VIRTUAL TOUR
2011
5 AprUCSI UNIVERSITY ENHANCES ‘UNIVERSITY LIFE’ BY EMBRACING THE COMMUNITY
UCSI University first year students explaining their project to one of the judges during the 'University Life' final showcase
A UCSI University first year student sharing a light moment with the judges during the 'University Life' final showcase
A UCSI University International student explaining his groups project to one of the judges during the 'University Life' final showcase
| UCSI UNIVERSITY ENHANCES ‘UNIVERSITY LIFE’ BY EMBRACING THE COMMUNITY | |
| 05 APR 2011 | |
A UCSI University first year student sharing a light moment with the judges during the 'University Life' final showcase
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| Kuala Lumpur, 05 April, 2011 - Over 300 UCSI University first year students filled up its Multi-purpose Hall as they showcased part of their final assessment projects for a community-based subject known as ‘University Life’. Complete with videos, pictures and colourful posters, the main aim of the course was to inculcate community service within these students, as well as enhance co-operation with classmates of different nationalities, while cultivating creativity in their coursework, and learning vital operational skills, as part of their initiation into university. Transcending classroom borders, ‘University Life’ aligns with UCSI University’s aspirations to provide a blended learning environment to its students by incorporating theoretical coursework with practical opportunities in availing them a potential learning environment which is more sustainable and ever growing. Amongst the few projects presented were visits to charity homes, environmental rallies, study-skill exercises and awareness campaigns. The groups were evaluated based on their creativity, team cohesion and most importantly, their effectiveness in utilising the knowledge and skills learnt throughout the duration of the course. The judges comprised faculty lecturers who visited the booths on that day. Emerging as the best group, ‘Epistemophilia,’ meaning the love for knowledge, was thrilled to be recognised for their efforts in creating awareness on personal safety in preventing accidents and untoward incidents through their series of homemade videos as part of their campaign. Team leader, Lee Siew Wei, a Biotechnology student at the University said they thought this was a good cause as many students took this issue lightly and ignored precautions until it was too late. “We wanted our peers to understand the importance of personal safety and how it also affects the people around them,” she added. One group focused on ‘Discovering & Expanding Proper Study Skills & Techniques’ to provide students with effective learning skills. Among the techniques discussed were creative thinking and problem solving as part of diversifying the learning experience. Several students participated in the simple memory and mind-mapping games at the group’s booth and were pleasantly surprised at how fun it could be. Mohamed Abdalla of Sudan from the group ‘Pocket Savers,’ said that he enjoyed participating in this project as it enabled him to meet more people to gain better understanding of the spending habits of the local people in Malaysia. Where else, Intesh Chooah from Mauritius said that his group enjoyed going to the Ti-Ratana Old Folks Home as part of their project. “The people in the home did not usually receive foreign visitors, so they were rather cautious at first but then they eventually warmed up to us and extended lots of interesting advise,” he said. Another group named D.A.R.E (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) visited Petros Residential, a half-way home for ex-prisoners and former residents of government drug rehabilitation centres across the country, in efforts to understand the focus for their research, which was to raise awareness on the social and health problems caused by drug abuse, as well as to promote better understanding of the drug phenomenon. A ‘video trailer’ was also displayed as a teaser that would make way for the full length video that would soon be posted on Facebook and Youtube to garner a wider audience. Meanwhile, many groups endeavoured to raise awareness on green energy, eco-knowledge and organic living. Lee Hui Ling, who was part of the group, ‘Organic Lifestyle,’ said, “I am very excited about the project and what I had learnt from the organic farm we visited.” “Now I know there are many organic options available to lead a healthy lifestyle”. On a similar note, Rohini Dewi from the ‘Eco-enzyme’ group said, “This project has given me the opportunity to save the environment and educate others on an affordable way to do it”. Many of the students were delighted to be part of such a project and expressed their intent to continue their efforts even after its completion. Christine Wong, Manager of the University’s Centre for Learning Excellence (CLE), reiterated the University’s stand in enhancing student experience both in and outside the classroom to give them a well-rounded education. “University life is not just about academics but also involves being in touch with the surrounding community, as well as the multinational community within”. “We want the students to enjoy their time here as part of their life experience and to further practise what they had learnt,” she added. ‘University Life’, taken by all first year students at UCSI University, was introduced by CLE in January last year. Presently, students from three faculties, namely, the Faculty of Management & Information Technology (FoMIT), the Faculty of Applied Sciences, and the Faculty of Music, Social Sciences and Design, have undertaken the subject which CLE plans to introduce in stages to the other faculties. Modules in the subject are designed to instil students with important values such as respect, tolerance and recognition, and appreciation of each other’s differences. The subject also teaches students basic skills they could use for the rest of their lives, such as identifying learning styles, learning effective study techniques, note-taking skills, presentation skills, listening and memory skills, as well as different methods to prepare for examinations. | |
