Student representatives from SMK Taman Tun Dr Ismail receive the 2nd Runner Up prize with a smile.

The team from SMK Bandar Damai Perdana, who won the 1st Runner Up prize, shares a light moment with their English teacher.

(from left) Assoc Prof Dr Shalini Teresa Fernandez, Deputy Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences & Liberal Arts; Asst Prof Dr Chan Nee Nee, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences & Liberal Arts; Elaine Foster and trainers from Poetry Café KL along with Norazmah Moh

(from left) Nik Norashikin Nik Majid, TV Producer and Executive Director of Karya Prima Production Sdn Bhd; Roselina Khir Johari, a senior lecturer in Universiti Malaya; Prof Dato’ Dr Ahmad Hj Zainuddin, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of UCSI University’s Ac

KUALA LUMPUR: To introduce the exciting world of drama and improvisation to young people, UCSI University’s (UCSI) Faculty of Social Sciences & Liberal Arts (FOSSLA) recently held a one-day event aptly named “UCSI Act it Out!” on campus grounds. 

The two-part programme, which consisted of a drama workshop and an impromptu drama competition, saw the participation of 13 secondary schools from the Klang Valley area. 

The participating schools were SMK Aminudin Baki, SMK Bandar Damai Perdana, SMK Bandar Sunway, SMK Cheras, SMK Cochrane, SMK Puterijaya, SMK Putrajaya Presint 18 (1), SMK Putrajaya Presint 9 (1), SMK Putrajaya Presint 9 (2), SMK Seri Mutiara, SMK Sri Serdang, SMK Taman Tun Dr Ismail and St. John's Institution Kuala Lumpur. 

The event was officiated by Prof Dato’ Dr Ahmad Hj Zainuddin, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of UCSI University’s Academic Affairs and Support. 

In his speech, Dato’ Dr Ahmad referred to the gaps in our country’s education system which were identified by the Malaysian Education Blueprint 2013-2025. 

He shared that the report rightly recognises the need to strengthen critical thinking, communication skills and English language proficiency among students and that UCSI Act It Out! has provided a great platform to develop those critical elements. 

Prof Dato’ Dr Ahmad also commended the faculty’s academic staff members on their initiative and direction. 

“FOSSLA’s teaching staff consists of heavyweights in English literature and language studies who are innovative in their approach and are consistently bringing education beyond the classroom. I salute them for acting on the needs of the education system and organising corresponding events to work on these key areas.” 

The theme of the event was “Creativity: Boundless Opportunities”. 

The workshop was conducted by a practiced writer, performer and poetry educator Elaine Foster along with her fellow trainers from Poetry Café KL. 

Aimed at students aged 15 to 18 years, the workshop was designed to aid the students in enhancing their English communication skills through role-play, script writing, and improvisation. 

After the workshop, the students prepared for the impromptu drama competition. 

The judging panel was presided by prominent icons in drama and its related fields which included Dato' Faridah Merican, Director of Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPac); Nik Norashikin Nik Majid, TV Producer and Executive Director of Karya Prima Production Sdn Bhd, Melizarani T.Selva, a journalist from TheStar newspaper; and Roselina Khir Johari, a senior lecturer in Universiti Malaya. 

Despite bouts of stage fright, the participants rose to the challenge and showcased their immense talent on the stage. 

St. John's Institution Kuala Lumpur demonstrated unmatched creativity and intense acting skills to walk home as Champions. Falling just shy of a few points, SMK Bandar Damai Perdana nonetheless impressed the judges with their unique sense of humour and bagged the 1st runner-up prize while the 2nd runner-up prize went to their comedic peers from SMK Taman Tun Dr Ismail. 

According to Asst Prof Dr Chan Nee Nee, Dean of FOSSLA, both the workshop and the competition were part of the university’s effort to nurture creativity and the problem-solving skills among young students. 

“Drama is both an art form and a medium for learning and teaching. It can develop the whole person — emotionally, physically, intellectually, imaginatively, aesthetically and socially — by giving form and meaning to experience, all through ‘acting out’,” she said. 

Among the skills and competencies that the students have developed through the workshop and competition are critical thinking, creativity, time management and the ability to perform in front of a large audience. 

Commenting further, Dr Chan said that these attributes and qualities are needed in the 21st century, as they are the plus-one skillsets that employers and industries are searching for. 

Norazmah Mohd Yunos, Assistant Director of the Malaysian Ministry of Education also graced the event as the guest of honour. 

She noted that UCSI Act It Out! has provided an excellent opportunity to youths with a passion and flair for the arts, and that UCSI has demonstrated excellent social responsibility in its commitment in providing students with every opportunity to excel. 

“I believe that drama is a positive form of expression which can greatly influence the lives of our youths. As such, we as parents and educators should give our continuous support to events such as this, so that together we can build better lives for our future leaders,” she said. 

Norazmah also said that she was proud of the efforts put forth by UCSI; the panel of judges; workshop trainers and all the participants who, in one way or the other, contributed to the successful event.