The defining choice
A FOUNDATION programme is one of the many choices a secondary school-leaver can enrol in to begin his tertiary education. SEGI University Centre for Pre-university Studies head Dr Chiong Kai Shing says the programme serves as a bridge between secondary and tertiary education, as the learning systems in these two stages have vast differences.
She says, “Foundation is a blend of teaching styles that range from guiding the student at the start of the programme to promoting independent learning at the end of the course in preparation for a degree programme.”
Checking off the list
As there are abundant choices for foundation programmes in Malaysia, Dr Chiong advises students to do proper research when choosing a foundation programme. Some considerations are:
Degree pathway – The job or career the student aspires to pursue
Assessment structure – Exam-based or continuous assessment-based structures, depending on the student’s preferred style of learning
Types and number of courses – Different universities offer various subjects with differing numbers of credit hours
Accreditation – It is important to double check if the course is accredited before enrolling
Cost – Similar courses could vary vastly in price, especially between public and private institutions
Environment – Be it in a city or rural area, a highly competitive or laidback batch, different environments can impact how students study
The proactive student gets the right course
If you still have doubts after researching and considering these options, Dr Chiong encourages you to attend education fairs to
learn more. “You can gain deeper insight into what universities are offering. It is also easier to make comparisons as all the information you need is congregated in one location.”
Besides that, paying a visit to the institution helps you get a feel for the institution. You can even talk to the academic team or faculty deans.
Dr Chiong says that once a student is enrolled in a foundation programme, it is best to talk to his lecturers when choosing electives to ensure a smooth transition into the degree programme of his choice.
“However, you have to decide what to pursue in the end. It is best to be sure before you enrol in any programme as doing it via trial and error will be a waste of time and money,” she says.
Regarding whether foundation programmes are accepted as an entry
requirement for degree programmes, she advocates proactivity on the part of the student, saying, “Go to the faculty, ask for the entry requirements of the degree programme you want to pursue and find out other criteria such as subjects you must take and the minimum CGPA you must earn.”
A checkpoint on the way to new heights
Dr Chiong regards SPM to be just another assessment in one’s education journey. She opines that while grades are important, it is more important to try your best. For SPM candidates who plan to further their studies, she urges them to plan ahead in choosing a foundation and degree programme so as to not miss intake deadlines that could lead to a delay in education plans.
SEGI offers two main streams of foundation programmes, namely the Foundation in Science (FIS) and Foundation in Arts (FIA). These comprehensive programmes are tailor-made for students interested in either field.
Should a student decide to switch midway through either programme, they are allowed to do so, but are advised to bear in mind the extra time and money they need to spend to redo the foundation programme or take new electives depending on the type of switch.
Dr Chiong suggests the best time of changing courses would be during the first two weeks of course registration, before everything goes full throttle for the semester with assignments and exams.
SEGI also provides free SEGI Enrichment Programmes to develop students’ soft skills. The institution believes in nurturing students into well-rounded individuals. Feedback from students are collected and integrated into the foundation programmes for better learning experiences.