700 graduating students of 2008 were presented degrees and diplomas for their achievements in wide-ranging disciplines in Sunway University College (Sunway). These were in Business, Computer Technology, Creative Arts & Communications, Health & Natural Sciences and Hospitality, Tourism & Leisure Management.
The University also celebrated the first graduation of its batch of students who earned the collaborative Psychology degree from Sunway and its partner Lancaster University. It was also the first time that Sunway saw 6 scoring first class honours and 12 having second uppers. This is testament of the quality standards having been inculcated into the programme to be on par with those of the distinguished university partner. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Lancaster University, Professor Robert McKinlay representing his Chancellor, Sir Chris Bonington gave away the Lancaster scrolls while the Chancellor of Sunway University College, Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr. Jeffrey Cheah presented the Sunway scrolls.
There was another reason to cheer for Sunway University College, and delivering on its promise to provide equal opportunities to the deserving, as five Tun Omar Ong Yoke Lin Community Scholars graduated in this ceremony. They were Yesotha Devi A/P Vellasami, Patricia Yap Ching Yi, Sangkari A/P Pranthaman (who each earned Diplomas in Hospitality & Tourism Management) and Goh Kar Mun, (a Diploma in Conventions & Events Management). Jemima Jothimalar D/O Munusamy graduated with a B.Sc (Hons) in Multimedia Systems. These scholars were funded by the Sunway Education Trust Fund, which has been responsible for providing RM42.1 million in scholarships to date since its inception in 1997.
To be eligible for Community scholarships, applicants must hail from charitable Homes or low income families including single parentage families. Yesotha is the only one in the group who hails from a Home and is proof that this is no barrier to an education. She is from Rumah Keluarga Kami. The Trust has presented community scholarships to 38 students, 9 have graduated since.
Two graduates who received a thundering applause when they went on stage proving that disabilities do not hinder graduating, were Brandon Yim Yong Kang and AK Hj Md Azizul Amri bin Pg Hj Sarpuddin. The latter is from Brunei, who received their B.Sc (Hons) Multimedia Systems and B.Sc (Hons) Information Technology respectively.
Also present at the graduation was H.E. Boyd McCleary, British High Commissioner to Malaysia. The Sunway University College Quartet made its debut performance before the start of the ceremony.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Robert McKinlay said on Lancaster’s affiliation with Sunway “We have a commitment to enlarging our involvement with Sunway, contributing not only to its development but also to engaging with Malaysia’s ambitions to be a regional centre of excellence in the delivery of all kinds of high level educational services. For the graduating students, these will be interesting times, and I wish each and every one of you good health, good fortune and a happy and contented life”.
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