Remarks from the President
Dear DISTED Community,
Learning never stops at DISTED College, and neither does our commitment to celebrating excellence. We recently held our Scholarship and Honours Night, an evening dedicated to recognising the hard work, dedication and outstanding achievements of our students. The event brought together scholars, educators, families and our valued scholarship sponsors, whose generosity continues to empower our students.
In addition to the celebrations of the evening, we would also like to acknowledge the remarkable accomplishment of our Cambridge A-Level student, Ms. Sameera Muhammed Salim, who received the Outstanding Cambridge Learner Award in Malaysia for High Achievement in the Cambridge International AS Level English General Paper (June 2025 exam). Her achievement continues to make the DISTED community proud.
The Scholarship and Honours Night also served as a heartfelt acknowledgement of our scholarship sponsors, whose unwavering support enables many of our students to pursue their academic goals. At DISTED College, we take pride in being part of every student’s journey and in celebrating each milestone with them.
Stay tuned for a full article on these highlights in our upcoming issues.
President,
Dato Dr(h.c.) Lim Si Boon
Scholarships & Honours Night 2025: A Celebration of Achievement and Community Spirit
On Saturday, 22 November 2025, DISTED College proudly hosted its annual Scholarships & Honours Night, an evening that radiated pride, gratitude and inspiration. This special occasion brought together students, parents, faculty, sponsors and distinguished guests to celebrate academic excellence and the generosity that makes these opportunities possible.
In his opening address, President Dato’ Lim Si Boon expressed heartfelt appreciation to the sponsors whose support continues to transform lives: IK Meek Family, Dato’ Seri Stephen Yeap, Si Wu Education Trust, Yayasan Budi Penyayang Malaysia – Tun Endon Scholarship, and DISTED College. He highlighted the outstanding achievements of 2024 scholars in the Cambridge A-Level examinations, including Ooi Jing Wen (IK Meek Scholarship) with 3A and 1A*, Chesney Cha (Si Wu Education Trust) with 4A*, and Visalatshe (DISTED Alumni Scholarship) with 1A and 2A*. Students on the President’s Honours List were also recognised for their consistent and exceptional performance.
The evening was made truly memorable by heartfelt speeches from scholarship recipients. Jessica Kaur, representing the Tun Endon Scholarship, shared her inspiring journey of resilience in managing severe food allergies while excelling in her studies. She reminded everyone that “every struggle can be turned into strength when there are people who believe in us.” Jessica also spoke about her involvement in the Mooncake Festival fundraising by DISTED Kelab Penyayang, which raised RM2,050 for the Penang Fo Yi Haemodialysis Society, reflecting the college’s commitment to compassion and community service.
Soo Jia Xun, recipient of the IK Meek Scholarship, spoke candidly about facing multiple scholarship rejections before finding hope at DISTED. “This scholarship is not just financial support, it made us feel seen and believed in,” he said, pledging to pay forward this generosity by contributing to society and inspiring others.
A special highlight of the evening was the congratulatory video address by Dato’ Seri Stephen Yeap, who extended his warm wishes to Ian Chuah Shang Ern for his scholarship achievement. This thoughtful gesture underscored the strong relationship between sponsors and students, and the shared commitment to nurturing future leaders.
As the evening drew to a close, the President’s Honours List was announced. President Dato’ Lim Si Boon personally presented certificates to each recipient, taking time to congratulate them individually. This moment was a proud recognition of students who demonstrated consistent excellence and outstanding performance throughout their academic journey.
At DISTED, events like Scholarships & Honours Night are more than ceremonies. They are affirmations of our mission to nurture excellence and empathy. They strengthen the bond between students, sponsors and the college community, reminding us that education is a shared responsibility and a powerful force for positive change.
Congratulations to all recipients, and heartfelt thanks to our sponsors for making these dreams possible. Congratulations to all recipients, and heartfelt thanks to our sponsors for making these dreams possible.
Scholarships Offered by DISTED College and Their Sponsors
- I.K. Meek Scholarship
Recipient: Ms Soo Jia Xun, Cambridge A- Level, School of Pre-University
- Dato’ Seri Stephen Yeap Scholarship
Recipient: Mr Ian Chuah Shang Ern, South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), School of Pre-University
- SiWu Education Trust Scholarship
Recipient: Mr Yeoh Soon Meng, Cambridge A- Level, School of Pre-University
- DISTED Alumni Scholarship
Recipient: Mr Loh Jun Wei, Cambridge A-Level, School of Pre-University
- Tun Endon Scholarship
Recipients:
- Mr Pang Jia Chen, Diploma in Business Studies, School of Business and Hospitality
- Ms Jessica Kaur, Diploma in Business Studies, School of Business and Hospitality
- Ms Dashna, Bachelor in Accounting (Honours) in collaboration with HELP University, School of Business and Hospitality
President’s Honours List
Foundation in Science
- Ms Foon Xin Wei
- Ms Lau Suen Hui
Diploma in Computer Science
- Ms Abby Lim Shi Qi
- Ms Averille Tan Hsia Fern
- Mr Goh Chun Leong
- Ms Jace Wong Lyn Lyn
- Mr Lee Jia Sheng
- Mr Lim Siau Chong
- Mr Ng Jun Hao
Diploma in Mass Communication
- Ms Allisya Nurrudainy binti Sazali
- Ms Nur Erlia Nadhirah binti Mohd Erwan
Diploma in Accounting
- Ms Ning Rui Xian
Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) in Collaboration with HELP University
- Ms Hnin Ei Hlaing
- Mr Kyle Chan Wei Ren
- Ms Nicole Goh Su En
- Ms Ong Yi Li
- Ms Tan Wei Fang
Jessica Kaur: Turning Adversity into Triumph
Jessica Kaur has shown remarkable perseverance in the face of adversity. Living with severe food allergies, she spent significant time in hospitals, often continuing her studies from her hospital bed. Her determination led to excellent SPM results, earning her the Anugerah Kecemerlangan from the State Education Department.
Beyond academics, she has a strong interest in fashion and modelling and has represented Malaysia in Beijing in the China-Beijing International Awards Ceremony. She represented Malaysia in Beijing at the China-Beijing International Awards Ceremony and received the Malaysia Top 10 Outstanding Artist Gold Award, showcasing her versatility and confidence. Her journey demonstrates that challenges can be overcome with resilience and focus, and she continues to inspire others through her achievements in both education and personal pursuits.
Jessica is currently pursuing a Diploma in Business Studies at DISTED College under the Seri Endon Scholarship, furthering her ambition to succeed in the business world.
Dr Lum Li Sean
Head, Academic Affairs
Internship Visitation to Lighthouse Academy, Penang
One of our internship students had the opportunity to visit Lighthouse Academy in Penang, a centre that provides education and support for children with special needs. This experience offered valuable practical exposure and deepened Joelyne Teh Yi Theng’s understanding of inclusive education.
During the visit, Joelyne assisted the teacher in guiding students through lessons and daily tasks. This involvement allowed her to observe and experience the teaching strategies used in a special needs classroom.
A memorable part of the day was a cookie-baking activity conducted with the children. Together, they followed simple steps to prepare and bake cookies, creating an enjoyable learning moment. The activity not only encouraged participation but also gave the children a sense of accomplishment when the cookies were ready.
Overall, the visitation was an enriching experience that strengthened her skills and appreciation for inclusive education.
Teoh Ker Hsin
Programme Leader, School of Psychology
The Benefits of Power BI for Students
In today’s data-driven business environment, analytical skills and clear communication are essential for success. Power BI, Microsoft’s interactive data visualisation and business intelligence tool, plays a key role in helping students develop these competencies. It enables them to utilise digital tools for decision-making and present insights effectively to diverse audiences.
At DISTED College, marketing students are introduced to Power BI through their Business Analytics subject. One of its greatest strengths is the ability to convert raw data into meaningful, visually engaging dashboards. Marketing students often work with complex datasets, including customer demographics, campaign performance metrics, and social media analytics. Power BI simplifies this process by allowing data import from multiple sources and converting it into interactive charts, graphs, and maps.
Beyond technical proficiency, Power BI fosters analytical reasoning. Students can identify trends, compare campaign effectiveness, and analyse consumer behaviour over time. These insights help them address real-world business challenges and propose evidence-based solutions.
Equally important is communication. Power BI enables students to create dynamic reports that tell a clear story, making complex findings accessible to stakeholders without technical backgrounds.
By mastering Power BI, DISTED students gain practical digital literacy, sharpened analytical thinking, and strong communication skills—competencies that are increasingly vital in today’s competitive business landscape.
Dr Eric Cheah Chin Soon
Senior Lecturer, School of Computing and Engineering
JOM! Balik Kampung! Celebrates Culture and Unity
The Bachelor of Communications (Media Studies) students once again brought the DISTED College community together through a memorable cultural event themed JOM! Balik Kampung! This initiative aimed to celebrate Malaysia’s rich heritage while fostering unity among participants. The event highlighted traditions from three major festivals – Chinese New Year, Deepavali and Hari Raya Aidilfitri – creating an atmosphere of nostalgia and joy.
Students curated engaging activities across multiple stations. At the Food Station, guests sampled traditional delights such as kuih kapit, ketupat and omapodi. The Game Station was a lively hub where participants enjoyed classic kampung games including congkak, batu seremban and diabolo. The Arts Station encouraged creativity through batik painting, kolam design, Chinese calligraphy and henna drawing, giving participants hands-on experience with cultural art forms.
To complete the celebration, a vibrant photo booth allowed attendees to capture cherished memories. The event was more than entertainment – it was a meaningful effort to strengthen bonds within the college community and promote cultural understanding.
Nurin Afrina Batrisyia Binti Mohd Khairul Nizam
Student, School of Communication, Arts and Multimedia
