Life & Style | Education
Onward and upward
More than 1,000 students have graduated from the University of Wollongong in Dubai this year. Amelia Naidoo attends the winter graduation ceremony.
- By Amelia Naidoo, Notes Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:27 November 22, 2008
- Image Credit: Francois Nel/Gulf News
- University of Wollongong in Dubai students arrive for one of the most important events of their lives - their graduation ceremony - last week.
With 238 students receiving their degrees last week, the number of graduates of the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) has swelled to 3,000 since its inception 15 years ago.
The students received their degrees in the presence of Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, at a winter graduation ceremony. It is the university's second graduation event this year and brings the total number of graduates to more than 1,000 this year, the highest figure in the history of the Dubai-based university.
Established in 1993, UOWD is the first Australian university in Dubai to be licenced by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
Milestones
Michael H. Codd, chancellor of the University of Wollongong, Australia, said producing 3,000 graduates is "a significant milestone for an institution which started as the Institute of Australian Studies way back in 1993, with an enrolment of eight and a half students".
"Graduation is a special occasion for you, our graduates. This ceremony is public recognition of your years of work and endeavour," he added.
Codd told the new graduates that they are now part of the university's proud history and also part of an even older tradition.
"For 900 years, universities have educated and trained leaders of society and produced ideas and instruments of great social change. As graduates you have the skills and, indeed, the responsibility to continue this tradition and play an active role in your chosen field or profession and as leaders in your community. The university wishes you success as you embark on this journey," he said.
Codd encouraged graduates to keep in touch through the Alumni Network.
Taking stock
Waldo Steyn, top graduating student in the Master of Business Administration programme said: "The degree certificate can in no way fully represent the value we have gained from this experience. That degree certificate does not tell the world how we have shared our cultures; how we have worked together to complete our assignments and how we have learned from each."
Steyn said sacrifice was part of the learning process in the past four years. "There is not a single graduate here today who will not be able to share with us some sacrifices that had to be made during the past few years in order to graduate today – whether those sacrifices were missed lunches or dinners, those weekly football games that were no longer an option, the long hours on the road from surrounding emirates, too little time with loved ones and friends, or a substantial drain on disposable income.
"Whatever we think as graduates we may have sacrificed is but a part of a bigger equation, because every single step of the way was a parent, a wife, a husband or a friend sharing in those sacrifices," he said.
On behalf of the graduates, Steyn thanked faculty, parents, friends and family who helped them achieve their goal, saying their success is that of all their supporters.
Student Awards
The top graduates:
- Angaiza Abdul Malek and Sumayya Abdullah: Bachelor's of Business Administration
- Elma Zahir: Bachelor's of Commerce
- Umaima Shahana Sulaiman: Bachelor's of Computer Science
- Niloofar Mottaghi: Bachelor's of Internet Science and Technology
- Waldo Steyn: Master's of Business Administration
- Ahmad Essam Al Deen Tawfiq Hussain: Master's of Engineering Management
- Salama Yousuf Nasser Al Beloushi: Master's of Information Technology Management
- Barakha Nathalal, Shireen Qamar and Varsha Lalwani: Master's of International Business
- Nagaswathisri Sivalanka: Master's of Quality Management
- Fatima Intabli: Master's of Strategic Human Resource Management
- Latika Mohan Bhambani: Master's of Strategic Marketing
- Ahmad Abdul Aziz Esmail Abdul Hadi: Master's of Quality Management (Top graduating UAE national student)
Faculty Awards
- Dr Catherine Todd: Excellence in Teaching Award and Excellence in Research Award
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