Exceeding Expectations

Crowd were seen during the Star Education and Career talk at KLCC. Terrific turnout

Thousands seized the chance to visit the Star Education Fair 2016 with record crowds at its career talk sessions and booths offering various study options and scholarships. > 10,11 & 12 Exceeding expectations The 64,000 visitors to last weekend's Star Education Fair were overwhelmed bythe choices available to them in the form of tertiary courses, scholarships and career talks. By YASMIN AHMAD KAMIL, EMILY CHAN, SANDHYA MENON, LEE CHONGHUI, OOI MAY SIM and ASHVIN SINGH TIWANA. Photos by NORAFIFI EHSAN, LOW LAY PHON and LOW BOON TAT [email protected] WITH over 100 exhibitors and around 64,000 continue this practice to help those in need. visitors, the Star Education Fair 2016 was a Your contribution has helped to provide hub of activity. opportunities for many young Malaysians to Even before the doors opened, there were assist them in pursuing their dreams." groups of parents and students just waiting to "This is the highest value of pledges we enter. have received so far," he said. Held on Jan 9 and 10 at the Kuala Lumpur Wong said the Star Education Fair will be Convention Centre, the fair saw parents and heading to a new venue, Johor Baru in June, students exploring the tertiary options availa as well as being held in Penang in March and ble locally and abroad. another fair in Kuala Lumpur in June. Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris It was full house for the talks held at the Jusoh who opened the fair, peppered his Star Education Fair last weekend. In fact, it speech with references to the Star Wars mov was standing room only at most talks, while ies. chairs had to be added to others. "The journey into higher education can The talk on "Options After SPM" was a hit indeed be an epic journey, just like Star Wars. on both days. "At the beginning, school leavers may find HELP University CareerSense@HELP direc it challenging when deciding on potential tor Eric Bryan said the aim is to empower pathways so many things are unknown. young people to make decisions about what There are certificate, foundation, diploma, path they will take. TVET, degree and postgraduate programmes, He said young people need to take respon and even professional qualifications. The sibility and start thinking proactively about unknown, as they say in Star Wars Episode 1, what their real interests are. is a 'Phantom Menace'," he said. "A parent's role is not to tell their children Now, the choice the student makes is what to do but to help them in the decision important. making process," he said. "One must choose what one has passion He also said it is crucial for parents and for. Jedi Master Obi Wan Kenobi once said children to have open discussions and con "You cannot escape your destiny". versations regarding their options after leav "Thankfully we have the Star Education ing school. Fair. There will be career talks and education Taylor's University academic and family experts to guide you. I believe this will give relations consultant and Rekindle the students and parents, and all of you, A Centre for Systemic Therapy New Hope (Star Wars Episode 4)," he said. founder and clinical director Dr Idris congratulated The Star and its part Johnben Loy said education is ners for continuing the commitment to help very much about family relation students navigate their way through the gal ships as research shows that fami axy. ly conflict will greatly affect a The Government, he added, has always child's decision. strived to address the financial needs of stu He said it is the parent's duty to dents by providing scholarships and study be fully involved with their chil loans under the National Higher Education dren's activities and to help them Fund Corporation (PTPTN) for qualified stu grow into responsible adults, but dents, but additional support from the private they must not be overly con sector is greatly appreciated and welcomed. trolling during that process. He said the Star Education "How can your child be an Fund has enabled many talent adult if you do not give them a ed young people to realise their chance to grow," said Dr Loy, add dreams. ing that it is important for parents "I thank The Star and local to have twoway discussions and foreign higher education about career options with their children to institutions for your over ensure their right career path is chosen. whelming generosity," he said. Study Excel Sdn Bhd general manager Jerry Star Media Group Berhad Tan advised students to follow their heart, not Group Managing Director/CEO what their friends were doing or what their Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai said parents wanted them to become. everyone played a vital role in Mohan Menon said his daughter Brindha providing key information in had been confused about her options after helping students in 'mapping SPM but that the talks had helped her to their starstudded future'. explore her choices. "This is the best place for stu 'The Star Education Fair is a good place for dents and their parents to students and parents to gain some informa obtain onestop information tion and ask questions at the same time," he pertaining to courses, facilities, said. fees, campus life and other details," he said. Mariam Mohamed Abd Elwahab, 15, who is Thanking The Star's partnersineducation, from Egypt, felt that the talks were interesting he said: "We hope with your support we can and helpful. "At first I thought the talks would be about look for when enrolling in such courses. university information, but they turned out to Harjeet Singh said he attended the talk as be inspirational, motivating and helpful," she he planned to venture into the field. added. "I want to know the latest trends in cyber Wafty Abdul Rahman started her journey security," he added. at 6am from Kuantan last Saturday as she Benjamin Phua said he learnt the impor wanted her children to visit the fair. tance of cybersecurity from the talk. "I want to prepare them at an early age and Brickfields Asia College programme man the talks, especially Dr Loy's were helpful," ager and lecturer Andrew Kalish stressed she said. that a law degree is a versatile programme. Another talk which was full was the one on "A law degree doesn't necessarily mean you "Pursuing Medicine and Health Sciences". are going to end up in practice," he said dur Sarawak General Hospital general surgeon ing his talk, "What Are My Career Options Dr James Khaw spoke on his journey to After a Law Degree". becoming a doctor during his session. These talks, he added, provide students Interest and passion are key factors of and parents with an overview of the law being a good doctor, he said. He also spoke on industry. UCSI University deputy dean and acting a doctor's career pathway. head of the Department of Actuarial Science "Perseverance is the key," he said. Assoc Prof Dr Ngerng Miang Hong spoke on Ireland Royal College of Surgeons Head of careers in actuarial science. Medical Physics and Academic Director of Admissions Dr Kenny Winser advised stu The Engineering talk proved popular for dents to be sure that medicine was the right students and parents who attended. profession for them, University of Nottingham Malaysia "Medicine is an excellent career, but a mis Campus faculty of engineering associate erable one if you do not want to be there," dean (external affairs) Prof Dr Law Chung he said. Lim spoke on accredited engineering degrees Monash University Deputy Head of School and routes to professional engineers and (Education) Prof Shah Yasin advised students chartered engineers. to spend time at a hospital. Present to share his knowledge on engi "See what and how it is like to work neering in the oil and gas industry was there," he said. Heriot Watt University Malaysia school of Prof Shah also stressed that interest and energy, geoscience, infrastructure and socie passion are vital in the field of medicine. ty associate head Dr Khalik M Sabil. Dr Khalik explained that more energy is Quest International University Perak needed as the human population continues Faculty of Pharmacy dean Prof Datuk Dr to grow. Allan Mathews spoke on the roles of phar He noted that among the challenges in the macists. industry includes continuing to find afforda He also gave tips to students on choosing ble, reliable and clean energy, adding that pharmacy schools and what qualifications the world consumes 92.1mil barrels of petro are needed to become a pharmacist. leum per day. International Medical University School of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman depart Health Sciences associate dean Prof Chin ment of mechanical and materials engineer Beek Yoke spoke on biotechnology and its ing head of department Prof Dr Rajkumar impact. Durairaj highlighted some of the job aspects "Medicine, biotechnology and science are of materials engineers, interrelated, and one cannot thrive without "Materials engineering is a field of engi the other," she said. neering that encompasses the spectrum of Tusyita Menon said that the medical talks material types and how to use them in man were helpful. ufacturing. "The speakers have given me a better idea "There is a lot of innovation in materials," he said, adding that new materials are being of what medicine is all about," she said. invented and there is a need to find applica Michelle Chang said the talks provided tions for them. more information about medicine. "We need engineers who have knowledge "I've always wanted to help people and the in this but we're lacking in them," he added. talks have made me see more ways to do so," she said. EC Council University president Jay Bavisi Making sense spoke about a "Career In Cybersecurity". He spoke on 'ethical hacking' and threats of career tests in the cyber world. "Cyber threat is here to stay and the bigger you are, the bigger the chance you will get A Career Interest Testing by HELP University's hacked," said Bavisi. Careersense@HELP was held to guide stu dents in their academic search. He explained the roles of cyber security professionals, and shared tips on what to The test took about 20 minutes to complete, followed by a consultation with career coun sellors to help students make sense of the test results. Careersense@HELP director Eric Bryan said that most young people who take the test either want to explore options or confirm the path they're already thinking of. "Today we are offering a test which explores their interest areas. It narrows down their search when they go to all the booths, especially for those who don't know what they want." He said that career profiling usually encom passes three areas interest, personality and aptitude. A lot of people wonder about the accuracy of such tests but Bryan said that they are valid and reliable. "A report is generated based on what you put in And that is why a consultation is also important. The test must be coupled with one toone conversation with a counselor to clarify certain things," he added.

Tasty morsels Unusual sight: The Cyberjaya IF there is one thing that attracts the University College Malaysian public, it is the promise of free of Medical food and drinks! Sciences brought As proof of the pudding, a crowd gathered an ambulance to around booths set up by Le Cordon Bleu, the the fair as many Academy of Pastry Arts Malaysia, HELP . have not seen the University and City University, at the Star interior of such a Education Fair. vehicle. Le Cordon Bleu dished out traditional French favourites such as madeleines and Over at HELP University's booth, staff were "So this was the perfect time for them to sables, along with industry advice from one handing out brochures on its hotel manage check it out," she added. of their alumni, Joanne Yoong. ment courses. Their students served two The booth was handled by CUCMS staff and "Getting the right foundation is very impor mocktails to visitors Levitating Lychee and students. Using a mannequin, there were tant in the culinary industry. Although you Spicy Mango Apple Sweet Mojito. demonstrations on how to perform CPR (car can get real life experience by working in a Another popular drink at the fair was the diopulmonary resuscitation), place an injured restaurant kitchen, you learn more tech coffee served at City University College of person on a stretcher and fasten a cervical niques in a shorter period when you attend Science and Technology's booth. collar. Visitors were also able try their hand university. You just have to apply that theory Aqmal Fikri Mohd Amir, head of its depart at suturing a lacerated wound on a model. in practice after graduating," said Yoong. ment of hospitality management, said, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences head of The Academy of Pastry Arts Malaysia took "Interest in coffee and barista jobs have paramedical sciences programme Dr Hassan a more technical approach, with lecturers on increased in Malaysia, yet there arent many Basri Jahubar Sathik said: "We teach people hand to demonstrate sugar craft, chocolate barista programmes here. So, we decided to about first aid and how to prevent further truffles and molecular lollies made from rasp introduce this skillsbased course this year." injury. Saving lives does not only happen in a berry, orange and yoghurt, then frozen with The Cyberjaya University College of hospital it can start at home too." nitrogen. Medical Sciences (CUCMS) booth at the Star Angkasawan and orthopaedic surgeon "We are a group of professional chefs who Education Fair stood out with its yellow Datuk Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor spoke on have come together to teach people because ambulance. his space odyssey at the session on Young many times, what you learn in school and CUCMS final semester student Patricia Minds Big Ideas. He travelled to space in 2007 what is expected in the industry do not Galong who is completing her Diploma in onboard the Soyuz TMA11 and returned 11 match," said Niklesh Sharma, the academy's Paramedical Science, said many people have days later. The 44yearold urged the audi managing director. not seen the interior of an ambulance. ence to dream big and do many things in life. Securing scholarships DO your research and decide on what inter ests you. Star Education Fund manager Susanna Kuan said it is important for students to choose a course they are interested in when applying for a scholarship. "There is no backing out once the agree ment under the Star Education Fund has been signed," she said during the session on Funding Higher Education at the Star Education Fair 2016. There have been cases, she added, where students chose the course Teaching aid: A their parents wanted and regretted it later model of the on. human anatomy "Parents please do allow your children to was placed at the Asia Metropolitan choose what interests them and let them fill University's booth. up the application forms," she said. Kuan said the Star Education Fund is offering 241 scholarships worth RM11.4mil Abdul Rahman. The Star and its partner institutions. The with its 26 partnersineducation this year. These scholarships cover a wide range of closing date for the scholarships is two The Star's partnersineducation are fields and disciplines, from entrylevel cours weeks after the release of the SPM and STPM Brickfields Asia College; Equator College; es to postgraduate education, professional results. Applicants will be shortlisted in early Erican College; HELP University; HeriotWatt studies to vocational training. The scholar April and informed via email, she added. University Malaysia; IACT College; ships are all bondfree. To be eligible for Star Interviews will be held from April to June. Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur; Education Fund scholarships, students must National Higher Education Fund KDU University College; KDU Penang be Malaysian citizens and no older than 25 Corporation (PTPTN) assistant manager University College; Kolej Universiti Tunku for undergraduate courses. There is no age Norafizah Mohd Azis spoke on the process of Abdul Rahman; Management & Science limit for postgraduate students. Kuan applying for a PTPTN loan. University; Methodist College Kuala Lumpur; stressed that while good grades are impor She said students must first open a SSPNi Multimedia University; PTPL Penang; Saito tant, students need not be straightA scorers account in order to apply for a PTPTN loan. College; SEGi University & Colleges; Sentral to secure a scholarship. The total education expenses, she added, stu College Penang; Singapore Institute of "The applicant's family background is also dents would receive is based on the income Management; Sunway University; Sunway taken into consideration, as well as their par category of their parents. College; Sunway College Ipoh; Sunway ticipation in cocurricular activities," she For more information on the Star College Johor Bahru; Taylor's University; The said. Education Fund, email edufund@thestar. University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus; Kuan explained that every scholarship com.my. The application form can be down UCSI University Trust and Universiti Tunku application is vetted by representatives from loaded from thestar.com.my/edufund.

Question time: Staff from Erican College were on hand to answer the ques Space adventure: Dr Sheikh Muszaphar urged the audience to dream tions posed by visitors to the fair. big and do many things in life. Planning for the future

THE doors were still closed but the crowds were waiting anxiously to enter hall five of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. Comprising mainly teenagers, the early birds wanted to enter the Star Education Fair 2016. The majority of those present had just left school after completing their SPM and STPM exams while the younger ones were keen to plan ahead for their education. Michael, 15, has another year before he completes his IGCSEs at a private school in Subang Jaya. "I'm interested in ICT, so I'm here to check out the options I have after my IGCSEs," said the lanky youngster. Michael attended the fair with his 11year old younger brother and his parents. Some teens were persuaded to attend the fair by their parents while others wandered around enthusiastically to explore educa tional opportunities. "We came after reading about the fair in the newspapers. It is quite exciting because it's our first time at a fair like this," said Ruth Abigail, 17, who is interested in biomedical science. Her sister Gabrielle Anna, 16, an aspiring zoologist, expressed her concerns that not many universities offered the courses she wants to pursue. "We are here to search for one," said the bubbly teen. Both sisters travelled from Klang to attend the fair. Nurin Fatini Farid, 18, said she was not sure what she wanted to pursue although her interests are in biology and chemistry. She travelled from Sungai Buloh with two of her friends in the hope that the talks and booths at the fair would help her in selecting a field. Some of the visitors were interested in studying overseas and had clearly done their research. They were at the fair in search of specific information. "I want to know more about internship opportunities if I do my degree overseas. "I am also looking for details regarding the visa application," said Sai Sathyamantha, 18, who hopes to become a software engineer. Currently pursuing the American Degree Programme, he felt that an overseas degree would be more valuable and offer better job opportunities. Student volunteer Penny Wong, 19, from INTI International University & Colleges helped distribute brochures and answer enquiries at the booth. Penny said she was able to brush up on her English speaking skills and meet new people. — By JERRELL ONG and LEE SHI YUN Freshly brewed: City University College of Science and Technology staff offered cups of cof Paper dresses: The One Academy pattern mak fee to visitors and information on its barista ing lecturer Christian Costemalle (right) guiding course. participants in pinning a design on a mannequin at the Design Talk session.

Fullhouse: The talk on "Pursuing Medicine and Health Sciences" was a hit among students and par ents with the room so full that some sat on the floor. Delicious treat: Chef Lee Teik Liang from YTL International College of Hotel Management dropping spoonfuls of the macaroon mixture onto a lined baking tray at the booth.

Before the rush: The crew from universities and colleges setting up their booths the day before the twoday fair started. Service with a smile: Penny (third from right) and her fellow student volunteers from INTI International University & Colleges help to distribute brochures and answer enquiries.

Glamorous touch: Limkokwing University of Creative Technology special assistant to the president Tan Sri Lim Kok Wing Datuk Dania A Wahab (second from right) said the purple sashes are for graduates from the university and staff. Thanks for the support: idris (seated, sixth from left), Wong (seated, fifth from left) and Star Media Group Bhd group chief operating officer Calvin Kan (seated, seventh from left) pose for a group photo with the Star Education Fund's partnersineducation after the opening ceremony.