HELP university

Higher education: Facon Education Fair returns

2010/12/04

(From left) Berjaya University College School of Hospitality Management head Christopher Harris, Berjaya University College School of Culinary Arts director Jochen Kern, Mae S. K. Ho, Yap Chen Leong, HELP University College marketing executive Loh Kin Hoo and Chong Sau Mun

THOUSANDS throng the annual Facon Education Fair as it is without doubt a one-stop-centre for information on tertiary education under one roof.

The fair is endorsed by the Higher Education Ministry.

Kicking off on Saturday at Johor Baru, the fair will cover 11 other cities in Peninsular and East Malaysia where school-leavers and working adults will have a chance to meet representatives from institutions of higher learning.

At the Kuala Lumpur event at Putra World Trade Centre on Dec 18 and 19, representatives from HELP University College, BERJAYA University College of Hospitality and Asia Pacific University College of Technology and Innovation (UCTI) will be present.

HELP will be featuring its America Degree Transfer (ADT) programme, among other courses, at the fair.

It is a two-year study that prepares students to complete a Bachelor's degree in the United States or Canada.

"We use an American styled approach specifically designed by experts in various fields," says senior manager Yap Chen Leong.

"That's why our transfer credits are accepted by more than 100 of the best universities and our students become top achievers in academics, industry and life."

Students can also opt to complete the degree in the field of Business, Psychology or Mass Communication at HELP.

"The ADT programme has a unique learning style," adds Yap. "Students learn to observe and analyse a situation, and then solve it. You listen to your classmates and challenge their points of view. In doing so, you gain confidence, critical thinking skills and the ability to organise and present an argument."

Students of BERJAYA University College, however, are exposed to globalisation in a different way.

The university college invites internationally recognised specialists of culinary arts and hospitality as guest lecturers.

"We believe in challenging our students to learn as much as they can from the best of the industry," says chief operating officer Mae S. K. Ho.

"We have brought in celebrity chefs such as Gordon Ramsey, Robert Rainford and Laura Calder to further expose our students to the highest level of industry craftsmanship.

"We immerse our students in their future profession before they even step out into the real world," she adds.

BERJAYA offers programmes under the School of Culinary Arts, School of Business and Management, School of Tourism, Arts and Culture Management and School of Hospitality Management.

At UCTI, learning is not confined to the four walls of the classroom.

"All around the campus, students have access to Wi-fi hotspots to enable them to learn from anywhere at anytime," says marketing operations manager Chong Sau Mun.

Specially designed for student-use are a number of webspace applications such as Learnfinity Online Courseware Community for study materials. Also available is Student Project Management System to manage projects, timetable, results, attendance and the like.

UCTI programmes are quality assured by its international partner universities including Staffordshire University, in the United Kingdom. Staffordshire University is a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities.

"This ensures international recognition and the option to transfer credits to other tertiary institutions internationally," adds Chong.

UCTI offers programmes at several levels and entry points, depending on prior qualification and experience. There is a also a flexibility of choice in its programmes.

Opening hours for the fair are from 11am to 6pm at the Peninsular Malaysia venues and from noon to 4pm at the East Malaysia venues. Admission is free.