By MUHAMMAD ALI IMRAN Edward Chong wants to reduce the campus' dependence on non-renewable resources. SUBANG JAYA | Taylor's University (TU) is taking a leap forward in renewable energy with a plan to generate electricity through solar power.
TU Facilities, EHS, Security and Sustainability Senior Manager Edward Chong Eu Siang said the plan, which would be implemented over the next four years, would entail the installation of photovoltaic panels on the rooftops of Blocks A to E in Lakeside Campus. Solar panels would also be installed over the visitors' parking behind Blocks A and B, he added. "Right now, it is an open-air parking place without any shades, so we are going to construct a wood and steel structure to act as a shade," he said, adding that the solar panels would be installed on the roof of the shade. Chong said constructing such a structure would showcase TU's commitment for green initiatives, and provide valuable research projects for School Of Engineering students. He said phase one, which would cost about RM1.3mil, would begin early next year. "Upon completion, the first phase is expected to produce peak electrical output of around 210 kilowatts, with overall output increasing to around two megawatts by the project's completion," he told The Inkslingers. "Originally the plan was to install the solar project by the end of this year, but because of the economic conditions right now, we have to postpone it to next year," he added. According to Chong, the plan also took considerable time to be approved by the local authorities as the Malaysian Investment Development Authority and the Subang Jaya Municipal Council took a few months to review the application. "We submitted our application at the end of December last year and we only got the approval early this August, so it took us seven months to gain approval from the authorities," he added. Despite the setbacks, Chong said he hoped that the initiative would make the university campus more eco-friendly.
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By CLARISSA LOI PUI LING T.RIBE hard at work preparing the team's Installation piece. | Photo Credit: T.RIBE SUBANG JAYA | Taylorian Team T.RIBE’s futuristic TRON-inspired designs lit up the competition at the MATRA USM 28th PAM Architecture Student Workshop, bagging five prizes with their efforts.
T.RIBE beat out more than 700 students from 21 local and international higher institutions to become the champions for the Multimedia and Photography categories. The team also earned the second and third prizes for the Design competition and third place for the Merchandise Booth's Design category. “It was a pleasant surprise finding out we won, because it means our work gets recognised out of all the other universities there. “However, it’s more than just winning, as the bigger picture would be how others would remember us by as students from Taylor’s University,” said T.RIBE’s Team Leader, Philia Chua Yi Suan, 20. T.RIBE opted for a team identity influenced by the science fiction film, TRON, as this year's theme was MATRA (Dimension). “We chose a concept like TRON, because much like The Matrix they have strong visuals and unique elements that are easier to be interpreted into the categories of the workshop,” said T.RIBE’s supervising lecturer, Delliyah bt. Zain. Chua said being able to represent Taylor’s University (TU) while collaborating and networking with many of the participating student contingents was a highlight of their experience. “Everyone is from an architectural background but it is so diverse. "It’s not just architecture – even the workshop isn’t purely focused on the field,” said T.RIBE’s Vice Leader, Hirendran Sivaganam, 20. The MATRA USM 28th PAM Architecture Student Workshop was held from 17 to 21 August, with Team T.RIBE consisting of 33 students and two lecturers from School Of Architecture, Building and Design. By ILI RUZANNA IQBAL Participants write how they feel on a sticky note and get a red bag of sweets in return SUBANG JAYA | Taylor's University students have been encouraged to offer small gestures, such as smiling to a stranger, sharing some humour with someone, and giving a compliment to someone to create a happy campus environment for everyone.
Taylor’s Counselling and Psychological Services Centre (CPSC) Counsellor Sutha Balakrishnan said a simple, little action could bring happiness to everyone and their surroundings. “Happiness is important for every human being. Even the smallest action could bring happiness to many," she said. "Most of the students failed to realise this. So, we (CPSC) want to come out with a campaign that can create smiles on many faces,” Sutha added. Sutha said this at the Happiness Wellness Campaign, organised by the the CPSC on 6 October. Held at the Student Life Centre, the campaign involved activities in which participants wrote things that made them happy on sticky notes, in exchange for a free bag of sweets and an uplifting message. Participants could also take out little notes from a jar that contained small gestures that they can do such as give a compliment, in exchange for a smiley sticker and magnet. Other activities involved colouring the Happiness mandala, a therapeutic way to release stress and feel relaxed as well as taking pictures at a booth with a smiley background. Aside from spreading happiness, the campaign aimed to create awareness on the counselling department and its services. “If you have any concerns or feel that things are overwhelming, feel free to come and talk to a counsellor. We will be there to support you,” said Sutha. Law School student, Nadhirah bt. Syahmi, 20 said she had been to counselling sessions and it had helped her through bad days. “I definitely encourage other students to go for counselling, because talking about something makes things better; we all have those days,” she added. "I hope they know that the centre is open for talking about anything,” said School Of Communication student, Anusheh Hyder, 24, who often volunteers in CPSC activities. By THEODORA Lai Jia Yi proudly presents his perfected three-course meal. | Photo Credit: Lai Jia Yi SUBANG JAYA | Taylor’s University (TU) School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts student Lai Jia Yi carved a name for himself by clinching the gold medal in the Cooking Category of the 11th ASEAN Skills Competition (ASC) 2016.
The 20-year-old Advanced Diploma in Patisserie and Gastronomic Cuisine student is the third TU student to win a gold at ASC. His win brought Malaysia's medal count to 24 this year. “With the effort of four months of professional training given by Chef Farouk b. Othman and Chef Sabri, I was pretty confident to win this,” said Lai. Lai won the judges’ votes with three-perfected-course meal, comprising seafood ravioli with prawn bisque as the starter, beef tenderloin with beer jus, gnocchi and turned vegetables as the main course, followed by chocolate mousse with fruit salad and crisp strawberry as the dessert. The contestants were judged on variety of cooking aspects including, hygiene, balance of flavours, textures, creativity and presentation. Hosted by Malaysia this year, the biannual competition took place at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) in Selangor from 23 to 28 September. Lai said he had been training for 12 hours every day since June. “The training has been repeated again and again until I am able to do it with my eyes closed,” he said, adding that his training routine included kitchen practices, thorough recipe research and time management. Lai said he had some minor injuries during the competition. “I cut my fingers and it started to bleed so I had to wear gloves in order to continue with my tasks. “I also burnt my hand during the rush of service time, but I feel that my hardwork and effort have paid off,” said Lai, who hoped to work in a three-star Michelin restaurant in the future. “The competition has given me chances to broaden my connection and of course, honing my skills to a higher level,” he added. As the winner of this category, Lai will represent Malaysia at the World Skills Competition next year at Abu Dhabi, which will see contestants from more than 30 countries, performing more difficult tasks and tests. By SAMANTHA SIN The scene for one of the five plays, Despair SUBANG JAYA | Taylor’s Society of Performing Arts (SPART)’s fourth annual Sparties Shorties was held on 12 to 15 October whereby the club’s members tirelessly prepared for their acts.
Five brand new interconnecting short plays written for this year’s new themes were rehearsed at night after classes. The interconnecting plays started with Death, followed by Celebration, Perseverance, Despair and ended with Birth. “At first, I had some difficulties writing because the direction of writing changed after I wrote my initial script. “I had to scrap the idea quickly and re-write a new script to match the given directions, all in time for the auditions,” said Law School student and SPART play writer Mohamed Axam Maumoon. “Casting was good and fruitful despite the difficulties I faced as I had to work with the directors before finalizing on the cast,” added Mohamed Axam. SPART Treasurer, Sheryl Lynn Chan Lee Thin acted in last year’s plays but she directed this year for the play entitled Perseverance. “It was rather emotional for me but that was one thing I learned from last year; that it was totally fine to be vulnerable,” said Sheryl. More information on the Sparties Shorties can be found on the SPART’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BeyondActing/ |
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