Mental health disorders are a major issue facing people worldwide, especially after the global pandemic. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), one in every eight people in the world live with mental a disorder[1]. The National Health and Morbidity Survey in 2019 reported that half a million Malaysians were found to be experiencing symptoms of depression[2]. These findings show that mental health conditions are increasing and can have a substantial effect on all areas of life including physical health, occupation, education, family, social, and relationships.
“Despite the rise in mental health issues in Malaysia, we still lack psychologists. The psychology programme being offered in INTI can address this problem,” said Izzati Mohd Bashir, Head of Programme and lecturer for the Southern New Hampshire University Programme (SNHU) under the Center for American Education (CAE) at INTI International College Penang.
Izzati Mohd Bashir, Head of Programme and lecturer for the Southern New Hampshire University Programme (SNHU) at INTI International College Penang, said the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology programme allows students to participate in student exchange programmes, in which they will spend a semester in the US.
Launched in April 2022, the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology is a degree programme in collaboration with SNHU which allows students to complete their American degree in Malaysia without compromising quality. The programme, which takes four years to complete, offers flexibility for students to concentrate on certain areas such as Child and Adolescent Development or Mental Health. Students will be able to gain real work experience through internship programmes or volunteer projects with industry partners.
According to Izzati, the collaboration with SNHU also enables students to participate in student exchange programmes, in which they will spend a semester in the US. “The exchange programme provides students an opportunity to gain an immersed learning experience in a different environment and culture. This will help them with their academic, social, and personal development too.”
She added that a majority of the world’s problems are behaviour-related, so there is a wider prospect for careers in psychology and increased appreciation for their skills and knowledge.
The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology programme provides both flexibility and focused specialisations like Child and Adolescent Development and Mental Health.
Eighteen-year-old Rebecca Ong May Ling, who is pursuing the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology programme, said psychology is gaining popularity in Malaysia. She believes that learning psychology can help her better understand herself and others.
“I am glad that I can get an American degree in Malaysia. Through this programme, I will be able to pursue a career as a therapist, human resource personnel, psychologist, or counsellor,” said the first-year student who wishes to work in the field of psychology so that she can apply her knowledge and make a difference in society.
Rebecca Ong May Ling (second from right), who is currently pursuing the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology programme at INTI International College Penang, poses for a photo with classmates.
Meanwhile, Mahesh Rajasegaran, 24, said he has had a fascination for psychology since he was 13. It was this interest and also encouragement from his mentor, Nur Hafizah Habideen, that led him to enrol in the programme.
“It seemed challenging when I first started, but the lecturers here are incredibly helpful and attentive. They are always ready to attend to our questions and worries, making an effort to explain things clearly,” said Mahesh who joined the recent May 2022 intake.
The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology programme offered at INTI’s Penang campus is a full-time programme with three intakes per year – January, May, and August.
[1] https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-disorders
[2] https://iku.moh.gov.my/images/IKU/Document/REPORT/NHMS2019/Infographic_Booklet_NHMS_2019-English.pdf