The Senate of SIDMA College Sabah has endorsed a total of 397 graduates and they received their scroll during the 5^th SIDMA College Convocation Ceremony held at The Magellan Sutera Resort, Kota Kinabalu on 31 January 2019; in an atmosphere of pomp and grandeur.

Malaysia’s Early Childhood Education specialist, Prof Dr Bustam Kambrie who was given the honour to officiate the ceremony as well as to present the scroll to the respective graduates, praised SIDMA College as one of the leading private higher learning institutions in Sabah that is equipped with some of the latest technical infrastructure, and thus able to provide conducive atmosphere for the students to undergo and respond to the need of the Fourth Industrial Revolution to enable new possibilities.

He also commended the college for ensuring that they have vast resources relevant to the 21^st century need, whereby the students no longer need to memorise things. They need to understand first; then they express their understanding through writing, speaking, acting, drawing, as well as other forms of creative engagement. Rather than lecturing, the students were trained to learn together, as well as learning from each other; and lecturers act as mentors and facilitators built around shared learning and aspiration.

Since its establishment in Kota Kinabalu way back in 2002, SIDMA College Sabah has proven to be successful in producing marketable and excellence graduates by combining conventional face-to-face lecturing, implementing web-based support system (SLMS) learning model to support students’ informal learning, as well as undergoing industrial training in order to expose them to the real working environment and equip themselves with the necessary skills so that they are able to adapt to the reality of their job as their future career.

At the convocation, Ms Chong Tsin Tsin being a 39 years old kindergarten teacher in Kota Kinabalu was awarded the SIDMA 2018 Chairman’s Award. Despite being a full time kindergarten teacher, she managed to perform exceptionally well by managing her time effectively and to remain focus on her studies. During her studies she has demonstrated her exemplary effort in various co-curricular and social welfare activities. Her ambition is continue to advocate for the unfortunate and needy children.

During the ceremony, Clarissa Rainer Mijin, a 34 years old kindergarten teacher at Penampang received the 2018 Top Student Award for demonstrating her outstanding academic performance throughout her studies. She got the highest CGPA from all other graduates as she has strong determination to complete her studies with the highest CGPA. Being the second eldest among her four siblings, she has to be the role model for her younger siblings. Apart from that, she believes that having good academic result will pave the way for a brighter future for her and her family, as she wish to set up her own kindergarten in the future.

Earlier Dr Morni Hj Kambrie, (Founder and Chairman of SIDMA College) welcomed and congratulated Prof Dr Bustam Kamri for his continuous passion, efforts and supports shown towards the college; as he has been ever willing to be with SIDMA College students, particularly during auspicious event such as this, despite his busy schedule. Dr Morni also felt honoured and acknowledged students, parents, and all invited guests for their presence and their continuous support towards the college.

Dr Morni relates to the history of SIDMA College which was first established in Sarawak in 1998 and has broadened its wings to Sabah in 2002 and later heralded the beginning of early childhood studies in 2009, through its home-grown Diploma in Early Childhood Education. Being in its 16^th year of success, SIDMA College has produced marketable and promising graduates who are currently holding respectable position in various fields, both in the public and the private sectors throughout the country.

He also announced that SIDMA College Sabah offered a wide range of programmes through its collaboration with UNITAR International University (UNITAR) and Cyberjaya University College of Medical Sciences (CUCMS) in various fields of studies which are tailored to complement and supplement the great demand of the growing economic of Malaysia from its diverse industries.

SIDMA College cordially invites school leavers with SPM and STPM qualification or its equivalent to pursue their tertiary studies in any of the following programme offered:

*     Foundation Course:

1. Foundation of Management

*     Diploma Courses:

1. Diploma in Early Childhood Studies
2. Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health (in collaboration with Cyberjaya University College of Medical Sciences)
3. Diploma in Business Administration

*     Bachelor’s Degree Courses:

1. Bachelor of Education (Hons)
2. Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education) (Hons)
3. Bachelor of Business Administration (Hons)
4. Bachelor of Management (Hons)

*     Masters Courses:

1. Masters of Business (MBA)
2. Masters of Education (Educational Leadership & Management (MELM)
3. Masters of Education (Early Childhood Education)
4. Masters of Education (TESL)

For more information about courses offered at SIDMA College, do browse SIDMA College Website, or visit us at SIDMA College, Jalan Bundusan, 88300 KOTA KINABALU. Interested parties can also call SIDMA College Hotline: 088-732 000 or 088-732 020; or you may also visit SIDMA College’s Facebook page for enquiries and registration.

By Teo Eng Seng and Zain Azrai,

SIDMA College,

88300 KOTA KINABALU