KUCHING – It was a day of celebration for almost 700 graduating students, their friends and families when they were conferred awards at the graduation ceremony of Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus on Monday, 28 October.
Bill Scales AO, Chancellor of Swinburne University, conferred the awards on 696 in business, computing, engineering, design and science, at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching.
Among them were three PhD graduates: Ng Lee Tze in the field of biotechnology, and Hudyjaya Siswoyo Jo and Ekhlas Aboud Osman Al Bahadly in the field of engineering.
“I would like to thank Swinburne for giving me the chance to pursue my doctorate under the postgraduate scholarship program, my project supervisors for their guidance throughout my PhD journey, and not forgetting my family who supported and encouraged me,” said Hudyjaya, from Pontianak, Indonesia.
A total of 573 students graduated with a bachelor’s degree, 38 master degrees and 82 diplomas. Graduating among them were the university’s first batch of 18 Bachelor of Design (Graphic Design) and seven MA (TESOL) students.
Graduating together were three siblings – Aimi Ruzanna, Alif Nasrun and Safiqa Affandi. Aimi and Alif were awarded engineering degrees while Safiqa received a biotechnology degree.
“I think it’s pretty cool that we are graduating together. Few siblings can say they’ve done that. I’m sure it’s pretty hectic for the whole family but that just makes it more fulfilling and interesting,” said Alif, 25, prior to the ceremony.
In congratulating the graduate, Scales encouraged them to keep in touch as Swinburne alumni.
“I would also encourage you to keep in touch with your alma mater through Swinburne Alumni. At graduation you automatically become lifelong members of Swinburne Alumni, and this is one way of keeping in touch with your faculty after you leave the University. Swinburne Alumni also has a growing number of chapters in other parts of the world.
“So even if you are leaving Sarawak, you can continue your participation in Swinburne activities,” he said.
“You graduate today with a deep understanding of your discipline and an appreciation of the expectations of your chosen profession,” said Professor Linda Kristjanson, Vice-Chancellor and President of Swinburne, prior to delivering the Charge to the graduates.
She said that Swinburne graduates also gain distinctive attributes such as essential generic skills and the ability to problem-solve, communicate and work effectively in teams.
“I am sure that you will use your qualifications successfully – both in the profession you have chosen – and in the future prosperity and well-being of your community.”
One of the greatest benefits of achieving a qualification from Swinburne, Kristjanson said, is the opportunity to meet and study with people from different countries and cultures.
“Friendships developed can be life-long and mutually beneficial to your career and your country’s development.”
At the ceremony, corporate and industry awards from CPA Australia, Ernst & Young, Crowe Horwath, Yayasan Sarawak, KPMG Tax Services Sdn Bhd, Sarawak Energy Berhad, Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd, Naim Land Sdn Bhd, Sarawak Oil Palms Bhd, Three Gorges Development Company (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, The Pansar Group, and X-Fab Sarawak Sdn Bhd, were also presented.