Frontiers is One!
Read More »
Applying Science into Our Daily Lives
How do we apply scientific formulas or theories into our daily lives? According to Associate Professor Dr Hon Wei Min, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences at UCSI University,
Read More »
happenings
Kuala Lumpur International Dragon Boat Festival
By Edrea Sun Since its inception many hundred years ago, the dragon boat race had traditionally drawn huge crowds in the thousands comprising rowers, supporters, foreign tourists, curious onlookers and locals alike. This time around the festival has come early and was held at the Kepong Metropolitan Lake Garden, the first ever water activity held
Read More »
Leisure & Lifestyle
Nocturne:Five Stories of Music and Nightfall
By Khoo Kok Kian Nocturne is derived from the French word, Noctunal and from Latin, Nocturnus. People usually interpret it as a music piece which is inspired by night. A very famous classical music piece by Frederic Chopin was also named based on this word. Kazuo Ishiguro, a prominent author, who is also penned The
Read More »
Talk To Us
By Conrad Edmund Bateman Mitch Albom once said that, “The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.” In conjunction with a yearlong celebration of UCSI University’s Silver Jubilee, the
"Light UP Lives Charity"
Congratulations and Celebrations!
By Farezza Rashid
The number of UCSI University graduates increase year by year. 24th July 2010 saw UCSI University graduating more than a thousand, 1,700 of its students in its 23rd Convocation Ceremony. That was the biggest batch of graduates by far; so big that for the first time the ceremony had to be split into two sessions, one in the morning and another in the afternoon.
Before 8am cars were already filling up the parking spaces of the UCSI University South Wing; by the roadside outside the campus gates, car boots burst with bouquets of flowers and graduation teddy bears for sale; and families sat here and there eating breakfasts of packed nasi lemak or fried rice cooked at home. For families from as far away Africa and China, McDonald’s take-away was the choice. On this special day, punctuality to see a loved one receive the scroll comes before the most important meal of the day.
The morning session was for the Faculty of Applied Sciences, the Faculty of Medical Sciences and the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. At 8.45am the emcees gave out the general announcements for the smooth running of the ceremony; no walking around, no taking pictures, no clapping when you’re not supposed to.
Gamelan
Despite the chaos it might have been in the dressing rooms, the graduands looked flawless as they marched into the Dewan Tan Sri Ahmad Razali (DeTSAR) with their heads held high and the best smiles on their faces, accompanied by live gamelan music. Parents’ heads bobbed up and down trying to look for their young graduands who proudly carried their school colors of pink, green, blue and red hoods on black robes.
The stage party arrived, walking in their respective robes; Deans of Faculties, Members of the University Council, Vice Chancellor Dr. Robert Bong, followed by UCSI University’s Chancellor Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. Abdul Rahman Arshad who came in with the mace bearer.
After the singing of the national anthem, Negaraku, Vice Chancellor Dr. Robert Bong gave an inspirational speech, addressing the graduands and calling them to ‘take on the world.’
“UCSI gave you wings, now it’s time for you to fly.” They have anticipated this day with sweat-dripping hard work and eye-straining sleepless nights. It has all paid off; sitting in the DeTSAR that morning were future medical doctors, nurses and researchers.
The scroll presentation ceremony then started with the Faculty of Applied Sciences, followed by the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Faculty of Medical Sciences. Upon receiving their scrolls, the graduands became graduates.
The ceremony was then given a refreshing performance by the band from UCSI University’s very own School of Music. They beautifully delivered inspirational songs by Michael Bolton, Go the Distance and Jaclyn Victor’s Gemilang that had undoubtedly touched everyone in the hall.
Valedictorian
The Faculty of Applied Sciences also produced UCSI University’s 2010 Valedictorian, Sahadeva A/L Prem Kumar, who received his degree with First Class Honors in Bachelor of Science (Hons.) Food Science and Nutrition. In his heartwarming Valedictorian speech, Sahadeva expressed his gratitude to his lecturers who have put up with him, his proud parents who sat in the front row, his classmates who made him push himself harder and his loving girlfriend who always supported him.
The first session ended at 11am with the stage party leaving the hall following the mace bearer. The graduates remained in the DeTSAR for a photography session while parents proceeding to block A for refreshments.
The second session of the Convocation Ceremony was held in the afternoon for graduands of the Faculty of Music, Social Sciences & Design, Faculty of Engineering, Architecture & Built Environment and Faculty of Management and Information Technology, which had the biggest number of graduands this year.
The graduans
There was a little bit of havoc as there was a shortage of chairs for the guests; there were twice as many graduands for the afternoon session therefore twice as many guests. Parents, grandparents and little siblings were standing at the door looking for seats for their parties, until the convocation committee managed to find more chairs for everyone. They even had to open a new section for the families where the graduands were to have their photography session once they became graduates.
Light pink, purple, silver, red and yellow hooded graduands marched in and filled the seats; heads turning, eyes rolling wildly, and some were even on their cellular phones looking for their families; which they were told not to do during the briefing.
The ceremony was almost a reenactment of the morning session. Dr. Robert Bong did alter his speech a little, however, mentioning that sitting in that hall were future writers, businessmen, creative thinkers; the people who add color to the society.
Although everyone obeyed the instructions of staying in their seats and not taking pictures, the official photographers were all over the place with their big Nikons, Canons and Olympuses, walking around capturing the invaluable moments for the graduates, parents as well as the lecturers.
The closing of the ceremony saw the university’s Chancellor Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. Abdul Rahman Arshad take the podium for his closing address. Clad in his red velvet robe with prints of the university’s insignia over a handsome suit, he reminded the graduates that it was indeed a happy day, not only for them but for everybody that has had a role in their educational life; from the parents who gave them their first education at home, to the kindergarten teachers who taught them the ABC and 123; the teachers who taught them how to read, write and count who do not see them today to the lecturers in the university who have helped shape the people that they are today, are all happy for them on that day. How high we have flown, it is very important to remember those who had first taught us how to use our wings in the beginning.
Our heartiest congratulations to all graduates, now geared with all the instruments that they need to carry on their shoulders to take on the real world.
The stage party
