Sunway Alumni Homecoming 2024

On 5th October, we hosted our highly anticipated annual Sunway Alumni Homecoming. This cherished tradition continues to bring together alumni from all walks of life, reuniting those who have been part of the Sunway family over the years.  

This year, we were deeply honoured to welcome Professor Dr Dato’ Sri Idris Jala as our esteemed Guest of Honour. A man of many roles, Professor Dr Dato’ Sri Idris Jala serves as the Pro-Chancellor of Sunway University, Chairman and President of PEMANDU, and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation. His presence truly elevated the evening.

The night began with a nostalgic campus tour for alumni who hadn’t been back since completing their programmes. We trust that the many recent developments and upgrades left them in awe of how much Sunway has grown and evolved.

Embracing the “Back to School” theme, we treated our guests to a snack booth featuring beloved treats from yesteryears. The familiar flavours brought back fond memories for many, evoking feelings of nostalgia and warmth.  

As everyone settled in, we kicked off the evening with a captivating performance by students Lia, Alyssa, and Joyce, who delivered a beautiful rendition of A Million Dreams from The Greatest Showman. This was followed by inspiring opening remarks from Professor Dato’ Elizabeth Lee, Group CEO of Sunway Education. Despite the large crowd, she recognised many familiar faces, a testament to her remarkable memory and her enduring connection with the Sunway Alumni community.

Next, our Guest of Honour, Professor Dr Dato’ Sri Idris Jala, took the stage to deliver an electrifying speech on being a game changer and conquering the “Game of Impossible.” He shared personal stories from his youth, offering insights into how to be the best version of oneself and achieve what many might consider unattainable. He then surprised us all with a fantastic solo performance, jamming to some classic blues tunes. His versatility and talent left the audience in awe - truly a man of many gifts!

Dinner followed the performance, offering a delightful spread of local and Western dishes. A highlight was the succulent roasted lamb leg, which proved to be a crowd favourite. The food, coupled with the lively atmosphere, made for a truly enjoyable dining experience.

After another stunning performance by Lia, Alyssa, Eason, and Joyce, we moved on to the highlight of the evening - the presentation of the Sunway Alumni Awards. This year, four categories were introduced, one more than the previous year, to celebrate the exceptional contributions of our alumni to their fields and the Sunway community. These awards honour dedication, excellence, and a commitment to making a difference. The distinguished winners were:

• Sunway Distinguished Alumni Award – Dr Lim Teck Ting

• Sunway Outstanding Young Alumni Award – Loh Wan Chin

• Giving Sunwayian Award – Kimberley Mah

• Sunway Award for Excellence in Sustainability – Freida Razali & Ang Ker Soon

We are immensely proud of these remarkable individuals and their positive impact on both Sunway and society.

To conclude the night, we held a thrilling giveaway and lucky draw! Many lucky alumni walked away with fantastic prizes, including kitchen sets, luggage, vouchers, and gift cards. A few fortunate winners even scored a luxurious stay at Sunway Resort Hotel, skincare sets, and an incredible RM3000 store credit from Sacoor Brothers! Needless to say, there was more than a little envy in the air.

As the evening drew to a close, it was heartwarming to see old friends reconnecting, new memories being made, and countless photos being snapped. It was a joyous occasion, and we look forward to seeing everyone again next year for another memorable Homecoming.

A heartfelt thanks to our generous sponsors for providing not only the lucky draw prizes but also the delightful goodie bag items. It was truly a night to remember!

From Exhaustion to Empowerment: Tools and Strategies for Burnout Recovery

We wrapped up our final Sunway Alumni Networking Mixer and Professional Development session for 2024 on a truly meaningful note. As the year draws to a close, many of us have faced both triumphs and challenges, and it's likely that burnout has touched the lives of most, if not all. That's why the topic for this session couldn’t have been more timely.

We were honoured to welcome A-Level alumna, Koh Su Yen, as our guest speaker. Su Yen, the founder of Emotion Pod, has devoted her work to building communities through sharing sessions, social media, and workshops that promote safe spaces and emotional regulation in workplaces, communities, and institutions. Her talk, "From Exhaustion to Empowerment: Tools and Strategies for Burnout Recovery," was packed with invaluable insights drawn from her own experiences, making it both personal and impactful.

During the session, Su Yen shared candidly about her journey through burnout, detailing the signs she identified and the strategies she used to recover. Her authenticity resonated deeply with everyone in the room, as many could see reflections of their own struggles in her story. 

The session also featured interactive group activities where participants had the chance to collaborate and share their own burnout experiences, discussing practical ways to overcome them. These activities added a refreshing, hands-on element, fostering a spirit of teamwork and allowing for real-time application of the knowledge being shared. 

To cap things off, everyone enjoyed a delicious lunch spread while networking, further strengthening the connections within our alumni community. 

We are immensely grateful to all our alumni for their continued support in making these events possible. We look forward to returning next year with more exciting and relevant topics that will inspire and engage us all!