(Front, from second left) Clement, UCTS Professor Datuk Dr Abdul Hakim Juri, Wong and others.
SIBU: University College of Technology Sarawak (UCTS) will stage its `Speak Up’ Camp from March 17-21 to promote English speaking among Form 5 students.
UCTS chairman Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh said this is a way to train students to have better command of English.
“We will have various activities with English as the medium.
“As you know, students today, especially those from Bahasa Malaysia stream, are a bit weak in the command of English.
“So the ‘Speak Up’ Camp will be able to help them,” he told a press conference yesterday, adding that the programme is jointly organised by UTCS and Sarawak Education Department.
Wong, who is also Second Finance Minister, said the late chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem had
stated that one of the biggest setbacks for graduates was their poor command of English which resulted in them not able to find employment.
Wong said so far about 100 students had confirmed their participation.
“It’s also our hope that through the event, more people will get to know UCTS and the programmes it offers.
“When these students go back to their respective schools, they will be better aware of the existence of UCTS and its programmes,” he said.
The camp this year will have additional features – mind-mapping and leadership skills training.
Meanwhile, UCTS senior manager for students development and services Clement Langet Sabang said other objectives of the camp include creating awareness of the importance of English language among students; providing opportunity for students to speak English among themselves; enabling students to compete with better public speakers throughout Sarawak; and developing leadership, teamwork, confidence and communication skills among the participants.
He said the winner of the public speaking competition incorporated in the camp programme will take home cash of RM1,200 while those in second and third places get RM900 and RM600 respectively.
For more information, contact either Alden on 084-367373, David on 084-367376 or Chu on 084-367372.