Global graduation celebrations

They were among the more than 3280 RMIT students who graduated in ceremonies in Indonesia, Hong Kong, China and Singapore recently.

The students all completed their qualifications either through RMIT in Australia, or partner institutions including Shanghai University of International Business and Economics, UPH, Singapore Institute of Management and Hong Kong Art School.

RMIT University Pro Vice-Chancellor Business and Vice-President, Professor Ian Palmer, told the 63 Diploma of Commerce and Bachelor of Business (Management) graduates at the Lippo Karawaci ceremony that the RMIT-UPH bachelor degrees were the first foreign business degree taught fully in Indonesia.

“We are very proud of our partner relationship with Universitas Pelita Harapan and we would like to thank UPH for being involved with this important endeavour,” he said.

In Shanghai, Palmer spoke of how RMIT researchers are leading the way in Chinese medicine.

“They’ve recently published two authoritative books on evidence-based clinical Chinese medicine as part of the China-Australia International Research Centre for Chinese Medicine, which is a joint initiative between RMIT, Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, and the Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine,” he said.

At the Singapore Institute of Management, Vice-Chancellor and President, Martin Bean CBE, told the students and their supporters about RMIT’s 29-year relationship with SIM.

“Our partnership brings together two institutions committed to excellence in education in the fields of business, management, marketing, logistics and supply chain management, construction management, communication design and professional communication and aviation management.

“Together, we are perfectly placed to get you ready for life and work.”

And at RMIT’s graduation in Singapore, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education and Vice-President, Professor Belinda Tynan, said their qualification would serve them well.

“But in some ways today is just another step in your lifelong education journey. In a world of ceaseless change, learning is your best friend,” she said.

“It’s not just the technical knowledge you’ve gained from RMIT that employers need and the world around you needs. It’s your creativity. And it’s your moral purpose. So put your education to its best use.”

Pro Vice-Chancellor Science, Engineering and Health and Vice-President, Professor Peter Coloe, told Hong Kong students of the success of RMIT alumnus Priscilla Ho, a Beijing-based sports marketing specialist, who graduated from RMIT with a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) in 1993 and won the University’s Outstanding Alumnus Award (International) in 2014.

Story: Louise Handran