Grok Schools Community Counselor Connect – Malaysia 2022

After two long years of virtual workshops and webinars, the Grok Schools Community successfully ran its first Counselor Connect event in Malaysia on March 28th, 2022. Participating in the event were university representatives from all major overseas study destinations and counselors from seven local and international schools in the Kuala Lumpur & Selangor region.

The highlights of the Counselor Connect were a panel session to talk about best practices surrounding university and high school engagements, and a roundtable discussion to discuss all things related to university admissions.

The panel, represented by Joseph Marshall (Alice Smith School), Aeti Abdullah (University of Rochester, USA), and Sumithra Durai (University of Bristol, UK), shared their extensive experience and knowledge regarding how universities and schools can work together to improve the quality of university guidance counselling. That included understanding how to help students find the best-fit university based on their interests and strengths, and how to navigate the discussion when talking with the parent community.

Attendees also had the opportunity to participate in a roundtable discussion, where they exchanged ideas and learnt more about different topics related to university admissions and guidance counseling. The conversation covered topics ranging from best practices for writing recommendation letters, to understanding the differences between admissions processes from different countries, to discussing the non-traditional pathways to higher education.

Our thanks to all of the schools that participated:

• The Alice Smith School, Kuala Lumpur
• Tenby Schools Setia Eco Park
• International Schools Partnership SEA
• INTEC Education College, Shah Alam
• Kolej MARA Banting
• Stella Maris International School, Damansara
• St John’s International Secondary School
• EducationUSA Malaysia
• Methodist College Kuala Lumpur

“I really enjoyed the Grok Schools Counselor Connect. As my first time meeting colleagues and university reps since 2020, the event allowed plenty of time for both formal and informal conversations and networking. I look forward to the next one!” (Katherine Llyod, Assistant Head of Sixth Form, Tenby Schools Setia Eco Park) 

For more information about Grok Schools Community and to find out how to participate in future Counselor Connect events, please contact Syaza Nazura, Relationship Manager (Grok Schools Community) at syaza.nazura@grokglobal.com.