Taylor's University sparks chatter around education equity with Merdeka Day film

Taylor's University seeks to spark a conversation about education equity with its latest Merdeka Day film. The premise of the story begins in an arts class during a show-and-tell session styled in a quirky and playful setting. The teacher had asked her students to draw and share their ideas on creative inventions that could make Malaysia more maju (progressive).

One student, Nabilah, showed the class her drawing of three towers, calling it the Triple Towers – the tallest building in the world with the potential to put Malaysia on the map. Another student, Marcus presented his invention called MyVi Terbang (flying MyVi), the King of the Skies. The video continued to showcase other students’ drawings of their innovative inventions – from the world’s biggest shopping mall to a bridge that connects Penang to Sabah.

When Haziq comes up to the front of the classroom, he shared about his robot invention that could help people do household chores like laundry, cleaning, and babysitting. Hearing his ambitions, Haziq’s classmates jeered at him for his idea and questioned how such an invention will help Malaysia to progress and prosper. The teacher was quick to intervene, and asked Haziq to explain the rationale behind his invention. Imagineer Films was involved in the production of the film which will run until Malaysia Day, primarily on YouTube. The video is also accessible on all of Taylor's University and College platforms.

According to Taylor's, the festive film also seeks to jumpstart conversations about the role society plays in coming together as a community to impact changes so that all children can have equal opportunity to education. According to research commissioned by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in 2017, 1.77 million (19%) children in Malaysia are estimated to be living in relative poverty, and a far larger proportion are at risk of falling into poverty if their family experiences a socioeconomic shock. 

Group CMO Ben Foo explained that the direction of the institution’s new festive video is to bring to light the harsh reality that many Malaysian children are unable to go to school. “Society owes it to children to provide them with equal and quality education. Each child has the skills that can be developed with formal education, and by not pursuing these skills, society misses out on the potential for advancement and enlightenment," he explained.

He added that Taylor's short film aims to highlight the need for us as a society to help children by providing "help" beyond just superficial assistance. More than that, society needs to start creating opportunities for the young generation – to nurture them to become great leaders, thinkers, and innovators, Foo said.

Taylor's has been producing thought-provoking festive films to kickstart conversations around pertinent issues such as education, charity, and empowerment. Its Raya film earlier this year revolved around the topic of helping the underprivileged through education that is conformed to the paradigm of charity. As the Raya video aimed to explore the larger social question of society’s approach to charity, Foo explained previously that the campaign keeps in line with the brand’s tradition of exploring bold and contentious topics for their festive films.

Related articles:
Taylor's University promotes Ann June Lee to digital marketing head
Taylor's University tackles meaning of charity and empowerment in Raya ad
Taylor's University pushes boundaries with Deepavali ad on harsh realities in education
Taylor's University's Raya ad teaches forgiveness through a single father's pain
Taylor's University confronts uncomfortable convos around gender in 2-minute spot
Taylor's University provokes thought with controversial questions this Deepavali