October 28, 2009
Higher education in the area of special education in Malaysia
Where can I go to learn more about special education in Malaysia?
I want to pursue further studies in special education, where should I go?
What should I major in?
These are some frequently asked questions that I’ve received from my readers.
Since I’ve been away from Malaysia for around 6 years now, I am afraid I have somewhat lost touch with higher education opportunities in special education back home. From what I know and with some web surfing, I have found that these public universities (links included) do offer programs in special education.
Universiti Malaya:
Universiti Sains Malaysia:
Bachelor of Education (Special Education) with Honors
Ed.D., Ph.D., M.A. (Ed) in special education
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia:
Bachelor of Education with Honors (Special Education)
Universiti Perguruan Sultan Indris:
Bachelor of Education with Honors, M.Ed., Ph.D. (Special Education)
For many of the bachelor degrees in special education, you’ll have to apply through the centralized Unit Pusat Universiti (UPU). Those spots are usually offered to students who have just completed STPM or Matriculation programs. I’m sure many of you, just like me, did not decide that you want a career in special education right out of secondary school, so these options may not be available to you. But the Masters programs may be different. When I applied for my M.Ed. at Universiti Malaya, I did not have a bachelor degree or a diploma in education (which was a requirement), instead I had a B.S. in Biomedical Science. However, I was already working as a teacher at a private school for children with special needs for about 5 months before I applied for admission. So, UM probably admitted me because of my teaching experience.
Apart from the public universities, some non-profit organizations or parent groups do occassionally offer workshops or seminars in special education-related topics.
I attended a seminar offered by Parent Resource for Autism (PR4A) back in 2002. This resourceful parent group brought in an applied behavior analysis (ABA) specialist from Australia for the day long seminar. They also referred me to the Annual Autism Best Practices Conference in Singapore, which I attended in 2002. Plus, they have also compiled a comprehensive list of special education and other related services centers in both Malaysia and Singapore.
Here are some other helpful websites:
Kiwanis disability information and support center (KDISC)
If you know of any training opportunities in special education or good websites with information specific to Malaysia, let me know and I’ll include them here.
Comments(6)
Hi Ailsa,
I am just curious, I many years have you serve in the area of people with special needs? Could you list down some centres in Malaysia that offer this kind of services? I have been looking but I only managed to locate a few. Thank you… Just want to let you know that, what you have been doing is really humble and great…Malaysia should have more of such people like you to help those in need
Hi Ailsa,
I know that you are into the Special needs education. There is a workshop with the title of “Montessori in special needs education”, it is a 2 day workshop which will be held on the 12 & 13 of December and it will be conducted by Mr.Lee Havis who have been in the education field for around 40 yrs. Mr.Lee Havis is the founder of the International Montessori society which is based in the U.S. This is a very good opportunity as this will improve your knowledge greatly in how u can communicate and manage the special needs child in a very natural approach which he have shown to some of the care taker in Tasputra Perkim previous when he came over to Malaysia.
Hi Ze,
PR4A has a good list of special education centers in Malaysia here:
http://www.pr4a.org.my/supports.php
I have about 2 years of experience teaching children with special needs in Malaysia before I came to the US to work on my doctorate.
Thanks for the compliments. The true heroes are the teachers and parents who continue to try their best to support their children. A lot of unseen sacrifices
Hi Cyrus,
Thanks for the information. Let me know the registration details and I’ll add that information in a new page for current special education events.
Hi Ailsa, Thank you…let’s us continue to have a compassionate heart towards the people with special need…..
would you like to check out this website : http://www.rightbrainkids.com
probably this may help.