Thomas Tan
A total of 3,650 students pursuing various diploma programmes at Tunku Abdul Rahman College (TARC), Kuala Lumpur Main Campus graduated at its recent convocation held at the College Hall.
The graduation ceremony spread over three days saw some 2,169 graduates from science, mutimedia design, technology, business studies, mass communication and human resource management programmes received their scrolls from TARC principal Dr Tan Chik Heok on November 24 and 25, 2012.
Another 1,481 graduates will receive their scrolls on December 1.
There were also 51 College Book Prizes awarded to top achievers for their brilliant academic performance.
In his convocation address to graduates, parents and guardians, Dr Tan Chik Heok congratulated the graduates on their achievements.
He said: “Today you have proven your capability by putting in hard work and effort to it.
“I believe you will realise as well that by going through this baptism of fire, it builds character and values that will take you far in your lives.”
Datuk Dr Tan reminded the graduates of the importance of holding fast to good values that distinguish them as good citizens of the country.
He said to the graduates “Knowledge and good characters will bring greater impact to the society. Strive to always be a person of virtues such as humility, respect for others, trustworthiness and charity, and adopt a positive attitude to learning so as to keep you at the frontiers of knowledge. Remember that “when a tiger dies, it leaves its stripes. When a man dies, he leaves his name.
“The natural progression from your Diploma will be the Advanced Diploma at TARC to continue specialisation in your chosen field. The journey towards achieving your Advanced Diploma will be one that is academically and intellectually challenging but at the same time rewarding,” he added.
The college was established in 1969 with the aim of providing quality and affordable tertiary education to Malaysians as well as to meet the requisite manpower for nation building.
Today, it has grown tremendously over the course of four decades and boasts of a student population of 24,000, making it the largest college in Malaysia and offers more than 130 programmes.
Atikah Nai’lah Binti Mohd Kamal, 20, who graduated with distinction in Diploma in Business Studies (Accounting) said she was attracted to TARC because of the high academic standards and its fast track to obtain the relevant professional qualifications.
A former student of Sekolah Kebangsaan Seksyen 5 Wangsa Maju, Atikah who scored 10 As in her SPM said she was offered a scholarship to do dentistry overseas but preferred to stay to do her favourite subject accounting because that was her interest.
She is now continuing her studies to Advanced Diploma at the college to achieve her ambition to become a chartered accountant.
Advanced Diploma students at TARC are simultaneously prepared to sit for the final stage examinations of global professional bodies such as ACCA, CIMA and ICSA. Hence, students can complete these professional qualifications simultaneously with the respective Advanced Diploma programmes.
Just like Atikah, aspiring accountants Dinesh A/L S. Rajendren and Divakkar A/L Selvam, both 20, who graduated in Diploma in Business Studies (Accounting) said they chose to study at TARC because it is renowned for accountancy courses. They are continuing their Advanced Diploma at the college to pursue their dream career.
“We like the friendly environment here. We have no problem mixing around with students and lecturers as we consider everyone as Malaysians. There are no specific issues to say as we are together as one.”
For Chew Yen Yee, 20, from Ipoh, who was the only graduate of Multimedia Design diploma with distinction said she burned the midnight oil herself and the hard work got her the distinction.
She is now studying Advanced Diploma and hopes to become a famous 3-D animator for a big multi-national corporation.
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