Dayak grads of University Malaya launch ‘Padum’

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KUCHING: Dayak graduates of University Malaya have grouped to form their alumni association called the ‘University Malaya Dayak Alumni Association’ or Padum, which was successfully registered with the Registrar of Societies (ROS) on Nov 18 this year.

The association is headed by its pro tem chairman Cooplay Nyipa Aji while the Minister of Plantation Industry and Commodities Dato Amar Douglas Uggah Embas is the patron.

On Saturday night, about 200 University Malaya graduates including Uggah, Bung Bratak Heritage Association (BBHA) chairman Datuk Peter Minos and Land Development Ministry permanent secretary Datu Jaul Samion attended the soft launching dinner of the association held at a leading hotel here.

Uggah in his speech said to get the association registered with ROS was the easiest thing to do, but reminded the alumni that to run the association effectively and to meet its vision and mission, will prove to be a most difficult task.

Thus, he urged all Dayak UM graduates to support the association by becoming members and join in the struggle of the association.

“The association should out chart its direction on how they can contribute and pay back to the community.

“We have professionals who are UM graduates in various sectors, and the association should find ways on how best we can contribute and pay back to our society,” he said.

Uggah also pointed out that through the association, members could also establish networking among themselves, adding that those who are already successful in their fields of work should assist those who are still struggling to succeed.

He also suggested that Padum create good networking with the National University Malaya Alumni to form a strategic partnership as well as those members who are working and doing business overseas.

Meanwhile, Cooplay said there are more than 200 Dayak who are University Malaya graduates in the state, adding after this, they will proceed with the membership drive.

He said the committee will also soon discuss its activities on how best they could contribute to the community.

At the function, Uggah handed a RM10,000 cheque for Padum to start organising its activities and pledged another RM30,000 in next year’s allocation.