Wawasan Open University will be holding its third convocation ceremony at the main campus over two days from November 24 to 25.
The convocation will see the proclamation of Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, President of Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, as the first Pro-Chancellor of WOU during the first session.
TAN SRI DR KOH TSU KOON SPEAKS AT THE CLOSING OF A CONFERENCE EARLIER THIS YEAR.
Tan Sri Dr Koh, 63, obtained his Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Physics from Princeton University, and his MA and PhD (Education) from the University of Chicago, US. He started his career as lecturer in the School of Educational Studies at Universiti Sains Malaysia; then became Deputy Dean at 29, holding the position for four years. He served as Chief Minister of Penang from 1990 to 2008.
In making the announcement, Dato’ Seri Stephen said WOU is proud to be associated with “such a distinguished national leader”. He remarked that Tan Sri Dr Koh’s association with the University “will enhance the image and reputation of the University, and assist in further promoting WOU as a quality provider of higher education opportunities for the working population”.
PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE CONVOCATION AT THE MAIN CAMPUS.
“His wisdom and vast knowledge and experience in academia and government place him in good stead to help in the future development of WOU to meet the ever-changing needs of our society and job market demand,” he added.
Dato’ Seri Stephen also announced the conferment of the Honorary Doctor of Letters degree on Dato’ Seri Chet Singh, 76, the first general manager of the Penang Development Corporation (1971-1991). Dato’ Seri Chet is presently Special Advisor to the current Chief Minister of Penang, and sits on the Board of Directors of the Penang Institute, and the Board of Governors of WOU.
HONORARY DEGREE RECIPIENT DATO’ SERI CHET SINGH.
He said that the graduands of WOU will receive their scrolls over four sessions. The first session will be presided by the Chancellor, Tun Dr Lim Keng Yaik, and the remaining three by Tan Sri Dr Koh as Pro-Chancellor
There will be a total of 365 graduands – 100 postgraduate and 265 undergraduate degrees – ranging in age between 24 and 69 years. They come from diverse professions, from clerk, teacher, account executive, bank officer to engineer, manager, doctor, company director and general manager.
Of the 100, 84 are from the Commonwealth Executive MBA (CeMBA), 3 from the Commonwealth Executive Master of Public Administration (CeMPA), and 13 from the first batch of graduates for the Post-Graduate Diploma in Education programme.
DATO’ SERI STEPHEN YEAP READS OUT THE STATEMENT. WITH HIM IS VICE CHANCELLOR PROF DATO’ DR HO SINN CHYE.
The graduation of the 265 graduands from five Bachelor of Technology (Hons) and six Bachelor of Business (Hons) programmes will be spread out over the remaining three sessions. These include the inaugural batches of graduands for the Bachelor of Technology (Hons) programme in ICT and in Computing and Intelligent Systems.
The convocation will also see the oldest graduand, Dato’ Hiew Yew Can, 69, of Ipoh, receiving his Bachelor of Business (Hons) in Management degree.
Meanwhile, the Chancellor’s Gold Medal for best undergraduate is to be awarded to Chan Chu Aik, of Penang, who took up Bachelor of Technology (Hons) in Information and Communication Technology. The recipient of the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Memorial Prize for best graduate for the postgraduate programmes is Poh Boon Fong of Penang, who will be receiving her CeMBA degree.
The press conference on the convocation at the main campus today was chaired by Dato’ Seri Stephen and WOU Vice Chancellor, Prof Dato’ Dr Ho Sinn Chye.
