By      : Siti Nur`Ain Feisal

Editor : Nik Hafzaini Nik Hassan

SERDANG – Sirih Pulang Ke Gagang@Homecoming XI 2022 was held with 800 alumni occupying Dewan Besar, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Cultural and Arts Centre, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). Homecoming is Universiti Putra Malaysia’s traditional dinner is held every two years to celebrate UPM alumni who have contributed to alma mater either directly or indirectly. However, in 2020 the dinner could not be held due to the COVID-19 outbreak worldwide.  

Sirih Pulang ke Gagang@Homecoming XI 2022 was the highlight and the mark of the closing of the UPM 50 Years Golden Jubilee Celebration (1971-2021) which was celebrated throughout the year with various activities and programmes lined up. With the theme of Seluhur Budi Sekalung Kasih, Homecoming XI 2022 assembles alumni from diverse backgrounds, disciplines and faculties, and some of the alumni handed over contributions to alma mater.    

The ceremony was even merrier when His Royal Highness Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj Ibni Almarhum Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, UPM Chancellor was willing to attend the ceremony. Together attended the ceremony was UPM Vice Chancellor YH. Dato’ Prof. Dr. Mohd Roslan Sulaiman, Chairman of the University’s Board of Directors YAM Tengku Syarif Laksamana Perlis Dato’ Seri DiRaja Syed Razlan Syed Putra Jamalullail, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni) Prof. Dr. Arifin Abdu, Alumni Relations Centre Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arba’ie Sujud, Centre for Corporate Strategy and Relations Prof. Dato’ Dr. Abdul Mua’ti@Zamri Ahmad, and university’s officers.

UPM Vice Chancellor YH. Dato’ Prof. Dr. Mohd Roslan Sulaiman in his speech expressed his gratitude to all UPM alumni who have been together with the university in supporting its vision and mission to be an internationally reputable university by contributing to the students’ human capital and awarding scholarships to students in need.

"Alumni is a role model for all and the spirit of “Berilmu Berbakti” and the slogan "Kami Bangga Menjadi Alumni UPM” is expressed through the contributions that have been channelled. Among the greatest things, starting in 2008, through the Yayasan Pak Rashid Scholarship, 23 students have received its benefits with a sponsorship value of RM696,000. This gives great meaning and hopes to the students, especially those from B40 families, asnaf as well as persons with dissabilities (OKU). Thank you to the alumni who have contributed either personally or through the alumni chapters that have been established. The donations were not only in the form of scholarships, but UPM was honoured to receive device donations received from the Yayasan Kebajikan Suria, JPPPL Alumni Chapter, Sastera dan Budaya Alumni Chapter, and the list of contributors goes on. Thank you again to all alumni.” He said.

He added that a successful senior alumni community can be a medium or icon to ensure collaboration between students and younger alumni. This can be seen through knowledge transfer from alumni expertise in their respective fields when the Agro Alumni Industry Mentoring and Coaching Programme (AIMAC), Megachili Project 2021 and Rock Melon have successfully brought successful agricultural alumni as mentor to students from 10 residential colleges in Serdang and Bintulu campuses. The contribution of ideas, expertise and knowledge transfer is a sustainable effort to be benefited by students upon graduation.

This traditional ceremony was also held to celebrate UPM alumni who have contributed to the development of UPM in terms of scholarship funding, personal donations, device donations, ideas and other various forms of donations. A total of 17 alumni received the Alumni Appreciation Award, four recipients of the Anugerah Bakti Alumni, three for the Anugerah Jasa Alumni, two for the Anugerah Perkasa Alumni, and the main award, Anugerah Mutiara Alumni was given to Ravichandran a/l Tharumalingam, for multiple contributions given.

The success of Sirih Pulang Ke Gagang@Homecoming 2022 ceremony is a sign of solidarity between alma mater and alumni. Alumni Relations Centre as a liaison between alumni, alumni association and university will continue to carry out this great responsibility to the success of the university internally and internationally.

Date of Input: 31/10/2022 | Updated: 30/11/2022 | suziana.wil