HMC’s AniHELP has attracted many local celebrities who have supported the event annually.
In the current changing world scenario where the market driven economy and globalization has strong implications for thinking and practice, basic attitudes to learning are becoming a tradition of the past and revolutionary methods are needed to match the need of the 21st century.
This is where the HELP Matriculation Centre’s (HMC) Foundation programme stands as a pioneering and time tested pre-university syllabus designed to cater towards the fundamentals of tertiary education.
“The Foundation Programme, consisting of both the Sciences and Arts, is comprehensive, intensive and pragmatic. Both these courses are designed by the most experienced educationists who are very mindful of the importance of providing students with a holistic education,” says Dhanesh Balakrishnan, Dean, Faculty of University Foundation Studies.
“Here at HMC, education is a continuous quest for understanding and meaning. We aim to nurture healthy, whole, curious individuals who can learn all that they need to know in a new context.”
The success of the Foundation programmes is evident from the many world-class graduates who have gained access into internationally renowned and reputable universities. Among the outstanding graduates is Ms. Low Pei Zhen, a HELP Foundation in Arts student, who secured 11 High Distinctions and 2 Distinctions and was awarded the University of Queensland International Economics Scholarship to pursue her Bachelor of Economics at University of Queensland, Australia. She had this to say:
“HELP University’s Foundation programme is a well-structured programme that enhanced my research and analytical skills. The programme promotes academic excellence and involvement in extra-curricular activities, thus bringing out my full potential as an all-rounder”.
Another former student, Ms. Rachel Lai Suet Leng remarked that she was very grateful to HELP for structuring the foundation programme in a way which focused not only on IQ, but also the development of the students’ emotional intelligence. Rachel completed her Masters of Philosophy at Cambridge University, UK and is completing her PhD at Cambridge on a full scholarship.
One key component of the Foundation programmes is a leadership camp which aims to help students to believe in themselves and to acquire soft skills such as communication skills, leadership skills, and teamwork. Hence, the Centre for Personal Development and Leadership was established to enable Foundation students to hone their leadership skills and to recognise their self-worth. The Centre has been pivotal in changing the mindset of the Foundation students through leadership and values workshops.
HMC also prides itself by organising many significant events during which students have the opportunity to practice their leadership skills and teamwork. Some signature events that the HMC organises are:
Cosplay, Comics, Anime and Games Exhibition (C2AGE)
C2AGE, an event founded by HMC senior lecturer R. Murali and his human communication students, caters to pop culture enthusiasts. The fundamental purpose of the event is to raise awareness and educate the general public, especially the youth, about cosplay, comics and anime. This year, C2AGE celebrated its 10th Anniversary and saw participation from both local and international participants. Special guests at the event include world renown cosplayer Stella Chuu from New York, Ukranian photographer cum cosplayer Pugoffka-sama, action figure maestro photographer from Indonesia and cosplay dancers Lexiikat and Kaotsun from Australia. C2AGE is currently ranked as one of the top Anime Cosplay and Games (ACG) events in Malaysia, with an online fan base of 12,000. HMC students are involved in the most basic elements of event management and receive hands-on experience on how to manage events effectively.
AniHELP (Animals and HELP)
AniHELP is a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative by the HMC public relations students and aims to educate the public, especially youth, on the prevention of cruelty towards animals. The event, currently in its 7th year running, is strongly supported by Miss Malaysia World 2010 and AniHELP ambassador, Thanuja Ananthan, FHM celebrity and model Patricia K as well as the Patron of SPCA Selangor, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye. The event hosts a number of activities including an animal adoption drive, animal fashion show, and talks on animal welfare.
School Magazine Workshop (SMW)
HMC held its 8th School Magazine Workshop (SMW) this year at its campus, with more than 200 students from 20 schools in the Klang Valley. The workshop was also conducted in locations such as Penang, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching in East Malaysia. The premise of the SMW is to groom budding secondary school editorial board members on how to produce a first class school magazine.
Taking it a step further this year, the SMW culminated with a Nationwide School MEGAzine competition whereby the students who participated in the SMW were able to put their knowledge to test by designing a cover and two-page layout on the SMW 2017. The winner was Chung Hua Middle School Kuching whilst the first runner-up was Han Chiang High School, Penang and second runner-up was SM Stella Maris KL
Both HELP Foundation in Arts and Science programmes are currently available at the HELP University campus in Damansara Heights, Kuala Lumpur. The Foundation in Arts is also available at HELP University’s new campus at Subang 2, Subang Bestari, Selangor Darul Ehsan.
The next intake for the Foundation programmes is on 11 September 2017. For further information, please contact the Customer Marketing Department at 03 2716 2000, or visit www.help.edu.my
