The Finest Education Providers in Malaysia 2022

Vol. 04 | Issue 01 | 2022 www.theknowledgereview.com

#Malaysia Calling

#Multi-directional Approach

Malaysia: One of the Upcoming Destinations of International Education

Changing Approach of People Towards Education in Malaysia

The Finest Education

Providers

in

Malaysia 2022

EDITOR’S NOTE

MISSION GLOBAL CITIZEN! "I have no country to fight for: my country is the earth, and I am a citizen of the world."

– Eugene V. Debs

A

fter World War II ended, the world has witnessed many significant changes. Let that be the formation of the United Nations Organisation or the emergence of newly independent states. The authoritarian power swiftly shifted from monarchy to the common people.

In this major power shift across the world, people realised the importance of education. Why is it important? Why is it necessary for the younger generation to know about history, values, languages, and truth? Along with several other questions that still required answering, it was all narrowed down to one thing, Education!

When the predominant educational schools, institutes, and colleges stepped ahead to provide quality education, the entrepreneurial lens magnified the need to enhance the education system and demanded new educational institutes.

As the education sector was still new to this then-modern world, the concept of being a 'Global Citizen' was incepted into people's minds around the globe. Though a certain population opposed it, it was however accepted by the world with grace. It was difficult for the governments to take and implement this tricky task. The education system was again brought into the limelight, and it immediately became the unasked responsibility for the education system to make the upcoming generations, global citizens.

Narrowing it down to some of the then weaker economies of the world, Malaysia rose to be one of the fastest-growing economies while being strongly diversified. Quality education was recognised as the major factor in the country's rapid growth.

Now that all the pieces have fallen into place, the education sector in Malaysia made the long-forgotten dream of 'Global Citizen' their mission. For its new edition to find 'The Finest Education Providers in Malaysia, 2022', the Knowledge Review magazine came across various colleges and institutes that aim to make this world a global village.

We came across a number of colleges contributing to the dream of Global Citizen, be it the Asian Tourism International Colleges that aims to enhance the hospitality and tourism industry or The International School of Penang that has made its mission to improve the education sector in the country. However, all these colleges we encountered for this edition have something in common to make every individual the global citizen of the world.

In this edition, you will come across some of the colleges, schools, and institutes providing the finest education in Malaysia while contributing to the shared vision. Hoping that you will find what you are looking for in this edition and have a happy, insightful read. T R

adse

Ashlesh Kh

Ashlesh Khadse ashlesh.khadse@insightssuccess.com

Articles

20

#Malaysia Calling

30

#Multi-directional Approach

Profiles 08

Asian Tourism International College

14

International School of Kuantan

24

OIS Kuala Lumpur

34

The International School of Penang (Uplands)

People behind this edition

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Editor-in-Chief Pooja Bansal Senior Editor Anish Miller Managing Editor Ashlesh Khadse Assisting Editor

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The Finest Education

Providers in Malaysia 2022 URL

Brief

ati.edu.my

ATI College aims to provide the skills and education possible to all students, irrespective of race, religion, nationality, creed, gender or age in order to enable them to maximize their individual potential in their chosen career.

Beaconhouse Sri Inai International School

beaconhouse.edu.my

Beaconhouse prepares students for their future.

The School also empowers and inspires the students to aim for excellence and become independent global learners.

Cilantro Culinary Academy

cilantro.edu.my

Cilantro Culinary Academy established in 2006, with the objective to provide vocational training in Pastry and Culinary Arts.

dasein.edu.my

Dasein Academy of Art takes pride in creative transformation via Edu-Mentoring® essentially a people-centered approach when it comes to guiding and mentoring students on individual development and growth.

isk.edu.my

The International School of Kuantan provides quality education modeled on the curriculum and practices of public and private schools in the United States of America using English as the medium of instruction to prepare students for admission to university.

iumw.edu.my

The International University of Malaya-Wales (IUMW) is an MQA-accredited university founded upon the collaborative efforts of the University of Malaya (UM) and the University of Wales (UW), UK. It seeks to bring together the nest academia over two different continents and leverages upon the best of both worlds.

kuips.edu.my

Kolej Universiti Islam Perlis aims to attract students to be a catalyst for its economic development and the improvement of social communities.

oasisintschool.net

Oasis International School is a learning centre of global standards. It has an inclusive culture, and this enables the school to imbue creativity and condence in every child.

uplands.org

The International School of Penang or Uplands is a school that exudes a positive atmosphere, giving students as many opportunities to discover and embrace their passions.

southamptonmalaysia.edu.my

The University of Southampton Malaysia aims to be a leading university for research, teaching and innovation across Asia and the wider global community.

Name of the Institution Asian Tourism International College

Dasien Academy of Art

International School of Kuantan

International University of Malaya-Wales (IUMW)

Kolej Universiti Islam Perlis

Oasis International School

The International School of Penang

University of Southampton Malaysia

Asian

Tourism

International College Where Education Meets Excellence

I

n the last few decades, the hospitality and tourism business has risen by leaps and bounds. We are all travellers at heart, and the hospitality and tourism industries have worked hard to make our travel simple, enjoyable, cost-effective, and safe. The COVID-19 pandemic has back lifted

sector for the past two years. However, the world is recovering from its devastating waves and this sector is regaining its previous status. The ease of restrictions resulted in the expansion of the hospitality and tourism industry, and it requires more professionals to serve the industry.

But this wasn’t the story a few decades ago. This sector was very underrated and neglected for many years. But the effect of globalization uplifted this sector and created new career opportunities requiring skilled professionals in the tourism and hospitality industry. Hence, there was a

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The Finest Education Providers in Malaysia 2022

ATI College works for its mission of becoming a premier college recognized nationally and globally for its excellence in the creation of highly creative and innovative graduates.

need to provide education and qualification for the young generations in the industry.

Foreseeing this need, Asian Tourism International College (ATI College) started its journey in the year 1996. It was the only college specializing in hospitality and tourism studies in Sabah earlier. Many students from various nationalities and all walks of life entered the college. They have taken up either diploma qualification or skills qualification, and till date, the college has produced about 15,000 graduates in the industry.

The Mission ATI College works for its mission of

becoming a premier college recognized nationally and globally for its excellence in the creation of highly creative and innovative graduates. The college is committed to providing skills and education to all students, irrespective of race, religion, nationality, creed, gender, or age.

About ATI ATI College prides itself for being the pioneer of providing homegrown academic qualifications to locals Sabahans, which provides them the opportunity to compete in this fastpaced world and to be a part of the global workforce. What makes this institution stand apart from others is the ability of this college to be the first to embrace and implement new teaching-learning methods in Sabah.

These methods greatly benefit the local population as they are able to experience the learning methods applied by many advanced countries.

During the two-year period at ATI College, students are exposed to

industrial experiences, which provides them the opportunity to know the demands of the industry. This, in turn, flourishes their skills and knowledge.

In addition to this, they are provided with a 6-month industrial training in an actual field, which gives them the opportunity to apply the skills they have learned in college. It also helps them become employable as soon as they are ready to join the industry.

At ATI College, students are prepared for both local as well as international participation. For this, various teaching and learning methodologies are implemented. The college prides itself on community-based learning methodology, where students connect what is being taught in the classrooms to their surrounding communities. It includes local institutions, their history, literature, cultural heritage, and the natural environments.

This enables students to foster their critical thinking skills, ability to put into practice what was learned and

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ATI college strongly believes that usage of educational technology witnessed by many educational establishments will be the new norm in the educational industry for many years to come.

Marcus Aurelius Solibun Asst. Chief Executive O icer more in tuned with current community/market need. This teaching methodology is in collaboration with industry players as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility Program. Indirectly it also builds student networking with industry players.

Adopting the New Technologies The ability of ATI college to adapt to the changes in learning methods without any problem has ensured the quality of delivery is maintained. The introduction of learning management system for online learning, hybrid learning, partnerships with local industry players has enabled students to continue their studies without any need to put on hold classes or leave

their locality, where they reside, to continue their studies at ATI College.

This ensured that students were still on track with the time is needed to complete their studies. Since the implementation of lockdowns in early 2020, both lecturers and students adapted well to the change with minimal problems while at the same time welcoming new methods in teaching and learning brought in by the use of educational technologies available.

Inspiring Leadership Mr. Marcus Aurelius Solibun is the Assistant Chief Executive Officer and Dean of ATI College with a vast and in-depth knowledge of higher

education policy and administration.

He streamlined the programs of the college in conformation with the strict requirements of the Malaysian Qualification Agency (MQA) as well as the Ministry of Education.

One of the most notable changes he has made is to have an equal, fair assessment of students’ knowledge, not only through the written exam but also

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through experiential learning and practical hands-on assessment. His goal is to ensure that each graduate from ATI College will be confident and industry-ready by the time they have graduated.

Awards and Accolades The focus on the quality development of its programs has led ATI College to win numerous awards, including 5Stars by the Malaysian Qualification Agency (MQA), which is a government body that has oversight of all higher education development in Malaysia. ATIC is also certified as ISO 9008-2014 since 2014, ISO 9014-2015 since 2018. These awards and certifications are a strong indication of ATI College’s commitment to

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ATI College o ers a wide range of programmes to bring out the best qualities in the student.

providing the best quality in students’ education and support of their studies.

Scaling the Future Like many other educational business establishments, the ATI college aspires to continue making its marks in Sabah as well as on an international level. With the adaption experience of educational technologies in 2020, the college is now working towards establishing an ODL private university in collaboration with the government. The college strongly believes that usage of educational technology witnessed by many educational establishments will be the new norm in the educational industry for many years to come.

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INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL of Kuantan Providing Holistic Education while Pursuing Academic Excellence

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challenging and rewarding academic curriculum that prepares the students to meet the challenges ahead of them with confidence is one of the key attributes of International School of Kuantan (ISK), which makes it a prominent educational institution in Malaysia.

The school focuses on building the students' confidence and enhancing their skills so that they can take on any challenge, whether it be at university or as responsible adults.

Established in 1996, ISK is a private international school. It is the only international school in Kuantan that provides quality education to elementary, middle, and high school students based on the curriculum and practices of public and private schools in the United States of America.

English is used as the medium of instruction to prepare students for admission to universities. Graduates of ISK have been accepted to prestigious colleges and universities around the world.

Offering a Plethora of Educational Facilities ISK offers its graduates an American High School Diploma, fully accredited through the Western Association of Schools and College (WASC). In most cases, graduates with an American High School Diploma, in conjunction with the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), are able to bypass intermediary schooling, such as a foundation year or A-levels. Eventually, they can enter directly into bachelor’s degree programs. Its graduates have successfully gained entrance into prestigious universities in the United

States, Canada, Australia, Europe, and Asia.

Vibrant Campus ISK offers excellent infrastructural facilities and a vivid environment conducive to learning and cooperation.

It has an academic building consisting of three floors with classrooms, labs, music room, art room, sickbay, and an office. The cafeteria and multi-purpose hall are located at the back of the academic building. The cafeteria is on the first floor, and the air-conditioned multi-purpose hall is on the second floor.

The classrooms of ISK are equipped with smart boards. The school houses three fully equipped labs with smart boards. It also has two computer labs, which allow the students to use advanced computers with a smart

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The Finest Education Providers in Malaysia 2022

We deliver educational excellence to every individual in a community of life-long learners.

interface to carry out research work for study purposes and different projects.

The air-conditioned multipurpose hall is equipped with three badminton courts, a basketball court, a stage, audio-visual equipment, and dressing rooms with showers. It has a music room with acoustic treatment, which provides students tremendous opportunity to explore their music skills.

ISK has an outdoor sports arena with an all-in-one futsal, volleyball, netball, and tennis court. It also has a stage and audio-visual equipment in the multipurpose hall. Furthermore, the school offers personal locker for each student, library facilities, and a spacious art room for students to express their creativity.

Upholding Excellence in Education ISK endeavours to provide the best of American and international education for all students, using English as the medium of instruction to prepare students for university. It is driven by the mission to not only provide a comprehensive academic education but also to encourage and challenge all students to reach their full potential.

ISK’s vision is to see that all students excel in an environment of high expectations that foster cooperation, tolerance, communication, selfmotivation, and love for learning.

The school believes that education is founded upon the acquisition of skills and knowledge at each grade.

Accordingly, the academic program at ISK is divided into three divisions: Ÿ Elementary School - Kindergarten and Grades 1 - 5 (Ages 5 - 11 years old)

Ÿ Middle School - Grades 6 - 8 (Ages 11 - 14) Ÿ High School - Grades 9 - 12 (Ages 14 – 18) ISK follows the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) in elementary school. The middle and high schools are based on an American educational model but are enriched to provide an engaging and challenging program for the diverse international student body.

From the elementary school to the high school program, ISK faculty employ engaging, research-based instructional methodologies to prepare the students with the necessary skills not only for the university but to become life-long learners.

At ISK elementary school (Kindergarten & Grades 1-5), the major focus is developing wellrounded, independent, and responsible students. Throughout middle and high school, learning is promoted through critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving, as well as application of learned knowledge rather than through rote learning.

A Leader with a Vision ISK has made many noteworthy achievements under the focused and astute leadership of Richard Carroll,

We are international in both philosophy and approach.

the Principal. He hails from Canada and has been in the teaching profession since 1995. Mr. Richard started out in Middle School as a French immersion teacher for Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies in Canada. He then decided to discover the world through his passion for teaching. He has been teaching overseas since 1999 with stops in South Korea, Thailand, Laos, Turkey, Bangladesh, Sudan, and now, Malaysia. Mr. Richard has been a kindergarten, grade 3, grade 4, Mathematics, French, and computing teacher in elementary school throughout his teaching career. In middle school, he taught Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and French. In high school, he taught Mathematics and French.

The Journey of ISK ISK received a license to start its operations in 1996 from the Ministry of Education Malaysia to Effective Energy Sdn. Bhd. (EESB). It is a private company incorporated with the Registrar of Companies Malaysia.

The school opened on the ground floor of two units of shop lots at A33, Jalan

Tanjung Api, Padang Lalang, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia. It initially had a student body of sixteen students in grades seven through twelve. Four teachers were hired, with three being expatriates.

The first graduating class in June 1999 included three graduates who have all continued their education at the International Islamic University in Malaysia. In 2000, ISK became a candidate for accreditation by the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC).

The year 2003 saw the school being granted accreditation by the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC). It saw a 50% increase in enrolment (2009) and expanded to 50 students due to a 40% quota granted to all international schools to allow enrolment of Malaysian students.

In 2010, ISK acquired land to build a new campus for the school to accommodate the growing number of students. Effective from July 1, 2012, the 40% quota for Malaysian students

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allowed to enrol into international schools was lifted by the Malaysian Government.

Enrolment at ISK increased by 40% to a total of 79 students for the school year 2012-2013. In the same year, the faculty was increased by 50% to accommodate the growing number of students. Simultaneously, it also completed the school design plan to begin the construction of the new campus. In the same year, the construction of the new campus began.

In January 2015, the school moved to a beautiful, new, purpose-built facility at Bandar Indera Mahkota, Kuantan, Pahang Malaysia.

Accreditations of ISK ISK was granted full accreditation (sixyears) by the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC) in 2003.

We aim to create skilled and globally aware citizens.

The Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC) is one of six regional accrediting associations in the United States. Their accreditation process fosters excellence in elementary, secondary, and adult education by encouraging school improvement. WASC accreditation recognizes schools that meet a level of quality according to established, research-based WASC criteria.

ISK is highly committed to the ongoing ACS WASC quality assurance accreditation process to enhance student learning. The American High School Diploma offered by the school has been officially recognized as equivalent to STPM by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA).

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Malaysia One of the

Destinations

Upcoming

of International Education

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#Malaysia Calling "There are two educations. One which teaches us how to make a living and the other how to live."

– John Adams.

E E

ducation has become the most important phase in everyone's life. It empowers, informs and equips the individual with the vital knowledge to choose and develop a successful career. Education civilizes the individual with the basic norms of behaviour, social acceptance, and becoming a responsible contributing citizen of the global society.

With the rapid developments in technology and modernization in

numerous business operations, there is a need for a skilled workforce specializing in the latest technological trends. This becomes necessary for today's students to seek newer avenues in education to remain updated and abreast with the modern means. Here, the new trend of international education plays a key role in providing a global perspective, modern pedagogy, unique curriculum, and versatile diverse culture.

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Modern Perspective International education is becoming a popular choice for many students all over the world. It is perceived to offer quality teaching, an important global perspective, numerous options, and a wide range of budgets. However, travelling to far off countries, finding suitable options and getting the required exposure can be challenging.

New Horizons International education in Malaysia provides a different platform helping them in gaining versatile communication and interpersonal skills and inculcates a global perspective.

Studying here exposes the students to a new horizon of modern career prospects from around the globe.

With top-of-the-line international education standards, Malaysia is fast becoming a hotspot education destination for international students.

The best part of Malaysia is the diverse mix of its students from around the globe. There have been many differentiating factors, which have steadily led to the rise of Malaysia in the lineup of international education destinations.

Important collaborations Malaysia has collaborated with numerous foreign universities in setting up their branches to make a good base for the students to study from the reputed international universities. It has a growing awareness of higher education, with the government encouraging the students in choosing different career options.

Global Recognition Malaysia is included as the 12th most preferred international education destination in the world by UNESCO, hosting more than two lakh

international students. The emergence of numerous foreign universities from the UK, US and Australia, which have set up their branches and have garnered a growing student flow, have steadily led to the improvement in the standard of the local universities.

The Rise in Education Standards The healthy competition created by the advent of foreign universities has automatically elevated the education systems, methodology and the quality of the imparted education. This, in turn, has led to the rise in awareness and subsequent demand for the change in prevailing educational practices.

Value-based Approach The international universities have brought with them a new approach to practical industrial applications.

Students get to learn many new things from a theoretical, practical, analytical, and advanced automation perspective.

It has created a unique platform of a value-based education system having an interesting global perspective. The students can access the best levels of the international schooling system, making the process far more feasible.

Strategic Advantage Malaysia has developed a single education platform on European standards which identifies and sets their academic and vocational education potential. The Malaysian economy ranks 4th in size in Southeast Asia and ranks 38th in the global economy. The rapid developments in the industrial sectors of electronics, construction, and automotive manufacturing, have created a high demand for a skilled workforce in the recent decades. As a result, Malaysia itself is a good career destination for the students perceiving international courses.

Growing Economy Malaysia offers a very open and receptive market with abundant potential for new brands, research, and economic development. Malaysia has been progressive in its approach toward the green initiatives by boosting and encouraging the renewable power industries, electric vehicles, modern infrastructure, and advanced agriculture. More and more advanced countries are making a beeline to set up their trade collaborations with the Malaysian government and companies.

New Education Hub As the world opens from the pandemic to a fresh new beginning, students and professionals everywhere are eager to get a quality international education at an affordable price range.

With the government encouraging new initiatives for the educational development programmes, many foreign universities have identified Malaysia as an important educational market for multiple academic streams.

Hence, in the process, it is becoming a bridge for scores of international students in choosing from a wide range of international universities for perceiving higher education. Malaysia is one of the upcoming destinations that can be considered a hub of European international universities, which offers a quality international education and prepares the candidates for a global business perspective.

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- Kedar Borgaonkar

Appreciating Diversity while Ensuring Excellence in Education

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ncient and commercially significant landmarks, vibrant cities, diverse flavours, and cuisines - these are not the only aspects for which Malaysia is renowned. It is also famous for upholding educational excellence and providing students with opportunities to learn and grow. The country houses some of the most celebrated education providers. They open the doorway to endless possibilities in education and career excellence. These institutions leave no stone unturned to ensure that every student accomplishes their goals while evolving gradually.

A renowned institution in Malaysia that is making rapid strides in education is Oasis International School (OIS) - Kuala Lumpur. It is owned and operated by Oasis International Schools, a non-profit organization committed to establishing and maintaining American-style, English-speaking international schools around the world. Oasis’ network is based near Memphis, Tennessee in the United States, but stretches across the world with schools in 15 different

countries. OIS provides OIS - Kuala Lumpur with resources, oversight, and support. Since its establishment over 30 years ago, its network has created a legacy of academic excellence, prestigious college acceptance, and successful alumni. OIS offers an educational program for students in kindergarten to 12th grade. Staffed by US-certified teachers, OIS is academically challenging, integrated with cutting-edge technology, and centered on developing students' character.

The OIS Mission & Core Values OIS- Kuala Lumpur is a community of students, parents, and qualified educators, working together as an Oasis network school to instill in its school community a passion for truth, a commitment to excellence, and an appreciation for diversity. It believes in the three words-Veritas, Virtus, Varietas! The school provides a United States educational experience that cultivates character, leadership, and innovation exhibited through student learning outcomes to accomplish its mission.

Enhancing Student Learning Outcomes At OIS, students are provided with equal opportunities to learn and evolve personally and academically. The school allows the students to avail ample opportunities to improve themselves not only as students, but as human beings as well. Some of the key highlights of the academic and co-curricular initiatives of OIS are as follows: Character: Students at OIS are challenged to appreciate the unique qualities of a diverse world and celebrate shared values. Words like ‘empathy’ and ‘understanding’ are more than just lofty ideals. At OIS, they are woven into the curriculum, embedded into the programs, and lived out by an international community of students and educators from all over the world who call OIS their home.

Leadership: Students at OIS are challenged to positively impact the school, community, nation, and world.

Equipped with the content knowledge and 21st century skills necessary to

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Students at OIS are challenged to appreciate the unique qualities of a diverse world and celebrate shared values.

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The Finest Education Providers in Malaysia 2022 excel in today’s global community, students are given a platform to connect their education to real-world problems. At OIS, students are not just the hope for a brighter future; they are the solution for a better today.

Innovation: The school challenges students to develop an intrinsic desire for learning by pursuing creativity and originality in their work and life.

Students are not simply trained to take a test; they are nurtured into lifelong learners who view the world and their future as unique opportunities to solve problems, create meaning, improve,

and question the status quo. For the OIS graduate, learning never ends.

Learning at OIS is a balanced, holistic approach based on the United States education model. Classes are rooted in content and skills that align with standards from AERO (American Education Reaches Out), a project that assists American overseas schools by providing standards that are based on the United States’ Common Core initiative. These standards are designed to challenge students academically as well as to encourage them to think critically and demonstrate creativity. In addition, to reinforce and expand upon the skills found in AERO’s standards,

classes also use P21’s Framework for 21st Century Learning. The Framework for 21st century learning defines the skills and knowledge that students should acquire to succeed in life beyond the classroom. OIS provides a support system for students to learn P21’s life and career skills; learning and innovation skills; and information, media, and technology skills.

Standing Leagues Apart OIS does not merely provide quality educational and infrastructural facilities. It believes in being the very best when transforming education into an everlasting experience.

OIS believes in an environment that facilitates learning for the whole child.

Both its digital and physical spaces have been designed with student learning as the goal. It designed its digital spaces to increase communication and transparency between school and home. These digital spaces, including the school’s learning management system, help students direct their own learning as they have real-world experiences, build a sense of self-efficacy, and ultimately become lifelong learners. The physical learning spaces are flexible, allowing teachers to arrange their classrooms and other spaces around learning tasks.

With 12 acres, teachers can take students outside while creating more meaningful learning experiences for their students.

At OIS, the teachers actively seek opportunities to engage the students with the world to share their learning and sharpen their knowledge. By creating an environment for students to share their learning with a global audience, teachers help students develop skills needed to thrive beyond

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the classroom. Whether video conferencing with experts in the science field, publishing a digital novel or creating an iPad app, the classroom allows the students to explore the world.

The management believes that technology not only fosters creativity and innovation, but also leads to deeper and more meaningful learning.

The school engages technology as a fundamental part of the learning process and ensures that every student on campus has access to at least one personal Apple device. Elementary and middle school students have iPads and access to the computer lab. High school students have iPads and Macbooks.

Teachers are also equipped with Apple devices, and every classroom is equipped with an Apple TV that allows teachers to display instructional materials and student work.

Additionally, every classroom teacher is an Apple Teacher and a Google Certified Educator. With these tools and training, teachers can better support student learning and help students take ownership of their learning.

Fostering a Caring Learning Environment The teachers share a love for students and a passion for learning. With the exception of foreign language teachers, each faculty members has U.S. certifications in their respective subject areas. In addition, every teacher has experience teaching in the United States or in international schools. The OIS community of parents and students provides consistent feedback through many surveys, meetings, and conversations. The teachers are the best element of the school. They are

We encourage students to learn through the pursuit of creativity and originality in their work and life.

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Mr. Ben Hale

Head of School

known for providing excellent academic direction in tandem with caring for the fundamental needs of their students.

Landmarks throughout an Impressive Journey OIS dedicated endeavours have earned the school many laurels. One of the school’s recent 2021 graduates, Hyunbae, was accepted into the prestigious NYU Abu Dhabi and is enrolled as a B.A. Business student, DARO Intern - Class of 2025. He is thankful for all that he received at OIS and had this to say, “I just wanted to say that I am enormously appreciative of every single staff member at Oasis. Words can’t describe the respect, love, and gratitude I have towards you all. I wouldn’t be anywhere in life without your help and support.”

We encourage the students to positively impact the school, community, nation, and world.

The Shining Light of OIS OIS has made tremendous achievements in education and empowering students under the judicious leadership of Mr. Ben Hale, the Head of School. He has pursued his education from several international schools, having grown-up all-over Asia. Mr. Hale has lived and worked in South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, and now Malaysia. He is one of the founding team members and was instrumental in the research, design, planning, and supervising of OIS. Marching Ahead In this ever-changing global climate, OIS endeavors to prepare students to face their future with confidence and intelligence by letting their voices be heard and making a difference in their community and world.

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Changing Approach

of People Towards

Education

Malyasia in

April 2022 | 30 | www.theknowledgereview.com

#Multi-directional Approach

"If you feed a man with fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach him how to fish, you feed him for a lifetime."

– Anonymous

A A

s rightly quoted, education plays a vital role in empowering and imbibing a strong value construct. As educated individuals can be mature and sensible in understanding their needs and working towards fulfilling them.

Similarly, education plays a pivotal role in the economic development of any country. Adhering to the same, many countries take large-scale education drives and programs to train the people and enhance their net worth through employability or entrepreneurship development. One striking example which can be connected here is 'Malaysia'.

Post-independence, the population growth increased, leading to the rise in unemployment and long-distance migrations. Identifying the scenario, the government decided to change the existing education system.

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Awareness Creation Understanding the fact that an educated society can empower the whole nation, the Malaysian government studied the structure of the existing education system and made various plans in improvising the same.

The Malaysian government, with numerous NGOs, began their first step in this direction through awareness drives for spreading education. In a diverse society, education was promoted through numerous social programs, highlighting the same benefits. The steady rise in awareness saw a growing number of students enrolling for regular and higher education.

Many adults who identified the power and scope of being educated joined various related programs to get qualified in their respective work sectors. Adult education could become popular due to its benefits of opportunities and the tremendous potential it helped them discover themselves.

Open Trade Policy To promote international trade with other countries and to set up a platform for selling the local Malaysian products, the government developed an open trade policy. Malaysia is a large producer and exporter of palm oil, rubber, cocoa, wood, tropical fruits, rice, pineapple, pepper, cloves, electrical and electronic products.

Many world-renowned brands have set up their branches in Malaysia, including Gucci, Dior, McDonalds, etc., have created a new professional work culture. This has led to the demand for a skilled and professional work force.

Inspirational developments The developments in the urban and

rural areas through the modern roads, bridges, high-speed rail network, subways, waterways etc., have impressed the people with the limelight of the technology. To be an active part of the modern system and to enjoy the benefits of the high-flying lifestyle, thousands of people were motivated to go for higher and in-demand education.

Education steadily became a perceived rewarding gateway.

Entry of International Universities The open trade policy, its large population, and the government's initiative on promoting education created a lucrative market for various international universities in setting up their branches in Malaysia. Malaysia is perceived as a potent education market for numerous foreign universities from Australia, the UK, France, and the US. This has led to the rise in education quality, opening up the opportunities for regional and other international students to perceive international courses infeasible and affordable models.

Growth of Local Industries The rise in numerous foreign companies entering the Malaysian market and corresponding collaboration in technologies have boosted the growth of the local industries in agriculture, meat production, dairy and milk products, electronic production, and tourism. The local industries could easily absorb many locals in jobs, boosting their employability. The rise in industries like media, film making, IT, ITES, real estate, engineering, automobiles, renewable energies, etc., has increased the workforce demand. Many people are seen opting to upgrade their qualifications or professional skills to maximize their work or business potential.

Social Equality The open culture with diverse religions, the impact of global cultures, and progressive mindset have transformed the national ecosystem to encourage social equality. Men and women enjoy complete liberty with the same social status. There is absolute transparency and openness in the professional culture. It is revealed that mutual respect and an air of trust for other people which has become an encouraging factor for people choosing different education and career options.

Towards a Brighter Future With the technological developments happening everywhere, there is a phenomenal facelift in the urban and rural skyline. New technologies, social inspiration, and a strong desire to upgrade to the modern lifestyle have motivated every family to get up and grow. In this necessity of growth and meeting their new lifestyle wants, people are changing their mindsets towards education as not just a source of livelihood but also an important gateway for transforming their lives.

More and more parents are choosing higher education for their kids to make them capable, knowledgeable, and successful professionals.

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- Kedar Borgaonkar

THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL of Penang (Uplands) Providing Exemplary International Education in a Multi-Cultural Environment

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very leading educational provider is focused on a certain goal, which helps it focus on attaining educational excellence and building bright careers for the students. Driven by the goal to become an international community that upholds its values and nurtures its members to become globally minded citizens, is one school - International School of Penang (Uplands).

Established in 1955, it is one of Malaysia's oldest and most decorated international schools. The school delivers lasting educational experiences to over 500 students. It is dedicated to fostering a love of learning which will nurture the students’ intellectual, aesthetic, emotional, and physical faculties. The International School of Penang (Uplands) is committed to providing a safe environment for its students, free from abuse. It uses the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (ratified in 1989) as a framework.

A Vibrant Campus Uplands’ campus is a purpose-built property on a four-acre site, conveniently situated in the developing resort township of Batu Feringgi. The campus is just 30 minutes away from Georgetown city. It is situated on a pleasant hill overlooking the idyllic beachfront. The campus is close to hotels, restaurants, shops, and new residential estates.

Some of the key offerings of the campus are science labs, indoor sports hall, swimming pool, school field, technology lab, and library alongside a purpose built climbing wall that was recently opened for student and community use. Uplands is the only school in Penang to offer this unique facility and opportunity for its learners.

It also has a music studio, two performing arts studios, design technology workshops, and art workshops. Air-conditioned classrooms, multipurpose hall, dining hall, and garden playground are some of the other facilities, making Uplands an ideal institution to pursue studies in.

The school has excellent boarding facilities located within walking distance to the school in a secure, gated community. The campus also provides fully networked wired and wireless internet connections.

Plethora of Academic Programs Uplands focuses on providing students with excellent academic programs, which would help them to evolve as individuals and succeed in their careers. It provides impactful and dynamic primary and secondary programs.

Throughout the primary years students follow the IB Primary Years Program (PYP) focused on building young learners skills alongside developing understanding. The PYP offers an inquiry-based, transdisciplinary

curriculum framework that builds conceptual understanding.

Additionally, the school provides arts, languages, sports, and service opportunities culminating in the Primary Year 6 exhibition, which involves students working collaboratively in an in-depth inquiry where they identify, investigate, and find solutions to real-life issues and problems.

Under the secondary school program, Uplands proudly offers an international education that values excellence, integrity, and balance, encouraging students to live by the motto: Respect for Self, Respect for Others. In the Year 7-9 Middle School, the curriculum draws on best practice from multiple curricula around the world and is designed to build strong academic foundations and develop essential attitudes to learning needed for successful life-long learning. It also strives to grow these adolescent learners into globally-minded citizens by drawing on a diverse and eclectic range of contexts and resources when building skills and conceptual understanding.

In the High School, Uplands offers a multiple certification pathway through the High School. All students enrolled at Uplands in Year 10 commence a 4 year CIS accredited High School Diploma programme that is integrated with our 2 year IGCSE programme

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The Finest Education Providers in Malaysia 2022 followed by the 2 year International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). This powerfully flexible High School Diploma program is tailored to suit an individual’s needs with the majority of students taking 8-10 IGCSEs followed by the full IB Diploma whilst others take a combination of these courses and elective courses such as accredited online courses or self-guided electives.

The school introduced the High School Diploma in August 2019 to complement its comprehensive IGCSE and IBDP programs. It is the

We are commi ed to providing a safe learning environment to the students.

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We encourage students to become active learners.

Ms Emily also adds, “It is a privilege to be leading such a diverse, dynamic and distinguished school alongside my exceptional colleagues in the Senior Leadership Team and leaders, teachers, and enabling staff throughout the school. Uplands has provided over 65 years of excellence in education as a non-profit organisation that prides itself on providing opportunities for our learners to flourish and find their success. We are a truly international community that appreciates and values the rich, multi-cultural diversity within our school and endeavours to celebrate this diversity as we strive towards our mission of nurturing our students to become globally-minded citizens.” recommended minimum graduation qualification for all students entering Year 10. All Year 10 students are encouraged to begin their program with the intention of meeting the minimum requirements for the HS Diploma.

Forerunners with a Foresight Uplands thrives under the erudite leadership of Jacqueline North, the Head of Primary, and Emily Vallance, the Acting Principal and Head of Secondary. Under their

dedicated leadership, the school concentrates on nurturing the students, enhancing their learning, and shaping their careers.

While sharing her thoughts, Ms Jacqueline states, “We believe in developing young students as caring, inquisitive, and active participants in a lifelong journey of learning. We offer an inquiry-based curriculum that builds conceptual understanding through exploration and application of their knowledge in all curriculum areas.”

Why Uplands?

The International School of Penang (Uplands) is proud to provide excellent education to its students from ages 518. It has worked collaboratively with the parents to articulate what makes Uplands such a special place to work and learn. One of the various reasons one should choose to enrol their child at the school are the low studentteacher ratio ensuring each student gets quality attention from the teacher.

Accordingly, the IGCSE and IBDP results are consistently significantly better than the world average.

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The school offers different courses such as PYP, IGCSE, High School Diploma, and IBDP in the same campus. Hence, the students get a variety of options to explore. Uplands upholds the motto of unity in diversity; as such, the school welcomes students from over 40 nationalities worldwide.

Over 80% of students are international which brings a global perspective to the community in the school. Subjectmatter experts teach every topic with utmost dedication; they ensure that each student learns properly and excels in every subject.

With equal emphasis on academics, sports, cultural, and service opportunities, Uplands ensures the overall development of the students.

The school takes every opportunity to excel in its endeavours and nurture the students efficiently. It offers over 75 extra-curricular activities and eight competitive sports in a safe and caring learning environment. Furthermore, the school offers admissions to world-class universities and scholarships.

Ensuring the Safety of Students The International School of Penang (Uplands) is committed to ensuring that all its students are provided with a safe environment that enables them to achieve, thrive, and develop. At Uplands, the management considers the welfare of each child to be paramount, and it is the school’s stated intention to be proactive and diligent in ensuring every child in the community is kept safe from exploitation, abuse, or harm.

It follows the Safe School Policy, which believes it is important that schools should not only try to do something about violence against children after it has happened, but they must take action to prevent it from occurring in the first place.

Uplands relies on preventative practises such as student and staff education to reduce risk and promote student well-being. The management believes that as educators, they have the opportunity to observe and interact with children over time on a daily basis. It opines that it is in a unique

position to identify children who need help and protection. As such, it has a professional and ethical obligation to identify children who need protection and take steps to ensure that the child and family avail themselves of any services needed to remedy any situation that constitutes child abuse or neglect.

Emphasis on Health and Well-Being of Students The International School of Penang (Uplands) ensures that the students stay safe and healthy and actively carry out their curricular and extracurricular activities. The thorough, spiralled health and wellbeing curriculum provides a comprehensive platform for introducing and discussing personal, social, health, wellbeing and citizenship issues with the students and a co-tutoring system in Secondary ensures that each student is cared for by two tutors who support their holistic wellbeing. This is overseen by a dedicated Head of Year who is an important and necessary part of bridging the school-home divide with parents.

Uplands’ matrons and Boarding parents are vital in ensuring that the boarders experience a warm and friendly home-like environment upon returning from school. They are available to boarders 24-hours a day and accompany the younger students on trips to the market or mall for shopping, talk with them, and provide the link between the boarder and the parents should they need to call or make arrangements to travel home. In addition, Uplands assures the health of its boarders by assigning a caring onsite nurse who provides medical treatment as appropriate for minor healthcare issues, arranges doctors’ appointments, and manages student medication.

Academic tutors are important in supporting the boarders in their studies.

Subject-specific tutoring can be arranged through the boarding house and is both efficient and effective in

enabling a boarder to achieve their academic goals.

Accreditations and Achievements Uplands has received many accreditations and recognitions due to its dedicated endeavors towards academic excellence and student development. It is an IB World School and is therefore accredited by The International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO), which is also recognised by the Malaysian Ministry of Education and permitted to foreign and local students alike. The school has received accreditation from The Council of International Schools (COIS), a global organization that ensures high-quality international education. It is also a member of The Federation of British International Schools in Asia (FOBISIA), The Association of International Malaysian Schools (AIMS), and The Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA).

We nurture students to become globally-minded citizens.

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