Problem Solving

Solutions and Recommendation to the problems

(A).Difficult to accomplish assignment.
Searching methods and ways to complete the assignment from the Internet

(B).Difficult when doing presentation.
Students must first determine their purpose before preparing their presentation
always keep in mind that, you are doing a presentation so , you are the one who in charge in the presentation
responsible to your audience’s feeling and thinking
use variance of pitch to show emphasis on your point
enough preparation is crucial
take a deep breath before starting the presentation and treat the audience as your friends

(C).Retrieving textbook
Scope for old editions of the similar book
find the old editions from your university library or even seniors who previously studied the same course

(D).Deal with homesickness. 
Students can join the club which is organized by the university
students have the opportunity to make new friends from different races and widen their exposure to different cultures
students also can have mind sharing with their friends

(E)Difficult to make new friend
Make the first move
remember their name
smile and be nice to everyone
join some club activities you like after school

(F).Insufficient information acquired during orientation.
Organize an extra orientation
to resolve any of their unfinished business like matters on financial aid, housing, and meal plan by speaking to the university staffs directly, errors like problem logging in their IIS or LMS.

(G).Financial problem when paying fees.
Students can apply Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional ( PTPTN )
students can also apply for school scholarships
people doing well in solution

Indistinct communication between UCSI management and students will result in low effectiveness of study environment, especially to academic, communication, and student’s self-motivation ability. Sometime, external issues are important as well as improving the study environment.

Summary for the research

     After we went through the survey forms completed, we have noticed that newcomers may be facing plenty of difficulties. Many newcomers couldn’t get assist and solution on some of their difficulties such as academic problem, culture problem, communication problem, transportation problem, personal or self-problem, although UCSI has various clubs and organizations are providing assist and solution to some of the difficulties faced by students or members. Base on the problems above, we are likely to discover the hidden part of student’s difficulties, in order to overcome, and build a better student’s affair assistance system. The project of “Difficulties of UCSI first year students” is presented by “The Apprentice Club”. We tried to find out the most common problems of first year students and providing the solution to those difficulties faced, in order to avoid our future juniors trapped into the same troubles.

Please stay tuned!

Common problems to UCSI students

Table 4.1: Survey result via questionnaires.

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The table above shown the common problems faced by UCSI students which are mentioned into the questionnaire survey questions. As we see on the table, it has been divided by Local students and international students.

In the questionnaire, we organized 20 questions about difficulties faced by UCSI first year students. And finally, we have found that there are 5 problems are the most common among UCSI student. Therefore, we are going to figure out each of most common problem above at the following section. The top 5 problems are the most common faced by both of local students and international students, which are languages, friendship, understanding about study, new system and new environment, and some of the difficulties about culture (like: foods).


Difficulty of making new friends:
Pie chart 4.1: Making friends problem to first year students in UCSI.

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A friend in need is a friend indeed.

Base on the chart above, 30% local students are having the problem of “making friends” and the International students are 60% as shown in the above figure. The percentages of “making friends” problem to International students are double compare with local students.

Most of the time students find it hard to interact with other students due to cultural differences. Many are selective of choosing friends and many are very friendly. The communication barrier stands as a common problem among all due to language differences. To build any relationship communication and understanding is essential.
When it comes to group assignments the common most problem is many will end up doing the assignment alone. Some may face discrimination as well; especially international students are happened more frequently.

Factor of language barrier
Pie chart 4.2: Language problem to first year students in UCSI.

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Language is the mother tongue.

Percentage of the problem with language among Local students is 51% and International students are 69% as shown in the above figure.
Language or Communication problem is the major common problem among the students. Language is important in order to communicate, build relationships, learn, teach, adapt and work. Communication is essential to convey one’s opinion and understandings.
For Locals this problem is minor as the majority of them use a common language. Coming from different cultures and educational background Language or Communication problem is faced mostly among International students. Many find it hard to communicate with their vocabulary levels and with the language accent which leads to miscommunication.

Understanding on communication
Pie chart 4.3: Hard understanding problem to first year students in UCSI.

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Hard & Easy Understanding!
Percentage of Hard Understanding problem among the Local students is 53% and the International students are 49% as shown in the above figure.
Understanding helps to learn and proceed with studies and work otherwise it becomes simply hard to complete the task with heart and soul. Many find it hard to study and understand the related text books in order to better understanding .Mostly cause of language understanding barrier as in level of vocabulary, syllabus of the educational background and the cultural adaptation. These are common problem among first year students faced by many

New experience to University education system
Pie chart 4.4: Education system problem to first year students in UCSI.

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Education is the backbone of the Nation.
Percentage of Education System problem among the International students is 51% and the Local students is 37% as shown in the above figure.
The reason International students face problem with Education System most is because of their different Education background. The difference in Education System creates variety of problems among students. Many due to cultural adaptations as coming from different countries and taking Education on their own respective languages face the problem with language and its richness when introduced into a new international environment. And many face problem with technology like computer skills. Many may find LMS and IIS hard to use.
Teaching method may stand as one of the major problems which is dependent on the student’s Education System or background. Many find notes given are insufficient and suffer from it.

Food culture may influence most to the International students
Pie chart 4.5: Food problem to first year students in UCSI.

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Food is one of the common problems that students face.
Percentage of food problem among the Local students is 32% and the International students are 76% as shown above in the pie chart.
The reason of the higher percentage of food problem among International students is because of coming from different food taste or culture. Sometimes tempting food becomes untempt due to its same taste every day. Though there are varieties of food some other problems relating the food is as ‘Halal’. Besides, hostel boarders may be faced this difficulty frequently due to cooking in hostel is forbidden.
Many faces problems with cooking skills and therefore buying the food from restaurants and having the same taste everyday may make the stomach suffer sometimes.

Survey Form

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Please complete the survey form to help identify the problems face by the new students in UCSI University. 

Click on the word 'Questionnaire' below to download the survey form!

Questionnaire

For any difficulties in accessing to the URL, please contact us at UCSI University Block A 4th floor SAT office. Thank you for your cooperation. 

The University

The University's Logo

Introduction
UCSI university is built on the principles of audacity, perseverance, integrity and excellence, UCSI University is a leading institution of 
higher learning with campuses in Kuala Lumpur, Terengganu and Sarawak, Malaysia. Our faculties, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to meet student needs offer a wide spectrum of academic programmes.

History 
UCSI University began as the Canada Institute of Computer Studies, a computer-based training centre located in SS2, Petaling Jaya that was subsequently named Sedaya College when it was accorded College status in 1989. In 2001, it evolved into Sedaya International College to reflect its increasing international focus. Accorded University College status in 2003, it soon became UCSI University when it received University status in 2008.
Renowned for its cosmopolitan and unique international culture, UCSI University comprises both local and foreign students, with almost half comprising international students from more than 70 countries.
This opens the UCSI University community of student and staff to exchanges and visits from an even "wider world" of students and staff from other countries, to expose them to a spectrum of cultures that make them feel like a true citizen of the world.

                   UCSI University Orientation on Sept 2011

International Collaboration
By collaborating with international institutions of higher learning, UCSI University students and staff get to interact with their counterparts from other international universities. This situation also enables our lecturers to assimilate and incorporate the different teaching and learning methodologies into the UCSI University curricula to facilitate students acquire various learning skills, as well as exposure to living and studying in a different environment. Through its International University Collaboration Centre, UCSI University's collaborative agreements with various foreign universities in Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States and Canada ensure the University's recognition as a premier educational institution that provides quality education of international standards.

Co-Operative Education Training Programme
With its innovative academic curriculum, UCSI University students also enjoy the unique benefits of its Co-Operative Education Training Programme (Co-Op) that enhances their employability by integrating  classroom learning with workplace training in Co-Op employer organisations. Completing two months' work experience for every study year, a UCSI University student would have six to eight months' work experience to stand ready for full-time employment upon their graduation. Currently, we have more than 1,000 employer organisations registered as our Co-Op employers. With the number rising annually, we have more avenues for students to be job-ready upon their graduation.

Research & Discovery
Research and development, one of the forefront causes at UCSI University received a face-lift under the newly-formed Centre dubbed the CERVIE or the Centre of Excellence for Research, Value Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Aimed at promoting research, value innovation and entrepreneurship as one of the University's core drivers, the CERVIE intends to establish the University's reputation as a knowledge creator through four main strategic thrusts, namely Internal Capabilities, Smart Partnerships, Enterprise Value Innovation and Knowledge Dissemination through the implementation of the triple helix model (Government, Industry and University). Consequently, the CERVIE is strategically committed to excellence in its engagement with stakeholders in business, industry, government and communities. Under the directive of the UCSI University Vice Chancellor, Dr Robert Bong, the new initiatives at the CERVIE differentiate pure research from applied research, as well as provide more incentives to encourage practical applications of the research. The incentives include rethinking intellectual property rights (IPRs) to allow for partial ownership and patents to researchers who had made the discoveries, as well as introducing idea innovation, or "Ideation", as a plan to encourage students, alumni members and even those affiliated with other universities to develop research projects and business proposals for UCSI University.

Promising Future
As an institution of higher learning, UCSI University strives towards educational excellence in the years ahead. Encapsulating its tagline, "The University. The Experience" it strives to provide its students a multitude of enriching experiences – academic, intellectual, psychological, cultural, professional, personal and emotional - while studying at the University.

UCSI University 25 years Anniversary

The multitudes of experience can be enjoyed in even more locations and states as more development projects are underway, such as the EPP 14 developments in Bandar Springhill, Negeri Sembilan; another multi-purpose building at the Kuala Lumpur Campus; and the Kuching Isthmus in Sarawak. Built on 25.6 acres of land within the vicinity of the famed Borneo Convention Centre, the Kuching Isthmus development would include the UCSI Education Precinct and the UCSI City Island Hotel. Consequently, upon completion, UCSI University will have four comprehensive campuses spread out on 260.6 acres of land in Malaysia to offer a promising future.