By: Nurul Athira Mohd Affandi
SERDANG – The School of Business and Economics (SPE), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), has organised the ‘Mentoring with Senior and Alumni’ programme to maintain the academic performance of students despite having to face the new norm of learning during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Deputy Dean (Undergraduate and Alumni), SPE, UPM, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Norashidah Mohamed Nor, said among the challenges faced were the readiness of students and lecturers in facing internet disruption due to unsatisfactory network and lack of smart devices.
“Many students are affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. They have difficulty understanding and appreciating lessons taught by their lecturers as the medium of instruction was online,” she said.
The School of Business and Economics Students Association (SBESA) in collaboration with the Chapter Alumni YOSH UPM and SPE Student Representative Council, UPM implemented the ‘SPE Mentoring with Senior and Alumni’ programme involving 197 mentees from among first and second-year students.
The programme held for two months and involved 11 mentors who were final year students and Master students at SPE.
Programme director, Nazrul Irfanradi Nazarulnuar, believed that such efforts would provide various benefits to students, especially those at SPE.
“It shows that academic performance continues to be a key pillar in maintaining student excellence despite studying under new norms during the pandemic,” he said.
He said the programme proved that student leaders from SPE MPP, SBESA and YOSH UPM cared for their responsibilities by organising programmes benefiting students under all circumstances.
He said changes in learning styles are not easy, and students must inform lecturers of their Internet access to ensure lecturers give them due consideration while conducting online teaching and learning.
He said with limited mobility, students must make full use of online resources, such as electronic books, YouTube and scientific calculators.
Master of Agricultural Science student from the Faculty of Agriculture, Nurul Athira Mohd Affandi, who is also a member of the Chapter Alumni YOSH UPM, External Relations Unit, said the new norms due to the COVID-19 pandemic did not deter students from maintaining their academic performance.
“With the new challenges of learning and working styles, lecturers and students need to change their mindset. Mentors must be more creative and innovative in ensuring that the mentoring sessions run smoothly, while students need to work harder learning online. Covid-19 is no reason for complaints,” she said.
SPE Bachelor of Accounting student, Ammar Zikrullah Hashim, said the SPE Mentoring helped students understand the lessons taught better. - UPM
