Psychological HELP

THERE are many advantages of studying at one of the largest psychology schools in Southeast Asia according to psychologist Dr Goh Chee Leong, vice-president of HELP University College and dean of the Faculty of Behavioural Science.

Thanks to its large student population, students at the Department of Psychology at HELP can participate in more activities, grassroots projects, internships and workshops.

Goh said: “We also have excellent internship opportunities with Shelter Home, Malaysian Mental Health Association, Nanyang Siang Pau, National Cancer Society of Malaysia, and P.S. the Children. Most of these internships give students a chance to be involved in the companies’ projects and to gain work experience while studying.”

For example, students who are interested in conducting fieldwork for social benefit can work with UNICEF, which funds the Mentoring Malaysia Project run by the Asian Research Centre for Child and Adolescent Development (ARCCADE), based in the Faculty of Behavioural Science at HELP.

Mentoring Malaysia is a pilot after-school intervention project which focuses on providing support for adolescents with social and emotional developmental needs.

HELP is also a strong supporter of World Vision Malaysia, and annually sponsors the World Vision 30 Hour Famine.

Students who are interested in development and non-governmental organisations can intern with World Vision to work on projects and learn how the organisation is run.

The faculty and ARCCADE also work with UNICEF on bullying in schools, Mentoring Malaysia, child trauma and tsunami relief.

In the Mentoring Malaysia project, many of HELP’s psychology students have been trained to be mentors for high school students.

To develop the research and presentation skills of its students, the faculty organises the largest Research Colloquium in Malaysia twice a year.

Students can present their research papers on topics related to issues in psychology which are then judged by a panel.

The academic staff at the Faculty of Behavioral Science have extensive experience in their field. Everyone holds a master’s degree, and seven have doctorates.

Upon completion of the necessary stages, HELP’s Bachelor of Psychology (Hons) graduates can either complete the degree locally and obtain a HELP degree, or transfer their credits to universities in the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. They can also pursue the Master in Counselling or the Master in Managerial Psychology.

Recently, the faculty organised the HELP Psychology Challenge 2007, an essay competition for students to compete for full and partial scholarships to study psychology at HELP University College.

The Faculty of Behavioural Sciences has five departments: Department of Psychology, CAREERsense @HELP which provides career guidance, counselling, and job placements for students and staff; Centre for Youth Formation and Leadership, the Centre for Psychological and Counselling Services, as well as ARCCADE.

The next intake for the Bachelor of Psychology (Hons) is on Aug 29.

For details, call 03-20942000 or visit www.help.edu.my/ helpuni/ cfp

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