Yang Berhormat Dato’ Dr Hou Kok Chung, Deputy Minister for Higher Education (middle) and UCSI University Vice Chancellor, Dr Robert Bong (second from right) presenting the Industrial Partners Sponsorship Awards to a student during the University's Awards

Yang Berhormat Dato’ Dr Hou Kok Chung, Deputy Minister for Higher Education giving his speech during UCSI University's Awards Day

UCSI University Vice Chancellor, Dr Robert Bong giving his speech during the University's Awards Day

A UCSI University student receiving an award from the Deputy Minister for Higher Education, Yang Berhormat Dato’ Dr Hou Kok Chung as Dr Robert Bong looks on

Kuala Lumpur, 14 September, 2011 - UCSI University today awarded close to 400 of its students with various awards and scholarships amounting to almost RM8 million during its Awards Day themed “Our Success Trail.” The event was attended by the Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Yang Berhormat Dato’ Dr Hou Kok Chung, who also gave away some of the awards to the students. 

This year’s Awards Day has been especially significant with the giving away of the Industrial Partners’ Sponsorship Award, where the University’s industrial partners award students with cash incentives as well as a permanent work contract. Several of those who are sponsored by the University’s industry partners have been offered permanent employment contracts, proving that its highly skilled graduates are much sought after by the industry. 

In his speech, YB Dato’ Dr Hou congratulated UCSI University on this excellent achievement. “This is the only event I’ve seen where offers for real employment are made to students by employers. The students have not even graduated and merely undergoing internship, but yet they are already booked.” He also added that similar programmes should be made available in many more institutions and that he is also looking to promote it to other public and private higher education institutions. 

The University’s Vice Chancellor, Dr Robert Bong says that this is testimony towards how well-equipped the students are with the necessary knowledge and experience in the workplace. “Our emphasis on cooperative education makes us one of the strongest private universities around, with every student undergoing a compulsory two-month internship every academic year. This internship programme allows students to not only learn practical work skills but introduces them to potential employers in their respective fields, giving them an advantage in the job market upon graduation.” 

Awards Day is a special day each year where UCSI University honours students whose achievements in the University indicated a sustained level of excellence. It recognizes students who have travelled further in the educational journey to reach their goals.