Family of seven create history at AeU
SEVEN out of nine in a family from Sabah graduated with the same Master of Education (MEd) degrees from
Asia e University (AeU).
Five of them who graduated in 2015 comprised four sisters and a brother-in-law. The number of AeU graduates in the family increased to seven when Lily @ Viva Sabil, 37, and her husband Dymson Zeno, 34, obtained their MEd degree in 2016.
This created a new history for AeU. It started from Lesiah @ Root Sabil, 46, who harboured the ambition of becoming a professional educator.
As the second child of the six Sabil siblings who are all teachers, Lesiah teaches in the National School Bongkud, Ranau.
The only obstacle to her ambition was the absence of suitable higher learning institutions near her residence.
The nearest full-time learning centre to her home is located about 110km in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
Lesiah’s long-awaited dream came true when AeU expanded its network of educational services centres from all states in peninsular Malaysia to Sabah and Sarawak in 2012.
She received information about AeU through word of mouth from her friends, teachers and also through her own reading of AeU articles in the newspapers.
A mother of five, Lesiah was determined to continue her studies in AeU’s Master of Education (MEd) programme.
When Lesiah shared her aspirations and intentions with her family, all her siblings and two brothers-in-law who are also teachers were inspired by her.
In total, nine members of the family were registered as students of AeU.
Eight of them enrolled for the MEd programmes on Jan 20, 2014 – Lesiah and her husband Fred P. Jaumis, Rosline, Rosie and her husband Edmond St Carolus, Lily and her husband Dymson Zeno and Jane.
Only the eldest brother, Juin Sabil, was registered in September 2013 and is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Education programme in AeU.
“It was fun studying together when my siblings and I share a common interest in education. Learning together made it easier for us because we can complete tasks, revise and attend classes together. We actually gained more in terms of knowledge and skills after attending AeU’s MEd programme,” said Lesiah.
Although the sisters and their spouses worked in three different schools, they did not encounter any difficulties in meeting their responsibilities at work.
The blended learning methodology offered by AeU was accessible anywhere anytime, which gave them the flexibility to attend class schedules held only on weekends.
With proper time management, they were able to cope with their work commitments and studies and believed they can achieve
Learning together made it easier for us because we can complete tasks, revise and attend classes together. We actually gained more in terms of knowledge and skills after attending AeU’s MEd programme.
their goals of lifelong learning.
“Learning materials were easily available online and the use of AeU’s new technology continuously made the learning process easier and cheaper,” said Jane, the youngest among the four sisters.
Through the blended learning methods, students can acquire study notes through the student portal, known as My Personalised Learning Space or myPLS.
Classes are held on weekends once a month in strategic learning centres within close proximity to the students.
Interactions with academic facilitators are conducted online in accordance with the schedule agreed by both facilitators and students.
Within five semesters of their studies, their hard work paid off when five family members passed their exams and attended their graduation ceremony at AeU’s fifth convocation.
Lily and her husband once again created history for AeU, as this was the first time seven family members graduated with the same MEd degree.
It clearly shows their interest and commitment to the teaching profession and that the pursuit of higher education is highly regarded and respected by the society.
“My mother and late father were the key influences behind our success. They not only supported and helped us financially to realise our dream of becoming a teacher, but constantly encouraged and gave us moral support and blessings,” said Rosie.
“Besides us, there are two brothers who are current students of AeU. We all chose AeU because it met our requirements in
■ For details, call 1300 300 238 or apply online at www.aeu.edu.my.