DISTED held its 28th Convocation ceremony to honour more than 300 students who graduated from its Certificate, Diploma and Degree programmes. The ceremony was held on June 29, 2019 at the grand ballroom of Equatorial Hotel in Penang.
This year’s ceremony witnessed its biggest group of 1st Class Honours graduates with twenty-eight (28) students from the Staffordshire University (UK) business degree programmes. The HELP University psychology degree programme also witnessed the conferment of five (5) students with 1st Class degree. This is an achievement never accomplished before.
All in all, the 28th Convocation witnessed the graduation of 131 of DISTED’s very own diploma and certificate students in the area of business, accounting, hospitality management, creative multimedia, information technology, computer science and Intensive English.
Of these diploma graduates, 74 of them also earned the coveted Dual-Award diploma from DISTED as well as the Higher National Diploma (HND) awarded by the Business and Technology Educational Council (BTEC) of UK. Ten (10) students from the Diploma in Hospitality Business Management achieved Distinction in their BTEC.
The Chief Minister of Penang, YAB Chow Kon Yeow, graced the event as a guest of honour and gave a very meaningful and inspiring address to the audience. He congratulated the graduands and urged them to prepare for the new challenges in life. YAB Chow Kon Yeow also advised the graduands to be mindful and grateful to their parents, families and friends who had supported them throughout their studies here at DISTED. He also reminded them to give back to society and community by being positive citizens.
He congratulated DISTED College, a premier institution of higher learning with 32 years of academic distinction, for its pursuit of educational excellence, and for continuing to support high achievers and the less fortunate students through its scholarship funds.
Chairing the Convocation Ceremony was Dato Seri (Dr.) Stephen Yeap, Chairman of DISTED’s Board of Directors and Dr. Seah Soo Aun, DISTED’s President and CEO. Other distinguished guests include DISTED’s Board Members, YB Chris Lee Chun Kit, elected State Assemblyman of Pulau Tikus and Professor Ieuan Ellis, Pro Vice Chancellor for Partnerships and Region representing Staffordshire University, UK and Professor Datuk Dr Paul Chan, Vice Chancellor and President of HELP University.
Dr Seah made his remarks as part of his opening speech by congratulating the graduands and commending for their hard work and achievements. He encouraged the graduands not to be afraid to pursue their dreams and to chase their dreams with effort and passion. “Today graduation is just a break as you enter a new chapter of life,” Dr Seah continued.
Dr. Seah announced that, “Even as a Not-For-Profit institution of higher learning, DISTED allocates more than RM1.5 million annually in scholarship funds to deserving students. And over the past 12 years with support from the Wawasan Education Foundation and the Yeap Chor Ee Charitable Trust, more than RM12 million was granted to deserving students”. He mentioned that at this year’s Convocation, nineteen (19) graduands from the diploma programmes and seven students from the business degrees were the recipients of the DISTED Scholastic and Awards programme.
Ms. Lim Yi Xuan who obtained 1st class honours in the Bachelor of Psychology was chosen as the Valedictorian representing all undergraduates at the ceremony. She was also the recipient of a Valedictorian Book Prize and the Chairman’s Gold Trophy. After the graduation, Lim plans to pursue a postgraduate degree. “The programme at DISTED offers many opportunities, providing an enriching learning experience and development in other areas aside from academics,” she shared.
The top achiever and valedictorian for diploma programmes is Ms. Looi Pei Wen from the School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts, having achieved a highest CGPA in the Diploma in Hospitality & Business Management programme. She is also the recipient of Valedictorian Book Prize, as well as the President’s Trophy award.
Ms. Looi who is currently pursuing her degree in Events Management said, “The Hospitality Diploma Programme had opened my eyes to the world, and transformed me into an outgoing person. The programme also develops the skills and knowledge that you need to succeed in the industry,” she added.
Both Valedictorians received their trophies from the YAB Tuan Chow Kon Yeow, accompanied by Dato Seri (Dr.) Stephen Yeap. Another diploma achiever, Mr. Ding Teck Song who is visually impaired, worked his way through to obtain his Diploma qualification. Ding is honoured at the recipient of the Best Graduating Award for Diploma in Business Information Technology (DBIT).
Mr. Ding thanked DISTED for willing to admit him into the DBIT programme when no other institution was willing to take the risk. He thanked the lecturers for taking on added responsibilities in ensuring he completed his studies with distinction. He shared his learning experience at DISTED, “the college equipped special software named NVDA to assist visually impaired students like me to have access learning resources and to pursue higher academic qualifications.”
Mr. Ding plans to continue his degree in the field of information technology after graduation. “I want to acquire more knowledge and learn new skills to get prepare for my career in the future,” he continued.
This 28th Convocation witnessed a record of three (3) visually impaired students graduating from their studies, namely Mr. Ding Teck Song from DBIT, Mr Lee Yong Pin from Degree in Accounting & Finance and Mr. Toh Chin Yuan from Degree in International Business. Both Mr Lee and Mr. Toh were former students of DBIT programme. After they have completed their Diploma studies, they chose to pursue their Degree studies with DISTED 3+0 business Degree programme in collaboration with Staffordshire University.
This year’s ceremony also witnessed a record of four (4) international students graduating from their studies, namely Ms. Emiri Kaneko from Japan completed her Certificate in Intensive English, Mr. Kim Sung Jin from Korea obtained his Diploma in Business Studies, Mr. Zhao Sixiang from China obtained his Diploma in Hospitality Business Management and Mr. Sae-Jueng Anan from Thailand completed his Degree in Accounting and Finance.
Other Diploma graduates with excellent performance include Diana Grace a/p Raymond Patrick for Accounting, Lee Yih Hui for Business Studies, Teh Boon Teong for Computer Science, Rovithren a/l Kumarakuru for Creative Multimedia Production and Leow Shan Jack for Food & Beverage Management. Last but not least, Roshaan a/p Maran was awarded for Outstanding Graduating Student Award for Intensive English programme.
“Believe in yourself. It is an important key to achieving success,” shared Lim Seok Hoon who obtained 1st class honours in the B.A. (hons) Accounting & Finance from Staffordshire University. “With a conducive study environment, and professional lecturers who are very supportive towards me and the motivation from my peers, I am able to acquire a wonderful and valuable learning experience in DISTED College,” she continued. Lim is currently working in an accounting firm and plan to further her studies and becoming a chartered accountant.
Other outstanding Degree graduates include Chee Ke Li for Business Management, Lim Mei Wei for Events Management, Ms. Ooi Yang Wei for International Business Management and Ms. Stephanie Chen Sue Yen for Marketing Management.
The ceremony ended with guests enjoying refreshments and merry photo-taking with each other.
