Twenty-five Malaysian exchange program alumni honored State Alumni Member of the Month for EAP, Faisal Hassan in recognition of his outstanding work as president of the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Alumni Malaysia, an association promoting youth empowerment through leadership and volunteerism, as well as his dedication to strengthening alumni communities and exchange programs in Malaysia.

 

Alumni leaders from several exchange programs attended including the International Visitor Leadership Program, Fulbright, Humphrey, Eisenhower, Youth Exchange and Study Program, UGRAD, Study of the U.S. Institute and American Council of Young Leaders.

 

At the dinner, CAO Nicholas Papp discussed opportunities to strengthen alumni programs in Malaysia in the coming year, and requested the assistance of senior alumni in mentoring the growing number of younger alumni. All the alumni leaders shared their exchange program experiences in the U.S., their interest in giving back to their communities and committed to assisting with future projects that are being organized by the YES alumni leadership team – specifically a series of outreach (roadshow) events in six cities in Malaysia, community development projects (environmental protection, leadership development, English language programs for youth, Poverty Reduction, and Entrepreneurship) as well as an English camp for English Access Microscholarship alumni and participants planned for November 2010. The alumni leaders present at the dinner were very supportive and showed strong interest in helping with the projects.