By Saiful Bahri Kamaruddin
Pix Jayaraman Ramanathan

BANGI, 6 June 2015 – It was a trip down memory lane for a group of alumni of The National University of Malaysia (UKM), some of whom have not visited their alma mater since graduating 30-odd years ago.

They said they felt honoured to be able to meet up with the top management and students on their visit to the Bangi campus, dubbed Le Tour De UKM.

Vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Noor Azlan Ghazali welcomed the UKM Indian Alumni group, saying he was proud that the graduates still had strong emotional ties to the university.

The university, he added, was interested in establishing stronger bonds with the estimated 170,000 people who have graduated since 1973.

“I’m happy that many of you are holding high positions in the public and private sectors. Some are chief executive officers and managing directors.

“It is appropriate that you returned to rekindle old ties and to help students,” he said in his speech at the chancellery here, recently.

Also present were Student Development and Alumni Relations Centre director Assoc Prof Dr Roslee Rajikan, deputy director (alumni relations) Assoc Prof Dr Chang Peng Kee, Hindu Representative Council advisors Assoc Prof Dr Pramela Kris and Dr R. Ramalinggam.

The alumni later spent four hours with 40 Indian students and briefed them on job prospects.

Those who spoke included lawyer S. Pasupathy who graduated in chemical technology in 1983, corporate trainer Anthony Fernandez who graduated in microbiology in 1984 and Human Resource Development Fund chief executive officer C.M. Vignaeswaran who graduated in Business Administration in 1997.

Pasupathy stressed on the importance of networking.

“I am working with some friends whom I have known for over three decades,” he said.

Goodlabs (M) Sdn Bhd managing director A. Ganesh gave tips on how students should carry themselves during interviews while logistics company managing director S. Jayakumar talked about the importance of students taking part in extra-curricular activities and setting long term goals for success.

Universiti Malaya School of Languages and Linguistics deputy dean Dr Thilagavathi Shanmuganathan spoke on how students should market themselves.

The group later attended a luncheon with UKM deputy vice-chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni) Prof Datin Noor Aziah Mohd Awal.