INTI collaborates with Ministry of Education to appreciate the changing roles of teachers
The pencil pin depicting the continuous cycle of teaching and learning which INTI distributed to 10,000 teachers nationwide.
With more than 430,000 teaching professionals in Malaysia alone, it is essential to recognise the impact that teachers have on the talent development and economic growth of a nation. In collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Malaysia (MOE), INTI International University & Colleges (INTI) launched the #InspiredbyCikgu campaign to acknowledge the impact that teachers have in our lives, including the life lessons that they impart on us.
The campaign is an extension of MOE’s overarching #TerimakasihCikgu campaign that seeks to appreciate teachers as a driving force behind the development of our country’s talent. Even as education systems evolve in tandem with the digital revolution, the personal connection between a teacher and a student cannot be wholly replicated nor replaced through machines and digitalisation.
The fundamental role of teachers goes beyond sharing knowledge but also in acting as facilitators for students, and in mentoring them as they grow socially, emotionally and intellectually, with an end goal to help them to make better decisions in their lives.
The campaign kicked off with the release of a short film titled Terima Kasih, Cikgu Nadia that follows the story of a student who perseveres through his struggles in achieving his dreams of becoming a badminton player, with the help and support of his teacher. Through his teacher’s guidance and encouragement, the student finally achieves his dreams and demonstrates that success in life can be found beyond academics through hard work and the willpower to never give up.
“The education process is not just confined within the walls of the classroom. Teachers today are increasingly playing the dual role of mentor and friend, to guide and nurture young students through life’s learning opportunities. Through this campaign, we hoped to highlight these dedicated superheroes who are committed to redefining and transforming Malaysia’s learning landscape. At INTI, we applaud their commitment to shaping our future generations,” said Timothy Johnson, Senior Vice President for Marketing, Products & Partnerships at INTI.
“In this video, we chose to highlight the student’s journey to become a badminton player as a reflection of our country’s shared love for the sport, and also to show that teachers can be a vital source of support for the younger generation as they navigate through life’s ups and downs,” he added.
Additionally, INTI also captured the personal experiences of three young people who visited their old secondary schools to reconnect with their favourite teachers. Providing a platform for these individuals to show their gratitude to the teachers who inspired them to pursue their dreams, INTI developed three videos which take on both a touching and humorous walk down memory lane as these students and teachers recall the times spent together, reminiscent of many Malaysians’ secondary school experiences.
To further drive the campaign, INTI is distributing a specially-designed pin as a token of appreciation to 10,000 teachers across Malaysia. The pin, shaped as a pencil bent into a circle symbolises the continuous loop of teaching and learning, and how students and teachers are co-learners in contributing to the changing process of education.
“We are seeing a paradigm shift in education to more dynamic teaching approaches that stretch beyond traditional academic methods and promotes the diversification of skills. As teachers are essential in equipping students with transferrable skills and encouraging constant self-improvement through lifelong learning, INTI sought to appreciate the role that teachers play in producing holistic and balanced students who can become productive members of society,” concludes Johnson.
The video, Terima Kasih, Cikgu Nadia, can be viewed on INTI’s YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQZ5WeScPyo while the #InspiredbyCikgu videos documenting the students return to their schools can be viewed on INTI’s Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/INTI.edu/videos/1714622138586967/
An explanation of the pin shared with secondary school students and teachers highlighting the dedication of teachers.
