This move to a three plus one model was the beginning of what would later develop into one of Sunway University’s most popular offerings, the Victoria University -Sunway Program. This program is the quintessential Australian education experience located in Malaysia. It commenced in 1997 with approximately 60 students enrolled and now in 2011, the program boasts more than 1100 students.
“We have students coming from all over the world to join the program and they become like family. It is amazing to see the changes in them from when they first arrive to their graduation. Our lecturers do more than just teach, they truly care about the students and we really do impact their lives, ” says Greeja.
Greeja’s enthusiasm is shared by the dedicated team that works alongside her. There is a strong team spirit in the Australian University Program office and the office is filled with gifts from students showing their appreciation. These gifts showcase the cultural diversity of the students and are testament to the dedication of the sincerity of the team’s work.
“It is almost as if the students feel that they are forever indebted to you, it is very sweet. We constantly get invitations to their weddings and special events. Many international graduates come and visit us on campus and bring their new husbands or wives so that they can share where they studied. It is lovely and the networks made during these years are so strong that they last a lifetime,” says Greeja.
“We have so many fond memories and nothing brings us more joy that to see them excel in their studies,” says Greeja.
As an aside:
“Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr. Jeffrey Cheah Fook Ling, the founder and chairman of the Sunway Group, offered scholarships to several Zimbabwean students to participate in the Victoria University program.
Each year Tan Sri liked to meet with the students to see how they were progressing with their studies and to review their marks. We arranged for him to meet with one of the students and he was quite concerned that the student had received a ‘D’ in some of his subjects. He looked very puzzled and asked the student if he found his studies a little too challenging. The polite and rather confused student said nothing. Later once the meeting was over, we kindly explained to Tan Sri that a ‘D’ was for a distinction, which is a good mark. Tan Sri laughed and was most relieved to hear that the student was actually doing quite well,” laughs Greeja. |