Defying all odds to become the first batch of OUM PhD graduates

OUM’s 9th convocation on 20th November 2010 witnessed the first batch PhD graduates receiving their scrolls from the Chancellor, Tun Jeanne Abdullah. Four graduates received the PhD in Business Administration. Two graduates received the PhD in Education and one graduate received the PhD in Engineering.

The first batch of PhD graduates from left: Dr. Patrick Wong, Dr. Baljinder Singh, Dr. Lum Heap Sum, Dr. Sia Malcolm, Dr. Richard Ng, Dr. Wong Siaw Ming and Dr. Aminah

Dr. Richard Ng, a senior lecturer and Dr. Patrick Wong, a banker, were the pioneers of the PhD programme, which was offered by OUM in Sept 2005. Together they defied all odds and spent five years before they finally achieved their goals. Being the pioneer students they faced so many challenges, which include getting advice in preparing their qualifying exams and looking for good supervisors to guide them. Both of them have been keeping in touch together and motivate each other until they graduate. It was definitely a lonely journey into the uncertainty. Only those with strong determination and perseverance will be able to see their dream come true.

Waiting to receive their scrolls from left: Dr. Patrick Wong, Dr. Wong Siaw Ming, Dr. Richard Ng and Dr. Lum Heap Sum all from the faculty of business

“If not because of the colloquium organized by OUM during the final year of our studies, we both may not graduate by now.” said Richard. He thanked OUM especially the dean of the Centre for Graduate Studies, Prof. Dr. Ghazali Mohayidin for bringing in changes into the system. He credited his success to the professionals and experts brought in during the colloquium to motivate and guide them on how to prepare for their dissertation and viva.

Richard Ng receiving his scroll from the Chancellor, Tun Jeanne Abdullah during the 9th OUM Convocation

Other PhD graduates during the convocation are Dr. Lum Heap Sum and Dr. Wong Siaw Ming (Business Administration), Dr. Sia Malcolm (Engineering), Dr. Baljinder Singh and Dr. Aminah (Education).

These graduates have definitely done OUM proud by being the first batch to obtain the prestigious qualification. They were among the 5931 graduates during the 9th convocation, which was held at the PWTC from 20th November to 23rd November.