December 2023 - Embracing the Holiday Spirit: ICMS Holiday Happenings

Greetings from the International Council of Malaysian Scholars (ICMS)!

First and foremost, Merry Christmas to those who celebrate and a Happy New Year! As much as we at ICMS work alongside each other throughout the year, the seasonal spirit of December lends an opportunity for us to celebrate togetherness, appreciate the friendships we made throughout our tenure and connect with the 14th Council Junior Associates.

Read along as we compile the ICMS holiday happenings throughout the last month of 2023!

Our most recent events: a recap!

Christmas Bonding Session [United Kingdom Chapter]

The 13th Council of the United Kingdom Chapter gathered on the 16th of December to embrace the festive season and hosted a Christmas Potluck, whereby each team member had to bring a dish to the gathering. The Chapter happily indulged in the nostalgic Malaysian food staple nasi lemak, dumplings, fried rice, potato salad, brownies, banana cakes and more! To spice up the night, the Chapter also initiated a Christmas tree-building competition before the bonding session ended. Overall, the session left everyone fuzzy and warm in the heart despite the United Kingdom’s gloomy winter, and a pat on the back for everyone who has worked relentlessly during the JADP period!

Christmas Bash [Malaysia Chapter]

Drumroll for the highly anticipated Christmas Bash! On the afternoon of the 23th of December, 13th Council Directors and Associates from Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia and the United Kingdom, as well as our lovely 14th Council Junior Associates and esteemed ICMS Alumni, gathered at WIP Bangsar for a fun holiday meet-up. The crowd was delightfully coloured in red and green, bringing the Christmas spirit to life. The afternoon was filled with laughter as everyone relished in charades, good food and secret Santa. Honourable mention to a few of our 14th Council Junior Associates, specifically Zhen Zhoa Lau, Anthony Lee Yen Tian and Ethan Loh Kon Kin, who helped to make the Christmas Bash happen! We hope the Christmas Bash allowed everyone to foster new friendships and enrich existing ones. See you guys in 2024!

Sunway Firm Visit [Malaysia Chapter]

Embarking on an extraordinary journey last Friday, ICMS Scholars, alongside their 14th Council Junior Associates, had the privilege of stepping into the dynamic realm of Sunway Sanctuary. This immersive experience unfolded the vibrant tapestry of Sunway Group's diverse business units – from the innovative realms of Sunway Construction and Sunway Property to the bustling landscapes of Sunway Shopping Malls, and the dedicated domains of Sunway Pals Loyalty Sdn Bhd and Sunway Medical. The visit offered a panoramic view of these industries and unveiled a treasure trove of career prospects for the enterprising minds within the 13th and 14th Councils.

A heartfelt acknowledgement extends to the Sunway team, with special gratitude to Yi Sze Koh and Pei Wen Cheong, whose orchestrations transformed this event into a captivating reality. Beyond the illuminating insights, the occasion blossomed into a platform for networking and reconnection with the vibrant personalities of Sunway representatives. As the 13th Council contemplates their triumphs of the year, the steadfast support from Sunway Group emerges as a beacon of success. With the dawn of the 10th anniversary of the ICMS-Sunway partnership and the forthcoming celebration of the group's 50th anniversary, anticipation surges for this collaboration to ascend to unprecedented heights.

Bank Negara Firm Visit [Malaysia Chapter]

In an enriching exploration of the financial realm, ICMS Scholars recently embarked on a transformative visit to Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM). The event commenced with an insightful sharing session that delved into the intricacies of the Kijang Graduate Program, offering a roadmap to promising careers within the institution. Participants were given a window into the world of BNM Internships, providing a glimpse into the valuable hands-on learning experiences and professional growth opportunities the central bank offers.

The event's focal point unfolded in a captivating Moderated Fireside Chat featuring four distinguished BNM speakers from various divisions. Eric Wong, Head of the Innovation Lab; Amy, Senior Economist; Raja Alia, Senior Supervisor in the Banking Supervision Department; and Joshua Chin, Analyst in the Financial Development and Innovation Department, engaged in a dynamic conversation that shed light on the multifaceted operations of BNM. The day concluded with a Networking Session, where ICMS Scholars had the opportunity to connect with BNM professionals, fostering meaningful relationships and opening doors to potential collaborations in the dynamic landscape of Bank Negara Malaysia.

ICMS Consulting Group (ICG) x BioLoop

Celebrating the successful culmination of our latest collaboration, ICMS Consulting Group (ICG) marks the conclusion of a highly impactful consulting project with BioLoop. We sincerely thank Jun Kit Mah and the entire BioLoop team for their unwavering dedication and innovative spirit, which propelled the project to triumphant success. A special commendation is extended to Lead Consultant Wen Qi Leong and her exceptional team—including Pavit Coran, Grace Lee, Navneet Virik, Choon Yan Yin, and Shi Yi Lee—for their exemplary efforts to deliver outstanding results. Additionally, we acknowledge the invaluable guidance provided by Jonathan Dason, a distinguished ICMS Alumni and mentor for this project, whose insights played a pivotal role throughout the journey.

Spanning across 13 weeks, the project addressed the intricacies of Internet of Things (IoT) Integration and Overseas Expansion Regulatory Requirements. The approach was comprehensive, involving client calls, on-site visits to the Teluk Intan and Perak factories, and rigorous online research. Enriching the learning experience, workshops on Frameworks & Basic Finance, as well as Research Skills and Slide Design in Consulting have added depth to the knowledge base and set the stage for future endeavours in the dynamic consulting field.

Our People

In this issue, we feature Yi Ching Thye, our 13th Council Secretarial Division North America Chapter Director and our publications team cornerstone! Read along as she reflects on her growth and accomplishments throughout her ICMS journey.

For more exciting updates and news, do check out our website , and follow our social media on LinkedIn , Facebook , Instagram , TikTok , and YouTube !

Copyright ? 2023 The International Council of Malaysian Scholars (ICMS).

Prepared by the 13th Council Secretarial Division (Emma Chee Luo Yi, Yi Ching Thye, Joshua Low Eu Shen, Muhammad Faiz Syafie bin Zubair, Sheryl Yang Xing Zhi).