University of Ballarat Graduation in Kuala Lumpur, October 2004

34 students who completed the Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Business (Marketing) received their testamurs from Professor Kerry Cox, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ballarat, at a ceremony at the Palace of the Flying Horses in Kuala Lumpur on Monday 11 October 2004. The guest of honour was the Minister for Higher Education, Y.B.Dato’ Dr. Hj. Shafie Hj. Mohd Salleh. The convocation was also addressed by a student from this year’s graduates, Ms Anita Janaki Saminathan.

At the ceremony the Vice Chancellor congratulated the students and wished them well for the future. The University was immensely proud of its students in Malaysia and was delighted to be able to work with the Metro and Proactive Advantage group in the delivery of University of Ballarat programs in Malaysia. The Vice Chancellor noted that University of Ballarat students were recognised for their hard work, initiative and personal success. In a business world of uncertainty and change, University of Ballarat graduates would also remember the importance of ethics in business and flexibility in the face of rapid change.

 The Minister emphasised the importance in Malaysia of education and training. He congratulated the students on their success and asked them to remember the importance of core values in their business and personal lives. Many of the important social values that underpin society are also the values that are critical to business success. The world faced difficult economic and political challenges but Malaysia was well placed to meet these with its well trained, multi - cultural and tolerant society. The Minister extended his good wishes to the University and congratulated Metro on their excellent work as an education provider.

Professor Lowe wished the students welcome in Bahasa Malaysian He identified seven key principles for success that had as much to do with common sense and good judgment as with business theory. Importantly, Professor Lowe emphasised that good ideas are only valuable if they are practised and that all UB graduates should have the vision and foresight to look forward to the future, and the wisdom to learn from the past. Congratulations to the graduates ended with a ‘poem’:

Menimba ilmu bersama rakan
Impian nyata akan terjadi
Selamat tinggal kami uchapkan
Semoga ingatan kekal abadi

Anita, the student speaker, spoke to the convocation on behalf of all students. She reminded them of the friendships they had made during their study, and thanked their families for the support they had given. They were all proud to be students of the University of Ballarat, and thanked their lecturers, the staff of Proactive Advantage/ Metro and the University, for the sound foundation their degree provided them in a rapidly changing world.

The Vice Chancellor then delivered the traditional charge to the graduates:

To apply with energy, integrity and purpose your knowledge and skills and to advance these appropriately by study and enquiry.
To use your understanding and talents to enhance the environment in which you work and the community in which you live.
And to uphold at all times the good name of the University.

The ceremony ended and later the faculty, guests and students enjoyed a wonderful evening of good food, traditional dance and friendship.

For Alumni members who would like to see more photos of the celebration, please go to the Photo Album page in the Member Area.