TEDxGurneyDrive - An Inspiring 18-min Experience You Must Not Miss in Penang

Malaysia Sexiest Woman 2006 - Hannah Tan, pledges support towards TEDxGurneyDrive!

To make our life better and change this world, it's all started with a Thought, then Talk and Actions.

"Ideals Worth Sharing" was all where TED first held in California, 1990. To date, more than 700 talks across the continents are available online and speakers like Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, Google founders Larry Page, Jamie Oliver and many Noble Prize Winners speak for an inspiring 18-min in TED and TEDx Talks.

And for the 1st time in history, TED is happening in Penang, Malaysia.

It's named TEDxGurneyDrive.

Instead of writing formally what are the objectives and missions (which you can read in our official website and facebook page), I want to write why are we bringing TED to Penang.

Penang itself has a lot of stories to tell. From a British colonial to a vibrant melting pot it is today, Penang passed through a lot of ups and downs. And it's the People who embrace positive change even in turbulence times and make Penang what it is today.

Penang might not be the bustling metropolitan like Kuala Lumpur or Singapore. However, Penang itself is unique in terms of its lifestyle, roadside hawker foods, "kiamsiap" attitude of some and rich history.

It is a blessed place with beautiful but now polluted beaches, located so near to the modern yet heritage-feel city with much greeneries like the Penang Hill, Youth Park and Botanical Garden.

There're a lot of proud stories here, which can inspire us to move forward. From a 65-year-old Aunty selling Char Kuey Teow along Macalister Road, middle age working adult in Bayan Lepas MNC to a 22-year-old USM undergraduate who fight for the future; all of these converge together to become a beautiful story.

This is why we are bringing TED to Penang. We want to let everyone who live, work or study in Penang to feel the prides and with the spirit, all can achieve greater heights in life.

So, TEDxGurneyDrive is not another talk. No, you don't come to listen to a talk.

You come here for beautiful stories. And get inspired.

Venue of TEDxGurneyDrive

9 speakers, each speak for exactly 18-min, will ensure you a different and fruitful Saturday morning.

They are:- (For more details please visit our official website)

1. Professor Dato' Anwar Fazal

The Winner of the "Alternative Noble Prize" and "UNEP Global 500"

A founder and one of the prime movers of several local and global citizens movements, among them the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) founded in 1969, International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) formed in 1979, Health Action International (HAI) in 1981 and Pesticide Action Network (PAN) formed in 1982.

2. Matthias Gelber

World Greenest Man in 2008

A global environmental speaker and entrepreneur. He is a board member of the International Network of Environmental Management, a non-profit organisation working with businesses internationally to inspire them to make their operations more environmentally friendly. Matthias has given environmental talks in 38 countries all over the world.

3. YB Phee Boon Poh

The Penang State Exco of Health and Welfare, Caring Society, Environment

His determination on bringing out his passion on social and environmental issues gains a lot of people’s support including the new initiative “Cleaner Greener Penang” and “Say No to Plastic Bags” Campaign.

4. Dato' Boonler Somchit

CEO & Founder of PSDC

Together with Tun Dr. Lim Chong Eu, he founded PSDC (Penang Skills Development Centre), the first skills industry-led training centre to be set up in Malaysia. For more than two decades, they have trained over 150,000 participants in more than 7,000 courses. Today, they have a Membership of 155 companies.

5. Professor Dato' Ho Sinn Chye

Former Dean in Universiti Sains Malaysia. Now a Deputy Vice Chancellor of the Wawasan Open University, Penang who brings e-learning initiatives to the education industry.

6. Neil Walter

An entrepreneur for consulting business in the online games niche. He also wants to document his journey as an entrepreneur and share his success and failure with the world. Neil currently lives in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – and aims to visit 25 countries before he is 25 years old.

7. Tan Lay Seong

Most Outstanding Young Malaysia Award Winner

The founder of Great Ideals, Mr. Tan Lay Seong is the first life insurance manager to receive The Outstanding Young Malaysian Award (merit)(Personal Improvement And Accomplishment); Also, the youngest biography writer (Chinese & Englis version) in life insurance industry and released his own motivational and training CD/VCD; Mr.Tan is an international speaker and a regconised member in Persatuan Pemidato Malaysia. 5 consecutive years of winning Great Eastern Life Group Sales Manager National Champion of the year, breaking the 100-year record in the company.

8. Dato' Dr Goh Ban Lee

A senior fellow of Socio-Economic and Environmental Research Institute (SERI), Penang. He is also a columnist for TheSun newspapers in Malaysia, focusing on issues related to urban governance, housing and urban planning.

Once being Associate Professor in the School of Social Science in USM and a Vice principal of TARC, Dr Goh served as a member in several government bodies. He was also involved in projects conducted by international and regional organisations, including United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD), Urban Management Programme (UMP) of the United Nations Asia Pacific Region, and Asian Productivity Organization (APO)

9. Jazz Tan Yee Mei

Founded Jazzada Solution a.k.a. Penang Youths at the age of 17. Host of the largest annual youth event in Penang - Youth Jam

WOU - Venue of TEDxGurneyDrive (c) Mau Horng Photography

DATE: 30 APRIL 2011 (Saturday)

TIME: 830am - 200pm

VENUE: WAWASAN OPEN UNIVERSITY, PENANG

FEE: RM 20 only (Lunch Included)

100 SEATS LIMITED, less than half left

REGISTER HERE NOW at

http://tedxgurneydrive.wordpress.com/

L.O.V.E. (Lifting Others through Volunteer Engagement) documentation

I realized I've not written a single post on L.O.V.E. (Lifting Others through Volunteer Engagement). Since L.O.V.E. will be further developed into an annual project, here I write for a proper documentation.

L.O.V.E. which was held successfully on 25 January 2011 by AIESEC in USM in collaboration with The Right Livelihood College.

For the first time in a public university in Malaysia, civil society organizations, students, academics and university administrators came together and mobilized on an issue - volunteerism. More than 2,000 students attended this Community Service Festival at Dewan Kuliah Foyer (DK Foyer), which is the central location in USM.

Some 20 global and local NGOs (non-governmental organisations) showcased important social-economic issues through very creative and fun exhibition.

The organisations are:

World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA)
Children Protection Society (CPS)
Green Lung USM
Water Watch Penang
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA)
Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM)
St. Nicholas Home for the Blinds
Asia Community Service (ACS)
Tzu Chi Foundation
National Cancer Society of Malaysia
Consumer Association of Penang (CAP)
JUMP Jaringan Utara Migrasi dan Pelarian c/o Penang Office for Human Development (POHD)
Mr. Don the Green Crusaders
Kempen Rakyat Stop Sexual Crimes against Children
Pure Love through Family
Woman Center for Change (WCC)

The objective of L.O.V.E. is to provide youths with one-stop volunteering opportunities to established NGOs in Penang and hence make a positive impact to this society.

On that particular day, more than 500 youths signed up as volunteers which far exceeded our expectation. Besides, many first time activity was brought in to USM like "Free Hugs" which advocates peace and understanding among mankind.

L.O.V.E. Community Service Festival was made possible because of this amazing team and support from AIESEC and USM authorities. Apart from that, our perfect advisor Dato' Anwar Fazal and partners from The Right Livelihood College played an imperative role in this success.

Orange has become L.O.V.E. tag color and Tuesday will be the day which L.O.V.E. Community Service Festival will be held every year. Deputy Vice Chancellor of USM, Prof Dato' Omar Osman has given it a green light for event next year and the ball has passed to the next committee team to make this event greater and even more successful.

Read The Star's media coverage on L.O.V.E. here

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2011/2/22/north/7870603&sec=North

Visit our Official Website

http://www.wix.com/loveinpenang/atusm

Click to visit our Facebook 1-stop volunteer centre

http://www.facebook.com/loveinpenang

For more informations on Penang's NGOs

http://www.penangcares.net/

AIESEC

http://www.aiesec.my/main/

The Right Livelihood College

http://www.usm.my/rlc/

网络流传证实属虚假 辐射污染没侵袭亚洲 HOAX and NOT TRUE. BBC News Flash Report: Japan government confirms radiation leak at Fukushima nuke plants PLEASE DO NOT SIMPLY BELIEVE FB UPDATES

Updated at 12:38am (GMT + 8) in Penang, Malaysia 
Source from: http://www.kwongwah.com.my/news/2011/03/14/96.html Thanks Ah Chuan for sharing this link

网络流传证实属虚假　辐射污染没侵袭亚洲

（吉隆坡14日讯）网络上流传一则关于日本核电厂爆炸产生的辐射污染将侵袭亚洲国家的消息，证实是虚假。

日前网络上疯狂流传一则讯息，而内容则是：“英国广播公司快讯：日本政府承认核漏，亚洲国家应采必须措施，未来24小时内尽量留在室内，包住最易受辐射伤害的颈部。人民必须关闭门窗，采取额外的预防措施，辐射可能会于今日下午4时侵略菲律宾。”

菲律宾政府今日透过官方网站发表文告指出，民众不要相信此谣言，而这些谣言都是通过网络，手机短信，电子邮件传出。

在福岛核第一电站两起爆炸事件和可能发生的崩溃，尚未能到达其他国家。事实上，仅在12英里半的植物才会容易受到当前部分辐射泄漏影响。菲律宾核研究所（PNRI）发表声明说，在菲律宾的环境辐射水平正常。

English Version:- 

Social networks get things spread out so fast, and it has boon and bane. Cannot agree more with Gene-Harn, there're 2 reasons why people copy & paste status so eagerly.

1 who is eager to see their information is being spread out so fast and many to gain attention, 2 who is users who are eager to get information towards this epidemic who are helping people. You all did a great job but just mind where you get the information from =) thanks!


We should be equally be reminded too before posting any updates, especially on disaster; please double confirm on websites like CNN or BBC.

This may avoid unnecessary panics. The aftermath of Japan's 8.9 earthquake and Tsunami saw a lot of rumors spreading around, like the writer of Naruto died in earthquake; a Japanese AV super star died hitting by Tsunami waves; and the current radiation spreading or acid rain hitting in 24 hours.


Here are the facts, quoted directly from

http://www.bloggedphilippines.com/2011/03/not-true-bbc-news-flash-report-japan.html

Since the news spread out about the possible meltdown of Japan's nuclear reactor in Fukushima due to the strong earthquake last Friday, there has been fictitious text/SMS messages circulating around the Philippines. The text message warns that the radiation from the problematic nuclear plant will reach the Philippines and other Asian countries today and everybody is advised to stay indoors for their safety especially when it rains. Here's one variation of that text message:

BBC FLASHNEWS: Japan government confirms radiation leak at Fukushima nuclear plants. Asia countries should take necessary precautions. If rain comes, remain indoors first 24hrs. Close doors & windows. Swab neclskin with betadine where thyroid area is, radiation hits thyroid first. Take extra precautions. Radiation may hit Phil at starting 4pm today. Pls send to your loved ones.

If you received a similar text message: DO NOT BELIEVE IT! DO NOT FORWARD IT! It's a false warning designed to spread unnecessary anxiety and confusion.

Here are the facts:

- Although there has been two explosions in the Fukushima nuclear plant and a possible meltdown might occur, there has been no radiation leak yet that can reach other countries. In fact, only those inside the 12 mile radius from the plant are susceptible to current partial radiation leakage.

See also the report from BBC:

Experts say a disaster on the scale of Chernobyl in the 1980s is highly unlikely because the reactors are built to a much higher standard and have much more rigorous safety measures.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12729138

- The Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) issued a statement saying that radiation levels in the Philippine environment are all normal.

Here's the actual copy of their statement:

The DOST-PNRI routinely undertakes daily radioactivity monitoring in the environment. Based on DOST-PNRI monitoring, there has been no increase in the levels of radioactivity since the time of the Fukushima event.

A plume trajectory study from the Fukushima site by the World Meteorological Organization based in Melbourne, Australia showed that the plume from the site of the incident will not pass the Philippine territory as of March 14, 2011.

Source: http://www.pnri.dost.gov.ph/index.php

DOST advised the public not to believe this hoax.

Tweet from @govph, Official Twiiter Account of the Office of the President:

DOST advises the public not to believe in hoax messageshttp://wp.me/p10moZ-4Fh

TEDxPenang Committee Application

We are looking for 10 core committee members for TEDxPenang and the rest will be selected as volunteers.

What's TED?

I believe TED is familiar to many of you. For those who don't, please check out http://www.ted.com/

Created in TED's mission, "Ideals Worth Spreading"; TEDx is designed to give communities, organizations and individuals the opportunity to stimulate dialogue through TED-like experiences at the local level.

Here we bring you TEDxPenang!

It's scheduled to be in May or early June.

Penang is a wonderful place where it has a lot to offer.

Through TEDxPenang, the very best of the Pearl of the Orient, for instance: entrepreneurship spirit, the secret of nice foods, NGOs, high-tech industry and many more; can be showcased, shared and inspires individual and the world.

We are in the process of engaging 6 best speakers in Penang from different fields, like Nicol David from sports, Dato' Anwar Fazal the winner of "Alternative Noble Prize", "UNEP Global 500" from NGOs and many more!

TEDxPenang Committee Application

We're looking for 10 core team members to create history. Let us provide the best conference experience to people in Penang. If you have a passion to give a positive impact to this community and feel you are the right one, please FILL IN our GOOGLE SPREADSHEET as BELOW --------------------------->

https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dEJJZDJkaEI4c3drNGY4M1RpOW05eVE6MQ

DATELINE for APPLICATION: 1159pm, 5 March 2011(Saturday)

Please stay tune for more updates, check out our Official Facebook Page : http://www.facebook.com/TEDxPenang

Calling for a quality, intellectual and professional campus election 2011

I am writing this post as a undergraduate, as well as a eligible voter for the next student representative council. And I believe this message is also the voice of many students here at least in Universiti Sains Malaysia.

First of all, congratulation to all candidates who have passed through the registration process. You all definitely deserve a hand of applause as it's never easy to go into this election. It takes a lot of courage.

New Konkos @ Kompleks Cahaya (Pic LGH)

Press Conference (Pic LGH)

So, today (19/2/2011), less than 48 hours before voting starts at 830am (21/2/2011) Monday at respective hostel and Kompleks Cahaya (For students staying outside USM)

Map direction Kompleks Cahaya, Picture Copyrighted @SPF USM

We can expect mass campaign by all the candidates, seeing 11 candidates competing for 6 general seats; 26 contesting for 15 school seats, while 5 seats won uncontested; namely Seni, Sains Farmasi, Sains Komputer, Bahasa, Literasi &Terjemahan and Komunikasi.

All candidates also started campaigning, walking from cafe to cafe and e-campaigning through social networks too. And we watch videos candidates promoting themselves.

However we as USM, the APEX University students, should set a benchmark of having a quality, intellectual and professional campus election 2011.

We can see a lot of candidates promoting through self-introduction, background and achievements. But, most of them have not provided us what are their tangible plans if they are elected as MPP 2011/2012, which is more important.

I truly believe the issue should be more than kebajikan...kebajikan without any further contents.

Candidates naming process

We don't judge a candidate merely by his/her popularity, but what changes he/she can bring to this campus.

There are a lot more issues where our candidates have to answer, or at least, tell us their stand.

Just to name a few example:-

1. Unemployment rate among local undergraduates in Malaysia is 5% (According to Malaysiakini), which is higher than Malaysia average unemployment rate 3.5%; what are candidates' ideals or actions to solve this problem? (I believe quality of teaching & learning is very important)

2. Many students face problems when dealing with respective school, like: when registering courses in early semester, a Management student taking TITAS got different answers from different person in charge and etc.

3. E-Learning portal & @student.usm.my email not fully utilized. (Many still have to printing shop below library 1 to get study materials; class cancelled last minute without any email notification and etc)

4. Stand on AUKU and whether university students can take part in politics (It's debated in Parliament too, each of the candidate should have their own stand)

5. Tangible actions to make USM a more sustainable, truly green campus?

6. Bus services? (It's the issue every year, and previous candidates also promised to solve, however, ask yourself, are you satisfied with campus bus service today?)

There're a lot more issues that matter to every student.

Let us challenge our candidates to write out their clear manifesto with tangible actions through blogspot and facebook notes. Only then we judge who we have to vote as future leaders.

We call ourselves as APEX University students, we should equivalently do it by actions. Let start with this campus election, here we call for a quality, intellectual and professional campus election 2011.

p/s: Read Xuxu's post on how to vote http://xuxu-usm.blogspot.com/2011/02/students-representative-council.html