Schools Programme – 2012

MV runs a special programme for schools whereby schools, organising trips to Muzium Negara, can request MV’s help.  The volunteers will engage the students in activities that are fun and educational.  Led by Cay Maru, the MV School Programme Group has responded to the requests of many schools, both local and international.  Below are MV’s interaction with two of these schools in 2012.

Bukit Jalil Students having a go at Archaeology

84 students and 4 teachers from Bukit Jalil Sports School visited Muzium Negara on 25 April 2012 and they were treated to a fun packed day.

In addition to interesting activities in the indoor galleries which included working through an activity worksheet, the students also had the opportunity to experience working as an archaeologist at the Discovery Room.

On 5 July 2012, MV played host to 21 students and 6 teachers from the Sekolah Kebangsaan Jalan Peel KL, which is a school for hearing impaired students.  The students were treated to a guided tour of the indoor galleries.  Other activities included folding a tengkolok at the Discovery Room and participating in traditional games at Dataran Muzium.

SK Jalan Peel students having fun with traditional games
SK Jalan Peel students folding tengkolok at the Discovery room
Volunteers posing with students of the SK Jln Peel for a group photo

MV Training – 25 Sept 2012 (Batch 16)

by Rose Gan

Batch 16 is now well settled into its course, having just enjoyed our second session of training. It was another full programme with the usual information overload. By the time 12.30 came round we were all extremely hungry (does brain work burn so many calories?) and our heads were spinning! But it had been a fun and rewarding morning’s work.

First up were Asma and Marie-Christine, who introduced the Whole Brain Principle and gave us the results of our Whole Brain questionnaires. Thankfully we all have them (brains, that is!) but unfortunately none of them are complete. Everyone tends to favour one of four aspects: Facts, Form, Future, or Feelings.  This will, of course, impact the way in which we approach research, planning and presentation. To correct this imbalance, we have now put ourselves into groups based on the results, mixing the brain types. Would that perhaps be a re-working of the old adage: ‘4 brains are better than one?’ With any luck we may now be able to put our heads together with our new partners to be more effective learners!

Rose and Hayley then gave specimen 3 minute presentations: Rose showing how not to do it by overrunning the time (hey, I had quite a task summing up the Bugis AND The Minangkabau in 3 minutes!) I promise to be more organized next time! Well done, Hayley, for being spot on 3 minutes with your interesting talk on gambier.

Our first main speaker was Encik Kamarul, the Director of Muzium Negara, who took us on a lively journey through the museums of Malaysia and the history of Muzium Negara. It was a thorough and enlightening talk. Thank you so much for giving so freely of your time – and even keeping the transport ministry officials waiting on our behalf!

The session was rounded off by Stuart with an in-depth study of the presentation skills we require for guiding. His talk was crammed with useful hints and very pertinent examples of the practical side of taking a tour, delivered in his usual charming, laid back style. There was so much that we needed to hear – thank you for preparing the notes and showing us how it’s done! By the way, I did notice that you broke one of your golden rules…’be interesting but not amusing’. Personally, I love your witty asides. It always makes it easier to learn when one is entertained as well as informed!

And now to do my homework reading….

MV Training 2012 Kicks Off

September saw the start of the 2012 MV new guide training.  A very big welcome to all our new trainees.  Batch 18, our Japanese Group, kick-started the training with 20 trainees on 12 September.

This was followed by Batch 16 which commenced training on Tuesday 18 September with 19 trainees and with another 8 expected next week.  This group consists of 8 different nationalities.  Although Malaysians make up the majority, there is a large contingent of French enthusiasts as well. We are also lucky to count among our new recruits experienced guides who previously volunteered at museums in Italy, Indonesia and Singapore.

The Tuesday Batch 16 had a very clear introduction of Gallery A by Laurence Maille, MV vice President.  Laurence gave an insightful overview of the archaeological dating system and the history of Malaysia with a focus on the storyline of Gallery A of Museum Negara which focuses on Prehistoric as well as Proto-historic Malaysia.

Puan Zanita Anuar giving a riveting talk on the history and structure of Muzium Negara and Jabatan Muzium Malaysia to Batch 17 on 22 September 2012.

Batch 17 commenced training on Saturday 22 September with 21 trainees. This group consists of Malaysians and 1 Polish national.  Batch 17 received a wonderful start with a welcome address and absorbing talk by Puan Zanita Anuar, Director of Museums Innovation on the history and structure of Muzium Negara and Jabatan Muzium Malaysia.

If you are a member of MV JMM and would like to refresh your knowledge, Laurence will be addressing the Saturday Batch 17 on October 6th.  Many other interesting talks have also been scheduled and the complete training schedule can be viewed on Yahoo Groups. All current guides are welcome to these sessions but, if you are coming, please do register your attendance with mvmqueries@yahoo.com.

Sling Bags Launched

En. Wan Jamaluddin showing the contents of the slings bags during the official launch.

Sling Bags for families with young children was launched during the 6th Graduation Ceremony in Feb 2012.  This marked the culmination of two years of effort by Karen Loh and Zahara Shariman to make the museum more interactive, fun and educational for children.

The sling bags contain games and puzzles and families can borrow the bags from the front desk at Muzium Negara.

Young volunteers tried out the slings bags during the launch and gave a thumbs up.

Museum Volunteers – 6th Graduation Ceremony

Speech from MV President, Karen Loh during the graduation ceremony

53 new volunteer trainees successfully completed their docent training and graduated in Feb 2012.  Kudos to Batches 13, 14 and 15.

In the words of Karen Loh, MV President: “For 16 weeks you have proved yourselves to be committed, attended the classes, worked hard in your research and presentations. I also commend those whose mother tongue is not English as you have had to work harder. Thank you all for signing up and welcome to our museum volunteer family.”

Congratulations to the all the graduates and happy guiding!

Graduates Batch 13
Graduates Batch 14
Graduates Batch 15

New Volunteer Training 2012 – Flyer

Our next volunteer training intake starts this coming September!  There will be an information morning on Sat 8 Sept at 10am during which you can ask any burning questions you may have.  Please click on the link below to view the flyer on this training.

MVM New Volunteer Training 2012

You can also get further information by clicking on the page ‘2012 Training‘ at the top of this website.

With sorrow, we mark the death of Dato Dr. Adi Taha

First MV Graduation 2007
Dato’ Dr. Adi Taha with the first graduates of the Museum Volunteers Programme April 2007

Dato’ Dr. Adi Taha, former Director General of the Department of Museums Malaysia, died from cancer at his house in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur on 4  February 2012.

Dr. Adi joined the National Museum as a curator of archaeology in 1975 after graduating from the National University Malaysia with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Sociology.  In 1981, Dr. Adi enrolled at the Australian National University, Canberra, for his Masters and later obtained his Doctor of Philosophy from the same university in 2001.
During his tenure with the Department of Museums Malaysia, Dr. Adi had held several positions before culminating in the position of Director General in 2002, a position he held until his mandatory retirement in 2007. Dr. Adi pioneered museum work and research on prehistoric human artifacts, the Bujang Valley civilization and the establishment of new museums in Malaysia and several block buster exhibitions. He was also instrumental in initiating and supporting the establishment of the Museum Volunteers programme at Muzium Negara in 2006, which led to its official launch in April 2007, when some 20 docents graduated from the first training programme.
2007 first graduation
Dato’ Dr. Adi Taha presenting Marie Tseng with her graduation certificate April 2007
During his tenure with the museum department, Dr. Adi attended many general conferences and assemblies of the International Council of Museums (ICOM), and presented papers at international seminars and workshops abroad and locally.  Among his social and professional involvements were; Vice President of the Association of Malaysian Archaeologists (1997), President of the Indo-Pacific Prehistory Association (2002-2004) and President of ICOM Malaysia (2002 – 2010)
Although retired, Dr. Adi’s zeal and passion for the museum did not falter. He joined University Malaysia Kelantan as a principal fellow in the Faculty of Creative Technology & Heritage and continued to contribute to the field of museology and culture. His expertise on museums and archaeology was often sought by museum’s curators, academicians and individuals. Dr Adi also wrote several books and articles on the prehistory of Malaysia.
Born on Aug 3, 1951 in Kodiang, Kedah, Dr Adi died age 60 and leaves behind his wife, Wan Aminah Wan Yusof and six children. We will miss our eminent and affable curator Dato’ Dr. Adi Taha.
Adapted from an obituary written by Janet Tee Siew Mooi, Director of the National Textile Museum

The Pasir Gudang Kite Museum

Local kites, details of how they are made and legends connected to them are displayed.

A number of Indian kites are included in the museum’s collection.

THE Pasir Gudang Kite Museum houses hundreds of kites flown during the annual International Kite Festival at Bukit Layang- Layang.

The museum was built in 2002 to showcase local and foreign kite craftsmanship.

Local kites, such as wau merak, wau bulan and wau kapal, legends connected to them and information on how to make them are exhibited in the three-storey building.

Kite-making tools and the paraphernalia used to fly bigger-sized kites are also displayed. There is a multimedia section which offers a detailed description of the craft.

Visitors can buy kites at the souvenir shop.

The museum opens seven days a week. An entrance fee of RM2 is charged. Children under 12 are charged RM1. For details, call 07-251 3720 or fax 07-251 5260.

OMEGA watches museum..

Monday May 30, 2011

Museum for Omega watches

 

A VISIT to the Omega Museum is a must if you want a peek into the brand’s rich heritage, which dates back to 1848 when watchmaker Louis Brandt started his business on a bench.

Located across Omega’s headquarters in Biel, Switzerland and opened in 1984, it is the oldest watch museum dedicated to the history of a single brand. Along with some 4,000 watches, the remarkable collection includes movements, clocks, instruments, tools, photos, engravings, posters, signs, awards and certificates.

The first watch, which had the name “Omega” on its dial was produced in 1894 and featured the 19-ligne calibre created by Francois Chevillat. Incidentally, the first special orders came from railroad administrators who wanted to time the trains, and shooting associations, which purchased watches for their members and winners of their competitions.

 Since 1995, any actor who takes on the James Bond role immediately becomes one of Omega’s brand ambassadors. All the watches used by special agent 007 are on display at the museum.

“Our first wristwatch appeared in 1900, which was also the world’s first industrially manufactured wristwatch. Omega’s strength lies in its ability to industrialise watches so that it can be repaired anywhere in the world,” says curator Brandon Thomas.

Over the years, Omega’s Speedmaster watches have been to the moon and back with Apollo astronauts. Edwin Aldrin wore the first watch on the moon in 1969 when he followed Neil Armstrong onto the lunar surface. Since then, Omega watches have accompanied American astronauts on all their space missions.

“We make the watches for NASA and we’re constantly improving the Speedmaster to withstand the extreme range of temperatures on the lunar surface. The numbers can go from –148°C to 260°C ,” explains Thomas.

On display at the museum, along with these “Moon Watches” are models of space shuttles, a lunar rover model, an astronaut’s spacesuit, photographs taken from the moon and sew-on NASA patches.

If you’re a fan of 007, then there’s no better place to view the collection of watches worn by the various actors who starred as James Bond in the movies. Since 1995, any actor who takes on the Bond role immediately becomes one of Omega’s brand ambassadors. Currently, Daniel Craig’s posters and pictures dominate the “Bond” area. The curator proudly points out that Omega also lends its watches to many film companies.

Besides the watches, visitors can view the numerous tools, watchmaker’s lathes, large-scale models of escapements and devices used to test water-resistance.

The entire spectrum of time measurement devices for athletic events is also comprehensively displayed. These include the slender Muybridge threads that were snapped by racehorses as they sprinted to the finish line, automatic triggers, electrical starting pistols, light barriers, time recorders and the photofinish system, which was introduced in 1949.

Part of Omega’s palette is the debut of a 24-ligne watch for the 1932 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, the United States. There is an impressive display at the museum of how the timepieces work as athletes race to beat the clock.

“We were the first company to time every event in the Olympics using chronographs and stop watches. In 1932, almost every record was broken. To reduce human error, we now have one timepiece at the start and another at the finish line. For example, in swimming, the athlete has to touch the contact pad to stop the clock. This simple new technology reacts only to the touch of the swimmer and is not affected by water splashes,” explains Thomas.

Omega’s most recent development in timing technology was to bring sports timekeeping into the Internet age with live timing of swimming events, which allows anyone with Internet access to view swimming and diving competition results in real time on the Omega Timing Internet site, www.omegatiming.com.

Today, Omega watches can be seen on the wrists of kings, queens, presidents, explorers, visionaries and celebrities.

Information Morning for 2011 Training Programme on May 24

Our 2011 Training Programme starts in September and will run through until December 2011. If you are interested in signing up, then email mvmqueries@yahoo.com or come to one of our information morinings at the Muzium Negara on Tuesday May 24 10-12noon

Tuesday September 6 10-12noon

Saturday September 10 10-12 noon

Places are limited so early applications are encouraged

Training at the Muzium Negara (National Museum) is on Tuesdays and Saturdays in English and on Wednesdays in Japanese.

Training at the Muzium Tekstil (Textiles Museum) is on Thursday in English.

In order to qualify for the MV training programme, you must have an interest in Malaysia, history and museums and undertake to serve as a volunteer guide once you have graduated from the training programme. In general terms, you will need to guide at the museum once a month. As the MV is a volunteer organization, you will also be encouraged to get involved in research, the schools programme and in the creation of pamphlets and booklets for use in the museums. There is no restriction on the nationality or gender of applicants. The courses are delivered in English and Japanese. There is also a French language group that organizes tours and talks in French

Muzium Negara – Guide Volunteers Training Programme Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Training Objective ? To provide Guide Volunteers with a broad understanding of the fascinating and complex Malaysian culture and history that can be used when undertaking guided tours of Muzium Negara.

How Is The Training Objective Achieved ? By exploring topics relating to the rich heritage and religions of the peoples of Malaysia and S.E. Asia based upon artefacts exhibited in Muzium Negara.

When Is The Training Carried Out ? Two parallel thirteen week training programmes are provided on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and Guide Volunteers can choose which day they wish to attend.

Where Is The Training Carried Out ? Guide Volunteers meet at Muzium Negara, Jalan Damansara in one of the Meeting Rooms and in the Museum.

What Is The Training Commitment ? All Guide Volunteers must commit themselves as follows :

* to attend the full training programme

* to read the background training material

* to deliver presentations to fellow Guide Volunteers in the Museum without the use of notes: – 3 minutes – one Muzium artefact – 7 minutes – two Muzium artefact – 15 minutes – one Muzium Gallery

* to provide a formal paper upon each of the three presentations

* to attend three guided tours of Muzium Negara prior to graduation

* to be prepared to provide positive and meaningful guided tours of Muzium Negara

Who Provides The Training ? Guide Volunteers, Muzium Negara Staff plus outside experts with specialist knowledge present topics relating to the Training Objective.

What Happens After The Training Has Been Successfully Completed ? After successful completion of the training, Guide Volunteers are invited to attend a Graduation Ceremony with their families where they receive their Graduation Certificate.

What Tasks Do Volunteer Guides Undertake ? Guide Volunteers are involved in one or more of the following areas :

§ Guiding – presenting free scheduled tours plus on-demand tours of Muzium Negara: guiding special exhibitions, presentations and visits.

§ Schools Programme – organising special tours of Muzium Negara for school children plus presentations about Malaysian culture in schools.

§ Research -locating and organising material to help fellow Guide and School Program Volunteers; helping with material for the publication of booklets for the general public and for children; helping with the translation service and providing information for Special Exhibitions.

§ Operations & IT – supporting general administration requirements; administering the MVM / MCG Library; maintaining ‘mvmqueries’ e-mail; by maintaining the MVM Website.

§ Communication – assisting with the production of the MVM Newsletter, MVM Press Releases and media events.

Where Can I Find Out More Information ? All queries should be forwarded to: mvmqueries@yahoo.com Or come to our information morning