'FAFUEMAS 1989'... and the Beginnings of the University Archives

Khoo Siew Mun*

Abstract: A Reunion and Exhibition were held in November 1989 to mark the FortiethAnniversary of the Founding of University Education in Malaysia and Singapore (FAFUEMAS).This report describes the events, and publications issued, in conjunction with the celebra-tions. The Exhibits are now in the University of Malaya Archives which have subsequentlybeen established.

Between 29-31 August 1987, 29 of Universityof Malaya's 'pioneer' graduates of 1949 gatheredat Penang for a reunion. A good time was had byall and at the end of that event some of thosepresent were requested to organise the nextreunion in 1989. The Convenors designatedwere Hamzah Sendut, LimChong Keat,V.Thurai-singham, A.S. McCoy, P.C. Sushama, Ivy Sohand Shanmugam Ramdas. In accordance withthe wishes of the 1987 gathering, a circular wassent out to all graduates who could be located bythe Convenors in May 1989.The Organising Com-mittee for the 1989 Reunion finally comprised:Hamzah Sendut, Tan KahJin, Saw Huat Lye,P.C.Sushama,R.S.McCoy, B.S.McCoy,MinuiraSabki,A. Nelson, G. Leembruggen, Agoes Salim, and N.Jegathesan. P.C. Shivadas and Faridah FungChui Lin were invited to serve as authors of theCommemorative Volume to be published; andKhooSiewMun as coordinator for an exhibition ofmaterials on the University.

The Reunion was originally planned for 27 -30 October 1989. This was later found to be un-suitable as it coincided with the Deepavali holi-days. The Reunion was therefore fixed for 11-13November 1989. As the weeks rolled by,FAFUEMAS (Fortieth Anniversary of the Found-ing of University Education in Malaysia andSingapore) became the rallying call for graduateswho had been part of the University of Malaya'shistory from its founding in 1949: principally thealumni of the King Edward VII College of Medi-cine, 1905-1949; the RafflesCollege, 1929-1949;the University of Malaya (located in Singapore),1949-1961. After 22 meetings and weeks offeverish activity, the Organising Committee

mounted a full programme for three days whichincluded a barbecue, a golf tournament, awalka-thon, a banquet, a forum on 'Personal Perspec-tives of University Education'; a visit to theUniversity'S Institute of Advanced Studies andthe Museum for Asian Art; an Exhibition at theUniversity of Malaya Library and a farewell lunch.

More than 300 attended the Reunion: it wasa warm and memorable event, full of nostalgiaand good cheer. The Reunion raised nearlyf0$45,OOO to establish the FAFUEMAS annuallecture fund. This will go towards funding aseriesof lectures at the Universities of Malaya andSingapore as a reminder of their common heri-tage and as a testimony to their concern forresearch, scholarship and learning. The fund willin future be augmented by proceeds from salesof some 340 copies of the CommemorativeVolume -- the copyright of future editions havealso been assigned by the Organising Commit-tee to the University of Malaya.

The Exhibition

The Library, Unlversity of Malaya, was initiallyrequested by the orqanisers to mount a smallexhibition in the foyer of the Hyatt Saujana Hotelin Subang where most of the events were held.This was later realized to be not feasible as thefoyer was a public place and security of librarymaterials would not be assured. Moreover, asplanning for the Exhibition took on a more seriousaspect from September, it was realized that a bigareawould be necessary to accommodate all theexhibits.

·Chief Librarl n, University of Malaya Library

Kekal Abadl 8(4) Disember 198911

In its eventual form the Exhibition coveredthree floors ofthe Library area and encompassedthe history of the University of Malaya from 1949-1989. The history of the predecessors of theUniversity from 1905 was also traced.

The Exhibition was officially opened on 11November 1989 by Dr. Syed Hussein Alatas,Vice-Chancellor of the University of Malaya andChairman of the Library Committee. The occa-sion was also qraced by the presence of theOrganising Committee Chairman, Tan Sri HamzahSendut, and various members of the FAFUEMASOrganizing Committee. The official opening wasattended by more than 300 guests which in-cluded participants to the Reunion, members ofgoverning boards of the University, staff andstudents of the University, representatives fromlocal universities and other government depart-ments such as the National Archives and theNational Library, and other afficionados of theUniversity. The Exhibition was held from 11November 1989 to 16 December 1989, during thecourse of which a couple of thousand visitorsviewed the Exhibition as it was subsequentlyopened to members of the public. The Exhibitionofficially closed on 16th December 1989 mornirrqwith a memorable tea given by FAFUEMAS to allthe library and university staff who had worked forthe Exhibition. Some 120 persons were invited;and members of the Organising Committee werepresent. The Chairman of the Organising Com-mittee, Tan Sri Hamzah, spoke most warmly tothe gathering.

PublicationsThe publications issued in conjunction with the40th Reunion 'are as follows.

1. University of Malaya, 1949-1989: in Com-memoration of the Fortieth Anniversary of theFounding of University Education in Malay-sia and Singapore compiled and written byP.C. Shivadas and Faridah Fung Chui Lin,Kuala Lumpur, Organising Committee of theFAFUEMAS, 1989 [120 pages].

2. Programme. Programme of the FAFUEMASReunion.

3. Let's Sing the Songs We Sang 30-40 YearsAgo. A collection of songs issued in con-junction with the FAFUEMAS barbecue heldat the Hyatt Saujana Hotel on 10 November1989.

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4. FAFUEMAS Inaugural Golf Competition forChallenge Trophy: Programme issued inconjunction with the FAFUEMAS GolfTour-nament held at the Royal Selangor Golf Clubon 11 November 1989.

5. Pameran Universiti Malaya 1949-1989:Programme issued to mark the official open-ing of the Exhibition at the Library, Univer-sity of Malaya by Dr. Syed Hussein Alatas,Vice-Chancellor University of Malaya, on 11November 1989.

6. Miscellaneous: For the occasion, varioussouvenirs and materials were speciallyissued to commemorate the FAFUEMASReunion. These included the RegistrationCard for participants, which was a reproduc-tion of the matriculation cards used in the1950s and 1960s; special meal couponsfor the barbecue on 10 November 1989;menu cards for and invitation cards to thebanquet on 11 November 1989; bookmarks to be used in conjunction with theCommemorative Volume; key chains andspecial envelopes (in which participants'materials were inserted).

The theme motif for the FAFUEMAS celebrations,events and publications were the 5 crests of:

The King Edward VII College of Medicine1905-1949;

The Raffles College 1929-1949

The University of Malaya 1949-1961

Universiti Malaya, 1962-

The University of Singapore/NationalUniversity of Singapore 1962-

The preparation for the Exhibition was a trialand tribulation, but the kind comments andwarm reception given the Exhibition have madeall the work worthwhile. For the staff of the Libraryit was an educational experience in the history oftheir institution. The Library is indebted to theVice-Chancellor and the many departments oncampus for making this event possible. TheLibrary records its deep appreciation to the manyorganisations, donors and well-wishers who gaveinvaluable assistance; and especially to theChairman and Members of the OrganisingCommittee for their support, encouragementand generosity throughout the entire period.

University of Malaya Archives

In a sense, the preparations forthe Exhibitionforced the Library to take stock of its own materi-als on its own parent institution. Eventually, theExhibition was instrumental in bringing together alarge number and variety of documentation,publications, photographs and audiovisual ma-terials, including a film on the University made bythe Malayan Film Unit ('tiger on the spring') in1955. The Library has faithfully made copies of allitems borrowed from well-wishers. All thesematerials are to form the nucleus of the Univer-sity of Malaya Archives, which will be lodged in aspecial area in the Library.

The University of Malaya Archives will bringtogether in one collection materials which reflectthe history of the University since its beginnings inthe King Edward VII College of Medicine in 1905.A preliminary classification of the materials wouldbe as follows:

1. University of Malaya: history and description- General; King Edward VII College of Medi-cine; Raffles College; University of Malaya(1949-1952); and Universiti Malaya (1962-).

2. Official publications - Gazettes, Calendars,Annual Reports, special reports, Minutes,etc.

3. Governing bodies: Court, Council, Senateand their Committees.

4. Faculties/Centres/lnstitutes/Ubraries and theirpublications.

5. Convocation and Registers of Graduates.

6. Residential Colleges and Non-hosteliteorganizations.

7. Student societies and activities.

8. Research: activities and publications.

9. Lectures: Inaugural and other endowed/distinguished lectures.

10. Universify Press imprints.

11. Newspaper clippings.

1"2.Audiovisual materials.

13. Photographic/graphic collection. ,

The Library takes this opportunity toappeal to all readers who may havematerials, precious and ephemeral, whomay wish to donate them to the Libraryor loan them for copying, to contact usat any time.

The University as a pioneer institution for educa-tion has contributed tremendously to all aspectsof the material and spiritual prosperity of thenation. It is befitting that its history should bedocumented as fully as possible. It is the Library'shope and wish that the modest beginnings of theUniversity Archives will be one of the most signifi-cant outcomes of 'FAFUEMAS 1989'. With itscontinued existence, the organizers of the dia-mond jubilee exhibition may find their task amuch lighter one!

PLAN OF THE EXHIBITION

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