Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic - Berjaya University College

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused many countries to go into lockdown. Malaysia is no exception. We started the Movement Control Order (MCO) since 18th March 2020 and as of today, we are glad to be in the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO). 

Since MCO started, we have switched all our classes to online mode, hoping that we can return to face-to-face teaching in no time. However, on 27th May 2020, Malaysia Higher Education Ministry said that all university lectures must be conducted purely online until the end of the year. 

As such, some of the classes with certain conditions are allowed to return from tomorrow 1st July 2020 onwards. Here are some of the pictures showing the preparation done in Berjaya University College for the returning students and lecturers:

Welcome! but you need to check-in with the QR code by entering your body the temperature screening 

Social Distancing in the classroom - take your own notes from now on.

Can you see the cross - seat reserved

Settle down, lecture will start soon...

Don't try to poke your classmates

Some SOPs to follow.

 

That's all for now. Let us wait until the control order is lifted and you can experience the new normal yourself. Seeing is believing!

What say you about the Standard Operating Procedures?

SHOCKING! Technical Problem at McDonald's (Berjaya Times Square)

This is my first time in my life to see a technical problem at McDonald's causing them to offer only Spicy Chicken, Nuggets, Porridge and Rice. According to the staff and the notice printed on all the point-of-sales machine, they are experiencing a technical problem causing them unable to offer everything except the few stated products.

All the screen went blank - nothing you can order except chicken, nuggets, rice, and porridge

Can you imagine going to McDonald's but not able to buy any burgers and my favourite 'Happy Meal'?

What could have gone wrong that causes such problem for an International franchise business?

So, without technology, does that means we cannot operate our business anymore?

What say you about this?

Fly to Hong Kong by Cathay Dragon

We booked the flight to Hong Kong through Cathay Pacific website but it was a Cathay Dragon that we boarded. The last time I fly with Cathay was three years ago and I think at that time, Cathay Dragon was known as Dragonair. It seems like they have rebranded Dragonair into Cathay Dragon and make it more identical to Cathay Pacific.

For a return flight from Kuala Lumpur to Hong Kong during the Easter Holidays weekend that only cost me RM708 net, it is more that what I can expect. The staffs are very friendly and the seats was comfortable, spacious, and clean. The entertainment system was good with some new movies and shows. Not bad at all for the meals too.

Breakfast

Opps, turbulence...

Dinner

San Miguel Beer, a must have when flying to Hong Kong. I wonder if they have Blue Girl Beer?

Indonesia Coffee Exhibition 2017: Blending Coffee & Culture

Coffee lovers, you may want to stop by at Berjaya Times Square Kuala Lumpur this weekend for the Indonesia Coffee Exhibition 2017 that promotes blending coffee and culture.

Disappointing Kopi Club

It has been few months back since I last visited Kopi Club, a cafe restaurant located in Plaza Lowyat that serves local delights. I normally go for their 'nasi ayam goreng panas with coffee'. I like the taste of their fried chicken, big whole leg serving and a choice of coffee or tea for only RM12.90 (excluding service charge).

Today, I feel like having fried chicken and went for the it. Such a disappointing decision made. The service was bad, price gone up and portion shrink. The staffs, most of them were arrogant and ignorance to the customers. The price for my 'used-to-be' favourite nasi ayam goreng panas with coffee is now RM14.50 before service charge (have to pay for that kind of service?!); and lastly, the fried chicken...much smaller and it doesn't taste like how it used to be.

Well, we don't mind if the price increases due to costs, but can they maintain the quality or, at least more pleasant to the customers?! What say you?

Checking for Errors - Why Bother?

Is checking for errors important? Why bother for the process and normally, takes longer time to execute a task? There must be a reason and this is why.

At a glance, this promotional panel at GSC Pavilion KL for the upcoming Life (2017) movie looks great with good printing resolution.

However, when I take a closer look, I got confused with who is Ryan Reynolds and Rebecca Ferguson. They designer got mixed up with the two main stars in the movie.

Errors like this do happen and it is very common but the implication of some errors can be fatal!

Is this the designer fault to allow such error to occurs? Maybe but they cannot be blamed for everything. Sometime it could be due to the constraint of time to push things out for production and there is no checking in the entire process - from the person who provides the information, the designer who didn't check or ignorance, the superior who need to approve the artwork (if any), the printer, production, and lastly the personnel at the cinema.

Anyway, we all make mistakes. If only there is compliance to a proper control process, personnel who are more alert or maybe more time were given to designer (whom might be too exhausted with too many deadlines to fulfill until their quality is being compromised), the error could have been corrected before it goes public.

Somehow, I belief in this: "Fast, Good and Cheap - we can only pick TWO". What say you?

US President Obama in Bukit Bintang Kuala Lumpur

Haze Season?

For the past few years, haze has been a norm to many of us in Malaysia and Singapore. I don't remember anything like this 20 years ago but it is not getting more frequent and consistent. Every year starting from July/August until October (this year, news reported that it will last until November 2015), there will be the same issue that threatening our health, THE HAZE.

Maybe for some other countries, it is nothing serious (because their air pollution indexes are much more higher/worse than us), but it is not a good sign for everyone in this planet.

Do we need to live in the world of polluted air for years to come? What would be the threats to our health in long-term? Who is responsible? With the state of the art technology today, can't this be avoided? If the planet is sick, we all will be affected too...can anyone do something? Will this phenomena be classified as a new season for our country - Haze Season?

What say you?

Poor Quality Control at Sushi Zammai

Recently I went to Sushi Zammai at Fahrenheit 88 Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur for my dinner. As usual, I ordered my favourite soft shell crab maki and salmon maki. However, when they served the the maki, I realised that it is so much different than the one I used to have.

Being a frequent customer there, I am confident that this is not how it supposed to be served. So, I called the one of the staff and told him about the maki with so less fish roe. Without apologizing and showing me a long face...he only took one of it back to the kitchen and returned with a slightly better one but still not satisfactory. We shown him the other maki, he refused to change for the other one which I think he was so ignorance. See for yourself these pictures for comparison and is this how it supposed to be served?

Feel so disappointed on how they control the quality of products and poor service staffs in handling customer concerns. Is this what we want to experience for spending at the restaurant?

MH17 Malaysia Airline Crash in Ukraine

Totally unacceptable. This is a civilian aircraft, MH17 was carrying passengers who has nothing to do with any political matters. All they wanted was to reach their destination, meeting their families, holidays, and even for work purposes. Why can't they reach Kuala Lumpur safely?

A shocking incident for everyone in the world, since yesterday night. If whoever who shot down the Malaysian Airline aircraft, yes, you got the attention now!!! So what? Innocent people sacrifices for your purpose??? Totally unacceptable, insane and the world will never forgive you!

My condolences to MH17 passengers' families and friends; and to all the victims...Rest in Peace. I will never know how sad and heart pain the family members are feeling now, but I personally feel very sad too. Yet, at the same time, I am very angry for those who are responsible for this disaster.

From MH370 incident in March 2014 and now MH17...I still cannot believe that this is real...and I hope it is not!

Visited the 33rd Kuala Lumpur International Book Fairs

The 33rd Kuala Lumpur International Book Fairs is an international event organised by Majlis Buku Kebangsaan Malaysia (MBKM), Ministry of Education (Malaysia) in collaboration with 6 Industry association in this Country, with the theme for this year “Buku Menjana Kepintaran Kreatif”.

As a lecturer, this is a good time to update our subject reference list for the students. Textbooks are always important because they are the fundamentals of education. I hope our country's efforts to promote creativity through books will be able to cultivate a better learning environment for the students.

It is becoming uncommon for students to read reference books in higher education. The advancement of Information Technology, and fast and easy access to information using the Internet has become an excuse for many students not to use reference textbooks in their study. I may be 'old-school' but I still think that before we go onto the fast and easy platform to access for knowledge with the purpose of studies, we should value the reference textbooks as the fundamentals of learning. When the foundation is right, then we can use the Internet to enhance our knowledge or for quick reference.

If you agree with me, why not drop by to the fairs to see what are the fundamentals of education can help you in your studies. There exhibitors are not only from the local publisher, but also from ASEAN Country and International Publisher as well (Europe, United State, Australia, India and Middle East). The fairs will be from 24th April 2014 to 4th May 2014 at Dewan Tun Hussein On, Dewan Tun Dr. Ismail, Dewan Tun Razak 3, 4 and Legar Putra Pusat Dagangan Dunia Putra (PWTC), Kuala Lumpur. The gate will be opened to the public on 24th April 2014, from 10.00am to 9.00pm. Admission is free.

Related Post: Reading Academic Textbooks

Special Notice: Amaran Keras

Yesterday, I spotted a very interesting notice from the Management of a commercial building (near Metroview Condominium) at Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur.

I just couldn't imagine what has causes the Management to put up such notice that says: 'do not urinate or shit in this area'. They must have been experiencing something really bad.

Would anyone urinate or defecate at public places like this? How uncivilised people can be...disgusting!!!

Anyway, will this notice make any difference to the people whom committed such act? I do hope the Management can catch this person and stop such incident to happen again.

Breaking News: Mercedez-Benz Got Stuck At Starhill Gallery

An unlucky driver ramped up a luxury Mercedez-Benz to the pedestrian walkway and got stuck at the back entrance of Starhill Gallery Kuala Lumpur.

There are construction work nearby and maybe the driver got confused with the road. Without any proper divider or sign, the driver could have thought that there is another road. The wide open area behind Starhill Gallery may look like another road for the driver, especially at night when there is no proper sign or barriers.

Be very careful if you are driving around that area. Hope the gallery management will put up some sign or a barrier to alert and also to protect the pedestrian. Good luck.

Haze Never Left Kuala Lumpur

As we thought our air is getting better this morning, the haze has emerged again and showing its ability to cause uncomfort and breathing difficulty to many of us in Kuala Lumpur. We have to stay strong and healthy to combat haze; especially when exam is coming for my students. Be ready for the worse as many places are still reporting hotspot and burning in Malaysia. Take care people.

Shocking News on Missing MAS MH370 Aircraft

It all started on a Saturday morning, and I got to know about this news when I was traveling to work. The radio station 9.88 made an annocement of a missing MAS aircraft which supposed to land at Beijing in the morning 6.30am. However, the aircraft MH370 was reported missing at 2.30am. It has been more that 35 hours now and nothing yet to be found and confirmed by the authorities on the whereabouts of the aircraft.

With the advancement of modern technology, it is still possible that an aircraft as big as this Boeing 777 to vanished. Many speculations has been circulating around and I don't think I want to create more unnecessary confusion on this. Just hope that all the 227 passengers and 12 crew members are safe. Whatever happen, this will definitely affects all Malaysian and others who care about MH370 safety. Let us all pray for them and keep our hope alive for their returns.

Espressolab - Even Competitor's Staff Cannot Resist

Today is the grand opening of Espressolab's 13th outlet at Plaza Lowyat, Kuala Lumpur. In-conjunction with the grand opening, they are offering a 'Buy One Get One Free' (beverage only) promotion for 1 day only at this new outlet.

Personally, I think the promotion is very attractive to coffee lovers; even somebody who works for their competitor cannot resist to try out the espressolab coffee...

This is why you need a good marketing campaign - Seeing is believing!!!

Before And After Haze Invasion

I do not know what to say. See it yourself - Seeing is Believing!!!

LATEST UPDATE on 14th March 2014 at 9.00AM. What do you think is the API now????

KLCC hardly can be sighted...

This morning at 8.50AM (3/3/14)

At 6.05PM

These pictures were taken on 30th January 2014

Computer Breakdown, Restaurant Closed

Do you know what is the impact of Information Technology (IT) can have on your business? I think the impact could be very drastic because I saw this pizza restaurant at Berjaya Times Square closed since yesterday. All the staffs are there, but there is this A4 paper placed at the center to the entrance saying 'Closed, Computer Breakdown'.

Could't take a clear shot on the notice at the center because the staffs are looking at me...anyway, it says ' CLOSE, COMPUTER BREAKDOWN'

Today I saw some technician fixing something near the cashier.

See how important is IT in business, even a pizza restaurant that serves food and beverages, cannot operate because of computer breakdown. I wonder what roles does a computer does, that can caused the entire restaurant to come to a standstill.

Is this a norm to all the F&B outlets to close if there is a problem with the Point-of-Sales (POS) or 'computer'?

Traffic Jam in Kuala Lumpur for Aircrafts

Who says we only have traffic jam for cars in Kuala Lumpur?! Now in Kuala Lumpur International Airport, despite of good weather in our country, we do experience traffic jam for aircrafts to land and to take off. If you always experience traffic jam for an hour in highway or in town, same goes to the planes.

I experienced it myself, boarded an aircraft at 11.00am sharp and later being informed by the pilot that there was a congestion at the runway, 20 aircrafts are queuing to take off. Guess what? All aircrafts seems to be using the same runway to take off, despite of if the flight is from KLIA or LCCT. I saw MAS, Cathay, JetStar, AirAsia, Emirates and others all waiting at the queue. I really don't know if this is the norm in terms of how International Airports operates, but should there be a separate runway for a KLIA and LCCT? Just curious about it because only after 1 hour waited in the aircraft, it then come to our turn to take off. Lucky that my connecting flight has a gap of another 45 mins; but still it was very rush!

Again, I want to say we did it again...with consistent possibility of traffic jam without discriminating the mode of transportation you use. Seeing is believing!

Education Fair 2013 in Malaysia

Every time when I go to the education fair, I find something is different. I guess I am witnessing the evolution of education industry in Malaysia. 

Most private institutions dominates the main halls in the education fair, with unique constructions of a large area which consist of many booths (12-16 open booths size). Also, there are actually many private higher education providers in Malaysia and growing larger. So far, I don't see any public university there (even if they are there, they will only take very few booths with minimum spending on the booth design). It shows that the private institutions are still more desperate for students than the public. Well, this has always been the norm, just that the private institutions are becoming more competitive and aggressive in sales and marketing.

Secondly, more students involvement in the marketing efforts by various institutions. They call them the 'student helper'. Their task is to give out flyers, goodies and to collect database by stopping everyone to fill up the enquiry form. Some institutions are like those Telcos (in blue, red, yellow t-shirts), assigning there student helper to try to grab anyone who passes by their booths to fill up the form (just like Telcos promoters-signing up a data plan or buying prepaid SIM). I just wonder if this is how education fair suppose to be - "selling" or it should be a place for counselling and to find out about courses available.

In this education fair, there are also some European universities participating under the European Union education booths. Their counsellors are all standing near to their booths welcoming the potential students to approach them to ask about their courses. It is not so much on collecting database as they are mainly here to create the awareness, provide informations and encourage the candidate to apply for their programmes if they are interested; not on "selling".

To some extent, I find that the approach used by many institutions now is more like trying to sell the visitors a product, just like in PC Fair (for ICT) or Matta Fair (for Travel and Tours). It is scary because the institutions are supposed to promote their courses by creating awareness, help the candidates to choose the right course, provide information on financial aid and to cultivate learning and development in younger generations.

What say you?