The 8th global gathering of Nantah graduates which was attended by 600 people, came to a close on June 9. As we parted in Sabah, we wished each other well and promised to meet again in Penang in two years’ time.
On June 10, Kota Kinabalu Airport was packed with Nantah alumni who were returning either to Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Indonesia or Hong Kong. Some were on their way to visit Sandakan or other tourist spots in Sabah. It seemed as though the participants had come and left in great haste. Nevertheless, the biennial event never fails to draw alumni from all over the world to meet and catch up with one another.
Founded in 1955, Nantah merged with the University of Singapore in 1980 to become the National University of Singapore.
In 1983, the Nantah Alumni Association in Singapore began organising a series of “Nantah Nights” which were attended by both local alumni as well as those from the various states in Malaysia. Soon, the alumni associations in Singapore and Malaysia were taking turns to host these gatherings.
Then, in 1992, alumni in Canada initiated the First Global Reunion of Nantah Alumni in Toronto. Thereafter, the event was held every year at different venues until 1995, when it was decided that it would instead be organised once every two years. Over a period of 10 years, eight worldwide reunions have been held, a number that all alumni could feel proud of.
What motivates Nantah alumni associations all over the world to put in money and hard work to vie for the honour of hosting a reunion? What makes alumni drop their work and business to show up at a get-together?
“It is the call of the Nantah spirit.”;”It shows that the Chinese-educated value the friendships of fellow students.”; “It is the influence of the Chinese culture.” All these reasons have been suggested.
There is no doubt that the Nantah spirit is the key factor that bonds the alumni. Right from the first to the last batch, all former Nantah students had studied in an environment that was less than secure. In the early years, facilities were poor and Nantah degrees were not recognised. Over time, things improved and Nantah degrees also received the recognition of the government. However, a succession of reports on the viability of Nantah and a series of measures to alter its system soon followed. But learning in an atmosphere of uncertainty about the future helped students then to forge a sense of “common destiny”.
When Nantah was closed in 1980, many felt they had lost a pillar of strength and an alma mater for them to contribute something in return. Yet it strengthened the sense of cohesion among them. The gathering of Nantah graduates has been a regular event since 1983 - from the early “Nantah Nights” which culminated in a global reunion of alumni.
It is a tradition for Chinese-educated students in Singapore and Malaysia to meet up regularly after graduating from school. For instance, the Chung Ling High School in Penang has a longer history than Nantah of organising such reunions. Held every year at a different place in the world, it is a grand event with a big turnout to boot. Alumni of Pei Feng Secondary School in Malacca who also keep in touch through such gatherings are even setting up a property fund for their alma mater. Yet another example is alumni of Ipoh’s Yu Cai Secondary School who broke with tradition this year to have a reunion on a cruise.
In May this year, alumni of The Chinese High in Singapore who live in various parts of the world, reunited in Guangzhou, China. Whenever its alumni association holds the annual dinner to mark the school’s anniversary, response from alumni in Malaysia and China will be overwhelming. The same can be said of the anniversary celebrations of Chung Cheng High and Yuying Secondary.
All this is a clear reflection of the value people from traditional Chinese schools attach to friendships developed over the years in the campus.
Alumni of Nantah, Chung Ling High School, Chinese High, Chung Cheng High and other schools had all studied in an environment that stressed self-reliance and had also received an education steeped in Chinese culture. Perhaps a sense of cultural identification has created a unique bond among them.
The situation is rather different now for younger generations of students. They learn under an uniform education system in campuses which are well taken care of by the government, but which lack a strong ambience of Chinese culture. I wonder if their friendships will last after they leave school, as in the case of students in the past.
（The writer is a retired Zaobao journalist. Translated by Yap Gee Poh.）
600人參加的第8屆全球南大校友聯(lián)歡會已經(jīng)在6月9日落幕了,在沙巴分手時,大家互言珍重,相約2年后在檳城再見。
6月10日的亞庇機場,南大校友濟濟一堂,有的回返吉隆坡,有的回返新加坡,有的回印尼,有的回香港,有的續(xù)程到山打根或沙巴的其他旅游地點。來也匆匆,去也匆匆,只為了兩年一度的聚會,校友們千里迢迢地從世界各地趕到一個約定的地方聚會。
南洋大學于1955年開學,1980年與新加坡大學合并為國立大學,1983年新加坡南洋大學畢業(yè)生協(xié)會發(fā)起舉辦“南大之夜”,除了本地校友參加之外,馬來西亞各州的校友也來赴會。接著新馬各地的南大校友會輪流主辦“南大之夜”。
到了1992年,加拿大校友發(fā)起在多倫多舉辦第一屆全球南大校友聯(lián)歡會,接著每年輪流在各地舉行,1995年起才改為兩年一次,前后10年就舉辦了8屆的聯(lián)歡會,次數(shù)相當頻繁。
是什么因素促使各地的南大校友不畏艱難,不怕辛苦,出錢出力爭取主辦聯(lián)歡會？是什么力量召喚世界各地的校友放下工作,擱下業(yè)務(wù)依約赴會？
有人說：“這是南大精神的召喚”；有人說：“這是華校生重視同窗之誼的表現(xiàn)”；有人說：“這是受了中華文化的熏陶”。
當然,南大精神的召喚是最重要的因素,南大校友從第一屆的老大哥和老大姐到最后一屆的“關(guān)門子弟”都是在不安定的環(huán)境求學,早期生活設(shè)施不完善,學位不受承認。后來,生活設(shè)施改善了,學位也受到本地政府的承認,可是評估南大的報告書層出不窮,改制的措施接二連三,同學們在“前程未卜”的氣氛中學習,大家有著“共同命運”的感受。
1980年南大被關(guān)閉了,大家仿佛失去了精神的支柱,失去了反哺的對象,凝聚力反而加強。因此,從1983年起,從未間斷地舉行聚會,從新馬校友輪流舉行的“南大之夜”到全球南大校友聯(lián)歡會。
舉辦校友聯(lián)歡會或嘉年華會可以說是新馬華校生的傳統(tǒng),檳城鐘靈中學校友舉辦嘉年華會的歷史比南大校友聯(lián)歡會更加悠久,鐘靈校友嘉年華會每年輪流在世界各地舉行,參加人數(shù)眾多,聲勢浩大。散居各地的馬六甲培風中學的校友不但定期舉辦嘉年華會,他們還為母?；I募置業(yè)基金。怡保育才中學的校友也輪流在各地舉行嘉年華會,今年他們別出心裁地在游輪上聚會。
今年5月,散居各地的新加坡華僑中學校友在廣州舉行嘉年華會。向來華中校友會舉辦校慶晚宴時,中國及馬來西亞的校友都踴躍出席。此外,中正、育英等校友會舉辦校慶晚宴時,不少散居各地的校友都前來參與,反映了這些傳統(tǒng)華校的校友珍惜在校園建立起來的友誼。
南大、鐘靈、華中以及中正等的校友都曾在自力更生的學校就讀,都曾接受過中華文化的熏陶,也許文化上的共識把他們結(jié)合在一起,產(chǎn)生濃濃的凝聚力?，F(xiàn)在,新一代的各校校友在統(tǒng)一教育源流的環(huán)境求學,在政府照顧得很好的校園學習,在中華文化已經(jīng)淡薄的氣氛中受教育,就不知道以后他們的凝聚力能否像前輩一樣。
On June 10, Kota Kinabalu Airport was packed with Nantah alumni who were returning either to Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Indonesia or Hong Kong. Some were on their way to visit Sandakan or other tourist spots in Sabah. It seemed as though the participants had come and left in great haste. Nevertheless, the biennial event never fails to draw alumni from all over the world to meet and catch up with one another.
Founded in 1955, Nantah merged with the University of Singapore in 1980 to become the National University of Singapore.
In 1983, the Nantah Alumni Association in Singapore began organising a series of “Nantah Nights” which were attended by both local alumni as well as those from the various states in Malaysia. Soon, the alumni associations in Singapore and Malaysia were taking turns to host these gatherings.
Then, in 1992, alumni in Canada initiated the First Global Reunion of Nantah Alumni in Toronto. Thereafter, the event was held every year at different venues until 1995, when it was decided that it would instead be organised once every two years. Over a period of 10 years, eight worldwide reunions have been held, a number that all alumni could feel proud of.
What motivates Nantah alumni associations all over the world to put in money and hard work to vie for the honour of hosting a reunion? What makes alumni drop their work and business to show up at a get-together?
“It is the call of the Nantah spirit.”;”It shows that the Chinese-educated value the friendships of fellow students.”; “It is the influence of the Chinese culture.” All these reasons have been suggested.
There is no doubt that the Nantah spirit is the key factor that bonds the alumni. Right from the first to the last batch, all former Nantah students had studied in an environment that was less than secure. In the early years, facilities were poor and Nantah degrees were not recognised. Over time, things improved and Nantah degrees also received the recognition of the government. However, a succession of reports on the viability of Nantah and a series of measures to alter its system soon followed. But learning in an atmosphere of uncertainty about the future helped students then to forge a sense of “common destiny”.
When Nantah was closed in 1980, many felt they had lost a pillar of strength and an alma mater for them to contribute something in return. Yet it strengthened the sense of cohesion among them. The gathering of Nantah graduates has been a regular event since 1983 - from the early “Nantah Nights” which culminated in a global reunion of alumni.
It is a tradition for Chinese-educated students in Singapore and Malaysia to meet up regularly after graduating from school. For instance, the Chung Ling High School in Penang has a longer history than Nantah of organising such reunions. Held every year at a different place in the world, it is a grand event with a big turnout to boot. Alumni of Pei Feng Secondary School in Malacca who also keep in touch through such gatherings are even setting up a property fund for their alma mater. Yet another example is alumni of Ipoh’s Yu Cai Secondary School who broke with tradition this year to have a reunion on a cruise.
In May this year, alumni of The Chinese High in Singapore who live in various parts of the world, reunited in Guangzhou, China. Whenever its alumni association holds the annual dinner to mark the school’s anniversary, response from alumni in Malaysia and China will be overwhelming. The same can be said of the anniversary celebrations of Chung Cheng High and Yuying Secondary.
All this is a clear reflection of the value people from traditional Chinese schools attach to friendships developed over the years in the campus.
Alumni of Nantah, Chung Ling High School, Chinese High, Chung Cheng High and other schools had all studied in an environment that stressed self-reliance and had also received an education steeped in Chinese culture. Perhaps a sense of cultural identification has created a unique bond among them.
The situation is rather different now for younger generations of students. They learn under an uniform education system in campuses which are well taken care of by the government, but which lack a strong ambience of Chinese culture. I wonder if their friendships will last after they leave school, as in the case of students in the past.
（The writer is a retired Zaobao journalist. Translated by Yap Gee Poh.）
600人參加的第8屆全球南大校友聯(lián)歡會已經(jīng)在6月9日落幕了,在沙巴分手時,大家互言珍重,相約2年后在檳城再見。
6月10日的亞庇機場,南大校友濟濟一堂,有的回返吉隆坡,有的回返新加坡,有的回印尼,有的回香港,有的續(xù)程到山打根或沙巴的其他旅游地點。來也匆匆,去也匆匆,只為了兩年一度的聚會,校友們千里迢迢地從世界各地趕到一個約定的地方聚會。
南洋大學于1955年開學,1980年與新加坡大學合并為國立大學,1983年新加坡南洋大學畢業(yè)生協(xié)會發(fā)起舉辦“南大之夜”,除了本地校友參加之外,馬來西亞各州的校友也來赴會。接著新馬各地的南大校友會輪流主辦“南大之夜”。
到了1992年,加拿大校友發(fā)起在多倫多舉辦第一屆全球南大校友聯(lián)歡會,接著每年輪流在各地舉行,1995年起才改為兩年一次,前后10年就舉辦了8屆的聯(lián)歡會,次數(shù)相當頻繁。
是什么因素促使各地的南大校友不畏艱難,不怕辛苦,出錢出力爭取主辦聯(lián)歡會？是什么力量召喚世界各地的校友放下工作,擱下業(yè)務(wù)依約赴會？
有人說：“這是南大精神的召喚”；有人說：“這是華校生重視同窗之誼的表現(xiàn)”；有人說：“這是受了中華文化的熏陶”。
當然,南大精神的召喚是最重要的因素,南大校友從第一屆的老大哥和老大姐到最后一屆的“關(guān)門子弟”都是在不安定的環(huán)境求學,早期生活設(shè)施不完善,學位不受承認。后來,生活設(shè)施改善了,學位也受到本地政府的承認,可是評估南大的報告書層出不窮,改制的措施接二連三,同學們在“前程未卜”的氣氛中學習,大家有著“共同命運”的感受。
1980年南大被關(guān)閉了,大家仿佛失去了精神的支柱,失去了反哺的對象,凝聚力反而加強。因此,從1983年起,從未間斷地舉行聚會,從新馬校友輪流舉行的“南大之夜”到全球南大校友聯(lián)歡會。
舉辦校友聯(lián)歡會或嘉年華會可以說是新馬華校生的傳統(tǒng),檳城鐘靈中學校友舉辦嘉年華會的歷史比南大校友聯(lián)歡會更加悠久,鐘靈校友嘉年華會每年輪流在世界各地舉行,參加人數(shù)眾多,聲勢浩大。散居各地的馬六甲培風中學的校友不但定期舉辦嘉年華會,他們還為母?；I募置業(yè)基金。怡保育才中學的校友也輪流在各地舉行嘉年華會,今年他們別出心裁地在游輪上聚會。
今年5月,散居各地的新加坡華僑中學校友在廣州舉行嘉年華會。向來華中校友會舉辦校慶晚宴時,中國及馬來西亞的校友都踴躍出席。此外,中正、育英等校友會舉辦校慶晚宴時,不少散居各地的校友都前來參與,反映了這些傳統(tǒng)華校的校友珍惜在校園建立起來的友誼。
南大、鐘靈、華中以及中正等的校友都曾在自力更生的學校就讀,都曾接受過中華文化的熏陶,也許文化上的共識把他們結(jié)合在一起,產(chǎn)生濃濃的凝聚力?，F(xiàn)在,新一代的各校校友在統(tǒng)一教育源流的環(huán)境求學,在政府照顧得很好的校園學習,在中華文化已經(jīng)淡薄的氣氛中受教育,就不知道以后他們的凝聚力能否像前輩一樣。