Workshops That Bridge The Gap

An introduction to the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Skill Transfer Workshops for SMEs was launched by the School of Computer Technology of Sunway University College recently.

The objective of these workshops is to foster better and closer ties between institutions of higher learning such as Sunway University College and commercial companies. The workshops, an initiative of the School, will enable companies to familiarize themselves with the School’s new development of ICT technologies and new ICT products available for application. Invited speakers from the industry could also share their approaches of successful implementation of ICT projects, their needs and strengths to the students. By doing so, the workshops become a platform for Sunway students to understand the requirements of the real world.

At this introductory session recently, Mr Loke Sim Fatt, Chief Operating Officer of the England Optical Group Sdn Bhd spoke about “Benefits of Interns to SME and IT Collaboration with Universities” and Ms Lee Yin Jye of Solution Architect, SAP Malaysia gave a talk about “Emerging Technologies & Solutions for SME from SAP”.

The School took the opportunity to unveil its Consulting, Collaboration and Commercialization (CCC) Lab and also introduced the SCTNET portal which showed companies the benefits of using this portal. The CCC Lab supports the strong research focus of the School and showcased its research initiatives in the areas of Network and Ubiquitous Computing, Multimedia and Information Systems, Intelligent System and Robotics Engineering as well as Database Technologies and Software Engineering. The School has begun offering the MSc in Computer Science (by research) and the MSc in Mobile Systems for about a year now.

These workshops in general serve as a platform for companies to collaborate with the School. Collaboration opportunities include bridging the skills gap between the School’s curriculum and market needs and access of companies to a pool of student interns which is helpful for them to identify good potential employees.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lim Tong Ming, Head of the School of Computer Technology said “These workshops are a win-win situation for both companies and students. The interaction serves to enhance product and knowledge dissemination for students and in return we can fine tune the practical skills of our students to match the requirements of the industry. Furthermore any newly developed technologies and products will be introduced to the participating companies who will have the first opportunity to further develop them”.

Ms Lee Yin Jye, of Solution Architect, SAP Malaysia speaking during the workshop

Some of the facililties in the CCC Lab

Family Symposium 2

AniManGaki 09

About 600 students and self-professing Anime and Manga aficionados from all over Malaysia converged at Sunway University College recently to celebrate all things Anime in an Anime event, AniManGaki 09, organised by the Sunway University College Anime Club (SUAC) recently.

Students and guests were dressed to the hilt in their costumes depicting various characters such as Naruto, Bleach and Final Fantasy with clothes purchased from Japan or tailor made. The 50 strong AniManGaki crew had been planning the event for six months. The festive atmosphere resembling the Harajuku in Japan also had mini Omatsuri (traditional Japanese festival) featuring goldfish scooping and Japanese yoyo water balloons. There were also Doujin booths in which amateur artists sold their “fanarts”.

The air was electric as “cosplayers” posed and mingled in their eye-catching costumes. There were also live band performances, movie screenings and a karaoke competition.

President of SUAC, Yvonne Sing, an American Degree Transfer Program student at Sunway who is also a Doujin artist of 2 years said, “We learnt a lot during the planning of the event such as teamwork and communication skills but we enjoyed it. I’m glad that it turned out to be really awesome with an attendance that was greater than expected.”

Indian Cultural Night - Beats of Peace 2009

The Indian Cultural Society of Sunway University College organised an Indian Cultural Night – Beats of Peace ’09. Sunway students of Indian origin from many parts of the world, such as the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Mauritius and elsewhere took part in a spectacular concert to celebrate the cultural heritage of ethnic Indians.

There were Bollywood dances, bhangra, singing and sketches. Student Revathi played the veenai and the audience was silent as they enjoyed the soulful sounds of her masterful handling of the instrument. About 800 students attended and participated in the extravaganza.

The objective of the concert was to create awareness for the uniqueness and richness of Indian culture and to showcase students’ talents.

The Guest of Honour was The High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Malaysia, H.E Dr. D. Ranasinghe and the First Secretary from the Indian High Commission Mr. V.K.V Raman.

20% from the sale of tickets were channeled to Bersamamu TV 3 Fund for charities.

It's Time to Let It Go!!

HeLLoo there Sunway students!! It is time to shake your hair loose! Yesssss....it is time to party ;-)

Sunway Student Council presents Freshie Night 2! It is a night to celebrate new members of Sun-U. Hence, we are calling freshmen of Sun-U and seniors as well to join this upcoming joyful event.

This is definitely a night out with your friends that you would not wanna miss. You could expect a heart-pumping and energetic dance performance from Sun-U's very own Ravelution Club, an awesome laser light show, a guest appearance of Freshie Night 1 King Pappi and..the dance floor will be opened at 10pm ;-) Hehehehe! I think I'd better keep quiet now...I do not wanna be a party spoiler.

If you are interested to come join the fun, details are as below:
Date : 17 July (Thursday)
Time : 7:30 pm onwards.
Venue: MPH (multipurpose hall...not the bookstore!)
Ticket Price: RM 10/-
RM 15/-(at the entrance on the day itself)
*ticket includes refreshments

Get your tickets soon from the Student Services Department (SSD), specifically from Mr. Ken ASAP before they run out of stock!

Pssstt....you also stand a chance to win great prizes in the Lucky Draw during the event....

So don't just sit and wait! Quickly get your tickets!!!!!

**For any further information contact: Wahid- 0176032491 or email at Wahid-TheOne@hotmail.com

RM11,000 raised by Chinese and China students of Sunway for Sichuan quake victims

The devastating earthquake that tore Sichuan, China on May 12, measuring more than 8 on the Richter scale resulted in a death toll in the tens of thousands while those who survived are struggling to rebuild what’s left of their lives.

This grim scenario prompted the Chinese Cultural Society (local Chinese students) and the China Students Association (students from China) of Sunway University College to organise a donation drive for the Sichuan quake victims from 20 – 23 May at the cafeteria. A student in the American Degree Transfer Programme in Sunway, Darren Wang from China, did his part by selling his awe-inspiring Chinese brush paintings. Wang a graduate of the Guangsi Fine Arts Institute and Qinghua University is an accomplished artist who is a master in the art of Chinese brush painting. He made a brisk sale of his masterpieces and donated all proceeds to the Sichuan victims.

A concert by the students on 23 May added some soothing entertainment as they and their lecturer advisors took to the stage with a mixture of Cantonese, Mandarin and English songs. A total of RM11,115.00 was collected and the students arranged to channel the much-needed funds to the quake victims through World Vision in Malaysia and the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia equally. Ms Elizabeth Lee, Executive Director presented the cash to the two organisations after the concert.

A committee member of the Chinese Cultural Society, Adrian Tok said “I felt proud to help out. We heard so much about the suffering of the quake victims and the situation was becoming worse and worse and I am very happy to be a part of this effort to help the Sichuan quake victims”.

The lecturer advisors to the students were Ms Mandy Wong, Mr Chong Chin Yoon and Mr Michael Moey. Sunway University College has attracted international students from over sixty countries. Students from China are one of the highest international groups at Sunway.

The International Students Office at Sunway which looks after all international students assisted another group of students to collect RM3,000.00, 3 big boxes of baked beans and a large bundle of clothes which were sent to Mercy Malaysia through The Star Publications to help the Myanmar Cyclone victims earlier.

AMAZING RACE emerges as AMAZING G-RACE

Bandar Sunway, Kuala Lumpur - They’re young. They’re a little bit crazy. And they were all over Bandar Sunway last weekend!

The Sunway University College Student Council organised and hosted the Amazing G-Race modeled after the Amazing Race on Saturday, 29 March 2008. The Amazing G-Race is an obstacle race cum scavenger hunt which is held annually since 2006. It’s supported by 3 main Sunway councils; Sports Council, Association of International Students and ECHO, Sunway University College’s student yearbook. Students combed areas such as the Elephant Walk, South Quay, new wing of Sunway Pyramid Shopping Centre, Sunway Metro and Monash University.

The guests of honour were none other than our Malaysian Chong sisters, Vanessa and Pamela, who were the Malaysian team that bagged the 1st runner up title of the Amazing Race Asia 2. They were present to flag off the race and to give the participants encouragement while sharing their journey and experience in the Amazing Race Asia that might be of help to the teams and participants of the Amazing G-Race. They even brought along Team Japan’s of Amazing Race Asia 2, Ms. Sawaka along with them to cheer and encourage the students!

"It is my belief that you never feel more fully alive than when overcoming obstacles, when ordinary people do extraordinary things; not by climbing Mount Everest mind you, but by being challenged by different languages,
transportation stuff ups, cultural barriers and the ever-present fever of competition” said Ms. Pamela Chong.

 

The teams participated in fun and exciting scavenges and activities such as removing marbles from a tin filled with earthworms, maggots and grubs as well as eating wasabi crackers! A total of 24 teams participated in the race and the entire race was performed on foot.

 

“We've created a truly authentic adventure competition that restores the thrill of travel, curiosity and adventure appeal, that turn of the century travellers had," said Student Council President, Chan Yung Mun (Jet)

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Team “Something” consisting of Phang Kein Yew, Ho Choong Kwong, Harjun from Sunway’s A Levels and E-Yan from Sunway’s Monash University Foundation Year emerged as the champions winning RM250 cash prize, UOX Starter Packs and a hamper. Total value in prizes (cash and kind) amounted to RM2,200. Celcom, Sunway University College’s official Telco partner was the main sponsor of the Race.

Recruitment Week

Busy! No time to blog. Eating lunch in front of computer right now (ta pau from our cafeteria's " Bollywood Bites". Yummy. RM6.50, lots of chicken meat)

Picture entry. Clubs & Societies' RECRUITMENT WEEK!







Dunno what club this is...but got handsome guy's face:




The hao poh strikes a pose (just kidding, Wenni!):





Sorry lar. No time to come up with text for this entry. Gotta go! Event at 3pm, Meeting at 4pm. *pengsan

Who wants to help contribute to this blog? Email me! elchoy@sunway.edu.my Yes, you sense the desperation correctly!

Visitors Warm to Students Performance

For many students, they learn better if they have a chance to experience something rather than to read about it. For 16 university students from Japan, Korea and Myanmar (Burma) who signed up for an off-campus educational programme in south-east Asia with Learning Across Borders, were not expecting to be swept away by the Dikir Barat performance by students and alumni of the Sahabat Society of Sunway University College

The society which promotes Malay culture put up an energetic performance as they burst with rhythmic and catchy lyrics accompanied by traditional instruments of the canang, rebana and the gong.

“It was truly an amazing performance. It was so full of spirit” said Thura, a Pre-Collegiate Programme student from Yangon, Myanmar.

After the performance the visitors had a chance to learn how to do the Dikir Barat and to mingle with the student performers. The visitors appeared to be enjoying themselves and there was enthusiastic chatter as the visiting students learnt more about the Dikir Barat and how to play the instruments. The session continued over lunch.

“I appreciate the warm hospitality of the performers” said Motoshi Kanke, a student from Keio University in Japan.

Nor Farah Farhana, a Monash University Foundation Year student of Sunway said “I really enjoyed getting to know the Japanese visitors” Her classmate, Aisyah Mahmud quipped “This was a very interesting experience and different from what we learn in class”. The 30 Sahabat Society students only had 6 days of practice with an external instructor. A few of the students composed the lyrics to their Dikir Barat.

Keiko Kobayashi, a final year Sociology student of Keio University shared “The performers are very friendly and put so much into their performance and showed how proud they were of their culture. It has been a wonderful experience”

For Dwight Clark, a former Dean at Stanford, who accompanied the visiting students, the performance was unforgettable. Learning Across Borders was initiated by Clark, in 1991 and offers answers to young people who want to combine their on-campus education with direct experience in other cultures. The visit was a good example of intercultural understanding to broaden the perspectives of students all over the world.

At the end of the visit, most of the students had exchanged email addresses with one another proving that culture is no barrier to students and diversity makes the world a more interesting and richer place.