MIRI: Curtin Alumni Association of Malaysia recently held a Curtin alumni dinner in Kuala Lumpur to celebrate Curtin University’s 50th anniversary and Chinese New Year.
Pro vice-chancellor, president and chief executive of Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia), Professor Jim Mienczakowski and chief operating officer Kingsley Francis Charles were among the guests.
Curtin Malaysia in a statement said among the notable guests were the Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia, HE Andrew Goledzinowski and wife Lyn Allan, Curtin University deputy Vice-chancellor international Professor Seth Kunin, and director of Alumni and Advancement Services, Erika Beazley.
Also present were founding Curtin Alumni Association president LA Lim; current president Saran Baskaran and vice-president Michelle Chia; vice-president for Education and Welfare of Malaysian Australian Alumni Council (MAAC) and Curtin alumnus, Jane The and MAAC Community Achievement Award winner Angelia Chin Sharpe.
Professor Mienczakowski said he was delighted to see so many Curtin alumni present, being part of a diverse alumni network of some 215,000 Curtin graduates from 155 different countries.
“Curtin University has just celebrated its 50 years of innovation in education, research, collaboration and engagement, and indeed our graduates should carry this legacy with great pride.
“They should be proud to be graduates of a university recognised as among the top one percent in the world, and as the university which has progressed more rapidly in major international rankings than any other Australian institution in recent years,” he said.
Curtin Malaysia alone produced over 5,500 graduates in various disciplines since its establishment in 1999 with about 670 more at its graduation ceremony this April.
On Curtin’s alumni, Professor Mienczakowski hoped the synergising of Curtin’s campuses in Perth, Malaysia, Singapore and Dubai under the mantle of its ‘One University’ approach will be extended to its alumni across the world, particularly in Malaysia.
“A lot can be done to bring Curtin alumni in Malaysia together, and we look forward to greater synergy between our alumni in East and West Malaysia, and between the alumni offices in Perth and Malaysia campuses.
“Being an alumnus is more than just a definition. It’s not only a part of a graduate’s history, but who they are today. Their relationship with Curtin shouldn’t end with their graduation. We value their continued interest, interaction, and involvement in the life of their university,” he said.
Established in 1993, Curtin University Alumni Association (Malaysia) aims to connect Curtin alumni in Malaysia with their alma mater in Perth by organising regular events for its members. Every Curtin alumnus is given free membership for life.