UWIC holds special graduation ceremonies in Brunei

27/07/2010 15:00

The University of Wales Institute, Cardiff (UWIC) held graduation ceremonies in Brunei at the Chancellor Hall, Universiti Brunei Darussalam last week.

Award ceremonies were held over two days for almost 100 successful Bruneian students who have studied at UWIC, in the presence of Rob Fenn, British High Commissioner and Pehin Abdul Rahman Taib, former Minister of Education, who was made an Honorary Fellow of UWIC.

John Phillips, Rob Fenn, Professor Antony Chapman,
a Bruneian student, Dr Mohamed Loutfi

As well as these esteemed guests, the Vice-Chancellor of UWIC, Professor Antony Chapman, was also joined by other honoured guests and over 400 family and friends of the graduates at the Universiti of Brunei Darussalam for the award ceremony.

Rob Fenn, Brunei High Commissioner said: “It’s wonderful to be here celebrating the success of so many Bruneian students. UWIC is a class act and is exceptional in the way that it looks after the welfare of these students.

I’m very proud to be here and very proud of what UWIC does for Britain in its relationship with Brunei.”

John Phillips, Dean of International Students at UWIC and also Chair of the British Universities Brunei Association, said: “This event is held every two years in Brunei and allows each successful graduate to invite a large number of family and friends. Having worked so hard, our Bruneian graduates really deserve this opportunity to enjoy their moment at this ceremony in Brunei in addition to the ceremonies held in Cardiff.

“The University values its relationship with Brunei and is proud that the success of this year’s student cohort was honoured by the attendance of Pehin Abdul Rahman Taib, former Minister of Education and that he was made an Honorary Fellow of the university – the highest honour that UWIC can bestow.

Mr Rob Fenn, Brunei High Commisoner meeting graduates

“The graduating students are absolutely delighted – we had an audience of more than 400 family and friends for whom it was a very special day.”

Nur Azimah Zaili, a graduating student in the field of Health and Social Care, who thanked everyone involved in the success of all the students, said: “UWIC is a very welcoming university and I have found all the staff to be very supportive. Cardiff is an ideal city for Bruneians – I was very happy there. I am very pleased to be receiving my academic award from Professor Antony Chapman, UWIC’s Vice-Chancellor; it is a wonderful day for my family to celebrate my success.”

Picture captions:

Brunei-01: John Phillips, Rob Fenn, Professor Antony Chapman, a Bruneian student, Dr Mohamed Loutfi

Brunei-02: Mr Rob Fenn, Brunei High Commisoner meeting graduates

Notes to Editors:
The University of Wales is a confederal university founded in 1893. It has nine accredited institutions throughout Wales including UWIC.

UWIC has held a graduation ceremony in Brunei every two years since 1998 and currently has over seventy Bruneian students enrolled in 24 different courses.

HRH Prince of Wales is Chancellor of the University of Wales. In 2008, the guest of honour in Brunei was HRH the Prince of Wales and HRH the Duchess of Cornwall.

UWIC sends their representative to Brunei three times a year and the university enjoys strong partnerships with the Ministries of Education and Health.

UWIC is unusual in its relationship because it is the only British University that has an award ceremony in Brunei and that has an official alumni association in the country.

Bruneian students have been very successful at UWIC; they benefit from their own excellent school education system which is compatible with that of the UK and they also receive strong support from the government of Brunei. They settle into life in Cardiff very well and are committed to their studies.

There is a vibrant Brunei Students Association which organises important events in Cardiff such as the National Day Celebrations (attended by the Brunei High Commissioner from London).

UWIC has just developed new Muslim prayer rooms for students.

The venue for the graduation is the Universiti of Brunei Darussalam with whom UWIC has a jointly delivered Bachelors degree in Sports and Physical Education.

In 2001, HRH the Crown Prince of Brunei made an official visit to the UK and UWIC was the only university that was chosen for him to visit.

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For further information contact Sarah Huckson, Press Officer, Tel: 029 2041 6221, or e-mail: shuckson@uwic.ac.uk
Web: www.uwic.ac.uk