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