The fourth convocation ceremony of Wawasan Open University, to be held at the main campus over four sessions on December 7th and 8th, will witness the installation of the new Chancellor.
NEW WOU CHANCELLOR TUN DZAIDDIN.
Former Chief Justice of Malaysia, Tun Mohamed Dzaiddin Abdullah, 76, will formally be installed as WOU’s third Chancellor, taking over the helm from the late Tun Dr Lim Keng Yaik, who passed away on 22 December 2012. The University’s founding and first Chancellor was the late Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu.
Speaking at a press conference at the main campus today, then Wawasan Education Foundation Chairman Dato’ Seri Stephen Yeap said Tun Dzaiddin’s “rich experience as a lawyer and judge, coupled with his in-depth and practical knowledge of the Malaysian economy place him in good stead to lead WOU as its Chancellor. I am confident that Tun Dzaiddin’s stature in the government and corporate circles would serve to further enhance the image and credibility of the University as a trusted provider of higher education in Malaysia.”
PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE HOMESTEAD.
Tun Dzaiddin was born in Arau, Perlis and received his early education at the Sultan Abdul Hamid College in Alor Setar, Kedah. He is a barrister of the Middle Temple, England, being called to the English Bar in July 1966 and admitted as an advocate and solicitor of the High Court of Malaya in January 1967. He had been in active practice for 16 years before his elevation to the Bench.
With a distinguished career as a judge spanning over 20 years, he was first a part-time Judicial Commissioner in 1979 and later High Court judge from 1982 to 1992. He served as a Supreme Court judge from 1993 to 1996 and a Federal Court judge from 1996 to 2000, before his elevation to become the 9th Chief Justice of Malaysia in 2000 until his retirement in March 2003.
Dato’ Seri Stephen also announced the conferment of the Honorary Doctor of Science degree on Tan Sri Lee Oi Hian, 63, the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad. Tan Sri Lee is also Honorary President of the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Malaysia.
DATO’ SERI STEPHEN YEAP MAKES THE ANNOUNCEMENTS.
TAN SRI LEE TO RECEIVE HONORARY DOCTOR OF SCIENCE.
Tun Dzaiddin will also confer the Honorary Doctor of Letters degree on Dr John Yip Soon Kwong, 77, a former Director of Education in the Singapore Ministry of Education, and founding member of WOU’s International Advisory Board from 2006 to 2010. Tun Dzaiddin will preside over the first session during which he will confer the Commonwealth Executive MBA and Commonwealth Executive Master of Public Administration degrees as well.
JOHN YIP TO BE CONFERRED HONORARY DOCTOR OF LETTERS.
Meanwhile WOU Vice Chancellor Prof Dato’ Dr Ho Sinn Chye highlighted the details of the graduating students from the postgraduate and undergraduate programmes. They include the first batch of 16 students who will be receiving their Graduate Diplomas and Graduate Certificates.
He also announced that the winner of the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Memorial Prize for best postgraduate student is Cheng Chi Lyn while that of the Chancellor’s Gold Medal for best undergraduate student is Leow Voon Haw.
