Alumni celebrate 50 years of global engagement

July 2008

Mr John Kearsey, Divisional Director of Donor, Alumni and Community Relations at Monash University, addresses alumni at the Singapore Gala Reception

Monash University alumni representatives gathered in Singapore last month to celebrate the University’s 50th anniversary and to share their views on further strengthening Monash’s global alumni networks.

From 8-13 June, Monash alumni from around the world met in Singapore to attend three significant events including the annual Monash Alumni Advisory Group (MAAG) Summit, the Monash Singapore Gala Reception, and the Australian Universities International Alumni Convention (AUIAC).

The MAAG Summit (8-11 June) was attended by leaders of Monash University’s global alumni chapters. This year, summit discussions stemmed from the findings of the 2007 Alumni Engagement Survey.

“The pioneering alumni leaders flew from their home countries to Singapore to spend two and a half days discussing ways they might help their fellow alumni,” said MAAG Patron and Monash University Chancellor Dr Alan Finkel AM (BE 1976, PhD 1981).

“I brainstormed with MAAG representatives from Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand for a day and a half and I was delighted to see their enthusiasm, creativity and commitment,” he said.

On Monday 9 June, Monash University Alumni Association Singapore (MUAAS) organised a gala reception to mark the University’s 50th anniversary. More than 200 Monash alumni, staff and prominent members of the local community attended the celebration at Singapore’s Asian Civilisations Museum.

“I was thrilled to see Monash alumni come together in Singapore to celebrate the University’s 50th anniversary. The MUAAS Committee’s hard work to build a strong alumni connection has paid off,” said MUAAS President Mr Charles Lee (BE(Civ)(Hons) 1982).

Coinciding with the Summit and Gala was the AUIAC (10-13 June), a bi-ennial conference that brings together Australian alumni from around the world. Monash University sponsored over 15 alumni and several staff to attend the convention.