PETALING JAYA, 16 March 2014 - Joy was clearly visible on the faces of the 37 Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) alumni, graduates of 1975, when they met again their friends whom they have not seen for a long time or having lost touch after graduating from USM almost 40 years ago.

The reunion-cum-luncheon that was held at a hotel here this afternoon is a result of the inspiration and initiatives taken by T. Balasubramaniam (Social Sciences '75) and his circle of close friends.

Balasubramaniam, popularly known as Bala, had organised a similar gathering for the first time in February 2013 in Petaling Jaya which was attended by 60 USM alumni who graduated in the 1970s.

Bala was pleased as all the preparations that started three weeks ago have borne fruit in bringing back former USM students and to see them mingling so happily, sharing their fond ‘down memory lane’ stories and experiences.

“I am also grateful to the university, particularly the USM Alumni Liaison Office which has once again supported and helped me to successfully organise this reunion, and I hope to be able to work together again in organising such events in the future,” said Bala.

Also present was USM Alumni Leader 2002, corporate figure and also USM Pro-Chancellor, Tan Sri Mustafa Mansur (Social Sciences '76) who described the gathering as an opportunity for him to meet up besides rebuilding contacts, as well as reminiscing the times when they were USM students nearly 40 years ago.

“Many fond moments are still fresh in my memory and I’m delighted to be reunited with my fellow former friends especially those who were active in sports - cricket, rugby and hockey,” said Mustafa.

Together with another USM Alumni, Dato’ Sofian Ahmad (Social Sciences ‘74), Mustafa also hoped that Kuala Lumpur and Selangor USM Alumni will further strengthen its membership and its administration, as well as to consider how they can return to render services to their alma mater and the community after this reunion.

Among the USM alumni of '75 who attended the almost two-and-a-half hour reunion were Dato’ Ahmad Ibrahim, Dato’ Martini Osman, Mahendran, Rajan Moses and his wife Pearl Moses, Dato’ Ooi Say Chuan, Lee Kee Teck, Datin Noorhayati Khalid, Ghazali Kassim and Terence Selvakumar. - Translation: Yong Check Yoon/Text: Tan Ewe Hoe/Photo: Nor Rafizah Md. Zain