Enrichment For Life

www.nilai.edu.my
Oct – Dec 2009
Inaugural Future
Leaders Camp
a Success
1World Culture
Night @ Nilai UC
New Biotech
Degree Launched
e
f
i
L
r
o
F
t
n
e
m
h
c
i
r
En
From the
President’s
Desk
Contents
2
W
hat an eventful final semester of the year we’ve had
at Nilai University College (Nilai UC)! It’s probably
been the liveliest period during my entire time here
and I am truly privileged to be part of so many exciting and
colourful events.
Nilai UC recently hosted
two major events where
students from institutions
all over the country took
part in. First, there was
the 1World Culture event
in
which
international
students from universities
all over the country
participated in a song and
dance competition. The
colourful costumes, the
rendition of wonderful
traditional songs and, best
of all, the mingling of
students from all over the world at Nilai UC was a
sight to gladden the heart. This was indeed a great and fun way
for students to better appreciate each other’s cultures.
Speaking of cultural understanding, the other event was
the inaugural Future Leaders Camp which was organised in
collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education and the
World Youth Foundation. This camp was open to students from
all private tertiary education institutions in Malaysia and the
three-day camp attracted plenty of applications.
The camp featured talks from internationally renowned
speakers, grooming sessions conducted by well-known trainers
and a parliamentary debate session that gave participants
a taste of democracy in action.
All said and done, both events were huge successes in giving
students a broader understanding of their peers and the
cultures they come from. The fact that these events were open
to students from other institutions of higher learning is a
reflection of the underlying principles of Nilai UC. We believe
in striving for the greater good of not only Malaysians, but also
of all students who are currently pursuing their higher education
here in Malaysia.
To all the staff and students who made these two events a huge
success, well done! I can only hope that future events will be as
fun, lively and educational as these two.
Prof Emeritus Tengku Dato’ Shamsul Bahrin
President
Explorer – Editorial Board
Guest Editor
Matthew Ong Bin Han
Editorial team
Aileen Anthony
Shariffah Bahyah Syed Ahmad
Daphne Leong
Shoba Rani Panneer Selvam
R Bala
Academic Happenings
New degree for a new frontier............................................................ 3
British Cambridge education for the young................................... 4
University Updates
The latest developments @ Nilai UC ................................................ 5
Cover Story
We are the world...................................................................................... 6
Camps & Student Activities
Camp declared a success ..................................................................... 8
What they had to say about the camp ......................................... 10
Regular Pages
Recipe Page.............................................................................................. 11
Book Review............................................................................................. 12
Editor’s
Voice
I am thrilled to be given the privilege to be the Guest Editor
for this issue. This final quarter of the year has seen major
developments in Nilai UC with the completion of the Hangar
and the Science and Technology building. We are proud to be
one of the few private tertiary education hotspots to offer a
programme in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering and a stateof-the-art Hangar in which students can gain valuable handson experience working on our own aircraft (see University
Updates page).
On a different note, I am equally excited with the theme that we
have chosen for this edition’s book review. We decided to tackle
three screenplays by celebrated auteur Quentin Tarantino, a
silver screen revolutionary if there ever was one. Reviewing the
screenplays provided a unique perspective into the mind of a
genuinely talented writer and how he was able to commit his
pre-celluloid ideas to paper.
We have set up a section in our resource centre for selected
movie screenplays in the hope that these pop culture
phenomena will encourage students to pick up the habit
of reading.
Matthew Ong Bin Han
Guest Editor
FIELDS OF STUDY @ NILAI UC
• Actuarial Science • Accounting • Biochemistry • Biomedical Science
• Biotechnology • Business • Culinary Arts • Computing • Engineering
• Finance • Hospitality • Hotel Management • Management • Marketing
• Mass Communications • Medical Lab Technology • Nursing
and many more...
Contact us for more information on courses available:
Main Campus, Putra Nilai
SMS 012-628 1139, call 06-850 2338 or
Email: [email protected]
Regional Programme Counselling Offices
Petaling Jaya Office
: 03-7960 3089
Johor Bahru Office
: 07-333 2336
Kota Kinabalu Office
: 088-238 811
Academic
Happenings
New degree for a
NEW FRONTIER
3
Nilai UC launches its new Bachelor of Science (Hons)
Biotechnology programme with the aim of producing
skilled biotechnologists for this expanding sector.
By R Bala
N
Nilai UC’s Biotechnology Degree will give
students a solid foundation in this field.
& Technology block
Nilai UC’s new Science f-the-art facilities.
te-o
sta
h
wit
ed
is equipp
ilai University College (Nilai UC) recently launched its Bachelor of
Science (Hons) Biotechnology and at the same time created an
Industry Advisory Panel. This Advisory Panel is to ensure that students
and academics are constantly updated of the latest developments in this
fast-changing field and to allow industry partners to guide the programme
towards what the market demands.
This Advisory Panel consists of representatives from Felda Biotechnology
(Dr Siti Habsah Roowi), Inno Bio Ventures Sdn Bhd (Dr Zulkefli Zamrod),
Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation Sdn Bhd (Tan Sri Datuk Dr
Ahmad Zaharudin Idrus), Malaysian Biotechnology Information Centre
(Mahaletchumy Arujanan), and Vivantis Technologies Sdn Bhd
(Dr Chee Hui Yee).
With such luminaries guiding the first degree programme to come solely
under the Nilai UC banner, parents and students can be assured of an upto-date syllabus, which meets the industry’s stringent requirements, and its
workforce needs.
Dr. Alice Escala
qualified a gradnte De Cruz says that the
better
especially in th uate, the brighter the pros
e field of biotec
pects,
hnology.
The future for students in this exciting field is indeed bright as Chairman of
the Advisory Panel, Dr Zaharudin, points out that Malaysia has structured
itself for growth in the sectors of industry, agriculture and health. The National
Policy on Biotechnology which was put in place in 2005 forecasted the field
to contribute 5% towards the GDP alongside the formation of 100 world-class
biotechnology facilities which will help meet the targeted 300,000 jobs.
“We are well on the way towards exceeding those targets. When that policy
was put in place, the targets were conservative,” says Dr Zaharudin which
bodes well for the future prospects of graduates in this field.
ry Advisory
Members of the Indust g the MoU
Panel signin
This is the reason why Nilai UC has launched this biotechnology degree
programme to supplement the existing diploma programme. Nilai UC Head
of Maths & Science Department, Dr. Alice Escalante De Cruz, states simply that
students graduating with specialised courses secure better career prospects
and higher numeration. On the new degree programme itself, Dr Alice states
that a general degree provides a sound grounding of basic sciences to
students who intend to take up courses in such highly specialised streams
via a MSc and/or PhD.
“The general degree will also give our students a feel of the different
disciplines that make up biotechnology. Students get to choose electives in
their third year. So students who are interested in research can choose more
science electives whilst students looking to go into business can choose
business electives. Students can even choose a combination of both science
and business electives,” says Dr Alice.
Future young pioneers in the
local biotechnology scene
Intake for the biotechnology degree programme is currently underway
and classes will commence in January 2010. This Nilai UC programme will
incorporate industry placement and extra co-curricular credits which
place emphasis on non-field related subjects such as ethics, public
speaking and anthropology. This allows for the development of
well-rounded graduates who will be a boon not just to the workforce
but also to society as a whole.
www.nilai.edu.my
Academic
Happenings
4
British Cambridge
Education FOR
THE YOUNG
ren for an international
Parents can send their child
al School starting from
education at Nilai Internation
January 2010.
N
ilai Resources Group Berhad further
enhanced its already burgeoning
education credentials with the new
Nilai International School (NIS) set to open
its doors in January 2010. Located next to
the 105-acre campus of the 13-year old
Nilai University College (Nilai UC), NIS is set
to be the largest international school in the
country with its 15-acre site.
“After experiencing a steep learning curve
for the past decade, we decided it is time
for us to bring our unique brand of quality
education to an even younger market.
Education is a priority for many families and
they are prepared to invest at a younger
age rather than wait till college or tertiary
levels to spend,” says Professor Emeritus
Tengku Dato’ Shamsul Bahrin, NIS Director.
“Couple that with the growing expatriate
population, especially south of Kuala
Lumpur, the growth has been huge with
the advent of Cyberjaya, Putrajaya and the
Kuala Lumpur International Airport. NIS is
being set up as a modern, state-of-the-art
school which has safe and comfortable
accommodation principally for this
segment of the market.”
Set among the lush greenery of the quiet
suburb of Putra Nilai, it is the ideal setting
for an educational institution, away from
the hustle and bustle of the city and its
attendant distractions. The fact that NIS is
situated in the middle of an education hub
boasting three tertiary institutions speaks
volumes for the suitability of the location
as it has the necessary infrastructure to
support a large student population.
With plenty of restaurants, hypermarkets
and sporting facilities dotting the area,
parents will be relieved to see the landscape
of this town unblemished by tons of
24-hour snooker centres, public houses
and video arcades.
A Tried and Trusted Curriculum
NIS will offer the internationally recognised
British Cambridge curriculum from the
primary level all to way to Year-13 (A-levels).
In January 2010, it will open its doors for
student enrolments in the Cambridge
International Primary Programme and the
Cambridge Lower Secondary Programme.
Cambridge International Primary Programme
(Key Stage 1, Year 1-2, 5-7 year olds)
The Cambridge International Primary
Programme (CIPP) provides young
children with a framework to develop
strong mathematics, English and
science skills. Its tried and tested
approach helps educators identify a
student’s strengths and weaknesses
and through using this information,
provide the necessary support needed
to guide each child. Educators are also
trained to measure a child’s progress
and provide structured and cohesive
feedback to parents.
Cambridge Lower Secondary Programme
(Key Stage 2, Year 3-6, 7-11 year olds)
The Cambridge Lower Secondary
Programme (CLSP) builds on the
primary stage, and further develops
a child’s knowledge and skills in
mathematics, English and science.
Throughout the programme, students
will sit for “check point tests” to
evaluate
their
strengths
and
weaknesses before they move on to
the International General Certificate
of Secondary Education (IGCSE)/
O level stage.
Unique in SEA
Apart from the British Cambridge
International Examinations curriculum,
NIS will provide an“Inclusion Programme”
for children with special needs. A Special
Development Support Unit will carry
out this curriculum. NIS will be the only
international school in the Southeast Asian
region to offer such specialised facilities.
Besides offering sporting facilities such
as basketball and badminton courts,
swimming pool and football pitch, students
at NIS will also have the opportunity to
learn golf from professional coaches and
gain access to a 27-hole golf course, five
minutes away at the sister companies,
Nilai Springs Resort Hotel and Nilai Springs
Golf and Country Club.
For more information, please send
an email to [email protected]
or call 06-850 2188.
University
Updates
5
By Matthew Ong Bin Han
ent receives
Nilai UC Presid
Honorary Doctorate
President,
Nilai University College (Nilai UC)
Shamsul
’
Dato
ku
Teng
ritus
Professor Eme
orary
Hon
Bahrin, was recently awarded an
This
n.
ratio
inist
Adm
Doctorate in Business
-term
long
UC’s
i
Nila
by
d
erre
award was conf
ersity,
academic partner Oxford Brookes Univ
sul’s
Sham
ku
Teng
UK in recognition of
d”
of
re
uit
ou
purs
on
the
in
“H
tion
l:
ribu
su
outstanding cont
Tengku Sham
e.
llenc
exce
academic
Nilai UC Responds to H1N1 Epidemic
In light of the recent H1N1 scare, Nila
i UC has taken immediate
preventive measures on campus for
the well being of its students.
Staff and students are encouraged
to wear masks to lower the
risk of being infected and feverish
students are immediately
ferried to nearby clinics. Hand
sanitizers have also been
installed in all administrative and host
el
blocks. A health centre,
monitored throughout
the day by nursing
lecturers, and various
temperature checkpoints
are in constant operation.
Thanks to overwhelming
cooperation, there are no
confirmed cases in Nilai
All students are screened
UC to date.
the main entrance.
at
New Science & Technology
Building Up
Complete with the latest modern creature comforts, Nilai
UC’s new Science and Technology building is constructed
in response to the institution’s expanding range of
science-related courses and growing student population.
The 5-storey edifice features up-to-the-minute laboratory
apparatus, engineering workshops, as well as AV-equipped
classrooms and auditoriums. It also houses the School
of Allied Health
Sciences and the
School of Science
and Technology.
Biotech students
taking samples from a
laboratory centrifuge.
to receive
“I am very honoured and proud
Business
of
the Honorary award of Doctor
ersity
Univ
kes
Broo
rd
Administration from Oxfo
of
ilege
priv
the
had
have
I
y
– a universit
years. I
12
past
the
ng
duri
with
ng
associati
as an equal
would also like to think of this award
boration
colla
l
essfu
succ
recognition of the
Brookes
rd
Oxfo
een
betw
ed
forg
been
that has
said
ge,”
Colle
y
University and Nilai Universit
Tengku Shamsul.
wn at
Plane Touc hes wDoHa
Nilai UC’s Ne ngar
To the boon of its Aircraft
Maintenance Engineering
students, Nilai UC aces
another mile in providing
students with the most
progressive facilities with
the completion of the
’s
13,000 square feet hangar
sting in Nilai UC
The aircraft re ar.
the
of
al
arriv
nt
rece
and the
spacious hang
aircraft. The cutting-edge
hangar, set against a lush
airplane and is furnished
green background, is now home to an
ps. Aspiring engineers
ksho
with attached classrooms and wor
ial endeavours in a
spat
and
emic
can now further their acad
more wholesome feel of
setting designed to give students a
the industry.
Kick-off Time Approaches!
Nilai UC recently moved its full-sized football pitch to a
new site behind the S&T Block. This was to accommodate
the construction of the new Nilai International School (see
opposite page). The lush green turf is now almost ready
for the studs of Nilai UC’s formidable football contingent.
Students looking to parade their silky skills on this
beautiful pitch can contact the Department of Sports and
Recreation (06-850 2338 ext. 292).
Velvet temptation for the
soles
www.nilai.edu.my
Cover
Story
6
UC’s
riving at Nilai
Participants armpus
ca
e
qu
pictures
E
H
T
e
r
We a
Ready, Set, GO!
nal event
a truly internatio
as
w
e
ur
lt
Cu
ld
ing.
Nilai UC’s 1Wor
the world compet
er
ov
l
al
om
fr
ts
with studen
Han
By Matthew Ong Bin
t
ith a melting po
ep, campuses w
st
e
or
rv
se
do
ld
ry
ve
ou
r
w
e have at ou
1World Culture
such, we hope
ral exchange
of cultures. As
courage cultu
en
to
ato’
rm
fo
at
itus Tengku D
as an active pl
ofessor Emer
Pr
at
C)
ys
U
sa
i
,”
ila
ts
College (N
ry studen
among tertia
ilai University
the
N
of
of
ity
t
rs
en
ve
id
di
es
the
in, Pr
at celebrating
Shamsul Bahr
ral
re event. Aimed
l students’ cultu
ltu
na
io
Cu
at
ld
rn
or
te
1W
in
is
the
th
ith
,
w
sia
n
ay
tio
al
collabora
lation in M
by Nilai UC in
student popu
ed
st
ho
ce
d
an
an
nised
attend
night was orga
ion. The VIP in
of
Higher Educat
er
of
ist
in
ry
M
ist
y
in
ut
M
the
h, the Dep
lla
du
Ab
in
dd
was Dato’ Saifu
ion.
Higher Educat
a
es, more than
zzling costum
da
ss
in
ro
t
ac
en
nd
ns
Resple
20 institutio
icipants from
ober
hundred part
UC on 10 Oct
ila
rived in N i
ar
r in
a
he
ul
ot
ns
an
ni
e
pe
on
the
s against
nt
le
ta
r
ei
ttle
th
ba
h
a
was
2009 to pitc
l and dance. It
ca
vo
s
–
am
s
te
rie
ur
go
fo
e best
two cate
Graceful, gorgeous
se, in which th
us
io
es
fin
tig
es
d
pr
an
e
ir
th
of fla
and gyra-licious
make it to
ld
ou
to
w
ry
on
go
bo
lead dancer from
ed to be a
in each cate
ov
pr
ds
un
ro
s
y
iminar
the winning team
vibrant storie
ch
hi
w
finals. The prel
g
rin
judges, du
to life
t
d
gh
an
ou
ce
br
en
e
di
er
the au
r lives, w
ities of the
r land, and thei
e spring festiv
of people, thei
th
–
ins
ur
lo
co
ni
d tech
sorrowful refra
onstage in vivi
uals, and the
rit
ar
w
i
en
m
y, Ye
Kashmir Valle
me but a few.
ountains, to na
m
an
ni
Ira
e
th
of
competition in
nt rules of the
ge
rin
st
e
th
“Given
one Malaysian
can only have
am
te
t
ch
ea
ch
whi
teams truly pu
e competing
am
I
.
ow
participant, th
sh
ly breathtaking
up an incredib
hich team
icted as to w
nfl
co
ly
al
on
pers
s,” remarked
te to the final
should gradua
ic lecturer
Abbas, a mus
judge Rosdan
USM students
bringing the exotic
tastes of Siam
to Nilai UC
“W
The VIPs leading
the Negaraku
at the opening
of the event.
Hell hath no fury…
like these Nilai UC
homegrown dancers.
Organised by:
Green
In collaboration with:
Green
Undulating
Indonesian rice
harvest moves by
talents from UM
Cover
Story
7
We did it!
D
L
R
O
W
The event was a true
amalgamation of cultures.
ternoon,
end of the af
ARA). By the
SW
),
(A
PM
y
(U
em
sia
ad
itage Ac
tra Malay
lture, and Her
, Universiti Pu
Cu
ge
,
d
lle
ts
re
Ar
Co
du
l
en
ity
na
rs
io
ly
ve
orious
from the Nat
aled. Nilai Uni
rlis (UMP) vict
s had been se
rsiti Malaysia Pe
ve
PM closed the
ni
U
U
d
d
an
the teams’ fate
,
an
),
), UMP, USM
M
alaysia (USM
(U
M
s
a
in
ay
al
Sa
M
iti
rs
Unive
Universiti
lefield, whereas
the vocal batt
e rounds.
nc
da
y
ar
e prelimin
well-equipped
curtains on th
er at Nilai UC’s
nn
di
r
fo
ffice
ur
no
ests of ho
d latest front-o
list kitchens an
arrival of the gu
ia
e
Hall,
th
ec
t
w
sp
en
sa
id
six
g
es
in
es
Pr
Even
ned to the
which featur
,
ur
nt
jo
ra
ad
au
st
ne
re
yo
tit
er
after ev
e compe ion
formal dining
kicked off soon
e stage. With th
s
th
al
This vocal and
up
fin
g
e
ifying
in
Th
.
rn
es
Team bu
ameniti
osphere electr
angklung troupe
Festive Drums
d
e and the atm
24
an
ns
s
te
ts
C’
in
an
U
e
i
ch
er
ila
t
w
N
s
an
from USM walked
with
the final
triumph
s, replete with
e eight teams,
away with the
spective team
down to a mer
re
r
ei
th
on
g
best vocal prize.
roarin
with the crowd
d.
ns.
r the final roun
standing ovatio
be selected fo
to
rican
d
Af
le
e
ril
th
th
m
e
tries fro
lists wer
m various coun
megrown voca
undation
fro
ho
Fo
ts
n
r,
en
te
ow
ud
es
ry
st
m
ve
of
Se
Nilai UC’s
consisting
azze (3rd
–
Ky
l
b
na
le
io
Zulu number,
at
Ca
rn
al
er
te
on
ad
uly in
g a traditi
ys group le
in
sa
rm
,”
“Our team is tr
rfo
sia
pe
ay
al
in
M
sters
golia, and
his fellow song
continent, Mon
nda, who led
ga
U
m
fro
s)
in Busines
lk dance that
g.
exhilarating fo
an
o,
e
Ka
We Are Growin
ib
at
Kr
ed that we mad
e Seang
tremely delight
rmances was th
ex
to
rfo
us
am
pe
r
“I
e
.
fo
nc
nd
ft
la
le
da
l that’s
ern Thai
teworthy
al stretch is al
le in Northeast
Among the no
rs and
off and the fin
ral life of peop
id
tu
choreographe
ul
pa
s
ric
ad
le
ha
ag
,
k
e
nd
or
th
la
w
ai
rd
Th
ha
details
m
ur
fro
O
oomat
We had fun.
d Sunita Rakm
it to the finals.
rin Pakdee an
as
N
d
ke
ar
m
negotiate,” re
.
ell as UPM’s
team from USM
from UM as w
e
nc
da
t
an
es
dancers for the
rv
nters. An Irani
sian rice-ha
est Papuan hu
emale Indone
W
l-f
P
g
al
M
in
U
ct
an
pi
m
ed
de
fro
s
ud
ladies
d incl
ed dancer
The final roun
nesian tunes by
le
ng, body-paint
do
Co
pi
In
y
of
om
on
y
st
th
le
ic
An
ed
hm
ngbird
UPM and a m
group of rhyt
ature blues so
rsiti
live music from
rformances fe
Universiti-Unive
pe
an
st
ya
ue
G
da
folk song with
s.
bu
at
Ke
fe
l
lis
aj
ca
M
vo
m
e
bl
fro
n
were also nota
nce presentatio
ilai UC and a da
Kahaya from N
e
UM).
champion of th
Malaysia (MAK
P emerged as
M
U
nd
–
co
lts
se
su
e
re
ok th
the following
province. UM to
to a close with
cal category,
China’s Xinjiang
vo
m
e
fro
th
s
r
fo
ep
The night drew
st
As
g
s.
tin
up
la
er
til
in
nn
sc
ru
d
ith
w
joint 2n
full troupe of
dance category
mpanied by a
PM and USM as
U
co
ac
by
y
ist
el
and
lo
os
so
cl
e
ing was USM
sive femal
trophy, followed
In second plac
ith their impres
s.
w
er
y
or
ay
ct
pl
vi
t)
ed
en
USM claim
mboo instrum
t Javanese ba
angklung (Wes
her
and UMP.
Minister of Hig
finally Nilai UC
h, the Deputy
lla
ilai
du
N
It’s all smiles and laughter
Ab
to
s
in
do
dd
s tonight. Ku
m Dato’ Saifu
ce
fro
an
p
for the winners of the
rm
-u
bs
rfo
ia
pe
um
ived the th
y more tert ry
ality of the
dance category from UMP
The event rece
, and may man
the sterling qu
re
by
ltu
d
Cu
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www.nilai.edu.my
Campus
& Student
activities
8
Camp declared
a SUCCESS
inaugural Future Leaders
Participants and MOHE give
a
Camp two thumbs up. By R Bal
Organised by:
Participants paying close attention
to one of the speakers
In collaboration with:
In affiliation with:
Nilai UC SRC President, Philip leading the
students in the Future Leaders’ pledge
T
he inaugural Future Leaders Camp
was declared a resounding success
by the participants and its principal
sponsors. The camp, originally mooted
by the administrators of Nilai University
College (Nilai UC) as a way to bring students
from different cultural backgrounds closer
together, was well received by the Ministry
of Higher Education, which agreed to
sponsor the event. Along with backing from
the World Youth Foundation, the camp
attracted plenty of applicants from private
tertiary institutions all over Malaysia.
(L-R) Abdul Karim Jaafar of MOHE,
Varsha Ajmeera of WYF & Prof Emeritus
Tengku Dato’ Shamsul Bahrin of
Nilai UC revealing the camp logo
during the opening ceremony
YAM Tunku Ali giving his keynote
address on the first day
Held at Nilai UC’s sister company, Nilai
Springs Resort Hotel and Nilai Springs
Golf and Country Club, the camp featured
a host of activities that was designed to
give students a better understanding of
cultural diversity and what they can do to
break down barriers between students who
hail from different cultural backgrounds.
Yang Amat Mulia Tunku Ali Redhauddin
Tuanku Muhriz, Tunku Besar Seri Menanti,
Negeri Sembilan, who gave the keynote
address expressed his pleasure at being
able to speak to such a large international
audience. He believed that by getting
such a diverse group together for a camp
itself allowed students to learn more
about their peers.
Students getting the lowdown
on grooming and etiquette
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia). Other
speakers and guests of note during the
three-day camp included Dr Bawa Jain
(Chairman, World Youth Peace Summit)
and Ramdas Tikamdas (Former President,
National Human Rights Society). The latter
oversaw a parliamentary-styled discussion
on ‘Inter-Cultural Relations in Private
Institutions of Higher Learning’. He pointed
out that after the voting process had
been tabulated, some of the resolutions
could lead to draconian laws. However, he
commended the students for being able
to take part in a parliamentary session in
an orderly and civil manner. He hoped that
this sample of democracy would lead them
to greater things in their home countries.
The participants were also very enamored
by Dr Bawa’s speech where he regaled
them with many of his experiences of
meeting leaders including former US
Proceedings started on a serious academic
note as students listened to Prof Datuk
Dr Shamsul Amri Baharuddin (Founding
Director of Institute of Ethnic Studies,
Starting the camp off with a big bang
Clear signal as to what students
thought of the camp
Dr Bawa Jain had the students’
rapt attention with his anecdotes.
Camp participants arriving
at Nilai Springs Hotel
Campus
& Student
activities
9
A truly multicultural performance
from Nilai UC students
President Bill Clinton. Dr Bawa’s rallying
call for students to be leaders now and not
just the future was met with resounding
approval. Indeed, his session was met with
the most questions as students queued
up to get an insight into his mission and
work which includes being the Secretary
General of the World Council of Religious
Leaders. In the capacity as the latter, he
recounted how a media mogul caused a
furor at an international event when he
addressed religious leaders from all over
the world without following proper
protocol. Dr Bawa said this was an
important lesson for him as it underlined
the importance of doing research on his
subject matter. He said that if he had done
some homework about the personality,
he would have realised the need to have
a briefing on the protocol procedure. He
implored students to always be prepared
by doing the necessary homework on
other people’s cultural backgrounds as it
could avoid unnecessary pitfalls as well as
serve as a useful tool in negotiations.
“This Future Leaders Camp is the culmination
of many months of planning and hard work.
It is truly wonderful to see that this has come
together and to witness students from all four
corners of the globe interacting with each other.
Job well done to all the organisers, sponsors
and the participants themselves for making this
such a memorable event.”
Prof. Emeritus Tengku Dato’ Shamsul Bahrin, Nilai UC President
Students were also exposed to some
personal development sessions. The Dale
Carnegie Trainers gave students plenty of
useful pointers on how to build confidence
and to solve problems with a positive
attitude. Chapter One Asia treated students
to an etiquette and grooming session which
pointed out a number of fashion faux paus
not acceptable in the corporate sector.
At the end of the three day camp, many
students expressed their belief that they
are leaving as better persons equipped
with essential knowledge which will help
them grow into leaders. “I have learnt
so much from the talks and seminars. In
these three days I have made so many new
friends from all over the world. This camp
has been a truly life-changing experience,”
proclaimed Ruben Devapatham, student
in Nilai UC’s Diploma in Aircraft
Maintenance Engineering programme.
Similar sentiments were repeated at the
Nilai UC-MOHE Future Leaders Camp
Facebook site (http://www.facebook.com/
group.php?gid=136508481094), which is
a clear signal to the organisers that the
following edition of the camp has a very
high standard to meet.
The camp saw eager participation
throughout its 3 days.
Hectic schedule made for
hungry participants
www.nilai.edu.my
Campus
& Student
activities
10
Aidos Kuspanov
Kazakhstan
Intensive English Programme,
Nilai University College
“The camp was great! It was a great learning
experience as there was no room for any
participant to be passive in the heated
debates, workshops, and group efforts.
This camp was also unlike any regular
motivational seminar as there was solid
academic substance mixed with a good
measure of fun. I thoroughly enjoyed it.”
Andrew Zibusiso
Jubane
Zimbabwe
International Business,
Limkokwing University
“I want to be an inspiration to others and I’ve
met people here who are like me, peers with
the same goals and similar aspirations. In this
camp, we were not given solutions. We were
given keys to open doors. Therein lie the
solutions.”
Benjamin
Tsu-Ming Chen
Canada
Hospitality Management,
Berjaya University College
“Come out of your comfort zone, be whom
you want to be, and work towards it. That’s
what I’ve learned here and it involves
dealing with people, situations, and myself
well. I had high expectations for this camp
and they were all met.”
Elbegzaya
Temuulen
Mongolia
B.A. (Hons) in Business &
Hospitality Management,
Nilai University College
“As an international student, I am
extremely encouraged by the warmth
and hospitality practiced in this camp.
Students from all backgrounds were active
in their interactions with one another and
showed great solidarity. Two thumbs up to
the Future Leaders Camp for breaking all
boundaries.”
Isaravut
Iamviriyakul
Viktoriya
Boretskaya
Uzbekistan
Electronical Engineering,
Universiti Teknologi Petronas
“Facilitating a platform for me to
experience various cultures and learn from
different people was one of the treasures
of this camp. I am new to Malaysia and it
gladdens me to see great respect practiced
among the many new friends I have made
here. This was inarguably one of my best
weekends ever.”
Jason Chua Jin Jian
Malaysia
B.A. (Hons) in Business &
Marketing Management,
Nilai University College
“An immense success. This camp helped in
building my self-esteem and in enhancing
my communication skills. More importantly, it
taught me mutual respect and understanding
and the important role that these values play
in intercultural relationships.”
WHAT
THEY
Thailand
Business & Commerce,
Monash University
“I learned the importance of integrity and
respect in effective networking. Given my
field of study, these would certainly help
me in my future undertakings, as I will be
actively involved in diversifying workplace
environments. Kudos to Nilai UC for the
incredibly memorable experience.”
Mohd Yusuf Khan
India
Telecommunications
Engineering,
Multimedia University
“The grooming and etiquette workshop
was one of the most insightful and fun
activities in camp. I learned that appropriate
dressing has significant impact on how
others would perceive you, especially in
a professional setting. Clothes really do
make a man!”
Nabeelah Jogee
Zimbabwe
Oxford-Brookes Law,
KDU College
“Amazing and inspiring. With regards to my
legal studies, this camp has taught me to
listen, analyse, think deeply, and not judge
too easily. I met diverse people from diverse
places here and it’s an experience that I
wouldn’t have traded for the world.”
t
u
o
b
a
y
a
s
had to
P
M
A
C
THE
By Matthew Ong Bin
Han
Philip Emokpare
Oluwatoba
Nigeria
Bachelor of Computer Science
(Hons), Nilai University College
“This camp helped me put things in
perspective. For instance, the parliamentary
debate was an eye-opener as to how such
proceedings are done on an objective
and professional level. In my capacity as
SRC President, I will certainly take what
I’ve learned here to promote greater
intercultural understanding in the melting
pot of cultures that is Nilai UC.”
Shivani
Rachagan
Malaysia
A-Levels,
HELP University College
“Absolutely awesome. I really enjoyed
Dr Bawa Jain’s session on cultural
diversity and self-preparation. With such
exemplary facilitators, I think this camp
effectively helped promote appreciation
for intercultural and inter-religious
diversity as well as develop appropriate
sensibilities and sensitivities for the
incumbent differences. My horizons
have truly been expanded.”
Recipe
Page
Almond
e
k
a
C
e
t
a
l
o
c
o
Ch
11
By Chef Siti Fatimah Ali
Chocolate C
ream
Ingredients:
Castor sugar
Butter
Eggs
Wheat flour
Cocoa powder
Soda bicarbonate
Almond flakes
Chocolate chips
Method:
1. Beat castor sugar and butter
Ingredients:
Double crea
m
Cooking cho
co
late
Method:
415 gm
250 gm
7 nos.
215 gm
75 gm
5 gm
125 gm
125 gm
Bring cream
to boil and p
our it into a
filled with ch
mould
opped cooki
ng chocolate
.
2. Stir until cho
until fluffy.
100 ml
200 gm
colate melts
. Mix well.
3. Rest at room
before spread temperature until cool
ing on top o
f the cake.
2. Add in the eggs one by one.
wder and soda
oa po
3. Next, add in flour, cocen
sifted together.
bicarbonate that have be
ond flakes and
Finally, add in the alm
ll.
chocolate chips. Mix we
4.
.
5. Bake at 180ºC for 45 minutes
ing the topping
6. Chill the cake before spread
cream on the cake.
Chef Siti is a lecturer &
pastry expert in Nilai UC School
of Hospitality and Tourism.
N
ilai UC School of Hospitality and Tourism has one of the
largest training kitchens among private tertiary education
institutions in the country. The 5,046 square feet training
kitchen includes six specialist kitchens as well as a 100-seater
demonstration kitchen, all of which service a formal dining restaurant.
The school also offers the following programmes:
• B.A. (Hons) in Business & Hospitality Management
• Bachelor of Tourism Management (Hons),
Thompson Rivers University, Canada (4+0)
• Diploma in Culinary Arts
• Diploma in Hotel Management
• Diploma in Tourist Guide Operations
• Diploma in Tourism Management
• Certificate in Food & Beverage Services
• Certificate in Hotel Operations
www.nilai.edu.my
Book
Review
12
About the author
arantino-esque. An adjective
used to describe anything
reminiscent of Tarantino’s
works. How many directors or
screenwriters get to enter the
lexicon of popular culture, and after
just two films at that!
Named the 12th greatest director
of all time by Total Film in 2007, one
would imagine that Quentin Jerome
Tarantino was a prodigious graduate
of a noted film academy. Contrarily,
Tarantino dropped out of school
at 15 and at 22, held employment
at a video rental store where he
would spend all day watching,
studying, and recommending films
to customers.
Captivating actor Harvey Keitel
with his remarkable flair for screenwriting, Tarantino’s debut
film Reservoir Dogs garnered critical acclaim, earning cult
status. His screenplays have since gone on to become
bestsellers all over the globe, ubiquitous for their witty
dialogues and simultaneous non-linear storylines that saw a
boom in independent cinema throughout the 90s.
Celebrated his films may be, it is his screenplays which are
being reviewed here. With the success of his most recent effort
– Inglourious Basterds – it is perhaps worthwhile to re-examine
why his written work has garnered so much praise.
As Tarantino once said, “Well, not to be facetious or
anything, but…I’m a good writer!” Amen to that.
Matthew Ong Bin Han
T
Inglourious Basterds
This latest film has put the spotlight
back on Tarantino and rightly so.
This World War II revenge fantasy
saga topped the box office charts a
couple of months back thanks in no
small part to the pulling power of Brad
Pitt’s super square jaw.
But take away the star power;
the cooler-than-thou soundtrack and
the Technicolour splendour that is
Tarantino’s trademark, what we are
left with are the words that drive this
story. Set in Nazi-occupied France, the
screenplay has two divergent stories
that meld into one. One follows a young
Jewish girl who narrowly escapes the clutches of the sadistic Col
Landa – nicknamed ‘Jew Hunter’ - but later has a chance to extract
her own revenge. The other follows the exploits of a group of Jewish
American GIs – The Basterds - whose mission is to maim, torture
and scalp Nazis behind enemy lines. This ploy is to spread dread
and trepidation amongst the Nazi troops stationed in France.
What makes this screenplay so worthwhile is that you get
plenty of extra scenes which ended up on the cutting room floor.
For instance, you get to read how one of the ‘basterds’ came about
carrying a baseball bat and why he uses it to bludgeon his victims
to death. The violence is central to the appeal of this screenplay as
it turns the tables on the perpetrators. Unlike other WWII books and
films where the Jews are helpless victims, Tarantino turns them into
avenging demons hell bent on extracting every ounce of pleasure
from each slaying.
Not quite his best work but still a hugely entertaining read.
R Bala
Natural
Born Writer
The Explorer team sinks its collective teeth into Le Big
Mac of screenplays – the works of Quentin Tarantino.
Reservoir Dogs
Madonna’s hit single Like A
Virgin and the practice of tipping.
What could be more banal
conversation topics? Yet the
opening sequence set in a diner
was quite simply electrifying.
Introducing the colour-coded
characters and their personal
idiosyncrasies, this sequence
highlights the author’s special
talent for turning the mundane
into screenplay gold. A DVD of
Reservoir Dogs recently landed on my desk as a birthday present
from a colleague and I almost never finished the film due to some
snap judgments but I have since recanted.
Reading this screenplay proves that Tarantino is a bleeding
genius. The non-linear timeline adds to the chaos of a jewel heist
gone very, very bad and the sense of urgency grows with each
dialogue-filled page. Note the film was made on a shoestring budget
and relied almost entirely on the quality of the lines and the actors
delivering them.
The sheer joy of reading Tarantino’s stream of snappy dialogue
makes you want to don a sharp suit and a pair of shades yourself to
be part of this crew. And if you have seen the film, you get that extra
enjoyment recalling the scenes, songs, and better yet, the droll,
deadpan voice of the radio deejay that plays in the background. For
sheer impact and ability to inspire, Reservoir Dogs is almost second
to none. Well, until you read Pulp Fiction that is...
Aileen Anthony
Pulp Fiction
‘Royale with cheese.’ ‘Ezekiel
25:17.’ ‘Wake up the gimp.’ Hear
any of these catch phrases and the
initiated will be immediately sucked
back into the hard-boiled world that
is Pulp Fiction. This monumental
film won the coveted Palme d’Or at
the Cannes Film Festival and Best
Original Screenplay at the Oscars
in 1994. Despite having penned a
debut as explosive as Reservoir Dogs
and the controversial Natural Born
Killers, Pulp Fiction is widely regarded as Quentin Tarantino’s finest
screenplay to date.
The title, Pulp Fiction refers to mid-20th century pulp magazines
and hardboiled detective fiction, known for their graphic violence and
incisive dialogue. With a superficially disjointed anthology of three
intersecting stories, Tarantino and co-screenwriter Roger Avary
manage to mould vacuum into matter in their skilful preservation
of the verbal rhythm and wicked playfulness of dialogues while
seasoning the script with thick layers of dark ironic humour and pop
culture references.
Amidst all the filmic bloodletting, devilishly lurid cinematic
allusions, and hair-raising moments of suspense, readers with an eye
for detail will be thrilled to no end with the characteristic nonchalance
and seemingly inane banter that features prominently in scenes that
would usually be expected to require the opposite. But that is what
makes Tarantino fun to read – he delivers the familiar with a twist and
continually prepares us for another. The man can’t act, but he can
sure write a killer script. Matthew Ong Bin Han
All screenplays featured here are available at Nilai UC’s Resource Centre.