And she does that without the power to stop time, change minds or fulfill demands like a genie. She does that by blindfolding herself, holding a double edge sword on the right hand, suspending a balance weighing scale on her left hand.

She is Justitia, the Roman Goddess of Justice.

Are you prepared to blindfold yourself to uphold justice, without fear or favor, without regard for power, wealth or identity? Are you prepared to make judgments by giving balance considerations on a case’s support and opposition? Are you prepared to counter the perversion of the course of justice with your double edge sword, which may be wielded either for or against any party?

Are you prepared to save the world?

Whether you like debating and presenting arguments, or you like to think quietly before you make a verdict, there is a place for everyone in a law education, there is a chance for everyone to maintain social order with one of humanity’s inherent virtue – justice. There is a chance to save the world.

The Descartes Education Counselling Centre is proud to present an information session featuring Dr. Tang Hang Wu, a highly experienced Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore.

Dr. Tang, with his 13 years of exposure to law and a PhD from the prestigious University of Cambridge, will be sharing insights into a law education and career, including information on admission to the National University of Singapore. The details of the session are as followed:

Date: 11 January 2008
Time: 4.00 - 5.30pm

Itinerary:
4.00pm - Arrival of guests
4.15pm - Presentation by Dr. Tang on admissions and career prospects
4.45pm - Q&A
5.00pm - Refreshments

Venue: DECC
Speaker: Dr. Tang Hang Wu

Admission is free. To register, kindly send an email to descartes.ecc@gmail.com

Tang Hang Wu is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore. Hang Wu made the short journey across the causeway to the National University of Singapore and graduated on the Dean’s List in 1995. He then obtained his LL.M - where he was the top student of his class; and also his PhD degree from Cambridge in 2006. Prior to joining NUS, he was in practice as a commercial litigator in Singapore. He also did several work attachments with numerous law firms and barristers’ chambers in London.

(adapted from http://law.nus.edu.sg/faculty/staff/profileview.asp?UserID=lawthw)

While sitting at your desk, try making clockwise circles with your right foot (try doing it now). While doing this, draw the number “6″ in the air with your right hand.

Your foot will change direction.

Biology and the human body interest and intrigue most of us. A career in life sciences gives you the freedom to explore the mysteries of life. Discover why you would turn orange if you ate too many carrots, prove that not every human being originated in Africa (I didn’t), or help to discover life in outer space.

Or help us to understand why drawing the number “6″ in the air will change the direction of our foot!

The Descartes Education Counseling Center (DECC) is proud to present an informal talk by a life science researcher, Mr. Chau De Ming.

Mr. Chau graduated in 2004 from University of Wisconsin-Madison, Biochemistry Department and is a PhD scholar in the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences in Cornell University. His research focus is on cancer research utilizing biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, and immunology technique. He is frequently involved in elucidating the function of gamma-secretase in cancer development.

Mr. Chau will be sharing his experience as a student of life science, guiding you to a career in life sciences.

Details

An Afternoon Chat with Mr. Chau De Ming
Date: 9th of November 2007 (Friday)
Time: 2pm – 4pm
Venue: Starbucks Cafe SS15 (Opposite Asia Café and Taylor’s College)

Admission is FREE. To register, send an email to admin@descartes.com.my

COUNTRY PROFILE
STORIES BY KAREN CHAPMAN

LOCATED in Europe between France, Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein and Italy, Switzerland is known for many things including its beautiful scenery, chocolates, cuckoo clocks, cheese and humanitarian tradition.

It is a confederation comprising 26 cantons (states), and its culture is characterised by the diversity of its geography, languages and religious affiliation.

Apart from Romantsch, which is spoken by 0.5% of its population, its three major languages are French, German and Italian.

Switzerland is also a neutral state; its neutrality allows it to act as a mediator and has made it a place of refuge for those persecuted for political reasons.

The Swiss education system can be divided into primary, secondary and tertiary.

According to Swiss Embassy deputy head of mission Christian Winter, higher education in Switzerland comprises academic studies at “traditional” universities, federal institutes of technology or universities of applied sciences (known as fachhochschulen).

“Students who want to study in Switzerland should contact the university of their choice,” he says.

Masters in Biomedical Engineering student Tan Chia Huei advises those interested in studying in Switzerland to look at the websites of the institutions. (more…)

Wouldn’t it be great if there was someone to answer all these questions for you? Not someone who knows someone else the answer, but first-hand information from people who have been there and done that.

We at the DECC hope to provide you with the answers. Do not expect the website to be updated often; we have provided links for websites which frequently relay information regarding education in Malaysia and we do not wish to duplicate information which can be found there. Do however, write to us. If you want answers to specific questions, if you want more information than that put up on prospectuses or if you just want an opinion regarding the best route to take for furthering your education, just drop us an e-mail.

From time to time, we will have events at the center in Damansara Uptown. Many speakers, consisting of current students and alumni from universities all over the world, have shared their experiences at the center and we hope to keep this up. In addition, a very enthusiastic team of volunteers have agreed to go on roadshows in secondary schools around the Klang Valley, with the intention of increasing awareness on the options students have post-SPM and that admissions to leading universities is not an impossibility reserved for a select group.

All positions here are fully voluntary and we are only able to do what we do thanks to your help. If you think you want to help out, just send us a mail; every person counts!

How many times have you mumbled , shook your legs, and chewed bubble gum while talking to others, without realizing it?In a university interview, communicating effectively can be your ticket to see the world, learn under world-renowned faculties, and get a prestigious degree. Descartes Education and Counseling Center will be conducting a one-on-one mock interview with you, then take a video of your progress, and finally replay it to help you rectify any problems during your mock interview, for FREE.

Interviewers representing world-renowned universities will give you insight to what a good interview entails, and will advise you against more than just mumbling, shaking your legs, or chewing your favorite bubble gum during interviews!

On the same day, Descartes Education and Counseling Center (DECC) will be having an official launching. Be sure to learn more about DECC and don’t forget to check out the future plans/events of the center.

Details:

Who?

Ms. Chook Yuh Yng
Yuh Yng holds a Masters in Engineering from Trinity Hall, Cambridge. She currently heads the Sales Department of Jobstreet.com, the very successful online recruitment website.

Dr. Ong Shien Jin – Interviewer, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Shien Jin graduated from MIT with a degree in Mathematics and went on to complete a PhD in Computer Science in Harvard University. As an educational counselor for MIT, he conducts interviews for MIT applicants in Malaysia

Mr. Bakthiar Talhah – Interviewer, Princeton University
As Regional Director for PFC Energy and Director of the Asian Downstream Practice, Mr. Talhah has vast experience in the field of global energy and investment opportunities. Mr. Talhah holds an Engineering degree from Princeton University.

When?

Sunday 9th of September 2007
Time: 1 pm to 4 pm

Where?

Descartes Education and Counseling Center
55-1 Jalan SS21/1A,
Damansara Utama,
47400 Petaling Jaya.

Those interested in registering for the mock interviews can send an e-mail to descartes.ecc(at)gmail.com with a brief description of their own background and the DECC team will get back to you as soon as possible.