Celebrating the first graduating cohort
THE University of Southampton Malaysia Campus celebrated its first graduates’ reunion with the Class of 2012 joining faculty and senior management staff to reconnect and network. The event was held at the Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur.
Guests were welcomed by the University of Southampton Malaysia Campus chief executive officer Prof John McBride.
‘’We are very proud of the success you have achieved in your respective fields and we thank you for carrying on the legacy of excellence and setting a fine example for current Southampton students,’’ he said.
Linde Malaysia’s former managing director Wong Siew Yap and guest keynote speaker at the graduates’ reunion praised the graduates for their hard work and confidence and remarked the successful growth of the programme.
Wong said, “There’s always a deep sense of camaraderie when a class gets together. It’s wonderful to connect with young professionals and inspire them.’’
During the reunion, guests enjoyed reminiscing about the experience they had together at the Malaysia and the United Kingdom campus.
“One thing I learnt from university is the importance of communication. In my company, I get to work with people from various disciplines – manufacturing, designing and project management. Every day is different so I always get to learn new things, which is really great,” says Jeremy Fong.
Fong currently works with the Fuel Spray Nozzle team (Research and Technology) at Rolls-Royce, doing structural analysis, investigation and design work.
“To study in a reputable institution while being able to experience different cultures and visit new exciting destinations were the prime reasons for my decision to seek a UK degree. The University of Southampton, being one of the top institutions for mechanical engineering, was a good coincidence,” reflected Jeffrey Teo, mechanical engineer at Surbana Jurong in Singapore.
He currently manages projects and designs the mechanical and electrical systems for various developments, including residential and commercial buildings.
“For me, being a female engineer is not difficult at all,” shared Stephanie Teow.
Teow works with CCW Associates, a consultancy firm in Singapore specialising in acoustics, noise and vibration control.
“What I have done at university is exactly what I am doing right now – endless calculations, simulations and predictions while working with many people. I think the only stark difference between university and work is that I no longer focus on marks, I’m now concerned with how my decisions affect lives,” she said.
“During university, I used my time wisely to develop myself. Whenever possible, I got myself out there and exposed myself to new experiences as these enable learning,’’ reflected Lee Ewe Jin.
During his second year in the Malaysia Campus, he worked as an intern at Spirit AeroSystems Malaysia. He was under the stress department where they used computer-aided software to calculate different parts of an aircraft to ensure that it is within its acceptable limit.
Currently, Lee is a field service engineer at General Electric (GE), a Fortune 500 company that is a leading commercial aircraft and engine lessor and lender in the world.
Graduates of the University of Southampton Malaysia Campus are highly sought after by leading employers.
According to the latest job survey on the employment status of the Malaysia Campus’ first cohort of graduates, about 60% of fresh graduates secure a job within three months of leaving Southampton, and the majority of them are satisfied with their position.
It also revealed that fresh graduates earn as much as RM8,000 in their first job. Among the top employers of Southampton graduates are Rolls-Royce, Ricardo, Dyson, Maybank, Panasonic and GE.
For more information, visit www.southampton.ac.uk.