Celebrating Excellence: DISTED Students Shine in Cambridge A-Level Exams!

With immense pride and joy, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to each of you on your outstanding achievements in the recent Cambridge A-Level exams. Your dedication, hard work, and perseverance have paid off, and I am incredibly proud of your exceptional performance. 

Your exceptional results, including a 35% rate of A*/A grades and 100% pass rates in several key subjects, are a testament to your unwavering commitment to excellence. I want to give a special shoutout to our top achievers, Lim Zi Xiang with four A*s, and Boey Wei Jian and Bhore Sparsh Subhash, who have each demonstrated extraordinary academic prowess. These achievements not only reflect your individual efforts but also the invaluable support and guidance of your teachers and families. 

This milestone marks the beginning of a new chapter in your life. As you step into the future, I urge you to continue your pursuit of excellence. The skills, knowledge, and resilience you have honed at DISTED College will serve as a solid foundation for your future endeavours. Whether you choose to further your studies, enter the workforce, or explore other paths, I am certain that you will continue to shine and make us proud. 

Your success today is a reminder of what we can achieve through hard work, determination, and a passion for learning. As you embark on your next journey, remember to stay curious, remain dedicated, and never stop pursuing your dreams. The future is bright, and I am excited to see where your talents and ambitions will take you. 

Congratulations once again on this exceptional achievement. Best wishes for your future endeavours, and may you continue to achieve great things. 

Prof. Dr. Vikneswaran Nair 
President 

The Cambridge A-Level results were announced on 13 August 2024. We are thrilled to congratulate our outstanding DISTED students for their exceptional performance in the Cambridge A-Level exams! Your hard work, perseverance, and dedication have truly shone through. Your teachers and fellow students are incredibly proud of your achievements and excited to see where your talents will take you next. Here’s to the bright future that awaits each of you and the new adventures ahead! 

Globally, the Cambridge International AS & A Level saw more than 631,000 entries (631,405), an impressive 13% increase from June 2023, with 316,008 students participating from 3,143 schools in 128 countries. The most popular subjects were: 1. English General Paper; 2. Mathematics; 3. Physics; 4. Chemistry; and 5. English Language. A total of 631,248 students worldwide received results from their Cambridge IGCSE, O Level, and International AS & A Level exams today. These students made over 1.6 million exam entries in the June 2024 series, a 9% increase from last year, reflecting the growing demand for international education. 

For DISTED College, 35% of our students achieved A*/A grades, with more than 40% of students securing A*/A in subjects such as Accounting, Further Mathematics, Biology, Physics, and Mathematics. We are particularly proud to announce a 100% pass rate in Accounting, English Language, Further Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology. This is an exceptional result, showcasing our students and faculty’s dedication and hard work. 

Congratulations to all our students and teachers for this remarkable achievement. Your efforts and success are a testament to the high standards of education at DISTED College. Here’s to continued excellence and many more achievements in the future!  

Top Achievers for June 2024 CAL: 

  • Lim Zi Xiang: A*, A*, A*, A* (4 A*s) 
  • Boey Wei Jian: A*, A*, A* (3 A*s) 
  • Bhore Sparsh Subhash: A*, A, A (3 As) 
  • Cliff Yeoh Chong Sheng: A*, A, A (3 As) 

 

Students who achieved 2 As: 

  • Shoeb Mirza Bin Mohamed Faizal 
  • Denise Cheong Hui Jing 
  • Faustine Ong Wei Yin  
  • Bhore Silky Subhash  
  • Denise Cheong Hui Jing 

Olympic Paris 2024: A Economic Catalyst or Financial Burden for Paris? 

The prospect of hosting the 2024 Olympic Games presents Paris with a complex economic landscape. The event promises a substantial economic boost through increased tourism, infrastructure development, and elevated global visibility. Millions of visitors are expected to flock to the city, injecting life into the hospitality industry. Massive investments in transportation, accommodation, and sporting venues will not only create jobs but also leave a lasting legacy of improved infrastructure. Additionally, the global spotlight on Paris is anticipated to attract major sponsors and advertisers, generating significant revenue. 

However, the path to economic prosperity is not without its challenges. Hosting the Olympics is a financially demanding endeavour, and the risk of overspending is a constant concern. The substantial costs associated with the Games can lead to increased public debt, potentially impacting future economic policies. Furthermore, there is a risk of uneven distribution of benefits, with some communities experiencing gentrification and displacement. Ensuring the safety and security of the event also requires substantial resources. 

To maximise the economic impact and mitigate potential drawbacks, Paris must adopt a strategic approach. Public-private partnerships can help share the financial burden and leverage private sector expertise. A strong emphasis on sustainability can attract eco-conscious tourists and investors. Careful planning for post-Games legacy projects is crucial to ensure long-term benefits for the city. Diversifying the economy beyond tourism can reduce reliance on a single sector. 

Ultimately, the success of Paris 2024 in driving economic growth hinges on careful management, strategic planning, and a commitment to sustainable development. By addressing potential challenges and capitalising on opportunities, the Games can serve as a catalyst for a prosperous future for the city. Understanding these economic dynamics is crucial for students learning economics at DISTED College, as it illustrates the complexities of large-scale economic events and their long-term impacts. 

Nur Aisya Najwa 
Lecturer, School of Business and Hospitality 

Enhancing Scientific Writing through Scrabble: An Innovative Classroom Activity

In the dynamic and ever-evolving field of psychology, the ability to think and write scientifically is paramount. At DISTED College, the course “Scientific Thinking and Academic Writing” is designed to foster these vital skills. One innovative and engaging classroom activity that has proven effective involves using A3 paper Scrabble which merges fun with learning, encouraging students to apply their knowledge in a collaborative and imaginative way.   

In this activity, students work in small groups to play Scrabble with a twist: they can only use terms related to scientific thinking, research methodologies, and academic writing allowing students to visualize connections between different concepts they have learned in class. This activity not only reinforces their understanding of scientific terminology but also helps them develop the ability to categorise and summarise academic literature effectively. By forming words like “hypothesis,” “evidence,” “critique,” and “literature review,” students practice building convincing arguments and critiquing scientific findings in a playful yet educational environment. Each group is tasked with explaining the relevance of the words they form, promoting deeper understanding and discussion. 

This practical and collaborative approach aligns with the course’s objective of developing competent researchers. By integrating such creative activities into the curriculum, DISTED College ensures that students are not only absorbing theoretical knowledge but also applying it in real-world contexts. By the end of the session, students have not only expanded their vocabulary but gained a better grasp of how to effectively structure and present scientific arguments.    

Thiresyinie A/P Tamil Chelvam 
Lecturer, School of Psychology 

Exploring Aerodynamics: Insights from DISTED Science Club’s Informative Talk 

From aeroplanes soaring in the sky to cars zipping through highways, understanding the basics of aerodynamics is essential for the development and manufacture of our daily modes of transportation. Aerodynamics plays a significant role in many fields of engineering, including motorsports, architecture, and aerospace. On July 30th, Lim Teik Jun, a member of DISTED’s Science Club, offered students and staff a unique perspective on aerodynamics. 

The talk began with the core principles of aerodynamics. The renowned Swiss mathematician Daniel Bernoulli discovered how planes could fly based on their wing shape, giving rise to Bernoulli’s Principle. This principle explains how wings generate lift, allowing aeroplanes to fly. Imagine a wing with air moving faster over the top surface than underneath, creating a pressure difference that lifts the aircraft. Another principle discussed was the Coanda Effect, which states that airflow will follow the shape of whatever it encounters. 

Participants also learned about the concept of projectiles when throwing their paper aeroplanes. A 45-degree throwing angle allowed the plane to be projected to its maximum distance. This talk enabled participants to reflect on the ground-breaking advancements and insightful discussions that have shaped our understanding of aerodynamics. The talk highlighted remarkable progress, from innovative designs in aviation and automotive industries to the latest research on fluid dynamics. 

DISTED Science Club expresses gratitude to the contributors and looks forward to more exciting activities in the future. 

Kaitlyn Khoo, Student Editor, DISTED Discourse , Student of Cambridge A-Level 

Penang School Students Shine at DISTED MicDrop Challenges 2024

On Saturday, 10th August, the School of Language and Communication, in collaboration with the School of Computing and Engineering, organized the DISTED MicDrop Challenges 2024, engaging about 40 high school students from Penang. The challenge centered around creating short videos on the theme “Kami Anak Malaysia,” with participants taking on the role of news anchors. The event was a notable success, with students expressing enthusiasm and excitement as they eagerly participated in the challenges. 

Participants produced innovative video content, showcasing their creativity and encouraging themselves to project confidence and boldness during their auditions for news anchor roles. The challenges were designed not only to provide students with exposure to the fields of mass communication and creative multimedia but also to promote a strong sense of self-confidence and teamwork through activities that required presentations and collaboration. 

The winners of the challenges were awarded hampers, and all participating students received certificates of participation, recognizing their efforts and achievements. 

Nadia Jefri 
Programme Lead, School Language and Communication