Dr William Shdeed, Chairman of Board of Trustees, Oklahoma City University,

Dr Bernie Patterson, Provost of the Oklahoma City University,

Dr Eric Kuan, President of the Management Development Institute of Singapore,

Dr R Theyvendran, PBM, Secretary-General, Management Development Institute of Singapore,

Faculty members of Oklahoma City University,

Graduates,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen.

          Congratulations to all of you who are graduating today. Being here reminds me of the days when I was a student. I remember burning the midnight oil and losing sleep over tutorials and examinations. But I also remember that when it was finally over, I was sitting in the convocation hall just like you are doing today.  The feeling of accomplishment and joy was indescribable. And so I know how you must feel right now.

2        But even as you reach this stage of your life’s goals, I know that many of you are already thinking and planning your next move. Will you continue to study? Will you look for a more challenging career? Will you take on greater challenges and responsibilities within your organisation? Or will you take a little time off to be with your family and friends, people you may have neglected to a certain extent because of your studies?

3        Whatever your plans, you know that you are now in a much better position to seize new opportunities and face new challenges. That is what your new qualification brings you – a more discerning and open mind to identify and handle opportunities and challenges that will present themselves to you.

4        Having said that, it is also important for us to know that the dynamic environment of this modern world demands that we continue to upgrade and update ourselves in order to stay relevant. Learning, therefore, is a never-ending process. Instead, one has to be employed in a continual acquisition of knowledge and skills in order to get ahead, and remain ahead of the competition.

5        You should not go away today without acknowledging those who were there for you during your course of study – your family and friends, your lecturers and classmates, MDIS and your university, even your boss at work who were understanding when you had to take time off for your studies and your examinations.

6        Let me also take this opportunity to congratulate MDIS on your move to the UniCampus, I have every confidence that with this strategic move, you will be able to achieve your goal of significantly increasing your student recruitment in the region, and will form an integral part of Singapore’s plans to be a global education hub. Congratulations, also on your 50^th anniversary in 2006, and all the best for the next 50 years.

Thank you.