THE HARD TRUTH ABOUT EDUCATION

    In a hard hitting talk during the recent STAR Education Fair 2010 in Penang, Mr Jerry Tan, General Manager of STUDYLINK SDN BHD, an education advisory which represents schools, colleges and universities in Malaysia, Australia, UK and Singapore, said “While it is important to give your children freedom to choose what they wish to study, you must still make sure they make the right decisions and choose the right pathways.

    And to the students he said, “Yes, you are all matured but do you really want to listen on your friends who are in the same boat as you or do you need that little bit of advice?”

    It has become a trend nowadays where children, who are brighter and have more education options available, make hasty decisions and parents hold back from correcting them lest they be said to be controlling them.

    Jerry has seen in his 30 years of being in the educational sector, students who have taken the long or worse still, the wrong pathways and seeing these students end up in a course not to their strengths and interests but also in pathways which results in a longer period of study there by incurring more expenses.

    He recalls two cases just this year, one where the kid wanted to study Pharmacy but didn’t qualify after his Pre-U. Instead of taking a course like BioMedical Science which would lead to a Masters in Pharmacy, he was put into a Diploma course with an extra hurdle to clear.

    In the other case, a group of students who have finished STPM coming and asking if it was correct to just choose any course which is easier to study and pass because in real life, what we study in university is not necessary used! This was the advice THEY gave each other trying to convince themselves to make sure they get offered a place in ANY university course.

    “My God!” Jerry says, “What are they thinking?”

    “The cold hard truth about education is that this is the ONLY opportunity for you to learn as many things and skills as you can, acquire as much knowledge as you can and build on your experiences so that you will be the best trained, the most skillful, the most knowledgeable and the most experienced person that your future boss needs. You need to stand out and above everyone else. Or else, you will still be just another general worker!”

    Students, he advised, should explore the different pathways available. It may be an alternate degree course but which leads to a Masters which offers the same recognition or a diploma which just requires one to pass rather than to achieve a certain grade and parents should explore it together with them.

    “Each student is unique and has different strengths and interests and as such, requires special and personal attention. No pathway is alike for everyone. Even universities and colleges have their own special strengths and areas of specializations.

    For example, Murdoch University’s Veterinary program is the only one in the whole of Australia recognized in the United States. Some universities allow cross faculty subject selections meaning you could be studying Engineering while taking subjects in Mass Communication and Advertising.” said Studylink managing director Tony Tan.

    It is with this in mind that Studylink is inviting institutions from across Australia to its 23^rd Australian Education Fair again in April at four major cities; Subang Jaya, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor Bahru.  The fairs will cater needs to students who have got their results to enter the July intake.  For students who are interested in medicine, pharmacy and dentistry, they can also apply during the fairs for January 2011 intake.

    The fairs will kick start at Subang Jaya on 2^nd April at Grand Dorsett Subang Jaya, 3^rd April at Seri Pacific Kuala Lumpur, 4^th April at Penang, and finally on 5^th April at Johor Bahru. 

    Various Australian universities, colleges, vocational schools (TAFE), high schools have confirmed their participation in this education fair. 

To name a few, they are Curtin University, University of Newcastle, The Kilmore International School, Wesley College, South Australian TAFE etc.

    “In today’s competitive and fast moving era, graduates are expected to have critical thinking skills, international exposure and constantly upgrading themselves in line with the new technologies to make themselves indispensable.  Studying abroad will help students gain such competitive exposure and knowledge.” added Mr. Tony Tan.

    With Studylink’s broad network with Australian institutions, it has been the trusted choice of education solutions for many parents and students for the past 14 years.

    For details, call Studylink at 03-58808080 (Subang Jaya), 04-2282286 (Penang), 05-8072273 (Taiping), 05-2552811 (Ipoh) and 07-3321700 (Johor Baru) or visit www.studylink.com.my for more details.