KUCHING – A total of 284 graduates of Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus proudly marked the official culmination of their higher education journey by receiving their scrolls at the university’s graduation ceremony held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching on 17 October 2023.
The momentous ceremony saw awards conferred to 243 undergraduates. Of these, 114 students graduated with a degree in the field of business, 55 in engineering, 53 in computing, 11 in design and 3 in science. There were also three graduates from the university’s first cohort of the Bachelor of Media and Communication. Two students graduated with a double degree in engineering and computer science, one with a double degree in engineering and business and one with a double degree in laws and business. Thirteen graduates of the Diploma of Business Management received their scrolls.
A total of 19 students graduated with their Master’s degrees. These included five from the Master of Business Administration (International), six from the Master of Construction Management, three from the Master of Engineering (Research), three from the Master of Arts (TESOL), and one each from the Master of Business (Research) and Master of Science (Research).
In addition, nine Doctor of Philosophy graduates received their awards in the fields of business, engineering, science as well as humanities, arts and social sciences.
Of the 284 graduates, 2 pursued their studies at the university’s home campus in Melbourne, Australia.
Notably, an Honorary Doctorate was conferred to Datuk Wan Ali Tuanku Yubi, a member of Swinburne Sarawak’s Board of Directors and Council. In addition to having an extensive and distinguished career of public service in Malaysia, he has had a long association with Swinburne and was instrumental in the establishment and development of the Sarawak campus.
The Honorary Doctorate awarded to Datuk Wan Ali symbolised Swinburne’s recognition of the strong support he has provided in the formation and development of the university’s Sarawak campus and his long and distinguished service to Sarawak through his leadership.
The ceremony was attended not only by Malaysian graduates but also those from an array of countries, including Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mauritius, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates and United Kingdom.
Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg (front, left) presents a scroll to a graduate.
Valedictorian Ann Marie Teng May Cing, who graduated with a Bachelor of Design (Multimedia Design), reflected on her Swinburne journey and said it had taught her to break her boundaries and explore beyond her expectations, through the ups and downs. Although graduating felt surreal to her, she also experienced exceeding joy, knowing that she had completed another milestone alongside those who had journeyed with her throughout the years at Swinburne Sarawak.
“My years in Swinburne Sarawak were invaluable, as not only did I gain knowledge and skills, but I was also blessed to have met so many people who have shaped me into the person I am today, and they have shared many unforgettable moments with me,” she said.
Ann said that some of her favourite memories at Swinburne Sarawak were volunteering and organising events during her years with the university’s Student Council, Student Life Volunteering Program as well as Clubs and Societies.
“It was definitely the joy of meeting new people, learning from one another through the experiences and celebrating everyone’s uniqueness along the way,” she said.
“After graduating, I hope that I will continue to grow and evolve as a person, not only through my skills but also to continue to cultivate good values and morals. I hope to be passionate and give my all in every pursuit. Most importantly, I hope that through my skills and knowledge, I will be able to contribute to the world – be it big or small; to touch lives and change hearts for the greater good,” she remarked.
Sharing words of encouragement for her fellow graduates, Ann said, “This is a milestone worth every celebration, but do not forget to celebrate ‘you’ in every possible way. Be unapologetically you; explore, try out new things, pursue your passions – even the wildest and craziest dreams. Just go for it and live your one and only life filled with zeal and gratitude, live boldly and love truly!”
The graduation ceremony was graced by Sarawak Premier and Pro-Chancellor of Swinburne Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg and presided over by Swinburne University of Technology Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Pascale Quester. Both presented the awards to the graduates.
Swinburne is an Australian university based in Melbourne, Australia. It is ranked among the Top 1% of universities globally in the QS World University Rankings 2024 and the latest Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU). Swinburne Sarawak has been recognised as one of the country’s Top 10 Preferred Private Universities by JobStreet.com.
For more information on Swinburne Sarawak, visit its website (www.swinburne.edu.my), Facebook page (@swinburnesarawak), Instagram page (@swinburnesarawak), Twitter page (@Swinburne_Swk), TikTok page (@swinburnesarawak) or YouTube channel (Swinburne Sarawak).