Graduation joy for 3rd batch of Warwick degree students

The third batch of 26 preschool principals and teachers, who completed their three-year part-time University of Warwick Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree course last year, had a jubilant reunion with their classmates and lecturers at the graduation ceremony held at the Marriott Hotel on 29 April 2017.

They received the certificates for their Early Childhood Care and Education degree before their loved ones, and embarked on a new beginning with a recognised qualification that can open up new pathways for them.

The Best Student Award went to 53-year-old Sharida Belsha, a Senior Teacher with Preschool for Multiple Intelligences, who had made her career switch seven years ago to join the early childhood education sector.

In the opening address, Ms Marion Wong Wai San, Vice Principal (English programmes) KLCII, applauded the graduates for proving they had the talent and character to succeed and progress further. She also said that, with the highly regarded degree from the top 10 university in the United Kingdom, they were better prepared to more effectively help make a difference for the children they work with.

The graduates also had a dose of guidance and inspiration from Emeritus Professor Dr Carol Aubrey from the Early Childhood Department The University of Warwick, who is also the Co-ordinator of the Warwick undergraduate programme for Singapore. In her address to the students, Dr Aubrey said that education does not stop after graduation. They should pursue their dreams confidently to make a difference to their lives.

“Graduation is not an end, it is a beginning. So what’s next? Well, currently we are in negotiation with KLC to introduce a Master’s programme with a focus EC leadership, innovation and change. Hopefully at least some of you may wish to pursue your studies still further,” she said.

No graduation ceremony is complete without a valedictory speech. Best Student Sharida spoke on behalf of her cohort, describing the study journey as a long and challenging one. She, like most of her classmates, had to juggle work, studies and family commitment, and was grateful to her family for the support and encouragement.

Thanking her family, her lecturers, her employer and the children at her workplace, Sharida concluded her speech with a quote from the book “How to be a great teacher” by Wynn Godbold.

“A great teacher is like a fountain she draws from the still deep waters of personal growth and professional knowledge to serve others from her abundant overflow.”