PENANG, 29 Sept – Dr. Beh Kok Hooi, the Vice-chancellor of Han Chiang University College of Communication (HCUC), expressed that HCUC has achieved remarkable academic accomplishments this year. In addition to officially launching the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program in Chinese Studies, three academic staff members have been promoted to the position of Associate Professors.

“I am delighted to be a part of this historic process and to be one of the three who received this promotion. The other two associate professors are Dr. Yeoh Kim Chuan, the Dean of the School of Chinese Studies, and Dr. Jackson Loke Soo Ling, a lecturer of the School of Chinese Studies,” said Dr. Beh.

Dr. Yeoh and Dr. Jackson are alumni of HCUC, having graduated from the Chinese Studies department in 2006. After obtaining their Ph.D. from Nanjing University in China, they returned to serve their alma mater.

“We also hope to see more faculty members continue to pioneer and contribute to the field of academia. I would like to take this opportunity to call upon more alumni to give back to their alma mater once they have achieved success in their careers,” Dr. Beh emphasized during his address at the graduation ceremony.

Dr. Beh also highlighted that HCUC’s academic focus primarily revolves around humanities and social sciences. The introduction of the Ph.D. program signifies an expansion of higher-level academic research at HCUC.

He mentioned that the Ph.D. program will nurture professionals with in-depth expertise and independent research capabilities, providing students with a broader academic horizon. Dr. Beh expressed the hope to witness the emergence of alumni who will contribute significantly to Chinese culture and academia.

Prof. Dato’ Dr. Teng Tjoon Tow, holding the HCUC ceremonial mace.

To enhance the ceremony’s academic significance, the graduation procession was led by Professor. Dato’ Dr. Teng Tjoon Tow, Deputy Vice-chancellor of HCUC, carried the HCUC Ceremonial Mace. This tradition symbolizes the conferral of degrees and embodies the spirit, academic heritage, and cultural traditions of the university college. It marked a historic moment in the educational development of Han Chiang.

Despite the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical shifts resulting from the Russian-Ukraine conflict, and rising international commodity prices, various assessments and forecasts indicate that 2023 is a year of significant global changes. 

Nevertheless, Dr. Beh attributed the remarkable academic achievements of HCUC to the guidance of the Han Chiang University College Board and the collective efforts of all faculty and staff.

This year, HCUC saw a total of 245 graduates, including 108 bachelor’s degree graduates and 137 diploma graduates. Furthermore, seven bachelor’s degree graduates and six diploma graduates received the Outstanding Graduate Award, while 25 bachelor’s degree graduates and 15 diploma graduates were awarded the Annual Excellence Student Certificate.

Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Tan Kok Ping: Groundbreaking for HCUC’s New Building

Winnie Oon Jia Xiang (from left) receiving the Best New Media Student Award from Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Tan Kok Ping, JP (from right).

Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Tan Kok Ping, the Executive Advisor of the Han Chiang Three Schools, announced that 2023 marks the beginning of a new milestone for Han Chiang education. The eagerly awaited new building for HCUC has commenced construction, and the board was fortunate to engage an exceptionally skilled professional architectural team to create a new, grand, and modern architectural complex.

He stated that the modern complex, with an investment of RM 70 million, together with Han Chiang Primary School and Han Chiang High School, will become a collective pride of the Han Chiang community and a symbol of education in Malaysia, known as the Han Chiang Education City.

Regarding academic programs, the establishment of the Ph.D. program, following the Master’s program in Chinese Studies, further enhances the comprehensive Chinese education system at HCUC, spanning from primary to secondary education, undergraduate, master’s, and now Ph.D. levels.

“Through this process, you, the graduates, have been fortunate to witness the progress and development of HCUC over the past two decades. You are not only witnesses of the history of HCUC’s development but also important contributors to the advancement of the university,” said Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Tan Kok Ping.

Dato’ Seri Ooi Soo Hing: HCUC’s Role in Education

Tan Yun Xi (from left), receiving the Best Mass Communications Student Award, from Dato’ Seri Ooi Soo Hing (from right).

Dato’ Seri Ooi Soo Hing, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Han Chiang Three Schools, emphasized that over the years, HCUC has consistently implemented various reforms, including the construction of new buildings and the enhancement of campus infrastructure quality.

“In the future, the Han Chiang Education City, consisting of HCUC, Han Chiang High School, and Han Chiang Primary School, will undoubtedly become a source of pride for the Han Chiang community,” he said.

He also noted that HCUC has achieved remarkable academic achievements, not only through reforms initiated by the board but also through the collective participation of all faculty and students. He emphasized that the students are not only witnesses of HCUC’s developmental history but also essential contributors to the progress of the institution.

“The remarkable achievements of HCUC today are not solely reliant on the reforms implemented by the board but also necessitate the collective participation of all faculty and students for success. Therefore, it can be said that you, the students, are not just witnesses to HCUC’s developmental history but are also crucial contributors to driving the progress of the school.”

Bachelor’s Degree Best Student List:

Diploma Best Student List:

Bachelor’s Degree Annual Dean’s List Recipients:

Diploma Annual Dean’s List Recipients: