EDMAT 29 (ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT MOTIVATION & AWARENESS TRAINING)

Prepared by Lee Eu Jiun
Blogged by Yoke Mei

December 10
It was Sunday morning, and I was going to University Malaya for a character building camp organized by the Engineering Society of University Malaya called EDMAT-29. EDMAT is a acronym for Engineering Development Motivation & Awareness Training, and this is the 29th year it’s being organized. I’ve heard quite a number of comments about this programme and all of them point to the same direction, its really a valuable experience to treasure. Hence, I took my steps to join as a participant representing IEM.

My journey begins in the early hours of December 10th, reaching around the afternoon to Puduraya. The whole journey was very tiring and I was relieved that it finally ended. At Puduraya, I was received by the committee where we exchanged warm handshakes chatted like old friends. After reaching Universiti Malaya, I was escorted to my room, it was a twin sharing and my roommate was already inside the room. He was from UPM taking Aerospace Engineering.

After taking a nap, I went down for the first meal, the welcoming dinner after listening to a briefing by the committees. Next, we proceeded to our first session, the Ice Breaking among participant. The games played were fun and it forced us to memorize the names of other participants or get punished (getting powder all over yourself), by the end of the session, I know more than half of the participants.

December 11
I woke up at 6.30am in the morning for Aerobics. With my eyes half close, I went down to the hall. The session was really tiring, we jumped and danced to the music. By the end of the session, I was already soaked with sweat.

Then, it was the opening ceremony, our Deputy Minister of Higher Education, YB Datuk Ong Tee Keat came. We’re shocked to hear that he was even a participant in EDMAT-3. They even had EDMAT logo inside the egg signifying the start of the programme.

Then, we had a chance to listen to a talk by the Managing Director of Motorola Malaysia Software Centre, Mr Hong Kean Yong. It was a very informational session where we get to know more about the company and also the real world outside.

We were then taught to market ourself by Ms Jeannie Quek and also the DOs and DON’Ts during an interview. It was a really interesting session and by the end of it, we were filled with information waiting to get hired.

After a being filled mentally, we then had a
Be different session after dinner. I would say it was fun to get to move my body a little after sitting for one whole day. During this session, all our engineering skills came into play in order to win we had to negotiate our way through the station masters. I felt like I was in a online RPG running around upgrading my levels and earning money.

December 12
Fuu HA! It’s the Tai Chi session. We were introduced to tai-chi and also some hands on experience on it.

After breakfast, we had a public speaking session. We were given topics on the spot and we talked about it for 2 minutes.

Then, we were actually educated by Datin Ampikaipakan on Image Building. She was a really funny speaker and she tutored us on self image and grooming.

After proceeding for lunch, we had our first Forum. We debated on global issue of the engineering field. The forum ended, and then we had an Outdoor Challenge. We went kayaking and flying fox. It was cloudy and we had a lot of fun. WOW! You actually get to do this in uni?

At night, we had a Public Speaking Workshop by Mr. Ivan Tan. He was someone full of jokes and he taught us quite a lot on Public Speaking. He also corrected us on our speaking techniques.

December 13
Morning exercise again! Today we’ll be learning Yoga. There was fun as I never had the chance to practice this before.
The next one on the list was a Take Charge! Workshop conducted by Mr. Rizal. He motivated us, and also taught us to stop “bangauing”(making up excuses). By the end of the workshop, we were all in high spirits awaiting for the next programme.

At night, all of us became Crime Scene Investigators. It was a game session called night stalk and we were given a scene acted out by the committee, and we are to guess the murderer according to the clues provided.


December 14
YaY! It’s the day for us to go out. We’re going off to a tour around KL. We went to Royal Selangor Pewter Factory. Too bad the stuff were to expensive to be bought back home. Next, we proceed to KLCC for a shopping spree. We even had a chance to go up the Sky Bridge. In the evening, we were dropped off in Central Market for dinner and to buy home some souvenirs. Next stop was the independence square. We set foot on this historical path where Malaysia achieved independence. Final spot was KL Tower. We went up the place to get a glimpse of the city at night. The view was magnificent and the experience was unforgettable.

December 15
We started the morning with a nature walk in the mini jungle inside the campus. Then we had a talk on personality by Mr Paul Davidson. We learned about the difference between the sexes from the biological point of view. Next was a financial planning talk by Mr Steve Tan. He taught us financial planning in the simplest way possible. He was spontaneous and we even had a martial art demonstration.

At night, we had a modified game of hide and seek. We were required to look for the committee in disguised. To think that we’ll know them after 6 days, fat chance!

December 16
We were given a Taekwondo class early in the morning. After that, we went to the hospital to visit the pediatrics and senior citizen. We felt compassionate towards them and blessed for being what we are now. After lunch, we had a telematch to earn points to be the best group. Finally, We had our Gala Dinner in Putrajaya. The theme for the night was Masquarade party.We got a chance to tour around because the drive got lost. We ended the night with artificial fireworks. It was a wonderful closing and indeed a memorable week. I was sad that it finally ended, but at the same time happy that I’ve met friends from all over Malaysia and also overseas.