University holds event for Malaysian graduates
Australia's 1998-99 University of the Year, the University of Queensland, will hold a convocation event on Sunday March 21 at the Hotel Nikko, Kuala Lumpur at 3pm to acknowledge achievements of new graduates in the presence of alumni, family and friends.
A total of 28 graduates will be presented to University Chancellor Sir Llewellyn Edwards at the convocation ceremony for 266 guests.
Speakers at the function include UQ Alumni Association (Malaysia) president Tan Sri Dato' Abdul Khalid bin Ibrahim, Sir Llewellyn, University Vice-Chancellor and President Professor John Hay and University Secretary and Registrar Douglas Porter.
In 1996 alumni associations were formed in Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong to represent the interests of University of Queensland graduates and help them maintain contact with the University. More than 500 graduates are listed on the University's convocation roll for Malaysia.
In 1999, the second-highest number of overseas students at the University were from Malaysia, with most studying business, commerce, engineering and information technology. This year 149 Malaysian students are studying at the University, and the number of new students from Malaysia has increased by 32 percent.
The University of Queensland currently has agreements with the HELP Institute, Inti College, Nilai College and Prime College in Malaysia. These agreements include twinning and advanced standing programs.
It is a member of Universitas 21, an elite grouping of universities limited to 20 members world wide, who are committed to quality enhancement through international benchmarking. Members of Universitas 21 include the National University of Singapore, University of Hong Kong, Peking University and Fudan University.
Sir Llewellyn said assemblies of alumni, or convocations, were as important to the University of Queensland as they were to its graduates. The University conducted such ceremonies to introduce new graduates to those who had preceded them, in the company of their families and friends.
Sir Llewellyn said the University had many international students during the past 50 years, but in recent years, had witnessed a remarkable growth in the diversity of its student body, particularly in offering places to scholars from the great centres of Asia such as Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong.
"Knowledge and scholarship are not restricted by national boundaries and we see ourselves as an international institution, very much enhanced by the interaction of staff and students of different cultures," he said.
"This ceremony also signifies the University's willingness to participate positively within the Asian region. We hope that our graduates will take an active role in the University's regional activities and maintain contact with their fellow students.
"Participation in the University's graduate networks enables graduates to develop personal and business friendships and provides opportunities to continue their association with the institution which has played such a vital role in their education."
For further information contact: Ms Melinda Seymour, University Protocol Officer, care of the Hotel Nikko, Kuala Lumpur - telephone 261 1111 (Saturday March 20 to Monday, March 22).
Convocation ceremony for Singapore graduates Convocation ceremony for Hong Kong graduates
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