Two “Lost” Tree Species Found in UKM's Permanent Forest Reserve

Padang – Here We Come
“
Jom kita pergi Padang” (Let’s us go to Padang),
Prof. Dato’ Ir. Dr. Hassan Basri, acting Deputy
Vice-chancellor for student affairs and alumni
told Professor Dato’ Dr. Laily Din Director of UKM
alumni Relations office (PPaLumni) one day after
their meeting. Preparations were done in earnest. Three
years ago plans were already made to go there to meet
our fellow alumni but somehow later they were put on
hold. This time with the push from Prof. Hassan, things
are moving again.
an official delegation from UKM consisting of
Professor Dato’ Ir. Dr. Hassan Basri representing Vicechancellor,
Prof. Tan sri Dato’ Wira Dr. sharifah Hapsah
syed Hasan shahabudin, Prof. Dato’ Dr. Laily Din,
assoc. Professor Dr. Koh aik Khoon (Deputy Director of
PPalumni), assoc. Prof. Dr. Marlyna (Deputy Director
of the centre for Graduate Management), Madam
Kiftiah abdul Razak of the Registrar office, Mr. Mohd
Fauzi of PPalumni
and Mr. aiman of the
chancellory headed for
Padang at the end of
February 2011. They
met up with our alumni
from Western sumatera
in Hotel Pangeran
Beach, Padang at 7pm
on 27 February 2011.
about 48 Indonesian
alumni were present
together with six
Malaysian medical
students from the University of andalas. It was a longawaited
gathering and reunion, all in the good spirit
of fellow alumni. Prof. Hassan complimented UKM
alumni Relations office for its concerted efforts in
forging ties. alumni play important roles in enhancing
the image of their alma Mater. In universities like
Harvard and cambridge their strengths are derived to a
large extent from their pool of successful and prominent
alumni.
Dato’ Laily in his speech mooted the idea of
enhancing academic, social and business ties among
the alumni from Indonesia and Malaysia. For academic
ties, for example, it can be in the form of seminars
12 l Jan - March 2011
and conferences. Research collaborations are another
channel for joint-venture. Dato’ himself has many
friends in Indonesia and he made use of the trip to look
up old friends and former students.
Dato’ Paduka Dr. Junaidi abu Bakar, Minister
counsellor (education) at our embassy in Jakarta also
spoke at the function. He is a thorough-bred of UKM
for all his three degrees were earned from the same
institution. He quipped that he had no better university
to enroll. He will be invited to deliver the 5th alumni
lecture later on in the year. The head of alumni from
Western sumatra Dr. Marsis also delivered his speech.
He is attached to the University of Bung Hatta.
The alumni from Padang have already organised
themselves to form a chapter. People like Dr. Marsis, M.
Pd. and Dr. elvis adril were already actively involved.
our Deputy Vice-chancellor was there just to officially
launched the chapter.
Later the Indonesian
alumni were given
the opportunities to
relate their experiences
at UKM. They had
mostly sweet memories
studying at UKM.
some of them jokingly
said they were also
graduates of UM. M
stands for Hotel J.W.
Guests at the launch of UKM Alumni Chapter in Padang
Marriott in Putra Jaya
as some of them were
working part-time there. Their complaint centred
largely on the long delay between submitting their Ph.D
thesis and the viva. some had to wait for one year. Dato’
Hassan assured them that under Iso, the maximum
waiting period is three months. Things have improved.
They also asked that fees be paid in installments for
those who are financially tight. The discussion was
cordial and frank and officials from UKM took note of
their concerns. Madam Kiftiah was there to answer their
questions regarding enrolment. Many of their friends
want to come to UKM to study for s1, s2 and s3.
UKM is a brand-name among our Indonesia friends.
We are proud of our contributions in terms of enhancing
Nusantara ties and educational opportunities.