The Secret of Staying Young: Sharing & Learning with Students
 

Dr. Hon

Dr. Hon with her team of dedicated staff members from the Faculty of Applied Sciences

Dr. Hon giving a speech to her students during the recent Nutri Food Fair

Dr. Hon giving a speech to her students during the recent Nutri Food Fair

Dr. Hon believes that one should be able to study as well as play hard

Dr Hon says that sharing and learning with students have made her stay and feel young
 
For some people, being an academician is a process, one that takes many years of life experiences to help them realise their potential and impart knowledge to others. This was how it was for Associate Professor Dr. Hon Wei Min, Dean for the Faculty of Applied Sciences. “Coming into the academic line has been a long path for me, as I did not choose to pursue a career in the academic line when I completed my PhD,” she says.

Twenty years ago, Dr. Hon was offered the chance to study Biochemistry. At that time, the subject was a relatively new one with few people venturing into the field. Many years on, Dr. Hon discovered that she had made the right choice. Biochemistry, a subject closely-related to human life, is now highly relevant, and according to her, today people are telling her she had made a wise decision to venture into this field. “The industry is really booming now, with the government paying a lot of attention to it,” she says.

As a student, Dr. Hon enjoyed her school days living in the student hostel. “I participated in all activities, made many friends, and learnt numerous things that I could not get from textbooks. I believe that as a University student, one should balance study and social activities, since the extracurricular activities really help build character.” Thus, ever the teacher, Dr. Hon emphasizes how one should study hard as well as play hard.

Dr. Hon went on to complete her post-graduate training. She started as a Research Scientist in the Department of Medicine at the National University of Singapore. There, she conducted basic research in the area of liver diseases. After five years, she decided to move into the commercial world. She says that this was a total change for her. “I joined a commercial company which deals with laboratory set-ups and the provision of scientific services for researchers,” she says. Two and a half years later, she found a calling to return to Malaysia to serve her home country, and joined UCSI University.

Dr. Hon initially chose UCSI University because of its close proximity to her house. “I was not too familiar with the Malaysian education scene at that time, and truthfully, had never heard about University College Sedaya International back then.” Dr. Hon says. However, three months into teaching here, she started to fall in love with the students here. “At UCSI University, students who come to study here are serious about their studies, and do not play the fool. At the same time, they are also fun and outgoing individuals.” Dr. Hon says that she has encountered many talented students, and has enjoyed sharing her experiences with them.

It has been almost five year since Dr. Hon started her career at UCSI University, and she has truly experienced the joy of sharing and learning with her students.

“The greatest joy is when I witness my weak students, who had a lot of study or even personal problems, walk up the stage to receive their degree scrolls during convocation.” Dr. Hon says that she looks forward to the convocation, especially when students ask to take photographs with her in their graduation gowns. “I also enjoy the times when current students as well as former students come by my office to tell me of their achievements before or since their graduation.”

However, the job is not without its own set of disappointments. Dr. Hon says, the worst thing about being a lecturer is when students give up, and there was nothing she could do to help them. “I spend a lot of time counselling students. Sometimes, the situation was very bad for them and there was nothing I could do to help.” But she has learnt to be less emotional about her job. “Now I feel that if I could help one out of ten students, I would be satisfied, for at least, I have helped made a difference to that one person.”

Dr Hon says that sharing and learning with students have made her stay and feel young. "I think this is the best benefit of my work. In addition, I have a great team who all share the same vision as I do, that is, of nurturing students, and who also have a passion for research."
 
Last updated: 22 December 2009
     
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