Second cohort of students and alumni members joined the Sunway Mentoring Programme

Within a year of its launch, the Sunway Mentoring Programme has become the ‘talk of the town’. First launched in April this year, a second cohort of undergraduate students eagerly joined the mentoring programme in October 2013 at Sunway University. The programme launched by Ms Elizabeth Lee, Senior Executive Director of Sunway Education Group, is a one-on-one partnership between members of Sunway Alumni and LEAP Platinum students. Selected students, from bachelor’s programmes are chosen in recognition of their strong academic credentials from the various departments of Accounting, Banking and Finance, Marketing, Management, IT and Psychology. The goal of this programme is to groom students, through coaching sessions in real life situations on core competencies in the workplace. By taking students out of their structured daily classroom setting, the aim is to expose them to the constant changing pace of real life situations and to empower them with the skills and knowledge for professional and personal growth.

The Sunway Alumni mentors are selected professionals from their respective fields who bring with them a wealth of knowledge and expertise. The mentees, top students of Sunway University are equipped with strong academic credentials and classroom knowledge in their areas of study. The pairing of these two parties is hoped to create a win-win partnership that is essential to the success of the programme.

The exchange of knowledge and ideas that these two groups bring forth will open up opportunities for both parties. Workforce demographics have dramatically changed in recent years. Economy, social factors and technology now affects on-the-job performance and the way people see themselves within the corporate structure.

With this programme, mentors can look forward to recruitment and professional development opportunities. Indirectly, it is also a meaningful avenue for the members of the Sunway Alumni to give back to their alma mater. The mentees on the other hand stand to gain from their mentors’ expertise. Critical feedback in key areas such as work ethics, communication, management and leadership skills will help equip them with practical knowledge on their transition from university life to the working world.

The Sunway Mentoring Programme saw nine mentors paired with nine mentees went through the valuable journey when it was first launched. This second cohort will see twenty-four mentors and twenty-five mentees spending time together from October 2013 to March 2014.

The programme is an initiative by the Student Services Department, Sunway University. It provides students opportunity and a head-start into the corporate world. Students from our various programmes therefore not only possess academic credentials and classroom knowledge in their areas of study but are also provided with hands-on real life on the job skills.