Taylor's University sheds new light on meaning of education in Deepavali spot

Taylor’s University's Deepavali ad titled "Purpose" sheds a different light on the common narrative of education. It discusses the goals of education as the calling to not just think of education as a means to make a living, but also a purpose to create a difference in the community.

The new film follows the story of Rama, a mid-30s lawyer representing a developer in a case against homeowners in a squatter settlement. The story begins with the announcement of the developer's win against homeowners by the court. Rama's boss said he will eventually be made partner if he keeps up the good work. 

Despite the news, Rama is unsure of how to feel as he glances over at the mother and son who just lost their house. The scene then flashes back to a memory of a man handing young Rama a notice of evacuation. He and his mother feel distraught while they rushed to pack up their house. Just when their house was about to be torn down, a lawyer steps in to fight for their case.

Ben Foo, Taylor’s Education Group CMO, explained that the film also aims to highlight the role of education institutions in the 21st-century setting – which not only require colleges and universities to develop the intellectual and analytical capabilities of students, but also produce competent, empathetic, and benevolent individuals that can positively contribute to the socioeconomic development of society.

Foo added that employers in the future will need educated individuals who can think, challenge norms and create value, not mere obedient automatons. “Aligned with our mission to be a purpose-led institution that is the best for the world – not just in the world, the video puts forth the notion for viewers to understand that education is not only about doing what one is told to do with the knowledge and skills that they have, but also to think for oneself in favour of others.”

“Through the years, we've produced short films such as Curious Kumar and The Thief conveying the idea that knowledge illuminates one’s perception, belief, and values, and dispels ignorance's darkness. This year, we maintained a similar approach but rather than attempting to reason why it is necessary to have an education for oneself, we aimed to illuminate audience on what our education can do for others,” Foo explained.

Last year, Taylor's University decided to explore the harsh realities afflicting communities in Malaysia when it comes to education this Deepavali. Its short film begins with a suspicious-looking protagonist named Raju, who looks towards a handphone shop where the shopkeeper was talking to a vendor with a trolley of boxes filled with smartphones. As Raju attempts to steal one of the smartphones, he is caught by the shopkeeper, who is later nicknamed as "Uncle" in the film.

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