Jom rEUnion: an evening of toasting old connections and forging new ones

Held in Kuala Lumpur, the event welcomed a diverse group of participants—including Erasmus+ alumni from across Malaysia and the wider ASEAN region, recipients of EU Member States’ bilateral and individual scholarships, former EU trainees, project partners from EU-funded initiatives, and members of the diplomatic corps. The gathering reflected the EU’s longstanding commitment to international academic exchange, cooperation in higher education, and people-to-people ties.

In his opening remarks, H.E. Ambassador Rafael Daerr, EU Ambassador to Malaysia, recognised the enduring contributions and professional accomplishments of EU alumni in various fields. He emphasised the importance of alumni networks as a bridge for continued dialogue and engagement between the EU and Malaysia.

Ambassador Daerr also expressed heartfelt appreciation to Assoc Prof Dr. Mohd Ariffin B. Abu Hassan, Director of UTM International, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Kuala Lumpur, for his support in fostering international mobility and academic cooperation. Notably, the Ambassador highlighted the launch of Malaysia’s first Erasmus+ Hub earlier in July, an important milestone aimed at enhancing visibility, outreach, and support for Erasmus+ activities in the region.

One of the highlights of the evening was a speech by Ms. Angela Kwon, a distinguished Erasmus Mundus alumna, whose remarks struck a personal and emotional chord with many in the audience. Reflecting on her journey and the transformative impact of the Erasmus+ experience, Ms. Kwon encouraged fellow alumni to continue leveraging their international exposure to build inclusive, forward-looking communities both at home and abroad.

The success of the reception was made possible through the dedication and leadership of Dr. Ronald Willie Binati, Erasmus Mundus Association (EMA) Country Representative for Malaysia, and Dr. Collins Santhanasamy of EMA. The EU Delegation extends its deepest thanks to both for their invaluable efforts in coordinating the event and strengthening alumni engagement on the ground.

Beyond the formalities, the evening offered alumni an opportunity to reconnect, exchange ideas, and explore possibilities for future collaboration, both within Malaysia and across borders. From shared academic stories to cross-sector networking, the event served as a reminder of the powerful role that international education and mobility play in shaping resilient and globally minded leaders.

As the EU continues to deepen its cooperation with Malaysia in the fields of higher education and cultural exchange, gatherings like these reaffirm the strong and growing partnership grounded in mutual respect, learning, and friendship.