KYT's Portfolio: 2014

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Issue #3 Layout: Page 1 - 4

Link to get .pdf:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwCqtEXj1s8kSTBxNFNLaFVjVTA/edit?usp=sharing

A different classroom

SOC foundation students ulitising the whiteboard near their desk.

Imagine the looks of a typical classroom, having plain coloured walls, with rows of tables and chairs facing the white board of the class, along with a table for the lecturer at the side and a few metres away from the white-board along with the projector screen.

Now imagine a room, with its walls painted with a slightly dark green colour to it but designed with plain patterns on it. With five hexagon tables, arranged in a diagonal manner, to form the X of the classroom, give it space so that students can walk in-between the tables.

Along with a couple of wheel-chairs surrounding the tables. Then have an LCD screen and a whiteboard placed on the walls next to each hexagon table. Lastly, the Lecturer’s table which looks slightly like a podium at the side and in front of the whiteboard and projector screen.

That second room described is how a typical X-space room looks like in Taylor’s University (TU).

“The purpose of the X-space room is to practice collaborative learning, whereby students bring their own devices and do their tutorials in class,” said Catherine Lee Cheng Kiat, a Programme Director under the School of Communication (SOC).

She explained that the usage of the LCD screen and whiteboard, gives students the ability to work together with a flow. So, instead of relying on one person to write down the notes and pass the note around everyone to have a look at it. The whiteboard and LCD screen can be used to share the note at a spot where everyone can see it with ease.

So far, only two online sites are used for conducting her tutorial. One, Socrative, a smart student response system site that give teachers the ability engage with their students through a series of educational exercises, quizzes and games in an instant.

The second one is padlet, which is like a virtual bulletin board where anyone can put almost any content there like videos, pictures, text, documents and more, on that page.

Both sites will require a smartphone, tablet or laptop to access them.

“Most of the time, I ask my students to mark their attendance in a ‘room’ I created in Socrative and when the tutorial begin, then the students have to discuss their work together in groups and once their work is done, they submit it by posting it up on padlet, so that they can review it later.” She added.

Cheryl Soo, 18, a SOC student, mentioned that this X-Space class was very new to her because she was so used to the linear approach from how her lectures are conducted and how her classes before tertiary education was done.

“Before X-Space, when I was in a public school, the way how the classes were conducted was very spoon-fed, instead of letting us learn up the knowledge on our own, they gave it to us on the spot.

“So when I was first exposed to the X-Space room, I was a bit nervous because on the arrangements of the tables, because in a usual classroom setting, we have the opportunity to sit wherever we want but in this room, you have to sit together with people you do not know yet. At least when time flew, I am now at ease with the group.

“The X-Space room is somewhat like a lecture but more hands-on; the interesting part about what I have noticed about the room is that, everything here has a function,“ she said.

Cheryl added that she has become more independent on herself and she has more confidence in her presentation skills than before after her tutorial sessions in the X-Space rooms.

18-year-old Candice Chan, also a SOC student said that the X-Space room reminded her of the classroom she was in during her days in an international school.

“The setting of the classroom I was in, it had a similar setting like how the tables were arranged in X-space. We were also taught to work together. So the X-Space room felt like ‘home’ because I was trained to be used to this environment.

“There is a reason why the room looks as it is, do you know that there is a reason why the classroom is so colourful?

“The green colour on the wall represents life and naturality, it helps somewhat from making us feel bored, while the bright yellow on the chairs, represents energy,” she added.

One thing Candice liked about her tutorials in X-Space is that she gets work done on the spot. Unlike lectures, whereby work is done later.

Catherine mentioned that only Foundation students and some Diploma students are using the X-Space rooms for their tutorials. Eventually, more Diplomas and future Degree programmes will be using the X-Space room by 2015.

Catherine also added that TU plans to renovate all classrooms except lecture theaters into X-Space rooms by 2016.

The Voice Campaign update

The pie chart shows the percentage of complains collected from The Voice Campaign on April 2014.

A largest sum of complaints collected from Taylor’s University Student Council’s (TUSC) campaign called The Voice Campaign this April 2014 was regarding transportation issues in Taylor’s University (TU).

The lack of car park space in Taylor’s University, has been a pressing matter and an on-going issue that the students have been complaining about it since the first The Voice Campaign drive on September 2013.

TUSC Director of Campus Welfare team, Joshua Chieng, 22, said, “Transportation covers about 51% of the students’ complain during the four-day campaign. One of the hot notes on transportation was the lack of car park space in Taylor’s University.”

The Voice Campaign is held once on every fourth week of a semester, the drive last up to four to five days.

Joshua explained that TUSC’s objective is to create an awareness to TU students about The Voice Campaign whilst promoting TUSC‘s existence.

The Voice Campaign was a platform for students to raise their voice by submitting their requests or comment or complains by doing an online survey regarding the issues they are facing in-campus.

“We are the bridge between the management and the students, as this is a private institution, the management are paid to settle our issues, not us, we are like the watchdogs, the ones who keep an eye on the happenings in-campus and update the management.

“When we meet the management, not only do we raise the problem or the issue, we have to come up with the solution. As the management will ask back on what can they do to resolve it?

“We usually attend to pressing issues that involves the whole campus, practically campus-wide issues.

“Pressing issues like, last year, one of the most complaint issue was the toilet paper roll, the new batch was too thin. The moment you touch it, it tears off easily. This was affecting almost all of the students.

“We then bring this complain up to the management and then suggested on bringing back the old batch which is the toilet paper you see now in the toilets, which is much better.” he added.

Other pressing matters found during The Voice Campaign this April was focused on the lack of cleanliness in the toilets which Joshua explained that nothing could be done at that moment because of water rationing and food price hike at the new food court, Arena.

The quality of the speakers in class, the lack of printers and A1 plotters for architecture students, buses arriving late, leaking roofs or ceilings, and many more complains were mentioned in the survey.

Joshua added that the survey is still on-going until the next drive. He hopes that the future committee members of TUSC will continue this campaign.

For more information, visit http://tustudentcouncil.wix.com/tu-student-council

Party for Charity

Photoshot of the Party for Charity event at TCSJ on 26 April.

Taylor’s College Subang Jaya (TCSJ) multipurpose hall was filled with Zumba® enthusiasts to support a charity event organized my Taylor’s Welfare and Kin Youth (WACKY) club on 26 April.

A latest dance-craze, Zumba®, which attracted 200 participants who were members of the public and TUSJ students, who donated RM 20 each as admission fee.

The RM 4000 collected from the participants during the charity drive were divided and donated partly to a children’s foster home and for future charity projects.

For more information or updates, visit: https://www.facebook.com/WackyCharity?fref=ts

iSpeak 2014

In an effort to encourage more students to practice public speaking. Taylor’s University (TU) School of Communication (SOC) in collaboration with School of Education and School of Liberal Arts & Sciences will hold iSpeak 2014 grand finals on the 25 June.

The competition involves two categories of intervarsity students – secondary and tertiary. The top eight speakers from the semi-finals held on 18 June, shall proceed to the grand finals and compete for the top three spots for each category.

The champion of the tertiary and the secondary level will receive RM 1,500 and RM 800 respectively together with a trophy and certificate.

iSpeak first began in 2010, to give students an opportunity to overcome their fear of public speaking as well as to build confidence, character and eloquence.

For official registrations forms and the Rule & Regulation of the competition can be obtained via contacting 03-56295000 ext. 5393 (Ms. Judith) / ext. 5553 (Ms. Sivasangari).

Email: enquiries.soc@taylors.edu.my

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/taylors.ispeak?fref=ts

First food processing lab in TU

The entrance of the food processing lab in TU.

Taylor’s University (TU) is the first university in Malaysia to have a food processing lab for the School of Bioscience (SOB) and the School of Hospitality, Tourism & Culinary Arts students to experience how the food industry works.

The specific programmes that will be using this facility are those under the Bachelor of Science (Hons) Food Science & Nutrition and Bachelor of Science (Hons) Culinology®.

“This facility, is to give the students an opportunity to see how the machineries work and how they are used in the food industry but in the industry today, most of the machineries are automated.

“The tools and machineries we have in the facility, not all automated, so, students will have to work manually, using the raw mat, the ingredients, into food on their own,” said Puvanah G. Ganesen, Lab Officer under the SOB.

The main objective is to expose the students to undergo phase one, how the product is made before it reaches phase two, when the food is cooked and served.

The key features of the food processing lab is the:

Bakery line: Whereby students will make pasta, cake, bread, roti canai, candy, etc.
Meat processing line: Burger patties, various sausages, mince meat, fish ball, etc. will be made here.
Beverage line: Ice-cream, tropical food juice, yogurt, etc.
Instrumentation room: This is where the students research on the various factors of their food, like the pH value, the texture, the moisture, etc.
Raw Mat room: Raw materials storage room.
R & D kitchen: A room that only the Bachelor of Science (Hons) Culinology® students will be using to do trial and errors on the improvised recipes on actual delicacies.

Law Seng Lei, 22, Bachelor of Science (Hons) Culinology® student, after her first internship, she understands how the production line works, like how a company processes the food, how they packaged it and how the production labour worked, etc. before the food is served.

After observing how the industry worked, this facility provided a great opportunity for her to experience and do what she saw during her internship.

23-year-old Bachelor of Science (Hons) Culinology® student, Daniel Chan Voon Hauo, concurred to what Seng Lei mentioned.
Punavah added that, there are plans on making the food processing lab as a source of revenue for the School of Bioscience, this is still being discussed.

TU students journeying to Bario

(From Right) One of the Project WHEE! volunteer representing TU Diploma in Education is enthusiastically explaining what is Project WHEE! to a passer-by.

The first batch of Taylor’s University (TU) students under the Diploma in Education (DIE) programme will be volunteering the Project WHEE! expedition to help the women in Bario, Sarawak.

“We will be there for two weeks, we will start the project on the following day of our arrival, which is on the 18^th of May, Sunday,” said the 18-year-old Keller Huii, one the representative of DIE.

“Our job is to teach the women in Bario, Basic English, so that they can communicate with the Western tourists

Keller explained that Project WHEE! is a youth project dedicated to spread the awareness of Bario’s existence and to raise the ecotourism status of Bario.
The project will be carried out with 30 youth volunteers. The first batch of volunteers are made-up of three groups of youth, 10 each. The DIE volunteers only 11 students in that programme, the additional one was given an exception to join after some convincing from the group.

Those selected to go for the project must have the tolerance to survive in an urban environment without the reliance of electronics and technology.

“I got really excited as I thought Bario was a place outside Malaysia. When the speaker during a presentation told us that Bario was based in Sarawak, as a Sabahan, I was surprised for I did not know that.

“This project is very meaningful to us because it relates back to what we are studying for and the trip will give us a hands-on experience.

“We look forward to it,” she added.

For more information, visit: fb.com/projectwhee

Lending an ear

Evan (formal wear) with peer supporters, during a weekly meeting discussion.

When one first hear about peer support, what is the first thing that comes into mind?

Some thought it is a term used to indicate a study group. Instead, peer support is a well-known term to many corporations, counseling departments in universities and individuals who follow and promote the path of self-awareness.

Evan Kok Choon Foong, a counsellor under the Counselling and Psychological Services Centre (CPSC) and the facilitator of peer support in Taylor’s University (TU), describes his understanding of what is peer support.

“The practicality of the term, peer support, are people supporting their peers. Promoting and guiding self-awareness to their peers. As that is the only and one way that one can truly solve their problems, whatever it is, by taking a stand. ”

“Peer support in universities are a group of trained students who support their peers when needed. Trained to listen and to help better. ”

“When it comes to students, when they are facing any problems, the first person they would normally meet is their peers, their friends. This can be in class or during a friends’ gathering, peer supporters are there to support them. ”

“Certain schools’ programmes give students a busy schedule, so busy that they do not even have the time to come for counseling. So, they will approach their friends and talk to them instead. When peer supporters detect a case that is complicated for them to handle or help, they can refer the stressed student to a counselor or ask advice on what to do next.”

Chai Pei Ling, founder of peer support in Taylor’s University and fellow counselor of CPSC shares her experience on why this group was formed.

“It began around the end of 2010, at that time in this department in this university, there were three of us including Dr Adnan Omar, the manager.

“So I thought to myself, how much could we achieve with the current team while attending the high demand of our services. Most of the time, Adnan will be conducting will be conducting workshops and talks during the orientations while the rest of us had to handle any walk-in cases. So I was thinking, rather than just sitting in the office, what else can we do?

“And then I realised that with just the three of us, we can’t really move around and to find out what exactly is happening in the campus.

“Why not spread our services to students who can help us by walking around the campus? Identifying and getting information on friends who may need someone to talk to and provide a listening ear. Only if it is necessary, the peer supporter should refer them to CPSC.

“We want to reach out to more people by having more individuals getting involved in this service, not necessarily counselling but to give a helping hand and it can make a difference.

She added that the peer supporters in TU were known as Taylor’s student counsellors when the idea of forming this group was kick-started as a mini project for CPSC around the end of 2010.

Soon enough, students did join in and classes were held for the student counsellors to learn the basics of helping others.

Evan explains that the classes were like lectures. Which had case-studies and role-play for the students to experience in-class. There were four modules they had to go through.

The modules focus on introducing what is counseling and what is active listening.

Later on, the students will be introduced to conversational skills like paraphrasing, reflection of emotions and summarising.

After that, additional helping skills are taught and lastly, the ethics of counseling.

Around the middle of 2012, when Marian, the new manager came in, told the CPSC team to change the groups’ name as the students were not counsellors. They are just helpers, supporting their peers. Thus the group was called peer support after that.

Evan explained that the lecture-based class later turned into a discussion-like meeting. The modules are still being taught to them. Now peer supporters meet up weekly to discuss on a topic on the many factors that influence one’s mental health.

“Now we change the system to be more casual, a structure that students will be the ones to lead the group, to be the ones to facilitate. All the topics are determined by the peer supporters themselves.

“Every week we start off with a particular topic, eventually the topic will move around and branch out. Even though it branches out, that sharing of that knowledge, each different point of views gave different knowledge. We learn something eventually, last time we talked about stereotype, labelling, perception, anxiety and so on.

“The training is different now.”

26-year-old Ng Jern Hei under the School of Culinary Arts joined peer support around 2012 mentioned that as a peer supporter, one should try to assist their friends even if they are acquaintances.

My personality is that I like to talk to people so I consider myself, quite a good listener. I always try to listen to what they have to say.

He mentioned that when you approach someone, what peer supporters usually do is listen and see what they have to about their situation, to let them know that we are there for them. While trying to make them aware if they are thinking consciously of their actions or not.

“Most of the time, it is just way of chit-chatting, engaging a conversation with them to understand the problem.

“For example, if someone recently broke up in a relationship and you ask questions like, are you upset? Or did your boyfriend break up with you? and they reply, yes. That is not going to help that person.

“Instead of asking, did your boyfriend ditched you or something? Try, maybe he is not showing his expression good enough? That would make them say more than yes or no.

“Most of the time, we do emotional support, not financial support. In certain cases, if they need to get home but they missed the bus or something, those are fine. Can you help lend RM600 to pay my rent? that, is a big no-no to me.

“We help them in a way that if they want to talk to someone but if they are really on the negative side to the point that they want to end their life, you stop there and you need to refer them to the professionals. That is our limit.

“I have the passion to help friends. I have the time and I like to socialise, when the people I know who are in trouble or if they have issues, they tend to look for me. Rather than I look for them.

Clarrise Ng May Kymm, 17, an American Degree Transfer Program student who joined in around the beginning of 2014.

“I joined in because of a primary interest in psychology, mental health and social well-being. I believe very much in the philosophy of being able to contribute to society through further understanding of human behavior and being able to connect with others meaningfully, in order to facilitate growth for everyone around us, thus enabling others to create meaningful contributions in their own ways.

“Being a peer supporter means firstly understanding both others and yourself better, in being aware of how your role as a fellow human being is to educate and learn about how to be a greater, supportive member of society, and using that role to create a culture of understanding and dialogue in areas notwithstanding mental health and personal well-being.

Passion with Fire

Anusheh performing her fire-spinning techniques with pois while blind-folded during the Orientation Party: Wild Wild West on April 2013, outside the Grand Hall.

As I sat opposite of her, her dark brown eyes watches me with anticipation as I prepare to interview her.

While many of us have a passion for video-gaming, travelling, cooking, gardening and so on. Rarely do we find an individual who is passionate on the art of fire-spinning.

Meet Anusheh Hyder, a 21-year-old Taylor’s University student who has performed her passion of fire-spinning during the Wild Wild West orientation party on April 2013.

She then sat up straight as she begins to tell the story of her passion.

“I was exposed to fire-spinning when I saw the art in a music video; I was like, I had to know what this is.

“I have always been intrigued by fire, I have been a pyromaniac all my life. So this art was a way of channeling that urge. That is why it worked out for me.

“I love dancing, I am an outgoing person and I have a rebellious nature. I always have a mind of my own, like if someone told me that I cannot do this or that, I would make sure I will be the very best person who did that.

“There was a time my peers were very discouraging with my interest. So I was like, I will do it but you do not need to know about it.

“That is why I believed, do not just say it, just do it. Do whatever you have to do, just do not harm others along the way.

She said that with a satisfied smile and added that because there was no one to train or coach her at first, so, she self-learn the basics of poi-spinning on her own through YouTube videos.

She explained that poi is the tool that fire-spinners use to perform their art are fire poi. A regular poi can be wholly made in fabric materials. While a fire poi has a leather strap that is attached to a metallic chain or thread which holds onto a woven Kevlar, an inflammable material.

Fire-spinners then set the Kelvar ablaze with kerosene.

“I started in late 2006; I was 14 at that time. Shortly after a month of training with NAUR, my teacher said that he have never seen anyone pick up the art so fast. So, he decided to put me into shows and asked me to learn along the way. Which I did.

NAUR is the first fire performers in Bangladesh which have performed for commercials, award ceremonies, fund raising events, concerts, fashion show, awareness campaigns and so on. Hosted by well-known corporations like Unilever, British Council, British American Tobacco, Taylor’s University and others.

As the lead member and the active spinner of NAUR, it is her dream and intention to spread the art of fire-spinning globally. She has started sending out different teams across the globe to introduce the art of fire-spinning and hopefully gaining recognition for this performing art.

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

TU Taekwondo Club Update

Rave Naidu, Master of TU Taekwondo club

Taylor's University (TU) Taekwondo Club will be attending the 28^th Malaysia Moo Duk Kwan Sport Taekwondo Association National Championship in this coming July or August and the eighth MAPCU Taekwondo competition between this August or September.

Master of the TU Taekwondo club, Rave Naidu, said the specifications on the dates are currently unconfirmed but the team will be there.

“Taylor’s University Taekwondo club is well-known to the World Taekwondo Federation and that is why we are invited to

He said that Moo Duk Kwan is a Korean term that represents the ‘martial virtues’, which upholds the philosophy and the discipline of practicing the technique(s), like Taekwondo for example. That is what the Universal Moo Duk Kwan Academy (UMDKA) Malaysia intend to promote during their events.

He added that the championship takes place annually at the Badminton Stadium, in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur. The event is to promote the traditional values of Taekwondo. The participants are Taekwondo practitioners from many local dojos and including TU Taekwondo club.

He added that MAPCU represents the Malaysian Association of Private Colleges and Universities. The MAPCU Taekwondo competition is under the MAPCU Sports Carnival which features other sports events and activities like badminton, bowling, swimming, table tennis and so on. The participants are the sports and club societies under the private universities and private colleges in Malaysia. The venue however, changes from one university to another.

END

TU Tracuers share their experiences

Many may have realised that there is now a prominence and popularity on parkour, like wall-climbing, leaping from one spot to another, cat-walking on railings, vaulting over objects, jumping off from higher ground and many more.

Practitioners of parkour are now seen frequently in YouTube videos, films, video games, in neighbourhoods and even in various parks, if you take the time to notice.

Brandon Lee, 21, a graduate from Taylor’s Business School, Mohd Abil Ash, 19, a student under the School of Engineering and Louis Dorall, 22, a School of Communication student, shares their experience and their opinion on Parkour.

What does parkour mean to you?

Brandon:

It is like freerunning to me, to be able to choose one’s method and style to reach their destination.

Ash:

Parkour is a way for me to move from one point to another efficiently, as quickly as possible.

Louis:

To me, there are two parts to it. Firstly, it is about the physical aspect of it. It is all about the discipline, to hone your skills, to be physically fit, to move. The second part, which works hand-in-hand with the first, is the mental aspect. Where you are able to think on your feet, to hone your senses and think both critically and creatively in an instant.

What made you start parkour?

Brandon:

When I was young, I was exposed to the live-action films like Batman and shows where Jackie Chan was casted. I noticed that, rather than reaching their destination like how many usually do it in the norm, like getting in and out of the a building through the window instead of using the door.

I like how they creatively and alternatively choose to reach their destination. Especially Jackie Chan; I was inspired.

Ash:

When I was seven, my brother taught me some basics in martial arts. As I became a high-schooler, parkour was becoming a trend at that time.

As I got to know more about parkour, I realised the basics that I have learned from my brother like sliding and rolling can now be put to the test. So, I got into it.

Louis:

I loved to move; I loved to move around. When I was a kid (still am a kid), I was one hyper kid. Bring me to a playground, off I go. Bring me to a supermarket, off I go! I loved climbing and doing all sorts of monkeying around.

Until I was around my teens, when I first heard of ‘parkour’. It was from the French film called Yamakasi, that taught me that there was more to just ‘moving around’. It was a science. It was a discipline. And it got me hooked. I then started finding ways to run obstacles faster, climb higher, basically think on my feet, cause that is what it is all about!

How did you learn to practice this art?

Brandon:

I self-train from scratch, firstly, I start by choosing a particular destination to reach and my starting point. After that I jog and eventually I start to vault across, jump over and eventually increasing my speed while overcoming as many objects or obstacles that seems sturdy and safe to pursue.

Ash:
I looked up for resources online and then I do it on my own, I first see how others apply the techniques and then mimic them according to my abilities.

Louis:
For the most part, it was through self-learning. For example, I know how to jump over a fence but how do I do it faster? How do I climb faster? Is there another way? This is where the mental aspect of parkour comes into play. From there, you better yourself, where you think and you act upon it.

There are loads of tutorials on different techniques and styles from parkour practitioners all over the world. I get ideas and techniques from observing them in YouTube.

Has parkour benefitted you in any way?
Brandon:

It has benefitted me on my stamina, as I have noticed, it has gone down. I would choose to just run down on a straight path to improve it but when I do parkour, not only does it help with my stamina, I am also working out my whole body at the same time.

Ash:

Parkour has made me improve on my footing balance, which have helped with my stances during martial arts. Other than that, I have learned not to be too hesitant because when we become hesitant, we might end up screwing up.

I do have the fear of heights, which I had to face when I practiced parkour, now, it is not as bad as I first faced it.

Louis:
Yes, by practicing the art of parkour, I've had the benefits of staying very fit, to be able to run faster, jump higher and move critically when needed. It has broadened my view of looking at obstacles and has given me the mental enforcement to think bigger, think creatively and quickly, and all of this can be applied to many other things in life.

Have you experienced any accidents while practicing parkour?

Brandon:
When I started doing it with a friend, I noticed how hazardous parkour can be. I was in unfamiliar ground as I was training in my friend’s territory, I slipped and had a huge cut below my left knee. Luckily, he helped me to attend to my wound and we then head to his home nearby.

I was lucky during the times I practiced alone, I never got to hurt myself like spraining my foot. It was a learning experience.

Ash:
When I was at my school gym, my friend and I decided play around the trampoline, I decided it would be a good time to learn the front flip. As it was my first time, I ended up doing a double front flip and landed on my neck and my knee hit my right eye.

Another time was during a school off-day, my friend and I had the school grounds for ourselves to practice parkour. I later noticed a construction pole and decided to swing from it. I did not manage to grab it properly and ended up landing on my upper back.

After these first two accidents, I learnt to be more careful.

Louis:
Luckily, not much. There were two incidents where I have fallen without rolling (rolling is a technique where the force of the jump is displaced, so that your legs will not take all of the impact when you land) and my ankles were affected for about two weeks each. But it was an experience and it was a good lesson.

What advice would you give to newbies?

Brandon:
Do not practice on unfamiliar terrain, alone.

Be aware of your health, if your body is not up to the task, like if you are tired, unwell. Do not practice parkour when your body does not feel up to it.

Do not think that, “Oh, that guy can do it, so can I.” Know you limits, pursue accordingly to your stamina and realise what your body is capable of achieving at the moment.

Ash:
Take things slow, do not try to copy what the professionals do, especially if you have not done it before.
Be confident with what you are doing; do not be hesitant.

Think before you jump, analyse the situation before you perform any technique.
Know you own limits before you perform any tougher techniques.
Practice the basics, like learning how to fall safely.

Louis:
Firstly, shoes. You need good shoes if you want to run and jump efficiently and safely. Secondly, the mindset. It does not matter if you are heavy or thin, or not strong enough. Will itself is what drives all parkour enthusiasts. For anything else too, really. Where there is a will, there is a way, and you will most definitely find it. Positive thinking is also encouraged. Praise yourself when you have done something, no matter how simple it is. Thirdly, discipline. Keep at it. Do it. Live it. Fourthly, believe.

END

New Servers at Temptations

(From right to left) Chen Yie Mun, 21, dressed in a maid attire and in the middle of placing the tableware for Toh Huey Jing, 22, While Lim Sze Lan, 21, watches on in Temptations.

Customers who ordered the Japanese main courses available at Temptations from March 10 to March 14 were serve by a students dressed as either a maid or a butler.

A team of seven interns from Ruemz, did a maid and butler café theme at Temptations with hopes to spread awareness of the Japanese culture to the Taylor’s University (TU) community whilst hoping to reach their weekly target market sale.

Sim Li Zin, 19, a TU student under the School of Hospitality and the marketing manager at Temptations during the five-day theme event, mentioned that a group of interns from Ruemz were expected to create a theme at Temptations, weekly. This maid and butler café theme was chosen because such an event rarely happens in TU, so Sim proposed the idea to her boss at Ruemz.

The signature dish was the Chicken Katsu-Don (deep fried meat [the chicken] served with savory broth sauce and eggs over rice) while on March 12 onwards had a special a la carte dish, the Sushi set served with tempura (seafood or vegetables that have been battered and deep fried, Japanese style).

The first eight customers who ordered the main courses, per day, were given an appreciation gift card whereby they have to collect it at Tiffin. The customer had to choose either the Hokkaido cream cake or the Mini Swiss Roll desserts.

Toh Huey Jing, 22, a School of Computing and IT student in TU, shares her understanding of what a Maid and Butler café is, “A Japanese-based café with servers dressed in butler or maid attire and act in a friendly and personal way.

“In a regular café, servers are expected to be ‘professional’ on the job. Take the order, get the food, serve the food and get the bill; that is it. But in a Maid and Butler café, they do the opposite; it is all about the interaction.

“When we order the Japanese dishes (at Temptations), as a part of the culture (of the theme), it is expected to have a butler or maid to serve us. But when that happened, the service felt like it was like a regular one,” she added.

Toh did expect to see the servers at Temptations dressed as a butler or a maid and can act like one too; especially with the Japanese greeting like Irasshai-mase, Goshujin-sama! (Welcome back, Master!) Irasshai-mase, Ojou-sama! (Welcome back, Mistress!). She also said that she did see the effort made on the decorations in regards to the event; although it is minimal but it was enough to tell customers that such an event was happening but that was it.

A 21-year-old student under the School of Health Sciences from International Medical University, Lim Sze Lan, came by to the event to hang out with her friend Toh whilst helping out to support the event as well.

Lim stated her understanding on what usually happens in a Maid café, “Customers can play games with the maid and the maids will attend to them very often, in a sense, trying to get the customers to feel happy”.

At the end of the customers’ meal, they may add comments or compliments onto a drawing sheet attached one corner in Temptations.

END

Monday, March 10, 2014

Editor’s Note - Power of Personal Appearance

Why do we wear what we wear? Why do we speak the way we speak? Why do we do the things we do? Is it because, it is out of our own initiative? Or are we doing so and so out of what others are doing, following the crowd?

I am a huge supporter of individualism. And that idealism should be realized by anyone who dares to be themselves and feel like themselves.

Now, have you ever thought that what we wear, can be a reflection of ourselves? It can be according to: our belief(s), what interests us and/or how we feel (about ourselves).

Take myself for example; I love running, to be always ready to make a move thus the sports shoes. I want to feel free and unrestricted thus my sleeveless top, so that I can move my arms freely and feel the windy breeze against my skin. I love pockets, as I love to bring stuff with me along-side when I am outside my home; thus the cargo pants.

I see myself as an adventurer thus why I wear what I have just described. In a way, we are dress according to how we see ourselves as an individual. So, what’s is the big deal you ask?

The thing is, if everyone dress according to what they personally believe in themselves with a positive light, using one’s dressing as a tool to embrace that thought: won’t that help with one’s self-esteem and self-confidence? I know it did for me.

We should not underestimate how one’s clothing can affect our outlook in life.

When was the last time you feel? Feel like yourself? Allow the way you dress, to be an influence on your life.

When you can get the chance, take the time to get that look that represent yourself as a person. Get that hair-cut you have always wanted, change your wardrobe; just spend time on yourself.

Remember the focus here is you, as a person and as an individual. Do not bother about what others think, if you take the thoughts about you too literally and personally, how will you ever appreciate yourself? Start with yourself, embrace yourself and be proud.

Counselling cases rising in TU

The importance of mental health in Taylor’s University Lakeside Campus is a responsibility of and by the students themselves, the staff and the members of the Counselling and Psychological Services Centre (CPSC).

The cases that have been handled in CPSC so far has gone up about 1,200 cases in 2013 from the 1,000 cases in 2012. The cases includes Taylor’s University’s (TU) staff and students. The major cases for students so far were, adapting to university life, relationships and academic performances.

Marian Elizabeth Arumugam, 54, Manager of CPSC and Health Services Centre (HSC) said that the increase is due to the new batches of students who joined in TU last year.

She said, another common case is helicopter parenting, whereby the parents are constantly doing all or most of the thinking and suggestion on how and what their child should be doing. Once their child is in university, she or he may not have an easy start with doing things on their own because they are used being dependent on their guardians.

“Parents have to understand that there will be a time they have to let go and let their child experience things on their own. Or how else will they learn to be independent?

Marian confirms that there is a stigma over the prominence of mental health (counseling) in Malaysia, as many locals are taught to not ‘talk it out’ or speak their mind; probably over the practice of conservativeness in the country.

“That is why some students who have trouble, do not approach us but we cannot force them to come to us as well, only when they are ready, we can help them.

“Mental health all comes down to how one think and feel about a particular situation. Which in turn, affects one’s behavior and attitude towards the situation.

“Mental wellness is a state of how we overcome challenges, how rationally we approach the problem, how emotionally resilience we are during stressful moments and choosing to either fight or flight (running away or face it) in response to the problem.

She also mentioned that stress is normal and natural, it happens when we are in a position that challenges us or frightens us, it all depends on how the recipient sees and think of it (the problem or situation).

Being stress can make us worked up but how we respond to it is another story. She said, see the good and beneficial part of a situation, it will help with dealing with it.

Marian shares her thoughts on how mental wellness can be achieved:

“A simple step is (to face our challenges) by living in the here and now. Take each thing (you have to handle) step-by-step, why worry about the future as it has yet to happen. The future will settle itself.

“Be flexible with your thinking and adapt.

“Engage yourself socially, positive and healthy relationships (mix with a crowd that supports you and cares for you).

“Have a bedtime routine, having a good rest can affect one’s brain’s performance.

“Have a balance with work and leisure.

“Nutrition, have one proper meal a day.

“Physical exercise, should be incorporated on a weekly basis, at least three times a week.” she added.

Top 3 eateries at Syopz mall

An online survey was made for the Taylor’s University students and lecturers who were around and available to share their thoughts of their top three preferred eateries at Syopz (the commercial block of Taylor’s University Lakeside Campus).

About a 101 students from the American Degree Transfer Program, School of Architecture, Building & Design, School of Biosciences, Taylor's Business School, School of Communication, School of Computing & IT, School of Education, School of Engineering, School of Hospitality, Tourism & Culinary Arts, School of Medicine and School of Pharmacy partake the survey.

The first runner up (with 29 votes) is Bakofen.

Bakofen was voted over its:

Atmosphere/ambience (how the atmosphere compliments the theme of the restaurant - 16 votes)
Cleanliness (12 votes)
The time taken to get their food (5 votes)
The hospitality of the servers (10 votes)
Having their favourite dish(es) there (20 votes)
The variety of dishes available (11 votes)
Reasonable price for their budget (4 vote)
Food portion (6 votes)

Second runner up is (with 28 votes) is Subway.

Subway was voted over its:

Atmosphere/Ambiance (3 votes)
Cleanliness (4 vote)
The time taken to get their food (15 votes)
The hospitality of the servers (2 votes)
Because you favourite food is available there (16 votes)
Variety of food available (7 votes)
Reasonable price range for your budget (14 votes)
Food portion (7 votes)
The third runner up (with 28 votes) is Star Teh Tarik Restaurant.

Third runner up is (with 28 votes) is Star Teh Tarik.

The following runners ups were:

Zhia's Kitchen (如家小厨) (27 votes)
Face to Face Noodles House (25 votes)
Matsuba (Japanese Restaurant) (25 votes)
Arisan (23 votes)
Miso Korean Traditional Cuisine and Café (17 votes)
Starbucks Coffee (16 votes)
Mekong House (15 votes)
Pizza Cottage (10 votes)
Chic-licious (10 votes)
Kampung Cili (8 votes)
Grub Bistro (8 votes)
JC's Pancakes (6 votes)
Selera Penang Cafe (used to be known as Jelapang Padi) (4 votes)
Ecoba Café (3 votes)
Snowy Café (3 votes)
Jek Café (1 votes)

A total of 32 lecturers from the American Degree Transfer Program, School of Architecture, Building & Design, School of Biosciences, Taylor's Business School, School of Communication, School of Computing & IT, School of Education, School of Engineering, School of Hospitality, Tourism & Culinary Arts and School of Pharmacy partake the survey.