Outstanding expertise

THE first Sunway University Master of Business Administration (MBA) graduating class celebrated with smiles, hugs and happy families at the MBA Presentation Ceremony and Alumni Gathering recently. After two years of intense study while working full-time, all eight students of the first cohort successfully completed the MBA programme.
In his welcome speech, Prof Steve Williams, dean of Sunway University Business School (SUBS) congratulated the graduates. "Achieving a university degree is an impressive accomplishment, but it occurs to me that for our MBA students here, your accomplishment is even more impressive as all of you are also working full-time." Williams also emphasised on the support the graduates received while pursuing the two-year programme, while reminding them to appreciate those who have supported them throughout their MBA journey.
At the event, Dr Thomas Thornborrow, director of Partnership Development, Lancaster University extended his warmest thanks to the students for being the pioneers of the MBA programme at Sunway University, and for giving the programme coordinators their valuable feedback to improve the programme for the better. He also encouraged them to keep in touch, not to forget the friendships and bonds they built while at Sunway University.
Also present at the event were Dr Robyn Remke, Lancaster University Management School; Arumugam Muthusamy, manager of Alumni Relations and Student Professional Development, SUBS, staff and lecturers, friends and families of the graduates.
Loo Hoey Theen, a graduate from the cohort, gave credit of her accomplishment to her family. Recalling on her decision to take up the MBA programme at Sunway University, Hoey Theen shared having a support structure is important as she is a young mother starting a family. "I had a chat with my family as this was not just my commitment alone, it was also their commitment I was seeking, that they will be able to support me throughout the entire MBA journey." Hoey Theen also believes that having a realistic expectation is important for those embarking on this journey as it is a two-year commitment.
"Most of the MBA students are mature students when we enter, so there are aspects or responsibilities in our lives, we have elderly people, our parents, children or work. Without the support structure, it would be quite destructive to our studies. So it is better to have your family members, the people who are around you to be ready to actually do this together with you. Every night, my family would help me take care of the kids for an hour or two while I focus on my studies. So this was not so much of my achievement alone, but the whole family's achievement."
Hoey Theen was awarded the Best Student Prize in Academic, an award to students who demonstrate the most outstanding academic achievement in the MBA dual award programme as selected by both Sunway University and Lancaster University. Another student, H'ng Gaik Chin, was awarded the Programme Director's Prize for his consistent academic performance and outstanding growth in personal development through high level of commitment, perseverance and initiative to achieve his goals.
The first cohort of MBA graduates at Sunway University includes Aw Sei Cheh, Chai Jee Huei, Choy Le Roy, Dinesh Krishnan, Yap Lian Kim and Yeap Kim Gaik.
Validated by Lancaster University, the MBA programme at Sunway University, which started in March 2014, is a dual award programme tailored for aspiring managers with the ambition to become strategic leaders within an increasingly complex organisational and business environment. The programme provides students with thorough knowledge of the latest management theories and tools. It also aims to help students in honing and building a set of skills that they can use wherever they are.
Upon completion, graduates will receive two certificates, one from Sunway University and one from Lancaster University. Sunway University is a renowned business education provider within Malaysia while Lancaster University is ranked in the top 1% of universities globally and has been delivering MBA programmes that are triple accredited and globally recognised by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), European Quality Improvement System(EQUIS) and the Association of MBAs (AMBA).
Those looking to springboard their career potential or enhance their business acumen, can join the university for a Preview Session on Thursday, June 8, 6pm to 8pm or Saturday, June 10, 12pm to 2pm. The Preview Session will be held at Sunway University Graduate Centre. To reserve a place at the preview or to find out more about the programme, call 03-7491 8701 or visit https://university.sunway.edu.my/Business-School/Master-Business-Administration