YB Senator Datuk Paul Low
Seng Kuan currently serves as the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in
charge of Governance and Integrity.
He is
the immediate past President of Transparency International Malaysia, the accredited
national chapter of the Berlin-based Transparency International, which is an
independent, non-governmental and non-partisan organization committed to fight against
corruption at all levels of society.
Datuk
Low also served as Vice President of the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers
(FMM), and was the President of FMM from 1997 to 1999.
He has extensive
knowledge and experience in industry as he was involved in the glass
manufacturing and automotive industries for more than 35 years and was the Managing
Director of Malaysian Sheet Glass Sdn Bhd until his retirement in March 2010.
Datuk Low also sat on the boards of Sunway Berhad and Pos Malaysia Berhad up
until his recent appointment as a Minister.
He was
also privileged to serve on several key agencies of the Malaysian Government,
some of which are the National Economic Action Council (NEAC) (during the
financial crisis of 1997 to 1999), Malaysian Industrial Development Authority
(MIDA) Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER), and Malaysian Services
Development Council (MSDC). He was also involved actively in international multilateral
organizations including APEC, WTO, ASEAN and chaired the Private Sector
Taskforce on Free Trade Arrangement.
On April 1, 2011 he was appointed Deputy
Chairman and a Commissioner of the Enforcement Agency Integrity Organisation
(EAIC).
Datuk Low is a chartered accountant by profession and graduated from
the Royal Melbourne
Institute of Technology (RMIT), Melbourne.
For all of us who are Georgians we should take
pride and be honoured to take part in this Centennial Celebration today which
marks one hundred years of existence for St. George’s Institution. The
institution was initially established by its founders from a vision to provide
adequate and good primary and secondary education towards equipping young boys. This would provide them with a
foundation to pursue higher education as well as give them access to
opportunities and jobs to better their lives.
As a Georgian myself - having started my primary
schooling in 1953 and completing my Form Five in 1963 - I count it a great
honour to have benefited greatly from the education afforded me at SGI and the
sporting and other extra curriculum activities which contributed to making my
schooling an enjoyable and rewarding experience. All this was made possible by
the dedication in teaching and supervisory care that were selflessly given by
the De La Salle Christian Brothers and local teachers. For this, I express my
sincere gratitude and appreciation to them. It is notable that there are many
Georgians who have since reached high levels of office in their lives. We have
a Chief Justice, professors, prominent politicians, Ministers and even a Deputy
Prime Minister. I have met many Georgians who are holding positions of
influence and numerous who are successful not only here but in other countries.
I am sure for all of us, St George’s Institution will always be remembered
fondly in our hearts. In closing, my congratulations to all especially those
who are currently in charge of the Institution. May SGI continue to grow in
strength and fulfill its original vision given by its founders to be an
institution of excellent learning. I am proud to be a Georgian!
YB SENATOR DATUK PAUL LOW SENG KUAN
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for
Governance, Integrity & Human Rights
Our Centennial Celebration is indeed a moment of
great joy. As Georgians and Lasallians we are proud that we have made a
difference to the lives of the children and youth in this small town of Taiping
for a hundred years. Today, as we launch our year-long events and festivities, let
us not forget what we have received and what we need to hand over as our legacy
to the young in our school and the children and youth who will come to our Home.
There is no better way to remind ourselves of our
Way Forward than to recall the themes that the Lasallian Family in Malaysia in
2014 has invited us to reflect upon: “Inspire Dignity”, “Nurture Quality” and “Together
in Association” and “We are Lasallians”. Our celebrations will be short-lived
without a depth of vision and creativity in mission. We can thus focus on four
key words in 2015: 1. Listen to the cries and aspirations of the Young (Inspiration); 2. Improve Quality of Education that is Holistic
and Integral (Innovation); 3. Lasallian Life in Truth and Unity (Integrity) and 4. Being Brothers and Being Lasallians is what
makes a Difference. (Identity)
Our celebrations this year
is also a time for the La Salle Brothers and the Lasallian Family in Malaysia
to express our sincere gratitude to all Georgians: the students, the school
leadership, the Boards, the Alumni Associations for their years of services to
your Alma Mater and to our nation Malaysia and our people. As we continue to
believe that Lasallian Education is distinctive because it has informed our
minds, formed and affected our hearts and transformed our lives and being. Lasallian
Schools not only produce students with distinctions but all of them have turned
out to be distinguished as Brothers, teachers, fathers, mothers, professionals,
sportsmen and sportswomen, musicians and so many more. They have definitely made
a difference to our nation.
This is our gift to our Nation knowing that this
would not have been possible without God who has blessed us and our Faith that
has been our light.
Thank you
BR. ANTHONY ROGERS FSC
Director
La Salle Schools Malaysia
This is a very special year for St. George’s
Institution as it celebrates the centenary of the foundation of the school.
From its humble beginning in 1915, it has become a well known institution
achieving academic excellence and providing holistic education to thousands of
Malaysian teenagers over a period of 100 years of its existence.
One hundred years is a very long time for any institution.
It is a credit to everyone - the La Salle Brothers, teachers, students,
benefactors - who have helped keep St. George’s
Institution going but also ensured that the
Lasallian spirit lives on in all of us.
The challenge for St. George’s
Institution today is not only to continue the rich Lasallian tradition of the
past but to come up with creative and innovative ways of continuing this
tradition. As in all traditions some will have to change. One change is that
St. George’s Institution is no longer headed by a La Salle Brother but by a lay
Principal. We have to accept change and there will be more to come.
Centenaries
are great occasions for celebrations. As we recall the events of the past 100
years of St. George’s Institution, let us also look forward to even greater achievements
in the years to come.
On behalf of the 19 member associations I would
like to congratulate St. George’s Institution, Taiping on the official launch
of your Centennial Celebration 2015.
“Honor
Virtutis Praemium”
MICHAEL SIMON
President
The Malaysian Federation of Lasallian Alumni
Associations
Greetings
to my Fellow Georgians and Friends!
Today St Georges’ Institution Taiping is
celebrating 100 years
of its founding in 1915 by the
La Salle Brothers. It is indeed a great day for all Georgians to cherish and remember.
The Taiping Community is grateful to the La Salle Brothers for making a
well-deserved choice of Taiping to establish a La Salle Institution. Many
generations of young ones of Taiping had been educated by La Salle Brothers and
lay teachers of SGI, a great century of La Sallian education. Many had
benefited from their dedication, leadership and guidance.
Many
Georgians have become useful citizens contributing positively towards the development
of our country. Distinguished sons of St. George’s Institution include
- · Datuk Paul Low Seng Khuan (1963) - present Minister in Prime Minister
- · the Late Tan Sri Ismail Khan (1920) - former Speaker of Dewan Negara and
- · the Late Dr. Toh Chin Chye (1936) - former Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore
- · the Late Dr. Ng Kam Poh (1946) the former Minister of Health
The La
Salle Brothers have left a legacy of Lasallian education, tradition and culture
of
hardwork, perseverance and the spirit of achievement.
To you La Salle Brothers,
lay teachers and staff of SGI, both past and present, I thank you once again.
It has
certainly been a great privilege for me to serve my Alma Mater as Chairman
of the
Board of Governors and Managers.
Yours
faithfully.
PAUL LOH ENG WAH, AMP
Chairman
Board
of Governors, SMK St George, Taiping.
Board
of Managers, SK St George I, Taiping.
Back in March 1914, Brother James Byrne envisioned the
establishment of a boys school to offer a holistic education to the young boys
of the Taiping community regardless of race, religion and creed. This led to
the birth of St George’s Institution on 18 January 1915. It had a humble
beginning with only 7 teachers, 49 students and 6 classes, under the leadership
of the first Director, Brother James Gilbert. Over a century, we have now grown
to 900 students and 90 teachers.
During the past century, together with the La
Salle brothers, all teachers, parents and old boys have worked with zeal and
determination for the success of the school, in both academic and non-academic
fields. We are indeed proud that the school has produced many prominent men and
women, who are renowned not only in Malaysia but other parts of the world as
well
.
Reflecting on our past glories, we must now strive
towards a vibrant future. It is not an impossible dream as the past has proven
to us. With concerted effort of every one, teachers, parents, students and the
support of the Lasallian brothers and Alumni, it can become a reality. Make
that our dream and the dream will become a reality !
As Henry Ford said :
“Before anything else, getting
ready is the secret of success.”
So, are you ready? Here, I would like to convey my
best wishes to all of you in striving wholeheartedly for a vibrant future.
I am also happy to be a part of the glorious past.
I wish to thank all of you, teachers, students, parents, OGA, Board of
Governors, the PTA and the La Salle Brothers, who have rendered your support
and assistance to me in contributing to this glorious past.
Thank you.
YOONG YOOK YAM
The Principal,
SMK St George, Taiping
Today
is an auspicious day in the history of St. George’s Institution Taiping. The
foundation stone was laid on 20 June 1914 and the Institution was formally
established as a mission school a year later in 1915. The La Salle Brothers
were the pioneers and leaders in the development of the school.
Looking back
over the past one hundred years, St George’s Institution has left an indelible
mark in the annals of education in Malaysia. Today, we can say with pride that the
school has succeeded in fulfilling the objectives of its founders to serve the
community by providing quality holistic education for the youth.
St.
George’s Institution has produced leaders in various fields at both the
community, national and international levels. Old Georgians have distinguished
themselves in both the public and private sectors. Our Guest of Honour Datuk
Low serves as a fine example of a distinguished old boy of the school.
As we
celebrate this landmark anniversary of the founding of the school, we honour and
pay tribute to the many La Salle Brothers and teachers for teaching and guiding
us with
passion and commitment.
I would like to thank our Old Georgians who continue to
support the physical and academic development of the school through individual
donations and other contributions. Their donations and contributions represent
a fitting token of gratitude for what one has
received from this great Institution.
Let us
rededicate ourselves to the ideals and principles that inspired the founding
fathers of this great institution one hundred years ago. We should regard
ourselves as trustees of the Lasallian education, a heritage that we must
preserve and pass on to the next generation.
The
theme ‘A glorious past and A vibrant future’, is a strong message of hope for
our alma mater as we march into the second centennial. Let us enjoy the
Celebration and forge a strong esprit de corps among Lasallians and friends.
I would
like to thank the La Salle Brothers, Old Georgians’ Association, the Board of
Governors
and Managers and school for their support and cooperation in the planning
and
organization of the SGI Centennial Celebrations 2015.
JOSEPH LAU TEE SUN, AMP
President,
Old Georgians’ Association Taiping
Chairman,
SGI Centennial Celebrations 2015
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