Our Alumni hold a very special place in ISKL’s rich history. They are the ones who cemented traditions, created change and built community. They are also part of our vision for ISKL’s future as we work to strengthen our culture and build connections between our current students, parents and faculty, and those who have gone before them.
We invited a group of ISKL’s Millennial alumni, those who graduated between 1995 and 2015, and who are now living in Kuala Lumpur, to join us for a special focus group to look at how they would like to be part of ISKL’s community moving forward. While some have already visited the new Ampang campus, for all it was the first time they had seen our Epson Commons science commons, a very contemporary learning space that provided the perfect setting for the presentation and focus group.
The forum was also an opportunity for the group to meet our new Head of School, Rami Madani, and to hear his vision for ISKL. Many of the guests remembered him from his time as a Math teacher at ISKL and it was a mini-reunion of sorts with his former students. Rami spoke of the old-fashioned view of success – a linear view from school, through university, career and family – and how future-proofing ISKL students requires a different mindset; one that is cultivated through ISKL’s School-wide Learning Results of SLRs.
The SLRs are Think Creatively, Reason Critically, Communicate Effectively, Collaborate Constructively Learn Enthusiastically and Live Ethically. That mindset gives students the confidence to adapt to changing workplaces, changing environments, and changing notions of success.
During the focus group part of the evening, the alumni were asked to share their reaction to Rami’s presentation, their experience of ISKL as a student, what gives them pride in being ISKL Alumni, and values developed at ISKL. It moved on to the relationship they want to have with ISKL moving forward, including activities, opportunities to mentor current students or lead the community in other ways.
Class of 2013 Alumnus Azam Wan Hashim remembered the SLRs so well from his school days, that he even incorporated them in his job applications. Azman says, “I remember them from walking up the stairs at the old campus; they were painted on the stairs.”
These Millennial alumni spoke of enduring relationships forged at ISKL, the positive support of teachers and counselors, and the important skills learned at ISKL that allowed them to define for themselves what success means. They also felt strongly that ISKL helped them to become well-rounded global citizens, able to adapt to any new environment or challenge.
Sonia Mueller, from the Class of 2002 who now works as a careers advisor for major hospitality schools worldwide, explains her motivation for staying connected to ISKL and other alumni: “It is the strong memories we have with the school and the faculty. We have to keep the memories alive and continue the tradition. Especially the amazing memories I had while being on the IASAS Volleyball and Tennis teams.”
Overwhelmingly, these Alumni were keen to be more involved in the ISKL community, mentoring and volunteering, and sharing their experience of higher education and careers with our current students.
Take a look at the photos from the event and find out more about our ISKL Alumni events and news on our Facebook page.
