The sixth international alumni weekend visits Malaysia

Artificial consciousness sparked an animated debate in Kuala Lumpur when more than 500 students from 20 institutions attended a lecture by Professor Igor Aleksander, pro rector (external relations).

The event formed part of Imperial College's Convocation Weekend from 12-14 November. The opening reception at the British High Commissioner's residence gave alumni from across south east Asia, the opportunity to catch up and to socialise with distinguished local guests.

More than 130 graduates took part in the Convocation Ceremony in the Grand Ballroom at the Renaissance Hotel. In a ceremony closely modelled on the annual Commemoration day at the Royal Albert Hall, they received commemorative medals from the rector.

The following gala dinner, hosted by the Imperial College Alumni Association of Malaysia, was attended by more than 200 alumni, guests and senior members of the College. The principal guest was Datuk Leo Moggie, Minister of Energy, Communications and the Multimedia, who thanked the College for hosting the launch of the Multimedia Super Corridor in 1997.

The sixth international alumni weekend ended on the island of Penang with a luncheon hosted by the College's Penang alumni. Deputy rector, Professor Bill Wakeham, made a presentation which focused on the College's future and highlighted the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of research.