Watching Students Grow
Dear DISTED Community,
This has been another amazing week. We welcomed new students to our Pre-University Orientation Program and celebrated the growing confidence of our students in public speaking through Speechcraft.
Many of our new students were shy and reserved during Orientation. Over the course of a year, this shyness has gradually transformed into confidence. This development is nurtured through our Speechcraft Program, where members of Toastmasters guide students in crafting speeches, building oratory skills, and encouraging them to speak in public.
In addition to their personal growth, our students have also demonstrated leadership by mentoring and supporting language students from China over the past three weeks. As the program concludes this weekend, we will bid our visitors a warm farewell with “Selamat Jalan.”
We are also pleased to share that DISTED College has entered into an Articulation Agreement with the University of Hertfordshire for our Pre-University Program, creating new academic pathways for our students.
President
Dato’ Lim Si Boon
MIC DROP Challenge 2025: A Hands-On Dive into the World of Broadcasting
On 26 July, the School of Communication, Arts and Multimedia (SCAMM) at DISTED College proudly hosted its signature annual event — MIC DROP Challenge 2025. This immersive experience brought together students from DISTED and several secondary schools in Penang to explore the dynamic world of broadcasting. This year’s theme introduced a fresh twist. Participants stepped into the roles of news anchors and live reporters, simulating real-world broadcast scenarios. The event covered both pre-production and post-production elements, allowing students to develop storytelling, presentation, and media production skills.
A highlight of the day was a forum session featuring a Miss World Malaysia 2021 finalist, who shared her expertise in social media storytelling and content strategy. Her talk inspired students to think creatively and communicate effectively in digital spaces. Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. Many secondary school students especially enjoyed the video showcase and anchor challenge, praising the event’s structure and interactivity. Looking ahead, SCM aims to expand the MIC DROP Challenge, continuing its mission to introduce young minds to media, journalism, and broadcasting through hands-on learning.
The MIC DROP Challenge reflects DISTED College’s commitment to experiential learning, empowering students to explore media and communication through real-world, hands-on engagement.
Nadia Jefri
Head of School, Communication, Arts and Multimedia
Disted’s Volunteer Spirit: Spreading Love and Support at Eden Charity Food Fair 2025
On Saturday, 26 July 2025, 22 enthusiastic students from DISTED College’s BizSquad Club, Kelab Penyayang, and Psychology program, accompanied by three lecturers, volunteered at the Eden Charity Food Fair held at Phor Tay High School in Penang.
The event was organised by Eden Handicap Service Centre, a non-profit organisation founded in 1991 that relies entirely on public donations to provide free services for people with disabilities. Throughout the day, DISTED volunteers actively supported food and game stalls and took charge of cleaning duties to ensure a pleasant and hygienic environment. This hands-on experience gave students valuable exposure to real-world business operations while fostering a strong sense of community engagement.
The event also helped students develop essential soft skills such as teamwork, leadership, and communication. Eden Handicap Service Centre expressed sincere gratitude for the volunteers’ kindness and dedication, especially acknowledging the cleaning team for their outstanding effort in keeping the venue presentable.
At DISTED, we are committed to holistic education. Beyond academic excellence, we strive to cultivate compassionate and socially responsible individuals who contribute meaningfully to society. Thank you to all students and lecturers who made this event a success.
Tong Pei Sun
Senior Lecturer, School of Business and Hospitality
From Zero to Website: A WordPress Learning Event
A group of dedicated students from the Bachelor in Information Technology (Data Analytics) program at DISTED College successfully organised an educational workshop titled “SMART & Easy: Your Website Made Simple.” Held at the Alienware Lab, the event showcased the power of experiential learning through a hands-on approach to website creation.
The workshop was designed to teach participants how to build websites using WordPress and XAMPP. Instead of a traditional lecture, the organising team delivered live demonstrations, interactive quizzes, and practical sessions where students created their own websites. This format kept participants engaged and encouraged learning through doing.
The tools selected were beginner-friendly yet powerful, making the workshop accessible to students from various academic disciplines. Attendees walked away with practical skills in website structure, design themes, and content management—skills that are increasingly relevant in today’s digital landscape.
The final segment of the workshop allowed participants to present their websites, receive feedback, and earn small rewards. This not only boosted confidence but also encouraged creativity and self-expression.
The “SMART & Easy” workshop demonstrated how effective learning can be when it is interactive, inclusive, and skill-focused. Events like these inspire students to explore new digital tools and take their first steps into web development.
Nurul Annisa Azhar
Lecturer, School of Computing and Engineering
A Different Side of Psychology: The Psychology of Religion
The Psychology of Religion course in the Bachelor of Psychology programme offers a refreshing and often overlooked perspective on how religion interacts with the human mind and behaviour. Unlike traditional courses that examine psychological theories in isolation, this class delves into how religious beliefs, practices, and experiences shape cognition, emotions, and human development across the lifespan.
Discussions are wide-ranging and deeply engaging. We explore questions such as: How do beliefs in the afterlife influence behaviour? What does neuroscience say about religious experiences? How does religion affect moral development in children, or identity formation in adolescents? Each week, we examine a different religious tradition—learning about its doctrines, rituals, and cultural context, while reflecting on how spiritual beliefs differ across societies and time.
The class stands out because it encourages both scientific reasoning and personal reflection. It’s not just about absorbing information from textbooks; it’s about challenging assumptions, exploring personal beliefs, and engaging in respectful dialogue with peers from different backgrounds.
Many of us began the course unsure of what it would offer, but it has proven to be one of the most impactful experiences in the programme. It opens up a rarely discussed yet critical dimension of psychology—helping us better understand the role of faith, meaning-making, and spirituality in people’s lives, including our own.
Indra Sellappan
Lecturer/ Rehabilitation Psychologist
School of Psychology
Finding Our Voices: A Toastmasters Journey of DISTED Students
What do you get when you mix four nervous students, four sessions of Toastmasters Speechcraft, and one very supportive college president? A journey of growth, courage, and connection.
Since July 4th, DISTED students participated in a Toastmasters Speechcraft programme organised by the GREAT2B Toastmasters Club under Ms Jessica Ang’s leadership. Sponsored by DISTED and championed by President Dato’ Lim Si Boon, the initiative aimed to help students develop confidence and communication skills.
Each week, the quiet room transformed into a space filled with creativity, vulnerability, and applause. Students shared personal stories, tackled impromptu topics, and learned to structure their speeches. Matthew from Cambridge A-Level said, “Toastmasters provided a safe, friendly place to learn and slowly overcome my fears.” Melvina and Ying Ying from Foundation in Science echoed similar sentiments, highlighting gains in confidence, clarity, and presence.
This was not just a public speaking course. It was a masterclass in self-expression. Students learned to listen, connect, and speak with purpose. Behind every pause was courage. Behind every round of applause was growth. We thank our mentors, classmates, and especially our college president for believing in the power of student voices. Sometimes, all it takes is a mic and a little encouragement to find your voice.
Parthasarathe Jayashanker.
Student Editor, DISTED Discourse
Welcome Aboard: Ms. Aina Syazwani Joins the School of Computing
We are pleased to welcome Ms. Aina Syazwani binti Shaharin to DISTED College as a Lecturer in the School of Computing. Ms. Aina brings with her a solid academic and practical background in Computer Science. Her journey began with the development of web and mobile applications during her Diploma and Bachelor’s studies, and progressed to advanced research in machine learning frameworks focused on game cheating detection at the Master’s level. This blend of hands-on technical experience and academic research enables her to deliver well-rounded and relevant instruction to her students. Her teaching interests span key areas such as Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Python, JavaScript, and HTML/CSS. She is passionate about breaking down complex topics into understandable and engaging lessons, encouraging students to explore and apply their skills confidently in real-world contexts. Ms. Aina is also committed to building a collaborative and inclusive classroom environment that nurtures curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills—qualities that are essential in today’s evolving digital landscape. We are delighted to have Ms. Aina join the DISTED community and look forward to the fresh perspectives, energy, and expertise she brings to the School of Computing.
Raziah binti Ehia Mohd Human Resources & Administration
