TESL celebrates its 10th anniversary!

By Shaireza Jaafar

Gombak, 29 December 2023: The Teaching English as Second Language (TESL) Students’ Society (TESS) organised a 10th year anniversary celebration called “TESL Night” to mark a decade of commitment and dedication of the department in the Banquet Hall, at MAR Building of IIUM Gombak today.

The event began with the opening remarks from the Head of Department of Language and Literacy Advisor of TESS, Dr. Haziqah Zulaikha. In her speech she explained how TESS was born and how it had bloomed ever since.

“TESS first began in 2003 with Prof. Dr. Faiza who is now IIUM’s director of the Centre for Credited Co-Curricula (CCC) and her devotion is illustrated through the official establishment of TESS as a students’ society under the Kulliyyah of Education (KOED),” she asserted.

The event not only unfolded TESL’s historical background but also put the spotlight on the changed bureaus of TESS from academic year 2022/2023 to 2023/2024.

Former Tess president, Muhammad Zuhair giving his last presidential speech

In a presidential address, former TESS president, Muhammad Zuhair Iskandar bin Mohd Rasydi highlighted the success of his tenure through the many events and programmes held; he attributed them all to the efforts and active participation of the TESS community.

The changing tenures was the pinnacle of the event with the new TESS bureaus taking the stage for the Bai’ah ceremony (oath) led by the new TESS president of 2023/2024, Nur Irdina binti Zahurim.

When asked about the event, the program manager, Muhammad Ashraf bin Azammudin described that the uniqueness of the event is reflected in its name “TESL Night” which is exclusively used by TESL departments across Malaysia in place of AGM or “Annual Grand Meeting.”

TESL students were in absolute glee
Performance from Gaslow

“The preparation (for the event) was quite tough since it began only after the wrapping of TESL Theatre Day but we managed to pull off a joyful event after all and it was the hard work of the team that made it possible,” Ashraf added.

The event concluded with the closing remarks from Dr. Haziqah Zulaikha and a token of appreciation for the VIPs.***