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The design-theme which the School of Architecture conceptualised incorporates a timeline architecture -- from British colonial era motifs to modern day skyscrapers. It will also include man-made scenes and natural environments. This combination will be accentuated by the event¡¯s visual clincher -- a dynamic train movement accompanied by evergreen Christmas carols and synchronised Christmas lights.

A digital snow display will vividly portray the variegated scenes of Christmas celebrations; capturing the attention of young and old alike.

The Hilton Christmas Train project allows students to work in teams, encouraging team-building and project management skills, in particular the technical delineation of duties.

The project also requires students to ¡®imagine¡¯ different settings and think of ways to showcase the setting within a 600 square feet model. According to the Associate Dean of the School of Architecture, En. Mohammad Zani Mohammad Zain, ¡°Imagination is the key to this project, as students will have to foresee how a visitor will experience the entire display. Lighting and animated effects will also be integrated into the 5 sets of simultaneously moving trains.¡±

The project also provides students real-life experience in planning, designing and eventually building a landscape that will compliment the train models. The process also pushes the students to test their creative limits and transpose theory into practice.

The School of Architecture was recently presented a RM 25,000 cheque by Hilton Petaling Jaya for their work and as a token of appreciation. Luc Bollen, General Manager of Hilton Petaling Jaya said the Hilton Christmas Train benefits the community in many ways. It is a charity project that brings together different parties to raise funds for the underprivileged, and since last year it has become a platform to develop young talents through the train project.

¡°We are delighted to have Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ University join us this year, and I am sure the students will have a challenging yet enjoyable time ahead in learning and getting hands-on experience in building the train display. With great anticipation, we look forward to their work, which I am sure we will be proud to showcase at the hotel lobby this festive season. It will definitely be one of most talked about Christmas displays in town,¡± said Mr. Bollen.

Associate Professor Chin Peng Kit, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ University, said the Hilton Christmas Train is the school¡¯s main charity project this year.

¡°Our students and staff are very enthusiastic in undertaking this project. It allows students to gain a real-life experience in planning, designing and eventually building a landscape of significant size and complexity for the model trains. The process also encourages students to test their creative limits and put what they have learned in class into practice,¡± Chin said.

The net proceeds from the Hilton Christmas Train will be channeled towards a children¡¯s education fund for 25 Malaysian orphanages. The money will also be used help 500 children celebrate the unique occasion at the hotel¡¯s ballroom on 6 December 2008.