DISTED e-News

Adventure with The Force

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 05:48:00 EDT

Star Wars came to Queensbay Mall in Penang and 3 DISTED College Japanese Cultural Awareness Society (JCAS) members and their advisor were part of the science fiction movie promotion event.

Students Edmund Tan, Aaron Low, Melissa Lynn and their advisor Ko Ko Naing dressed themselves as various characters from the movie for a freeze mob held at the mall on 19 February 2012.

The event, which presented characters such as Darth Vader, the Imperial Guards, Storm Troopers, Jedis and Siths, was organized by the mall in conjunction with the re-screening of The Phantom Menace from the Star Wars series in digital 3D.

DISTED Japanese Cultural Awareness Society members (from left) Edmund Tan and Aaron Low, and their advisor Ko Ko Naing participating in the Star Wars freeze mob at Queensbay Mall, Penang.

Picking up origami

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 05:49:00 EDT

Origami is a delightful pastime that provides an appreciation of Japanese culture and trains the mind in creativity and tenacity.

“Making objects out of paper is the art of origami.

“It’s a traditional Japanese art of folding pieces of paper into objects such as animals, furniture and even plants or buildings for decoration and inspiration,” said Aaron Low, DISTED College Japanese Cultural Awareness Society (JCAS) vice-president.

Aaron Low and the club’s advisor Ko Ko Naing have started a weekly origami class for their members from 10 February 2012.

DISTED Japanese Cultural Awareness Society vice-president Aaron Low (left) conducting an origami lesson for the club's members.

Hiking adventure

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 02:48:00 EDT

A hiking trip fostered connection with nature and strengthened the fraternity of the DISTED College Japanese Cultural Awareness Society (JCAS) members.

“It was an exhilarating date with nature. Everyone had a great fun time together,” said JCAS advisor Ko Ko Naing of their adventure trail to Gate 3 at the Penang Municipal Park.

The trail up Gate 3 and the scenery below as seen by the DISTED Japanese Cultural Awareness Society members during their hiking trip.

Celebrating Dragon Year

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:48:00 EDT

DISTED College staff held a joyful celebration to welcome the Chinese lunar Year of the Dragon.

Held on 10 February 2012 at the college, the occasion was organized by the staff association known as the Social, Motivational and Recreational Team (SMART).

DISTED staff, with most of them dressed in auspicious red, in a group shot during the Chinese New Year celebration organized by the staff association.

Excelling in A-Level

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:48:00 EDT

Soon Wei Shyan excelled in the international Cambridge A-Level 2011 November examination with 5 straight As including 4 high distinctions (A*).

He achieved the par excellence results of high distinctions in Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics and an A in General Paper.

His course mates Tan Bao Xiu and Lim Xiang Yin each scored 3 high distinctions with grade A and B in General Paper respectively.

Andrea Ong Kar Lym topped in the Cambridge A-Level Arts with all As in Economics, Law, Mathematics and General Paper.

The brilliant achievers were among the 10 DISTED College students who shone in the Cambridge A-Level examination with 3As and above.

DISTED students jubilating over their remarkable success in the Cambridge A-Level 2011 November examination.

Thai students find English programme effective

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 07:48:00 EDT

Another 5 Thai students found it worthwhile to travel to Penang to hone their English language skills at DISTED College.

The English Enrichment Programme (EEP) conducted by the college has empowered them to advance their work and life aspirations.

The students, who came from Surat Thani, Krabi, Hatyai, Phuket and Yala in Thailand, shared their joy of having improved their listening, reading, speaking and writing skills in English at the EEP certificate of completion presentation ceremony.

Watchari Puechphol (centre), a Surat Thani University lecturer, receiving her English Enrichment Programme certificate of completion from DISTED president Dr Koo Wee Kor (right). Looking on is DISTED School of English and General Studies programme coordinator Audrey Keong Mei Cheng.

Engineering as an exciting career

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 01:48:00 EDT

Engineers shape the world and improve people’s lives. As such, engineering is a worthwhile and rewarding profession that secondary school students can consider in their career planning.

“Engineering is challenging and fun.

“It’s a marvellous career where engineers create industrial and consumer equipment and devices and construct amazing structures such as the Petronas Twin Towers and the Burj Dubai in order to build a better and more convenient world for all of us,” said Ahmad Taiff Isahak, DISTED College director of studies and engineering programme coordinator.

Taiff was speaking to SMK (P) Methodist Ipoh students during a career talk on engineering held at the school on 6 January 2012.

DISTED director of studies and engineering programme coordinator Ahmad Taiff Isahak (standing) imparting insights into the engineering profession to SMK (P) Methodist Ipoh students.

Celebrating a new chapter in life

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 18:48:00 EDT

DISTED College hosted an orientation party for its new students of January 2012 intake to celebrate the joy of journeying into higher education and the eagerness to embrace the excitement and challenges that come with it.

CAT student Lim Kong Hui (right) having a fun time with his college mates at the welcoming party for new DISTED students.

Meet your future

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 01:48:00 EDT

At DISTED College, the New Year ushered in the first cohort of new students in 2012 for a rewarding education that connects them to their future success in career and life.

On January 3, an orientation was held at the DISTED Yeap Chor Ee Campus on Macalister Road for new students of Cambridge A-Level, South Australian Matriculation, professional accountancy, business, computer science, IT and English courses.

New hospitality students attended an induction progrmme at the brand new DISTED School of Hospitality China Street Ghaut Campus, which marks an achievement and a milestone of recognition by the industry and the community of its hospitality education that has been accorded a 5-star excellence rating by MyQuest 2010/2011.

New students of DISTED attending an orientation briefing.

Helping children with special needs

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 02:48:00 EDT

Feelings buried alive in children never die and can be insidious. Fortunately, there are ways to help children to draw out their submerged feelings such as through sand tray therapy.

Care givers at DISTED to learn more about helping children with special needs from 2 US therapists, Dr Thana Singarajah and Jennifer Kerne, during the workshop organized by BOLD, Asian Community Services and DISTED.

Awesome animation, comics and games

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 03:48:00 EDT

DISTED College Japanese Cultural Awareness Society (JCAS) members joined more than 16,000 people in attending the Comic Fiesta 2011 held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) on 17 and 18 December.

The highly popular annual event sought to expand its mission to promote awareness of the subcultures of animation, comics and games among Malaysian youths.

It showcased Malaysia's best amateur artists in the creative art market where more than 400 local and international participating artists displayed original products ranging from self-published graphic novels, badges, artist commissions, posters and other assorted merchandise.

Robin the Boy Wonder from DC comics and Batman's sidekick at the Comic Fiesta where fantasy comes to life.

Brilliant achievements in SAM

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 21:48:00 EDT

Ong Lin How leaped for great joy when he received his South Australian Matriculation (SAM) 2011 results.

He attained Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) 99.00, making him the top 1% of all SAM high flyers in the world this year.

The brilliant achiever was among the 17 DISTED students who were placed among the top 10% of all SAM achievers within and without Australia for attaining ATAR 90 and above.

The other high achievers included Teo Jia Yong (ATAR 97.05), Yew Chow Ping (ATAR 96.75) and Gan Ker Lynn (ATAR 95.55).

DISTED students rejoicing over their brilliant SAM performance.

Insight into higher education

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 21:48:00 EDT

School leavers, with many of them accompanied by their parents, visited DISTED College on its Open Day to meet with lecturers and gather more information on higher education options.

During the event held on 17 and 18 December 2011, those intending to embark on hospitality studies had the opportunity to visit the DISTED School of Hospitality brand new campus on China Ghaut Street, Penang.

School leavers and parents at DISTED Open Day to explore higher education pathways.

A day in Hospital Bahagia

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 08:48:00 EDT

Story by Sarah Loh, Bachelor of Psychology (Hons) student

An exciting and enlightening opportunity to take a closer look at the environment in a mental institution and the healthcare for the mentally unsound changed the views of Brian John Dorai about the mentally sick.

DISTED psychology undergraduates in group shot during their trip to Hospital Bahagia to gain insights into healthcare for the mentally ill. With them are (standing, first row from eighth left) DISTED School of Psychology head and consultant clinical health psychologist Dr Gavin Macdonell and lecturer Suri Nurtharwa Tuan Kamauzaman.

Scintillating affair with the loaf

Sun, 11 Dec 2011 16:48:00 EDT

The first ever Bread Affair in Penang saw an overwhelmingly exciting celebration of the wholesome goodness of bread with the opportunity to relish a wide array of bread in all shapes and sizes.

Organized by the DISTED School of Hospitality and endorsed by the Penang State Tourism Development and Culture Committee, the community event was hosted at the school’s brand new campus on China Street Ghaut on 11 December 2011.

Visitors to the Bread Affair organized by the DISTED School of Hospitality savouring the opportunity to relish a wide array of bread varieties made by leading bakeries and hotels, while partaking in community togetherness.

Learning leadership from Abraham Lincoln

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 19:48:00 EDT

About 100 students from 4 secondary schools in Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam had an exciting adventure in leadership and teambuilding.

Held on 22 November 2011 at the St. Anne’s Church in Bukit Mertajam, the event was organized by SMJK Jit Sin and conducted by DISTED College. The other participating schools were SMK Jalan Damai, SMJK Chung Ling Butterworth and SMK Permai Indah.

Trainer Josephine Chan Ie Lyn (standing, left) interacting with Wang Liew Ching (standing, right) during the leadership and teambuilding training for students from 4 schools in Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam.

Promoting cleaner and greener Penang to students

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 18:48:00 EDT

DISTED College has extended its support to the Cleaner Greener Penang School Bus Campaign, which is the latest step taken by the Penang state government to inculcate care for the environment in school children.

The initiative involves publicizing the state’s green exhortations, besides the messages of the advertising sponsors, on school buses.

The campaign, a collaborative effort between the state government and the Penang school bus operators association, saw DISTED taking up advertising sponsorship for 2 school buses.

DISTED president Dr Koo Wee Kor (third from left) participating in the ribbon cutting ceremony marking the launch of the Penang state government's Cleaner Greener Penang School Bus Campaign.

Wonderful encounter with English

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 20:48:00 EDT

It was learning English with a difference at the 4-day English Camp organized by DISTED College, which attracted 53 students comprising mostly first to fourth formers.

Participant Hussain Jamal, 12, remarked: “The camp was very exciting. Its varied activities encouraged me to use English actively to learn and share ideas. I enjoyed very much the group challenges and language competitions.”

“I had the chance to work and play as a team with new multi-racial friends in the spirit of 1Malaysia,” said the Year 6 student of SK Minden Heights.

“English is a powerful language for international communication and obtaining knowledge,” he said of his keen interest in the language.

At GSC Gurney Plaza to watch Happy Feet 2 for an assignment that hones English and observation skills are participants of the English Camp organized by DISTED including (from left) Charmaine Yeap, Ng Khye Eu, Chang Zhi Xuan, Yeoh Yan Lyn and Lim Bao Ren.

Unleashing multimedia creativity

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 22:48:00 EDT

In this Digital Age, multimedia is an essential tool for presenting media communications effectively, creatively and impressively.

Multimedia provides a revolutionary avenue for realizing one’s creative potential in both professional and personal life in the course of communicating ideas, concepts and messages.

“If ‘a picture speaks a thousand words', then multimedia speaks volumes! Any information that is in a form that engages all our senses will always be understood better than just the written word.

“With today’s information overload, multimedia content helps consumers to get the gist of the message quickly and effectively,” said Ahmad Taiff Isahak, DISTED College engineering programme coordinator.

The Multimedia Rojak workshop participants listening to a briefing by DISTED engineering programme coordinator and workshop organizer Ahmad Taiff Isahak (right).

Recycle to keep our world green

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 04:48:00 EDT

One good way that all of us can contribute to making a greener world is to recycle our household waste.

“Recycling is a 2-prong strategy that helps to reduce waste that can pollute our environment and at the same time, conserve our diminishing natural resources.

“To go green, go recycling. Let’s begin recycling from our home and our institution of study,” said DISTED College hospitality student Lee Hui Ying.

DISTED hospitality students led by Lee Hui Ying (third from left) promoting their W.W.W. (Why Waste World) project to keep our world green. With them is lecturer Ravichandran Sellakannu (standing).