Learning hands-on experience with Foundation in Arts

CHONG Yen Ling, formerly from SMK Methodist ACS Sitiawan, Perak found that the interesting part of the Foundation in Arts (FIA) programme was the coursework and assignments.

“I chose to study the FIA programme at Sunway College with the recommendation of a friend, and also my parents told me that Sunway University is famous for the Accounting programme which I am interested to pursue as well”, said Chong at the Sunway College FIA graduation.

The 19-year old from Sitiawan, Perak explained that she liked the FIA programme for its

50 per cent coursework and 50 per cent exams. “So it’s not just study and memorising everything in the book and then take the exam. The coursework and assignments helped me learn things that are not in books such as presentation skills and working with others for group assignments. My time in the programme made me realise that real learning is not just from books”, she said.

Chong went on to share on what she finds most challenging in the FIA programme.

“I really learned to manage my time well. There were assignments and exams every week so if I didn’t learn to manage my time well I could not meet all the deadlines or do well in the exams. There was once I almost missed a deadline and did quite badly for that particular assignment, so after that I learned my lesson.”

“Although the assignments might take hours or days of hard work, the time spent with friends working on them was quite fun and helped draw us closer. Some of the assignments required us to organise visits for community service which was also interesting and fun.

“I once went on a visit to an orphanage and that remains one of the best memories of my time in the FIA.

For the visit we helped organise a barbeque party where we celebrated the birthday of the children”, she explained.

“I found that my time in the FIA programme really helped me grow as a person because first, I learned that learning is not just about memorising everything found in books, most I have learned from hands-on experience.

Second, I learned to manage my time well, which is goodas time management is important when one goes out to work.

The other thing I learned is that sometimes I need to be patient especially when when it comes to working with other people”, shared the student ambassador who has learned much during her time in the FIA.

At the graduation ceremony, Chong received the Certificate of Academic Excellence, the ViceChancellor’s Subject Award for Introduction to Business: World of Finance, the Asia Leadership Scholarshipand the Tan Sri Dato’ Sri (Dr) Jeffery Cheah Continuing Scholarshipwhich has hercurrently pursuing the BSc (Hons) in Accounting and Finance at Sunway University.

“I was really happy and excited when I received all those awards and scholarship. My hard work really paid off. I didn’t expect such an achievement. I’m happy with the scholarship as it will help reduce my parents’ burden.”

Having just started and currently in her first semester, she said she decided to take up Accounting and Financeas she took the subject before and found she enjoyed it.

“I look forward to learning more, taking up more challenges and trying out new things which will help me in the future. I hope to slowly improve myself, be it in my studies or personally. And after studying hard I hope to be able to get a good job, provide myself and my parents a more comfortable life,” shared Chong.

Asides from just studying Chong is a fan of the Percy Jackson books by Rick Riordan.

As she is fascinated by Greek mythology, she finds it interesting that the stories take place in our modern-day world, “The book’s world is vividly depicted to the point that the concept of gods, demigods, monsters, and heroes living among us seems downright plausible.”

She explained that she has also read Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and found she likes mysteries.

“The Sherlock Holmes stories are unpredictable and each story I found kept me guessing to the very end.”

The Foundation in Arts is Sunway College’s homegrown programme and is recognised for being a holistic programme that helps to broaden students’ general knowledge, develop communication skills and is underpinned by the pillars of literacy and numeracy.

The programme is a direct pathway to undergraduate programmes at Sunway University where students who meet the undergraduate programme entry requirements are assured their place in Sunway University’s Bachelor degree in Accounting and Finance, Actuarial Studies, Business Management, Business Studies, Information Systems, Information Technology, International Hospitality Management or Psychology.

The FIA programme helps to broaden students’ general knowledge, developcommunication skills and improve their understanding of world issues and events. Students also learn to adapt to the rapid changing technology and society.

For further information about the Foundation in Arts programme or other pre-university programmes at Sunway College, please call 03-7491 8622 or email: info@sunway.edu. my or log on to http://sunway.edu. my/college/pre-u