The Malaysia Graduation for Victoria University 2014

The Malaysia Graduation Ceremony for Victoria University 2014 held at the Grand Ballroom, Sunway Resort Hotel and Spa was a time of jubilation and rejoicing for the more than 300 graduands hailing mainly from Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Vietnam. By the time they were seated together with their parents, friends and faculty members, Teresa Tjia, the Registrar had already given them a very detailed and warm briefing on what they should do when they went up the stage to receive their scrolls. The matter of how they were to doff their caps was carefully demonstrated, with the reminder that the tassle should always be on the left. Seemingly small, these were significant observances to dignify the occasion.

The VIPs for the ceremony included the Chancellor, George Pappas; Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Peter Dawkins; Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Duncan Bentley; Academic Registrar and Executive Director, Student Services, Teresa Tjia; Director of Learning and Teaching, Professor Terence Hallahan; Senior Executive Director Sunway Education Group, Elizabeth Lee; Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah Distinguished Professor, Professor Jarlath Ronayne; Head of Australian University Programme, Ms Greeja Hemalata De Silva; Head of Victoria University MBA Programme, Dr Hendry Ng Han Swee; Principal, Sunway College Johor, Hor Poh Choo; and Head, Degree Programmes, Sunway College Johor, Ong Mei Mei.

Left to Right: Mohd. Nurhairi bin Mohd Hussein (Malaysia), Ali Jan Khowaja (Pakistan), Etimadul Karim (Bangladesh), Tabassum Mohamedali Dhalla (Tanzania) and Yunita Gozali (Indonesia), all from the Sunway-VU Bachelor of Business programme

In the Occasional Address, Professor Peter Dawkins, the Vice-Chancellor reflected on the 20-year solid partnership between Victoria University and Sunway. He stressed that students must always be at the centre of what the partnership aims to provide in terms of problem-solving, communication, team-building, industrial tie-ups and research. George Pappas, the Chancellor shared an interesting piece of information on why they were addressed as ‘graduands’ and not ‘graduates’. It is only when the Chancellor calls upon the Registrar to present the Students’ Records and when they are presented with their scrolls that the graduands are addressed as ‘GRADUATES’!

The Valedictory Address delivered by Nico Fernando with his mention of Domino’s, McDonalds and Mamak stalls drew applause from his course-mates as they could all relate to these as their constant ‘study-companions’. Quoting Alexander the Great, “I’m indebted to my father for living but to my teacher for living well”, Nico expressed his heart-felt gratitude of his family and lecturers’ support.

“The taller the bamboo grows, the lower it bends”, Nico quoted Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu reminding his fellow graduates to always remain humble and urged them never to forget the bridges they have crossed, the bonds they have shared and the memories of the time together in VU, and to look forward, because “The Best Is Yet To Be”. Concluding the ceremony, Professor Peter Dawkins, Vice-Chancellor read the Charge to the Graduates reminding them that they have a responsibility to uphold excellence in the way they use their knowledge and skills to help their community and the world at large.

Aside from academic excellence, excellence in character and personality is also valued. A few examples of moral excellence among our recent graduates are highlighted below.

Jeff Tang Hoe Sing was pursuing the Diploma in Hotel Management course in Sunway when his mother was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. For six months, Jeff was travelling back to Ipoh during the weekends to visit his Mum. In March 2011, just one week before his Final Exam, Mum passed away. Jeff was not able to see Mum one last time, but he stayed strong to complete his exam. He then joined VU. Eight months later, Dad met with a fatal road accident. Another death of a loved one and again Jeff could not see Dad for the last time. Despite the grief and sorrow, Jeff kept busy with his studies and VUBC activities, and went on to become VUBC’s Vice-President. He did well in his final year and immediately after completion, he was hired by a media agency.

Crystal Wong Chai Jing had her own special challenges, too. In her second year, she was running between her home in Subang and KL to take care of her grandma’s afternoon meals and the weekly physiotherapy. It was a hectic schedule. In her final year, Crystal juggled her studies with her responsibilities as President of Sunway CPA Australia Student Charter and as a tuition teacher. Failing one paper did not prevent her from still graduating on time. She enrolled in Summer School and obtained good results. Based on her experience, Crystal’s advice is: “Even though you have many commitments in life, never lose your concentration. If we miss one step, that’s it. However, if we have a fall, we do not give up, and we should always be prepared for everything.”

Moving over to our international graduates, Inky Shrestha is VU Sunway’s very first graduate from Nepal. Inky was very determined to be assimilated into the culture here by being very involved in student activities organised by the Victoria University Business Club. It was this determination that helped Inky to improve her communication skills rapidly. It is noted with much joy that Inky has been offered a place in Charles Darwin University, Australia to pursue a Master qualification. Inky will definitely assimilate into the life and culture of Australia easily. She is an excellent ambassador for her country, Nepal.

Tabassum Mohamedali Dhalla from Tanzania has this to say: “Graduating from Victoria University has been one of the proudest accomplishments of my life. VU has indeed given me a lot in life: determined teachers who have put in their hard work to provide us with the knowledge, friends who have been there to provide a smile through every hardship, and most of all, the education which is the backbone of the degree I hold today. My experience throughout my stay in Malaysia as an international student was amazing and adventurous. I truly appreciate the multicultural dynamics of the country which enabled me to interact and meet with students from various cultures and countries. The ambience and the friendly attitude of everyone in and outside campus have made my stay in Malaysia a successful and an interesting one. My gratitude specially goes to my parents, my teachers in VU and my friends for their continuous support throughout. Thank you so much for helping me get to where I stand today.”

Alijan Khowaja from Pakistan says VU gave him the experience to help him grow in many ways. Although he had enrolled in VU just to get a bachelor degree, it went well beyond that. He experienced growth in education, in writing, in human interacting, in reviewing alternative forms of literature, and in presenting.

Ameena Yaacob from South Africa takes away very precious memories of Sunway with her. It was here that she met the person who would become her husband – Hythum from Palestine! He was standing on the stairs just outside the Finance Office and she even remembers what he wore. They got married while they were studying at VU. Having her husband by her side during her university years is an experience Ameena will always cherish. Whenever she felt stressed, he would be there to calm her down and offer words of encouragement. For her, the recent graduation was especially exciting because she had the love of her life going through exactly the same emotions with her during the graduation. Putting on their graduation gowns, colour coordinating her own accessories to match her husband’s tie, taking the graduation photos – all these are precious memories for Ameena and Hythum.

Hythum from Palestine says his wife’s and his experience in VU was amazing and, personally he learnt a lot from it. It was here in Sunway that he found the partner of his life, so he takes away memories that will never be forgotten. Being married and studying at the same time was not all that easy, but he said if both partners share a common ground, they will achieve success. It helped that they were both taking the same degree in Marketing and International Trade. VU lecturers also pushed and encouraged them to work harder and focus on their assignments. They were always there for them, making sure that they grasped the information taught in class.