MIC’s AIMST University in Semeling, near Sungai Petani, held its inaugural convocation ceremony with 319 students receiving their degrees.

MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, who was proclaimed the university chancellor during the convocation ceremony on Wednesday, was conferred the Honorary Degree of Letters by the university in recognition of his commitment and achievement in various fields throughout his political career.

In his opening address, Samy Vellu said the success of AIMST University was through MIC’s bold vision to create a world-class university.

“It is primarily a result of the joint efforts among the Government, academic, administration, Maju Institute of Educational Development (MIC’s educational arm) and students that have made AIMST University a class of its own.

“The university has produced not only academically outstanding students but also a set of good dedicated and diligent students. The graduates should improve their knowledge by pursuing further studies,” he told the graduates.

Vice-chancellor Prof Geoffrey Smith said parents who had enrolled their children three to five years ago in AIMST were worried over whether the university would be a recognised institution of higher learning.

“You needed faith to commit to this university and I hope today (Wednesday) at long last “ you will feel vindicated and relieved,” he said.

Of the 319 graduates, 102 took up medicine while 182 took up a degree course in biotechnology and 35 in information technology.

AIMST first set up its temporary campus at Amanjaya in Sungai Petani in January 2001 before moving to its present campus at Semeling on July 1, last year.

At a press conference later, Samy Vellu said AIMST planned to open up a branch campus in Kuala Lumpur in a six-storey building to conduct courses on business studies and other related courses.

‘We plan to establish it in two years and will get the proper approval from the Higher Education Ministry,” he said.

He said AIMST had also signed an agreement with a top business school in India to start a business faculty soon, adding that 150 students would be enrolled initially.