KOLEJ DISTED-STAMFORD NEWS
26 June 2009

Change of guard at DISTED

After a 5½ years change-packed stint, Dato’ Dr Chong Eng Keat will retire as DISTED College president on 1 July 2009. His position will be taken over by the college’s vice-president Dr Koo Wee Kor. 

DISTED staff held a farewell gathering in his honour at the college on 26 June 2009.

Dr Chong assumed the post of president and CEO of DISTED in November 2003 after 22 years of illustrious career with Intel where he started up Intel Kulim in 1995 as the pioneer managing director and retired in 2002 as the vice-president and general manager of Intel’s Worldwide Board and Systems Operations.

DISTED president Dato' Dr Chong Eng Keat (left) bidding farewell to lecturers (from right) Rosalie Tan Ying Yann, Jamaeeyah Jamal, Lucy Chin Soon Sim and Tan Siew Gaik.

Under his action-oriented leadership, DISTED underwent a re-building and re-branding experience that fruitfully led to wider academic offerings, better teaching and learning facilities, redefined quality systems and processes and steady increases in student enrolments. 

In moving forward, Dr Chong, the third president of DISTED, developed new partnerships with reputable local and foreign universities to offer new programmes and re-designed existing programmes to keep up with changing demands of commerce and industry. 

His vision spurred the introduction of Multimedia University foundation and degree courses in electronics engineering, the HELP University College psychology degree programme and the 3+0 UK’s Staffordshire University business degree courses. 

Apart from building renovations, classroom retrofitting, landscaping upgrading and wi-fi service expansion, the highlights of his tenure included new facilities such as the training kitchen and alfresco café for hospitality students and the English e-learning studio. 

DISTED vice-president Dr Koo Wee Kor (right) presenting a memento of remembrance to retiring president Dato' Dr Chong Eng Keat at the farewell gathering.

Checking through his farewell present, DISTED president Dato' Dr Chong Eng Keat (left) shares a light moment with vice-president Dr Koo Wee Kor (centre) and business develoment and quality assurance manager Josephine Chan Ie Lyn.

Dr Chong, who holds a BSc (Hons) from the apex-status Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and a PhD in chemistry from Australian National University, steered the college to provide industry-relevant programmes and also, to develop and mould the students, and provide them with a vibrant, diverse and enriching experience beyond academic excellence.  

The holistic and meaningful DISTED educational experience is envisioned in his various enriching initiatives: 

· The DISTED Industry Advisory Panels that have been set up for the college to keep closer touch with industry players and promote ‘employability by design’ for its graduates.

· The DISTED INSPiRE programme to maximise exposure of students to industry and business leaders and landscapes.

· The DISTED CONNECT programme which promotes a caring community culture.

· The Let’s Go Green Campaign to mould environmentally friendly and responsible citizens and develop leadership in environmental conservation. 

DISTED president Dato' Dr Chong Eng Keat (right) giving his farewell speech to the college staff.

Dr Chong will also be cherished for his efforts to assist students in need of financial aid to study at DISTED. With the support of the Wawasan Education Foundation, the Yeap Chor Ee Charitable Trust and industry partners, more than RM3 million worth of scholarships were disbursed during his term of office. 

His successor, Dr Koo joined DISTED as vice-president in July 2004. Since then, they have been working hand-in-glove to bring the college to greater heights. 

Dr Koo, who earned a BSc (Hons) from USM and a PhD from Australian National University, is a Fellow of the Institute of Physics Malaysia.  

He was a lecturer and head of theoretical physics at USM before venturing into private higher education management in 1996 garnering vast experiences as head of KDU College Penang, KDU College principal and CEO, and INTI College Malaysia vice-president.  

By his taking over the reign as the fourth president, DISTED is poised to advance its position as a premier college that serves the needs of the industry and the community.

DISTED president Dato' Dr Chong Eng Keat in a conversation with library assistant Abdul Rashid Abdul Kadir (left) and School of Pre-University Studies head Dr Teo Soon Beng at his farewell party.