Big Cleaning Day

The country has proudly practised a system and discipline known as Five S's or 5S - Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain. It could have started with the manufacturing and industrial plants first because they benefit most from tiptop organization and systematic planning and implementation.

This quality program known as '5S' has been successfully adapted for use in institutions of higher learning, including my university - the Universiti Tenaga Nasional. Recently, the '5S'auditors came down and visited the campus to evaluate our performance in keeping up with the challenge. Hmmm, I shall try to update this article when the results is released...

So we went '5S' crazy for a long while. The university staff attended pre-'5S' workshops and campaigns, and then, there were filing systems to follow, arrangement and labelling to be done, and what I dreaded most was discarding of items - which may sound impossible for individuals like me. Argggh! the office is my treasure chest!!! complete with precious belongings and items of sentimental value:)

Our first nightmare came around in sorting our stacks of items. But it was not as tough as it may sound. As much as '5S' may be stringent in ensuring order, it also brings about a very impressive 'speck n clean' culture. Besides, it nurtures a very good habit of keeping our workplace organized and in perfect order. Everything has its place, and should be returned to its assigned location after use. This way, we can find completely any reference item in a jiffy, and eliminate lame excuses like - lost it! the elves must have taken it! somebody must have borrowed it. Ring a bell? We were positive in embracing this new 'big clean concept' and we all did it wonderfully.

I guess the best part for '5S' is the last step which is to sustain the good practice and habits. We certainly don't have to wait for another program, campaign or evaluation visit to happen to remind us about our responsibility to keep our place clean and systematic. We don't need to declare another Friday as our 'big cleaning day'.

For its superior qualities, let's take '5S' program and concept as our culture - a complete package of guidance, value, and quality control. Like the industries, the universities are welcoming the '5S' program. The nation should read up more about it, and join the pursuit of total cleaning initiative. Imagine - reduced rubbish, zero litterbugs, cleaner roads, well-maintained road signs, etc.

The '5s' program does not end at the workplace - main office, lecture halls, and individual work space. It also reminds us of our dutiful chores at home, systematic student life, and intrapersonal and interpersonal values like time management, discipline, effective procedures, etc.

Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain.

What's your Favourite Sport?

Sports has become a recreational activity, hobby and a contemporary lifestyle to us. With stress level rising every second, and challenges at every nook and corner of our life, the only saviour seems to be "good health".

An affordable way to stay healthy is by engaging ourselves in at least one type of sport we can enjoy. Furthermore, the superiority of sports to human soul and body can go beyond description - think about acquaintances and new friends, fresh air, improved blood circulation, etc. In short, sports as a term exists to benefit mankind, ultimately.

Nowadays, besides the traditional types of sport, we can also choose any of the extreme sports as a hobby or a way to start our profession. A sport like rock climbing, river rafting, bungee jumping and skateboarding may involve certain danger involving extreme situations. But the thrills and obstacles bring about the fun in every extreme sports fan.

What's your favourite sport? Would you like to try any type of extreme sport?

Part-time Jobs for Undergraduates

Some people work for money while others work for experience. Some wish to beef up their resume and add credentials in their dossier; thus, stand a better chance for employability. Nevertheless, as an undergraduate, perhaps the priority has to be more of gaining experience as well as extending social and future business network. This is because part-time jobs can also be essential in grooming entrepreneurship skills among undegraduates.

When I was an undergraduate, I spent some of my long semester breaks doing odd jobs like working as a waitress in a restaurant where I also picked up some cooking as well as communication skills, and as a lab assistant in a glove factory where I put my chemistry knowledge to some use. I also worked in a biscuit factory until I got fed up of eating free biscuits - all those delicous love rolls and crackers. Furthermore, I gave tuition classes to primary school children, and was a personal tutor to two well-off children in KL for some time.

Many of my friends were doing part-time jobs while studying mostly because the scholarship or study loan was rather inadequate. Nevertheless, there were friends who could afford almost anything, but still engaged a part-time job for their own reasons. Apart from the extra money, I did all the jobs because I wanted to know what working life is like. One good lesson I learnt from my part-time jobs back then was this: studying is definitely tough and challenging - but working and earning some money on your own without that scroll is nothing easy!!! So, I kinda cherished my undergraduate years ultimately.

I believe that undergraduates nowadays take up part-time jobs because of innumerable reasons. As long as they have a good intention, it should be a worthy experience. It can make them more matured in dealing with everyday challenges and confronting obstacles. Nevertheless, they must prioritize on their education and never get carried away with the monthly income. University education is still very necessary, and undergraduates need the scroll in order to enjoy a more promising future.

I believe many of you have done part-time jobs before. Please share with us your experience and fond /miserable memories. For those who plan to have a part-time job during the long break, what kind of jobs are you looking for and why?

Heartiest Dedication

To all my beloved students, ex-students and future students,

The final exam is around the corner. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all the best in all your papers. May you get the letter-grades you've been working for, this semester.

To my COIT students, sect 1, 19 and 20, the semester has been exciting and rejuvenating. I'm so glad that we met, even only for a short 15 weeks. You're so cheerful and talented, and I hope you do something about it. It's been memorable indeed.

TO EDSoc. members, and 15 brilliant students who were involved in my Phd research, you can definitely beat the challenge of employability. You'll get that job you want, soon.

To everybody:
Now, you may want to continue this goodwill thread to wish your friends and everybody in this blogging community best of luck in the coming exam.

Take care everybody:) You can do it, so do it wonderfully.

Pn Zue

Good vs Bad Habits

One of my students presented a speech on "habit" yesterday and I promised the class that i shall post one short article on the topic in this blog. I guess this topic is close to us, particularly in analysing our everyday attitude, behaviour and personality. Whether we realize it or not, some of our habits potray and also reveal our true selves significantly.

In general, we can think of habits from two perspectives: good and constructive habit, as well as bad and destructive habits. But, how do you draw a line between these two domains? If it is based on principles of life, moral values and common understanding, anything that contributes to the betterment of mankind can be considered as good habit. On the contary, actions that can bring harm, injustice or casualty will be labelled negative. Then, what happens to so-called human rights? Human prerogatives? Freedom of expression of your thoughts, beliefs, and behaviour? Freedom of choice?

Well, in uptight situations like this, we need to remember that we live in a community replete with standard practices and accepted values. Thus, in order not to offend the people around us, as much as we don't want to suppress our freedom to do what we like, we can study the norm of our society. It is polite to observe some ethical considerations as well as unwritten rules.

For example, many of our friends are smokers. We all know that it's a harmful habit, which can be even more hazardous to the people around called secondary smokers. Too bad - some are heavy and chain smokers that they can't quit despite health campaigns and incessant cough. For this group of people, we generally request that they occupy the non-smoking corners at the restaurants, refrain from smoking in gazetted non-smoking areas, and stay away from pregnant ladies and children. In other words, make it a personal agenda.

Nevertheless, even personal habits like biting fingernails under stress, putting one hand in the pocket during public speaking, and taking snacks before sleep should be avoided due to certain conventions and etiquette namely grooming, public speaking and health. Good habits like reading even at bus-stops and in the commuter, or saying thank you, should be nurtured and encouraged.

Interesting? Mind-boggling? Confusing?

Well, think back and evaluate yourself. What are some of the bad habits that you should abandon? Similarly, what are some good habits you shall keep for the rest of our life, promote to friends, and something you plan to adopt in the near future?

Let's get the ball rolling and discuss this interesting phenomenon which is ruling our lives - GOOD vs BAD HABITS.