Sunway College Inaugural Conference: Exploring possibilities in education

Sunway College Inaugural Conference: Exploring possibilities in education

JOHOR BAHRU – Such a tremendously inspirational platform which enables a person to share various common and novel teaching and learning approaches.

Sunway College Johor Bahru  held a one-day Inaugural Conference on Saturday, 16 November at its campus in Taman Mount Austin. The conference was themed “Exploring Possibilities, Enhancing Passion.”

The event was official declared open by the principal Mrs Hor Poh Choo. The main purpose of the conference is to offer its seven lecturers a platform where knowledge, ideas and experience on new and current frontiers in education can be shared for the enhancement of the teaching and learning.

Dr Chong Cheng Tung and Professor Moses Samuel with heads of department
Dr Chong Cheng Tung and Professor Moses Samuel with heads of department

The key note speaker of the event, renowned Professor Dr Moses Samuel of the University of Malaya, examined closely the conference theme “Exploring possibilities, enhancing passion.”

He eloquently touched on several key concepts in education such as the theory of intelligence and their implications on pedagogy. The professor also discussed two related concepts: “reading potential” and “responding to potential.”

 

The keynote speaker Professor Dr Moses Samuel
The keynote speaker Professor Dr Moses Samuel encouraging the audience to “read the students” and “read the environment” and to weave “the word and the world”.

 

Dr Chong Cheng Tung from the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia in his plenary address entitled “Teaching Mathematics and Science effectively, can we?” shared that recent studies showed Malaysia is trailing in terms of these two subjects compared to other nations.

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His talk explored various ideas and recommendations for effective teaching and learning of mathematics and science which he reminded the audience, could be used for other subjects as well.

 

 

Dr Chong speaking....
Dr Chong lamenting on Malaysia trailing in its mathematics and science standards and shared  innovative techniques to uplift the standard of these subjects

 

There guests who attended the conference came from different educational institutions in Johor Bahru.

CJMY got the opportunity to speak to Steven Tan of Foon Yew High School who expressed his delight that the presenters were not only knowledgeable and energetic but also very well prepared.

 

steven tna...
One of the guests Steven Tan was pleased that the presenters were knowledgeable, energetic and well-prepared.

 

Ms Tan Seow Heng, the principal of SMK Taman Selesa Jaya 2 echoed Professor Moses’ comment that “the conference was transformative”.

She also added that it was timely and engaging as it addressed current issues especially topics such as humour and rapport with the students.

 

 

Principal....
Ms Tan, the principal of SMK Taman Selesa Jaya 2 said the conference was “transformative.”

 

CJMY also managed to speak to several of the presenters to ask about their experience. Ms Tang Yee Voon who presented a paper on ‘Effective Teaching Practices Redefined’ said  it was an eye opening experience in an educational conference.

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“It was a well-catered platform for new teachers like myself.” she said.

 

ms tng......
Ms Tan Yee Voon receiving her certificate of appreciation from Mrs Hor Poh Choo

Ms Meera Rada Krishnan who spoke on “Laugh Your Mind Open”, was truly grateful to be a part of such a tremendously inspirational platform which enables a person to share various common and novel teaching and learning approaches.

“It has exposed me to additional manners in which I can further evolve into a more effective educator.” she said

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Ms Meera Rada Krishnan finds immense gratification in motivating students to explore every possible experience with an open and analytical mind.

Ms Ong Mei Mei, director of academics told CJMY that the idea was mooted exactly a year ago. She said the inaugural conference would allow all staff a safe environment because it was presented to their own colleagues citing this as the reason behind Sunway University organising such conferences on a regular basis.

She added, “My best moment was when Professor Moses Samuel in his evaluation of the conference noted our collegiality. This cannot be shown, it can only be observed.”

 

A section of the enthusiastic audience. Ms Ong Mei Mei is third left front row.
A section of the enthusiastic audience. Ms Ong Mei Mei is second from left, front row.

 

Ms Mangair giving a simple and clear explanation of the infringements and exceptions of the Copyright Law
Ms Mangair Karasi Manickam who gave a simple and clear explanation of the infringements and exceptions of the Copyright Law, receiving her certificate.

 

Ms Krishnaveni Sritharan, said that the Copyright Law encourages learners to progress in art and science while it protects the creators’ literary work.
Ms Krishnaveni Sritharan, one of the co-authors, said that the Copyright Law encourages learners to progress in art and science while it protects the creators’ literary work.
Sathissan Regavan ,,,,,,
Mr Sathissan Regavan explaining the significance of the mathematics placement test scores

 

 

Ms Vivien Wee ...........
Ms Vivien Wee, Coordinator of the English language programmes, speaking on task-based learning for enhanced mastery of the English language.

 

Madam Poh Boon Lian .....
Madam Poh Boon Lian urged teachers to inject in students the correct values of being hard working, to improve English proficiency and to manage time

 

Ms Christy Liew Lee Min, who teaches economics, sharing her ideas regarding matching student personality types with different learning preferences
Ms Christy Liew Lee Min, who teaches economics, sharing her ideas regarding matching student personality types with different learning preferences

 

Three lecturers from Sunway College: (from Left) Ms Pan Shi Yin, Ms Jenny Tan and Ms Celine Low
Three lecturers from Sunway College: (from Left) Ms Pan Shin Yin, Ms Jenny Tan and Ms Celine Low

 

Teresa Yeo