For International Business Management student Tristan Roper-Caldbeck, completing the second year of his course at The University of Nottingham Ningbo China was an opportunity to retrace the footsteps of generations of his family in the Far East.

He knew his family had run Boustead — a firm with diverse interests in Malaysia — for almost 100 years. But he was thrilled to discover the company was also a founding partner of the University’s Malaysia Campus.

Boustead was founded in Singapore in 1828 and Tristan’s great, great, great-grandfather, Jasper Young, led the firm after its founder Edward Boustead died in 1888. Jasper was succeeded by Tristan’s great grandfather, GR Roper-Caldbeck, and his brother, HB Roper-Caldbeck.

In the 1970s, Boustead’s Malaysian interests were transferred to the Malaysian Government. The family’s involvement with Boustead ended in 1986 when Tristan’s great uncle, MR Roper-Caldbeck, stepped down.

Tristan, fascinated by his family’s links with Boustead, was “overwhelmed with the response” when he contacted the firm.

“Arriving on my first day to the Menara Boustead Building in Kuala Lumpur gave me a great sense of pride. To see operations as they exist today was a truly fantastic experience,” said Tristan.

The student visited 5-star hotels and other interests including The Curve, a shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur, a palm oil plantation and a bank.

Tristan was also invited to the University’s Malaysia Campus, where Boustead has been a partner for about 15 years.

Professor Christine Ennew, Provost of the UNMC, said: “The two organisations came together to realise the vision for a University of Nottingham campus in Malaysia. The University of Nottingham is responsible for the academic side of the campus while Boustead has provided support for campus management and has been a valued source of advice and guidance in relation to business operations in Malaysia. We have a strong and durable partnership committed to the long term success of the University’s Malaysian operations.”

Of his time in Malaysia, Tristan added: “I had a superb experience. I was welcomed with such friendliness and accommodation. It was an inspiring and sentimental experience that I am so proud to be a part of.”