2 | CP SCHOOL ED

JANUARY2016campusplus.com.my

FEATURES

WEIRD WACKY WORLDSALES OF UNAUTHORISED SELFIE STICKS COULD LEAD TO JAIL TIME IN SOUTH KOREA

Read about some of the crazy news happening around the world.

12

CAsE stuDY - ItINFORMATION TECHNOLOGY GIVES POSTME THE COMPETITIVE EDGE

Find out the different ways of being unique in the marketplace.

32

CONTENTSCOVER stORYFIGURES OF PASSION

Here’s one unique hobby you can consider if you don’t have one.

16

MOVIE REVIEW A LOOK AT TEN OF THE BEST MOVIES IN 2015

Some of the best movies we could not resist watching last year. Check them out and compare them with your list.

28

CAsE stuDY - BusInEss TATTOOS IN THE WORK PLACE

Tattoos and body modification aren’t professional, aren’t corporate, and they give out a ‘certain message’. This is what we always read about in the media. What do you think?

40

CAsE stuDY – EngLIshAI-CHO-CHO YOUR ENGLISH

Learn English the fun way. Psst…your favourite pet is hiding somewhere here.

44

guYs stuffGUIDES TO CASUAL COOL

Not sure how to look cool in T-shirts? Here are some tips on how to carry off that cool you.

26

CAsE stuDY – sCIEnCE CANCER & CANCER STEM CELLS

Cancer is the subject of intense research around the world, but many questions about how the disease works remain unanswered. Find out more here.

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4 | CP SCHOOL ED

SIGHTS & INSIGHTSFROM THE EDITOR

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FROM THE EDITOR

A Very Happy New Year to all our readers!

It has been a fantastic 2015 for us here at Campus Plus and we certainly look forward to a great 2016! To say that I am excited to be writing to you for the first time would be an understatement of monumental proportions.

However, the inaugural editor’s note is always treacherous to write. How do you encompass all the hopes and plans you have for a new publication? And how do you express your sincere desire to uphold the traditions and nuances that make the publication unique?

Well, I may not be able to do it all here but rest assured we have plenty in store for you in this issue and for the rest of 2016.

This month, we take a look at passion. Everyone has a passion. We all have something that we love to spend our time doing; in other words, a hobby. Some hobbies are strange, some expensive, others are time consuming.

Here, we look at a unique hobby - figurine collections. A hobby that is growing fast in Malaysia. We speak to collectors and shop owners to learn more about why figurine collection is not just about buying any figurines of famous characters but to appreciate the details and admire the beauty of these figurines.

Don’t forget to check out the special movie review articulated by Cheryl Tai, our talented 16-year old intern, the fashion buzz and guys stuff will give you an idea of what’s cool and what’s not.

We also have some interesting case studies for you to discuss with your teachers during school hours. Yes! This magazine can be used as part of your lesson as it offers a rich source of authentic material which can inspire a wide range of activities.

So go ahead check them all out and if you have any feedback, feel free to email me at suba@campusplus.com.my!

Suba

Publisher Mac Sivanesan MAC@CAMPUSPLUS.CoM.MY

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THE LATEST FROMAROUND TOWN

JANUARY 2016news

Students Battle It Out in the DC WeCode International Competition FinalNow in its second year, Digital Campus is set on a bigger platform with the introduction of its ASEAN edition. Digital Campus’ DC WeCode International Competition Finale saw 36 schools from Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines, comprising a total of 134 students, enter the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia arena with one challenge - coding the best programme!

The students participated in 3 categories: Freshman (ages 6-9), Sophomore (ages 10-12), and Executive (ages 13 and above). Those in the Freshman category were required to develop a creative story while those in the Sophomore and Executive categories had to create a game application.

These contestants won their right to participate in the finals on the 23rd November, when a total of 2359 students from primary and secondary schools put their coding skills to the test in their respective home country’s National WeCode Competition.

Digital Campus is a collaboration between Youth on Unity (Y.O.U) and Eduspec Holdings Bhd. It is a multi-tiered platform for youths to learn and develop their creativity and innovation via digital education in order to apply that knowledge in real life.

“We hope that this will be the spark to ignite the interest and passion of what is to come and that the students will continue to apply the knowledge they have gotten to create their own apps and programmes. Life is a race and a competition, so by virtue of their participation, they stand on good stead,” said CEO of Eduspec Holdings Bhd, E H Lim.

Prior to this event, students of various ages flocked to the Digital Art and Animation Finals which was held at Jakarta, Indonesia on the 7th November and the Robotics finals at Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on the 29th November.

A cutting-edge Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Computer Science and STEM Robotics curriculum brought in by Eduspec in collaboration with Robomatter and iCarnegie Global Learning was introduced to national schools in October last year in an effort to meet the demands of the continual advancement of technology. Developed by a US-dresearch team with resources obtained from the No.1 School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University, the programme covers Computer Science and coding following a learning-by-doing pedagogy.

Bonnie Wong Kar Mun, winner, Yang Berhormat Senator Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, Deputy Minister of Women, Family & Community Malaysia, Encik Naziffuddin Bin Dato Seri. Mohd Najib & Mr E.H Lim, CEO of Eduspec Holdings Berhad.

From left: Yang Berhormat Senator Datin Paduka

Chew Mei Fun, Deputy Minister of Women, Family &

Community Malaysia, Liau Wei Sheng, winner

& Mr E.H Lim, CEO of Eduspec Holdings Berhad.

Art throughVandalismarts&culture

january 2016by grace chan

A LittLe History…Hip-hop graffiti owes its genesis to New York City during the late 1960s when a group of teenagers from the impoverished neighbourhoods began blanketing the city with their “tags” (stylised signatures of names they had invented for themselves). Back then, groups of writers were mainly concerned with visibility and recognition by “tagging up” their names, often in places where they could be seen by as many as possible. By the 1970s, merely getting up one’s name in large numbers was no longer sufficient for recognition. Writers began to seek out even more risky and conspicuous tagging spots to enhance their reputations. Soon, originality and colour are what the writers deemed as style, a primary source of status

among writers. And that is how the whole concept of graffiti came about…

tHe emergence of grAffiti in KuALA LumpurStreet art in Malaysia has also gained momentum over the last five years. The graffiti art scene in

Malaysia was originally initiated around 1988 in Batu Pahat, Johor

by a renowned graffiti crew known as

Graffiti writing is as ancient as human communication but in the United States, it gained widespread attention only with its proliferation in urban neighbourhoods in the late 1960s and 1970s. Unfortunately, most people have come to associate graffiti with vandalism, regarding its markings and murals as visible, invasive challenges to aesthetics and property concepts. Urban gangs have made graffiti their own during the last three decades. However, for the most part, graffiti is more accurately linked to hip-hop. According to anthropologist Susan Philips, hip-hop graffiti actually served as an alternative to gangs, with “writers” organising themselves in crews that spar with each other through style and production as opposed to violence.

Street Art UtopiA

“PhobiaKlik”. In to time, its popularity grew to attract other budding artists. Later, in Kuala Lumpur (KL), a crew called “SWS” (Sembur with Style) also lent a hand in popularising the art. Since then, KL has been transformed into a hub for graffiti art, with many artists from around the country settling down in the cityscape. Today, there are many established crews in the country like PhobiaKlik, SWS, Black Fryday, Super Sunday, Medium Touch, and Phiberwryte.

grAffiti: out of tHe sHAdowsToday in Malaysia, graffiti has gone through a facelift and is no longer termed as vandals’ work of destruction but rather a celebration of urban art. One of the defining moments of our street art’s community include the collaboration with government authorities (KL City Hall, DBKL and the Ministry of Youth and Sports) to breathe in colours along the banks of the Klang River. On top of that, there were also several graffiti camps organised across various youth and sports complexes, further providing an arena for local graffiti artists to expose the younger generation to the art.

A feAst for tHe eyesMalaysia may not immediately spring to mind when discussing hot street art locations, but wouldn’t you know, there are a handful of artistic mural highlights in many states. Join us as we take you on a street art tour throughout Malaysia.

MAlAccAFamous for its heritage, this historic city added

street art to its credentials when a group of mural and graffiti artists were commissioned to repaint a row of historical shop houses along the river in the Melaka River Art Project (Projekarm) in 2012. Today, the scenic and revitalised area boasts of river cruises, a riverside promenade dotted with cafes, and a life-sized art gallery

along the riverfront facades.

KUAlA lUMpUrIn 2010, the KUL Sign Festival was one of the

first street art projects to be commissioned. Its aim was to revive the grey and dull concrete walls along the Klang River. Today, the area is brimming with colourful urban images, from futuristic cityscapes, cartoon characters to everyday street scenes that are meticulously crafted in dazzling hues of colours.

Away from the waterside, street art has also blossomed

in KL’s Central Market, particularly

in an area close to the hectic Pasar Seni

LRT station, and on Jalan Pudu Lama.

Other notable works to view include Kenji Chai’s commissioned mural for Nando’s Chinatown Restaurant at Jalan Sultan, as well as various pockets of street art in KL suburbs like in Taman Prima Tropika, Seri Kembangan and Taman Seni located in Seksyen 2, Shah Alam.

penAng The famous Penang island’s UNESCO World Heritage Site in George Town is deemed as the first city to bring street art out of the shadows when famous Lithuanian street artist Ernest Zacharevic’s quaint murals within the heritage enclave made its way around the world (partly thanks to the millions of selfies taken by amused tourists of his murals and posted to countless social media sites). Let’s also not forget our local artist, Louis Gan who contributed his fair share of breath taking pieces to the town.

ipohAll thanks to Zacharevic, the once sleepy former tin-mining town has now made it into the street art tour. Swiftly after he decided to adorn Ipoh’s downtown shops houses with his iconic murals, he was joined by a local art teacher, Eric Lai who also initiated a street art project together with his art students along Hugh Low Street, Ipoh.

Johor BAhrU Zacharevic also left his mark in Johor Bahru with a series of Lego-themed

street art in Taman Molek, Johor Bahru in homage to the opening of LEGOLAND Malaysia during 2013. Despite garnering more than 6,000 likes in a day for his “Lego thief” piece, the painting was removed by authorities due to its negative reflection on the city’s reputation.

Now, now… who would have thought Malaysia is home to so many stunning masterpieces! Now that we have listed down these awesome street art spots, why just admire them from afar? It’s time to jump on an adventure (or two) and make that weekend getaway to enjoy the artworks for yourselves!

Street Art UtopiA

| CAMPUS PLUS

www

JANUARY 2016

weirdwackyworldour eccentric

world

Touted as a real-life “Sleeping Beauty”, Beth Goodier with a rare syndrome of Kleine-Levin Syndrome (KLS) has unfortunately been trapped in the grimmest fairytale of all. The condition causes Goodier to doze off for up to 22 hours a day leaving her to stay awake for only two hours

a day up to five times a week. Can you picture going through life either sleeping or feeling like you’re sleep walking? While Sleeping Beauty was woken by a prince’s kiss, Gooldier knows her own story is unlikely to have a happy ending. Having to sleep through every conceivable occasion in life (graduation, holidays, birthdays, New Year’s Eves, Christmas and you name it), the 20-year old feels as though the disorder is stealing away her youth. A far cry from the classic fairy tale, the easiest part of the condition is perhaps the sleeping as other side-effects of an episode would also trigger her to behave in a child-like behaviour coupled with states of derealisation, among other cognitive impairments.

fact: KLS is a rare and complex neurological disorder that only 1,000 unfortunate souls in the

world are thought to suffer from. The mysterious condition devastatingly begins in adolescence and

causes disruptive behavioural changes. To date, there is no known cure but the condition typically

burns out after a number of years and on average it goes on for about 13 years.

A ReAl life Sleeping Beauty

Forget the depiction of playful and adorable dolphins as canines aren’t the only animals who can land jobs in the military. Yes, for years the U.S. Navy has trained bottlenose dolphins to carry out a range of military tasks, from locating underwater mines to flagging the presence of enemy swimmers for harbour defense. Apparently, the sea mammals make attractive military assets all thanks to their intelligence and trainability.

fact: 36 armed dolphins trained by the

U.S. Navy to kill terrorists have been missing since

2005. The dolphins carry “toxic dart guns” capable

of killing a man in a single shot.

ARmed And dAngeRous: Killer Dolphins

Yes, quit your day job right now because China is looking for panda nannies. Dubbed as the “best job” in the world, being a panda caretaker at the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Centre is certainly a dream job that most of us never knew existed. The overall job requirement entails hanging out with adorable panda cubs, loving them and cuddling these little babies to death. Of course, panda nannies don’t just sit around playing with little pandas all day, they are also expected to feed and clean them – generally making sure they are safe and well for all 365 days throughout a year.

fact: Applications are open at fun.sohu.com for those who’re 22 years old or older, possess

writing and photography skills as well as some basic knowledge of pandas (they are black and white, cute,

cuddly and they eat bamboo - does that count?). You’ll get paid $32,500 (RM138,320) and to sweeten the

deal, other basic necessities (food, transportation and accommodation) are also included.

Behold, the hAppiest joB in the woRld: Panda Nanny

14 | CP SCHOOL ED

Ahh... Ice cream. Everyone’s favourite dessert, especially on a hot day. Join

us as we take a look at the cold, cold world of ice cream and marvel at the

chilling variety on offer.

Hard Ice CreamThis is the fancy name for the traditional or regular ice cream that you can easily get anywhere and everywhere. And they come in an endless variety of delicious flavours.

The Ice Cream Family

Soft ServeWe’re almost certain that McDonald’s soft serve is the first thing that comes to your mind when you read the header. As its name suggests, it is softer than regular ice cream because it is frozen at a higher temperature to preserve the mixture so that it remains oh, so smooth, milky and soft.

I-SCREAMFOR MORE

JANUARY 2016

featureby ivy chin

French Ice CreamThink ‘The Last Polka’, and you will know what French ice cream is. Similar to hard ice cream,

French ice cream is made with a custard base that contains cream, egg yolks and sugar, while milk is optional.

JULY 2015 | CAMPUS PLUS | 15JAN 2016 | CP SCHOOL ED | 15

Variety is the (Sp)ice of Life

GelatoAs you may well be aware, gelato is the Italian word for ice cream that comprises milk, cream, sugar and sometimes, egg yolks. We wouldn’t be surprised if you love gelato more than any other types of ice cream as it has a more intense flavour that can easily melt your heart. Furthermore, gelato is relatively lower in calories, fat and sugar than ice cream.

Ice Cream PotongDon’t you feel nostalgic when you think about the ice cream potong that you always had when you were young? You may not know this, but it is actually made of coconut milk, skimmed milk, corn starch and sugar as basic ingredients, together with flavours like red bean, yam, durian and countless more. In addition, ice cream potong is cut from a big block of ice cream cube and served on a wooden stick. Simple and sweet.

Glow-in-the-dark jellyfish ice creamWith £140 (approximately RM780), you can get yourself one scoop of this unique ice cream! As you lick it, the ice cream glows beautifully. Sadly, for that exorbitant price, you’ve got to have this ice cream in the dark.

Heladería Coromoto – The Ultimate Ice Cream ParlourThis ice cream parlour in Merida, Venezuela is known for offering a Guinness World Record of up to 860 flavours of ice cream. Surprisingly, spaghetti and cheese are the most popular flavours due to its amazing taste combination. Heladería Coromoto aims to leave an extraordinary taste in their customers’ mouth, so don’t be surprised if you leave this ice cream place with dozens of exotic flavours in your mouth.

Japan is the champion! No one beats Japan for the amount of unique ice creams that they have. Ranging from sea creature ice cream to vegetable ice cream and even noodles ice cream, they have everything. As ridiculous as the ice cream may sound, wouldn’t it be cool to try them all? If you’re in Japan, we would recommend that you try and savour the following chilly ice cream creations.

a.) Sea creature ice cream – Fish ice cream, octopus ice cream, squid ice cream, crab ice cream, shrimp ice cream, eel ice cream, whale ice cream, oyster ice cream, abalone ice cream.

b.) Vegetable ice cream – Fried eggplant ice cream, cactus ice cream, spinach ice cream, garlic ice cream, lettuce and potato ice cream, grated yam ice cream.

c.) Noodles ice cream – Nagoya noodle ice cream, shark fin noodle ice cream, miso ramen ice cream.

d.) Alcoholic’s ice cream – Stout ice cream, potato liquor ice cream.

e.) Meat ice cream - Chicken wing ice cream, raw horseflesh ice cream.

f.) Others – Ox tongue ice cream, squid gut ice cream, mamushi snake ice cream, miso ice cream, silk ice cream, Indian curry ice cream, cypress tree ice cream, hot spring water ice cream, rice straw ice cream.

So there you have it, the sweet and unique world of ice cream. We’d like to wish you a Happy Ice Cream Month and do stay cool with an ice cream (or two)!

miniaturesmade largecoverstory

by grace chan and andrew tan January 2016

Figures of PassionWE TAKE A LOOK AT THE FIGURINE INDUSTRY IN MALAYSIA

Art is a highly subjective matter. Some may call

ballet a beautiful dance, while others may see it

as people just prancing around in tutus. It’s the

same for collectible figurines. To some, they

are merely plastic toys that once bought, sit in a

showcase or somewhere on a shelf. Their

value? Merely aesthetic. To others

though, they are works of art that

represents the artist’s relentless

quest to capture even the finest of

details of a character (or item) and

immortalising them in clay and/or plastic.

This month, we take a look at the figurine industry

here in Malaysia and learn more about just

what it means to be a collector.

We speak to both collectors and shop

owners in this article, to get

insight into this relatively

hidden world.

JAN 2016 | CP SCHOOL ED | 17

18 | CP SCHOOL ED

How It All BeganTo start things off, we’ll have to learn about the beginning of figurines. While the broad term used nowadays is “figurines”, they can actually be categorised into several different types, but more on this later. The first type of figurine was the “action figure”, which was first coined by Hasbro in 1964 in order to market the famous G.I. Joe figure designed by Stan Weston. The G.I. Joes were originally military-themed 11.5-inch action figures that were inspired by the popular movie “The Story of G.I. Joe”. For girls in the 60’s, Barbie dolls were all the rage. As for boys, G.I. Joe figures were the equivalent.

Spot the DifferenceYes, there is a difference between toy figurines, action figures and dolls. Here’s how to differentiate between the three:

Toy Figurines (Size: From extremely miniature up to approximately

6-inches)

Don’t confuse a figurine that is meant to be displayed by your mom in your living room, like that of a horse or a ballerina. Those figurines are almost always made of porcelain or clay. The key difference lies in the word “toy”. Similar to action figures, toy figures are built from molded plastic. They are typically small and sculpted painted representations of iconic movie characters or superheroes that collectors can identify with. The key distinction for toy figures is that they do not have moving parts and are typically attached to their base.

AcTion Figures (Size: Approximately 3-inches to 11-inches)

The word “action” here represents the ability to pose the figure. While toy figurines are static and do not have moving parts, actions figures on the other hand, are meant to showcase action. It is compulsory for action figures to possess at least three moving parts or points of articulation (also known as posability). They can be posed in various ways to mimic the movements of the character.

Dolls (Size: Typically 12-inches or larger)

Dolls are commonly much larger than toy figurines and action figures. They usually have clothing that can be removed and accessories

that can be attached. Although dolls may also have movable joints and can be posed to mimic different movements, unlike action figures and toy figurines, they are rarely displayed or kept somewhere safe. Instead, dolls are almost always bought to be openly showcased.

Dedicated to the CauseAs we venture into the world of action figures and collectible toys through the lens of six enthusiastic collectors, you would realise that the phrase “collecting for fun”, is truly an understatement used to describe the passion behind this hobby.

DrAgon sim Wee lun (27, Sales Executive in Construction Materials)Believe it or not, but Dragon used to print out his own name cards highlighted with a “Want to Buy” headline and distributed it to toy store owners just so he could complete his action figures collection. While it may seem like a desperate attempt, it was really during that period of time that Dragon gained valuable experiences and expanded his network within the community.

He actually started off with a Gashapon capsule when he was 15 years old due to financial constraint. From Gashapon, he shifted to Gundam model kits (Gunpla). As he became more financially stable, he slowly aimed for

more exclusive pieces with higher level of detail. Currently, Dragon is solely focusing on 1/6 scale action figures that are mostly based on movie characters like super heroes from Marvel, DC and even the Alien Vs Predators universe. He revealed with a grin on his face that the Predator series remains a highlight among his collection.

As an avid collector, it’s no surprise that Dragon has dedicated a room specifically to display and house his valuable collectibles. Glancing around his room, there are at least 150 pieces of collectibles that are worth at least RM600 each. That totals to approximately RM100,000 worth of collectibles! Generally, he restraints himself to two or three action figures every month. However, when we asked about his allocation for collectible toys, he just chuckled and admitted to spending a lot. Aside from getting his collection from local or online toy stores, Dragon also consistently travels overseas to attend toy fairs and exhibitions.

What’s even more impressive is that his passion is contagious. Through his efforts, he has founded the Malaysia Figure Community (MFC), which serves as a platform for many collectors to meet, discuss and even trade. Many collectors have attributed this platform as one of the go-to sources for high-quality figurines.

It’s also worth mentioning that he occasionally receives prototype figurines and

exclusive invitations to toy fairs, making him one of the most well-known and recognised collectors here in Malaysia.

The MFC is a Facebook group dedicated to the debate, review and information sharing of all collectible toys and figurines. For more information, log on to www.facebook.com/malaysiafigurecommunity.

1

2

3

Action figure box signed by the artist exclusively for Dragon

JAN 2016 | CP SCHOOL ED | 19Carl’s masterpiece of a Diablo statue

Billy with his favourite Gundam Exia

Vince (28, Network Tester)Vince’s first contact with models and figurines came in the form of Legos. The Lego ship which he built when he was eleven still stands proudly on display in a room dedicated to his collection. Now he mainly buys Legos for the mini figures instead of the actual sets and backgrounds.

Vince collects any figurines that catch his fancy. In his collection, there are various Lego mini-figures, comic books, anime characters and even an odd vehicle or two. His latest obsession is with Nendoroids, a series of plastic figures manufactured by the Japanese Good Smile Company. They are characters from various anime and mangas and are designed with a large head and smaller body to give them a cute appearance. “I like putting these happy characters around my work table”, he states. “Whenever I get too stressed, I take a break and look at their cute, smiling faces and I loosen up a little; it is like my own way to stay Zen.”

He showed us backdrops and sets that he designed and made himself, for the sole purpose of posing and capturing the adorable scenes with his camera. Among his huge collection is his pride and joy, the Yukino Doll, which cost him around RM4,500. It is one of the rarer specimens of figurine collecting and he says even seasoned collectors and enthusiast have some difficulty obtaining them. He spends about RM500 to RM800 per month acquiring new subjects into his collection, and usually finds new targets on local forums and eBay.

cArl lum (27, Professional Miniature Painter)Carl is one of the most recognised miniature figurine collectors in Malaysia. It all started when he was 15 and a friend from the U.K. brought back a Games Workshop miniature as a gift. Not knowing what it was then, Carl picked up some Buncho paints and started

playing around with it. Little did he know that he would be hooked on the whole process of assembling, painting to displaying the completed miniatures.

As a professional miniature painter, it is of no surprise that his entire cabinets are filled with Warhammer Fantasy, Warhammer 40,000 and Warcraft characters. He also has an obsession with tanks and there are plenty of Tamiya Tanks filling up his cabinets today. He’s been painting all of his miniatures to date and even created some from scratch.

With all his experience in collecting, he admits that it can be taxing at times and he has cut down on the number of purchases over the years. However, it seems this hasn’t affected the quality of his purchases, as the centrepiece of his collection is a Diablo III statue (worth about RM1,300), which is anything but plain.

Spending about RM100 to RM300 per month, the main way he goes about getting more into his collection, is by browsing through certain Facebook groups filled with like-minded collectors and hobbyists, and buying from them. Check out more of his works at chaosbrushes.blogspot.com

Billy (23, Graphic Design Student in UTAR)The first model that Billy acquired was a Gunpla (Gundam Plastic Models). Nowadays, he spends about RM50 to RM150 per figurine and his collection has grown large as he hunts for

characters to add to his collection frequently. He reckons he has spent more than RM5,000 on his collection and is very proud of the range of characters he has in it.

“The reason why I buy figurines is because it allows me to look closely at the artists’ craftsmanship, searching for small details that are normally hard to see or hidden in the original design.”

Similar to Carl, Billy does all of the panel lining and painting of his Gunpla models himself, and is now even starting to mix and match different limbs and parts from other model kits to create some models that are completely unique.

20 | CP SCHOOL ED

Shuenn Woei (24, Processing officer)• Once hospitalised for severe gastritis just to

buy an action figure when he was younger.• His passion started off when he received his

first action figure from his father• Regularly purchases up to three collectible

toys every month.• Highlight: Masterpiece Collection of Scar

Predator from the movie ‘Alien Vs Predators (his most expensive action figure that cost him RM800).

William (37, Senior art Director)• Spawn figurine ignited his love for

figurines.• Spends about RM600 per month to his

collection of military figures from various comic, movie and anime universes.

• Loves art and takes photos of his figurines and superimposes them into backgrounds from movie scenes

• Highlight: ThreeA EMGY DROPCLOTH (cost him around RM1200)

speciAl menTions

Where do I begin?By now, it’s likely that you’ve been bitten by the figurine collecting bug. If you’re eager to begin collecting, you can start by heading over to Amcorp Mall’s Sunday bazaar, where collectors are aplenty and deals are reasonable. Once you know what you’re looking for, you can then begin haunting stores like ToyWiz; ToyGarden; XL-Shop; Mothership Toys & Collectibles; Shioktoys Collectibles; and Dream Toyz.

From The oTher siDe oF The Fence: An inTerVieW WiTh ToyWiz Toywiz is the story of three brothers who passionately turned their hobbies into entrepreneurial success. The Choe brothers (David, Steven and Alvin) quit their respective jobs to establish Toywiz in 2004. Over the years, the business has expanded into two more branches under the company name of Toy Garden.

When asked just how popular the figurine market is today, we were told that it’s rather healthy, thanks to the growing demand of figurines based on movie characters from Megablocks. According to one of the co-founders, Steven, he foresees Star Wars to conquer the market this year around after the major hit from Frozen last year.

Steven defines the community as growing towards pop culture as the hobby of accumulating collectible

toys has been slowly transforming into a lifestyle. This is particularly true in major cities like KL, where collectible toys are seen as contemporary art. For instance, placing an action figure of Ironman in the living room is seen as more interesting as compared to showcasing a traditional vase.

If you are curious as to how much avid collectors are willing to spend on collectible toys, Steven revealed to us that his regular clients consistently spend around RM1,000 to RM1,500 on a monthly basis. On months when blockbuster movies are released, the sale of collectible toys from famous movie characters can even shoot up to 100 pieces each. Depending on your selection, the price ranges from as low as RM7.90 (Hot Wheel Cars) to a whopping RM15,000 (collectible statues and replicas). As an example of a movie-based collectible, Steven brought out a replica of the batmobile used in the ‘Batman’ movies that were directed by Tim Burton.

Before ending the conversation, we asked Steven to share some tips on how to hunt for genuine items. As a rule of thumb, it is essential for collectors to be able to identify brand names that are well known like Hasbro, Hot Toys, Mattel and more. Knock off items also mostly do not come in original packing. So, the next time that you are offered an action figure in a plastic bag or without a proper packaging, think twice!

Store location:

• (ToyWiz) 3rd Floor, Amcorp Mall,

• (Toy Garden, Sungei Wang) – 3rd Floor, Sungei Wang Plaza

• ( Toy Garden, Pavilion) – Level 6, Tokyo Street, Pavilion KL.

For more information, feel free to check out their Facebook at www.facebook.com/toywizard and official websites at www.toywizard.net / www.toygarden.net.

Steven Choe, one of the founders of ToyWiz.

JAN 2016 | CP SCHOOL ED | 21

The nexT sTep: cusTomisATionFor many enthusiasts, being contented with a stock purchase is next to impossible. There will always be a need to go to the next level and for figurine collectors, that next level happens to be customised figurines. In Malaysia, one company stands above the rest in terms of customised figurines – OOAK (One of a Kind) Empire.

Founded by Charles Lim and Alan Mark late last year, OOAK Empire offers a rather unique proposition for collectors, which is the option to add details to toys and make them movie accurate. The process is simple: The first step is to contact OOAK Empire, either via Facebook or their upcoming website. You’ll then enter a consultation session with a representative of the company, to confirm if what you want done is possible. Once the final details have been hashed out, just sit back and watch as the amazing people from OOAK Empire work their magic.

Of course, the two founders of OOAK Empire aren’t in it just for the money. It’s all about creating awareness (that customisation is possible) and that figurines can be seen as something more than just toys. They are actually modern works of art.

When Lim was younger, he did not have the means to purchase toys. As he grew older and flourished in his career, he began to buy collectible toys and soon fell in love with this hobby. To date, his collection features many exclusive items, some of which are prototypes and never mass produced.

As for Mark, it was always his dream to start up a toyshop. However, having worked in the industry for years, he is well aware of the risks as it is a relatively competitive market and there are too many toystores with only a limited population of collectors. Most importantly, he does not wish to be a competitor to existing toy store owners, whom he has known for ages. In order to retain his existing customers without posing a threat to local toy store owners, Alan came up with a brilliant idea of providing custom repaint services.

Mark’s love for repainting first came about when he stumbled across a Transformers action figure in Toys “R” Us. Frustrated by the plain colours on the action figure, he brought it home and repainted it. When done, he posted it up on eBay for fun, but to his surprise, his newly transformed figure was sold overnight for RM600, after multiple biddings.

Today, OOAK Empire stands as a platform for local artists to showcase their abilities when it comes to the creation or even customising of figurines. The company also aims to provide an

avenue that cultivates a different approach in toy collecting through the introduction of new concepts of figures, statues and even props.

Everyone is encouraged to start popping questions on their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ooakempire. To learn more about OOAK Empire, you may also log on to their website at www.ooakempire.com.

Unlimited PossibilitiesWhile this phrase is overused to describe many things, many of the people we’ve spoken to believe that there’s truly a huge amount of possibilities in the figurine collection industry. Many more people are beginning to see the value (both monetary and sentimental) of figurine collecting. It may not be something that everyone approves of or understands, but at least many more are beginning to appreciate this artform.

It is about time that we rid the stereotype on collectible toys as an expensive hobby that only serves to burn a hole in our wallet. Indeed, there is so much more in the world of collectibles toys that extends beyond its perceived value. Although it may not be a “thing” for everyone, it is essential that we learn to appreciate the monetary and artistic value of this hobby.

Custom hand-painted Iron Man figurine with battle damage

Lim (left) and Mark, the co-founders of OOAK Empire.

comfy chic

JANUARY 2016

fashionbuzz

You are back to school and the thought of a new batch of classes, assignments and groupmates won’t help stir up your motivation to dress chic. So we’re here to show you that looking good isn’t only easy – it can also be mega comfortable. Here are five looks, which means

five solid foundations to inspire you to dress up effortlessly, gorgeously and comfortably, all the way from Monday to Friday, after school.

Look 1 French Casual

Mango Cotton Linen-Blend T-Shirt, RM56.62, available in Mango outlets nationwide and Zalora

f block Arrow Details Dress Long

Pants, RM59.90¸ available in f block outlets nationwide and Zalora

Cotton On Molly Moccasins,

RM59, available in Cotton On outlets nationwide and Zalora

Look 2 Countryside BelleTopshop Moto Vintage Western Jacket, RM216,

available in Topshop outlets nationwide

H&M Red Checked Jersey Dress, RM79, available in

H&M outlets nationwide

Velvet Kate Strappy Toe-Ring Sandals, RM79, available on Zalora

Look 3 Feminine MonochromeZalora Love Lace Cropped Top, RM49,

available on Zalora

Factorie Joni Skirt, RM79, available in Factorie and on Zalora

Pull and Bear High Heel Ankle

Boots, RM199.90, available in 1 Utama and Pavilion

Look 4 Beach in the StreetsSomething Borrowed Printed Maxi

Dress, RM85, available on Zalora

Vans Classic Slip Ons, RM179, available in Vans outlets and Zalora

Look 5 Breezy Boho

Factorie Holly Tank, RM59, available in all Factorie outlets and Zalora

Levi’s 715 Asia Bootcut Jeans, RM179,

available in all Levi’s outlets and Zalora

Charles and Keith Peep Toe Wedges, RM179, available in Charles and Keith’s outlets nationwide

24 | CAMPUS PLUS

casualcool combosguysstuff

by rachel fong January 2016

Take All Casual(tees)T-shirts are a mixed bag. Depending on its fit, design and styling, it can either make you look like you left the house without a mirror, or a regular

subscriber to men’s style bible, GQ. That last metaphor might have been a bit of a stretch, but trust us when we say that the right T-shirt goes a long way, even more so when paired with a nice pair of shoes.

Furthermore, tees are easy to get and easy to wear. Unlike other style staples like loafers or ties or blazers, tees are a mainstay in menswear that actually do not break the bank. They also offer more flexibility (round collar, button down, statement) and room for individuality (casual, formal, minimalist). With a point in the right direction – i.e. the right stores - one can amass a versatile and chic arsenal of tees to pull on for all occasions, whether you’re going for movies or attending a smart casual function.

As mentioned above, having the right combination of t-shirts and good kicks will go a long way. Just imagine for a second a nondescript T-shirt and jeans combination. Now add in a pair of distinctive sneakers, and tell us the whole look doesn’t pop more with it. Similarly, tasteless shoes can diminish the impact of a good ensemble. Sorry, but your house slippers will just not fly with your long sleeved denim shirt and designer jeans, no matter how trendy they might be.

To get you started, here are three combos, with each one geared towards a different outing. Now it’s time to tee off!

Look 1 The Class(y)mate

a. BIEM Short Sleeve T-Shirt > RM49.90

b. DC Evan Smith Switch S > RM329

a

b

FEB 2015 | CAMPUS PLUS | 25

a. Snails Original Short Sleeve Shirt > RM53.90

b. Pull & Bear Sneaker Boots with Zip > RM159

Look 2The Hottie

Look 3The Dapper Diner

a. Chargers Outfitters Long Sleeve Shirt > RM129.90

b. Bershka Buckle Ankle Boots > RM199

a

a

b

b

26 | CAMPUS PLUS

casualwith class

JANUARY 2016

guysstuffby rachel fong

A Guide to CAsuAl Cool

Blooming with Style: Orlando Bloom in a grey roundneck tee on the streets of New York

Right Direction: Zayn Malik in a black leather jacket over a loose white shirt while performing on the “Today Show”

Magnet(o)izing: Michael Fassbender in a V-neck cotton shirt for GQ December 2011

Feeling Blue: Tom Hiddleston in a blue dress shirt while arriving at Incheon International Airport

2 Cool for School: Taecyon in a multi-coloured button down cardigan and shirt-tie combo for SIEG Fahrenheit Spring Summer 2014 Collection

O’Pry looking spry: Sean O’Pry in a red striped sweater for Tommy Hilfiger’s Summer 2012 campaign

1

2

3

If you want to make a conscious effort to dress better but don’t know where to start, take a deep breath because everyone’s got to start somewhere, right? The fact that you’re on this page is already a step in the right direction, if we may say so. While

there’s no way one can master casual dressing overnight, here are a few tips that will hopefully spark a promising evolution for your wardrobe.

Don’t loosen up! At least not in the case of shirts. Baggy garments almost always give off a couldn’t-care-less vibe, as if wearing a loose shirt clues people in on how little effort you put into selecting it. That said, tight shirts that make you look as if you’re suffocating are just as much of a no-go. Not only are they restrictive, they also shout narcissist. The perfect tee is somewhere in between. It should be easy to move around in, allow your skin to breathe, and highlight your body’s best parts.

Everyone has colours that complement their skin tone, which explains why some colours look better on some than on others. There are two types of tones: warm and cool. To figure out which of the two your skin falls under, put them against silver and gold jewellery. Skin with cool undertones will look better with silver, while warmer undertones blend into gold more. Cool undertones look best in purple, blue and green, while warmer undertones are right at home in orange, red and pink.

The devil’s in the details! After your top and bottom are sorted out, look to your accessories to take your outfit to the next level. We’ve already touched on the significance of shoes on the last page, so think watches, scarves, hats or even socks. Decide on what you want the focal point of your outfit to be, and go from there. If it’s your clothes, coordinate the details to flatter and not overwhelm them. If you want an accessory, say a pair of quirky socks or a new watch to be the centre of attention, keep your clothes simple and in muted tones such as black, grey or dark blue.

1. A BRILLIANT YOUNG MINDThis indie film is about Nathan (Asa Butterfield), a teenage mathematical genius who struggles with autism. Socially awkward and reserved, he sets off on a journey to Taipei as he lands a spot at the International Mathematical Olympiad.

By far the most heartfelt and life-affirming story told on screen. This film doesn’t sugar coat anything as it tells the story exactly how it is, although the characters are complex individuals who are not comfortable in their own skin.

Nathan’s family are loving, patient, committed and his friends are understanding math prodigies.

The movie was successful at showing the world through Nathan’s eyes. For example, how it is to be autistic and the challenges that comes with it. Sally Hawkins plays a damaged mother phenomenally and Asa Butterfield does a career defining performance once again as a cold boy who hides in the safety of his own world.

The music and direction of this film was close to perfection, if not perfect. The last scene reminded me of why I have a burning passion for film and the art of film making. This movie somehow managed to make me feel significant and loved, how everyone deserve to feel.

In all honesty, 2015 was not as great of a movie year compared to 2014 which surprised me with gems like The Grand Budapest Hotel, Whiplash, Still Alice, Nightcrawler, Gone Girl, How To Train Your Dragon 2 and The Winter Soldier. But nevertheless, there were at least 10 in my list that made it.

moviesreview

JANUARY 2016movies

by cheryl tai

2. Mad Max : Fury RoadAudience of this generation got the opportunity to witness the fourth Mad Max film after 30 years since it’s last release. Max (Tom Hardy) is captured by a strange group of people who are led by this person they view almost as if he’s a religious figure who wears a mask (otherwise known as Skeletor and Darth Vader’s love child). Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron) is

trying to get a group of really attractive girls she cares about to safety while looking for her homeland and Max is the character caught in the middle of all this.

I have only one way to describe this movie - absolute madness! I had so much fun with this movie, my eyes were glued to the screen as it really was a non-stop action thrill ride. It’s nail biting, seat gripping awesomeness.

The action sequences were wide shot and extremely well filmed. I thought the film might as well have been called Furiosa Road (and Mad Max) because the character that dominated this film was non other than our main badass, Imperator Furiosa.This action packed film will certainly leave its mark on how action films should and will be made in the future.

28 | CP SCHOOL ED

JAN 2016 I CP SCHOOL ED | 29

3. Kingsman : The Secret ServiceEggsy (Taron Egerton) whose late father secretly worked for a spy organisation, seems to be heading for life behind bars until dapper agent Harry Hart (Colin Firth) recognises potential in him and recruits him to be a trainee in the secret service.

Meanwhile, villainous Valentine (Samuel L. Jackson) launches a plan to end climate change by undergoing a worldwide killing spree. I think Kingsman is a modern twist to old school British spy films such as the James Bond franchise. The way the action scenes were crafted, filmed and choreographed was stylish and top notch.

One can never forget the humour and the performance by the main character Eggsy. The fact that the characters especially Eggsy had a background that sets up well added humanity made the audience care even more about his character once the action started. The film was unpredictable unlike what majority of the movies are now. Even when it stops making sense at times, it was still great fun to watch.

4. The Stanford Prison ExperimentBased on a true story in 1971,The Stanford University Psychology Department created a simulated jail using students as prisoners and guards. The results that shocked the world influenced psychological history greatly and is now made into a chilling thriller.

This movie was so disturbing and compelling that it made me forget I was watching a movie. I have chills all over thinking how well the young actors portrayed their respective characters. Although the film only circled around a corridor, the outstanding cast and authentic story telling keeps the film intense.

This is not a movie you can just shake off easily and forget about. It shows how fragile our personalities really are and how a situation can become a reality. The depths and terror of psychology still haunts me until today.

5. Ant Man Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) is a master thief just released from prison. Original Ant Man Dr Hank Pym recruits Scott Lang to take up the role of Ant Man because he needs Scott to prevent Yellowjacket (villain) from perfecting the same technology as Ant Man and using it as a weapon for evil.

I’m not going to lie and say that I didn’t think this film was absurd before I watched it and nagged about how Black Widow is not turned into a movie but a superhero the size of an ant is. We are getting the smallest (literally) Marvel superhero brought onto the silver screen. However, Ant Man proves that although the scale of this film was nowhere close to other Marvel films, it doesn’t mean it cannot be as good or even better.

This film was a breath of fresh air as the action sequence was nothing I’ve ever seen before. The chemistry between Dr Hank Pym, Hope Pym and Scott Lang was amazing. Luis (Michael Pena) was comedy gold and nailed

every single line uttered from his mouth. The CGI sequence was terrific and I liked how this movie tied in with Falcon. It’s exciting, entertaining and everything I wanted it to be.

30 | CAMPUS PLUS

Billy Hope (Jake Gyllenhaal) has a great record as a boxer until something terrible happens in his life that forces him to rethink his priorities and get his A game back.

It does sound straightforward and similar to something you’ve seen before but I promise you Southpaw is a very well directed, filmed and acted from the very beginning towards the very

end. Jake Gyllenhaal, delivers and blows me away once again.I can honestly say that he is the most deserving actor to take home an Oscar next year. It was realistic and gritty but not

overly melodramatic. The way they filmed the boxing matches were very effective and thankfully minimal shaky cameras were used in this film. I was greatly invested and

inspired watching this film. A passionate director alongside an amazing cast made Southpaw earn a well deserved grade A.

6. Southpaw

7. Me, Earl and The Dying Girl An awkward high school senior Greg Gaines (Thomas Mann) and a gravely ill classmate Rachel (Olivia Cooke) surprises themselves by becoming inseparable friends. Until today, I’m not exactly sure why I cried for this film when it came to an end.

This movie is the first and only movie that made me question my own feelings. It’s not a textbook “coming of age” film but it stands alone as a non-sappy nor emotionally manipulative movie. It goes against all clichés with light hearted characters that slowly grow on you. I couldn’t think of anyone who can replace the three main stars. They were nothing short of perfect. This movie teaches us the value of friendship and to always seize the moment. Also, major thumbs up to the set and design team for making such a visually enticing film.

Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is an astronaut. He’s part of a crew of astronauts on Mars but a storm rolled in and they evacuated immediately but he was left behind. He was presumed dead although he survived, stranded on Mars where nothing is alive.

How is he going to survive? Now that’s when the movie takes place.This movie is literally Castaway meets Apollo 13 but I’m not complaining. The

main character Mark Watney is extremely likeable and it makes the audience root for him. The Martian shows that it’s not trying to be the Interstellar in a

sense that it has so much good humour that brought life to genre of the film. It changes how we typically view scientific films which is normally perceived as serious and gloomy. The Martian is really about the fight of survival and how people come together to save one person. It had great cinematography, great execution, good script and a good suspense. It was inspiring to watch a human life and the fight to save it but also how science is so significant in our lives.

8.The Martian

9.Fast and Furious 7Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) comes back thirsty for revenge in order to avenge the death of his older brother. So, Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and “family” sets off for another Fast and Furious adventure. I had so much fun with this movie despite the fact that it didn’t even make sense most of the times.

As someone who likes to judge a film like how a mother judges a daughter-in-law, I finally let loose when Iggy Azalea appeared out of nowhere. The Fast and Furious franchise were made for audience to see unrealistic things like cars flying in and out of buildings. These over the top scenes made the franchise successful made and very enjoyable. By the way, it’s by James Wan (Malaysian director!). My favourite scene was definitely watching Michelle Rodriguez and Ronda Rousey go head to head with one another. Fans of the series will no doubt enjoy this one as the franchise just keeps getting better. It was also a perfect send off for Paul Walker’s passing. It was a good fast paced movie which featured furious characters.

10. Avengers : Age Of UltronUltron is an AI created by Tony Stark which decided to end the human race so the Avengers are back to save the world and stop all evil. The Avengers had some big shoes to fill as the Marvel Cinematic Universe definitely did step up their game. The best part of this film was definitely the villain Ultron (James Spader).

His persona made the stakes high, flipped the mood of the movie around and made it deeper with a lot of character development. The fact that they decided to introduce three new main characters into a film where all Avengers were already squeezed into one movie, is very impressive. I enjoyed watching the back story of each character and how they went deeper into the character, conflict and emotions. It made them seem more like human beings than superheroes which I thought was close to heart. Although I still think Brucenat was absolutely irrelevant, the action was great and the Age Of Ultron was definitely a comic book fan’s dream.

32 | CP SCHOOL ED

ostMe Courier Service started out in 1989 in the garage of its present CEO

and CIO. Edward Chan and Raj Fernandez were two ambitious

teenagers from Seri Kembangan with two motorcycles, a computer and a mobile phone. They guaranteed “excellent service and lowest charges”. PostMe has used this recipe for success for more than 25 years to become Malaysia’s largest courier service company. PostMe is now a global enterprise with a workforce of over 200,000. The company also has more than 40,000 vehicles and is currently the world’s 12th largest airline.

To date, PostMe delivers more than 100,000 packages and documents daily in Malaysia and more than 100 other countries. PostMe is able to sustain its leadership in the delivery services despite competition from many other courier service providers. This is mainly because PostMe invests a lot of time and money in information technology.

PostMe spends more than RM 1 million each year to maintain its excellent customer service while keeping costs low. The process begins with “intelligent” labels

that have scannable barcodes, these “intelligent” labels are attached

to each package. The labels contain information about the sender, the destination and when the package should arrive. PostMe provides an

application software to all their customers which allows them to print their own labels. Customers are also able to print their labels through the PostMe website. Before any package is even picked up, data from the “intelligent”

32 | CP SCHOOL ED

label will be transmitted to one of PostMe’s data centres in Cyberjaya or Penang.

The package will then be sent to a PostMe office that is nearest to its final destination. At the PostMe office, despatchers download the data from the “intelligent” label. Despatchers then use an application software to find the most efficient route to use when delivering the package, the application software takes into account traffic and weather conditions in deciding the best possible route to use. By using technology, PostMe estimates they save hundreds of thousands of miles and are also reducing their carbon footprint by burning lesser litres of petrol.

PostMe also introduced a method called the “PostMe360 Method” to improve the performance of all tasks from lifting packages to selecting a package from a shelf in the delivery truck. Each and every PostMe despatcher is given a Package Destination Information Tool (PDIT). The PDIT is connected to the wireless networks that the mobile phones use. All the despatcher needs to do is sign in to the PDIT, the despatcher’s route

is then downloaded onto the handheld device. The PDIT is able to capture signatures of customers as well and details on pickup and delivery. PostMe packages tracking information will also be transmitted to their computer network for the purpose of storage and processing. Once this information is received, customers from all over the world are able to access this information, customers will be able monitor their packages at every stage. As packages move from one location to another on its way from the sender to receiver, the “intelligent” labels of the packages are scanned using barcode scanner, the packages shipping information is then sent to PostMe’s central computer. By having this information readily available, customer service officers are able to check on status of packages from their desktop computers which are connected to the central computer. PostMe customers are also able to access this information from the PostMe website by using their own computers or mobile phones.

Identify the inputs, processing, and

outputs of PostMe’s package

tracking system.

Suggested Answers :

Inputs:

- package information

- customer signature

- pickup

- delivery

- current location

- billing

- sender information

Processing:

- PostMe packages tracking information

will also be transmitted to their

computer network for the purpose of

storage and processing.

- Tracking and monitoring information.

Outputs:

- Receiver information

- Location while on the way to receiver

-Package recipient

- Various reports (eg. packages delivered

in Malaysia for a certain period)

Discuss how digital technologies including IoT (Internet of Things) can transform the

courier/logistic industry.Suggested Answers :

- Head-mounted displays (eg. Google Glass) and augmented reality improve order picking and sorting

- 3D cameras with sensors could quickly and more accurately measure parcels and calculate pricing,

speeding up processing times- RFID-tagged mailboxes and an associated email

address so that home owners are automatically notified when an item has been scanned in as delivered

- Cameras attached to the gateways could also be used for damage detection, by scanning pallets

for imperfections.

What would happen if PostMe’s

information systems were

not available?Suggested Answers :

- Debatable

- Might not be able to compete

effectively without technology

- will not be able to provide that

information to its customers,

- Unable to monitor packages

What technologies are used by PostMe?

Suggested Answers :- Handheld computers

- Barcode scanners systems

- Wired and wireless communications networks

- Desktop computers- Central computer (large mainframe computers)- Storage technology

- Telecommunication phone networks.

- The company uses in-house application

software for tracking packages

34 | CP SCHOOL ED

QUESTIONS

You have just enrolled into your first year of studies in the Department of Computing in KDU University College, Utropolis Glenmarie, Malaysia. Out of a total of two hundred (200) students recruited, you and a small group of friends that share similar interest in preserving the environment and at the same time have passion for technology. Hence, you would like to set up a KDU Green Computing Society.

The requirements for setting up a society are as follows: a minimum of six (6) committee members, fifteen (15) active members, an internal advisor from your university, an external co-advisor from the industry and a proposal stating your plans for the society for one (1) academic year. A key point to be included in the proposal is a description of one (1) unique signature outreach programme that includes collaboration with external parties.

There are currently a total of five (5) of you in the initiation formation of the society. Physical meetings are not always possible due to timetable constraints, and some of your friends do not have access to high speed internet connection

at home for smooth virtual meetings. The culture of communication in KDU University College is via official emails as every student is provided with a unique student e-mail address (example: 010001@kdu.edu.my). You will use email as your official communication because it provides a trail of conversation, documentation of decisions for future auditing purposes, and convenience of access regardless of the numbers of users.

Below are some checklists that have been compiled as part of your project initiation effort:

• Source for an internal advisor, and an external co-advisor from the industry

• Recruitment drive for new members• Signature event that carries the identity

and vision of the society. • And any other related matters…

Using the Internet search engine as

your searching tool, how would you

narrow your search to identify a good

external co-advisor? Follow up with an

email to explain your intention and to

request for their time and expertise in

guiding your team.

Skills Demonstration:

Students should be able to

demonstrate the ability to:

Make effective use of the Internet as a

course of the information.

Send and receive documents

Open, save, and send attachments

Using email as an official communication medium, send an

email to source for an internal advisor.

Attach a draft proposal highlighting the

unique signature outreach programme

that includes collaboration with

external parties in your email. Keep

your key committee members in the

loop of your communication. Skills Demonstration:Students should be able to demonstrate the ability to:Send and receive documents

Open, save, and send attachments

Store, edit and save contacts.

Ms. Sujata Navaratnamsujata.n@kdu.edu.my

Programming, artificial intelligence, software engineering, biometrics

Ms. Siti Fazilah Shamsudinfazilah.s@kdu.edu.my

User experience, software design, visual informaticss

Ms. Cindy De Vossec.devosse@kdu.edu.my

User experience, information systems, music in education

LIST of PoSSIbLe ADvISorSRecruitment drive for new members

would include reaching out to as many

people as possible to bring awareness

to the formation of the new KDU

Green Computing Society. You have

managed to obtain a list of students’

emails from your seniors. Being

aware that the students are rather

sensitive of their identity being known

to everyone else, how would you

communicate your message across

this large number of students?

Skills Demonstration:

Students should be able to

demonstrate the ability to:

Understand the difference between

Cc and Bcc.

GREENCOMPUTING SOCIETY

KDU

YEAR

10

36 | CP SCHOOL ED

CANCER &

STEM CELLS

CANCER

Contributed By Senior Professor Dr. Choo Kong BungFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences

Chairperson, Centre for Stem Cell ResearchUniversiti Tunku Abdul Rahman

One day, a long-time friend of mine, Grace, charged into my office in tears, and said to me not too kindly, “My father and my elder brother died of cancer,

and now my younger brother is diagnosed with colon cancer, and chemotherapy is not working … Why? Am I also going to get cancer soon? Why is my life so miserable?” She sobbed and went on the rampage to reprimand me as a pretender in doing research and in wasting tax payers’ money. She said, “Despite all the cancer research, why are people still dying of cancer everyday?”

GenetIc mutAtIonS in cancerGrace’s grief is not uncommon in the society: we all know someone, including our immediate family, who has succumbed to cancer. there are at least two issues in Grace’s grief: familiar trait of cancer risk, and why chemotherapy treatment often fails in cancer treatment. though not identified, Grace’s family most likely carries one or more “faulty” genes, each of which has a 50% chance of passing on to the next generation. Academy Award-winning actress Angelina Jolie was told that she carried a mutated, or “faulty” gene called Brca1, an abbreviation for breast cancer gene. As a preventive step, she had both breasts, ovaries and fallopian tubes removed. Angelina Jolie may have increased her odds for a healthier life, but she is not free from cancer. no one is.

cAncer AnD cAncer Stem cellScancer is a complex disease. Besides hereditary genetic factors, cancer is horrendous in four other aspects: (i) cancer cells divide rapidly and uncontrollably; (ii) cancer cells can spread, or metastasise to other body sites; metastasis is the major cause of cancer death; (iii) cancers can relapse or re-grow after surgical removal or other treatments; (iv) cancers often develop resistance to therapeutic drugs, thus, depriving cancer patients the use of a powerful armory to combat the disease. Is there a mastermind that is responsible for all such ghastly events in cancer? In recent years, a potential culprit called cancer stem cells has been discovered, which are thought to be responsible for

metastasis, relapses and

drug resistance.Cancer stem cells (CSC) are present in a

tumour mass in a very minute population. these cells are called cancer stem cells because they share features of normal stem cells, which are the good guys, in being able to differentiate to give rise to other cell types. cSc may, therefore, generate multiple tumours through the self-renewal and differentiation properties of stem cells, leading to relapses and also giving the cancer cells mobility to spread to distant sites.

How does cancer develop resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs? Such an event is again linked to cancer stem cells. In the cell membrane of all normal cells, there are pumping stations, such as the ABc transporters, which are responsible for moving small molecules across the membrane. In cancer stem cells, such pumping stations are hyperactive in active pumping out, and therefore removing, therapeutic drugs from inside of the cancer cells. Hence, while other surrounding cancer cells are being killed by the drug, cancer stem cells selectively survive the drug onslaught, and

JAN 2016 | CP SCHOOL ED | 37

slowly b e c o m e

enriched in the tumour mass.

the discovery of cancer stem cells has shifted our thinking in battling cancer. Instead of just aiming to shrink the size of a tumour mass, it may now be imperative to think in terms of a search-and-destroy mission, targeting at cancer stem cells. the cSc concept has provided new directions of designing novel therapeutic approaches to treat cancers. For example, all cells have a unique set of specific markers on the cell surface. cancer stem cell-specific markers that distinguish them from other cancer or normal cells are being identified. Drugs may be developed to home in on such cSc-specific markers to selectively destroy cSc. An example of such a drug, salinomycin, a veterinary drug,

has indeed been identified by a team of MiT/Harvard scientists to be highly potent in killing cScs. A common Indian spice, curcumin, also appears to be a cSc killer. As a further precaution, such drugs may be encapsulated in nanoparticles for controlled drug release in clinical protocols.

Stem cell-BASeD cAncer tHerApy the stem cell concept has also led to the development of stem cell-base cancer therapy. professor Hans-peter Kiem and his team at the Fred Hutchinson cancer research center, Seattle, uSA, have developed “stem cell shield” to protect normal tissues, particularly the blood-generating bone marrow cells, from side effects of the anti-cancer drugs. Dr. Khalid Shah of massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard medical School has genetically engineered stem cells into mini drug

armor ies to produce and secret toxin that specifically kills only brain tumours sparing normal cells.

In another angle of thinking: can we rein in cancer cells by reprogramming them into something else more controllable and less vicious. professor Shinya yamanaka, Kyoto university, Japan, was awarded the nobel prize in physiology and medicine in 2012 for developing a protocol for “reprogramming” cells to induced pluripotent stem cells, or ipSc. these reprogrammed cells have all the characteristics of stem cells in being able to convert into any cell types for regenerative

38 | JAN 2016 | CP SCHOOL ED

purposes.In the Faculty of

medicine and Health Sciences and the centre of Stem cell research, universiti tunku Abdul rahman (utAr), we are the first in malaysia to report on successful reprogramming of a number of cancer types into induced pluripotent cancer (ipc) cells, which are temporarily frozen in their expression of cancer features. Such ipcs are valuable in drug screening, in finding ways to reboot the damaged DnA repair mechanisms, and to be used as cancer study model in general. reprogramming can also be personalised because the reprogrammed cancer cells of a patient still carry the full set of delirious mutations. Such personalised reprogrammed cancer cells may then be used for rapid and accurate identification of the most effective drug for that particular cancer patient.

cancer is so complex that it may never be totally conquered. the discovery of cancer stem cells, and the use of stem cell-based cancer therapeutic approaches, may only be a small, but significant, step towards better tackling of cancer. lots of work need to be done but we should remain hopeful that laboratory findings will one day be translated into clinical applications.

meDIcAl reSeArcH SAveS lIFeAfter that outburst in my office, I visited Grace when she calmed down. I told her that researchers may not have conquered cancer, but researchers are still working hard to improve

survival rates and the quality of life for cancer patients.

“please do remember that the many vaccines we and our children use as preventive measures against diseases, the many drugs that allow us to control diabetes or blood pressure or cholesterol, the many diagnostic and therapeutic instruments and protocols that are being used daily worldwide to save life are also the products of the efforts of hardworking researchers. medical research is never a waste of tax payers’ money. medical r e s e a r c h saves lives.”

JAN 2016 | CP SCHOOL ED | 39

40 | CP SCHOOL ED40 | CP SCHOOL ED

attoos used to be considered part of a counterculture.

It’s probably a fair statement to say that for years, many people

associated tattoos with gangs, bikers, and other groups that were thought

to operate outside of the social center. Today, tattoos have gained wider social

acceptance and more and more people, men and women alike, have them. People with tattoos work in a variety of industries and hold entry-level jobs as well as top executive positions. So, what’s an employer to do? Is body art a workplace issue? Does having a visible tattoo say anything about an individual that is relevant to his or her job?

In today’s global marketplace, employers are taking more seriously the need to provide a work environment that welcomes employees from many different backgrounds. The competition to attract and retain skilled workers has resulted in corporate cultures that strive to demonstrate the value placed on individual and group contributions. And there is increasing attention paid to offering a company culture and benefit package that supports a variety of lifestyles. Should someone with a visible tattoo be treated any differently?

Depending on what and where the tattoo is, there may or may not be an issue for employers. The laws still tend to support employer dress code/appearance policies in general and employers retain some flexibility in creating rules that require employees to present themselves in a way that is consistent with the employer’s image. But that doesn’t mean that banning tattoos altogether is appropriate. In some cases, it can still violate the law.

In Malaysia the main reason why most employees would hide their tattoos would be to blend in with the rest of us whilst in the US or Europe it may be more accepting specially at the workplace! The fear for them is real as impressions to the management may make the difference between getting hired in the first place! Many employers have policies that do not allow visible tattoos. Depending on the employer’s industry and the type of job, this may make sense. For example, the odds are that a four-star hotel may not want the concierge to have large tattoos of skulls and crossbones on the back of each hand. But the same hotel may have less concern if a dishwasher in the kitchen has those same tattoos because direct contact with the hotel’s customers is minimal. From a business perspective, the issue for the hotel is to write a policy that draws appropriate lines

between jobs in w h i c h visible tattoos may or may not be appropriate.

This example is probably a simple one. It can get more complicated, however, if an employer is not thoughtful. For example, what if a bank employs a valued administrative assistant who never has contact with customers? His desk is located in the corporate headquarters and his interactions are strictly internal. Is it okay if this person arrives at work one day with a star tattooed under his eye? The answer, in part, is reliant on the corporate

culture and the bank’s general attitude toward tattoos.

It also, however, is dependent on the

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difficulty in recruiting and retaining good administrative assistants.

The odds are that while the bank may not appreciate a facial tattoo, it’s probably not worth the chance of losing a good employee or not being able to retain a new one by having a policy that would prohibit the tattoo altogether. On the other hand, the bank may be more concerned about a teller with the same tattoo who frequently interacts with bank customers. In that situation, a policy prohibiting the tattoo may be understandable. Would this mean that certain industries will be less concerned with tattoos and others?

In drafting the policies, it’s important to stay focused on the business issues at hand. Policies that prohibit tattoos should not reflect value judgments about tattoos or the people who get them. In fact, many employers would likely

be surprised to find out how many current employees have tattoos and simply cover them up at work. So negative assumptions about what tattoos say about the people who have them are very often misplaced.

Issues raised by tattoos can get more complicated when it comes to gender and religion. And employers should be aware of these issues before writing and enforcing policies that prohibit visible tattoos at work. For example, historically, it is likely that more men wore visible tattoos than women. As a result, an interviewer who notices a tattoo on a man’s arm may have no reaction. But more and more women are getting tattoos, some of which are visible, and the same interviewer may have an adverse reaction if a tattoo is visible on a female applicant’s ankle. In this situation, an employer can be exposed to liability for sex discrimination if the presence of the tattoo was an issue in making the hiring decision.

Religious tattoos can pose even more challenging questions. What if an employee who works directly with customers has a tattoo around his wrist and the company has a policy that prohibits visible tattoos in customer service positions? Is it okay to require the employee to wear sleeves that are long enough to cover the tattoo? The answer is: it depends, on what you ask? Well the company policy of course!

The key for employers is to have a written policy that employees are required to read and sign, and

then to enforce that policy consistently. That way, employees are not able to claim that the policy was applied differently to them. And the policies should be based on sound judgment that is in the best interest of the business. That means that employee and customer interests also need to be considered before the policy is drafted.

If you were faced with a situation where your management required you to remove the tattoo in order to get hired , would you? Would you then state your reasons or simply comply?

I suppose a ‘no visible tattoo policy’ would be wise? Or perhaps otherwise!

In Aichocho Your English you will slap your forehead over the horrendous English used

by everyday Malaysians. After your forehead turns red, you will then attempt to correct the grammar into “proper” English

In the EduNation office where a whole bunch of human minions slave away

“Why you so

lazy one?”“Ever

yday also

sleep so m

uch”

“Some m

ore ea

t my

share

of the

food”

“You se

e how big

your

belly i

s alre

ady?”

“Your leg s

o short, you

r

belly also t

ouching the

floor already

lor”

in creating more learning videos for Malaysian school students, there are two cats.

These two cats are arguably the bosses in the office as they only do two things, eat and sleep.

Perhaps they do three things. Eat, sleep and eat again.

Here’s any typical day for the cats:

Remy looks at Crispy and says.

Remy looks at Crispy and says.

46 | CAMPUS PLUS

ZZZZ

Crispy then turns around and looks at Remy, gives a great big yawn, does an epic stretch reaching for the skies and says, “I’m a cat what. Cat like that one”With that, she continues

sleeping her afternoon away.That is until someone opens

up a can of cat food. Suddenly, Crispy’s eye’s widen to the size of two golf balls. Make that

two tennis balls. She darts off to the pantry, looks at the human with pleading eyes and say, “meeeeeow meeeeooooow meow eow owowow meeeeow”. Which roughly translates to “feed me human, feed me now, I have not eaten for 30 minutes”Remy looks at Crispy and says, “aiyo she just ate just now only, now also eat again?

The human looks down at Crispy,

drinks his can of Milo he’s just opened and walks away.

Crispy then thinks, “cheh not cat food also” and continues her nap.

Disclaimer: This is a real scene in the EduNation office, where “gila” people do “gila” things, like give free tuition online to every Malaysian student at www.edunation.my.