1,941 graduate in UTAR 19th Convocation

UTAR held its 19th Convocation at the stately Dewan Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik of UTAR Perak Campus in Kampar from 15 to 17 August 2014.

Convocation in progress in Dewan Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik

A total of 1,941 graduands received their convocation scrolls in four sessions which was held over the three-day period. They graduated from 72 programmes comprising 55 Bachelor (Honours) degree programmes, 15 Master’s degree and two PhD degree programmes. The Convocation also celebrated the academic accomplishments of the pioneer batches of graduates from Doctor of Philosophy (Chinese Studies), Master of Engineering (Electronic Systems), Master of Medical Sciences, Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Game Design, Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Journalism in Chinese Media and Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Industrial Engineering.

The graduands waiting to enter the graduation hall

Of the 1,941 graduands, three received their PhDs, 70 received their Master’s, and 86 received the First Class Honours Degree/Honours Degree with Distinction while the rest of the graduands received their Bachelor Honours with Merit and Bachelor Honours degree.

All smiles from UTAR graduates

The Convocation was declared open by UTAR Council Chairman Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik. The 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 members of the Board of Trustees were also present at the ceremony.

Tun Ling addressing the graduands

The guests of honour for the Convocation were Minister of Transport and President of Malaysian Chinese Association YB Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai for session one, Member of UTAR Council and Secretary General of Malaysian Chinese Association YB Dato’ Seri Ong Ka Chuan for session two, and Member of UTAR Council and Managing Partner of DMP Architects Sdn Bhd Jay Yeunh Wee Tiong for session three. For session four, YB Dato’ Seri Ong Ka Chuan represented YB Datuk Ir Dr Wee Ka Siong, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Deputy President of Malaysian Chinese Association and Member of UTAR Council. The scroll presenter for Session 1 was Chairman of Board of Trustees UTAR Education Foundation, Tan Sri Dato' Dr Sak Cheng Lum.

(From top, clockwise): Dato’ Sri Liow, Dato’ Seri Ong and Jay Yeunh at the convocation ceremony

Tun Ling congratulated the graduating students and said, “University life must have been a major change from what you have been used to. I am hopeful that in the time you have spent in UTAR, you have acquired the necessary foundation to realise your potential and the flexibility needed to succeed in today’s globalised and competitive world.” Quoting the sayings of Greek philosopher Heraclitus, Tun Ling advised the graduates that they should be motivated to adapt well with rapid changes and to work doggedly towards their own success in life.

Doctor of Philosophy in Science graduate Dr Tee Shiau Foon (left) receiving the scroll from Tan Sri Sak

Prof Chuah was clear in his advice to the graduating students. He remarked, “In today’s hyper connected and hypercompetitive world, there are millions of young people entering the workforce alongside you. With the expanding number of degree holders, it is only rational that potential employers choose the best. The best means a holistic excellence: intellectual prowess, good mastery of technical and IT skills, and acquisition of soft skills such as leadership, communication, creativity, management and intercultural understanding. I believe UTAR’s comprehensive, outcome-based and internationalised education has prepared you well to venture into this globalised world.”

Dato’ Sri Liow advised the graduating students, “Taking responsibility is the most important factor in being a leader. What you decide and do from now on in life will have forms of responsibility. Every decision you make has an impact on your life. In every choice you make and every task you do at work, you will have to be responsible. This responsibility will increase as you progress, especially when you are promoted or are given a project to lead.”

Meanwhile, Dato’ Seri Ong inspired the graduates by quoting a phrase from an ancient Chinese text, called I CHING (The Book of Changes) which emphasised on Self-Discipline and Social Commitment. He also said, “I strongly believe that throughout these years, UTAR has groomed you well to make you shine in your career. Therefore, with the foundation that you have built while at UTAR, coupled with your very own talent and the good moral values you possess, I am sure that success awaits you in the years ahead.”

For session three, Jay Yeunh said, “Education offers the road to human progress and the means through which every man, woman and child can realise his or her full potential. Graduands, this is your time to seek opportunities to realise your full potential and to take on any challenges in your future undertakings.”

Dato’ Seri Ong, representing Datuk Wee, advised the graduates, “Your graduation today is a commencement and a new beginning. Indeed, this graduation is your moment of joy, but what is more significant is how to keep this momentum in the consistent pursue of success and knowledge.”

Graduates celebrating their graduation day

Prof Chuah (fourth from right), Tun Ling (fifth from right) and Dato’ Seri Ong (third from left) posing with graduates

With the addition of 1,941 graduates from its 19th Convocation, the number of the University's alumni now stands at 35,898 since its inaugural convocation in 2005.

Graduates in jubilant mood throwing their mortar boards into the air

Public Relations graduate Moo Hong Yuen poses with his family after the graduation ceremony

Wong Chen Wai, a Finance graduate (right) poses with his sister and mother