I have a thirst for knowledge
MDIS gives students like Ms Jennifer Chiow the chance to learn as much as they want to
September 12, 2008 Print Ready Email Article
THEY are women who like numbers and want to further their education.
One of them, Ms Choo Yee Wen, already has a degree in statistics and Japanese studies from the National University of Singapore (NUS).
But that did not stop her from pursuing a second degree.
'I like accounting and doing calculations,' said Ms Choo, 27, a Malaysian who came to Singapore when she was 19.
So, she signed up with MDIS, to do a degree in accounting, awarded by Australia's Edith Cowan University (ECU), on a part-time basis.
That was in October 2004.
By the time she finished in late 2006, she had made a career switch.
She went from assistant head waitress in a swanky five-star hotel restaurant to an associate in a Shenton Waypayroll and accounting services company.
About two months ago, Ms Choo was promoted to senior associate in the company. She said her accounting degree helped her get the job.
Another accounting specialist is Ms Jennifer Chiow, 30. The mother of a 5-year-old boy got a diploma in accounting and took on her first job as an accounts assistant in a logistics company when she was just 19.
But she did not stop her learning journey there.
She went on to get a professional accounting certificate - called the Certified Accounting Technician.
She continued working and took on a managerial position.
INTENSIVE
She said: 'I felt I needed a title behind me.
'I had a lot of hands-on knowledge, but I needed to learn the theoretical aspects and also, about new developments.'
So, she signed up with MDIS for a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) from ECU.
Lectures were held three nights a week, and there was a weekend of lectures by visiting Australian professors every three months.
She said that the programme also equipped her with knowledge that was outside her job scope.
'In this course, I needed to take subjects like communications and marketing.
'Doing the project work with other students has also helped me become more persuasive and diplomatic.'
Ms Chiow said that it was hard balancing her time with family, work and studies.
But support from her mother and husband, especially during the examination period, helped.
She added that her husband, who runs his own business, would pick her up after every lesson so that she would not get home too late.
Ms Chiow, who graduated in October last year, is now the administrative and compliance manager in an insurance broking firm.
She is currently pursuing a diploma in compliance as well as her professional qualification, the CPA (Certified Public Accountant).
Of her diploma, she said: 'I took it up because of my work and because I have a thirst for knowledge.'
And she is not alone in this quest.
Ms Choo, whose parents are in Johor Baru, also said that she intends to work towards a CPA next year.
Her aspiration, she said, is to be 'recognised as an accountant
MDIS gives students like Ms Jennifer Chiow the chance to learn as much as they want to
September 12, 2008 Print Ready Email Article
THEY are women who like numbers and want to further their education.
One of them, Ms Choo Yee Wen, already has a degree in statistics and Japanese studies from the National University of Singapore (NUS).
But that did not stop her from pursuing a second degree.
'I like accounting and doing calculations,' said Ms Choo, 27, a Malaysian who came to Singapore when she was 19.
So, she signed up with MDIS, to do a degree in accounting, awarded by Australia's Edith Cowan University (ECU), on a part-time basis.
That was in October 2004.
By the time she finished in late 2006, she had made a career switch.
She went from assistant head waitress in a swanky five-star hotel restaurant to an associate in a Shenton Waypayroll and accounting services company.
About two months ago, Ms Choo was promoted to senior associate in the company. She said her accounting degree helped her get the job.
Another accounting specialist is Ms Jennifer Chiow, 30. The mother of a 5-year-old boy got a diploma in accounting and took on her first job as an accounts assistant in a logistics company when she was just 19.
But she did not stop her learning journey there.
She went on to get a professional accounting certificate - called the Certified Accounting Technician.
She continued working and took on a managerial position.
INTENSIVE
She said: 'I felt I needed a title behind me.
'I had a lot of hands-on knowledge, but I needed to learn the theoretical aspects and also, about new developments.'
So, she signed up with MDIS for a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) from ECU.
Lectures were held three nights a week, and there was a weekend of lectures by visiting Australian professors every three months.
She said that the programme also equipped her with knowledge that was outside her job scope.
'In this course, I needed to take subjects like communications and marketing.
'Doing the project work with other students has also helped me become more persuasive and diplomatic.'
Ms Chiow said that it was hard balancing her time with family, work and studies.
But support from her mother and husband, especially during the examination period, helped.
She added that her husband, who runs his own business, would pick her up after every lesson so that she would not get home too late.
Ms Chiow, who graduated in October last year, is now the administrative and compliance manager in an insurance broking firm.
She is currently pursuing a diploma in compliance as well as her professional qualification, the CPA (Certified Public Accountant).
Of her diploma, she said: 'I took it up because of my work and because I have a thirst for knowledge.'
And she is not alone in this quest.
Ms Choo, whose parents are in Johor Baru, also said that she intends to work towards a CPA next year.
Her aspiration, she said, is to be 'recognised as an accountant
