Education Malaysia
March & April 2010 (Volume 9, Issue 3 & 4)

Campus Happenings


The One Academy Sunway Opens More Prospects for Public

On 2- 4 April 2010, The One Academy opened its doors to introduce industry's world of creativity and its professionals to the public.

BANDAR SUNWAY: A fruitful 3-days event took place at The One Academy Bandar Sunway in Petaling Jaya. The public learned more in depth about the creative industry through the talks and seminars which offers; Illustration with Comics, Advertising & Graphic Design, Digital Animation, Multimedia Design and Interior Design.

According to The One Academy's Joint General Manager, Tan Chin Wee, The One Academy's Open Day aims to provide awareness to aspiring designers on the career prospects in the creative industry. “The three days offers valuable information through its exhibitions, seminars, workshops and personal interactions. Students and parents have the opportunity to discover the rewards in the communication design field and learn from creative industry's gurus to gain deeper insights on what the industry has installed for them," said Tan.

2nd April kick started with an exclusive Interior Design course seminar conducted by The One Academy's Head of Interior Design department, Eric Leong - crowned as the local 'Raja Hias' and Malaysia's Most Favourite Interior Designer. During the seminar, Eric introduced the interior design course and also shared his inspiring portfolios to his audience. The seminar also featured a special guest appearance; Harrell Erik Wong, a renowned CG Director of an established Computer Graphics studio that adopted 4D approach in architecture for prominent names in architectural services and interior designing.

On the second day, The One Academy offers Life Drawing Workshop to students who would like to experience basic drawing, conducted by the Illustration's lecturers. Other workshops such as Graphic Design Workshop delivered tips & tricks of photo editing with its topic, Photo Retouching Portrait for Magazine Cover Design. It benefits both parents and students as they will be able to understand the course more.

Mrs. Lee, mother of two from Petaling Jaya, exposed her children to the open day to encourage them to learn the courses in lined with their creative interest, as this would enable them decide the creative line they'd like to pursue in its range. A perceptive mother who has her children's interest at heart, Mrs. Lee joined them in the Graphic Design Workshop. “Personally, I think it has been informative, because I attended the Graphic Design Workshop and the lecturer was very clear about the techniques. I also thought The One Academy students are very talented based on their artwork & caricature services and are amazingly operative. I am convinced and I want my children expose to experienced lecturers as they can help them discover their passion." said Mrs. Lee. Joint General Manager of The One Academy, Tan Chin Wee gave a talk on the Exciting Career Prospect in Art & Design which presented slideshows from 5 major courses of students' artwork, from Advertising & Graphic Design to Interior Design 3D render works to music videos for local celebrity, Gary Yap.

Day Three lined-up interesting programmes and activities such as on-going digital painting demonstrations and life drawing workshops. Seminar speakers were award-winning new media strategists & Head of the academy's Multimedia Design Department, Sweii Chong; one of Malaysia's digital animation pioneer & The One Academy's Head of Digital Animation Department, Seamus Tan and Yan Li Wen, The One Academy's Senior Lecturer of Advertising & Graphic Design, unraveled the world of creative advertising & the arts, as during the seminar, Yan defines the perception of art that is stereotyped and explained the differences of art & commercial, followed by the persuasion and art of advertising.

18-year-old Paul from Penang came to visit The One Academy Sunway after visiting the Penang campus. He enjoyed the Advertising & Graphic Design talk by Senior Lecturer, Yan Li Wen and felt the subject matter was interesting as it gave him a better understanding of the Advertising & Graphic Design course. “Having to travel all the way down from south and being here at the academy itself, I personally feel the colours of the college and the strategic location; especially when it comes to the food and environment inspires students' creativity," claimed Paul. According to Chan Yan Nee from Johor, “Getting information from the Senior Faculties is a valuable opportunity because it gets you insights on the courses of interest."

The One Academy produces creative talents who meet international-standard, armed with their jaw-dropping portfolio that has won them numerous achievements. The One Academy continuously built a bridge for high-flying graduates to cross international waters to serve the creative industry. Due to the academy's excellent track-record, international animation studios such as Lucas Film Singapore and Rhythm & Hues visits every semester to recruit its graduates.

The One Academy has intakes every January, April and August. To find out more about its courses log on to www.toa.edu.my or call 03-5636 5510.


Hair Show designs dazzle the crowd

It was a spectacle of various hair wonders and performances as students and guests gathered around the Limkokwing Plaza where the Hair and Design Academy students showcased their work at the University's Graduation Hair Show 2010.

The event dubbed 'The Fame' exhibited the graduating student's talents and put their creativity to the test.

The 13 Hair Design Academy designers, who came from Iran, Malaysia, Indonesia and Korea, joined together to showcase their masterpieces which were a tremendous effort of their 9 months' work. The designers joined together to coordinate the hair show event along with choosing the hair design, models, music, garments and choreography.

Each designer showed off three looks which were inspired by three different themes but all were based on multi-award winning superstar Lady Gaga's many inventive and unique looks.

The Braiding category showcased the unconventional way in which the style normally associated with African hair can be worn in a louder than life way while the Urban Techno section was influenced by the youth who drew inspiration from the Techno scene and consisted of a colourful array of platinum blonde wigs infused with fluorescent blues pinks, reds and oranges.

The third and most anticipated look was Avant Garde which challenged the students' creativity in constructing exaggerated looks based on 'Bridal Gaga couture'.

Each look portrayed the hard work and effort put into their designs as models donned the elaborate hairstyles along with garments created by the Fashion and Retail Design students.

Muhammad Harith Haikal, a Hair design student from Malaysia had braiding techniques which were exceptional to say the least. One of his designs consisted of a cape made entirely out of hair which cascaded down his model's back.

'I wanted to create a look which encapsulated princesses and princes, as well as make my model feel like royalty. With my look I wanted to illustrate that hair doesn't have to only be worn on the head. It can adorn the body as well.'

Guests were entertained by various artistes who included the break dancing group the Rokusteps, the Povillas with their beat boxing show as well as vocalists Jonah, Ayu and Ronnie who belted out melodic tunes to the pleasure of guests.

Each look was judged by various segments of the designers' overall look consisting of hair style, make-up, garments and inspiration.

Malaysian student Fatin Nadiah Latiff whose looks consisted of a braided Mohawk, which stood 2 feet above her model's head and a crown made of braided hair, enjoyed the creative process and overall show.

'I loved every minute of this experience. I wish I could do it all over again!' she said.

Airene Wong, Associate Head of the International Lifestyle Academy said, "We are extremely proud of the work our students have put in. It has been a whirlwind of emotions but it has all been worthwhile".


UTAR Agriculture Technology Seminar Series opens for registration

UTAR is organising the first Agriculture Technology Seminar Series for agriculturists and enthusiasts, agro-industry related stakeholders, academicians and researchers, undergraduate and postgraduate students, and interested members of the public.

The first series of the Agriculture Technology Seminar titled “Boosting Crop Yield” will be on 17 April 2010 at UTAR Perak Campus. Return transport will be provided from UTAR Petaling Jaya Campus to UTAR Perak Campus for paid registrants on a first come first served basis.

The seminar will include not only talks on ‘Horticultural Carbon’, ‘Fertilizer Management’ and ‘Keeping Pests and Diseases at Bay’ but also will see a stimulating discussion on all things agricultural. The expert panel will be led by Professor Emeritus Dr. Yong Hoi Sen who will be on hand to answer questions on how to keep your plants healthy and strong.

The Agriculture Technology Seminar Series, organised by UTAR Centre for Biodiversity Research and UTAR Institute of Postgraduate Studies and Research, will bring together renowned local and international experts from both the industry and academia. This seminar intends to be a platform for agricultural experts to share their views on alternative planting materials, fertiliser use and the management of pests and disease. The participation of plant hobbyists, local farming communities, agro-industry related stakeholders, academicians and students are especially encouraged.

The panel of speakers for the first series will include Dr. Francis Ng SP who will describe his experiences using a form of granulated charcoal (horticarbon) as a soil amendment for growing plants, including trees, herbs and flowers and cacti. Dr. Ng headed the design of the ‘Rainforest of 1-Utama’ which is a tropical oasis of 100 timber species and the ‘Secret Garden’ which is home to nearly 600 species of plants. Both are located at the 1 Utama Shopping Complex.

Dr. Tan Swee Lian, a Principal Research Officer in the Rice & Industrial Crops Centre of MARDI, who has over 37 years of research experience will share her tips on fertilizer management. The role of major and minor nutrients will be explained, and some guidelines will be provided on optimum fertilizer rates for selected crops. Gardeners will appreciate tips on how to calculate the correct amount of fertilizer to use to avoid wastage and luxury consumption.

Finally, Mr. Chung Gait Fee who has more than 30 years of experience in the agro-industry will discuss damage symptoms, economic importance and control recommendations using selected examples of pests in oil palm, vegetable, fruit trees and ornamental plants grown in Malaysia. The Integrated Pest Management (IPM) system adopted for the control of pests and diseases will be introduced in his talk.

The registration fee is RM 20 for students (student ID required), and RM 60 for public. The fee will include meals and return transportation between UTAR Petaling Jaya Campus and UTAR Perak Campus for participants from the Klang Valley. The closing date for registration is 13 April 2010. For registration and further information, please contact Dr. Anthony Ho at 03-41079802 ext 633, email at shho@utar.edu.my or Dr. Tee Chong Siang at teecs@utar.edu.my. Visit the website of the seminar at http://research.utar.edu.my/CBR/index.jsp

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