Manipal’s biggest alumni meet in Malaysia
Date: August 13, 2014 |Published by: MIU | Category: News
Kuala Lumpur, 13th August 2014 - About 800 Manipal alumni from all over the world recently attended the 1st Global Manipal Alumni Health, Science and Technology Convention themed Networking Globally For The Future of Healthcare and Technology hosted in Kuala Lumpur. It was the biggest gathering of the renowned university’s alumni outside of India till date. The event was organised by the Manipal Alumni Association of Malaysia (MAAM) and was officiated by Malaysia’s Minister of Health, Datuk Seri Dr S Subramaniam.
The convention consisted of a 2-day conference, pre and post conference workshops, symposiums, special lectures and social events organised for all delegates attending. “We are indeed thrilled at the response” says Dr Philip George, the event’s Organising Chairman. “It was a great feeling to reunite with our batch-mates from our alma mater. We even had alumni from the first batch of the university, established 61 years ago.”
It was a rare moment indeed as fresh graduates and students had the opportunity to meet with their seniors. “It is not often that we have the opportunity to meet our seniors who are some of the top minds in medicine, pharmacy, dentistry and engineering” says Dr Philip. “Some of the 100+ speakers at the convention are opinion leaders in their fields of practice either at national, regional or at international level.”
Professor Sir Sabaratnam Arulkumaran (President of FIGO - International Federation of Obstetrics & Gynaecology and President of the British Medical Association), Dr Unni Krishnan Karunakara (Past President, Médecins Sans Frontières International, Geneva, Switzerland), Dr Shreedhar Potarazu (CEO Vital Springs, USA) and Dr K Ramnarayan (Vice Chancellor, Manipal University, India) were among the key speakers at the convention.
The convention was attended by 800 delegates including 180 delegates from overseas and 200 students from MMMC and MIU.
“The event is aimed at bringing together alumni to network and explore global or regional collaborations. We have 100,000 alumni in 35 countries around the world. There are endless opportunities to work together in closer cooperation in sharing knowledge and experience and the latest developments in our fields of practice” Says Dr Philip.
The newly elected President of MAAM, Dr Arun Kumar, announced that the 2nd Manipal Alumni Health, Science and Technology Convention will be held in Bangalore in 2017 but in the meantime, MAAM will be organising smaller events on a National scale every year.
The convention culminated with a Gala Night where 730 alumni and guests were in attendance. At the event, MAAM presented Padma Bhushan Datuk Dr Ramdas M Pai, Chancellor, Manipal University with an appreciation gift to honour Manipal for the university’s contribution to Education.
At the Gala night, outgoing President Dr Nirmal Singh, in his speech, thanked the organising committee and the scientific committee for their hard work in putting together the 1st Global Manipal Alumni Health, Science and Technology Convention and 28th MAAM Convention.
And as with most Gala nights, the alumni and guests were entertained by a Live Band, partied and danced till late night.
About Manipal University:
Manipal Institute of Technology was formed five years after TMA Pai founded India’s first private medical school – the Kasturba Medical College in 1953.
Manipal Academy of Higher Education, now branded as Manipal University is an esteemed University located in Manipal, Karnataka, India. It has over 27,000 students from over 59 countries with branch campuses in Bangalore, Mangalore, Jaipur, Dubai, Malaysia and Antigua and is a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities.
About Manipal Alumni Association of Malaysia (MAAM):
Manipal Alumni Association of Malaysia was formed in 1986 and comprises of Alumni of all colleges of Manipal University, including Medical, Dental, Pharmacy and Engineering. Every year, Manipal Alumni Malaysia organises an annual Convention and Reunion among its members and associate members. In 2011, it organised the International Convention and reunion and had close to 700 delegates and their family members in attendance.
For more information on the 1st Global Manipal Alumni Health, Science and Technology Convention and 28th MAAM Convention, visit www.manipal.org.my