President’s Message
Dear Members and Friends,
As the new President of the Malaysian-German Society (MGS), I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all of you for your trust and support. It is an honor to serve this vibrant community.
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my predecessor, Dr. Wolfgang Mark, for his outstanding leadership and dedication to our Society. And my heartfelt thank you to Andreas Foerster for his dedication and support as Vice President despite his very tight working schedule.
Social and Cultural Highlights
Our cultural event calendar began on a high note with a well-attended Charity Piano Concert in February, raising RM 13,500 for Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital.
The Society's key social events remain the Maiball and Oktoberfest. This year, we had the pleasure of hosting the very festive and successful Maiball 2024 on May 4th. The event was graced by the presence of the Penang Chief Minister and the Deputy Head of the German Embassy. We proudly raised RM 19,000 for Kamakshi Child's Home, supporting a certificate training program aimed at empowering young girls with skills in tailoring, catering, and digital marketing.
Looking ahead, Oktoberfest is scheduled for November 8th and 9th, as always, on a Friday and Saturday.
In partnership with the German Embassy, the German Business Council, and the Penang Heritage Trust, the Society has also launched a project to renovate and better market the German Heritage Trail Penang.
For more details on our events, please follow us on our MGS Facebook page, Instagram, and stay updated through our regular E-newsletter.
Successful AGM
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) for the business year 2023 was successfully held on May 19th, 2024, at the Alliance Française Penang. Due to the ongoing renovation of our building, we had to hold the AGM at an alternate location. We sincerely thank the Alliance Française Penang for accommodating us and providing a wonderful venue for our meeting. Your support is greatly appreciated.
This year is an election year for MGS. During the recent AGM the following Board members were elected for the next two-year term, from 2024 to 2026:
- President: Ms. Carolinda Bieck
- Vice-President: Mr. Clement Liang Chow Ming
- Honorary Secretary: Mr. Ooi Hong Leong
- Honorary Assistant Secretary: Mr. Alireza Soleimankhani
- Honorary Treasurer: Mr. Jochen Sautter
- Honorary Assistant Treasurer: Ms. Aldina Van Crombrugge
Board Members:
- Mr. Teoh Seng Aun
- Mr. Nicholas Tan
- Ms. Birgitt Eisinger-Mark
- Dr. Ilianis binti Adnan
- Mr. Markus Knecht
- Ms. Lana Lyu
- Ms. Birgit Brücker
The Board of Management invites you all to engage actively and share your ideas with us so that we can achieve even greater accomplishments together.
German Language Classes
The first semester of our German Language Classes began in January 2024 and the registration for the second semester which will start in July is ongoing.
While we face challenges in attracting younger students due to increased competition in the educational sector, we are committed to continuously improving and promoting our language programs. In addition to our regular courses, we offer specialized German Language Classes tailored for corporate clients.
Malay Language Classes
MGS will continue to provide Malay language classes for expatriates, expertly taught by Dr. Nur Ilianis binti Adnan.
Building Renovations
We are pleased to inform you that the renovation of the MGS building is progressing well and is on schedule to be completed by July 2024. These renovations will significantly improve our facilities, providing a safer environment for our activities and events. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) for funding this renovation project. Their generous support has been instrumental in making these improvements possible.
Appreciation
My sincere thanks go to our members, sponsors, GLC teachers, office staff, caretakers, volunteers across various subcommittees, and my fellow Board Members for their continued support of the Malaysian-German Society. Your commitment and participation are the pillars of our community.
The newly elected Board of Management and I look forward to connecting with you at our upcoming events or during visits to MGS. Together, we will sustain and enhance the spirit of friendship and cultural exchange that is the hallmark of our Society.
Yours truly,
Carolinda Bieck
President of The Malaysian-German Society
