Teluk Intan: A Town on an Oxbow Meander River

A hometown is the city or town where one grew up. Teluk Intan is the place where I grew  up and received my first education. Teluk Intan is a famous tourist spot and heritage, and there is a lot of rare uniqueness in this town. A brief introduction here on Teluk Intan; It is a town located in the state of Perak in Malaysia. It is the largest town in Hilir Perak district and third largest town in the state of Perak with an estimated population around 150 000 residents. In the early days, the town was known as Teluk Mak Intan, after a female Mandailing trader. During the British era, the named was changed to Teluk Anson (Anson Bay), in honour of a British Officer and last Liutenant-Governor of Penang, Major General Sir Archibald Edward Harbord Anson who drew the plan of the modern township in 1882. In 1982, the name was changed again to Teluk Intan (Diamond Bay) by the Sultan of Perak.  

One of the uniqueness of Teluk Intan is the Leaning Tower. The leaning tower of Teluk Intan was built in 1885 and still standing strong even though it reaches over 100 years. It is actually a water tank for clean water supply and in preparation for drought or fire. Additionally, this tower is equipped with clock as a timer and was instrumental in navigating the ships to this town back in those days. The unique tower with this pagoda-shaped architecture has 3 floors although it looks like 8 floors from outside. it was built by an architect named Leong Choon Choong. The tower began to lean over after the great floods in 1889 and 1885. The other factor that contributed to the inclination were due to the soft soil and was influenced by the load of the water tank in the tower. The main street at the centre of Teluk Intan, Jalan Ah Cheong is named after Leong Choon Choong to commemorate his contribution.

Another unique attraction in Teluk Intan is the Batu Tenggek (Sitting Boulder). This stone is believed to have been placed by British soldiers and its size at that time was as big as a matchbox but after a few years, the small stone grew bigger until it reached a size of boulder. It is because the rock is growing year to year. After a close inspection, it is found that crystals can be seen across the rock surface and the crystals have expanded and made the size of the stone grow bigger and bigger. Batu Tenggek is now part of a war memorial built to celebrate World War 1 and World War 2. The plaque on the memorial carries a line from Laurence Binyon's famous poem, For the Fallen

"At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them."

1914 - 1918

The Ruin of Raja Muda's Palace also played an important role in Teluk Intan history once upon a time. This palace was once the official residence of the Raja Muda of Perak and is also one of the heritage of the Sultanates. This palace was built around 1922 and the first Raja Muda who stayed in this palace was Sultan Abdul Aziz al-Mutasim Billah Shah ibni al-Marhum Raja Muda Musa who later on became the 31st Sultan of Perak. The palace was last occupied by the late Raja Muda Ahmad Sifuddin. In 1988, the official residence for DYTM Raja Muda Raja Dr. Nazrin Shah was transferred to Ipoh. After that, this palace that once was the official residence of the Raja Muda Perak was abandoned until today. 

There are much more interesting things to do in Teluk Intan too as it is surrounded by Perak River. If you happened to be in Teluk Intan, go for a river cruise to watch fireflies, white birds along the Perak River or watch sunset with loved ones. There's always a place for you to enjoy and check on. Remember, life is all about having a good time.



Prepared by,

Nisha Many

Course Counsellor
Vision College

Entering the World of Books

According to Wikipedia, a library is a "collection of sources of information and similar resources, made accessible to  defined community for reference or borrowing." Books are the major aspect of what libraries and librarians are about. Librarianship is a people profession, and I enjoy being a librarian myself.

To start off, do you enjoy law? Medicine? Music? Working with college students? Working with people of all ages? Or perhaps working with children? If yes, below are general descriptions of the major types of libraries as well as other opportunities to consider:

1. Academic Library

Academic libraries serve colleges and universities, their students, staff and faculty. Larger institutions may have several libraries on their campuses which dedicated to serving particular schools such as law and science libraries. Many academic librarians become specialists in an area of knowledge and can have faculty status.

International Medical University, Bukit Jalil

2. Public Library

Public libraries serve communities of all sizes and types. Wherever you live, there's bound to be a local public library nearby. As the name implies, public libraries serve the general public, "from cradle to grave" as more than one public librarian has been heard to say. Public libraries often have departments that focus on areas of service, such as youth, teens and adults. 

National Library, Kuala Lumpur

3. School Library

School libraries are usually part of a school system, and serve students between kindergarten and secondary school. Many are called media centers, and librarians are often required to have a second degree in education or a certificate in school media.

Sekolah Menengah Sains Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah, Kuantan

4. Special Library

Special libraries offer unique opportunities to work in a specialised environment of interest, such as corporations, hospitals, the military, museums, private businesses, and the government. Special libraries can serve particular populations, such as the blind and physically handicapped, while others are dedicated to special collections.

Petronas Twin Tower Library, Kuala Lumpur

Libraries are one of the places in the world to improve ourselves. It offers a door for everyone, regardless of age groups. Libraries offer free education and entertainment to the masses. I really hope libraries will always be around in the future.

Prepared by,

Aimie Nadia binti Md Nor

Library Executive

Vision College

We Give...We Get

The best of sadaqah is given during the month of Ramadhan. Sadaqah is a voluntary giving. Any form of charity such as a simple smile, forgiveness, or monetary amount given at will. Giving does not necessarily mean giving out money or material items, however, in this challenging times; giving money can help make a lot of useful and beneficial things happen, for an individual or group of poor families. 

The act of giving can be in many forms not only in monetary form. For example, the time, energy and effort we give to help out family members, relatives, friends, neighbours or people on the street. Giving is a mutual benefit. We are also benefiting ourselves in ways we might not expect. According to studies, when we give, we get that gratifying "helper's high," the blast of feel good hormones such as oxytocin. Below are some of the benefits of giving:

1. Giving makes us feel happy.

Giving money to someone else lifted one's happiness more that spending it on themselves. These good feelings are reflected in our biology. When people give to charities, it activates regions of the brain associated with pleasure, social connection, and trust, creating a "warm glow" effect. It releases endorphin in the brain, producing the positive feeling known as the "helper's high." Givers are benefiting from a big dose of happiness in the process. 

2. Giving is good for our health. 

A wide range of medical research has linked different forms of generosity to better health, even among the sick and elderly. Below are some of the results:

a. Elderly people who volunteered for two or more organisations were 44% less likely to die over a five-year period than non-volunteers, even after controlling for their age, exercise habits, general health, and negative health habits like smoking.

b. Giving may improve physical health and longevity that helps decrease stress, which is associated with a variety of health problems. 

c. Individuals who provided practical help to friends, relatives, or neighbours, or gave emotional support to their spouses, had a lower risk of dying over a five-year period than those who didn't. 

3. Giving promotes cooperation and social connection.

When you give, you're more likely to get back. Naturally, when you give to others, your generosity is likely to be rewarded by others down the line, sometimes by the person you gave to, sometimes by someone else. These exchanges promote a sense of trust and cooperation that strengthens our ties to others. It also  creates good mental and physical health.

4. Giving evokes gratitude.

Giving can be a way of expressing gratitude or instilling gratitude in the recipient. Cultivating gratitude in everyday life is one of the keys to increasing personal happiness. When you express your gratitude in words or actions, you not only boost your own positivity but other people's as well. 

By giving out what you have without expecting anything in return, you start living a meaningful life. You get to realise your true calling in a life and world full of challenging. If you find meaning in the lives of those in need and do something about it, you will also find meaning in your own life.

"You give but little when you give your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give." - Kahlil Gibran.

Prepared by,

Wan Faridah Wan Abbas

Lecturer, Diploma in Business & Administration
Vision College

Follow your PASSION...

Are you passionate about your life, especially your career? What are you really passionate about? How do you incorporate those passions into your life? These are the important questions that closely linked to the happiness and overall contentment. I believe that everyone has their own passion. Same goes to me. 

I have my own passion, which is to deliver something or sharing something that I know with someone else. Because of this, I really enjoy myself sharing something with other people. For example in Vision, we do have to deliver the best thing to the college right? Each of the team plays important roles in order to achieve the objectives. I am really enjoying my work in Vision. I have been exposed to so many departments before I ended up as one of the HR staff here. I have also been doing Sales & Marketing which was quite challenging for me. After all, the most important thing is doing it with passion. Besides that, I picked up a part time job as a private tutor ever since I was a final year student back in UPM until today. Because of my passion towards giving and sharing knowledge, the word "tired" or "tiredness" is not in my vocabulary. I enjoy having the best of both world; as a HR and also a private tutor. 

It has always been a satisfaction when the students understood the lessons and our teachings. For other people, it may seem like an extra income of doing  another job. But for me, I do it because of my passion. Whether we're thinking about starting a small business, doing part time jobs, or just thinking about which career path to choose; it's important that we follow our passion. What any of us often failed to include in this recipe of success is "passion". Passion should not be underestimated.

When we are enthusiastic and proud of the work we do, we equipped ourselves towards overcoming obstacles that will surely arise in building up a career. Also, the more enthusiasm we have, the more inclined we are to work harder at improving ourselves. This will allow us to continuously get better at the work we do. Ensuring that we are passionate about our work and tasks will not only provide us with meaningful career, but it also give us a good chance of being paid well. The passion we have towards our job differentiates between "making a living" and "making a killing".

Loving and enjoying the work we do will never stop us from getting the work done. You will feel unstoppable and nothing can obstruct you from achieving the success. Passion ignites our work; and like a rocket, it accelerates us through obstacles or whatever negativity that we are facing.

True success worth more than having a lot of money. Enjoying the work you do is, in some ways more important than having a large bank account. Plus, if you enjoy the work you do, there's a greater chance that you will do great at work and made high contributions to the company. 

So, cheers everyone! =)

Prepared by,

Fatheen Nadira bt Ghazali

Human Resource Executive

Vision College

Hiking: It's a Climb!

We all find our lives becoming a little dull sometimes. the days become mundane and we seek something more interesting. Nobody hopes to look back on their lives and reminisce fondly about how boring it was. I've gone through the same issues in my life too. I said to myself, this is the right time to pick up a new hobby. Normally we choose a hobby that fulfills our time in a good and fun way. At the same time, the new hobby must involve some physical activities and new adventures. As for me, I couldn't find any hobbies that suits me; until I came across to the fact that my uncle is a hiker.

Through him, I learned few things about hiking. He also showed me some of his hiking pictures. I was amazed by the scenery captured by him. Since I've never hike before, my uncle decided to take me hiking for the first time ever. So, I prepared myself mentally and physically, bought myself a new pair of sport shoes, backpack, and other necessary equipment. 

Alas, the day has come. I followed him to Bukit Gasing Forest Park, along with his friends who are professional hikers. Oh, they even conduct classes for amateur hikers (how cool is that?). The hiking was so tiring, yet worthy. Especially when you reached at the peak and witnessed the sun rise. It was such a beautiful feeling when you get to witnessed God's creation through our naked eyes. From that moment, I realised that I have to add hiking to my current hobby list.

The first experience is always the best, and you will definitely get the best of both worlds! It'll motivate you to keep moving, and at the same time you'll get to witness the beauty of nature. 

So, what are you waiting for? If you are interested to be a hiker, you may contact the person-in-charge below.

See you at the top! 

Prepared by,

Kalaiarasi A/P Nadarajan

Lecturer, Diploma of Health Science

Vision College

A Giant Leap for a Brand New Experience

I wanted to share with you the career transition from a financial institution to an education sector. I used to work in a financial institution for a few years before I took a leap of faith into education line. There are a lot of differences between those two industries in almost every aspect of work. However, I will only touch on  a few here.

During my previous job, I was a Risk Management Officer. My task was mainly to investigate incidents that occurred every month, the loss incurred, how to recover the loss and to chase all H.O.D to submit monthly report to me. The summary was presented during monthly top management meeting. Other than that, we do perform Internal Audit & Risk Framework. The most interesting thing about this job is that I am able to travel to other offices/branches when carrying out investigations. I don't do similar things every day, and getting to know a lot of people while representing Malaysia in some international conferences. 

The not so fun things about the job is definitely super high stressed, investigating is not an easy task to do as I need to look back the process flow from the beginning to find gap that causes the error to happened and to suggest ways to mitigate the risk. I was having a good life before, but I left it all of that just to complete my thesis, which I have already extended 1 semester for it. Plus, I kind of feel that I have been working too long in that company. I needed some fresh air. 

After completing my studies. I decided to tap into different industry, be it Oil & Gas, Real Estate etc. And there was Vision College, a step into education line. To be honest, I never heard of Vision College before. It was an unfamiliar small college located near my house because when people talk about education institutions in Kelana Jaya, the name Unitar will always popped up. 

I had a totally different experience in Vision College. Though it is a small college, but it has been surviving for the past 12 years. To my surprise, it has good courses like Diploma in Medical Imaging, Diploma in Nursing and even Postgraduate Diploma in Ultrasonography.  And now, they have Diploma in Law Enforcement.

Working with Vision College gave me a mixture of feelings, but as time goes by I started to feel enjoyed being part of them. I used to be among the youngest in my previous department and suddenly the opposite way here. Other than that, they don't have a proper system for everything, most are being done manually. After all, Vision College is still a growing company, all of that will come through time. 

My current job allows me to travel across the country but not to those tourist spots but mainly deep into all the rural areas which I never heard of before. I am like an explorer, finding potential students every time I'm on the field. Recruiting new students more or less reminds me of my study time as a student leader. Doing consultation, helping out with their problems and dealing with the parents is basically the same thing I did before. 

I love the job that I'm doing now, it gave me a pleasure seeing all these kids decided to change their future by pursuing their studies. Watching them grow and becoming a much more responsible person is the best gift in life for me. Thanks Vision for that.

Moreover, I get to know all of the staff here unlike my previous company there were thousands of staff and I barely know half of them. The people are very nice here and young; like me. Because of that, I also become a much more playful person. I guess it must be the young blood that runs through my veins. Last but not least, I never had a chance to work in a small company before. It is actually very good for starters. You will get to learn a lot of things, multitasking. All of this will definitely help you in building a good career ahead. Just spend a couple of years then you're good to go. 

In summary, I do experienced a lot here, I have a good and very young team and I love them so much, I get a chance to travel, I rarely get sick, and I even developed a whole new experience that I never faced before. Working, be it in education, financial institutions or anywhere are mostly the same. It is all about how you manage yourself, how you handle the situation and to cope with the environment. I do miss my life as a young corporate, but I am more keen to learn more about education industry and how far it can take me to.

Prepared by,

Zhafri Zanuri

Course Counselor

Vision College

Zumba and Fitness Club

Zumba is one of the popular exercise routines in Malaysia. It was inspired by various styles of Latin American dance and music. Zumba is good in burning fat and calories, as well as providing an extra workout to our body. It also improves one coordination, which is very important as you grew older. 

The idea of setting up a Zumba and Fitness Club in Vision College came along after we decided to change the Aerobic slot to Zumba during Orientation Week intake January 2017. The team started of with only four songs; which are Sakitnya Tuh Di Sini, Pencuri Hati, Aku Ma Apa Atuh and Dealova. We practiced the moves consistently to ensure that all Zumba members know the steps beforehand, so that the session will go on smoothly. Our goal is for the participants to enjoy and have fun while working out at the same time. 

After the orientation week, we continued our routine as usual. But somehow we felt like there is something missing. So we decided to conduct another Zumba session, and surprisingly a number of students joined us on that day. Since then, we are conducting a Zumba session once every two weeks; and the best thing is... it's FREE! We received a positive participation from students and the number increases from time to time. As a team, we challenged ourselves in exploring new songs (i.e. Bailando, Shape of You, Jai Ho, and more) and dance steps to be added to our current selection of Zumba moves. 

The Zumba club is still young, but we definitely have a big heart to achieve a greater height. Started from only four songs to a compilation of at least twenty songs, consists of both local and international songs. We also experienced a situation whereby we were once invited to perform at Media Prima, Sri Pentas for a talk show namely Nasi Lemak Kopi O. However, due to an unforeseen matter it had been cancelled. Well, good things always come in our way; we received an invitation from SMK Kelana Jaya to conduct a Zumba session during the school's Sports Day on 21st April 2017. We are thrilled and can't wait to conduct the session.

The motto and vision of the club is "Shake It, Until You Make It" which means we need to do something with full effort in order to succeed. In Zumba for example, even though some of the steps are quite difficult, our team will keep on practicing to make our moves better. Our future planning for this club is more on profit-oriented, and our target is to conduct Zumba sessions in any organisations or institutions so that we can make profit out of it. We also planned to participate in Zumba competitions and be the best among the rest. Besides that, we are planning to carry out a Kayak Island Expedition whereby we will be conducting a Zumba session from one island to another island. We want to upgrade the image of Vision College as well as setting  new record in the Malaysian Book of Records.

Last but not least, come and join our Zumba Class every Thursday, 5:30pm at the Multipurpose Hall (Level 4). Don't forget to wear your sports attire and put on your sport shoes. So, what are you waiting for? Let's "Just Shake It, Until You Make It!"

Prepared by,

Siti Nurafiqah binti Ismail

Finance and Admin Executive

Vision College