I never visited to Limkokwing University of Creative Technology before. I never have a reason to be there even if I wanted to. I might have a reason if Limkokwing existed 20 years ago. But today I went with a reason.

A reason to participate in a one-day conference organised by The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Malaysia with the kind sponsorship of Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Lim Kok Wing, the Founder and President of Limkokwing University of Creative Technology. I was so happy to at least step my foot in the most prestigious international university. I hope there will be more SCBWI events there. ^__^

Before the conference started I got to meet blogger friends who responded to my calling the other day. They were Chahya, ET and her husband. Yoon See cannot make it as she was not well and I was hoping to see a silent reader but maybe she could not make it. I also met with Keats, the Sunshine girl, one of the Blog4ft participants.

The opening ceremony was launched by Limkokwing’s vice-president for International Development, Dr Jayles Yeoh on behalf of Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Lim Kok Wing who could not make it to the event. It was followed by introduction speech from the President of SCBWI, Linda Tan Lingard and later by Mentor of SCBWI, Pak Yusof Gajah.

The event was also attended by Iain Buchanan, the writer and illustrator of Fatimah’s Kampung, Peter Worthington, the writer of the Animal Adventures in Tipee Hipee Safari Park, Mama Gajah (Pak Yusof’s wife), fellow illustrators, publishers, writers as well as Limkokwing students. The event was emceed by Sarah Joan Mokhtar, the Vice President of SCBWI.

Talks and panel discussions were being held after lunch:

1.30-2.30 | Becoming a Children’s Book Writer and Illustrator, by Yusof Gajah, award winning children’s book writer and illustrator.

2.30-3.30 | Panel Discussion: The Use of Illustrations in Malaysian Children’s literature
It explored the current use of illustrations in Malaysian Children’s Literature, areas for improvement, and look at the part publishers, illustrators, educators, the government and the private sector can play in encouraging better illustrations.

Moderated by: Sarah Joan Mokhtar, vice-president of SCBWI Malaysia and illustrator
Panel members: Yusof Gajah; Leowania Leow, editor and writer; Sireh Anuar, cartoonist and lecturer at University Multimedia.

From left: Sireh, Pak Yusof Gajah, Sarah Joan and Leowania Leow

3.30-4.30 | Panel Discussion: The Importance of Local Literature for Our Children: Why and How? It explored why it is important for children to see themselves and their experiences in the books they read, look at the part writers, illustrators and publishers, parents, and educators can play in bringing such literature into the lives of children.

Moderated by: Daphne Lee, writer, editor and StarMag columnist
Panel members: Chin Yew, artist and producer; Linda Tan Lingard, publisher of Oyez!Books.

From left: Linda Tan Lingard, Daphne Lee and Chin Yew

From left: Linda Tan Lingard, yours truly, Chahya, Mama Gajah and Sarah Joan Mokhtar

Some of my illustrations being exhibited at the hall. I believe some of you have seen Sedna, the Eskimo girl.

The “How the Frog lost its Tails’ illustration I did for my portfolio with Yusof Gajah Lingard Literary Agency during a one-day workshop at Pak Yusof Gajah’s Studio was also being shown:

* Link love to first commenter!

First Commenter ~ Anny Boo