PENANG: Wawasan Open University (WOU), in recognising the contributions of Malaysia’s eminent archaeologist in a career spanning over five decades, will confer the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humanities on Emeritus Prof Dato’ Dr Zuraina Abdul Majid, at its Convocation ceremony to be held on 25 and 26 November 2023.

In making the announcement today, WOU’s Board of Governors Chairman Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon commended “the nation’s first professionally trained archaeologist”.

He stressed, “This prestigious accolade recognises her pioneering work in Malaysian archaeological research and many outstanding contributions to the preservation and promotion of Malaysia’s rich prehistoric past and cultural heritage.”

He highlighted her ground-breaking discoveries at archaeological sites, including the Niah Caves in Sarawak, the 10,000-year-old intact skeleton of the “Perak Man”, and Kota Tampan, a 74,000-year-old Paleolithic stone tool site in Lenggong Valley, Perak.

“Dr Zuraina was instrumental in many ways in helping Melaka and George Town to be successfully added as Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca on the much-coveted UNESCO World Heritage List in 2008,” he said.

He added that it was especially significant to award her the honorary degree in the year that George Town’s status as a heritage site celebrates its 15th anniversary.

He said Dr Zuraina, 79, still remains active, lending her expertise as a Fellow of the Academy of Sciences, Malaysia, as well as being the heritage advisor to the Sultan of Selangor. She is also a firm supporter of WOU’s “Culture” pillar within its strategic plan.

The Kuala Lumpur born and bred archaeologist received her Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Studies from Universiti Malaya, and the Master of Arts in Oriental Studies from the University of Cambridge, UK.

WOU Chief Executive and Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Lily Chan announced that WOU will be producing 10 graduates from the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) programme, since it was accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) in November last year.

She said that the dissertations of the DBA candidates were based on their leadership roles and work experiences in such industries as manufacturing, hospitality and IT. Through their research findings, these DBA graduates are not only able to contribute to their respective fields but also to the community at large, impacting policies and regulations.

Among the DBA graduates is valedictorian Ir Dr Bernard Lim Kee Weng, 50. He is the Chief Operating Officer in Penang of Appscard Group AS, a technology startup company from Norway.

Jimmy Chow Kong Fatt, 67, a veteran hotelier from Kuala Lumpur, will also be receiving his DBA degree. Chow has been a consultant director for the past eight years at Hotel Concept Consultancy, where he provides advisory services for hotel start-ups and rebranding initiatives, and conducts training programmes on hotel management. Mr E Swee Yong, 53, is the managing director of Junzo Sdn Bhd, in Puchong, Selangor.

DBA recipient Gurjit Singh Harbans Singh, 49, is the Director of Quality Management at B Braun Medical Industries, Penang. Another, Mr Ong Hoong Aan, 57, from Ulu Tiram, Johor, works as a supervisor at AMB Packaging Pte Ltd, a paper containers manufacturing company in Singapore. He already holds a Commonwealth Executive MBA (CeMBA) degree from WOU.

Prof Chan highlighted that this year’s Convocation will produce 803 graduates, the majority of whom are working adults who earn while they learn. This total comprises 172 from the postgraduate programmes and 631 from the undergraduate programmes, increasing the alumni strength to 8,081. Eighty percent (80%) of the 2023 graduates are 40 years and below.

She pointed out that the popular programmes with the highest number of graduates are the Bachelor of Business (Hons) in Accounting (92) and the Commonwealth Executive MBA (82).

She also announced the three medal award winners. Venothkumar Selvarajoo, 35, of Kuala Lumpur, will receive the Tun Dr. Lim Chong Eu Memorial Gold Prize from WOU for being the best postgraduate open distance learning (ODL) student. He is a graduate of the MBA in Construction Management (MBACM) programme. He works with SSF Ingenieure AG as an expert in traction power supply, and is presently involved in the electrified standard gauge railway project in Tanzania.

The recipient of the Chancellor’s Gold Medal for top open distance learning (ODL) student at the undergraduate-level is Phang Jing Mei, 40, of Penang, who is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Psychology (BAPS) degree.  She runs her own baking business after having left her job as an Account Relationship Manager in an MNC gas company to concentrate on her degree studies.

The Tun Dr. Lim Keng Yaik Memorial Gold Prize for top full-time degree programme student goes to Janice Lim Ee Lin, 24, of Penang. She works as a junior software engineer at MYwave Sdn Bhd in Gelugor after having successfully completed the Bachelor of Software Engineering (Hons) degree.

Lim Hooi Jun, 27, of Penang is the winner of the inaugural LogM award from The Society of Logisticians Malaysia, for being the top student of the Bachelor of Business (Hons) in Logistics and Supply Chain Management (BBLC) programme. 

Contact:        

Rasidah Mion,
Corporate Communications Manager
[email protected] 
019 314 2003