Peer Counselling Conference 2014

The Sunway Student Services Department, in collaboration with the Sunway Peer Counselling Volunteers (PCV) and the Sunway University Psychology Club, recently organised the Peer Counselling Conference 2014. The 2-day conference was held at the Sunway University Graduate Centre and attended by 170 students from local and private universities from across Malaysia.

Harry Low's workshop - Positive Self-care for Effective Helping

Themed “A Heart of Compassion; A World of Difference”, the conference served as a platform for students and experts to share ideas about and insights into peer counselling and the various issues that affect students today. “The conference aims to equip volunteer student counsellors with practical skills and knowledge to support issues and challenges faced by their peers. It’s an excellent opportunity for students to learn to develop empathy and understanding towards others. It also empowers the students by helping them to build confidence and emotional maturity,” said Elizabeth Lee, Senior Executive Director of Sunway Education Group.

The conference was comprised of a keynote address, a forum, a dialogue and four workshops each day by respected professionals from various organisations.

The keynote speaker for the conference was Paul Jambunathan, senior lecturer of Monash University’s School of Medicine and Health Science, who has 38 years of experience as a registered psychologist.

Paul Jambunathan with volunteers from the audience

The panellists for the forum titled, “The Mental Health Situation in Malaysia: Impact on Youth” were Harry Low, Professor Nigel Marsh and Datin Dr. Ang Kim Teng. The impressive line-up of speakers and workshop facilitators included Kenny Lim, Gerry Urudra, Dr. Diana Lea Baranovich, Dr. Ng Wai Sheng, Dr. Anasuya Jegathevi Jegathesan, Joshua Liong, Abel Cheah and Associate Professor Dr. Alvin Ng Lai Oon.

Caroline Regina Parameswaran, President of Sunway Peer Counselling Volunteers was one of the key motivators of the conference. In addressing her peers, she quoted Mother Teresa, “Compassion begins at home. What better place to start than here in our respective universities, which are, after all, our second home,” she added.

Sunway Peer Counselling Volunteers is a peer support network in Sunway University. It provides students on campus with an alternative channel to share their problems and issues, especially if they are more comfortable talking with their peers than adults. The programme aims to promote a culture of mutual support among students and to encourage peer-to-peer involvement. Volunteers are trained by counsellors at the Sunway Student Service Department. There are currently over 150 volunteers in the programme.