SUCCESSFUL GLOBAL CLASSROOM INITIATIVE ENGAGES UHL2432 ENGLISH FOR PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION STUDENTS WITH INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS
The Centre for Modern Languages at Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) recently celebrated the success of its Global Classroom initiative, a collaborative educational programme that connected UMPSA students with lecturers from The University of Auckland, Hiroshima University, Keio University, and industry partner ResMed.
The Global Classroom initiative was designed to create learning opportunities and facilitate the sharing of knowledge across borders. Students from UHL2432 English for Professional Communication in Semester III, Session 2023/2024 participated in interactive Global Classrooms and even had their mock job interview assessment evaluated by collaborating partners. This initiative was led by UHL2432 instructors, Ms Hanisah Bon (Kasbon) and Ms Wan Noor Farah Wan Shamsuddin.
The program kicked off on August 1st with a Global Classroom session featuring two lecturers from Hiroshima University and Keio University, Associate Professor Dr Muhammad Nur Adilin Mohd Anuardi and Dr Muhammad Aiman Mohd Nor, on the topic “Elevate Your Resume: Stand Out in the Job Market”. The two speakers shared their journeys to improve their resumes to compete in the international job market starting from their undergraduate until their postgraduate days. This sharing session provided a heads up for the students on what to anticipate in workplace. Not only that, the two Malaysian-born lecturers also shared some tips on the recent trends and skills in the engineering field for the students to upscale as a preparation to join the workforce.
The next Global Classroom sessions were conducted by Ms Suaidah Mohamad, APAC Talent Sourcing Partner from ResMed (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. She led two insightful sessions titled “FAQs and Expectations in Job Interviews” and “Job Interview Do's and Don'ts: Before, During, and After”. These topics are highly relevant to the students as they provide practical guidance and real-world insights from an industry perspective. Ms Suaidah shared helpful pointers on how to prepare for interviews, including tips on researching the company, understanding the job role, and practicing common interview questions. By attending these sessions, students gained a deeper understanding of the expectations and best practices that can significantly enhance their chances of success in job interviews.
The final session of the Global Classroom initiative was the mock job interview evaluation with our collaborating partners. Students from the two UHL2432 sections were evaluated by our returning collaborator from ResMed (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., along with Ms Sheryll McIntosh from The University of Auckland, New Zealand, who joined us specifically for the mock job interview evaluation. Each collaborator interviewed one group from each section, contributing to ten percent of the overall assessment.
This provides a new experience and challenge for the students to not only appeal to the instructors but also to the additional interview panellists. This mock job interview commenced at the Executive Meeting Room, UMPSA Gambang on 20 August 2024 in which the students are joined by the collaborators online using Microsoft Teams. After the mock job interview ended, Ms Sheryll provided direct feedback to the students on their performance during the interview and also their resumes. She also applauded the students for speaking confidently in front of a native speaker. The students also expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to speak with a native speaker and be given the feedback for their mock job interview.
Throughout the programme, students gained valuable experience in effective communication across different cultural contexts. The initiative also served as a platform for them to build networks with peers and professionals from around the world, enhancing their global outlook and preparing them for future careers. Ms Hanisah, the Coordinator for UHL2432 course, expressed her pride in the students' achievements, stating, "The Global Classroom initiative has not only broadened the academic horizons of our students but also strengthened UMPSA's ties with prestigious international institutions. This collaboration underscores our commitment to providing students with a holistic education that goes beyond traditional classroom learning."
The success of this initiative marks a significant milestone for UMPSA as it continues to expand its global partnerships and enhance the educational experience for its students. This initiative stands as an example of the power of collaboration and innovation in education. By bridging the gap between academia and industry, and fostering connections across continents, the program has equipped UMPSA students with the skills, perspectives, and networks essential for thriving in a globalised world. As UMPSA continues to expand and refine this initiative, the university reaffirms its commitment to nurturing well-rounded, globally competent graduates who are prepared to lead and excel in their respective fields, making meaningful contributions to society at large.
Written by: Wan Noor Farah Wan Shamsuddin & Hanisah Bon (Kasbon)
