Latest news with #withLove
Korea Herald
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Red Velvet's Joy to return as soloist
Joy of Red Velvet is poised to make a comeback as a solo singer after about four years away from K-pop, SM Entertainment announced Monday. She will be bringing out the EP 'From Joy, with Love' on Aug. 18. The mini album will have six tracks, including focus track 'Love Splash!' Her first solo endeavor was 'Hello' from May 2021, a special album that consisted of her retakes on six well-known songs. The album topped the iTunes Top Albums Chart in 26 regions as well as a number of music charts at home. Joy was the second member of the group to roll out a solo set, after Wendy, who announced last week that she will drop a solo album in September.
The Star
3 days ago
- General
- The Star
Leaving a legacy
When we think of legacy, we often picture public figures, grand achievements or tangible monuments. Yet few legacies are as far-reaching or powerful as that of a dedicated educator. A single educator can ignite the spark of discovery in hundreds, even thousands, of students over a lifetime. And that spark does not end in the classroom; it creates a ripple effect, influencing careers, perspectives, and the lives of future generations. Those from the older generation will recall the film To Sir, with Love (1967), starring Sidney Poitier, which addressed a number of social, educational and emotional themes that remain relevant today. The teacher is portrayed not just as an instructor, but also as a moral compass, father figure and mentor, guiding students through issues of identity, relationships and future aspirations. As someone who is, first and foremost, a teacher at heart, I have always believed that the heart of education lies not just in knowledge but also in care – not just in expertise, but also in deep humanity. Human touch An educator with a true sense of humanity is one who is not only a scholar, but also a teacher in the truest sense of the word. Passionate, engaged and quietly transformative, they exemplify the kind of educator whose impact defies quantification. These lecturers do not just inform – they inspire. Their office hours are not just slots in a calendar, but spaces of mentorship and encouragement. They understand that students are not just vessels to be filled with information, but individuals to be nurtured, challenged and seen. It is easy to overlook such values in today's university environment. The language of 'outputs', 'deliverables' and 'efficiency' has crept into our discourse, even in places where human connection should matter most. In this context, passionate educators may seem out of step – too generous with their time, too invested in the well-being of students, too unconcerned with the competitive optics of academic life. And yet, to my mind, it is precisely these qualities that make such educators indispensable. Within the short span of a month, we mourn the passing of Dr Sagathevan Kuppusamy and David Chong, two academics at my institution whose absence leaves a deep void, not only in the faculties they served, but also in the lives they touched. Their departure is a solemn reminder of the profound role educators play in our collective story. Leading with heart As Khalil Gibran wrote in The Prophet, 'The teacher who is indeed wise does not bid you to enter the house of their wisdom, but rather leads you to the threshold of your own mind.' Some teachers embody this spirit. They do not impose their knowledge, but invite students to discover their own. They teach not just facts, but ways of seeing. They do not only answer questions, they help students ask better ones. In an era when education risks becoming depersonalised, I am reminded, through the lives of our late colleagues, that learning is – and always has been – a deeply human exchange. Good teaching, at its core, is relational. It is an act of trust, generosity, and belief in the potential of another. Passionate teachers bring more than knowledge to the classroom; they bring soul. They model curiosity, humility and perseverance. They help students believe in their own potential. They create spaces where learning is not transactional, but transformational. And often, they do all of this quietly, without seeking recognition – driven not by institutional reward, but by a deep-seated belief in the value of education itself. We would do well to remember this, and to reflect on what kind of teachers, colleagues and institutions we want to be. Passion in teaching is not old-fashioned, nor is it a luxury. It is foundational. It is what lingers long after students graduate. It is what shapes lives. Let the examples of our peers who have passed on guide us to be better learners, more compassionate educators and, above all, more thoughtful and caring individuals. Let us honour their legacy and commit ourselves to carrying forward the values they so gracefully lived by. Let us remember that teaching is not just a profession – it is a vocation, a quiet form of leadership that shapes the future, one student at a time. Let us create more inclusive, curious and courageous spaces of learning. Let us honour them by teaching others as they taught us – with patience, passion and, above all, with heart. May their legacy never fade. And may every life they touched continue to shine, carrying their light forward. Prof Datuk Dr Elizabeth Lee is the chief executive officer at Sunway Education Group. A veteran in the field of private higher education, Prof Lee is also an advocate for women in leadership. She has been recognised both locally and internationally for her contributions to the field of education. The views expressed here are the writer's own.
The Star
03-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Planning for greying Petaling Jaya
Mohamad Zahri (second left) and Petaling Jaya deputy mayor Aznan Hassan giving tokens of appreciation to senior citizens during the unveiling of the draft Petaling Jaya Care Economy Action Plan 2025-2030 during a community event in Taman Aman. — YAP CHEE HONG/The Star A FIVE-year action plan has been drafted to transform Petaling Jaya into an age-friendly, caring and inclusive city. Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) unveiled the draft of its Petaling Jaya Care Economy Action Plan 2025-2030, including the 'PJ Food with Love' programme at a community event in Taman Aman. In a statement, MBPJ said the city, which is among the earliest urban settlements in Selangor, is now facing the reality of a rapidly greying population with 12.6% of residents aged over 65. Neighbourhoods such as Section 17, Section 19, SS3, Taman Medan and Kampung Tunku are seeing some of the highest concentrations of senior citizens. This reality demands strategic planning and the provision of a more holistic, inclusive and sustainable community care support system. Petaling Jaya mayor Mohamad Zahri Samingon said the plan was a comprehensive strategy for building a high-impact care ecosystem. 'This plan not only focuses on providing services but also touches on caregiver professionalism, facilitating care centre licences and compliance, developing care data and technology as well as economic opportunities,' he said. The mayor added that the plan would facilitate cross-sector collaboration between the government, communities, non-governmental organisations and the private sector in realising Petaling Jaya's aspirations of become a caring, age-friendly and inclusive city. The Care Economy Action Plan 2025-2030 is aligned with the state government's policy but has been localised to meet the city's needs. It was developed through extensive engagement with community members, government agencies, NGOs and operators of more than 200 care centres. Stakeholders came together during a February workshop and again in May at a technical working group session to ensure the strategy is grounded in reality. The 'PJ Food with Love' programme, meanwhile, is aimed at senior citizens living alone who may be especially vulnerable. This programme is implemented through a strategic collaboration with Association for Residential Aged Care Operators of Malaysia (Agecope) Selangor, ManagedCare Sdn Bhd and Le Maison Blissful. The initiative will deliver nutritious meals to homes, ensure regular health checks by medical teams and provide panic buttons for emergencies. Volunteers from Agecope Selangor will make weekly phone calls to check on recipients. Corporate partners such as Sunway Integrated Properties Sdn Bhd have contributed food and souvenirs for beneficiaries.
The Star
15-05-2025
- General
- The Star
Changing lives through education
Students' joy, gratitude make challenges in career worthwhile, say teachers PETALING JAYA: They are more than teachers – they are parents, protectors and givers of hope. Long after retirement and outside official classrooms, their passion for teaching endures. For these teachers, it's not about the money – the hugs, the smiles and the whispered 'I love yous' from children are the greatest rewards. These are educators who believe fervently that every child, regardless of background, deserves a chance to learn. Mary Stella Anthony Alphonse, 69, first stepped into a classroom in 1979 and officially retired in 2015. Yet every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, she teaches English and Mathematics to underprivileged children aged seven to 12 in Port Klang. She was first asked to help by a group of nurse-nuns back in 1992, and she has never stopped. 'We also provide food, transport and even basic life skills like cooking or dental care. 'Their eagerness to learn keeps me going,' she said. There have been hard times: She once faced the challenge of teaching a special-needs child in a mainstream classroom, at a time when awareness was lacking. But she remained steadfast. 'The beautiful moments outweigh the difficult ones. I love every minute and will continue as long as I can.' Sengkuttavan Manickam, 66, remembers well the day he started teaching: April 13, 1979. His fondest memories were from his early years in Kemaman. His headmaster had challenged him to produce one student who could get an A in English. When the results came, four of his students scored As. 'I still remember their names – Azman, Khairul Anwar, Rosdi and Zalina. They still keep in touch,' he said. He reminisced about dusty shirts and long walks to school in Kemaman whenever he missed the bus. Now retired, he teaches through the Gurukulum Seva, an initiative he and friends began as a means to reach underprivileged students. 'Some hug me before class. That alone is enough. It's been a full life and I love it. I stick to what my parents taught me – do good and good karma will follow.' He too has had his ugly moments. Once, a parent threatened to sue him for not appointing her child as a prefect. Tulasi Govindasamy, 75, was never a formal teacher but she has spent decades giving tuition and the last 13 years teaching refugee children in Bangsar. 'I'm a cancer survivor, and this keeps me going. Being around the kids makes me happy. 'When they say 'I love you teacher', I feel I must be doing something right and that they feel safe with me. That's enough to make me content,' she said. Hazdalila Zai Ibrahim, 38, was inspired to teach after watching To Sir, with Love, a movie that deals with social issues in schools. For the past 13 years, she has been doing exactly that at Yayasan Chow Kit, working with children who are underprivileged, stateless or part of migrant and refugee communities. 'Every morning, when they say 'Selamat pagi, Cikgu' with a smile – that's the moment I look forward to,' she said. These teachers, many of them unsung heroes, hold the key to the future success stories of their charges. And so, they deserve all the gratitude they get on Teachers Day.
Jordan News
16-03-2025
- Business
- Jordan News
Jeeny Launches 'Riding for Gaza, Giving with Love' to Support Families in Gaza - Jordan News
Jeeny Launches 'Riding for Gaza, Giving with Love' to Support Families in Gaza As part of its ongoing commitment to social responsibility, Jeeny has partnered with Tkiyet Um Ali to launch the 'Riding for Gaza, Giving with Love' campaign, aiming to provide essential food supplies and necessities to families affected in Gaza. This initiative seeks to ensure that those in need receive vital support in preparation for the holy month of Ramadan. اضافة اعلان As part of this campaign, Jeeny has committed 15% of the value of rides completed by its passengers during the initiative toward funding food packages and essential supplies. This initiative was not just a financial commitment but a reflection of Jeeny's belief that true social responsibility is about collective action and tangible impact. Jeeny's support did not stop at financial contributions. Employees from Jeeny actively participated in the campaign, joining Tkiyet Um Ali in packing and preparing aid boxes filled with food and other essentials to be sent to families in Gaza. This involvement highlights Jeeny's belief that true social responsibility extends beyond donations; it requires action, engagement, and a shared sense of duty toward those in need. Jeeny's partnership with Tkiyet Um Ali highlights the role of the private sector in humanitarian relief efforts and reinforces the company's commitment to leveraging its platform for positive social impact. With Ramadan being a time of generosity and giving, this initiative aims to bring hope and relief to families facing immense hardship. Jeeny remains dedicated to initiatives that strengthen solidarity and provide real support to those in need. This campaign is a testament to the power of collective action and the impact that businesses, communities, and individuals can create together.
