DISTED College aligns its programmes with emerging job trends, focusing on AI, cybersecurity, and leadership, ensuring students are prepared for future workforce demands.
The Job Skills of 2024: Key Trends and Emerging Priorities
The “Job Skills of 2024” report by Coursera offers a comprehensive look at the fastest-growing job skills across various sectors, underscoring the importance of equipping the workforce with relevant and evolving competencies. Based on data from five million enterprise learners, the report identifies key trends in leadership, AI, cybersecurity, business, and data science skills.
Leadership skills have surged in importance due to the rapid changes in macroeconomic conditions and the rise of AI. Key skills such as people management, negotiation, and influencing are vital for navigating organizational change and driving team success.
AI-related skills are witnessing unprecedented growth. Courses like “Generative AI for Everyone” highlight the increasing demand for skills in reinforcement learning, Bayesian networks, and deep learning. These skills are essential for leveraging AI to boost productivity and innovation.
Cybersecurity remains a critical focus, with system security and incident management skills topping the list. The growing frequency of cyberattacks and the global shortfall of cybersecurity professionals underscore the need for robust security skills.
Business skills, particularly in e-commerce, digital marketing, and customer success, are in high demand as the marketing and advertising industry expands. Skills in media strategy, search engine optimization, and Power BI are crucial for driving business growth and enhancing customer experiences.
Data science skills, including data visualization, business intelligence, and Power BI, are essential for making data-driven decisions. These skills enable organizations to interpret complex data and drive strategic initiatives effectively. In conclusion, the report emphasises the need for a strategic focus on emerging technologies and leadership skills. DISTED College is prioritising these areas in the curriculum to ensure students that are joining the future workforce are prepared for future challenges and opportunities, fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptability.
Prof. Dr. Vikneswaran Nair
President
The Rapid Advancement and Integration of Artificial Intelligence: Trends and Impacts
Artificial intelligence (AI) has advanced significantly since its inception and is now developing at a rate never seen before. The AI field is known for fast development, upending several sectors, and changing how we work and live. It is critical to comprehend the significant AI trends that will influence our world in the future.
Machine learning and deep learning are among the most recent developments in artificial intelligence. Deep Learning (DL) and Machine Learning (ML) represent the cutting edge of AI development. They remove the need for explicit programming by allowing systems to learn from experience and improve. The use of these languages makes industries more productive. For instance, AI algorithms help with disease diagnosis, patient outcome prediction, and treatment plan personalisation in the healthcare industry. Further, we can see how AI models are used in finance to control risk, automate trading, and identify fraudulent transactions. Autonomous cars use AI in the transportation sector to assist with decision-making, obstacle detection, and navigation. 
AI-driven predictive analytics enables us to fully harness the power of data, uncovering valuable insights that can propel business success. AI’s ability to identify patterns and trends and make accurate predictions about future events by analysing vast amounts of historical data and performing complex computations is unparalleled. Imagine being able to forecast customer demand, optimize your supply chain, and make informed decisions swiftly. With AI, these are not just possibilities, but practical applications that can lead to cost savings, improved operational efficiency, and better decision-making for businesses.
The future of AI is bright, and humanity can navigate its challenges and reap its rewards by adopting the right approach. Understanding the major AI trends that will shape our future is not just critical, but a key to unlocking the potential of this transformative technology. At DISTED College, AI is subsumed into all the computer and information technology courses in all the programmes.
Nurul Annisa binti Azhar , Lecturer, School of Computing and Engineering
Empowering Students for Higher Education
Tertiary school life can be stressful for secondary school students when they step outside their comfort zones. Therefore, they must select a school that aligns with their goals and career aspirations. With DISTED’s deep understanding of student education, the college has the privilege of providing valuable insights into college life, academic programs, and campus facilities, helping students make informed decisions about their post-secondary education.
On July 7th, DISTED College hosted a campus tour and an education fair featuring multiple prestigious schools from around Malaysia. The event attracted approximately 1,000 secondary school students from Penang. DISTED’s staff and students assisted the visitors by answering their questions with knowledge and expertise. After finishing secondary school studies, this visit gave students a deeper understanding of “What’s Next?”.
The college visit offered students a firsthand experience of what to expect in college, enhancing their decision-making skills. By understanding the campus culture and faculty-student interactions, students are better equipped to choose the right college. Additionally, they learned about admissions requirements, scholarship opportunities, and financial aid options, which are essential when selecting their future school.
In conclusion, this college visit has proven fruitful for secondary school students preparing to apply for post-secondary education. The event provided a valuable opportunity for students to gather information, gain inspiration, and build motivation for their educational journey. Consequently, students are better equipped to choose the right college and course, facilitating a smooth transition into higher education. DISTED has successfully executed this visit, recognizing its significant impact on student’s future success and well-being.
Kaitlyn Khoo Rui Ern
Student of Cambridge A-Level
Student Editor (DISTED Discourse)
A Heart-warming Father’s Day Volunteer Experience with Special Needs Children
On 13 June 2024, DISTED Psychology students participated in a unique Father’s Day programme organised by Penang Shine Like Stars, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that provides playgroups for special needs families. The programme was designed to encourage special needs children to create a heartfelt gift for their dads, making it a truly special and memorable experience.
Before the programme began, Ms. Lim, Dean of the NGO, discussed what could and could not be done. The session then continued with warm-up activities, including a brain gym session aimed at enhancing cognitive and learning functions through physical movement. In this session, two group members led at the front while the remaining members guided the children. Following the warm-up, the highlight of the event, the Father’s Day craft activities, began. Crafts were provided, and the children, with the help of their parents and group members, started making gifts. After completing the crafts, they wrote down their wishes for their fathers.
Throughout the session, it was noted that the NGO teachers referred to the children as “baobei,” showcasing their loving and caring attitude. One of the participants found the experience exciting and nerve-wracking as it was their first interaction with special needs children. Getting to know and communicating with these children proved to be challenging as they often prefer to remain in their own world. Guiding them was also challenging due to their relatively slower pace compared to other children. The experience taught the participants, especially the DISTED College Psychology students, the importance of tolerance and patience when interacting with children. Despite the challenges, there was a sense of accomplishment when witnessing the children’s smiles during the programme.
Lee Si Qin, Student of Bachelor of Psychology (Hons)
The Importance of Work-Life Balance for Educators
Work-life balance is crucial for educators to prevent burnout, enhance job satisfaction, and promote personal well-being. The demanding nature of their profession often leads educators to experience immense stress, which can negatively impact their physical and emotional well-being. Without a proper balance between work and personal life, educators are at risk of burnout, a chronic exhaustion that hampers their ability to engage with students effectively. To prevent burnout and maintain well-being, educators must prioritise self-care, such as taking regular breaks, and establish clear boundaries between work and personal life.
Educators often experience immense stress due to heavy workloads, long working hours, and demanding responsibilities. Without adequate work-life balance, these pressures can lead to burnout, a state of chronic physical and emotional exhaustion. Burnout not only affects the well-being of educators but also hampers their ability to engage with students effectively. Educators must prioritise self-care and establish boundaries between work and personal life to prevent burnout. Taking regular breaks, engaging in hobbies, and spending time with family and friends can help recharge and rejuvenate educators, enabling them to handle the challenges of their profession better.
A healthy work-life balance contributes to increased job satisfaction among educators. When educators can allocate time and energy to their personal and professional lives, they experience a sense of fulfillment and contentment. This, in turn, translates into greater motivation, enthusiasm, and productivity in the classroom. By striking a balance between work and personal life, educators are more likely to feel valued, supported, and appreciated by their institutions, fostering a positive working environment.
Work-life balance is essential for promoting the personal well-being of educators. It allows them to take care of their physical and mental health, reducing the risk of stress-related illnesses and mental health issues. Regular exercise, healthy eating habits, and adequate sleep are all integral components of maintaining work-life balance. Additionally, having time for personal interests, hobbies, and relationships outside of work provides educators a sense of fulfillment and purpose beyond their professional roles. This holistic approach to well-being strengthens educators’ resilience and enables them to thrive in their personal lives and careers.
In conclusion, work-life balance is crucial for educators to prevent burnout, enhance job satisfaction, and promote personal well-being. Educators can balance their professional responsibilities and personal lives by prioritising self-care, setting clear boundaries, and finding time for personal interests. Institutions and policymakers must also recognise the importance of work-life balance and implement supportive measures to ensure the well-being of educators. Only by prioritising work-life balance can educators continue positively impacting their students’ lives and maintaining their happiness and well-being.
Noriah Kallanjiam, Lecturer, School of Pre-University Studies
