This HISTORY of IVAC

In accordance with World AIDS Day which occurs annually on the 1st of December, MKA (Minggu Kesedaran AIDS) was established with the main objective to increase awareness among the society. This project emphasizes the support and importance given by all government institution and private institution such as NGOs in their in kind support.

MKA (Minggu Kesedaran AIDS) was succefully organized on 5th of January 1996 with the theme “Berkongsi Tanggungjawab, Berkongsi Hak” under the leadership of Lim Teck Ann. This project was supported by a few agencies such as Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC), Ministry of Health, and the Department of Sports and Youth, Wilayah Persekutuan.

The second MKA was held on 18th Oct 1997 which spread to the whole Malaysia ,until Sarawak about this awarness on AIDS under the leadership of Paul Wong Hoo Jin. This MKA was successful and a donation of RM 10,000 was given by Yayasan AIDS Malaysia, Malaysian AIDS Council, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Sport and Youth.

The third MKA continued from 12-13 December 1998. Since the pandemic of HIV/AIDS is at rise in the society, the committee of MKA, led by Shevena I Jumin and Rajeswary A/P Doraisamy decided to give the theme “Semangat Berusaha Kempen AIDS Sedunia Bersama Golongan Muda” to this year AIDS project. It is to create awareness among the young generation about HIV/AIDS.

The fourth MKA was held on November 1999 under the leadership of Choy Yeang Min and Liew Siew Pen with the theme “Tiada Sesiapa Yang Terasing”. MKA continued to gain support from Malaysian AIDS Council.

A new idea was developed by the Committee of 2000/2001 that is to have an International Varsity AIDS Conference(IVAC) to replace MKA. This idea was brought up by the director of the first IVAC, Edmund Chua Wei Wen.

The new committee of IVAC referred to MAC for their support and help, which introduced Soroptimist International Club of Bangsar(SICB) to the committee to help and support this project. The theme for this conference was “Tiada Sesiapa Yang Terasing ” or “No Strangers”. This theme was selected to educate the society not to discriminate PLWHA (People Living With HIV and AIDS).

However, because of some problems which cannot be avoided, this conference was cancelled. The committee again proposed a new idea that is “Inter-Varsity AIDS Conference”. But due to lack of time, it could not be carried out.

With the beginning of 2001/02 session, a new committee was elected to continue the project. The first IVAC was successfully held from 14-17th of March 2002 in the premises of UM. It was lead by director Chan Kai Quin, both new and the old committee worked hand in hand to make it a success.

IVAC 2001/02 received great support and help from the Soroptimist International Club of Bangsar (SICB) as the co-organizer and also support from MAC as the patron for the project. IVAC 2001/02 respectively gained support from both society and organizations.

The 2nd IVAC ,(IVAC2002/03 )with the theme “Zero Distance” is being held on 17th-20th March 2003 under the leadership of Tee Chit Thong. IVAC 2002/03 is supported by Soroptimist International Club of Bangsar (SICB) as the co-organizer and with the co-operation of Malaysian AIDS Council(MAC). Besides that this project also gained support from Pink Triangle Foundation, Rumah Pengasih, Federation of Family Planing Association Malaysia (FFPAM) and Kuala Lumpur AIDS Support Service (KLASS).

A press session was held during the opening ceremony. There was also a special band presentation by the Rumah Pengasih artists. Throughout the conference there were activities such as movie sessions, workshops and sharing session for all the participants to enjoy and gain knowledge about HIV/AIDS. At the same time the youth will get to learn more about the situation of PLWHA.

The IVAC 2002/03 committee hopes that this project will gain support and good response from all the parties and continues to carry out this project for the coming years.

The 3rd IVAC (IVAC 2004) under the leading of Chew Chun Thing will be held in March 2004, with the theme ‘Understanding Makes a Difference’. IVAC 2004 is still getting supports and helps from the Malaysian Youth, Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC), Pink Triangle Foundation, Soroptimist International Club of Bangsar(SICB), Rumah Pengasih, Kuala Lumpur AIDS support Service( KLASS) and etc.