Peking University, January 9, 2023: Peking University Alumni Association Malaysia and Peking University Malaysian Students Association, last month, jointly held a "Night of Boya" Gala for Peking University Malaysian students who graduated from 2020 to 2022 and the Alumni at Le Meridien Hotel Putrajaya, Malaysia.

This graduation ceremony was for three classes of graduates who couldn't attend it in Beijing physically due to the pandemic. Apart from the fresh graduates, students and alumni of Peking University, there were also distinguished representatives from various communities including the public and private sectors: various cultural and educational institutes, media friends and the Malaysian tea association, totalling around 350 people, gathered on this auspicious occasion.


Prof. Wang Bo, Vice President of Peking University and Executive Vice President of Peking University Alumni Association, delivered a congratulatory message. In the video, Vice President Wang Bo extended his sincere greetings to the alumni and guests, who supported this event, and warm congratulations on the successes of the "Night of Boya" event, hosted by the PKU Alumni Association Malaysia, despite the difficulties due to the pandemic. He expressed the hope that PKUers in Malaysia would continue to carry forward the spirit of Peking University and make a greater contribution to the relations between Malaysia and China. Mr. Li Wensheng, Vice President and Secretary-General of the Peking University Alumni Association and Director of Peking University Alumni Affairs Office, in the virtual speech, thanked the Malaysian Alumni Association for its long-time support and contribution to the alumni networking, various mutual exchanges, and collaboration between Peking University and Malaysia, as well as between China and Malaysia.


Mr. Nai Chen Huang, President of the Peking University Alumni Association Malaysia, delivered welcoming remarks at the Gala event. In addition to congratulating the fresh graduates, he called on the PKU students and friends of PKU to become brand ambassadors of the university, adhering to the spirit of "fortitude, integrity and innovation", "appreciating different cultures", and to share PKU stories in languages that people around the world understand. He encouraged the students and alumni to promote unity and revitalization of the core values of family and country, to enhance the friendly ties between Malaysia and China, and to join hands in making contributions to the progress of mankind.


PKU alumni from Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia were also present at the event. Dr. Dong Minghui, Vice President of PKU Singapore Alumni Association, delivered warm remarks. On behalf of the alumni, he looked forward to further collaboration among the PKU alumni associations in Southeast Asia, uniting Pekingers and friends in the region, and promoting exchanges and interactions between the various social groups of Southeast Asia with PKU and China.


Lim Ji Yi, a fresh graduate who had completed his undergraduate studies at the School of International Relations at PKU, delivered a speech as the graduate representative. He thanked the preparatory committee for its meticulous preparation and dedication to this event and shared his thoughts on the themed speech. "Man has a possibility", by Prof. Tang Shiqi, Dean of the School of International Relations. He hoped to create more possibilities for the family and country with the dual identities; as a Malaysian and a PKUer.


The fresh graduates took to the stage to receive best wishes from family and friends. An exhibition board of the West Gate of Peking University was set up for graduates and their parents to take group photos. The atmosphere was warm and moving. The graduates and their parents expressed appreciation to the Alumni Association Malaysia for hosting the meaningful event, which allowed parents to witness their children's university graduation ceremony. In addition, Malaysian contemporary calligraphy artist C.N. Liew (Liew Ching Nun) presented a piece of his calligraphy work to PKU Alumni Association, bringing the blessings from PKUers in Southeast Asia to the Home of Alumni (PKUAA). Mr. Nai Chen Huang, President of the Malaysian Alumni Association, received the gift on behalf of the university. At the dinner, calligrapher Zhang Yongyi also presented his ink treasure "Light of Peking University" to add luster to the ceremony.


There were several performances over the course of the evening, such as joint presentation by graduates from Malaysia and China, reflecting the educational and friendly exchanges between Malaysia and China. Performers including young Malaysian performers Kiing Ming Hui and Ho Jing Yeat, who graduated from the China Conservatory of Music, Ng Po Qin and Wong Jia Ying, who graduated from the Dance Department of the Malaysian Institute of Art, brought about songs and dances that combined Chinese culture with local elements. PKU alumni Zhang Luyao, Randy Ho Xu Zhe and Chan Jin Wen also played and sang the song of "Yan Yuan Love", which expressed the love for their alma mater. In addition, members of the International Islamic University Alumni Association of Malaysia (IIUM) presented Malay poetry (pantun) performances. Another highlight included a video introduction to the Malaysian alumni association and its achievements, including a documentary made to celebrate the 45th anniversary in the diplomatic relation between China and Malaysia, entitled "Multi-cultures Intertwined in Harmony".


Teow Bei Er, the chairperson of "Night of Boya" Preparatory Committee, concluded the gala with words of thanks. As a PKUer, she thanked PKU for providing an academic atmosphere of free-thinking and inclusiveness, cultivating her ability for independent thinking while being pragmatic, and for empowering a pluralistic democratic society while promoting diverse and innovative thinking. Her appreciation also went to all members of the Organizing Committee for the support from within and outside, bringing the Gala event to great success.


The finale of the event played a song of "Love for Peking University", an original piece composed by the PKU Alumni Association. The song reminded us of the essence in the pursuit of knowledge, a journey of exploration of ideas for every PKUer, and offered benediction to the fresh graduates, bringing an auspicious end to the event.

Source: Peking University Malaysian Students Association