Remarks from the President

Dear DISTED Community,  
 
We are delighted to share that 2026 has started on a high note! Our A Level students have received their results, and we are proud to announce that 50% of them achieved straight A/A*. Heartiest congratulations to all our students for successfully completing their A Levels. 

A special mention goes to our scholarship achievers, starting with the Dato’ Seri Stephen Yeap Scholars. Matthew Alexander Ong impressed us all with an outstanding 4 A*, while Tan Yi Yuan achieved an excellent 3 A* and 1 A. Their dedication and perseverance have truly set a benchmark for academic excellence. We also celebrate the achievements of the SI Wu Education Trust Scholars, Koh Tze Qian, who earned 2 A* and 2 A, and Goh Jia Ni, who achieved 2 A* and 1 A. Their results reflect hard work and determination. In addition, our DISTED Alumni Scholarship student, Teng Jia Xin, demonstrated remarkable consistency with 1 A* and 3 A. Congratulations to all our scholars for their incredible accomplishments. Your success is an inspiration to the entire DISTED community.  

This week, we also welcomed our new Pre-University students during Orientation. Many of them walked in feeling nervous but thanks to the warmth and energy of our Student Representative Council, those first-day jitters quickly melted away. Now, we can’t wait to see these bright new faces grow in confidence, discover their talents, and rise as leaders in the year ahead. 

Behind the scenes, our colleagues are working tirelessly to prepare resources and labs for the start of the new Pre-University Semester on 19 January. Thank you to everyone for your commitment to ensuring a smooth and enriching academic experience. 

President  
Dato’ Dr (h.c.) Lim Si Boon 

A Fresh Start: January/February 2026 Orientation at DISTED 

The January/February 2026 intake at DISTED College began with a dynamic orientation designed to create a welcoming and engaging experience for new students. 

This year’s event introduced a revamped format where students were seated at themed tables alongside management and academic staff, including the President, Heads of School, and Programme Leaders. Each table featured name tags to encourage interaction and break down barriers. 

Chef Chan, known for his culinary excellence at DISH, prepared light refreshments and a complimentary lunch for all students, making the day even more memorable. 

Students received welcome packs with essentials such as a memo pad, pen, folder, and a DISTED-branded T-shirt. A personalised welcome letter from the Registry and Student Experience Departments included programme details and email activation instructions. 

The orientation featured hands-on sessions at the Alienware Lab, an ice-breaking activity with SRC members, and workshops on personality and mental well-being. Interactive sessions on emotions and artificial intelligence rounded off the day, giving students a glimpse of the exciting academic journey ahead. 

With this innovative approach, DISTED College sets the tone for a vibrant and collaborative year, ensuring every student feels welcomed, informed, and inspired. 

Tan Jia Huey 
Student Experience 

Outstanding Performance in Cambridge A Level Examination

DISTED College proudly announces the latest Cambridge A Level results, marking another milestone of academic excellence. 

Top Achievers: 

  • Matthew Alexander Ong – 4 A* 
  • Tan Yi Yuan – 3 A* and 1 A 
  • Koh Tze Qian – 2 A* and 2 A 
  • Teng Jia Xin – 1 A* and 3 A 
  • Sebastian Aidan Tan Khai Shern – 4 A 
 

We are equally proud of achieving a 100% pass rate across a wide range of subjects, including Accounting, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, English Language, Further Mathematics, Mathematics, and Physics. 

This success reflects the strong academic culture at DISTED, supported by dedicated lecturers, structured guidance, and the perseverance of our students. We congratulate all achievers and extend appreciation to our academic team for their unwavering commitment. 

Geong Chooi Peng 
Head of School of Pre-University Studies 

Teaching in the Age of Transformation: Blending Pedagogy and Technology

Education is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and as lecturers at DISTED, we stand at the heart of this transformation. Two forces are shaping the future of teaching and learning: the pursuit of pedagogical excellence and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). 

The Cambridge International Certificate in Teaching and Learning (CICTL) provides a strong framework for educators to reflect, innovate, and grow. It encourages active learning strategies, inclusive practices, and lesson designs that engage students while clarifying objectives and providing constructive feedback. At its core, CICTL reminds us that great teaching is a continuous journey of reflection and improvement. 

Meanwhile, AI is redefining what is possible in the classroom. Far from replacing educators, AI empowers us to focus on mentorship and critical thinking. Tools like CanvaAI 和 Copilot allow us to create interactive materials and dynamic visualisations, making learning more personalised and engaging. Imagine students exploring concepts at their own pace, supported by technology that adapts to their needs. 

Teaching today is about balance. By combining strong pedagogical foundations with technological fluency, we can create learning experiences that are relevant, interactive, and future-ready. When human insight meets AI innovation, education becomes not just a transfer of knowledge, but a catalyst for transformation. 

Tan Sue Lin 
Head of Professional Development 
  

DISTED and Gurney Bay Hotel Forge WBL Pathway

DISTED College has taken another strong step toward building industry-ready graduates through a new Work-Based Learning (WBL) partnership with Gurney Bay Hotel, a PARKROYAL Partner Hotel. Signed under a five-year Memorandum of Understanding, this collaboration opens structured, real-world learning opportunities for students while supporting the hospitality industry’s long-term talent development needs. 

The WBL programme allows students to apply classroom knowledge directly in a professional environment. With Gurney Bay Hotel on board, students can expect hands-on roles aligned with their field of study, clear job descriptions, guided supervision, and performance feedback that contributes to both academic assessment and early career development. 

Our partnership offers a pipeline of young talent eager to learn and adapt in a fast-paced hospitality setting. The hotel will provide work placements and practical training that mirror real industry expectations, while DISTED supports the process through continuous communication, student monitoring, and academic guidance. 

Both parties share a common goal: to produce work-ready graduates who understand industry demands and can contribute from day one. This collaboration reflects DISTED College’s commitment to blending academic strength with industry relevance and highlights our partner’s dedication to nurturing future professionals for the hospitality sector. 

This partnership marks another milestone in DISTED’s mission to create strong industry links that benefit students, employers, and the broader community. 

Dr Lum Li Sean

Head, Academic Affairs 

Vision and Aspirations for 2026 – Diploma in Creative Multimedia Production

As we look toward 2026, the Diploma in Creative Multimedia Production under the School of Communication, Arts and Multimedia carries a bold vision: to nurture a generation of creative thinkers who can merge art, technology, and communication in ways that inspire and transform communities. 

Our aspiration is not only to equip students with technical expertise but also to cultivate imagination, critical thinking, and human values in their creative practice. By 2026, we hope the programme will stand as a hub of innovation, where emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) are integrated into the curriculum alongside foundational skills in design, animation, video production, and interactive media. This balance ensures that students remain grounded in essential creative disciplines while being prepared to explore new frontiers. 

We dream of graduates who are fearless in experimentation, visionary in storytelling, and ready to contribute to industries such as film, gaming, advertising, and digital design. They will also act as cultural ambassadors, bringing local narratives to global platforms. Strengthening collaborations with industry partners and social projects will further enrich their learning experience. 

Ultimately, our hope for 2026 is that the Diploma in Creative Multimedia Production becomes a beacon of creativity and innovation, producing individuals who are not just skilled professionals but pioneers shaping the future of communication, arts, and multimedia. 

Luqman Aliff Abdul Rashid 

Programme Lead, School of Communication, Arts and Multimedia 

Welcome Wei Jun to the Psychology Faculty

We are thrilled to welcome Mr Tan Wei Jun to DISTED College as a Lecturer in Psychology. 

Mr Tan Wei Jun brings a strong academic foundation, holding a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a Master of Psychology (Clinical) from the USM–UPSI Integrated Programme, where he earned a gold medal for the best final year student. His achievements reflect deep commitment to the field of psychology. 

Beyond his academic credentials, Wei Jun has hands-on experience as a special needs teacher and associate psychologist, working closely with children and families to support diverse developmental and learning needs. His professional interests include clinical psychology, neurodevelopmental disorders, clinical neuropsychology, and research.  

Wei Jun believes in contributing through careful practice, scientific thinking, and continuous learning. Outside his academic and clinical work, he enjoys photography, a hobby that mirrors his appreciation for observation and detail. 

We look forward to Wei Jun’s impact on the DISTED community through teaching, mentorship, and professional development. Please join us in giving him a warm welcome. 

Raziah binti Ehia Mohd 
HR & Admin Executive 

Introduction to Information Technology & Information System

This course provides an introduction to information technology and Information systems. The student will be introduced to computer software, hardware, and networking technologies, Information systems, databases as well as information security and privacy. The subject also teaches students to maximize their use of mobile devices, make the most of online tools for collaboration and communication, and fully utilize today’s Internet capabilities. It highlights today’s most current technology trends and developments.