UCSI celebrates 106th International Women’s Day with 106 decorated heels

KUALA LUMPUR: UCSI Group celebrated the 106^th International Women’s Day with ‘Shoe for Art’, an art showcase and fundraising campaign where 106 women were invited to create their most artistic and inventive designs using ankle boots sponsored by Rhea Benson as their canvas.

The participants all come from UCSI and they include students, professors, staff, and even members of the senior management team. Asked to share their stories, express their ambitions or give voice to their opinions, the participants were given creative freedom in the design of their individual heels.

“The primary aim of this event is to honour and recognise women for their strength and resilience,” said organiser Lucas Lim and lecturer from UCSI’s De Institute of Creative Arts and Design. “At the same time, it is to embrace creativity and support arts education.”

The top 16 designs received the Designer Choice Appreciation Award from sponsors Rhea Benson and Ellgen. Winners were presented with prizes and mock cheques from Datin Lily Ng, Chairperson of Sri UCSI School.

All 106 heels will be on display at UCSI University until the end of March, before being transferred to KL City Gallery in April to be showcased.

Ng spoke on gender equality at the launching ceremony. “Just 100 years ago, women lacked the rights to vote, the rights to work and at times, the rights to pursue an education,” she said. “Great progress has been made but let us be cognisant that much more needs to be done.”

“For every Marissa Mayer or Sheryl Sandberg success story, we find hundreds of negative accounts from talented women who have been overlooked. Only 14% of all top execs around the world are women. And in certain countries, women are still being treated like second-class citizens or worse.”

“At UCSI, we are doing our part to raise awareness by making International Women’s Day a campus-wide event. We champion issues. And more importantly, we do our best to chip in.”

The heels will be available for silent auction with all proceeds going to the Sin Chew Hope Reading Fund in support of education and reading, and Yayasan Budi Penyayang Malaysia — a foundation that is active is education, volunteerism, health, cultural preservation and skills training.

“I am delighted that UCSI has come up with such a creative way to celebrate women and girls,” said YABhg Dato’ Leela Mohd Ali, CEO of Yayasan Budi Penyayang Malaysia, who officiated the event. “The craftsmanship and imagination on display were truly wonderful.” 

“Women typically have mixed emotions about heels — they are uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time but they are widely considered to convey a polish of professionalism at work or beauty on a day out,” she observed. “Nonetheless many, many women have gone forth in these heels to overcome, achieve and inspire. This campaign stands as a fitting symbol of their journey.”

Also in attendance were Rhea Tan, founder and designer of Rhea Benson Shoes; David Ng Chin Poh, CEO of Ellgen (M) Sdn Bhd; Adeline Lee, CEO (Operation) of Ellgen (M) Sdn Bhd; and Ng Bee Ting, CMO of Ellgen (M) Sdn Bhd.

The event concluded with a Women’s Health Forum conducted by Dr Anantharaj Abraham.