THE STAR, TUESDAY 24 MARCH 2020

COURSE FOCUS

Empowering refugees
THE historic Global Refugee Forum (GRF)
held from Dec 16 to 18 in Geneva,
Switzerland, represented the first major
opportunity to turn the promises of the

through education
Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) into
action.
The GRF provided a unique platform
for multi-stakeholder and multi-sectoral
partnerships to mobilise action towards
the objectives of the GCR, designed to
bring real change to the lives of
refugees as well as the countries and
communities that receive them. speak about the School of Business’
As the Principles initiatives to bring higher education to
of Responsible refugee youth.
Management The three-day global gathering set out
Education with six focus areas, but the topic of refugee
ambassador for education took precedence. Disruption or a
the School of lack of education can disempower those
Business, it was a who need an opportunity the most and can
privilege and lead to extreme poverty for generations.
honour for lecturer Education is often a life-saving intervention
Priya Sharma to for refugees in general, and it offers them
represent Monash protection and preserves their future.
University “For a large number of refugees, access to
Malaysia and higher education is blocked by many
barriers. This includes the lack of access to
educational programmes due to the
Priya Sharma. inability to provide identification
documentation, lack of economic resources
and lack of recognition of previous
educational qualifications,” shares Priya.
Malaysia remains a non-signatory
country to the 1951 Refugee Convention
and its 1967 Protocol, and there is an
absence of a national legal framework for
refugees and asylum-seekers. In terms of
education, a lack of such a structure also
means an absence of access to education.
Refugee children and youth in Malaysia,
therefore, obtain education via an informal
parallel system. According to the United
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
(UNHCR), there are currently 48 refugees
pursuing further study.
In light of the above predicament, a
coalition of private tertiary institution
academics is teaming up with humanitarian
actors to find innovative ways to increase
access to higher education programmes for
refugees in Malaysia. One important
initiative is a White Paper proposal titled
Towards Inclusion of Refugees in Higher
Education in Malaysia, proposing that the
Government recognises the UNHCR
Refugee Card as valid proof of
identification to facilitate enrolment into
private tertiary institutions.
“When refugee graduates are presented
as positive role models within the refugee
community, it has the potential to
encourage them to engage in productive
routes and contribute to society. This
reduces their social ostracisation and their
risk of engaging in illicit activities or
radicalisation. It is a powerful agent for
sustainable development and, when linked
to the right to work, turns refugees from
financial and social dependents into
independent, self-sufficient contributors to
society,” says Priya.
The observations at the GRF made one
thing clear – it is without a doubt that
access to higher education will open new
avenues and create opportunities for many.
2 Business, Accounting and Finance
New dimension to learning
CURTIN University Malaysia (Curtin
Malaysia) continues to invest in
innovative facilities to enhance
student experience and
employability. Among the facilities is
the newly completed Curtin Trading
Room under its Faculty of Business,
which provides business students
with a real-life trading floor
environment that features easy
access to market data, analytics and
information.
Students can use the powerful,
flexible and multimedia financial
trading system (FTS) and dual-
screen terminals to learn analytical
and quantitative techniques in
portfolio management, as well as
develop trading strategies, get an
idea of real-time stock and bond
prices, and keep abreast of news on
businesses, industry trends and the
wider global market.
“It is unlike any other teaching
facility in Malaysia. It brings the real
world of finance into the classroom,
provides access to real-world
technology and simulates a real
business environment to equip
students with the practical skills
they will need to graduate career-
ready,” says Faculty of Business
acting dean Dr Stephen Sim.
According to Dr Sim, the FTS can
also be programmed to run
financial trading simulation
workshops or entrepreneurial
activities for secondary school
students. This would be a good tool
for engagement with school
students and get them interested in
business studies.
Dr Sim anticipates that in addition
to lectures and practical sessions for
Curtin students, the Curtin Trading
Room will be buzzing with activity
year-round with secondary school
visits, student workshops and
corporate tours with industry and
government representatives,
providing a practical perspective on
the delivery of the courses at the
Faculty of Business.
Meanwhile, deputy pro vice-
chancellor Prof Beena Giridharan
comments that the trading room
will be a valuable learning tool not
only for undergraduate and
postgraduate business students, but
also staff and industry professionals.
She also shares that in today’s
competitive job market, in-depth
knowledge and mastery of
advanced skills are vital for students
to enhance their employability.
Therefore, Curtin ensures its courses
are always applied, innovative and
relevant to the real world, enabling
graduates to become highly
competent industry professionals.
“Our students need to learn amid
the best possible facilities, and we
need to continually create
innovative learning spaces equipped
with the latest technologies to
support active student learning,”
says Prof Giridharan.
n For more information on Curtin
Malaysia’s Faculty of Business, visit
business.curtin.edu.my
Curtin Trading Room provides business students with a real-life
trading floor environment.
Mastering your
academic journey
FOR those looking to live the
American dream, there is no
better way to experience first-
hand American education than
via HELP University’s
American Degree Transfer
Program (ADTP).
You will receive more than
just theoretical knowledge;
there will also be opportunities
to gain practical knowledge
through group projects, role-
playing exercises, assignments,
presentations and field trips.
Gone is the obsession with
focusing only on passing
exams, because ADTP
students are exposed to an
all-rounded teaching syllabus
that sparks their critical
thinking, creativity,
communication skills and
collaborative abilities.
The United States and
Canada have always been the
preferred destinations for
studying abroad. The journey
begins with a two-year study
at HELP’s ADTP department
that prepares them for their
undergraduate life abroad,
after which students will
transfer to the US or Canada to
complete their bachelor’s
degree in the university of
their choice. With more than
100 partner universities in the
US and Canada to choose from,
ADTP students are truly spoilt
for choice.
Head of HELP’s ADTP
department Dr Lim Eu Kit,
who is a graduate of HELP’s
ADP himself, says, “My
experiences as an ADTP
student gave me the freedom
to go beyond the classroom as
I explored various historical
places of worship, searched for
distant planets through a
telescope, and grappled with
complex ethical dilemmas
through sci-fi television shows.
HELP’s ADTP students are
constantly stepping out of their
own comfort zones and
developing into well-rounded,
future-proof individuals.”
There is also no need for
students to declare a major
until they are ready to do so.
THE STAR, TUESDAY 24 MARCH 2020
HELP’s ADTP
students are
constantly stepping
out of their own
comfort zones and
developing into well-
rounded, future-
proof individuals.
Even when they have declared
a major, students can easily
“change lanes” and switch to
another major without losing
credits in the process.
When they are finally ready
to embark on the next step of
their academic journey in the
North American continent, the
choice of majors is limited
only by the student’s
imagination. HELP’s ADTP
students have pursued majors
ranging from tried and true
pathways such as business,
psychology, computer science
and engineering, to unique
and creative majors such as
anthropology, European
history, gender studies and
sociology. The phrase
“freedom of choice” is not just
a buzz word, but a reality for
many of HELP’s American
and Canadian Education
(ACE) students.
HELP is proud to be the only
institution in Malaysia that has
a unique transfer partnership
with the University of
Waterloo (UW), Canada, for
students who are keen on
majoring in actuarial science.
The Faculty of Mathematics in
UW has the largest
concentration of mathematical
and computer and data
science talent in the world.
HELP’s ADTP students also
have the opportunity to
participate in UW’s co-op
programme. Through the
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THE STAR, TUESDAY 24 MARCH 2020 Business, Accounting and Finance 3

Towards a dynamic
TODAY’S business landscape
extends globally and is truly
borderless. Precipitated by
enhanced connectivity and

expanding trade flows, new
ways of doing business have
come to the fore. This calls for
business graduates to adopt a
dynamic perspective.
AIMST University
understands that some students
may face challenges in entering
their chosen careers upon
graduation. Various activities
are held by its Faculty of
Business and Management
(FBM) to ready students for the
workplace. Students are also
given the opportunity to expand
their cultural horizons with
semester exchanges and Global
Immersion programmes with
universities abroad such as
Kanagawa University (Japan)
and PSG Institute of
Management (India).
As a testament to its dynamic
approach, many AIMST
graduates have moved on to
secure jobs at multinational and
leading corporations. Others
have applied their learning
business culture
experience and become
successful entrepreneurs. The
following are testimonials from
three recent AIMST alumni:
l Shireen Yong Shu Fen, BSc
Finance & Management graduate,
now attached to Maybank – “I
had a wonderful learning
experience at FBM. The lecturers
and mentors were very
professional and kind in wanting
to assist me with my learning. I
have gained most of my abilities
in decision making and problem
solving.”
l Kesshigeen Kumar, BSc
Finance & Management graduate,
now attached to Tesco – “FBM is
truly passionate in creating
tomorrow’s leaders by providing
us with a platform to grow
leadership skills as well as soft
skills to face the real world.
Couldn’t have asked for a better
place to study where not only
academicsis a concern but also
the student’s welfare.”
l Jay Lim Chun Chew, BSc
Marketing & Management
graduate, now an entrepreneur –
“FBM is one big family! That’s
why I keep in touch with my
lecturers and mentors even today.
It has helped me come up with
ideas for my business.”
You, too, can benefit from the
FBM experience, just like them.
Choose from any one of AIMST’s
four undergraduate programmes
Kesshigeen
Kumar.
to suit your career goals and
aspirations.
l BSc (Hons) Finance &
Management
l BSc (Hons) Accounting &
Finance
l BSc (Hons) Business &
Marketing
l BSc (Hons) Management
Information System
All AIMST’s programmes are
licensed by the Education
Ministry and accredited by the
Malaysian Qualifications Agency.
In addition, several of its
programmes have obtained
accreditation from the
Association of Chartered Certified
Accountants as well as the
Institute of Chartered
Accountants in England and
Wales.
n For more information, visit
AIMST University’s campus in
Kedah or call 012-549 8108/04-429
8108.

Boldly living the

American dream
> FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
co-op programme, students take
their courses like any regular
student. The difference is that
co-op students take a break from
their studies every four months
to embark on four-month work
terms in jobs located primarily in
Ontario. Only HELP’s ADTP has
this unique arrangement with
UW.
ACE students who opt for the
co-op programme in UW will
essentially gain up to two years of
valuable work experience from
reputable companies, which in
turn gives them a higher chance
of securing high-paying jobs in
the field of actuarial science
upon graduation.
Getting started on your
academic journey begins with
HELP’S ADTP. Students who
have finished the SPM or
equivalent can enrol directly
in the programme to kick-start
their journey to realise the
American dream.
n To find out more about HELP
University’s ADTP, call 03-2716
2000 to speak to its guidance
counsellors or visit www.
university.help.edu.my. HELP
University, the “University of
Achievers”, looks forward to
welcoming you.

Dr Lim Eu Kit.
4 Business, Accounting and Finance
Top in the world in ACCA exam
SINCE accountancy was first offered in 1971,
Tunku Abdul Rahman University College
(TAR UC) has consistently produced many
top scorers in the ACCA examinations year
after year nationally and globally. In the
December 2019 ACCA examinations, Caroline
Ng Yi-Wye, a final-year Bachelor of
Commerce (Hons) student from TAR UC did
the nation proud by becoming the first
Malaysian to rank No.1 for the Strategic
Business Leader (SBL) paper.
“When I saw my results, I was speechless
because I certainly did not expect to achieve
such results. I would have been grateful to
just pass the paper, but to be able to score
highest in the world definitely came as a
surprise to me,” says Caroline.
SBL is a four-hour compulsory
Professional-level paper by ACCA that
simulates a workplace environment
whereby one needs to demonstrate a blend
of technical, ethical and professional skills to
respond to requests from people in various
roles. The global passing rate for SBL in
the December 2019 ACCA examinations
was 46%.
“At TAR UC, preparation for this paper is
split into two modules so we can have a
better understanding of what the learning
outcome will be and how we can effectively
manage our time during the exam. My
lecturer imparted a lot of knowledge to us
that was very important during the exam
and my tutor’s Q&A approach during our
tutorial sessions helped us think fast. I am
very grateful for their guidance throughout
my studies here,” adds Caroline.
Coming from a “pure science” background
in secondary school, Caroline proves that
with hard work and determination, nothing
is impossible.
“After SPM, I knew that I did not want to
do science in university, so I started to look
at business and accountancy programmes.
Caroline is the first Malaysian to be No.1 in the world for the Strategic Business Leader paper in
the December 2019 ACCA examinations.
In the end, I trusted my gut feeling and
enrolled in TAR UC’s Diploma in Accounting
programme. In hindsight, it turned out to be
the best decision,” she shares.
She talks about the difficulties she faced
when she first started her diploma studies,
saying, “My peers already had some
knowledge of accountancy from secondary
school, whereas I had zero knowledge in
this field. I was very lost in the beginning
and had to build my own foundation and
understanding of each topic. Fortunately, I
had very good tutors during my diploma days
who encouraged my interest in this field.”
TAR UC has been ACCA’s Platinum
Approved Learning Partner since 2007,
THE STAR, TUESDAY 24 MARCH 2020
TAR UC is also the only
institution in the world
approved by ACCA to run
the Internally Assessed
ACCA Applied Knowledge
and Applied Skills level
examinations. To date, TAR
UC students have won
79 world prizes and 101
national prizes in the ACCA
examinations.
which is the highest level of accreditation
from ACCA under ACCA’s Approved
Learning Partner – Student Tuition
programme. TAR UC is also the only
institution in the world approved by ACCA
to run the Internally Assessed ACCA Applied
Knowledge and Applied Skills level
examinations. To date, TAR UC students
have won 79 world prizes and 101 national
prizes in the ACCA examinations.
Attractive scholarships are available at
TAR UC on the basis of academic merit,
and there is also sibling discount for
qualified students.
n Following the closure of TAR UC until Mar
31, prospective students can still contact
relevant faculties, centres, departments or
branch campuses. For contact details and to
apply online, visit www.tarc.edu.my. Those
who apply online will enjoy a processing fee
waiver until Mar 31.