Former Chief Justice of Malaysia Tun Mohamed Dzaiddin Abdullah was formally installed as the third Chancellor of Wawasan Open University during a ceremony at the main campus today.
TUN DZAIDDIN INSTALLED AS CHANCELLOR.
In his installation address, the newly-elected Wawasan Education Foundation Chairman Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, said Tun Dzaiddin has led an eminent career in the judiciary, spanning almost a quarter of a century. “As a judge, he displayed a good grasp of the law and a determined sense of fairness in upholding the rule of law, looking at hard facts and making hard decisions. His seemingly quiet demeanour conceals a gentleman who is not afraid to make a stand and to speak his mind to preserve the integrity and the public’s perception of the judiciary.”
He added, “WOU’s plans in the pipeline for further development and future growth will need the clear, sharp and logical mind, and the firm, steady and determined hand of a leader with the stature of Tun Dzaiddin, to steer the University forward. We are confident of the immense value and prestige that Tun will bring to this chancellorship, with full commitment to the founding vision and values of the WOU.”
TAN SRI LEE OI HIAN RECEIVES HIS HONORARY DEGREE.
The installation was immediately followed by the University’s fourth convocation which saw Tun Dzaiddin conferring the Honorary Doctor of Science degree on Tan Sri Lee Oi Hian, the CEO and Executive Director of Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad, and the Honorary Doctor of Letters degree on Dr John Yip Soon Kwong, a former Director of Education in the Singapore Ministry of Education.
In his acceptance speech, Dr Yip said, “Tan Sri Lee is still growing his business and contributing to his trade and community. And I note, with much delight, his involvement in education as Chairman of the Board of Governors of St Michael’s Institution in Ipoh, his alma mater. For me, education has been my passion.”
He continued, “As a people developer offering a rich slate of ODL programmes and training workshops, WOU is well-placed to be this conduit for working adults to keep on learning to meet emerging demands of an ever-changing economic environment. In this context, WOU deserves support from all quarters. Employer and trade organisations, in particular,
JOHN YIP GIVES HIS ACCEPTANCE SPEECH.
would do well to further strengthen their collaboration with the University in identifying and projecting for the longer term, new areas of studies for the University to offer, as well as forms of work attachments that they can jointly undertake.”
Tun Dzaiddin, in his closing address, remarked “Wawasan Open University is a very student-centric institution. It provides excellent learning support services and enriching learning experience to all students as they pursue their studies, whether it is in open distance learning mode or on-campus mode.”
TUN DZAIDDIN DELIVERS HIS CONVOCATION ADDRESS.
“Learning, as we all know, should never come to a full-stop at any point in our life. It is more of a continuing adventure. I trust that as graduates, you will continue to learn, pick up new knowledge and more importantly, grow to become good responsible citizens and play effective roles as productive knowledge workers that our country urgently needs.”
He advised the graduates not to be blinded by success, but “also try to embody good human values and use them to drive your actions, your results, and shape your character to achieve the desired status of a successful and good person”.
A FEW OF THE VIPATTENDEES AT THE CONVOCATION.
Among those attending the installation and convocation ceremony were WOU Sdn Bhd Chairman Dato’ Seri Stephen Yeap, WOU Board of Governors Chairman Tan Sri Emeritus Prof Gajaraj Dhanarajan, Vice Chancellor Prof Dato’ Dr Ho Sinn Chye, Parti Gerakan advisor Dato’ Chang Ko Youn and Central Committee members, Japan consul-general Ryuji Noda, and representatives from institutions of higher learning.
