KUCHING: Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus celebrated 594 of its graduates at the university’s third graduation ceremony of the year held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today.
The ceremony saw the conferment of awards to 549 undergraduates, comprising 276 in the field of business, 145 in engineering, 72 in computer science, 34 in design, 15 in information and communications technology and seven in biotechnology.
Meanwhile, nine graduates from the Diploma of Business Management received their scrolls.
Awards were also presented to 18 graduates from the Master of Business Administration (International), 10 from Master of Arts (TESOL), three from Master of Science (Research) and a graduate from the Master of Engineering (Research).
Four graduates were conferred Doctor of Philosophy awards in engineering, science and business.
The graduation ceremony was presided by Professor Simon Ridings, Deputy Vice Chancellor, External Engagement, Swinburne University of Technology.
Both Professor Ridings and Swinburne Sarawak Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer Ir Professor Lau Hieng Ho presented the awards to the graduating students.
The group of graduates consisted of Malaysian students as well as international students from Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Brunei Darussalam, Bangladesh, India, Jamaica, Sudan and Myanmar.
Valedictorian Diana Choo Chung Yiing, who graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy (Science) described Swinburne Sarawak as a place she held near and dear to her heart- having spent over 10 years at the university from commencing her foundation studies to leaving with her PhD.
“I believe that my choice to keep furthering my studies with Swinburne Sarawak speaks for itself. Swinburne Sarawak has provided me with opportunities and platforms to grow in ways I never thought I could, allowing me to discover my capabilities.
“The relationship fostered with my friends, supervisors, and colleagues have made me feel like I truly have a Swinburne family,” she said.
Meanwhile, another valedictorian who graduated with a Bachelor of Business (Human Resource Management) Karen Patrick Lai said she had a diverse, memorable and welcoming experience at Swinburne Sarawak.
“I like how Swinburne Sarawak takes the initiative to host events that relate to important global issues like mental health, sustainability and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as well as fun events revolving around music, culture, sports and art.
The student community is racially and culturally diverse, so we are exposed to different perspectives and people from around the world.
“I gained plenty of knowledge and practical skills from my courses. Our passionate lecturers never settled for average and set the bar high so that we could produce our best work and emerge as our best selves.
This journey has not been an easy one, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, but I am forever grateful to my friends, teachers and family who helped me through these challenging years,” said Karen.
