From welcoming royalty into the Reading community in Malaysia, to thought-provoking discussions on AI and climate-resilience in Thailand – August proved to be a memorable month for our global community.
The University hosted two fantastic events in Malaysia and Thailand, bringing together graduates, alumni, friends and partners to celebrate significant milestones, reconnect with the University and look ahead to the future.
On Saturday 1 August in Malaysia, a joint celebration was held to mark the University of Reading’s centenary and 10 years of the University of Reading Malaysia. The visit also included graduation celebrations at the University of Reading Malaysia campus in Johor, where the latest cohort of graduates marked the next step in their journeys.
The occasion was made particularly special by the presentation of an Honorary Doctorate of Psychology to Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia.
The celebrations continued in Thailand on Monday 3 August, where our centenary event brought together alumni, friends and partners from across the region to reconnect, share experiences and explore the opportunities and challenges shaping the future.
Chancellor, Paul Lindley OBE, shared: “I saw that community in Reading, in Malaysia and again in Thailand: different countries, cultures and generations, but a shared connection to Reading.
In our Centenary year, it has been a wonderful reminder that a university isn’t ultimately its buildings, its courses or even its history. It is its people.”
A royal ceremony in Johor
Saturday was a truly special day as the University of Reading Malaysia held its graduation ceremonies and welcomed Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, as she received an Honorary Doctorate in recognition of her outstanding contributions to education, literature and community service.
Graduation is always a special occasion, filled with pride, achievement and new beginnings, and this year’s ceremony was made even more extraordinary by this historic moment.
The celebrations continued into the evening with our University of Reading Centenary Celebration Dinner. The evening marked two major milestones in our history – 100 years of the University of Reading and 10 years of the University of Reading Malaysia campus.
This special occasion also saw the launch of our new South East Asia Hub, strengthening the University’s connections across the region and creating new opportunities to bring together our alumni, partners and the wider community.
Wong Foo Hing, University of Reading’s Regional Engagement Director for the Hub said: “The launch of the Southeast Asia Hub is an important milestone for us as we celebrate 100 years of the University of Reading. We already have a strong Reading community across the region and I see a real opportunity to build on those connections and strengthen how we engage across Southeast Asia.
“The Hub will bring our alumni, partners, students and wider Reading community closer together, creating more opportunities to collaborate, share knowledge and build meaningful partnerships. I’m excited about what we can build together.”
The evening was made especially memorable by the inspiring contributions of our alumni speakers, who shared personal stories of their time at Reading and reflected on how the University has shaped their careers, ambitions and futures.
Their experiences highlighted the lasting impact of a Reading education and the incredible strength of our international alumni community.
Celebrations in Bangkok
Our centenary celebrations continued in Bangkok, where alumni were invited to learn, engage, connect and reminisce on their time at Reading.
The evening also featured two insightful panel discussions exploring some of the major issues shaping the future of work and society: Future Skills for a Climate-Resilient Economy, chaired by Professor May Tan-Mullins, Provost and CEO of the University of Reading Malaysia campus, and Future Skills for an AI-Enabled Economy, chaired by Professor Elena Beleska-Spasova, Dean of Henley Business School.
The discussions provided expert insights and practical guidance on the skills that academics, practitioners and industry leaders identify as increasingly essential in the workplace. In the context of growing AI usage and the need for increased climate resilience. Professor May Tan-Mullins, Provost and Chief Executive Officer, University of Reading Malaysia, said:
“It was truly special to gather our alumni, partners, and friends in Bangkok to celebrate our Centenary and experience firsthand the incredible dynamism of our Reading network across the region.
“Our discussions highlighted both the evolving landscape of the future workplace and our collective responsibility to ensure our future leaders are built for resilience and ready to thrive.”
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Thank you to everyone who joined us in Malaysia and Thailand and helped make these celebrations so special.
From celebrating the achievements of our newest graduates, to welcoming royalty into our alumni community and bringing generations of alumni together, these events have been a wonderful reflection of the global Reading community.
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