The English Enhancement Program at Swinburne Sarawak offers valuable study experience that keeps you a step ahead not just academically but also in adaptability.
The transition from school to university is a significant leap for many students. It offers more independence and personal and academic autonomy. This transition is also a crucial period in studenthood. It helps set the foundation for successful study and future achievement. This phase of transitioning into university also represents a momentous developmental step. It requires significant social and emotional change. So, it is vital to address the importance of a smooth transitioning process from secondary school to university.
To ease this transition, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus has been offering qualified SPM school leavers to join its English Enhancement Program (EEP). Aside from SPM school leavers, the EEP is also offered to those from Polytechnics, Matriculation and Technical schools in Sarawak. Aside from enhancing students’ English language skills, Swinburne Sarawak also designed the program to pave the way for a smooth transition into university life.
Opening Pathways to Higher Education
With full sponsorship from Yayasan Sarawak, EEP is open to all Sarawakian who meets the entry requirement into the program. The program not only gives students experiences of university life, but students also receive a one-off allowance and free accommodation. This relieves students from worrying about education costs or other financial burden. These offerings by Yayasan Sarawak and Swinburne are to instil the value of higher education among young Sarawakians.
The program’s learning activities feature daily English classes where students undergo effective facilitation on essential tertiary skills that ensure the acquisition of important language skills. These include academic writing, research, and communication in an immersive environment.
On top of that, students benefit from the motivational and personal awareness workshops incorporated into the program. These include the Early Leader Programme, Self-Care Sessions, and Library Literacy Skills. These workshops aim to prepare students for the various elements of university life. Introduction sessions and hands-on workshops also allow students to explore their interests and strength, and help them identify their future area of study. Specifically, the Uni Life Experience programme exposes students to the opportunities available on and off campus.
Students also take part in many networking events. This includes a visit to the Borneo Cultures Museum and Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Sarawak. These visits are aimed at giving students the opportunity to socialize with the community outside the university. With it, they can enhance their interpersonal and social skills, which are critical skills to acquire.
Empowering Success With English Language Skills
The EEP offers valuable study experience that keeps students a step ahead not just academically but also in adaptability
Many EEP graduates expressed how much they have learned through their participation in these various programmes. There are also comments on observable improvements in the students’ English writing, speaking and critical thinking skills. Furthermore, the students acknowledged the improvement in their communication skills. This is observable through their socialization with the campus community.
Since students are already familiar with the campus systems and facilities, they reported that their transition to university life is also so much easier.
The English Enhancement Program’s value lies in providing students with valuable experience that empowers them by being a step ahead of their peers. This is made possible by their adapting to university life, being academically ready and being a part of the campus community. They achieved this even before they start on their program of choice. Through its various academic and extra-curricular activities, students can uncover their potential.
All these are the result of the support from Yayasan Sarawak. Yayasan Sarawak is prioritizing the future of young Sarawakians. We should encourage young Sarawakian to take up this opportunity to discover their capacity and to contribute to the community.
The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the view of Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus. Marione Anne Foo is a lecturer at the Learning and Teaching Unit, Swinburne Sarawak. She is contactable at mfoo@swinburne.edu.my