PERSISTENT hard work and a strong determination make a huge difference in one’s life, says Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
He urged all the 310 graduates (in certificate, diploma and degree programmes) at the 28th Convocation of Disted College to be prepared as they launched into a new chapter of life.
“Do not be afraid but look forward to embracing new challenges,” Chow, who was the guest of honour, said in his speech at the convocation ceremony at Hotel Equatorial today.
“As we go through the puzzles of life, persistent hard work and a strong determination will certainly enable us to steer our way to a happy and successful life.”
Also present were Disted College chairman of board of directors Datuk Seri Stephen Yeap, Disted College president and chief executive officer Dr Seah Soo Sun, Help University vice-chancellor and president Datuk Dr Paul Chan, Staffordshire University (UK) pro vice-chancellor Prof Dr Ieuan Ellis and Pulau Tikus assemblyman Chris Lee Chun Kit.
Speaking from personal experience, Chow said after graduating from Tunku Abdul Rahman College in Setapak in 1997, he was not able to enrol himself into any universities at that time.
He then worked as a draughtsman in a civil engineering company in Petaling Jaya to make ends meet. Even though he had no background in engineering, he said he still gave his best and attended night classes on engineering and quality surveying.
After two years, he managed to enrol himself in Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Science in 1984.
In later years, he entered politics and there were ups and downs. He won the Pengkalan Kota state seat in 1990 on his first attempt, but in 1995, lost in the subsequent campaign.
“That did not break my spirit. Instead, it motivated me to work even harder. So, I did and it all paid off as I won five years later and have managed to stay on as ‘wakil rakyat’ since.
“It never crossed my mind that one day I would be the Chief Minister of Penang. Never doubt and limit yourself. You might just be surprised with what you can achieve with your full potential once you put your heart and soul into it,” Chow advised.
He also reminded the graduates to be thankful to their parents, family and friends who have supported them throughout their journey.
He also expressed hope that the new generation would contribute significantly towards turning the Penang2030 vision for a family-focused, green and smart state that inspires the nation to be a reality by 2030.
Chow complimented Disted College for their 32 years of academic distinction and supporting high achievers and the less fortunate in the form of scholarships.
Seah, in his speech, had earlier encouraged the graduands not to be afraid to pursue their dreams with effort and passion.
He said that even though Disted College is a ‘Not-For-Profit’ institution of higher learning, it allocates more than RM1.5 million annually in scholarship funds to deserving students with support from Wawasan Education Foundation and the Yeap Chor Ee Charitable Trust.
He said Disted College was proud to have provided quality higher education to more than 10,000 graduates to date.
This year’s ceremony witnessed its biggest group of 1st Class Honours graduates with 28 students from the Staffordshire University (UK) business degree programmes. Disted’s academic partner, Help University, also witnessed the conferment of five students with 1st Class degree in psychology.
Earlier, Prof Ellis advised the graduates to be ambitious and create their own opportunities, keep an open mind and expect to fail but never give up.
“What determines your success is not the certificate or degree, but how you apply the knowledge and skills that you have learned. Be innovators and leaders of the future,” he said in his speech.
It was a very cherished occasion for Looi Pei Wen, the top achiever and valedictorian for diploma programmes, and Lim Yi Xuan, who obtained 1st Class Honours in the Bachelor of Psychology and was chosen as the valedictorian for the undergraduates.
Pei Wen, from the School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts, received the President’s trophy while Yi Xuan received the Chairman’s Gold trophy from the Chief Minister at the ceremony.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis
Video by Darwina Mohd Daud
