The Victoria University Graduation Ceremony 2014 at Sunway

It was a time of jubilation and rejoicing for more than 300 of Sunway College Victoria University (VU) graduates at the VU Malaysia Graduation Ceremony 2014 held recently.

By the time the graduands were seated with their parents, friends and faculty members in the Grand Ballroom of Sunway Resort Hotel and Spa, the Academic Registrar and Executive Director, Student Services, Teresa Tjia, had already provided them a very detailed and warm briefing on what they should do when they went up the stage to receive their scrolls. The matter of how they were to doff their caps was carefully demonstrated, with the reminder that the tassle should always be on the left. Seemingly small, these were significant observances to dignify the occasion.

VIPs for the ceremony included the Chancellor, George Pappas; Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Peter Dawkins; Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Duncan Bentley; Director of Learning and Teaching, Professor Terence Hallahan; Senior Executive Director Sunway Education Group, Elizabeth Lee; Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah Distinguished Professor, Professor Jarlath Ronayne; Head of Australian University Programme, Greeja Hemalata De Silva; Head of Victoria University MBA Programme, Dr Hendry Ng Han Swee; Principal, Sunway College Johor Bahru, Hor Poh Choo; and Head, Degree Programmes, Sunway College Johor Bahru, Ong Mei Mei.

The Valedictory Address delivered by Nico Fernando with his mention of Domino’s, McDonalds and Mamak stalls drew applause from his course-mates as they could all relate to these as their constant ‘study-companions’. Quoting Alexander the Great, “I’m indebted to my father for living but to my teacher for living well”, Nico expressed his heart-felt gratitude of his family and lecturers’ support.

“The taller the bamboo grows, the lower it bends”, Nico quoted Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu reminding his fellow graduates to always remain humble and urged them never to forget the bridges they have crossed, the bonds they have shared and the memories of the time together in VU, and to look forward, because “The Best Is Yet To Be”.

Concluding the ceremony, Professor Peter Dawkins, Vice-Chancellor read the Charge to the Graduates reminding them that they have a responsibility to uphold excellence in the way they use their knowledge and skills to help their community and the world at large.

The VU Bachelor of Business at Sunway College is offered by the Faculty of Business and Law, one of Australia’s largest business faculties. Business students in the programme experience a unique combination of academic and practical learning experience.