KUCHING: Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus held its first graduation ceremony of the year here Wednesday with 297 graduates receiving their scrolls after years of pursuing higher education.
Taking place at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), the ceremony saw the conferment of awards to 270 first degree students.
According to Swinburne’s communications officer, Tania Lam, these involved 118 in business, 77 in engineering, 40 in computing, 22 in design and 10 in science studies.
“Of the 10 science graduates, two were from the first graduating cohort of Swinburne Sarawak’s Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science) programme.
“Two double-degree graduates were also conferred their awards – one for engineering and business and the other for engineering and computer science,” she said.
She added that among the graduating cohort was a student from Swinburne’s home campus in Melbourne who completed his Bachelor of Psychological Sciences.
“Eight graduates from the Diploma of Business Management programme also received their scrolls.
“Awards were presented to 18 graduates from Master’s programmes, comprising 13 from Master of Business Administration (International), four from Master of Engineering (Research) and one from Master of Arts (TESOL). A PhD was also awarded during the ceremony.
“This group of graduates comprised Malaysian students and students from around the world, including Indonesia, Australia, Bangladesh, Japan, South Korea, Mauritius, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea and Sri Lanka,” Lam added.
Deputy Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh was present at the ceremony to support his daughter Nur Baizura Talif @ Len, who was graduating with a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Civil).
Len, who was also a former member of the Swinburne Sarawak Board of Directors, said he felt proud of his daughter’s effort and commitment throughout the years.
“As a father, I advise all Sarawakians or Malaysians as a whole to use Swinburne as a platform to further their studies. In terms of cost, it would be a third of the cost in Australia – the advantage is that you would get an Australian degree regardless,” he said.
Swinburne Sarawak Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer Ir Professor Lau Hieng Ho congratulated all graduates and their parents on their success.
“We have more than 3,000 students now. After the Covid-19 pandemic, our student numbers have continued to grow and we hope we will be able to reach 5,000 students in the future. With support from the Sarawak government, we have invested RM50 million into our campus upgrades.
“All of these new and upgraded facilities are for our students to enjoy a world-class campus in Kuching,” he said.
He also said that over the last two years as well as this year, Swinburne Sarawak has been rolling out new courses such as the Bachelor of Quantity Surveying (Honours) and Bachelor of Media and Communication.
He added that students would also be able to access the range of courses offered by Swinburne’s home campus in Melbourne.
Valedictorian Vania Lim, who graduated with a Bachelor of Business (Accounting and Finance), said her journey at Swinburne Sarawak was wholesome.
“It was a roller coaster ride with many ups and down. The successes, failures, learning, rewards and growth I have experienced in Swinburne have made my journey wholesome.
“I hope to apply the abilities and learning I have gained here at Swinburne in my future career to build a better world,” she said.
The graduation ceremony was presided by Swinburne University of Technology Chancellor Professor John Pollaers OAM.
Presenting the awards to the graduates were Professor Pollaers and Swinburne Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Pascale Quester.
Also present was Swinburne Deputy Vice-Chancellor (External Engagement) Professor Simon Ridings and other guests.
