The Art of Sealing a Deal: Securing Sponsors By Thenmalar Rajoo (Petroleum Geoscience, 2nd/1st)

The Art of Sealing a Deal: Securing Sponsors

By Thenmalar Rajoo (Petroleum Geoscience, 2^nd/1^st)

Undercroft, 8^th July 2015 – The Department of Management and Humanities in collaboration with Village 3 Student Representatives, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS have successfully organized a workshop called The Art of Sealing a Deal: Securing Sponsors. This workshop was offered to members of clubs and societies, especially from Sponsorship department. This programme was really helpful as students become members of this department with insufficient knowledge or experience in handling a demanding role. This workshop was organized to achieve objectives like explaining the role of a sponsorship committee, instilling the importance of having fund raising goals, showing persuasive methods and to enhance soft skill strategies when communicating with prospects. UTP’s Million Dollar Lady, Puan Fairus Neeza Mohd Fauzi, UTP Head of Financial Accounting Services was invited to share a wealth of experience through the funds she raised for YUTP, Tapestry of Colours, UTP Mobility Assistance, UTP Capital Expenditure (CAPEX), UTP Operational Expenditure (OPEX) and ESTCON. She emphasised on teamwork and encouraged students to treat their events like a business and to secure long-term commitments with potential sponsors. Our speaker also shared some invaluable tips on how to conduct contributor research and to strategize a sale and also mentioned the reasons on why some proposals fail in securing a good deal.

Puan Fairus Neeza Mohd Fauzi, UTP Head of Financial Accounting Services

 The speaker sharing her experiences and knowledge on securing sponsorship

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International Iftar Night 2015 By Shine Htet Lin (Petroleum Engineering, 1st/1st)

International Iftar Night 2015

By Shine Htet Lin (Petroleum Engineering, 1^st/1^st)

Seminar Room 6, 7 and 8, 10th July 2015- The International Iftar is an annual event organized by International Affairs Department of SRCUTP. The purpose of organizing this event is to introduce delicious delicacies and the amazing cultures of various countries to the students.  Besides, this Iftar session helped to create a very good bonding among students from different backgrounds. The event kicked off at 6 pm and the Deputy Vice Chancellor Tuan Haji Noor Rosli bin Baharom was present there accompanied by Tuan Haji Talhah, Senior Manager, Student Support Services Department (SSSD), Tuan Haji Jalil, Counselor, Student Support Services Department (SSSD) and Mr Wan Tarmizi Ismail, Manager, Residential Village. The next agenda of the day was a lucky draw session and the event came to an end at about 8 pm. The students and invited guests had a great time feasting a succulent meal sponsored by the international students in UTP from countries like Mozambique, Pakistan, Thailand, Yemen, Turkmenistan, Sudan and Myanmar. A huge appreciation to Mr.Ammar Fahmi, Project Director of International Iftar 2015 and not forgetting the organising committees for such a wonderful event.

Student from various countries during International Iftar 2015

Prayer before breaking fast.

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Rage of Washing Machine By Afiq Shahril

Rage of Washing Machine

By Afiq Shahril

                From RM2.50 to RM3.00.  The increase of RM0.50 was enacted recently to all washing machines services in UTP.  According to the representative from Residential College Support Unit (RCSU), the reason of the increment was the increase in capacity from 7kg to 9kg and for the maintenance.  First of all, we would like to thank RCSU for the response. UTP is well-renowned for its achievements in the academic field and similarly, care and concern on the hostel and facilities of its students should be attended.  Not that we are trying to put the blame on anyone, but something needs to be done.

               The washing machine service is one of the most important facility in university considering the packed time-table as well as the waiting assignments. We barely have time to wash our clothes manually. Therefore, we rely on the machine most of the time.  However, the common problem that we are facing is that the machines are always not working.  There are times when the machines work perfectly since the management bought new  washing machines replacing the old ones.  However, when one problem gets solved, up crops another! I am referring to the dryers, which top all the washing machine problems we have in UTP.

www.extremetech.com

               Mischievous  students have found a way to manipulate the coin system of the washing machines for a free wash by using cotton buds.  Even if they have excuses behind this mischief, excuses are still excuses and this need to be stopped. The security cameras installed near the washing machine should be fully utilized to prevent this from happening. We are aware that sometimes it can be very irritating for the machines to undergo maintenance frequently, but isn’t that the mantainence crew’s job?  It is bad considering we have only one decent dryer in each block, and they do not function properly. I’ve experienced losing my 50 cents many times. Even if the machine works, the clothes end up still damp and wet.

               We know that it’s tough to attend to every single problems students may have. We hope that the management will consider conducting regular maintenance on these important pieces of machinery. Put up notices if the machines are not functioning. We cannot afford to lose a lot of 50 cents all the time. To the students who have been practicing in using the cotton buds, please have some empathy. Put yourself in others’ shoes. If you find that it is troublesome to collect the 50 cents, what about the underprivileged students who have to save their lunch money just to get their clothes to be all dry and cozy? We appreciate every single effort that has been put into making the students’ life easier and more comfortable.

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Geoscience Exhibition and Competition - GEnC 2015 By Naviin Balasubramaniam (Petroleum Engineering, 2nd Year/1st Semester)

Geoscience Exhibition and Competition- GEnC 2015

By Naviin Balasubramaniam (Petroleum Engineering, 2nd Year/1st  Semester)

Chancellor Complex, 8^th & 9^th July 2015- Geoscience Exhibition and Competition (GEnC) 2015 is an event organized by American Association of Petroleum Geologist UTP Student Chapter (AAPG-UTP-SC) for the very first time which united geology and geoscience students from different universities around Malaysia to participate in this competition. This event was officiated by Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Mohd Shahir Liew, Dean of Faculty of Geoscience and Petroleum Engineering accompanied by Project Director of GEnC 2015, Lee Ming Xing at Seminar Room 7. GEnC 2015 was organized to enhance the geology understanding of students, prepare the students to face the challenges that might be encountered in the industry, to promote AAPG and to strengthen the bond among Geosciences students in Malaysia. Besides that, another objective of the event is to inculcate students with creative and innovative skills, to become a better geoscientist in the future. Students from four different universities apart from UTP, namely Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK), Universiti Malaya (UM) and Curtin University forming 18 teams all together including nine teams from UTP, actively participated in the Outcrop Description presentation, Outcrop and Poster Display. There were also two other main events which was Geoscience- related talks and exhibition by the Gold sponsor, Shell , Silver sponsor, LHOIST, Schlumberger, IHS Inc, JX Nippon Oil & Gas Exploration Corporation and lastly, the grand dinner where the winners of respective categories were announced and awarded.

CHAMPION 

Holocene (UM) - RM1, 000 cash + One Trophy + Certificates

1st RUNNER UP

The Crockers (UMS) - RM800 cash + One Trophy + Certificates

2nd RUNNER UP

Geoninjas (UTP) - RM700 cash + One Trophy + Certificates

Best Presentation Award for Outcrop Presentation

Holocene (UM) - Trophy + Certificates

Best Poster for Outcrop Exhibition

Gondwana (UMK) - Trophy + Certificates

Best Booth for Outcrop Exhibition

The Crockers (UMS) - Trophy + Certificates

Amethyst group from UTP during the Outcrop Exhibition.

Photo credits: Thulashi Subramaniam (PG, 2^nd Year/1^st Semester).

CSI group from UTP during the Grand Dinner.

Photo credits: Dharmika Mardhene (PG, 2^nd Year/1^st Semester).

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Grand Iftar 2015 By Nesha Priya Arasu (Chemical Engineering, 1st Year/1st Semester)

Grand Iftar 2015

By Nesha Priya Arasu (Chemical Engineering, 1^st Year/1^st Semester)

V5 Café, 1^st July 2015- At about 6.30 p.m., students clad in Baju Melayu and Baju Kurung flocked to the left wing of V5 cafe to be part of the Grand Iftar. Held to strengthen the bond (Ukhuwah) among Muslims who reside in UTP, especially those living in V5, this break-fast session was organised by the V5 Student Residential Unit (RCSU). Mats were spread on the floor for students to sit on while having their food creating a warm ambience, making the event more exciting. The 2-hour long event was officiated by Mr Wan Tarmizi Bin Wan Hashim, Senior Manager of the Residential Village Unit who gave a short speech thanking everyone who was present. The students had a great time feasting a succulent meal deliberately sponsored by Raayah Cafe and Aishah Food and Catering. To acknowledge their contributions, owners of the cafes were given certificates of appreciation. One of the RCSU Committee members, Muhammad Aizat Hakim Bin Suhaimi commented that he was thrilled to be a part of such an event but hopes to accommodate a bigger crowd next year. He believes that Iftar sessions to come can promote social inclusion among UTPians. The students left with a full stomach and a contented heart.

Students eagerly waiting to enjoy their food with friends.

Faces plastered with smiles.

Owner of Aishah Food and Catering posing with his newly-earned certificate.

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Raudhah Ramadhan 2015 By Nabilah Hassanudin (Business Information Systems, 2nd Year /2nd Semester)

Raudhah Ramadhan 2015

By Nabilah Hassanudin (Business Information Systems, 2^nd Year /2^nd Semester)

UTP, 27^th June – Raudhah Ramadhan 2015 was a charity program conducted by MAKNA and  Big Ideas Group. This program was held with the presence of 20 orphanages like Rumah Nur Kasih Bestari, Rumah Sabinatul Najjah. The kids are ranging from 5 to 10 years old. This program started at 2:30pm at Undercroft UTP after their arrival at chancellor complex. Assistant Project Manager gave welcoming speech and followed by an ice breaking session. From 3:00pm till 6:30pm, the orphans toured around UTP academic complex, An-Nur Mosque and lastly oval park. The facilitators and the orphans grabbed their opportunities to iftar together at Tudung Saji café, at block K. The objectives of this charity program are to introduce Universiti Teknologi Petronas as well as providing space to iftar with the orphans besides giving donation to them. This program ended after the souvenir giving session and wrap up session by the Project Manager. After performing maghrib prayer and tarawih prayer at An-Nur Mosque, the orphans were sent off at 10:00pm.

Iftar at Tudung Saji café.

Welcoming speech by Assistant Project Manager.

Gathering at oval park.

Playing games with the orphans.

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What does your CGPA mean? by Harriniya Sonal

What does your CGPA mean?

Google doesn’t care about your CGPA or at least, Laszlo Bock doesn’t. Laszlo is Google’s Senior Vice President in People Operations. He quoted,“One of the things we’ve seen from all our data crunching is that G.P.A.’s are worthless as criteria for hiring, and test scores are worthless. After two or three years, your ability to perform at Google is completely unrelated to how you performed when you were in school, because the skills you required in college are very different”. He distinctly states that CGPA isn’t everything and you definitely wouldn’t be leading a melancholy life simply because you didn’t score a decent pointer in college. Some go to college just for the sole sake of obtaining a degree and being a graduate while some are genuinely in learning and hope to be revolutionary.

All students would have gone through the suspense and pressure of finding out the exam results. Eventually, most of us would feel that acknowledging one’s results would be a scarier effort compared to sitting for the paper itself. Putting in those long sleepless night and gruelling hours just so to be able to satisfy the passing grade or a full A for all of the subjects does feel good when indeed the results are good. We study hard to get great results to help enter great universities and great universities lead to great job openings and a great job is great money and that is a definite great life. Who does not want a lavish and luxurious life and who doesn’t want to achieve it was early as possible as a fresh graduate? Grades and results are simply admissions to gain opportunities and knowledge that coincidentally make you successful.

A student’s success throughout college years isn’t potentially correlated to their success in the future. Truth be told, maintaining a good CGPA is indeed important to secure a decent job for any student. It is a reflection of the student’s academic potential and their eligibility to contribute to the company they’re bound to be working for. When sitting for an interview, an excellent transcript and a high CGPA does no harm but not forgetting professional skills, practical knowledge, communication skills and problem solving skills are primal conditions as well. When applying for a scholarship, a decent CGPA does have a paramount importance because one of the biggest hitches in a student’s life is the tuition money itself and making sure they have a secured job with them when they graduate.

There are many successful millionaires and billionaires today who never graduated college and some even high school. Everyone knows Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook, Daniel Ek of Spotify, Bill Gates of Microsoft and Steve Jobs of Apple who all dropped out of college to pursue their own dreams and are successful prominent entrepreneurs today. If they are so successful now whilst dropping out of college, why can’t we do the same? Why can’t we have a change of mind halfway through our studies to drop everything and move on to something else? We can. At least some of us, if they have the right knowledge and gateway to start anew. Your results certainly doesn’t dignify and acknowledge you as a person. You can’t determine how successful a person can be based on their results in college. As they say, a student with a 4 pointer might not perform as well as a student who scored a 3.5 or lesser. The latter might have attained more soft and practical skills compared to the former during their studying days.

I can’t say that getting a good CGPA is pointless or that getting a bad CGPA helps claim yourself to be an outstanding person in other aspects. It’s a conflicting issue, depending on an individual and it is up to you to decide what you want to do with what you’ve learned. Like they say, you probably wouldn’t be able to remember what you scored during high school and how those results were pivotal to determine which college you would be entering. Likewise, in the future, your CGPA will end up losing its clout and it’s up to you to how big of an impression you would want to create before losing it or making it last forever.

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