Students of the Sunway University College (Sunway) School of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure Management (SHTLM) jointly collaborated with students from A Cut Above Academy, to present a musical cum hair show extravaganza - “Greasy” at Sunway University College on 11 March. This was the first time the two institutions paired up and successfully pulled off a show that was an exuberant interpretation of the well-loved musical “Grease” featuring popular songs with a 50’s mood.

The Musical & Hair Show was in conjunction with A Cut Above Academy’s graduation of its 2005 class of students. A Cut Above Academy and their associates teamed up with first year students from the Diploma in Conventions & Events Management of SHLTM, Sunway University College, who got their golden chance to orchestrate and participate in a real large-scale event which met their course requirements. The Conventions and Events Management students rose to the occasion with their creativity and ingenuity from concept to the realization of the event in terms of logo, invitations and programme designs to securing sponsorship and organising auditions for talents.

Eleven (11) professional models wore zany hairdos created by the 11 graduands of the A Cut Above Academy. About 60 talents which included 46 students from the SHTLM and Sunway gave a splendid performance of song and dance to numbers such as “Greased Lightning” and “Hopelessly Devoted to You” which depicted the carefree and fun-loving spirit of college students in that evergreen musical that appeared in 1978.

Students from the Hotel Industry Apprenticeship Scheme (HIAS) programme and students majoring in hospitality taking the Restaurant Business Operations module from SHTLM, designed the cocktail reception menu, created and prepared the delectable finger food for the event. This provided the opportunity for students to learn how to integrate with others and work as a team for the eventual success of an event.

Sunway University College is the first institution of higher learning in Malaysia to offer a full-time Diploma in Conventions & Events Management programme. This programme started last year, has created interest among students and prospective employers. The enrolment numbers have been encouraging which reflects a demand for such a course.

The SHTLM will be embarking on its own bachelor (with honours) degrees in International Hospitality Management, International Tourism Management, Retail Marketing Management and Conventions and Events Management, which will be offered later this year.

In his speech during the ceremony, Professor Jarlath Ronayne, Director of Sunway University College, said “The collaborations among professionals in various areas of expertise are essentially what working life will be about in the real world. I need hardly stress that the experience of working as a team, to challenge and inspire each other to the highest limits of creativeness and to pull together an entertaining show is to say the least, invaluable”

Sponsors included Schwarzkopf Professional Malaysia, The Body Shop, Focus Point Vision Care Group Sdn Bhd, A.W. Faber-Castell (M) Sdn Bhd, Nestle Products Sdn Bhd, Sunway Lagoon Theme Park, Sunway Lagoon Resort Hotel, Hyper Elevation Media Sdn Bhd, and the following F & B establishments:-

Manhattan Fish Market Restaurant Sdn Bhd, Chili’s Grill & Bar, Restaurant Marche, The Chicken Rice Shop, Swensen’s (M) Sdn Bhd, San Francisco Coffee Sdn Bhd, Café Flam and Burger King.

The show was choreographed by Raymond of the Zon Performing Group.