On 3 December, Commonwealth Alumni in Malaysia gathered for a special event to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC).
Since 1960, over 600 citizens of Malaysia have been awarded a Commonwealth Scholarship. The event sought to bring together alumni to celebrate the impact of Commonwealth Scholarships at the personal, community and national level.
Connecting through memories
The event attracted over 40 attendees, including Commonwealth Alumni and those interested in learning more about Commonwealth Scholarships. As well as celebrating the 65th anniversary of the CSC, the event was also the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic that alumni had met in-person, adding extra excitement to the proceedings.
The event was organised by the current coordinator of the CSC’s alumni association in Malaysia, Professor Yong Zulina Zubairi (2002 Academic Fellow) with support from an alumni organising committee and the British Council in Malaysia, who hosted the event.
As this was the first in person event for some years, attendees were invited to participate in an icebreaking session where they shared what they liked and/or missed most about the UK and their favourite pastimes. Many alumni shared that they missed springtime in the UK and walking through gardens, festive seasons and celebrations and the iconic fish and chips!
Bridging Science, Society and Sustainability
The overarching theme of the event was planetary health and the ways in which individuals can contribute to the health of the planet through everyday actions.
To formally introduce the topic, Dr Fong Chng Saun, Institute for Advanced Studies at Universiti Malaya and member of the Planetary Health Alliance, opened the event with an expert talk titled, ‘Bridging Science, Society and Sustainability’.
This was followed by two engaging sharing sessions on ‘Alumni Contributions to Planetary Health: A Multidimensional Approach’, led by Commonwealth Alumni Professor Dr Desmond Cheah (2010 Scholar) and Zaryn Asnawi (2021 Scholar). The discussion prompted alumni to share ways in which they are taking action to address planetary health concerns, such as supporting the development of sustainable green cities and the use of recycled materials in building developments.
The second sharing session was titled, ‘Empowered by Opportunity: UK Alumni and CSC Alumni Success Stories’ and encouraged alumni to recount memorable stories from their time as scholars. Led by Associate Professor Dr Sheena Kaur and Dr Mohd Iqbal Shamsudheen, attendees reflected on the support they received from their UK university, particularly that extended to those with children, the international networks forged through their courses and campus life and participating in recreational activities, including watching the Premier League.
Strengthening the alumni association
Towards the end of the event, Commonwealth Alumni in attendance held a separate meeting to discuss the formation of a formal CSC alumni association in Malaysia. This resulted in a productive discussion and the election of an interim committee to take forward the development of the association in 2025.
Alongside the talks and general celebrations, attendees were honoured to be joined by an alumnus who was part of one of the early cohorts of Commonwealth Scholars from Malaysia. As Malaysia’s first archaeologist, she has made monumental contributions to Malaysia’s historical and cultural heritage. Additionally, alumni were delighted to celebrate the achievements of one the latest recipients of a Commonwealth Split-site Scholarship, who had passed their viva five days before the event. These successes added a special touch to the event and marking a transformative 65 years of Commonwealth Scholarships in Malaysia.
