Collaborative partners of First City University College (First City UC), namely Nottingham Trent University (NTU) and Sheffield Hallam University (SHU) held their graduation ceremonies on 16 Oct 2016. The annual event was graced by the presence of First City UC top management executives, namely its Chancellor, YBhg. Tan Sri Dato Seri Dr. Hj. Yahaya bin Ibrahim, Vice-Chancellor, Academician Professor Dr. Ho Chee Cheong, Chief Operating Officer, Ms. Yeong Yin Cheng, its Board of Governors and joined by representatives from the partner universities: College International Manager from NTU Global, Dr Clare Newstead, SHU’s Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean, Faculty of Arts, Computing, Engineering and Sciences, Professor Roger Eccleston and SHU’s International Collaborative Portfolio Director, Mr Tim Mulroy. The ceremonies recognised the graduates’ efforts and achievements in their respective courses, all of whom were presented with scrolls in front of the honoured guests, academic staff, media, classmates and family members.

During the ceremonies, 42 students from NTU and 26 from SHU received their graduation scrolls for completing their studies in Graphic Design, Software Engineering and Electrical and Electronic Engineering. A total of 10 students from both universities emerged as recipients of the Excellence Awards for achieving first class honours in their respective degree courses.

Academician Professor Dr. Ho Chee Cheong said in his welcome address, “Education is the key for opportunities. A graduation is the culmination of years of commitment and hard work to attain that key. At First City UC, we strive to provide top-rated facilities to support and encourage teaching and learning, while enhancing our teaching staff’s capabilities in imparting knowledge to our students. Today is the day when we give them that key, and it is up to the graduates to unlock as many doors of opportunities as they could.”

Degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering graduate from SHU, Nigel Sim Joon Leck conveyed his appreciation to the people around him in his vote of thanks. “I would like to thank the lecturers whom we will fondly remember for their excellence in teaching. Studying at First City UC has given me more focus in achieving my goals in life. First City UC has assisted my friends and I to get employment even before we sat for our final exam. During Innovation Day, employers from various companies hold on-the-spot interviews and some of us were instantly hired. I was lucky to be offered a job 2 months before my finals.” He added that he is proud to be the first batch graduating from First City UC since it attained the elevated status of University College in 2015.

For Hwong Cory Ke-Yong, a NTU graduate from the Graphic Design Bachelor degree who also gave a vote of thanks at the graduation, her education journey at First City UC was full of challenges but has been a great experience. She said, “I will never forget what I have learned and the friends I have made throughout these years. I would like to thank First City UC and NTU, as without these universities, we would not be here in the first place. The education that we have received has empowered us with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the industry.”

First City UC continues its longstanding collaboration with the prestigious NTU and SHU, both revered for their commitment in producing quality, employable graduates across several fields – particularly Design and Engineering. Students at First City UC excel in their studies and well sought-after by the industry after graduation, which is the advantage of these partnerships under the ‘3+0’ mode where all parties constantly work together in providing quality programmes, while ensuring that the courses and modules are relevant to the needs of the industry.