The Harvard Club of Malaysia elects Nadiah Wan as its youngest and first female president

THE Harvard Club of Malaysia (HCM) recently elected its youngest and first female President at the Club’s 38th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on 21 April 2022. Ms Nadiah Wan (AB cum laude, ’07), aged 38, was elected as President, signalling a changing of the guard to the next generation of Harvard University alumni. HCM was founded in 1984 and currently has over 300 members in Malaysia comprising of student alumni as well as those affiliated to the university as faculty members, scholars, fellows, or honorary degree recipients. Immediate past Presidents of HCM include Tun Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid, the former Chief Secretary to the Government, Datuk Dr. Goh Cheng Teik, former Deputy Chief Minister of Penang and Tan Sri Dr. Lin See Yan, former Deputy Governor of Bank Negara.

In her inaugural remarks as President, Ms Nadiah emphasised her commitment to ensure that HCM fulfils its mission of advancing Harvard University’s mission to develop citizens & citizen-leaders in society through the transformative power of education and the liberal arts, in addition to fostering a sense of community and fraternity amongst alumni. Joining Nadiah on the diverse and inclusive Executive Committee of HCM are Deputy President, Mr. Khoo Eu Wen, Vice Presidents Mr. Affendi Rashdi & Prof. Leong Choon Heng, Honorary Secretary Mr. Unny Sankar, Honorary Treasurer Mr. Bulvir Singh, Honorary Auditor Mr. Low Teng Lung and Ordinary Executive Committee members Ms. Izzana Salleh, Ms. Mildred Voon, Ms. Krishnavenee Krishnan, Dr. Tan Hui Siu and Mr. Ziad Hafiz Razak.

HCM recorded its utmost appreciation to Tan Sri Dr. Lin See Yan for his long service as a Founding Member of HCM. Throughout his tenure as Club President, Tan Sri Dr. Lin oversaw the growth of the Club which has seen its membership increase and also facilitated various exchanges and programmes between Harvard University and local universities and organizations. Prior to leaving office, Tan Sri Dr. Lin took the opportunity to present tokens of recognition to the Malaysian incoming freshmen of Harvard College Class of 2026. Each student received a Harvard memorabilia cap, a bag, a book written by Tan Sri. Dr Lin and a cash prize of USD1,000. “HCM has always supported new incoming Harvard College graduates to set them up as they embark on their journey. At least when they arrive in Cambridge (Boston), they will have some cash to kick start their campus life”, said Tan Sri Dr. Lin.

“HCM will continue to tap into the strengths of Harvard University and its alumni to raise awareness on the power of education to transform the lives of Malaysian students and to advance educational causes in Malaysia. We are keen to expand the Harvard Prize Book programme where Harvard alumni work together with schools to simulate the Harvard College interview process and act as mentors to talented upper secondary students. By raising awareness and expanding outreach especially to public schools and colleges, we have seen an increase in the number of applicants to Ivy League universities, culminating in the record-number of undergraduate students being admitted to Harvard this year”, said Nadiah, who is also an interviewer for Harvard College undergraduate admissions.

HCM will also be looking to expand partnership and collaborations to raise awareness on US educational opportunities and to conduct community activities and events for members. “As alumni of one of the top universities in the world, we are acutely aware of our privilege and would like to use that privilege to contribute back to Malaysia through capacity building,” she said