LJMU celebrates Malaysian graduation with new McCartney exhibition in Kuala Lumpur

LJMU celebrated the achievements of its Malaysian-based students in a special graduation ceremony on Sunday, marked with the debut of a unique photographic exhibition by Mike McCartney.

The specially curated exclusive exhibition by the photographer, artist, and Honorary Fellow of Liverpool John Moores University, documents key past and present moments of the iconic city of Liverpool from Mike’s personal perspective as part of the University’s 25^th anniversary celebrations. The collection, entitled: A Story of My Liverpool Life was formally opened on Friday, 21 April, by the British High Commissioner to Malaysia, Victoria Treadell.

LJMU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nigel Weatherill, congratulated students who became graduates of LJMU on Sunday, 23 April. LJMU has partnered with YPC International College Malaysia for over a decade to deliver LJMU education to Malaysian students. 

Professor Weatherill said:

“As a pioneering modern civic university that continues to increase its global outlook, we are proud of our long-standing links with Malaysia.

“I am delighted that we are able mark the achievements of our graduates with their families and friends in Kuala Lumpur. This occasion is even more special as we launch Mike McCartney’s unique photographs of our city, which will provide a fitting legacy for LJMU at home and abroad.”

As part of the graduation proceedings, the Vice-Chancellor bestowed an Honorary Fellowship on Datuk Dr Noel Robert, Founder and Principal of YPC International College. Datuk Dr Noel Robert has devoted much of his career to providing learning opportunities to young people, and after a career in finance for several large multinationals, established YPC College in 2001 with the objective of providing affordable education opportunities, especially to lower income groups.

Commenting on the Honorary Fellowship, Professor Weatherill added:

“Datuk Dr Noel Robert is a passionate advocate of education and shares the same vision as LJMU that higher education should be available to all, regardless of background. 

“This Honorary Fellowship also represents the strong bond between LJMU and our colleagues in YPC International College which I hope will continue the benefit of our students, for years to come.”

Accepting his Honorary Fellowship, Dr Robert said:

“ I am truly honoured and humbled to receive this Fellowship and I wish to share this award with the great people and the students in YPC International College. We share the same belief as our partner educator, Liverpool John Moores University, that education is blind to the background of our students and we strive to find creative ways to empower our students to become successful in life and leave their footprints in their careers and the community.

“Education is the currency of the world which is why our collaboration with LJMU is valuable to enabling our students to graduate as true global citizens.”

Around 200 LJMU Malaysian students and their families attended the ceremony, graduating in subjects from Multimedia Computing and E-Business and Management to Quantity Surveying and Healthcare.

In addition to YPC International College, LJMU also enjoys partnerships with six other Malaysian institutions: KPJ Health University College, the IMPERIA Institute of Technology, the Malaysian Maritime Academy, DRB-HICOM University of Automobile Malaysia and, the University of Malaya and Universiti Teknologi MARA ( UiTM ). These collaborations range from joint research initiatives to undergraduate and postgraduate provision, as well as student exchange opportunities.