Remarks from the President
Dear DISTED Community,
Time waits for no man and the past week has proven just that. Since my last update, we’ve been busy with exciting developments.
On 21 July, our School of Business & Hospitality signed an MoU with PICEB’s BE Associate, strengthening industry-academia ties to boost student engagement and experiential learning.
In our CSR efforts, we hosted 30 students from four Penang schools at our Mic Drop Event, where they explored multimedia tools, podcast creation, and even used AI to enhance their work.
Meanwhile, our students have been showcasing their singing talent every Tuesday in July at the Chillax Area, building momentum for DISTED Got Talent on 27 August.
Looking ahead, we will bring our expertise in creative multimedia, mass communication, and emotional intelligence to SMK Heng Ee, Bayan Lepas on 31 July, inspiring the next generation to master AI-driven broadcasting through live streams, webcasts, and podcasts.
Enjoy our issue and have a wonderful weekend!
President
Dato’ Dr (h.c) Lim Si Boon
DISTED College and BE Associate Formalise Strategic Partnership Through MOU
On 21 July 2026, a delegation from DISTED College comprising Dato’ Lim Si Boon, Dr Lum Li Sean, Mr Yee Tianle, Ms Felecia Ng Lay Hong, and Mr Ng Wei Xian attended the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony organised by BE Associate at Olive Tree Hotel, Bayan Lepas, Penang.
The event gathered representatives from six higher education institutions in Penang: DISTED College, INTI International College, SEGi College, SENTRAL College, Taylor’s University, and UOW Malaysia. The collaboration serves as a platform to strengthen partnerships between educational institutions and industry stakeholders, creating greater opportunities for student engagement and professional development.
A key objective of the initiative is to bridge the gap between academia and industry by providing students with meaningful experiential learning opportunities. Through programmes developed under the partnership, students can benefit from industry talks, company and factory visits, educational tours, internship placements, and direct interactions with professionals from various sectors.
These experiences will enable students to gain practical insights into workplace environments, develop industry-relevant competencies, and enhance their career readiness. By connecting students with industry practitioners, the collaboration also creates valuable opportunities for networking and professional growth.
The MOU signing reflects a shared commitment among participating institutions and industry partners to support talent development and strengthen graduate employability. Through closer collaboration, the initiative seeks to create impactful learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom and contribute to the development of a future-ready workforce.
DISTED College remains committed to providing students with holistic educational experiences and enhanced industry exposure. This partnership represents another important step towards empowering students with the knowledge, skills, and connections needed to succeed in an evolving professional landscape.
Yee Tianle
Programme Lead, School of Business and Hospitality
Little Acts, Big HEARTS: Making a Difference Through Community Service
DISTED degree students successfully organised Little Acts, Big HEARTS, a Charity Pop-Up Market, as part of the MPU3432 Curriculum & Event Management 2 course. The event provided students with an opportunity to apply their classroom knowledge in a real-world setting while contributing to a meaningful community initiative.
Held at DISTED College, the event featured a variety of activities, including food and beverage stalls, handcrafted workshops, and a blood donation drive conducted in collaboration with Island Hospital. Beyond fundraising, the event sought to promote community engagement and social responsibility while supporting several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
The initiative received strong support from the public, attracting over 200 visitors and involving 21 vendors. Through the collective efforts of students, volunteers, vendors, and supporters, the event raised RM3,745.44 for Peace and Harmony Home, surpassing the original fundraising target of RM1,000. The funds will help support the home’s daily operational needs and essential supplies.
Despite facing challenging weather conditions and unexpected circumstances, students demonstrated resilience, teamwork, leadership, and effective organisational skills throughout the planning and execution of the event. Their ability to adapt and work collaboratively contributed significantly to its success.
The achievement of Little Acts, Big HEARTS highlights DISTED College’s commitment to experiential learning and community engagement. By combining academic learning with meaningful social impact, the College continues to nurture graduates who are socially responsible, compassionate, and equipped to make positive contributions to society.
Nadia Jefri
Head of School, School of Communication, Arts and Multimedia
Autism Awareness & Engagement Event Promotes Inclusivity and Experiential Learning
On 24 June 2026, students from the School of Psychology, DISTED College, participated in the Autism Awareness & Engagement Event at Prospect Rainbow Special Needs Centre. The programme was organised through a collaboration between DISTED College and the Centre to promote autism awareness, inclusivity, and meaningful community engagement.
The event provided students with a valuable opportunity to interact directly with children on the autism spectrum, allowing them to apply psychological concepts, communication skills, and behaviour management strategies in a real-world environment. Through these experiences, students gained deeper insight into neurodiversity while developing essential professional qualities such as empathy, patience, adaptability, and effective interpersonal communication.
Throughout the programme, students facilitated a variety of enjoyable and meaningful activities designed to encourage creativity, social interaction, self-expression, and confidence among the children. Their active participation helped create a positive and supportive atmosphere where every child felt respected, valued, and encouraged to engage.
Beyond the learning outcomes for students, the event contributed to greater awareness and understanding of autism within the community. It also highlighted the importance of creating inclusive environments that celebrate individual differences and support the development of every child.
The collaboration further strengthened the partnership between DISTED College and Prospect Rainbow Special Needs Centre, reflecting a shared commitment to community service, social responsibility, and student-centred experiential learning.
The Autism Awareness & Engagement Event successfully brought together education, community engagement, and advocacy, creating meaningful experiences for both students and children while promoting a more inclusive and compassionate society.
Ambalakalidachayini Devi A/P Ravi
Lecturer, School of Psychology
Beyond the Textbook: How the Economics Olympiad Changed My Perspective
Participating in the Economics Olympiad was a transformative experience that deepened my understanding of economics beyond the classroom. Far from being an exercise in memorising theories, formulas, and diagrams, the competition challenged me to explore how economic principles shape the real world and influence everyday life.
One of the most rewarding aspects of the Olympiad was the opportunity to engage with academic papers, research publications, and economic commentaries. While classroom learning often presents economic concepts through structured models and assumptions, real-world economic research revealed a far more complex and dynamic landscape. Exploring topics such as digital platforms, data-driven markets, and the challenges of policy implementation broadened my perspective and encouraged me to think critically about contemporary economic issues.
The process of analysing complex material and defending ideas under pressure was both demanding and rewarding. It required perseverance, intellectual curiosity, and the willingness to question assumptions rather than accept information at face value. Through these experiences, I developed stronger analytical skills and a greater appreciation for evidence-based reasoning.
Beyond the competition itself, the most valuable lesson was discovering that economics is fundamentally about people, choices, and the systems that shape society. It provides a framework for understanding challenges, evaluating solutions, and making sense of an increasingly interconnected world.
The Economics Olympiad not only strengthened my academic knowledge but also inspired me to become a more curious, informed, and critical thinker. It was an experience that demonstrated the power of learning beyond the textbook and the importance of engaging with ideas that extend beyond the classroom.
Ryan Wei Jie Xin
Cambridge A Level Student
Computer Science Final Year Projects: Bridging Learning and Industry
For students pursuing the Diploma in Computer Science at DISTED College, the Final Year Project (FYP) represents a significant milestone in their academic journey. More than a graduation requirement, the FYP provides students with the opportunity to apply the knowledge, skills, and competencies they have developed throughout their studies to solve real-world problems through technology.
Projects undertaken by students span a wide range of areas, including software development, web applications, artificial intelligence, mobile technologies, and data analytics. Through these projects, students transform ideas into practical solutions while demonstrating innovation, technical proficiency, and critical thinking.
The FYP serves as an important bridge between academic learning and industry practice. Students gain valuable experience by working through the complete development process, from problem identification and requirements gathering to system design, development, testing, implementation, and final presentation. This exposure mirrors professional industry environments and allows students to better understand real-world project expectations.
In addition to strengthening technical skills such as programming, system analysis, and problem-solving, the FYP also cultivates essential professional competencies. Students learn how to conduct research, prepare technical documentation, manage project timelines, communicate complex ideas effectively, and present their work confidently to evaluators and stakeholders.
By combining theoretical knowledge with practical application, the FYP helps students build industry-relevant experience and prepares them for future careers in the rapidly evolving technology sector.
Through the Diploma in Computer Science programme, DISTED College remains committed to nurturing innovative, skilled, and industry-ready graduates who are equipped to contribute meaningfully to the digital economy and technological advancement.
Adibah Binti Riduan
Lecturer, School of Computing and Engineering
