It is with great pleasure to annouce that
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has successfully introduced a 8-weekly MINDFULNESS
Training Program, namely, Mindful@Sejahtera
to its lecturers and supporting staff, since Octorber 2013. Mindful@Sejahtera is an emotional intelligence and stress management
program for sustainable personal development for USM community and the Malaysia
society based on secular Mindfulness training. This
is a joint project of the School of Chemical
Sciences and Pusat Sejahtera (Health Center). The program is funded by the
University-Community Engagement Project under the Division of Industry and
Community Network (BJIM) of USM.
The main aim of the Mindful@Sejahtera project is to
pioneer in integrating
Mindfulness-based Emotional Intelligence techniques for stress and emotional
management in universities, schools, hospitals, non-profit organisations, and
corporates in Malaysia. This is accomplished by disseminating Emotional
Intelligence skills based on Mindfulness trainings and thus, improving the
practitioner’s overall well-being, quality of life and relationship
satisfaction.
The
Mindful@Sejahtera
training was conducted by Dr. Yeoh Kar Kheng and assisted by Dr. Lee Hooi Ling,
both trainers are Senior Lecturers in School of Chemical Sciences, USM. The
founder of Mindful-GYM, Dr Phang Cheng
Kar, is the professional advisor for the Mindful@Sejahtera program. The
Mindful@Sejahtear classes are scheduled
on every Mondays, for a duration of 8 weeks, from 5:15 p.m till 6:45 p.m. at
Ibn Sina Room in Pusat Sejahtera. We are currently running the 2nd Phase of Mindful@Sejahtera
Program which started in mid February 2014. The students are expected to join the Mindful@Sejahtera
training in the 3rd Phase of the program, which is scheduled to start in the
coming semester.
We
have also successfully offered Mindful@Sejahtera trainings to not-for-profit organizations such as Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital, D’ Home
Mental Health Association, religious organizations, universities and schools.
We believe we have reached out to a multiracial community from different
religious and professional background in the local society. Here are some of
the photos and testimonies from the past participants of Mindful@Sejahtera
Program.
Testimonies on Mindful@Sejahtera Program
“I found all
the sessions were very enlightening, refreshing, de-stressing; and also
fascinating enough, very much similar to the teachings of my own religion
Islam. I am able to be more aware / mindful ( khusyuk ) when performing
my prayers; able to enjoy my meals better than before; am able to feel the
earth beneath my feet when I do my regular Sejahtera Walks in the campus. I am
more careful and conscious of my words when I talk; especially to my loved
ones, at home.”
- Dr. Nurulain A. B, Director of Pusat Sejahtera, USM
“Filling up the form to join the
Mindful@Sejahtera program was so far the best decision I have ever made in my
life. Attending Mindful@Sejahtera 8-weekly sessions have also been the
most memorable times I have had and shall I say the most peaceful sessions I
have experienced. To those who haven't joined any Mindfulness course and
are keen to join, I highly recommend this Mindful@Sejahtera program and please
do not think twice to fill up the form now for the upcoming sessions.”
- Lis S. I., Assistant Registrar, Center for Knowledge, Communication and Technology,
USM
“Before the
Mindfulness practice, I used to have shoulder pain very often, especially when
I was rushing for deadlines. But now, my shoulder pain is gone! Perhaps this
was because when I did the Body Scan, I could feel my shoulder is “cracking”
away the stress. This was really amazing!”
- Professor Dr. Lim C. S., School of Educational
Studies, USM
“Through the Mindful@Sejahtera
class, I have learned new information, understanding and confidence in
addressing my anxiety and sleeping problem. The Mindfulness practices taught in
the class are very helpful in keeping me calm and relaxed. After a few weeks
into the Mindfulness journey, I was pleasantly surprised that I could have a
good night sleep without any medication....just keeping to a daily dose of
mindfulness practice”.
- Lim BC, Operations Director (retired), a US
multinational company
“After
two months of systematically practicing the training program’s homework, I feel
that I am calmer and less tensed when facing problem. Now, I have less worries of my future, as I know that it will
not help me in any sense, because we do not see the world as it is, but as we
are. The anticipation of my future that is based on my guess and mental model
created by my mind could be completely
wrong.”
- Cheah J S, MSc candidate, School of Chemical Sciences, USM
“The content
of the Mindful@Sejahtera training is exceptionally respectful and educational
in helping us identifying the issues from a cross functional perspectives. The teamwork between Dr Yeoh and Dr Lee
demonstrates effortless professional expertise.
I am very glad to confirm that we have received a lot of positive
feedbacks to your excellent training sessions due to your excellent training
skills, both the contents and standard of delivery. Not only have we all
learned a great deal, but it has also been a very pleasant cooperation with
you.
- Sister Cyrilla, Mission Awareness Coordinator,
Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital
Reported by Dr. Yeoh Kar Kheng (PhD):
Dr. Yeoh Kar Kheng obtained his doctorate degree in Organic
Chemistry from University of Oxford, UK. He joined the School of Chemical
Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
as a Senior Lecturer in 2012. In addition to his professional career, he has
over 10 years of experience practising/teaching
Mindfulness. He initiated and conducted the INTI International University
Mindfulness Class from 2004 to 2007. At present, he is still actively involved
in Mindfulness trainings, which include completing a Mindfulness-Based
Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) course at Oxford University Mindfulness Centre, UK. He
is the founder and project leader of Mindful@Sejahtera
Program - A Mindfulness-based Emotional Intelligence and Wellness Program
for USM and the Community. He is the keynote speaker of “Voices 4 Mental
Health”, an event organised by Mental Health Coalition of Penang in conjunction
with World Mental Health Day 2013. He also has been invited to deliver
Mindfulness talks in universities, schools, hospitals, non-profit organisations
and international conferences.
Office phone: +604-653 5179
