UCSI University students perform traditional dances from different cultures during the opening ceremony

Guest of Honour YBhg Dr. Syed Alwee bin Alsagoff, Director of the Education Marketing Division of the Department of Higher Education, delivers his speech

Biotechnology student Khong Mei Li receives the RamRais & Partners Top Applied Sciences Student Award. The award is given to the top scholar in his or her respective degree programme

Ms. Mabel Tan, Head of UCSI’s A-Level Academy, receives the Edexcel Top A-Level Student Award on behalf of Ong Kay Rin

Pharmacy student Phen Wan Yee receives the Year 4 Xepa-Soul Pattinson Book Prize. The award is given to the highest-performing pharmacy students in years three and four

Kuala Lumpur, 23 Sep 2010 - UCSI University honoured more than 850 students Thursday during its sixth annual Awards Day ceremony. The event was held at the University’s south wing to recognise high-achieving students in academics, sports and extracurricular activities. Nearly 700 people attended the event, including Guest of Honour YBhg Dr. Syed Alwee bin Alsagoff, Director of the Education Marketing Division of the Department of Higher Education, who delivered the keynote address.

Dr. Syed Alwee congratulated students on their achievement but said technical skills and recognition were not as important in life as one’s system of values and integrity.

“To create efficient, highly capable graduates who are completely bereft of a sense of morality and commitment to his or her fellow man is morally unacceptable,” he said. “The highly intelligent engineer or accountant who promotes self interest over and above everything else is not the kind of graduates we want. We need our graduates to be flexible to adapt and thrive in response to change.”

UCSI University Vice Chancellor Dr. Robert Bong shared similar sentiments in his speech. Dr. Bong said the students were being recognised for having demonstrated a commitment and competence in UCSI University’s Graduate Attributes, including skills such as ethical and civic responsibility, knowledge of disciplines and becoming an engaged global citizen. He encouraged students to assimilate these skills to achieve greater means.

“With these awards, you have proven that you can succeed both inside and outside the classroom,” he said. “As you approach the outside world, remember your time at UCSI and apply what you’ve learned to benefit others as well as yourselves.”

Among the awards given were 11 Presidential Awards and nine Overall Achievement Awards to students who earned more than 80 percent and 70 percent marks respectively in four subjects, in addition to participation in extracurricular activities. The University also honoured the 638 Dean’s List students who scored an average of 80 percent or more in at least three subjects. Numerous awards were also given for individual subjects, sports and scholarships.

Students and parents who attended the event said they were proud of the honours.

“It’s a very good thing for the school to recognise the academic achievements of its students,” Ho Chun Fook, father of Dean’s List student Michelle Ho said. “I’m proud of her. I believe the University has groomed her to become a more proactive person and sharpened her presentation skills.”

Dean’s List student Reshminder Kaur Dhillon, said the ceremony was inspirational.

“They actually recognise our hard work,” she said. “It feels nice to be recognised for it motivates us to work harder.”