When a student struggled academically, Dr Vinesh Maran met with them repeatedly, helping them work through their difficulties and regain confidence. The student went on to pass the subjects, achieve distinctions in some papers and secure an executive position with a multinational company.
Hayley Lee, Lecturer at the Centre for Australian Degree Programs, INTI International College Penang, receives a Certificate of Appreciation from Cindy, Director of Accounting at Dell Penang, for her role as an advisor in the Dell Business Challenge.
It is one example of the work described by five educators at INTI International College Penang (IICP), where seven received the Swinburne University of Technology Teaching Excellence Award for the March 2026 semester. Their experiences show how individual guidance, practical learning and encouragement can help students make progress in their studies and prepare for working life.
The recipients also include Dr Gan Kia Hui, Head of Programme for the Centre for Australian Degree Programs (CADP), and AnniMalar Muthuraman, Dean of the School of Business.
For Dr Vinesh, from CADP, effective teaching begins with understanding students’ needs, strengths, and learning preferences. He sees his role as a mentor and guide, helping learners develop resilience and adaptability as they work through challenges.
“I believe my role as an educator is very important in shaping students and preparing them for the future workplace,” he said.
Puteri Syafirahelmee binti Katiman, Lecturer in Media and Communication at INTI International College Penang, leads CHAMPENG 3.0: Penang Unfolded as Project Director.
He incorporates employer-based projects, industry collaborations and practical challenges into his teaching to help students connect academic knowledge with workplace expectations. As technologies such as generative AI become increasingly prominent in professional life, he emphasises critical thinking and lifelong learning, preparing students to keep developing their abilities as work demands change.
Students’ progress can also become visible in their willingness to express themselves. Zakiah Binti Abul Khassim, also from CADP, has seen some who once doubted their abilities gain the confidence to speak on behalf of their peers at convocation.
With 20 years of experience in education, she values encouragement and active participation. In her law classes, students are invited to ask questions, consider different perspectives and apply what they learn to practical situations. These discussions give them opportunities to explain their reasoning and develop confidence in their own judgement.
“Teaching has never been just a profession for me. It is a responsibility and a privilege,” Zakiah said.
For students preparing to enter employment, practical experience can give them something specific to discuss with prospective employers. Hayley Lee introduced Xero accounting software into two accounting courses at CADP, ACC10008 and ACC30005, allowing students to develop digital accounting skills alongside their academic knowledge.
“When my students attended external job interviews with Big Four accounting firms and participated in competitions such as the Dell Business Challenge, they were very proud to share that Xero had been incorporated into their accounting courses,” Hayley said.
An employer project allowed Intan Amalina Binti Mohamed Ali’s Media and Communication students to apply their learning in a professional setting. They presented their completed work to a client and experienced workplace expectations first-hand.
Intan, who is also from CADP, takes a student-centred approach.
“I take a constructivist approach, encouraging students to build their understanding through activities and experience,” she said.
Intan Amalina Binti Mohamed Ali, Lecturer at the Centre for Australian Degree Programs, INTI International College Penang, joins students following their final presentation for the Media and Communication Project A employer project at Penang Institute.
Projects and collaborative activities give learners opportunities to explore ideas and connect theoretical knowledge with practical work. She encourages them to consider what they have learned from their experiences, aiming to nurture confidence, curiosity and independence. She believes these qualities help students become adaptable learners who can keep developing throughout their careers.
Media and Communication lecturer Puteri Syafirahelmee binti Katiman sees another sign of progress in students’ willingness to keep learning outside scheduled classes.
She believes real-world experiences that connect theory with practice can help students develop practical skills, confidence and the motivation to improve independently.
“Honestly, I feel happy when students come to me to borrow camera equipment so they can practise outside class. I appreciate that they are willing to spend their own time improving their skills, even when it is not part of their class activities,” Puteri said.