"Teenagers and Social Problems" Symposium - A Platform for Action

Sunway University College’s Sahabat Society (Malay Students Society), SUCI Society and the Language and Compulsory Subjects Centre in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education organized and hosted a Family Symposium with the theme “Teenagers & Social Problems.

The symposium delved into the social influences that have changed the belief system of teenagers in this fast changing world. In particular the symposium highlighted the problems created by social pressures and influences that challenge the beliefs and morals of teenagers. It is hoped that through this, there will be more awareness of these issues and for teachers, parents and young people to play a role that may help to address and overcome these challenges.

Presentation by members of the Sahabat Society, Sunway University College during the symposium

About 400 participants attended the event. 230 were from Sunway University College and there were 150 teachers from the Petaling Utama secondary and primary schools and 50 others from the private and public higher education institutions around Malaysia. The symposium brought together students, parents, lecturers and the public in lectures and a no-holds-barred panel forum.

Elizabeth Lee, Executive Director of Sunway University College said, “Parents and lecturers who come into contact with teenagers have a vital role to play as do friends and the community. Their bonds of friendship, care and understanding may help to curb delinquency, low self-esteem, anger and other issues that may be the underlying cause of problems. I hope this symposium empowered you to do just that”.

(left to right) Puan Yazilmiwati bt Yaacob, Elizabeth Lee, Executive Director, Sunway University College and Prof Dr. Mohd. Fauzi Bin Hj. Ramlan, Pengarah Bahagian Hal Ehwal dan Penbangunan Pelajar, Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia

The guest of honour was Professor Dr. Mohd Fauzi Bin Hj Ramlan who officially launched the symposium. The sponsors of the event were Ministry of Higher Education, Majlis Agama Islam, Selangor, Utusan Publication Sdn Bhd, Syarikat Galeri Ilmu Sdn Bhd, Sahabat Society Alumni and Pejabat Pelajaran Daerah Bahagian Petaling Utama.

The Cambridge vs Oxford Student Debate 2009

This the third time Sunway University College organising this event jointly with the Oxbridge Society Malaysia, Cambridge University Malaysia Society (CUMaS) and Oxford University Malaysia Club (OUMC). Most of the debaters are Malaysian students who are currently studying in Oxford and Cambridge. They will share about their Oxbridge experiences as well. Apart from Dr Stephen Hall, Director of Language & Compulsory Subjects Centre, who will moderate the debate as the Speaker of the House, we have the privilege of having three well-known personalities gracing the event as our venerable judges this year:

1. Tan Sri Dato Dr Lin See Yan (President, Harvard Club of Malaysia)
2. Associate Professor Dr Lee Su Kim (renowed Malaysian writer)
3. Mrs Margaret Kaloo (Principal of ELC International School)

We are also proud to announce that Sun-U students will be involved in this debate. All three are members of the Sun-U International Debating Society:

1. Yuventhiran J. Nadarajan (ACCA)
2. Ainaa Hafizah (A-Level)
3. Christabel Ng (A-Level)

Do come and give your support to this event!

A Celebration to Commemorate American Independence Day

A Twilight Carnival in conjunction with American Independence Day, was organized by the American Degree Transfer Program (ADTP) of Sunway University College recently. The highlight was a moonlight cinema with a free screening of the movie “Transformers” (the first sequel). There were also inflatable activities such as “Rocky Mountain”, “No Way Out” and “Army Eliminator” and mechanical bull rides reminiscent of the rodeo in the U.S.

Students spearheaded the activities with guidance from their lecturers. Some students of the Ravelution Performance and Dance Club had been busy rehearsing or choreographing moves such as the Latin, pop and hip-hop which were brilliantly showcased during the event. Students manned food stalls and games stalls. Proceeds from this event were donated to the Vivekananda Home in Negeri Sembilan. The guest of honour was Datuk Dr Rajmah Hussain, Former Ambassador of Malaysia to the United States.

ADTP organizes an American Independence Day event every year to acquaint students with American culture so that they will be better adjusted to life there after they transfer. Ms Sumitha Ganesharatnam, Head of the ADTP said “American Independence Day is celebrated every year by the students and their involvement is a real world learning experience for them. But this is the first time that it is celebrated on a big scale and I am very proud of their planning and efforts this year”. The main sponsor this year was Celcom who donated cash of RM6,000 while A&W donated 10% of their sales to the Home.

Sunway A-Level Students Are Tops Again

Recently two Cambridge GCE A-Level students from Sunway University College achieved the top 3 position in the world for Mathematics after sitting their examinations in November 2008.

Ooi Yu Min and Sim Hui Wen received the coveted Cambridge International Fellowship Top 3 in the World awards for Mathematics from Mr Ng Kim Huat, Cambridge International Examinations Regional Representative for Malaysia.

These awards are only given to Cambridge International Fellowships Centres and Sunway University College being one, earned this honour since 2005 in recognition of its excellent track record of high achieving students. Another A-Level student, Uranbileg Enkhturshin, from Mongolia, won First Place in the world in the University of Waterloo Euclid Math Contest 2009.

The A-Level programme was established at Sunway in 1987. Sunway University College is one out of about 40 Fellowship Centres in the world, and is one of four in Malaysia among the more than 1,100 Cambridge centres worldwide.

Annual Games a Platform for Friendship and Understanding

The Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia together with Sunway University College organised and co-hosted the International Student Carnival 09 – Sports Festival recently. The event saw 1,500 international students from 55 institutions of higher learning, from both the private and public sector as far as Sabah, Perlis, Johor and Melaka participating. They represented the cultures of as many as 60 countries. Guest of Honour YB Dr. Hou Kok Chung, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, officially opened the Games by lighting up the flames cauldron. He received the flame from torch bearer, Nigerian, Abdulhalim Abdullahim Liman, a student of the Sunway University College and futsal team captain. The champion of the Male 3 on 3 basketball were Legenda College while the Female 3 on 3 basketball was won by Limkokwing University of Creative Technology.

In the Tug of War, the champion male team was from Limkokwing University of Creative Technology and the champion female team was from Universiti Sains Malaysia. In the futsal section open to males only, the champion was Goon Institute.

This Sports Festival which is part of the International Student Carnival has been held annually since 2007 and is a platform for students to get together in one spirit of international understanding and friendship. Through such an event the hosts hope also to encourage team building, goodwill as well sportsmanship regardless of nationality, race or religion.

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