Sunway University College Students Given Chance to JUMPSTART Their Careers

“I always give 110% in all that I do,” the gorgeous Xandria Ooi, much sought-after host cum columnist, said to students who packed the auditorium at Sunway University College (SyUC). Xandria was presenting in one of a series of talks under JUMPSTART: Career Exploration Event organised by SyUC’s Career Development and Training Unit. The programme, which spanned across two months, is an effort to guide students towards the right career choice even before graduating.

Xandria, an alumna of Sunway University College, returned to the institution five years after leaving it to impart her wisdom on how to carve a successful career in showbiz. She reminisced about the times she was pursuing the Canadian pre-university programme at Sunway and her days as a member of the Student Council then.

“I cannot stress enough the importance of extra-curricular activities,” she said emphatically to the students “This is the time for you all to start honing your management skills through organizing events and activities. I took advantage of that in my year at Sunway.”

Also on-hand to dish out advice to students contemplating the Journalism field was Niki Cheong, an Assistant Editor of The Star and author of the famous Bangsar Boy columns.

Other guest speakers throughout JUMPSTART included Faridah Hameed, Programme Director of Graduan Milenium Series, who spoke on “Where do I go from Here”, Winnie Loo, Founder and Creative Director of A Cut Above Salon, who shared her success story on being an entrepreneur, and Douglas McLean, Managing Director of GE Engine Services who spoke on “Being At the Top Young”.

A Career Test Centre was also set-up where students could sit for the John Holland typology and Myers-Briggs type indicator workshop to better understand their own personality and subsequently choose the careers most suited to them.

In addition, a Work and Travel USA booth was set up for students to explore the possibilities of a working holiday to the United States. The ‘worldly’ experience gained from traveling overseas allows students to stand out in the eyes of potential employers.

Students also benefitted from company visits to Malaysian Airline Systems (MAS) and NatTV7, where they had a glimpse of how organisations function in the ‘real world’.

JUMPSTART wrapped up with the Prominent Business Leaders Seminar, with Tan Sri Dato’ Seri (Dr) Jeffrey Cheah, Founder and Chairman of Sunway Group, who is also the Founder, Chairman and Trustee of SyUC, sharing his experiences with students. His was a truly inspiring story, as he revealed the ups and downs he faced as an entrepreneur, and the triumph of Sunway Group over three recessions. “During tough times, a leader has to be like a swan. Above the surface of the water, you must put on a brave front so that your followers are reassured,” he advised “But below the surface, you have to paddle like crazy to stay afloat.”

The Career Development and Training Unit at Sunway University College was formed with the purpose of grooming Sunway students for the world of work. Its central function consists of a wide range of activities structured to equip students with non-academic yet essential skills while studying at Sunway.

Sunway University College Celebrates the Nation’s 49th

The crowd that gathered in Sunway Lagoon Theme Park’s Surf Beach on the eve of Merdeka numbered over eight thousand. They were there as part of the Ambang Kemerdekaan Countdown celebration, organised by Sunway University College (SyUC). The institution had been appointed by the Ministry of Education to coordinate this event, marking the nation’s 49th Independence Day.

 

Other participating institutions were Taylor’s College, Politeknik Shah Alam, UiTM, Metropolitan College and Help University College.

Prior to the event, 30,000 free tickets were distributed to students from various institutions and the community.

The celebration began with performances by the students of Sunway University College and other local institutions of higher learning showing off their talents. Jake of Hitz.FM was the professional and witty emcee and all eyes were focused on the shows.

Sunway students showed a cultural appreciation with their performances of dikir barat and a Chinese peacock dance. A “Symphony of Merdeka” choir made up of Sunway students belted out favourite patriotic songs in their own unique style of arrangement. Students of Taylor’s College shone with their acapella vocals and Bollywood moves, and students of Politeknik Shah Alam wowed the audience with their silat skills.

As the hour of midnight drew near, local vocal group, Siarra, and the suave Ferhad took the stage to the adulation of adoring fans.

When midnight struck, the Guest of Honour, Yang Bahagia Dato' Dr Zulkefli Bin A. Hassan, Secretary General of Ministry of Higher Education, led the other guests and audience in an enthusiastic cheer. The seven cries of ‘Merdeka’ reverberated throughout the town of Bandar Sunway while students holding mini-Malaysia flags waved wildly on the Surf Beach. A brilliant 15-minute display of multi-coloured fireworks was then showcased high above the Theme Park and could be seen for miles around.

The Ambang Kemerdekaan Countdown was the culmination of the numerous activities organised by Sunway University College to commemorate Malaysia’s independence in the month of August. Events that took place on campus included a Merdeka Quiz, patriotic film screenings, and photo exhibitions on past Prime Ministers and National Day. Talks with patriotic themes were also conducted, such as “Nationalism in the Context of Globalisation” by Dr. Ibrahim Ahmad Bajunid, Professor of Management, Leadership and Policy Studies at UNITAR, and “Merdeka: What It Means To Me” by Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam, Sunway Group’s Corporate Advisor.