Old friendships were cherished while new bonds were created during the EU in Malaysia’s Alumni Night event on 12 December 2024, a special evening that brought together a diverse group of individuals who have benefited from EU-sponsored programs and initiatives throughout the years. The event served as a vibrant platform to celebrate shared experiences, foster meaningful connections, and showcase the strong ties between the European Union and Malaysia. The venue at EQ Kuala Lumpur buzzed with excitement as over 80 attendees, including alumni from various EU-funded scholarships such as Erasmus+, EU Funded Traineeship, EU Project Partners, mingled and exchanged stories. 

In his welcome remarks, EU Ambassador to Malaysia H.E. Rafael Daerr highlighted the importance of education, cultural exchange, and people-to-people connectivity in deepening bilateral relations. “Tonight will serve as a foundation for building lasting networks and facilitate collaboration with the EU Delegation.” the Ambassador remarked.

The event was also honoured to have Dr Collins Santhanasamy of the Erasmus Mundus Association for his presentation on future opportunities for Malaysian students as well as Dr K.R.M.H. Tatas Brotosudarmo of EURAXESS ASEAN to present Horizon Europe opportunities for the alumni. 

The evening also included testimonials by former EU Funded Traineeship alumni. Alum Anas Hayyan, currently an analyst at the Asian Strategy & Leadership Institute (ASLI) took attendees down the memory lane through his sharing session on how his traineeship experience as a political trainee has opened the door for him into public policy and diplomacy. Another former trainee, Nicole D'Souza, shared how her experience in the trade section helped her grow personally and professionally, adding that the collaborative and multicultural working environment at the EU Delegation had also shaped and enriched her traineeship experience.

Meanwhile, Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM) programme alumna Dr Hazariah Mohd Noh shared how her studies abroad had not only broadened her horizons but also enabled her to make further inroads into breaking the glass ceiling as a researcher in aviation technology.

Attendees also enjoyed networking sessions where they reconnected with former colleagues and made new contacts. The event fostered an atmosphere of collaboration, as alumni engaged meaningfully and discussed impactful initiatives that align with EU-Malaysia priorities, such as sustainable development, green transition, and shared prosperity.

As the night concluded, the EU Delegation reiterated its commitment to supporting educational and cultural exchanges, underscoring the role of alumni in strengthening diplomatic and societal bonds. The event not only celebrated past achievements but also served as a reminder of the shared future the EU and Malaysia envision—a future built on mutual respect, shared knowledge, and collaborative progress.