The Day with Mortarboard




The Happiest Moment: Graduates throws theirmortarboard up as a sign of the completion of their degree.

 By Kim Yun

Dewan San Choon in Wisma MCA

Kuala Lumpur: The 12^th convocation by University Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) was held successfully at Dewan San Choon in Wisma MCA on 19^th and 20^th March, 2011.

There were 1,195 graduates from the first batch of 22 Bachelor’s Honours degree programmes from UTAR Perak Campus and 17 pioneer graduates of Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Mechatronics Engineering participated in the convocation ceremony.

The information UTAR provided also revealed that there were 91 recipients of first-class honours for Honours degree programmes. There were a total of 1,626 students and they were made up by one  PhD, six Master’s degree and 38 Bachelor’s Honours degree programmes.

The guests invited in this convocation were Deputy Minister of Education and National Chairman of MCA Youth Datuk Ir Dr Wee Ka Siong, Member of UTAR Council Dato’ Dr Mohd Aminuddin Mohd Rouse, and Member of the Board of Trustees of UTAR Education Foundation and UTAR Council Datuk Leong Tang Chong.

Inside the convocation hall.

This convocation was marked as a historic day for UTAR because they had their first doctorate graduate, Seng Hoi Ling, who is currently a lecturer in a private college. She felt proud and honoured to be the first UTAR doctorate graduate. Seng completed her research thesis titled Duplex and G-quadruplex DNA Binding, Nucleolytic Property and Topoisomerase I Inhibition of Different Series of Metal (II) Complexes.

The president of UTAR, Prof Datuk Dr Chuah Hean Teik said 98.5% of the 3,000 students who graduated in August in 2008 were employed or are pursuing postgraduate studies within the first six months post graduation. He also purported that UTAR graduates could easily get employed.

Jessie Chng Mi Hong

Jessie Chng Mi Hong (24), an English Language graduate has been working as a kindergarten teacher for half a year said the education in UTAR has given her the confidence to enter the work field.

“My student life in UTAR had trained me into being an independent adult and I chose UTAR because it provides affordable courses with good quality,”

“I’m glad to have joined UTAR also because I got the chance to meet great people who supported me during difficult times. I would also like to thank my parents for their encouragements and concerns they offered throughout my three years in UTAR,” she added.

Jeevan Raj, who was a part-time Business Administration alumni had switched several jobs with flexible working hours in order to juggle both studies and work well.

“With the cooperation of my classmates, we had discussions after working hours in order to get our assignments completed. Without their help and guidance, completing this degree will be impossible. I would also like to express my gratitude towards UTAR for offering me this part-time course with excellent quality” he commented.

Khor Li Qian

Khor Li Qian (25), sister to a graduate said it is her pleasure to attend this convocation ceremony. She had the opportunity to witness the glorious moment of scroll given to her brother, Khor Ting Sheng who pursued Bachelor of Arts Advertising.

“Thank you UTAR for giving me a chance to attend this convocation. It’s happy to see all students could graduate. To all the students who are still studying like me, let us study hard and appreciate the university life and soon we will be the ones wearing the mortarboard too!” she exclaimed.

A graduate - Teng Ky Ean has make a special pose while
 receiving the graduation certificate.