SSC to Hold First Alumni Meeting in Malaysia

On October 10, the first Sakura Science Club (SSC) Alumni Meeting in Malaysia was held at Park Royal Kuala Lumpur’s Orchid Grand Ballroom with a turnout of 95 club members, guests and press. After welcome speeches by Mr. Okimura Kazuki (JST Principal Fellow and founder of Sakura Science Plan exchange program) and Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia H.E. Dr. Makio Miyagawa, Mr. Mohammad Sanusi bin Abdul Karim (Undersecretary of the International Relations Division Ministry of Education) and Mr. Mohd Azlan Bin Idris (Senior Assistant Secretary International Division Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change) gave congratulatory remarks.

Following the greetings, 11 regional SSC coordinators Mr. Arif Zulfadli Bin Nain, Ms. Mok Kar Mun, Ms. Nur Diyan Mohd Ridzuan, Dr. Che Azurahanim Che Abdullah, Dr. Lau Woei Jye, Ms. Mornizawati Binti Abdullah, Dr. Gan Hong Seng, Mr. Mohd Haziq B. Sharom Ravi Daram, Ms. Nur Arina Binti Johari, Dr. Nurzal Effiyana Binti Ghazali, and Ms. Nur Shakila Binti Muzammir, were introduced on stage for future alumni activities in Malaysia.

Next, selected members made presentations on how Sakura Science affected their endeavors: Ms. Norzela Nordin (Graduate Student, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris), Mr. Arif Zulfadli Bin Nain (Engineer, Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd), Ms. Mok Kar Mun (Analytical Scientist, Biocon Sdn Bhd), Ms. Nur Diyan Mohd Ridzuan (Graduate Student, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS), and Dr. Hong-Seng Gan (Researcher, Universiti Kuala Lumpur).

After the presentations, members enjoyed some time for re-uniting and meeting new friends. One member said that “the next meeting could feature some poster sessions to showcase achievements of SSP participants,” while another suggested “to establish a task force to promote active participation among alumni through social media platforms.”