Ready for the real world

It was a proud moment for 100 Skyline University College students, their parents and professors when they received their degrees in the 18th graduation ceremony. Shaikh Abdullah Bin Salim Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, was the chief guest. The students, of more than 40 nationalities, were among the first to graduate with Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degrees in four majors: Travel and Tourism Management, Information Systems, International Business and Marketing.

Skyline University College president Kamal Puri said that in the 19-year history of the institution this was the first year that students had graduated with the degree, which is accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and accepted worldwide.

"At last your graduation marks a milestone in your career. The bachelor degree is not the end of anything but rather a step towards a long course of learning," Puri said.

Top students

Excellence awards were presented to Trupti Ashar for Travel and Tourism Management, Farah Al Za'abi for Information Technology, Abdul Mohsin for International Business and Zahrah Khan for Marketing Management.

On behalf of the graduating students, Mohsin said: "To our university and faculty, you have provided us the knowledge and skills to aim for the highest and we are now proud to say that we will be moving on to a higher stage in our lives and [are going to] enter the real world."

Mohsin added that students had to balance their time between work, study, family and social commitments in order to attain their goal. "This is your opportunity to celebrate the seeds of your activities, to share your accomplishments with those who have supported you, and who will now take pride in your future progress."

Proud moment

Eager to speak about her achievement Farah Sabber, 21, said: " It feels wonderful and sad at the same time. I'm all ready to get into the real world."

The BBA graduate said she would continue working in her real estate business and was considering pursuing an MBA in the United Kingdom.

Rashid Mohammad Hussain, 22, from Pakistan graduated with a BBA in international business. "I'm so happy and I thank my parents for supporting me," he said.

Currently a senior marketing officer, Hussain said he wants to study for an MBA in the near future.

An ecstatic Uday Kalidas, 22, said he was going to celebrate with friends. "University has been a great experience. I opened up a lot and gained confidence over the years," he said.