TAR UC and HUG Pictures sign MoU Fostering Educational and Industrial Collaborations

To further its industry collaborations and creative production initiatives with professional experts, Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (‘TAR UC’) and HUG Pictures Sdn Bhd signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (‘MoU’) on 10 March 2020 at its Kuala Lumpur main campus.

The MoU, which outlines both organisations’ mutual cooperation in developing, producing and promoting motion pictures and other creative projects, was signed by TAR UC President, Prof Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei, and HUG Pictures’ Founder and Film Director, Mr Mark Lee.

These industry and creative efforts cover the sharing of academic knowledge and best industry practices, aimed at providing practical exposure to students and educators, as well as fostering project-based partnerships and long-term relationships with one another.

“I am glad on the formalisation of today’s collaboration as our students will gain good exposure in the industry, guided well by industry expert, HUG Pictures Sdn Bhd. The media industry is evolving at a rapid pace and relevant industry exposure such as these will certainly enhance our students’ understanding on the demands and potentials of the media industry,” said Prof Ir Dr Lee of this collaborative endeavour.

Following from the collaboration, TAR UC Faculty of Communication & Creative Industries (‘FCCI’) would recommend suitable students to be recruited as interns at HUG Pictures, which also offers job opportunities and potential careers to FCCI graduates.

In addition, HUG Pictures would be invited to present experiential talks, technical- knowledge sharing, industry seminars, hands-on training, forums and as TAR UC career fair recruiter, which benefit both educators, students and alumni.

“HUG Pictures is not only involved in film production but we take a step further in developing our digital story telling platform which focuses on environmental issues. And through this collaboration, we hope to not only expose TAR UC students in the process of film making but more importantly on how to use the digital platform to create awareness and educate others on areas which students are passionate about. We are looking at exposing TAR UC students in the many processes of our work such as in research, interviewing relevant parties, designing the marketing and promotional materials for the project and developing online presence for the specific projects,” said Mr Mark Lee of this mutual cooperation.

Incidentally, TAR UC’s 2008 Broadcasting alumnus and current lecturer Mr Wayne Ooi Swee Yaw has been appointed by HUG Pictures as associate producer of its documentary film “Oleh KU”, which chronicles five physically challenged climbers’ summiting of Mount Kinabalu.

“The return of our graduate to teach and mentor our next generations of students, as well as TAR UC and HUG Pictures’ collaborative venture, entail our commitment to blending academic knowledge with industry expertise,” said FCCI Dean, Ms Dearna Kee June Chen.