UK alumni lauded for stellar achievements as British Council observes 75 years in Malaysia

THE BRITISH COUNCIL recently celebrated the 75th anniversary of its remarkable and historic existence in Malaysia with a grand flagship dinner held to honour recipients of the Study UK Alumni Awards 2024.

The occasion brought together outstanding UK alumni from different industries, diverse stakeholders from public and corporate sectors, as well as university representatives..

Officiated by British High Commissioner to Malaysia Ailsa Terry, the event also served as a triumphant culmination of the year-long celebration of milestones in charting the course forward for UK-Malaysia connections through education, the arts and sciences.

A total of 12 nominees were recognised in the Malaysian edition of the Study UK Alumni Awards 2024 for their remarkable accomplishments and contributions towards their profession and societies.

Jazreel Goh, director of British Council Malaysia commented on the importance of recognising and reflecting on the achievements of Malaysians who are alumni of UK institutions and the impact they have had on the community, society, and nation.

“We take pride in all of them who epitomise the spirit of innovation and leadership,” she said.

“This event is also a reminder to all of us on the important role that UK alumni from Malaysia play as ambassadors who form the bedrock of a relationship of trust and cooperation between the UK and Malaysia, enabling partnerships that benefit both our countries.”

The award nominees were honoured in four categories – Science and Sustainability, Business and Innovation, Culture and Creativity, and Social Action.

The Science and Sustainability category award was presented to Prof Dr Abhi Veerakumarasivam, a graduate of University of Cambridge. He is the provost of Sunway University, leading the largest UK-Malaysia transnational education partnership with Lancaster University. An internationally-recognised educator, geneticist, and science communicator, he has helped equip tens of thousands of researchers across Southeast Asia.

The Business and Innovation category award went to Sr Vicky How Peck Ying, a graduate of University of The West of England, Bristol. She is a pioneering property valuer and founder/CEO of Propedia Group. She is known to drive impactful change through innovative ventures like Propedia Consultancy, Academy, Management, and Benefits Malaysia.

The winner in the Culture and Creativity category was Wendy Teo Boon Ting, a graduate of University College London and University of Cambridge. The architect and cultural advocate is noted for championing local craft communities and pioneering innovative design applications. She is involved in pan-Borneo craft research initiative, empowering communities across Sarawak, Sabah, and Kalimantan, with a commitment to preserving heritage and enriching cultural landscapes in Southeast Asia.

The Social Action category was presented to Dr Murallitharan Munisamy, a graduate of London School of Economics & Political Science and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. As the managing director of the National Cancer Society of Malaysia, he has led transformative efforts in providing equitable access to cancer care to Malaysians. He leads work to build socially beneficial, sustainable reform of health systems with a focus on non-communicable diseases.

High Commissioner Terry hailed education as one of the most important pillars in the UK-Malaysia relationship with thousands of Malaysians graduating from world-class UK institutions every year.

In fact, some 80,000 Malaysians received their higher education from the UK in the last ten years alone.  “These UK alumni members can bring their knowledge, experience and networks to further build on the strong foundation and create new partnerships,” she said.

 “I congratulate British Council on its anniversary and all the work it has delivered in the last 75 years to promote UK education and English language, as well as supporting arts and science partnerships.

“I look forward to great success in the future as the British Council continues to engage and leverage on the powerful alumni network that we have,” she added. – The Vibes, March 27, 2024