Remarks from the President
Dear DISTED Community,
Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri to all, and a warm welcome back to our colleagues and returning students. We also extend a heartfelt welcome to our new students joining us for the April Intake.
After a two-week break for examinations and Raya celebrations, the college is now back in full swing. Yesterday, we successfully conducted our Orientation Programme for Pre-University and Diploma students. It was truly heartening to see the young students—excited, curious, and, for some, understandably nervous—as they began this new chapter of their academic journey. Their enthusiasm and curiosity were evident, and we look forward to supporting them as they study with us and discover their full potential.
Our teams have already kick-started various activities for both new and returning students, and we aim to maintain this positive momentum. Our outreach efforts to schools continue, and we would like to thank our colleagues and students who have been actively involved in these initiatives.
We would also like to congratulate all SPM students on their results. Prospective students are most welcome to visit our college for a personalised one-on-one counselling session, where we will be happy to help chart the next step in their academic pathway.
Thank you as well to everyone who participated in the recent blood donation drive—your support and generosity truly reflect the spirit of our college community.
Student-led activities, under the leadership of Delwina, continue to energise campus life. Through these activities, meaningful learning takes place beyond the classroom. Recently, our students visited traditional craft artisans to explore how craftsmanship can be transformed into sustainable business opportunities. The next phase of this project will focus on expanding artisans’ products and services to reach wider markets.
There is much inspiration to be found in this issue, whether from our students or our faculty members. We hope you enjoy reading and reflecting on the many ways our community continues to learn, grow, and contribute together.
In light of recent government advice on reducing reliance on private vehicles, we encourage our staff and students to be more mindful in daily life—making thoughtful choices, using resources carefully, and simplifying routines. Even small changes can have a positive impact.
President
Dato’ Dr (h.c) Lim Si Boon
Learning, Growing, and Representing: A Student’s Milestones in Psychology
Delwina Cheah is a psychology undergraduate, national judo athlete, and academic coach with a strong interest in neuropsychology, cognitive functioning, and the influence of cultural factors on human behaviour. She is currently enrolled in the DISTED–HELP University collaborative degree programme and actively contributes to research, student development, and mental health advocacy.
She was recently selected as an Academic Research Trainee under the Centre for Neuropsychology at HELP University, where she supports a research project examining cross-cultural differences between Malaysian and Spanish preterm and full-term infants. Her responsibilities include literature review work and contributing to the project’s outreach efforts. This opportunity aligns closely with her interest in neuropsychology and applied research.
From preliminary information, she may be the first student from DISTED College’s Penang campus accepted into this specific trainee programme—an achievement she is proud to carry as a representative of her institution. She may also participate in neuropsychological assessment observations and centre-led events in Kuala Lumpur, further expanding her applied experience in the field.
In addition, Delwina was accepted as a trainee blogger with the Counselling and Psychological Services Unit (CPS) at HELP University. In this role, she will contribute articles and content on mental health, psychology, and student wellbeing, as well as assist with relevant events or initiatives.
She also serves as a Campus Ambassador for The Neurolink, an international student-led network dedicated to connecting psychology and neuroscience students, early career researchers, and professionals across borders. As part of the ambassador team—and potentially the first Malaysian representative—she contributes to cross-cultural conversations through journal clubs, virtual panels, and collaborative projects.
With experience that spans research, high-performance sport, coaching, and advocacy, Delwina is committed to promoting structured learning, disciplined mindsets, and mental wellbeing. She aims to further bridge the fields of neuropsychology, education, and performance development throughout her career.
Editorial Team
DISTED Discourse
Every Drop Counts: DISTED College Blood Donation Drive
The blood donation drive organised by DISTED College in collaboration with Hospital Pulau Pinang was held successfully at Crosby Colabz, DISTED College. The initiative received a positive response from both the DISTED community and members of the public who came forward to support the cause.
A total of 14 individuals registered as potential donors during the campaign. After undergoing the standard health screening, 4 participants were unfortunately unable to proceed with the donation. Among those who participated, 4 were external visitors, while the rest were lecturers and students from DISTED College who willingly contributed their time and effort to support this meaningful activity.
This initiative is especially important as Malaysia is experiencing a rising demand for blood due to its ageing population. According to an NST article, the National Blood Centre expects the need for blood to increase by 2030 as more individuals aged sixty and above require ongoing medical treatments and transfusions. Younger and healthier donors are therefore essential to maintaining a stable and sufficient blood supply for the coming years.
The campaign served as a reminder of how important blood donation is in saving lives. This collaboration with Hospital Pulau Pinang reflects DISTED College’s ongoing commitment to community involvement and social responsibility.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all donors for their kindness and willingness to help others. Your support truly makes a difference.
Marketing & Editorial Team
Where Culture Meets Communication: A Study Trip to Craft Batik
Students from the School of Communication visited Penang Batik Factory on 26 March 2026 as part of their experiential learning programme. The trip introduced them to the full world of batik production, beginning with wax drawing and stamping, followed by colour mixing, dyeing, and the intricate finishing process. Seeing artisans work up close helped students recognise the level of skill and patience behind each handcrafted piece, and it gave them a stronger appreciation for how cultural industries sustain Malaysian heritage.
Throughout the visit, students were encouraged to observe the factory through the lens of communication and marketing. The factory presented a rich environment for them to examine how a cultural business builds its brand identity and reaches different audiences. From the layout of the showroom to the way the staff explained each step of the craft, students could see how storytelling, visitor experience, and product presentation all work together to form a cohesive brand message. These observations directly supported lessons from their marketing, media planning, and mass media writing modules, offering concrete examples of concepts discussed in class.
One of the highlights of the trip was the team-building batik painting activity. Students worked together in groups to create their own batik pieces using dyes, brushes, and pre-drawn outlines. The activity allowed them to express creativity while learning to coordinate ideas, share responsibilities, and communicate visually through colour and design. This hands-on session helped them understand how teamwork and creativity play central roles in communication-related fields.
The trip also prompted students to think about how cultural businesses position themselves in the digital space. They considered how the Batik factory could use social media, content creation, and visitor-generated stories to reach wider audiences, especially in a tourism-driven market. These reflections gave them ideas they could apply to assignments involving brand analysis, media writing, and campaign development.
By the end of the visit, students gained much more than knowledge about batik. They left with a better understanding of how culture, marketing, creativity, and communication intersect in real-world settings.
Mehvar Khan
Lecturer, School of Communication, Arts and Multimedia
Digital Footprints in the Modern World: Learning to Manage and Protect Our Online Identity
In the modern digital environment, almost everyone carries a unique online identity. This identity is shaped by personal information, online interactions, and the digital traces we leave behind on websites, applications, and social media platforms. Managing these digital footprints has become essential, as many individuals remain unaware of how easily their information can be accessed. Without careful management, online exposure can lead to serious risks such as identity theft, online fraud, and security breaches. These incidents have the potential to cause not only financial harm but also emotional and psychological distress.
A recent classroom activity involving a group of diploma students highlighted the relevance of this issue. Students were guided to create a mind map of their digital presence before conducting a structured digital identity audit. Through online searches of their own names, many discovered posts, tagged photographs, and videos dating back several years. Some of these items were sentimental, while others were outdated, misrepresentative, or even potentially risky.
This exercise allowed students to recognise the importance of taking ownership of their digital identity. They learned to identify risks associated with unmanaged online content, apply systematic self-checks, and adopt best practices for enhancing and safeguarding their digital profiles. The activity served as a reminder that every online action leaves a trace. Information placed online can remain accessible for years, so individuals should take proactive steps to protect their digital presence.
Ultimately, safeguarding one’s digital identity is a responsibility that should not be overlooked. Just as people protect their physical valuables, they should protect their online information with equal care.
Elaine Chan
Senior Lecturer, School of Business and Hospitality
Foundational Web Design Skills for Future Digital Careers
At DISTED College, students are encouraged to develop both academic strength and practical digital skills that prepare them for modern technology‑driven careers. The Web Design and Development course plays a key role in this effort by introducing students to the essential concepts behind website creation, focusing on HTML and CSS as the core building blocks.
Throughout the course, students learn how webpages are organised and how thoughtful structure contributes to a positive user experience. They practise arranging content into meaningful sections such as headers, navigation menus, main content areas and footers. This approach not only helps them understand how websites work but also teaches them how to communicate information clearly and effectively. Visual and textual elements such as images, headings and short descriptions are incorporated to help students create webpages that are both appealing and informative.
The course places strong emphasis on CSS techniques that enhance presentation and readability. Students explore colour selection, typography, spacing and layout styling, giving them the confidence to design pages that reflect good usability principles. These exercises also introduce them to the importance of accessibility and thoughtful design for different audiences.
Because HTML and CSS form the foundation of modern web development, students gain a valuable technical base that they can build on in future computing, media or technology‑related pathways. The course equips them with a blend of technical understanding, creative thinking and problem‑solving skills that are increasingly important in digital careers.
Aina Syazwani Binti Shaharin
Lecturer, School of Computing and Engineering
Ruth A/P Ravandran: Teaching Multimedia with Passion at DISTED College
Ruth A/P Ravandran, 29, is a Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) graduate with both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Communication. Today, she channels her academic expertise and industry experience into teaching at DISTED College’s School of Communication Arts and Multimedia.
Her courses emphasize multimedia design, communication theory, and digital applications, blending foundational knowledge with evolving industry practices. “Most of the topics align with what I studied at USM,” Ruth explains. “But I also make sure to update lessons with current design trends and tools so students can apply theory to practice.”
Ruth’s teaching style reflects her background in both academia and international school education. She helps students grasp complex concepts like media analysis, digital storytelling, and design principles, while encouraging them to experiment with creative projects. Her goal is to prepare students not only for exams but for careers in media, design, and communication industries.
She admires the discipline of DISTED students, noting their strong commitment to assignments and attendance. Their seriousness, she says, reflects clarity about their future goals in creative fields.
Her advice to aspiring lecturers is heartfelt: “Don’t do a master’s just because you want to be a lecturer. Lecturing is not only about teaching—you need to connect with young adults. You must have passion, not only for teaching but also for your students.”
For Ruth, teaching Communication Arts and Multimedia is about more than imparting knowledge—it is about inspiring creativity, nurturing discipline, and equipping students with skills to thrive in a fast-changing digital world.
Joyce Ung Xiao Yan
Student, School of Communication, Arts and Multimedia
