An unforgettable and unusual lunch lesson for 8 students

Sunway University College alumnus and well-known entrepreneur George Ang, Group Managing Director of Revenue Valley Sdn Bhd (the company that owns The Manhattan Fish Market, Tony Roma’s and TOKYO.g) hosted 8 lucky Sunway students for lunch. All the 8 students took part in the “Nothing Fishy” competition that was part of a profile on George Ang in Sunway’s quarterly Blaze magazine.

Instead of choosing one winner to have lunch with, Ang chose instead to have lunch with all the 8 students. The 8 were from ACCA, Victoria University twinning degree in Business at Sunway, Business Management (Hons) and Psychology (Hons) degrees validated by Lancaster University. The lunch was held at Tony Roma’s in Sunway Pyramid.

The passionate F&B industrialist whose company has an annual turnover of around RM100 million a year did his AUSMAT (formerly known as TEE) pre-university studies at the then Sunway College in 1990. He then went on to University of Western Australia and graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Finance and Accounting. George Ang was a guest Entrepreneur Speaker at Sunway recently.

George Ang (striped shirt) with the students.

At the lunch, Ang shared how he started out working part time as a Pizza Hut delivery boy while studying at the old Sunway College in PJ New Town. This was the start of his eventual phenomenal career rise in F&B. He shared on his insights and philosophy on his business. The lunch was a two-way street of sharing and learning that the students found most beneficial and inspiring.

Here are some comments from the students who attended the lunch.

Students with George Ang outside Tony Roma’s

“I think the lunch was awesome! I was amazed by Mr. Ang’s fondness in sharing his secret recipe for his success. It was certainly a wonderful experience that a student could have” - Chang Mei Yan, B.Sc (Hons) Psychology

“The lunch was inspiring and knowledge enhancing especially when George shared his philosophy and experience on managing his business regionally”- Heri Gunawan from Indonesia, B.Sc (Hons) Business Management   

“George Ang is a great and ambitious entrepreneur. He enlightened us on how to be successful in business and he’s keen in knowing other people’s opinion which makes him a great leader” - Seah Chuying, ACCA

George Ang shared many things, mostly based on his exposure and experience as an international businessman. It is quite rare for students to have this kind of learning opportunity. He has been successful in motivating us students to learn more. The food was superb and the conversation was really a mind blowing experience” - Karin Nathasa from Indonesia, B.Bus Victoria University twinning programme at Sunway 

Entrepreneur Exchange Nite!

May the Force Be With Wei Sin for the Culinary Arts Award

Our own recently-graduated-Diploma-in-Hospitality, Chu Wei Sin, is competing in the Culinary Arts Award.

Foooood....yummy.

Do drop by to show your support from 18 - 19 Jan 08. We are not allowed into the kitchen, but there is a live feed to a projector at the Dining Restaurant, Level 5.

If that doesn't interest you, there's a drink machine with free supply of coffee, tea, milo, teh tarik, etc ;-) You know lah, Malaysians like free things.

Programme available in the poster below.

Click on image for full view:

Alumni Network Nite December 2007

Oh no! It’s already year 2008 and I’m going to post something about last year?! Shucks. Oh well, don’t worry it’s not about how my new year resolution and all that but merely something more interesting about our it’s Alumni. J

Just last month in Dec 6 ’07, Alumni Office organized an event in ‘Zazu Beach Bistro’! I know I know, not really sure where it is right? Don’t worry, I didn’t even know exactly where it is except that it’s located somewhere in our beloved Sunway Lagoon. Zazu Bistro should give me some discounts for promoting them via this blog! :P

Anyway, it was a night showered with rain, cold, wet and confused alumni but I’m sure non of them regretted coming for the event as of course everything was FREE! a sacred and more than essential inclusion in any successful event! The food was FREE, the guest speakers were FREE, and top it all off, we gave all who came a nice and certainly FREE Sun-U folder with very many goodies inside. Speaking of being good Malaysians. J

The whole event started with the three of us, Elisa, Ken and myself setting up at around 6.30pm. It was quite a workout for us (actually just Ken and me, kidding) carrying the boxes of files and other things from the car park to Zazu. By the time we reached escalator #3 out of the many escalators, our arms have already felt like jelly. Anyway, enough complaining from us.

Here are some pictures of the event:

This is Zazu of course! The entrance is just to the left of the photo. It was raining when i took this picture.

This is Elisa & Ken trying to look cute

The door gifts which we prepared. See? We are so nice! There is not only free food but even free files and other goodies. :)

Alumni braving the rain to come for the event. They will soon know that it was worth the trouble.

Alumni getting busy with the spread of food. Amazing how food unites all walks of people regardless of age, gender, height, weight, and whatever else.

One of the speakers for the evening, Ms. Veronica Choo from John Robert Powers.

Mr. Thiru, COO of Jobstreet

Some very happy and contented looking alumni posing with Veronica. Glad you all had a great time!

The Chinese delegation.

Much mingling happened amongst the alumni. Many old faces, and new friends were made.

Some of our alumni cum staff. We are proud of who they are today. :P

Late, but not TOO late. Some alumni that arrived late into the evening.

And everyone goes home contented. :)

Hope to see all of you in future events!

Sunway Alumni Couple Are Adept Treasure Hunters

It was a day they left all cares and worries behind and armed with mind boggling clues drove into the unknown. Yes it was the Treasure Hunt commemorating the 20th anniversary of Sunway University College. 120 enthusiastic staff, spouses, former and present students in 32 cars combed the enclaves of Sunway, Kota Damansara and Section 14, Petaling Jaya.

The four-hour hunt took participants on a chase to find answers to cryptic clues. The answers were related to food, musical instruments or restaurants and geared the participants up, cracking their heads and discussing the clues with each other. The good humoured competitors took it in their stride, some resorting to quick checks with friends and relatives but always keeping their cool as they got their clues worked out.

One of the participants, Mahesh Biaspal, who is a lecturer for the Monash University Foundation Year programme at Sunway shared “It was the first time for me and it was really exciting. Just from being in the exercise, I realized that there are many ways of looking at something and many eyes look at things differently which all added a dimension of fun to the hunt”.

The first place winners were Sunway alumni, Cheok Why Leong and Elaine Cheong, a husband and wife team who met while studying the American Degree Transfer Programme at Sunway in 1995. Cheok did electrical engineering and Cheong read telecommunications management. They both live in Penang.

Cheong said “It was an honour for us to win the first Treasure Hunt organised by Sunway University College. It brought back memories and it was really fun to see some of our old friends. I hope to keep in touch with the University College through the alumni and look forward to joining future alumni activities”.

Cheok added “It was a well-organised event and we had a fabulous time. We will definitely come back if there is another hunt coming up”. The duo bagged RM3,000 in prize money for their first effort at participating as a couple.

The hunt ended with a sumptuous buffet at Sunway University College which allowed the hunters to gather, relax and enjoy a time of bonding. Elizabeth Lee, Executive Director of Sunway University College and the Sunway Education Group said “The hunt was an excellent ice breaker and more so for our ALUMNI members to reminisce and renew old friendships with each other. Former Sunwayians are most welcome to join the ALUMNI and enjoy great opportunities for networking”.

For more information please visit www.sunway.edu.my under ALUMNI or you may email your details to associates@sunway.edu.my. Alternatively please call 74918622 extn: 8021 (Adelene Goh) or extn: 8021 (Elisa Dass) or Extn: 8069 (Vincent Hah).

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.