Going from strength to strength
KDU College Damansara Jaya wrapped up 2017 on a high note.
With its quality programmes and practices, the private higher education institution was awarded five stars (Excellent) by the Malaysia Quality Evaluation System for Private Colleges (MyQUEST) 2016/2017.
The MyQUEST rating ceremony was held on Dec 18 at Intercontinental Hotel Kuala Lumpur.
The college was represented by KDU University College deputy vicechancellor of administration Shanker Sathivellu, who proudly received the prestigious recognition from Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh.
“The ratings play a big part in our education system because it is a show of the quality of our education.
“From the ratings, students can pick and choose which college to attend,” Idris said.
Other KDU representatives at the event were assistant registrar Nur Admi Kemalawati Mohamad Nawawi and senior external relations executive of the vicechancellor’s office Mohd Nazri Mohd Ramli.
Held biennially since 2011, MyQUEST is a rating system developed by the ministry to gauge the quality level of private colleges in Malaysia.
With a score ranging from one to six stars, the system shows that this year’s results exemplified improved performances.
According to the organiser, the evaluation of private colleges was aimed at driving improvements in quality through developmental approaches, rating and selfassessment.
MyQUEST is also part of the objective to achieve the Key Result Area (KRA) for the ministry in improving the country’s quality of education.
MyQUEST quality checks allow colleges to monitor and improve compliance and deficiencies.
In turn, the improvements will assist colleges to be competitive and sustainable.
The rating will assist the public in making informed decisions about choosing quality providers and study programmes.
For the 2016/2017 term, over 300 private colleges registered with the Department of Higher Education to join the rating system.
Out of this number, 276 colleges qualified to be audited, but only 206 agreed to be rated.
Besides KDU, there were another 62 colleges or 31% qualifiers that received a fivestar rating.
The rating criteria was based on the overall score and a reflection of the college as an entity in the following five areas – students (10%), resources (30%), Quality Management System (QMS, 30%), programme recognition (10%) and graduate recognition (20%).
Established in 1983, KDU College offers quality international programmes with great student experience through its partnership with top universities around the world.
Its close collaboration with topranking foreign university and education partners also ensures students of globally recognised preuniversity and bachelor degree qualifications that are equivalent to those awarded by the partners’ home campuses.
Thus, KDU students have the best of both worlds at their doorstep.
Being a fivestar rating private institution, KDU College is entitled to special privileges such as immigration green lane, the ability to franchise its programmes and acquire sponsored students from selected agencies and a reputation as one of the top colleges in Malaysia.
Prior to this, KDU had been awarded the Putra Brand Award 2017, The Edge Malaysia Pioneer Development Award 2017 and The BrandLaureate Most Sustainable Brand Award 20162017.
The MyQUEST fivestar rating is the icing on the cake for KDU’s fruitful year.
KDU is having its Open Day from now till Jan 29.
■ To find out more about KDU, log on to www.kdu.edu.my or call 035565 0538 (KDU University College, Utropolis, Glenmarie) or 037953 6688 (KDU College, Damansara Jaya).