AMBCQ Update for July

It's quite incredible that we are already more than half way through the year.  There are lots of events on the horizon and lots of opportunities to get involved more with your AMBCQ. 

Malaysia/Singapore Dragon Boat Team

Our joint Malaysia/Singapore dragon boat team competed in the Te Waka amateur Dragon Boat day on Saturday16th July.  It was a cold and rainy day, so thank you very much to those team members who came along and braved the elements.  It was great to have a full team - and thank you especially to Sharlene who roped in her sister Arlene for the day. 

We started off poorly, but improved throughout the day.  We had a change of strategy before our last heat, and in this race we came first with a time of 44 seconds.  In our first race we recorded a time of 58 seconds, so our team was thrilled with the improvement.  Our time in our last heat was better than anyone in the amateur finals, a double boost to our spirits.  Now, if we can just start the day off rowing a little better...

Everyone is keen to keep our team together and make dragon boat racing a regular event for Team Rojak.  Although we were cold and a little wet, we had a great day snacking, drinking tea and coffee, socialising and talking strategy.  We welcome new members and will be talking to some of the established clubs about affliations for training. 

Thanks to Flora Fang for the pictures!

The Situation in KL
As you may have gathered, the situation in KL has been very tense of late, but has now largely settled.  The Bersih rally happened on July 9^th.  Although the numbers involved in the rally were significant, and there were a great number of arrests, and tragically the death of one protestor, it has not adversely affected the business environment in Malaysia.  All detainees were released the same day and KL was mostly back to normal by Monday.  Of course, the Bersih movement and the ongoing tension between Barisan Nasional and its opponents will continue, but generally speaking, KL is still a safe and stable destination for both business and pleasure.  Remember, it is always best to register with DFAT online before you travel, not just to Malaysia but elsewhere in the world.  If anyone would like to discuss the situation further, please contact Kiong or I. 

AMBCQ Event with The Hon (YB) Teresa Kok MP, Selangor Trade Minister

YB Teresa Kok, Selangor State Minister for Investment, Trade and Industry, and Federal Member of Parliament (in Malaysia it is possible to be both a State and Federal Member of Parliament), will be visiting Australia in late July.  She is including Brisbane for a quick visit.  Saturday 30th July, 6:30 for 7:00 pm, YB Teresa will be joining the AMBCQ for Nasi Padang at Stamford Plaza.  The cost is $50 per person.   Please RSVP asap to confirm your place.

Selangor is the most industrialised and richest state in Malaysia.  It surrounds the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and includes many industrial and commercial hubs such as Port Klang, Shah Alam, Petaling Jaya, and Subang Jaya.

NAB Introducer Programme

AMBCQ member, Shaeed Mohamad, has offered to AMBCQ members his NAB Introducer Programme.  In this Programme, AMBCQ members who take home loans with NAB or introduce friends or family who take home loans with NAB, can nominate for the AMBCQ to receive 0.04% of the value of the home loan as a donation.  This is a wonderful sponsorship opportunity from Shaeed and the NAB.  And Shaeed can also offer special privileges for AMBCQ members. 

If you or a friend is looking for a home loan, call Shaeed and he will look after you and the AMBCQ.  Email Mohammed.Shaeed@nab.com.au or call 0409 893 587.

Congratulations to Comscentre

Congratulations to AMBCQ member Ben Shipley, founder of Comscentre.  Comscentre, the largest independent telecommunications company in Queensland, has just achieved accreditation with Cisco Systems.  This is an extraordinary achievement for Ben and his team to have the recognition from this worldwide leader in networking and communication.    

Only 2 companies in Australia have this exclusive accreditation with Cisco and Comscentre is one of them.  I am sure this distinction will open more many doors for Comscentre, an innovative and vibrant young Brisbane business.

Congratulations to Anu and Deepali, Jerome and Mandy

AMBCQ member Anu and his wife Deepali recently welcomed the arrival of their first child, a daughter Ambika.  She is a lovely little bundle and her parents and grandmother are delighted.

Congratulations also to AMBCQ members Jerome and Mandy, who rececently had their official Australian marriage at Old Petrie Town. 

Upcoming Events
There are many upcoming events that AMBCQ is involved with.  For more information, check the 'Events' page.

Griffith University's Celebration Dinner for Professor Yew-Chaye Loo

Kiong and I were very honoured to be invited along last night to the celebration dinner organised by Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, in honour of Professor Yew-Chaye Loo.  Professor Loo, who was born in Malaya, was recognised by the World Chinese Venture Model Association in conjunction with the China Association for Promoting International Scientific and Technical Cooperation, and was given the honorary title of "the 2011 World Top 10 Enterprising Pioneer of Chinese Descent". 

His story is also featured in this article from Australia's national newspaper "The Australian": http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/professors-stamp-of-achievement/story-e6frgcjx-1226085693454. 

We were initially introduced to Professor Loo last year, by AMBCQ member Yvette Baxter from the Faculty for Science, Environment, Engineering and Technology (SEET).  Professor Loo was from the beginning a very warm, generous and charismatic host, and we both thoroughly enjoyed meeting him.  Although both Kiong and I are Griffith University alumni, we studied in different faculities, and were not aware of Professor Loo's extraordinary reputation or the high esteem he is held in in his field.  After studying Engineering in Taiwan and Thailand, he undertook his PhD in Dundee, Scotland, and finished it in record time.  He was a pioneer in his field, in methods such as finite strip method, applying computer analysis, and bridge engineering.  I am sure my poor understanding of engineering has meant that I have greatly underplayed his achievements!

But his achievements aren't just technical or academic.  For me, it was obvious that his achievements are also in leading the establishment and expansion of SEET, and the key mentoring role he has played in the academic and professional lives of many of his students and peers.  The Gold Coast School began in 1995, with just 40 students - today the civil engineering intake is the largest in Australia.  He has also been responsible for the internationalisation of SEET, with their international intake now numbering well over 1000. He was also the first Australian of Chinese descent to hold a Chair of Civil Engineering in Australia - at the time (1995), there were only 15 such positions in the country.

It was obvious that his colleagues, students, and many others hold him in extremely high regard.  One of the reasons for this is not only is an expert and an innovator in his field, an extraordinary mentor, and a leader for his Faculty, he is also extremely humble, and a hilarious speaker!  I don't think I have ever attended such a function were I was constantly laughing.  He coupled self-effacing humour with mock self-aggrandisement and the most amusing choice of photographs illustrated his story, from initial scepticism, through to elated acceptance, and finally downplaying his achievements, in favour of elevating his colleagues and staff, for their own achievements and success.

Many former Malaysians (and Malayans, North Borneans and Sarawakians) have made extraordinary achievements in this country.  The scientific fields have certainly seen many of them make an impact.  It was very humbling to share this event with such an extraordinarily high achieving (and funny) person.