M40 families well cared for under Budget 2022

PETALING JAYA: The recent Budget 2022 was the largest tabled in Malaysia’s history, with RM332.1 billion allocated to reviving every socio-economic segment in the country following the difficulties faced during the Covid-19 pandemic.

When tabling the budget, Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said that it would be “taking into account the aspirations, dreams and needs” of Malaysians, and would be an inclusive budget that encompasses all levels of society.

This is reassuring news for members of the Middle 40 (M40) income group. Previous budgets had been accused of skipping those from the M40 category in terms of benefits, but this year, the government has paid special attention to measures that will help the community, an initiative that comes at just the right time.

In September, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob revealed that around 580,000 households, which were previously in the M40 category, had slipped into the Bottom 40 (B40) group owing to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the nation’s economy.

Speaking from her home in Puchong, 35-year-old housewife Siti Nur Maisarah Abdul Rahman said that she sometimes feels that her family has fallen among those statistics.

While her husband Faiz Ridzuan, a lecturer at a college in Cyberjaya, managed to keep his job, he was forced to take a 40% cut on his salary in the middle of 2020.

While the couple had some money set aside – and despite being able to temporarily defer repayments on their home and car thanks to Bank Negara’s loan moratorium – with three children under the age of 16 to look after, the family burnt through their savings in under a year, and were now struggling.

“We never expected that the situation would last this long,” she admitted. “If we had known, perhaps we would have saved up a little more. We are lucky that Faiz still has his job, but his reduced salary leaves very little breathing room when it comes to our monthly expenses.

“We are hoping that Faiz’s salary will go back to normal soon, now that students can return to classes and the economy is restarting.”

To help families like Maisarah’s, the government has allocated RM31 billion for subsidies, aid and incentives, to reduce the cost of living for those who have been feeling the pinch since the start of the pandemic.

For more immediate aid, the government is providing direct financial assistance through the Bantuan Keluarga Malaysia initiative, which has been increased to RM8.2 billion from RM7 billion the previous year, and expected to benefit 9.6 million recipients.

B40 households (earning less than RM2,500) with three or more children can look forward to receiving RM2,000 in aid, an increase of RM200 from the previous year.

As part of the M40 category (earning up to RM5,000) with three children Maisarah’s household will be receiving increased aid of RM800, up from RM750 the previous year.

One additional measure from the government will be an assistance of RM500 to single parents who have dependent children and a monthly income of up to RM5,000.

Maisarah is positive about the increase in aid. “While it is right that the primary focus should be on helping the B40 group, we’re glad that the government is thinking about the M40 group as well, considering we have been paying our taxes all these years.”

When it comes to taxes, the budget also contains some tax relief measures that can help families like theirs.

With three children still in school, Maisarah and Faiz had to purchase tablets to enable them to keep up with their home-based lessons during the pandemic. Fortunately, the government is extending the special income tax relief of up to RM2,500 on the purchase of mobile phones, computers and tablets until Dec 31, 2022.

Another income tax relief measure that will be extended is for domestic tourism expenditures of up to RM1,000. The family is hoping to take a much-needed holiday in the near future, and this would be a welcome help to them.

To allow employees like Faiz the opportunity to take home more of their salary for expenses, the government is extending the minimum employee EPF contribution rate reduction from 11% to 9% up to June 2022.

Maisarah added that the events of the past year have taught them to always have a back-up plan just in case the worst happens. “Besides working on rebuilding our savings, we are also looking at new careers,” Maisarah said. “The children are getting older, and we need to think about their futures as well.”

Her husband is considering taking on a job in the private sector, while Maisarah herself is thinking of starting her own home catering business.

To help supplement their income during the pandemic, Maisarah spent several months preparing meals which she sold to her neighbours who were working from home. As most have returned to their offices, she has since stopped, but said that she found the experience extremely fulfilling.

Under the government’s Jamin Kerja Keluarga Malaysia (JaminKerja) initiative, upskilling and reskilling programmes can help Malaysian workers and jobseekers who want to improve themselves or develop new skills.

To encourage the hiring of housewives like Maisarah, as well as women who have been unemployed for over 365 days, the government will provide employers with an incentive equivalent to 30% of the monthly salary for the first six months and 40% for the following six months on condition that the monthly salary is RM1,200 and above.

In addition, there will be an increase in tax relief for expenses in attending reskilling and upskilling courses of up to RM2,000 until 2023, as well as further tax relief of up to RM7,000 for course fees with any approved professional body.

The government has also allocated RM230 million for women entrepreneurship programmes through BSN, Agrobank, the DANANITA (MARA) and TEKUNITA (TEKUN).

Despite the difficulties their family has faced over the past 19 months, Maisarah is hopeful that the future will be brighter.

“We believe that the worst of it has passed,” she said.

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Experience Edelweiss at a whole new altitude in Genting Highlands

Edelweiss, the premium wheat beer born in the Alps, has embarked on its #FeelTheAps journey to inspire fans to actively seek new discoveries and a fresh outlook in their lives and cities. As Edelweiss influencers share how they rediscover their cities with new adventures, fans too are hopping on the bandwagon for a chance to score attractive prizes.

While the hashtag #FeelTheAlps is gaining traction with fans taking their brand-new discoveries and adventures with Edelweiss to social media, Edelweiss continues to bring refreshing experiences into the city with the launch of the Edelweiss flagship outlet, The Alps bar, in Genting Highlands.

Located at Sky Avenue Mall, The Alps bar was launched on Nov 24 in the presence of the management team of Heineken Malaysia Berhad - Roland Bala, Managing Director, Pablo Chabot, Marketing Director, and Vasily Baranov, Sales Director. With them were Thaddeus Huang and Tan Koon Lin, owners of The Alps bar as well as Dato’ Edward Holloway, Executive Vice President, Leisure and Hospitality of Genting Malaysia.

Members of the media and invited guests got an exclusive sneak peek into the world of Edelweiss right here at The Alps bar. The modern and sophisticated bar was majestically decked out to depict the essence of the Alps, and a highlight was the breath-taking view experienced from the first floor as they enjoyed a cold Edelweiss that truly brought the #FeelTheAlps experience to new heights.

Every corner of The Alps bar was Instagrammable for guests to capture their #FeelTheAlps experience. They were served with delectable Austrian dishes to accompany their ice-cold refreshing Edelweiss, and to top it off, guests got to evoke their playful side with the exciting claw machine game to score exclusive prizes such as free stays in Genting Highlands, food and beverage vouchers, an at-home Blade Machine experience, and various other Edelweiss merchandise.

At the event, guests were able to understand the Edelweiss brand better. They learned about the all-natural ingredients and the blend of fresh mountain herbs which makes Edelweiss as distinctive as it is. Guests then had the opportunity to tap their own Edelweiss from the exclusive Blade Machine and taste the fresh finish and subtle, fruity aftertaste to really immerse themselves in the experience.

“Edelweiss wants to inspire its fans to explore new adventures and experiences, and our aim is to provide different drinking experiences to our drinkers. As such, with the opening of our flagship outlet, The Alps, our fans’ experiences will reach greater altitudes with every sip of Edelweiss, especially when they get to pour themselves a cold one from the Blade Machine. For fans in other major cities of Malaysia, Edelweiss pop-up bars will be activated at outlets near them too,” said Pablo Chabot, Marketing Director of HEINEKEN Malaysia.

The #FeelTheAlps Edelweiss experience is not only available at The Alps bar in Genting Highlands, but also at various pop-up bars in Penang, Johor, and Klang Valley regions. Updates on the pop-up bars can be found on Edelweiss’ Facebook and Instagram pages.

Fans can also score exclusive Edelweiss merchandise when they purchase Edelweiss products. They can visit the social media pages at facebook.com/edelweissbeer.my and instagram.com/edelweissbeer.my/ to stay updated, or even check out www.drinkies.my for more information about the ongoing promotions.

*All activities at The Alps bar were carried out by strictly adhering to the SOPs set out in line with the government’s safety guidelines. Edelweiss and all related promotions and activations are for non-Muslims aged 21 and above only. Enjoy responsibly. Do not drink and drive.

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Budget 2022 helps to uplift youths

PETALING JAYA: At the recent National Youth Day celebration, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob reiterated that Budget 2022 was designed to support all levels of society, including youths.

“The government has never and will never marginalise youths in anything announced for Malaysia, our country,” he told the media. “Surely youths are given priority, that is why I said earlier that our country’s future depends on the youths today.”

The Budget laid out a total of 25 direct or indirect incentives for youths.

The budget is of particular interest to Salina Razak (not her real name), a 25-year-old front desk staff for an international hotel chain in Puchong.

Last year was particularly difficult for her. Her already meagre salary suffered a 20% cut during the lockdown, and only recently “went back to normal” when interstate travel restrictions were lifted. Still, she counts herself as one of the lucky ones, as several of her colleagues were laid off because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Reflecting upon those difficult days, she said: “To be honest, at some point, I was wondering if I should just quit and go live with my parents in Shah Alam, but I know that it would be an extra burden for them.”

Salina is the eldest and she has two younger siblings – a sister in university and a teenage brother still in secondary school – who are supported by her parents. She comes from a modest middle-class family where her father is the sole breadwinner.

“Any bit of help from the budget would be most welcome,” she said candidly. “As much as possible, I would like to maintain my independence and not rely on my family for financial help.”

One of the more direct sources of aid Salina can look forward to is the RM8.2 billion Bantuan Keluarga Malaysia initiative, from which she can expect to receive RM350 as a single person earning less than RM2,500 per month. She will be among 4.8 million singles who will benefit from this.

“I can use it to pay for my groceries and part of my mobile bill,” Salina said. Now that her salary is restored, she hopes to start saving a small amount every month, something she wished she had done prior to the pandemic.

Salina’s 19-year-old sister, a full-time business student in a local university, will be receiving a RM150 boost in her e-wallet account under the eStart Programme, a RM300 million government initiative to encourage cashless transactions expected to benefit around two million youths. Salina hopes the money will help her sister pay for her expenses and alleviate her parents’ financial burden.

“My younger sister is worried about what to expect once she graduates, especially with the challenging job market,” she said.

Salina feels that a lot of thought was put into the Budget to support youths who are looking to start their careers.

One of the highlights of the Budget, Jamin Kerja Keluarga Malaysia (JaminKerja) aims to create 600,000 jobs with an allocation of RM2 billion. Under the initiative, the government will provide wage subsidies to employers hiring new employees with 20% of the monthly salary for the first six months and 30% for the following six months for a minimum salary of RM1,500.

In addition, graduates holding at least a diploma and school leavers aged between 18 and 30 years old who take up apprenticeships will receive a RM900 allowance for the first six months. The measure covers employment for roles up to the executive level.

The government also extended the Malaysia Short-term Employment Programme (MySTEP) that was first introduced in 2020. This programme offers a total of 80,000 contract opportunities with 50,000 jobs in the public sector and 30,000 jobs within government-linked companies from January 2022.

Salina confided that she is considering leaving her current job to start a business with her fiancé, a chef who works at the same hotel. During the pandemic, he and a few of his friends started a side business selling marinated meats, and he had asked Salina to join him in a new food-based venture he is planning. The two are saving up to pay for their wedding, which they hope will take place next year.

Budget 2022 also provides for youths who are thinking of becoming entrepreneurs, an initiative which interests Salina. It was announced that micro-credit financing of RM150 million will be channeled through Agrobank and Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN), and another RM100 million to the Young Entrepreneur Financing programme under SME Bank to help enhance the socio-economic standing and livelihood of youth entrepreneurs.

It is one of the many options that Salina and her fiancé are looking at in terms of their future.

Another youth-themed initiative that Salina finds encouraging is the increased allocation of RM20 million to develop eSports that includes RM5 million to build a drone sports excellence centre.

Her younger brother is an avid mobile gamer, playing PUBG and Free Fire, and throughout the lockdown, the siblings have bonded by gaming together despite living apart.

“I think this is a good thing.

“eSports in this country should definitely be developed further, and my brother has said that he would like to become a professional gamer. I hope the government will continue to support eSports, as it can help create new jobs for Malaysian youth.”

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MR D.I.Y. joins hands with MPHS to clean up Sungai Kedondong

Nature lovers can now rejoice as one of the rivers in Selangor, Sungai Kedondong, has had a massive clean-up. The exercise was initiated by MR D.I.Y. Group (M) Berhad (“MR. D.I.Y.”), together with Majlis Perbandaran Hulu Selangor (MPHS). The two organisations partnered to prepare to welcome visitors back to the popular nature spot following the lifting of the restrictions on outdoor recreational activities.

The two-hour activity involved 80 volunteers, who cleaned up the area around the river and performed beautification works on the facilities at the recreational area. They also installed public service signage to serve as reminders to visitors to keep the area clean.

Apart from MR D.I.Y. and MPHS, volunteers included personnel from the Forestry Department (Jabatan Perhutanan), the Selangor Drainage and Irrigation Department (JPS), the Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA), the Malaysia Civil Defence Department (JPAM) as well as the Orang Asli community from Kampung Songkok.

Speaking at the event, MR D.I.Y. Group Chairman, Dato’ Azlam Shah Alias said, “As a homegrown retailer, MR D.I.Y. wants to play its part in ensuring our parks, rivers, and nature spots are protected for a sustainable future for all Malaysians. This starts with educating visitors to keep these areas pristine and leaving as little impact as possible.

This is one of several such initiatives we have planned as we head to the year-end school holiday and festive periods. We want to thank MPHS for working with us to organise this clean-up, and the many volunteers who came today to lend a hand. Many hands truly make light work!”

He went on to say that he believed the public would be responsive to the call to keep the nature spots clean, citing MR D.I.Y.’s recent success in introducing reusable bags in their stores. “In just three months - July through to September this year - about 120,000 reusable bags were purchased by customers at our stores. This demonstrates that the public is responsive to taking a more sustainable approach to their activities, and we look forward to offering more opportunities for them to do so.”

Yang Dipertua Majlis Perbandaran Hulu Selangor (MPHS), Tuan Mohd Hasry bin Nor Mohd A.M.S., said, “Majlis Perbandaran Hulu Selangor (MPHS) is pleased with the support from MR D.I.Y.

Since the reopening of tourism activities, the nature spots in Hulu Selangor, including Sg. Kedondong, has attracted many visitors on weekends. However, this also brought about problems with litter, which cause inconvenience to other visitors. Thanks to the volunteers, we were able to restore the cleanliness of Sg. Kedondong today. In the long run, we hope the public will share the responsibility of maintaining the cleanliness at Sg. Kedondong, so that the efforts of our volunteers today are made worthwhile.”

He added that MPHS is committed to making Hulu Selangor a low-carbon city by 2030 by implementing sustainable practices. Today’s programme was an effort of the council to achieve the 17th Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) by the United Nations - Partnership for the Goals.

“Hygiene issues need to be addressed immediately and all parties need to play a role to ensure that the set goals are achieved. MPHS wishes that the collaboration with corporate bodies can be continued and expanded in the future, to correspond with MPHS’s direction towards urbanization for all,” added Tuan Mohd Hasry.

For more information on MR D.I.Y., visit its website, www.mrdiy.com, and social media, Facebook, and Instagram.

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MSU’s 28th Convocation ceremony

Management and Science University (MSU) awarded a total of four thousand and hundred forty-four graduates at its 28th Convocation Ceremony here in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) by National Security Council (MKN) and Malaysia’s Ministry of Health (MOH) guidelines as well the Phase Four of National Recovery Plan (PPN).

The scrolls for the eight-session ceremony were awarded by MSU President Professor Tan Sri Dato’ Wira Dr Mohd Shukri Ab Yajid. Also, in attendance were MSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Puan Sri Datuk Dr Junainah Abd Hamid and the senior management of the University.

Faculty of Business Management and Professional Studies (FBMP) contributed the most number of graduates, with 1,253 graduates and the Faculty of Information Sciences and Engineering (FISE) presented the most number of programmes, with 124 programmes.

Ten programmes presented their first batch of graduates: Bachelor in Cardiovascular Technology (Hons), Bachelor in Health Science Management (Hons), Bachelor in Education (Science) (Hons), Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management & Piloting (Hons), Bachelor in Visual Communication and Marketing (Hons), Diploma of Ophthalmic Dispensing, Diploma in Office Management Technology, Diploma in Translation and Interpretation, Diploma in Interior Design dan Diploma in Information Management.

Five categories of special awards of excellence were presented to 67 recipients from among the graduating Class of 2021.

The Chancellor Gold Medal Award went to Mohd Sufyan Shamsir, Bachelor in International Business (Hons); who received a trophy, cash and a scholarship from Yayasan MSU for higher studies at MSU.

Receiving the President Award were Hana Chen Wei Jun, Master of Science in Public Health; Hazim Shaiful Bahari, Bachelor in Computer Science (Hons) and Amsyar Mustaqim Hadzeri, Diploma in Culinary Arts which comes with a trophy, cash and a scholarship from Yayasan MSU.

Whereas Muhammad Ali Jaleel, Doctor of Philosophy (Management/ Business); Mathavan Thiyagarajah, Bachelor in Education (Health and Physical Education) (Honours) as well as Muhammad Syamil Muhamad, Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) were received the Mohd Shukri Yajid Outstanding Award which comes with a trophy, cash and a scholarship from Yayasan MSU.

Forty-three from the graduating Class of 2021 Best Students group received the Academic Award and seventeen the Industry Award. They have received a trophy, cash, and a scholarship from Yayasan MSU.

Local as well as multinational industry and a non-profit organization, sponsors included MSU Medical Centre, Pharmaniaga Berhad, Philips Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Mega Fortris (M) Sdn Bhd, N.A.Z Medical Supplies Sdn Bhd, Zeneration, Allied View Sdn Bhd, Fire Fighter Industry Sdn Bhd, Krenovator Technology Sdn Bhd, ISACA Malaysia, Le Meridien Putrajaya, Perdana Kota Bharu, Optometris Wan Sdn Bhd, Malaysian Society of Cardiovascular Technology as well as MV Technologies.

The name Management and Science University (MSU) has become synonymous with a quality education that is both transformative and enriching. Making an impact in Malaysia, Asia, as well as globally, MSU focus on developing and delivering quality human capital in critical-need areas; among these are Medicine, Health Sciences, Pharmacy, Information Sciences, and Engineering, besides Business Management & Professional Studies, Education & Social Sciences, Hospitality & Culinary, and Music & Fashion.

The university’s award-winning academic programmes meet the stringent standards of local and international bodies. MSU accreditors include the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), the United Kingdom’s Accreditation Services for International Schools, Colleges & Universities (ASIC), Japan’s Alliance on Business Education and Scholarship for Tomorrow (ABEST21), the Netherland’s Accreditation Council for Entrepreneurial & Engaged Universities (ACEEU), the United Kingdom’s Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) as well as Sri Lanka’s University Grant Commission (UGC).

MSU currently ranks in the Top 100 among the world’s top young universities, Top 150 among Asia’s best universities, Top 301+ for Graduate Employability Ranking and Top 601+ for University Impact. Ranked by both Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) and Times Higher Education (THE), MSU’s world rankings place it in the Top 47% of the world’s best universities in the QS WUR 2022 and Top 200 for impact on gender equality and no poverty in THE University Impact Rankings 2021.

In recent QS WUR by Subject 2021, MSU has emerged Malaysia #1 in for Subject’s Art and Design category, at World Top 151-200 list.

QS WUR by Subject 2021 also places MSU at World Top 51-100 and Top 2 among Malaysia’s institutions of higher education offering Hospitality and Leisure Management programmes.

Another new entrant securing a QS WUR by Subject 2021 ranking is Business and Management Studies, placing MSU at Malaysia Top 11 and World Top 451-500.

MSU is an applied, enterprise university focused on graduate employability. With 98.7% of its graduates successfully securing employment within six months of their graduation, MSU is ranked by the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) as Malaysia’s #1 for graduate employability.

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Investing responsibly for the future’s sake

Our series on Your Personal Journey to Financial Security has come to an end, and we hope that you have gained some insight into the process through our articles on the importance of investing, especially when it comes to ensuring a comfortable retirement or building an emergency fund, how to find the right Consultants, and how a Private Retirement Scheme can benefit you.

For our final article, we would like to introduce the topic of Sustainable and Responsible Investments (SRI), an investing strategy that aims to generate both social change and financial returns for an investor. Some SRI practices use a framework of specific factors to guide their investing, which are also known as ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) investments.

SRI/ESG investments have been on the rise and gaining more prominence over the last several years, especially with the younger generation of investors who want their money to be invested in something that makes positive impact to society and the environment, in addition to something that provides good financial returns.

What are SRI/ESG investments?

Unlike trends in the past, investors interested in SRI don’t just select investments by the typical metrics – such as performance or valuation – but also take into consideration the company’s revenue sources and business practices that are aligned with their own personal values.

Socially responsible investments may include companies making a positive sustainable or social impact, such as a solar energy company, and exclude those making a negative impact, such as those that produce dangerous chemicals or intoxicants, such as alcohol or cigarettes.

Some alternate names for this strategy include ethical investing, impact investing, socially responsible investing, and value-based investing.

ESG investment is a subset of SRI, and investment decisions tend to rely on measurable ESG factors. For example:

Environmental: Carbon emissions, water use and conservation, and clean technology.

Social: Workplace safety and benefits, community development, diversity and anti-bias issues.

Governance: Board diversity, corporate political contributions, and anti-corruption policies.

Why should you consider SRI/ESG investments?

Sustainable and responsible investments can mean different things to different people. But in general terms, socially-conscious investors would want to see their money go toward investments that are reflective of their social values. In return, this helps to foster a deeper emotional connection with their investment, making socially-conscious investors some of the most active and attuned investors in the market.

Some prefer to invest in companies that contribute to society, regardless of which industry they're in. They tend to look for businesses that treat their employees well, or that contribute to the environment, such as those creating clean energy through wind farms or solar panels.

SRI/ESG investments also provide investment opportunities that establish financial, intrinsic returns that can’t be made anywhere else. That emotional connection with the investment also ensures that an investor is not easily scared off by market shifts, as they are investing for a better future, allowing them to stay in the market for longer duration and to continue building their wealth for many years to come.

What sort of strategies can you look into?

Those looking into socially responsible investing tend to actively eliminate or select investments according to specific ethical guidelines. The underlying motive could be religion, personal values, or political beliefs.

There are different ways to determine which funds to invest in, and the following table provides suggestions on which investment strategy that might work well with your own beliefs:

When a fund is submitted to the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) for consideration of its SRI status, the SC will refer to the table and compare the fund’s policies to determine whether or not to grant it an SRI status.

How to check whether an investment is SRI/ESG-compliant or not

First, check the prospectus. As per the requirements of Guidelines on Sustainable and Responsible Investment Funds (SRI Guidelines), the prospectus should have a statement indicating that it is a qualified SRI fund on its cover, and display its SRI policy within the Fund Information chapter, as well as the Key Features section in its Product Highlight Sheet.

The investment’s Annual Report should also contain:

1. A statement that the Fund has complied with the SRI Guidelines;

2. Descriptions of sustainability considerations that have been adopted in the SRI strategies employed; and

3. A review on sustainability aspects of the fund’s portfolio, where applicable.

You can also refer to the Trustee’s Report section of the Annual Report for an independent verification that the fund is in compliance with all the laws, regulations and limitations, including with the SRI Guidelines and its SRI Policy, as disclosed within the Fund’s trust deed.

Additionally, you can also check the list of approved SRI funds on the SC’s website. As at Oct 21, 2021, there are 19 Unit Trust Schemes and 11 Wholesale Funds (available only to Sophisticated Investors) that have qualified as SRI funds.

The final word

The desire to invest ethically is especially pronounced among the younger generation of investors, especially those who are more socially conscious and wish to contribute positively to society as well as the environment. Implementing that desire, however, may be no easy task, given the growing complexity of investment concepts and products catering to this segment.

This is why it is important to work with a Consultant that can help guide an investor towards fund selections that are aligned with their investment goals and principles, thereby ensuring that an investor can make the right decisions with their money.

To find out the steps you can take to reach financial freedom, do explore the articles in our series on Your Personal Journey to Financial Security, only in theSun, brought to you by the Federation of Investment Managers Malaysia (FIMM).

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#FeelTheAlps in your City with Edelweiss

The seriousness of life often keeps us further away from exciting adventures. But deep down, everyone is looking for new adventures to spice up their routine. What if excitement and unexpected discoveries were just around the corner?

Edelweiss, the premium wheat beer born in the Alps, is here to inspire fans to hit the refresh button and awaken their senses to enjoy life in a playful and fun way.

From the little pleasures to deeper connections with people who matter, fans can seek fun, new experiences in their cities with every sip of Edelweiss - giving them a taste of the freedom, excitement and playfulness.

Committed to elevating fans’ drinking experience and letting their playful side take over, Edelweiss is here to inspire fans to rediscover their cities in a new light.

Our cities are filled with exciting adventures for fans to discover the refreshing spirit of Edelweiss. Edelweiss kicked off the #FeelTheAlps journey by rallying various influencers to join in on the fun as they share their inspirations on how they rediscover their cities again.

Be it uncovering a food haven, travelling to a hidden gem or simply adding a dash of playfulness to their everyday routine. Fans can share their #FeelTheAlps experience in the comment section of Edelweiss’ social media post, or take part in contests run by influencers and stand to get rewarded with exclusive prizes.

Up for grabs are one night stay for two at Genting Highlands as well as a voucher to the Edelweiss flagship outlet in Genting. And as part of something new and fun to do, an Edelweiss Blade draught machine experience for fans to enjoy the brew at home. Besides that, fans can score cartons of Edelweiss products to enjoy the refreshing taste of Edelweiss at home too.

“We want to encourage Malaysians to actively seek new discoveries and fresh outlooks in their daily lives and in their cities. With Edelweiss, fans can now #FeelTheAlps wherever they are exploring their cities through a different lens; and best of all, get rewarded as they embark on this journey with us. We’re looking forward to seeing the various ways our fans enjoy their city the Edelweiss way,” said Archana Sridhara, Marketing Manager, International Premium Brands.

Earlier this year, Edelweiss made its way into the Malaysian market and became a fan favourite. Brewed with all-natural ingredients and a unique blend of fresh mountain herbs, the result is a smooth, easy-to-drink wheat beer with a refreshing finish, a golden cloudiness, and a subtle, fruity, aftertaste. Edelweiss is unique as it offers a contemporary twist to a centuries-old wheat beer, and now inspires fans to discover exciting, new and fresh experiences.

As fans continue to explore their cities, Edelweiss will soon be taking the Alpine experience to a whole new altitude with a flagship outlet and various pop-up bars near them. Be sure to stay tuned, as there will be more exciting updates soon!

There are also many other ways fans can score exclusive Edelweiss merchandise when they purchase Edelweiss products. They can visit the social media pages at facebook.com/edelweissbeer.my and instagram.com/edelweissbeer.my/ to stay updated, or even check out www.drinkies.my for more information about the ongoing promotions.

*Edelweiss and all related promotions and activations are for non-Muslims aged 21 and above only. Enjoy responsibly. Do not drink and drive

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Heineken delivers food aid for the needy

In support of Malaysia’s recovery, Heineken Malaysia Berhad (HEINEKEN Malaysia) has been distributing meals to communities affected by the Covid-19 pandemic through its HEINEKEN Cares programme. Since the programme’s launch on July 26, more than 94,000 meals have been distributed to over 7,300 beneficiaries as of Oct 31 this year.

The ultimate goal of the programme is to provide 150,000 meals by Dec 31 to communities affected by job or income loss as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In partnership with eight non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and social enterprises, HEINEKEN Malaysia has channelled food aid to assist vulnerable communities throughout Peninsular and East Malaysia.

Dialogue Includes All, a social enterprise that promotes social inclusion for people with disabilities, distributed packed meals specially prepared and cooked by a team comprising individuals with vision impairments, as well as those with autism and physical disabilities. The meals were channelled towards households in the B40 group, refugee families as well as the disabled communities and needy folks at various care centres.

Stevens Chan, Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Dialogue Includes All, said: “The primary cause of Dialogue Includes All is to foster a society that is not only inclusive but empathetic, with zero barriers and separation between the abled and disabled communities. Our workforce comprises vulnerable individuals, whom we strongly believe deserve equal rights and equal

participation in society.”

He added: “Through HEINEKEN Cares programme, we provided food aid for members of vulnerable communities, while training and equipping members of our team with the skills required to run a Cloud kitchen kiosk.”

Meanwhile Epic (Extraordinary People Impacting Communities) Society, a nonprofit organisation focused on providing basic infrastructure, welfare, and capacity building to enable social mobility and relief of poverty within vulnerable communities, delivered food baskets and hygiene kits to Orang Asli families and villagers whose day-to-day activities have been greatly affected by the

pandemic and lockdowns.

John-Son Oei, Founder of Epic, said: “Although the Orang Asli are a resilient people, the pandemic and the movement control orders have severely affected their ability to move about freely thus severely disrupting their livelihoods. We believe that the aid provided through HEINEKEN Cares will enable the communities to ride out this tough season.

“We are extremely grateful for the support of HEINEKEN Malaysia. All assistance will be dedicated towards our ongoing relief work for the Orang Asli, with the aim to reduce their burdens and ease their transitions to the New Normal,” he added.

Beyond Peninsular Malaysia, HEINEKEN Malaysia also partnered with two NGOs namely Hopes Malaysia Welfare Association (HOPES Malaysia) and Hope Place Kuching to assist vulnerable families residing in Sabah and Sarawak.

Kota Kinabalu-based HOPES Malaysia has extended a helping hand to both rural villages and care centres in Sabah. Through the HEINEKEN Cares programme, HOPES Malaysia purchases fresh fruits and vegetables from farmers in four of HOPES rural project villages to support the local Kota Belud community when agriculture activities and livelihoods have been affected due to the pandemic. The NGO then delivers these food supplies to several targeted care centres to help reduce their financial burdens and provide them with an ample supply of fresh produce.

Founder of HOPES Malaysia, Sam Lee, said: “We believe that there are many ways to help those in need besides monetary assistance. The three most important components that we firmly hold on to are ‘Sustainable’, ‘Impact’ and ‘Practical’.”

“What we have been doing to the best our ability during the pandemic is providing a long-term and practical solution to lift the burden of the less fortunate Sabahans and assist the country in its efforts to fight the pandemic which has threatened food security and undermined households’ diets and nutrition. Together with HEINEKEN Malaysia, we will provide over 24,000 nutritious meals to 150 beneficiaries within four months. Our partnership with HEINEKEN Cares supports these communities and families in need with basic provisions to ensure they have access to daily meals and improved income stream,” he added.

On the other hand, Hope Place Kuching operates with the mission of channelling basic food aid and necessities to the underprivileged in Sarawak to improve their livelihoods, health and education status. Throughout the pandemic and its collaboration with HEINEKEN Cares, the NGO has reached out to 200 families comprising single parents, abandoned elderlies, B40 individuals as well as persons with disabilities, to supply grocery items such as rice, biscuits, noodles, cooking oil, sugar, and eggs, among others.

“At Hope Place, we want to see more underprivileged people of Kuching be given a chance to come out from poverty. Part of our larger mission is to challenge ourselves to be the beacon for the vulnerable and create awareness that it is a shared responsibility of the community of Kuching to show concern and to take care of one another,” said Yong Tiong Yieng, Hope Place Kuching operation supervisor.

“Taking part in the HEINEKEN Cares programme is another step for us to achieve this goal. Therefore, we would like to give our utmost thanks and appreciation to HEINEKEN Malaysia for their sponsorship and support to our organisation,” she added.

To help mitigate the negative impacts of a prolonged lockdown, HEINEKEN Malaysia launched HEINEKEN Cares, an initiative combining employee wellness with community purpose. Through the programme, for every 1,000 steps a HEINEKEN Malaysia employee takes, HEINEKEN Malaysia will commit 1 meal to a person in need, with the ultimate goal of achieving 150,000,000 steps for 150,000 meals for vulnerable communities across Malaysia by Dec 31. The HEINEKEN Cares programme is administered by SPARK Foundation, HEINEKEN Malaysia’s CSR arm.

HEINEKEN Malaysia will reach out to its regional sales team to collaborate with its business partners in the month of December to bring HEINEKEN Cares to the regions.

Further information on HEINEKEN Malaysia’s sustainability and initiatives can be found at HEINEKEN Malaysia’s official website or SPARK Foundation’s official website.

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Gifting made easy

The Starbucks Holiday Collection 2021 makes gifting a breeze this holiday season. The festive merchandise collection features a series of cups, tumblers and mugs, starring a Santa Bear and its cute little animal friends delivering warm festive cheers and gifts all around.

In the later part of the season, the collection will also carry the brand-new and stylish Starbucks x Corkcicle canteen bottles in various shapes and sizes. The collection will also showcase returning favourites, the Starbucks x MiiR and Starbucks x Stanley collection in brand new shapes and colours to spark more joy for those receiving them.

Customers can also select from a variety of festive holiday cards as gifts to their friends and family such as the Red Cup Starbucks Card, Snowman Starbucks Card and also the Starbucks Wordmark Starbucks Card. More designs will join the line-up at a later date so be sure to look out for them.

By registering the card on the Starbucks mobile app, customers can earn STARs towards exclusive rewards and enjoy surprises such as complimentary food, beverages and even merchandise.

Through the Starbucks Rewards program, members can also purchase the long-awaited 2022 Starbucks Planner!

The new planner comes in two colourways, iridescent pearl and vintage brown. Both designs feature bold Starbucks wordmark stamping that offers a modern look and feel. Bridging simplicity and functionality, the planner comes with a sleeve that features a built-in accessory case and cardholders. Starbucks is also giving away a pouch to complete the look.

Making its way back to warm our hearts and coffee mugs is the Starbucks Holiday coffee lineup, including the Starbucks Holiday Blend, a distinctly sweet, spicy taste, that brings cherished memories of the most magical time of year.

For a bolder and decadent cup of joe, indulge in the Starbucks Holiday Blend Espresso Roast, a full-bodied coffee with notes of mulled spices, smoked vanilla and sugar plum. Stirring more warmth to the line-up, Starbucks is also bringing back the Starbucks Holiday Blonde Roast, offering a milder cup of coffee with hints of citrus and fig notes.

Complete your home celebration with hearty and magical gastronomical treats from Starbucks such as the all-new Starbucks Blackout Cake, a retro chocolate cake layered with rich chocolate custard and topped with chocolate cake crumbs. The moist and soft chocolate goodness is best paired with the holiday favorite Peppermint Mocha.

Also joining the Starbucks pastry case again are the Starbucks Tuna Melt Focaccia and Starbucks Croque Monsieur.

If you are planning to visit the homes of your loved ones, drop by with a warm and thoughtful gift in hand such as the new Starbucks Signature Loaf Cake or the Starbucks Cranberry Raisin Cake.

The Signature Loaf Cake is a decadent, buttery and sweet square cake mixed with fruits and spices while the Cranberry Raisin Cake is a buttery loaf cake studded with dried cranberries, raisins and topped with a sprinkle of chia seed. These new offerings are sure to bring more love, joy and cosiness to the holiday season.

The tantalizing Blackout Cake is available from RM16.90 onwards while the Signature Loaf Cake and Cranberry Raisin Cake can be enjoyed from RM45 onwards.

Avoid the hassle of wrapping and shipping out the many gifts that you have bought through the “Siren Gifting Program”. Customers can simply purchase merchandise in-store and get it delivered to any part of Malaysia.

The Starbucks Holiday Collection 2021 will retail at all stores from RM35 onwards, and the minimum activation for the Starbucks Cards ranges from RM30 to RM50.

To be eligible to redeem the 2022 Starbucks Planner, Starbucks Rewards members are encouraged to collect a minimum of 300 stars and add on RM50, to redeem the exclusive planner. Earn the stars from 9th November – 31st December 2021 and redeem the must-have planner from 9th November onwards, while stocks last.

The Starbucks Holiday Blend, Starbucks Holiday Blonde Roast and the Starbucks Holiday Blend Espresso Roast whole bean coffees that are available at all stores at RM40 each.

For more information on the new Holiday offerings, please visit www.starbucks.com.my

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Eyes on the future

Management and Science University (MSU) recently held the second Congress of Optometry and Vision Science Research (COVR). Organized by MSU’s Faculty of Health and Life Sciences (FHLS) Department of Optometry and Vision Science (DOVS) and officiated by MSU President Professor Tan Sri Dato’ Wira Dr Mohd Shukri Ab Yajid, COVR 2021 was themed ‘Professional Eye Care Challenges in COVID-19 and Future Eras’.

Its keynote lecture ‘Challenge and Future Practice for Optometrists in Malaysia’ was delivered by Malaysian Academy of Optometry President, Malaysian Optometry Council Member, and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Professor of Optometry Dr Bariah Mohd Ali; whose area of research interest is speciality contact lenses.

Plenary lectures 1 and 2 were delivered respectively by MSU International Medical School (IMS) Lecturer of Ophthalmology Dr Azlindarita Aisyah Mohd Abdullah and FHLS DOVS Associate Professor Dr Mohd Zaki Awg Isa.

Dr Azlindarita Aisyah, who is also MSU Medical Centre (MSUMC) Consultant General & Paediatric Ophthalmologist, with an area of research interest in Paediatric Ophthalmology, lectured on the advantages and disadvantages of ‘Telemedicine for Eye Health Care’.

Dr Mohd Zaki, who directs MSU Vision and Eyecare (MSU-iCARE) Centre of Excellence and is a Founding Member of the Malaysian Public Health Optometry Society, spoke on ‘Public Health Optometry in Future Era’.

An MoU was signed with Vision Science Academy of the United Kingdom, whose Founder and CEO Dr Abishek Mandal - a visual neuroscientist - delivered Plenary Lecture 3 on ‘Artificial Intelligence in Optometry: Advantages in COVID-19 and Future Eras’.

Behavioural optometrist Dr Cathy Stern from the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association in Boston, USA delivered a plenary lecture ‘Aligning Behavioural Optometry with Future Practice’.

Recently recognized by the Massachusetts Society of Optometrists as a leader in vision therapy, she has had specialized training in learning-related vision problems, vision rehabilitation, computer vision syndrome, and sports vision strength training, as well as extensive experience working with vision-related learning problems in children and adults, cases of attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorders (ADD/ADHD), non-verbal learning disabilities, cerebral palsy, autism, and the multiply, challenged.

COVR 2021 presented three categories of awards to the winners of its e-poster competition. The award for Most Creative e-Poster went to Mohd Syamir Mohamad Shukeri from MSU’s Bachelor of Optometry (Hons) programme. Best e-Poster and Most Impactful Research respectively went to Dr Mizhanim Mohamad Shahimin and Low Yu Chen, both from UKM.

The two-day COVR 2.0 concluded with three more plenary lectures and an e-forum; ‘Challenge of Binocular Vision Practice in COVID-19 Era’ by Delhi Optometry Association President and Head of Optometry and Senior Faculty of Binocular Vision at Dr Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital Mr Prem Kumar; ‘Optometry Service for Rural Community in Future Era’ by MSU FHLS DOVS Head of Department Mrs Fairuz Mohd Nordin; and ‘Beyond 2020: Clinical Optometry Practice in the New Era’ by Nthalmic Technologies Co-Founder and Business Development Director Dr Tan Kah Ooi.

Panellists on the e-forum were Professor Dr Bariah Ali, Dr Tan Kah Ooi, and Associate Professor Dr Mohd Zaki Awg Isa.

The platinum sponsor of the 2nd Congress of Optometry and Vision Science Research (COVR 2.0) by Management and Science University (MSU) was Eyecon Group Sdn Bhd, also a panel of MSU’s University-Industry Advisory Panel (UIAP)

Management and Science University (MSU) offers breakthrough ways for working adults wishing to further their studies. A wide range of programmes are offered with the student’s convenience as well as their educational and professional backgrounds in mind.

Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning returns opportunities lost to educations put on hold, with flexible learning at MSU Knowledge is the currency of the 21st-century economy, and meeting the ever-increasing need for qualified, higher-skilled workers is the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL).

Introduced and approved by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), APEL widens access to higher education for adult learners who are richly work-experienced yet lacking academic qualifications. The APEL C pathway provides credit transfer for entry into diploma programmes right up to PhD.

APEL C or Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning via Credit Transfer allows assessment of credits against matching modules in a programme of study. Once an APEL C applicant’s competency level is determined, those credits can shorten his or her entire study duration considerably, saving time and money.

An applicant presenting only SPM for university entrance application, for example, would usually qualify for diploma studies only. With APEL C, it’s possible to pursue a bachelor’s degree directly.

Another flexible option for the adult learner to pursue their education is a micro-credential programme. Its offer offers industry in-demand programmes that provide flexible and made easy learning assessments that shall fulfil his or her needs for comprehensive education in preferred areas of study. These stackable programmes will allow for exemptions into academic programmes at MSU.

For a full range and information on flexible programmes offered at MSU, please call 03-5521 6868, email: enquiry@msu.edu.my or visit www.msu.edu.my

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Getting in the festive mood

From the sparkles of fairy lights to the crinkling sounds of wrapping papers, these little things make the holiday season feel so magical. To add more spark to the season, Starbucks welcomes back all things merry and bright with the launch of the Starbucks Holiday menu and dazzling holiday cups.

While the celebration is less likely to resume to its fullest this holiday, customers can still amplify the holiday joy with the all-new Starbucks Confetti Cookie Latte and the iconic holiday favourites, Starbucks Toffee Nut Crunch Latte and Starbucks Peppermint Mocha, to enjoy together with their most beloved.

As the nation slowly transitions into full normalcy, we can unwind and appreciate the magic from the smallest things that life has got to offer. While abiding to the SOP, customers can now have a taste of the wonders that Starbucks is offering in-store, through the drive-thru, takeaway and delivery. The joyful beverages will be available from 9th November onwards, while stocks last.

•NEW! Starbucks Confetti Cookie Latte

Light up your holidays with Starbucks colourful new Confetti Cookie Latte, a deliciously festive treat for your tastebuds and your eyes. Starbucks signature espresso is paired with delicious toasted white chocolate syrup and steamed milk for a subtly-sweet concoction. Garnished with luxurious whipped cream and a sprinkle of colourful confetti topping, this beverage is the perfect balance of toasty and comforting – reminiscent of a freshly-baked cookie.

The Confetti Cookie Latte is available as a hot, iced or blended handcrafted beverage. Customers can customize their beverage with oat milk or almond milk and plant-based whipped cream.

Returning Favorite! Starbucks Peppermint Mocha

The fan-favourite Peppermint Mocha makes a comeback this holiday season, bringing you familiar chocolatey joy. This iconic Starbucks treat that’s inspired by traditional holiday sweets, combines espresso with rich mocha sauce, milk, and peppermint syrup, layered on a bed of mocha sauce and peppermint syrup, and topped with whipped cream, extra helpings of mocha sauce and peppermint sprinkles.

The Peppermint Mocha is also available as a hot, iced or blended handcrafted beverage. Customers can customize their beverage with oat milk or almond milk and plant-based whipped cream.

Returning Favorite! Starbucks Toffee Nut Crunch Latte

Indulge in nutty richness with the return of the Toffee Nut Crunch Latte. This returning favourite brings together Starbucks signature espresso with smooth milk and buttery toffee nut syrup, finished with fluffy whipped cream and toffee nut crunch topping for a textured finish.

The Toffee Nut Crunch Latte is also available as a hot, iced or blended handcrafted beverage. Customers can customize their beverage with oat milk or almond milk and plant-based whipped cream.

NEW! Starbucks Toffee Nut Crunch Cold Brew

Toffee nut, a classic seasonal flavour, meets Starbucks timeless Cold Brew for an energizing pick-me-up. Toffee Nut Cold Foam, made with milk and toffee nut syrup, is layered perfectly on top of Starbucks signature Cold Brew, dusted off with tasty toffee nut crunch topping for a touch of holiday cheer.

The Toffee Nut Crunch Cold Brew is available as an iced handcrafted beverage.

NEW! Starbucks Toffee Nut Crunch Nitro Cold Brew

Treat yourself or your loved ones with the gift of the sensational Toffee Nut Crunch Nitro Cold Brew, a cheerful take on the Starbucks Nitro Cold Brew. Deliciously cold and straight from the tap, the Toffee Nut Crunch Nitro Cold Brew packs an irresistibly comforting flavour with an infusion of scrumptious toffee nut flavour and nitrogen, topped with a blanket of crunchy toffee nut topping. The result is a cascade of velvety coffee perfect for making new holiday memories.

The Toffee Nut Crunch Nitro Cold Brew is available as an iced handcrafted beverage at Starbucks nitro stores only.

For more information on the new Holiday offerings, please visit www.starbucks.com.my

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Hidden beauty of West Kowloon

There’s nothing like discovering a city on foot. You are able to notice key details that you wouldn’t be able to see if you were travelling by car or in a tour bus. And one of the best locations to go on a little adventure in Hong Kong is the West Kowloon district, which is currently being showcased under an intriguing ‘neighbourhood programme’ which was recently launched by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB).

Starting from the beautiful shoreline at the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD), the West Kowloon neighbourhood programme extends to Yau Ma Tei and Pitt Street, and spans along Nathan Road to reach streets and paths around Austin Road, Jordan.

HKTB has carefully crafted a series of five unique walking tours that will allow visitors to experience this vibrant location at the ground level. The walking tours are focused on themes such as Heritage & Craftmanship, Cultural Arts and Culinary Arts, introducing visitors to an as-yet-undiscovered perspective of West Kowloon.

And for those looking for the next beautiful location to share on their Instagram or TikTok, there is no better place to start than the beautiful art and cultural district.

Street Art

For true urban explorers, the real thrill is being able to spot a beautiful piece of street art, capturing scenes or people unique to the city. And West Kowloon is a veritable treasure chest of unique murals located on the sides of buildings, shop fronts, and even a flight of stairs.

Among the must-see street art works:

1. Vision Signage Production, Reclamation Street, Yau Ma Tei

Commissioned as a tribute to the business owner Mr Sin, the mural depicts him sitting at his workstation with an electric drill and a fret saw, two of the essential tools that he uses for his craft. Among Mr Sin’s regular customers are numerous local and international film studios, and he has helped to create props that have been featured in 90% of films produced in Hong Kong!

2. Yau Ma Tei Fruit Market, Waterloo Street, Yau Ma Tei

This colourful mosaic mural perfectly captures the history of the fruit market, which is also located in one of Hong Kong’s most iconic cultural heritage buildings. For generations, the citizens of Hong Kong have come here in order to obtain their fresh produce, and the mural pays homage to that classic market tradition.

3. Red Brick Building, Shanghai Street, Yau Ma Tei

On the right side of one of Hong Kong’s old tenement buildings, you can find a surrealist mural piece created by Italian artist Pixel Pancho in 2017. This silent robot sentinel stands proudly overlooking the street, dressed in a Mandarin vest adorned with windows and air conditioners, and keeps watch over the people hurrying towards their next destination.

4. Mido Café, Temple Street, Yau Ma Tei

A popular pit stop for visitors looking to satisfy their cravings, Mido Café has been serving customers since 1950. Its interiors have largely remained the same for over 70 years, with mosaic flooring, old-school ceiling fans and retro wooden tables. This mural on its side, created by a famous local illustrator, perfectly depicts captures the dining atmosphere of the café in yesteryears.

Skylines & cityscapes

Lovers of arts and culture should also pay a visit to the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD), Hong Kong’s newest and hottest cultural hub. It is the perfect place to spend an entire day exploring, with its state-of-the-art museum facilities, award-winning architectural marvels and panoramic views of Hong Kong’s sweeping skyline.

For those who enjoy experiencing cultural events in the great outdoors, the Art Park is the perfect place to watch live music and dance performances. Afterwards you can enjoy a leisurely picnic on the grass overlooking the waterfront promenade that runs along Victoria Harbour, which is also a great place for sunrise and sunset photography. It is also a great place for jogging or biking, if you want to burn off some extra calories.

WKCD is also home to a series of notable art and culture hubs that will provide hours of enjoyment. The first is M+, the newly opened facility described as Asia’s first museum of contemporary visual culture. The strikingly-designed building is intended to become the cornerstone of WKCD, encompassing 20th and 21st-century visual art, design and architecture and moving images.

Several exhibitions are already on display in M+, including Hong Kong: Here and Beyond, a multi-medium exhibition that captures the city’s transformation from the post-war decades to the present day, as well as From Revolution to Globalisation, an art exhibition that surveys the cultural dynamism of contemporary China from the early 1970s to the present.

Besides visual art, stage performances are also to be found at WKCD. For contemporary performances, Freespace is a versatile space for pushing artistic boundaries and promoting creative exchanges, utilising spaces like The Box, a venue for experimental productions and events, and The Room and The Studio, two multipurpose venues earmarked for everything from workshops to exhibitions.

Even traditional cultural performances are on display at WKCD, thanks to Xiqu Centre, which provides the perfect venue to watch Chinese opera. Besides stage shows, the venue also provides a space for film screenings and immersive activities designed to educate visitors about this beloved art form.

To find out what else you can discover in West Kowloon, stay tuned for part three of theSun’s special feature. For more information, visit discoverhongkong.com.

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Investing to build an emergency fund

Our series on Your Personal Journey to Financial Security is approaching the end, and we’ve already talked about why it is important to invest, especially if you are looking to retire comfortably, and offered investment solutions you can consider, such as Private Retirement Schemes (PRS).

Once you have determined your life goals and made the decision to invest, you should also take the extra step of protecting your investments. This is especially important, as the nation is still feeling the aftereffects of the global Covid-19 pandemic, and now – more than at any other time – we need the extra reassurance and peace of mind, especially when making plans for the future.

Have an Emergency Fund

For many people, the pandemic showed the importance of having an emergency fund to help cover basic expenses. This was especially true for those who found themselves encountering financial difficulties due to a job loss, or a sharp reduction in income. After all, the last thing you want is to find yourself facing a financial crisis, and have no ability to come up with money to cover your costs.

It is for this reason that many people begin investing in order to help build an emergency fund to provide a buffer for those unexpected expenses. According to the FIMM Nationwide Survey Report (NWS Report; published on June 24, 2020), a total of 52% of investors and 59% of non-investors (see Figure 1) were drawing in income that was either insufficient, or just enough to cover their basic needs.

According to the NWS Report (see Figure 2), more than 50% of investors who invest in both Unit Trust Schemes (UTS) and Private Retirement Schemes (PRS) did so for the purposes of creating an emergency fund.

When investing, be it to establish an emergency fund or any other investment goal, it is important to ensure that your investment capital is well protected. As such, it is crucial for investors to implement “pre-investment controls” prior to starting the investment process to ensure that the initial investment capital is not lost due to an oversight or fraud. This includes making legitimate, secure investments that fit your risk appetite.

Consultants and Distributors

In the investing process, it is very common for an investment Consultant or an investment product Distributor to be involved. To purchase shares, one will have to go through a broker. For UTS and PRS, a UTS/PRS Consultant or Distributor is required.

Additionally, with the rise of financial technology, more commonly known as FinTech, Distributors have developed digital platforms from which investors can invest directly in the UTS and/or PRS of their choice (a sort of “DIY investing” method).

Despite the advancement of FinTech, the NWS Report also noted that 71% of respondents prefer to invest via Consultants (either belonging to a Unit Trust Management Company, PRS Provider, Institutional Unit Trust Adviser, Institutional PRS Adviser, or Financial Planning company).

These Consultants/Distributors play important roles in the investing process by connecting investors to the investment products/solutions.

Consequently, they are well equipped to explain to the investors the features and characteristics of the investment products and help investors make informed and suitable investment decisions. Thereafter, Consultants/Distributors will help to start the investment process for the investors.

One of the key roles of the Federation of Investment Managers Malaysia (FIMM) is to authorise/register and regulate the Consultants/Distributors for UTS and PRS. As of Dec 31, 2020, there were 59,975 UTS Consultants and 25,341 PRS Consultants registered with FIMM.

Consultants playing an advisory role can help investors make better financial decisions and face-to-face communication still has greater impact for a call to action.

It was acknowledged in the recent FIMM 2021 Investment Management Survey that Consultants need to understand investors’ behavioural biases that inhibit investors from making sound financial decisions such as managing emotions, negative peer influence, panic selling and investing for the long term.

Protecting your money

During the commencement of the investment process, investors will have to transfer their money to the relevant investment account in order to access the investment product/solution. It is at this point that investors should take precautions to ensure that their money will indeed be used for the intended investment – and not for other purposes.

Ensure that the investment product is authorised

Investment products/solutions that have been authorised by the relevant regulator, e.g. the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC), have gone through the necessary processes and due diligence prior to them being made available for investment. As such, the risk of investors being defrauded is relatively low compared to other unauthorised investments.

To discover whether an investment product is authorised or not, investors can visit the SC’s website, where, along with other investment products/solutions, the SC discloses a list of approved UTS and PRS.

Ensure that the Consultant is Authorised

Likewise, authorised Consultants/Distributors are expected to have undertaken all the necessary training and registration processes prior to them being allowed to connect investors with investment solutions. We have covered the reasons why this is crucial in our previous article here.

As registered Consultants, they are governed by the rules and regulations imposed by the relevant regulators. For example, UTS and PRS Consultants are registered with FIMM and hence, are subject to FIMM’s Rules. Should they commit any misconduct, FIMM can take action against them.

For UTS and PRS, investors can verify if the Consultant is authorised by visiting FIMM’s website and clicking on the “Is My Consultant Authorised” link.

Ensure that the Forms You Sign are Complete

To perform investment transactions, investors are required to sign the relevant forms. It is important for investors to complete the forms themselves before signing and submitting them.

A Consultant with bad intentions could fill in the pre-signed blank forms to perform unwanted/unauthorised transactions using investors’ money. On the flip side, the Consultant may not have bad intentions, but he/she could have completed the pre-signed blank forms incorrectly and inadvertently perform unwanted/unauthorised transactions. Both scenarios could lead to investors losing money.

Hence, if a Consultant insists that the investor signs a blank form, the investor should refuse and proceed to complete the form himself/herself. If the UTS /PRS Consultant is persistent in asking the investor to sign a blank form, the investor must lodge a complaint with the Distributor and/or FIMM at complaints@fimm.com.my.

Never give cash directly to Consultant

Be sure to exercise caution and common sense. Investors must never give cash directly to the Consultant or transfer money directly into the Consultant’s personal bank account for any investment. By doing this, the investor is putting his/her money at risk of theft or loss.

Always make payments in the method described in the relevant offering document. For UTS, the payment method is disclosed in the prospectus. For PRS, it is in the disclosure document.

If the consultant insists that the investor pays directly to him/her in cash, the investor must refuse and immediately lodge a complaint with the relevant regulator. For UTS/PRS Consultants, the investor can lodge a complaint with FIMM at complaints@fimm.com.my.

Take Necessary Precautions

The NWS Report also highlights that one of the top reasons people are reluctant to invest is that they are worried about the risks involved. However, in investing, risks will always be present. In addition to the investment-related risks (i.e. market risk, interest rate risk, etc) managed by the Fund Manager, investors should also mitigate other risks by implementing controls such as the ones shared above.

Additionally, it is essential for investors to read the offering documents and understand the features and costs involved prior to investing. This is part of the precautionary measures to ensure that we protect and do not lose our hard-earned money.

The final word

Establishing an emergency fund through an investment will not only help you prepare for the unexpected, it will also ensure that your emergency fund will grow steadily over time, giving it an advantage over starting it in a conventional savings account in a bank.

If such a prospect interests you, you should seek the advice of an authorised Consultant in order to see which investment solution will be an ideal fit for your financial needs.

To find out what other steps you can take to reach financial freedom, look out for the final article in our series on Your Personal Journey to Financial Security, only in theSun, brought to you by the Federation of Investment Managers Malaysia (FIMM).

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Leading with a global perspective

Pursuing a postgraduate degree in business has always been considered a solid step towards career success. Differentiating oneself in a crowded market is vital as competition for jobs is far greater than before. Having a master’s degree in business can help graduates stand out more.

The Master of International Business (MIB) program at Monash University Malaysia is an apt course for individuals who wish to delve into the business world.

The program is business-oriented, seeking to advance students’ knowledge of the international business environment — considering issues such as international trade and the internationalisation of operations. Graduates develop the skills to lead their companies through the internationalisation process, making this course extremely relevant, especially if they seek career advancement in ambitious organisations and companies.

“The MIB aims to help students develop an in-depth understanding of the international business environment. The Monash student experience is guided by expert educators, using the best in educational technologies and spaces, in settings informed by and engaged with industry and community,” said Dr Ravichandran, Director of the MIB program.

Apart from being suitably trained for employment by multinational corporations, individuals aspiring for career advancement in public, inter-governmental and non-profit sectors will also find this program useful.

Its versatility can be seen from its core units and elective units, some of which include Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Accounting and Finance for International Managers, International Management, International Trade Law, International Business Strategy, Data Analytics for Business, Asian Business Systems and Global Supply Chain Management.

Students will also have the opportunity to work on an applied business project assigned by industry partners. They will be guided through the processes of proposal writing, data collection and analysis, project implementation, business planning, and project reporting.

Another option that is made available is the research-based pathway. Completing research-based electives in this course will open a pathway to a higher degree by research. Students can choose to study full-time or part-time — both having access to the same resources.

Simply having an undergraduate degree can no longer be considered a novelty in these modern times, shares Rosli Ershad Faizzeen, who graduated from the MIB program in October 2021.

“A mastery in the field of International Business can be considered a natural progression from my undergraduate studies. Additionally, Monash Malaysia was my institution of choice because I wanted to remain close to home without trading off the quality of my education. The MIB program has provided me with a great learning experience in understanding new theoretical concepts and knowledge. My time in the program has taught me how to effectively manage time and stress arising from heavy workloads and how to handle unreliable team-mates and still deliver quality projects when working in a group. These invaluable experiences will remain relevant in the real world and will undoubtedly assist me once I enter the workforce,“ Rosli added.

“The MIB program is of outstanding quality, which exceeded my expectations,“ shares Hajara Mohamed Saleeth, who completed the program in July 2021. She added that there was a perfect balance between theory and practice of international business.

“Shifting from on-campus learning to off-campus was challenging, but the support I received from my research supervisors and lecturers made it easier for me.” As Hajara was the only MIB student pursuing a research pathway, the university arranged Bloomberg Remote Access to conduct her research from home, which enabled her to complete her work during the pandemic.

Devni Wijesinghe says she enrolled for the MIB program because of its all-rounded, business-oriented course structure that enables students to gain highly relevant and sought-after skills necessary to get employed in widely recognised and highly reputed international firms.

“I was glad that I had the option to take either a coursework or research pathway. I did not find the program particularly difficult because my lecturers were always willing to help. Their lectures were very well structured and informative. Assignment guidelines were also very clear. I always got feedback on my work, which helped me overcome difficulties arising from trying to achieve good grades,“ stated Devni, who is officially waiting to graduate in November.

Monash is one of the few business schools in Malaysia that is AACSB-accredited, cementing its status for delivering a solid business education with relevant learning materials that will prepare students to be effective leaders upon graduating.

Without a doubt, the MIB has plenty to offer to students of all backgrounds. To learn more about the program, join our Program Director, Dr Ravi Subramaniam at our virtual preview on 7 December at 6pm.

For details and registration please click this link.

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Discover cultural and heritage gems with Tourism Selangor

Selangor is a state in Malaysia that is rich in racial, cultural and heritage diversity. The name “Klang” originated from a word in the Mon-Khymer language; “Klong”. According to C.O. Blagden, an English orientalist and linguist who specialised in the Malay language, Klong is defined as a “warehouse”, much to Klang’s well-known appeal as a Port that holds many warehouses.

In this article, Tourism Selangor highlights Selangor’s Host Community Programme which takes place at Little India located at Jalan Tengku Kelana, Klang. Let us have a look at the interesting Host Community activities you may participate in if you visit Klang in the future;

Have Your Breakfast at Love Mom Restaurant

About 30 years ago, the owner of the restaurant; Love Mom or simply known as “Mummy” who was very well-known in the area of Lorong Menalu, Taman Chi Liung, Klang started her own business; then Klang Curry House. The food here is prepared using recipes passed down from her mother who originated from Sri Lanka.

A variety of breakfast options are offered here including idli, vadai, chapati and poori. You can also decide to try some roti canai, thosai and appam.

Undoubtedly, your breakfast spread is going to be excellent!

Stop by at Sri Nagara Thendayuthupani Temple

Sri Nagara Thendayuthupani Temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Klang, Selangor. The Nagarathar or Nattukottai Chettiar community here runs the temple which stands tall for nearly 150 years.

This temple is located at Jalan Bukit Jawa near Little India, Klang is also known as the Sree Raja Rajeswary Temple, and cultural events are often held here. Witness for yourself the rituals and customs of the Hindu religion, as part of the Selangor’s Community Host Programme in Klang.

Try Out Traditional Indian Clothing at Sri Kumarans Silk Saree!

Sri Kumarans Silk Saree is a store located at Little India, Klang which sells various types of sarees -- Indian women’s traditional clothing. You have the opportunity to dress in this colourful traditional dresses and get to know more about the unique features of this traditional clothing, whether it is the Saree or Dhoti.

In addition, you can also buy rugs, curtains, sheets and other items here!

Learn to Weave Garlands at Boothan Florist!

Flowers are one of the significant elements in Hindu culture. Flowers, especially those which have been woven into garlands are often used with major festivals such as Deepavali, Thaipusam and more! Interestingly, if you participate in this Host Community activity, you will get the opportunity to learn how to weave garlands which we commonly see during the festivals mentioned above.

The Selangor’s Host Community Programme is a one-of-a-kind and exciting tourism experience that allows tourists to learn the way of life of locals, as well as immerse in the history and heritage of a particular district in the State of Selangor.

The Klang district is rich in historical and cultural elements, certainly gives a refreshing change of pace from your normal routine. However, it is reminded, only individuals who have been fully vaccinated are allowed to engage in Selangor’s Host Community activities. Make your day trip in Klang District more meaningful by participating in the activities listed above!

However, all tourists are reminded to always adhere to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) set by the Malaysian National Security Council, such as ensuring social distancing, wearing a face mask at all times in public, and applying hand sanitiser regularly, for the well-being of many.

You may log on to Tourism Selangor’s official website, www.selangor.travel for inspiration on your travel to Selangor, or follow Tourism Selangor’s official social media accounts; Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and Tourism Selangor’s YouTube channel to stay inspired! #PusingSelangorDulu!

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Nurturing doctors of the future

MSU’s involvement in the medical and health sciences areas has led to the initiative towards complementing the nation’s need for qualified medical personnel serviced in Malaysia and the region. With the MBBS programme being offered at the main campus in Shah Alam and its offshore campus in Bangalore, India, MSU looks set to be a major provider of medical education in Malaysia.

“There is no difference in the medical curriculum used at the main campus or our off-shore campus. However, the campus in Bangalore provides the opportunity for students to experience an international setting as they pursue their medical programme in MSU,“ said MSU’s International Medical School (IMS) Dean, Professor Dr Mohamad Khairuddin Abdul Wahab.

He further added that “our involvement in the Indian sub-continent is a part and parcel of our international effort in branding and promoting Malaysia’s education globally.”

Professor Dr Khairuddin who specialized in Orthopedic Surgery believes that with the wealth of experience that he and his team of local and international faculty members possess, they will be able to guide MSU on the right course to be among the leaders in medical education and medical-related disciplines.

Since its pioneering batch of medical students that graduated in 2012, MSU contributed to almost two thousand medical personnel that is serviced into the Malaysian healthcare sectors in the country.

“We are confident that the training and exposure acquired by the medical students are sufficient to prepare them for the real-life medical settings,“ said Prof Dr Khairuddin.

“Becoming a doctor is not just about helping to cure the sick. It is about understanding the sick, thus doctors must be able to communicate effectively with patients. Effective communication is known to help in the healing process,” he said.

Students at MSU are exposed to various kinds of activities aimed at enriching their learning experience. In comparison to other medical schools in Malaysia, one of the key features of MSU’s MBBS programme is the development of holistic, balanced and well-rounded medical graduates.

MSU focuses on producing a qualified medical doctor who not only excels academically but portrays commendable soft skills as well through engagement in various personal enrichment activities and community services. This is to ensure a long-term continuous effort from MSU towards building quality healthcare providers that meet the nation’s objectives in healthcare services.

He further added, as part of its benchmarking initiative, MSU has linked itself with several international partner universities as well as medical authorities including the Medical Council of India (MCI), Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) and Maldives Medical and Dental Council (MMDC). Such linkages would acquire programme recognition and create student and staff mobility activities as well as research between MSU and its partners. All these are an effort on MSU commitment towards making Malaysia a hub for educational excellence.

“Things are looking very positive on MSU’s further involvement in the medical field for the next few years. International Medical School is forward to being part of this historic development.

With the opening of the MSU Medical Centre (MSUMC), MSU has put itself as the first private university in Malaysia that has its own private specialist hospital. The medical centre will provide quality and up-to-date healthcare services to the public, and also offer job opportunities for future graduates in medical and health programmes of MSU,” says Professor Dr Khairuddin

Intakes for MBBS programme is on April and October, qualified students are required to sit for the Medical Entry Test (MET) at the MSU campus in Shah Alam to determine their aptitude for the MBBS programme.

Want to be a doctor and qualified to sit the Medical Entry Test (MET) at MSU? Look out for more information on scholarships and fee waivers, please call 03-5521-6868, email your enquiry@msu.edu.my, or visit www.msu.edu.my

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Magnificent Seven for Astro’s Go Shop

Astro’s Go Shop has kicked off its seventh birthday celebration.

The “Happy Together Live Party” featured Go Shop hosts and special artiste appearances such as Datuk Sri Siti Nurhaliza, Datuk Aznil Hj Nawawi, Datin Hajjah Fouziah Gous, Datuk Aaron Aziz, Ustaz Munif Ahmad, Gan Mei Yan, Wang Chun Pin and Yoon Ng.

The Birthday Live Party took place over the weekend from 9am to 1pm on Astro CH118 and 4pm to 8pm on CH303. It was live-streamed over the Go Shop mobile app and web.

This party marked the beginning of Go Shop’s birthday special, which will last throughout November with exclusive promotions across it.

“Go Shop has grown into Malaysia’s leading home shopping and e-commerce business thanks to the strong support and trust that our customers, partners and vendors have given us over the past seven years. Themed around ‘Happy Together’ for the 7th birthday celebration, Go Shop is looking forward to bringing joy and a delightful shopping experience to our customers,” said Go Shop CEO Christinne Lim.

Lim reiterated that the company is committed to serving its customers with exciting and entertaining content, trusted brands and products, differentiated value bundles and a great customer experience.

The multiple MCOs over the last year and a half have proven to be a huge catalyst in accelerating online shopping, particularly at Go Shop, with the platform being strengthened from the increased sales.

“As the popularity for health, fashion, fitness and leisure products increased during the lockdown, we have successfully onboarded more brands and product line-ups for these categories and collaborated with our partners to produce more live shows that focus on fitness and wellness,” Lim said.

Lim also explained that as a local Malaysian brand, the platform has been very proactive in supporting and onboarding local businesses such as SMEs and micro-SMEs to leverage their production capabilities, as well as to extend Go Shop’s reach on TV, the web and the app.

Go Shop is largely known as a household shopping platform, and in its seven years, has accrued customer trust over the quality of offered products from trusted brands. As it continued to grow, the e-commerce platform added more products and choices to meet customers’ needs.

“For product offering, we are continuously looking at changing the portfolio mix. If we are seeing that the customers are being a lot more conscious, we will make sure our value bundle is the best in terms of pricing, value and product quality”.

In 2021, Go Shop further launched its first and very own clothing and bedding line – the Royal Field and La Belle – to provide more options of quality products to its customers.

For Go Shop’s 7th Birthday Happy Together campaign, there is an almost endless amount of things that are planned.

For starters, there will be RM7 million worth of vouchers giveaway, discounts of up to 80% and weekly deals from Nov 1 to Nov 30.

During the campaign period, customers can look forward to the reveal of new product line-ups that is expected to add a great array of choice and variety to the existing products on Go Shop.

Furthermore, customers will be able to enjoy up to RM77 upon spending RM650 and above.

Daily discount vouchers worth RM7 can also be snatched from Nov 1 to Nov 7, and customers will be able to join in the Happy Spin & Win Game from Nov 17 to Nov 30 to win RM170,000 worth of prizes on the Go Shop app.

On top of everything, there will also be exclusive discounts and rebates for customers that make their purchases with GrabPay eWallet, Public Bank, CIMB and Standard Chartered cards during the campaign period.

The Go Shop channels on Astro are on Go Shop RUUMA CH118, Go Shop GAAYA CH120, Go Shop BAARU CH111 in Bahasa Malaysia or CH303 in Mandarin, and on MYTV CH120.

Visit Go Shop online at www.goshop.com.my, or download the Go Shop app from Google Play and App Store. - By Mark Mathen Victor

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Enhancing the engineering profession at Monash

ENGINEERING is a competitive profession that is constantly evolving, and keeping up to date with the latest headways in the field is vital. Thus, pursuing a higher degree can be worthwhile to professionals seeking to enhance their careers in the industry.

The Master of Applied Engineering (MAppE) programme at the School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, is designed for fresh graduates and working adults with science and engineering academic backgrounds. The programmeme offers a unique feature — a two-year programme that would enable science and related discipline degree holders to obtain an engineering Masters degree, providing a great potential to switch their careers.

The coursework programme guides students to advance their complex problem-solving skills in a cross-cultural environment. It also offers a research pathway into a PhD programme. Students can choose to specialise in energy and sustainability, oil and fats processing, and industrial and robotics engineering.

A specialisation in energy and sustainability provides advanced knowledge and skills in renewable energy, energy utilisation and transformation, energy efficiency and management, industrial ecology and green buildings. One of the distinctive features of energy and sustainability specialisation is exposure to design activity of solar PV systems that would prepare students for the industrial market. Graduates will be able to lead the development in the energy sector with skills and insights in managing industrial challenges.

The oil and fats specialisation is industry-driven, and it covers a full spectrum of the oils and fats industry, from upstream, midstream to downstream processing, with emphasis on sustainability. Lectures and specialist topics will be co-delivered by experienced industry practitioners. Students will have the opportunity to solve industry problems and gain hands-on experience using the state-of-the-art research facility hosted by the Monash-Industry Palm Oil Education and Research Platform (MIPO).

Students will also have the option to undertake short-term industry attachments to gain industry experience. Graduates of this specialisation may find employment or business opportunities in various industry sectors related to oil extraction, refineries, oleochemicals, food and energy production, and consumer goods manufacturing.

The third specialisation, industrial and robotics engineering, provides advanced engineering education in optimising industrial engineering system design from the perspective of productivity, cost and sustainability. Students will be exposed to a set of methodological concepts, principles and skills related to supply chain management, operations research, statistics, additive manufacturing, robotics and artificial intelligence for designing a process that is optimised and sustainable. After completing this course, graduates can apply this knowledge and skills to design, as well as implement and improve systems in the manufacturing and services sectors.

Course coordinator Dr Arshad Adam Salema explained: “The new Master of Applied Engineering programme at Monash University Malaysia is designed to equip students with future skills evolving around IR 4.0, sustainability, and cross-discipline. Working professionals and graduates can now choose from specialisations that can inspire and build their careers to the next level.

“The unique features of each of these specialisations would definitely bridge the knowledge and research gap between academia and industry. Our recent achievements (National Energy Awards 2021), quality research, industrial engagement in IR 4.0, and MIPO platform will develop innovative solutions through research, education and training.”

The MAppE programme also provides experience in industrial-based projects. Students work alone or in teams to unpack problems and then create and execute solutions for an industrial case study.

The master's programme aims to produce graduates with the experience and hands-on skills needed to solve real-world problems related to the United Nations sustainable goals and Industry 4.0. Graduates can work in oil and gas, renewable energy, energy and power, construction, oleo-chemical, refinery, food and beverage, manufacturing, electrical and transport industries.

“The transition from a Monash undergraduate degree to a Monash Masters degree was effortless,” stated Andrew Peter Lim Tze Meng, who graduated in 2020. “The lecturers I had were incredible, and it showed in their teaching. Having classes three to four days a week after work until 10pm (and even on weekends) was extremely tough, but the lecturers were extremely flexible and helped work around my schedule.

“In my job, I come across things like ACMV systems, energy-efficient lighting and work closely on renovation and refurbishment projects. The knowledge I gained from the engineering master's programme has helped me understand and push for more sustainable design, materials, and processes in these projects.”

Monash University has placed 57th in the world in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022. Besides that, Monash University Malaysia has given out scholarships worth RM200mil to successful recipients for the past ten years.

For more information about the Master of Applied Engineering, check out Monash University Malaysia’s Virtual Postgraduate Day, on Nov 27, from 2pm-5pm. At the event, you can explore the postgraduate coursework and research programmes.

You can also find out more about the Global Mobility and Excellence Scholarship (GEMS) programme, which aims to bring the best and brightest PhD students to Monash University Malaysia. GEMS will be offering 15 scholarships each year for the next three years, and successful students will be funded for 39 months.

For more details, please visit: Monash University’s Postgraduate Day website

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