THE RIGHT CONNECTION

Studylink helps parents and students pick the most appropriate college or university.

Parents are becoming more aware of the benefits their children will reap when they send them abroad for studies. They meet new people, learn to stand on their own feet, experience new places and cultures, learn other languages and sometimes improve their English Language!

Education in the 21^st century focuses a lot on self-development. Education today means equipping students to learn with the assistance of high-tech facilities.

Studylink managing director Tony Tan points out that “students should not choose and institution of higher learning by ‘brand name’ only because not all universities are good in all courses.”

As such, Studylink, which is an education advisory body, is once again inviting prestigious colleges and universities from Australia to Malaysia to conduct face-to-face interviews with parents and students at the Australian Education Fair.

The fair will kick start at the Sheraton Hotel in Subang tomorrow (April 30), then at the Traders Hotel in Penang on Friday (May 1), May 2 (Saturday) at the Seri Pacific Hotel (next to the Putra World Trade Centre) in Kuala Lumpur and then ends on May 3 (Sunday) at the Puteri Pacific Hotel in Johor Bahru. The event starts from 1pm to 6 pm at all venues.

The purpose of these sessions is to allow students and parents to speak personally with college and university representatives before making up their minds. With so many choices and courses available, students are often confused and ill-formed.

“Choose a university which is well-known for a relevant course as employers today know which universities and faculties within these universities produce the best and most knowledgeable graduates in their respective industry,” says Tan.

“The Australian dollar is comparatively inexpensive now, and I strongly encourage parents to take this opportunity to invest in their children’s education.”

“The Australian style of openness and smaller classes allow students more time to discuss topics. They will have better understanding of their studies and become more self-reliant and disciplined in their pre-university courses,” he says.

“Students should explore all possible pathways and choose the most appropriate one. The worst thing anyone can do is to follow in the footsteps of their friends rather than to chase their own passion! Many students in the past have done just that and are now paying the price for it when they do not qualify for the course they really want,” adds Tan.

There are alternatives available for students who are not academically-inclined but possess vocational skills and specific attributes.

Australian TAFE Colleges offer certificates and diplomas that help students learn through hands-on education with less costly fees. These courses will help students learn from a different perspective before transferring to more academically-oriented programme in a university.

Australia has a high number of employment opportunities for graduates of vocational institutes. People who like working with their hands should think about vocational courses for an equally rewarding career in cooking, media communication and carpentry, for instance.

Perhaps, they could train to be a qualified electrician, house builder, fashion designer or hairstylist. Many graduates who work in such professions are well paid in Australia. They can even become celebrities like Malaysian-born chef Cheong Liew.

Scholarships are also offered by institutions for the coming mid-year intake, so students with potential should bring their forecast results or transcripts for assessment and perhaps, an immediate offer. Students looking for undergraduate programmes should bring their transcripts so that university representatives can help them.

Studylink advises students on various choices toward tertiary education, whether in Malaysia, Singapore, Australia or Britain. They help students identify their strengths and interests and apply for universities of their choice.

With over 12 years in the education industry, the education advisers are well prepared to guide those in need of education and career counseling.

Recently, Studylink Sdn Bhd received recognition from the Singapore Education Bureau and was awarded the “Best Education Specialist Agency 2008”