Never too late
O MSU continues to widen access to higher education for adult learners
ICON Lau Ay Kuen made up his mind to pursue a Diploma in Translation and Interpreting at Management and Science University (MSU). He has a sound background as a translator and interpreter with 20 years of experience, including four years of teaching Mandarin and English in secondary school after graduating with a basic teaching certificate from Maktab Perguruan Ipoh in 1991.
After many years in Sabah, he returned to his home town in Tanjung Malim, Perak to look after his mother, and at the same time explore other opportunities available.
Knowing well his skills and capabilities in translation and interpreting, the family members encouraged him to get a formal certificate from a qualified institution.
His search for higher institutions that offered courses related to translation and interpreting eventually led him to MSU.
Lau explained: “The flexible learning mode at MSU gives me the freedom and allows me to learn at my own pace, which is within the academic timetable and can be done at any time from any place.
“As I am self-employed, flexible learning provides me with full control and accountability for learning and to balance with other commitments. Rather than having to attend classes as a requirement of conventional learning, I am able to decide and allocate time to study at my convenience.
“The biggest challenge is always meeting deadlines on assignments and tasks from the lecturers. Overall, I really enjoyed the experiences, including being surrounded by much younger colleagues and classmates.”
Being an adult learner with a greater sense of maturity along with long life experiences, Lau is more likely to be focused, motivated and achievement-oriented.
All the hard work was worthwhile when he received the President’s List Award from the university as an acknowledgement of his strong will and ability to maintain his excellent grades.
Among the materials that he had translated include testimonies from magazines, fiction, novels, inspirational quotes, business writeups and research papers.
He is also a certified HRDF trainer. His experience as a teacher also has offered him the opportunity to teach Mandarin at MSU.
“It was an honour to serve the university because teaching is my true passion, and I always enjoy sharing knowledge with others. Hopefully, I can work until my very last breath to benefit more people around me.”
There’s one Chinese proverb that always reminds and inspires him that no one is too old to learn something new. The proverb says: “Live until you’re old, study until you’re old.”
As for Lau, earning this diploma will never stop him from learning and moving forward. Age is just a number, and he would like to pursue more success in the future.
Management and Science
University (MSU) through the Continuing & Extended Education Centre (CEdEC) offers breakthrough ways for working adults wishing to further their studies as well as enhance their skills and knowledge.
A wide range of programmes is offered with the student’s convenience as well as their educational and professional backgrounds in mind.
Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) returns opportunities lost to education put on hold, with flexible learning at MSU.
Introduced and approved by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), APEL widens access to higher education for adult learners who are richly work-experienced yet lack academic qualifications. The APEL C pathway provides credit transfer for entry into diploma programmes right up to PhD.
APEL C or Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning via Credit Transfer allows the assessment of credits against matching modules in a programme of study. Once an APEL C applicant’s competency level is determined, those credits can shorten his or her entire study duration considerably, saving time and money.
Another flexible option for adult learners to pursue their education is a micro-credential programme. Its offer offers industry in-demand programmes that provide flexible and made easy learning assessments that shall fulfil his or her needs for comprehensive education in preferred areas of study. These stackable programmes will allow for exemptions into academic programmes at MSU.
Lifelong learners from all walks of life may access MSU’s range of undergraduate as well as postgraduate programmes, and choose from a variety of study modes to fit their situation best: whether to attend classes on the weekdays, the weekends, or in the evenings or to opt for virtual learning that runs via video conference supported by online discussion.
For a full range and information on flexible programmes offered at MSU, please call 03-5521 6868, email enquiry@msu.edu.my, or visit www.msu.edu.my