With the UKEC agm just over, I thought it would be a good time to write a little something about it. For those who are feeling a bit lost this is a wiki citation of what it is
The United Kingdom and Éire Council (UKEC) for Malaysian Students is an umbrella body of Malaysian Students Societies in universities and colleges in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.
The purposes of the organisation are:
1.To facilitate interaction and friendly relations among the various Malaysian Societies in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland based on the principle of mutual respect.
2. To achieve co-operation in solving problems of a social, cultural and economical character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for the Malaysian way of life and for universal kinship without distinction as to race, sex, language, religion and political affiliation.
3. To provide an outlet for social, cultural and academic activities amongst Societies and to assist the administrative duties of the Malaysian Students Department (MSD), and any of its other functions as may be necessary for the benefit of the Malaysian Students.
4. To be a centre for harmonising the actions of Societies in the attainment of these common ends.
Pasted from <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UKEC>
Pasted from <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UKEC>
It is ironic however that as a Malaysian student in the UK I feel that UKEC can do nothing for me. Except maybe part 2 of purpose number 3-to assist the administrative duties of the Malaysian Students Department (MSD), and any of its other functions as may be necessary for the benefit of the Malaysian Students. i.e. organise talks, career fairs and MSLS. Shouldn't an event organising team be then formed to carry out these tasks? As for the other purposes of the organisation- they have impact maybe on a super small percentage of malaysian students in the UK. Isn't it then a bit presumptuous to call itself 'A Supreme Council'- it’s a bit too fanciful/officious for something that achieves so little. Although I must admit that MSLS is very successful at what it does. Could a more inclusive exco not be formed to organise this?
What I am suggesting is that maybe UKEC was necessary back when it was founded and when there were but a handful of students in the UK. However in present times it is outmoded and needs to be rethought.
Having been a part of the exec of the Msian student association in my own uni, I found that not only was ukec unable to help us- we even had to compete for funds when writing to firms for sponsorship! I can see why firms would rather give funds to 'an umbrella body' rather than a specific association in hopes that this 'umbrella body' will use the money to benefit those under it. In reality- really they should give the money to specific associations so that our president can host better events for our members and cook yummmy msian food to promote to international students. This top-bottom/trickle-down way of things is super ineffective and a waste of money on a bunch of self-interested, officious members of the exec of you-know-what. Efficiency of allocation of resources is important.
Also a friend of mine who is just recently part of a new malaysian assoc. at her uni. The assoc. only consisted of 5 members and at the agm one has to vote as to whether or not they should be a part of ukec. ??????????? Seriously? You have to be voted to be in?? Just because its small doesn’t mean that it is pointless to have it recognised. Rights of the majority is important but so is protection of the minority. And what does this act even imply? If you're too small- you don’t count-despite being a bunch of malaysians? SUPER ELITIST BEHAVIOUR!
Some random stuff I found on ukec on wiki:
The summit had also created issues when the boo-incident happened when one of the invited speakers, the then Vice chancellor University of Malaya Datuk Rafiah Salim was greeted with boos and catcalls when she said public university students had the freedom to express their thoughts and ideas.
Hearing their disapproval, Rafiah retorted: "Behaviour like this is exactly what causes people not to respect you. You won’t even give me a hearing. And you won’t get respect." "If you behave like that, nobody will listen to you because it is not worth listening. You are not respecting others."[2]
Lol- siapa yang makan, cili dia yang rasa pedas kan? Why be offended by boos if you have done no wrong. How else could they have shown their dissatisfaction without something totally insane but not improbable happening like being thrown into jail . Of course they would have banked on safety in numbers
Pasted from <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UKEC>
Am not here to bring the council down. Just wanted to put my thoughts into form. Because its been bugging me.
And now for my other obsession-
EGGS BENEDICT AND PIERRE HERME MACARONS IN JASMINE!!
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Had to learn to make my own eggs benedict because they don't serve them for dinner (except at Dome- yay for dome!). Have yet to perfect hollandaise sauce but am doing ok in the poached eggs department. yay for yanny!
Sadly no I did not take a picture of the jasmine macaron and this picture does not do it justice- It is the lightest sugarplum pink/blush with a pearl finish and melt in your mouth subtle yet full flavour- OMG. Each macaron is a work of art. Too bad they don't do the balsamic vinegar+ chocolate ones at selfridges. And too bad good macarons are hard to come by- one has to make a trip to selfridges/Harrods.
Had a super mega fun weekend at Aina's partayyyy! Totally recommend 'Just dance' on Wii :)
This weekend: stay in and nerd. hopefully can make it to londy's jazz fest next week. fingers crossed!
This weekend: stay in and nerd. hopefully can make it to londy's jazz fest next week. fingers crossed!
