Celebrating the first cohort
THE first Sunway University Master of Business Administration (MBA) graduating class celebrated with smiles, hugs and happy families at the MBA Presentation Ceremony and Alumni Gathering.
After two years of intense studying while working full time, all eight students of the first cohort successfully completed the MBA programme.
In his welcome speech, Prof Steve Williams, dean of Sunway University Business School (SUBS), congratulated the graduates, saying, “Achieving a university degree is an impressive accomplishment, but it occurs to me that for our MBA students here, your accomplishment is even more impressive as all of you are also working full time.”
Prof Williams emphasised the support the graduates received while pursuing the twoyear programme, reminding them to appreciate those who have supported them throughout their MBA journey.
At the event, Lancaster University’s director of partnership development Dr Thomas Thornborrow extended his warmest thanks to the students for being the pioneers of the MBA programme at Sunway University and giving the programme coordinators their valuable feedback to improve the programme.
He also encouraged them to keep in touch and not forget the friendships built while at Sunway University.
Also present at the event were Dr Robyn Remke of Lancaster University Management School, SUBS’ alumni relations and student professional development manager Arumugam Muthusamy, staff, lecturers and the graduates’ friends and families.
Loo Hoey Theen, a graduate from the cohort, credits her family for her accomplishment. Recalling her decision to take up the MBA programme at Sunway University, Loo shares that having a support structure is important as she is a young mother starting a family.
“I had a chat with my family as this was not just my commitment alone. I was also seeking their commitment to support me throughout my MBA journey,” she says.
Loo believes that having a realistic expectation is important for those embarking on this journey as it is a two-year commitment.
“Most of the MBA students are mature students with responsibilities such as caring for the elderly, our parents and children or work. Without the support structure, it would be quite destructive to our studies,” she adds.
“Therefore, it is better to have your family members, the people who are around you, be ready to do this with you. Every night, my family would help me take care of the kids for an hour or two while I focused on my studies. This was not so much my achievement alone but the whole family’s achievement.”
Loo was awarded the Best Student Prize in Academic, which recognises students who demonstrate the most outstanding academic achievement in the MBA dual-award programme as selected by both Sunway University and Lancaster University. Another student, H’ng Gaik Chin, was awarded the Programme Director’s Prize for his consistent academic performance and outstanding growth in personal development through high levels of commitment, perseverance and initiative to achieve his goals.
The first cohort of MBA graduates at Sunway University includes Aw Sei Cheh, Chai Jee Huei, Choy Le Roy, Dinesh Krishnan, Yap Lian Kim and Yeap Kim Gaik. Validated by Lancaster University, the MBA programme at Sunway University, which started in March 2014, is a dual-award programme tailored for aspiring managers with the ambition to become strategic leaders within an increasingly complex organisational and business environment.
The programme provides students with thorough knowledge of the latest management theories and tools. It also aims to help students hone and build a set of skills that they can use wherever they are. Upon completion, graduates receive two certificates – one from Sunway University and one from Lancaster University. Sunway University is a renowned business education provider in Malaysia while Lancaster University is ranked in the top 1% of universities globally and has been delivering MBA programmes that are triple-accredited and globally recognised by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) and the Association of MBAs (AMBA).
Those looking to enhance their career potential or business acumen can join the preview session at 12.30pm on July 1 at Sunway University Graduate Centre.