February 2013 Issue
A FASHION ODYSSEY WITH
RAFFLES
Fashion shows are exciting and glamorous! That’s always the first impression from spectators watching models strut down runways at their best. As a matter of fact, fashion shows take a lot of hard work to stage and produce, and putting a fashion show together is one of the most intense and high-pressure moments one would ever experience.
Raffles Fashion Marketers all happy and excited before the show.
Aspiring Fashion Marketers and Journalists gathered for a night of fashion galore by our Raffles Fashion Marketers.
Arriving at the SCAPE Youthpark at 7pm, one couldn’t help but notice the obvious transformation in these students. That evening, they turned into professionals. Everyone was somewhat at the helm of things, manning their positions and doing what were expected of them; to make the fashion show a success, and succeed they did! Raffles alumni and fashion designers, Joe Chia and Paul Nathapol were the highlights of the event. Showcasing their latest collections to a strong turnout of almost 300, you could hear the almost breathless “Ooohs” and “Aaahs” from the spectators. Their talent and signature craftsmanship undoubtedly left positive impressions on the audience.
Over the recent weekend, students of the Fashion Marketing & Management and Fashion Communication & Journalism programmes got together and did their part for charity in a fashionable manner. Themed “The Ruins: A Fashion Odyssey”, the event posters were already getting much attention with Greek mythology figure Medusa, very much in your face. Apparently, she added an air of mystique and surrealism to the pre-show buzz. Constantly active in engaging youths, Raffles College of Higher Education also invited 13 aspiring Fashion Marketers and Journalists from other tertiary institutions to attend the event, giving them an opportunity to have a first-hand feel of a fashion show and a guided tour of the backstage by our organising committee.
(From Left) Joe Chia (Raffles Fashion Designer), Mr. Daniel Boey (Renowned Fashion and Creative Director), Amos Yeo (Fashion Marketing & Management student and PR officer for the event) and Paul Nathapol (Raffles Fashion Designer).
Fashion and Creative Director, Mr. Daniel Boey, was one of the guests of honour at the show. Synonymous with inspired, cutting-edge and groundbreaking ideas, he is one of the most soughtafter fashion and lifestyle event producers in Asia. A regular patron of Raffles fashion events, he readily extends his support and encouragement to young designers from Raffles. It took a lot of dedication, drive, and teamwork to pull off a fashion show like this one, and for that, these students should be commended for a job well done. It was a great show, boys and girls! If you are keen on pursuing a hip and exciting career in Fashion Marketing and Management or Fashion Communication and Journalism, contact our friendly education consultant at 6338 5288 or email us at enquiries@raffles-college.edu.sg for more information.
Avant-garde elements in Joe Chia’s fashion collection.
Stars of the show! Proud students posing for a group photo to celebrate the show’s success.
We took a peek at the backstage. Make-up artists and models were all busy preparing for the show.
Paul Nathapol’s latest fashion collection inspired by Roman art.
AVANT-GARDE DESIGNER
RAFFLES CHARITY FASHION SHOW JOE CHIA AT
Right after his show, we decided to head backstage with our paparazzi to ask him some questions about his life as a student at Raffles. After completing his fashion design advanced diploma programme at Raffles College of Higher Education, Kuala Lumpur, he decided to further his education overseas at Raffles Design Institute, Singapore. Joe was surprised to see us backstage. A typical designer would be exhausted and crabby right after a fashion show, but Joe handled the attention like a professional. Not only was he down-to-earth, he was the epitome of positivity. He candidly told us about his label while cameras were snapping, “I’m inspired by the hyper-modern, androgynous, and minimal with a twist.” Perhaps his success also stemmed from his attitude worthy of a Nike ad. Joe carried on sharing his love for fashion and what he envisioned for himself, “I just want to keep doing new stuff, new collections every season.”
Joe Chia was a promising fashion designer even before he graduated from his bachelor degree in Fashion Design. In 2007, he won the DiGi Street Blast Fashion Design Competition. His creations continued to impress other judging panels when he won the Best Collection Award at the Raffles nd Graduation Fashion Show and he emerged as 2 Runner-up at the Stylo Mercedez-Benz Young Designer Award in 2009. After his graduation in 2009, Joe’s talents and dedication towards fashion design continued to shine through his works. He caught the eyes of the media and fashion insiders alike. So far, he has been interviewed by top publications like Esquire Malaysia, TimeOut Kuala Lumpur, and August Man. Look closely at Joe’s pieces and they each have a story to tell. He is a designer who expresses eloquence through clothes. His genius has attracted several popular brands to collaborate with his fashion label, “Joe Chia”, including Shu Uemura, Sony, and Chivas. Raffles Design Institute, Singapore asked him to put on a fashion show for charity. And on 2 March 2013, he sportingly put on a great show at the charity event – The Ruins: A Fashion Odyssey. Models walked his avant-garde works on the runway to a matching track inspired by white noise. Guests showed their appreciation with thunderous applause.
Joe Chia showing his appreciation to the audience.
Back in his school days, Joe lived the life of a regular design student when he wasn’t winning awards for his country, his school, and himself. When asked about what he missed most about being a student, he said: “The lifestyle, the friends, and you know, being in class with my lecturers and the college as well.” He could have chosen other design colleges back in his school days. So why Raffles? “Because I knew it was gonna be an awesome school!” he said, laughing. “I found out about Raffles on the Internet and decided that I wanted to study there. I would also encourage students who want to study fashion design overseas to focus, keep going, and never give up” added Joe.
RAFFLES ALUMNUS PAUL NATHAPOL SOARS IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY
award as the Young Designer of the year at the Mongolia Fashion Week 2011, and went on to showcase his talents in the reality TV series, Project Runway Thailand. On his participation in Project Runway Thailand, Paul was upfront. “Being the only foreign graduate in the show, the pressure was on me to excel and do well in the competition. I was also not very popular among the competitors due to the differences we had, in terms of thinking and designing philosophy”. Nonetheless, he managed to win the menswear challenge, despite having no knowledge on Thai textiles and fabrics. Indeed, it was an extreme challenge for Paul. From his stint in Project Runway Thailand, he got to know more people in the fashion industry, as well as earning a loyal fan base along the way.
Succeeding in one’s endeavours is what Raffles Alumnus and Fashion Designer, Paul Nathapol always looked forward to. Well, he did it…with plenty of hard work of course. Paul was recently in town to showcase his new collection “Immortal Obsession” in a charity fashion show, organized by Raffles Fashion Marketers at the nd SCAPE Youthpark on 2 March, 2013. Coinciding with the event’s theme; The Ruins: A Fashion Odyssey, his new collection is inspired by Roman art and its mythological goddesses, featuring a fusion of sexy, modern and sleek designs. His new range of women’s wear is a combination of sexy and sleek pieces, reflecting the modern female. Intricate cuts and sharp tailoring are evident in his menswear collection, paying tribute to Paul’s signature of sharp tailoring and attention to details.
While preparing at the fashion show, Paul said, “It shows how Raffles College has produced capable students who can organize such a big scale event. It is also touching to know that the school and students are still remembering me even though I graduated two years ago.” Finally, he would like to advice aspiring fashion designers to be strong and stay true to one’s belief as a designer. “Stand for your creation, for there is no right or wrong to one’s imagination. It’s a tough industry, but with love and perseverance, you will be able to succeed.” To find out more about Paul Nathapol and his work, please visit his personal facebook page. www.facebook.com/s.paulnathaphol
When asked what matters to him most as a fashion designer, his reply was a straightforward and honest one. “As a designer, having a good relationship and understanding our clients’ need is essential” said Paul. After winning the best collection award among his graduating cohort in the December 2010 Raffles Graduation Fashion Showcase, Paul moved on to become a finalist at the Triumph Inspiration Award 2011, following closely by winning an international Paul (centre) surrounded by models donning his creations.
RAFFLES DESIGNER, JULIANA EVELYN STEALS INTERNATIONAL SHOW IN
GERMANY
Opened by Germany’s Minister for Economics and Technology, Dr Philipp Rösler, the world’s leading consumer-goods fair ‘International Ambiente 2013’ lowered its curtains after an excellent five-day run at Frankfurt Fair and Exhibition Centre, during which 4,688 exhibitors from 81 countries presented their latest products, trends and innovations. With the generous sponsorship from our industry partner, World Kitchen (Singapore), the grand prize winner of the CORELLE Art @ Ambiente Contest, Juliana Evelyn (Bachelor of Design, majoring in Graphic Design) represented Raffles Design Institute Singapore at the international event to showcase her winning art installation design ‘The Flower of Happiness’, created with an array of CORELLE products.
This inspiration is akin to a family gathering; family members gather for a meal, entering from all directions, before settling in closely together. This reflects the intimate folding and layering of the flower petals which is similar to the warmth and happiness of family togetherness that engulfs everyone. The bond created in these moments is unbreakable much like the CORELLE plates. To further enhance the design, I added fragrances and fluttering butterflies to create a multi-sensory experience, engaging the senses of sight, sound, feel and smell.” When asked about his advice on how students could enhance their portfolio standing, Kenji explained, “I strongly encourage students to actively participate in competitions, especially international ones, so they can gain experience and exposure. At the same time, it also expands their creative horizon and inspiration.” “Trade fairs like the International Ambiente 2013 are eye-openers. The scale of the exhibition was mammoth, 15 times the size of our Singapore Expo Halls! I was overwhelmed by all the creative aptitude I witnessed at the event. Come next term, I intend to have better projects for my students and inspire them toward further achievements. I would like to thank World Kitchen (Singapore) for recognizing our student’s talent, and I also appreciate the strong support from the College,” added Kenji.
Mr. Kenji Choo, Programme Director of Visual Communication, seen here with Juliana Evelyn’s winning creation “The Flower of Happiness” at the International Ambiente 2013 in Germany.
Chaperoned by her mentor, Mr. Kenji Choo (Programme Director of Visual Communication), Juliana’s remarkable creation was seen at the annual trade fair by more than 140,000 visitors from countries such as Italy, France, The Netherlands, USA, Great Britain, Switzerland, Spain, China, the Russian Federation and Austria. Sharing her design rationale and inspiration, Juliana said, “The CORELLE plates are arranged in a way to form a big, blooming flower.
CORELLE’s booth at the ‘International Ambiente 2013’ exhibition.
Raffles College of Higher Education provides our students active platforms to participate in projects with established industrial partners, giving exposure and preparing them for future careers. Contact our friendly education consultant at 6338 5288 or email us at enquiries@rafflescollege.edu.sg for more information.
RAFFLES’ INSIGHTS INTO THE WORLD OF BRANDING & DESIGN Injecting an element of fun into the event, participants had to roll up their sleeves and let their creativity ran freely by engaging themselves in creating mini-murals of well-known characters, using cut-outs of coloured paper and assembling them onto cardboards.
Young aspiring designers discussing the fundamentals of colour application with Raffles Visual Communication lecturers, Mr. Luis Princep (centre) and Mr. Iskandar (right) during the workshop.
Working in branding allows a Graphic Designer to get involved with many aspects of an industry, from logo design to advertising to copywriting and slogans. The goal of a brand is to make a company unique and recognizable, and to project a desired image. Over time, a brand can make a company a household name and identifiable by a simple shape or colour.
Raffles Visual Communication lecturer, Mr. Terrence Chong sharing with participants the critical aspects of Branding for companies.
International lecturers from the Visual Communication programme recently shared with several young aspiring Graphic Designers, interesting insights into the world of Branding and Design. At the start of the seminar, participants were introduced to various functions of branding, colour, typography application and shown examples of successful branding designs from companies such as Nike, Starbucks and United Colours of Benetton, along with their logo, slogan and rationale behind these well-known entities. The subsequent session then went on to discuss the critical aspects of Creative Thinking. Tips were shared on how designers should focus on exploring ideas, generating possibilities, looking for many right answers rather than just one, ability to generate new ideas by combining, changing, or reapplying existing ideas.
Mr. Luis Princep gives a helping hand to a Japanese participant.
If you have an aspiration to become a successful Graphic Designer in the advertising or creative industry, contact our friendly education consultant at 6338 5288 or email us at enquiries@raffles-college.edu.sg for more information.
RAFFLES SINGAPORE EMBARKS ON ‘KIZUNA PROJECT’ Being a College under the Raffles Education Corporation, the leading premier education institute in Asia Pacific, Raffles College of Higher Education believes strongly in providing quality education, not only through an excellent learning environment but also through inculcating values of corporate social responsibility in our students and staff. Accepting the invitation from the Embassy of Japan in Singapore, 3 students from Raffles Singapore will travel to the Fukushima prefecture, visiting areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake in year 2011. Named the ‘Kizuna Project’, an initiative by the Japanese government, it is a Youth-Exchange Project where young people learn about the on-going reconstruction efforts in areas affected by the calamity. During the 10-day trip, the students will partake in visits to local schools, volunteering activities, cultural exchanges with survivors, and visits to towns affected by the quake. Raffles College of Higher Education believes the Kizuna Project strengthens the sense of corporate social responsibility in young individuals, and also fosters an important bond between the people of Japan and Raffles College Singapore. Raffles E-Pulse will bring you more pictures and stories when our students return home.
RAFFLES PSYCHOLOGISTS DO PRO-BONO WITH GOVERNMENT AGENCIES Spearheaded by Dr. Monica Walet, Academic Director and Dr. Anna Leybina, Programme Coordinator for the Psychology Department, Raffles College of Higher Education (RCHE) participated in the Hayes Ability Screening Index (HASI) test study.
“I feel extremely honoured to contribute to this project, by bringing benefits to the society through improving police work and making the justice system fair for mentally challenged individuals. Besides that, our students get to be involved in a project that gives them hands-on research experience,� shared Dr. Anna. Raffles Psychologists administered the HASI test to participants in the probation office at the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) and also in the Singapore Changi Prison. Subsequently, their lecturers performed in-depth data verification, statistical analysis, data gathering, management and encoding of data. In addition, they also assisted in assessing the conduct in recruitment and management of volunteers, as well as coordinating the project between the Law and Psychological societies. Through their participation in this event, our students learnt to administer IQ tests and understand assessment settings. They also had the opportunity to work alongside experienced psychologists and gained knowledge from them. Furthermore, this study contributed greatly to their portfolios through professional networking with industry veterans.
(From Left) Miss Jane Toh, Assistant College Director of Raffles School of Business, Dr. Monica Walet, Academic Director of Raffles College of Higher Education, and Dr. Anna Leybina, Programme Coordinator of the Psychology faculty, Raffles College of Higher Education.
This was a pro-bono pilot-study on accused persons with mental disabilities, jointly conducted by the Attorney-General Chambers, the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS), the Law Society of Singapore (LSS) Pro Bono Services Office and the Singapore Psychological Society (SPS) between April and July 2012. Tasked by the Honourable Attorney-General, this study aims to examine if the current framework adopted by the Singapore Police Force adequately identifies mentally disabled offenders and if so, whether there is sufficient assistance rendered to such offenders during the investigation process. Both Dr. Monica and Dr. Anna and the Bachelor of Applied Psychology cohort attended the HASI test study Appreciation Dinner on 1 March 2013, where results obtained from the study were shared with volunteers.
In recognition of our contributions, Mr. Lok Vi Ming, President of The Law Society of Singapore presented Raffles College of Higher Education with a plaque in appreciation of the organization's manpower and resources dedicated to the HASI test study. Both Dr. Anna and Dr. Monica were awarded with the Certificate of Contribution for their detailed analysis on the data collected. Raffles Psychologists who volunteered at the event were also awarded the Certificate of Participation recognizing their work efforts with inmates to administer the HASI test. If you would like to gain practical knowledge and get hands-on experience, join us today! Raffles College of Higher Education provides students the platform to be involved with external projects and field trips to gain relevant knowledge for future careers. Contact our friendly education consultant at 6338 5288 or email us at enquiries@raffles-college.edu.sg for more information.
GETTING INTO MIND VERSUS BODY WITH
PSYCHOLOGY To better engage aspiring psychologists, Raffles School of Business invited 34 students on 23 February 2013 to a psychology seminar titled “Mind vs Body: How psychology disorders can affect the eating habits of today’s generation”. Conducting the seminar was Dr. Anna, Programme Coordinator of the Applied Psychology Programme. Dr. Anna Leybina explained different types of eating disorder to the audience.
Students gained knowledge on psychological disorders and participated in discussions during the seminar.
Attendees of the seminar were introduced to intriguing analytical insights such as how psychologists could derive a person’s personality based on their eating habits, the different types of eating disorders, the causes of eating disorders, how to differentiate eating disorders and diet, and how to cope with eating disorders.
Dr. Anna illustrated the relationship between depression and weight gain with obsessive eating.
Besides an understanding of these disorders and eating habits, the crowd also watched a video on well-known comic hero Batman, and they took part in an analytical exercise to identify the possible causes which resulted in the character’s transformation into a crime-fighting vigilante. If you are keen to understand more about the phenomenal human brain, do keep a look out for upcoming psychology seminars conducted by Raffles College of Higher Education!
Participants listened attentively and took down notes throughout the seminar.
CHARISMATIC LEADERSHIP AT THE SUN YAT SEN NANYANG MEMORIAL HALL
In line with the module “Leadership and Social Responsibilities”, and on the topic of “Transformational and Charismatic Leadership”, students of Raffles School of Business made their way to the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall on 25 February 2013 to learn and understand more about one of the great historical leaders and founding president of the Republic of China. Led by Mr. Michael Leong, lecturer from Raffles School of Business, students who attended the field trip were encouraged and enriched by Dr. Sun Yat Sen's appeal of universal love and fraternity concerns to his fellow Chinese brethrens in this part of the world.
Nanyang Memorial Hall, previously known as Wan Qing Yuan.
“A field trip included in the school’s curriculum can always enhance the value of learning. By having an outdoor trip to the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall, the students are able to better understand the characteristics of a leader and have greater insights on charismatic leadership based on a real life example,” shared Michael Leong. Students who went on the field trip were also deeply impressed that Singapore has kept a museum in memorial of Dr. Sun Yat Sen, with records of him having travelled extensively in this region including Sabah, Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore. Students gathered for a picture in front of the memorial hall and the statue of Dr. Sun Yat Sen
RAFFLES BUSINESS ALUMNUS, DEAN MARTIN REALIZES DREAM WITH DBS BANK Raffles College of Higher Education had the opportunity to interview a successful alumnus of the Raffles School of Business. Dean Martin, graduate with a Bachelor of Commerce, is currently working in DBS Bank as a bank executive and has been an employee of Asia’s largest bank for a year. Prior to that, Dean worked with the Singapore Airlines between 2009 and 2012. “My current job scope involves delivering personalised service to DBS customers in an effective and efficient manner. It’s all about understanding customers’ needs and providing appropriate solutions to the customers while consistently delivering excellent quality service, so as to achieve total customer satisfaction,” shared Dean. “After a couple of years in the workforce, I think experience, along with qualifications, plays a big part in the career climb. It is always good to gain relevant experience. I would also advise fresh graduates to always be patient and humble to learn what they can in their job.” When asked about his days in Raffles and his future aspirations, Dean shared that the knowledge he gained in Raffles has helped him tremendously in the workforce. “My days in Raffles helped me to better understand the corporate world, how to relate with co-workers and to approach my job, and also trained me to understand consumer’s behavior to better deliver good customer service! I’m also looking forward to furthering my studies and becoming a lecturer in the future so that I can give back to the community the knowledge I have gained.” If you would like to get inspired for your future and gain relevant knowledge that can help you in the workforce, join Raffles College today! Invest in a quality learning experience and pursue your dreams! Contact our friendly education consultants at 6338 5288 or email us at enquiries@rafflescollege.edu.sg for more information.
FASHION-PASSIONATE STUDENTS LEARNT THE ART OF PATTERN-MARKING AND
SEWING
Henri Frederic Amiel, Swiss Philosopher once said, “Without passion, man is a mere latent force and possibility, like the flint which awaits the shock of the iron before it can give forth its spark.”
Mashael Ghassan Alsulaiman, a proud graduate of this professional course enjoyed the entire learning journey. “I find the course really interesting! Within a timeframe of eight weeks, I am able to fabricate my own skirt. I have always been interested in the fashion industry and I am glad to be able to attend this course, giving me an enlightening experience of the fashion industry, while I’m working on my fulltime job in the automobile industry.”
With a firm belief in equipping adult learners with relevant skillsets in today’s fast-moving economy, Raffles Academy of Continuing Education (RACE) focuses on offering professionally accredited short courses to individuals of diverse age groups, thus empowering them to realize their dreams. Against this backdrop, the pioneering batch of students from the 'Pattern-Making & Sewing' course recently graduated with much anticipation from their learning journey on the 2 March 2013. The popular part-time eight-week course taught aspiring fashion artisans the techniques to fabricate their own skirts, perform measurements, crafting intricate details and creating their own unique pieces through various sewing techniques. Upon completing the course, students acquire foundational knowledge in fashion design and understanding of the industry.
Fashion Design Lecturer, Madeleine Wong (left), demonstrating the art of sewing through her delicate and steady hands while RACE student, Nur Khairunnaqiyya Bte Azhar observed attentively.
Besides catering to the working adults, the RACE platform also gives young people who are passionate about the fashion industry a first-hand feel. Nur Diana Bte Mohamed Ismail, who is keen to find out more about fashion design, enrolled into the course after getting advice from her mum. She finds the course extremely fulfilling and will be considering fulltime studies in fashion design after this programme. If you are keen to follow your passion and pursue your interest in Fashion or Interior Design through a series of short courses, join Raffles Academy of Continuing Education (RACE) today! Learn from experienced lecturers and equip yourself with the skills and knowledge of the industry you are keen on entering. Contact our friendly education consultant at 6338 5288 or email us at enquiries@raffles-college.edu.sg for more information.
Fashion Design Lecturer, Madeleine Wong (centre), presenting the Certificate of Completion, to RACE students, Mashael Ghassan Alsulaiman (left) and Nur Diana Bte Mohamed Ismail (right).
WORLD-CLASS CAMPUS FOR RAFFLES AMERICAN SCHOOL
Datuk Syed Mohamed Syed Ibrahim, President/CEO of IIB, said, “What we envisioned with EduCity five years ago is today a reality. The only multi‐varsity campus in the region, EduCity is a melting pot with global citizens, diverse cultures, intelligent networks and new‐age learning. With RAS, we are not only contributing to the national agenda of providing quality education of international standards, but are also helping Malaysia to emerge as a preferred destination for world‐class primary, secondary and higher education in the region.” The architecturally stunning RAS campus makes use of the outdoor-friendly climate in Malaysia, where educational and academic facilities will comprise an open network that is interwoven into the beautiful outdoor landscape. A natural wetland will be developed for the study of Malaysia’s remarkable biodiversity. There will also be a large green space of nature trails for mountain biking, jogging and camping. A wide distribution of courtyards across the academic village creates a denser, urban-like environment where buildings will often shade one another.
Officiating the grounbreaking ceremony. (From left) Iskandar Investment Berhad President/ CEO Datuk Mohamed Syed Ibrahim, RafflesEducationCorp Chairman and CEO Mr. Chew Hua Seng, Johor Education Department Deputy Director Mr. Md Hasidin Bin Haji Zaini, and two students of Raffles American School.
Raffles American School (RAS) in Nusajaya, Iskandar held its groundbreaking ceremony on 8 January 2013 to mark the start of work on the 45acre site that will be developed into a world-class education facility. Dignitaries who attended the event included Johor Education Department Deputy Director Mr Md Hasidin Bin Haji Zaini and Iskandar Investment Bhd President/CEO Datuk Syed Mohamed Syed Ibrahim. RAS is founded in partnership with International Schools Services, an expert in delivering quality educational experience to students in international schools. As an American-curriculum school that empowers students to achieve their academic and life potential by exposing them to a variety of stimuli, the RAS campus will be more than just a building of classrooms. When completed, RAS will be a multifaceted campus that incorporates a multitude of academic, athletic and enrichment activities into the student’s daily learning environment. Hosting students from early childhood years through high school, RAS aims to create a versatile academic space that suits students of all ages.
A series of educational amenities will be built to enhance students’ academic and social experience. The indoor athletic complex will feature a single and a double gymnasium, gymnastics and wrestling halls, dance studio and a training-and-weights room. Other features include two swimming pools, three tennis courts, a basketball court, a baseball field, a soccer field and a second soccer stadium encircled by a 400-meter track to allow for track-and-field events. A performing arts centre, digital media lab and a 30person planetarium are tools for teachers to expand on classroom lessons. The highly flexible and highly integrated campus can hold up to 2000 students with full boarding facilities for 500. Dr Rob Mockrish, Founding Superintendent of RAS, said, “What draws the attention to RAS is its uniquely designed curriculum to include rigorous and rich academic as well as co‐curricular programmes. The aspirations of RAS in Malaysia will be to help young people reach their potential by imbedding real‐life, st 21 century learning into each class day. By embedding learning outcomes such as communication skills, organisational and research skills, and problem solving/thinking skills into our curriculum at every level, students are poised for success in their next school or life opportunity.”