Getting the edge, with a little help
aPART from producing top results in their exams, HELP A-Level achievers continue to be offered scholarships from well-ranked universities such as Harvard, Cambridge, Australian National University, Imperial College London, University of Southern California and University of Melbourne.
The list of universities is ever growing and is testament to the recognition given to HELP and the enduring quality of the achievers produced annually.
The profiles of achievers are a source of pride to HELP University and its vice-chancellor and president Datuk Dr Paul Chan recognises the efforts of the lecturers for their exceptional dedication in ensuring the high standards continue to be maintained.
“The key to the impressive list of achievements and the obtaining of coveted scholarships is the excellence of the teaching team, headed by Jahn Cheah, who has 35 years of experience as a maths teacher and as dean, Faculty of University Foundation Studies, he is a great leader,” said Dr Chan.
HELP A-Levels programme has recorded strong and steady growth since it was established and was one of the first programmes to be offered by HELP. Over the years, it has built a distinctive record of students scoring top marks, winning scholarships and gaining admission to top universities.
HELP has chalked up a total of 70 World Top Awards to date, including a record 13 last year. HELP’s A-Level Science lecturers, together with their students, have been winners of the Malaysian Toray Science Foundation (MTSF) for seven years running.
This prestigious award is given out annually to the most innovative and original projects submitted by Science teachers, judged by leading professors from top universities in Malaysia.
Students have a “dual option” advantage at HELP, the first centre in the country to conduct both the London Edexcel (LE) and the Cambridge International ALevels Examination Boards (CIE)
Both are top-ranked examination boards but the LE’s modular system allows students to retake any module to improve subject grade without having to repeat an entire level.
CIE’s Linear system requires students to take the exams in two parts – AS level and A2 Level – to make the full A-Level pass. Each level accounts for 50% of the total marks.
Students dissatisfied with their result must re-sit the entire level. AS grades are also counted for university entrance.
In recognition of its achievers, its excellent results and lecturers, HELP A-Levels was declared its “Best and Biggest A-Level Centre in the World” in 2011 (London Edexcel World Conference, Hong Kong)
The list of achievements continues to grow.
> In May 2012, five HELP achievers were offered places at Cambridge University, 18 for Imperial College London, 39 for University College London, 24 for University of Edinburgh, 16 for London School of Economics (LSE), while 60 and 58 for University of Manchester and University of Bristol respectively.
> Ng Liang Yen obtained a JPA scholarship to study Law at Cambridge.
> Avinaash Subramaniam was admitted to Harvard University on a Faculty scholarship.
> Tan Wei Jian, 4 A*Achiever and winner of two World Top Awards, accepted into Imperial College London as a JPA scholar.
> For the June 2013 Edexcel results, 135 HELP achievers scored straight As.
> Melissa Chee Wei Li , A* in Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Further Maths. Melissa will study Chemical Engineering in Newnham College, Cambridge University, on a Cambridge Commonwealth Trust Scholarship.
> In 2013, HELP A-Level coursemates Goh Kah Wei, Fong Kah Jo and Lim Tian Xi were offered places in Cambridge University.
> Calvin Yeoh Kai Yuan was offered admission to four top universities, Stanford, University College London, LSE and Oxford University.
Apart from the cultivation of academic excellence, HELP introduced the “Getting the Edge” programme to grow the leadership and organisational skills among students.
The A-Level students work with the most experienced lecturers on award-winning science projects, participate in creative writing, drama and also challenging yet fun mathematics workshops.
GTE students also have the opportunity to participate in weekly multimedia workshops and projects to develop the technical skills needed to succeed in today’s ever changing world.
One of the main reasons in introducing the GTE programme, according to Jahn, was to encourage students to think critically, form their own opinions and present arguments effectively and convincingly.
This programme develops speech and writing skills through writing and drama workshops.
The HELP A-Levels Annual Production, run by the English Literature Department, has proved to be a success, with rave reviews by parents and members of the public.
Some of the previous productions include Dr Faustus, Much Ado About Nothing, Man and Superman, The Importance of Being Earnest, The Irony of Matrimony, Life: The Mobius Strip, Lost In Yonkers (2012) and Arcadia (2013).
According to Jahn, soft skills play an important role in determining the achievers who are accepted by top-tier universities, many of which not only look for academic excellence, but also effective speakers and leaders of the future.
For more information on the next A-Levels intake in March and July 2014, call 03-2094 2000, e-mail marketing@help.edu.my or log on to http://www.edu.my