WOU proudly celebrated the success of 805 graduates at its 15th Convocation, held recently on 23 and 24 November 2024 at its main campus. This event marks a significant and rewarding milestone for these working adults, who demonstrated exceptional discipline and perseverance in earning their degrees while balancing the demands of their careers, personal lives, and numerous responsibilities. It is a testament to WOU’s unwavering commitment to providing accessible higher education and upskilling opportunities, empowering adult learners to achieve their ambitions and advance in their professional journeys.

A group of graduates proudly holding their scrolls, beaming with joy.

This year’s graduating cohort, comprising 160 postgraduates and 645 undergraduates, represents a dynamic and diverse group of individuals from various industries, including business, technology, and healthcare. They join WOU’s thriving alumni network, now surpassing 8,800 members.

The School of Business and Administration leads the way with 486 graduates, underscoring the university’s strong foundation in business education. Notably, 77% of this year’s graduates are under the age of 40, reflecting WOU’s steadfast commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders and innovators who are poised to drive change and make meaningful contributions to their fields.

Prof Chan addressing guests, graduates, and parent during the first session.

Professor Dr Lily Chan, Chief Executive and Vice Chancellor of WOU, highlighted the university’s impact: “Our graduates are living proof that ambition, coupled with opportunity and support, can lead to incredible achievements. WOU is committed to equipping working adults with the tools they need to unlock their potential and excel in today’s dynamic world.”

Tan Sri Dr Koh highlights on the importance of life-long learning to the graduates.

Addressing graduates in the fourth session, Chairman of WOU’s Board of Governors, Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon urged them to “cultivate the spirit of life-long learning, a positive attitude and skills to continually learn new knowledge, ideas and skills”, particularly with the advent of AI, automation, and robotisation, which create new job opportunities and new skill requirements.

Recognising Academic Excellence

Beh Jia Ai, awardee of the prestigious Tun Dr Lim Keng Yaik Memorial Gold Prize and Goh Shyh Khye, recipient of the WOU Best Student Award.

WOU celebrated the remarkable achievements of its top graduates, whose hard work and dedication have set them apart:

  • Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Memorial Gold Prize: Ooi Soo San, a Commonwealth Executive Master of Business Administration (CEMBA) graduate and Business Support Executive at Bayer, recognised for her outstanding academic performance and leadership potential.
  • Chancellor’s Gold Medal: Kee Guo Hau, a Bachelor of Information Technology (Hons) in Networking graduate, currently excelling as a Senior Infrastructure Support Engineer at a multinational company.
  • Tun Dr Lim Keng Yaik Memorial Gold Prize: Beh Jia Ai, a Bachelor of Business (Hons) in Accounting graduate, commended for her precision and professionalism in her role as a Tax Executive.
  • WOU Best Student Award: Goh Shyh Khye, a Bachelor of Business (Hons) in Logistics and Supply Chain Management graduate, making his mark as an Air Pricing Executive at APEX Logistics International in China.

These graduates exemplify WOU’s commitment to academic excellence and the development of industry-ready professionals.

Honouring a Visionary Leader in Business and Technology

Dato’ Seri Lai receives his award from Tan Sri Dr Koh.

This year’s convocation was further distinguished by the conferment of the Honorary Doctor of Business Administration degree on Dato’ Seri Ir Lai Pin Yong, an influential leader in the global semiconductor industry. His visionary leadership and transformative contributions have not only propelled the industry but also significantly impacted education and talent development, both in Malaysia and internationally.

With an illustrious career spanning over 50 years, Dato’ Seri Lai has led pioneering initiatives at both Intel Malaysia and Motorola China, including the establishment of Intel’s integrated circuit (IC) design centre and microcontroller business unit in Penang, and positioning Motorola as a leading foreign investor in China. To help realise the National Semiconductor Strategy, he endeavours to champion the upskilling of Malaysia’s semiconductor sector, focusing on transforming the local industry from back-end processes to front-end capabilities such as IC design, advanced packaging, and equipment manufacturing.

Driving Excellence in Flexible, Open Education

Graduates of WOU, the future leaders, capture a memorable moment in front of the university’s iconic landmark.

The Convocation, held across six sessions, saw graduates from the Schools of Business and Administration, Technology and Engineering Science, and Education, Humanities, and Social Sciences receive their undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in various specialisations. Seven graduates were awarded the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degrees, while one sole graduate received the Doctor of Philosophy degree. This year’s largest cohort came from the Bachelor of Business (Hons) in Accounting programme, with 84 graduates, closely followed by the Commonwealth Executive MBA programme, which produced 81 graduates.

Distinguished guests at the main session included Dato’ Seri Stephen Yeap, Chairman of the Board of Directors, WOU Sdn Bhd; members of the Board; Datin Seri Irene Yeap, Chairperson of the Penang Philharmonic Orchestra; Gerakan President Datuk Dr Dominic Lau and his deputy, Oh Tong Keong; as well as representatives of various higher education institutions and captains of industry.