Giap’s Ambition As An Architect Began at the Technical Institute, Penang
This is my hard and long journey of realizing my burning ambition as an architect, from the first desire that began in Technical Institute, Penang, in 1970 to ultimately set up my own architectural practice Acromas Arkitek from 1988 to 1996.
My family moved to the brick terrace house in Sin Tat Garden, Jalan Raja Uda, from the attap roof timber house in Kampong Java, Jalan Chain Ferry, Butterworth, Penang.
I was born in Kampong Java and lived there till age 13.
Giap at age 1, 12 & 15
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This was the look of Chain Ferry Road, the main street for Kampong Java, Butterworth.
That was when I was at age 14, starting my lower secondary school in Kampong Kastam Secondary School.
There was a library at Beach Road, near the colonial quarters.
I remembered that during my Form 4 days, I browsed through some books on architecture there, and I felt that I loved all these beautiful buildings. That’s how I began to have my ambition to be an architect,
That time, as I was from a poor family, I didn’t have any books at all in the home to influence my future career. My parents and siblings could not influence me to any extent, as I was the one who had studied the most education at that time, up to Form 3
My life at Technical Institute, Penang. 1970-1973
Giap's Ambition As An Architect Began at Technical Institute, Penang
I was at Technical Institute, Penang for my Form 4 (1970) to Upper Six (1973) secondary school education.
These pictures are from those school days.
This is the Technical Institute Penang administration and classroom blocks.
This is the Technical Institute Penang administration and classroom blocks.
This is the view of Technical Institute Penang Hostel. The Dining Hall is in the center sandwiched between two wings of hostel blocks.
I can hear the bell ringing when it was time to go for our meals from my bedroom.
This is the Technical Institute Penang Hostel. I was doing my weekly cleaning in my bedroom. I stayed with my roommate Vera, as a school prefect, we were given especially 2 to a room type of bedroom.
The background is the Technical Institute Engineering Workshop Block.
Photo taken in 1971 for my school magazine. I am at 18 years old then.
We had an outing to the Penang Botanical Garden from Technical Institute Penang in Form 5.
I first met Bee Bee when she was just turned 16 and I was 20, I was at Upper Six in Technical Institute, Penang.
It was love at first sight.
So in the end we have been life partner for 47 years and biz partners for 32 years.
My Route After Technical Institute
I joined the School of Housing Building & Planning, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang in 1974 and graduated in 1978 with B.Sc( Housing, Building & Planning).
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I joined Derrick David Architects upon graduation in 1978.
I joined Petronas as a property management executive in Jan 1979 till Aug 1980.
I joined the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, the United Kingdom to complete my architecture study from Aug 1980 to 1983. Bee Bee was with me.
I worked in Elsom Pack & Roberts Architects and Planners in London from 1981 till 1984.
Having qualified as a Chartered Architect from the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1984, we returned to Malaysia in Dec 1984.
I worked for Perunding Alam Bina Architects, Town Planners and Landscape Architects in Kuala Lumpur from Feb 1985 to May 1988.
I set up my own architectural practice Acromas Arkitek for 8 years from May 1988 till 1996.
Timeless Tech71 Legacy: Celebrating 55 Years of Penang Technical Institute’s Class of ’71
In 2025, we are celebrating 55 years of our lives since we started our upper secondary education of Form 4 at Technical Institute, Penang.
We had our 50th Anniversary Reunion on Sat 03.12.2022 in Penang. Enjoy the photos and videos here.
We called ourselves the class of Tech71.
We joined the Technical Institute Penang's Form 4 class in 1970. In 1971, we were in Form 5, and some of us left the school, while some continued into Lower 6 in 1972 and Upper 6 in 1973.
Our Lives with Tech71 • Technical Institute, Penang Class of 71
Tech71 Gatherings in Petaling Jaya, Butterworth, Ipoh
How to Get Financial Aid for Cancer Treatment in Malaysia
Cancer treatment in Malaysia is financially challenging, but patients can access various funding sources.
Government healthcare subsidies provide affordable treatment at public hospitals, though waiting times may be longer.
Initiatives like MySalam (RM8,000 for B40 patients) and PeKa B40 (health screenings and financial aid) assist low-income groups.
Private health insurance covers cancer treatment if diagnosed after policy activation, while SOCSO supports work-related illnesses.
Employees can withdraw EPF Account 2 for medical expenses or use employer-provided insurance.
NGOs play a crucial role, with organizations like the National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM), MAKNA, and Rumah Kanser Kanak-Kanak (RKK) offering financial aid, screenings, and support.
Disease-specific groups like Pink Ribbon Malaysia and CIMA also help.
Crowdfunding (SimplyGiving, GoGetFunding) and bank loans provide alternative funding.
Some private hospitals offer installment plans. Additionally, clinical trials at institutions like UM Medical Centre and Sunway Medical Centre may provide free or low-cost experimental treatments.
Key tips for patients include verifying eligibility for government aid, consulting hospital social workers, comparing treatment costs, and combining multiple funding sources (insurance + EPF + NGO aid) for better financial relief.
Read the full article here:
Cancer Funding & Financial Support from Cancer Fight Funds Website
From Surviving to Living: Resources from Cancer Fight Funds Website
