Aber Book

Foreword Croeso!

It is a privilege for me to be associated with our alma mater the University of Wales Aberystwyth (UWA). It is also a great honour to be part of the Malaysian Alumni Club of UWA.

It should not come as a surprise that Malaysia and Wales will always get along. Kuala Lumpur denotes 'confluence of two rivers (Kuala) of mud (Lumpur)' whilst Aberywtyth denotes 'the mouth of winding River Ystwyth'. It is fated.

The Welsh have a proud history of nation builders in the form of Owain Glydwr, David Lloyd George and many others which by my reckoning must surely include illustrious characters and contributors such as the first principal of UWA, Thomas Charles Edwards, the famous poet Dylan Thomas, writers and historians such as Gwynfor Evans and our very own Sir Kenneth O. Morgan, one of Britain's leading modern historians for over 30 years. Lest we forget, UWA (then University College of Wales or 'UCW') was established in 1872 with only 26 students and has grown to what it is now. Malaysians have been going to Aberystwyth as early as before 1950 for higher education.

To date we are truly proud to have 6 Malaysians who have been conferred Fellows of UWA and who are clearly distinctive in their achievements and persona. They have demonstrated great passion and commitment to their respective vocation and chosen fields which touch the lives of Malaysians over the years. Our congratulations yet again to our honourable members, Tun Ghazali Shafie (UCW 1951), Tun Salleh Abas (UCW 1954), Tan Sri Datuk Sri Arshad Ayub (UCW 1958), Tan Sri Ahmad Don (UCW1969), Datin Mariam Kadir (CLW 1970) and Datuk Zawiyah Baba (CLW 1973, 1983). Collectively, they are undoubtedly among the core of Malaysia's nation builders and for that, we are very proud of them. Individually, they each are an inspiration for Malaysian Aberites at the very least.

A special mention and deep gratitude must be made to YBhg Tan Sri Datuk Sri Arshad Ayub and the Protem Committee comprising of Ahmad Mohd. Don, Zawiyah Baba, Ahmad Fisal Abdul Rahman, Christopher Heng, K.Paranjothy and Khalid Mohd. Zin and Fay Cheah for their pioneering role in establishing the University of Wales Aberystwyth Alumni Club of Malaysia in 1988. We owe a debt of gratitude to Tan Sri Arshad who continued to provide strong leadership as President for two (2) terms as well as his contribution towards the Alumni Club in so many ways we can't even begin to acknowledge. It is little wonder they call him the Original Welsh-Malaysian as he has kept the bridge of communication and activities that brings Aber and Malaysia closer to each other for so many years now. He also never cease to tire from making frequent visits to Aber over the last 50 years! To Malaysian Aberites I bid you all to come aboard! We live in exciting times as Malaysia (post independence) will be 50 years old next year and would surely like to have more Aberites creating and

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participating in activities. I am sure it will prove to be a good source and outlet of networking for many, be it for business or personal needs.

This booklet marks 16 years anniversary of the existence of the Club. We hope the Aber - Malaysia ties will forever continue and that this booklet will go down in history not only as anecdotes of our friendship and warmth towards one another but also as testimony of a lasting relationship; of 2 progressive civilizations having met, parted and re-united…at a place called Aberystwyth. May I end by sharing with you this all time classic poem by Dylan Thomas to reflect on:THE POEM

Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right, Because their words had forked no lightning they Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight, And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way, Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light. And you, my father, there on the sad height, Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray. Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Dylan Thomas (1951)

Thank you & God Bless Fariz Abu Bakar President, UWA ACM 2005-2007

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HOW IT ALL STARTED....

Malaysia's first known link with Aberystwyth dates back to pre-1950 when Tan Sri Mohd Ghazalie bin Shafie read law at the University College of Wales and graduated with LLB (Hons) in 1950. Since then, students from Malaysia continued to attend UCW in small but steady numbers particularly in Law, Economics, Agricultural Science, Geography, International Politics and Librarianship.

The establishment of the International Centre at UCW in 1984 reflected the University's increasingly international outlook & with the considerable number of Malaysians graduating from Aberystwyth, the fostering of organized links with and among UCW graduates in Malaysia was a natural development.

The Director of International Centre, Mr. Geoffrey Brown, through his unceasing effort & correspondence, urged & encouraged the setting up of an Aber Old Students Association in Malaysia. The meeting of the Registrar, Mr. Emrys Wynn Jones with representatives of Aber graduates during a visit to Kuala Lumpur in June 1987 gave further impetus to initial efforts to set up the Association.

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The first gathering of Aber graduates was held at the Ming Court Hotel in Kuala Lumpur on 16th March 1989, known as "Aber Evening", and the Protem Committee for the setting-up of an Aberystwyth Alumni Club in Malaysia was formalized :President Vice-President Hon. Secretary Hon. Treasurer Comm. Members

: : : : :

Tan Sri Datuk Arshad Ayub Tan Sri Ahmad Mohd Don Dato' Zawiyah Baba Mr. Ahmad Fisal Abdul Rahman Ms. Fay Cheah Dr. K Paranjothy Mr. Christopher Heng

The Protem Committee was endorsed by the UCW, represented by Vice-Principal, Professor Alun Morris, on 14th April 1988 at a reception in Kuala Lumpur.

Much of 1988 & 1989 was taken up with the drafting of the constitution, compiling a directory of Aber graduates in Malaysia and organising activities to bring Aber graduates and their families together.

The Alumni Club was registered under the Societies Act 1969 on 24th January 1990 as Kelab Alumni University of Wales Aberystwyth di Malaysia. It was also subsequently recognised as a Branch of the UCW Aberystwyth Old Students Association.

Following its registration, the Aberystwyth Alumni Club has continued to play an even more active role as facilitator for social and professional interaction amongst Aber alumni in Malaysia and between the Alumni Club and the alma mater.

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PASSING THE BATON....

Past Presidents of the University of Wales Aberystwyth Alumni Club in Malaysia 1990 - 1995 1995 - 1999 1999 - 2003 2003 - 2005 President : 2005 - 2007

: Tan Sri Datuk Arshad Ayub (Economics & Statistics,1958) : Datin Mariam Abdul Kadir (Librarianship,1970) : Tan Sri Datuk Arshad Ayub (Economics & Statistics,1958) : Dato' Zawiyah Baba (Librarianship & Information Studies,1973; 1983) : Encik Mohd. Fariz Bin Abu Bakar (Law, 1991)

The election of Mohd. Fariz Abu Bakar, as President of the University of Wales Aberystwyth Alumni Club for 2005 - 2007 is significant in that it represents a passing of the leadership baton of the Alumni club from the older to the younger generation of Aberites. In fact since Tan Sri Datuk Arshad Ayub (1958), the founder President of the Club first took the helm of leadership when it was registered in 1990, the Club's Presidency has been held by successively younger members, namely Datin Mariam Abdul Kadir (1970) from 1995-1999 and Dato' Zawiyah Baba ( 1973;1983), 2003-2005. At 38, Fariz Abu Bakar is the youngest President of the Club. He is almost two decades younger than the Immediate Past President and four decades younger than our first President! Fariz is highly accomplished and a corporate leader in his own right as Managing Director of Medas Corporation, a public listed company with interests in security, information products and publications. A former President of the Malaysian Student Society ("MSS") at Aberystwyth, Fariz was associated with the Alumni Club since his student days. In fact he is almost a veteran, having served as Committee member and Vice-President in previous Executive Committees.

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Fariz leads an equally youthful but experienced members of the Executive Committee who are mainly in their 20s, 30s and early 40s. Vice-President Nasharuddin heads a law firm, as does Committee Member, Dato' Yeow Wah Chin. Honorary Secretary Rahimi and Fazrashad, Treasurer, have proven track record in their posts. Other Committee Members, Rithaudin, who works with the National Petroleum and Ubaida, youngest member of the Committee, are law graduates while new comer to the Club, Salem, is an accounting graduate and former President of the MSS. Dr. Hj. Wan Ali (Librarianship, 1974), Director-General of the National Library provides the balance as a senior member of the Committee, apart from Dato' Zawiyah who is Immediate Past President.

The young and dynamic Executive Committee augurs well for the future of the Alumni Club. We hope that this will attract more of the younger generation of Aberites to join and participate in the Club's activities. The enthusiastic response to the Aber Listserve where Aberites communicate and share news and happenings via the internet is a positive indication of this trend. We look forward to new initiatives which will foster closer ties with our alma mater and other young ‘old’ students of UWA Aberystwyth. - Zawiyah Baba -

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ABERITE EVENTS 1990

1990 saw a visit to Malaysia by 33 OSA members whereby a comprehensive programme were scheduled for the visitors by the Alumni Club in Malaysia. During that one-week visit, the visitors were fostered to a local host family. Hence giving them a taste of the Malaysian daily life.

1993

1 April 1993 : The launch of Development Board for Rural Wales ("DBRW") Environmental Impact Assessment ("EIA") Scholarship.

Dinner with the host family

Valued at £10,000 p.a. for tuition and living allowance, it was offered for three (3) consecutive years for successfully qualified Malaysians who are interested in pursuing post graduate research in Environmental Studies.

The Award is a culmination of the initiatives on one part of the International Centre, University of Wales Aberystwyth, its rapport and close relationship with the Malaysian UWA Alumni Club. Two of the successful candidates were : 1994 - Mr. Hamdan Abu Talib of the Civil Engineering Dept. of Ungku Aziz Polytech in Ipoh. 1995 - Pn. Che Asmah Ibrahim.

24 August 1993 : Hosting a Luncheon in honour of a visiting trade delegation from Wales led by the Rtd. Hon. Sir Wyn Roberts, Minister of State for Wales.

OSA Dinner

13 September 1993: Visit by Prof. Kenneth Morgan, Principal of UWA. Prof. Morgan was also invited for a visit to KUSZA, a local college located in Kuala Terengganu, one of the town in the East Coast of Malaysia, where he had given two public lectures titled "The British Education System and

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the Malaysian Education" and "Universities and Historical Changes : The British Experience since 1945".

1995

06 April 1995: Conferment of the Honorary Degree of the Doctor of Laws (LLD) Honoris Causa to Tan Sri Datuk Arshad Ayub. August 1995: Datin Mariam was conferred Honorary Fellowship by the University of Wales Aberystwyth.

05 November 1995: Mr. Geoffrey Browne was conferred an Honorary Member of the Alumni Club in Malaysia. He was impetous in assisting the formation of the Alumni Club in Malaysia, working together with Tan Sri Datuk Arshad Ayub, Mr. Chris Heng, En. Ahmad Fisal and others, thus making it a reality.

1996

15 - 16 March 1996: British Education Fair at Putra World Trade Centre. UWA was represented by Mr. Jeffrey Wells of the International Liasion, Development of External Affairs, Prof. Sue Arrowsmith, Director of Postgraduate Studies and Mr. Andrew Campbell of the Law Faculty. Concurrently, the Faculty of Law also hosted an informal buffet at the Wisma Belia Hotel for prospective and former students of the UWA.

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06 April 1996: "Gong Xi - Raya" Celebration. This joint celebration of the Chinese New Year and the Eid Mubaraq was held at the National Library.

1997

06 April 1997: Aber Alumni's "Back to Nature" Family Day, held at Tan Sri Arshad Ayub's fish pond and orchard at the Kg. Sg. Penchala. 21 - 25 April 1997: Prof. Derec and the Morgan's visit to Malaysia. A dinner / lecture was held in conjunction with his visit at the Menara Maybank, titled "A World Without Knowledge is No World Current Development in Higher Education".

1998

08 May 1998: Family Day - "Back to Nature" outing and get-a-way at D'Ark Training and Resort Ashida Villa. This year, the family day saw participation by 68 Aberites and family members.

05 October 1998: University of Wales Aberystwyth Graduation Ceremony in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This was the first time that the University held a graduation ceremony outside of the United Kingdom. 20 postgraduate from the Alumni Honorary Class of 1996 / 97 and 9 undergraduates from the En. Khaeruddin Sudharmin 1998 graduating class were conferred their degree by the Vice Chancellor of University of Wales Aberystwyth, Prof. Derec Clwyd Morgan, whom accompanied by Prof. John Williams, made a special trip for this ceremony.

The event was a great success whereby about 100 family and guests of the graduates were present to celebrate the momentous occasion.

The function was attended by the Deputy Minister of Education, Datuk Dr Fong Chan Onn, Malaysian Fellows of the University of Wales Aberystwyth, namely the former Lord President, Tun Dato' Dr Mohamed Salleh Abas, former Foreign Affairs Minister, Tun Mohd Ghazalie Shafie, former Governor of Central Bank of Malaysia, Tan Sri Ahmad Mohd Don, former Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture Tan Sri Datuk Arshad Ayub and the DirectorGeneral of National Library of Malaysia then, Datin Mariam Abdul Kadir.

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2000

October 2000: Reception for the Royal Couple, HRH the Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward and HRH Countess of Wessex, Sophy Rhys Jones.

17 November 2000: Dinner Lecture cum Reunion at the JW Marriott Hotel. The reunion dinner was attended by Aberites from various graduating classes while the Lecture was delivered by Mr. Gary Ball, the author of "the Shooting Gallery" who spoke on "Risk Management and Disaster Control".

2001

18 April 2001: OSA Easter Reunion in Aberystwyth - attended by Tan Sri Datuk Arshad Ayub, Puan Sri Zaleha and En. Fariz Abu Bakar. 21 April 2001: Family Day - "Aberite Get Together" at Tan Sri Datuk Arshad Ayub's fish pond and orchard at the Kg. Sg. Penchala.

26 August - 02 September 2001: OSA Visit to Malaysia. The Alumni Club hosted another group of 20 OSA members on a week's visit to Malaysia in August 2001. For some of the OSA members who's on their second trip to Kuala Lumpur, they were able to view the great progress undergone by this country over the last decade.

Various visits, dinner and luncheons were organized starting with a trip to the Economic Planning Unit and tour of the Putrajaya, the new Malaysian Government Administrative Centre. In addition to visits around the Klang Valley, OSA members were taken on a day-trip to Malacca, the Historical City and to Teluk Intan for a bird's-eye view on the operation of an oil palm plantation and followed by a visit to the Kuala Selangor mangrove, well known for its fire flies.

2002

April 2002: OSA Easter Gathering at Aberystwyth, was attended by Tan Sri Datuk Arshad Ayub, En. Fariz Abu Bakar and En. Nasharuddin Hussein.

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24 - 28 April 2002: Visit by the Vice-Chancellor of University of Wales Aberystwyth, Prof. Derec Clwydd Morgan and Head of Law Faculty, Prof. Williams.

Unfortunately, the trip coincided with a Malaysian public holiday in conjunction with the coronation of the new king for the country. Nonetheless, the Alumni Club had successfully arranged a meet with the Chancellor of UiTM as well as members of the Law Faculty of the University of Malaya. Two of the alumni members, En. Fariz Abu Bakar and Dato' Bhaskaran Pillai had also taken the visitors and their spouse / partner for dinner.

25 August 2002: Family Day at Tan Sri Datuk Arshad's orchard in Sg. Penchala.

2003

07 March 2003: Visit by the OSA President, Dr. J Gwyn Morgan. As the Morgans were on a transit in Kuala Lumpur on their way to Singapore, a few of the alumni members met up with them for breakfast at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel.

18 - 20 April 2003: OSA Easter Reunion in Aberystwyth. This reunion had the largest attendance from the Malaysian Aberites. From Malaysia, the attendees were Tan Sri Datuk Arshad Ayub, Mr. Khaeruddin Sudharmin (a friend of the Alumni Club) and Miss Rahimi Ahmad. They were joined by other Aber graduates who are based in London, i.e. Mrs Suliana Set Suhara, Miss Shariza Hashim & her sister, Miss Sri Rahayu Zainuddin and Miss Azila Zakaria.

2004

16 July 2004: Dato' Zawiyah Baba, President of the University of Wales Aberystwyth Alumni Club in Malaysia (2003-2005) and Director General of the National Library of Malaysia was made a fellow of the University of Wales Aberystwyth.

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2005

Distinguish Gentlemen

13-15 January 2005: Visit by the OSA President, Mr. Hywel Gethin Daviesand his wife, Enlawry. His visit to Malaysia was a scheduled stopover in the itinerary of their holiday to the Far East, which included Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines. The stopover in Malaysia included some very interesting, although brief stops in Penang, Cameron Highlands, Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, Sabah and Sarawak. Mr. Gethin Davies was accompanied by his wife, Enlawry and former OSA President, Kenneth Young and his wife Brenda. Dato' Zawiyah Baba hosted a dinner reception for the Mr. Davies and his charming group at the Sundanese Restaurant KLCC, on 13th January, joined by other committee members. The following day, Tan Sri Datuk Arshad and Puan Sri Zaleha Arshad hosted a sumptious dinner for Dr. Gethin and his entourage at their beautiful new home in Shah Alam.

23 April 2005: Reunion of Class of 91. Fariz Abu Bakar had a mini reunion of his Class of 91 at his home in Country Heights on Saturday, 23 April 2005. Five couples from the 'Ulek Mayang' dance groups of Malaysian Evening 1990 turned up with their spouses and juniors in tow. Fariz and his wife Mazlita were kept busy entertaining friends and children at the barbeque dinner they hosted.

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4th June 2005: Tun Ghazali Shafie, former Minister of Foreign Affairs Malaysia and Fellow of the University of Wales Aberystwyth was conferred the Seri Setia Mahkota (SSM), which carries the title 'Tun', in conjunction with the birthday of the King, Yang Dipertuan Agong. The Alumni Club extends its warmest congratulations to the Honorable Tun.

July 2005: Tan Sri Datuk Arshad was appointed the Chairman of the University of Malaya Council in July 2005 and has had his term as Pro-Chancellor of University of Technology MARA extended for another 5 year term. 30 July 2005: Wedding Bells - The President and Executive Committee of the Alumni Club in Malaysia extends its heartiest congratulations to Ubaida and Zuratul, our Assistant Honorary Secretary and Honorary Secretary, respectively on the occasion of their Akad Nikah on 30th July, followed by their wedding receptions in September 2005. We wish them both happiness and a blissful married life.

10 - 11 September 2005: Aber Family Day at the Eagle Ranch Resort Sports Paradise at Port Dickson. It was a truly enjoyable and fun outing for the 40 Aberites, including the President, Vice-President, Executive Committee members , their families and friends who participated. The family Day was graced by the presence and participation of Y.Bhg. Tan Sri Datuk Arshad Ayub and Puan Sri Zaleha Arshad, ever staunch supporters of the Alumni Club. The Eagle Ranch turned out to be a most appropriate choice with its unusual rustic setting, friendly and sporty atmosphere, with chalets of different themes and tepees. There are

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surprisingly a good variety of facilities, including a spa with sauna and traditional massage.

Welcome Dinner at Sg. Penchala

The highlights of the weekend fare include a sumptious Barbecue followed by a karaoke session where Aberites including Fariz, Nash, Hazlina, Fazrashad, Salem showed their impressive talents. Not to be outdone, young participants Wafiy and Shazwani also participated, showing remarkable confidence on the microphone. Must be the influence of the so-called reality talent shows on television! As a bonus Puan Sri Zaleha showed that she is indeed a woman of many talents when she sang a harmonious and delightful duet with Nash.

The following day, the much anticipated telematch where participants sported the specially designed T-shirt, Cap and Umbrella, courtesy of Tuah Guard and ABL Security Sdn Bhd. A variety of fun-filled events were conducted by the Resort Sports Coordinator and his assistant. It was wonderful that everyone, young and not-so-young, were able to take part and enjoy themselves. 24 September 2005: Talk by Y.Bhg. Tan Sri Datuk Arshad Ayub on "Higher Education in Malaysia : Issues and Challenges" was held at the 5th Floor, National Library of Malaysia. The talk was organized by the Alumni Club with the cooperation of the National Library of Malaysia. Prof. Dr. Rahmat Mohamad, Assistant ViceChancellor, Knowledge Advancement Institute, MARA University of Technology, also a distinguished Aber alumni, was Chairman and Discussant for the talk. The talk was well attended by representatives from various Institutions of Higher Learning and Aber alumni members.

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Visit to the Economic Planning Unit

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22 November 2005: Appointment of Datuk Zawiyah Baba as the electronic library consultant to Sri Lanka by Unesco (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation). She has been given the task of studying and evaluating the status of the library and its information service following the devastation caused by the tsunami in Sri Lanka in December last year.

19th November 2005: Mr Yeow Wah Chin was confered the "Darjah Indera Mahkota Pahang (DIMP)" which carries the title Dato' from HRH the Sultan of Pahang in conjunction with his 75th Birthday.

A law graduate of the UWA (1991), he is an active member of the University of Wales Alumni Club in Malaysia. He is an elected Executive Committee Member for many years. As the Organizing Chairman, in September, 2005 he helped organize a very successful talk entitled: "Higher Education in Malaysia" Issues and Challenges" by Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Datuk Arshad Ayub.

He is also an appointed member of Disciplinary Committee Panel established under the Legal Profession Act. The primary objective of the Disciplinary Committee is to hear cases of complaints against errant lawyers and deliberate and make a decision on the merit of the case. In addition, he is actively involved in various other charity works, being a life member and legal advisor of the Society of Interpreters for the Deaf in Selangor and Wilayah Persekututan ("SID") and unreservedly involved in the LIONS community service and activities of which he had received numerous Lions awards. He is married to Datin Genevieve with three children.

The Club extends our heartiest congratulation to our now YBhg Datuk Yeow.

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MALAYSIAN FELLOWS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WALES, ABERYSTWYTH

From left

Tan Sri Datuk Arshad Ayub •

•

Tan Sri Datuk Arshad Ayub read Economics with Statistics at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth and obtained Bachelor of Science in June 1957 and Bachelor of Science (Hons) in June 1958. He is highly prominent in Malaysian economic and education scene whereby he serves as member, advisor and chairman on various state economic development, corporations, regional development authorities and economic foundations. Tan Sri Datuk Arshad Ayub is also the current Chairman of the University of Malaya Council and the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Technology MARA, two of the renowned universities in Malaysia. m e m o r i e s - s w e e t

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• •

Tan Sri Datuk Arshad Ayub is one of the founder members of the University of Wales at Aberystwyth Alumni Club of Malaysia and had been very active with the Alumni Club since its inception.

He was the first President of the Alumni Club and also the first foreign graduate to be elected as the President of the OSA (2001-2002). Tan Sri Datuk Arshad Ayub was the third Malaysian awarded the Fellowship of the University of Wales, Aberystwyth

Tun Mohd Ghazali Shafie • •

The second Malaysian awarded the Fellowship of the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, Tun Ghazali Shafie obtained his LLB. (Hons) from the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth in 1951.

He held various cabinet posts in the Malaysian government as Minister with Special Function (1970 and 1972-73), Minister of Information (1971-73), Minister of Home Affairs (1973-78) and Minister of Foreign Affairs (1978-1984). He is still actively involved in various committees and often called upon to address various seminars and conferences and is an Ambassador at large.

Datin Mariam Abdul Kadir • • • •

Datin Mariam Abdul Kadir pursued her postgraduate studies at the College of Librarianship, Wales in Aberystwyth and obtained A.L.A. (Postgraduate) in December 1969. She was the Director General of National Library of Malaysia (1990-1999) and had been involved with the Malaysian Library Association (PPM) since 1970.

Datin Mariam is an active member of the University of Wales at Aberystwyth Alumni Club of Malaysia since its inception and was elected as President of the Alumni Club for two terms from 1995-1999.

Datin Mariam was awarded the Fellowship of the University of Wales, Aberystwyth in 1995.

Tun Dato' Dr. Hj. Mohamed Salleh Abas •

Obtained his LL.B (Hons) from the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth in 1954 and was called to the English Bar (Barrister-at-Law) by the Honorable Society of the Middle Temple in 1955.

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Tun Dato’ Dr. Hj. Salleh Abas is the first Malaysian to be awarded the Fellowship of the University of Wales, Aberystwyth.

He is currently practising as an advocate and solicitor and is the presiding Arbitrator in Re International Commercial Dispute between ONGC Videsh Limited of India and Den Norske Stats Oljeslskap A.S. of Europe.

Tan Sri Dato' Ahmad Mohamed Don. •

• •

Tan Sri Dato' Ahmad Mohamed Don read Economics and Accounts at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth and was the first Malaysian student to graduate with a first class Honours in Aberystwyth in 1969. He was awarded the Fellowship of the University of Wales, Aberystwyth in 1998. Tan Sri Dato’ Ahmad was the Governor of the Central Bank of Malaysia from 1994-1998.

Tan Sri is also one of the founder members of the University of Wales at Aberystyth Alumni Club of Malaysia and was the Vice President of the Alumni Club from 1988 to 1993.

Datuk Zawiyah Baba • • • •

Datuk Zawiyah Baba obtained her Post Graduate Diploma in Librarianship in 1973 and M.Lib in 1983 from the University of Wales Aberystwyth.

She was the Director General of the National Library of Malaysia in 2001 and was also elected President of the Malaysians Librarians Association in March 2001 for a two-year term. Dato’ Zawiyah is an active member of the Alumni Club in Malaysia, being one of the founder member and Honorary Secretary of the Malaysia Alumni Club from 1988 - 1993 as well as elected President of the Alumni Club from 2003 - 2005. She was made a fellow of the University of Wales Aberystwyth in 2004.

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MEMORIES LANE The drive through Machynlleth up to Snowdonia was a fine

lesson in how modernisation can live hand in hand with preservation. May be we

needed to slow down a bit to allow ourselves to think and ponder.

Hassan Basri - Sept 86 - July 89. LLB. Been there 8 times since leaving, just loves the place.

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Aber memories?? Too many to count! But forever engraved in my mind would be my first ever snow experience on the Eid-Al Fitr of 1995. Thus we had a “white Raya” instead of a white Christmas for that year. All the sadness of celebrating the Eid away from the family was finally taken over by the 'snow' novelty!!

I remembered fondly the amount of 'walkings' that I did while in Aber (especially since I ended up losing 9kg by the time I came home for the summer!!).... walking down from my room in Neuadd Cwrt Mawr to visit friends at Cambrian Place and up again, walking across fields with the occasional sheep on the way to the CLW for my Human Resource classes, passing houses with fruits laden apple trees in their garden and walking across to the Student Village at 11.00 p.m., almost every night for a study break...though, these are now merely memories .....walking in Kuala Lumpur??....ONLY in the air-conditioned shopping complexes!! Rahimi @ Mimi 93/96

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Ah, Aber, the end of the train line But an end so divine

Only memories come to mind Of revelries and good times And sceneries sublime

While seven years have eclipsed Still etched in my mind

Are the lives and souls entwined? That had forged binds So fine…

Indeed, an era of great friendships! Long Seh Lih - LLB - 1998

Informal dinner at Penbryn Hall of resident

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Aber… at times you just hate the quietness but once left, one begins to appreciate the serenity offered by the place. Though 10 years had past… the memories never fade.. Rithaudin @ Rizal 93/96 + 97/98

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Acknowledgements The Alumni Committee wish to record their deepest gratitude and appreciation to the following for their kind assistance, effort and contribution : Salem

Rahimi

Rizal@Rithaudin and special thanks to

Dato’ Zawiyah for her generous contributions and to

Tan Sri Datuk Arshad Ayub for his leadership and guidance

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