DISTED College Joins Prestigious Kelab Penyayang: A Commitment to Community Service and Leadership
It was indeed an honour for DISTED College to be invited by Yayasan Penyayang to become a member of the prestigious Kelab Penyayang.
Kelab Penyayang is a community service and charitable initiative in Malaysia, primarily associated with public and private universities. Operating under the guidance of Yayasan Budi Penyayang Malaysia, the club aims to instil values of compassion, care, and responsibility among youth. It serves as a platform for young people to actively engage in community service and address pressing social issues.
The primary objectives of Kelab Penyayang are to nurture a spirit of volunteerism and empathy while raising awareness of societal needs. Through its activities, the club provides opportunities for members to experience the importance of giving back to society. This, in turn, helps shape well-rounded individuals who are academically driven and socially conscious.
Five students from DISTED College were privileged to be selected to attend the National Summit of Kelab Penyayang in Kajang, Selangor, from 15 to 17 November 2024. These students include the inaugural Committee Members of Kelab Penyayang DISTED College, led by its President, Caydence Lim, a Cambridge A-Level scholarship student. The club will be advised by Prof. Dr. Vikneswaran Nair, assisted by Ms. Tan Jia Huey.
Some of the key lectures and activities conducted at the Summit included: Management of Kelab Penyayang & Briefing on the Minister of Higher Education Volunteerism Cup; Towards Sustainable Development: How Volunteers Contribute?; Welfare Services Available for Kelab Penyayang Members; Values and Ethics in Community Work; Emergency Response Skills; and Sustainability of Kelab Penyayang: Fundraising.
The event was attended by 171 members from 22 universities, including DISTED College, the only college-level institution honoured with membership, under the guidance of CEO Dato’ Leela Mohd Ali, an esteemed educationist and cultural activist, and General Manager Datuk Arif Farhan Doss, of Yayasan Penyayang.
Congratulations to the team from DISTED College for playing a significant role in supporting the PENYAYANG agenda!
Prof. Dr. Vikneswaran Nair, Advisor, Kelab Penyayang, DISTED College
Remarks from the President
At DISTED College, we believe that education extends far beyond the classroom. Becoming a member of Kelab Penyayang is an incredible opportunity for our students to cultivate values of empathy, compassion, and responsibility. These are essential qualities for creating future leaders who are academically accomplished, socially conscious, and community-oriented.
Through Kelab Penyayang, our students are exposed to real-world challenges, allowing them to make meaningful contributions to society while developing critical skills such as leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving. Participating in initiatives like the National Summit broadens their horizons, equipping them to address pressing societal needs while reinforcing the importance of sustainable and ethical practices.
This membership aligns perfectly with our mission to nurture holistic, well-rounded individuals. By engaging in volunteerism and community service, students give back and grow personally, learning to appreciate diverse perspectives and strengthen their commitment to making the world a better place.
I am immensely proud of our students and their enthusiasm for this noble cause and our faculty advisors who guide and inspire them in their journey. This partnership with Yayasan Penyayang reaffirms our commitment to fostering a culture of care and responsibility, empowering the next generation to lead with kindness and purpose.
Prof. Dr. Vikneswaran Nair, President
Transformative Impact of AI Across Industries: Preparing for an AI-Driven Future
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a transformative force, reshaping various industries by automating tasks, enhancing decision-making, and driving innovation. In finance, for instance, AI facilitates data analysis, identifying trends and predicting market movements with unparalleled accuracy. This shift not only streamlines processes but also offers financial advisors and firms’ powerful insights, making investment strategies more agile and informed.
In healthcare, AI’s role has been groundbreaking, assisting doctors with diagnostic accuracy, predicting patient outcomes, and even customising treatment plans through personalised data. With machine learning and AI-powered tools, healthcare professionals can now detect diseases earlier and improve patient care.
Retail, too, has seen a dramatic shift with AI-driven personalisation, enhancing customer experiences by analyzing shopping behaviours and offering tailored product recommendations. This improves customer engagement, loyalty, and ultimately, sales. Moreover, inventory management benefits from predictive algorithms, helping retailers optimise stock levels and minimise losses.
Manufacturing is another sector undergoing a major transformation. AI and robotics are revolutionising the production line, increasing efficiency, reducing errors, and ensuring quality. By automating routine tasks, AI empowers human workers to focus on complex problem-solving and innovation.
In the education sector, AI holds transformative potential, as seen here at DISTED College. AI-powered platforms can support more personalised and flexible learning, helping students learn at their own pace. Educators in DISTED College can identify the learning gaps and offer focused support to improve student success by using data -driven insights. DISTED is prepared to incorporate these technologies as AI develops further, equipping students to succeed in a world driven by AI.
Empowering Digital Citizens: Media Information Literacy Training
On October 17, 2024, DISTED students organized a Media Information Literacy (MIL) Training as part of their co-curriculum subject. Led by expert MIL trainers Dr. S. Maartandan Suppiah (UUM), Ms. Riyadharshini Ahrumugam (Sunway University), and Ms. Lina (Asia Centre), the event was highly relevant in addressing the widespread concern of disinformation in today’s digital world.
The training provided participants with essential tools to navigate the complexities of digital media, empowering them to critically assess information and become responsible sharers of content. Over the course of the program, students engaged in various activities designed to enhance their media literacy. These included understanding how digital platforms influence the flow of information and learning to evaluate online content by verifying sources and identifying the motives behind the information.
Participants also explored deceptive tactics such as clickbait and manipulated content, developing skills to recognize and resist disinformation. A significant focus was placed on fact-checking and responsible sharing, with the introduction of tools that encourage accuracy and truthfulness in online behaviour. The final session of the day delved into becoming ethical digital citizens, emphasizing the importance of fostering informed and responsible online communities.
Students from foundation, diploma and degree programs at DISTED participated in the event, gaining valuable insights into responsible media consumption. Voon Jia Ting, a student from the Diploma in Creative Multimedia Production who lead the organising team mentioned that he is grateful to have participated in such an engaging and influential event.
The MIL training inspired students to be proactive and responsible digital citizens, equipped to combat disinformation in the digital age.
Seethai Subramaniam, Head, School of Computing and Engineering
Transformative Impact of AI Across Industries: Preparing for an AI-Driven Future
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a transformative force, reshaping various industries by automating tasks, enhancing decision-making, and driving innovation. In finance, for instance, AI facilitates data analysis, identifying trends and predicting market movements with unparalleled accuracy. This shift not only streamlines processes but also offers financial advisors and firms’ powerful insights, making investment strategies more agile and informed.
In healthcare, AI’s role has been groundbreaking, assisting doctors with diagnostic accuracy, predicting patient outcomes, and even customising treatment plans through personalised data. With machine learning and AI-powered tools, healthcare professionals can now detect diseases earlier and improve patient care.
Retail, too, has seen a dramatic shift with AI-driven personalisation, enhancing customer experiences by analyzing shopping behaviours and offering tailored product recommendations. This improves customer engagement, loyalty, and ultimately, sales. Moreover, inventory management benefits from predictive algorithms, helping retailers optimise stock levels and minimise losses.
Manufacturing is another sector undergoing a major transformation. AI and robotics are revolutionising the production line, increasing efficiency, reducing errors, and ensuring quality. By automating routine tasks, AI empowers human workers to focus on complex problem-solving and innovation.
In the education sector, AI holds transformative potential, as seen here at DISTED College. AI-powered platforms can support more personalised and flexible learning, helping students learn at their own pace. Educators in DISTED College can identify the learning gaps and offer focused support to improve student success by using data -driven insights. DISTED is prepared to incorporate these technologies as AI develops further, equipping students to succeed in a world driven by AI.
Fatin Alia, Program lead/Lecturer, School of Business and Hospitality
Mathematics Made Fun: The Cognitive Benefits of Sudoku
Mathematics requires a combination of logic, reasoning, and problem-solving skills, yet many students find it monotonous. To make learning more engaging and enjoyable, integrating games that stimulate the mind can be an effective approach. One such game that has achieved global popularity is Sudoku, a puzzle game originating from Japan in the late 1970s.
Sudoku is not merely a leisure activity; it is a compelling mental workout with numerous cognitive benefits. Research indicates that regular engagement with Sudoku enhances memory, concentration, and processing speed. Additionally, the game sharpens spatial reasoning, visual perception, and critical thinking skills, making it a valuable tool for developing abilities that go beyond mathematics.
A remarkable aspect of Sudoku is its simplicity. The game features a 9×9 grid where some cells are pre-filled, and others are blank. The objective is to complete the grid by placing numbers from 1 to 9 in such a way that each row, column, and 3×3 subgrid contains each number exactly once. While the rules are straightforward, solving the puzzle demands logic, strategy, and perseverance.
Incorporating Sudoku into daily routines is an enjoyable way to enhance mental sharpness and nurture a passion for logical thinking. Whether you’re a student aiming to improve focus or someone seeking a stimulating brain activity, Sudoku offers a perfect blend of challenge and fun. Why not take a moment and dive into the world of Sudoku today? At DISTED College, Sudoku is introduced to Pre-University students to enhance critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and mental agility in an enjoyable way.
Lee Lei Yong, Programme Lead, School of Pre-University Studies
Moving from Theory to Reality: A Field Trip of Media Studies Students to RTM Penang
On the 5th of November, a group of DISTED students pursuing a Bachelor of Communication in Media Studies (Hons) visited the Penang branch of Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) as part of their assignments. The visit was aimed to analyse the changes during the years, the most current trends and what difficulties the broadcasting industry is facing, particularly trying to see how AI or the endemic affect RTM’s business model. Other than that, students also had the chance to speak to a deejay and a producer which went along well with the topics they were studying.
We were honoured by the warm welcome from the entire RTM teams, especially the courtesy shown to us by the broadcasting director, TS Nor Hisyam Bin Abbas, who graciously spent about half an hour guiding us through the departments. During the visit, we observed the pre- and post-production processes for radio programs and news broadcasts, met the on-air deejays, and toured the various departments at RTM. This field trip proved invaluable, as students not only observed the real-life preparation of radio news and program production but also connected these practices with the knowledge and theories they had learned in class. The experience of watching the news and production of radio programmes and actually participating in the making of such within an academic setting was very helpful for the students. They were also able to integrate what they saw in practice with what they had acquired from books. This hands-on experience added excitement and depth to their study of mass communication.
In the next few years, we envisage visits to more media houses, specifically TV3 and Astro so that students can get a feel and sense of the work environment before they actually go for their internships.
Nadia Jefri
Programme Lead, School of Language and Communication
Exploring Psychology as a Science through Research
Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour and mental processes, with research serving as its foundation. Using the scientific method, psychologists strive to understand, predict, and explain how people think, feel, and act. This research process involves formulating hypotheses, gathering data through observation or experimentation, and analysing results to reveal patterns and relationships.
Research is essential to advancing psychology, as it validates theories, uncovers new insights, and applies psychological principles to real-world issues. Without research, our understanding of human behavior would rely solely on assumptions and anecdotes. Through systematic investigation, psychologists can challenge misconceptions, provide evidence-based solutions, and enhance mental health interventions.
Additionally, research fosters critical thinking and a scientific approach to problem-solving. Learning to design studies, analyse data, and draw meaningful conclusions equips students with valuable skills that are applicable not only in psychology but across many fields.
From exploring how stress influences decision-making to examining the impact of social interactions on self-esteem, research in psychology is a powerful tool for improving individual and societal well-being. It provides knowledge that drives positive change and enhances human experience, underscoring its importance in psychology as a science.
Research is an important focus area in DISTED’s Bachelor of Psychology programme, where students learn critical thinking and problem-solving skills through hands-on research experience. By designing studies, interpreting data, and making informed conclusions, students gain valuable abilities that extend beyond psychology.
Teoh Ker Hsin, Programme Lead & Lecturer, School of Psychology, DISTED
