Nilai UC offers a theatre and acting module as option in effort to produce well-rounded graduates.
“Most local graduates are unemployed simply because they are unemployable.†The harsh assessment is from famed thespian and writer Mano Maniam who was giving an introduction to the Theatre and Acting module being offered at Nilai University College (Nilai UC). “They cannot find employment because they are unable to communicate or think properly, and therefore lack the confidence.â€
In an effort to equip students with the necessary soft skills, administrators at Nilai UC make it compulsory for all degree students to do electives outside of their core fields. They can choose from subjects as varied as Anthropology, Psychology, and Professional Development alongside the two compulsory non-core subjects comprising Ethics and Entrepreneurship. Students must also put in the requisite hours pursuing extra curricular activities to ensure they fulfil the credit requirements at Nilai UC. This may sound like quite a burden but the administrators believe these extra modules will instil in students the right values and work ethic to make them useful members of society.
Lessons without books
The Theatre and Acting module is the latest option being offered to Nilai UC students and Mano who will be heading this module, explains that this component is perfect for those who are shy and have difficulties working with others in a group. The very nature of the programme will ensure students break out of their timidity and learn the true value of teamwork.
“Everything about this module is about teamwork. Nothing is done in isolation. Just like sports, everyone learns how to work in a team. Even solo sports players interact with opposing players, their coaches and spectators. This is similar and students will learn a wide variety of skills such as scripting, graphic art, stage management and even make up. This will highlight the importance of teamwork in setting a production,†explains Mano.
Speaking to students from Nilai UC’s School of Foundation Studies, Mano emphasised that the Theatre and Acting module will be unlike anything else they have experienced and represent a shift from typical passive learning environment of lectures. “With this module, there will be no books. Students will learn by doing. There will be an exam that will account for 30% of the marks and 10% will be based on journal entries. The remainder will be assessed on each student’s performance,†says Mano.
The students who had assembled to listen to Mano’s pitch about this module seemed suitably impressed as it was certainly less text heavy and is designed to be fun. “This module is where students get to do and think what they want. It is designed to fuel creativity. Students in this module will start with fresh eyes, fresh ears and fresh senses,†enthuses Mano.
Not lab rats
The course is open to all Nilai UC students irrespective of disciplines and year of study. Mano also pointed out to the students that he has been teaching this module in a number of universities for the past two decades and what they will be receiving will be a distillation of the teaching throughout that period.
“Students are not being subjected to some ‘test’ programme. Theatre is the oldest human activity since man evolved from the animal state with values, attitudes, culture and civilisation. This is not a module for the ‘syiok sendiri’ computer geek but rather for the student who has been there, done that and knows he or she needs to experience something fresh and new,†says Mano.
Students in Nilai UC’s Theatre and Acting module will go through 28 contact hours with Mano before culminating with a final end of session live performance that will determine the students’ grades. “Like cooks who must have someone taste their food, students in this module will be judged on their acting skills. It is my hope that this module will help students be more culturally receptive and open to the arts,†smiles Mano.
Nilai UC was established in 1997 with the purview with producing skilled graduates for the service sectors such as hospitality, healthcare and business. Since then, more is expected from graduates and having the relevant soft skills has been identified as a key area that employers place great emphasis on. This Theatre and Acting module is very much in line with Nilai UC’s philosophy of producing academically-proficient and socially confident graduates. For more information on Nilai UC and its programmes, kindly go to www.nilai.edu.my or call 06-8502338/07-2262336/03-79603089.
