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The ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ Alumni Association Malaysia Chapter (OUAAMC) chalked up yet another amazing achievement earlier this year.

After months of work, planning and organizing, the alumni chapter successfully delivered the Women Power 2025 Seminar in June 2025 with the collaboration of UiTM, OHIO’s long time international collaborator, and the Ministry of Women, Family, and Community Development, Malaysia. The event was also supported by Yayasan Arshad Ayub (YAA). The late Tun Arshad Ayub was instrumental in building relationships with OHIO in the early 1970’s.

With the theme of EmpowerHER: Engage. Energize. Elevate, the seminar attracted powerful speakers who engaged the audience with their insightful ideas and experiences. Held at the Nur Auditorium of the Ministry, the event attracted 200 participants, comprising staff from the government and private sectors, members of various NGOs, students from public and private universities, interested individuals, and ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ graduates from across Malaysia.

Gillian Ice, professor of social medicine at OHIO, gave a welcome address, noting the collaboration of UiTM, the Ministry, and the OHIO Alumni Organizing Committee headed by Prof Mohad Anizu Mohd Nor (MPE ’87). His team of five—advisor Dr. Ashari (TARC 2011-2014); Mrs. Nor Azuwa Mohd Isa (BBA ’99, MA ’02); Ms. Nur Syamila Abd Latif (MBA ’23); Dr. Najmiddin Yaakob (PhD ’15); and Mr. Muhammad Zakwan Rusydi Suhaimi (MSA ’24)—was praised for the successful execution of the seminar.

Ice conveyed the sincere greetings from ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ President Lori Stewart Gonzalez. In her welcome speech, Ice reiterated the University’s commitment to activities and projects in Malaysia, especially in collaboration with alumni. ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ’s Malaysian alumni make up the largest alumni group outside the United States, and the Tun Abdul Razak Chair (TARC) at ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ, established in 1981, is the first of its kind established by Malaysia at a foreign university.

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In her keynote address, The Honorable Minister, Nancy Shukri (EMBA ’98) reiterated her sincere appreciation to the alumni who worked hard to make this event a reality. She also thanked UiTM and ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ, who collaborated with the Ministry on this project. She stressed that her ministry supports seminars and conferences that focus on women’s issues. She asserted that, in Malaysia, significant issues impacting women, families, and communities include: rising domestic violence; the need to increase women’s participation in all sectors of life, especially in leadership positions; and addressing issues and challenges of child marriages. The Minister asserted that her ministry is working hard to address these issues through impactful programs, policies, and education.

After the keynote address, OUAAMC President Prof Dr. Mohad Anizu presented a plaque to Minister Shukri confirming her acceptance as Patron for the ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ Alumni Malaysian Chapter.

The seminar continued with powerful speakers like Mr. Abdullah Haron (MBA ’96) and Datuk Noraini Soltan (MBA ’95) who spoke on financial management, strategic business approaches, and entrepreneurship. Ice and Associate Professor of Sports Administration Melissa Davies, representing ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ, spoke on the importance of women’s leadership in organizations and coaching in sports, respectively. Other speakers emphasized the importance of removing the glass ceiling and other barriers that hinder women in business, as well as the need for gender equity. The topics presented and discussed captivated the audience.

The highlight of the day was the Alumni Hi-Tea with Minister Shukri, gracing the event despite her tight schedule. Almost 50 alumni mingled with each other and Ice, reminiscing about their unforgettable experiences at ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ. The alumni also received OHIO memorabilia to cherish and take home. Once again, the OUAAMC was successful in organizing a memorable event