Thanksgiving in Malaysia with the U.S. Ambassador

AMCHAM Members Give Thanks at Charity Thanksgiving Luncheon with the U.S. Ambassador Joseph Yun for the AMCHAM-MACEE Scholarship.

Kuala Lumpur, November 27, 2014– Members of the American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce, along with U.S. Ambassador Joseph Y. Yun, celebrated Thanksgiving today at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre with a Charity Luncheon for the AMCHAM-MACEE (Malaysian-American Commission on Educational Exchange) Scholarship Award. 100% of the event proceeds will go towards aiding competitive and hardworking Malaysian students to pursue higher education in the United States. Datuk Dr. Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria, Secretary General of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry also joined in on the celebrations.
The Honorable Joseph Y. Yun said, “The AMCHAM-MACEE Scholarship Award embodies the spirit of generosity that drives America’s tradition of volunteerism and civic engagement. I see no better way to strengthen ties between the United States and Malaysia than by supporting opportunities for young Malaysians to study in the United States. Education exchanges bring long-term benefits and create unforeseen opportunities. And Thanksgiving is the perfect time to support this initiative – a holiday when Americans give thanks for all we have received and share our bounty with others. Our countries enjoy nearly an $80 billion trade and investment relationship, and across our communities and industries, this year has amply shown the mutual benefits that Malaysians and Americans enjoy when we work together growing commercial ties. I give thanks for AmCham’s efforts in this regard and for our future opportunities to expand U.S.-Malaysian peace and understanding through commerce.”
Education exchanges bring long-term benefits and create unforeseen opportunities. And Thanksgiving is the perfect time to support this initiative – a holiday when Americans give thanks for all we have received and share our bounty with others. Our countries enjoy nearly an $80 billion trade and investment relationship, and across our communities and industries, this year has amply shown the mutual benefits that Malaysians and Americans enjoy when we work together growing commercial ties. I give thanks for AmCham’s efforts in this regard and for our future opportunities to expand U.S.-Malaysian peace and understanding through commerce.”
Adding to the Thanksgiving celebrations, Mr. Nanavati announced a significant new sponsorship by Etihad Airways to award current scholarship recipients with round-trip flight tickets between Malaysia and the United States in the years 2015 and 2016.
Etihad Airways’ General Manager Malaysia Dave Walsh said the airline was proud to sponsor the AMCHAM-MACEE Scholarship Award.
“Malaysia and the United States are important to Etihad Airways’ business. We look forward to helping facilitate positive relations between the two countries and to giving talented young people the opportunity to broaden their horizons with overseas study.”
The charity event was also made possible by a generous venue hosting and sponsorship by the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. General Manager of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Alan Pryor, added, “We are honored to be the ‘venue of choice’ for the AMCHAM Thanksgiving Luncheon for the second consecutive year. Since our opening in June 2005, the Centre has enjoyed a mutually rewarding relationship with AMCHAMand we look forward to continuing this association for many years to come. We hope that all the guests enjoy the Thanksgiving feast created by our Executive Chef Richmond Lim and his 51-strong culinary team.”
Attendees of the luncheon were also treated to a lucky draw, with prizes from member companies including Bose sound systems, multiple free night stays in the Grand Hyatt, Shaklee hampers, and KL School of Etiquette courses on Business/Corporate Etiquette. The grand prize featured round trip flight tickets to the US on Etihad Airways.
During the luncheon, former AMCHAM-MACEE Scholar Daniel Wu, now an International Trade Analyst at White & Case LLP and a Fellow at the Center for Strategic & International Studies in Washington D.C., spoke to guests about his experience with the scholarship. Mr. Wu received the award in 2007, and graduated in 2011 with a B.A. in Economics and Government from Franklin and Marshall College.
Wu reflected on the lessons learned from his time in the U.S.: “To learn is to live; this core value is fundamental to my endeavors and gives me every reason to take risks. Challenge and, more importantly, allow your self to be challenged. Dare to be wrong and allow yourself the luxury of making a mistake. A higher education in the United States cultivated in me this worldview that has been indispensable in tackling the opportunities ahead. I am unreservedly grateful for the learning opportunity that has been afforded to me and wish for no less of this exposure for all students seeking higher education in the United States.”
Earlier in July, the American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM), in conjunction with the Malaysian-American Commission on Educational Exchange (MACEE), proudly announced the winner of the 2014 AMCHAM-MACEE Scholarship Award, Roumen Guha. The Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Kent Stieglerand AMCHAM President Sanjeev Nanavati presented the award to the recipient at AMCHAM’s Executive Office, before Mr. Guha headed to the U.S. to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison, ranked among the top 30 learning institutions in the world by Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings.
The AMCHAM-MACEE Scholarship Award first launched in 2000 and supports competitive and high-achieving Malaysian students in pursuit of American higher education. Every year AMCHAM awards a US$20,000 scholarship spread over four years to Malaysian students who will be pursuing undergraduate studies in the United States. The scholarship fund is made possible by the generous donations of corporate members as well as from AMCHAM charity events.
Since its launch, 15 Malaysian students have been awarded the scholarship. Students have attended universities such as Cornell University, Yale University, University of Texas-Austin, Purdue University, and University of Virginia, and majors have included biochemistry, chemical engineering, economics, and political science. Current scholars are attending George Fox, Furman University, Union University, Mt. Holyoke College, Wesleyan University, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

AMCHAM
The American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) was founded in 1978 as an international, non-profit, private-sector business association. It comprises nearly 1000 members representing over 350 American, Malaysian and other international companies. The Chamber is affiliated with the Asia Pacific Council of American Chambers of Commerce (APCAC) and with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which is the largest chamber of commerce in the world.