AFD Celebrates Graduation Ceremony

By Chhay Daroth

The Academic Foundation Department (AFD) celebrated its graduation ceremony for Promotion Nine students, Term I, on September 17 at the University of Cambodia (UC). In the graduation ceremony, 146 students were awarded certificates for successful completion of the Academic Foundation Year (AFY) courses. Dr. Angus Munro, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Peter Tan Keo, Vice President for Strategy, Development and International Cooperation, and Dr. Y Ratana, Director of AFD and Dean for Undergraduate Studies, presented the certificates to the graduates. Several UC staff members were in attendance for the event, and UC student Mon Doungmonyrath served as the Master of Ceremony. Twenty-one students were presented a Certificate of Recognition from AFD because they earned an average grade of at least a “B+” (95 to 100 percent).

Peter Tan Keo, Vice President for Strategy, Development and International Cooperation, Dr. Angus Munro, Vice President for Academics, and Dr. Y Ratana, Director of AFD and Dean for Undergraduate Studies, presented certificates to AFD graduates.

Dr. Y Ratana delivered the opening remarks and noted that AFD was officially recognized by the Accreditation Committee of Cambodia (ACC) and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) in 2005.

“AFD’s goal is to reinforce its position as a leading provider of Foundation Year studies for new Bachelor’s degree students, as the first, transitional component in the University of Cambodia’s degree programs,” he said. “In combination with the major of study, this program seeks to produce students with intellectual vision, creative aptitude, and moral responsibility, as well as the necessary skills to ensure a balanced, practical liberal arts education.”

He concluded his remarks by providing students with suggestions on how to succeed in their academic studies and encouraged students to study hard.

Afterwards, Dr. Angus Munro delivered the keynote address. He shared that UC was created in 2003 and was based on an American system that allows students to take courses in both their major and outside of their major, which he argued provides students with broader knowledge. Moreover, English is the medium of communication at UC because it gives students flexibility in finding jobs, he said.

“The AFD program is designed to help you help yourselves, broaden your knowledge, and give you greater flexibility so you can be competitive and get the best jobs,” he said.

Students posed with Executive Team members after the graduation ceremony.

Khorn Dalin, one of the highest performing AFD graduates and an International Relations major, was selected to be the student speaker at the ceremony and shared her experiences and advice with her peers. She attributed self-discipline, time management, commitment, determination, and open-mindedness as main factors that have helped her to succeed academically. The second factor she identified as helping her to succeed was her environment. She thanked her family, friends, senior students, lecturers, and the people around her for pushing her to achieve and persevere.

The University is very proud of the AFD graduates and encourages them to continue working hard as they pursue their undergraduate degrees.

Source: UC Bulletin September 2011, Page 7