2nd Graduation Ceremony
THE PRINCIPAL’S SPEECH ON THE 2ND GRADUATION CEREMONY OF SCLP SACS CENTRE ON 8TH MAY, 2010
Respected Chief Guest, Senior Ambassador for Peace (Universal Peace Federation) and Chairman of Dawda Group of Companies Mr.Hasmukh Dawda, Guest of Honour The Manager Academic Pathway Programs UWSCollege Marilyn McDonald, Samaj Trustees, Chairman and members of Samaj Managing Committee, Trustees of the SCLP Charitable Trust, Chairman and Members of School Board of Governors Officials of the Universal Peace Federation, Invited Guests, Parents, Teachers, Dear Graduands, Students, Ladies and Gentlemen.
I welcome you all and in particular our Chief Guest Mr. Hasmukh P. Dawda and his gracious lady, Aruna Dawda, for agreeing to come and preside over this ceremony inspite of his extremely busy schedule – being the Chairman of so many companies and his numerous social and spiritual activities.
He is a Senior Ambassador for Peace for the Universal Peace Federation – interreligious and International Federation for World Peace. We are also really very fortunate as he is also accompanied by Senior Officials of Universal Peace Federation and also senior dedicated spiritual personalities to bless this institution by their presence and prayers. Thank you Mr. Dawda for all this kind gesture and humility.
It is with a special joy that I welcome you all to another treasured moment in the lives of our students and the college. The congregation of graduates here today is testimony of our effective crusade in the shaping of our nation and the result of the combined labour and love of many-students, Faculty, Staff, Parents, the School Board of Governors under the patronage of the Samaj Managing Committee and UWSCollege fraternity. All have contributed much to realize this moment and in this regard I take this opportunity to congratulate today’s graduates as well as the numerous persons who have facilitated their learning experience. Today we are officially promoting an emerging group of leaders and nation builders to another level of service for which they have been more than adequately prepared. They have worked hard. They have achieved much. And now they are ready to shine by taking up degree courses at University of Western Sydney College-Australia. My students, friends and partners on the journey, we are proud of you. It is our hope that the fruits of your studies shall be rewarding to yourselves and your families, that you shall put your knowledge at the service of society and community while pursuing your University Education.
The Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, this second graduation ceremony is significant to us for many reasons.
Firstly it is a testimony that these graduands have come of age. They have experienced the excitement and challenges of our pioneering and transitioning institution and have journeyed with us as we consolidated out activities. Secondly, it is an opportunity for us to show-case the triumphs of our first graduates, in order to encourage the hearts of those who are following them.
And thirdly, it gives us the chance to inform the world of the beautiful things which are happening here and to invite others to join in the process.
Since our last graduation exercise, many changes have taken place which amply demonstrate the dynamism and innovativeness of this institution. The college’s teaching, learning and research continues to be very well reflected in a range of indicators. All show very strong performance in progress rates and completions, to higher study, graduate satisfaction rates, student evaluation of teaching. Many of those who pass through this college come from ordinary, humble backgrounds. In some cases, they had borderline qualifications. But they proved that their past could not determine their future by acquiring kind of training that equips them to stand out and shine while pursuing their University Education in Australia.
I am sincerely proud to commend the work well done by UWSCollege (University of Western Sydney College) headed by the C.E.O Dr. Kerry Hudson and SCLP SACS Centre Academic Programme Incharge, our Guest of Honour and The Manager Academic Pathway Programs Marilyn McDonald. On behalf of the Samaj Community and myself, I sincerely request Guest of Honour of this function Marilyn McDonald to accept our hearty gratitudes and love for the part they have played to make this program viable and successful as it is.
Also, kindly convey our honest and humble appreciation to UWSCollege C.E.O Dr. Kerry Hudson for this productive program in Samaj School for our youngsters. You have been very particular about the quality of programmes that we as a college offer. UWSCollege send their experts to come and critically examine our programmes. They look at facilities including textbooks, timetables, infrastructure and other pertinent materials that will assure them of quality. I personally have very much appreciated the manner in which UWSCollege Academic Board goes about with its duties. They keep track of the accreditation status. We have used them as our external examiners in all our programmes. We now have a very cordial working relationship with them. They have been extremely helpful to us.
I am happy to announce that UWSCollege has accredited our college with another new programme - UWS Foundation Nursing. We shall be having one intake per academic year for this new programme. The intake is in April every academic year running for two semesters then after that gaining an entry to 1st year University of Western Sydney for Bachelors in Nursing.
I would request our Guest of Honour Marilyn McDonald once again to convey our sincere thanks and appreciation to UWSCollege.
Am also happy to let you know that the Government of Kenya through the Ministry of Education has now finally recognized SCLP SACS Centre as a centre for pre-university programs and also an affiliate to UWSCollege – Australia. The certificate for full registration was issued on 28th April, 2010
I have always been extremely comfortable and enjoying every moment of my stay in this school as the principal, because I have had all round excellent support. The School Board of Governors, under the patronage of the Samaj Managing Committee, had given me every guidance and assistance in every field and I am very grateful to them for all this help for the sake of the well being of our youngsters. The parents have been very friendly, encouraging and very helpful. My colleagues, the teachers including the three deputies, the program administrator and other administrators have been very hardworking, enthusiastic, diligent, dedicated and have shown complete devotion to duty during the whole academic year of the program and we have all worked as a team. Dear non teaching staff, I can’t forget to appreciate you for your support, comradeship and dedication.
And now to my dear graduands, today you leave behind an alma mater that will continue to grow in quality, excellence, relevance and capacity to serve. I encourage you to find ways to contribute spiritually and intellectually to the growth of our college. During your stay here your tutors have battled valiantly against overwhelming odds to give you the basics about your chosen field - the necessary knowledge so that you are now, fully equipped to go for University Education in Australia of your chosen field They may have however, in the process, inadvertently kept away from you a most important fact. Now at the time of your graduation it is probably safe to divulge this secret ingredient to help you in the future. You are the master of your ship. The direction of your destiny is in your hands. Steer your lives with a clear sense of mission and vision. Steer your life with determination and courage. Steer your life with character and integrity. Your world is full of very intelligent and sophisticated people. Very often they will have, apparently, more powerful arguments than you do. Sometimes they will be contemptuous of you. That is where your education at SCLP SACS Centre will come to your aid and kindly use it.
Your crown is the certificate you are about to receive today. You must feel proud to be products of SCLP Samaj Australian College Studies Centre. We have given you adequate academic, moral and spiritual knowledge to work with when you get into the Univesrsity. We are very proud of you and as such we expect you to be honest in whatever you do.
We also wish that you would be truthful and will have deep love for your college and country. You should be the lamp that lights up all corners wherever you find yourselves, especially at the University of Western Sydney College.
Your graduation today marks the end of a long journey and the beginning of an even longer one! I am sure there have been hard times, instances of self-doubt and some failures but I am sure that there have also been the most amazing moments too. And above all you have succeeded.
Once again on behalf of the college I extend my sincere thanks to our Chief Guest and Guest of Honour for gracing this occasion.
Not forgotten in my list of appreciation the team of my dear students without whose participation and active support, this function wouldn’t have been successful. Thank you all my dear students.
In the end, on behalf of SCLP Samaj, Trustees of the Trust, Board of Governors, School staff and on my own behalf, I wish all parents and their children and everyone present a happy life and thank you all for your kind attention.
May God Bless you all.
Thank you.
THE BOG CHAIRMAN’S SPEECH ON THE 2ND GRADUATION CEREMONY OF SCLP SACS CENTRE ON 8TH MAY 2010
The Chief Guest, Senior Ambassador For Peace (Universal Peace Federation) and Chairman of Dawda Group of Companies Mr. Hasmukh Dawda, The Guest of Honour The Manager Academic Pathway Programs UWSCollege Marilyn McDonald, Samaj Trustees, Chairman and Members of Samaj Managing Committee, Trust Trustees and Members of School Board of Governors, Officials of The Universal Peace Federation, Invited Guests, Parents, Teachers, Granduads, Students, Ladies and Gentlemen.
Let me, on behalf of the Samaj B.O.G and the entire Samaj Community, welcome all of you to this 2nd Graduation Ceremony of the SCLP Samaj Australian College Studies Centre.
I particularly want to recognize the presence of the Chief Guest, The Senior Ambassador of Peace and the Chairman of Dawda Group of Companies Mr. Hasmukh Dawda. We are very honoured and privileged to have you as our Chief Guest for this 2nd Graduation Ceremony, inspite of your tight and busy schedules, for the purpose of both wisdom sharing and love for our school.
I would also like to give a special welcome to our Guest of Honour, The Manager Academic Pathway Programs UWSCollege Marilyn McDonald has always been there for us. Any time we invite her she does find the time to come all the way from UWSCollege Australia. Marilyn, we appreciate your presence in a special way and your presence will serve as an encouragement to our graduands and students.
This year, 2010 SCLP Samaj School is one and a half decades old. We want to use the occasion to thank all those who in diverse ways have helped us, offered a word of advice or a word of encouragement or even a word of prayer to bring our institution this far. We equally want to appreciate those who have given us substantial financial assistance. It is all of these put together that have made us what we are today. Above all, we are grateful to the Almighty God with whose blessings this institution thrives. He has been our Guider and Provider through all these years.
It is important we inculcate good and responsible citizenship into our students. This will enable them develop love for their country and prepare them for service. To implement this principle as mentioned above our School B.O.G decided that the entire school should try their level best to raise funds enough to purchase one school bus while the entire School Board also should raise funds enough for the second bus for the school. We have always encouraged our students to participate in all events aiming to help the disadvantaged people. We hope this would create sense of love in them for mankind.
I wish at this juncture, to congratulate all of you graduands on the successful completion of your program of study in this college. The road has been rough and the task arduous. However, through hard work, determination and Grace of Almighty God, you have finally arrived. This is the moment of pride and you have every reason to relish it. I hope that all of you will prove yourselves and demonstrate what you have acquired here at SCLP Samaj Australian College Studies Centre over the last one year. As you go to Australia for University Education, be good ambassadors of Samaj College.
I extend my best wishes to all of you as you start your journey into the future. Always remember that education is a continuous process that never ends. A college education opens up your mind for life- long learning. In developing your career, continuous professional development is a must to enable you effectively contribute your quota to the development of our dear nation and the world at large in this dynamic globalized era.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I extend my best wishes to all of you as you start your journey into the future and once again wish to congratulate the Principal, Administrators, Staff and students of SCLP Samaj Australian College Studies Centre for the successes you have achieved since its establishment. The Board shall always continue providing all the needs of the college for the sake of the best and quality education to our children.
Last but not least may I extend my appreciation to Samaj Managing Committee, Samaj Trustees, Trustees of SCLP Charitable Trust and SCLP Samaj School Board of Governors for what they have done in providing and guiding this institution to achieve its Vision and Mission.
Once again, welcome to all of you on this august occasion and may our Almighty God bless you all.
Thank you.
THE PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR’S SPEECH DURING 2ND GRADUATION CEREMONY ON 8TH MAY 2010
The Chief Guest Senior Ambassador for Peace and Chairman of Dawda Group of Companies, The Guest of Honour The Manager Academic Pathway Programs UWSCollege, Samaj Trustees, Trust Trustees of SCLP Charitable Trust, Chairman and members of Samaj Managing Committee, Chairman and Members of School Board of Governors, Invited Guests, Principal, Parents, my fellow colleagues, my dear graduands and students and protocol observed.
Welcome to SCLP Samaj Australian College Studies Centre, Honoured Guests, The Chief Guest and Guest of Honour, other Guests, Students and of course their proud families.
Firstly, let me give the class of 2009/2010 the warmest congratulations , you deserve your accolades, graduation day and also the Academic awards you are going to receive today including the scholarship awards.
Before coming on to your achievements let us take a moment to mention those wonderful people who have made it possible for all of us to go about our daily business. We as a college, have found the Chairman and Members of the Board of Governors through the patronage of the Samaj Managing Committee of this institution helpful. I want to use this forum on behalf of the college to express our sincere appreciation to all of them. I cannot forget the Guest of Honour who is also the Manager Academic Pathway Programs UWSCollege Marilyn McDonald for her tremendous help when it comes to our Academic Curriculum development matters. She has put her expertise at our disposal. We have access to her email address and mobile phone 24 hours. We really appreciate all you have done for us, Guest of Honour. We want to mention Leanne Yard who is the Head of Program, Health and Science from UWSCollege Australia.
Even though she is an extremely busy person, whenever we made contact with her she would stop all that she was doing and attend to Samaj College first. Her emails are instant on reply or request.
I would like to mention our institution Principal Mr. H.S. Gill for his professional guidance and wonderful interaction he has bestowed to his Administrators, staff and also the supportive staff.
I take enormous pride of recognizing the efforts of the teaching staff. They are superb professionals who work very hard to do the utmost they can for each students. They have put in much longer hours than you would have thought, they think hard on the driving force and the inspirational voice for remarkable growth and transformation of our institution.
We do appreciate you Koala Information and Advice Centre and staff for orientation and visa processing task for our students. First Flight Couriers Ltd for courier services. Express Communications Ltd for career fairs. The college support staff who are truly big pillars in this success and which am sure it visible to all.
And now to our dear graduands, please accept my warmest congratulations. You have fought a fight and run a good race. You must feel proud to be products of SCLP Samaj Australian College Studies Centre. Your graduation today marks the end of a long journey and the beginning of an even longer one! I am sure there have been hard times, instances of self doubt and some failures but I am sure that there have also been the most cherished and great moments too you have had here in Samaj. You started the course with a total of 19 students on 24th August 2009 and today after the successful completion of 2 semester of the UWS Foundation Courses, all of you 19 have made it and honestly with brilliant and great GPAs. You truly deserve this occasion
No matter what has been expected of you, you certainly have succeeded. So, today you get to celebrate this graduation, which is a key milestone in your lives. I hope the occasion is a great one for you all.
The past must now transit into the future for all of you. You are now approaching another level going to do your diplomas in UWSCollege and must decide which standards you will hold yourself to. Our pride in you all will remain undiminished. However, I would caution you that we have had year books with many bright people who forgot their personal standards in years to come and have had many difficult moments in their lives. Great talent such as you have deserves to get the chance to flourish without any barrier.
Lastly, let me congratulate you again and wish you all the most fulfilling and successful expectations you all deserve it.
Thank you and God bless you all.
VOTE OF THANKS BY THE BOG SECRETARY
Ladies and Gentlemen and my dear students I have been given a very pleasant and important duty to give a vote of thanks.
As we come to the end of this 2nd SCLP Samaj Australian College Studies Centre Graduation Ceremony, it is my pleasure to extend a vote of thanks to all who have made the event such a success. Graduation day is a very special day for the students who have successfully completed their studies. It is the occasion when the students and their parent’s hard work, dedication and sacrifices are finally recognized and rewarded at this prestigious ceremony.
Let me start by expressing our deep and heart-felt gratitude to our Chief Guest, The Senior Ambassador of Peace Mr. Hasmukh Dawda, we are greatly humbled in you for finding time from your tight and busy schedule and accepting to preside over our 2nd Graduation Ceremony. Your shared wisdom in you speech is a honour to us all.
We are likewise grateful for the presence of the Guest of Honour, Manager Academic Pathway Programs UWSCollege Marilyn McDonald. Madam, we thank you for your very insightful address. Your presence here today demonstrates your commitment to education in a continuously changing world. Each time you join us, we feel very privileged and we take your words to heart. Let us foster bonds of collaboration.
I would also like to extend a special word of thanks to proud parents, relatives and friends for the support you gave to our students throughout their studies. You have made many sacrifices to see your children and friends succeed in their studies.
Let me also express our gratitude to Samaj Managing Committee, Trustees and Trust Trustees. We value your unfaltering support and on-going coordination in the work of the Samaj institutions.
To my Chairman and fellow BOG members, I wish to commend you for your sterling work and dedication in making Samaj Institution the thriving and forward looking institution it is today.
Special thanks to the ladies who have prepared food and refreshments for this special occasion.
The staff of the SCLP Samaj Australian College Studies Centre under the strong leadership of our Principal Mr. H.S. Gill deserves a special word of thanks for the excellent achievements over the years and smooth organization of this important ceremony. As you know without committed and dedicated staff, important events like teaching and learning and ceremonies like this one cannot be realized successfully. In this same category the support staff are all equally appreciated. We realize that we could not do this well without your personal sacrifices.
A very warm thank you goes to our children who have entertained us today. You are the best every time your musical skills entertain and refresh us throughout the graduation ceremony. Thank you for your continuous support.
In my closing remarks, let me congratulate the graduates and thank you in advance. You leave this ceremony today with a duty to uphold the good name of SCLP Samaj Australian College Studies Centre. It is our hope as a college, that whatever you are and whatever you do, it will reflect positively on us all. It is only through hard work and continuous learning that you will reach your full potential and good life at University of Western Sydney College for your diploma.
And to all of you, we shall remember you for gracing this occasion.
I thank you all for your attention and wish you well. May the Almighty God bless you all.