13 students with disabilities among 250 graduate from ATI College
KOTA KINABALU: A total of 250 students graduated from the Asian Tourism International (ATI) College at its 26th convocation ceremony at Magellan Sutera here on Thursday.
The ceremony was graced by Tan Sri Bernard G Dompok, ATI College chief executive officer Datuk Seri Wong Khen Thau and assistant chief executive officer Marcus Aurelius Solibun.
Comprising all levels, specifically Diploma, Pre-Diploma and Skills Certificate, among the 250 students who graduated were 13 with disabilities who took Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia (SKM) Tahap 2 from Sabah Cheshire Home and Services.
The graduation list included students of foreign nationals, and there are also seven students with disabilities from the Kimanis Training and Rehabilitation Complex for Persons with Disabilities (KLPOKU) under the State Welfare Department, who completed their programme under the bread and pastry making field.
In addition, four graduates received the Top Achievers’ Awards 2024, namely Iman Maryam for Best Student, while Melissa Mercedes Wong Thien Eng, Thien Jie Ying, and Nurul Syahana Annuar received the Top Achiever Award.
Also noted was a recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ATI College and Beijing Future Society Technology Co., Ltd, China, which signifies a crucial move towards the digital transformation of the educational landscape, particularly in Sabah, as ATI College plans to become the leading institution in Sabah offering courses in artificial intelligence technologies.
In his speech, Bernard commended the graduates who had achieved a significant milestone in their lives through dedication to academic achievements.
He said that it is not just about the hurdles they had faced in the academic sense, but also about the friendships they cultivated, mentors that guided them, and the personal growth they had achieved.
“Treasure these bonds and lessons learned outside of the classroom because they are as invaluable as the academic knowledge you have gained.
“Be flexible and inquisitive, and never cease to follow your passions as you all are the builders of tomorrow,” he said.
Meanwhile, Wong said this year’s convocation motto of “Digitalization: The Way Forward” was adopted to underscore their dedication to advancement.
“We chose that tagline because we actually believe that education is very dynamic, and we will make sure things move according to the latest developments, to also cater to the needs of the younger generation,” he said.
He also commended the graduates, saying it was a proud moment, especially for their parents, and he congratulated their success which was borne through their few years of study at ATI College.