TAR UMT’s collaboration with the Embassy of France has provided the platform for TAR UMT Sports and Exercise Science students to be a part of interesting activities related to sports science.
All it took was a few steps away from the designated booth at an exhibition that led Puan Juliana Binti Johan John to establish a good working relationship with the Embassy of France in Malaysia. Puan Juliana, a lecturer from the Department of Sports Science at TAR UMT shared, “I was curious to learn more about the other exhibitors, so during my break, I visited some booths until I found the French Education booth. In my interactions with one of the staff, I learnt about the Young Scientific Talents Week Programme. The staff encouraged me to participate in the programme by submitting my proposal for a research project I supervised about the effects of lockdown during the pandemic on sleep quality and motivation towards sports participation in competitive endurance athletes.”
Her submission got her selected for a one-week trip to France for the Young Scientific Talent Week. She and another candidate were the only two selected from Malaysia for the fully sponsored programme to France. “It was a comprehensive programme where I learnt a lot of useful things, especially about community-level scientific projects. I also established good connections with fellow members who hailed from more than 25 countries and I also got the opportunity to visit France's National Institute of Sport, Expertise, and Performance (INSEP),” she shared.
Puan Juliana’s working relationship with the Embassy of France did not end upon her return home. “We began discussing about organising several activities related to sports science, given the fact that France is the host for this year’s Olympics. This led to TAR UMT collaborating with the Embassy of France and the Paralympic Council of Malaysia (PCM) to organise the Allez Les Champions! (Let's Go, Champions!) on 8 February 2024 at the Paralympic Sports Centre of Excellence. The event was to raise awareness among school children about the Olympics and also the Paralympic Games 2024. This was an important event to enhance awareness of Para Sports and allow them to experience the types of sports played by athletes with disabilities. In addition, TAR UMT hosted the ‘Behind the Scenes of Doping’ from 13-23 May 2024. This exhibition is the last part of the cycle of three exhibitions organised under the ‘Science of Champions’ initiative. Then on 21 June 2024, the ‘Graines de Champions’ event was held in a secondary school in Johor. More than 100 students took part in the event of sports activities as well as interactive sessions focusing on the French language,” she elaborated.
Dania Lau who is currently pursuing her degree in Sports Science is one of the students who was actively involved in the programmes organised between the Embassy and TAR UMT. “Being a part of all these events is enriching because it is a one-of-a-kind experience, especially working with the country host for this year’s Olympics. On top of gaining extra knowledge about sports science, these events gave me a lot of exposure working with different groups of people, especially in teamwork, problem-solving and helping wherever I can. I am grateful to the Embassy of France for giving my course mates and I the opportunity to work on all these projects with them. I also especially appreciate Pn Juliana’s efforts of establishing a good working relationship with the Embassy as it is through her that we were able to work with the Embassy of France,” she enthused.
