Foreword

Croeso!

It is a privilege for me to be associated with our alma mater the

University of Wales Aberystwyth (UWA). It is also a great honour to be
part of the Malaysian Alumni Club of UWA.

It should not come as a surprise that Malaysia and Wales will always get along. Kuala Lumpur denotes
'confluence of two rivers (Kuala) of mud (Lumpur)' whilst Aberywtyth denotes 'the mouth of winding River
Ystwyth'. It is fated.

The Welsh have a proud history of nation builders in the form of Owain Glydwr, David Lloyd George and
many others which by my reckoning must surely include illustrious characters and contributors such as the
first principal of UWA, Thomas Charles Edwards, the famous poet Dylan Thomas, writers and historians
such as Gwynfor Evans and our very own Sir Kenneth O. Morgan, one of Britain's leading modern
historians for over 30 years.

Lest we forget, UWA (then University College of Wales or 'UCW') was established in 1872 with only 26
students and has grown to what it is now. Malaysians have been going to Aberystwyth as early as before
1950 for higher education.

To date we are truly proud to have 6 Malaysians who have been conferred Fellows of UWA and who are
clearly distinctive in their achievements and persona. They have demonstrated great passion and commit-
ment to their respective vocation and chosen fields which touch the lives of Malaysians over the years. Our
congratulations yet again to our honourable members, Tun Ghazali Shafie (UCW 1951), Tun Salleh Abas
(UCW 1954), Tan Sri Datuk Sri Arshad Ayub (UCW 1958), Tan Sri Ahmad Don (UCW1969), Datin
Mariam Kadir (CLW 1970) and Datuk Zawiyah Baba (CLW 1973, 1983). Collectively, they are
undoubtedly among the core of Malaysia's nation builders and for that, we are very proud of them.
Individually, they each are an inspiration for Malaysian Aberites at the very least.

A special mention and deep gratitude must be made to YBhg Tan Sri Datuk Sri Arshad Ayub and the Protem
Committee comprising of Ahmad Mohd. Don, Zawiyah Baba, Ahmad Fisal Abdul Rahman, Christopher
Heng, K.Paranjothy and Khalid Mohd. Zin and Fay Cheah for their pioneering role in establishing the
University of Wales Aberystwyth Alumni Club of Malaysia in 1988. We owe a debt of gratitude to Tan Sri
Arshad who continued to provide strong leadership as President for two (2) terms as well as his
contribution towards the Alumni Club in so many ways we can't even begin to acknowledge. It is little
wonder they call him the Original Welsh-Malaysian as he has kept the bridge of communication and
activities that brings Aber and Malaysia closer to each other for so many years now. He also never cease
to tire from making frequent visits to Aber over the last 50 years!

To Malaysian Aberites I bid you all to come aboard! We live in exciting times as Malaysia (post
independence) will be 50 years old next year and would surely like to have more Aberites creating and

m e m o r i e s - s w e e t s i x t e e n 1
participating in activities. I am sure it will prove to be a good source and outlet of networking for many,
be it for business or personal needs.

This booklet marks 16 years anniversary of the existence of the Club. We hope the Aber - Malaysia ties
will forever continue and that this booklet will go down in history not only as anecdotes of our friendship
and warmth towards one another but also as testimony of a lasting relationship; of 2 progressive
civilizations having met, parted and re-united…at a place called Aberystwyth.

May I end by sharing with you this all time classic poem by Dylan Thomas to reflect on:-

THE POEM

Do not go gentle into that good night,

Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,

Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright

Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,

And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight

Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,

Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Dylan Thomas (1951)

Thank you & God Bless

Fariz Abu Bakar

President, UWA ACM 2005-2007

2 m e m o r i e s - s w e e t s i x t e e n
HOW IT ALL STARTED....
Malaysia's first known link with Aberystwyth dates back to pre-1950 when Tan Sri Mohd
Ghazalie bin Shafie read law at the University College of Wales and graduated with LLB (Hons)
in 1950. Since then, students from Malaysia continued to attend UCW in small but steady
numbers particularly in Law, Economics, Agricultural Science, Geography, International Politics
and Librarianship.

The establishment of the International Centre at UCW in 1984 reflected the University's
increasingly international outlook & with the considerable number of Malaysians graduating
from Aberystwyth, the fostering of organized links with and among UCW graduates in Malaysia
was a natural development.

The Director of International Centre, Mr. Geoffrey Brown, through his unceasing effort &
correspondence, urged & encouraged the setting up of an Aber Old Students Association in
Malaysia. The meeting of the Registrar, Mr. Emrys Wynn Jones with representatives of Aber
graduates during a visit to Kuala Lumpur in June 1987 gave further impetus to initial efforts to
set up the Association.

m e m o r i e s - s w e e t s i x t e e n 3
The first gathering of Aber graduates was held at the Ming Court Hotel in Kuala Lumpur on 16th
March 1989, known as "Aber Evening", and the Protem Committee for the setting-up of an
Aberystwyth Alumni Club in Malaysia was formalized :-

President : Tan Sri Datuk Arshad Ayub

Vice-President : Tan Sri Ahmad Mohd Don
Hon. Secretary : Dato' Zawiyah Baba
Hon. Treasurer : Mr. Ahmad Fisal Abdul Rahman
Comm. Members : Ms. Fay Cheah
Dr. K Paranjothy
Mr. Christopher Heng

The Protem Committee was

endorsed by the UCW, represented
by Vice-Principal, Professor Alun
Morris, on 14th April 1988 at a
reception in Kuala Lumpur.

Much of 1988 & 1989 was taken

up with the drafting of the consti-
tution, compiling a directory of
Aber graduates in Malaysia and
organising activities to bring Aber
graduates and their families
together.

The Alumni Club was registered

under the Societies Act 1969 on
24th January 1990 as Kelab
Alumni University of Wales
Aberystwyth di Malaysia. It was
also subsequently recognised as a
Branch of the UCW Aberystwyth
Old Students Association.

Following its registration, the Aberystwyth Alumni Club has continued to play an even more
active role as facilitator for social and professional interaction amongst Aber alumni in Malaysia
and between the Alumni Club and the alma mater.

4 m e m o r i e s - s w e e t s i x t e e n
 PASSING THE BATON....
Past Presidents of the University of Wales Aberystwyth Alumni Club
in Malaysia

1990 - 1995 : Tan Sri Datuk Arshad Ayub

(Economics & Statistics,1958)
1995 - 1999 : Datin Mariam Abdul Kadir
(Librarianship,1970)
1999 - 2003 : Tan Sri Datuk Arshad Ayub
(Economics & Statistics,1958)
2003 - 2005 : Dato' Zawiyah Baba
(Librarianship & Information
Studies,1973; 1983)
President : 2005 - 2007 : Encik Mohd. Fariz Bin Abu Bakar
(Law, 1991)

The election of Mohd. Fariz Abu Bakar, as President of the University of Wales Aberystwyth
Alumni Club for 2005 - 2007 is significant in that it represents a passing of the leadership baton
of the Alumni club from the older to the younger generation of Aberites. In fact since Tan Sri
Datuk Arshad Ayub (1958), the founder President of the Club first took the helm of leadership
when it was registered in 1990, the Club's Presidency has been held by successively younger
members, namely Datin Mariam Abdul Kadir (1970) from 1995-1999 and Dato' Zawiyah Baba
( 1973;1983), 2003-2005.

At 38, Fariz Abu Bakar is the youngest President of the Club. He is

almost two decades younger than the Immediate Past President and
four decades younger than our first President! Fariz is highly
accomplished and a corporate leader in his own right as Managing
Director of Medas Corporation, a public listed company with interests
in security, information products and publications. A former President
of the Malaysian Student Society ("MSS") at Aberystwyth, Fariz was
associated with the Alumni Club since his student days. In fact he is
almost a veteran, having served as Committee member and
Vice-President in previous Executive Committees.

m e m o r i e s - s w e e t s i x t e e n 5
Fariz leads an equally youthful but experienced members of the
Executive Committee who are mainly in their 20s, 30s and early 40s.
Vice-President Nasharuddin heads a law firm, as does Committee
Member, Dato' Yeow Wah Chin. Honorary Secretary Rahimi and
Fazrashad, Treasurer, have proven track record in their posts. Other
Committee Members, Rithaudin, who works with the National
Petroleum and Ubaida, youngest member of the Committee, are law
graduates while new comer to the Club, Salem, is an accounting
graduate and former President of the MSS. Dr. Hj. Wan Ali
(Librarianship, 1974), Director-General of the National Library
provides the balance as a senior member of the Committee, apart from
Dato' Zawiyah who is Immediate Past President.

The young and dynamic Executive Committee augurs well for the
future of the Alumni Club. We hope that this will attract more of the
younger generation of Aberites to join and participate in the Club's
activities. The enthusiastic response to the Aber Listserve
where Aberites communicate and share news and
happenings via the internet is a positive indication of this
trend. We look forward to new initiatives which will foster
closer ties with our alma mater and other young ‘old’
students of UWA Aberystwyth.

- Zawiyah Baba -

6 m e m o r i e s - s w e e t s i x t e e n
ABERITE EVENTS
1990
1990 saw a visit to Malaysia by 33 OSA members
whereby a comprehensive programme were
scheduled for the visitors by the Alumni Club in
Malaysia. During that one-week visit, the visitors
were fostered to a local host family. Hence giving
them a taste of the Malaysian daily life.

1993 Dinner with the host family

1 April 1993 : The launch of Development Board for
Rural Wales ("DBRW") Environmental Impact
Assessment ("EIA") Scholarship.

Valued at £10,000 p.a. for tuition and living allowance, it was offered for three (3) consecutive
years for successfully qualified Malaysians who are interested in pursuing post graduate
research in Environmental Studies.

The Award is a culmination of the initiatives on one part of the International Centre, University
of Wales Aberystwyth, its rapport and close relationship with the Malaysian UWA Alumni Club.

Two of the successful candidates were :

1994 - Mr. Hamdan Abu Talib of the Civil Engineering Dept. of Ungku Aziz
Polytech in Ipoh.
1995 - Pn. Che Asmah Ibrahim.

24 August 1993 : Hosting a Luncheon in honour of

a visiting trade delegation from Wales led by the
Rtd. Hon. Sir Wyn Roberts, Minister of State for
Wales.

13 September 1993: Visit by Prof. Kenneth

Morgan, Principal of UWA. Prof. Morgan was also
invited for a visit to KUSZA, a local college located
in Kuala Terengganu, one of the town in the East
Coast of Malaysia, where he had given two public
lectures titled "The British Education System and
OSA Dinner

m e m o r i e s - s w e e t s i x t e e n 7
the Malaysian Education" and "Universities and Historical Changes : The British Experience
since 1945".

1995
06 April 1995: Conferment of the Honorary Degree of the Doctor of Laws (LLD) Honoris
Causa to Tan Sri Datuk Arshad Ayub.

August 1995: Datin Mariam was conferred Honorary Fellowship by the University of Wales
Aberystwyth.

05 November 1995: Mr. Geoffrey Browne was conferred an Honorary Member of the Alumni
Club in Malaysia. He was impetous in assisting the formation of the Alumni Club in Malaysia,
working together with Tan Sri Datuk Arshad Ayub, Mr. Chris Heng, En. Ahmad Fisal and oth-
ers, thus making it a reality.

1996
15 - 16 March 1996: British Education Fair at Putra World Trade Centre. UWA was represent-
ed by Mr. Jeffrey Wells of the International Liasion, Development of External Affairs, Prof. Sue
Arrowsmith, Director of Postgraduate Studies and Mr. Andrew Campbell of the Law Faculty.
Concurrently, the Faculty of Law also hosted an informal buffet at the Wisma Belia Hotel for
prospective and former students of the UWA.

8 m e m o r i e s - s w e e t s i x t e e n
06 April 1996: "Gong Xi - Raya" Celebration. This joint celebration of the Chinese New Year
and the Eid Mubaraq was held at the National Library.

1997
06 April 1997: Aber Alumni's "Back to Nature" Family Day, held at Tan Sri Arshad Ayub's fish
pond and orchard at the Kg. Sg. Penchala.

21 - 25 April 1997: Prof. Derec and the Morgan's

visit to Malaysia. A dinner / lecture was held in
conjunction with his visit at the Menara Maybank,
titled "A World Without Knowledge is No World -
Current Development in Higher Education".

1998
08 May 1998: Family Day - "Back to Nature" out-
ing and get-a-way at D'Ark Training and Resort
Ashida Villa. This year, the family day saw partic-
ipation by 68 Aberites and family members.

05 October 1998: University of Wales

Aberystwyth Graduation Ceremony in Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia. This was the first time that the
University held a graduation ceremony outside of
the United Kingdom. 20 postgraduate from the Alumni Honorary -
Class of 1996 / 97 and 9 undergraduates from the En. Khaeruddin Sudharmin
1998 graduating class were conferred their degree
by the Vice Chancellor of University of Wales
Aberystwyth, Prof. Derec Clwyd Morgan, whom
accompanied by Prof. John Williams, made a special trip for this ceremony.

The event was a great success whereby about 100 family and guests of the graduates were
present to celebrate the momentous occasion.

The function was attended by the Deputy Minister of Education, Datuk Dr Fong Chan Onn,
Malaysian Fellows of the University of Wales Aberystwyth, namely the former Lord President,
Tun Dato' Dr Mohamed Salleh Abas, former Foreign Affairs Minister, Tun Mohd Ghazalie
Shafie, former Governor of Central Bank of Malaysia, Tan Sri Ahmad Mohd Don, former
Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture Tan Sri Datuk Arshad Ayub and the Director-
General of National Library of Malaysia then, Datin Mariam Abdul Kadir.

m e m o r i e s - s w e e t s i x t e e n 9
2000
October 2000: Reception for the Royal Couple, HRH the Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward and
HRH Countess of Wessex, Sophy Rhys Jones.

17 November 2000: Dinner Lecture cum Reunion at the JW Marriott Hotel. The reunion dinner
was attended by Aberites from various graduating classes while the Lecture was delivered by
Mr. Gary Ball, the author of "the Shooting Gallery" who spoke on "Risk Management and
Disaster Control".

2001
18 April 2001: OSA Easter Reunion
in Aberystwyth - attended by Tan Sri
Datuk Arshad Ayub, Puan Sri Zaleha
and En. Fariz Abu Bakar.

21 April 2001: Family Day - "Aberite

Get Together" at Tan Sri Datuk Arshad
Ayub's fish pond and orchard at the
Kg. Sg. Penchala.

26 August - 02 September 2001:

OSA Visit to Malaysia. The Alumni
Club hosted another group of 20 OSA
members on a week's visit to Malaysia
in August 2001. For some of the OSA
members who's on their second trip to
Kuala Lumpur, they were able to view
the great progress undergone by this country over the last decade.

Various visits, dinner and luncheons were organized starting with a trip to the Economic
Planning Unit and tour of the Putrajaya, the new Malaysian Government Administrative Centre.
In addition to visits around the Klang Valley, OSA members were taken on a day-trip to Malacca,
the Historical City and to Teluk Intan for a bird's-eye view on the operation of an oil palm plan-
tation and followed by a visit to the Kuala Selangor mangrove, well known for its fire flies.

2002
April 2002: OSA Easter Gathering at Aberystwyth, was attended by Tan Sri Datuk Arshad Ayub,
En. Fariz Abu Bakar and En. Nasharuddin Hussein.

10 m e m o r i e s - s w e e t s i x t e e n
24 - 28 April 2002: Visit by the Vice-Chancellor of University of Wales Aberystwyth, Prof.
Derec Clwydd Morgan and Head of Law Faculty, Prof. Williams.

Unfortunately, the trip coincided with a Malaysian public holiday in conjunction with the coro-
nation of the new king for the country. Nonetheless, the Alumni Club had successfully arranged
a meet with the Chancellor of UiTM as well as members of the Law Faculty of the University
of Malaya.

Two of the alumni members, En.

Fariz Abu Bakar and Dato'
Bhaskaran Pillai had also taken the
visitors and their spouse / partner for
dinner.

25 August 2002: Family Day at Tan

Sri Datuk Arshad's orchard in Sg.
Penchala.

2003
07 March 2003: Visit by the OSA
President, Dr. J Gwyn Morgan. As
the Morgans were on a transit in
Kuala Lumpur on their way to
Singapore, a few of the alumni mem-
bers met up with them for breakfast
at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel.

18 - 20 April 2003: OSA Easter Reunion in Aberystwyth. This reunion had the largest atten-
dance from the Malaysian Aberites. From Malaysia, the attendees were Tan Sri Datuk Arshad
Ayub, Mr. Khaeruddin Sudharmin (a friend of the Alumni Club) and Miss Rahimi Ahmad. They
were joined by other Aber graduates who are based in London, i.e. Mrs Suliana Set Suhara, Miss
Shariza Hashim & her sister, Miss Sri Rahayu Zainuddin and Miss Azila Zakaria.

2004
16 July 2004: Dato' Zawiyah Baba, President of the University of Wales Aberystwyth Alumni
Club in Malaysia (2003-2005) and Director General of the National Library of Malaysia was
made a fellow of the University of Wales Aberystwyth.

m e m o r i e s - s w e e t s i x t e e n 11
 Distinguish Gentlemen

2005
13-15 January 2005: Visit by the OSA President, Mr. Hywel Gethin Daviesand his wife,
Enlawry. His visit to Malaysia was a scheduled stopover in the itinerary of their holiday to the
Far East, which included Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines. The
stopover in Malaysia included some very interesting, although brief stops in Penang, Cameron
Highlands, Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, Sabah and Sarawak.
Mr. Gethin Davies was accompanied by his wife, Enlawry and former OSA President, Kenneth
Young and his wife Brenda. Dato' Zawiyah Baba hosted a dinner reception for the Mr. Davies
and his charming group at the Sundanese Restaurant KLCC, on 13th January, joined by other
committee members.

The following day, Tan Sri Datuk Arshad and Puan Sri Zaleha Arshad hosted a sumptious dinner
for Dr. Gethin and his entourage at their beautiful new home in Shah Alam.

23 April 2005: Reunion of Class of 91. Fariz Abu Bakar had a mini reunion of his Class of 91
at his home in Country Heights on Saturday, 23 April 2005. Five couples from the 'Ulek Mayang'
dance groups of Malaysian Evening 1990 turned up with their spouses and juniors in tow. Fariz
and his wife Mazlita were kept busy entertaining friends and children at the barbeque dinner they
hosted.

12 m e m o r i e s - s w e e t s i x t e e n
4th June 2005: Tun Ghazali Shafie, former Minister of Foreign Affairs Malaysia and Fellow of
the University of Wales Aberystwyth was conferred the Seri Setia Mahkota (SSM), which carries
the title 'Tun', in conjunction with the birthday of the King, Yang Dipertuan Agong. The Alumni
Club extends its warmest congratulations to the Honorable Tun.

July 2005: Tan Sri Datuk Arshad was appointed the Chairman of the University of Malaya
Council in July 2005 and has had his term as Pro-Chancellor of University of Technology
MARA extended for another 5 year term.

30 July 2005: Wedding Bells - The President and Executive Committee of the Alumni Club in
Malaysia extends its heartiest congratulations to Ubaida and Zuratul, our Assistant Honorary
Secretary and Honorary Secretary, respectively on the occasion of their Akad Nikah on 30th
July, followed by their wedding receptions in September 2005. We wish them both happiness
and a blissful married life.

10 - 11 September 2005: Aber Family Day at the Eagle Ranch Resort Sports Paradise at Port
Dickson. It was a truly enjoyable and fun outing for the 40 Aberites, including the President,
Vice-President, Executive Committee members , their families and friends who participated. The
family Day was graced by the presence and participation of Y.Bhg. Tan Sri Datuk Arshad Ayub
and Puan Sri Zaleha Arshad, ever staunch supporters of the Alumni Club.

The Eagle Ranch turned out to be a most appropriate choice with its unusual rustic setting,
friendly and sporty atmosphere, with chalets of different themes and tepees. There are

m e m o r i e s - s w e e t s i x t e e n 13
 surprisingly a good variety of facilities,
including a spa with sauna and traditional
massage.

The highlights of the weekend fare include a

Welcome Dinner at Sg. Penchala
sumptious Barbecue followed by a karaoke
session where Aberites including Fariz,
Nash, Hazlina, Fazrashad, Salem showed
their impressive talents. Not to be outdone,
young participants Wafiy and Shazwani also
participated, showing remarkable confidence
on the microphone. Must be the influence of
the so-called reality talent shows on televi-
sion! As a bonus Puan Sri Zaleha showed that
she is indeed a woman of many talents when
she sang a harmonious and delightful duet
with Nash.

The following day, the much anticipated telematch where participants sported the specially
designed T-shirt, Cap and Umbrella, courtesy of Tuah Guard and ABL Security Sdn Bhd. A
variety of fun-filled events were conducted by the Resort Sports Coordinator and his assistant.
It was wonderful that everyone, young and not-so-young, were able to take part and enjoy
themselves.

24 September 2005: Talk by Y.Bhg. Tan Sri

Datuk Arshad Ayub on "Higher Education in
Malaysia : Issues and Challenges" was held
at the 5th Floor, National Library of
Malaysia. The talk was organized by the
Alumni Club with the cooperation of the
National Library of Malaysia. Prof. Dr.
Rahmat Mohamad, Assistant Vice-
Chancellor, Knowledge Advancement
Institute, MARA University of Technology,
also a distinguished Aber alumni, was
Chairman and Discussant for the talk. The
talk was well attended by representatives
from various Institutions of Higher Learning
and Aber alumni members.
Visit to the Economic Planning Unit

14 m e m o r i e s - s w e e t s i x t e e n
22 November 2005: Appointment of Datuk Zawiyah Baba as
the electronic library consultant to Sri Lanka by Unesco
(United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organisation). She has been given the task of studying and
evaluating the status of the library and its information service
following the devastation caused by the tsunami in Sri Lanka
in December last year.

19th November 2005: Mr Yeow Wah Chin was confered the

"Darjah Indera Mahkota Pahang (DIMP)" which carries the
title Dato' from HRH the Sultan of Pahang in conjunction with
his 75th Birthday.

A law graduate of the UWA (1991), he is an active member of

the University of Wales Alumni Club in Malaysia. He is an
elected Executive Committee Member for many years. As the
Organizing Chairman, in September, 2005 he helped organize
a very successful talk entitled: "Higher Education in Malaysia"
Issues and Challenges" by Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Datuk
Arshad Ayub.

He is also an appointed member of Disciplinary Committee

Panel established under the Legal Profession Act. The primary
objective of the Disciplinary Committee is to hear cases of
complaints against errant lawyers and deliberate and make a
decision on the merit of the case.

In addition, he is actively involved in various other charity

works, being a life member and legal advisor of the Society of
Interpreters for the Deaf in Selangor and Wilayah Persekututan
("SID") and unreservedly involved in the LIONS community
service and activities of which he had received numerous
Lions awards.

He is married to Datin Genevieve with three children.

The Club extends our heartiest congratulation to our now

YBhg Datuk Yeow.

m e m o r i e s - s w e e t s i x t e e n 15
16 m e m o r i e s - s w e e t s i x t e e n
 MALAYSIAN FELLOWS OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF WALES,
ABERYSTWYTH

From left
Tan Sri Datuk Arshad Ayub

• Tan Sri Datuk Arshad Ayub read Economics with Statistics at the University College of
Wales, Aberystwyth and obtained Bachelor of Science in June 1957 and Bachelor of
Science (Hons) in June 1958.
• He is highly prominent in Malaysian economic and education scene whereby he serves as
member, advisor and chairman on various state economic development, corporations,
regional development authorities and economic foundations. Tan Sri Datuk Arshad Ayub is
also the current Chairman of the University of Malaya Council and the Pro-Chancellor of
the University of Technology MARA, two of the renowned universities in Malaysia.

m e m o r i e s - s w e e t s i x t e e n 17
• Tan Sri Datuk Arshad Ayub is one of the founder members of the University of Wales at
Aberystwyth Alumni Club of Malaysia and had been very active with the Alumni Club since
its inception.

• He was the first President of the Alumni Club and also the first foreign graduate to be
elected as the President of the OSA (2001-2002). Tan Sri Datuk Arshad Ayub was the third
Malaysian awarded the Fellowship of the University of Wales, Aberystwyth

Tun Mohd Ghazali Shafie

• The second Malaysian awarded the Fellowship of the University of Wales, Aberystwyth,
Tun Ghazali Shafie obtained his LLB. (Hons) from the University College of Wales,
Aberystwyth in 1951.

• He held various cabinet posts in the Malaysian government as Minister with Special
Function (1970 and 1972-73), Minister of Information (1971-73), Minister of Home Affairs
(1973-78) and Minister of Foreign Affairs (1978-1984). He is still actively involved in
various committees and often called upon to address various seminars and conferences and
is an Ambassador at large.

Datin Mariam Abdul Kadir

• Datin Mariam Abdul Kadir pursued her postgraduate studies at the College of Librarianship,
Wales in Aberystwyth and obtained A.L.A. (Postgraduate) in December 1969.

• She was the Director General of National Library of Malaysia (1990-1999) and had been
involved with the Malaysian Library Association (PPM) since 1970.

• Datin Mariam is an active member of the University of Wales at Aberystwyth Alumni Club
of Malaysia since its inception and was elected as President of the Alumni Club for two
terms from 1995-1999.

• Datin Mariam was awarded the Fellowship of the University of Wales, Aberystwyth in
1995.

Tun Dato' Dr. Hj. Mohamed Salleh Abas

• Obtained his LL.B (Hons) from the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth in 1954 and
was called to the English Bar (Barrister-at-Law) by the Honorable Society of the Middle
Temple in 1955.

18 m e m o r i e s - s w e e t s i x t e e n
• Tun Dato’ Dr. Hj. Salleh Abas is the first Malaysian to be awarded the Fellowship of the
University of Wales, Aberystwyth.

• He is currently practising as an advocate and solicitor and is the presiding Arbitrator in Re

International Commercial Dispute between ONGC Videsh Limited of India and Den Norske
Stats Oljeslskap A.S. of Europe.

Tan Sri Dato' Ahmad Mohamed Don.

• Tan Sri Dato' Ahmad Mohamed Don read Economics and Accounts at the University
College of Wales, Aberystwyth and was the first Malaysian student to graduate with a first
class Honours in Aberystwyth in 1969. He was awarded the Fellowship of the University of
Wales, Aberystwyth in 1998.

• Tan Sri Dato’ Ahmad was the Governor of the Central Bank of Malaysia from 1994-1998.

• Tan Sri is also one of the founder members of the University of Wales at Aberystyth Alumni
Club of Malaysia and was the Vice President of the Alumni Club from 1988 to 1993.

Datuk Zawiyah Baba

• Datuk Zawiyah Baba obtained her Post Graduate Diploma in Librarianship in 1973 and
M.Lib in 1983 from the University of Wales Aberystwyth.

• She was the Director General of the National Library of Malaysia in 2001 and was also
elected President of the Malaysians Librarians Association in March 2001 for a two-year
term.

• Dato’ Zawiyah is an active member of the Alumni Club in Malaysia, being one of the
founder member and Honorary Secretary of the Malaysia Alumni Club from 1988 - 1993 as
well as elected President of the Alumni Club from 2003 - 2005.

• She was made a fellow of the University of Wales Aberystwyth in 2004.

m e m o r i e s - s w e e t s i x t e e n 19
 MEMORIES LANE

The drive through Machynlleth

up to Snowdonia was a fine
lesson in how modernisation
can live hand in hand with
preservation. May be we
needed to slow down a bit to
allow ourselves to think
and ponder.

Hassan Basri - Sept 86 - July 89.

LLB. Been there 8 times since
leaving, just loves the place.

20 m e m o r i e s - s w e e t s i x t e e n
Aber memories?? Too many to count! But
forever engraved in my mind would be my
first ever snow experience on the Eid-Al
Fitr of 1995. Thus we had a “white Raya”
instead of a white Christmas for that year.
All the sadness of celebrating the Eid away
from the family was finally taken over by the
'snow' novelty!!

I remembered fondly the amount of 'walk-

ings' that I did while in Aber (especially
since I ended up losing 9kg by the time I
came home for the summer!!).... walking
down from my room in Neuadd Cwrt Mawr
to visit friends at Cambrian Place and up
again, walking across fields with the occa-
sional sheep on the way to the CLW for my Human Resource classes, passing houses with fruits
laden apple trees in their garden and walking across to the Student Village at 11.00 p.m., almost
every night for a study break...though, these are now merely memories .....walking in Kuala
Lumpur??....ONLY in the air-conditioned shopping complexes!!

Rahimi @ Mimi 93/96

m e m o r i e s - s w e e t s i x t e e n 21
 Ah, Aber, the end of the train line
But an end so divine
Only memories come to mind
Of revelries and good times
And sceneries sublime

While seven years have eclipsed

Still etched in my mind
Are the lives and souls entwined?
That had forged binds
So fine…
Indeed, an era of great friendships!

Long Seh Lih - LLB - 1998

Informal dinner at Penbryn

Hall of resident

22 m e m o r i e s - s w e e t s i x t e e n
Aber… at times you just hate the quietness but once left, one begins to appreciate the serenity
offered by the place. Though 10 years had past… the memories never fade..

Rithaudin @ Rizal 93/96 + 97/98

m e m o r i e s - s w e e t s i x t e e n 23
 Acknowledgements
The Alumni Committee wish to record their deepest gratitude and appreciation
to the following for their kind assistance,
effort and contribution :

Salem
Rahimi
Rizal@Rithaudin

and special thanks to

Dato’ Zawiyah for her generous contributions and to
Tan Sri Datuk Arshad Ayub for his leadership and guidance

24 m e m o r i e s - s w e e t s i x t e e n