r a b a S h K M C I Apa
January 2019 • Issue 25 • Tahun Baru
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2018/19 LIST OF EVENTS NOV DEC
JAN FEB
Induction Day ICMS Christmas Party Unilever-ICMS Roundtable 2018 Virtual Workshop Series Chapter One Alumni Sharing-Taking The Next Step Online Speaker Series PwC Roundtable ICMS x Maybank 2019 UK Virtual Career Fair (ViCaF) ICMS x EPiC Venture Challenge (IVEC)
TABLE OF CONTENTS Inside this Issue
Past Events Christmas Party (UK) (MY) ................................................................... 1 ICMS Online Events ...................................................................................... 2 Induction Day ........................................................................................................ 3 Unilever - ICMS Roundtable 2018 .............................................. 4 Alumni Sharing -Taking The Next Step ............................. 4 Associate Feature. Malaysian Public Policy Competition ........................ 5 - 6 Upcoming Events. PWC Roundtable: EnGendering Diversity.................... 7 UK Virtual Career Fair (UK ViCaF) .............................................. 7 ICMS x EPiC Venture Challenge (IVEC) ............................ 8 ICMS x Maybank 2019: Banking on Millennials ..... 8 Internal Initiatives. Mental Health Programme (Space) ...................................... 9 Quote of the Month Feedback Survey Link
The ICMS Monthly Newsletter has been in circulation since the 6th Council. As it eases into its 2nd cycle, we felt it was time it took on a more intimate name - "Apa Khabar ICMS", representing a familiar Malaysian greeting and encapsulating the news and updates the Secretarial Division offers to our followers. Editor Ng Jia Ming Content Poh Ching Siow, Caitlin Ung, Zher Yee Ooi, Carmen Yee, Ernest Teh, Wye Yew Ho, Jesper Huang, Iman Qhadijah Design Wen Lynn Lee, Mabel Chua
HUMANS OF ICMS Here at ICMS, we’re thankful for the incredible journey we’ve been through and the people who've brought us here today. ICMS is built by inspiring, hardworking, and talented people with great stories to tell. See our latest featured Associates here!
ts n e v E t Pas CHRISTMAS PARTY (UK & MY)
by Poh Ching Siow
‘Tis the Season to Be Jolly!’ Last December, both the Malaysia and United Kingdom Chapters of ICMS had decided to take a break away from their Divisions and had a get together into another warm peaceful Christmas party celebration. It was a great time spent to bond and cheer towards our current standing, giving much gratitude and appreciation towards those who had guided us from the very beginning.
Much carolling, games and chattering had taken place, not forgetting about the exciting gift exchanging session and free-flow buffet styled dinner served, filling both our appetite and hearts with great joy and contentment. A few of the Associates had even spent their night staying over in the rented ‘AirBnB’ to further enjoy the moment created. It was a festivity that had helped remind us all that we have each other’s back despite being scattered all over the world in different Chapters, instilling the true Magic of Christmas.
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ts n e v E t Pas ICMS’S ONLINE EVENTS
by Poh Ching Siow
It was long acknowledged that the busy and competitive lifestyle of the Hong Kong Chapter was a problem occurring due to examination assessments being always around the corner. Together with the Northern America Chapter’s difficulty in gathering everyone in a location and the limited number of Malaysians in both Chapters mentioned. The 8th Council had made full use of the current technology whilst giving flexibility to all participants through the holding of online digital platform events.
Virtual Workshop Series Chapter One This is a workshop conducted by the HK Chapter for everyone interested within the Chapters of ICMS. Ling Ho Wan, a.k.a. Howard Ling, a famous Hong Kong Chief Consultant of Social Enterprise Business Centre, who had provided many strategies in the business field and won various awards for his dedication towards the community's growth and developments had decided to give an online insight of his experience and future outlooks. From his speech, our respected speaker had highlighted on the preference of a more humane approach compared to a solely strategic manner in managing businesses. This session had definitely brought forward a different view to the participants, reminding them about the morality and goodness the society needs and how closely linked it is to us.
Online Speaker Series - University & Early Career Years with Hazim Mohamad
The Online Speaker Series can now be viewed aby clicking here
The Online Speaker Series, on the other hand, is a webinar series conducted by the North America Chapter held on the 8th December 2018 through a digital platform, where a distinguished professional is invited to interact with Malaysian students from all over the world. This had enabled the attendees to gain insights into the speaker’s career journey. It was also an interactive platform for participants with a similar career aspiration to ask questions on various topics, ranging from work-life balance, job application to work culture. In addition, empowerment between the networking connection of the speaker and participants were also created. Hazim Mohamad, an analyst at the World Bank, was the limelight of the event as he shared his insights on the preparation for a professional life and strategies to optimise learning and experiences during early career years. This included graduate school applications and taking professional papers (e.g. CFA) while in university.
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s t n e v E Past INDUCTION DAY
by Poh Ching Siow
Another year has passed since the introduction of the 8th Council of ICMS, and it was finally the time to formally introduce and welcome a new batch of Malaysian scholars, who would one day represent the Association’s title, bringing another round of increased success and growth. The Induction Day was created as a means to congratulate the Junior Associates (JAs) of the 9th Council for their successful entry, together with the delivery of the great message of what ICMS strives for. It was clear for all to see the devotions and efforts the present Council had poured their heart towards this day into ensuring a smooth and warm salutation was conferred.
A few Chapters such as Malaysia, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom, prepared pre-induction tasks given to their JAs to present their pitch as a warm-up, testing their capability in both teamwork and collaboration under pressure. Much feedbacks and questions were then given by the judges on the floor as a need to further refine the ideas and suggestions proposed by each team. The centre of the induction revolved around the ‘Sneak Previews’ of the functions and roles of each ICMS Division, highlighting the importance of every Division’s responsibility while showing their interconnectedness and how a domino effect could potentially occur. In the UK Chapter, this was performed through the ‘rotational tasks’ given, where the JAs were given a chance to step into the shoes of the current Division Directors, solving issues the 8th Council had once been through. The bar was further lifted when JAs were challenged to pull out an overnight event, proving the importance and adhesiveness between the Divisions. The Singapore Chapter had instead worked through a more role-playing approach towards delivering this message by preparing various mini case studies. In essence, the JAs were able to grasp a hold of the core of every Division that ICMS has to provide, which would in return make their selection of Division easier. In the Northern America Chapter, the induction programme was performed differently. Due to the vast land of America, it was a challenge to gather the Associates in a specific location. However, this was easily solved through conducting the Induction Day via an online digital platform and the corporation of the Associates.
With the inductions over, the JAs of the 9th Council are now being tested in both their determination and wits in their given tasks, together with the diligent guidance and support given by the 8th Council – A new chapter begins once again.
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ts n e v E t Pas UNILEVER- ICMS ROUNDTABLE 2018
by Jesper Huang & Iman Qhadijah
On the 17th of November 2018, ICMS Malaysia (MY) Chapter organised Beyond The Shelf, an insight to the Fast-Market Consumers Good (FMCG) industry in collaboration with our platinum sponsor Unilever. The event commenced at 10.00 a.m with an ice-breaking game called The Unilever in Me and speeches from Unilever and ICMS representatives. The event then proceeded to the highlight of the day where participants were required to innovate creative and feasible solutions for a food business. Participants were required to simulate a marketplace and act as a promoter, persuading the client to use products by Unilever. This was then vicariously followed by the next task, in which participants had to curate new ideas on how to transform the business’ online platform. Amazingly, all groups did a great job and Group 2 was announced the winner of the whole task as they had impressed and intrigued the judges with their solutions.
Wrapping up the auspicious day, Unilever representatives spared time to provide extensive feedback on the overall progress of each group, annotating useful insights and constructive criticism, that to the participants’ benefit may help them develop and enhance their critical thinking skills and gain extensive knowledge regarding the FMCG industry itself. The event formally ended with the presentation of tokens of appreciations to the Unilever representatives.
ALUMNI SHARING-TAKING THE NEXT STEP
by Poh Ching Siow
Last November, an alumni sharing session was held in the HK Chapter. A total of 6 Alumni, who studied in the field of engineering and finance, and are currently either interns or graduates had come forth to give insights on their life and job experiences in this panel session. It was an interesting session, as it helped answer the concerns students would frequently have whenever they got blinded in the career path they are pursuing. It was noted that despite the course taken, the career path that you pursue would sometimes be of a different route from what you have studied. This event was a great motivation for the attendees, as the Alumni showed how their determination and aspiration had helped in their growth to success. It is keen to remember that a faulty history repeats due to the lack of knowledge and encounter, however, it can all be avoided if we listen and learn from those who had already been where we were. Our Alumni represented the role models that many of us strive to be. They shine lights towards the traps and mines planted in our way, and it is for us to choose whether to fall once again or to learn from their mistakes.
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re u t a e F e t a i c o s s A MALAYSIAN PUBLIC POLICY COMPETITION
by Wye Yew Ho
I sat there, in the Sunway auditorium, waiting anxiously. ‘If we were to get into the finals, I know, very unlikely after that disastrous presentation, would you give it up to another team?’, my teammate asked. It was mid-afternoon, the three of us were part of a team for the Malaysian Public Policy Competition. For the past two weeks, we juggled across our work, struggles and time schedules to prepare our policy for the competition. And for the past 48 hours, it was a whirlwind of last minute preparations, late-night speech rehearsals, policy adjustments and running on late nights and early mornings - it was one of the most jampacked events we have been to. One of my friends nearly passed out from exhaustion, clearly not used to the strenuous time constraints the competition buckled upon us. ‘Yes,’ I exclaimed, ‘I think we’re all really tired and I want to get back!’ ‘Hm.. do you want to do something as a team to celebrate our loss?’ It almost felt bittersweet to me. From our perspective, winning never looked like an option. After scanning and getting the opportunity to listen to all the presentations, it would seem like a miracle to get into the final stages. However, I did want to celebrate our hard work with a little symbolic treat. ‘Why not… we head over to Sunway Pyramid mall once the results are announced to… watch Crazy Rich Asians?’ I suggested. Both of my team members agreed enthusiastically. If we were to end off this stressful competition, it might as well be on a high note right? The room suddenly silenced as the emcee walked on the podium. It was time to announce the results and see who made it to the finals of the competition. As one by one, teams that I predicted would make it to the finals had their names called, clearly deserving from their unique and effective policies. ‘Quick, book the Grab to Sunway!’ my friend whispered to my other friend. As we logged our details into the application, prepared to swiftly rush out the hall once the competition was over when the final team’s name was called.
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e r u t a e F e t a i Assoc MALAYSIAN PUBLIC POLICY COMPETITION
by Wye Yew Ho
‘And the last team who has made it to our grand finals is…..’ I pressed the ‘Confirm Booking’ button on the Grab app. ‘… Team HoleeChen!!!’ What? Huh? I stood up in shock, not knowing whether to be happy or be annoyed at the outcome. Our team had made it to the finals! My friend quickly cancelled the booking. As we walked down the stairs towards the briefing area for the finalists, my friend questioned, ‘So… are we doing this?’ I looked at her with ease, glanced at our policy memos and muttered,‘We got selected for a reason, even if it’s a reason we can’t absolutely comprehend why. Let’s just go at it and give it our best, no matter the outcome.’ The final round happened. And we won. Out of all the shocking moments of my year, this was the one to happen, at a time of uncertainty and pre-university anxiety. As told, we were the first ever pre-university team to win the competition.
As we walked out with the cheque in our palms, I managed to glance to my teammate and say, ‘Imagine if we did actually quit and took the Grab to watch Crazy Rich Asians. Look what perseverance has done for us!'
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ts n e v e g n i m o c p U PWC ROUNDTABLE: ENGENDERING DIVERSITY
by Zher Yee Ooi Themed ‘EnGendering Diversity’, the PWC Roundtable aims to raise awareness and provide a platform for discussion on this pressing issue regarding gender diversity through a half-day event. This event aims to educate youths about the importance of gender diversity, barriers to achieving it and how it can be attained. Amongst other activities, there will also be a panel session consisting of prominent individuals. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of this amazing event by signing up using the link below!
Link to FB Page: http://bit.ly/PwC-Roundtable-FB Link to application form: http://bit.ly/ICMS-PwC-Roundtable
UK VIRTUAL CAREER FAIR (VICAF)
by Zher Yee Ooi
An interactive virtual event designed to complement the UK Chapter’s inaugural virtual career fair. Divided into three sections, guest speakers will be invited to provide insight into previous experiences of ViCaF, improving interviewing skills and working on CV building skills. Open for all Malaysian students studying in the UK. Sign up now clicking this link and find out more about the event by clicking here .
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s Upcoming event ICMS x EPiC Venture Challenge (IVEC)
by Zher Yee Ooi
ICMSxEPiC Venture Challenge (IVEC) is back for our third installment at the Ohio State University. Compete with North America’s best and brightest Malaysian students in this Business Case Competition as you vie for the chance to win awesome cash prizes! With the theme “Navigating a Changing Global Environment,” the competition will be an immersive experience to learn what makes a sound global business strategy in an increasingly interconnected world. Enhance your analytical abilities, critical thinking skills, and leadership and business skills, along with presentation and persuasion abilities as you develop the best solution to a business case. Register before January 24th, 11:59PM EST at: http://bit.ly/RegisterIVEC2019. For more information about the event, visit us at: http://bit.ly/IVEC2019.
ICMS X MAYBANK 2019: BANKING ON MILLENNIALS
by Zher Yee Ooi
ICMS together with Maybank proudly presents ‘Banking on Millennials’. Millennials beginning their quest to forge a path in the job market have tons of questions about finance - but very few avenues to find answers. Banking on Millennials is a one-day workshop that provides insights on how Maybank builds engagement with millennials and allows participants to gain valuable knowledge in making prudent financial decisions. Grab this opportunity and join us for an event that guarantees a variety of interactive activities and learning opportunities! Apply HERE!
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s e v i t a i t i n I l a Intern Mental health Programme - SPACE
by Caitlin Ung
The levels of anxiety experienced by children and college students today parallel to the levels of anxiety experienced in psychiatric patients in the 1950s (Twenge, 2000). This might not surprise us as we have firsthand experience with the commonality of mental health issues through the media and everyday life. Additionally, being a student is hard in itself, what more being an international student 10,576 km (or 14 hours away). No matter how long one has been here, seeking solace with fellow Malaysians is always a comforting thing, and having a “Space” to do so is the new initiative under the PDI (UK) team, being the second out of the two initiatives under the mental health programme by the 8th Council, the first being Games Night. The purpose of Space as a mental health programme is to give Associates a chance to discuss the good, bad and ugly of life with fellow Associates. It also gives the Associates a chance to bond over shared struggles and expresses them in an informal setting, while also dispensing advice and tips based on their own experiences. The first meetings took place between the 28th and 29th of December through Google Hangouts and will continue monthly throughout the year. With positive feedback on both ends, we hope that this initiative will continue to be successful and beneficial for all Associates this year.
Quote of The Month
Human greatness does not lie in wealth or power, but in character and goodness. People are just people, and all people have faults and shortcomings, but all of us are born with a basic goodness. - Anne Frank
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Produced by the ICMS Secretarial Divison 2018-19 Questions? Email us at enquiries@icmscholars.org The International Council of Malaysian Scholars and Associates © 2011-2019 All Rights Reserved.
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