THE 95th ANNIVERSARY OF OXA
SPEECH BY THE CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG YAB TUAN CHOW KON YEOW FOR THE 95th ANNIVERSARY OF OXA
9 Nov 2019
On behalf of the Penang state government, it’s my pleasure to congratulate The Old Xaverians’ Association (OXA) for the occasion of your 95th Anniversary.
This occasion marks an important milestone for The Old Xaverians’ Association, but also for its Alma Mater, St. Xavier’s Institution, which is now in its 167th year. Being an association made up for former students of St. Xavier’s Institution, it plays a very important role in promoting friendship and unity not only among members but also with other school alumni in Penang.
Since your inception in 1924, The OXA has grown to become a premier school alumni in the promotion of the Xavierian spirit encompassing friendship and cooperation regardless of race and religion. The contribution by the OXA towards the formation of the Federation of the La Sallian Associations in 1976 was and still is indeed an outstanding achievement and a step towards safe guarding the interest, development and progress of the La Sallian education institutions.
I must commend The OXA for not forgetting your Corporate Social Responsibility, notably in the area of giving back to society in the form of Annual donations to the various charities and education grants to your Junior Members to pursue their further education. This exemplary attribute is one of the hallmarks of a true Xaverian, the charitable spirit inculcated during the students’ days in school, under the guidance of the La Sallian Brothers. Interestingly, history has recorded the arrival of 3 Missionary Brothers in Penang back in 1852, who founded the school St. Xavier’s Institution.
I would like to congratulate the President, the Management Committee and members of the OXA for all the achievements in your 95 years of existence, particularly in supporting the school and the community. A courtesy visit by The OXA Committee to The Chief Minister’s office in July this year has enlightened me further with the development and activities of the OXA.
2019 has been an encouraging year for Penang as we successfully recorded 5.4 % economic growth for the first three quarters of the year. Penang is reliant on the manufacturing and industrial sectors in areas such as Bayan Lepas, Batu Kawan, Bukit Minyak, Bukit Tengah and Perai. Some RM9.2 billion worth of investments have been secured within the first six months of this year, which is twice the amount gained last year. I believe more investments will pour into the state within the 2 final months of the year.
With these developments taking shape in Penang in the coming years, all schools play the crucial role of educating our students who are the future talents much needed in many of these industries. This is critical as the state gears itself in the upgrading of our economy to raise household incomes by advancing the readiness of the local manufacturing industries for the digital age and the green economy as part of our vision Penang2030.
The Alumni of Schools can combine your resources to provide the necessary training relevant to Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0) such as by setting up combined classes of the skills needed and specified by the industries. Maybe within the premises of your Alumni, we are able to learn and brainstorm on different ways to advance Penang to be an International & Intelligent state in the future.
Lastly, in line with the motto of St. Xavier’s Institution – Labor Omnia Vincit – which means “Labor Conquers All” , and the Alma Mater Song containing the lyrics “…Forward With Courage in ways that are Just, True to your Standard, be Doing and Daring as Faithful Xaverians In Heaven Your Trust”, let us work together towards excellence especially in the future transformation of Penang into an International and Intelligent City that all of us can be proud of.
Thank you.