by Farah Nadia / Mentor: WoW organizing committee member
Mentor: Wizardy of Wisdom is APAcS’ third annual celebration of lecturers of level 14 since it’s inauguration in 2014. As the name for this year’s event denotes, this unprecedented theme was inspired by the legendary film and novel by J.K. Rowling, the Harry Potter series – a creative idea by its project director, Miss Siti Aishah.
The event took place on 21st April 2016 and the venue that accommodated this year’s celebration is a little closer to home, at the heart of UiTM’s Professional Accountancy Program, our very own place we call Level 14. The 14th floor of Menara SAAS has witnessed the growth of many students, of which could not be made possible if it weren’t for the lecturers who were there to cultivate and inspire us to achieve our dreams.
It’s hard to miss the carefully hand-crafted wordings that were displayed as decoration on that day.
A quote by J. K. Rowling that was rephrased and made pertinent to our students. It is a profound message that is collateral to the motto for this year’s Mentor, “Where The End Begins” signifying the inevitable adjourning of the professional accountancy program in UiTM Shah Alam.
Level 14 was transformed into a mini Harry Potter studio, attaining heaps of enthusiasms from potterheads and non-potterheads alike. Thunderous music greeted the students through the loud speakers, playing the melodious scores from the Harry Potter soundtracks. Flags, banners and crests hover above the crowd, glorifying the four colours of Hogwarts; red, green, blue and yellow.
Registrations started at 2.30 p.m. and the number of turn-outs was outstanding! Lecturers and students who did not pre-register online were sorted at the registration counter, having made to don the famous sorting hat as they answer a series of personality-related questions to determine which of the four houses of Hogwarts they will be sorted into. The bravest of all was sorted into Gryffindor, most ambitious into Slytherin, the wisest into Ravenclaw and the kindest into Hufflepuff, all of which are the benevolent traits of the four founders of Hogwarts.
It was no surprise that most lecturers were sorted into Ravenclaw – the wisest!
Five-wizarding related games took place simultaneously across the floor. The hallway was turned into a duelling platform where students and lecturers battle their wands out, chanting defensive spells in Defence Against the Dark Arts.
Have you seen Puan Siti Maznah run? Boy, can she run! The Horcrux hunt transpired throughout level 14, 8 and 7, an exhilarating game of figuring clues out and finding hidden hocruxes. Players had the time of their lives, in a game of Quidditch Pong (It’s like beer pongs, minus the beers). Broomstick Rumble (mini hockey played with broomsticks!) and the epic Wizardry Maze, a challenging game that brings out the competitive side in our students and lecturers.
The games could’ve lasted longer but it was time for the students and lecturers to head to the ‘Great Hall’ for the closing ceremony. But the magic doesn’t end there. More Harry Potter soundtrack accompanied the crowd as they walked in. Although the room could only fit so many of us, the excitement from the crowd did not cease.
The Dean of Faculty of Accountancy, Professor Dr. Rozainun Hj Abdul Aziz commemorated the ceremony with a heartfelt speech, reminding us that our journey in UiTM was merely a stop before we step foot into a world with greater responsibility. Right at the end of her speech, a video montage for lecturers was played and a few familiar faces appeared on the screen.
The video was basically an interview conducted with several lecturers and students but what really made it special was the warmth in the lecturers’ speech and you can’t help but to notice how the word ‘students’ was constantly repeated, exhibiting their love for teaching and how much the students mean to them.
After the award giving ceremony for a few lecturers and staffs, the floor was cleared for a couple of performances by our students. It was a tear-jerking moment for some lecturers (and students) as the crowd sang along to a song of gratitude and paramount love, flashing flash lights in the dim room that eludes the sincerity of our thankful hearts.
*claps*
The lights were switched on for the announcement of winners for the games played previously which ultimately was followed by the announcement of the winner of the House Cup. Ravenclaw won! Followed by Slytherin, Gryffindor and Hufflepuff securing second, third and fourth place respectively.
You’d think it was a sports carnival as students in blue gathered in front of the room for a photo to commemorate their huge win, waving their blue flag and the banner that read Ravenclaw.
The organising committee, led by the President of APAcS, Mr. Danial walked in for the oath-taking ceremony. The hall echoed in harmony as everyone took their oath to strive for excellence, to always respect each other and uphold the qualities of a professional accounting student.
Even after the event has ended, Mentor: WoW 2016 was still the talk of 14. Just like a favourite book that you could always come back to read, Level 14 and all lecturers will always be close to our hearts as integral parts of our life.
Chronicles 
Weeeeee~
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