JAGAM

The concept of JAGAM, the acronym for Japan Graduates Association of Malaysia was conceived as early as 1970 by a group of 22 Malaysian graduates from Japanese Universities at a meeting in Mirama Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. The pro-tem committee was led by the late Mr. Yeo Yan Kim and Mr. Gan Kok Eng as President and Secretary General respectively. Initially, only graduates with a degree were eligible for membership while those who graduated from Tandai (2 year university or college diploma courses) were disqualified from membership in accordance with the strict definition of a ñGraduateî. Another reason was the main objectives of the association to seek government recognition of membersÍ university degrees and to ensure better treatment to Japan graduates by business firms so that the disparity of treatment between Japan graduates and those who graduated from the West would be reduced.

The idea of restricting JAGAMÍs membership to only those with ñGakku-shi or BachelorÍs degreeî was not too well received by many other Japan graduates who preferred a wider definition of the word ñGraduateî, to include those with ñdiplomasî achieved after a period of not less than two years at an institution of higher learning in Japan. Thus the first Executive Committee of JAGAM elected in 1972 registered JAGAM with the Registrar of Society on 9 January 1973 under the Society Act 1966, Rules of Association, 1966. The official name and address of the association then was Persatuan Bekas Mahasiswa Jepun, Malaysia (Japan GraduatesÍ Association of Malaysia), c/o Japan Information Service, No. 1, Jalan Medan Tuanku, Kuala Lumpur.

The late Dr. Ngeow Jin Sin who was President of JAGAM from 1978-1979 together with Michael Lim Hong Chin, Mr. Eric Foo Ah Chai and Mr. Toh Kiat Chuan made a historic visit to Penang on 17 June 1979 for discussion with the President of PAJA (Penang Association of Japan Alumni), Mr. Ooi Seoh Lin and his committee members regarding the dissolution of PAJA to form JAGAM NORTHERN BRANCH. A technical problem prevented the immediate dissolution of PAJA. On 27 April 1980, a pro-tem committee led by Dr. Lau Poh Yok and Dr. Siow Kuang Ling was formed by a small group of Japan graduates in Johor Bahru to establish an association for Japan Alumni in the Southern Region. However, the late Dr. Ngeow and Mr. Michael Lim who represented JAGAM at their inaugural meeting held on 1 June 1980 at the Orchid Hotel, Johor Bahru successfully convinced the delegates to join JAGAM as JAGAM SOUTHERN BRANCH instead. Finally, on 10 January 1982 PAJA was dissolved and the establishment of JAGAM NORTHERN BRANCH brought a united JAGAM for the country.

The aims and objectives of JAGAM stated in its Rules and Constitution are :
(1) To promote, encourage and foster civic, social and cultural activities amongst members of the Association;

(2) To advise, aid and guide members on their return to Malaysia with respect to opportunities of employment and conditions of employment;

(3) To advise, aid and guide intending students and post-graduate students who will be or are furthering their studies in Japan;

(4) To promote goodwill and better understanding between Malaysia and Japan.

The Rules and Constitution of JAGAM allow for tow principal categories of membership, namely Ordinary Member and Associate Member. The former must have graduated from any university or college in Japan while the latter must have studied in Japan for at least 2 years. Only Malaysian citizens are allowed by the countryÍs law to become members.

JAGAM began with only 22 members in 1973. The birth of ASCOJA on 10 June 1977, initiated by Raja Dato Nong Chik and his ASEAN ñnakamatachiî and the subsequent induction of the then Prime Minister of Japan H.E. Mr. Takeo Fukuda as First Honorary Member of ASCOJA at Kuala Lumpur Hilton Hotel on 8 August 1977 were events which encouraged the growth of JAGAM. By 1980 JAGAMÍs membership strength rose to 120 members which today stands at more than 1000.

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The major activities of JAGAM reflect its aims and objectives very closely.

a) Publications
JAGAM publishes “THE JAGAM NEWSLETTER” which is circulated to each and every member of our three branches to enable them to keep abreast of activities, employment opportunities, matters of interest and reports, articles that are of concern to our JAGAM members.

b) Education Counseling
Students intending to study in Japan receive free counselling from JAGAM. Activities in this sector include giving talks at high schools and education seminars and the co-sponsoring of JAPAN EDUCATION FAIR with the Association of International Education, Japan (1990, 1991, 1992 and 1993) and the JAPAN SCHOOL EXHIBITION with the Tokyo Kyoiku Koron Co Ltd. (in 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1993). In fact this year JAGAM undertook the responsibility of organizing the Japan Education Fair with considerable success.

c) Talks, Public Lectures and Seminars
JAGAM has conducted free talks and public lectures on topics ranging from banking, share market, astronomy, shiatsu therapy, healthcare, Japan-Malaysia relations etc. given by members. Management seminars with lectures by professors from Japan have been organised for the public.

d) Japanese Language Class
JAGAM members have been encouraged to conduct Japanese language classes at the Clubhouse since 1988. Response from the public to the classes has been very good. More than 500 students have since completed the classes for basic and intermediate Japanese language courses.

e) Library
The JAGAM Library in the Kuala Lumpur Clubhouse was started in 1979. It boasts of a moderate collection of Japanese reference and story books for members’ use only.

f) Home-Stay Exchange Programme
JAGAM participated in JASCAA’s Senior and Junior Home-StayExchange programmes. In 1990, JAGAM launched the ASCOJA Junior Exchange Programme by inviting five children from each ASCOJA Chapter and JASCAA for a one-week homestay in Kuala Lumpur. It was successfully completed with the participation of five Juniors from Thailand only. The five OJSA juniors who stayed with the family of JAGAM members also visited Genting Highland and Malacca. PHILFEJA played host to the Junior Exchange Programme this year. 5 of our members’ children enjoyed a memorable stay in the Philippines.

g) Social and Cultural Activities
The various festive occasions in Malaysia including the Japanese festive occasions are celebrated as JAGAM members get-together parties. Besides, classes for Ikebana, Sado, art-flower making etc. are conducted with the help of the local Japanese community.