DISTED College Strengthens Leadership with Appointment of Global Experts to Board of Advisors
DISTED College has appointed global leaders Shaun TL Tan 和 Ooi Joon Leong to its Board of Advisors, leveraging their expertise in finance, IT strategy, and supply chain to strengthen governance, enhance industry alignment, and support student success. Shaun, previously based overseas, has now settled in Penang, while Ooi, a Penang native and alumnus of St. Xavier’s Institution, brings local insights to the board from his global experience. Additional members of the Board of Advisors will be introduced in the coming months.
Mr. Ooi Joon Leong, Partner Emeritus at A.T. Kearney Inc., leverages over 30 years of experience in management consulting, specializing in supply chain optimization, organizational transformation, and sustainable business practices. As the former Managing Director of A.T. Kearney’s Kuala Lumpur office and Head of Asia Pacific Operations Practice, Ooi has led operational excellence initiatives for clients across telecommunications, energy, and consumer industries. With an academic background spanning top global institutions—holding an MBA from Columbia University, a Master’s in Engineering from Stanford University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)—he combines technical expertise with strategic insight. His guidance will support DISTED in strengthening institutional capabilities, integrating industry-relevant skills into academic programmes, and fostering collaborations with multinational enterprises to enhance graduate employability.
Mr. Shaun TL Tan, a seasoned executive with over 25 years in finance, risk management, and cross-border governance, brings a wealth of experience from leadership roles at Manulife, AIA, and GE Capital. Renowned for architecting Manulife’s Global Finance Shared Services (300+ teams, $13M annual savings) and steering digital transformation initiatives, Shaun’s expertise spans operational scaling, crisis leadership, and IT strategy. His multilingual proficiency and board roles at Mechmed Ltd and Kingston Property Ltd position him to advise DISTED on aligning curricula with evolving financial and technological sectors, enhancing governance frameworks, and fostering industry partnerships for student internships and real-world projects.
Both advisors will focus on enhancing DISTED’s governance processes, bridging academic offerings with industry needs, and cultivating partnerships to elevate student experiences. Their insights will be pivotal in modernising programmes, integrating ESG principles, and fostering innovation in teaching methodologies. Their global perspectives and sector-specific expertise will accelerate DISTED’s mission to deliver future-ready education.
Excellence and Relevance at DISTED College
I am truly grateful to my colleagues and students for their dedication in supporting and promoting DISTED at the Malaysian Education Fair (MEF) on 8–9 March. We also appreciate the students and parents who visited our booth and engaged with our counsellors. If you missed us at MEF, join our Open Day at the DISTED College Campus on 15–16 March.
We have been actively reconstituting the College Advisory Boards to ensure our programmes remain relevant and innovative. We welcome new members to our Boards of Industry/Advisors and continue building strong connections with partner universities and industries. In the coming weeks, we will share updates on these efforts and introduce the distinguished individuals joining our Boards.
The Student Representative Council (SRC) nomination process is underway, with new members to be elected by the end of March. I encourage students to step forward, contribute, and enhance the DISTED experience for your peers and the wider community.
To our alumni, we would love to reconnect, hear your stories, and feature your memories at DISTED. Reach out to us at Registrar@disted.edu.my.
We look forward to welcoming you to our Open Day this weekend!
Dato’ Lim Si Boon, Interim President
Inspiring Young Minds: Cultivating a Winning Mindset for Secondary School Success
On February 17, 2025, DISTED College lecturers Ms. Teoh and Ms. Tan visited Union High School to deliver a motivational talk titled “Embarking on Your Secondary School Journey: Developing a Winning Mindset for Success” to Form 1 students. The session aimed to help students navigate their new school environment with confidence and resilience.
The event began with an ice-breaking activity where students passed a doll and asked each other questions, fostering engagement and camaraderie. Ms. Teoh introduced the theme, “Unlocking a Whole New World: Growing, Learning, Thriving with 5 Winning Attitudes,” drawing on Erikson’s theory of self-discovery during adolescence. She emphasized the role of a positive mindset in overcoming challenges and explained how the brain influences behavior and personal growth.
Ms. Tan shared her personal journey, “A Dazzling Stage,” recounting how she found her passion for teaching after initially feeling lost post-graduation. She spoke about her experience teaching Malay to struggling students, including a group known as the “Four Naughty Boys.” Encouraging them to participate in a Malay speech contest, she witnessed their transformation as they gained confidence after receiving unexpected praise from the principal. Her story underscored the idea that education is not just about grades but about empowering students to discover their own potential.
The event concluded with a “Wishing Wall” activity, where students wrote down their goals and aspirations, symbolizing their commitment to personal growth. The talk left students inspired to embrace their secondary school journey with a winning mindset.
Chermaine Cheah Ming, Student of Bachelor of Communication (Media Studies) Hons.
Integrating ESG into Accounting: Beyond Compliance to Strategic Sustainability
The recent CPA Australia’s ESG Business Presentation highlighted the growing importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors in modern business. While the term ESG was first coined in 2004, its relevance has increased due to climate change, regulatory pressures, and shifting market expectations.
Dr. David Teh (CPA, CA) emphasised that sustainability should be viewed as a strategic opportunity rather than just a compliance requirement. Traditionally, accountants have focused on financial reporting and regulatory compliance, but with ESG integration, their role is expanding. Beyond closing the books, accountants must now develop ESG reporting frameworks, assess risks such as supply chain disruptions and resource scarcity, and align businesses with global standards like IFRS S1 and S2, which mandate sustainability disclosures from January 2024.
In Malaysia, ESG adoption is crucial as the government targets net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Businesses must evaluate their sustainability strategies to remain competitive while supporting national environmental goals. Agencies like Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and SME Corporation Malaysia provide support through Green Technology Tax incentives and ESG readiness tools.
The role of accountants is evolving beyond compliance and financial reporting. They are now strategic advisors, guiding businesses in integrating ESG into their long-term strategies. This includes assessing sustainability risks, ensuring transparent reporting, and aligning financial decisions with sustainable growth.
At DISTED’s accounting programmes, our experienced lecturers provide industry-relevant knowledge and hands-on learning to prepare you for success in accounting and ESG-driven business strategies.
Tong Pei Sun, Senior Lecturer, School of Business and Hospitality
Bridging Theory and Practice: Experiential Learning in Child Behaviour Observation
In a recent session of my Emotional and Behaviour Management class in the Bachelor of Pschology (Hons) programme, students experienced hands-on learning by observing my two young children, aged five and three. This transformed the lecture into a dynamic real-world exercise, allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical setting.
The goal was to provide firsthand experience in tracking behaviours, identifying developmental milestones, understanding reinforcers, and formulating an Individualised Education Plan (IEP). While textbooks offer structure, nothing compares to live observation, where students can witness spontaneous behaviours, social interactions, and emotional responses in real-time.
Students carefully documented how my children engaged with their environment, interacted with each other, and responded to different reinforcers. They noted patterns in attention, frustration tolerance, and problem-solving approaches, analysing how intrinsic and extrinsic factors influenced behaviour. The session emphasised flexible assessment, as children’s behaviors shift with context, requiring adaptable observation techniques.
A follow-up discussion encouraged students to reflect on their observations and collaborate on IEPs. They explored individualised strategies for support, goal-setting, and intervention planning. This experience reinforced the importance of tailoring educational and behavioural interventions to a child’s unique needs, fostering a deeper understanding of developmental psychology.
Experiential learning like this bridges theory with practice, strengthening students’ analytical, observational, and critical-thinking skills. By engaging in real-world assessments, they gain insight into child development and behaviour management, preparing them for future careers in education, psychology, and related fields.
Indra Sellappan, Lecturer, School of Psychology
Inspired by Innovation: DISTED Students Gain Insights at RINTIS 2025 Exhibition
On 15th January 2025, students from CMT402 [Desktop Publishing] and CAD406 [Computer Aided Drawing and Digital Typography] participated in an educational visit to RINTIS, a prestigious final year project exhibition hosted by the School of Art, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). The event showcased the creative and innovative projects of final-year art students, providing an excellent opportunity for exposure and learning.
The primary objective of the visit was to inspire and prepare our students for their own upcoming projects. They were encouraged to engage actively with the exhibitors by asking questions about the processes, challenges, and strategies involved in completing a final-year project. This interaction helped the students gain valuable insights into time management, soft skills, and creative problem-solving techniques.
The exhibition featured a diverse range of projects across various disciplines, including multimedia design, animation, visual arts, and interactive media and product design. Our students were particularly impressed by the depth of research and the innovative use of technology in the projects, which provided a clear benchmark for their own work.
Final-year students were generous in sharing their experiences and advice, emphasizing the importance of consistent effort, collaboration, and feedback from mentors. They also highlighted the significance of starting early and maintaining a clear vision throughout the project.
This visit proved to be a highly beneficial experience, equipping DISTED students with practical knowledge and motivating them to set high standards for their final-year projects. By witnessing the culmination of hard work and dedication in the exhibited projects, our students left with a better understanding of what it takes to succeed in their respective fields.
Luqman Aliff Bin Abdul Rashid, Programme Lead, School of Communication & General Studies
Matt Clarke’s Visit to DISTED College: Strengthening Ties and Exploring New Opportunities
On March 5th, 2025, Matt Clarke, the Business Development Manager from the SACE Board, visited DISTED College, marking an important step in the collaboration between the two institutions. The day’s agenda was designed to explore key areas for growth and strengthening the existing partnership.
The visit began with a Management Meeting, where Clarke and the DISTED leadership team discussed the challenges within the education market, reviewed strategic plans, and explored marketing activities to attract more students. The meeting also focused on identifying ways the SACE Board could provide additional value to DISTED’s operations.
Clarke’s visit also highlighted Student Recruitment efforts. He offered his support for various activities aimed at increasing enrolment in the SACE program, including events and outreach initiatives. This collaborative effort aims to broaden DISTED’s reach and appeal to prospective students.
Matt Clarke’s visit was a productive step in deepening the relationship between SACE Board and DISTED College, setting the stage for exciting developments in the future. DISTED has been successfully conducting the SACE International programme since 1987. The programme is your gateway to university studies worldwide. It provides the pathway to a broad spectrum of undergraduate studies including medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, engineering, biotechnology, computer science, law, business, mass communications and other programmes.
Geong Chooi Peng, Head, School of Pre-University Studies
