ID :
164008
Fri, 02/25/2011 - 13:32
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Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/164008
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M'SIA'S PUTRA CLUB'S ENDEAVOUR TO ASSIST MALAYSIAN STUDENTS IN QUEENSLAND
By Siti Zubaidah Abdullah
QUEENSLAND (Australia), Feb 25 (Bernama) -- Malaysians can always count on their blessings and even those living outside the country can always expect a helping hand from back home in times of need.
Recently the Malaysian government and volunteer organisations like 1Malaysia Putera Club were involved in an operation to bring home more than 8,000 Malaysian students from Egypt due to the anti-Mubarak uprising there.
However, prior to the mission in Egypt, on Jan 28, the 1Malaysia Putera Club conducted another important undertaking in Queensland, Australia, that was badly affected by floods since Christmas 2010.
The 18 member team was headed by the club's chairman Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim that included three doctors and media representatives.
The mission flew in five tonnes of food items and notebook computers provided by the Malaysian government to be distributed to more than 200 Malaysians students, including their families who were the victims of the devastating floods.
It was the worst deluge experienced by Queensland over a century with muddy waters overflowing the river banks causing the flood water to rise up to the height of the traffic light poles in some places with more than 20,000 houses submerged under water.
Hitherto, the club has also participated in humanitarian missions in Gaza (Palestine), Pakistan, Queensland and the most recent one in Egypt.
PUTERA CLUB TAKES CARE OF WELFARE
Abdul Azeez, the man credited for setting up 1Malaysia Putera Club, said the team went to several locations where Malaysians were badly affected - Brisbane, St Lucia, Toowoomba and Gatton.
During the visit, the team not only delivered aid but also provided the moral support.
"I like to call upon our students to preserve the unity regardless of their background in the host nation though they are faraway from home," said Abdul Azeez who was pleased with the club's success in helping Malaysians overseas.
He also appreciated the concern shown by the two universities - University of Queensland (UQ) and Queensland University of Technology (QUT) - on the Malaysian students. More than 2,000 Malaysians are studying in both universities.
"We are thankful and really appreciate the concern shown by both
universities on our students here," he said after visiting both universities on the last day of the mission.
UQ's Vice Chancellor for International Affairs Dr Anna Ciccarelli pointed out that the university took immediate steps by identifying the students who were badly affected and provided temporary shelter for those who lost their place of stay.
Dr Anna added that the university also made sure that more than 1,000 Malaysians in the university continued with their lectures and research work seamlessly.
Meanwhile, QUT's Vice Chancellor for International and Development Affairs, Scott Sheppard also shared that all students including Malaysians affected by the deluge were taken care.
ASSISTANCE WELCOMED
As for the affected Malaysian students, it never crossed their mind that the 1Malaysia Putera Club would take the trouble to travel 6,800 kilometers just to ensure the welfare of Malaysians abroad were taken care in times of need.
"I'm aware Malaysians back home are aware of our plight here...My instinct told me they will come down to assist, but never thought that they will do so much for us," said a student who received food aid at her residence in Mount Gravat, St Lucia here.
Mara Institute of Technology (UiTM) lecturer Megat Azman Megat Mokhtar who is taking up a PhD in Health and Environment at QUT noted that the moral support was really helpful.
"Though we are faraway from home, the Malaysian government has taken note of the plight of its students in Brisbane," said Megat Azman who is also the president of the Malaysian Students' Association in Queensland.
Mohammad Mat Noor who is taking up a PhD in mechanical engineering in University of Southern Queensland noted that; "We are thankful for 1Malaysia Putera Club's concern on Malaysian students here... thank you... the deluge is actually a blessing in disguise as it brought Malaysians here closer".
The floods in Toowoomba and the surrounding areas had certainly brought to fore the spirit of 1Malaysia overseas, said Mohammad who represented 12 Malaysian families around Darling Height settlement in Towoomba.
Azalea Hani Othman who is taking up PhD in Veterinary Clinical Pathology at UQ noted that; "I never expected to end up as a flood victim right on the first day of my arrival here... I'm thankful for the assistance and the thought that Malaysians back home still care for us".
A NOTABLE EXPRIENCE FOR MALAYSIANS
Meanwhile, Abdul Azeez noted that the calamity that affected more than 200,000 people and caused more than 35 fatalities in Queensland alone provided a valuable lesson to Malaysians in facing nature's wrath.
Abdul Azeez was visibly pleased with the spirit of camaraderie of the Malaysians there that even the Australian universities were impressed.
The Malaysians were the first to establish a committee to help their brethren during the deluge.
MORE FOREIGN MISSIONS FOR 1MALAYSIA PUTERA CLUB?
Abdul Azeez said it is time for the club that was established last year to spread its wings overseas looking at its role in helping Malaysians beyond international borders.
The first overseas 1Malaysia Putera Club is expected to be established in Australia in conjunction with Prime Minister Najib Razak's visit there in March.
He also thanked the Malaysian High Commission in Australia and the
Malaysian Students Department (MSD) and Malaysian Students' Association in Queensland in facilitating the delivery of the assistance.
Meanwhile, High Commissioner Salman Ahmad observed that so far no other country in the world was allowed to provide a lending hand.
"This is another international recognition for our country especially for Najib Razak," he said.
QUEENSLAND (Australia), Feb 25 (Bernama) -- Malaysians can always count on their blessings and even those living outside the country can always expect a helping hand from back home in times of need.
Recently the Malaysian government and volunteer organisations like 1Malaysia Putera Club were involved in an operation to bring home more than 8,000 Malaysian students from Egypt due to the anti-Mubarak uprising there.
However, prior to the mission in Egypt, on Jan 28, the 1Malaysia Putera Club conducted another important undertaking in Queensland, Australia, that was badly affected by floods since Christmas 2010.
The 18 member team was headed by the club's chairman Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim that included three doctors and media representatives.
The mission flew in five tonnes of food items and notebook computers provided by the Malaysian government to be distributed to more than 200 Malaysians students, including their families who were the victims of the devastating floods.
It was the worst deluge experienced by Queensland over a century with muddy waters overflowing the river banks causing the flood water to rise up to the height of the traffic light poles in some places with more than 20,000 houses submerged under water.
Hitherto, the club has also participated in humanitarian missions in Gaza (Palestine), Pakistan, Queensland and the most recent one in Egypt.
PUTERA CLUB TAKES CARE OF WELFARE
Abdul Azeez, the man credited for setting up 1Malaysia Putera Club, said the team went to several locations where Malaysians were badly affected - Brisbane, St Lucia, Toowoomba and Gatton.
During the visit, the team not only delivered aid but also provided the moral support.
"I like to call upon our students to preserve the unity regardless of their background in the host nation though they are faraway from home," said Abdul Azeez who was pleased with the club's success in helping Malaysians overseas.
He also appreciated the concern shown by the two universities - University of Queensland (UQ) and Queensland University of Technology (QUT) - on the Malaysian students. More than 2,000 Malaysians are studying in both universities.
"We are thankful and really appreciate the concern shown by both
universities on our students here," he said after visiting both universities on the last day of the mission.
UQ's Vice Chancellor for International Affairs Dr Anna Ciccarelli pointed out that the university took immediate steps by identifying the students who were badly affected and provided temporary shelter for those who lost their place of stay.
Dr Anna added that the university also made sure that more than 1,000 Malaysians in the university continued with their lectures and research work seamlessly.
Meanwhile, QUT's Vice Chancellor for International and Development Affairs, Scott Sheppard also shared that all students including Malaysians affected by the deluge were taken care.
ASSISTANCE WELCOMED
As for the affected Malaysian students, it never crossed their mind that the 1Malaysia Putera Club would take the trouble to travel 6,800 kilometers just to ensure the welfare of Malaysians abroad were taken care in times of need.
"I'm aware Malaysians back home are aware of our plight here...My instinct told me they will come down to assist, but never thought that they will do so much for us," said a student who received food aid at her residence in Mount Gravat, St Lucia here.
Mara Institute of Technology (UiTM) lecturer Megat Azman Megat Mokhtar who is taking up a PhD in Health and Environment at QUT noted that the moral support was really helpful.
"Though we are faraway from home, the Malaysian government has taken note of the plight of its students in Brisbane," said Megat Azman who is also the president of the Malaysian Students' Association in Queensland.
Mohammad Mat Noor who is taking up a PhD in mechanical engineering in University of Southern Queensland noted that; "We are thankful for 1Malaysia Putera Club's concern on Malaysian students here... thank you... the deluge is actually a blessing in disguise as it brought Malaysians here closer".
The floods in Toowoomba and the surrounding areas had certainly brought to fore the spirit of 1Malaysia overseas, said Mohammad who represented 12 Malaysian families around Darling Height settlement in Towoomba.
Azalea Hani Othman who is taking up PhD in Veterinary Clinical Pathology at UQ noted that; "I never expected to end up as a flood victim right on the first day of my arrival here... I'm thankful for the assistance and the thought that Malaysians back home still care for us".
A NOTABLE EXPRIENCE FOR MALAYSIANS
Meanwhile, Abdul Azeez noted that the calamity that affected more than 200,000 people and caused more than 35 fatalities in Queensland alone provided a valuable lesson to Malaysians in facing nature's wrath.
Abdul Azeez was visibly pleased with the spirit of camaraderie of the Malaysians there that even the Australian universities were impressed.
The Malaysians were the first to establish a committee to help their brethren during the deluge.
MORE FOREIGN MISSIONS FOR 1MALAYSIA PUTERA CLUB?
Abdul Azeez said it is time for the club that was established last year to spread its wings overseas looking at its role in helping Malaysians beyond international borders.
The first overseas 1Malaysia Putera Club is expected to be established in Australia in conjunction with Prime Minister Najib Razak's visit there in March.
He also thanked the Malaysian High Commission in Australia and the
Malaysian Students Department (MSD) and Malaysian Students' Association in Queensland in facilitating the delivery of the assistance.
Meanwhile, High Commissioner Salman Ahmad observed that so far no other country in the world was allowed to provide a lending hand.
"This is another international recognition for our country especially for Najib Razak," he said.
