Launch pad for academic success
GAINING an excellent qualification and achieving career success may be important to many parents and students when considering a higher education provider.
And in the search for a top quality tertiary institution, there is no substitute for reputation.
A foundation programme or undergraduate degree from the University of Reading (UoR) is a trusted mark of academic achievement and the starting point of a satisfying and rewarding career.
The University of Reading Malaysia (UoRM) is the first overseas campus of the University of Reading in the UK.
It is located in EduCity, in the heart of the fast developing economic region known as Iskandar Puteri in Johor and a short drive from the Second Link to Singapore.
UoR has a rich heritage dating back over 150 years and together with its world-leading Henley Business School – which has been operating for over 70 years – is ranked among the top 200 universities in the world according to the QS World University Rankings 2018. Its long established reputation for academic excellence and student support means well-motivated and hard-working students will get a head start to their degree when they complete a foundation programme.
Rewarding excellence
UoR rewards its brightest students by offering a range of scholarships, bursaries and fee discounts.
Students who demonstrate exemplary academic ability and results will automatically receive generous scholarships when they enrol in the Foundation Programme with their O-Levels and SPM results.
Students are also eligible for the Provost’s Award, which offers high achieving students the equivalent of a 100% scholarship towards their fees.
Those who demonstrate academic success and progress to an undergraduate degree at UoRM are also eligible for a variety of High Achiever Scholarships.
UoRM students are also eligible to apply for a wide range of external scholarships being offered by organisations including Khazanah Watan, Great Eastern, Gamuda Land, The Star and more.
Provost Award scholars experience confidence boost
UoRM strives to nurture ambition and fuel students on their path to success by providing them with an international array of expert lecturers and academicians – most of whom are PhD holders and active researchers – and a purposebuilt campus with classrooms equipped with the latest technology and software programmes.
Provost Award recipients Elaine Tan Shu Min, Phoebe Phua Wey Wei and Khoo Xin Hui, all aged 19, concur that not only does the university offer an excellent standard of education but receiving the Provost’s Award has bolstered their academic success and encouraged them to become outstanding role models.
“The Provost’s Award has not only helped me financially but also boosted my confidence and motivated me to do well in my studies,” asserted second year management and business degree student Phua, who hails from Kuching, Sarawak.
“Receiving the Provost’s Award has given me more confidence in myself as I have achieved something I thought was impossible in the past.
“I am now more courageous and willing to try something new as I discover more of my interests and capabilities,” said first-year management and business degree student Khoo from Johor Baru.
Foundation in Science graduate Tan, from Batu Pahat, plans to progress to the Pharmacy 2+2 degree at UoRM.
She adds that the scholarship has reduced the financial burden on her parents and inspired her to aim higher.
“Receiving this award meant I could focus on my studies and give all my attention to it without worrying about fees. This has also helped me to achieve better results.”
According to Khoo, studying at UoRM has helped her personal development and given her a competitive advantage.
“I have made a lot of friends from different cultures and backgrounds, who are all very supportive of each other.
“The majority of friends I have made are also studying towards a business degree and are hoping to become business people. This has enabled me to establish a strong network which I am sure will be an important asset in my future career.
“I have also learnt to be critical in my thinking – not only is this skill essential in life but also in the workforce where being different gives you an edge over competitors.”
Phua was grateful for the opportunities she has gained, saying the range of activities and events she participated in exceeded expectations.
“There are many ways in which I benefited from studying at UoRM; I learnt how to plan a start-up with my classmates which has potential to become a reality in the future.
“The most unforgettable event I attended was the Global Disruptors Conference held in Singapore in 2017.
“It featured many amazing business leaders including Sir Richard Branson.
“It gave me great insights and taught me so much about business.”
She added that the university’s Enhancement Week activities had given her the chance to learn about employability skills and organise events on campus, as well as being a student ambassador of the STaR (Student Transition at Reading – Malaysia) Mentor Programme have enabled her to hone her communication skills and learn about planning, teamwork and leadership.
“UoRM has presented me with many once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, for example, its partnership with the British Malaysia Chamber of Commerce, to establish a branch in Johor, has enabled a few undergraduate students, including myself, to help run the satellite office on our campus.”
Gain the best of both worlds
UoRM offers students the best of both worlds – the chance to gain an internationally recognised British qualification on Malaysian soil, as well as the chance for students to study part of their degree at the UK campus.
The course content delivered at the Malaysian campus is the same as that offered at the UK campus but UoRM students can enjoy much lower tuition fees, which are set in Malaysian ringgit.
This means that getting a top quality, UK education is now more attainable for those living in Asia.
According to Tan, this was a major factor for her choosing UoRM.
“When I did research on this university, I found that they offer the course I am interested in and there is an opportunity for me to study at their UK campus, so I was very excited about joining UoRM and it is what made me decide to proceed with my studies here.”
In Khoo’s opinion, UoRM is a fun and enjoyable place to study.
She highlighted the clean and green environment and the modern, fully equipped facilities for being conducive to fruitful study and for enhancing her learning.
“I think that having a comfortable campus is very important because a large amount of my time is spent here participating in activities, learning, studying and spending time with friends.”
She adds that the moderate class sizes was another attraction.
“The number of students in each class is ideal as it enables lecturers to be able to focus on all students.
“The university has friendly, experienced lecturers who are qualified and competent, they are always willing to help whenever we face challenges.”
Visit UoRM during Open Day
Parents and students who are interested in finding out more about studying at UoRM may visit http://www.reading.edu.my/openday to view a short video of the university’s provost Prof Tony Downes at the Malaysia campus.
They can also register for the university’s upcoming open days to be held Mar 17 and 24, from 10am-4pm.
Visiting UoRM during an Open Day gave Phua and Tan first-hand experience of what it can offer.
“First of all, I was attracted to the resources at UoRM, for example, how they care about providing students with an environment that is optimised for studying. Upon reflection, this made me think of them as observant and caring and gave me a good impression of the university,” says Tan.
Phua echoed this by saying its location and facilities make it the perfect place to focus on her studies.
“After learning about how UoRM provides top UK education, supported by state-of-the-art facilities, I became more interested.
“With help from the friendly staff, I managed to visit the university and its surroundings. I was taken in by the beauty and cleanliness of the campus.”
UoRM is now receiving applications for its foundation programmes in business and science, which starts on April 9.
Those who apply soon can enjoy a generous discount, while those planning to apply during open days are encouraged to bring a copy of their SPM results.
Visit http://www.reading.edu.my/ open-day to register for an Open
Day.
■ Visit http://www.reading.edu.my,
WhatsApp 016-772 5400 or e-mail my.enquiry@reading.edu.my for details on UoRM and its programmes.