Happenings 6 - Kolej Yayasan UEM

Issue 6/January 2011
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A member of UEM Group
A landscaping project, which was initiated by students
of the Green Thumb Club with the aim of beautifying our
college premises even further, was given some further
sprucing up recently.
This project which started some time back was in line with
the overall objective of beautifying our college grounds in
making it increasingly conducive for student life.
Beautifying
our
Premises
Campus Beautification a work in progress
2
The area around the footpath linking the Resource
Centre with the steps leading down to the cafeteria
was chosen by the students in their initial effort.
This footpath through the garden is a popular route,
and it is used by students as well as staff members
everyday.
With this sprucing up, the pathway now leads one
through neat greenery with flower & plant troughs
and ponds on either side, and it will also mean a
walk through a pretty arch as well.
This latest enhancement of the KYUEM landscape
is truly a welcome one, and it is the result of the hard
work of all concerned. So, hats off to all you guys at
our Green Thumb Club!
wer troughs...
Pretty walkw
ant and flo
ays through pl
An exercise like this helps our aim of
maintaining our college as an excellent
learning environment.
even an arch!
3
Visiting schools is one effective way of creating
awareness among students of our offerings here at
KYUEM.
School Visits
This, in turn, will translate into a growing student interest in our college set up
and their eventual decision to join us here at Lembah Beringin and undertake
our splendid A-Level programme.
To date, we have made several visits and met
students at various schools within the Klang Valley
and beyond.
These visits were more than successful. In fact, they
were eye-opening experiences to say the least.
Neil and
Carol Sutherland
speaking
to students
at MRSM
Balik Pulau
in Penang
At each one of these we were surprised by the
numbers that were present to meet us and stay on
for the KYUEM Presentation by our Headmaster,
Mr. Sutherland.
Our school visits programme is overall very
encouraging indeed as can be seen by the level
of response we have been experiencing. To date
several
school
visits,
among
themREAL
Real
we have
havemade
made
several
visit,
among
them
International School in Petaling Jaya, Sekolah Tunku
Abdul Rahman in Ipoh, Sapura Smart School in
Subang (formerly APIIT Smart School) and Sekolah
Dato’ Abdul Razak in Seremban to name a few.
Sri Inai students listening attentively to Mr. Sutherland and Pn. Kasthuri
Rare Musical Talent
Having acquired the skill to play the ancient Chinese
musical instrument called the Gu Zheng, Evin Lim is
indeed a rare talent.
The senior student who hails from Jitra in Kedah
willingly takes to the stage each time the college
celebrates Chinese festivals such a Chinese New
Year and the Mooncake Festival, organised yearly
by the Chinese Cultural Club.
On each occasion she puts the audience into a
trance. And with her rendition of traditional folk tunes
everyone comes away totally in amazement for hers
is a skill most would love to have and boast about.
Evin humbly admits that she always wanted to learn
to play the piano, but where she was growing up in
her small hometown, there were obstacles. However,
when she was in Form 2 she heard about the Gu
Zheng and the 14-year-old went about excited,
wanting to find out more about the age-old musical
instrument.
4
She was truly excited to discover then
that a charity event was promoting
the instrument in her hometown where
10 lucky visitors were being given the
chance to learn to play the instrument. On top of that, the
teacher at the event was willing to teach for FREE!
Since then there has been no turning back for Evin who has
since engaged herself in many musical shows back in her
home state.
Eventually, Evin managed to buy an
instrument for herself in order to pursue
her skills at playing beautiful traditional
Chinese tunes for one and all to enjoy.
Evin is such a rare talent! We at KYUEM
are fortunate to have her entertain time
and time again.
She is currently preparing for
univer sit y over s eas
where she and her Gu
Zheng are more than
likely to woo more fans
abroad.
Evin Lim giving
a classic performance
2010
Christmas
Carolling set the festive mood going
Seniors and Juniors joined forces to organise
a wonderful evening to celebrate Christmas.
And although it was well in advance of the
actual date, the evening of November 25 felt
just right as it was also time to wish everyone
farewell before the up-coming end-of-year
holiday break.
Gathering together in a lively spirit, the
students chose to have their “do” at the new
wing which they decorated attractively to
provide that wonderful Christmas feeling.
Decorative items that bring that special Christmas feel
For
their
joyous
evening
celebration,
they
planned,
practised and eventually carried
out all that they had intended
to, among them singing of
Christmas Carols, Fun &
Games even a challenge
thrown at the students to see
who can come up with the
best Snow Man!
Deepavali, or Diwali, was held at Great Hall on
November 26, the night after the Christmas celebration.
Once again students were in their element, showing
their true spirit of comradeship and camaraderie as they
set about the task of decorating as well as preparing for
an evening of fun and entertainment.
Right from the Opening Dance, which followed the
welcome address, invited guests knew they were in for
a night of fun.
And how true, as this initial act was followed by a
colourful array of events – from a fashion show, a group
song by the Juniors, an
a exciting dance performance, a
cultural booth which demonstrated the art of Henna, a
fashion photography session depicting the 1960s right
up to the present day, traditional ‘Kolam’ designing with
coloured rice and then the final act, the Closing Dance.
It was a night for all present to remember. And all
those involved in organizing Diwali Night should be
congratulated for their fine effort in producing a night
of entertainment that even BOLLYWOOD would have
been proud of!
All dressed in their finest traditional Indian wear
5
Attraction
“Finger Lickin’ Good”
Students wanting a change of menu or their favourite Finger
Lickin’ Good KFC need not venture into Tanjung Malim or
further any longer.
Meals on Wheels – the mobile KFC truck was a welcome
sight when it was spotted by the main entrance of the campus
recently.
This welcome change won the students’ full approval almost
immediately.
To make things even rosier, this arrangement could be
planned for on a more regular basis in the future, at least
once in a month for a start.
Students lining
e of KFC
up for their shar
KFC has no complaints. Their initial visits - two to date have meant an additional venue for their Meals on Wheels.
Cooking
competition
Our students went through great pains to demonstrate
that they are more than just academics when they
organised a cooking competition on October 13.
Indeed, they went about demonstrating that they were
more than just handy around the kitchen as well.
Busy in their ‘kitchen’, Team Topaz who came out tops
Organised in groups representing the four houses,
each team set up their ‘kitchens’ soon after classes
ceased for the day.
Complete with gas stove and all,
they went about their task like
professional chefs, whipping up
some great recipes and in good
time too, much to the delight of
all those fortunate enough to
witness their culinary skills.
“Team Topaz proved too
good and their effort won
them top honours. ”
6
The ‘kitchen’ crew from Diamond House
Visits
University
Presentation by Barbara Er of IUMC
Representatives
from
various
universities visited the college over
the last few months.
Briefing students on their respective
course offerings, which forms their
main objective, our students found
their presentations especially
informative and eye-opening, hence
worthwhile attending.
They were well-planned sessions,
giving the students the opportunity
to engage in the highly productive
Q&A sessions after all of the
presentations conducted.
Among the visiting universities that
John Phillips of He
riot-Watt University
speaking to the stu
dents
came to KYUEM were King’s College
London, Heriot-Watt University,
University of Birmingham, IUMC
and the University of Manchester to
name just a few.
4 Wiltshire School Visit
th
If travelling to the island on the ferry
alone was great fun, then many
thought that overnight stay proved so
enjoyable that this excursion could
have lasted another night or so.
Wiltshire School came all the way
from the United Kingdom to visit our
college recently.
For the West Wilts Federation
member, their one-week visit was
part of the Malaysian Leadership
Conference that was aimed at
enhancing leadership skills as well as
member bonding.
Thoroughly enjoyed by both parties,
the students – 18 from Wiltshire and
16 from KYUEM – gained many
positives from the annually organised
programme where they engaged
in several programmes aimed at
developing overall leadership and
building relationships.
Working in groups of four, the students
were first involved in preparing
how to plan and produce effective
presentations while engaging in
discussions on leadership.
They were involved in less serious
activities as well, such as the
e Chinese
surrounds at th
The picturesque
and
Isl
r
ko
ng
Pa
Temple on
Nice shot way
high up HSBC
Tower
recreational day trip up to Cameron
Highlands where they went jungle
trekking in the cool highland breeze.
And yes, that terrific stop at a lush
tea plantation and factory up in the
highlands, a first-time experience for
most of the Wiltshire students.
There was also a trip into Kuala Lumpur
city, which provided the students
with an experience of Chinatown at
Petaling Street, Little India around
the Masjid India area, and of course
Suria KLCC for shopping and the
Islamic Museum for some history of
the region. It was at these attractions
that the students got to experience a
fine mix of the city’s old world charm
and modern Kuala Lumpur. The K.L.
trip also involved a meeting with the
sponsors ofthe
thevisit,
visit,HSBC.
HSBC.
sponsorsof
Then came the time for what everyone
was looking forward to, the weekend
trip to Pangkor Island, located off the
west coast of the peninsular, where
the group expected and gained a truly
refreshing getaway.
The Pangkor trip provided excellent
accommodation and food at a superb
destination. The students enjoyed
snorkeling, a wonderful dip in the sea
and being fascinated by beautiful coral
formations below the surface of the
Straits of Malacca.
The group thoroughly enjoyed their
visit to KYUEM, the fourth of its
kind in its series. While it benefited
students of both institutions with a
unique opportunity to learn leadership
skills, make contacts and develop
relationships across cultures and
countries, the visit was a resounding
success, and the possibility of having
a reciprocal event for KYUEM students
to explore the U.K., when they go over
to take up their places at universities
there is being thought about and
planned for.
Saying goodbye
at KLIA was the
hardest part!
7
On Saturday October 16, members of the Natural History
Club followed Mr. Boler and his family to visit two of the
best wildlife sanctuaries in the country, Segari Turtle
Sanctuary & Bukit Merah Orang Utan Sanctuary, in
Perak.
Heading off on the college bus for Segari Turtle
Sanctuary, they arrived in good time at the gorgeous
beach and forest location of Pasir Panjang, Segari, north
of Setiawan in Perak.
The beach and turtle sanctuary boasts many large pools
of sea water in which turtles of various ages and sizes
were being reared and rehabilitated before they were
released back into the wild.
In the main pools were some very large, healthy, mature
male and female turtles of breeding age that were ready
for release. The pools in the middle of the sanctuary
contained younger healthy turtles, also ready for release.
In the pools located within an enclosed section were
many tanks containing baby turtles, from newborns to
those several months old. There young ones were from
the many eggs which had been collected from the nearby
beaches and hatched at the sanctuary.
These young ones are cared for, and once they reach a
certain age and size and better able to survive in the wild,
they also will be eventually returned to nature.
At the back of these tanks were the hatcheries which
were closed off. This is where eggs were buried in the
warm sand to mature and hatch.
The Segari Turtle Sanctuary is a really well organised,
clean and healthy operation. It will help increase the
numbers of these endangered creatures back into their
natural habitat, the Malacca Straits and the Indian
Ocean beyond.
After visiting the turtle sanctuary, the group erected 10
tents on the grass bank by the lovely beach. They then
headed off to the local town, Pantai Remis, for dinner
during which they celebrated Pahini’s birthday, complete
with cake and candles!
Back at Pasir Panjang, Mr Boler led the group on a walk
through the nearby beach forest where they observed
local fishermen busy at work. On their return walk along
8
le Sanctuary
The group at Segari Turt
Natural History
to Segari, Bukit Merah
the beach, they
enjoyed
following
fiddler crabs that
were dealing with
the high tide. That
night they spent
playing
games
while chatting in the
warmth of the lovely
evening.
However,
that
lovely feeling was
not to last, for soon
after the night
storm arrived with
torrential
rains
and high winds. All
soaking wet and
with tents saturated,
some
having
been washed out,
the group were
fortunate to be
able to take shelter
in a local building
nearby.
Getting a closer
look of the turtle
s
Setting up camp on Segari Beach
On the following
morning the students set off north for Bukit Merah, which
is a resort featuring a lake surrounded by hills.
The resort has a water park, an ecopark, a hotel and, in
the middle of the lake, an island on which is located their
destination, the Bukit Merah Orang Utan Sanctuary.
Once gathered at the docks, the group took two separate
boats over to the Orang Utan Island. There each group
was given a guided tour through the cages to see the
Orang Utans. Here the orang utans are roaming free,
while visitors only get to watch them from within cages.
The orang utans here are mainly rescued Bornean
orangs and include an alpha male, Mike, which has been
here for many years now and has many offspring.
At the end of the cages, they met two of the younger two-
Enjoyable Sky Train ride through Bukit Merah Eco Park
The group at the ferr
y terminal
Club Trips
and Gua Tempurung
year-olds swinging on ropes in the cage with us. These
two are undergoing rehabilitation and training before
reintroduction someday back into the wild.
The group then gathered at the video room to watch an
highly informative video on the work of the sanctuary and
the plight of these orang utans as they get rehabilitated
before their return to the jungles of Borneo.
The group were taken along a fascinating path. There
were first of all cave walls laden with history, and then they
went past stalagmites and stalactites. They found cracks
in the walls which seemed to blend somehow with each
other to form interesting shapes, which after a while, led
the students to imagine all sorts of things.
After climbing through a series of steps, the group
encountered a ledge, where there was absolutely no light!
On our return, Mr Boler bought tickets to the Ecopark
which the students rushed off to visit. Inside were various
rare animals in several open cages. They included
Binturang, White-Handed Gibbons, Sika and Mouse Deer,
Indian Peacocks, Snakes, Crocodiles, Plantain Squirrels,
Guinnea Pigs and Rabbits.
They then went on to visit the unique and exclusive Sky
Rail where two to three at a time could enjoy a fantastic
monorail car ride experience that takes visitors over the
lake and through the fresh green park.
With that done, it was time to head home. And having had
such a fabulous weekend, and a rain-disrupted overnight
camp, the students slept all the way back to the campus.
Fantastic view of the inte
rior of the cave
On the morning of the November 20, eighteen students
went with Mr. Boler to visit Gua Tempurung. The twoand-a-half-hour journey by two vans was enjoyed by the
students, not really knowing what was in store at the the
dark and treacherous habitat near Ipoh.
Upon arrival, Mr. Boler arranged for their tickets before
they set off into the caves the students were advised to
leave their back packs and belongings behind.
Just then student Jie Min mentioned how every time she
visited Gua Tempurung, her footwear would give way - it
did, and hardly five minutes into the cave too.
Their friendly guide led them into the caves through a
series of stairwells which formed marvellous sights! And
the students did not mind it at all when the guide told them
that there were a total of 1,800 steps that they would have
to take before the end of the tour.
There they were asked to turn off their torch lights, and
they discovered that they could not even see their palms in
front of their faces. The Guide then explained that this was
a point within the cave to which no light could penetrate.
Then it was time for the true beginning of the adventure,
the underground rivers. And at this point, poor Jie Min’s
feet were killing her and the guide kindly let her wear his
pair of crocs.
Crouching while treading the underground river, they had
to get on all fours at times and crawl on their bellies. They
crawled their way through the cave with water at their
chins and sharp stalactites above their heads.
Then came the two highlights of their underground river
adventure.
First, when they had to make a steep slide about 20 feet
down at an angle of 30 degrees from perpendicular.
Once again, they found ourselves crawling commando
style, soldiering on through the intricate river systems.
The underground adventure took a whole three hours. At
the end of it all, they emerged where they had begun, with
just that quiet, shallow stream, them and Mother Nature.
The group at Gua Tempurung
Students were in awe once
inside the cave
9
Duke of Edinburgh
Bronze Trial Expedition
At 1.30pm on Saturday October 16, En. Jailani led a group of students
for a Duke of Edinburgh Trial Expedition to Kerling. Going first by
the college bus to the Ladang Kerling ‘Big Tree’, they were then
escorted by Mr Boler through the hilly Oil Palm Plantations
before the group split up and navigated themselves along
the road heading east to Kerling town.
to Kerling
Following specific directions, the groups headed across the
railway line and through Kampung Air Panas to find Kolam
Air Panas where they set up camp and cooked a noodle
dinner before nightfall.
Day 2 started off cool and cloudy. Just as well too, as it was
time to pack up and get on their long trek back to college.
Monitored by Mr Boler, the groups once again split up and
navigated through the nearby forest and orchard and farm
lands around Kalumpang.
After refreshments which was taken at around 11:00am at
the Caltex Service Station nearby, and in blazing sunshine,
the groups underwent further group navigation through the
Rubber Plantations heading west. They then navigated
through an old overgrown track back to the Ladang Kerling
‘Big Tree’ where the groups stopped for lunch.
Road trekking their way to Kerling
The groups then completed the final 5km stretch, this time
in a cool, cloudy and rainy afternoon. And although they
arrived exhausted, they were happy to be back within the
safe confines of our college campus.
10
En. Jailani briefing the students at the campsite
Education Fairs
in December /
Early January
To increase overall awareness as well as attract students
for the January as well as the July Intakes, the college
was actively involved in the FACON and Star Education
Fairs in December and early January.
From Johor Bahru in the south right up to Alor Star in the
north and across to Sabah and Sarawak in East Malaysia,
students came to our booth at each destination in droves,
often with their parents in tow, to find out more about
furthering their studies and where to pursue their overall
plans.
Without a doubt, it was a hectic time for all at Marketing
Department. In fact, had it not been for some very helpful
teachers and staff members, Marketing alone would not
have been able to deal with attending to the number of
enquiries, especially at popular places like Johor, Penang
and KL where there were hundreds visiting our booth each
day.
ation Fair
A busy weekend at the Star Educ
So, thank you John Highton, Rena, Aizan, Nor Sreedharan,
Fauzi, Huw Brookes and Neil Sutherland for without your help we could not have done it.
We must also thank our CEO Pn. Rubaiha who sacrificed her Sunday to join us at the Star Education Fair at KL
Convention Centre on January 9.
Without all your help, we surely could not have achieved such a great January Intake, this being the highest
number ever recorded!
11
ary
the
is usually the time of
s
year when fresh face
ks at
join the student ran
our college ”
“ The month of Janu
January Intake
Registration as usual was carried out efficiently at the
Great Hall on January 11 when parents and the new
students were equally anxious as they were attended to
during registration, but not before some light refreshments
on arrival the our campus.
Soon after listening to headmaster Mr Sutherland’s
welcome speech it was time for the four-day Induction
Programme during which students were involved in several
sessions, among them an Ice Breaking Session to get to
know each other, time-tabling, briefing on college rules and
regulations, an English Placement Test and Counselling
Sessions, to name a few.
Students were also put through several well-designed Team
Building sessions such as Tower Building, Support & Trust,
Johari Window and Free Fall, all aimed at fostering greater
understanding and bonding between all of the KYUEM
family.
Our CEO Pn Rubaiha during Student Registration at Great Hall
With the induction programme coming to a close it was
evident that the new recruits felt that sense of camaraderie. Hence, the programme achieved what it was set out
to achieve, and seniors and juniors began to mingle as one.
It was “business as usual” from then on for everyone of us on campus, with daily classes undergoing a smooth
resumption for the year 2011.
En Azman (left) and Pn Kasthuri (right) briefing the new students
12
Pn Rubaiha, CEO of KYUEM
This group showing off the Tower they built
Mrs. Christine Foord briefing students
prior to the English Placement Test
13
New Appointments/Transfer
NEW APPOINTMENT
Name
: Nor Rubaiha Mohamed Nor
Position
: Chief Executive Oficer of KYUEM/YUEM
Email
: [email protected]
Effective Date : 1st December 2010
NEW APPOINTMENT
Name
: Noor Hasniza Bt. Haron
Position
: Matron
Department
: Student Service Department
Effective Date : 1st February 2011
Email
: [email protected]
NEW APPOINTMENT
Name
: Ahmad Rizal Bin Ayob
Position
: Sports & Co-curricular Executive
Department
: Student Service Department
Effective Date : 1st February 2011
Email
TRANSFER
Name
: [email protected]
: Rogayah Ibrahim
Effective Date : 1st January 2011
Department
: Education Development and Support
Email
: [email protected]
14
Editors
Neil Sutherland
(Advisor)
Kasthuri Thilaga
Pierre V. Sibert
Norazlan
Mohd Nordin
15
A member of UEM Group
Published and Printed by:
University Relations & Marketing Division
KOLEJ YAYASAN UEM
Lembah Beringin Selangor, P.O.Box 62, 35900 Tanjung Malim, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia.
Tel : +603 6460 1234 Fax : +603 6460 1122 Email : www.kyuem.edu.my
Graphic Design by:
GCRC Studio, UEM Group