What Makes a Good University

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is a pre-university programme that was established in Geneva, Switzerland in 1968. The IBDP helps prepare students between age 16 and 19 who are planning to further their studies at a university. The programme is recognised by many universities for its high academic standards and takes approximately two years to complete.

Students who are enrolled in the IBDP are required to take a total of six subjects from various subject categories, ranging from Language Acquisition; Language and Literature; Individuals and Societies; Sciences; Mathematics; and the Arts. Refer to the subject categories in the table below to see what subjects are offered by the IBDP in 2021.

Subject Category

Language Acquisition

Language and Literature

Individuals and Societies

Sciences

Mathematics

Arts Subjects Offered

Language A: Literature Language A: Language and Literature Literature and Performance

Classical Languages Language ab Initio Language B

Business Management Economics Geography Global Politics History Information Technology in a Global Society Philosophy Psychology Social and Cultural Anthropology World Religions Biology Chemistry Computer Science Design Technology Environmental Systems and Societies Physics Sports, Exercise, and Health Science Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches SL Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches HL Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation SL Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation HL

Dance Film Music Theatre Visual Arts

Three courses are required to be taken at Higher Level (HL), where the students are required to take a total of 240 hours of classes, while another three courses are required to be taken at Standard Level (SL), where students take a total of 150 hours of classes. Students should take into consideration their intended career path when selecting courses in order to take subjects that are relevant. Students should do prior research on their preferred university course and identify the prerequisite subjects to be taken and whether they should be taken at Higher Level (HL) or at Standard Level (SL) as requirements differ for each university.

The programme also requires students to complete three core components. The first component is an extended essay, where students are required to do research and write a 4,000-word essay that relates to one or two of the subjects taken. The second component is a course on theory of knowledge (TOK), where students are required to develop critical thinking skills in order to sharpen their understanding of knowledge. Students will be assessed through a presentation and an essay that ranges between 1,200 to 1,600 words in length. The third component is Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) where students take part in activities that teach them to communicate and engage with society. These activities make up 150 hours in total study time. Creativity-related activities include music, art, dance, sport and many others, while Action revolves around physical activities such as sports. Service involves students taking part in unpaid volunteer work to give back to the community.

Students are graded through internal and external assessment, and the three core components mentioned earlier. Internal assessment involving written assignments and presentations, is conducted by the teachers in the student’s school. External assessment, on the other hand, is carried out by examiners from outside the school. Since students need to take six subjects in total, and seven points is the highest score given per subject, the total score that students can achieve is 42. Meanwhile, the three components will be given three points in total. Therefore, the highest score a student can obtain is 45 points. It must be borne in mind that the diploma will only be awarded to students who achieve a minimum of 24 points.

Besides its global recognition by universities, the IB curriculum helps students to develop critical and independent thinking skills through the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course, the Extended Essay components and the various assessments of the subjects taken. The structure of the curriculum encourages students to independently come up with complex questions and to conduct research to find possible answers for those questions. The IBDP offers learning beyond the classroom as students are required to complete an array of subjects, such as foreign languages and art, where they are expected to develop a multitude of skills. In addition, qualities such as compassion and empathy are likely to be nurtured through community service. A wide range of subjects also help the student to develop multiple perspectives and a global mindset. The IBDP provides freedom for students in their academic progress and this is reflected in the Extended Essay component where students are allowed to pick any topic to write about from the six subjects chosen by the students themselves.

The IBDP is a challenging course that pushes students out of their comfort zone through the rigorous curriculum. By the end of the two-year programme, the IBDP students would already have developed great confidence in areas such as writing, research, speaking, and time management. Therefore, IBDP students will have no problem furthering their education at any university of their choice.

References https://www.ibo.org/globalassets/what-is-an-ib-education-en.pdf https://www.ibo.org/globalassets/publications/recognition/dp-guide-for-universities-en-2016.pdf https://blog.prepscholar.com/the-complete-list-of-ib-courses-and-classes

For students who are embarking into tertiary education during these unprecedented and challenging times, get a head start with Sunway College’s Pre-University, where educational technologies and blended learning have been adopted a few years ago.

Tailored to suit individual learning needs and academic pathways, Pre-University studies at Sunway College focuses on delivering university preparatory programmes to equip students with critical thinking and independent learning skills, preparing them for admissions into premier universities all over the world.

With state-of-the-art facilities and resources at Sunway, students will have an enriching learning experience. The academic teams’ teaching and learning approaches bring out students’ best academic performance and leadership attributes. One of the main unique aspects of the Sunway College pre-university studies experience is the focus on a holistic approach to students’ academic and personal development on skills such as consistency, multitasking, time management, collaboration and communication. Sunway College is pioneering Pre-U LEADS - a co-curricular programme to nurture students’ holistic development by equipping them with necessary life skills beyond their academic achievements.

The 6 pre-university programmes offered are the Australian Matriculation (AUSMAT) programme; Cambridge GCE A-Level; Canadian International Matriculation Programme (CIMP); Monash University Foundation Year (MUFY); Sunway Foundation in Arts (FIA) and Sunway Foundation in Science and Technology (FIST).

Besides Pre-University programmes, Sunway College also offers the Diploma in Accounting, Diploma in Finance, Diploma in Communication, Diploma in Interactive New Media; Diploma in Business Administration, Diploma in Information Technology, Diploma in Computer Science, Diploma in Digital Creative Content, Certificate in Business Studies and Certificate in Digital Creative Content. Under Sunway TES Centre for Accountancy Excellence (CAE), Sunway College offers professional accounting programmes; the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), ACCA Foundation in Accountancy (ACCA FIA), Institute of Chartered Accountants in

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England and Wales (ICAEW) and Certificate in Finance, Accounting and Business (CFAB). Sunway College also offers the Bachelor of Business twinning programme with Victoria University, Australia’s No.1 University for Employability Skills - an outstanding accolade from a recent 2020 Employer Satisfaction Survey. Sunway College is the only international delivery partner of Victoria University in Malaysia.

Sunway College, part of the Sunway Education Group is owned and governed by the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation (JCF). The College aims to provide holistic education, nurturing students to be critical thinkers and socially responsible citizens.

In the Malaysian Quality Evaluation System for Private Colleges (MyQuest) 2018/2019, Sunway College received 6 stars rating further proving itself as a leading learning institution in Malaysia. This is the 6th consecutive year that the college received 6 stars in MyQUEST. MyQUEST is one of the prestigious and not-to-be-missed ratings for Malaysian private colleges.

Sunway College is located at the heart of the Amazing Sunway City, Malaysia’s model smartsustainable city enabled by 5G. For more information, visit college.sunway.edu.my.

For 60 years, we’ve been working to change the world, and we’re not about to stop. At Monash, we see challenges as opportunities to make things better. It’s hard to imagine a time when the need to make positive change has been greater than now. We want you to help us do it. Whether you want to change your life, your career, your community or the world, your journey starts at Monash. As a university with a global footprint, we know we have to play our part in solving the problems facing the world. That’s why all Monash students, lecturers, researchers, professional staff, alumni and supporters contribute to making real change. You too, have the opportunity to step up and make a difference.

To take on the world you need a truly international outlook. Monash offers students the opportunity to become genuine global thinkers with campuses in Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, India, and Italy. We also offer one of the most extensive international exchange and study tour programs with opportunities available in 100 partnering universities in 30 countries across the globe.

Monash University is a founding member of the Group of 8, comprising Australia’s leading universities. The breadth of our academic expertise, diversity of the student cohort, size and scale of our alumni network, and our on-campus resources all combine to provide a wealth of opportunity and experience.

Our reputation for excellence in education and research coupled with our global record of innovation sees Monash University ranked 64th in the world*. Our students are immersed in the highest-calibre learning environment you’ll find in Australia.

We are continually driving change and improvement and have a proud history of preparing students for careers in the modern world. Integrating work and industry experience comes naturally at Monash. You’ll develop practical expertise, leadership, teamwork and entrepreneurial skills.

When it comes to study, we know that one size does not fit all, so we have a wide range of courses for you to choose from. Whether you have a passion for the arts, are focused on a career in medicine, or want to pursue a career in the global business world, there’s a course to suit you. Your journey starts here: monash.edu

(*Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021).

There is a lot of hype about rankings, and the real question is: ‘Are these rankings important and should you use these to choose your university?’ Absolutely! They are important. Why? Because of the criteria used for ranking. These criteria include the student experience, the quality of staff and quality of graduates, the volume of research, and the internationalisation of the campus community. More importantly, some new criteria include the impact of research on societies, health and the environment, the ethical and inclusion focus, and the institution’s social responsibility.

You want to study at a university that produces the graduates who get great jobs, become future leaders and have the ability and opportunities to make a difference in local and wider communities. Look for a university which has an international and culturally rich environment. These experiences provide you with opportunities to develop that global outlook which is very much sought after by employers, especially those multinational companies. You want to go to a university that engages in and has a reputation for impactful and ground-breaking research. Look at the staff in your discipline of interest, who they are and what they have achieved. You want to be taught by the best. In addition, institutions that consider the health and well-being of their students, who have programs focused on the personal and the social, are those to search for. Opportunities are plentiful when you graduate from a highly-ranked and well-respected university.

Remember that these days, jobs are not necessarily for life. The average person changes their career between three and seven times. This could be within the same company or moving to another. Considering your career(s), it is important to find a course of study that matches your potential capabilities. However, it is equally, if not more important, to find a course of study that aligns with your interests. One that provides you with growth and development opportunities and one that excites and challenges you. It is possible to change your course of study should you decide on a different direction. That is not uncommon, nor is it a bad thing. A university that provides this type of flexibility and recognition of study completed is something to look out for.

A university that is committed to providing continuity of the educational experience of its students is a key consideration in choosing a university during these times. Are you able to start or continue your studies amidst restrictions on access to campus? Is the university investing in its staff and curriculum to ensure a comparable experience in the virtual and online environment? These are significant considerations. Flexibility is not to be underestimated. A university that provides you with opportunities to continue with an online or more flexible study should your circumstances require, could be what you are looking for. You may not be located close to your university but still wish to progress in your studies. The circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in universities rethinking how students will engage in the curriculum and the assessment. Many of the innovative solutions implemented by universities are very positive and may not be temporary.

Universities in Malaysia are regulated by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA). Regulation includes a rigorous process whereby the university demonstrates and provides evidence that they are meeting minimum standards around issues of quality. This is all good news for students, graduates and employers. Focusing on the following areas means that higher education institutions who are registered are doing their job when it comes to the graduates they produce:

• Quality of the course and the curriculum • Ensuring assessments are designed to enable students to demonstrate they meet the learning outcomes • Demonstrating that the grading criteria are reliable and valid and are at the appropriate level of learning for the degree • Support provided to students’ needs meets the needs around their learning • Developing 21st-century capabilities

MQA will interrogate the documentation for registration in addition to doing site visits to ensure an appropriate level of investment in infrastructure commensurate with the offering degrees. Whilst the notion of ‘regulation’ may not be palatable, it is an important signal for potential students that due diligence is conducted.

Rankings are clearly important. A good university is one that has an international and culturally rich environment, fosters a global outlook, engages in ground-breaking research, has outstanding staff and pays attention to the personal and social well-being of its students. The course a student chooses should be one that aligns with his interests, provides growth and development opportunities and be one that excites and challenges him. There should also be the flexibility to allow the student to change his course of study and pursue something different, while providing due recognition for work accomplished. The Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) Regulation ensures that the university demonstrates and provides evidence that the university is meeting the minimum standards around issues of quality. This is good news for students, graduates and employers. For more information, please visit www.monash.edu.my

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Asia Pacific Schools The British School of Kuala Lumpur (BSKL) Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) Crescendo-HELP International School elc International School Epsom College in Malaysia GEMS International School Pearl City, Penang HELP International School The International School of Penang (Uplands) Kingsgate International School Maple Leaf Kingsley International School Matrix Global Schools Monash University Oasis International School – Kuala Lumpur Oxford Fajar Prince of Wales Island International School Raffles American School Sayfol International School, Kuala Lumpur St. Joseph’s Institution International School Malaysia Sunway College Sunway International Schools Sunway Le Cordon Bleu Tenby Schools Malaysia Tunku Putra-HELP School Wesley Methodist Schools Westlake International School Page

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Teacher at Sayfol International School, Kuala Lumpur

7th Grade Student from Raffles American School

Year 11 Student from Tenby International School Setia Eco Gardens