A Parade of Achievers in CIMP Sunway
During the playing of the second national anthem, it became clear to anyone witnessing the recent graduation ceremony at Sunway University College that it was becoming a very Canadian occasion. In front of the smiling graduates 80% of their lecturers stood and sang the Canadian national anthem. The guest of honour was Mr. Che van Haastrecht, from the Canadian High Commission who underlined the occasion when he said during his speech, “The CIMP is a significant educational link between Canadians and Malaysians”.
This is the 32nd Canadian International Matriculation Programme (CIMP) graduation ceremony since it started at Sunway University College in 1991. Elizabeth Lee, Executive Director said “It gives me great pleasure to personally congratulate our 221 graduates who are receiving their Ontario High School Diplomas today”. The programme is identical to the one in Ontario high schools.
Today, the Sunway CIMP has attracted the largest enrolment of students outside of Ontario. “This unique programme teaches students about the world beyond lectures and books, by engaging students to participate in community activities and caring for the environment” added Ms Lee.
This cohort bore many achievers. Alex from Indonesia was a recipient of the Governor General’s Medal and the Tan Sri Dato’ Seri (Dr) Jeffrey Cheah Award. Alex achieved 90% and above to earn this double honour. Nurul Hanim Binti Hashim, a Tenaga Nasional Foundation scholar won the CIMP Programme Award in recognition of her academic achievement and for being an all rounder. Nurul will be heading to McGill University, Canada to pursue Electrical Engineering under the same scholarship.
“Kourosh” Bagher Shekofteh Rad, 19, from Iran was the class valedictorian for his impressive academic record and his involvement with extra-curricular activities. The valedictorian is traditionally a popular student and represents the student body.
Mr Mark Shim, from Canada, who teaches International Business and Geography, stated that Kourosh was a pleasure to teach as he was motivated, always asked questions and always had time to help others. Kourosh, in his speech said “We enjoyed being in CIMP at Sunway not only for the life lessons learned but because of the spirit of participation and sharing that helped us make meaningful friendships and life long friends”. He added, “The variety of cultures and nationalities makes our learning more interesting and spurs us always to want to improve ourselves”. The CIMP has 44 countries represented in its culturally diverse student population. Kourosh intends to pursue Architecture in Canada at the Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Another prominent and no less proud achiever was Eka Diah Gun Herwanti who had to make her way around campus during the programme in a wheelchair. Eka who comes from Jakarta, will continue her studies in the “2+1” Victoria University Bachelor of Business programme at Sunway and plans to spend her final year in Melbourne.
CIMP students have traditionally entered top universities, not only in the US and Canada but throughout the world. In the previous graduation, Delicia Tang Li Fang, recently accepted an offer to read Law at one of UK’s top universities, the University of Bristol. Delicia was a subject award winner for Introduction to International Business, World Issues : A Geographic Analysis.
For the Director of the CIMP at Sunway, Dr Rosemary Gannon, it was an apt ceremony for the end of her term in Malaysia. Dr Rosemary addressed the parents in her speech, “Our children are our most prized possessions and sometimes we give them to strangers to care for. I thank you for letting CIMP take care of your children and I thank the students for teaching me about your culture and traditions”. She added “the memories will stay with me forever”.
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