Newsletter Nov – Dec 2018
Honours Seminar Series – Chef Randall Chen
Chef Randall Chen, founder and owner of Pallets and Pans Café, was invited to share his experiences with the students on how to conduct a business successfully and efficiently.
Chef Randall highlighted values he believed are integral to a successful operation of a business: knowledge of marketing approach targeted to specific clientele; he emphasised on knowing his customers on a personal level and commitment or the ability to go the extra mile beyond what was expected of them. Another quality he values highly is on being a successful leader – maintaining a strict professional yet compassionate relationship with employees.
Chef Randall also noted the challenges one may encounter in the journey to build a successful business, namely securing the necessary permits and licenses in order to operate in the country, and to ensure insurance have been bought to protect the business and the employees. It was clear to those attending that a successful business can only be achieved through passion and hard work.
Employer Certificate of Appreciation from EPF
On November 8, Berjaya Higher Education Sdn. Bhd. was awarded the Employer’s Certificate of Appreciation from EPF for successfully discharging EPF contributions regularly from 2017 – 2018. The award was presented to the Executive Director/CEO of Berjaya Higher Education Sdn. Bhd., Madam Mae Ho by Tn. Hardial Singh A/L Mitt Singh the Head of Enforcement Department at Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), KL.
French Day
The “French Day 2018 -Cabaret” was organised by a group of students taking up the French Language course at BERJAYA Language Centre. Cabaret is a form of theatrical entertainment featuring music, song, dance, recitation, or drama. The Student Lounge was decorated with a stage featuring red and black balloons and mini French flags surrounded by booths on French Cabaret history, games and French Culture. Students also prepared a few performances such as dancing, singing and reciting of poems to set the mood of a Cabaret.
Honours Seminar Series – Mr. Prem
Mr. Prem Joseph, Director of Sales and Marketing of Renaissance Hotel, Kuala Lumpur visited BERJAYA University College to present a seminar titled, “Hotelier’s Life – Professional Selling Skills,” sharing with final-year Hospitality students on the significance and importance of listening to the needs of guests, especially when offering hospitality products and services. Mr. Prem shared his experiences, and emphasised on the need to be adaptable to diverse work cultures in order to sustain one’s career in hotel sales and marketing both locally and abroad.
Deepavali Celebration
Students and staff congregated at the student lounge to celebrate the Hindu festival of light, Deepavali. The campus was decorated with a purple and yellow kolam, along with a peacock statue, which symbolises peace, beauty and glory. The joyful occasion was celebrated with traditional dance performances by the students, and refreshments featuring traditional Indian delicacies.
Honours Seminar Series – Mr. Alvin See
Mr. Alvin See, Human Resources Manager of DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Kuala Lumpur, visited BERJAYA University College to give a seminar on “The Impact of Culture on Organisational Performance.” He shared his own experiences on how to globalise a business successfully from his department; he argues that one must utilise the culture of the organisation to maximise performance across the enterprise, as well as expand and strengthen the global footprint of the company. He uses Hilton as an excellent example of accomplishing this: as of 2018, there are 365,000 employees around the world from 104 different countries.
Mr. See stressed a need to have a purpose in order to be successful: without a goal in mind, a company cannot strive for success. He notes that to maximise success potential, Hilton is constantly creating more work opportunities to aid those in need of work, being proactive in the wider community by getting involved with the elderly and disadvantaged children, as well as being mindful of the needs of the environment. It was evident that success for a business did not necessarily have to be within the same sector, that diversity of ambition may be what pushes a corporation to maximise profits efficiently.
BERJAYA UC 7th Convocation
This year our cohort comprised of 425 students receiving their scrolls from our Vice-Chancellor Emeritus Professor Walter Wong. It was a heartfelt day where parents and graduates alike filled the Manhattan Ballroom with joy and pride.
Valedictorian Shaun Koo stated in his speech, “It was because of an opportunity that I found myself at BERJAYA UC. It was because of an opportunity that I joined the Toastmasters Club. It was because an opportunity arose that I was able to study in France. None of these would have ever happened if I did not seize opportunities that were right in front of me. I am glad that my journey began with BERJAYA UC, because that was when my life started to change for the better.” We’re proud to have all our students graduate and start on their new journey as working adults.
Just like what Steve Jobs once said, “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become.” We urge our graduates to go forth and set the world on fire with their passion in whatever they do. Our heartfelt congratulations go to the graduating class of 2018.
Goethe Dinner
Students from the Faculty of Culinary Arts, and Faculty of Hospital and Tourism, were given an extraordinary opportunity to work alongside German chef Helge Hagemann of die Werteköche and Malaysian Celebrity chef Ili Sulaiman of Dish by Ili; these chefs worked together to create a unique 5-course menu, culminating in a fusion of both cuisines. The dinner was to commemorate the “Blue Hour” held across other Goethe Institute around the world.
BBS Entrepreneurship Sharing Session
Students from the BERJAYA Business School attended a lecture held by JEOEL co-founder Choong Jiayueh. At this session, Choong explained how JEOEL came to exist, touching upon specifically values of entrepreneurship. The lecture proved to be an invaluable experience for the students, especially those aspiring to be entrepreneurs for their own businesses.
2018 Global Youth and Entrepreneurs Innovation and Development Conference
In December 1 and 2, the 2018 Global Youth and Entrepreneurs Innovation and Development Conference was organised by BGlobal Professional Development and GFL and hosted by BERJAYA University College (BERJAYA UC) and Social Entrepreneurs with Integrity Association (SEIA) in collaboration with Beijing International Exchange Association Sustainable Development Committee and the International Scientific Exchange Foundation of China. The conference was attended by the youth and entrepreneurs from Malaysia, Singapore, China, Taiwan, Canada, Bhutan and Japan.
Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Vincent Tan graced the occasion and met with fellow entrepreneurs who shared the same beliefs in humanity and values in bringing meaningful impact to society.
Master Lin Tseng Jung delivered the welcome message while the Conference Guest of Honour was Mr. Syed Nabil Aljeffri, founder of the Malaysian Association of ASEAN Youth Entrepreneurs (MAAYE); founding chair of the regional ASEAN Young Entrepreneurs Council (AYEC) and currently Council Member for Entrepreneurship Development Advisory Council in the Malaysian government.
The conference keynote address was delivered by Professor Chen Xi, President of the International Scientific Exchange Foundation of China. Speakers from various creative industries were also present to deliver their insights on innovation and creative economy: Oliver Lin Shin Bao, Deputy CEO of Taiwan Design Center on “Design – The Key for Competitiveness of Successful Business”; Franz Chen Li Heng, CEO of Franz Collection Inc. on “Branding”; Honorable Phee Boon Poh, Penang State Executive Councillor for Welfare, Caring Society and Environment on “Environment Innovation: Green Economy”; John Wu Chih Yang, Taiwan KMT Legislator-at-large-seats on “Rebuilding a Peaceful Society with Love” and Professor Wu Chih Fu, Vice President/ Professor of Department of Industrial Design, Tatung University on “The Prospects: Creativity and Innovation”.
The second day of the conference was dedicated to five concurrent workshops: “Innovation for service design” by Taiwan Design Centre; “Integrating innovation in architecture design” by Dayuan Architecture Design Consulting Co., Ltd; “Conceptual & practice of talent acquisition” by Tatung University; “Innovation in investment of accommodation services” by David Wei, Founder/ CEO, Taiwan Youth Hostel Co., Ltd. and “Big data power in Pan-Entertainment ecosystem” by Ray Chen, former Vice President, Taiwan, HK, Macau branch, iDreamsky and Billy Wong, Co-founder & CEO, Wearrus Inc.
Christmas High Tea
BERJAYA University College provided an inter-disciplinary collaborative learning experience for the Diploma in Patisserie students and students from the School of Hospitality. The students prepared a multitude savoury and sweet platters of different pastries and cakes, ranging from a traditional Christmas fruit cake to a rainbow cake to shepherd pie. A selection of different teas was offered to guests, from which they could choose that would pair perfectly with the foods prepared. As part of an authentic high tea, some pastries were arranged on a three-tier platter. To complement the stunning dishes prepared by the students, a selection of different teas from Tea Drop, an Australian-based tea house, was offered to guests, featuring Royal Ceylon Breakfast Tea, French Earl Grey, and Oolong Kiwi Berry.
It was a unique opportunity for the students to participate in a collaborative experience, one that they accomplished with confidence, elegance, and exceptional proficiency. Certainly it can be said that it was an event that represents the excellent level of professionalism and skill taught and perpetuated by BERJAYA UC.
Open Day 15th and 16th December 2018
A large range of activities and workshops were scheduled for Open Day and visitors were given the opportunity to learn how to make mocktails for the Holiday Season!
A number of guests were invited to participate in the Open Day sessions, namely Hitz.FM Radio DJ Ryan de Alwis, who gave an inspirational speech on the importance of communication in our daily life, and Malaysia’s Brewer Cup Champion of 2017, Shaun Liew, who spoke of the different types of coffee and demonstrated how to make latte art.
Christmas Staff Party
As the year drew to a close, staff indulged in a feast of their own to celebrate the season of joy and giving. A great buffet was served to those attending, accompanied by a selection of mocktails prepared by the School of Hospitality. The BERJAYA staff were joined by children from the charity, Rumah Victory. 29 children and youth were invited to join the celebrations through the Department of Student Services’ (DOSS) “Christmas Hope for the Young Ones” project. As part of this project, various staff members volunteered to sponsor gifts ranging from toys to stationery to books for the children and youth. The staff were particularly moved as the names of the children and youth were called, and the staff who sponsored the gifts presented to them personally; as the children and youth received their gifts, their faces were lit with joy.
As part of the Christmas celebrations, a lucky draw took place with over 100 prizes waiting to be won, ranging from gift vouchers to the main prize of 2 air tickets to Phuket. To celebrate the season of giving even more, staff took part in a “Secret Santa” gift exchange activity, looks of amusement and glee were etched on faces as the staff opened their presents. Indeed it was a time of great joy for all involved!
