Students from the faculties of social sciences and business & management recently joined forces to host a titan of the Malaysian entertainment industry, Mr Harith Iskander, on campus for an expert talk followed by a meet-and-greet session.
Planning and executing events that feature noted public figures can be challenging, but not for our students. They meticulously went about their work without breaking a sweat by applying the industry-relevant concepts and skills they learn at Quest International University (QIU) every day – from public relations and event management to hospitality and the culinary arts.
Their ability to manage this major event from start to finish is a ringing endorsement of QIU’s emphasis on experiential learning and leaving no student behind.
Billed as ‘An Afternoon with Harith Iskander’, the event opened with an engaging talk on ‘Connection, Impact, and Influence in Communication’ by our honoured guest – himself a communication and cultural studies graduate – to a packed audience at QIU’s state-of-the-art lecture hall, the Curve.
The multi-award-winning Mr Iskander – popularly known as the ‘godfather of Malaysian stand-up comedy’ but also an accomplished emcee, actor, and motivational speaker – spoke at length about his three-decade-long career in the arts and entertainment and also the professional and personal values he holds dear.
Besides students and staff, the audience comprised leaders from QIU and our parent organisation, the QI Group, and a representative from Pejabat Pendidikan Daerah (PPD).
Those present from QIU were COO Mr Nicholas Goh, Vice-Chancellor Professor Zita Mohd Fahmi, Registrar Mr Muhammad MG Omar, and deans and deputy deans from across faculties. Representing the QI Group were Mr Kunaseelan Senathirajah, Group Managing Director; Mr Zaheer K Merchant, Director of Corporate & Legal Affairs and Director of Education; and Mr Amril Teo, Chief Executive Officer of QNET. Noorhazainol Bin Hj Derahin, Pegawai Sisc+ Sains dan Matematik, represented PPD Kinta Utara.
Normally, our esteemed guests give a talk. Mr Iskander, however, was the talk, and light years more: a living, breathing avatar of his art form; a generational talent put on this earth to engage, inspire, and educate.
The Curve soon became a standing-room only affair as the entire QIU community thronged the venue to witness a genius communicator at the top of his game. His infectious energy and vast repertoire of quips and humorous tales kept them spellbound and in stitches throughout the session and deep into the meet-and-greet that followed.
That said, the most poignant moments of the day came whenever Mr Iskander got serious. He wove gut-punching truth into his riotous stand-up, sharing stories of personal tragedy and of everyday Malaysian heroes who go beyond the call of duty to serve others.
Comedy, he shared, was like a social pressure valve, hugely influential in how we made sense of the dark side of life. His personal SOP when he feels blue is to “focus out”: count one’s blessings and be grateful for what we have.
“Affect the world”, he said, “because we don’t live alone”. To the students, his simple message was “do what you love, or love what you do”. He urged them to start thinking for themselves and be responsible for their thoughts.
Mr Iskander then fielded questions from the crowd in an interactive Q & A session, allowing students to soak up more of his wisdom on what makes communication impactful and far-reaching. Later, Mr Iskander was presented with a flattering likeness of him in caricature by his superfan and our Bachelor of Hospitality Management student, Kavaldip Singh.
Afterwards, the participants made their way to QIU’s La Place Cafe for the meet-and-greet session and high tea, where Mr Iskander mingled freely with the crowd and posed for photos with his fans. Near the event’s conclusion, he took the stage again for an encore and final bits of advice and encouragement.
We offer our heartfelt gratitude to Mr Harith Iskander for carving out time from his busy schedule to come visit our campus and enrich our students’ learning experience. We were honoured to host you, sir!
Also, many props to the student organisers and their mentors in the faculties of social sciences and business & management for putting on a spectacular show and making the University proud!
