Sunway University Hosts First-Ever Virtual Graduation Ceremony for Class of July 2020 and February 2021

 Sunway University held its first-ever virtual graduation ceremony, honouring the achievement and resiliency of 2261 students from the Class of July 2020 & February 2021, officially commemorating its graduates' achievements through all the challenges this unprecedented period has created. 

Despite the pandemic, the time-honoured tradition in Sunway of bringing notable and influential speakers to address, inspire and congratulate the graduating class remains strong. 

The virtual ceremony comprised of students from School of Arts, School of Engineering and Technology, School of Hospitality and Service Management, School of Interdisciplinary Studies, School of Medical and Life Sciences, School of Mathematical Sciences and Sunway University Business School.  

The graduation was officiated by YBhg. Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Jeffrey Cheah AO, the Chancellor, along with Professor Elizabeth Lee, Chief Executive Officer of Sunway Education Group, Professor Sibrandes Poppema, President of Sunway University and Professor Graeme Wilkinson, Vice-Chancellor and Chair of the Academic Senate, Sunway University. Professor Andy Schofield, Vice-Chancellor of Lancaster University was also present virtually to confer the University of Lancaster scrolls to the graduating students for the honours and master’s degree programmes by Sunway University, validated by Lancaster University and delivered the Occasional Address. 

“We are building Sunway University into a leading global institution which you all will be proud to call your alma mater in the years to come,” said Tan Sri Dato' Seri Jeffrey Cheah as he congratulated the graduates and highlighted the institution’s constant strive to create an environment that encourages learning, sparks great ideas, and promotes innovation as well as sustainable solutions for the future.

The momentous event was streamed live on 22 and 23 May 2021, garnered almost 50,000 views across YouTube and Facebook, with many graduates, family and friends around the world tuning in, sending congratulatory messages online and sharing their celebrations at home via social media with the hashtag #SunUVirtualGrad. 

Notable Ambassadors including the High Commissioner of the United Kingdom Charles Hay, The Ambassador of France H.E Roland Galharague, High Commissioner of Pakistan Amna Baloch and High Commission of the Republic of Maldives Her Excellency Visam Ali also took time from their schedule to send video messages of support, whilst some of the world's leading corporate brands such as Standard Chartered, Huawei & PWC among many others also took the moment to recognise this gifted generation of future nation builders.

Leading dignitaries from University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Harvard University also virtually supported the graduates and their families. 

“My time at Sunway College and Sunway University has not only allowed me to discover my enthusiasms and passions, but lit the way forward to shape a better future for myself, my community and my country,” said Raenuga A/P Indran, the valedictorian from the Class of February 2021, also one of the four valedictorians, graduating with bachelor's degree in Psychology. She also encourages her fellow graduates to take enter the next chapter with strength, tenacity and resilience. 

“We hope you will stay connected and have many future engagements with us, I wish you every success in your future and rest assured that your alma mater will always be here for you,” said Professor Elizabeth Lee as she welcomed all graduates to be part of the Sunway Alumni Community and the very best wishes for their future endeavours towards the end of the virtual graduation ceremony

It was a distinguished ceremony of gratitude, celebration and achievement for the graduates, recognising their accomplishment despite the uncertainty and challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.