Remarks from the President
Dear DISTED Community,
The College has just completed the trial and preparatory examinations for Cambridge A Level students who will be sitting for the formal A Level examinations in May 2026. In an era shaped by Artificial Intelligence (AI), formal examinations are increasingly important, as they allow students to demonstrate their understanding and ability to apply knowledge that has been genuinely learnt. The knowledge acquired, whether with or without digital assistance during learning, is assessed in an examination environment without access to AI. We wish our students every success as they prepare for their upcoming A Level examinations.
This also marks the formal completion of Pre‑University programmes for students enrolled in Foundation, Cambridge A Levels and the South Australian Certificate of Education. Their achievements will be celebrated at the upcoming Pre‑University Completion Ceremony, where students on the President’s Honour List will be recognised for outstanding results.
While celebrating our students’ achievements and academic excellence, we remain mindful that we are living in a tumultuous global environment, with ongoing conflicts and resulting disruptions to global supply chains, particularly in energy. In response, DISTED College will be reducing shuttle journeys to minimise diesel consumption and will also be reducing electricity usage on campus. We encourage the DISTED community to do its part in conserving energy.
President
Dato’ Dr (h.c) Lim Si Boon
Biology Field Trip to the Botanical Garden: Learning Beyond the Classroom
The Biology field trip to the Penang Botanical Garden provided Foundation in Science students with a valuable opportunity to connect classroom learning with real‑world observation. Accompanied by their lecturer, Dr Kam Yew Chee, students explored the botanical garden and surrounding areas, including nature trails and a small river, as part of the FIS Biology II syllabus on biodiversity.
Throughout the visit, students observed a wide range of plant groups such as bryophytes, pteridophytes, gymnosperms and angiosperms in a natural environment. They also encountered insects, fish, butterflies and monkeys, offering firsthand exposure to ecosystems that are usually studied through textbooks. Lecturers guided discussions on plant characteristics, environmental adaptation and conservation, reinforcing academic concepts through direct observation.
A key highlight of the trip was a hands‑on fishing activity by a nearby stream. While simple, the activity encouraged teamwork, critical observation and interaction with nature, reminding students of the close connection between humans and the natural world. Many students reflected on how stepping away from digital distractions helped them sharpen their observation skills and appreciate the environment more deeply.
Beyond academic gains, the field trip strengthened friendships and fostered a sense of community among students. Walking under the sun, sharing lunch and learning together created lasting memories. Overall, the experience demonstrated the importance of experiential learning in science education, encouraging environmental awareness, collaboration and a deeper appreciation of biodiversity.
Students
Foundation in Science 理科基础课程
Beyond the Classroom: Experiencing Real‑World Entrepreneurship with Ms Khaw
The School of Psychology hosted Ms Khaw Yin Yee, Founder of Homeals and ROKU The Taco Bar, for an entrepreneurship workshop conducted under PSY330 Career Development and Planning as part of the Industry Guest Lecturer Series. Ms Khaw was accompanied by her assistant, Nicolai, who contributed operational perspectives and reinforced the importance of teamwork and clearly defined roles in sustaining business performance. The session was attended by 30 psychology students and provided meaningful exposure to real‑world entrepreneurial practice.
Drawing from her journey as a chef‑turned‑entrepreneur, Ms Khaw shared practical insights into building and sustaining a niche, health‑focused brand. Key areas discussed included strategic positioning, financial management and the importance of effective operational systems, offering students a realistic perspective on the challenges faced by business owners.
One of the highlights of the workshop was an interactive group activity where students were presented with realistic business scenarios, including managing cash‑flow shortages, addressing low sales conversion, resolving operational breakdowns and handling customer complaints. These discussions required students to think critically, make decisions under pressure and evaluate potential consequences—mirroring real‑world entrepreneurial situations.
More than a conventional lecture, the session emphasised experiential learning, enabling students to move beyond textbook knowledge and apply concepts in practical contexts. The workshop reinforced that professional development and career readiness extend beyond the classroom into real‑world problem‑solving and decision‑making.
Chew Yong Peng
Lecturer, School of Psychology
When Our Lecturers Learn Together: A Shared Journey Toward Better Teaching
Teaching observation plays a vital role in the continuous professional growth of educators. More than an evaluative exercise, it provides lecturers with the space to pause, reflect and engage in meaningful discussions about their classroom practices—what is working well, areas for improvement and how students are responding to different teaching approaches. When conducted in a positive and supportive manner, teaching observation becomes a collaborative learning experience rather than a judgement.
At DISTED College, the teaching observation process strongly reflects the institution’s core value of Collaboration. It involves a coordinated effort among the Head of School, Programme Leader and the Professional Development team to engage in constructive dialogue, share best practices and work collectively to enhance teaching quality. Through careful planning, classroom observation and follow‑up discussions, lecturers are supported in refining their approaches while maintaining their individual teaching identities.
This approach also demonstrates DISTED’s commitment to Excellence, as constructive feedback encourages lecturers to continuously improve and uphold high academic standards. Caring is evident in the supportive conversations that help lecturers feel valued, motivated and confident in their development. At the same time, Integrity is maintained through a transparent and fair process that is clearly focused on professional growth rather than evaluation.
When guided by these core values, teaching observation nurtures a reflective and positive teaching culture. Ultimately, this benefits not only lecturers but also students, who experience more engaging, thoughtful and effective learning environments.
Tan Sue Lin
Head of Professional Development
Secret to Workplace Success – A Distinguished Toastmaster Project
The Secret to Workplace Success session was conducted as part of a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) project aimed at preparing students for the realities of the modern workplace. Proposed to the management at DISTED College, the initiative was designed to help students reflect deeply on what employers truly look for beyond academic achievements.
The session emphasised that while technical knowledge is important, qualities such as positive attitude, initiative, effective communication and a strong sense of responsibility often play a greater role in workplace success. These insights provided students with a clearer understanding of employer expectations as they prepare for life after graduation.
The three‑hour session was facilitated by Ms Carmen Loo, an experienced HRDF‑Certified Trainer and Leadership and Communication Coach. One of the key highlights was a workstyle assessment, which encouraged students to examine their own working styles and recognise how these may evolve across different stages of their careers. Through guided discussions, students gained valuable insights into how everyday habits—such as responding promptly, meeting deadlines and taking ownership of responsibilities—can shape professional perceptions.
Overall, the session promoted greater self‑awareness, emotional intelligence and a growth mindset among participants. Moving forward, the project aims to nurture graduates who are proactive, adaptable and committed to continuous learning.
The workshop concluded with a course evaluation, where students expressed satisfaction with the session. Electronic certificates of participation were issued to attendees.
Jesscia Ang
Registrar
Welcoming Our Newest Members to the DISTED Community
DISTED College is delighted to welcome Mr. Ng Wei Xian and Ms. Ruth Ravandran to our growing academic community. Both bring valuable experience, strong academic credentials, and a deep commitment to enriching teaching and learning at DISTED.
Mr. Ng Wei Xian holds a Master of Business Administration from INTI International University and a Bachelor of Marketing (Hons) from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman. He has teaching experience across diverse educational settings and is passionate about delivering student-centred, engaging, and supportive learning experiences. His strengths include lesson planning, curriculum delivery, classroom management, and student assessment, with a strong focus on student development both academically and personally. Beyond the classroom, Mr. Ng actively contributes to co-curricular activities and student mentoring. As a Taekwondo instructor, he guides students through training, grading, and competitions, nurturing discipline, resilience, and confidence.
Ms. Ruth Ravandran joins DISTED as a Lecturer in the School of Communication Arts and Multimedia. She holds a Master’s degree in Graphic Communication from Universiti Sains Malaysia and brings extensive experience from international school environments. Ruth has taught Cambridge IGCSE English, Bahasa Melayu, and humanities subjects, working with students from diverse backgrounds. Her teaching philosophy emphasises interactive, student-centred learning supported by structured lesson design, effective assessment strategies, and real-world applications. In addition, her expertise in visual communication design—particularly in typography, branding, and digital media—enables her to integrate design thinking into teaching and learning practices.
We are excited to welcome Mr. Ng and Ms. Ruth to DISTED College and look forward to the positive impact they will have in shaping our students and strengthening our academic community.
Raziah binti Ehia Mohd
HR and Admin Executive
