Commemorating a special day
RECOGNISED throughout the world asamarkofquality,anAmerican degree is a passport to today’s global job market. The American Degree Transfer Programme (ADTP) under the Centre for American Education (CAE) at Sunway University offers a smooth and quick pathway for students to pursue their degree in the university of their choice in the United States.
Patterned after the American undergraduate degree programme, Sunway University’s ADTP provides students with a mixture of subject-specific and general education courses, ensuring they are well prepared for the next phase of their studies in the United States.
Other than chasing grades, ADTP students are encouraged to commit themselves to learning and character building outside the classroom.
During their time in Sunway, students have opportunities to take part in a range of healthy extracurricular activities, preparing them for their American education.
Some of the activities include the commemoration of Martin Luther King Junior, organised by the CAE Student Committee.
An American federal holiday, Martin Luther King Junior Day marks the birthday of the AfricanAmerican civil rights leader.
He is one of the greatest non-violent leaders in world history who advocated for racial equality in the United States, and his speech “I Have a Dream” paved the way for the introduction of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Themed “The time is always right to do what is right”, the event at Sunway University kick-started with two short videos of King, followed by the US Embassy in Malaysia Chargé d’Affaires, Edgard Kagan.
In his speech, he shared King’s story and legacy. Kagan also shared he was inspired by King’s perseverance and courage to put an end to racial discrimination and segregation, “What is particularly inspiring is because this was never done with the idea that ‘I am better than you’, or ‘you are not as good as me and you need to follow my leadership’. It was done with the idea that ‘I am one of you’, ‘I am not better than any of you’, ‘I am doing the best that I can’ and ‘I am fallible’. To me, that is truly inspiring.”
Also present at the event was Sunway University and Sunway Education Group Senior Executive Director, Dr Elizabeth Lee who applauded the centre for its effort to commemorate the day as this helps educate and remind everyone of the great causes King fought for.
Representatives from several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) were at the event, including IDEAS Academy, North South Initiative, World Vision and Amnesty International.
Also present were Provost, Prof Peter Heard; deputy vice-chancellor Prof Pua Eng Chong; School of Interdisciplinary Studies dean, Prof Peh Suat Cheng; head of Centre for American Education (CAE), Dr Sim Tze Ying and Sunway University Partnerships and Student Engagement, CAE Head, Doreen John.
Esther Ng Wing Yih, an ADTP student who helped organise the event shared that she gained a better understanding of the sacrifices and contribution made by King while fighting to end racial discrimination and segregation, “This is something we can embrace and practise in our country as we are from a multicultural country.”
A member of the CAE Student Committee, Esther shared that her involvement with the event was a good exposure and a different experience compared to secondary school.
She added that after joining the ADTP at Sunway University, she realised she needs to prepare herself with the necessary skills before she embarks on her journey to the United States, “I believe my experience in ADTP has given me a solid foundation.”
Besides striving to bring out the best of each student and equip them with the skills required to perform well academically, firsthand experience in the events also helps ADTP students like Esther acquire the mix of knowledge, skills and understanding to live and contribute to society.
The American Degree Transfer Programme has been developed specifically to allow students to study the first part of their American degree at Sunway University.
The programme has been designed in consultation with American universities to ensure students can transfer seamlessly to America to complete their studies.
■ For more details about the programme, call 03-7491 8622 or e-mail info@sunway.edu.my or log on to https://university.sunway.edu. my/american-degree.