Assessment of Diversity Through Student Isolation: Qualitative Investigation of Academic, Social, and Emotional Isolation

Introduction

UCSI University has been a melting pot for students and educators since its establishment in 1986 with a diversified group of more than 10,000 students from 80 different countries worldwide are here today to pursue their dreams in one of Malaysia’s top leading private universities. Academic staffs in UCSI University share the same background as their students where a diversified cultural background of the staff added more valuable industrial and teaching experiences to immerse students into real-life situations and to conduct classes effectively and efficiently. Foreign partnerships between foreign institutions and UCSI University are also a highlight in its academic field that allow students to further their studies in world renowned education providers, such as University of Melbourne and RMIT University in Australia.

As a Praxis University, UCSI University has long been known for its strongly developed university-industry engagement where more than 2,500 corporations worldwide are industrial partners of its Co-op programme, including British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce, Astro, Ernst and Young and Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. This is a clear indication that students’ academic performances are valued as much as their abilities to apply theoretical knowledge in related fields for UCSI University is the first university in South East Asia region to introduce Co-operative Education Placement Programme in its academic programmes. With a balanced combination of theoretical learning as well as practical application, UCSI University provides an optimum environment for students to maximize their university learning experiences in their process of learning.

These various measures of diversity resulted in a diverse university learning experience for students starting from their first commencement in the university right up to the completion of their programme. University learning experiences are vital for students to maximize their gains in their course of study through three main aspects: (i) academic, (ii) social and (iii) emotion. Each of them are interconnected and yet independent at the same time as students experience and engage in learning anywhere and anytime. The quality of these diverse experiences plays a major role in students’ performances as these aspects are important in tertiary education. Student learning experiences in UCSI University are gained by students through these three aspects within three to four years of their studies.