Project Dream 2.0: Real World Learning for KDU Students in Organising Charity Campaign

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hon Wei Min (4th from left) proudly handing over the funds to Ms Megawati Md Rashidi (3rd from left).

SHAH ALAM, 10 August 2015 – The School of Communication and Creative Arts is never a quiet school. There’s always a project or campaign going on throughout the semesters. One such event is the Project Dream 2.0, a charitable-based project with a series of activities and events that took place in July and August. “These public events will push them to step out of their comfort zone and experience a glimpse of the corporate world beyond the university’s wall,” said Timothy Chan Liem Joe, a lecturer from the Communication and Media Studies Department, SCCA, whose students were the organising team behind Project Dream 2.0.

UNITY & DIVERSITY @ KDU School of Communication & Creative Arts

KDU University College's Students Entreprenuership Conference

Participants physically express Open Mind, Open Heart and Open Hands during Dr. Peter Ting’s keynote address

KDU University College held its inaugural Student Entrepreneurship Conference over two-days at its Damansara Jaya campus and brought more than a 100 students from various universities both locally and internationally to listen to “rock star” entreprenuers in their own sectors to share their experiences with students in the hope that this will expand their knowledge and ignite the spirit of entrepreneurship. The conference was held with the aim to holistically equip the students with the knowledge of the big picture on where the nation is heading, the highs and lows of the being an entrepreneur as well as how to begin their journey as entrepreneurs utilising Blue Ocean Strategy thinking.

Interview with My Life is Like Broadway Musicals – Part 1 – Shery

On May 14, GenYes managed to have a sit down interview session with the main trio behind My Life is Like a Broadway Musical:

• Ms. Gabbie Ngoh, projected leader, writer and director. Lecturer at KDU’s School of Communication and Creative Arts.
• Shery Chong Sher Yean, playing the female lead Catherine. First year Entertainment Arts student at KDU.
• Shelty, playing main antagonist Gina. Student at KDU and aspiring dancer.

This marks part the first part of the interview, focused on the lead actress Shery as she undertakes her first acting role as Catherine, the leading lady in KDU’s first ever public theatre production, My Life is Like Broadway Musicals.

How was it like to act in this musical as Catherine?
Shery: It’s different. Shery and Catherine are different people. Catherine is soft and innocent…Shery is innocent, but not soft. So, it’s fun. Acting, you get to do things you won’t do in normal life. For example, in musical, you can talk, act, then suddenly you sing. But if you do it, in reality, people will think you’re a crazy person. Like murdering, kidnapping, all of these things you can only do it in acting.

Lunchtime Performance with Dr.Samuel Wong!

Ever had a thing or two for Chinese plucked instruments? We know in today's era, the tradition and interest in these instruments are slowly fading. However, Dr.Samuel Wong inspired a number of students on a Chinese plucked stringed instrument called the Pipa. The Pipa is endowed with a highly expressive character and a sound likened to pearls falling on a jade tray. The KDU School of Communication and Creative Arts invited Dr.Samuel Wong during the Lunchtime Performance. 

Dr.Samuel Wong posing for a group photo with KDU UC students

The lunchtime performance aims to inspire the entertainment arts students as well as those who are interested in the similar scene. The event took place at KDU University College, Damansara Jaya campus on 8th May 2013.

KDU UC & (MRM) Design Council Signs Letter of Intent!

KDU University College and Malaysia Design Council (MRM) have agreed to carry out collaborative education initiatives for the new Diploma Programme in Entrepreneurial Design and existing Bachelor Degree Programme in Visual Communication. This will enable students to look into an in-depth and understanding part of the creative sector.

A formal Letter of Intent was signed in the presence of official guests lead by KDU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Khong Yoon Loong and Chairman of Malaysia Design Council Y.Bhg. Dato' Prof. Dr. Ahmad Haji Zainuddin. The signing observation took place at KDU University College, Damansara Jaya campus on 19th April 2013.

Through this partnership MRM agrees to become an affiliate and partner to the KDU Entrepreneurial Design and Visual Communication programmes and support activities in the area of design related to academic and educational interests.

SCCA Entertainment Arts Mini Boot Camp 2013!

Inspiration comes in various forms, be it people, things, or even places. However, the most common inspiration often comes from people whom we looked up to. This time around, the School of Communication and Creative Arts organized a mini boot camp to nurture and inspire to students who are interested in the Entertainment Arts industry.

AIYOO!- A Lunchtime Performance

Lunch times can be a bore at times. However, a little fun is in this time. The School of Communication and Creative Arts launched the SCCA Lunchtime Performance so that the KDU Community can come together, have fun and a good laugh, relax, enjoy as well as catching culture and art live at the Black Box studio. The first performance took place at KDU University College, Damansara Jaya campus on 19th March 2013.

Random Happy Day!

The best way to cheer yourself is to try to cheer someone else up. -Mark Twain-

Students from KDU University College, Bachelor of Communication (Hons) events management class recently organized a Random Happy Day. The students strolled around the heart of Kuala Lumpur, in the LRT station, in the LRT train itself and around walkways in KL city. They were randomly going around giving out free candies and balloons without asking any favour in return. 

The Hook up with Dato' Karam Singh Walia!

When it comes to news journalism, I'm sure we Malaysians have probably heard or known of a person called Dato' Karam Singh Walia. He came down to KDU University College, Damansara Jaya campus on 8th March 2013 for the Hook up Series, organized by the School of Communication and Creative Arts. 

He has a strong passion for investigative journalism. To be more specific, he specializes in Environmental Investigative Journalism. To the general public, he is "Nature's Knight and the People's Champion". He has won no less than 40 journalism and public service awards from both local and international institutions making him Malaysia's most decorated journalist.

The students had a great time with him. He was such an inspiration and admiration to many as he shares his experiences as an investigative journalist. He helped the nation and society to live in a better place and environment, helping them to solve a particular environment issues or raise an unheard issue. It takes more than just loud crisp-clear voice or a natural on screen to become a journalist. He has been through tough threatening situations in his life and even getting dirty by going through mud, clogged water, infected water, you name it. It takes months or even years to investigate and research on a certain issue/story before he can present it. 

Universal Children's Day with KDU University College!

In life, not many are born lucky, or living the expected life. However, things can change if we, the society, do something about it and take action on what needs to be done in order to create change.

This time around. the Diploma in Mass Communications students of KDU University College’s School of Communication and Creative Arts took the initiative to organized a fund-raising campaign campaign for different NGOs and charitable organisations that work towards the benefit of children aged 18 years old and below.

The event took place at Publika, Solaris Dutamas on 11th November 2012.

Infographics Exhibition to celebrate the 55th Merdeka Day!

We as Malaysians, must embrace of what we have today and not forgetting a vital part in our history. We might forget the names of the warriors that fought for our country or even the story that lies behind, evolving our country to what it is today. This time around, to reignite the sentiment of the 55th Merdeka Day, the KDU’s School of Communication and Creative Arts took the initiative to organize an Infographics Exhibition!

Soap Making workshop!

The Zakka workshop has been successful and gain interest especially to hobbyist. This time around, the Zakka Workshop series concluded last Saturday with soap making session to a full house of 50 participants.

 UC program student Michelle Ong stirring the lye and oils mixture

Organized by the School of Communication and Creative Arts, this third and final workshop was conducted by local renowned soap making expert Puuuv Soap which was founded by an entrepreneurial couple.

Infographics Exhibition 2012- MALAYSIAku

In conjunction with the 55th Merdeka Day, students from KDU UC will be putting up an INFOGRAPHICS Exhibition. Come let's all celebrate as Malaysia gained independence for the nation. The showcase is curated by Ms.Pouline (Comm & Creative Arts Lecturer) with the support from KDU's School of Communication & Creative Arts. 

Date: 28th August - 4th September 2012

Venue: White Box, Publika Solaris Dutamas (KL)

Time: 11.00am-7.00pm

Sample work- Tan Chi Min

The exhibition will feature a range of infographic design by 57 Desktop Publishing (DTP) students from the Diploma in Mass Communication programme with the intention to use their newly acquired knowledge and skill to remind their friends and the public the history of Malaysia and the development the country has accomplished over the last 55 years.

Jayson Puah in Paper Crane, the musical at KLPAC!

With the introduction of the diploma of entertainment arts in April 2012, one of our five students Jayson Puah has landed himself a ensemble role in the musical opening tomorrow (27 July 2012) at Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts (KLPAC). 

For we hope that entertainment arts students will get themselves into the pulse of the local performing arts scene in Malaysia. 

Tickets are available. Do order them through the ticket hotline HERE.

Theatre Talk by Industry Professionals!

The theatre scene in Malaysia is definitely growing strong and steady. On 18^th July 2012, three distinguished guests from the Malaysian theatre scene arrived at KDU University College, Damansara Jaya campus. These guests were Dato’ Faridah Merican, Mark Beau de Silva and Christopher Ling, from KLPAC (The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre).

Dato’ Faridah Merican is the Co-founder and executive producer of The Actors Studio Malaysia and The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPAC). She is often referred to as the First Lady of Theatre in Malaysia and has been awarded the BOH Cameronian Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to the performing arts in Malaysia. Her talk was titled “The Business of Theatre, Now and Then”.

Zakka Workshop- Design Your Own Bag!

The second Zakka workshop has arrived in its own unique form. This time around, participants were taught how to design their own personalized bag! The event took place at KDU University College, Damansara Jaya campus on 14th July 2012, to a room full of bag design enthusiast.

Proud participants with their personalized handmade bag!

Organized by the School of Communication and Creative Arts, the workshop was conducted by self-taught local renowned zakka maker Florence Lui who has been producing handmade bags since 1990s.

According to Florence, entrepreneurial makers should create products that not only look good but also functional and useful.

The Hook-Up with Irene Ang!

Irene Ang in action!

Does the name Rosie Phua rings a bell to your head? If yes, you would have probably watched Singapore’s longest running sitcom comedy, “Phua Chu Kang Pte Ltd” and subsequently “Phua Chu Kang Sdn. Bhd”. Irene Ang (a.k.a Rosie Phua) plays as Phua Chu Kang’s (Gurmit Singh) wife in the sitcom series.

KDU Zakka Workshop- Everyone is a Creative Entrepreneur

Recently, KDU School of Communication and Creative Arts has taken an interest in Japanese zakka culture, bringing the interest from local arts bazaar scene into the institution. On June 16, the “Stitch Your Own Notebook” workshop kicked off the series of zakka events, aiming to turn arts, hobbies, skills and interests into an ever possible entrepreneurship.

The given materials used in book-stitching

With a strong group of 30 participants made up of zakka enthusiasts from different background – students, educators, homemakers and other professions, they learned the aesthetic of kettle stitching taught by local renowned zakka maker, Samsiah Jendol of Little Syam.