Remarks from the President
Dear DISTED Community,
On Wednesday, 16 September, we celebrated Malaysia Day. Our students shared several podcast and YouTube creations. Our celebration was unfortunately tempered by the air quality deteriorating as a result of the haze. Some of our outdoor activities will be reduced due to the poor air quality.
This weekend, we will celebrate our Pre-University Completion for our A Level, SACE and Foundation students. We take a little time off to celebrate their accomplishments, but for many, the official exams start soon. We congratulate them for finishing their programs and wish them well in the coming examinations.
President
Dato’ Dr (h.c) Lim Si Boon
Different Stories, One Malaysia
Ask a Malaysian what makes Malaysia special, and the answers are often wonderfully different.
For some, it is the taste of nasi lemak on a busy morning. For others, it is celebrating festivals together or hearing different languages spoken in the same conversation. These experiences reflect the diversity that makes Malaysia unique.
At DISTED College, diversity is more than a concept taught in classrooms. It is part of everyday campus life. It is seen in students sharing homemade kuih with their classmates, friends gathering over meals that showcase different cultural traditions, and conversations that bring together people from various backgrounds. It is also found in the simple exchange of words like “terima kasih”, “xie xie”, and “nandri”, learned through friendship and mutual respect.
Malaysia’s multicultural identity is especially visible during festive seasons. While Hari Raya, Deepavali, Chinese New Year, Christmas, and other celebrations may hold different meanings for different communities, many Malaysians share in each other’s festivities. This openness and willingness to celebrate together reflect the spirit of unity that continues to strengthen our society.
At DISTED, students from diverse races, cultures, and traditions learn, collaborate, and grow together. Through daily interactions, they gain a deeper understanding of one another, forming friendships that extend beyond cultural differences.
This Hari Malaysia, we celebrate the stories that make us who we are. Behind every culture and tradition is a person with dreams, aspirations, and hopes for a better future.
Different backgrounds. Different stories. Different traditions.
But one shared home. One shared future. One Malaysia.
Nur Aisya Najwa Amerrudin
Programme Lead, School of Business and Hospitality
Field Investigation: Clam Sampling for Microplastics Analysis
As part of their SACE Stage 2 Biology studies, SACE International students recently conducted a field investigation exploring the presence of microplastics in coastal ecosystems through clam sampling.
The class visited two sampling sites, Gurney Beach and the beach behind Ocean Green Restaurant, where students collected clam specimens and recorded environmental observations for subsequent laboratory analysis. Working within the exposed intertidal zones during low tide, students applied systematic sampling techniques to locate clams buried beneath the sediment while noting factors such as sediment type, water movement, and visible human activity that may influence microplastic distribution.
The second site provided an opportunity to compare findings between two distinct coastal environments. Differences in location, surrounding human activities, and environmental conditions encouraged students to consider how microplastic concentrations may vary across ecosystems.
Beyond data collection, the fieldwork reinforced key biological concepts, including ecosystem interactions, environmental sustainability, and scientific methodology. Through hands-on investigation, students applied classroom learning in a real-world context while developing important research and observational skills.
Reflecting on the experience, Elizabeth Qi Ying Reid shared that the excursion was both scientifically valuable and engaging, highlighting the growing issue of microplastic pollution while deepening her appreciation for marine ecosystems and the importance of conservation.
Ian Chuah Shang Ern described the fieldwork as a grounding and eye-opening experience. Although physically demanding, he found it rewarding to study the ecosystem firsthand and appreciated the opportunity to learn from local fishermen about their experiences and knowledge of the marine environment.
For Wong Jia Chee, the excursion was a test of perseverance and teamwork. Despite the hot weather and challenging digging conditions, she found the experience fulfilling and enjoyed working together with classmates to achieve their research objectives.
The excursion not only contributed to students’ scientific investigation but also fostered greater awareness of the need to protect Malaysia’s coastal ecosystems for future generations.
SACE Students
School of Pre University
Inspiring Creativity, Building Confidence and Bringing Ideas to Life: APEX Bootcamp 2026
Creativity, innovation, and design excellence were celebrated at Graphic Design+ @School, held as part of APEX Bootcamp 2026 on 22 August 2026 at TAR UMT Penang. The event, officiated by the Chief Minister of Penang, YAB Chow Kon Yeow, brought together talented school students to explore the exciting possibilities of creative design and technology.
More than just a showcase of student work, the programme provided participants with the opportunity to develop practical skills, express their creativity, and transform ideas into meaningful visual concepts through experiential learning activities.
One of the highlights of the programme was the 3D Design Hackathon 2026 Grand Final, involving students from the 3D Design @ School initiative. Participants were tasked with developing concepts, producing sketches, and transforming their ideas into three-dimensional designs. Throughout the process, students were encouraged to think creatively, experiment with solutions, and apply design-thinking principles to bring their ideas to life.
DISTED College, through its School of Communication, Arts and Multimedia (SCM), was proud to contribute as one of the programme’s training partners. The collaboration reflects the College’s commitment to supporting educational initiatives that empower young learners with future-focused skills.
Representing DISTED, Mr Luqman Aliff, Lecturer at the School of Communication, Arts and Multimedia, played an active role as a trainer throughout the programme. Over approximately three months, he worked closely with students from several schools across Penang, providing guidance in 3D design, creative technologies, design thinking, and practical media skills.
His involvement underscores DISTED’s dedication to extending learning beyond the classroom while promoting collaboration, creativity, and sustainability. Through initiatives such as APEX Bootcamp 2026, DISTED continues to inspire the next generation of creative thinkers, designers, and innovators.
Nadia Jefri
Head, School of Communication, Arts and Multimedia
Special Programme for Foundation and Diploma Newcomers
The School of Psychology (SPSY), in partnership with the School of Business and Hospitality (SBH), organised a Special Programme for newly enrolled Foundation and Diploma students as part of Orientation Day on 13 August 2026 at Crosby Colabz, DISTED College.
The initiative aimed to provide newcomers with an engaging introduction to college life while encouraging communication, teamwork, and interaction among students from different academic programmes. Through a series of interactive activities, students had the opportunity to connect with one another, develop interpersonal skills, and build confidence as they began their educational journey at DISTED.
The programme featured four engaging activities designed to foster collaboration and participation. Find Your Match encouraged students to solve simple addition equations and form groups based on matching totals, promoting interaction and teamwork. Human Bingo served as an effective icebreaker, helping students get to know their peers and establish new connections. The Cup Stack Challenge strengthened teamwork, coordination, communication, and problem-solving abilities, while the Stress Ball Innovation Challenge encouraged creativity, collaboration, confidence, and presentation skills.
By participating in these activities, students were able to step out of their comfort zones, engage with classmates from diverse backgrounds, and develop valuable skills that will support their academic and personal growth.
The programme successfully created a welcoming and supportive environment for Foundation and Diploma newcomers. The collaboration between SPSY and SBH contributed to a meaningful orientation experience, helping students begin their college journey with greater confidence, enthusiasm, and a stronger sense of belonging within the DISTED community.
Ambalakalidachayini Devi A/P Ravi
Lecturer, School of Psychology
Turning Ideas into Interactive Websites
The Web Design and Development subject provides BITDA students with the knowledge and practical skills required to build modern, interactive websites and web applications. By combining frontend and backend technologies, students gain hands-on experience in creating digital solutions that meet contemporary industry needs.
Throughout the subject, students learn essential programming languages including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP, which form the foundation of modern web development. They also use MySQL to store, manage, and retrieve data efficiently, enabling the development of dynamic and data-driven web applications.
Students are introduced to important concepts such as database integration, CRUD operations (Create, Read, Update, and Delete), server-side validation, and error handling. These competencies enable them to create secure, functional websites capable of processing user input and managing information effectively.
In addition, the subject helps students understand how frontend interfaces and backend systems work together to create complete digital platforms. Through practical projects, testing, and debugging activities, students develop the ability to identify technical issues, implement solutions, and improve application performance.
To align learning with current industry practices, students are also exposed to Laravel, a widely used PHP framework. This introduces them to concepts such as MVC (Model-View-Controller) architecture, structured coding practices, scalability, and built-in security features used in professional web development.
Beyond technical expertise, the subject fosters analytical thinking, logical problem-solving, teamwork, research, and independent learning. These transferable skills support students’ academic growth while preparing them for careers in web development, software engineering, system development, and other IT-related fields.
Overall, Web Design and Development provides BITDA students with a strong foundation in modern web technologies, preparing them to become adaptable, innovative, and industry-ready digital professionals.
Aina Syazwani Binti Shaharin
Lecturer, School of Computing and Engineering
Club Officer Training 1 Successfully Concluded
District 51 Division N successfully conducted its Club Officer Training (COT) 1 on 8 August 2026, bringing together nearly 150 club officers for a day of learning, collaboration, and leadership development.
The training aimed to equip newly elected club officers with the knowledge, skills, and resources required to lead their clubs effectively throughout the 2026–2027 Toastmasters year. Participants included Club Presidents, Vice President Education (VPE), Vice President Membership (VPM), Vice President Public Relations (VPPR), Secretaries, Treasurers, and Sergeants at Arms (SAA), each committed to strengthening their leadership capabilities and serving their members more effectively.
The event commenced with breakfast for participants, followed by an inspiring welcome address by District 51 Director, Distinguished Toastmaster Lim Huei Ying, who encouraged club officers to embrace their leadership journey and contribute positively to their club communities.
Throughout the training, experienced facilitators shared valuable insights on club leadership, member engagement, meeting quality, club administration, and strategies for achieving Distinguished Club Program (DCP) goals. Interactive discussions and practical examples provided participants with a deeper understanding of how strong leadership contributes to a vibrant and successful club environment.
Beyond the training sessions, COT 1 served as a valuable networking platform where club officers exchanged best practices, discussed common challenges, and explored innovative ways to enhance member experiences.
The organising committee also expressed its appreciation to DISTED College for sponsoring the venue and supporting the successful execution of the event. DISTED students assisted with the Timer and Sergeant-at-Arms breakout sessions, gaining firsthand exposure to teamwork, event coordination, and leadership development. The students expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to witness a large-scale Toastmasters event and learn practical lessons on becoming effective team players.
The success of COT 1 reflects the dedication of the organising committee, facilitators, volunteers, and participants. As club officers begin their leadership year, the training marks an important step towards achieving their club and DCP goals.
Jesscia Ang
District 51 Division N Organising Chair
Club Officer Training 1 (COT 1) 2026–2027
