THE Methodist Council of Education (MCOE) has achieved a milestone with the opening of the MCKL College (Penang, Pykett campus) today – its first branch campus after the establishment of Methodist College Kuala Lumpur (MCKL) in 1983.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow congratulated MCOE on establishing the new campus to provide quality education for young students.
“MCKL has proven itself to be an institution that provides excellent academic and holistic education.
“Therefore, it is my sincere hope that with this new branch campus, more future talents could pursue their professional pre-university and tertiary education here in Penang.
“In time to come, they are the ones who will contribute towards and reap the fruits of the Penang2030 Vision: A Family-Focused Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation,” Chow said in his speech during the dedication service and launch ceremony at the college in Lebuhraya Pykett in George Town today.
Chow, who is also the Padang Kota assemblyman and Tanjung MP, said he used to visit the premises before when it was a government-aided Pykett Primary School in his constituency to provide grants. The school, however, saw declining enrolment in recent years.
Chow continued: “In many ways, Penang is the ideal place for a young person to study. The diverse and bustling nature of Penang is well known! We are also noted for our hospitality and tourist destinations and, our delicious and affordable food.
“On top of that, Penang is home to many industrial opportunities for young graduates. Due to these reasons, STUDYPenang was established to advance and promote Penang as a centre of educational excellence.
“We hope more will come to understand the value of this industry and recognise Penang as a hub for world-class education.”
Also present at the opening ceremony were the Methodist Church of Malaysia Bishop Rev. Dr T. Jeyakumar, Wesleyan Education Services Sdn Bhd Board of Directors chairman Datuk Chin Lean Keat, MCKL Board of Governors chairman Datuk Dr Tan Kee Kwong, MCKL chief executive officer Angela Pok, MCOE private education director Lim Kah Cheng and MCKL principal and academic dean Dr Gerard Boey.
Rev. Jeyakumar stressed the importance of an education system that teaches students not only to score As but also to imbue them with integrity and reverence for God.
He said it was fine for students to get all the As in the examinations, but without the bedrock character, they are destined for one or more of the four As: Arrogance, painful feelings of aloneness, destructive adventure-seeking, or adultery, quoting from Steven Berglas, a psychologist at Harvard Medical School and author of The Success Syndrome.
“If integrity and reverence towards God are not there, students who have excelled in their studies and hold good jobs will fail in their jobs and life.
“Not because they did not have the right skills but because they did not have the character, integrity, and fear of God in them.
“With all the trainings we offer to our students, we must help build in them integrity so that those who hire our students will know that have hired trustworthy persons with excellent character. This trustworthiness in them will help them sail through all of life – in their career, in their marriage, in their friendships and elsewhere,” Rev. Jeyakumar said in his speech.
Pok said MCKL is excited and ready to offer courses such as Cambridge A-Level, Australian Matriculation, and its homegrown, meticulously crafted diplomas; Diploma in Early Childhood Education, Diploma in Information Technology, Diploma in Computer Science, Diploma in Digital Business, and Diploma in Digital Marketing.
She added that since 2013, MCKL students have received 132 Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards and an average pass rate of 100% over the last eight years.
MCKL, she said, was also proud that one of its ACCA Foundation in Accounting students was announced as the World Prize Winner, ranked number one in the world for Foundation in Taxation paper, followed by another ACCA student who was announced as Malaysia’s Top 3 Affiliates, third in Malaysia and 16th worldwide.
“We hope to see this college provide greater education opportunities and alternative pathways for secondary school leavers as well as adult learners in the northern region, in line with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR4.0).
“We seek to mentor and shape quality students who will be role models for generations to come, contributing to the welfare and development of the community in line with MCKL’s vision of being “The Institution of Excellence for Life,” she said.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud
Video by Law Suun Ting