Hanyang University announced on December 5 that it held the founding ceremony of the Malaysia International Students Alumni Association on November 29 at the Central Ballroom of the Hilton Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, officially launching the first alumni organization for Malaysian international students among domestic universities. This marks the establishment of an overseas international student alumni group following the creation of the Chinese alumni association. Hanyang University explained that this founding ceremony demonstrates its systematic efforts to attract international students, manage graduates, and strengthen its global alumni network.
Approximately 140 people attended the event, including Hanyang University President Lee Gijeong, Director of External Affairs Choi Jungseop, Director of International Affairs Kim Hanseong, Malaysian international student alumni, Korean alumni residing in Malaysia, and current students.
Since the 1980s, Hanyang University has consistently attracted outstanding local talent through Malaysian government scholarship programs (MARA and JPA) and its own scholarship schemes. Over the past 30 years, more than 400 Malaysian international students have graduated from the university, and the range of majors, once centered on engineering, has expanded to include business, economics, social sciences, humanities, design, and the arts.
A university official stated, "The launch of this alumni association is significant in that it demonstrates the sustainability of our international exchange foundation as a local network."
President Lee announced that the university aims to become one of the world’s top 100 universities, based on its practical academic culture and commitment to the spirit of love in action.
He presented three core strategies: ▲ promoting alumni entrepreneurship, ▲ expanding international joint research, and ▲ strengthening the global alumni network. He emphasized, "The Malaysian alumni association will be an important partner in realizing this vision together," and added, "Let us create a virtuous cycle of growth among current students, alumni, and the local community here as well."
Yeo Seungbae, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Malaysia, delivered a congratulatory speech, stating, "Hanyang University has long contributed to nurturing Malaysian talent and promoting human exchange between the two countries," and pledged to actively support the expansion of mutual exchanges through the alumni association.
The alumni association plans to strengthen bonds among members by organizing regular gatherings, career seminars, mentoring, and campus visit programs. It also aims to enhance Hanyang University's international competitiveness by sharing job information linked to alumni companies and discovering collaborative projects with local organizations. In addition, the association will promote scholarship and social contribution activities that benefit the local community.
The founding ceremony also included the presentation of the 'Hanyang Family Award,' which is given to families in which both parents and children have studied at Hanyang University. Award recipients expressed their gratitude, saying, "It is especially meaningful to gather as a Hanyang family here in Malaysia," and added, "We hope that Hanyang’s traditions and values will be passed down through generations."
On this day, Hanyang University also introduced the 'Hanyang International Student Alumni Scholarship,' which provides a 30% to 50% tuition reduction for children of international alumni who enroll as undergraduates. The university explained that this initiative is intended to ease the financial burden on alumni families and to naturally strengthen the global network.
A university official commented, "The launch of the Malaysian alumni association is a representative example of Hanyang University’s ongoing efforts to lead internationalization producing tangible results locally," and added, "We plan to expand programs so that international and domestic alumni can become a more closely connected community, and to continuously broaden the depth and scope of our global alumni network."
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