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September 2026
Project H.E.A.R.T: Students Turn Creativity into Care
TAR UMT students use short videos to raise awareness about seniors’ emotional well-being
while supporting a local care home in Kampar.
Written by Dr. Azlinda Boheran Nudin & Zaharatul Mardhiah Azizul
KAMPAR — Creativity and compassion came together at Tunku Abdul Rahman University of
Management and Technology (TAR UMT) Perak Branch through Project H.E.A.R.T, a studentled
initiative promoting the emotional well-being of older adults.
Held at the university’s Dewan Utama, the project was organised by students from the Faculty of
Communication & Creative Industry (FCCI), Perak Branch. It focused on the emotional and
mental well-being of seniors, with special attention to the importance of family love, care and
support.
Stories That Matter
A total of 11 short videos were selected for screening during the event. Each group presented its
own creative interpretation of the challenges faced by older adults. The audience also had the
opportunity to vote for the People’s Choice Award, while a panel of judges selected the Top Three
video entries.
However, Project H.E.A.R.T was more than just a video competition. The project also aimed to
support the I Care Centre, a local care home in Kampar. Organisers successfully donated RM1,000
proceeds, raised through registration fees, corporate sponsorships and campus booth sales. A
symbolic donation presentation was held during the event to mark the contribution.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
The programme featured opening remarks by the project leader and advisor, followed by live
musical performances, a networking lunch and a lucky draw. For the students, the project provided
valuable hands-on experience in video production, event management, promotion, sponsorship
and community engagement. It allowed them to apply what they had learned in the classroom to a
meaningful social cause.
More importantly, Project H.E.A.R.T showed how short-form videos can be used not only to
entertain, but also to raise awareness and encourage people to care about important issues. Through
creativity, teamwork and community involvement, TAR UMT students turned their skills into an
initiative that reminds us of the importance of making older adults feel loved, valued and cared
for.
2 September 2026, TAR UMT Perak - Beyond Borders: Identifying Global Opportunities & Entering International Markets
Think global. Look beyond borders! International Business students gained valuable insights into the world of global business through an engaging Academic Guest Lecture with Dr. Faiz Masnan, Senior Lecturer and Coordinator of Industry Networking and Quality Management at Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP).
Dr. Faiz brought international business learning beyond the textbook, exploring global market opportunities, exporting and global sourcing through real-world examples and practical insights.
The interactive session strengthened students’ understanding of international market strategies and global business thinking, giving them a broader perspective on how businesses navigate opportunities across borders.
A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Faiz for travelling from UniMAP, Perlis to TAR UMT Perak and sharing his expertise with our students. We look forward to more meaningful academic exchanges and collaborations between TAR UMT and UniMAP!
On 3 September 2026, Discover. Experience. Appreciate culture! Students had the opportunity to visit Prince of Songkla University (PSU), Hat Yai Campus, where they received a warm welcome and gained meaningful insights into Thai cultural heritage.
The visit began with a welcoming address by Asst. Prof. Dr Pornpawee Pumkerd, Director of the Princess Galyani Vadhana Institute of Cultural Studies, followed by an exploration of the art gallery and traditional Thai textiles. Students learned about the history, techniques and cultural significance of batik and songket production in Thailand.
The experience became even more engaging with a hands-on bead embroidery activity, where students created their own keychains to bring home as souvenirs.
A memorable visit filled with culture, creativity and hands-on learning, made even more special by the warm hospitality of the PSU community. A heartfelt thank you to the officers and staff of PSU Hat Yai Campus for making the visit such a meaningful experience.
5 September 2026, Penang - Walking Through History: A Heritage Study Tour to Penang
Walk through history. Experience heritage. Learn beyond the classroom! Twenty students from the REV and DTM programmes, accompanied by a lecturer, embarked on an enriching heritage study tour to Penang.
Students explored heritage attractions, observed cultural practices and gained first-hand insights into heritage conservation, responsible tourism and sustainable destination management.
More than just learning about heritage from textbooks, students saw it, walked it and experienced it firsthand, connecting classroom theory with real-world tourism and destination management practices.
Discover tourism. Experience heritage. Learn beyond the classroom.
15 September 2026, TAR UMT Perak - Sauce Innovation Competition: Blending Creativity with Industry Experience
On 15 September 2026, the Department of Social Science and Hospitality (DSSH), TAR UMT Perak Branch, successfully organised the Sauce Innovation Competition, an Industry Collaboration Project held in partnership with Heirloom and Co. The competition brought together six groups of students from the Bachelor of Gastropreneurship (Honours) programme, who showcased their creativity, culinary skills, and entrepreneurial thinking through the development of innovative sauce products.
The competition culminated in the selection of three winning teams, who were awarded First, Second and Third Prize, respectively, in recognition of their innovative sauce concepts and overall product development.
The judging panel comprised industry and academic representatives, namely Mr Andus Yeap, Co-Founder of Heirloom and Co.; Mr Colin Wong, Executive Assistant Manager of Eastern & Oriental Hotel, Penang; Ms Ong YuZhuang, Deputy Branch Head, TAR UMT Perak Branch; and Cik Arina Aqilah Binti Sukur, Programme Leader, Department of Social Science and Hospitality. Their industry insights and professional feedback provided students with valuable perspectives on product quality, consumer expectations, and commercial viability.
The Industry Collaboration Project was designed to provide students with an authentic learning experience in food innovation, entrepreneurship, marketing, and product commercialisation. As part of the project, students were challenged to develop an original sauce product suitable for pairing with a variety of food items, including salads, sandwiches, wraps, grilled dishes, and other contemporary food offerings. Throughout the project, the students received guidance and supervision from Chef Muhammad Hanif and Mr. Toh Yin Wai.
To encourage genuine product innovation, the sauces had to be developed entirely from scratch and could not contain mayonnaise or mayonnaise-based ingredients. Students were required to demonstrate originality, responsiveness to current consumer preferences, and commercial potential. Throughout the project, they applied their knowledge of food preparation, ingredient selection, cost control, branding, marketing, packaging, and business planning.
As part of the industry collaboration, Heirloom and Co. sponsored the ingredients required for product development. Students were required to submit a complete ingredient request list for approval prior to the practical session, encouraging proper planning, cost management, and minimisation of food wastage.
The project culminated in the development of market-ready sauce concepts, supported by product development documentation, sensory evaluation, costing, marketing strategies, and commercialisation considerations. The competition not only provided students with an opportunity to showcase their creativity but also enabled them to experience the product development process from concept creation to potential commercialisation.
Through this meaningful industry collaboration, DSSH continues to provide students with opportunities to connect classroom knowledge with real-world industry practices, strengthening their creativity, entrepreneurial mindset, and readiness for the food and hospitality industry.
28 September 2026, TAR UMT, Perak - A Sweet Mid-Autumn Celebration at TAR UMT Perak
Thank You, Yu Ai Food Industries and Kondominium Timur Perdana, Kampar!
A heartfelt thank you to yuaifood for generously sponsoring us with delicious mooncakes! Your kind support made our Mid-Autumn celebration even sweeter throughout the examination period.
Wishing everyone a Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!
30 September 2026, Kompleks Rakan Muda Kampar
Langkah Terakhir SMK Seri Kampar: Bangkit & Dominasi SPM 2026
With SPM 2026 on the horizon, 103 Form 5 students of SMK Seri Kampar were given a powerful boost of motivation, confidence and teamwork through a focused 1.5-hour session held at Kompleks Rakan Muda Kampar. The programme brought together an engaging SPM motivation session and interactive team-building activities, creating a dynamic platform for students to reflect, connect and take action.
The programme began with an energetic SPM Motivation Session conducted by Pn Siti Zulaikha, which challenged students to reflect on their preparation, identify their learning gaps and take ownership of the time remaining before SPM. Through interactive activities, practical study strategies and a 7-Day SPM Action Plan, students were encouraged to develop discipline, resilience, self-belief and purposeful study habits. The session concluded with an SPM pledge, in which students committed themselves to staying focused, disciplined and determined throughout their final preparation.
The motivation session was followed by an engaging team-building programme managed by Coach Amirul and Ms Tan Siew Siew. Through a series of collaborative activities, students strengthened their communication, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving and trust, while being encouraged to step out of their comfort zones and work towards shared goals.
The programme supported ESD competencies including collaboration, critical thinking, communication, self-management, resilience and problem-solving, while reinforcing VBE values such as responsibility, respect, discipline, perseverance, teamwork and leadership. It was primarily aligned with SDG 4: Quality Education and also supported SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being through positive peer interaction, resilience and holistic student development.
Bringing together motivation and teamwork, the programme empowered students to approach their SPM journey with greater confidence, determination and a stronger sense of responsibility.
Bangkit. Fokus. Serang. Together, we finish strong!