Diploma pathway to reputable foreign IT degrees
oNE of the many reasons 20-something students Xuan Po and Wendy Leong decided to pursue their Diploma in Computer Science at HELP College of Arts and Technology (HELP CAT), Fraser Business Park, Kuala Lumpur, in April 2013 was to take advantage of the many pathways available to complete their IT degree.
Among the pathways is entry into the second year of Anglia Ruskins University (ARU) UK, 3+0 IT degree programmes, available at HELP CAT.
The same arrangement applies for University of Southern Australia, empowering HELP CAT Diploma holders with an IT degree within four years.
For the University of Queensland (UQ), qualifying diploma students can enter the third year of their degree programmes in IT.
If students start college after their SPM or O-Levels, HELP CAT is one of the few colleges able to provide IT degrees from a foreign university within a short period of time. This means savings in costs and time.
According to senior lecturer for HELP CAT John David, the diploma programme has been ongoing for 10 years, conducted in small classes for optimum teaching.
Over the years, it has gained a reputation for providing pathways to reputable universities.
Currently, two IT diplomas are available: the Diploma in Business Information Systems and the Diploma in Computer Science – both covering a period of two years and four months, including internship.
HELP CAT Diploma in Computer Science students are in demand in the industry because of their strong Java programming skills, according to David.
The Diploma in Computer Science, pursued by Xuan Po and Wendy Leong, covers programming database languages such as Java, HTML, C, C++, Javascript and HTML Networking, as well as Web Development and Multimedia.
Both are currently undergoing internships at popular online shopping portal zalora.com. my and enjoying the experience.
“While working, we learn PHP, a new programming language, and have been tasked with creating a new inventory system for asset tracking to prevent loss and theft,” said Xuan Po, who intends to complete her IT degree at HELP CAT, with the ARU 3+0 pathway.
The second diploma programme, Business Information Systems, has a comprehensive programme structure, with 15 subjects in Year One and 12 subjects in Year Two. Students develop skills in running and designing software as well as business management skills.
According to David, the three-month internship built into the diploma programme gives students the opportunity of obtaining hands-on skills, thus exposing them to realworld experiences.
David, who deals with enquiries from potential employers in the IT industry, says that HELP CAT Diploma graduates are offered higher salaries due to their skills and competencies. Intakes for the diploma programmes are in January, April and August.
As part of the articulation with ARU, students pursuing the Bachelor of Science (Hons) programme can opt for a two-week study tour of ARU, in scenic Cambridge.
It is fully paid with accommodation, and exposes students to ARU faculty members, to experience the intellectual ambience of this university.
One of the largest UK public universities, ARU has been offering BSc (Hons) in Computer Science and BSc (Hons) in Business Information Systems (BIS) since June 2014, to those in HELP CAT pursuing the diploma programme.
For further enquiries, call 03-2788 2000, e-mail enquiry@helpcat.edu.my or visit