KOTA SAMARAHAN: The alumni culture in the country’s institutions of higher learning is still poor compared to other countries, said Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) deputy vice-chancellor of student affairs and alumni Prof Mohd Fadzil Abdul Rahman.
He said that the culture was lacking simply because there was no serious effort by the alumni themselves to help their universities once they graduated.
Mohd Fadzil said even though there were many alumni associations established in universities throughout the country, most of the associations merely used it as a platform to hold yearly dinner and other minor activities.
To him, those activities did not reflect the real objective of the alumni association’s establishment because as alumni, they were supposed to be actively contributing back to the universities.
Mohd Fadzil pointed out to achieve such effort, Unimas had established six chapters throughout the country, which would act as intermediaries between university and students.
Besides that, he said that Unimas had even tried to establish a network between university and the alumni.
“The prime minister had always say inclusiveness. So, we at the student affairs and alumni department of Unimas would like to make sure that all are included in the activities organised by our university,” he said in a press conference held at its campus yesterday.
Mohd Fadzil felt sad with the attitude of some of their successful alumni who no longer regard the happenings in the university as their business.
“Some of our successful alumni who came from poor families were the recipients of our students’ welfare fund. When they are successful, they failed to realise that they are the people who should contribute back to the university to enable students or their juniors to feel the same support given to them previously,” he said.
Mohd Fadzil said it was the university’s hope that the alumni contribute ideas, energy and employment opportunities to their juniors.
“I cannot deny that our students are very thoughtful people especially when we meet them, but I have yet to see this in terms of how they can give back to the university.
“We also recognise that our students have their own principles and philosophy. We have to accept that we are now in the 21st century and we longer can use the old school of thoughts,” he added.
Mohd Fadzil recognised that in order to attract former students to join the university’s alumni, the university had to use different approaches.
“We cannot force them to join the alumni and we cannot force our students to believe what we believe in. We must allow them to express their hearts and minds. For us, we listen and we will try to be accommodative,” he said.
“This is something that I feel all universities should do,” he added.