Bulletin

Issue: October 2005

News

International graduation ceremonies

Special guest: Datuk Dr Max Ongkili, left, with Vice-Chancellor Professor Michael Osborne and Pro Vice-Chancellor, International, Dr David Stockley, right, at the University's graduation ceremony in Kuala Lumpur.

Dr Ongkili is Minister in charge of National Unity and Integration in the Malaysian Prime Minister's Department and Chairman of the Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation. Datuk Ongkili holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree and PhD from La Trobe University. Originally form Sabah, he pursed his studies at La Trobe during the 1970s and 80s under the Colombo Plan Scholarship scheme.

Dr Stockley said the success of graduates like Dr Ongkili has encouraged La Trobe to continue participation in the current Malaysian Australian Colombo Commemorative Scholarship scheme.

Since the inception of the scheme, a number of high-quality Malaysian students have been assisted to study at La Trobe and the University has confirmed its involvement in the scheme in 2006.

Prize winner: Samantha Zi-Rong Teo receives the Singapore Nurses' Association Gold Medal for the 7th Singapore Bachelor of Nursing program.

Hong Kong connection: Dr Fong at the La Trobe ceremony with former First Lady of Hong Kong, Dr Betty Tung, wife of the previous Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. A leading figure in health promotion, Dr Betty Tung helped develop the University's successful nursing program in Hong Kong and serves as patron of La Trobe's HK Alumni chapter. She received an honorary doctorate from the University in 2000.