Alumni NEWS RAIL TRIP FRIENDSHIP
A single train journey to Surrey more than 30 years ago has led to an enduring friendship for two Surrey alumna who have both ended up teaching at the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur.
Yasmin Othman and Jenni Harikrishna (née Kirkham), who studied Microbiology in the early 1980s, met on their first trip to the University:
“We struck up a conversation and discovered that we were interviewing at the same University for the same degree course. We also shared a train carriage on the way back to London and both agreed that Surrey had impressed us and that the Microbiology faculty was not only impressive but friendly.”
A few months later, Jenni and Yasmin were class mates, lab partners and had started their life-long friendship. Over the years following graduation, each developed
their scientific careers. Yasmin returned to Malaysia to complete her MSc before coming back to the UK to complete a PhD in Plant Virology. Meanwhile, Jenni completed her PhD in Molecular Genetics and met her husband, Hari, who happened to be Malaysian.
Fast forward many more years and we see Jenni and Yasmin as senior faculty members and colleagues at one of the top universities in Asia. Jenni is a Professor of Genetics and currently the Director of the Centre for Research in Biotechnology for Agriculture, while Yasmin, a Professor of Microbiology, is Associate Vice Chancellor (Industry and Community) and Director of the University of Malaya Centre for Innovation & Commercialisation.
They both said: “We have gone a long way, and are proud to be Surrey graduates!”
Yasmin (right) and Jenni as Surrey Microbiology students in 1982
Yasmin and Jenni in University of Malaya ceremonial robes
SURREY CONNECTIONS #SURREYLOVESTORIES
Maria and Liam on their wedding day, picture courtesy of Zoe Warboys Photography
What better time to celebrate the love found at Surrey than on Valentine’s Day. This year on our Facebook page we shared the heart- warming story of Maria Teresa San Miguel and her husband Liam Marsh. The two met on the first day of University when they were placed in the same house at Stag Hill Court. Seven years later, surrounded by their best friends and former housemates, they tied the knot, and most recently welcomed a new member to the family, little Mérida!
And Mérida makes three
Maria and Liam’s story led to an overwhelming response as countless others shared their own tales of meeting their partner at Surrey: as housemates, team mates, course mates and friends of friends. Love was in the air as photos of graduations, weddings and family portraits filled the comments section.
What a delight it was to hear that the University of Surrey brought so many people together.
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Forever Surrey 2018
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