By Jeremy Asher John (HCTV News trainee reporter) Those looking for a deal in these trying economic times can do no wrong by enrolling in Han Chiang College (HCC) during the Star Education Fair as those who do so can enjoy a 50 per cent discount on their registration fees. The two-day fair starts on Feb 28 and will be held at the Penang International Sports Arena (PISA). Other then staving off a chunk of expenses, students can enjoy a good education imparted by knowledgeable lecturers in a conducive environment and at an affordable rate. HCC principal Dr Wang Yoon Wah said new students would be given a strong base in their education through a specially tailored foundation course. She said the college had spent considerable time in developing the course content in order to prepare students to pursue their 3+0 degree programs. The programs are BA (Hons) Broadcasting and Journalism, BA (Hons) Business Management and BA (Hons) Computing from the United Kingdom’s University of Wolverhampton, and BA in Mass Communication from Australia’s University of Southern Queensland. She said the college has been working closely with these universities for close to eight years and so knew what the universities required. “This is why we were able to come up with solid foundation courses specially tailored to the various degree requirements. “Studying in the United Kingdom or Australia can cost about RM100,000 per year but earning a degree locally can result in savings of 60 per cent. “In addition, we also help students with their English so that they can excel,” Dr Wang said. Those who wish to apply for the courses need to have five credits in their SPM examinations while diploma holders are also encouraged to sign up for the degree programs to complete their education. Those who want more information about the courses offered by the college can drop by its booths at the education fair. Meanwhile, Wang said the college was now in the midst of upgrading its facilities to better serve the needs of the students. “We made a substantial investment of some RM600,000 to upgrade and improve our existing facilities and equipment as well hiring qualified staff members,” she said. She said that HCC now has a new dark room as well as multimedia and photography studios adding that a further RM800,000 would be spent to improve the facilities further.