Professionalism

Professionalism: The conduct, aims or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or a professional person.

It's really simple actually. If you call yourself a professional, then you have to portray the characteristics that defines your work. It applies to all aspect, from a career person to organizations. Every level, there would be some level of professionalism involved.

Sadly, one university that I know of does not echo the word in their approach with students. Imagine yourself going to a established university to do their foundation program in order to enter a course of your dreams. You slogged for 10 months, competing with 600 others for a place that is so limited and precious. You finally received your results, knowing fully that you have qualified for the course that you wanted. An interview is conducted to determine your worthiness for the said course. The university representatives promise you an answer by a certain dateline. Meanwhile, you have a solid offer from another university but yet you want to go back to the place that started it all. And on the day where this particular university was supposed to tell you made it or not, they call you; saying sorry but they can only give you an answer on another day.

Frustrating isn't it? It hasn't happened for the first time and it certainly won't be the last. The university is not going to suffer, they got plenty of students to choose from. And it is a competitive course, everyone wants to get in. Unfortunately, it places the student in a serious dilemma. For this student, it's probably alright because the said student has a solid offer somewhere else. What about other students, who solely depend on this university for their future education? What will become of them? Foundation studies is usually recognized by the university that conducts them. Can they go anyway else? And with deadline looming over every other university out there, can they get a place if they do not get a favorable response from this university? Or will they be left in a lurch, not knowing what will happen to their future?

So where is the professionalism that is expected for a tertiary education institute? Do they simply do as they want, promising students A while doing B? It's bad enough when it's run by a political organization with so scandals to its name, it's even worst when this is taken out onto the innocent students who just want a better future for themselves and their family. We can only pray for a change in this university and also for the many students that probably undergoing the same dilemma as the above student. I even heard of another being called back for a second interview just to ask him how will he handle the stress of studying that course. Couldn't this be done in the first interview? Or did they conveniently forget to do so? What happen if the student lives on the Borneo islands, can he get a last minute air ticket which is going to cost a fortune and come for the interview?

Professionalism. One that I do not see in that university for a very long time. 

STPM - Second class?

So I've read the news that Form 6 students are going to be evaluated on a term basis, something like what they do in A levels.. A more holistic approach in education according to the ministry..


While I laud the ministry's approach to changing the Form 6 examination format, which after going through it myself is one of the toughest examination systems out there, there's still a lingering question in my mind.. Why then are STPM students subjected to "second-class" rank while applying for major courses in the local universities?
Now when I applied for my university back in 2009, they gave me 8 choices and another option to tick where "If I don't get the course I've applied for, the administration can give me a course deemed worthy for me"; something like that.. Now, say if you want to do pharmacy and they say "Hey, we're sorry but we ran out of places for the pharmacy program, how would like to do a different degree?" won't you get cheese off? Think about it, here you are wanting to do the course you wanted and the "good" people out there are giving you a course for the sake of giving you a course.. You may ask "How come I can't get a place?"


*drum rolls*


That's right people, students who do STPM are rated as "second-class" as far as application goes.. This is because we have another system in place, the local matriculation.. And no matter how many arguments I have heard over the years about how matrics is this and that, it still doesn't change the fact that it's not on par as most major Pre-U exams out there.. Now I may be wrong, for all I know they could have bettered the system now, for the sake of our future I really hope they do but my friends are telling me it's not the case.


1) They don't study as much as STPM students do. When I tried asking my matriculation friends about some problems in Maths T and Chemistry, they told me it is not in their syllabus.. So their exposure has effectively decreased.
2) Their exams according to my friends, are quite straight forward and easy to do.. If you just do your part, 4.00 is guaranteed in your hands.
3) There's even rumours that the exam questions has been leaked out to the students before the finals and with internal assessment, no one knows for sure the quality of the marking.. Mind you that STPM is still being monitored by the Cambridge International Examination Board, so no hanky-panky can occur.
 
The above are just a few of the many reasons why I still support STPM at any given day. And just ask how many STPM students didn't get the course they wanted, simply because the places are filled with matriculation students.. To make matters worst, the application dateline for STPM students is around March while for matriculation is around May, so if there're new course coming out around April (like it happened during my time), the poor STPM students lose out..


So why double standards? Why when one is internationally recognized by major institutions out there is subjected to second class back home? Changing the format might help in improving the grades and of course change the mentality of "exam-oriented" but the root of the problem will still be there.. STPM candidates will always find themselves at a loss once the UPU results are announced.. They should do what they do in India & US, one common exam to enter the university; it's either you make it or you don't; instead of 3 (yes, there's a STAM if I'm not mistaken) ways to enter the university.


A little fact before I leave you all: There were 62,000 candidates for STPM in 2008 but only 41,000 places offer at the local universities.. If you are adding government matriculation, STAM, Diploma holders and so forth, where will they be enough seats? 


And another one: If STPM is all that tough, and it's probably one of the reasons why it's getting changed to the term-based assessment, why must we wait for all the matriculation students to fill up all the available university places before opening it's doors to STPM students? Heck my friends with 5As can't even get a Pharmacy course.. =.=" 


You be the judge, I'm just one of those people that got tossed around like a salad in 2009.. ;) 


Disclaimer: The above arguments represent my own opinions and are based on the facts I've gathered from people around me. It could have been changed or modified, if so, please let me know. TQ. =)

Onward to 3rd year!!!

This 2nd post is more mellow compare to the first post.. Haha... However I figured I need to update all my readers out there about my current life..

I AM OFFICIALLY A 3RD YEAR MEDICAL STUDENT!!!

Yes, I know I'm super late.. I got to know the results last Friday morning.. When I was going to Mid Valley.. The last time I was in Mid Valley was in March when I got my CNS CA results.. Haha.. Seems MV is a good place to hear results, should go there all the way up till my final year.. XD

I thank God in guiding me through this 2nd year.. It has been a tough journey for me, with studies, uni life, family problems and personal issues are coming into play.. However our God is a faithful God; and He never leaves His servants alone to battle the task that is thrown to them.. So yeah, praise the Lord for whatever He has done for me and for what He is going to do for me.. AMEN!!

Also my heart goes out to those who are facing their supplementary examinations and those who have to repeat the year.. By no means it was an easy news to swallow.. Suddenly I've lost 8 people from my batch.. Suddenly the fate of another 40 are left dangling by a thread.. I've said it before that I do not want to see anyone drop out from my batch, all the way to 5th year.. Alas, it was not meant to be.. Some were shocking, some were surprising.. However everything happens for a reason and all I can say is be still, it's another challenge to what u can truly become.. To those sitting for their supplementary exam, do your best.. It's a second attempt to enter 3rd year, so don't waste it.. And to those who are repeating, be strong.. Your goal is still to complete this course, no matter how long it takes if u have the burning passion for it you can do it!!

So as of now my world revolves eating, sleeping, shitting, online and going out.. LOL!! Pretty lame man.. Haha.. Sadly it is only for 3 weeks before I go back to my mundane life again.. Not very mundane but still it will be like wake up for hospital, go back campus for class, eat dinner, study, sleep and do it all over again the next day.. LOL!! However it's going to be fun I hope, 3rd year man.. Time really flies.. So to all those on holiday, enjoy it to the MAX!!! Haha.. After that we'll be complaining when's holidays again.. XD

Voices of Students - LISTEN UP!!!

Ladies and Gentleman,

The time has come for us, as students, to let our voices be heard across the nation!!

The time has come that we become one of the main voices for the change in our education system!!

The time has come for the Government to listen to us students to what we have to say regarding our future!!

That's right!! VOICES OF STUDENTS - LISTEN UP is here!! It's a campaign to promote A STUDENT-CENTRIC EDUCATION SYSTEM, where STUDENT'S VIEWS are give DUE CONSIDERATION in matters and decisions affecting them - to let our voices be heard!!

The organizers of this event hope to get 25,000 Malaysian Youths (THAT'S YOU!!) to sign an online petition that would be sent to the Ministry of Education on 15th May 2011 (Malaysian National Youth Day) so that certain recommendations can be implemented in our education system..

So how can you help?? Simply click on the link below and sign the online petition to show your support!!

http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?VOSLU

If you want more information you can refer to this website

http://voicesofstudents.wordpress.com/

REMEMBER!! THE FUTURE OF OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM LIES WITHIN OUR HANDS!! SO SIGN THE PETITION NOW!!!

Thank you all.. =)