A shuttle bus tracking system for Sunway students and staff

A research team of the School of Computer Technology (SCT), Sunway University College has come up with an innovative solution that cuts down unnecessary waiting time for the Sunway Shuttle buses that ply the Sunway Integrated Resort City.

Using GPS data over an open framework of web services and a graphic display system, students can view the exact location of the buses in real time represented by the bus icons on a public display electronic screen. Further information is available such as estimated arrival times at a stop, when a user chooses to interact with the system via SMS, Bluetooth or the web from their mobile phone to a number displayed on the screen. A survey conducted during the research found that 82% of all respondents prefer to have arrival data available on their mobile phones.

A student reading the shuttle tracking system at the guard house of the Sun-U Residence

Currently the public display screens are located at the Sun-U Residence Guard House, the Staff Public Ubiquitous Display (SPUD) (which has a touch screen interaction) at the SCT and the plasma TVs (which can be requested by SMS) in the concourse. This facility is the research project of SCT lecturers Terence Le Grange, Daniel Leow and Lyon Laxman. The project comes under public display research in the areas of human computer interaction and ubiquitous computing. This research has been funded by an internal grant by Sunway University College.

Three students, Henni Ismail the chief architect of the system, who completed a Diploma in Information Technology, Newsha Nosrati, studying a Bachelor of Information Systems (Hons) from Iran and Nicholas Mbaria Kariuki Maina, pursuing a Diploma in Information Engineering from Kenya have been assisting in this project during their 3 month internship at the SCT.

From left to right, Nicholas Mbaria, Daniel Low, Newsha Nosrati and Terence Le Grange with the shuttle tracking system at the SPUD area in the SCT

The Sunway Shuttle bus system is a free service provided by the Sunway Group which makes multiple round trips from 7 am to 9.30 pm around the Sunway Integrated Resort City. It makes nine stops including at Monash University, Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway Resort and Spa, Sunway Lagoon Theme Park and Sunway Pyramid Mall. A complete route is approximately 6.5 km and the frequency of the bus is every 25 minutes. The average time differs depending on traffic conditions and the weather. Heavy rain and traffic are the major cause of delays.

Newsha said “It is good that we can help others using such an application. I hope more students will use the system so that they can plan their trips with greater accuracy”.

A concert like no other: RM11,700 raised for orphanage

Bandar Sunway – Kindness was in the air recently as the Kids4Kids Charity Concert took place at the Multi-Purpose Hall of Sunway University College. The event was jointly organised by the Junior Chamber International Kuala Lumpur (JCIKL), part of an international non-governmental organization (NGO) with active participation in the UN system; Sunway University College and Music Notes Sdn Bhd, Kepong.

Left to right Brian Lee, Ms. Lee Siok Ping, Director of Student Services Department, Sunway University College, JCIKL members Adam Swee, Shon Teik Lee (National Vice President of JCI Malaysia), Michael Ong and Home Patrons Dr. Chiam Yoke Choo and Dr. Paul Nah Seang Hoo)

The organizing Chairman of the event was Sunway University College alumnus and Youth & Business Director, JCIKL, Brian Lee. JCI members worldwide share the belief that in order to create lasting positive change, they must improve themselves and the world around them. “The Kids4Kids Charity Concert was one way of building a better world” said Brian Lee.

The aim of the Kids4Kids Charity Concert was to raise funds for the Orphanage Home Pertubuhan Kebajikan Kanak-Kanak Yatim dan Miskin Wawasan Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan. The concert was for the children, by the children!. The event saw children of all ages displaying their talents on the piano, drums and even on the traditional Chinese instrument GuZheng. The wide repertoire included compositions from Bach to traditional Chinese songs. The children entertained the audience with their remarkable talents and showmanship. It was a great effort on both the children’s and parents’ who generously volunteered their time and efforts for the concert.

There were also performances by the Glee Club from The Language Studio and the Blue Sand Band.

In the month preceeding the concert, the Sunway University College Young Entrepreneur Society (YES) members and Sunway University College students Heri Gunawan and Sarah Loke Xing Wen sold concert tickets to students and staff of Sunway University College. All in all RM 11,700 was raised and presented to the orphanage home which exceeded the original pledge of RM10,000.

Sponsors for the event were Fullhouse Lifestyle Store & Café, MPH Online, Apex Healthcare Berhad and AEON Co. (M) Berhad.

Accounting Quest 2010 Competition

After months of preparation and hard work, the quest for the 21st century accountants came to an exciting end on May 8 at Sunway University College, Bandar Sunway, when Sek. Men. Keb. (P) Sri Aman, Selangor, emerged the champion.

Gleeful screams greeted the announcement of their win as Amiera bt Zulkarnain, Fong Weng Yee and Iman Izni binti Ezzat Chan hugged each other on stage celebrating the rewarding conclusion to their long arduous journey.

As champions, the girls were recipients of full scholarships from Sunway University College to pursue a foundation programme continuing into an undergraduate degree in accounting, and the opportunity to be mentored by KPMG, one of the prestigious Big 4 accounting firms, in their final year of studies. Upon graduation, with all conditions fulfilled, they will also be offered a job by KPMG. Each of the champions walked away with RM1000 cash prize and individual trophy, along with RM500 cash prize and a Challenge Trophy for their school.

Launched in April, the inaugural Accounting Quest 2010 is a gruelling competition divided into five stages. It was opened to all secondary school students of Form 4 and 5 in Peninsula Malaysia. 138 schools from 6 regions took part with the top 21 teams (three from each region with the exception of six from Selangor-Kuala Lumpur) making it into the finals.

This competition aimed to unearth well-rounded students who have the qualities to be groomed into a progressive 21st century accountant.

The much anticipated finals started with Stage 3 where each team was drilled on their knowledge of the accounting subject. Enthusiastic supporters in the audience were also spotted trying to solve the problems. Eight teams with the highest scores proceeded to Stage 4.

Stage 4 presented a different challenge to the participants. In line with the idea that the modern accountant not only crunch numbers but also possesses good business acumens and the ability to interact with investors, each team was required to make a 3-minute PowerPoint presentation of their Stage 2 project.

Ranging from beverage manufacturers like F&N to conglomerates like Sime Darby, the teams made in-depth analyses of the performance of their chosen companies and attempted to convince the judges to invest in them. After each presentation, the teams were questioned on their choices and recommendations, along with their personal views on a broad range of subjects including the cause of the 2008 banking crisis, description of what a 21st century accountant should be and what are the implications of governments aiding banks in this crisis.

The panel of judges, made up of Dr. Foo Yin Fah (Head of Sunway University College School of Business), Audrey Danasamy (General Manager - Malaysia of CPA Australia), Lee Yee Keng (Audit Partner with KPMG) and Adrian Lee (Audit Partner with KPMG representing ICAEW), assessed each team based on the content of their projects, eloquence and public speaking skills.

Five teams made it into Stage 5 as the competition was raised another notch in the final speedy buzzer round where teams had to prove their smarts on general knowledge and the ability to listen to instructions. All the teams who made it this far were consistent performers since Stage 1 itself.

In the end, as all the points from every stage were tallied, SMK (P) Sri Aman had a slight edge as they performed very well during the buzzer round.

The Accounting Quest 2010 is organised by Sunway University College in partnership with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and CPA Australia, along with the main sponsor, KPMG.

Congratulations to the champions and all the other teams who also did a tremendous job in the Accounting Quest 2010.

The full list of winners:

Champion SMK (P) Sri Aman, Selangor Amiera bt Zulkarnain, Foon Weng Yee, Iman Izni binti Ezzat Chan 1st Runner-Up SMK Damansara Jaya (Team B) Marc Choong Guong Nam, Lim Wen Li, Koh Hui Yin 2nd Runner-Up SMK Damansara Jaya (Team A) Tia Tzyy Yee, Lee Yi Zhen, Kang Chan Keat

Consolation SMK Infant Jesus Convent, Johor Chiew Yilynn, Low Hui Yi, Elyssa Chan Ern-Mei ELC International School, Kuala Lumpur Beechey Julian Charles, Khubchandani Mihir Salim, Sarah Lim Yan Yi Stage 4 Consolation SMK Taman Melawati, Selangor Kaif Hilman bin Muhammad Borhan Tan, Ong Jer Rick, Chua Wang Jheng SMJK (P) Cina, Penang Lon Chin Ling, Ooi Kiesha, Tan Pei Ying SMK (P) Methodist, Penang Andria Ooi Ching Mei, Lim Lean Na, Shirley Leong Yan Yan