Remarks from the President
Dear DISTED Community,
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of a dear friend and benefactor of DISTED College, Datuk Leela Mohd Ali, on 31 July 2026. As the founder of Kelab Penyayang and a custodian of the Tun Endon Scholarship, Datuk Leela dedicated much of her life to serving others and creating opportunities for those in need. We extend our deepest condolences to her family and loved ones during this difficult time.
This week, I found myself reflecting on Datuk Leela’s generosity, resilience, and unwavering commitment to education. Despite being 86 years old, she travelled from Kuala Lumpur to Penang in 2025 to officiate the launch of the Tun Endon Scholarship at DISTED College. Her presence and support left a lasting impression on all who had the privilege of meeting her.
I also hold dear the wisdom she shared with me: “One must make a decision, and one must be able to cope with the consequences of that decision.” These simple yet profound words reflected the strength of character and conviction that she embodied throughout her life.
Just as in every person’s life journey, we encounter many individuals along the way. Some leave a lasting impression, influencing our perspectives and even altering the course of our journey. Datuk Leela was one such person. Through her generosity, compassion, and wisdom, she touched countless lives and inspired those around her to move forward with courage and purpose.
Goodbye, Datuk Leela. You will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.
President
Dato’ Dr (h.c) Lim Si Boon
Young Communicators Take Centre Stage at Mic Drop 2026
The School of Communication, Arts and Multimedia (SCM), DISTED College, marked another successful milestone with the organisation of its flagship outreach event, Mic Drop 2026, on 25 July 2026.
The annual competition brought together aspiring young communicators from more than seven secondary schools across Penang, including SMK Convent Datuk Keramat, SMK Convent Green Lane, SMK Chinese Girls School Pulau Pinang, SMK Abdullah Munshi, Ideas International School, and several others.
This year’s event featured two exciting categories, the Podcasting Challenge and the AI Advertising Challenge, offering participants a platform to demonstrate creativity, critical thinking, storytelling, and digital communication skills. Students impressed the judging panel with innovative campaign concepts, engaging podcast productions, and thoughtful applications of artificial intelligence in content creation.
Centred on the theme “Stand Against Bullying”, the competition encouraged students to address an important social issue through the power of communication and media. Through compelling storytelling and creative campaigns, participants advocated for empathy, respect, inclusivity, and positive digital citizenship, highlighting the role of media as a catalyst for meaningful social change.
The event concluded with the presentation of trophies, hampers, and certificates to winning teams. All participants also received certificates of participation and souvenirs in recognition of their enthusiasm, creativity, and dedication.
More than just a competition, Mic Drop 2026 reflects SCM’s commitment to developing the next generation of ethical, innovative, and socially responsible communicators. By integrating creativity, technology, and social advocacy, the event continues to inspire young talents while strengthening communication competencies that are increasingly relevant in today’s digital landscape.
Nadia Jefri
Head of School, School of Communication, Arts and Multimedia
Visit to Moore Penang
The School of Business and Hospitality recently organised an industrial visit to Moore Penang for Diploma and Degree Accounting students as part of its ongoing commitment to strengthening industry-academia collaboration and providing students with practical exposure to the accounting profession.
The visit was graciously hosted by Mr Tham Shien Hong, Partner of Moore Penang and Industry Advisor to DISTED College. Students were introduced to Moore Malaysia and gained an overview of the firm’s background, professional services, and contributions to businesses across various industries.
During the session, representatives from the firm’s Audit & Assurance and Tax departments shared valuable insights into their areas of expertise. Students learned about client engagements, professional responsibilities, and the day-to-day realities of working in the accounting industry. These discussions helped bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and professional practice, allowing students to better understand how classroom concepts are applied in real-world situations.
The Human Resources team further enriched the experience by providing guidance on career pathways, staff development programmes, employee engagement initiatives, and opportunities for professional growth within the industry. The sharing offered students practical advice on preparing for successful careers in accounting and related fields.
A guided tour of the office provided students with an opportunity to experience a professional working environment and observe the collaborative culture that supports the firm’s operations.
DISTED College extends its sincere appreciation to Moore Penang for its hospitality and insightful sharing. The visit provided meaningful industry exposure and reinforced the importance of professionalism, continuous learning, and lifelong career development in the accounting profession.
Sharizan Abdul Rashid
Programme Lead, School of Business and Hospitality
SACE-I Alumni Share Lessons for Academic Success
Gabriel Lee Jia Wei
Mikaela Kaur
On 2 July 2026, the School of Pre-University organised the SACE-I Alumni Sharing Session: Lessons from High-Achieving SACE Graduates, bringing together current SACE International students for an engaging and inspiring academic enrichment programme.
The session was organised following the release of the latest SACE International examination results and aimed to provide students with practical guidance by learning from alumni who had successfully navigated the programme. Through sharing their personal experiences, study strategies, and examination preparation techniques, the speakers offered valuable insights into achieving academic excellence.
The programme featured two distinguished alumni. Gabriel Lee Jia Wei, who achieved an ATAR of 93.55, earned an A+ in Psychology, and was recognised as one of the Top 2 Psychology students in the Asia region, presented on achieving academic excellence in SACE. He shared effective approaches to study planning, revision, time management, examination preparation, and maintaining motivation throughout the academic year.
The second speaker, Mikaela Kaur, who achieved an ATAR of 83.65, reflected on the importance of consistency, resilience, and perseverance. Drawing from her own experience, she discussed overcoming challenges, developing productive study habits, and preparing for the transition to university.
A highlight of the programme was the interactive question-and-answer session, where students sought advice on revision techniques, balancing academic commitments, managing examination stress, and staying motivated during demanding periods.
The session successfully fostered meaningful engagement between alumni and current students while providing practical strategies for academic success. More importantly, it reinforced the value of peer mentorship and demonstrated how determination, consistent effort, and effective learning strategies can contribute significantly to achieving educational goals.
Nurshakirin Sulaiman
Lecturer, School of Pre-University
OFM 2026 Pre-Departure Training Camp
DISTED College successfully hosted the Malaysian Physics Olympiad (OFM) 2026 Training Camp from 2 to 6 June 2026, providing intensive preparation for Malaysia’s top physics students ahead of several prestigious international competitions.
The five-day residential programme brought together 14 official contestants representing Malaysia, alongside six invited potential candidates. Supported by nine trainers and facilitators, the camp served as a platform for advanced academic training, talent development, and competition readiness.
The programme provided final-stage pre-departure preparation for participants competing in the International Scientific Physics Olympiad (ISPhO) 2026 and the Balkan Physics Olympiad (BPO) 2026. It also offered valuable training for students preparing for the International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) 2026, with additional pre-departure preparation scheduled separately.
Throughout the camp, participants engaged in intensive learning activities designed to strengthen their understanding of advanced physics concepts, analytical reasoning, and Olympiad-level problem-solving skills. Mock examinations were conducted to familiarise students with competition formats and help them develop effective examination strategies under timed conditions.
Beyond preparing current competitors, the inclusion of junior participants reflected a commitment to nurturing future physics talents and building a sustainable pipeline of students capable of representing Malaysia at international Olympiad competitions.
The successful organisation of the training camp highlights DISTED College’s support for academic excellence and talent development in STEM education. By providing an environment that encourages intellectual growth and high-level scientific achievement, the College continues to contribute to the development of future scientists, researchers, and innovators.
The camp concluded with participants better equipped to represent Malaysia on the international stage, strengthening the nation’s pursuit of excellence in physics Olympiads.
Dr Tan Fuyi
Senior Lecturer, School of Pre-University
Open Mic 2026 Brings Talent, Creativity and Community Spirit to DISTED College
Throughout the month of July, students at DISTED College enjoyed a vibrant lunchtime experience through Open Mic 2026, an initiative organised by the Student Representative Council (SRC). Designed around the theme “Engage and Interact”, the event provided a welcoming and low-pressure platform for students to showcase their talents while strengthening campus engagement.
Held across four weekly sessions, Open Mic 2026 featured a wide range of performances that reflected the creativity and diversity of the student community. From popular piano renditions and vocal performances to storytelling, humour, and cultural showcases, students embraced the opportunity to express themselves in their own unique ways. Each session featured multiple performances, supported by emcees and intermission music that helped create an enjoyable and lively atmosphere.
The event successfully demonstrated that talent exists throughout the campus and that providing an accessible and supportive environment can encourage students to share their abilities with confidence. Performers were given the freedom to express themselves without judgement, creating a positive space that celebrated individuality, creativity, and self-expression.
Behind the scenes, Open Mic 2026 also provided valuable learning opportunities for the organising committee. The dynamic nature of the programme required organisers to respond quickly to technical challenges, special performance requirements, and last-minute changes. These experiences strengthened teamwork, adaptability, communication, and event management skills among SRC members.
The success of Open Mic 2026 reinforced the importance of accessibility, engagement, and open communication in student activities. More importantly, it contributed to a vibrant campus culture where students felt encouraged to participate, interact, and connect with one another.
The event concluded on a high note, building excitement for the upcoming DISTED Got Talent 2026, where students will once again have the opportunity to shine on a bigger stage.
Isabelle
President, Student Representative Council
Turning Data into Decisions: An Introduction to Tableau
At DISTED College, students enrolled in the Bachelor of Information Technology (Data Analytics) programme are equipped with the analytical knowledge and practical skills needed to thrive in a data-driven environment. Through BDA101: Analytics for Decision Making, students are introduced to Tableau, one of the world’s leading data visualisation and business analytics platforms.
The course focuses on helping students understand how data can be transformed into meaningful insights that support effective business and managerial decision-making. By analysing and visualising data, students learn to identify trends, patterns, and relationships that may otherwise remain hidden within large datasets.
Throughout the course, students participate in hands-on activities using Tableau. They learn how to connect to various data sources, prepare and clean datasets, and create interactive visualisations including charts, graphs, maps, and dashboards. Students also apply filters, comparisons, and analytical techniques to examine data from different perspectives and develop deeper insights.
Beyond technical proficiency, the learning experience strengthens essential skills such as critical thinking, analytical reasoning, problem-solving, and data storytelling. These competencies enable students to communicate findings clearly and effectively to support evidence-based decision-making.
As Tableau is widely used across industries such as business, finance, marketing, healthcare, and technology, students gain valuable industry-relevant experience that enhances their employability and career readiness. Exposure to practical analytics tools also prepares them to meet the growing demand for professionals who can interpret data and translate insights into strategic actions.
Through courses such as BDA101, DISTED College continues to empower students with the knowledge, skills, and technological competencies needed to succeed in the rapidly evolving field of data analytics.
Aina Syazwani Binti Shaharin
Lecturer, School of Computing and Engineering
