Inter-Discovery at DISTED 2025: A Celebration of Language, Culture, and Connection
From 30 April to 9 May 2025, DISTED College had the privilege of hosting 40 students and 3 teachers from Benjamarachutit Pattani School, Thailand under the Inter-Discovery Programme, an initiative designed to promote cross-cultural engagement and immersive English language learning. Anchored in our commitment to inclusiveness and holistic education, the programme aimed to provide students with first-hand exposure to Malaysian culture, academic enrichment, and the experience of independent living. Throughout the 10-day programme, Thai students participated in interactive lessons, collaborative activities with DISTED students, and cultural excursions around Penang. The programme not only enhanced language acquisition but also forged friendships across borders. The outcome was a vibrant, student-centred exchange that received an average satisfaction rating of 88.04%, affirming its success as an educational and cultural milestone. The closing activities on campus included a water balloon event and a prize-giving session for the top three student groups, based on lecturer evaluations. These final moments reflected the heart of the Inter-Discovery Programme — laughter, learning, and lasting cross-border friendships.
Behind the Scenes: A Reflection by the Project Manager
Planning began as early as November 2024, with full confirmation received after Chinese New Year. Upon their arrival at the train station in Penang, I was honoured to welcome the students personally. Despite starting their journey at 4:00 a.m. Malaysian time, they arrived with cheerful spirits. Balancing this project alongside other responsibilities was a learning curve, but with the support of DISTED’s academic and non-academic teams, we managed to deliver a rich and engaging experience. Staff members generously volunteered their time to conduct specialised lessons, and students engaged actively throughout the programme.
Message from Ms Pitchaya, Special Master Teacher, Benjamarachutit Pattani School
“Bringing students to the English Language Camp Programme at DISTED was the right decision. They learnt a lot, gained confidence, and experienced life abroad through their stay at SPACE Residence. Thank you to all speakers and administrators. The students were truly happy.”
Jesscia Ang
Project Coordinator
Registrar
Remarks from the President
Reflections on Collaboration, Care, and Excellence
The campus settled into a quieter rhythm this week following the departure of our InterDiscovery Camp guests from Thailand. With the weekend and Wesak Day holiday, our colleagues and students had a well-deserved opportunity to rest and reflect. Meanwhile, the Cambridge A-Levels examinations resumed at DISTED.
Looking back on the previous week, what stood out most was not just the spirit of collaboration, but also the deep sense of care and commitment to excellence shown by our team. Managing a lively group of young visitors is no small task, yet our students and staff did so with professionalism, warmth, and generosity. The glowing feedback from our Thai guests is a testament to that.
Wesak Day served as a timely reminder of the values we uphold at DISTED: a commitment to lifelong learning, a safe and supportive environment, and relationships grounded in respect and care. Let us continue to think good thoughts, speak good words, and do good deeds.
Last but not least, at DISTED, while students are at the heart of all we do, it is our teachers who make it possible to deliver care, integrity, inclusiveness, collaboration, and excellence. We deeply appreciate the dedication, passion, and commitment of all our lecturers. Happy Teachers’ Day.
Dato’ Lim Si Boon
Interim President
Business Meets Frosting: A Sweet Fusion of Creativity and Commerce
The School of Business and Hospitality recently hosted 40 enthusiastic students from Thailand for an engaging and hands-on workshop, designed to ignite creativity and entrepreneurial thinking.
Throughout the session, students participated in a variety of exciting activities, including cake decorating, learning the intricacies of pricing their products, and creating TikTok videos to promote their work. The workshop aimed to equip students with essential entrepreneurial skills while fostering teamwork, communication, and innovative thinking. Leading the cake decoration showcase was our very own Chef Chan.
Working in teams, students brought their ideas to life and presented their creations to a panel of guest judges. Along the way, they gained valuable insights into cost-based pricing, marketing strategies, and the influential role of social media in modern business.
The students also had the chance to explore Malaysia’s rich food culture, sharing stories behind local favourites such as Char Koay Teow, Penang Laksa, and Kuih Seri Muka.
By the end of the workshop, the atmosphere was filled with laughter, pride, and newfound confidence – a sweet reminder that learning can be as enjoyable as it is enriching.
School of Business and Hospitality Team
Drama and Language: A Cultural Exchange with Thai Summer Camp Students
On 3 May 2025, DISTED College welcomed 40 students from Pattani, Thailand as part of its Thai Summer Camp initiative. A two-hour session titled Drama and Games: English the Creative Way was facilitated by Ms Ugartini Magesvaran and Ms Noriah Kallanjiam from the School of Communication and General Studies. This session aimed to immerse the students in English language learning through culturally embedded, interactive approaches. Participants were divided into five groups, each comprising eight students, and began the session with a fast-paced ice breaker titled “Freeze Frame.” The game involved holding poses and guessing group names, which immediately encouraged laughter and team bonding.
The core activity revolved around storytelling and performance. Students were given a traditional Thai story and were tasked with performing it in English. This involved not only acting but also conveying character emotions, narrative flow, and dialogue in a second language. By incorporating role-play and performance into language use, students were given a practical and meaningful way to develop their English-speaking skills in a supportive and lively setting. This method offered numerous benefits. Beyond language acquisition, it fostered creativity, cultural reflection, and teamwork. The students demonstrated increased confidence and engagement, highlighting the effectiveness of experiential learning in language education.
Such initiatives reflect DISTED’s commitment to intercultural exchange and its dedication to fostering dynamic, student-centred learning environments. Programmes like these serve to strengthen regional ties while offering participants authentic, memorable experiences that go beyond the classroom.
Ugartini Magesvaran, Programme Lead & Lecturer
Noriah Kallanjiam, Lecturer
School of Communication and General Studies
Mind,Create,Shine: a day of psychological exploration with thai students
On 8 May 2025, the School of Psychology hosted 40 vibrant Thai students (aged 14) at DISTED College for a dynamic and engaging session as part of the Inter-Discovery with DISTED Penang programme. Themed “Race, Create, Shine!”, the activities were crafted to nurture creativity, foster teamwork, and build self-confidence through hands-on learning.
The day kicked off with the popular Marshmallow Challenge—an activity that tested each team’s ingenuity and collaboration skills. Armed with spaghetti, tape, string, and a marshmallow, students raced to build the tallest free-standing structure. Though towers toppled and strategies faltered, the students remained resilient, adaptable, and full of laughter.
This was followed by the high-energy Create-a-Game session. Teams used everyday items—cups, spoons, balloons, hoops, rubber bands—to invent original games, complete with rules and live demonstrations, all presented in English. The activity sparked creative thinking and gave students an enjoyable platform to practice communication in a second language.
In the afternoon, the mood shifted to quiet reflection during Tote Bag Designing. Armed with fabric markers, students expressed themselves on blank canvas bags. Their colourful, thoughtful designs captured personal experiences and cultural identity.
Throughout the day, the students demonstrated curiosity, creativity, and joy. The Psychology team was proud to facilitate this memorable journey—one that showcased the power of experiential learning beyond the classroom.
Thiresyinie A/P Tamil Chelvam
Lecturer, School of Psychology
Seeing Through a New Lens: Creative Smartphone Photography at DISTED Thai Camp
As part of the Thai Camp 2025 hosted by DISTED College, students took part in a creative smartphone photography workshop that encouraged them to explore the world around them through a fresh lens. Using only their mobile phones, participants learned how everyday environments can become the canvas for compelling visual stories.
Students then worked in small groups to experiment with these techniques in real-time. Each group selected their best photos and shared them with the others, explaining their compositional choices, lighting techniques, and creative intent. This reflective sharing session helped reinforce key concepts while fostering presentation and collaboration skills. The workshop was not only technically enriching but also personally transformative. Many students noted how they began noticing details in their environment they had previously overlooked — small changes in light, interesting textures, or natural patterns.
What started as a photography exercise became a lesson in mindfulness and visual storytelling. This interactive session was a standout experience within Thai Camp, demonstrating DISTED’s commitment to combining creativity with practical learning. It proved that anyone with a smartphone and a curious eye has the potential to tell meaningful stories through images.
Zaki Zakaria
Lecturer, School of Communication, Arts and Multimedia
The Fashion of Speaking: A Public Speaking Workshop
Communication is often described as a fundamental life skill, but few experiences allow students to truly internalise that means. As part of Thai Camp at DISTED College, a public speaking workshop invited students to rethink how we express ourselves—not just through words, but through creativity, confidence, and teamwork. The session began with an activity titled Building Through Barriers, where students used LEGO bricks to construct objects based on verbal instructions. What appeared simple soon revealed communication gaps: unclear directions, assumptions, and different interpretations. Through trial and reflection, students began to see how essential listening, patience, and collaborative problem-solving are to successful interaction.
The second half of the session offered a surprising twist: a fashion design challenge using only crepe paper. Students were asked to build their own brand identity and create a fashion piece to reflect it. The grand finale was a runway walk—not just a showcase of creativity, but an expression of self-assurance. More than a light-hearted activity, the runway became a metaphor for public speaking itself. Students had to present themselves, carry their ideas forward, and walk with conviction—just as they would when speaking before an audience.
This workshop demonstrated that communication is not limited to speeches and debates. It includes body language, design, imagination, and shared experience. Through every challenge, the students learned to break through communication barriers and speak with purpose—one step, or one stride, at a time.
Kesvhinee Ravinthran
Lecturer, School of Pre-University Studies
Lights, Camera, Confidence
On 6 May 2025, the School of Communication, Arts and Multimedia took the lead, offering two interactive sessions designed to enhance students’ English skills and creative thinking through media production. The first session, Short Video Creation, was led by Ms Siti Nur Ayunie. Students explored the campus while filming short videos highlighting their experience at DISTED. In groups, they planned, shot, and edited their content in under one hour, then uploaded the final video to Instagram and tagged @DCLIVE_CLUB. Students were required to introduce themselves and their video objectives in English, supporting both language practice and confidence building.
The second session, the TikTok Challenge, was facilitated by Ms Nadia Jefri. Students selected an English song and performed it with either original choreography or a trending TikTok routine. They had 30 minutes to prepare, followed by a recording session in DISTED’s professional Multimedia Studio. The activity offered a fun platform to improve pronunciation and express creativity, while also giving students hands-on exposure to the College’s media production facilities.
Facilitators and student helpers guided students throughout, ensuring a supportive learning experience. The activities not only sparked creativity and laughter but also left students with lasting memories of their visit to DISTED. More than just entertainment, these workshops reflected DISTED’s commitment to engaging, student-centred education—where language and creativity come together to build confidence, communication, and cross-cultural friendships.
Siti Nur Ayunie
Lecturer, School of Communication, Arts and Multimedia
Exploring Georgetown: Cultural Connections Beyond Language
Over the weekend, we had the privilege of accompanying a group of Thai exchange students on a cultural excursion through Georgetown, a town celebrated for its heritage and diversity. The aim was to foster cross-cultural friendships while introducing our guests to the local way of life. Although language barriers were evident at the start, they quickly gave way to creative communication. Gestures, shared laughter, and visual cues took centre stage, especially during group activities like the treasure hunt. As the day unfolded, students bonded over street art, photography, and conversations—both verbal and non-verbal. By the end of the outing, many of us had exchanged basic English and Thai phrases, and more importantly, shared meaningful experiences. The excursion not only introduced our guests to local heritage but also exemplified DISTED’s belief that learning is most powerful when it is immersive, human, and inclusive.
Dr. Kam Yew Chee
Senior Lecturer
School of Pre-University Studies
Create and Animate: A Stop Motion Workshop for Young Creators
Students participating in the Inter-Discovery Week at DISTED College took part in an immersive Stop Motion Animation Workshop, aimed at introducing young international learners to the fundamentals of visual storytelling and animation.
Conducted in two sessions, the workshop began with an introduction to key animation styles including Claymation, Cut-out Animation, and Object Animation. Using simple materials like toys, clay, and paper, students learned to express their ideas through stop motion, developing storyboards and short dialogues in English along the way. The collaborative format encouraged not only artistic expression but also practical language development and teamwork. In the afternoon, each group used the Stop Motion Studio app to transform their storyboards into animated clips. Students applied essential storytelling components — character, conflict, and resolution — as they moved from concept to final product. This digital element allowed them to experiment with camera framing, sequencing, and timing. The workshop ended with a screening of each group’s animated video. Students shared their creative processes and received feedback in an encouraging environment. Three teams were recognised with awards for originality and effort.
This activity exemplified DISTED’s commitment to creative education, blending technology, communication, and collaboration. For many of the participants, it was their first experience with animation — and it sparked both joy and curiosity. The Stop Motion Workshop did more than teach animation. It became a space where language, imagination, and intercultural learning met in motion.
Khairu Nisa Bt Wazir
Lecturer, School of Communication, Arts and Multimedia
