The graduation ceremony held on 29th May was yet another standard set by JCU Singapore.
Chancellor, Lieutenant General John Grey AC gave the official welcome address to 1100 guest and graduates attending the ceremony at the Island Ballroom, Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore.
The graduates were from the Faculty of Law, Business and the Creative Arts and the Faculty of Arts, Education and Social Sciences.
Degrees were awarded to 298 graduates in the following areas: Bachelor of Business, Bachelor of Information Technology, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Psychology, Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology, Master of Psychology, Master of Guidance and Counselling, Master of Business Administration, Master of International Tourism and Hospitality Management, Master of Information Technology, and joint Master of Information Technology-Master of Business Administration.
There were a number of memorable moments at this year graduation. One was Ms. Tan Yee Pin who received both the Top Student by Course and University Top Student awards with the highest GPA of 6.63. She is a mother of 4, (she gave birth to her fourth child just days before the graduation) and has a full time job. This shows that with will power and dedication everything is possible.
This year, there were 8 students who received top student course awards for their respective course and an additional 9 students who received both the Academic Medal award and 3 top student awards.
Ms Emily Pakivathy d/o Paul Thiyagaraj who received the top student award for Master of Business Administration offered some meaningful words on behalf of the graduates. She encouraged all graduates to thank their parents, family members, lecturers /staff members and friends without whom their achievements would not have been possible. She also shared her own experience, as a wife, a mother and a student back studying and pursuing her dreams.
Ambassador Mark Hong gave the occasional address at the ceremony. He is currently the Vice-Chairman of the International Committee of the Singapore Business Federation, and a Visiting Research Fellow at Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.
The Vice Chancellor and President of James Cook University Australia, Professor Sandra Harding gave the closing address and congratulated the graduates on their achievement. She mentioned that by completing their course, they have proved their capability. She also encouraged them to develop qualities such as dedication, hard work and creative thinking to contribute to society in an important way.
Other special guests attending the event were Mr. Loh Hoon Sun, Chair of Australian Alumni Singapore and Dr. Anton Albas , First Secretary (Education) Australian High Commission.
After the ceremony, graduates and their family member happily took photographs to capture the special moments. “We did it”, said a group of Business graduates who were posing for their best shot in graduation robes.
JCU Singapore will continue to focus on providing high quality Australian education and producing graduates who are ready for the work force.
Congratulations again to all graduates.