As Singapore’s oldest not-for-profit professional institute, MDIS envisions itself as the preferred institute for lifelong learning with global recognition. It offers well-accredited courses in diverse areas ranging from Business and Management to Health and Life Sciences, providing individuals with all manner of interests with opportunities to develop professionally.
The Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS) collaborates with highly acclaimed universities in Australia, France, the UK and the US to offer its students a quality education that will prepare them for professional success. MDIS remains committed to upholding high standards in education, preparing its students for careers steeped in excellence and instilling in them a strong awareness that learning continues even after graduation.
We speak to Jeanette Wee, a 22-year-old Business Studies and Finance student at MDIS, to find out how she has benefitted from an MDIS education.
A Reputable University
For Jeanette, she was encouraged to enrol at MDIS by her sister, who sang praises about the school and told her to consider signing up when she was weighing different options for university. Now that she is a student there, Jeanette can attest to the advantages she has enjoyed so far, saying, “My degree is awarded by Bangor University in the UK, which is a very established school that has been around since 1884. The programme is very comprehensive as it offers modules covering both general business studies and more specific courses pertaining to finance.
“I really like the location of the campus. It’s conveniently located near Queenstown MRT station, and there is also a two-way shuttle bus service between the station and the school.”
Jeanette Wee Li Hui
Bachelor of Science (Honours)
in Business Studies and Finance, awarded by
Bangor University, UK
Diploma in Business,
Temasek Polytechnic
“At MDIS, the overall learning experience has been excellent thus far. The lecturers are willing to go the extra mile for us students, and I’ve always availed myself of their patient explanations.”
Jeanette has learnt a lot since she started school, and is quickly building up a strong foundation in both business and finance. She enthuses, “The different modules help me understand how a business functions, how various business areas are linked, and how finance is a crucial component in any business. In addition, I am better able to apply what I’ve learnt to the real world, which is proving invaluable in my current job and enabling me to make more meaningful contributions.”
She adds, “I’ve also picked up important soft skills, like how to portray a more professional image, communicate better, and be more confident in presentations. I have no doubt that these will accelerate my career development in the long run.”
Nurturing a Keen Interest
When asked if she always knew she wanted to pursue business and finance, Jeanette recalls her keen interest in mathematics as a child, and her passion for numbers, calculations, and analyses. She shares, “I’ve always liked hard numbers and objective analyses. When I got my first full-time job, I was introduced to finance, which led me to realise that I really wanted to learn more and excel in this field. But instead of taking a degree focused solely on finance, I decided to do a business and finance programme because I hope to set up my own business one day!”
A course is often only as good as its teachers, but Jeanette goes on to speak glowingly of the teaching staff and their unwavering commitment to their students. She says earnestly, “At MDIS, the overall learning experience has been excellent thus far. The lecturers are willing to go the extra mile for us students, and I’ve always availed myself of their patient explanations.
“They not only impart academic knowledge, but also a wealth of professional experience that they’ve gained from years of working in the industry.
“Furthermore, I’m fortunate to have great course mates. We always motivate each other and are also able to learn from one another as we come from different industries and backgrounds. With dedicated lecturers and supportive course mates, I really couldn’t ask for a more enjoyable and effective learning environment.”
Overcoming Hurdles
Of course, no high-quality educational experience would be complete without challenges to overcome, and Jeanette has had to juggle both a full-time career and her studies. She says, “A major challenge for me is time management. Since I am working full-time, I have to manage both the demands of my job and my studies. This is especially challenging when the examinations near as I do not have the luxury of ample revision time.
“As a result, I’ve learnt to plan my schedule in advance in order to make time for regular revisions. I have also come to fully appreciate the importance of early preparations, discipline, and the ability to set my priorities.”
She laughs, “But I’ve by no means perfected it, and I guess it will always be an ongoing learning process!”
Looking forward, Jeanette is raring to put her newfound knowledge to good use in her career. “I want to prove that I can excel in my job and be able to progress more speedily,” she tells us.
She also has some words of encouragement for prospective students who are thinking about enrolling in MDIS. She concludes, “Pick a course that you are interested in, and that you think can help you reach your goals. No course is a walk in the park, and you will definitely be challenged in more ways than one. However, your interest in the subject matter will prove vital in helping you surmount any difficulties, and you’ll come out of the other side more confident and competent than ever!”
