International student elected UKEC Regional Chair for Yorkshire

Alexandra Chia Yuen Xuan will assist the United Kingdom and Eire (Ireland) Council for Malaysian Students to care for and oversee Yorkshire’s Malaysian student societies

ANNUALLY the UK welcomes around 16,000 students from Malaysia whose interests are cared for by the United Kingdom and Eire (Ireland) Council for Malaysian Students (UKEC). Now, for the first time in the Council’s history, a student from the University of Huddersfield, has been elected as UKEC’s Regional Chairperson for the Yorkshire region. 

Alexandra Chia Yuen Xuan, aged 18-years-old, is currently in the first year of her BA (Hons) Business Management and Finance degree at the University of Huddersfield’s Business School.

Originally from the Sarawak region in Malaysia, Alexandra was elected after presenting an ‘impressive manifesto’ to members of UKEC’s Supreme Council, including the presidents and vice-presidents of affiliated Malaysian student societies, at their Annual General Meeting in London. 

The UKEC is a national coalition of all Malaysian student societies across Britain and Ireland and serves as a common platform of interaction for Malaysian students, at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Although officially founded in 1995, UKEC traces its humble origins as far back as the pre-war years when a group of hopeful students initiated an unofficial student movement in London. 

The Council’s aims are to ‘provide a platform for non-partisan intellectual discourse, community development, promote Malaysia abroad, develop employability, tackle brain drain and strengthen unity’. UKEC promotes student engagement and activity to best represent Malaysian students abroad.

Alexandra’s appointment will last 12 months and is one of 13 Regional Chairs, from across the UK and Ireland whose role it will be to act as the main link between UKEC’s Executive Council and the Supreme Councillors. This will mainly be achieved through networking and attending events organised by the region’s various Malaysian student societies. 

The role also includes helping the societies to promote their events, in terms of marketing and publicity outreach and to establish a UKEC presence by organising regional initiatives and events.

Building friendships

Alexandra’s manifesto centred around four main purposes, ‘Friendship, Career, Knowledge and Happiness’. She plans to have an annual Yorkshire Malaysian Gathering where the region’s eight Malaysian student societies will be invited to come together to network, share ideas and build friendships. 

She also endeavours to organise events that will motivate and inspire the students, hold clear and concise meetings with individual Supreme Councillors and enhance the availability of career options for Malaysian students. 

Although a lot of research and work went into Alexandra’s manifesto and presentation, the announcement of her election still came as a shock. 

“I was so surprised when I found out that I was the first student to ever be selected from the University of Huddersfield,” said Alexandra. “Although I know the next 12 months are going to be very busy, I am going to relish this opportunity and experience.” 

Alexandra is the sport and events co-ordinator for the University’s own Malaysian Student Society and helps to manage a sports club she created with fellow students.  She can't wait to get started with the new UKEC role and says she's looking forward to putting into practice the professional skills she has learned since being a student here at the University.

The Huddersfield Business School student is also the recently appointed academic representative for her course peers and admits her schedule is going to become very busy, but has a strong belief in being organised and said it was key to her achieving the success with her studies.  As long as she applies the same work ethic when being a Regional Chairperson for Yorkshire with the UKEC she is certain the whole experience will be an invaluable assett for her professional outlook.

Being an international student is something to be really proud of and instead of safely hiding away in my comfort zone, I'm going to put myself out there and make the most of this amazing opportunity.

Alexandra Chia Yuen Xuan, UKEC’s Regional Chairperson for Yorkshire

Alexandra came from Malaysia to the UK immediately after sitting Malaysia’s equivalent of the UK’s GCSE examinations, known as SPM.  She has since successfully completed a Foundation Degree at the University and has been awarded a Commendation for the high marks she achieved. 

Alexandra wants to continue making her family in Malaysia proud by achieving the same level of success with her undergraduate degree and hopes to graduate with First-Class Honours. 

“Being an international student is something to be really proud of and instead of safely hiding away in my comfort zone, I'm going to put myself out there and make the most of this amazing opportunity," said Alexandra.

“The best advice I can give to any international students wanting to come and study at the University is, as a student, academia of course should always be a priority, but it is important to also focus on your health, skills, and wellbeing. Also, learn to keep your life under control before you plan to do anything big, follow the sound of your heart, let everything flow as it should and you’ll find where you should belong,” she added.