Brother and sister share graduation success in Singapore

A brother and sister studying on the same University of Stirling degree course have both graduated with first-class honours.

Chan Jingwen Vernice, 22, and her brother Chan Ding Sheng Vernen, 24, from Singapore, were this week awarded their BA (Hons) Marketing degrees from the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM), which has been in an international partnership with Stirling since 2011. 

Chan Jingwen was also named Best Overall Student in the degree programme.

Both have already secured jobs, Chan Jingwen as a Marketing Executive with Pizza Hut and Chan Ding Sheng as a Marketing Associate with cybersecurity company CyberArk.

Chan Jingwen said: “I felt quite nervous about starting this new chapter [at university] but having my brother by my side was a great source of support throughout the journey.”

She added: “Participating in extracurricular activities such as volleyball and the University of Stirling Council has been a highlight of my university experience. Being actively involved in these groups has not only kept me engaged and energised but also provided a platform for personal growth and development.”

Describing his lecturers as “passionate and supportive”, Chan Ding Sheng said: “My experience at the University of Stirling was incredibly impactful. The programme offered valuable hands-on experience in digital marketing, and I appreciated the well-paced structure of the coursework.”

Chan Jingwen and Chan Ding Sheng joined a record 158 students graduating on Thursday, September 26, with degrees in BA Marketing, BA Events Management, BA Sports Studies and Marketing, BA Digital Media, and Ordinary Degree of Bachelor of Arts.

The University of Stirling prides itself on its international partnerships, global learning and teaching, and the diversity of its student population. Stirling established its partnership with SIM in 2011 and saw the first student intake in 2012. The agreement sees students taught in Singapore by academic staff from the University of Stirling. Students can choose from six courses and graduate with a University of Stirling degree. SIM is this year celebrating its 60th anniversary.

Honorary graduate Dr Lee Tong Nge (right) with Chancellor the Rt Hon Lord Jack McConnell.

Joining the students at graduation was Dr Lee Tong Nge, who received an Honorary Degree for his service to Singaporean education and business.

Dr Tong Nge, who trained as an engineer in Singapore, has more than five decades of experience as an academic and industry practitioner. He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Trinity College Dublin, an LLB (Hons) and Master of Law from the National University of Singapore and the University of Wolverhampton, and a Doctorate in Education from the University of Leicester.

His senior management and board level appointments include the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation, now MediaCorp, the Institute for Adult Learning in Singapore, the Singapore Productivity Centre and the Singapore Institute of Retail Studies. He also played a critical role in laying the foundations for what would become the University of Stirling/SIM partnership.

Professor Sir Gerry McCormac, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Stirling, attended the ceremony. He said: “At the University of Stirling, we are proud of our global links - including our education partnerships which continue to offer life-changing opportunities to students across the world.  

“Our partnership with the Singapore Institute of Management continues to thrive and this year we celebrate a record number of graduates from our programmes. "Congratulations to all of those graduating from the partnership today - we wish them all the best in their future careers.

“We also congratulate Dr Lee Tong Nge on his honorary degree, which recognises his exceptional contributions to education and commerce in Singapore, including working closely with the University to develop its partnership in Singapore.”

Li, Zixin, from China, who graduates with a BA (Hons) Digital Media, said: “Enrolling in this course has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made for myself. It has not only equipped me with essential tools but also opened up new opportunities and connections that will be instrumental in achieving my long-term goals. I thoroughly enjoyed working on a diverse range of projects, both independently and collaboratively with my classmates.”

Jocelyn Au Pei Rong, from Singapore, who graduates with a BA (Hons) Events Management, said: “The classroom environment was a good balance of independent and collaborative learning where we were given the time to both engage in our individual self-study and in group discussions to help us improve our teamwork, conflict resolution and active listening skills.”

Jocelyn plans to combine her degree with her passion for wellbeing and work in mental health.

Lim Hai Ning, a Marketing graduate from Singapore, is interning at Universal Music Singapore doing digital marketing data analytics. He said: “The lecturers were always encouraging us to ask questions, so I wasn’t particularly worried about not understanding concepts as they were all very willing to explain again. The two years passed unexpectedly quickly!”

The Singapore graduates join a Stirling alumni community of more than 110,000 worldwide.