MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN

SoLLaT Newsletter Volume 1, No. 3, September 2012

For further information, please contact:

Phone: 604-6533145/604-6533751

Fax: 604-6569122

E-mail: sfarah@usm.my / sitirayuan@usm.my

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It gives me great pleasure to congratulate SoLLaT’s first batch of 19 Bachelor of

Arts (English for Professionals) students who received their scrolls at the

University’s convocation recently. The graduates along with their family members

and friends were invited to a ceremony and a luncheon held to commemorate their

success. At the same time, 46 new undergraduates were enrolled in the degree

programme. The Orientation Day was held for these students at the School on 3

September 2012. I take this opportunity to wish them all the best!

Professor Dr. Ambigapathy Pandian

Editorial Board

Advisors

Professor Dr. Ambigapathy Pandian

Dr. Thomas Chow Voon Foo

Editors

Florence K. Nagaratnam

Lye Mun Cheong

Toh Chwee Hiang

Committee Members

Siti Waltraud Brigitte Mayr

Zam Zam Iryani bt. Che Zainon

Layout

Rana Hameed Al-Bahrani

Table of Contents Page

Workshop on Classroom Research Methodology for Language Teachers 2

Bengkel Perkongsian Pintar Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran Bahasa Melayu di PSU, Thailand 3

A Personal Look at Relationships and Evolving Cultural Norms by Joe Vitone 3

Pensyarah Kunjungan kursus Bahasa Melayu di Prince of Songkhla University, Thailand 4

The Cucumber Fertigation Garden 4

Study Tour to Kyoto University of Foreign Studies, Japan 5

2nd Thaksin University TESOL Mini-Conference – Songkhla, Thailand 30 July 2012 6

SoLLaT Professional Development Seminar Series 7

Orientation Day 3 September 2012 9

Language Course Briefing 4 September 2012 9

Sejahtera Walk 10

Visit by lecturers and students from Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya,

Songkhla Thailand

11

SoLLaT’s Inaugural Convocation Ceremony 12

Star Forum on Education 24 September 2012 13

SoLLaT Health Campus Events 14

SoLLaT Engineering Campus Events 15

Friday German Movies 16

Highlights of some events in the next issue 16

Volume 1, No. 3, September 2012 SoLLaT Newsletter

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This workshop was organised to expose language instructors at the School, especially those with a

bachelor’s degree, to the intricacies of language-related research methodologies. A total of 33 SoLLaT language

instructors from the Main, Engineering and Health Campuses attended this two-day event lined-up with the

following talks by in-house and invited presenters:

The event culminated in a talk by Prof. Dato’ Dr Md Salleh Yaapar who gave invaluable tips on research

and publishing within an APEX University context. This talk was open to all academic staff members of the

School.

At the end of the workshop, many of the participants reported that they had gained much knowledge and

practical tips on research methodologies, writing and publishing and that they were now ready to take the first (big)

step into research within their classroom confines.

Workshop on Classroom Research Methodology for Language Teachers

5 and 6 July 2012

Topic Presenter

Day One: 5 July 2012

Selecting and Defining a Research

Topic Prof. Dr. Ambigapathy Pandian

Defining the Problem Statement Prof. Dr. Ambigapathy Pandian

Formulating the Research Ques-

tion/Hypothesis Prof. Dr. Ambigapathy Pandian

The Quantitative Approach Dr. Thomas Chow Voon Foo

The Qualitative Approach Dr. Premalatha Karupiah

Review of Related Literature Assoc. Prof. Dr.Tengku Sepora

Tengku Mahadi

Day Two: 6 July 2012

Research Analysis Prof. Dr. Abd Rahman Othman

Findings and Discussion Dr. Ghayth K. Shaker Al-Shaibani

Writing the Conclusion Dr. Omer Hassan Ali Mahfoodh

Tips on Research & Publishing Prof. Dato’ Dr Md Salleh Yaapar

Volume 1, No. 3, September 2012 SoLLaT Newsletter

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Bengkel Perkongsian Pintar Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran Bahasa Melayu di PSU, Thailand 15 Julai 2012

Pada 15 Julai 2012 di Liberal Arts Faculty, Prince of Songkla University, sebuah bengkel, Perkongsian Pintar

Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran Bahasa Melayu, telah diadakan

kepada 20 dua puluh orang pensyarah dan guru bahasa Melayu

sekolah tinggi di sekitar Selatan Thailand. Para penceramah ialah

Prof. Dr. Ambigapathy Pandian, Dekan Pusat Pengajian Bahasa,

Literasi dan Terjemahan, USM, sebagai penceramah ucaptama,

En. Noordin Mohd. Noor dan En Cik Mohd Rafizi Che Leh yang

membentangkan topik Unsur/Komponen Sastera dan Budaya

dalam Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran Bahasa Melayu, Pn.Siti

Noraini Jupri membincangkan Kesediaan dan Persediaan Guru

dalam Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran Bahasa Melayu kepada

Penutur Bahasa Asing, Cik Siti Hasnah Zainal Abidin & En.

Noordin membentangkan ceramah bertajuk Pengajaran Bahasa

Melayu kepada Pelajar Thailand; Sebuah Analisis Masalah dan

Cadangan Penyelesaian Masalah.

Sambutan yang diterima amat baik dan ada permintaan untuk memperluas skop bengkel kepada latihan mengajar,

pembinaan bahan / modul untuk kegunaan pelajar serta panduan mengajar kepada guru dan pensyarah bahasa

Melayu di Thailand pada masa hadapan. Bahagian Bahasa Melayu bersedia untuk meneruskan usaha ini pada masa

-masa akan datang.

Family Records – Photographs by Joe Vitone – A Personal Look at Relationships and

Evolving Cultural Norms

6 August 2012

The speaker presented photographs and descriptions from an ongoing family portrait

project by Prof. Joe Vitone, a Professor in Photocommunications, Saint Edward’s

University, Austin, Texas, USA. He described photographs drawn from an ongoing

series called Family Records which was begun in 1998 to document members of

immediate and extended families of the photographer and his wife. The majority of the

portrait subjects live in or near Akron, Ohio, former home to the country’s major rubber

and tire producers including Goodyear, Goodrich, and Firestone. Doylestown, Barberton, and other more rural

communities neighboring Akron serve as locations for many of these images along with

Akron proper. Many of the images have been displayed by the Smithsonian Institution,

National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.

SoLLaT Newsletter

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Bahagian Bahasa Malaysia

En.Noordin Mohd.Noor daripada bahagian Bahasa Malaysia telah dijemput oleh Prince of Songkhla University, Thailand (PSU) untuk menjadi pensyarah kunjungan kursus Bahasa Melayu selama 1 semester (Jun-September 2012). Kepercayaan yang diberikan oleh PSU kepada PPBLT khususnya Bahagian Bahasa Malaysia ialah suatu pengiktirafan tingkat antarabangsa yang patut dibanggakan.

Selama berada di PSU En.Noordin telah membantu pensyarah kursus bahasa Melayu I & II PSU membangunkan bahan kuliah , menyampaikan perkembangan terkini dalam pengajaran dan pembelajaran bahasa Melayu di Malaysia serta mengajarkan kursus Bahasa Melayu kepada pelajar Thailand. Beliau juga telah megambil kesempatan menjalankan sebuah bengkel Perkongsian Pintar Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran Bahasa Melayu kepada 20 orang pensyarah dan guru bahasa Melayu sekolah tinggi di sekitar Selatan Thailand. Bengkel diadakan di Faculty of Liberal Arts PSU. Sambutan yang diterima amat baik dan ada permintaan untuk memperluas skop bengkel kepada latihan mengajar, pembinaan bahan / modul untuk kegunaan pelajar serta panduan mengajar kepada guru dan pensyarah bahasa Melayu di Thailand pada masa hadapan.

PPBLT memang menggalakkan dan menyokong keterlibatan staff dalam program seperti ini. Pada masa akan datang PPBLT dan Bahagian Bahasa Malaysia akan menebarkan sayapnya dalam memperkembang pembelajaran serta pengajaran bahasa Melayu di institusi pengajian tinggi di Thailand.

Pensyarah Kunjungan kursus Bahasa Melayu di Prince of Songkhla University, Thailand

- Noordin Mohd.Noor

Volume 1, No. 3, September 2012

The Cucumber Fertigation Garden

Pemberian cendera mata daripada Assoc. Prof. Nisakorn, Head of Languages & Linguistic Department, Liberal Arts

Faculty.Prince of Songkhla University,Thailand

On 26 July 2012, the first seeds of 50 cucumber plants were sown as part of the School’s sustainability programme.

Mr. Hedzir bin Ilyasak, Director of the Relau Agrotourism Centre, was at hand to explain the form of cultivation for

the plants: the fertigation system. This method involves the administration of fertilizers, soil compounds and other

water-soluble minerals through a built in irrigation system. Mr. Hedzir said that this is a productive agricultural

system and for the cucumber plants, the fruits of the labour can be enjoyed in less than two months from cultivation.

True enough, by mid August 2012, lots of flowers could be seen blooming on the branches of the plants. By late

August 2012, many baby cucumbers were spotted dangling from the vines and by early September, the first fruits

were harvested. To date, almost 100 cucumbers have been produced and a burgeoning number is on its way.

Almost everyone at the School has savoured the sweet, succulent and juicy cucumbers cultivated the ecofriendly

way.

Volume 1, No. 3, September 2012 SoLLaT Newsletter

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Study Tour to Kyoto University of Foreign Studies, Japan

22 Aug—1 Sept 2012

22 August – 1 September 2012 will always be etched in the memories of 10 USM students

who participated in an all-expenses paid study tour hosted by Kyoto University of Foreign

Studies (KUFS) in Japan made possible by the School of Languages, Literacies and

Translation, USM. Although the programme started on the third day of Eid Ul-Fitri, we

were all very excited as this would be the first visit to Japan for most of us. Ms Azlina Md

Sadik (Programme Chairperson of the Malay language section) and Mr. Masatoshi Soeda, a

Japanese Language teacher, accompanied us on the tour. The host university was warm and cordial in extending

their hospitality and made sure that we had a wonderful hassle-free experience from the day we arrived (met by

Professor Ikezaki, Director of Career Development Center, Department of Global Affairs, KUFS and two staff

members at the Kansai International Airport) to the end of the programme.

This programme is part of a

research project studying the

possibility of preparing HALAL

food with Japanese ingredients

in addition to learning to adapt

to Japanese culture, especially to the food, within the Islamic framework. For a start, a series of lectures were

delivered by Professor Ikezaki who briefed us on the overview of the project and the issue of globalization,

Professor Tanaka from Tokyo University who explained the diet and cuisine of monks in Japan and Ms. Azlina

Md. Sadik who discussed HALAL food and the process of preparing it.

In addition, numerous

discussion sessions were held

between KUFS and USM

students focusing on how to

make HALAL food the

Japanese way and what ingredients should be replaced if the Japanese food items are non-

halal. As it turned out, we discovered that many non-halal ingredients could be replaced to

make HALAL Japanese cuisine after savouring Japanese vegetables, fruits, chilies and others

at the Nishiki Market. The programme also required the participants to take part in preparing

HALAL Japanese food and we were joined by mothers of some KUFS students. We also

learnt how to make tofu and Japanese sweets. It was during one of these sessions that a

reporter from Kyoto Newspaper covered the event and we were in the news on 31 August

2012.

The programme was not solely on the serious academic matter of research but also included a

lot of sight-seeing to tourist attractions in Kyoto including the Kiyomizu Temple, Seiryoji Temple and Kinkakuji

Temple. We also had first-hand experience in the Japanese way of life –

using buses, cycling and walking instead of driving or using taxis. The 10

of us from USM are deeply grateful to the School of Languages, Literacies

and Translation, USM for making this experience of a lifetime possible for

us. So, who were the lucky ones? Abdul Muiz Bin Fadzil (HBP), Ahmad

Khairul Aiman Bin Yusof (HBP), Mohamad Izwan Bin Roslan (Bio), Nik

Aqilah Binti Nik Mahmod (Chem), Nurul Izzah Bt Mohd Saad (Soc. Sc.),

Siti Farah Wahida Ismail (SoLLaT), Siti Sarah Asshila Miseni (SoLLaT),

Siti Zunur Ain Bt Hasan Basri (SoLLaT), Syamimi Binti Rusman (Ind.

Tech). & Wan Zahidah Binti Wan Sulaiman (that’s me from SoLLaT).

Volume 1, No. 3, September 2012 SoLLaT Newsletter

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What was meant to be a small conference turned out to be an eye opener for educators and students of the English

language on 30 July 2012. Many issues were highlighted during the conference themed “English Language

Teaching Towards the ASEAN Community”, particularly the ELT Roadmap for the ASEAN Community which

was presented by Ms. Phanisara Logsdon, a Regional English Language Officer (RELO) officer. The presentation

created an awareness on the importance of intensifying English language acquisition among its citizens, more so

with the aspiration of creating an Asean-Economic Community by 2015. The president of Thaksin University

commended USM for promoting the conference to an international level and hoped to have more networking

initiatives in the future. A group of six participants (Dr Omer Hassan Ali Mahfood, Dr Paramaswari Jaganathan, Mr

Isyam Amran and Ms Florence Nagaratnam), as well as two post-graduate students (Mr Satchithanandam and Ms

Marjan Zohoorian) represented SoLLaT. All appreciation goes to Prof. Ambigapathy Pandian for initiating the

entourage and Dr.Thomas Chow as well as En.Kelana Ahmad for all the prior preparations made.

By Dr. Paramaswari Jaganathan

2nd Thaksin University TESOL Mini-Conference, Songkhla, Thailand

30 July 2012

SoLLaT Professional Development Seminar Series

SoLLaT Newsletter

On 8 June 2012, Ms Lee Pin Ling gave a talk on “Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language:

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”. She discussed the importance of the role played by the Internet in

pedagogy and its relevance in teaching certain subjects. She explained that in Teaching Chinese as A

Foreign Language (TCFL), the blending of old-

fashioned “chalk and talk” and online teaching

methods should be applied. In this blended

teaching model, the Internet serves as an aid,

while the teacher’s role is that of a facilitator.

This model aims at making the learner involved

in autonomous learning and sustainable

learning at the end of the teaching process.

On 2 July 2012, Ms Jayagowri Muniandy

presented a talk titled “Examining the English

Language Experience of Foreign Students in a

Malaysian Public University”. Her study examined

the English language proficiency level of

international students at the point of entry into

Universiti Sains Malaysia and the English

language skills that they are weak in. She highlighted the findings that revealed a

disparity between the students’ oracy skills and their literacy, specifically writing,

skills. She concluded her presentation with recommendations for a conducive language learning environment for the benefit of

both the students and the educational institution.

Siri perkongsian ilmu bertajuk ‘Pemantapan Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran (P&P): Menjana Pemikiran

Kritis dalam Kefahaman’ telah adakan pada 3 Julai 2012 dari 10.00 pagi hingga 12.00 tengah hari di Dewan

Persidangan PPBLT. Dr. Ilangko Subramaniam telah menyampaikan ceramah ini dan disertai oleh guru-guru

Bahagian Bahasa Malaysia. Dr. Ilangko telah menerangkan kepentingan pemikiran kritis sebagai salah satu

kemahiran insaniah yang penting untuk dikuasai oleh pelajar. Perbezaan antara pemikiran biasa dan pemikiran

kritis serta penerapan kemahiran ini dalam pengajaran kefahaman juga telah ditekankan oleh beliau. Ceramah ini

diharap dapat membantu para guru mengukuhkan lagi pemahaman tentang aspek pemikiran kritis.

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The SoLLaT Professional Development Seminar Series (SPDSS), a platform for its academic staff

members to share and exchange ideas on diverse topics pertaining to language, literacy and translation research-

related issues, witnessed an increasing number of dynamic presenters.

SoLLaT Professional Development Seminar Series

SoLLaT Newsletter

Volume 1, No. 3, September 2012

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Ms Ng Yim San’s presentation on 13 July 2012 titled ‘Using YouTube for English

Language Learning’ discussed the changing landscape of language learners and the

need of teachers of English to adapt their

classroom approaches and methodologies to

meet their learners’ needs. She listed the

benefits of using a multimedia environment to

provide a conducive and attractive platform for

present generation learners to interact with their

teachers, their friends in the classroom and those in the virtual realm for a

meaningful and effective language learning experience. She demonstrated a

sample lesson to drive home the message that the YouTube and other websites

are invaluable resources that English language teachers may explore for more

engaging teaching and learning sessions.

On 3rd August 2012, Ms Vivien Chee presented a talk on “University students’

Interaction with Print and Technology”. She discussed the impact of technology on

Malaysian university students’ reading habits, compared to the impact of reading

books. This study is framed on what

reading is, taking account of the so-

ciocultural theory of language together

with the New Literacy Studies that treat

literacies as social practices rather than

as technical skills to be learned in

schools. The result shows that the com-

plex connections between school and out-of-school literacies can provide

important insights for English teachers and teacher educators on the experi-

ences and expectations of online and print-based literacy practices students

bring to schools and beyond, particularly in the ESL context of Malaysia.

Pada 27 Julai 2012, Puan Siti Ajar, Suhana dan Ezaleena telah

membentangkan kertas kerja mereka yang bertajuk, “Bahasa Kiasan: Tak

Lapuk Dek Hujan Tak Lekang Dek Panas”. Dalam kertas kerja tersebut

dibincangkan kekerapan pelajar menggunakan bahasa kiasan dalam

karangan mereka. Empat bentuk karangan dipilih, iaitu karangan bentuk

pendapat, perbincangan, pemaparan dan kertas kerja. Subjek yang dijadikan

kajian ialah pelajar yang mengambil kursus Bahasa Malaysia IV di sebuah

institusi pengajian tinggi di Malaysia.

Daripada dapatan menunjukkan bentuk

karangan yang paling banyak pelajar

menggunakan bahasa kiasan ialah

karangan berbentuk kertas kerja iaitu sebanyak 75%. Hal ini demikian kerana

soalan karangan memainkan peranan dalam menentukan penggunaan bahasa

kiasan.Oleh yang demikian itu, dalam kertas kerja ini disarankan agar guru

menggalakkan pelajar menggunakan bahasa kiasan supaya khazanah ini terus

dimalarsegarkan dalam apa jua bidang dan kekal releven sepanjang zaman.

On 10 August 2012, Ms Oon Sok Imm gave a presentation on

“Forensic Linguistics”. Based on her participation at the 12th

edition of the International Summer School in Forensic

Linguistic Analysis (ISSFLA), the aim of the presentation was

to share information and knowledge about this emerging

branch of linguistics, that it may encourage others to pursue

scholarship in this field.

SoLLaT Newsletter

Volume 1, No. 3, September 2012

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Orientation Day 3 September 2012

Language Course Briefing 4 Sept 2012

The School opened its doors to yet another group of freshies on 3

October 2012 – its fourth batch. This group comprises 39 Malaysian

and 7 international students; one each from Lebanon and Nigeria, two

from China and three from Thailand. As in the past, these freshies

were briefed on how life would be for them for the next three years

by the Dean, Prof. Dr. Ambigapathy Pandian, Deputy Dean

(Academic and Student Affairs), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tengku Sepora

Tengku Mahadi, Deputy Dean (Industry Community Network), En.

Kelana Ahmad, Programme Chairpersons, Pn. Toh Chwee Hiang and

Cik Ummu Salmah Rahamatullah. Prof. Dr. Ambigapathy Pandian

talked about the humble beginnings of the English for Professionals

progamme and urged the freshies to make full use of the facilities at

the School and the university to excel and succeed in their studies.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tengku Sepora Tengku Mahadi explained the

academic commitments required of university students which differ

vastly from those at pre-university level. Pn. Toh described the

programme structure in detail while Cik Ummu provided them with

an insight into the 3 foreign language minor programmes;

Communicative Arabic Studies, Chinese Language Studies and

Japanese Language Studies. To close the briefing session, En.

Kelana Ahmad gave the freshies an in-depth explanation on the

internship component which all English for Professionals students

have to go through twice during the course of their degree. The

programme on that day ended with the freshies meeting and getting

to know their respective academic advisors.

The Language Course Briefing for all freshies

this year took place on 4 October 2012 at 8:30 am at the

Dewan Tuanku Syed Putra. In upholding the tradition, all

academic staff members from the various sections (Bahasa

Malaysia, English Language, Foreign Languages, and

English for Professionals degree programme) accompanied

the Dean, Deputy Deans, Programme Chairpersons, Senior

Assistant Registrar and Assistant Registrar on the grand

stage in the august hall to welcome more than 3,000

students to the university and also to the School for all their

university language courses.

The event started with a welcoming speech by the Dean,

Prof. Dr. Ambigapathy Pandian, followed by the Malay,

English and Foreign Language course briefings by Pn.

Azlina Md. Sadik, En. Azril Ali and Cik Ummu Salmah

Rahamatullah respectively. After the briefing, the students

headed to the lecture halls at the G03 block to register for

language courses.

Volume 1, No. 3, September 2012 SoLLaT Newsletter

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Sejahtera Walk

12 September 2012

“The First WEALTH is HEALTH”

"Those who think

they have no time for

bodily exercise will

sooner or later have

to find time for

illness". - Edward

Stanley

In continuing and supporting the tradition of the USM

Health Centre, undergraduate and postgraduate students and staff

of the School of Languages, Literacies and Translation, came out

in full force on 12 September 2012 to take part in the Campus

Walk. More than 100 health enthusiasts from the School joined the

Director of the USM Health Centre, Dr. Nurulain Abdullah

Bayanuddin, and her

team of regular

walkers for their

weekly jaunt. She

commented that the

turn-out was the

biggest ever. From the Health Centre, the walkers snaked their

way to the USM Eco-Hub where they were acquainted with a

variety of plants including the Tongkat Ali and the trees in the

Durian Valley. Having

taken in the breathtaking

panoramic view from

near the Vice-

Chancellor’s residence, the walkers headed for the Chancellory

Building and from there they crossed over to the SoLLaT side of the

campus. From here, they made their way past the VC rock down

towards the School of

Housing, Building and

Planning before heading back

to the Health Centre. Dr.

Nurulain, her regulars and the administrative and academic staff

members of SoLLaT were in front throughout the walk while the

students straggled some distance behind as most of them had to

carry their bags and also took the opportunity to chat with each

other; catching up with friends they had not seen for more than

two months and also getting to know the freshies that had come in

the week before.

Visit by lecturers and students from Rajamangala University of Technology

Srivijaya, Songkhla Thailand

SoLLaT Newsletter

Volume 1, No. 3, September 2012

The School of Languages,

Literacies and Translation, USM, had the honour of hosting yet again the

delegation from Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya (RMUTSV), Songkhla Thailand comprising 20 staff and

30 students from the Liberal Arts Faculty of that university on 13—14 September 2012. The delegation was led by Head

of Foreign Languages Department, Assoc. Prof. Tassanee Kireesri , with the main purpose of implementing the MoU

signed in 2010 between both universities. Former Vice-President of RMUSTV, Assoc. Prof. Dr Aswin and Mr. Boonyarit

Omanee, International Office Liaison Officer, were part of the delegation.

Concurrent sessions were held for the students and staff on 14 September 2012. En Cik Mohd Rafizi and En

Isyam Amran and 6 student buddies from SoLLaT accompanied the 30 students to Dewan Budaya to get acquainted with

the rich Malaysian cultural heritage and traditional music and instruments: gamelan, rebana, kompang, etc.

At the same time, the academic staff led by the Deputy Dean (Industry-Community Network), En. Kelana

Ahmad, convened a meeting with representatives from both universities to fine-tune the Memorandum of Agreement of the

proposed 3+1 programme. This programme is part of the English for International Communication degree at RMUTSV in

which the students have to do a required one-year study at USM. Preliminary talks were also under way for a collaborative

effort in the Bahasa Melayu department at both universities to offer an intensive BM programme to students from

RMUTSV to spend one semester at USM to learn the language and culture of the Malays.

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Volume 1, No. 3, September 2012 SoLLaT Newsletter

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SoLLaT’s Inaugural Convocation Ceremony

On 19 September 2012, SoLLaT’s first batch of Bachelor of Arts (English for Professionals) stu-

dents, all 19 of them (by sheer coincidence), received their scrolls at the First Session of the 46 th

USM Convocation.

It was indeed a momentous and joyous occasion not only for them, their parents, loved ones, friends

and a host of well-wishers but also for the family at SoLLaT. A simple ceremony was held at SoL-

LaT in their honour followed by a sumptuous lunch hosted by the Dean and staff. In his speech, the

Dean congratulated the 19 students who (in his words) were handpicked by him in 2009 for this

unique programme and have proven all critics wrong when their bitter-sweet journey culminated in

the convocation ceremony earlier in the day. He also reminded them of their roles as ambassadors

for SoLLaT, i.e., to take the English language to greater heights wherever they go. The graduands

were then presented with momentos to commemorate their success.

Volume 1, No. 3, September 2012 SoLLaT Newsletter

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English Proficiency: Does the Education System Support the Needs of the Workplace?

The deteriorating level of competence in English among Malaysian students, accompanied by the revelation that two-thirds of

70,000 English teachers in the country had failed to reach a proficient English level, has indubitably been a subject close to the

hearts of many. Against this backdrop, the Star newspaper organised a forum titled “English Proficiency: Does the Education

System Support the Needs of the Workplace?” on 24 September 2012 at the G Hotel. A total of 30 second and third-year SoLLaT

students, chaperoned by Dr. Paramaswari Jaganathan, Mdm Florence Nagaratnam, Mdm Gooi Poh Hong, Miss Nadia Roselilyana

Noordin, Mdm Toh Chwee Hiang, Miss Vijaya Latshmi, and Mdm Vivien Chee, made their presence felt at the one-and-a-half-hour

forum. Former Education Ministry deputy director-general Datuk Noor Rezan Bapoo Hashim moderated the forum while

Education Ministry deputy director-general, Datuk Dr Khair Mohamad Yusof, National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP)

Penang branch chairman, Ng Weng Tutt, Taylor's University deputy vice-chancellor Pradeep Nair and Parent Action Group for

Education (PAGE) chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim were each given 7 minutes to expound their respective contributions,

roles and responsibilities towards this end. A stirring presentation was made by Pradeep Nair when he explained the need to assist

undergraduates traverse from the stage of “not knowing what they do not know to knowing what they should know”. During the

Q&A session, emotions ran high at the no-holds-barred forum when the participants, mostly school English teachers, concerned

parents and citizens, corporate representatives, and our students and staff, bombarded the panelists with an avalanche of questions

and expressed their views on the matter ardently. Even our very own Muhammad Zayani bin Zulkifli (Year 2) and Farhana Abdul

Fatah (Year 3) made their voices heard when they expressed the need to start children young, at pre-school level, and educate the

public on the importance of English. The forum felt as if it had ended all too soon, leaving many an attendee wondering if any other

crucial concerns could have been addressed. Nevertheless, the panelists seemed to have received the clarion call and it is hoped that

the concern will be promulgated further and that the malady will be addressed.

by Khor Jin Kit, BA (English for Professionals), Year 2]

(photo credits: The Star Educate (30 September 2012) and The Star Newspaper (26 September 2012)

Star Forum on Education 24 September 2012

Volume 1, No. 3, September 2012 SoLLaT Newsletter

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Persidangan Silang Budaya, Komunikasi dan Integrasi

Nasional 2012 (RECCNI2012) 19 Jun hingga 21 Jun

2012 di Palace of the Golden Horses, Kuala Lumpur

Seramai 8 orang guru PPBLT Kampus Kesihatan telah

membentangkan kertas kerja pada persidangan ini.

Persidangan ini juga dapat menambah pengetahuan dan

pengalaman mereka yang menyertainya, selain membina

hubungan profesional antara semua ahli yang

menyertainya. En. Tuan Nordin Tuan Kechik, Pn.

Enikartini Daud, Pn. Nor Rafida Mohd Seni, Pn. Nurun

Najmee Hasenan. Pn. Roshanizam Ibrahim, Pn. Helmey

Zainee Mohd zain, Pn. Zuraihan Zakaria & Cik Siti

Aishah Meor Zul Kefli’auni

9 Sept 2012

Aidilfitri Celebration

SoLLat Kampus Kesihatan had joyously organized a small

Aidilfitri celebration on the 9th September 2012 .This year’s

festive event was graced by the presence of Prof.

Ambigapthy Pandian, Dean of Sollat and En. Mohd.

Zulkarnain Mohd. Tajulariffin . The Dean had also taken

this opportunity to present tokens of appreciation to the

Kampus Kesihatan staff.

9 Sept 2012

Taklimat kepada pelajar baru telah disampaikan oleh

En. Mohd Shah Imran Lim Abdullah, Pengerusi

Rancangan, Pusat Pengajian Bahasa, Literasi &

Terjemahan. Seramai 573 orang pelajar baru telah

mendaftar pada hari tersebut melibatkan 3 buah pusat

pengajian iaitu Pusat Pengajian Sains Perubatan, Pusat

Pengajian Sains Pergigian dan Pusat Pengajian Sains

Kesihatan.

SoLLaT Health Campus Events

Volume 1, No. 3, September 2012 SoLLaT Newsletter

15

14 Jun 2012

Bengkel Pemantapan Tatabahasa [Bahasa Malaysia]

Dalam Urusan Pentadbiran anjuran Pusat Pengajian

Kejuruteraan Awam

Bengkel ini memberikan latihan kepada peserta

tentang penggunaan tatabahasa Bahasa Malaysia yang

betul dalam penulisan pelbagai dokumen di tempat kerja.

En Mohd Rashid Darham, guru Bahasa Malaysia di

PPBLT, Kampus Kejuruteraan, telah dijemput sebagai

penceramah.

1 August 2012/ 10.00 a.m

Tazkirah Ramadan

Ustaz Mohd Burhan bin Zakaria, from Pusat Islam,

Engineering Campus gave a talk titled “The Blessing of

Holy Ramadhan”. It helped to enlighten the participants’

understanding of the proper practice during the fasting

month besides heightening their spiritual awareness.

7 August 2012

Bengkel Pemantapan Tatabahasa [Bahasa Inggeris]

Dalam Urusan Pentadbiran anjuran Pusat Pengajian

Kejuruteraan Awam

This workshop on “Consolidating Grammar in

Administration” was conducted by Pn Suzila Mohd

Shukor, Programme Chairperson at PPBLT, Engineering

Campus. The workshop was organised to provide

training to the participants on the correct use of English

grammar work-related documents.

SoLLaT Engineering Campus Events

Volume 1, No. 3, September 2012 SoLLaT Newsletter

16

Highlights of some events in the next issue

NVivo Research Workshop

International Postgraduate Colloquium

MoU signing at HTWG Konstanz/Germany

Japanese Culture Workshop

Spanish Film Festival

Foreign Language Workshop

Testing and Evaluation Talk-cum-Workshop

...

Friday German Movies

With the commencement of the new semester, this event has made a comeback. In September alone, three

German movies were screened for movie enthusiasts, especially those learning German at SoLLaT, to spend their

Friday evening with us taking in the German language, culture and cinematography.

Date MOVIE SYNOPSIS

14 September

2012

Barfuss is a film by German actor and director Til

Schweiger released in 2005. It is a romantic comedy

and tells the story of Nick, a hedonistic bachelor,

who falls for Leila, a mental patient on the run. It

was written by Dina Marie Chapman, Jann Preuss

and Schweiger himself.

21 September

2012

Sandra Nettelbeck spins this gentle drama about how

a child's presence can change the lives of the most

shy and career-minded adults. Martha (Martina

Gedeck) is the chef of a popular Hamburg eatery.

The demands of her job and her natural shyness keep

her from breaking out of her routine to meet new

people. When her sister suddenly dies in a car acci-

dent, Martha adopts Lina, her eight-year-old niece.

Martha's life soon completely changes.

28 September

2012

Lara's parents are deaf and she is responsible for

interpreting and helping them interact with the hear-

ing world. On Christmas Day, her aunt Clarissa, a

music lover, gives her a clarinet, and Lara begins to

discover the world of music, which is completely

unknown to her parents. She becomes a talented

clarinetist, and, when she is 18 years old, she wants

to enroll at the Berlin conservatoire. Her desire to

attend the conservatoire conflicts with her father’s

dependence on her and his grief after his wife's death

in an accident.