Remarks from the President
Dear DISTED Community,
We are proud to welcome back our very own Physics Lecturer, Dr. Tan Fuyi, who recently led the Malaysian team to a remarkable achievement at the Al-Fergani International Physics Olympiad (FIPhO) 2026 in Uzbekistan.
Under Dr. Tan’s leadership, the Malaysian Physics team returned home with one silver, one bronze, and two honourable mentions. We congratulate the team for flying the Malaysian flag high on the international stage.
Meanwhile, this Saturday, we look forward to celebrating another milestone at DISTED – Graduation Day. It is a special occasion to recognise the achievements of our students and the culmination of their years of hard work. I would like to congratulate all our graduates and wish them every success in the future.
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!
President
Dato’ Dr (h.c) Lim Si Boon
My Journey with Squash
I have been learning and playing squash for almost 12 years now. My interest in the sport began when I was six years old after seeing Dato’ Nicol David, Malaysia’s national squash legend, featured on the front page of a newspaper when winning her eighth world title. Being curious, I asked my father about the achievement. He explained the sport to me and asked whether I would be interested in playing squash. I immediately said yes, and that moment marked the beginning of my journey in the sport.
Over the years, I participated in several national and international tournaments, including the Singapore Open 2022, Australian Open 2024, Oceania Open 2024, and SUKMA Games 2024. I have also competed in numerous tournaments held throughout Malaysia. Participating in international competitions has given me the opportunity to compete against players from different countries and cultures. As part of a meaningful tradition, I occasionally exchange national team T-shirts and contact details with fellow participants. These tournaments have also allowed me to form friendships with individuals who demonstrate admirable sportsmanship.
However, balancing my responsibilities as a state squash player with my studies has been one of the greatest challenges I have faced since primary school. It was particularly demanding during my secondary school years, when I took up 11 subjects, including German A1 and Engineering Drawing. Despite the challenges, I achieved 9As and 2Bs in my SPM examination. I was also interviewed by local media, Buletin Mutiara.
When it was time to further my studies, I registered at DISTED College. The lecturers here understand and support my circumstances, particularly when I need to be away for tournaments. I am also grateful for the wonderful friends I have made, who willingly share their notes with me whenever I am absent.
Recently, I participated in a tournament that coincided with my 18th birthday. Although I had to sacrifice my birthday celebrations to compete, my friends from the A-Level programme—Shin Bei, Rachel, and Ian Keh—kindly bought me gifts and a cake to celebrate the occasion. I sincerely appreciate their thoughtfulness and the meaningful friendships that DISTED has given me.
Limeetha Sai Arunasalam
Student, Cambridge A-Level
Supporting Penang’s Journey Towards a Healthier Future
DISTED College is proud to have hosted the NAWEM Penang Health Carnival 2026, a meaningful community initiative dedicated to promoting preventive healthcare, early detection, and healthier lifestyles.
Our participation heeds the call by the state government to address the nation’s growing health challenges as highlighted by Penang Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen, who encouraged regular health screenings, healthy living practices, and timely medical intervention, in his speech.
Themed “Promoting Health Awareness and Wellbeing”, the one-day event featured 17 exhibitor booths, free health screenings, and informative talks by healthcare professionals.
As an institution committed to education, community engagements, and social responsibility, DISTED believes that empowering individuals with knowledge is key to creating lasting positive change. The carnival’s focus on health awareness, disease prevention, and community well-being aligns closely with our mission of developing informed, responsible, and future-ready citizens.
We are indeed honoured to have been given the opportunity to participate in this event and to collaborate with the National Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Malaysia (NAWEM) Penang, the Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC), and healthcare professionals as well as community leaders in fostering greater health awareness across our state.
Together, let’s build a healthier, stronger, and more resilient Penang for future generations.
Jesscia Ang,
Industry and Community Head
Empowering Future Professionals Through Data Analytics
Learning at DISTED College goes beyond textbooks and the classroom. To give students a deeper understanding of how their studies apply in the real world, our School of Computing and Engineering recently invited Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) lecturer Dr. Shahrinaz Ismail to speak on “The Power of Data Analytics for Business Decision Making”.
The lecture brought together students from the Diploma in Computer Science, Diploma in Information Technology, Diploma in Business Studies, and Bachelor of Information Technology (Data Analytics) programmes.
Through engaging examples and real-world applications, Dr. Shahrinaz highlighted how organisations leverage data analytics to support strategic decision making, improve operational efficiency, and gain competitive advantages in today’s data-driven environment.
In addition to discussing the role of analytics in business, the session also touched on emerging trends in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and their growing impact across industries. Students gained valuable insights into how data and AI technologies are transforming the way businesses operate and make decisions.
The interactive Q&A session that followed provided students with the opportunity to further explore analytics-related concepts and career pathways in the field.
The guest lecture most definitely enhanced our students’ understanding of data-driven decision making while exposing them to current industry practices and technological developments.
Adibah Binti Riduan
Lecturer, School of Computing and Engineering
Preparing for the Future: Internship Readiness and Employer Expectations
DISTED College recently held an impactful educational session titled “Internship Readiness and Employer Expectations” at the Crosby Bizlab, aiming to bridge the gap between academic education and industry standards for its students.
Organised by the School of Communication, Arts and Multimedia, the one-hour talk which focused on equipping students with crucial insights into the evolving demands of the corporate world, brought together students from various programmes.
Addressing students from various stages of their academic journey, the talk emphasised that career preparation begins long before one enters the job market. Regardless of whether students were immediately preparing for an upcoming internship or were still early in their studies, the event served as a proactive platform to instil essential career-building habits and workplace awareness.
During the session, students also gained valuable guidance on key attributes modern employers seek, ranging from practical work ethics and communication skills to adaptability in professional environments.
As industries continue to demand highly dynamic and well-prepared talents, initiatives like this reaffirm our dedication to nurturing future-ready professionals who can transition seamlessly from the classroom to the corporate sphere.
Nuremylia Maisyara Bt Rosli
Lecturer, School of Communication, Arts and Multimedia
Putting Psychology into Practice: Students Support Teen Emotional Well-Being
Our School of Psychology recently organised the Reset and Recharge Teen Emotional Management Growth Camp to help secondary students deal with the stresses of growing up.
Held in collaboration with Home Dynamics Berhad, the camp focused on helping the teenagers aged 13 to 17 to understand themselves better and manage their emotions, stress and mental energy through experiential and activity-based learning.
Key activities introduced participants to emotional awareness, the Emotion Thermometer, emotion naming, breathing and relaxation techniques, as well as practical approaches to handling stressful situations. Participants were also encouraged to explore how factors such as academic demands, sleep, social experiences, mobile phone use, and gaming can affect their mental energy.
More so, the programme provided our Bachelor of Psychology students with valuable hands-on experience in community engagement and psychological education. Under the guidance of professionals from Home Dynamics and our School of Psychology, they assisted in the facilitation of selected sessions, engaging participants, and guiding group activities. Through the camp, our students had the opportunity to apply psychological concepts within a practical setting while strengthening their communication, teamwork, leadership, empathy, and professional helping skills.
The programme concluded by encouraging participants to reflect on their own emotional and energy levels, identify factors that may drain their energy, and develop practical ways to recharge and maintain their well-being.
Chew Yong Peng
Lecturer, School of Psychology
Licensed Counsellor
DISTED College Lecturer Leads Winning Team to International Physics Olympiad in Uzbekistan
Our Senior Lecturer, Dr. Tan Fuyi, from the School of Pre-University Studies has done DISTED College proud by leading the Malaysian delegation to a remarkable win at the Al-Fergani International Physics Olympiad (FIPhO) 2026.
Following Malaysia’s historic achievements at the International Science Olympiad (ISPhO) and the International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) earlier this year, Team Malaysia has continued its strong performance on the international stage at the FIPhO 2026 held in Uzbekistan recently.
Competing against some of the world’s most talented young physicists, the Malaysian team, whose members were selected and trained by Dr. Tan, secured an impressive haul of one silver medal, one bronze medal, and two honourable mentions, marking another significant milestone in what has been an exceptional year for Malaysian Physics Olympiad students.
- Hee Wen Kai – Silver Medal (SMJK Sam Tet, Perak)
- Calvin Tai Kar Hui – Bronze Medal (SMJK Chung Ling, Penang)
- Cindy Wong Jia Ying – Honourable Mention (Sabah Tshung Tsin Secondary School, Sabah)
- Adib Nuruddin – Honourable Mention (Taylor’s College, Selangor)
- Marcus Ong Kai Liang- Participant (Kolej Yayasan UEM, Selangor)
“These achievements reflect the students’ hard work, perseverance, and commitment to excellence.
“More importantly, they demonstrate the growing strength of Malaysia’s young scientific talent and their ability to compete successfully at the international level,” said Dr. Tan.
“The success at FIPhO 2026 adds another chapter to an already remarkable year for Malaysian Physics Olympiads and serves as further encouragement for future generations of students to pursue their passion for science and embrace the challenges of international competition,” he added.
Congratulations to Team Malaysia and Dr. Tan for representing our nation with distinction and making us proud once again.
