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The quest for self-improvement

For Gillian Yap, 46, a degree from the Management Development Institute of Singapore helps open doors for career advancement

Photo: Charles Chua, A Thousand Words

Photo: Charles Chua, A Thousand Words

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After working in the finance field for years, Gillian Yap decided to upgrade her skills and knowledge.

“I wanted to learn new things and accelerate my career progression,” said the 46-year-old, who enrolled with the Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS) to pursue a part-time degree in accounting and financial management.

Gillian graduated earlier this year and is the top student of her cohort at MDIS. The mother of two children tells us about her work-study journey.

Why MDIS?

Established in 1956, MDIS is Singapore’s oldest not-for-profit professional institute for lifelong learning. MDIS was awarded the four-year EduTrust Certification by the Council for Private Education in 2010. The certification was renewed for another four years in 2014.

The Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Accounting and Financial Management (Top-Up) degree, awarded by the University of Sunderland, is a 12-month part-time programme. Lessons are scheduled from 7pm to 10pm and the majority of its modules are assignment-based. This is great for working adults like myself in terms of attendance and job commitments. It really helps us to balance work, family and studies.

How does MDIS accelerate your education journey?

My diploma-equivalent qualification obtained in 1993 is no longer recognised by most of the local and overseas schools. It would take me four to five years to complete a diploma and a degree course.

But at MDIS, I could enrol in the Advanced Diploma in Business Management and then progress to the University of Sunderland (Top-Up) degree programme. I completed the part-time advanced diploma and top-up degree in two years. This education pathway helped accelerate my journey to achieve my goal of getting a degree.

What was your favourite module?

I enjoyed the Managing Projects module. It taught me how to handle a project, identify the potential issues and perform rectifications before the project starts.

What is the school culture like?

The lecturers are friendly and approachable. When we need advice on our studies, they are easily contacted by phone or email.

Most of my coursemates are working adults and they understand how tough it is to juggle work and studies at the same time. Instead of treating one another as competitors, they are willing to share their thoughts and ideas. I have made many friends from all walks of life, and they gave me a lot of moral support during my studies.

Congratulations on achieving the Top Academic Achievement award! How did you do this?

Family support played an important role. On top of that, the school is well-equipped and the lecturers are experienced industry practitioners. They are approachable and encouraging, often providing professional and relevant insights and strategies on current issues. I also couldn’t have done it without the support of my coursemates.

How has the degree benefitted your career?

It has helped with my career advancement. In the past, my greatest handicap was my education but with the degree, I have received a new role at work.

MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE OF SINGAPORE

ABOUT: MDIS offers well-accredited courses in Business and Management, Engineering, Fashion Design, Health and Life Sciences, Information Technology, Mass Communications, Psychology and Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Management. These programmes are offered in collaboration with highly acclaimed universities in Australia, France, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. The EduTrust Certification attests to the Institute’s exemplary education and business excellence standards. MDIS is also among the first batch of private education institutions to be registered under the Enhanced Registration Framework.

SKILL SET: Graduates will develop expertise in business problem-solving and decision-making through the Business Modelling for Decision Making module. They will also enhance their personal development and knowledge through the Contemporary Developments in Business and Management module, and develop their project management skills through the Managing Projects module.

This article is published in the September 2016 issue of The First Degree, a publication of TODAY, Mediacorp Press.

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