FELDA students were welcomed by The Crystal’s tour guide and given a short introduction briefing
Learning about the future through the many interactive kiosks in The Crystal
The interactive session where students learn how to manage a city resources and services.
In this second part of our multi-part report on the FELDA Global Generation students’ activities in Limkokwing University’s Global Classroom initiative, we follow the students as they visit The Crystal, a sustainable cities initiative by Siemens exploring the future of cities.
Stepping off of the cable car on the north bank of the Thames River, students were greeted by an oddly-shaped glass building. Known as The Crystal, it was created by Siemens to call attention to the world’s growing need for sustainability. The Crystal is home to the world’s largest exhibition focused on urban sustainability and a world-class centre for dialogue, discovery and learning.
Students were welcomed by The Crystal’s tour guide, who first gave a short introduction briefing before taking them to the museum’s cinema where the students were shown a 5-minute film on globalisation, climate change, and the harmful effects of a rocketing population on the environment. The tour guide then held a short question and answer session based on the film. Specifically asking how the students felt after watching the intense imagery shown on screen, one student said it made him think about the consequences of his everyday actions. One student, Nur Zulykah Binti Minhad, studying Diploma in Interior Design, took the opportunity to ask why the building was shaped that way. The guide explained that its shape allows more light to enter the building, decreasing the need for artificial light, and thus saving energy.
Students then had a chance to play a Sims-like game that quickly taught them how to manage a city resources and services. One of the skills imparted by this game which the students quickly grasped was how to communicate quickly within a large group. If they couldn’t communicate effectively and organise their efforts, the city would go bankrupt. Luckily, the students improved their score with each try, and they learned valuable lessons on taxes, resource management, and budgeting.
An important highlight of the visit was an interactive session that involved students working in teams on three large screens. Their task was to make a low-grade home more eco-friendly and cost-efficient by changing the building materials, heating systems, windows, and other technologies. This interactive session taught students the most essential considerations that go into building planning and running a dwelling. Students were keen to know more about other ways they could make the world more sustainable and were encouraged to explore this subject further in their spare time.
The visit to The Crystal taught students how to be more mindful of their actions and lifestyle, and highlighted how they can help their community prosper in a way that is sustainable and healthy. Student Amira Binti Yusof, studying Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Broadcasting & Journalism said, “I wish I could show this to my friends in Malaysia. It was so interesting to see what the future might look like in 20 years and beyond, and it gave us a lot of ideas about how we can build communities in Malaysia.”
This visit was a great opportunity for the students to learn how to work together successfully in teams, and students returning to Malaysia after the end of their Global Classroom stint will no doubt have a wealth of knowledge to share about effective city management and sustainability.
To know more about Limkokwing University Global Classroom initiative, visit www.limkokwing.net/malaysia/academic/global_classroom.
