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Sweden Ambassador launches ‘Sweden – Malaysia Innovation Days’

“To achieve the bold ambitions that we have been set out, we will need to change the way we have been doing things. In other words, we will have to innovate.” Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak

Kuala Lumpur (22 March, 2011) – Ambassador of Sweden to Malaysia, His Excellency Per-Arne Hjelmborn announced today that the “Sweden Malaysia Innovation Days” will take place 6-10 May 2011 at Pavilion, Kuala Lumpur.

This is one of the biggest events the Sweden Embassy has been involved in, and is an important milestone for both Sweden and Malaysia, as it will strengthen the already excellent relationship between our countries.

In line with the Government Transformation Programme, the New Economic Model and the Economic Transformation Programme, the Malaysian Government is focusing on getting the country to climb up the economic value-chain by making the economy more innovative and creative.

22 March, Ambassador of Sweden's Residence. From left HE Ambassador of Sweden to Malaysia Per-Arne Hjelmborn, Counsellor Joakim Ladeborn and Festival Directors of FEYST Indie Youth Fest.

Sweden has carved a name for itself in the fields of creative thinking and innovative talent. Ranked as one of the World’s most innovative nations and synonymous to the Nobel Prizes, which award cultural and scientific advances, some Swedish inventions include the pacemaker, the ball bearing, the safety match, the adjustable wrench, the zipper and Tetra Pak carton.

The Embassy of Sweden, together with the Swedish Trade Council (STC)and Malaysia-Swedish Business Association (MASBA), will be organizing a string of exciting events at the Sweden Malaysia Innovation Days scheduled for 6-10 May 2011. They include:

1. Innovation Forum, 10 May

Time: 10am – 9pm | Venue: Main concourse, Pavilion KL

The key event during the innovation days will be the innovation forum with distinguished Swedish and Malaysian speakers on innovation and creativity.The forum is co-organised between the Embassy and Malaysian partners (e.g. UNIK, Lim Kok Wing University, MDEC, MOSTI).

2. Culinary Sweden – Sweden Malaysia Nobel Gala Dinner, 6 May

Time: 7pm | Venue: Hilton Sentral, Kuala Lumpur

The Innovation Days will kick-start with an exquisite Swedish Malaysia Nobel Gala Dinner at Hilton Hotel. Renowned Swedish Chef Michael Elfwing will prepare a gala dinner in the spirit of Nobel. During the gala dinner, author and famous speaker Fredrik Härén will give a talk on innovation and will be joined by a high-level Malaysian speaker. There will also be entertainment from Swedish and Malaysian artists.

3. FEYST 2011 – Indie Youth Fest/Digital Delirium Xpo, 6-8 May

Time: 10am – 10pm | Venue: Outdoor, Pavilion KL

Go International Group Sdn Bhd has organised Indie Youth Fest – a digital lifestyle and music festival since 2008; where 35 young Malaysians have represented the nation at international festivals in USA, France, China, Australia and Sweden. For the festival in 2011, the Embassy works closely together with Go International to create a festival that has a particular Swedish touch to it. Swedish music producer Patrik Larsson and singer songwriter duo, The Harvest will head to Kuala Lumpur to perform and collaborate with Malaysian singer songwriters during the fest. A highlight will be the 48-hour FEYST Innovative Challenge.

4. Innovation Exhibition, 9-10 May

Venue: Main concourse, Pavilion KL

The Innovation Exhibition at the Pavilion KL will contain two parts: i) an exhibition of cartoons on the theme of innovation from well known Malaysian and Swedish cartoonists. ii) an exhibition of innovative products from Swedish companies. Workshops and other activities for students  (e.g. from Limkokwing University and Saito College) will also take place on 9 May.

5. Visit by Malaysian journalists to Sweden, 28 March – 1 April

In order to create attention for the Innovation Days and give a first hand experience of the Swedish example of innovations, the Embassy will bring Malaysian media (TV3, The Star, NST, Sin Chew Daily) to Sweden. The visit will take place 28 March – 1 April.

The Sweden Malaysia Innovation Days project is sponsored by: IKEA, SAAB, BAE, Ericsson, Volvo Truck, ABB, MHE-Demag, SKF, Scania, Volvo Car, Electrolux, Tetra Pak.

Ends.

Media Inquiries:

Inquiries on FEYST Indie Youth Fest:
Festival Director: Jasmine Low
Email: jasminelow@gointernationalgroup.com

For Immediate Release

Quarterly magazine, PASSAGE will serve as the voice of Malaysia’s seniors

SHAH ALAM, 20 FEBRUARY 2011 – GKK Media Services Sdn. Bhd. launched PASSAGE – a brand new quarterly English language magazine that caters to Malaysia’s senior citizens at Kelab Shah Alam yesterday.

The event was attended by YB Senator Datuk Maglin Dennis D’Cruz – Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Information, Communications and Culture; Prof. Datuk Harun Nizam – Front cover personality of Issue 3 and GKK Media Services Chairman Brig Gen Dato’ Haji Mohd Zamri and Chief Editor & Publisher Major Krishnan Nambiar as well as over 300 invited guests which included friends of PASSAGE and retired servicemen.

PASSAGE aims to bridge the communication gap between retirees and the younger generation. As he officiated the launch, YB Senator Datuk Maglin said in his statement, “I believe relevant contents in PASSAGE magazine will be instrumental in providing quality and real time information that is needed by our senior citizens,”. He added, “Our seniors deserve our respect and admiration. For it is due to their hard work, dedication and sacrifices that we are able to enjoy a peaceful and prosperous lifestyle today in Malaysia.

“Furthermore, many foreigners have come to our country under the Malaysia My Second Home program. They have done so due to the confidence they hae in the stability and facilities available in Malaysia,”.

Major (Rtd) Krishnan Nambiar, Chief Editor and Publisher of PASSAGE said, “We sincerely believe seniors need a platform to communicate. PASSAGE hopes to fulfill that void and feature articles that could assist seniors in their ‘third stage of life’. Krishnan had served in the Malaysian Armed Forces as an officer for 33 years and upon retiring, found himself more active than ever as the Chief Editor and Publisher of PASSAGE, Secretary of Federal Territory Amateur Boxing Association of Malaysia as well as a Unit Sales Manager in an insurance company.

Since the launch of the first issue in April 2010, PASSAGE received encouraging feedback from its readers. Front cover story personality – Prof. Dato’ Dr. Nizam Harun was impressed with the magazine and was instrumental in the launch of the magazine at this time.

Each issue of PASSAGE will cover te following segments; healthy living, aging with dignity, arts, science, literature, history, finance, technology, travel and many more. The magazine is retailed at RM15 (RM18 in East Malaysia) per copy and is available in newsstands, veteran’s clubs, senior citizens associations and NGOs.

At the event, GKK Media Services also contributed wheelchairs to two needy seniors during the laucnh event. Future Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities will include outdoor, educational, entertainment and counseling activities for seniors.

GKK Media Services would like to thank each and everyone who participated in making the launch a success.

Ends.

General inquiries: Major (Rtd) Krishnan Nambiar

Publisher – GKK Media Services

Mobile +6019 353 6480

Media inquiries: Ms. Jasmine Low

Representative – Go International Group

Mobile: +6017 623 0288

Email: jasminelow@gointernationalgroup.com

100 design students in art exhibition in Bukit Bintang ala ‘flash mob freeze’

Bukit Bintang, 3 March 2011 – Over 100 students from Saito College made a statement in the busy streets of downtown Kuala Lumpur today at the media launch of “Saito Proud!” – a mobile art exhibition of students’ creative artworks.

Proudly posing in a choreographed routine, the group attracted public curiosity from passers-by as they ‘froze’ in unison outside the main entrance of shopping malls Fahrenheit88, Pavilion KL, Sungei Wang and Dataran Maybank. T-shirts as canvasses; Saito’s students decided to do away with a static exhibition and injected their own dynamic energy for a fluid display of their own creative artworks printed on t-shirts.

Named Saito Proud!, Saito School of Design decided to support the student-led initiative to showcase their artwork on the streets. Participating students came from the three main design disciplines of the school; Graphic Design, Multimedia Design and Interior Design. In the press conference, Saito College Principal, Mr. Ooi Chee Kok said, “At Saito, we aim to create learning that is current, relevant and authentic so that our students will discover their hidden talents and realise their full potential in their journey with us”.

“I don’t think any college has done anything like this before. It is a very unique way of exhibiting students’ artwork,” said Tan Teng Teng, 19 year-old Diploma in Interior Design (Year 1 Semester 1) student. 20 year-old Ravivarma Vikraman (Year 2 Semester 2) Diploma in Multimedia Design student added, “It is a new way of approaching the crowd through this Design Students Walking Exhibition instead of Booth Exhibitions like we see in the Education Fairs. It’s amazing to see how the members of the public react to what they see”.

Saito Proud! was intended by students to stop traffic with their art, to intrigue the public even for just one minute! Mustafa Shah Nawaz Khodabaksh, Certificate in Creative Design (Year 1 Semester 2) student said, “It’s a very interesting thing to see that you don’t see it everyday. It’s a very innovative idea. It’s new! It’s original!”

Over 105 designs were selected, showcasing a wide range from Digital Paintings, 3D Animations, Typography, 3D Interior Design Renderings and Photography.

Additionally, Saito College being an active socially responsible organisation, is pleased to announce that its students have donated digital copies of their artworks as royalty-free images for non-commercial use. The CDs will be distributed to organizations such as schools and NGOs.

Ends.

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