Malaysian alumni celebrate in style

Silver celebration: Members of the gala dinner organising committee and University staff.

The University of Melbourne Alumni Association Malaysia (UMAA) has been celebrating its silver jubilee in style.

The association, which started as a group of friends in the 1980s before being officially registered in 1989, held a gala dinner at the Ritz Carlton in Kuala Lumpur in June to mark the anniversary.

One hundred and eighty guests attended the glittering celebration, including Founding President, Professor Emeritus HF Chin (BAgrSc 1961, MAgrSc 1971, PhD 1974, PhD 1994, Ridley College, International House) and current President, Ms Gloria Goh (BCom(Hons) 1982).

“The evening was a superb celebration of the success of UMAA over the years,” Professor Chin says.

“It was particularly wonderful to see the younger alumni continuing the UMAA tradition of collaboration and support for all graduates of the University.”

Other special guests at the dinner included association patron and patron of Believe – the Campaign for the University of Melbourne, YB Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed (BA(Hons) 1974, DCom 1997, Queen’s College), Australian High Commissioner, HE Rod Smith PSM and Victorian State Government Commissioner to South East Asia, Mr Tim Dillon.

As part of Believe – the Campaign for the University of Melbourne, alumnus Dato’ Jimmy Lim (BCom 1973) presented a $30,000 donation to the Faculty of Business and Economics to go towards the Melbourne Accelerator Program, which provides startups with funding, office space, mentoring and access to experts.

The association runs a number of activities throughout the year, including monthly First Friday informal networking catch-ups and events designed to welcome new graduates back to their home country. New members are always welcome.

For information on how to get involved: http://umaamy.blogspot.com.au/