Setting a solid foundation
TRINITY College offers a rigorous and challenging Foundation Studies programme taught by leading academics, established in 1990 and designed in conjunction with the University of Melbourne. It is supervised by the university’s Academic Board, and so is able to offer students guaranteed entry into the University of Melbourne undergraduate courses provided they achieve the required scores.
Much of what makes Trinity College Foundation Studies ( TCFS) unique is its grounding in Trinity’s long- lasting philosophy that a true education develops the whole person by stimulating curiosity and openness to new learning and ideas.
Like other programmes at Trinity, TCFS produces graduates who are informed, critical, self- reflective and morally aware.
The programme develops confidence and creativity in students and equips them to discover, extend and express themselves, as well as to achieve their personal, vocational and social goals.
Much of its success has been through an innovative curriculum that prepares students for academic success. From the beginning, the curriculum has been inspired by what Dr Barbara Cargill ( Pathways School dean, 2006- 2013) describes as a liberal arts ethos that gives participants an opportunity and means to adjust to Western culture.
Alongside traditionally “academic” subjects, such as Accounting, Mathematics and Chemistry, less conventional subjects were required to broaden students’ experience and improve self- confidence. Along with History of Ideas, the most controversial subject was Drama, which continues to be a vital cog in the TCFS experience.
“Early on I drew on my experience with mime. Often international students are reluctant to speak in front of a class. But here, they could discuss their act in small groups, and then perform in mime – a universal language. It was perfect,” says Dr Rosemary Blight, who believes that mime and other non- verbal communications skills lay a strong foundation for future success and are effective in breaking down inhibitions and building self- confidence.
One of the initiatives the Drama department engenders is the aptly named the Big Noise. Commencing around 1994, the Big Noise centres around a huge percussion performance staged by percussionist Mark Grunden and includes the entire TCFS community. Dr Blight, who started the event, believes that the Big Noise is a metaphor for the experience of the whole Foundation Studies programme – quiet young people being allowed to find a voice as they celebrate a journey of self- discovery.
For more details on TCFS, contact JM Education Group, one of the exclusive agents in Malaysia representing Trinity College: JM Education Counselling Centre Subang Jaya: 03- 5633 4732 / 017- 213 7097 ( Mee Har) / e- mail: mhloong@ jmecc. com; PJ: 03- 7722 4696; KL: 03- 6201 0662; Penang: 04- 228 8376 / 012- 581 5509 ( Amanda); Ipoh: 012- 436 8982 ( Katherine); Johor Baru: 07- 361 4372; Kota Kinabalu: 088- 487 7111 / 016- 840 9388 ( Kee Aun); and Kuching: 082- 237 379 / 0128966738 ( Daniel).