While the ceremonial fanfare of UTAR’s 40th Convocation honoured achievement and tradition, the true heart of the occasion lay in the stories of the graduates themselves. Behind every scroll received and every photo taken was a personal journey of ambition, perseverance, and transformation.

In recognition of these unique journeys, five graduates were invited to represent their respective sessions and deliver speeches during the convocation ceremonies. The graduates included See Tong Shin, Bachelor of Social Science (Honours) Psychology; Dr Lei Bo, Doctor of Philosophy (Chinese Studies); Joshua Yap Jan Chen, Bachelor of Accounting (Honours); Ng Yu Xin, Bachelor of Civil Engineering with Honours; and Wong Wun Kei, Bachelor of Finance (Honours). Their words, filled with gratitude, hope, and personal reflection, resonated deeply with their fellow graduates, families, and academic staff.

Beyond the stage, many other graduates shared their reflections on how UTAR shaped their paths, each story offering a glimpse into the diverse and inspiring experiences that defined the Class of 2025.

For Dr Diong Fong Wei, who graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy (Social Science) from the Faculty of Arts and Social Science (FAS), the convocation marked a unique personal and professional milestone. Having previously completed her undergraduate and master’s degrees at a local public university, Dr Diong chose to pursue her doctoral journey at UTAR, where she also served as a lecturer. Reflecting on her decision, she shared, “I wanted to pursue my doctoral studies at a private university. I chose UTAR after working here and experiencing first-hand what makes this institution unique— its historical background and the purpose behind its founding. It is truly a university by the people, for the people. It has also been a golden opportunity for me to lecture here and to graduate alongside my students. The feeling is simply amazing.”

One of Dr Diong’s students, Khew Zhi Xing, also celebrated her graduation during Session One with a Bachelor of Communication (Honours) Public Relations degree. At just 23 years old, Khew recounted her journey of switching academic streams. “I was in the science stream in secondary school but soon realised it wasn’t the right path for me. After learning more about the Public Relations programme at UTAR, I decided to make the switch, and it turned out to be the right choice,” she explained. Her involvement in the breast cancer awareness CSR campaign, The Tale of Pink Ribbon, was a pivotal moment in her student life. “It really helped boost my confidence and proved to be very beneficial for my career,” she said. Today, Khew works as an Executive in Corporate Communications at Sunway Medical Centre Ipoh.

The success of The Tale of Pink Ribbon campaign was further recognised when it received the Silver Award in the Students: Institutions of Higher Learning category at the Malaysia PR Awards (MPRA) 2024, organised by the Public Relations and Communications Association of Malaysia (PRCA Malaysia) on 29 November 2024. Dr Diong, who served as the campaign advisor, expressed pride in the students’ achievements, stating that such accolades reflect the university’s commitment to providing quality education that balances theoretical and practical knowledge. Khew echoed this sentiment, noting that the award not only enhanced her confidence but also opened up new opportunities for her future career.

Equally inspiring was the journey of international graduate Dr Lei Bo from China, who completed his Doctor of Philosophy (Chinese Studies) at the Institute of Chinese Studies. With a background in media and communication, and working as a teacher, journalist, and television host, Dr Lei had long harboured the dream of earning a doctorate. “UTAR’s rigorous academic approach equipped me with practical skills that have been invaluable to my personal and professional growth,” he shared. He also expressed deep gratitude to the University, his supervisors, and his family for their support. Offering a powerful metaphor for his academic journey, Dr Lei said, “Pursuing a PhD is like standing on one square metre of land while digging ten thousand metres deep—what we seek is depth. This depth represents not just academic accumulation, but also a kind of spiritual cultivation in life. I hope to continue refining myself in the media industry with this same dedication.”

Session Two graduate Agnes Tan Sze Wei from the Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science earned her Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours) and is currently working as a backend engineer at Ryt Bank, an AI-powered digital bank under YTL Digital Capital Sdn Bhd. Agnes recalled how a fascination with the logic and structure of software during her foundation studies sparked her decision to pursue this field. “I also believed software engineering aligned better with future technological trends,” she said. Her optimism and love for challenges have been instrumental in her success. “Overcoming obstacles through my own efforts gives me a tremendous sense of accomplishment,” she added. She further credited UTAR for preparing her well for the workforce, saying, “The curriculum was closely aligned with practical applications and included knowledge in artificial intelligence. This has been incredibly beneficial for my work and helped me transition smoothly into the workforce.”

Also reflecting on her journey was Wong Ru Jun, a graduate from the pioneer batch of the Bachelor of Business Administration (Honours) in Healthcare Management at the Teh Hong Piow Faculty of Business and Finance (THP FBF). Now working as a management associate at a senior care centre, Wong shared her motivation for pursuing the field. “The management of chronic diseases is expected to continue expanding in the future, which is why I chose this programme, believing that the knowledge gained holds strong potential for development,” she said. Despite facing challenges such as adapting to different peer groups due to the programme’s small size, Wong viewed the experience as a process of learning and growth. “Although the process was full of uncertainties, I eventually overcame the difficulties successfully,” she said. “The knowledge I acquired during my studies has been directly applicable to my work.”

From personal rediscoveries and academic shifts to deep scholarly pursuits and career-ready skills, these graduates exemplify the essence of UTAR’s 40th Convocation theme, Resilience, Growth, and New Beginnings. As they take the next step forward, their reflections serve not only as a celebration of achievement but also as an inspiration to those still on their own academic journeys.