A unique opportunity

HELP COLLEGE of Arts and Technology ( HELP CAT) and Upper Iowa University ( UIU) are offering students a unique and affordable opportunity to pursue a four- year American Degree Program ( ADP) for RM80,888 which includes a fantastic opportunity to go to the United States on a one academic year student exchange programme, inclusive of airfare and accommodation.

Students interested in this programme are able to enter directly after completing their SPM examinations.

The majors offered are Psychology, Business Administration, Marketing, Finance, Human Resource Management and Communication.

Students can opt for a double major at no cost and selected courses taught by UIU senior academic staff in Malaysia who are here to give extra value to students’ experience of studying for an American degree at HELP CAT.

The entire four- year degree can be completed in Malaysia. However, students can choose to go to the US to spend their third year at UIU’s main campus in the beautiful town of Fayette, Iowa, after which they return to Malaysia to complete their remaining studies and graduate in Malaysia.

During their time in the US, students will participate in community projects in Fayette to nurture their leadership skills, learn teambuilding and enhance their communication skills. They will also participate in study tours to the cities of Detroit, Minneapolis, or Chicago to experience the US lifestyle, academic life, cultural immersion and network with other American and international students.

“UIU and HELP CAT have worked together to bring an affordable option to students in Malaysia who would otherwise not be able to have this opportunity to study in the US. The tuition fees include a one academic year at UIU. Airfare and accommodation are provided as well. Students just have to pay for their living expenses,” said UIU Malaysia assistant vice- president Kalai Ponniah. He added that it costs approximately RM120,000 per annum to study in the US, which comes up to a total of approximately half a million ringgit to complete an American degree.

HELP CAT president Dr Choong Yeow Wei said, “In view of the economic slowdown, we are in no doubt this American Degree Program is the most affordable in Malaysia and the best deal in town.

“Students studying the American Degree Transfer Program elsewhere and are looking to complete the entire degree in Malaysia due to financial reasons can come to HELP CAT to complete their degrees, and still have the opportunity to go to the US, which is really great.”

The HELP Group is particularly strong in the liberal arts and social sciences, and was one of the first colleges to offer the American Degree Program in Malaysia.

The UIU ADP is offered by HELP CAT located in Kuala Lumpur and the city’s Light Rail Transit ( LRT) network connects the college to the suburban areas of Kuala Lumpur.

Class sizes are kept small to a ratio of 1: 30, which enables closer monitoring of students’ progress, resulting in more interactive and effective learning.

As it is a liberal arts programme, students have to learn a broad range of subjects in their first year, before specialising towards the end of their degrees. UIU will also accept and recognise the Mata Pelajaran Pengajian Umum ( MPU) credit courses as part of the syllabus.

Pursuing a liberal arts programme is a good option for those unsure of which major they would like to specialise in, as they can study a wide range of subjects before making their decision.

Liberal arts programmes also encourage students to be more holistic, creative and provide invaluable skills for lifelong learning, including the ability to think critically and the skills to communicate effectively.

As the UIU programme is mostly project- based, it prepares students better for the workforce, as they will learn effective project and time management skills. Students will be assessed continuously throughout their studies where the weightage of assessment is 70% and the end of semester examinations carry 30%.

Upper Iowa University is located in northeast Iowa in the town of Fayette. The university offers distance education programmes that include 15 centres in the US and offers an online programme and an independent study programme available in Malaysia, Hong Kong and Vietnam. UIU is recognised as an innovator in offering accredited, quality programmes through flexible, multiple delivery systems, including online and independent study. It is accredited by the US Higher Learning Commission ( HLC), North Central Association ( NCA), and the Malaysian Qualifications Agency ( MQA).

Graduates from the UIU programme are also invited to apply for an attractive Undergraduate2Postgraduate Bursary of 50% to pursue their postgraduate studies at HELP University within 12 months of completion of their UIU undergraduate degree.

For details on the UIU American Degree Program at HELP CAT, visit www. helpcat. edu. my. Call 03- 2788 2000 or WhatsApp 011- 1866 5108.