The 2019 graduating class of Campbell University graduands.

 (From left) Assoc Prof Dr Loke Chui Fung, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences, Assoc Prof Dr Scott Paulson, Ng Ming Xian, Prof Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei, Chong Yao Seng, Michelle Lee Li Yen, Dr Mark Hammond and Dr Michael Wells.  

A sense of euphoria filled the air when graduands of this year’s TAR UC Dual Award programme with Campbell University celebrated their graduation at the annual Convocation Ceremony held at the Kuala Lumpur Main Campus on 2 November 2019.

Each of them felt a genuine sense of pride as they received their scrolls from Dr Mark Hammond, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost of Campbell University who flew all the way from the United States for this occasion.

Also present at this joyous occasion were Prof Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei, President of TAR UC, Assoc Prof Dr Ng Swee Chin, Assoc Prof Say Sok Kwan and Assoc Prof Dr Oo Pou San, Vice Presidents of TAR UC, and other members of the senior management of TAR UC. With them were Dr Michael Wells, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Campbell University and Assoc Prof Dr Scott Paulson, External Examiner for the Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Applied Physics (Instrumentation) programme.

In his graduation address, Dr Hammond praised the graduands for their determination and tenacity. “Congratulations to all graduands gathered here today! You have truly earned your degrees, for you have put in hours of hard work, and you have accomplished so much and grown in so many ways,” he said. “Each of you is uniquely prepared to excel in the workforce with your dual degree. I have every confidence that you will go on to lead lives of purpose and meaning.”

Excellence Awards were bestowed on the students who finished at the top of their class in the Bachelor of Science examination. The following shows the award winners for this year:

Ming Xian, a Bachelor of Science Major in Software Systems Development graduate said he was grateful to his lecturers for providing him with guidance throughout his academic journey. “Whenever I ran into difficulties during my studies, my lecturers were always there to give me guidance to help me overcome the obstacles. With the support from my lecturers, I was able to stay focused on my studies and strive for excellent academic results,” he said.

“Stay passionate. If you don’t have passion in what you do, it is likely that you won’t be able to hold on for long,” Ming Xian said when asked for some useful advice for his juniors.

Michelle, a Bachelor of Science Major in Analytical Chemistry graduate shared that she pushed herself to her limits to see what she could achieve. “I have a determination to achieve what I have put my mind to. The assurance and confidence that my family, teachers and lecturers have towards me have also motivated me to always strive for the best,” she said. “The most important thing that I have learned is perseverance.  There were times when I faced some very stressful and challenging moments during my studies, but these were the times when I learned to persist and persevere in spite of the difficulties in order to achieve my goals.”

Yao Seng, a Bachelor of Science Major in Sports and Exercise Science graduate said that the one important lesson he learned from his studies was learning to work with people from different backgrounds. “I have learnt to work well with different people with various skillsets. It is challenging to work with people with different mindsets, thinking and perspectives. Finding the middle ground and working with everyone towards a common goal is an amazing feat in itself. My academic journey has taught me valuable people skills, and ultimately, this will serve me well in the working world.”

A total of 84 graduates successfully fulfilled the requirements for graduation in this year’s Campbell University convocation.