UTAR Alumni

JULY 2013

Tienson: It was all archi-torture

By Liang Tienson

(with his exhibit at DATUM 2010 at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre)

Bachelor of Science (Hons) Architecture

First-class honours, March 2013

I still feel happy and excited that I am a first-class honours graduate. I didn't expect it. Being a first-class honours graduate had always been my dream and it had motivated me all along, because when it came to realising my dream I had never given up.

I'm one of the first batch graduates of UTAR BSc (Hons) Architecture. Although the course was new, things were running smoothly because the lecturers and tutors were experienced. I chose the course because it had been my dream since young to be an architect. It had an effect on my acquiring of little talent in art and crafts. At the moment, I am at the very early stage and it is still long way before I become an architect. But I will persevere and confident that one day I will make it.

Studying architecture is much tougher than studying other courses. My classmates and I spent most of the time in the studio, designing and drawing. We often had lesser sleep than students of other courses. On average, we only slept for 3 to 4 hours a day. When it came near to a submission deadline, we even stayed awake for days. There were friends who teased that we were being "archi-tortured". But, what we finally achieved was worth it. When I saw my design turned into a product, the joy was priceless.

Dream has the power to turn the world into a better place. So, do not stop dreaming.

Tienson with lecturer Ar Liaw after an award presentation ceremony at 1Utama Shopping Centre, where his works were exhibited in a fair.