Stimulating Minds with the YOUTH@RESEARCH 2007 Competition

The School of Computer Technology, Sunway University College organised its second run of the highly successful Youth@Research 2007. It was held on 5th September and culminated with the awards presentation on the 6th September. The event was in line with the Government’s effort to position Malaysia as a competitive knowledge-based economy with e-information and communications technology (e-ICT) as the enabler towards globalisation of ICT and multimedia hub to enhance competitiveness.

The main objective of the event, themed “Research Towards Excellence in ICT 2007” was to highlight the importance to youth and to inculcate research culture among youth as part of their life long learning. Students from secondary schools and graduates from Institutions of Higher Learning were given the opportunity to participate by presenting their very own research and development in any areas of ICT.

There were a total of 73 entries of research papers from the tertiary level and 23 research papers submitted by secondary students nation wide. All short listed participants were provided with presentation skill training to prepare them for the Youth@Research 2007 presentation. The tertiary level was organised jointly with MDEC in conjunction with the University-Industry Commercialisation Collaboration Forum.

The judges applauded all participants for their creative and efforts in research and awarded three winners each in the tertiary as well as the secondary school level.

SMJK Kwang Hua, Klang was the 2nd runner up as the team presented their research in showcasing how Form 4 chemistry lessons will be more effective through micro-scale experimental techniques as compared to the traditional use of chemical equipments. The enlightening research project was titled “Quantitative Analysis Made Easy”.

SMJK Yu Hua, Kajang walked away with the 1st runner up title with its project titled “Effectiveness Of A Cyber Hub In A Secondary School”. The research project displayed how cyber hubs are beneficial to students in secondary schools in improving their performance in their education.

The winning team for the secondary school category from SMK Damansara Jaya, Petaling Jaya presented its impressive and comprehensive research project, investigating the public’s level of familiarity with video games and their gaming habits.

Merit awards were given to SMK Seafield, Subang Jaya and Air Merah, Kulim, Kedah in the secondary school category.

For the tertiary category however, the competition was much more steep and comprehensive.

The second runner up in the tertiary category were led by a group of international students from Bangladesh and Yemen with its project titled “Like Deelers”.

The first runner up in the tertiary category are from Sunway University College, researching in Hologram Keyboard and Monitor.

Multimedia University clinched the winning champion title with its intricate research project entitled “A Secure Touchless Authentication via RFID and Revocable Biometrics”.

“I’m really excited about winning this award. It was an idea that came to my head but I put it into words to suit the theme of the competition. I’m glad that it has already been implemented successfully at my university,” exclaimed Tong Kin Foo, Multimedia University, champions in the tertiary category.

Wilson Chong Wei Shen from Sunway University College shared that “It was a good experience for us in the 4 months that we took to prepare for this and we learnt – No pain, no gain”

The winners proudly walk away with RM 3000, RM 2000 and RM 1000 prize money, certificates and medals for the first, second and third placing respectively under the two categories for schools and tertiary level participation. The event organizers were grateful for the full sponsorship from EMC Global Sdn Bhd, SC-PNP Edaran Sdn Bhd, The STAR, PC.COM, EC-Council, Asia Chain Management, Sun Microsystems Sdn Bhd, and Oracle Corporation Malaysia Sdn Bhd.

For further information, please visit http://sctnet.sunway.edu.my/youth.

Lessons in the Art of a Good Argument

Developing rational thoughts and constructing arguments to better our lives may be one of the most refined facets of human interaction. Two teams did just that as they went head to head recently at Sunway University College in the celebrated Oxford vs. Cambridge Debate 2007. Organized by the Oxford and Cambridge Society of Malaysia, it featured current Oxford and Cambridge students and members of the English Speaking Union (ESU) Malaysia World Student Debate Team 2007.

The motions this year were “This House Believes that the Medium of Instruction in Schools Should be English” and “The House Believes that Security Measures are Justified at the Expense of Civil Liberties”. The latter motion was chosen by a coin toss, less than an hour before the debate commenced. The Cambridge team was the Government and the Oxford team the Proposition.

The Debate was an impromptu one so that bright speakers will have to think on their feet. The motion generated the right level of heat, lightness and controversy as the speakers put their ultimate test brandishing word against word with wit and intellect. The compelling topic brought forth the winning team with the most mettle, from Cambridge, who supported the motion.

The afternoon, as promised, was a deft and healthy exchange of ideas which would attest to the words of George Bernard Shaw “The moment we want to believe something, we suddenly see all arguments for it, and become blind to the arguments against it”

Participation from the floor, also regarded as the members of the “house” was encouraged. They were also allowed to interrupt on points of information.

A former A-Level student from Sunway University College, Qu Hsueh Ming who is pursuing Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Oxford University represented the Oxford team. The Chief Judge for the event was Mrs. Margaret Kaloo. Principal of ELC International School and Elizabeth Lee, Executive Director of Sunway University College and past President of the Oxford and Cambridge Society of Malaysia, was the Mistress of Ceremonies.

The Debate was sponsored by Sunway University College, Deloitte Malaysia and the ESU with the cooperation of JobStreet.com.

About the Oxbridge Society of Malaysia

The Oxford and Cambridge Society of Malaysia was registered on 11 January 1960, at the initiative of the late Tun Sir Henry H.S Lee. The Society was founded to promote and facilitate social, recreational and cultural activities between past and present members of the Universities, to further causes and projects in the interests of the members, and to hold an annual Boat Race Dinner on the eve of the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race.

True to the objects of the Society, the Society has organized annual Boat Race Dinners, debates, dinner and luncheon talks and numerous other events. The Society has played host to many distinguished guests and dignitaries, including our Prime Minister and the Vice-Chancellors of the Universities.