The Graduate &
Student Section organised an Anniversary Dinner for the year 2002
which was held at the exquisite Grand Ballroom of Hotel Nikko,
Kuala
Lumpur on
29th June
2002. The
theme for this gala dinner was “Moments of Glory…”
as a tribute to those G&S volunteers whose services to fellow
members have made a difference to the Institution as well as to
encourage interaction and fellowship.
Some highlights of the
three decades have been summarized as follows:
1970’s…
Since its official formation on 28 November
1970, the G&S were majority graduates and students of Universiti
Malaya (UM). The first few chairmen and committee members,
including an IEM Council Member who was instrumental of the
formation, Ir. Prof. Chiam Teong Tee, were all from UM. The focus
back then was to seek identity and recognition for the Section.
The various activities organized were awareness campaign on IEM
membership, Professional Interview requirements, some courses on
soft skills, and the first overseas study tour.
1980’s…
The 80’s were marked by economic hardship.
Engineers of the day had difficulty finding and/or retaining jobs.
Government employment did not appear promising either; the 2-year
contract arrangement was no longer compulsory. The G&S sought for
understanding on minimum wage and the use of the “Ir.” title.
Despite the recession, activities organized by
the G&S were plenty and very well-attended. In fact, the first
successful G&S Dinner (& Dance) was held at Concorde Hotel (Merlin
back then) with 52 tables sold. Also, there were some social
nights that attracted crowds of over 500 people. There were also
sports events, short courses (on various topics) and night classes
for IEM/BEM Examinations (Parts 1 & 2) candidates. The
“Engineering Professionalism & Ethics” (EP&E) Booklet was produced
then. A quick note was that the G&S then was majority Engineers
from Department of Irrigation and Drainage Engineers.
1990’s…
The 90’s started with the first chairlady, Ir.
Rosaline Ganendra, and ended with the 2nd lady
chairperson, Sdri. Foong Pek Ling. Ir. Rosaline led a delegation
to the Conference for the ASEAN Federation of Engineering
Organizations (CAFEO) in 1991, and was instrumental in the
formation of the Young Engineers for the ASEAN Federation of
Engineering Organizations (YEAFEO). The first official YEAFEO
meeting was held in Brunei on 28 November 1994.
Under the leadership of Sdri. Foong Pek Ling,
the G&S became more structured. The first G&S Retreat was held in
August 1998 when she took over. The main aim was to review and
define the role and function of the Section, and also to look at
issues of succession and continuity of long-term efforts.
The 1990’s also saw good representation of the
G&S – both inside and outside of IEM. The G&S were allowed two
representatives in the IEM Council while two representatives were
sent to attend the YEAFEO meetings held annually in the ASEAN
Region.
2000 & Beyond…
The current G&S structure received good
recognition. Indeed, the Section today has inherited great assets
from previous committees. The five portfolios identified address
the needs and concerns of all members (visit
http://www.iem.org.my to learn
more). While graduate engineers concentrate more on training
activities, engineering students are keen to learn more about the
Institution and industrial practice. IT and Publications handle
internal communications and disseminating of information while the
Welfare sub-committee looks after members’ interests. All
functions had been well defined at the end of the 1999 Retreat. A
balance of formal and social activities had also been ensured,
including topics of training on hard-core engineering and soft
skill and management subjects.
The Committee had met with the five important
representations, namely the IEM Past Presidents, IEM Executive
Committee Members, IEM G&S from Branches, engineering student
representatives from universities within the Klang Valley, and the
various professionals under the Malaysian Young Professionals
Network (MYPN). These meets proved useful in knowing the different
needs and expectations of various groups. It also helped to
promote better understanding. In fact, there are many things that
we can all do together – integrating and rationalizing individual
efforts into one common thrust for the benefits of all.
Continuity has never come easy. Bringing people
together to achieve a common goal requires time and effort. It is
hoped that G&S is seen to be an ideal platform for common good –
at least for the young engineers.
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