142 Graduates from the University of the Sunshine Coast

Dean Award winners with the platform party! (L-R) Ramesh Pathamanathan – Principal of SEGi College PJ, Hew Moi Lan – Principal of SEGi College KL, John McKelvey – Regional Director of USC, Anastasia Tan Pei Pei – Dean's Award recipient, Ong Khai Sheong - Dean's Award recipient, Professor Paul Thomas – Vice Chancellor of USC, Doris Pamela Alexius – Head of Academics SEGi KL, and Lee Kok Cheng – Principal of SEGi College SJ.

18th November 2006 The University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) award ceremony was held in Kuala Lumpur for its Malaysian graduates today. A total of 142 graduates were conferred with their diplomas, 136 of which are awarded the Master of Business Administration degree and 6 with the Master of Financial Planning. Leading the academic procession is Vice Chancellor Professor Paul Thomas. “It is indeed a great pleasure to celebrate the achievement of our students. This occasion is also to commemorate the academic achievement of three graduates who have been elected to receive the Dean Award,” said Professor Thomas. Awarded the Dean Award are graduates Anastasia Tan Pei Pei, Ong Khai Sheong and Lim Wen Cheon. When asked, Ong said happily, ”Thankful to God that I have managed to get this award.  Although I was extremely busy with work, somehow miracles happen.  Therefore I am thankful for that. Besides, I have to say thank you to my family, colleagues, lecturers and friends.”

The University of the Sunshine Coast is one of the fastest growing of Australia 's 38 public universities. With a current enrolment of around 4,000 students, USC is expected to double in size by 2008-2009. USC is committed to international standards in learning and teaching and in research.

USC is committed to international standards in learning and teaching and in research. The independent ‘Good Universities Guide', which evaluates the performance of all of Australia 's universities in a range of categories, has given USC national recognition with the maximum five-star rating for student satisfaction. This rating is based on the views of students, who are in the best position to judge the quality of learning and teaching at USC.

On teaching quality, conveying important generic skills, attracting a high proportion of school leavers, getting a job, and gender balance, USC is one of the country's highest achieving universities with five-star ratings.

The University has been delivering the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and the Master of Financial Planning (MFP) since August 2002 in Malaysia .

“These innovative online programmes offered by the Faculty of Business at USC incorporate the latest trends in international business education. As part of our commitment to providing high quality, globally-relevant education the Faculty of Business is a member of two international business school networks: the European Foundation for Management Development (efmd) and the Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The Faculty is currently undergoing international accreditation with AACSB,” said Professor Thomas.

“A challenge I must say due to the travelling nature of my job.  When I was pursuing my MBA, I remembered I had to do my research work during my travels,” said Ong.

“Work and study at the same time is definitely not a fun way to spend my time. However, I was willing to make sacrifices of my time spent with friends and family members to do this programme. I usually do my research and studies during the weekend when I have more time. During the weekdays, I'll also try and do as much as I can although sometimes it's quite impossible due to my commitment at work,” said Jelita Ling, one of the graduates of the University of Sunshine Coast.

For students who study part-time, have busy jobs and family needs also, this completion rate is a great testimony to their diligence and perseverance. These students are all adult learners who have great motivation and high standards of English and who already know much about the world of business.

“Not only did they want to learn more about the ways of modern international business, they are anxious to apply this knowledge to make their contribution to their companies and their nation, “adds Professor Thomas.