Report by Archana Chari:  

The last one month has been a hectic one with exams and submission of assignments, and the party was a welcome relief for all of us.  The last ten months have been a whirlwind of time with most fun completing critical inquiry projects.  A meeting without a discussion and a talk without a project deadline was a real refreshing change to all of us.  The evening was a pleasant one as fellow classmates from the KM batch of 2010 – 2011 started coming in by 6.30 p.m. with wide smiles and beaming faces of relief. It was an evening of homecoming at the Yunnan Corner. Most of the batch was present, except a few who have taken off  for an early vacation.  

KM gathering, May 2011

This batch of KM had a great level of camaraderie with the part-timers as well. We grouped together for projects and sat in discussions for many modules. The party had many part timers as well. Don Chai, the well-known networker of the group was greeting students, wishing them luck and all of us were taking photographs with him. As the group came along to pose for pictures and have conversations, it was clearly evident that barriers of nation, language were broken. The joy was common, and the exhilaration of having completed the course successfully led all of us to party the evening. The barbeque pit is a favourite spot among KM’ers. Ahamed Iqbal, from India mentioned – “this batch and the gathering is one of his best send-off’s ever” and is moving to India to pursue opportunities in the KM field.  

KM gathering, May 2011

 It took some time for most of us to realize that this might as well be the last get-together of the KM batch. Most of our classmates have come back to school after a working stint and have thoroughly enjoyed the student life. Prachiti Parimal has come back to the M.Sc. KM programme, after a gap of over 5 years. She says ‘this has been a great year of learning, fun and new friends’. Some classmates had travel plans to explore parts of Asia. Jorge is planning to travel to India, and Joanne to Phuket. The class was quick to share photos over facebook, and tag friends on it.  

KM gathering, May 2011

In between all these talks, Dr Lee came over to us and we had a ‘ba’ of sorts over the pool table discussing on vacation plans, job opportunities and on the course. Full timers who are now on the threshold to search for new opportunities spoke on length with each other on the market, the possible work profiles and on the nature of working in Singapore. We have always enjoyed his classes and knew we were going to miss it all too soon. Dr Lee wished “luck and wellness to all” of us and told us to keep in touch with the school.   

KM gathering, May 2011

After a while, as we moved towards the buffet spread and pool table. We had fun teaching each other to pose with the pool, and to try dishes. The buffet meal had a good mix of vegetarian and meat dishes. We also had a traditional ice pudding with honey dew melons and a crispy potato with salmon on the main course. Most of us were new to pool and took turns to learn how to play it. Peng Li in all her poise remarks “ it is not so tough to play” and offered to teach novices like me as well. 

KM gathering, May 2011

 The joy of capturing the moment made us all go around clicking with each other. It was an evening of smiles, clicks and paparazzi. The groups started clicking pictures with everyone around. We wanted to store these memories for a long time to come. A excited Santosh remarked that, “at one moment, most of us were posing for more than three cameras” The fun did not end with the party as some of us made it through for a bowling game and dessert to Jurong Point after the party.  On the whole, the event was a great success forming friendship and connections to last for a long time to come.  We wish the entire group of classmates good luck in their career and personal pursuits. 

KM gathering, May 2011