One of the main writers of this blog had gone "missing" for a while due to a hectic work schedule recently. Anyway, here's a little entry of what took place at Nilai UC last week...

We've just had the new college logo launched:

Nilai UC

Creative rationale for the new logo design: "Forward-looking" to show that our thinking is always a step ahead. "Unique" to reflect our desire to adopt unconventional but effective strategies and programmes. "Organic" represented by the colour green, to emphasize our focus on enriching lives while maintaining high academic standards.

The logo was launched during the "Glitter & Dazzle" college dinner at the Sime Darby Convention Centre that was attended by almost 1,000 people (almost).

Glitter & Dazzle, 22nd August 2008 (Friday). The writer was too busy to take any picture that night. This picture- courtesy of a student and friend of the writer.

Outside the Sime Darby Convention Centre. It was a rainy evening last Friday, but a group of Nilai UC graduates managed to find their way to the Convention Centre last week in spite of all the hassle caused by the weather. Many thanks to these people for taking the trouble to turn up. You know who you are

A new way of saying "NO" just surfaced this year: "If my friends go, then I'll go". This same sentence came from three different guys who happen to know each other  That's why guys are known to be pretty good at covering up for each other, I guess. Let's see what other forms of "NO" will come up next year when the Alumni Office starts getting people to attend next year's event  

Foyer area of the Convention Centre.

Inside the Grand Ballroom. I'm sorry I don't have a full shot of the ballroom as I wasn't the person who took this picture...

Well, the "Glitter & Dazzle" event was lots of fun. Genervie Kam, Malaysia's celebrity violinist, was there to perform:

No, this wasn't the outfit that Genervie wore that night. She wore a nice pink evening dress that night. This picture was taken from another event.

The clock struck twelve and everyone had to quickly go home, or risk looking like dazed pumpkins the next day during the graduation ceremony, especially those involved in the graduation ceremony and had to be at the President Hall pretty early in the morning at about 7:00 a.m.

Nilai UC graduation ceremony, 23rd August 2008 (Saturday). This picture was taken by one of the graduates before the event started.

So many happy faces that day. And so many proud parents too. It was a memorable day for many college-mates who now have to go their separate ways to build up their careers.

The Valedictorian gave a very touching speech that morning. When she cried on stage while thanking her parents (during her speech), I almost did too- not sure why. That's just too funny because she and I didn't cry at all when she was repeatedly rehearsing her speech the day before the graduation ceremony.

Well, that's about it for this year's grand dinner and graduation ceremony.

Here's an interesting promotional ad for one of our dear Australian Degree Programme graduates (Class of 2006)- Dave Tolo from Kenya:

Dave (in his favourite red Masai warrior attire) and his friend, Lumush, at the Shepherd's Centre Foundation orphanage in Malaysia.

Greetings from under the beautiful African skies! It is my deep and sincere pleasure to welcome you to Homestay Tolo.

Homestay Tolo is a programme started by yours truly a few years back and it's something i really love from the deepest part of my heart. It is a passion, a hobby, a cause, a journey and a blessing. Homestay Tolo will endeavour to promote international understanding and tolerance, friendship, and goodwill.

At Homestay Tolo you will be provided with an unrivalled, unparalleled, unsurpassed and unequivocal intimate African home stay experience.

Map of Kenya

Homestay Tolo also organises outdoor activities within Kenya and without Kenya.

Homestay Tolo will endeavour to promote intracontinental tourism in Africa at an affordable rates to encourage the movement of African people from other countries in Africa to Kenya and vice versa.

Flag of Kenya

Homestay Tolo is not merely about dollars and cents but it will provide you with an affordable invaluable and rewarding opportunity to learn and experience the real daily lifestyle in Africa from an African perspective while at the same time form and make everlasting friendship.

 Coat of arms of Kenya

Throughout the years, I have had the privilege and blessing to meet and host wonderful and special people from different parts of the world which have culminated into long lasting friendships, each one of them arriving with his/her own beautiful and unique world and leaving an indelible mark in my life and in those around me.

Your friendship is truly treasured, cherished and forever valued. Homestay Tolo wouldn't have been much better without you. Homestay Tolo is all about having fun, learning and appreciating each other no matter where you come from.

Come to Homestay Tolo and also share about that part of the world of which you come from as you see it from your own lens and perspective.

After coming back from your African trip, you can start writing a book called "Savannah Memories"

If we don't share with you about Africa we deny you, if you don't share with us about where you come from, you deprive us. Let's not deny and deprive each other (David Tolo).

An invitation is extended to anyone with the exception to "extremist fundamentle outfits" interested in knowing more about Africa through an African lens for a more interactive medium with a personal touch and a memorable African home stay experience.

Your stay in Africa will endure and last for a lifetime. Embark with me on this journey now and discover the true secrets of Africa.

Then again, you probably have to think of a new book title because someone else had already thought about it a long time ago- "Savannah Memories" by Richard Milburn.

Make your trip to Africa an experience worth remembering by staying at HOMESTAY TOLO: THE TRUE AFRICAN EXPERIENCE: AN AFRICAN PERSPECTIVE

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HOMESTAY TOLO RATES
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Per Day(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Inclusive): USD $ 45 per person

All Homestay rates are in US dollar currency.

The minimum age for any applicant is 18 years old. No Under 18's allowed unless with the company of parent or guardian

The minimum homestay is two weeks.

Terms and conditions apply!

Check out Dave Tolo's HOMESTAY TOLO website: http://www.freewebs.com/tolosworld/

Dave Tolo, Australian Degree Programme, Class of 2006. In this picture, he is seen leading a group of orphans from the Shepherd's Centre Foundation in that Masai warrior dance he was so famous for back in college.

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In order to facilitate in setting up a proper network for previous Nilai UC graduates, the following groups have been set up for this purpose:

1. To register as an alumni or to update your contact details, you may complete the Nilai UC alumni form found at this website: http://www.nilai.edu.my/alumni/

2. Facebook: Just add this group at this email: Nilai.Alumni@gmail.com

3. Friendster: Just add this group at this email: Nilai.Alumni@gmail.com

Regards,

The Nilai UC Alumni Office

An empty, quiet hall two days after the final exams (Location: President Hall)

This entry came from one student who just completed her studies at Nilai UC (she prefers to remain anonymous):

The exams have just ended last Friday. Many students have since headed home for the semester break.

I waited until Sunday to shift my things out from my room at HC block. My roommate had left earlier.

Four years of studying here at Nilai really caused me to accumulate lots and lots of things in my room!

Look at my room! Have to do so much packing and so many things to shift out! So tiring! (Note: This student's room was actually extremely neat and tidy before she started shifting and throwing her things all over the place while moving out. Chaotic final moments at the college)

Outside my room at the corridor area. Still not done with my packing yet!

 Look at all my things at the ground floor! I hope I can fit everything into my friend’s car!

My other hostel-mate has a big car to put in all her things from her room. Will really miss the great times we had at college.

My days at Nilai have finally come to an end! I’m going to miss my hostel room. I can’t believe I’m saying this!

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Well, while at the jungle, you’d keep on saying that life was boring- exams, assignments, lecturer gave so much work, so stressful… Now that you’ve left the jungle, you’re telling me that “I’m going to miss my hostel room, my assignments, exams and crazy lecturers". And you can’t believe you’re saying all these things, and then you get all emotional and sad about leaving Nilai and wish you could turn back time…

Sigh…… Absence does make the heart grow fonder sometimes. I feel sad too, but what to do- life goes on...

The semester break may have started already for many students. But to another group who have just completed their studies this semester, a new phase in their lives will be starting soon.

 Flags of various nations (Location: President Hall; Flags: Courtesy of writer's friend)

Many students who have completed their studies at Nilai UC have since returned to their home countries (or hometowns, to those local students).

Goodbyes may take place between roommates, friends or couples. Whatever it is, saying goodbye is not easy at most times, although it’s a necessary and normal thing that happens in everyone’s life. That’s part of growing up.

 Friends who ended up crossing paths with one another would have to separate at certain points in the journey of their lives (Location: Kuala Lumpur International Airport; just about 20 minutes away from Nilai UC by car)

You might not feel like wanting to leave your friends behind. But your parents wouldn’t have wanted you to stay back in college forever!

 There you go, heading towards a new chapter in your life.

As the years go by, you suddenly think back and remember: “My days at Nilai had ended so long ago. I do miss my hostel room sometimes. I can’t believe I’m saying this…”

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Announcements:

Glitter & Dazzle, 22nd August 2008 (Friday), 6.30 p.m., Sime Darby Convention Centre, ticket price: RM85. Get your reply form here. Online payment details:

Account Name: "P.K. Education Sdn Bhd"

Bank Account No: 2-05051-10000-979

Swift Code: RHBBMYKL

Bank Address: RHB Bank Berhad, PT 7460 & 7461, Jalan BBN 1/1A, Putra Point, Putra Nilai, 71800 Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

Don't forget to fax in the bank-in slip to this college fax number: 06-850 1766. Address the bank-in slip to the "Alumni Office". Otherwise, we'd not realize whether or not you've made payment, nor know who had made the payment.

Catch our OBUAF Class of 2003 graduate, Minli, acting and singing in the upcoming musical, "Ismail: The Last Days", directed by Joe Hasham this 7 to 31 August 2008. For more details, click here.

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