Nilai University valedictorian of class of 2012 says he owes success to teachers.
“The dedication and perseverance of my lecturers are the key reasons why I have done well in my studies,” says Lo Chee Hoe modestly. The 24-year-old Sandakan native was named the Valedictorian for Class of 2012 at Nilai University’s (Nilai U) recent convocation. The ceremony on 8 Sept at the campus’s President Hall saw a total of 851 students receive their scrolls, of which 21 received first class honours. Among them, of course, was Chee Hoe, who obtained first class honours in the BBA (Hons) in Human Resource Management.
Chee Hoe admits that he did not think about getting top marks when he first joined Nilai U’s Foundation in Business programme. “My main aim was to get into a degree of my choice the fastest way possible, and the Foundation programme did just that. It did prepare me for the rigours of the degree programme and gave me a solid foundation in the key areas.” He says he chose the BBA (Hons) in Human Resource Management because he truly believes in the mantra that ‘the employees are an organisation’s greatest asset’. “Managing the employees and trying to provide things like improved healthcare benefits and on-going training are things that will make a company successful. One only has to look at Google HQ to see how that model works. It will attract the best talent and also keep them loyal to the company,” explains Chee Hoe.
Encouraged by his early grades during the first year of his programme, Chee Hoe’s lecturers began to plant the seeds in his mind that a first class honours degree was within reach. “The lecturers were very subtle. They didn’t put any pressure on me or any other student. Instead, they gently nudged us along the path and kept telling us that we could achieve great things. Their guidance was critical in helping me achieve my grades. With the many hours of private tutoring and the mentoring system with academic staff who were constantly reviewing my performance, I was definitely in good hands,” says Chee Hoe.
While academic performance is a key determinant in electing the Valedictorian, Nilai U’s Senate Committee, which selects the candidates, also takes into consideration their extra-curricular activities and other contributions on campus. This is to reflect the Nilai U philosophy of producing well-rounded graduates who are professionally competent and socially confident. In other words, graduates who will make a difference to society. In this regard, Chee Hoe certainly made his mark at Nilai U’s campus serving as President of the Students’ Representative Council. During his tenure, he organised a number of high-profile events designed to improve the student experience. He and his committee successfully organised a glamorous prom night. The team also hosted hundreds of visiting secondary school students during the International Cultural Festival. Of the latter event, he says the idea was to highlight to secondary school students the international flavour of a university campus. “Many secondary school students do not realise that they will be in a university classroom with people from all over the world. The International Cultural Festival showcased the many cultures and the diversity of the student population, encouraging youngsters to break out from their shells and embrace a broader world view,” he explains.
Chee Hoe was excited about the graduation ceremony as his parents were in attendance to watch him deliver his Valedictorian Speech. “I used to be quite nervous about public speaking but having served as Masters of Ceremony on various Nilai U functions and events such as the Future Leaders Camp, I was quite confident of not fluffing my lines,” he laughs. “I am thankful that my parents gave me the privilege of higher education and I am grateful to Nilai U for helping to mould me into what I am today.”
