Establishing firm foundations and friendships

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A 1970 group portrait of Weir House residents.

Lim and his wife.

DEVELOPING a broader world view, great fun and friendship, and gaining the skills to succeed in life were common reflections from a group of Malaysian and Kiwi alumni of Victoria University of Wellington, who held their first New Zealand reunion recently.

The large group of alumni, who studied together during the 1970s, have stayed in touch as careers progressed and student life moved to family life over the years. After previous reunions in Malaysia in 2008 and 2012, New Zealand members returned the hospitality in Wellington in November.

Among the participants was corporate lawyer Michael Lim.

“My first impression when I landed in New Zealand was that all of the places I’d read about in English literature had come to life.”

But wonder quickly turned to hard work to complete a demanding law degree.

“We were very focused on study and passing exams. I spent hours in the library. But I enjoyed my lectures – we were taught by very distinguished lecturers that were leaders in their field. I remember being invited round to their homes for meals too,” Lim said.

After graduating, Lim was admitted to practise law in New Zealand in 1973 and on his return to Malaysia he was admitted to the High Court of Borneo, Kuching and the High Court of Brunei.

A successful legal, academic and business career followed, culminating in becoming partner of Messrs Shearn Delamore & Co and sitting on the Board of a range of publicly listed companies including DKSH Holdings Berhad, Selangor Properties Berhad, Hektar Asset Management Berhad and Paragon Union Holdings Berhad.

“What really helped me during my tenure was the discipline and hard work required studying in New Zealand. When we went out into the world, we could withstand pressure. It taught us independence and self-reliance. You grow up and mature studying abroad.”

It wasn’t all hard work, with Lim describing his student years as “one of the happiest times of my life”.

As well as studying he worked part-time for local businesses, and became friends with fellow students staying at the university student hostel Weir House.

The reunion, held over several days in Wellington, included a tour of Weir House, a visit to Victoria Business School and a welcome at Te Herenga Waka Marae on Kelburn campus.

The group also visited Parliament and attended a special celebration dinner hosted by university chancellor Ian McKinnon and his wife Jenny, in honour of the occasion.

To learn more about educational opportunities in New Zealand go to www.studyinnewzealand.com.