1,955 graduate in UTAR 17th Convocation

Convocation in progress in Dewan Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik

A total of 1,955 students graduated from 13 Master's and 48 Bachelor's (Honours) programmes in the UTAR 17th Convocation held at Dewan Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik of UTAR  Perak Campus in Kampar from 23 to 25 August 2013.

The convocation, held in four sessions, saw the pioneer batch of graduates from four programmes: Bachelor of Science (Hons) Financial Mathematics, Bachelor of Science (Hons) Software Engineering, Bachelor of Science (Hons) Microbiology, and Bachelor of Science (Hons) Statistical Computing and Operations Research.  

The graduands marching their way to Dewan Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik

Melvyn Choong Ern Yoong, a student representative carries the UTAR mace in the Guest of Honour Procession

The convocation was declared open by UTAR Council Chairman Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik. Presiding at the convocation ceremonies were  Chairman of Board of Trustees, UTAR Education Foundation, Tan Sri Dato' Dr Sak Cheng Lum, UTAR President Ir Prof Academician Dato' Dr Chuah Hean Teik and other UTAR Council and Board of Trustees members. UTAR Vice President (Internationalisation and Academic Development) Prof Dr Ewe Hong Tat, who served as Acting President, presided at Session 4 when Prof Chuah was being conferred an honorary doctorate degree at Multimedia University Malaysia.

Invited guests of honour  for the four sessions of the convocation were Founding Trustee of Tana River Life Foundation, Kenya, Mr Gabriel Teo (Session 1), Tan Sri Dato' Dr Sak Cheng Lum (Session 2), Chairman of Pengurusan Aset Air Berhad Dato' Seri DiRaja Tajol Rosli Ghazali (Session 3) and Chairman of Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board Dato' Sri Dr Ng Yen Yen (Session 4).

Tun Dr Ling congratulated the graduating students on their achievements. He advised the graduates, "Do remember that this ceremony marks your transition to a new chapter of your life. It will be an exciting journey as you go forward in your pursuit of success in career and in life, but don't forget your duty to your family, society and nation."

"Global literacy is an important graduate attribute. You can read and gather knowledge from books but the most important attribute of all is your own attitude and tolerance towards intercultural understanding and competencies that will make you adaptable and better prepared," said Prof Chuah, urging the graduates to be prepared to face a more borderless society and workplace.  

"Never ever put learning in the box," said Gabriel Teo.  He further advised the graduating students, "Always try to learn and discover more about life, yourself and the world. Know that everyone has a value. For some, this inherent value has been subdued, or blocked, or masked away. I have learnt my greatest lessons in life both from people who are more educated than myself as well as those who are less."

 

Kenya Tana River Life Foundation Founding Trustee Gabriel Teo addressing the graduands

"Do not sit and wait for opportunities to come, but you have to venture, seek and work for it,"  said Tan Sri Dato' Dr Sak, advising the  graduating students to be proactive in looking for opportunities.  He added, "However, wherever you go and whatever you do, do not venture blindly. Learn to anticipate, plan and manage obstacles to your success."

Master graduand Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun (left) receiving her scroll from Tan Sri Dato' Dr Sak

Dato' Seri DiRaja Tajol Rosli Ghazali urged the graduating students to subscribe to the universal values of honesty, humility and respect to achieve further success in life and said, "These virtues are as important as your academic achievements and do remember that your academic achievements should be complemented with these virtues, not only in your career but also in all your personal endeavours."

From left: Tun Dr Ling, Dato' Seri DiRaja Tajol Rosli and Prof Chuah

 "Your mind sets your future, your destiny is in your hands, go forth with enthusiasm for your future and destiny," said Dato' Sri Dr Ng Yen Yen, stressing the importance of enthusiasm in seeking for success.

Dato' Sri Dr Ng (fourth from right) and Prof Ewe posing with graduates

It is all smiles for graduates from the Faculty of Business and Finance.

Each convocation session was attended by supportive parents, relatives of graduands, friends and guests of the University who filled the grand hall in full capacity and responded positively to the speeches of the guests-of-honour and the President. Many parents and graduands stayed behind after the convocation session to admire the beauty of the award winning Perak Campus and to take photographs with their loved ones to cherish the moment of the occasion. It was indeed a special and memorable occasion for all, especially the families of graduands who came from all over the country.

Congratulations to all graduands.