UQ honours Singapore graduates

More than 800 students and their families took part in The University of Queensland’s graduate celebration in Singapore this afternoon.

UQ Chancellor Sir Llewellyn Edwards, AC, congratulated more than 110 graduates, mostly from business and engineering, during the celebration at the National University of Singapore.

Senior Consultant Paediatrician and Gastroenterologist Professor Phua Kong Boo from the KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Singapore was guest speaker.

Professor Phua, a UQ alumni from 1965, told graduates to live a humble life, have goals and not procrastinate.

“We need to be strong enough to admit our mistakes, smart enough to profit from them and strong enough to correct them,” Professor Phua said.

“Set a goal, pursue it passionately, continue your education. . . Family, friends and health are very important.”

He said graduates had a solid foundation from UQ and there were still good work opportunities in Singapore for those who were open minded and willing to change.

The graduation celebration also marked the 10th anniversary of the UQ Alumni Association of Singapore.

It also coincided with UQ’s new alumni vision unveiled by UQ’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International and Development) Professor Trevor Griggat an alumni celebration on Saturday night.

Professor Grigg said the alumni vision was about improving services and support for all UQ alumni.

He said some of these improved services included a searchable database of all alumni called UQ Reunited to allow graduates to connect with friends for social or business opportunities.

An alumni referral program waivers the application fee for those referred and has set a one-day response time for inquiries.

The UQ Career Hub will include an international alumni section featuring employment options.

All alumni will be granted one year’s free library membership with a 10 percent discount thereafter and they will also have access to long distance document delivery.

Singapore is UQ’s second biggest international student group after China, with more than 820 Singaporean students studying at UQ this year.

UQ has 10 agreements with Singapore institutions to foster research and academic collaboration and student and staff exchanges.

The graduate celebration is one of three being held by UQ in Asia this week with graduate gatherings in Beijing on Tuesday and in Shanghai on Thursday.

MEDIA: Miguel Holland at UQ (+61 413 996 845, m.holland@uq.edu.au)