Friday, November 21, 2008

Goodbye UiTM

Assalamualaikum and a superb day I bid to all of you!


My last day at UiTM is on the 27th of November. It has been more than five years here at UiTM as both a student and an educator.


Among the pleasant memories shared throughout the period that I have been in UiTM:


As a student:


During my pre-degree studies for TESL (equivalent to STPM/A-levels/Matriculation)

I scored a perfect 4.00 GPA for the first semester.

I did a short radio drama and drama. I learned the basics of public speaking.

I met interesting people throughout the whole course of study.


During my Bachelor's Degree in TESL (equivalent to a US bachelor's degree).


7 times dean's list awards (throughout the entire course of study).

Best student award for the bachelor's degree in TESL.

I graduated with First Class Honors (allows direct access to PhD without having to do a Master's degree if I would like to do it that way).

I took part in two slots (one hour each) for the 50-hour non-stop English debate organised by the Faculty of Education. The record is published in the Malaysian Book of Records.

I took part in as a ticketing and promotion personnel for the Whoa! Willow musical play held at Pangung Bandaraya in K.L.

The play got quite a good coverage on television and in newspapers.

I became a research assistant for the Ministry of Education for the analysis of Geography and History results for PMR.

I learned a lot about behavior, different points of view and ways of living from the many people that I had encountered.

It had taught me not to focus on the differences between people but the commonalities that we share.

It had also learned a lot about love, friendships, working in groups, and the value of hard work and perseverance.

It had taught me to be appreciative and thankful for the people that have always been by my side through the ups and downs of student life.


As an educator:


My students at INTEC had taught me many things directly and indirectly about life and their generation's (although I'm not that old myself) point of view on things. I will always remember the good times we had and also I'll miss all of you! :-(


In general, lecturers at university teach for 18 - 24 hours per week (which can be tiring too. At schools, teachers teach for a maximum of 24 periods but each period lasts only for about 40 minutes. Let's do some math: 24 x 40 minutes = 16 hours per week.


A commonality that teachers at school and university share is that hey also have to attend meetings, organise/manage events, prepare for lessons, mark papers and invigilate examinations.

For those interested in becoming an educator, please prepare yourself mentally and physically to handle the stress and pressures of work and the patience required to convey information to your students.

"Why can't we get all the people together in the world that we really like and then just stay together?
I guess that wouldn't work.
Someone would leave.
Someone always leaves.
Then we would have to say good-bye.
I hate good-byes.
I know what I need.
I need more hellos.”

Snoopy quotes
(Fictional character from the comic strip Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz)




Where will I be working next?

I'll be working at Masterskill University College of Health Sciences in Cheras, Selangor from December 2008.

The courses offered at this university are mainly medical courses: pharmacy, nursing, etc.

I'll most probably experience new things here since it's a private university: management, classes, students, facilities and job advancements.

Hopefully, it will be a very good place as well. ^_^

5 comments:

hasy said...

aww..sir its really sad u're leaving, it was great having u as a teacher(all the dramas and sketches XD)here's wishing u all the best on behalf of all ur students!! -hasvaany 9M3

Mr. Hisyam said...

Yeah, it is really sad to leave UiTM and INTEC in particular. It was great having you guys as students too!

Wish all of you the best in your studies and future undertakings.

^_^

JuN Ru said...

hi, sir!
It's sad to hear that you left us...
It was nice to have you as our english lecturer. The lessons were interesting and sometimes can be so funny! I am still too amazed that u can actually hear what I said to Kerry in the class! :p
Anyway, wish you all the best and enjoy your new life in Masterskill University College.
Jun Ru

Montastrea said...

Sir,
it is sad to know that you r leaving us but i would like to let you know that you are a great english teacher.thankyou for guiding us along troughout our very first sem here...
May all good wishes follow you where ever you go...
Gambateh!!!

^@^also do rmb us and keep in touch...

syahirahjohari said...

Salam sir...
Thank you 4 ur teaching and guidance. I never thought that english would be one of my favourite subject in uni. huhu! hope u will excel in everything u do and become the greatest educator ever!!