Proud moment for graduates

JOHOR BARU: It was a proud moment for 65 graduates of University of Reading Malaysia (UoRM) when they received their Bachelor of Science scrolls at the inaugural graduation ceremony here as well as for seven other graduates who completed their undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in the United Kingdom.

Among the graduates who completed their studies in the UK was Assoc Prof Dr Mior Harris Mior Harun who finally had the chance to experience the graduation ceremony six years after completing his Doctorate in Management.

“It has been a long wait and although the ceremony is in Johor Baru, when I went to visit the university’s campus in EduCity Iskandar Puteri, it felt like I was back in the UK.

“I completed my studies in 2012 and had to immediately return to Malaysia to start work with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia as I was a sponsored student by the university,” he said, adding that he was busy with work and family and did not have time to go back to the UK for his convocation.

Prof Dr Mior at the graduation ceremony. 

The 42-year-old is the Education Malaysia-Indonesia director based in Jakarta under the Higher Education Ministry, and his main job is to promote tertiary education in Malaysia to Indonesians.

Meanwhile, Koh Ben You, 22 who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Quantity Surveying said it was a joyous day for him and his family although he was sad that his father, who passed away suddenly, could not see him graduate.

“My family and friends have been supportive,” said Koh who is the university’s Provost scholarship holder and among four recipients who received the EduCity Award for their outstanding achievements.

At the event, KPJ Healthcare Bhd former managing director Tan Sri Siti Sa’diah Sheikh Bakir was awarded an honorary Degree of Letters for her contributions.

University of Reading UK Henley Business School Professor Susan Rose said Siti Sa’diah has distinguished herself as an outstanding leader in the private healthcare sector and played a significant role in championing women in leadership roles.

Prof Rose said the university was delighted to award her an honorary degree in acknowledgement of her contributions to Henley Business School and UoRM.