A Day of Discovery at Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur: Berjaya University College Study Tour 2023

A study tour to Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur on 23 November 2023 for Berjaya University College students.

We recently embarked on an exciting study tour to Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur, and what an incredible day it turned out to be! Our students from diverse programs, including culinary art, hospitality management, events and tourism management, and business studies, had the unique opportunity to explore the inner workings of this prestigious hotel. Join us as we recount the highlights of this enriching experience.

Upon our arrival, the Le Meridien team, led by General Manager Mr. Michael Delargy, Market Director of Human Resources Ms. Jaclyn Low, Learning & Development Manager Mr. Balachandran Girbakran, Executive Chef Antoine, and Assistant F&B Director Ms. Chrisleen Lee, warmly greeted us. Their hospitality set the tone for a day of discovery and inspiration.

The day kicked off with an insightful briefing on the hotel's history and the unique values that define the culture of Le Meridien. Then, the tour showed our students the hotel operation and facilities, including the front office, event hall, restaurants and the swimming pool. The students gained firsthand knowledge of the hotel operations and its functions. It was a behind-the-scenes look at the magic that makes Le Meridien a world-renowned brand in the hotel industry.

During the tour led by Ms. Chrisleen Lee, Assistant F&B Director, she shared her passion and the critical success factors that have defined her journey as a hotelier. Her motivational words left an indelible mark on our students, inspiring them as they contemplate their future careers in various industries.

The tour concluded on a high note with a fun pop quiz. Congratulations to Dinesh from the Diploma in Hospitality Management program for emerging as the winner! Mr. Michael and Ms. Jaclyn presented Dinesh with a special prize, adding a touch of excitement to an already memorable day.

As a delightful conclusion, Le Meridien treated us to a delicious lunch, allowing everyone to savour the culinary excellence that defines the hotel. To top it off, each participant went home with a thoughtful gift, a token of appreciation from our gracious hosts.

Our study tour to Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur was undeniably fruitful and inspiring. It provided our students with a unique insight into the world of hospitality and left them with valuable lessons to carry into their future endeavours. A heartfelt thank you to the entire Le Meridien team for opening their doors to us and making this day an unforgettable experience.

Stay tuned for more adventures and learning opportunities from us!

Maximizing Your Education: 5 Ways to Utilize ChatGPT for Academic Success

As an Artificial Intelligence (AI) language model, ChatGPT can be a valuable resource for students studying in higher education. Here are 5 main ways that a student can maximize the use of ChatGPT:

1. Research

ChatGPT can be used as a tool for research on a wide range of topics. The model can provide concise and relevant information on a topic of interest to a student.

As a student in higher education, there may be times when you need to conduct research for an assignment or project. ChatGPT can be a valuable tool for this purpose as it is capable of providing concise and relevant information on a wide range of topics.

For example, let's say you are researching a topic on climate change. You could ask ChatGPT to provide you with information on the causes and effects of climate change, current mitigation strategies, and potential future impacts. AI can provide you with relevant and up-to-date information on this topic from reputable sources, helping you to better understand the issue and develop your own arguments and ideas.

In addition, AI can also help you to find relevant research articles, books, and other resources on your topic of interest. For instance, you can ask ChatGPT for recommendations on books or articles related to your research question. This can save you time and effort in searching for relevant sources and help you to identify high-quality resources that you may not have found otherwise.

Using ChatGPT as a research tool can help you to gain a deeper understanding of your topic of interest and find high-quality sources to support your arguments and ideas.

2. Writing Assistance

ChatGPT can be used as a writing assistant to help students refine their writing skills. The model can provide suggestions for grammar and vocabulary, as well as help with sentence structure and organization.

Writing is an essential skill in higher education, and AI can help students refine their writing skills by providing writing assistance. The model can suggest alternative words or phrases help students improve their vocabulary and grammar. Additionally, ChatGPT can provide suggestions for sentence structure and organization to help students improve the flow and clarity of their writing.

 Students can use AI to check their writing for grammar and punctuation errors, as well as to identify areas where they may need to improve their writing. The model can also suggest ways to improve the overall structure of the writing and help students create a more coherent argument. Furthermore, ChatGPT can assist students in developing their critical thinking skills through the process of writing. The model can provide suggestions for alternative perspectives, help students to identify gaps in their arguments, and suggest ways to improve their reasoning.

 AI can be an excellent tool for students to refine their writing skills and enhance their critical thinking abilities. By using ChatGPT as a writing assistant, students can receive valuable feedback on their writing and develop their skills in a way that is tailored to their individual needs.

3. Study Help

ChatGPT can be used to supplement class materials and help students prepare for exams. The model can provide explanations of difficult concepts, examples, and practice problems.

By using ChatGPT as a study help tool, students can gain a deeper understanding of difficult concepts and prepare for exams more effectively. They can also receive immediate feedback on their understanding of a topic, allowing them to focus their efforts on areas where they may need more practice or study. Ultimately, this can lead to better academic performance and a more successful college experience.

Let's say a student is taking a marketing course and is struggling to understand the concept of market segmentation. They can use ChatGPT to ask for a concise and relevant explanation of the topic. The model can provide an overview of what market segmentation is, why it's important in marketing, and different methods of segmenting a market.

The student can also ask ChatGPT for examples of market segmentation in real-world scenarios. For instance, they can ask how a company like Nike segments its market and tailors its products to different consumer groups.

If the student is preparing for an exam, they can use ChatGPT to ask for practice problems related to market segmentation. The model can provide sample questions and answers, allowing the student to gauge their understanding of the topic and identify areas where they need more practice or study.

Overall, by using ChatGPT as a study help tool, the student can gain a deeper understanding of marketing concepts, prepare more effectively for exams, and ultimately achieve better academic performance in their marketing course.

 4. Language Practice

ChatGPT can be used to practice language skills. Students can use the model to improve their reading, writing, and speaking skills in various languages.

ChatGPT can be a great tool for students who are learning a new language. The model can provide assistance with grammar, vocabulary, and syntax. For example, a student who is learning English as a second language can use ChatGPT to practice reading and writing in English. The model can provide suggestions for how to structure sentences, offer alternative vocabulary choices, and provide explanations of idioms and expressions that may be confusing.

Additionally, ChatGPT can provide opportunities for students to practice speaking and listening skills in a foreign language. Students can ask the model to speak in the language they are learning, and then try to respond using the correct vocabulary and grammar. This can be a great way to improve pronunciation and comprehension skills.

ChatGPT can be a valuable resource for language learners, as it can provide personalized feedback and assistance in real-time.

5. Personal Development

ChatGPT can be used as a tool for personal development. Students can ask the model for advice on a wide range of topics, such as career development, goal setting, and mental health.

ChatGPT can be a valuable resource for students looking to develop personal skills and knowledge beyond academics. For example, students can ask the model for advice on developing effective study habits, managing their time and priorities, or improving their communication skills. 

In addition, students can seek guidance on topics related to mental health and well-being, such as managing stress, building resilience, and developing healthy coping mechanisms. The model can also provide information and resources on career development, including job search strategies, resume and cover letter writing tips, and interview preparation. 

By using ChatGPT as a tool for personal development, students can gain valuable insights and advice to help them succeed in all aspects of their lives.

Excited already? Although AI can do so much to assist students in their studies, it is important to be cautious of the following:

• Although ChatGPT is a powerful tool, it is important to remember that it is not infallible. Students should always double-check the information provided by ChatGPT before using it in their studies.
• ChatGPT can provide excellent research assistance, but students must be careful not to plagiarize any content. It is important to paraphrase and cite any information used in assignments and papers.
• While AI can be a valuable tool for students, it is important not to become too reliant on it. Students should still strive to develop their critical thinking skills and research abilities, as these will be valuable in their future careers.

So....to use or not to use? What say you?

Share you views with me.

The Power of Critical Thinking: Why It's Important and How to Develop Your Skills

Hey there, let me tell you about critical thinking! It's basically the superhero power of analyzing information objectively and making logical, evidence-based judgments. You get to question assumptions, evaluate evidence, consider different perspectives, and make well-reasoned conclusions. It's like thinking about thinking in a super smart and rational way so you can make informed decisions based on evidence and reason.

Why is critical thinking important? 

Let me count the ways! For starters, it helps you make better decisions by weighing the pros and cons and considering different options. It also improves your problem-solving skills by helping you identify, analyze, and solve problems in a structured and logical way. And let's not forget about the increased creativity and innovation that comes with exploring different ideas and perspectives. Plus, critical thinking helps you communicate more effectively by analyzing arguments, evaluating evidence, and identifying potential biases.

But watch out, without critical thinking, you could end up making some serious blunders. You might struggle with decision-making, and problem-solving, and be limited by preconceived ideas and biases. That could seriously hinder your ability to consider different perspectives and come up with creative solutions. You might even struggle to communicate effectively and end up in misunderstandings and miscommunications.

So, how can you develop your critical thinking skills? 

It takes time and practice, but it's totally worth it. Start by asking questions that challenge assumptions, evaluating evidence, and considering alternative perspectives. Learn to analyze arguments, identify logical fallacies, and assess different positions. Break down complex problems and look at them from different angles to find different approaches. With dedication and effort, anyone can improve their critical thinking skills and make more informed decisions.

And speaking of being narrow-minded, imagine someone who refuses to try new foods because they have preconceived ideas and biases about certain types of cuisine. That's like limiting yourself to a life of blandness and missing out on delicious opportunities. But if you use critical thinking to challenge your assumptions, you could develop a greater appreciation for a wider range of foods and experiences. Plus, it's way more fun to be open-minded and adventurous!

How to begin?

One easy way to start practising critical thinking is to ask yourself questions that challenge assumptions and encourage you to consider alternative perspectives. For example, when you encounter a new piece of information, ask yourself:

• What evidence supports this claim?
• Are there other possible explanations or viewpoints?
• What biases or assumptions might be influencing my understanding of this information?
• By consistently asking these types of questions, you can start to develop a more objective and evidence-based approach to evaluating information and making informed decisions.

Remember that critical thinking is a skill, and like any skill, it takes time and practice to develop. Don't be discouraged if it feels challenging or difficult at first. With dedication and effort, you can improve your ability to think critically and make more informed decisions. Each time you challenge assumptions, evaluate evidence and consider different perspectives, you are strengthening your critical thinking muscles. So keep at it, and remember that every step you take towards becoming a better critical thinker is a step towards a more informed and fulfilling life.

Beware! Check The Source of References in Your Assignment

Students like to use the Internet to the source of reading materials and information for their coursework assignments. It is fine to make use of the technology available to assist with your studies but you need to be very careful of the source you are using.

I find that many students like to use ukessays.com as their reference for the written assignments, especially for business-related subjects. First of all, do you know what is this website for? It is a service provider, providing the below services:

Now, I would like to ask you a "common sense" question: Can you cite this website as a source of reference for your assignment?

Also check the source before citing or adopting information from the source. I always recommend students to begin with course-related textbooks or journals. Published textbooks and journals will give you all the proper information you need to write your assignment. You should only go to the Internet when you need additional information. It cannot be your primary source of information to complete your assignment.

Top 5 Weaknesses in Students' Answers

As an examiner, I would like to point out some of the most common weaknesses in students' answers that can be avoided. These are the top 10 weaknesses in students' answers:

1. Fail to plan and prepare for the answer
The reason of showing the marks allocation on each of the exam question is to allow the student to plan for their answer. A question with 10 marks will need more points or depth of discussion as compare to question with 2 marks which requires brief explanation. The length of the answer may varies according to the marks allocated. This will reflect on time management too (this is why many students always complain that they do not have enough time to complete their answers in the final exam).

2. Do not pay attention to the question verbs
All examiner who set exam questions need to comply with the Bloom's taxonomy according to the level of the paper. Various verbs can be used to assess different level of intellectual which requires different answers. Failing to provide what the question verbs require will result in poor answer. For example, lower level verb like 'define' is just to give meaning of a term whereas 'discuss' is to examine in detail by using arguments for and against.

3. Writing down all you know
Some student do not bother with the scope of the question asked but rather look at a few keywords in the questions. With that, they will provide the answers based on what they know about these few keywords and give long lists or writing down all they know about a the subject area,  without caring whether it is relevant or not. Hence, the student may thought that they have answered all the questions completely and did a good job in the exam but will not get the marks as they are forcing irrelevancies into answers. (Hey! examiners do read your answers before awarding marks. We don't just look at quantity but 'QUALITY' of your answer).

4. Repeating and duplicating the same answer
Please note that when examiners set the question paper, they will have to map out the question according to course learning outcomes. Which mean that each question in an exam paper will be assessing on a specific topic. Each question will not overlap with another or repeat the same topic or area. Therefore, if a student is repeating the same answer/material in different parts of answers, it shows that there are limited knowledge and understanding of the course; mainly focusing too narrowly on one area.

5. Only theories and concepts
In social science, students are taught to be practical and able to apply what they learn at real working environment. Although the fundamentals and principles which covers theories and concepts are important, most of the exam questions would assess on the application or practicality of the learned theories and concepts. This make more sense to have essay or case study questions in the exam. As stated in Weaknesses No.2, many exam questions with more marks allocated requires student to not just to state the theories or concepts by to apply them with illustration or examples.

There you go, the five most common weaknesses that I think can be improved. With this feedback, I look forward to see better exam answers from my own students.

To all learners, all the best!

Talent Management Lesson learned in Star Wars Movies - Talent Acquisition and Retention

I like to get new inspiration from blockbuster film and comic and apply it to my teaching. One of my favourites is Star Wars. There are various management lessons that can be taught based on this film. Today, we shall explore Talent Management! - This is the story of how a Jedi, Anakin Skywalker joined the Dark Side and turned into Darth Vader.

Anakin Skywalker (Before he became Darth Vader) was deemed too young to lead an army or to voice his opinions, hence he was sidelined by the more elderly Jedi Council (Like a council of elders). However, Emperor Palpatine is the only leader who would listen to his views and gave him respect.

The Emperor then gave Anakin a lot of promises where if he had switched to the Dark Side of the Force, he would be granted the Empire's fleets to command, thus seeing empowerment and expectancy as drivers to motivate Anakin. The Emperor educated him in the Dark Ways of the Force, listened to him and had promised him that he would be made the 'Supreme Commander' of the Empire. Most importantly, The Emperor kept his promise.

As a result, Anakin became Darth Vader. A talented young Jedi Knight who failed to be recognized and retained by the Jedi Council.

If applied to a business organisation today, we should learn how to identify the talents, recognize and groom them - talent development. Perhaps a simple model like Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs could explain the basis of motivation in attracting and retain good talents. However, in reality, how many organisation (the management) is able to recognize and retain talents? what have they done? Even the great Jedi Master failed to retain Anakin, a young talented apprentice because of fear over prophecy.

To all the Managers out there, manage your talent well before they leave you and join your competitors - From A New Hope to The Empire Strike Back! Do not fear the talents as they will help you and your business to grow. To some extent, at least the bad guys are more open to talents with skills that are lacking in themselves. I am not saying that joining the dark side or becoming bad guys are better but they are really good at giving opportunities to talents, fast track training and development, empowerment, and motivation. Just like in Star Wars, their talent management initiatives are very well executed.

What say you?

Qualification and Certificates

Recently I had a very interesting conversation with a group of my students about the quality of their qualification when searching for jobs. I think it is word sharing to all.

Student: Is there any differences if I graduated in a local college that is not popular compare to another institution that is more famous.

Me: How much you have to pay for your studies compare to the one that you claim is more famous?

Student: Hmmm... about 3 times more expensive in the famous institution.

Me: Now, if you and your family can afford it, then I would say you can choose any institution that you like the most; in terms of the environment, the location, the people, the facilities, the courses, overseas collaborations and others you may think it is important to you.

Student: But how about to find a job when we graduate?

Me: Personally, I think it is the same as long as the institution is a recognised institution by the Ministry of Education. The chances of you in getting a job would be the same, doesn't matter from which institution that you graduated from. This is because there are many factors that a good employer will take into consideration when hiring a new staff. It is not where you graduated from or how much you have spent in your studies.

Qualification is a minimum requirement, just like a key to open a door so that you can get in. After you got in, what would you do with the key? Do you admire it or merely left it on the desk? We need a certificate to proof that we are qualified to apply for a position. Employer will sort the application according to the requirements for the job and qualification is often the common criteria for the screening process in recruitment and selection.

As long as you meet the criteria, you may have the chance to attend for an interview. Meaning, you have the key to open the door and get in to meet the interviewer. After that, it is you who will have to impress the interviewer, convince them with your competencies and attitude towards work.

Student: But why others pay more and study in more famous institution?

Me: Well, there are many reasons for this. For example, what is the meaning of famous? It is mainly from marketing efforts. Actually, some larger institution that charged more compare to the others provides better environment to study with state of the art classroom, full recreation facilities for extra curriculum activities, collaboration with other overseas institutions for the recognition, more qualified teaching (for some institution only), and others that you may find it unique.

All these may have some relationship to your learning experience that will make you to learn more and be more better in your studies. However, if you are not committed, involved and engaged in your studies, it will not benefit you.

Comparing to other institutions without these, does that mean a student cannot gain good learning experience, poor attitude, lack of knowledge, and cannot develop good skills in the field of studies? Again, it is how committed you are and engaging in your studies.

There are always alternatives when you want to solve a problem which each alternatives has its pros and cons. Ultimately, an education is still a key to open the door of employment. Doesn't make if you have a wooden key, golden key, or key with diamonds...it is only used to just unlock the door.

Student: .........

What say you?

3 Things We Should Not Do During Water Shortage Period

This month, households in Klang Valley will be facing a very tough challenge- water supply shortage. Despite of Syabas efforts to divide the affected areas into zones for water supply interruption (2 days off and on rotation system), it will not be sufficient if the households do not take steps to reduce the water consumption (saving water).

Setting priority of water consumption becomes critical. A few activities that I feel we can avoid during these dry period:

1. Car wash - it can be horrible and not look on you if your car is dirty, but that helps to save lots of water.

2. Washing blankets or carpets - lots of water are needed to wash these...maybe just hang on for another month.

Son, can you see that Klang Valley is facing water shortage problem? Please go educate the people to be more responsible in water consumption! If not, Earth will end up like our home....

3. Do not let children to play with water at home - this is the worst thing to happen, even when there is no water shortage problem, it should be allowed!!!

Right or Wrong Direction?

Have you ever asked yourself if you are heading towards the right direction?

Source: http://choegraphy.blogspot.com/2013/12/road-users.html

I find this question very interesting as we always thought we are doing the right thing in our life and working hard crafting our future. However, if we really reflect on our past decisions or what we are doing now, we might find that our choices of decision may not be as good as we thought. Even if we find our choices are good enough, but try to look around and we may find that many people actually don't agree with us.

Sometime, our thought, stand or approach might be different; we might have chosen for different path...but our purpose could be the same...'to reach at the destination safely'. As long as we don't create problem to others, hurting people along the way, everybody should respect each other and where they want to go. Of course, we may find that some people could be heading to the wrong direction; but again, how to justify if it is right or wrong to the person if this individual (like us) have decided on the direction. Like the cow, can we tell the cow 'hey buddy, you are on the wrong side of the road...this is not the right direction"!!!

In family, at work or in any aspect of our life, we should stop for awhile and reflect on our direction; to see if we know where we are heading to; how are we moving forward and most importantly, are we causing any trouble to others? The cow can head towards its direction as long as our friend know how to use the correct lane or use the walk way.

So, nothing wrong with your direction or the path you want to take, as long as you know where you are heading to...the place you want to be. Once you know where is the destination, don't just keep thinking of reaching the place but to enjoy the scenery along the way. We might miss out something valuable if we passes it while we are heading towards our goal in high speed...

As such, it is difficult to determine if the direction is correct or not, we still need to move on. As long as our concious is clear, we should not simply change our course but to reflect along our journey. Lastly, we should just enjoy the process of life.

Cultural Diversity

While I was having dinner at Madam Kwan restaurant in Pavilion shopping mall, I saw a couple came in and seated next to my table. Immediately, the guy took off his shoe and put his leg on the chair while going through the menu. People around, including the staffs were shocked.

Minutes later, when their orders came, the girl also did the same thing; took off her slippers and put her leg on the chair too. While she was eating, she starts to shake her legs (sorry, I didn't take any photo because my Lumia cannot take it). I guess she was enjoying the food while satisfying her self-actualisation needs.

At this point of time, you may be wondering where do they come from. Very obvious, they are not Malaysian. Surprisingly, this couple is from Korea. I do have Korean friends and taught some Korean students before but I don't think anyone of them will sit and shake legs like this couple. Dealing with international culture and diversity are always challenging. There are a lot for us to understand and to study in order for us to deal with the international stakeholders in business.

For some, this behaviour might be acceptable; but for others, they may get offended. I can 'simply say' that we all should respect and adapt to the local culture or practices wherever we go. Even when someone tells you to make yourself like home, that doesn't mean you can do anything you like. Having some sense of respect and courtesy to learn the local customs may helps to create an esprit de corps environment.

No offence to this couple, but it is something good for all of us to ponder on.