National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU)’s Design Department selected First City UC as a venue to promote Kinmen’s culture, through the Kinmen Cultural Creative Design Exhibition held from 27 October till 30 October 2017.

Kinmen is a peaceful and tranquil island located off Southeastern China, well known for its cultural heritage.

The exhibition which was launched by First City Corporation Director Y Bhg Tan Sri Dato’ Teo Chiang Liang was well-attended by First City UC’s Chief Operating Officer Ms Yeong Yin Cheng, First City UC Member of Board of Governors Dr Raja Lope bin Raja Shahrome, representatives from National Taiwan Normal University, guests from the Federation of Alumni Association of Taiwan University and the public comprising design practitioners, industry players, First City UC’s alumni members and staff.

“Today’s collaboration is Kinmen’s first in Malaysia and we are proud and honoured that First City UC has been chosen as a venue for this auspicious and pioneering opportunity to commemorate an event depicting culture beyond our borders witnessed by guests from The Federation of Alumni Association of Taiwan University,” said by First City Corporation Director Y Bhg Tan Sri Dato’ Teo Chiang Liang

He added that public exhibitions such as this serve as a rich platform for First City UC students’ and staff to be in touch with cultural heritage vis-à-vis current design developments from Malaysia and Taiwan.

”This will develop students design thought process and mould them to be industry and community-ready,” he added.

Delivering her welcoming speech, First City UC’s Chief Operating Officer Ms Yeong Yin Cheng said, “The theme of this exhibition, being “Ideas in Bloom” is very much in line with our goal to cultivate and nurture the creative and innovative minds of our students and staff towards achieving their highest potential”

She added that First City UC has a long tradition of engaging with Industry partners, practitioners as well as overseas universities’ to exchange knowledge, skill sets and innovative ideas to gain more experience and deeper insights in the development of art and design.

The exhibition showcased a total of 16 unique styles of Kinmen cultural products, including 12 featured creations produced by National Taiwan Normal University’s Cultural & Creative Industries’ Centre. These cultural products were designed according to the local customs and cultural characteristics of Kinmen Island.

Of these 16 cultural products, 5 best designs were selected and subsidized TWD 150,000 from the Kinmen government to be developed into designs which will revitalise Kinmen’s creative industry.

With its legacy of 26 years, First City UC is well-known for producing award-winning and highly sought after graduates. Placing emphasis on student achievements, First City UC showcases the student projects and portfolios in a specially-designed public exhibition such as the Design Graduation Showcase, Sequence. This exhibition attracts potential employers, corporation and the public, where in many instances students of First City UC are offered employment on the spot by industry leaders.

First City UC constantly engages with industry partners to expose students with the current developments in the field of design with students. The institution collaborates with Kuala Lumpur-Selangor Furniture Association (KLSFIA) and professional bodies such as Wrega (The Graphic Design Association of Malaysia) and Malaysia Institute of Interior Design (MiiD) to enable students in the design programmes to be in touch with the industry. Noting the importance of industry exposure, all design students are provided with free membership of the respective associations, courtesy of First City UC.