SDS Bridges Education and Industry at the ICAS 2024 Symposium

Sunway Diploma Studies (SDS) recently hosted the highly anticipated ICAS 2024 Symposium, an event dedicated to fostering collaboration between education and industry professionals. Held on 21st September 2024, at Jeffrey Cheah Hall 2, the symposium brought together experts, educators, students, and industry leaders to explore the theme of “Fusion in Education: Integrating Pedagogy with Industry Acumen.” This full-day event was packed with engaging sessions, offering valuable insights into how academic practices can align with the evolving demands of the professional world.

The day began with an inspiring keynote address by the Pro-Chancellor of Sunway University and a prominent figure in business and public sector transformation Datuk Seri Idris Jala. He emphasised the importance of integrating classroom knowledge with practical, hands-on experiences to better prepare students for the realities of today's competitive job market. Drawing from his extensive experience in leading large-scale corporate and government transformations, Datuk Seri Idris encouraged educators to rethink traditional teaching models and adapt them to meet industry needs.

After a productive networking lunch, attendees transitioned to the much-anticipated Fire Talk session, featuring four industry experts who shared their unique perspectives on the intersection of education and business. Each speaker offered fresh insights into how technology, leadership development, emotional intelligence, and global leadership trends are shaping the future of education.

Managing Director of Dell Technologies Malaysia, TS Koay touched on the growing role of technology in education, stressing the need for educators to incorporate digital tools and data analytics into their teaching methodologies. On the other hand, the Head of Organisational Design and Effectiveness at Malaysia Aviation Group, Dr Esther Loo focused on leadership development and how structured mentorship programmes can help bridge the skills gap for students entering the workforce.

Continuing the esteemed lineup, the Vice President of Human Resources at Bumi Armada, Zacharias Rajagopal emphasised the increasing importance of emotional intelligence and soft skills in today's workplaces, encouraging educators to cultivate these traits in their students. This is followed by the Director of the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (ASLI), Eizaz Azhar, who rounded out the session with a discussion on regional leadership trends and how universities can better prepare students to navigate the complexities of a global economy.

Participants also had the opportunity to engage directly with the speakers during the lively Q&A session. This interactive exchange of ideas added a collaborative and dynamic element to the symposium, reinforcing the need to bridge academic knowledge with industry expertise.

The event also featured the Pedagogy Innovators Showcase Competition (PISC), where participants presented innovative projects aimed at enhancing educational practices. The competition showcased a wide range of creative solutions, from cybersecurity education to hands-on physics teaching.

PISC Highlights:

• Gold Innovation:
  • Public Cybersecurity Education (Tin Eugene)
  • Education Enhancement via Webinars (Stephen T Homer)
  • STEM Educator Empowerment (Dr Meera Eeswaran et al.)
  • Student As Manager Pedagogy Model (Kesavan Nallaluthan et al.)
  • Hands-On Physics Education (Thaneissha Marimuthu et al.)
• Silver Innovation:
  • Metacognitive Skills via Interactive Media (Wang Yue)
  • Industry Acumen Showcase (Wang Yue, Lee Li Chin)
• Bronze Innovation:
  • Digital Entrepreneurship with Wix (Afifi Yahaya et al.)
  • Augmented Reality for Disabled Children (Tilagavati Subramaniam et al.)

The ICAS 2024 Symposium was a remarkable success, bringing together diverse perspectives to explore how education can better serve the needs of an ever-changing business environment. By hosting such events, SDS reaffirms its commitment to bridging the gap between academia and industry, ensuring that students graduate not only with theoretical knowledge but with practical skills that will prepare them for the challenges of tomorrow.

Stay tuned for more exciting events, as SDS continues to inspire innovation and collaboration in education.