More than 2,000 guests gathered at the Raffles City Convention Centre in Singapore over the weekend to witness three spectacular graduation ceremonies for more than 750 students.

Three outstanding Valedictorians – Tan Bee Wah, Mendoza Reina Margarita Ostani and Pearl Pang Hui Ping – shared their learning journeys with fellow graduands and their loved ones at the ceremonies on October 20 and 21.

Dean of Murdoch University in Singapore, Peter Waring, said Murdoch Singapore’s alumni community continued to flourish, with the 750 graduates joining Murdoch’s growing global alumni family, with more than 17,000 in Singapore alone.

Murdoch University’s enrolment is one of the largest of any Australian university in the City State, with more than 5,000 students enrolled in business, cybersecurity, psychology, law and communications courses, among others.

“Our graduates are mainly Singaporeans, most of whom work during the day and study in the evenings, as well as an increasing number of students from the region,” Associate Professor Waring said. “Murdoch has established an outstanding reputation in Singapore for producing graduates that are creative, adaptable, thoughtful and highly employable.”

“We are confident the education our latest graduates have received has prepared them well for their future endeavours. We look forward watching to the many valuable contributions they will make to Singapore’s economic and social wellbeing.”

Professor Waring said the Valedictorians had excelled in the areas of psychology, cyber-forensics and banking and finance, while juggling work with their study commitments.

“All three have shown a commitment to excellence in achieving their goals, and they are a great example to all future Singapore Murdoch students,” Professor Waring said.

Acting Chancellor Ross Holt reminded the graduating students to take a few risks, learn from their mistakes and seize opportunities when they presented themselves.

“Grab these for all your worth, be flexible in your choices and keep working hard – the successes and the satisfaction will follow,” he said.

Vice Chancellor Eeva Leinonen told those gathered to embrace the rapidly changing world, but to continue to be free thinkers who pursued their dreams.

“Think for yourselves, search for the evidence, probe, enquire, question, seek solutions – as that is how we will continue to discover, invent and create the future,” Professor Leinonen said.

Dr Danny Toohey, a Murdoch graduate and long-term IT Lecturer, was chosen to give the Occasional Address on 20 October, recognising his passion and commitment to providing students in Australia and abroad with a high-quality education.

Each ceremony concluded with a moving cultural performance by two members of the Noongar nation, Olman and Alton Walley, who were accompanied by a beautiful recording from Australia featuring family members Rickeeta and Richard Walley.

IMAGE: Valedictorian Pearl Pang Hui Ping with Vice Chancellor Eeva Leinonen, Acting Chancellor Ross Holt and Singapore Dean Peter Waring.