South East Asia: January 2002

To mark the beginning of each new year, the Imperial College Alumni Association of Singapore (ICAAS) has created a signature event called "ICAAS Networking Nite".

Singapore

To mark the beginning of each new year, the Imperial College Alumni Association of Singapore (ICAAS) has created a signature event called "ICAAS Networking Nite". This event allows members to renew old contacts and make new friends with fellow alumni. ICAAS has two other signature events: "ICAAS Nite" (in conjunction with the AGM) in the third quarter and "ICAAS BBQ" at the end of the year.

The inaugural ICAAS Networking Nite was attended by Imperial College's recently appointed Pro Rector for Public and Corporate Affairs, Dr Tidu Maini. About 30 alumni were present at this evening event which was held at the prestigious Tanglin Club.

The alumni were treated not only to a sumptuous meal but, more importantly, to an inspiring update on Imperial College by Dr Maini. We heard about the expansion of Imperial College in the past decade, its achievements and future direction. The pre-eminence of Imperial College in the UK university ranking and the successful spin-off of Imperial College research efforts, has strengthened the position of Imperial College among the great international universities.

Dr Maini also outlined his important role at Imperial College and ways in which alumni can work with the College. These include involvement in spin-off companies and a scholarship fund set up to assist students from Asia to study at Imperial College.

News of the conferment of Imperial College Fellowship, the highest honour from Imperial College, to our Senior Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, made all of us proud to be associated with both the College and Singapore.

Dr Maini's visit to Singapore also gave ICAAS a good opportunity to discuss many initiatives to strengthen the tie between the College and its alumni. We look forward to further discussion and the implementation of these initiatives which will make the College and its alumni associations great institutions that all students will yearn to join.

NG Beng

New Delhi

On Tuesday 8 January 2002, Mohan Puri, President of the Imperial College Alumni Association of India, and his Committee, hosted a meeting of Sir Richard Sykes FRS, Rector, Professor Richard Kitney OBE FREng, Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Dr Tidu Maini, Pro Rector. The event was held as part of the official programme of the India-UK Science Festival, organised by the British Council in India. The venue for the meeting was the Long Champ Hall, Taj Mahal Hotel.

The event commenced with Cocktails, after which Mohan Puri introduced the visitors from Imperial College to the 140 Alumni, their spouses, members of the UK High Commission and British Council and other distinguished guests.

In his address, Mohan Puri mentioned some of the achievements Imperial College. These included the adoption of a faculty based system which will ensure that Imperial College maintains its status of excellence as we move in to the 21st century.

Mention was also made of the need to encourage more Indian students to study at Imperial College. It was suggested that any India-based fundraising campaigns should focus on the creation of scholarships to promote this aim.

The President spoke of past Imperial College alumni events and made a request to Dr Maini to restore the International Alumni Forums.

Sir Richard Sykes, assisted by Professor Richard Kitney and Dr Tidu Maini, then gave a fascinating talk which provided an overview of Imperial College and plans to build on the existing links between alumni and the College and to reinforce and develop this unique and mutually beneficial relationship.

Sir Richard spoke of the history of the constituent college associations and Imperial College's subsequent developments and mergers. He then outlined the strategy which will allow Imperial College to remain among the top tier of scientific, engineering and medical research and teaching institutions in the world.

Achievements of Imperial College were discussed and Dr Maini talked about Imperial College's spin-off companies, their diverse portfolio and the business process employed by Imperial College which has lead to the formation of such companies.

The event was of great significance as it marks the launch of the Imperial College Brand Equity in India and it is hoped that an International Alumni Forum will be held in India soon.

The alumni were most appreciative, not only of the efforts and hard work put in by the President, Mohan Puri, and his secretariat, but also for the support received, in particular from Mr Syamal Gupta FIC, Board Member, Tata Sons, Dr Avinash Chandra, Director General, Directorate of Hydrocarbons and Adviser (Exploration), Ministry of Petroleum and Gas and Mr John Nance, First Secretary, British Council, British High Commission. Alumni were also grateful to the committee of the Alumni Association of India and Alison Hiller and Elizabeth Gregson from Alumni Services, Imperial College London.

Mohan Puri

Mumbai

This alumni event was a huge success. The evening commenced on a fairly informal note with cocktails at 7pm,followed by a brief welcome ceremony. Professor Syamal Gupta then gave a welcome speech introducing the Rector and Pro Rector.

Sir Richard Sykes, supported by Dr Maini, gave a most enlightening presentation on Imperial College and had the audience listening with rapt attention. This was followed by felicitations, the vote of thanks and dinner. The last of the guests left at around 11 pm. The event was wholly sponsored by Tata International Limited.

Alumni were delighted to have had the opportunity to welcome eminent British scientists, Sir George Radda (Medical Research Council), Sir Crispin Tickell (Chancellor, University of Kent), Dr Philip Campbell (Nature Publishing Group) and other distinguished guests who were visiting India in connection with the India-UK Science Festival.

The event proved to be a very memorable evening for us all.

Amrita Banerjee

Hong Kong

The Imperial College Alumni Association of Hong Kong hosted a dinner at the Police Officer's Club on 14 January 2002. The event was attended by Imperial College's Dr Tidu Maini, Pro Rector for Public and Corporate Affairs, and Professor Nethercot, head of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Alumni also welcomed Professor Nigel Graham who is on a two year sabbatical from the College and is, at present, the head of Environmental Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Hong Kong. Alumni and ICAAHK committee member, Mr Clement Woo, made all the necessary arrangements for this event.

Dr Maini, Pro Rector at Imperial College, presenting the vision and future plans of the College
Dr Maini gave a presentation on the current status of the College. The audience of 22 alumni were thrilled to learn that Imperial College was placed second behind Cambridge by a very small fraction in the recent British universities league table. He also gave an insight into the ground breaking research, particularly in the medical field, t hat is being und ertaken at the College. The presentation was both informative and educational and we gained an insight into the reasons behind recent changes in the way that the College is run.

Professor Nethercot spoke about the current activ ities in the Civi l and Envi ronmental Engineering Depart me nt. He also informed us of the Chief Exe cutive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa's, visit to t he depart me nt. We were saddened to hear about the death of Professor Alec Skempton.

Professor Nethercot announced the name of this year's winner of the prestigious Gold Medal award from the Ins titution o f the Structural Engineers. The assembled alumni roared with approval when they heard that the proud winner was none other than our Chairman, Dr H K Cheng. Our hearty congratulations to Dr Cheng!

Dr Maini completed the second part of his presentation with an appeal for funds to secure the position of the College. He also participated in a Q & A session which was conducted over a fine Chinese dinner.

All attendees had good fun at this event. There was a great atmosphere of fellowship and nostalgia. Many stories of student days at Imperial College were exchanged with candour and glee.

We said a fond farewell to Tidu, David, Nigel and to each other at around 10pm with a pledge to meet again.

Leslie Pakianathan

Malaysia

Imperial College Alumni Association Malaysia (ICAAM) was delighted to welcome Dr Tidu Maini to Kuala Lumpur 17 January 2002.

Dr Maini was visiting India and South East Asia on an official tour of duty in his capacity as Pro-Rector of Public and Corporate Affairs at Imperial College. A cocktail reception and presentation by Dr Maini, held at the Renaissance Hotel Kuala Lumpur between 6pm and 8.30pm, was organised by Dr Ban Nyen Foo, Ms Elvina Liew and Ms June Tan. 43 people attended the events: 28 ICAAM members, 5 alumni and 10 distinguished guests. The guests included the Deputy British High Commissioner, the Director of British Council and the heads of a few established local colleges.

A number of young members and alumni were present which was an encouraging sign for the young ICAAM. Dr Maini's presentation was informative and the news was most inspiring with Imperial College continuing to make advances in medicine, engineering and its business ventures. The Q & A session was interactive and searching and wrapped up the twin event at around 8.30pm.

The whole committee, except for two of its members and the auditor, adjourned for dinner, which was hosted by ICAAM to welcome Dr Maini. The dinner lasted until about 11pm as there was plenty of food to eat, stories to tell and good wines to be drunk. The whole evening, which had been organised at short notice, was a great success.

Organising Chairman, Dr Ban Nyen Foo