Jeanne is OUM’s second chancellor

KUALA LUMPUR: Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah was appointed chancellor of Open University Malaysia (OUM) at the university’s fifth convocation.  

As the university’s second chancellor, she follows in the footsteps of the late Datin Seri Paduka Endon Mahmood who was the university’s first chancellor. 

Jeanne encouraged the graduates to contribute to the country in her speech during the convocation. 

“I call upon the graduates of December 2007 to serve our country well, with integrity and professionalism. It is now time to give back to society,” she said yesterday. 

Honoured:Jeanne (left)receiving asouvenir fromOUM prochancellorTan SriAzmanHashim at theuniversity’sfifthconvocation inKuala LumpurSaturday.

She also reminded them to persevere, which she said was a lesson learnt from her mother who died 20 years ago yesterday. 

“She taught me never to give up hope and to always pray as good things and opportunities come by as long as you continue to seek for it,” Jeanne said. 

Over 600 graduates from four faculties, many of whom are mature students, received their scrolls during the ceremony. 

Nor Azlin Othman, 33, overcame challenges of working, raising a family and being unable to walk much because of a tumour to achieve a Bachelor of Information Technology with honours. 

“I had to divide my time between teaching, learning and taking care for my family and sometimes I studied till 3am,” she said. 

The secondary school teacher and mother of four received her scroll on stage with the aid of a friend and a walking stick.