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Giving a voice to Malaysians and Singaporeans in the Land Down Under

The Australian Malaysian Singaporean Association Inc. (AMSA) was established in 1970 to give a voice and provide a trusted community network for people with Malaysian or Singaporean heritage living in Australia. As a volunteer-run not-for-profit incorporated association, AMSA serves the interest and welfare of their members and community.

Connecting Malaysians over food and events

Staying true to their Malaysian heritage, AMSA organises activities such as “Jom Makan” and “Makan Fest” to bring their members together and cultivate a strong sense of community. It’s a well-known fact that food is one of the most effective ways to connect people, and there’s no better way to unite members than by sharing comforting dishes that transcend generations and borders.

Like many other volunteer-run associations, AMSA faces constraints when it comes to both time and finances. However, they do not let these limitations impede their work. Instead, they concentrate on implementing effective strategies within their team to overcome budgetary challenges.

Providing support and assistance to Malaysians

AMSA is committed to fostering collaborations with the Malaysian government and other organisations to provide support to Malaysians living abroad.

For instance, prior to the introduction of online passport renewals in 2022, Malaysians in Australia faced significant challenges in securing appointments and travelling to Melbourne for passport renewals. To address this issue, AMSA partnered with the Malaysian Department of Immigration to establish a mobile office in Brisbane. Through this mobile office, they facilitated the collection of applications and renewals from Malaysians in the area.

Additionally, AMSA leverages social media as a platform to connect with potential new members. They offer guidance to these individuals by directing them to the appropriate organisations for information and assistance. Furthermore, AMSA actively collaborates with TalentCorp in engaging with the Malaysian diaspora in Australia through various local engagement sessions.

Creating a national network of Malaysians and Singaporeans in Australia

AMSA’s long-term vision is to establish a national network of Malaysian Singaporean businesses and communities throughout Australia. The aim is to provide members with the ease of moving seamlessly from one city to another, knowing that a reliable and trusted community network exists to support them in their journey.

As part of this commitment, AMSA actively engages in consultations with key stakeholders. Most recently, AMSA was consulted by the Australian Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs on the development of a multicultural framework, underscoring their dedication to fostering a diverse and open community within the country.

AMSA believes that a bottom-up approach, driven by community initiatives, bolstered by genuine government support and strengthened through partnerships with businesses, is the most effective way to create a resilient and enduring community network. Such a network benefits not only its members but the broader community as well. 

To explore and connect with AMSA or other Malaysian associations abroad, join the MyHeart community today.

Are you leading a Malaysian association abroad and interested to feature it on MyHeart? Register here to be part of the MyHeart community.

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Dr Catheryn Lim

Who is Dr Catheryn Lim?

Currently a Senior Research Fellow at Matthew Wood group and Chair, Early-Mid Career Researchers Committee at Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford. Received her Ph.D., Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry from UNSW Dr. Lim is now working on understanding disease mechanisms and developing genetic treatments for neuromuscular diseases. Two of these strategies are now at later stages of development where she is collaborating with industrial partners to optimise the strategies in preparation for first-in-human clinical trials.

Format of the sharing session

The participants for the session consisted of students and academicians coming from various biological and related sciences background.

During the session, Dr. Lim shared about her experience and journey in the research world and delved into the new developments being made in genetic treatments (specifically in neuromuscular diseases). She also shared some tips and advice on how to be active in the biotechnology research industry.

Outcome

The session has exposed 183 participants to new development in genetic treatments (specifically in neuromuscular diseases).

Dr Aid Fawzal

Who is Dr Aid Fawzal?

Experienced CFD Engineer with a demonstrated history of working in the automotive, energy and oil & gas industries. Strong professional background with a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Mechanical, Automotive and Manufacturing Engineering from Coventry University. Invented a constant number which is called the Fawzal Number (Fa) which is used to optimize supercar’s cooling system.

Format of the sharing session

Our participants consist of students from various engineering field and various level of studies, from bachelor’s degree to PhD.

During the session, Dr Aid shared with us the step-by-step process involved in designing a car using a simulation software where he explained why certain components are designed in such ways and the importance of each component. He also shared some tips to students who are planning to go into the automotive field.

Outcome

The session has benefited 284 participants with new knowledge and exposure to the automotive world and inspire our future engineers to pursue and improve our automotive industry.

Samantha Chong

In 2022, we collaborated with KL City Opera and organised a masterclass with Samantha Chong, a Malaysian mezzo-soprano based in Hong Kong

Objective

To develop the performing arts scene in Malaysia via a collaboration with a leading name in classical Italian opera.

Format of the masterclass

The masterclass was held over 2 days, where 4 participants were selected to perform an aria or duet. Samantha then provided verbal and demonstrative feedback to each participant for 7-9 minutes each, which included song and scene interpretation, and stage presence.

Outcome

Samantha made a conscious effort to focus her sharing NOT on singing, but on the various aspects of performance, something that Malaysian performers lacked. So, MyCollabs acted as a medium for her to guide the students in navigating the world of classical opera, including dealing with different stakeholders like conductors, music directors and repetiteurs.

The students, on the other hand, received a rare opportunity to undergo a masterclass conducted by a seasoned performer for free. They could then use the knowledge they gained to enhance their opera skills and hopefully, pursue a career as full-time professional opera singers, something which is a rarity in Asia.