Remarks from the President
Dear DISTED Community,
This week, we are pleased to share that our incoming Head of Pre-University, Ms Lee Lei Yong, who is also a mathematician, played an active role in coordinating the Heuristic Mathematics 2026 Programme, which was hosted at DISTED in collaboration with the Penang State Education Department (JPN Penang).
The programme welcomed 75 students from secondary schools across Penang, with the objective of enhancing their understanding of foundational mathematics through problem-solving activities, while encouraging them to develop critical thinking, logical reasoning and greater confidence in approaching mathematical challenges.
We would like to wish all our A Level and SACE students every success in their upcoming examinations. Stay focused, believe in yourselves, and give your very best. We wish you all the best in achieving the results you aspire to.
President
Dato’ Dr (h.c) Lim Si Boon
DISTED Got Talent 2026
The Student Representative Council (SRC) brought student talent centre stage through the successful organisation of Disted Got Talent 2026, an event dedicated to celebrating creativity, passion and artistic expression within the DISTED community.
Building on the momentum of the previous year’s event, the SRC began preparations months in advance to create an engaging and memorable experience for students. Led by SRC Vice President Nurkhairun Syahirah with support from Vice Treasurer Samantha Anne Neil and the wider SRC team, extensive planning was undertaken across logistics, publicity, sponsorships, talent scouting and event management.
As the event date approached, Heritage Hall was transformed into a vibrant performance venue equipped with professional lighting, sound systems and seating arrangements. Rehearsals involving both performers and crew members ensured that every aspect of the programme was carefully coordinated.
The event attracted a large audience and featured an impressive lineup of student performances, including singing, dance, piano and erhu presentations. Each act highlighted the confidence, creativity and dedication of the performers, making the final judging and voting process especially challenging.
While the audience enjoyed an evening of entertainment, Disted Got Talent 2026 also demonstrated the value of student leadership and teamwork. Behind every performance was a committed organising team that invested significant effort in planning, coordination and problem-solving to ensure the event ran smoothly.
The programme provided students with an opportunity to showcase their talents, connect with their peers and contribute to a vibrant campus culture. Most importantly, it reflected DISTED College’s commitment to creating meaningful co-curricular experiences that encourage personal growth, creativity and community engagement.
Congratulations to all winners, performers and organisers who contributed to the success of Disted Got Talent 2026.
Student Representative Council
Young Chefs Take on MAGGI 2026
Ready, set, cook!
The kitchen at DISTED College was filled with energy and excitement as approximately 80 secondary school students gathered to compete in the Pertandingan Memasak MAGGI 2026. Organised in collaboration with Jabatan Pendidikan Negeri (JPN) and MAGGI Malaysia, the competition provided a platform for young culinary enthusiasts to demonstrate their creativity, teamwork and cooking skills.
Participants from both the Menengah Rendah and Menengah Atas categories took on the challenge of preparing innovative dishes within a limited timeframe. With ingredients prepared and cooking stations ready, students worked together to transform everyday ingredients into meals that showcased both flavour and presentation.
Throughout the competition, students demonstrated more than just culinary abilities. They practised effective communication, delegated responsibilities, solved problems under pressure and displayed leadership while working towards a shared goal. The vibrant atmosphere in the kitchen reflected the enthusiasm and dedication of the participants, as well as their willingness to learn through hands-on experience.
The event also reinforced the value of experiential learning by bridging education and industry. Through the collaboration between DISTED College, JPN and MAGGI Malaysia, students were given the opportunity to explore their interests and talents in a real-world environment while gaining exposure to skills that extend beyond the classroom.
As dishes were presented and evaluated, every participant walked away with valuable lessons in teamwork, creativity and perseverance. The competition served as a reminder that success, whether in the kitchen or elsewhere, is often built on preparation, collaboration and innovation.
Pertandingan Memasak MAGGI 2026 was truly a memorable experience, proving that great things can happen when creativity is on the menu.
Nur Aisya Najwa Amerrudin
Lecturer/Program Leader School of Business and Hospitality
DISTED Psychology Students Engage with Children at NASOM Penang
The School of Psychology at DISTED College collaborated with the National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM) Penang to provide students with a meaningful community engagement and experiential learning opportunity.
Held on 9 July 2026, the programme involved 11 Psychology student volunteers who worked with children aged 4 to 8 years old at NASOM Penang. The initiative aimed to create a positive learning experience for both the students and the children while promoting inclusion, understanding and community involvement.
As part of the programme, students worked in small groups to plan and facilitate a variety of engaging activities. These included matching games, arts and crafts, ball activities, balance exercises, bubble breathing techniques and movement-based games. The activities were designed to encourage participation, interaction, coordination and learning in a supportive environment.
Throughout the programme, students were required to adapt their communication styles and activities according to the individual needs and responses of the children. This provided an opportunity for them to apply psychological concepts and theories learned in the classroom to real-life situations.
Beyond academic learning, the experience enabled students to strengthen important professional and interpersonal skills, including communication, empathy, teamwork, adaptability and responsibility. The hands-on exposure provided valuable insights into working with children while enhancing their understanding of diverse developmental needs.
The collaboration with NASOM Penang reflected DISTED College’s commitment to experiential learning and community engagement. By participating in programmes such as this, students are able to connect theory with practice while contributing positively to the wider community.
The experience was both rewarding and impactful, reinforcing the importance of compassion, inclusivity and lifelong learning in the field of psychology.
Teoh Ker Hsin
Programme Lead, School of Psychology
UCM309 Desktop Publishing Students Showcase Creativity and Professional Design Skills
Students enrolled in UCM309 – Desktop Publishing demonstrated impressive creativity, technical proficiency and visual communication skills through a series of projects completed throughout the semester under the guidance of lecturer Ruth Ravandran.
The course was designed to progressively develop students’ desktop publishing capabilities, beginning with fundamental layout and design principles before advancing to professional publishing applications. Throughout the semester, students utilised industry-standard software including Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe InDesign to transform creative concepts into polished visual communication materials.
The students involved in the projects were Allisya Nurrudainy Binti Sazali, Jayden Luke Steven, Keerthigah A/P Munusamy, Lim Yee Qin and Nur Erlia Nadhirah Binti Mohd Erwan. Their commitment and enthusiasm were evident in the quality of work produced across multiple assignments.
One of the major projects focused on Editorial Layout Design, where students created magazine spreads while applying design principles such as grid systems, typography, visual hierarchy, alignment, spacing and composition. They later expanded their skills through the Corporate Identity Starter Pack, which required them to develop branding materials including business cards, brochures and promotional materials while maintaining a consistent visual identity.
The semester culminated in the Integrated Brand Publishing Portfolio project, where students developed original brands and applied their visual identities across multiple desktop publishing outputs. This challenge required consistency in typography, colour schemes, imagery, layouts and overall brand presentation.
The completed works showcased originality, attention to detail and effective design execution. More importantly, they reflected the value of practical, hands-on learning in preparing students for future academic and industry-related design projects. Through these experiences, students strengthened their skills in editorial design, branding, visual communication and professional desktop publishing, further preparing them for careers in the creative industry.
Ruth Ravandran
Lecturer School of Communication, Arts and Multimedia
Your Digital Footprint Lasts Forever: Think Before You Click
In an age where digital communication is an integral part of everyday life, every online activity contributes to a lasting digital footprint. Whether through emails, learning platforms, social media posts, comments or shared content, students and staff continuously create an online presence that shapes how others perceive them.
A digital footprint represents more than a record of online activity. It reflects an individual’s character, professionalism and decision-making. For students, maintaining a positive online presence can support opportunities such as internships, scholarships and future employment. Employers increasingly review online profiles when assessing potential candidates, making responsible online behaviour more important than ever.
For staff, a professional digital presence is equally significant. Online interactions and public content can influence perceptions of both the individual and the institution. Demonstrating professionalism, respect and responsibility in digital spaces helps uphold personal credibility and institutional reputation.
At the same time, sharing excessive personal information online can create vulnerabilities. Cyber threats such as phishing attacks, scams, identity theft and online fraud often exploit publicly available information. Being mindful of what is shared online can significantly reduce these risks.
Developing responsible digital habits begins with a simple question: “Would I be comfortable if this content were seen by my lecturers, colleagues, students or future employers?” Taking a moment to reflect before posting can prevent unintended consequences and protect both personal and professional reputations.
As a community committed to learning and growth, we should strive to be responsible digital citizens. By making thoughtful decisions online and practising good digital etiquette, we contribute to a safer, more professional and more respectful online environment for everyone.
Remember, your digital footprint is your digital reputation. Think before you click.
Nurul Annisa Azhar
Lecturer, School of Computing and Engineering
