UTAR Alumni

AUGUST 2015

Live and Learn, UTAR Graduate Says

Lim Kian Wei

BACHELOR OF CORPORATE COMMUNICATION (HONS)

Batch of March 2015

University is a place for everyone and everything. The Edge Communications Sdn Bhd writer Lim Kian Wei believes that one should study for knowledge, rather than study for the grades.

The Selayang boy graduated in March as a corporate communication student at Tunku Abdul Rahman University (UTAR). Before his convocation, he received an offer to work with The Edge as a journalist. He accepted the offer and has not looked back since. Most of his articles are property related and can be found in The Edge Financial Daily, The Edge Markets online portal and The Edge's weekly property pullout - 'City & Country'.

Prior to his studies at UTAR, Lim was awarded a full scholarship from 8TV media (a subsidiary of Media Prima Bhd) to pursue his studies in advertising design at SEGi University College in Kota Damansara, Selangor. He later worked for an advertising agency, People 'n Rich Sdn Bhd as a graphic designer.

His father persuaded him to further his studies, which led Lim to study at UTAR on a government loan (PTPTN). He decided to pursue corporate communication rather than a graphic design related course because he wanted to broaden his horizons.

Lim shares one his favourite moments during his 3-year course, "I spent time understanding the 'bigger picture' of my subjects by interviewing industry experts. It helps me gain a broader insight relating to my academic projects ... Besides, I was coached by lecturers who have vast industrial experience as well".

He appreciates the fact that he was surrounded by peers who were serious in their studies, which is important to produce quality work. He enjoys pairing with peers from all walks of life.

"One of the projects I worked on requires our group to perform a skit. Our group was a mixture of graphic design, broadcasting and corporate communication students' what we did was magic," Lim recalls.

Click on the following link to watch the recorded performance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldSYyDMPRuI

WORKING WHILE STUDYING

During his studies, Lim wasn't active in curricular studies because he works part time while studying. He believes that by doing so will enable him to sharpen his skills and gain more industrial exposure.

Some of his part time jobs include working as a waiter at Dave Bistro, a non-halal restaurant in One Utama shopping center in Petaling Jaya; a freelance graphic designer with Happy Lifestyle Sdn Bhd (publisher of Health & Beauty magazine) and Australian-based market research firm Roy Morgan Research Centre Pty Ltd as a market research interviewer.

As a freelance graphic designer, he designed a recipe book for Gleneagles Kuala Lumpur (a subsidiary of Pantai Medical Centre Sdn Bhd) entitled 'Pleasure: Eating Healthy in Style'.

The book is currently selling at local MPH Bookstores at RM129. The funds raised through the book's sales will be donated to various cancer related non-government organizations (NGO) in the Klang Valley. However, Lim does not know which NGOs will benefit from the book's sales.

The following link leads to the book.

http://www.mphonline.com/books/nsearchdetails.aspx?&pcode=9789671153505

FUTURE PLANS

Lim currently has no plans to pursue a master's degree. However, he is considering of pursuing a course in law, which will be a leg-up for his career as a journalist.

In view of the drop in the Malaysian education standards in recent years, Lim believes that one will be able to succeed so long as one is willing to learn.

"Before I studied at UTAR, my aunt who lives and works in London, England offered to be my guarantor for my studies abroad. She even offered to let me live with her in London while I study within the vicinity. I declined the offer because I can't afford the transport fares and the study materials. Besides, she would need money for her own retirement," Lim says.

"I believe that one can learn just as much through the internet. But it all boils down to one's discipline and willingness to learn," Lim concludes.