Kuala
\nLumpur, 10 May 2026<\/b> \u2013
\nHELP University celebrated its 36th Convocation ceremony at the Shangri-La
\nHotel, Kuala Lumpur, marking an important milestone for graduands, families,
\neducators, and the wider HELP community.<\/p>\n
Held
\nin conjunction with HELP University\u2019s 40th anniversary celebrations, the
\nconvocation reflected four decades of educational transformation, lifelong
\nlearning, and the University\u2019s continued commitment to empowering individuals
\nthrough education.<\/p>\n
A
\nCelebration of Achievement and Transformation<\/b><\/p>\n
The
\nceremony brought together graduands from diverse academic disciplines and
\nbackgrounds, including working professionals, adult learners, postgraduate
\nstudents, international graduands, and first-generation university graduates.<\/p>\n
For
\nmany graduands, the occasion represented years of perseverance, personal
\ngrowth, and ambition. The ceremony also highlighted the evolving nature of
\nhigher education, where learning increasingly extends beyond traditional
\npathways and age boundaries.<\/p>\n
The
\nconvocation reflected HELP University\u2019s continued commitment to accessible and
\ninclusive education through pathways such as APEL.Q, which recognises
\nexperiential learning and enables adult learners and working professionals to
\npursue higher education later in life.<\/p>\n
Forty
\nYears of Purpose-Driven Education<\/b><\/p>\n
As
\nHELP University marks its 40th anniversary, the milestone represents more than
\nthe passage of time. It reflects four decades of building opportunities,
\nnurturing talent, and transforming lives through education.<\/p>\n
Founded
\nin 1986 by Professor Datuk Dr Paul Chan and Datin Chan-Low Kam Yoke, HELP
\nUniversity began with a vision of making quality education accessible while
\nshaping individuals who would contribute meaningfully to society.<\/p>\n
Over
\nthe years, the institution has evolved from a pioneering educational initiative
\ninto a globally connected university recognised for academic excellence,
\nindustry relevance, graduate employability, and transformative learning
\nexperiences.<\/p>\n
Today,
\nHELP University\u2019s alumni community spans industries, professions,
\nentrepreneurial ventures, public service, and leadership positions both in
\nMalaysia and internationally. Across four decades, the University has remained
\nguided by its enduring mission of helping people succeed in life and live lives
\nof significance.<\/p>\n
Reflecting
\non the future of education, Professor Datuk Dr Paul Chan emphasised the
\nimportance of rethinking how learning is approached in an increasingly complex
\nand rapidly evolving world.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe
\nfuture will demand reinvention. Learning must become lifelong, flexible,
\nexperiential, interdisciplinary, and deeply connected to real-world challenges.<\/p>\n
This
\nis why HELP pioneered APEL.Q, recognising experiential learning and enabling
\nworking adults to continue their educational journey. This is why we aspire to
\nbecome not merely a university, but an ecosystem of humane innovation and
\nlifelong transformation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The
\nceremony also reflected the growing importance of lifelong learning, with many
\ngraduands pursuing education not only for professional advancement, but also
\nfor personal growth, reinvention, and contribution to society.<\/p>\n
Lifelong
\nLearning Beyond Conventional Pathways<\/b><\/p>\n
Among
\nthe graduands was Dato\u2019 Kamarul A Muhamed, a globally recognised technology
\nentrepreneur and leader in drone technology, artificial intelligence, and
\ndigital transformation, who pursued his Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
\nthrough HELP University\u2019s APEL.Q pathway.<\/p>\n
Under
\nhis leadership as Founder and Group CEO, Aerodyne Group has grown into one of
\nthe world\u2019s leading drone-based enterprise solutions companies, operating
\nacross multiple countries and industries including infrastructure, agriculture,
\nenergy, and public services.<\/p>\n
Reflecting
\non his educational journey, Dato\u2019 Kamarul shared that his decision to pursue
\nthe DBA was rooted in lifelong learning and the desire to bridge practical
\nexperience with academic knowledge.<\/p>\n
\u201cPursuing
\nmy DBA through the APEL.Q pathway at HELP University was a deliberate choice
\ngrounded in lifelong learning and real-world experience.<\/p>\n
As
\nan entrepreneur leading a global technology company, much of my learning came
\nfrom building businesses, managing crises, innovation, and global expansion.
\nAPEL.Q recognises that experience also carries academic value.<\/p>\n
What
\nattracted me to HELP was its openness, flexibility, and strong academic
\nculture. The university created a pathway for experienced professionals to
\ncontribute practical insights back into academia without compromising rigor.<\/p>\n
For
\nme, the DBA was never about a title, but about translating years of
\nentrepreneurial lessons into knowledge that can benefit future leaders and the
\nbroader ecosystem,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The
\ngraduating cohort also included distinguished professionals and leaders from
\nvarious sectors who pursued their Doctor of Business Administration studies at
\nHELP University, including Datuk Kenny Liew Hock Nean, Executive Vice Chairman
\nof Topvision Eye Specialist Centre, and Syed Kamal Muzaffa, Director of the
\nSustainability Division at the Malaysian Investment Development Authority
\n(MIDA).<\/p>\n
Also
\namong the graduands was Datuk Izani Wan Ishak, former Senior Assistant Director
\nof MACC and the first graduate of the APEL.Q Master of Science in Economic
\nCrime Management programme.<\/p>\n
The
\ngraduating cohort also included Datuk Wira Dr. Calvin Khiu, a well-known
\nMalaysian entrepreneur, speaker, and investor, recognised as the founder of MK
\nCurtain Berhad and OE EduGroup, who completed his Doctor of Business
\nAdministration (DBA) through the APEL.Q pathway at HELP University.<\/p>\n
Reflecting
\non the role of education and entrepreneurship, Datuk Wira Dr. Calvin Khiu said:<\/p>\n
\u201cI
\nhave always believed that the value of an entrepreneur is not just about
\ngenerating profit, but about creating opportunities and making an impact on
\nmore people.<\/p>\n
I
\nhope to nurture more new-generation entrepreneurs with responsibility,
\nleadership, and an international outlook. Because true success is not about how
\nfar one person can go alone, but about how many people can be brought along to
\ngrow together.\u201d<\/p>\n
Their
\npresence reflected the growing importance of lifelong learning among
\nexperienced professionals and industry leaders seeking to deepen their
\nexpertise, contribute to knowledge creation, and navigate increasingly complex
\nglobal and technological landscapes.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile,
\nProfessor Dr Andy Liew Teik Kooi encouraged graduands to move forward with
\ncourage, resilience, and adaptability amid rapid technological and societal
\nchange.<\/p>\n
\u201cEducation
\nis not just about what you know. It is about what you now believe is possible,\u201d
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Looking
\nTowards the Future<\/b><\/p>\n
The
\nceremony also recognised the important role played by parents, families,
\nlecturers, mentors, and supporters who contributed to each graduand\u2019s
\neducational journey.<\/p>\n
As
\nHELP University celebrates its fourth decade, the institution continues to
\nstrengthen its role as a future-focused university committed to shaping
\ngraduates who are not only professionally capable, but also guided by
\nintegrity, resilience, empathy, and a sense of responsibility towards society.<\/p>\n
More
\nthan a celebration of academic achievement, the 36th Convocation ceremony
\nreflects HELP University\u2019s continuing belief in the transformative power of
\neducation across generations.<\/p>\n