ISKL Celebrates 60 Years of Learning, Connection, and Community
The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL) celebrated its 60th anniversary this month with a vibrant series of events honoring six decades of learning, connection, and community.
Then and now: ISKL’s first campus on the Istana in 1965 and today at its campus in Ampang Hilir
Founded in 1965 with just nine teachers and 48 students at the Istana on Jalan Maxwell, ISKL has grown into a dynamic international school of more than 1,800 students aged three to 18, representing over 70 nationalities. Today, ISKL is recognized as a leading educational institution in the region, located on a 25-acre campus in Ampang Hilir, and known for its commitment to nurturing passions, cultivating competencies, and creating a better world.
'What began 60 years ago as a small school with a bold vision has grown into a global community grounded in learning, connection, and a strong sense of belonging,” said Rami Madani, Head of School. “We’re proud of our legacy and excited for the future we’re continuing to build together.'
The anniversary celebrations began on April 12 with iFest, ISKL’s annual cultural festival organized by its Parent Teacher Association. A long-standing tradition since 1970, iFest brought together the school's entire community for a day filled with music, international cuisine, and cultural performances. Special features this year included the display of commemorative quilts hand-crafted by parents, alumni, and faculty, as well as student-designed ‘Ties That Bind’ T-shirts for returning alumni as symbolic keepsakes linking past and present Panthers.
ISKL’s Head of School Rami Madani officially opened iFest
Adding to the celebratory atmosphere, ISKL hosted the IASAS Track & Field and Golf tournaments during the same period – the first time both events have been held concurrently. The Interscholastic Association of Southeast Asian Schools (IASAS) provides a platform for high-level competition and cultural exchange through athletics, the arts, and academics. Together, IASAS and iFest highlighted ISKL’s commitment to collaboration, global citizenship, and high standards that have shaped its 60-year journey.
On April 17 and 18, alumni from around the world were welcomed back for campus tours and a visit to ISKL’s former Middle and High School site. Both gatherings offered alumni the opportunity to reconnect with classmates and teachers and reflect on cherished memories from their time at ISKL. '
As soon as I returned, the sense of connection was immediate,' shared Raymond Tait, Class of ’78, who organized the return of over 40 alumni to KL for the events.
'Even though the campus has evolved from our day, the feeling of belonging is still the same – warm, welcoming, and inspiring. It’s a feeling that’s been with us since we left all those years ago … Once A Panther, Always A Panther!'
On April 18, the celebrations continued with Jam at ISKL, a community-wide afternoon event featuring live music performed by students, employees, and alumni. That evening, more than 500 alumni and employees past and present came together for Jom Lepak, a special anniversary dinner.
A highlight of the evening was the unveiling of the final life-sized Panther statue, representing ISKL alumni. The series of six statues featuring ISKL’s iconic Panther mascot was created by Malaysian artists in collaboration with the ISKL community. Each statue symbolizes a core group of the community: Elementary, Middle, and High School students, parents, employees, and alumni. The full collection is now displayed on campus as a lasting tribute to ISKL’s inclusive spirit and collective creativity.
ISKL’s 60th-Anniversary Life-sized Panther Statues designed by local Malaysian Artists (Artists L-R Haffendi Anuar Class of '04, Fritilldea, Christine Das, Dianne Tahir, Willian Koong, and Jacktus)
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It was a huge honour to be part of this moment,” said Sheila McGuiness-Wall, Class of ’73, who unveiled the alumni Panther statue. “It’s a beautiful tribute to all of us who’ve carried the Panther spirit with us and a reminder that ISKL’s alumni tagline, ‘Once a Panther, Always a Panther,’ holds true – that sense of belonging and connection stays with you, wherever life leads.'
To mark the occasion, ISKL collaborated with Malaysian lifestyle brand APOM (A Piece of Malaysia) on a unique 60th-anniversary merchandise collection. Featuring slogans like “Goreng Strong Since 1965,” “I Suka Kuala Lumpur,” and “With ISKL Semua Can,” the items blend local flair with Panther pride. Proceeds support ISKL’s Pathways Scholarship, which offers two Malaysian students a four-year study opportunity from Grades 9 to 12.
As ISKL enters its seventh decade, the school continues to honour its legacy while keeping its sights firmly set on the future. '
While our 60th anniversary is a celebration of where we’ve been,' says Madani,
'it’s just as much a commitment to where we’re going. The world needs thoughtful, compassionate, and capable changemakers – and that’s exactly what we’re here to nurture as we fulfil our Vision for students to know themselves, care for all, and create a better world'.
April 2025