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UEM SUNRISE BRINGS FUN LEARNING OF ENGLISH THROUGH DRAMA AT ADOPTED SCHOOLS

ISKANDAR PUTERI, JOHOR, 24 February 2020 – In the latest effort to encourage the learning of English among schoolchildren, UEM Sunrise, one of Malaysia’s leading property developers and master developer of Iskandar Puteri, launched the “Highly Immersive Programme” (HIP) at several of their adopted schools.

HIP is an English speech and drama club workshop programme designed and run by Enfiniti Academy to instil confidence in Malaysian students to speak and express themselves in English. The Education Ministry-certified programme has proven to be impactful where there have been significant improvements in student attendance, academic performance, social skills, creativity and communication in English.

In cognizance of this, UEM Sunrise has partnered with Enfiniti Academy to run HIP at three of their adopted schools under the PINTAR School Adoption Programme which include SK Ladang Pendas, SJKC Ming Terk and SJKT Gelang Patah. This programme will touch the lives of 180 students and 18 teachers, who in turn, can share with their entire respective schools.

In kicking off the HIP programme at Mall of Medini, guest of honour Yang Berhormat Tuan Aminolhuda Hassan, Johor Committee Chairman of Education, Health, and Human Resources commended UEM Sunrise on their steadfast commitment to the Education Ministry’s vision of the mastery of English among its students.

”I hope that programmes such as this will increase the will within the students to learn and master the English language, and at the same time, develop them into knowledgable leaders of the future. With that, it is only apt that I say that initiatives like this must be continued and be an example to other organisations, especially those in the private sector in bolstering the Government’s efforts,” he said in his speech.

The Education Ministry has identified the need for English proficiency and crafted the English Language Education Reform in Malaysia: The Roadmap 2015-2025 as an indication of the nation’s determination to enhance, build, develop and sustain the quality of English language education.

On behalf of UEM Sunrise, Zamri Yusof, Chief Operating Officer (Southern) said that although English is an international language and the second language after Bahasa Malaysia locally, its importance cannot be taken lightly when it is used by almost the entire world as a language of global commerce and international trade.

“Students who will be the future leaders of this country will need to have good mastery of English to maintain effective international relations in all aspects of the country’s growth,” he said.

Zamri added that HIP program is also part of UEM Sunrise’s efforts in bringing its customers and the community on a journey to find joy and delight in everything that they do in line with its ‘Find Your Happy’ rebranding efforts. Training students to speak English with confidence through drama workshops will bring the kind of happiness that will influence the entire school, their parents and the community at large.

Joanna Bessey, Head of Infiniti Academy is also heartened by UEM Sunrise’s support. “I would like to applaud UEM Sunrise, the Ministry of Education, English Language Teaching Centre Malaysia (ELTC), PEMANDU and PADU for making highly immersive, wholistic arts education possible for schools. I sincerely hope all students will benefit from it, in the same way I did,” she said in her speech.

The UEM Sunrise’s PINTAR School Adoption Programme was launched back in 2008 and is the property developer’s longest-running Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme. The programme has helped to raise the adopted schools’ academic performance and improve the education quality for underserved students. This is achieved through hands-on implementation of key initiatives and programmes. Out of the 21 adopted schools which are located in the Southern and Central regions, 14 have upgraded from a BAND 5 to BAND 2 or 1 ranking.

It embraces the Company’s three-pronged CSR Strategy - Education Enhancement, Community Engagements and Environmental Conservation. Its Education Enhancement programme is based on the firm belief that education is a fundamental human right and must be extended to every child regardless of gender, race, religion or economic status. This initiative is a part of UEM Sunrise’ commitment in support of the Sustainable Development Goals spearheaded by the United Nations.

In collaboration with its strategic partners, UEM Sunrise has also accomplished several notable CSR milestones and projects, including the BukuhUb, Bijak Al-Quran programme, Educational Aid programmes with orphanages, Iskarnival, Back to School programmes, community outreach programmes, festive events and celebrations as well as crime prevention and safety talks.