UCSS Hosts Seminar on the “7 Habits of Highly Effective College Students”

By Yim Samedy

The University of Cambodia Student Senate (UCSS) successfully organized a seminar on the “7 Habits of Highly Effective College Students,” which was supported by the University of Cambodia (UC) and Top Leadership Center (TLC), a leading training organization in Cambodia. Based on Franklin Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective College Students, the half-day seminar was held on December 11, 2011, at UC. Over 70 students participated in the event, which was supervised by Gina Lopez, Associate Dean of the College of Management. The seminar was the seventh of eight projects that the 5th Mandate of UCSS successfully completed in 2011.

Associate Dean Gina Lopez presented Sok Thon, Founder and Director of TLC, with a small gift as a token of appreciation for his support.

The purpose of the seminar was to empower university students to succeed in college and beyond. In addition to learning about how to improve their study habits, students learned about leadership skills and how to set achievable goals, prioritize multiple tasks, and work with others. The workshop also covered how to be a more productive member of society. It was designed to strengthen the relationship between UC and TLC, as well as to promote UC students.

In his welcoming remarks, Khov Ea Hai, UCSS member and project director, discussed the importance of learning new knowledge and skills. He also expressed his appreciation to TLC, in particular to Sok Thon, Founder and Director of TLC, and Associate Dean Gina Lopez for their support in helping to organize the project.

During her opening remarks, Associate Dean Gina Lopez said this seminar was a very useful seminar organized by the UCSS to help UC students learn more about leadership skills and how to change their habits in order to become more effective college students.

Students who attended the seminar were presented with certificates of participation.

The seven speakers, all UC graduate and undergraduate students, trained the participants on the seven highlighted habits:

• Habit 1: Be Proactive;

• Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind;

• Habit 3: Put First Things First;

• Habit 4: Think Win-Win;

• Habit 5: Seek First to Understand,

Then to be Understood;

• Habit 6: Synergy; and

• Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw.

After learning about the first three Habits, participants enjoyed a short break with refreshments and participated in an energizing activity. Following the break, they learned about the last four Habits.

The training workshop highlighted the growing competitiveness of Cambodian students, many of whom currently study at two or more universities because they believe they will have better job prospects and opportunities after earning two undergraduate degrees. Additionally, it highlighted the increasingly demanding academic requirements at higher education institutions in Cambodia, as a result of institutional and national efforts aimed at improving education quality at the tertiary level.

UCSS would like to express its sincere appreciation to UC and TLC for supporting this seminar; without their help, this additional project would not have been possible. It would also like to thank all of the participants who participated in this seminar.

Source: UC Bulletin December 2011, Page 24