upon completion of their studies at KDU College, continue with their bachelor's degree programmes in Accounting, Economics, Law and Social Sciences, at any university of their choice in U.K. KDU's Accommodation Officers were at hand to register the students for their accommodation at Sterling Condominium.

KDU Maths & Science Quiz 2010

Eager participants

The Centre for Pre-University Studies had another runaway success with the Pre-U Math & Science Challenge 2010 held at KDU College, Damansara Jaya campus, on 1^st July 2010. A total number of 550 students from various schools in Kuala Lumpur and the Klang Valley thronged the hallways and filled the auditorium to the brim; another classroom was opened to accommodate the eager participants.

INSPIRED @ KDU College

Written by: Soo Xinghan, Student, Murdoch University Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting

Fresh out of secondary school, many of us are overwhelmed by the choices we have to make. Should we enrol in a public education institution or a private one? Should we sign up for this course or that? There are so many options to consider yet so little time before we have to decide.

Luckily for me, friends and family were eager to provide assistance and advice. That was how I came to find out about KDU College and its reputation for quality education. After consulting a student advisor, I was sure that this was the right path for me.

However, there is another obstacle in my way. A pre-university and degree programme would prove to be a too costly for my parents. Given the high cost of tertiary education and my parents having to financially support not only my sister and myself, but also my grandparents, I was naturally in a dilemma on whether I should enroll in such a prestigious course. Fortunately for me, KDU College recognises that money shouldn’t be a barrier for education and generously awarded me the Principal Scholarship upon my enrolment. As the Principal Scholarship covers the tuition fees for the entire program, this award has definitely lightened the financial burdens of my parents.

INSPIRING Gift of Education

By: Darren How, Senior Multimedia Engineer

It was a joyous occasion last month where KDU College granted a total of 158 scholarships amounting to more than RM1 million to deserving students who have achieved excellent academic results in last year’s Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), GCE O-Levels or Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) examinations.

With KDU’s new tagline and belief “People Inspire People”, KDU is inspired to bless these bright students with quality education and make them a better person in the hope that they may one day, in return, inspire others.

Scholarships Galore!

As secondary school students move up the ladder into college life, KDU College is packed with many gaining admission into various courses and getting psyched up for orientation.

KDU Serves
In line with our corporate social responsibility, a variety of different scholarships are awarded to top-scoring students in the recent SPM examinations. The High Achievers Scholarship, the most popular of all KDU scholarships, awards from RM5,000 to RM10,000 to new students enrolled in March (our biggest intake of the year)! Students took advantage of the fee waivers to enroll for their first choices in the Pre-University and Diploma Programmes.

Scholarships are also available for entry into degree programmes for A-Level, STPM and UEC high scorers, ranging from RM1,000 to RM12,000 in fee waivers.

Not the type to score?
We meet many students with different characteristics and various achievements, academically and non-academically. We meet the top-scorer who loves exams and do not mind spending a lot of time studying. Then there is the highly creative one who learns best by doing things and usually excels in sports, extra-curricular activities, coursework and assignments. Scholarships offered are in the form of :

- Principal Scholarship (recommended by School Principals, and covers 50 – 100% of tuition fees)

- Sports Scholarship (National or State level athletes are invited to apply, covers 50 – 100% tuition fees)

- Joint Scholarship (offered with Star Education Fund / Sin Chew Daily Education Fund / Nanyang Education Fund / NST-Mapcu Scholarship)

- Bumiputra Bursary Award (covers 50% of tuition fees for KDU Diploma programmes only)

- Merit Scholarship (this is another popular one!) (awarded based on merit performance to current students, covers part of tuition fees)

Scholarships are a great help to lessen the financial burden of tertiary education. There are more options to this than just scholarships. Financial institutions offer education loans for this purpose. Check out the offers by PTPTN (Government body for education loans) and other government assistance.

Finally, to all KDU students, a warm welcome and all the best in your quest for excellence!

5 Things You Need to Know When Choosing a College

Here comes the tipping point. This point is to determine the step you take that could possibly and should change the rest of your life. This change, as regarded by some, can be brutal. For those who are contemplating a student life in a private college, the language change from Bahasa Malaysia to English could be a challenge. Others simply want to enjoy the borderless liberation of no uniform outfits, unique timetables, lavish cafeterias and modern libraries, computer labs and classrooms.

Peers and lifestyle may be factors that play a part in your education institution decision. And most often, these could be the wrong reasons for choosing a college. On the other hand, you are encouraged to keep an open mind and go for an education that fits your needs. We advise you to consider these factors the next time you visit a college or university.

1. Programme of Interest
You do better in a subject you have a passion for. That is the normal adage we find true in most of our students. A good start is by taking a Career Test. This may consist of a set of questions you have to answer about yourself which will then reveal your career interest. For those who do know what their interest is, they may opt for a specific programme like Diploma in Culinary Arts, Hospitality & Tourism, Business, Mass Communication or Information Technology. We also see a typical scene where students do not know what to do after SPM and we advise them to take up the Pre-University (Foundation or A-Level) or American Degree Program. These programmes do not limit the students’ interest but will allow them more time to decide on their next area of study.

2. University Recognition
Recognition and awards are important in determining the company you work in and the network you hold after graduation. It is what every employer will look for when interviewing and accepting graduates for jobs. A point to consider when speaking to an education counselor is the rank of the university and its international acceptance. The higher the rank of the institution, the more challenging the programme may be. And this high level of expectations and challenge is what many good employers are looking out for. There are many bogus colleges and universities offering affordable and easy-to-pass programmes that may not be recognized. Be wary and do a thorough search on the institution. If you smell a rat, run as far as you can.

3. Fees
Many colleges are now offering affordable twinning programmes (1+2, 2+1 or 3+0) with various partner universities in the UK, Australia, Switzerland, and many more. This means, you will be a graduate of an established international university by studying in Malaysia without having to set foot in those countries.

4. Scholarships and Loans
With the help of scholarships and loans, the financial burdens of higher education can be significantly reduced. Some colleges award tuition fee waivers to students who achieve as few as 5As and more in their SPM exams. Enquire with your education counselor on other scholarships that take into account not only your academic studies but also extra curricular activities, sports achievements, mid-term and trial results. Government loans such as PTPTN, education bank loans and withdrawals from parents’ EPF are also applicable.

5. Location
This is probably one aspect perceived less important for some - the location of the college or university. Your state of mind is important before starting a class. Therefore, make absolutely sure your travel to college or university is as hassle-free as possible. Your institution should be located near public transportation and it should have sufficient car park space. It should also be near eateries, convenience stores, clinics and other important student amenities. Otherwise, check with the college on their student accommodation options.

Most colleges will commence intake after the release of the SPM results in March. Before making a decision, you could first research (call or perform an online search) the programme and institution of your interest. Also, many institutions will participate in education fairs which are good places to get your questions answered and decisions firmed. Just remember to bring a pen and paper. Happy shopping!


By Serena Ng

Teo Soo Pin Scholarship Presentation (30 Sept 2009)

PETALING JAYA, 1st October 2009 – 143 students from across 9 schools in the Klang Valley were awarded KDU College’s Teo Soo Pin Scholarships for year 2010.

At the scholarship presentation held yesterday, a total of 60 students, from SMK (L) Methodist (Methodist Boys’ School), SMK (P) Pudu, SMK Kepong FRI, SMK Kepong Baru, SMK Bukit Rahman Putra and SMK Seri Saujana, were at the college to receive the scholarship letters and attend a workshop held specially for them. Similar presentations and workshops were also conducted to scholarship recipients from Taiping, Ipoh, Seremban, Klang, Malacca and several other schools in Selangor.

Present at the scholarship presentation were KDU’s Executive Chairman Dato Teo Chiang Quan, CEO & Principal Dr. Chia Chee Fen, Vice Principal Dr. Tan Hui Leng, Centre for Pre-University Manager Ms. Ong Soo Weon and Pre-University Academic Department Head Ms Sathyavathy Rasanayagam.

Dato’ Teo, who is an alumnus of SMK (L) Methodist himself, presented the scholarship letters to the students, who were awarded based on their forecast SPM results.

Addressing the students, he told them the story of how KDU College was built on his grandfather and father’s expectations, aspirations and hope for the younger generation to have a better chance in education.

He said that although both his grandfather and father had little education, they held strong philanthropic values and contributed to society in terms of education as they understood and saw the need for education for all, and instilled the concept of life-long learning in their offspring.

With that vision, KDU was born and the college began its legacy in awarding scholarships.

Dato’ Teo also said that although academic grades are important, it should always be coupled with great human values such as honesty, diligence and having a sense of responsibility, trust and commitment. Students should also concentrate on building their soft skills such as communication to different people and level, as these will all be essential when they begin their journey to higher education as well as their career.

83 other recipients from SMK Taman Bukit Maluri, SMK Taman Desa, SMK Damansara Utama. and SMK USJ 12, not present at the ceremony, were also awarded the Teo Soo Pin Scholarship.

KDU, upholding the values of the Teo family’s patriach, believes that each and everyone should have a right to education. Its objective to assist students in all aspect of their education extends beyond quality improvements in teaching and learning.

The Teo Soo Pin Scholarship is an ongoing Corporate Social Responsibility effort of the college and the Teo family, which began a few years after the inception of the college.

It is an academic merit-based scholarship awarded to high achievers in government schools so that they can have an opportunity to get a good private education. It is also awarded in recognition of their good performance in school.

Besides the scholarship presentation today, the college has awarded the Teo Soo Pin scholarship to a host of students from other schools this year. Out of the 248 students who were awarded the TSP scholarship, which amounted to RM1million, 24 were given full scholarships.

The scholarships, which are for the 2010 January intake, are for programmes housed under the college’s Centre for Pre-University Studies, namely, GCE A Level, UNSW Foundation Year and KDU Foundation Studies. The Centre for Pre-University Studies has been offering Pre-U programmes for more than 25 years with focus on qualified, caring and experienced teaching staff; some of whom have been teaching Pre-U programmes for more than 15 years and are specialists in A level subjects. The Centre has also been receiving scholars from Petronas and JPA since 1990s and many graduates have progressed to Ivy League Universities in the US and Top ranked universities in UK, Australia, Singapore and New Zealand.

After the presentation, the students proceeded to a workshop on Six Thinking Hats, a thinking tool for group discussion and individual thinking, conducted by the college’s Teaching and Learning Centre trainers, Mr. Alwyn Lau.and Mr Nelson Allan

The workshop was focused on how to think more systematically and effectively plus how to attain a high-level synergy among team members. These sessions are what all KDU students are expected to undergo as part of their personal development, as the college believes in ensuring that its graduates possess all the necessary skills to make a strong impact in their professional careers.