14/04/2026

TUESDAY | APR 14, 2026

12

EDUCATION NEWS

Educational visit to Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre KOTA KINABALU: A total of 23 students, accompanied by 10 teachers from the Learning Support programme in Sandakan, participated in the Learning Support Educational Visit to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC). The programme which also involved 10 committee members and 2 programme officers, was aimed to assist students master literacy and numeracy skills in line with the direction of the education programme set by the Ministry of Education (MOE). Through direct observation, students were able to identify the unique characteristics of sun bears, including the distinct chest patch patterns found on each individual bear. Literacy and numeracy elements were integrated through activities such as understanding the height of a sun bear (approximately 150 cm) and identifying animals in the surrounding area. A differentiated pedagogical approach was also implemented to meet the diverse learning needs of the students. Additionally, discussions among the students helped enhance their communication, collaboration, and critical thinking skills. Deputy Sandakan District Education Officer (Learning Sector) Suhaimi Othman said, “Programmes like this not only increase students’ interest in learning but also help strengthen their mastery of literacy and numeracy, in line with current educational aspirations.” The programme is expected to reinforce meaningful learning and support the holistic development of students’ foundational skills. Recently, the centre also received four group visits by schools in one day. The group visits were from SK Tanjong Aru, SK St Mary Labuk, SK Sangau Kinabatangan, and SK Pulau Bum Bum Semporna. “We are delighted that they chose to visit us for their school trip programme,” said the centre on its website. “The groups were briefed on the safety rules by our Environmental Education Officers, and they were brought to the observation platform to see the sun bears roaming in the natural forest enclosures. “Also, we conducted the ‘Bear Observation’ activity with each group of schools, where they needed to observe what the bears were doing in the forest enclosures and relate it to the bears’ role in the forest. “We hope they had a great time here and gained some new knowledge about sun bears while helping us spread awareness by sharing their experiences with their friends and families.” Malaysian schools and institutions registered under the MOE and Ministry of Higher Education are entitled for waiver of entrance fees with a formal letter of request to be sent in advance. Letters should include the date and time of visit, number of students and teachers, and be emailed to info.bsbcc@gmail.com Only students and teachers/lecturers will be exempted from entrance fees. Standard rates are applicable for accompanying parents and other non student participants. Standard entrance fees are applicable for school/institutional groups without advanced letters. - JOSHUA CHANG

University of London launches online postgraduate microcredentials

o Eight are currently available, with three focused on financial management, five on global supply chain management

memorandum of agreement (MoA) to empower future engineers by delivering UCSI’s mechatronics engineering degree at ViTrox’s industrial campus. The signing ceremony at ViTrox’s headquarters here was recently officiated by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who said that the partnership supported the National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS) that seeks to train 60,000 engineers by 2030. He said the Malaysia needs to move beyond assembly and testing into higher-value activities like integrated circuit design, advanced packaging, wafer fabrication and R&D. “Today’s MoA between ViTrox and UCSI is more than a collaboration - it is a strategic investment in talent and the future of our economy.” Under the MoA, day-to-day learning will take place at ViTrox College. Students will also enjoy KUALA LUMPUR: The University of London has announced the availability of its new online postgraduate microcredentials for learners in Malaysia, providing flexible and stackable learning pathways designed to support lifelong learning without the need for physical attendance. The microcredentials are currently available at an introductory price, creating a cost-accessible pathway into UK postgraduate-level study. Delivered fully online via the university’s Global Digital Campus, these microcredentials enable learners in Malaysia to start anytime, study anywhere and progress at their own pace. This makes postgraduate-level education more accessible for working professionals and mid career learners balancing career and personal commitments. Designed to meet the evolving needs of today’s workforce, the microcredentials are modular and portable, allowing learners to accumulate academic credits that can be stacked towards a recognised postgraduate qualification or transferred into the University of London degree programmes from which the microcredentials are drawn. Prof David Latchman, deputy vice-chancellor of the University of

Banking & Finance environments. They will work alongside engineers, solve real challenges and discover their purpose.” “By blending academic excellence with unparalleled industrial exposure and soft skills Access to the lab - equipped with around 60 cyber-physical systems, collaborative robots, AIoT embedded devices and autonomous process nodes - is exclusive to students from ViTrox, UCSI, and Universiti Sains Malaysia. ViTrox president and group CEO Datuk Chu Jenn Weng said that partnering with UCSI reflected a mutual commitment to provide future engineers with quality industry-driven education and high value career opportunities. “Through our work-based learning model and 3-mentor model - comprising academy, industry and life - students will learn not only in classrooms, but in real London, online microcredentials are designed to put learners in control of their education, allowing them to study what they need, when they need it and from wherever they are. For learners in Malaysia, this means access to world-class postgraduate learning with academic direction from globally recognised universities, including UCL (University College London) and City St George’s, without the constraints of geography, fixed schedules or traditional entry barriers. This approach reflects our long-standing commitment to expanding access to higher education globally”. This flexible approach aligns with Malaysia’s growing emphasis on continuous upskilling, digital education and workforce readiness, in line with the nation’s MyDigital digital economy blueprint, as professionals increasingly seek short, targeted learning options that deliver real academic and career value. Eight microcredentials are currently available, with three focused on financial management with academic direction from UCL and five focused on global supply chain management with oversight from City St. George’s. Each microcredential carries 15 said: “Our

The microcredentials offer Malaysians flexible, stackable pathways to upskill for today’s evolving workforce. PIC COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY OF LONDON.

or through its Recognised Teaching Centres. Globally, students are enrolled from over 190 countries worldwide, reflecting the university’s leadership in international distance and digital learning. For learners in Malaysia, this means access to research informed academic content from world-leading universities, delivered through a single, integrated digital platform. These microcredentials represent the first phase of the University of London’s broader vision to expand access to flexible, high-quality higher education globally, including across Southeast Asia. For more information, visit: www.london.ac.uk/study/microcre dentials.

postgraduate credits, offering a lower-commitment entry point into UK postgraduate-level study without the need for long-term enrolment, relocation or full degree tuition. Learners can begin immediately without complex application processes, cohort based intakes or fixed academic calendars, allowing greater flexibility for working professionals. Assessments are designed for working professionals and lifelong learners, with on-demand delivery rather than fixed-term schedules, allowing learners to balance study alongside work, family and other commitments. With a longstanding presence in Malaysia, the University of London counts over 16,000 alumni in the country and more than 3,000 students currently studying online

Vitrox and UCSI team up to build talent pipeline BATU KAWAN (PENANG): UCSI University and ViTrox Corporation Bhd have formalised a industry exposure at the newly launched ViTrox Innovation Lab, a RM60 million facility that is the first of its kind in Southeast Asia.

Chow being taken on a tour of the lab by Chu (centre) accompanied by Siti (right).

both organisations with a common platform to contribute to the nation’s goals. “Malaysia has trained around 14,000 engineers since the NSS was launched in 2024,” she said. “We really need to bring those numbers up if we are to reach and surpass the national target of 60,000.”

training, we will nurture a new generation of engineering talent that will enhance Penang’s reputation as the Silicon Valley of Asia.” UCSI president and vice chancellor Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Siti Hamisah Tapsir said that the UCSI-ViTrox partnership provided

Education News/Health & Wellness TUES

ESG

Property

WED

MON

THUR