A memorable occasion
cLOSE to 600 students of Olympia College, Knowledge Universe and Stamford Raffles College, Singapore graduated with their Masters Degrees (UK), Postgraduate Diplomas & Certificates (UK), Bachelors Degrees (UK), Higher National Diplomas (UK) and Executive Diplomas during the Raffles Education Group Convocation Ceremony 20913 held recently.
The event that also awarded Diplomas and Certificates in Business Management, Information Technology and Hotel Management was held at the Grand Ballroom of the Palace of Golden Horses in Kuala Lumpur.
It was an occasion that would be etched in the memory of graduands, their parents, families, sponsors and friends, who witnessed the ceremony that was graced by the royal presence of the Guest of Honour, His Royal Highness Tunku Besar Seri Menanti Tunku Ali Redhauddin Ibni Tuanku Muhriz.
The eldest son of Their Royal Highnesses The Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz and The Tunku Ampuan Besar of Negri Sembilan Tuanku Aishah Rohani also recently graduated with a Masters in Public Administration from the Ivy League Harvard University.
The milestone was marked after he achieved his Bachelor’s Degree in History and Social and Political Science at the 800-year-old Cambridge University.
He delivered an inspiring speech, which stressed on three important areas for each graduate.
Firstly, the importance of family, sponsors and friends; secondly, the courage to venture for profes- sional direction by taking risks with a view to self-improvement and thirdly, gratitude for the opportunities that have given them their success.
The ceremony proceeded with a presentation of awards by Tokoh Guru Kebangsaan, who is also the Board of Governors chair- man, Tan Sri Datuk Seri Dr Haji Yahaya, Olympia College and Raffles Education Group chairman Colin Pereira and Olympia College and Raffles Education Group co-chairman and former Court of Appeal judge Datuk Mahadev Shankar.
The Best Student Awards recipients – Stephanie Tun Jie Hua, Phang Thing Hong, Chew Pui Ying, Johnny Ow Chee Chun, Wang Shu Mei, Sua Wui Chee and Chang Pek Chan – received their awards from His Royal Highness Tunku Ali.
The ceremony also honoured the memory of one particular student, the late Alina Ann, who stood out for her phenomenal dedication and perseverance.
Alina battled a long illness and beat the odds to achieve the Diploma in Business Studies before succumbing to her illness.
Her father Bede Philips proudly received her Diploma that was awarded posthumously.
The Guest of Honour, known for being compassionate, shared a private conversation with Philips.
Olympia College and Raffles Education Group Academic Board chairman Jean-Francois Jadin, while delivering the Vote of Thanks, asked graduands to rise, turn around and thank their parents and family.
The new graduates will venture into the working world with their newly obtained qualifications that are certain to make them a foremost choice for employers.
They had just received quality education from Olympia College, an institution recently voted the Best Large College for Educational Excellence 2012, following their possession of the award in 2005, 2010 and 2011.
Olympia College is also certified with the internationally acclaimed ISO9001:2008 for its Quality Management System and ISO14001:2004 for its Environmental Management System.
For details, look out for Olympia College in this StarSpecial.