Global Engagement Day VIPs and guests.

Senior Professor Dato’ Dr Khalid Yusoff giving a speech at the memorable event.

The launching of Global Engagement Day.

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UCSI University’s newly rebranded Global Engagement Office (GEO) is the springboard for students towards international studies. As the focal point for UCSI students who aspire to study abroad, it offers more than a hundred pathways to reputable universities in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Ireland and other countries.

GEO has put in place several goals to usher in a world of possibilities. One of it is this inaugural Global Engagement Day. The event featured more than 26 world leading universities showcasing various aspects related to studying abroad at Le Quadri Hotel’s Grand Ballroom.

Themed “Be Connected. Go Global”, the two-day event was tailored to assist students to decide suitable education pathways from UCSI. Besides hosting a Study Abroad fair, the event also showcased sharing sessions of students who have traveled abroad to study.

These specially selected students expounded academically and personally on what their experience was like abroad and they were altogether a source of encouragement and support to current students. 

Other than that, the event enabled students to explore programmes, speak with advisors, get to know the faculties and learn more about scholarships to pursue their studies internationally.

This event was an ideal platform for parents, students and academics to converge and share experiences and insights and get up-to date information on the available education pathways and opportunities provided by UCSI.

“Through this Global Engagement Day, I have no doubt that we are in the right path to achieve greater heights in the foreseeable future, for the benefit of our students here and overseas,” said UCSI University’s Vice-Chancellor and President Senior Professor Dato’ Dr Khalid Yusoff.

The launch of GED was officiated by esteemed guests which included Hainan Tropical Ocean University vice-president Yang Ziju, Beijing Geely University president Professor Dr Hou Weidong, Embassy of Finland (in Malaysia) Deputy Head  of Mission Teemu Laakkonen, UCSI Group founder and CEO Dato’ Peter Ng, and senior vice-president of the Global Engagement Office Willie Tan.

In his keynote speech, Laakkonen shared his insights by saying, “If students are unable to solve problems on their own or are unable to adapt to changes while at school, they are most likely going to be jobless later on.”

Essentially, Laakkonen said the education system of a country must provide a wholesome learning experience for students to be creative and innovative.  

“Technology is evolving rapidly. The fourth industrial revolution is profoundly impacting almost every aspect of humankind and in all sectors. The question is: How can the education system remain relevant?” he asked.

“The key is none other than to espouse creativity in the teaching system; because only a creative mind can solve problems and adapt to changes. On that note, even Plato once said, ‘Do not train a child to learn by force or harshness; but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each,” he said.

Aside from creativity, Laakkonen asserted that the government must give sufficient emphasis on teachers’ welfare.

In Finland, he said, teachers must possess a Master’s degree qualification at least, adding that it was also a well-paid profession. His presentation focused on the success factors, challenges, and renewal of education in the context of learning 21st century competencies.

The basics of educational system in Finland are the underlying values of basic human rights, equality, democracy, biodiversity and environmental conservation, as well as, the viability of multiculturalism and its approval.

At the event, Laakkonen applauded UCSI University for employing exceptional lecturers.

“This is indeed the way to go. Quality teachers produce quality people. It is obvious that the tremendously skilled team of lecturers at UCSI are among the key contributors to the University’s ranking as the number one private university in Malaysia,” he relayed.

UCSI University’s Global Engagement Office (GEO) functions as a one-stop-centre that assists you with counselling, visa assistance, and credit transfers. As part of its primary task to lead the development of international strategy for UCSI — a fundamental component of the University’s strategic plan — GEO oversees transnational education and collaboration.

To put matters into perspective, GEO strives to increase the flexibility of international opportunities for UCSI students to study abroad and subsequently ensure they secure professional careers.

UCSI University, having been distinguished as Malaysia’s best private university in the QS World University Rankings 2019, has also been constantly sending its students to world best universities like Harvard, Imperial College London, Tsinghua, The University of Chicago and the University of Queensland to advance high impact research programmes.

Through GEO, it is evident that students will be exposed to more opportunities of studying abroad. This will greatly enhance their study portfolio and will give them the experience and knowledge they need to further their career.

They will also be exposed to different cultures and ways of learning which will enable them to broaden their horizons and help in building networks. Essentially, they will have a more enriching and holistic study experience.