Tech Meets Talent: DISTED at USM TechFest 2025
On 19 April 2025, students from DISTED College’s School of Computing and Engineering took part in USM TechFest 2025, a dynamic tech-focused event hosted by Google Developer Groups (GDG) at Universiti Sains Malaysia. Held at the School of Computer Sciences, the event provided a valuable opportunity for students to explore emerging technologies and gain practical insights beyond the classroom.
The festival aimed to bridge the gap between academic study and industry application. Through interactive workshops and booth sessions, our students explored a variety of Google tools and platforms such as Google Gemini, Firebase, Google Cloud, TensorFlow, Flutter, Kaggle, and Angular. One particularly insightful session titled “Effortless Scaling with Google Cloud Web Hosting” introduced students to web deployment using Google Compute Engine. The event catered to various skill levels, offering beginner to intermediate workshops to ensure inclusive and meaningful participation. Students walked away with not only technical knowledge but also real-world context, applying what they have learned in class to live tools and scenarios.
Just as important as the skills gained was the networking opportunity. Students connected with like-minded peers from other institutions, sharing ideas, exploring collaborative projects, and discussing future career paths. This atmosphere of exchange reinforces DISTED’s belief in peer learning, industry exposure, and personal development. The USM TechFest experience has equipped our computing students with the confidence, skills, and connections needed to thrive in both academic and industry environments. It represents exactly what we strive for at DISTED — meaningful learning with impact.
Kaushalya A/P Tinakaran
Lecturer, School of Computing & Engineering
Resilience
After the very busy schedule of the past few weeks, culminating in the celebration of our Teachers, Lecturers, and Educators, the College is now settling into our regular teaching routines and student activities.
Our staff and Student Representative Council are currently preparing for the upcoming student orientation programme for the June Semester intake.
Scholarship interviews have also begun, and the competition is even keener this year. The Scholarship Committee is still receiving applications and in the process of shortlisting candidates. DISTED College offers Academic Merit Awards that are based purely on academic performance at the SPM level. Our prestigious scholarships, however, are more selective. They are awarded not only based on academic results but also take into account students’ contributions to community service, leadership, and talent. We also consider their ability to overcome challenges and obstacles, as well as their performance during the interview stage.
This year, we are proud to offer a variety of scholarships, including the IK Meeks Scholarship for Pre-University students aspiring to pursue a career in Law, the Dato Seri Stephen Yeap Scholarship for those interested in Business or Finance, and the Si Wu Scholarship for students aiming for fields in Psychology, Science, or Technology. We also have the DISTED Alumni Scholarship, selected by our alumni themselves, and the DISTED/Star Education Fund Scholarship for students pursuing Accounting.
Scholarships at DISTED are based on your achievements in Secondary School and your ability to be significant to society in the future.
Dato’ Lim Si Boon
Interim President
Bizquad Students Turn Thai Camp into Business Learning Lab
From May 6 to 8, 2025, students from DISTED College’s Bizquad Co. took part in the Thai Camp event by running a sales booth on campus. This initiative aimed to enhance students’ event management and entrepreneurial skills, foster teamwork, and raise club funds through the sale of Malaysia-themed souvenirs and snacks. The booth attracted strong interest from Thai students, resulting in a sales margin of approximately 40%.
Students were actively involved in all aspects of the business operation, including pricing, marketing, and inventory control. Their cooperation and hands-on involvement were key to the booth’s success.
According to the Club President, “This event really improved our teamwork and management skills. Each member had to cooperate closely to achieve our goals.”
The Vice President of the Club, further added, “I enjoyed the entire process of sales and business management. It was a great opportunity to apply what we’ve learned in class to a real-world situation.”
The experience not only strengthened students’ leadership and communication skills but also reinforced DISTED’s commitment to experiential learning that goes beyond the classroom.
Tong Pei Sun
Club Advisor, Bizquad Co.
Senior Lecturer, School of Business and Hospitality
DISTED Library: Embracing the Future with Generative AI
Libraries around the world are increasingly engaging with Generative AI to transform how knowledge is accessed, shared, and used. According to the 2024 Pulse of the Library Report by Clarivate, more than 60% of academic libraries are exploring or implementing AI despite ongoing challenges such as budget constraints and digital skill gaps. At DISTED College, the Library is taking strategic steps to align with these global shifts, with a focus on ethical, inclusive, and responsible AI use.
What We’ve Done So Far:
AI Ethics in Library Skills Sessions
Students are now introduced to Generative AI tools with a strong emphasis on ethics, academic honesty, and understanding plagiarism risks.
Promoting Academic Integrity
Workshops and sessions highlight the importance of critical thinking and proper citation when working with AI-generated content.
What Comes Next:
- Promoting AI and Digital Literacy
We will host skill-building workshops for students and staff and create practical resources that foster safe and informed AI use.
- Enhancing Discovery and Research Support
AI tools will soon support natural language search queries, personalised reading suggestions, and smarter metadata creation.
- Strengthening Staff Competency
The Library team will engage in continuous learning, webinars, and peer-led sessions to stay current on trends in AI and library technology.
Looking Ahead
AI will not replace the library, but it will enhance it. At DISTED, we are committed to embracing technological advancement while upholding our core values: access, integrity, and lifelong learning. The library will continue to serve as a hub for academic excellence and digital readiness, supporting our students and staff in an evolving information landscape.
“With thoughtful implementation, we believe Generative AI will enrich—not replace—our role as educators and facilitators of knowledge.”
Fairunizan Akbar Malik,
Librarian, DISTED Library
Energising Our Campus: A Day of Fitness, Fun, and Team Spirit
The School of Psychology at DISTED College recently hosted an invigorating wellness event, designed to promote a balanced and healthy lifestyle for both students and staff. The day-long programme, led by certified personal trainer Mr Robin Cheah, combined fun, fitness, and meaningful interaction.
The event began with an energetic icebreaker, Squirrels in the Tree, which quickly had everyone moving, laughing, and bonding. This playful start created an inclusive atmosphere, helping participants feel comfortable and connected from the outset. Following this, Mr Cheah delivered a motivational talk on the importance of daily wellness. He provided practical, manageable strategies for staying active, even during a packed academic or work schedule. The hands-on portion included home-based high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts, giving participants effective tools for fitness that require no gym membership. The highlight of the session was a lively Zumba dance workout, where music, movement, and smiles filled the room.
The day ended with a team-building activity that brought everyone together through shared challenges, laughter, and support. These collaborative exercises not only promoted physical wellness but also strengthened the emotional connections within our campus community. The wellness event reflected DISTED’s commitment to holistic student development and the importance of supporting both mental and physical health. It reminded us of all that staying active does not need to be difficult, and that wellness is most sustainable when it is fun, inclusive, and shared. This meaningful day left a lasting impact on participants, many of whom felt encouraged to build healthier habits and stronger bonds with one another.
Indra Sellappan
Lecturer/ Rehabilitation Psychologist
心理学学院
Welcoming Ambalakalidachayini Devi to the School of Psychology
We are pleased to welcome Ambalakalidachayini Devi A/P Ravi to the School of Psychology at DISTED College as a Lecturer. She brings with her a strong foundation in psychology and a wealth of experience in special needs education. She holds a Master of Education in Educational Psychology from Universiti Sains Malaysia and a Bachelor of Social Science (Hons) in Psychology from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman. She is also aspiring to pursue a PhD in Educational Psychology.
Her professional background includes working as a Special Needs Interventionist and educator, where she developed and implemented tailored teaching strategies and supported behaviour modification through positive reinforcement. Her areas of expertise include early intervention, applied behavioural analysis (ABA), sensory integration, and curriculum design.
In addition to her teaching and practical experience, Ambalakalidachayini is proficient in research, publication, and data analysis. Passionate about bridging theory and practice, she is committed to empowering students with critical thinking skills, ethical understanding, and compassion, fostering meaningful and responsible practice in the field of psychology.
Raziah binti Ehia Mohd
Human Resources & Administration
DC Live Club: Theory to Practice
On Saturday, 19 April 2025, DISTED College hosted its Pre-University Completion Ceremony at Heritage Hall, celebrating the accomplishments of 29 students from the Cambridge A-Levels, SACE International, Foundation in Arts, and Foundation in Science programmes.
As a member of the DC Live Club, I was part of the team responsible for broadcasting the event live on Facebook. Together with students from the Diploma in Creative Production, we formed a nine-member crew led by our station master. We worked in various roles — from managing cameras and microphones to overseeing audio and supervising the live stream. Three members were positioned with static cameras to record the ceremony from different angles, while others captured photos and video clips around the hall using portable cameras. We transported equipment from the multimedia and green rooms and even had a logistics manager to keep everything running smoothly.
This experience reminded me of why I joined DC Live. It allows us to take the theories we study and apply them in real-world scenarios. From operating equipment to coordinating with others under time pressure, I learnt skills that no classroom alone can fully teach. Being involved in such an important event made me realise how far we have come as a team. I am proud of what we accomplished and grateful for the opportunity to turn what we learn into something meaningful. For me, DC Live is not just a club. It is a space where learning comes alive, and where we turn knowledge into confidence, one event at a time.
Hasan Hisham Sharifdeen
DC Live member
