AGTHUM 10th Anniversary Celebration Successfully Concluded

On November 15, 2025, the Association of Graduates from Tsinghua University Malaysia (AGTHUM) successfully held its 10th Anniversary Celebration and Sixth Council Inauguration Ceremony at EkoCheras Mall, Kuala Lumpur.

The grand event gathered representatives from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Malaysia, officials from Tsinghua University, state government leaders, business executives, and over a hundred Tsinghua alumni from Malaysia, China, Thailand, and Singapore. Guests came together to celebrate a decade of growth and achievements by the Alumni Association.

Distinguished Guests in Attendance

Honored guests included:

• Ouyang Yujing, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Malaysia

• Zhao Changtao, Education Counsellor, Embassy of the PRC in Malaysia

• Jiang Shengyao, Vice President of the Tsinghua Alumni Association, Former Executive Deputy Secretary of the CPC Committee & Former Vice President of Tsinghua University

• Ng Sze Han, Selangor State Executive Councillor for Investment, Trade & Public Transport

• Tan Sri Dato' Sri Barry Goh, Honorary Advisor to the Alumni Association

• Datuk Kelvin Lee, Executive President of the Asia-Pacific Tsinghua Entrepreneurs Federation

• Dato’ Yap Kuak Fong, Chairman of the Malaysia Tsinghua University Council

• Professor Dato’ Ewe Hong Tat, President of UTAR

• Hong Zi Shen, President of AGTHUM

• Fabian Kong, Secretary-General of AGTHUM and Chair of the 10th Anniversary Organizing Committee

• Liew Jin Yi, Founding President & Advisor of AGTHUM

• Liew Chee Wei, Second-term President & Advisor of AGTHUM

Along with representatives from various Tsinghua alumni organizations worldwide and alumni associations from other leading universities.

Technology Forum: AI & Digital Economy Take Center Stage

The celebration opened with a special AI-themed forum, reflecting the Association’s forward-looking role in technology and industry collaboration.

Forum Keynotes:

1. China Mobile: AI Applications in Practice

Dr. Yin Mingming, AI Manager at China Mobile, shared real-world implementation cases in large models, smart cities, data governance, and industry digitalization, showcasing China’s leading achievements in AI commercialization.

2. AI and Selangor’s Digital Economy Strategy

   SIDEC CEO, Yeong Kai Ping, outlined Selangor’s initiatives in AI, digital infrastructure, and innovation ecosystems, emphasizing the strong potential for future collaborations with China and the Tsinghua network.

The forum set the tone of innovation, connectivity, and cooperation, with many alumni-led enterprises expressing interest in future cross-border collaboration.

Hong Zi Shen: A Decade of Roots, Bauhinia Blossoms Across Malaysia

In his address, AGTHUM President Hong Zi Shen highlighted the Association’s ten years of growth and its increasing influence within Malaysia. He noted that AGTHUM, founded in 2014 with barely over 100 alumni, has now grown to more than 600 members, making it one of the most vibrant overseas Tsinghua alumni groups worldwide. Zi Shen expressed gratitude to past presidents, founding teams, contributors, and supporting alumni associations for helping AGTHUM grow steadily throughout the decade.

As a 2001 Tsinghua Computer Science alumnus, he recalled how fewer than ten Malaysian students entered Tsinghua each year back then compared to today’s 60–70 students annually, reflecting Tsinghua’s rising reputation in Malaysia.

Zi Shen emphasized AGTHUM’s mission as a “catalyst” for Malaysia–China cooperation, with the Association actively integrating resources, connecting networks, and promoting cross-regional collaboration. He also highlighted the success of the recent 4-day alumni business tour, which sparked multiple partnership discussions and attracted greater attention from overseas alumni and enterprises looking to engage with Malaysia.

He concluded by reaffirming the meaning of the 10th anniversary theme “Self-Discipline Leads to Strength · Ten Years of Roots, Bauhinia in Full Bloom · Virtue Carries All”, symbolizing the Association’s legacy and future mission. AGTHUM will continue to serve alumni, support students, promote Tsinghua’s presence in Malaysia, and give back to society, especially through the new “Warmth in Winter Scholarship Loan Program.”

Jiang Shengyao: Malaysia’s Alumni Association Is One of Tsinghua’s Brightest Overseas Communities

Professor Jiang Shengyao, Vice President of Tsinghua Alumni Association, recalled handing the Tsinghua flag to AGTHUM in 2015 and commended the Association’s remarkable progress over the decade. Among more than 60 overseas Tsinghua alumni associations, Malaysia’s stands out for its vitality, cohesion, and rapid growth. He expressed deep appreciation for long-serving contributors such as Liew Jin Yi, Fabian Kong, and Liew Chee Wei, and praised current President Hong Zi Shen’s team for strengthening alumni bonds and enhancing international cooperation.

Jiang also updated attendees on Tsinghua’s development priorities:

• Residential college reforms

• AI-driven education

• Recruitment of world-class faculty

• Strengthening young talent programs

• Cross-disciplinary innovation

• Enhancements to Tsinghua’s medical education system

He highlighted Tsinghua’s global initiatives such as the World Peace Forum, Health Forum, and overseas practical programs, encouraging Malaysian alumni to continue building bridges between China and Malaysia.

Ambassador Ouyang: Tsinghua Alumni Are Key Drivers of China–Malaysia Cooperation

Ambassador Ouyang Yujing expressed his hopes that the Alumni Association would continue upholding Tsinghua’s spirit, strengthen organizational development, nurture talent, and remain a spiritual home for Tsinghua alumni in Malaysia.

He acknowledged AGTHUM’s decade-long contributions to:

• connecting alumni

• enhancing educational collaboration

• supporting China–Malaysia people-to-people exchange

• contributing positively to bilateral friendship

“Tsinghua alumni in Malaysia are builders and witnesses of China–Malaysia cooperation, contributing their wisdom and actions to a shared future.”

Fabian Kong: Five Months of Preparation, Ten Years of Roots

Secretary-General Fabian Kong, who led the 10th Anniversary Organizing Committee, shared the heartfelt journey of preparing the celebration. He noted that although the planning period was only five months, the dedication and teamwork of the organizing committee enabled the event to be executed perfectly.

“We poured everything into this, to make the 10th anniversary the best chapter of our decade-long journey.”

Jiang thanked:

• the Tsinghua Alumni Association headquarters

• Asia-Pacific Tsinghua Entrepreneurs Federation

• Malaysia Tsinghua Council

• all donors, volunteers, and partners

He also introduced the Warmth in Winter Scholarship Loan, symbolizing AGTHUM’s long-term commitment to supporting Malaysian students pursuing studies at Tsinghua.

Ng Sze Han: Welcoming Tsinghua Strength into Malaysia’s Digital Economy

Selangor EXCO Ng Sze Han arrived at the event despite a busy schedule and shared that Tsinghua alumni play an increasingly important role in China–Malaysia cooperation. With their deep understanding of both markets, Tsinghua alumni are uniquely positioned to serve as bridges for economic and technological collaboration.

He encouraged AGTHUM to build a strategic platform enabling:

• Malaysian companies to expand into China

• Chinese tech enterprises to anchor in Selangor

  
  

Unprecedented Scale: Over 400 Guests Gather

The gala dinner hosted 44 tables, filled to capacity. Alumni and guests from multiple countries joined, showcasing AGTHUM’s strong influence.

Major sponsors and supporters included:

• China Mobile International,

• Apac Tsinghua Ceo Cci Bhd

• Tan Sri Datuk Nelson Tan

• J&T Express Malaysia

• Quill Group

• Thong Fatt Jaya

• Axcova

• PickTenants

• B&G Capital

• AZ Lab Group

• Top Glove

• TIDE Analytics

• JANA Group

• EUM Realty

• Setia Media

• Talents Pool AI

• Tsinghua Alumni Association Singapore

and more.

The Henan Tsinghua Alumni Association also presented commemorative gifts:

• a jade vessel symbolizing Tsinghua spirit

• a calligraphy scroll of “Self-Discipline Leads to Strength; Virtue Carries All”

These gifts embodied the deep bond among global Tsinghua alumni.

Appointment of Advisors

The Association formally appointed two long-time contributors as advisors:

• Advisor: Liew Jinyi

  • Tsinghua Physics (Bachelor 01, Master 06)

  • General Manager of Thong Fatt Jaya & Partner at Palo Synergy

  • Founding President of AGTHUM

  • A decade-long pillar of support and leadership

2. Honorary Advisor: Professor Kee Keh Kooi

   • Professor at Tsinghua School of Medicine

   • Expert in reproductive and regenerative medicine

   • Long-time advocate and advisor of AGTHUM

Sixth Council Inauguration

The 6th Council was sworn in, with 11 committee members elected in May 2025 to lead AGTHUM from 2025–2027.

10th Anniversary Series: Celebrating Through Action

A series of themed events marked this milestone, including:

• First JiuJing Cup Algorithm Competition and Bootcamp

• Fourth Bauhinia Cup Malaysia–China Alumni Badminton Tournament

• 4-Day Alumni Reunion & Enterprise Visit Program

  
  

These activities strengthened alumni bonds and showcased Tsinghua spirit in Malaysia.

Looking Forward: The Bauhinia Will Continue to Bloom

This 10th anniversary is both a milestone and a new beginning. We thank all alumni, Tsinghua University, partner alumni associations, and friends for being part of this journey.

In the next decade, we will continue to let the Bauhinia bloom even more brightly across Malaysia.

Self-Discipline Leads to Strength.

Virtue Carries All.

Ten Years of Roots.

Bauhinia in Full Bloom.

Author: Hong Zi Shen

Reviewer: Liew Jin Yi, Gan Yee Chin, Tan Kah Chun