24th – 27th Mar 2011 is marked as the dates for YES annual National Summit. It is an annual event which is held to gather branches from all around Malaysia. They are branches from Peninsular like Kedah/Perlis, Penang, Perak, KL, Terengganu and Johor whereas East Malaysia we have branches from Sabah, Miri and Sarawak. Sarawak branch, Kuching is proud to be the host this year. Representatives who are interested in this event have booked their flights earlier.
On the first day, participants arrived in airport and gladly welcomed by the organizing committees that are led by Engr. Ron Aldrino Chan @ Ron Buking. Later we were brought to check in Penview Inn, Kuching. There are about 50 participants from all branches.
Next day, organizers arranged technical visit to DUN (Dewan Undangan Negeri) in the morning. We are briefed about the history and structure of the building by the person in charged. It is excited to learn so much about the magnificent construction of the building. After the briefing, we got the chance to visit inside DUN. Next stop will be technical site visit to Sewage Treatment Plant. The consultant, project engineer and owner of project are invited to explain about the whole system of plant. Question and answer are followed after that. At night, we had seafood with Sarawak Branch Main Committees at Top Spot Seafood and souvenir hunting thereafter.
The third day would be a formal session held in UNIMAS. Career talk and seminar are conducted by each branches’ representatives. There are about 100 students from local secondary schools attended the career talk. To increase awareness on conducting membership drive, there is a session namely training of trainers (TOT) conducted by YES KL. In the afternoon, we had inter-branch meeting at Bilik Senat UNIMAS. We discussed about the activities that have been conducted in the past session. Reports are presented by every branch. In the meeting, we agreed to use Facebook as the main medium for inter-branches’ communication. All agreed to let event host to decide for registration fee amount and Southern branch has been voted as the next host for National Summit. YES KL also announced next year’s resolution to create Malaysia’s Book of Record which is to have the 555th meeting on top of Mount Kinabalu. At night, a closing dinner combined with IEM Sarawak branch cum Engineering Week is held at Four Points Hotel.
Before we departed back on the last day, we still have time for souvenir hunting at Satok Market which is well known for its souvenir varieties and wet market. At 3pm, we boarded the plane happily.
Prepared and posted by Engr. Mei Wong
