When you decide to learn cooking from a top culinary school, you can do so for a variety of reasons. You have to decide if you are doing it because you want cooking to be your profession, or you simply want to learn more about your passion.

There are several different reasons why you may choose to attend a culinary arts professional school. Here are some compelling reasons to attend culinary school:

1. Learn How To Cook

If you have always wanted to learn how to cook, learn cooking from top culinary schools. This is where you can attend for the sheer art of knowing how to bake an apple lattice pie or carve up a beautiful turkey. You can’t learn everything from cookbooks and when you get a culinary arts education, you will learn how to do everything you ever wanted to do inside a kitchen.

2. Try New Flavors

Attending a culinary arts professional school is one of the best ways to try new flavors. Not sure what flavors go best together? You will be educated on all sorts of flavor profiles and this will help you immensely. You will learn what herbs and spices go within the different ethnic cuisines. You will learn about flavor pairing. And you will have the ability to taste them all as well.

3. Travel The World

You probably also know exactly why your industry is so popular, and why so many people want to work in it. Yes, the shifts can be long and tiring, but you'll rarely find someone with a hospitality job who doesn't have a passion for it. Here are just Ten of the reasons why a career in hospitality is well...GREAT!

1. You make people’s day (Good mood, everything goes smooth)

Whether you’re a concierge in a hotel, or a kitchen porter working behind the scenes, or even if you’re involved in the management of a hospitality business, every time you come into work, you’re making someone's day that little bit better. Your business is all about people. It’s not about widgets or spreadsheets; it’s about making people happy. They SMILE You SMILE.

2. It’s creative (Think outside the box)

As well as being a people-oriented industry, hospitality is creative. You are creating a product — be that food, drink, or an experience — and there's always scope to dream up new ways of making it more enjoyable for your customers. Think outside the box to serve customers.

3. It opens a door to the world (Opportunities were everywhere)

Every country in the world has a hospitality industry, and the skills you learned here are readily transferable, meaning that a career in hospitality can easily be the key to discovering new countries, new culture and new people. Hospitality will be an opportunity for individuals who urged to explore new stuffs in new place. You can consider to take your skills abroad!

4. There’s no need to get stuck (More experience)

There is such enormous scope within the hospitality industry that there’s never any need for you to get stuck in one niche. You could very easily stay with the same employer and in the space of a few years, move between receptionist jobs, reservations manager to concierge and beyond. Where else could you get that sort of variety?
 

5. You can take on early responsibility (Young manager to-be)

Just as there is the potential for rapid horizontal movement, you can also make your way up the ladder very quickly in hospitality. If you work hard, acquire your qualifications, get on with customers and colleagues, and show initiative, very soon, you'll find yourself in a senior position managing people and projects.

6. Not 9-5 (Say no to tradition)

If you’re the sort of person who likes getting up at the same time in the morning, having the same breakfast, putting on a suit and tie, and then catching the same train into the same office, day after day after day, then hospitality probably isn’t for you. It involves a great deal of variety, not only in terms of the hours you work, but also the work you do during those hours. It is more flexible, and you will be energetic during your work.

7. Clear route in (Keep calm because Tag Course will help you)

There is a clear set of hospitality qualifications that are accepted across the industry and there are hundreds of places up and down the country where you can train to achieve those qualifications. You can find out more about getting qualified in our dedicated training section.

Tag Course, which is Malaysia’s largest education online platform, can help you with the information of entry level, and colleges which offered hospitality courses.

8. Great perks (You can have fun with everyone)

If you work in an office then the perks probably don’t go much further than a dismal Christmas party with cheap drinks, dire music and everyone looking a bit awkward. In hospitality things are different. Besides we’re here to help our customers to have fun, we also share some of that fun with each other in the form of employee perks. Rubbing shoulders with celebrities and gourmet meals are just some of the perks those in hotel jobs could enjoy. PARTY DURING WORK!

9. Great atmosphere (Relax and cheers)

In any workplace, there are always colleagues you don't get on with, and one or two who are a bit unfriendly, but the good news is that not many of unfriendly individuals work in hospitality. We don’t hire people who are unfriendly to our customers, which is why the hospitality industry contains some of the most vibrant, lively and fun people you’ll ever meet. You will truly enjoy working in hospitality industry!

10. It’s a safe bet (No worries, be happy)

People always need food, drink and somewhere to sleep, don't they? So, even in shaky economic climates like the recent credit crunch, the hospitality industry is relatively secure. In fact, in late 2009, Bob Cotton, CEO of the BHA said of the recession:

"The past 12 months [since October 2008] have been some of the most difficult the [hospitality] industry has experienced for many years, but it is noticeable that both hotels and restaurants are surviving, largely unscathed."

MyQUEST is an abbreviation for Malaysian Quality Evaluation System for Private Colleges. The system was developed by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) Malaysia, as an instrument to evaluate the current performance of private colleges in Malaysia in terms of students, programmes, graduates, resources and governance. The evaluation of private colleges is necessary in order to push the education level in Malaysia to a higher standard. It is also a direct contribution to achieving the Key Results Area (KRA) that could drive the quality of education industry in Malaysia.

What are the qualifying criteria?

In order to be fair to participating colleges, the qualifying criteria have to take into account the readiness of these colleges to be evaluated. Only private colleges that are registered with the Ministry of Higher Education are invited to participate in the evaluation. It is believed that for a private college to mature it takes time and maturity, as we are all aware is the prerequisite to quality. Hence, in order for a private colleges to qualify to be rated in MyQUEST, the following criteria must be fulfilled:

• Must have at least 1 cohort graduated
• Must complete the entries of all five evaluation criteria (students, resources, quality management systems, programmes recognition and graduates recognition)

What are the evaluation criteria?

All participated colleges are evaluated based on five main criteria, and each criterion carries different weights. The evaluation criteria are:

1. Students (10%)
2. Resources (30%)
3. Quality Management Systems (30%)
4. Programmes Recognition (10%)
5. Graduates Recognition (20%)

The evaluation involved two phases. In the first, the private colleges are allowed to self evaluate by declaring their status and practices in the evaluation form that is web-based. These responses are actually answers to quality based indicators that will assign scores automatically and appropriately. The private colleges are able to determine their scores. The second phase involves an audit by a MOHE assigned audit involving the private college to obtain evidence for the declaration made in the first phase. Scores will be added or deducted accordingly with reference to the availability to unavailability to provide the evidence respectively.

How MyQUEST will benefit the public?

MyQUEST results will be able to assist the potential students, and their parents to select the best colleges in terms of an overall rating (college-based rating), as well as in their specific area of interest (cluster-based rating). This is one of the efforts of the Government of Malaysia to provide a quality education system for all citizens. For potential international students, they can refer to the results of International Students Readiness rating.

What is an International Students Readiness Rating?

An international student readiness rating is a reflection of the readiness of the private college to receive or handle international students. Some indicators that are taken into consideration are hostels, quality management systems for
international students, and security and safety.

What is the rating given to the colleges?

The rating given by MyQUEST will be in a form of different achievement levels as follows:

6✮ Outstanding (Terbilang)

5✮ Excellent (Cemerlang)

4✮ Very Good (Amat Baik)

3✮ Good (Baik)

2✮ Satisfactory (Memuaskan)

1✮ Poor (Lemah)

How the data/rating is verified?

All private colleges have been trained on how to key in the data into the system. Then, based on the data entered by them, a few trained and unbiased auditors are appointed to check and verify the data. Because all indicators and benchmarks are made transparent to them, this allows the private colleges to self-assess and self-improve themselves to obtain better rating.

Top Private Colleges in Malaysia – MyQUEST Rating 2014/2015
A total of 9 colleges received 6 stars and 52 colleges received 5 stars. Top colleges like KDU, Segi, Sunway, Taylor’s, Stamford and APIIT are popular choices among students and the 6-star award will boost the students’ confidence as well as the colleges’ commitment to offer an all-round conducive student learning experience.

For Arts & Humanities programmes, KDU and Segi colleges came tops. In Engineering, Manufacturing & Construction, APIIT, KDU, INTI and Segi scored 6 stars.

For subjects like Science, Mathematic & Computing, APIIT, KDU, Disted and PTPL were some of the top colleges.  

 

✮✮✮Bonus Tips✮✮✮: While the MyQUEST 2014/2015 rating can be a good guide in helping you choose your college, it shouldn’t be the ONLY factor. Decide what are some of most important things to you, whether it’s tuition fees, distance from your home or course options, and slowly work from there! You are always welcome to look for us to find out more information on the most suitable & available options for you! 

Congratulations to HELP Academy's A-Levels Programme, and International Student Services were ranked 6 STARS by MyQuest, Ministry of Higher Education.

HELP has coached A-Level students to enter the world’s top universities: Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial College London, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, Chicago, Melbourne and the Australian National University, with many gaining both admission and scholarships either from prestigious scholarship boards or directly from the universities.

HELP now offers the ‘dual option’ advantage, the first centre in the country to conduct both the Edexcel International Advanced Level and the Cambridge International A-Levels.

UCSI University's Institute of Music is having their Music Audition on August 8, 2015!

Are you interested in pursuing your study in music? Well, what are you waiting for? Head on to UCSI University's Institute of Music, also known as IMus wehre a Music Audition is happening this Saturday!

As Malaysia's premier music school in both the classical and contemporary fields, IMus has opened doors for some of the most prominent figures in the Malaysian music industry. It empowers hundreds of musicians every year for more than 25 years. Many start their journey not knowing how good they really are. And some had no inkling of how great they were going to be. But IMus changed their lives and help them see how far they can go.

We are recently paid a visit to IMus and we are very pleased and honored to have been given the opportunity to write about the Institute. Let us share with you the things we learn about the premier music school!

PROGRAMMES OFFERED

1. Foundation in Music
2. Bachelor of Classical Music (HONS)
3. Bachelor of Contemporary Music (HONS)
4. Master of Music in Performing Studies

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

For SPM leavers, you may be admitted into the foundation programme by meeting BOTH the academic and music requirements below:

And after completing and passing all courses with a minimum of Grade C in the foundation programme, you are more than welcome to pursue either the Bachelor of Classical Music (Hons) or the Bachelor of Contemporary Music (Hons) programme.

As for the Master programme, a bachelor's degree with minimum CGPA of 2.50 or equivalent would be one of the entry requirements followed by passing the Entrance Audition as well as a completion of Placement Tests in Music History Theory and Aural. However for candidates who do not meet the entry requirements, you may be considered for admission if you have working experience of at least five years in the relevant field.

TEACHING AND LEARNING

In IMus, the teachers practices the one-on-one teaching method where students receives the undivided attention of the teacher. This way, you will learn more and helps building your confidence because you are taught at your pace, and special attention is paid on your strengths and areas that need development.

To study in IMus, you are required to choose 2 instruments:

• Major instrument - you are required to have a baisc knowledge on this
• Second instrument - this can be either an instrument that you had learned before or something new to pick up

FACILITIES AND RESOURCES

In this section, we bring the Institute to you. Come! Let’s have a tour with us!

Firstly, have a look at their recital hall - a place for the students to practice and perform. It is well-designed for professional performances and functions and furnished with theatre-style seating for 450 people. It is also well-equipped with sound systems, audio/visuals, and recording facilities.

Next, it is the Music Technology Lab  - a lab with 10 fully configured Apple iMac workstations that runs Finale 2013 and Logic Pro X music software.

With its advanced and user-friendly equipment, this Music Tech Lab provides a home-styled, effective yet economical production environment for students to complete their projects in MIDI sequencing, arranging, composition and song-writing.

In addition to that, in IMus, they also have ensemble rooms for ensemble rehearsals such as those for modern band, chamber music, choir, and orchestra. Through ensembles, you will gain vital experience in performing with other musicians.

Moving on to their practice rooms.

Here they have a keyboard lab with 20 MIDI-compatible electronic keyboards (to be used with or without headphones) that are linked to a lecturer's central listening desk and a master digital piano. A fully configured MIDI workstation is also available for class demonstration and project use.

With over 20 private practice rooms (most equipped with a piano) for students' use, the Institute also offers classroom space and pianos during the evening hours for students' practice sessions.

They have 19 piano practice rooms, 2 guitar practice rooms, 2 drum practice rooms, 5 piano teaching studios and 3 chamber music rooms.

Every piano practice room comes with 2 pianos to make it easier for the lecturers to demonstrate something to the students.

Last but not least, the band room. As a matter of facts, 3 band rooms! Equipped with drum sets, amplifiers and keyboards! This is the most exciting place for band lovers!!

The rooms are mainly used by students reading the Bachelor of Contemporary Music (Hons) programme but feel free to join them and have a good time!

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AND JOB PROSPECTS

Studying music does not limit one to the field. Music graduates are more employable thatn you might think. With unique skills and a broad range of graduate jobs on offer, music students have better prospects than people imagine. So, what can you do with a degree in Music?

These are some of the career paths for music graduates:

1. Musicians:

Musicians can work on their own, as a freelance artist, in collaboration with others, or as a salaried member of an orchestra, opera company, choir, theatrical ensemble or band etc.

2. Composers:

This includes composing for professional and school band/orchestra film/TV/gaming; educational publishing; children's music; religious music; musical theatre and commercials, to name a few. Besides being a composer, music graduates can also choose to work as sound technicians, broadcasters, producers etc.

3. Artists:

If you have a unique voice and is interested in singing, you may also try your luck as a recording artist in the industry.

4. Educator:

Being an instructor, music teacher or even a professor at college-level, community music schools, religious organisations or even for a private studio are also a few of the possible career paths for you.

5. Music therapist:

Music therapists use music creatively to help their clients address social, emotional or physical difficulties. They work with children and adults of all ages and social backgrounds and in a variety of settings. Music therapy is considered to be a new field in Malaysia. However, if you are interested, there are few organisations in Malaysia offering jobs for music therapists. Take note that you will be required to take some psychology courses to work as a music therapist.

HALL OF FAME

Want to know more? Fill in the form for inquiries now!

If you are in love with baking, pastry, sugar craft or even chocolate making, you may love to study at Harold’s Academy.

Here are the 6 reasons why you may love Harold’s Academy:

1) Gain more experience

Practice makes perfect, especially when it comes to hands-on courses and baking is one of them. Students of Harold’s Academy are very lucky because with a partnering Bakery & Cafe just below the academy, students get more exposure and real-life experiences compared to others. These experiences are very helpful for students who wish to start their careers or even be an entrepreneur in this industry.

Harold’s Bread has total 11 franchise outlets across Malaysia.

2) Fantastic course scopes

Baking lovers, you will be surprised of the things you can learn throughout the course. Other than cake, biscuits, breads, you get to learn fondant, sugar pulling, desserts and even chocolate making! Let’s have a quick look on their students’ artwork.

Can you believe it? Their students make all these!

Mousse & creative desserts

Chocolate Showpieces

3) Experienced chef as your mentor

In order to make sure the quality of courses, Harold’s Academy hired experienced chefs as their instructors. Not only that, international chefs are invited to do demonstrations occasionally. Let’s have a glance on the technique of instructors.

Oh my god! These are all made by chocolates!!! Amazing~

4) Smaller class size

Harold’s Academy emphasizes a lot on practical part of students. Their courses are 80% on practical while 20% on theory. Limited students per group can also ensure personal attention to every student. Students are also encouraged to utilize portable tablets during classes for more efficient study.

Students learn to work in a team for projects

5) Opportunities of joining national & international competitions

Harold’s Academy encourages all of their students to take part in national and international competitions. Thus their students have very outstanding achievement in all the competitions.

These are the masterpieces of students from Harold’s Academy

6) Financial aid and other student benefits

Students who experience financial problems can apply for Harold’s Academy Financial Aid (HAFA). HAFA is a study loan offered by Harold’s Academy with 0% interest, which helps to cover 40% of your tuition fees. You can pay back within 2 years after graduated. Harold’s Academy also offers accommodation for students for other states. Students from Harold’s Academy can also enjoy discount benefits when purchasing items at Harold’s Bread.

Course duration: 12 months (9 months Diploma Course + 3 months Internship)

Further details (Course scopes, fees, schooling hour etc)

Apply / Enquire Now

6 Reasons Why You Should Study at Arte Academy

Arte Academy is one of the best academies in Malaysia that offers 3D Animation & Digital Film Production.

Here are the 6 reasons why you should choose Arte Academy:

Reason 1: Small Class Learning

Smaller size classes provide more opportunities for personal attentions and instructional helps when necessary. Besides, the lessons are more communicative and student-centered. As a result, the instructors are able to understand the strengths and weaknesses of each student better. Students, too, are able to feel more comfortable in voicing their questions and opinions during lessons.

Reason 2: Pleasant study environment

Step into Arte Academy and you will be surprised by the friendliness and hospitality of our instructors and students. They are more like a big family rather than the usual teacher-student relationship.

On the other hand, Arte Academy is mostly fully equipped with Apple products as well as other course related equipment. In other words, students need not have to purchase their own equipment such as cameras and video cameras as they are able to use them for free. The academy even has its own chroma key compositing (green screen) for students who study digital film production. Who knows another James Wan may be produced?

Reason 3: Experienced instructors to keep you on the right track

Arte Academy hires industry experts as their instructors. They are highly experienced and are aware of the essential skills needed in the current industry. Thus, the course syllabus are always up-to-date as they understand the requirements of companies when job hunting.

The picture below is Jeff Yee, who is the owner of Startrack Entertainment and also a lecturer of Digital Film at Arte Academy.

These are the partners of Arte Academy:

Reason 4: A visit to Japan

Students of Arte Academy have an opportunity to explore Tokyo, Japan, together with their instructors each year. They get the chance to visit the Tokyo Design Technology Centre (TECH.C.) to enhance some skills from international masters. They, too, are able to experience the different lifestyle of Japan.

Reason 5: High quality student artworks

Let’s say no more and take a look at how amazing our students’ artworks are!

This is what you are able to achieve as well after joining Arte Academy.

Architecture Visualization

Create Your Own Cartoon Characters

Vehicle Modeling

Digital Illustration

Reason 6: Providing students a second chance

For the students who do not have enough credits to enter colleges, Arte Academy is able to give them a second chance. It is one of our concepts. We welcome students who carry the same passion and ambition regardless of their academic results.

As one of the business director, Mr. Han, has said, “We believe every student deserves a second chance.” We believe this will make a huge difference in their lives. Nonetheless, they also believe that the enthusiasm of students are more valuable than their academic results.

Arte Academy students doing their internship at Animonsta Studio

It is no surprise that Arte Academy can rise up become one of the best design academies in Malaysia with the 6 reasons listed above.

We feel like sharing how much we enjoy the time spending in Arte Academy with you. We hope that all of you can feel the happiness of the students after watching this video:

Further details about minimum requirements, tuition fees, course details and job prospects etc, please refer to the links below:

Course Details for 3D Animation

Guidance – How to Choose The Right Course?

What should high school graduates be prepared for after their secondary-school education?
This is the common question students have always been asking. What major to study in the university after their high school? Though there is no definite answer, there are a few points to be considered from past experiences.

1) Interest - What am I interested in?

No doubt, what you study will tell what your future career goal will be. Choose what you like to do what you love and that will determine your success in the future.

If you are not even loving what you are doing, how are you sure you will really enjoy what you are going to do? Remember, your work is going to take up most of your time. Without passion and motivation, you will feel miserable at your work. You are likely to be unmotivated and chances are you will not be successful in your career.

Case study: Though many know what their interests are, the dilemma is to choose between interests and job prospects. My interest is in bakery but I am worried about the job prospects. Being a baker does not pay well either. What now?

Suggestion: All roads lead to Rome. There is certainly a value in each profession. It is not about what you choose but how you perform in each profession. If you are inspired to make great burgers, you need to be the best like you are McDonald’s in the fast food world. There is no point in choosing something you don’t like and failing in it. Ask yourself: do you want to be number one in a specialized field or be mediocre in a popular course?