150 Conferred Master Awards by University of the Sunshine Coast
 |
| USC Graduates |
|
19 November 2007 It was a day to remember for the graduates and their families as they walked up the stage to be conferred with the Master of Business Administration and Master of Financial Planning from Professor John M. Dobson, Chancellor of the University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia. Faces beaming with happiness were seen everywhere as parents, spouses and friends of the 150 graduates shared in the joyous moment in a ceremony held in Kuala Lumpur recently. “Congratulations to all the graduates who have successfully received their awards today. I hope that your graduation does not end your relationship with the university but that rather you will always see yourself as part of the family of the University of Sunshine Coast,” said Professor Dobson. Emotions were high when Professor Dobson asked the graduates to applaud their families for their sacrifices in providing the best education for their children or families. It was evident that the hardship endured by the graduates has finally paid off as they stepped onto stage to receive their scrolls. The achievement was especially unique for graduates Hen Pei Yei, Jamila Binti A Mohamed Farithullah Khan and Lau Meei Jiun who were awarded the Dean Award. “I never expected to receive the Dean Award, but I was definitely hoping. To find out that I’m running for the award on the graduation day was indeed a sweet pleasure that I will cherish forever,” smiled Jamila, clearly ecstatic with her accomplishment. |
Overwhelmed by her achievement, Lau Meei Jiun was clearly enjoying the moment of her success. Equally ecstatic, Hen Pei Yei could not stop smiling. “I certainly did not expect that I will be in the list for the Dean Award. It is unbelievable! I was really surprised when I saw my name highlighted among the lucky three as Dean Award recipients while signing the registration list!”
When asked, Jamila, who works as a Chief Stewardess in Malaysian Airlines, confessed, “I used to be married to my job before but in doing MBA, it was like falling in love again. Now they are both are great inspirations in my life. The programme has made me a better 'people manager' and improved my skills in liaising with different level of people from all walks of life. I am now more confident every time I meet people of higher statute.”
Sharing her secret of success, Pei Yei who is working in the banking industry said, “I could not have gone through this if not for my husband, who is also taking the same MBA programme. Every time before taking on assessment tasks, I will spend half the time on research. Honestly, I always face mental blocks and my husband is always there to help me through it. I also have regular discussions with my other course mates because group discussion is one of the best methods to generate ideas.”
The University of the Sunshine Coast is one of the fastest growing of Australia’s 38 public universities. With a current enrolment of around 5,000 students, USC is expected to double in size by 2008-2009. USC is committed to international standards in learning and teaching and in research.
The 2008 Good Universities Guide has described the USC as a five-star performer. The recently-published Guide awarded top marks (five stars) for USC’s staff qualifications, teaching quality, and graduates’ satisfaction with the generic skills they gained while at the University.
USC also scored impressive results (four stars) for graduate employment, overall satisfaction, gender balance and for access by equity groups.
The USC programme is offered through SMRC Learning Alliance Sdn Bhd. To find out more about programmes offered through SMRC Learning Alliance Sdn Bhd, call its offices located at Kuala Lumpur (03-2070 8310), Subang Jaya (03-8023 2616) and Penang (04-250 5357).