The Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) welcomes its largest graduating cohort at this year’s convocation event, which commences today.
SUSS Convocation 2023 will see nearly 3,000 graduands celebrating the pinnacle of their university studies – a six per cent increase from 2022. Amongst them are the pioneer students from the Bachelor of Public Safety and Security programme, launched in 2019.
Marking a year of many firsts for the university, today’s opening ceremony was presided over for the first time by former President Madam Halimah Yacob who was appointed as SUSS Chancellor on 1 October 2023, while Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, President of the Republic of Singapore, attended his first SUSS Convocation as Patron of the University.
Professor Tan Tai Yong also delivered his first-ever address to the graduating Class of 2023 as SUSS President at the morning session, graced by Guest-of-Honour Mr Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Health.
This year, nine in-person graduation ceremonies will be held over three days at SUSS from 10-12 October 2023. Over 2,750 students will receive Bachelor’s degrees and 211 will be awarded post-graduate degrees.
In addition, ten students graduated from the Master of Education in Early Childhood Education programme, jointly offered with the Beijing Normal University (BNU), while ten participants from the Executive Management Programme (EMP) received their certificates. In line with the spirit of inspiring lifelong learning at SUSS, over 60 per cent of graduating students this year completed their studies under part-time programmes, with ages ranging from 21 to 73.
Inaugural batch of graduates from the Bachelor of Public Safety and Security programme
This year’s SUSS convocation saw the graduation of 23 pioneer students from the Bachelor of Public Safety and Security programme. Developed by SUSS with support from the Ministry of Home Affairs, this four-year direct honours programme takes a multi-disciplinary approach, providing theoretical knowledge and practical training in intervention strategies in policing, emergency management, investigation, rehabilitation, crime reduction and terrorism.
Graduates of the programme will be able to pursue careers in the government, business and social service sectors as professionals trained to deliver effective security outcomes to tackle increasingly complex threats.
“As the Corporate University of the Home Team, the Home Team Academy takes pride in continuously evolving and adapting to meet the needs of our learners. This includes working with the Singapore University of Social Sciences to support our learners’ academic aspirations and Continuing Education and Training journey,” said Mr Anwar Abdullah, Chief Executive, Home Team Academy. “The Bachelor of Public Safety and Security programme is purposefully enriched with a range of modules that will equip our graduates with both the intellectual toolbox they need to navigate the complexities of the modern world and a diverse and multidisciplinary understanding of the challenges that lie ahead.”
SUSS: An Entrepreneurial University for Social Good
In his inaugural address to the Class of 2023 at the opening ceremony today, SUSS President Professor Tan Tai Yong highlighted to the graduands that success is also defined by “the lives you touch, the challenges you overcome and the contributions you make in society.”
Amid debates about the value of traditional degrees in a rapidly changing world, he stressed the enduring relevance of higher education and continuous learning. He said, “SUSS is embarking on a unique growth trajectory as an Entrepreneurial University for Social Good in the face of changing education, work and environmental demands.”
“First, SUSS champions learning for life, which is critical for a world that is changing rapidly. Second, we enable purposeful pursuits. We hope to define success in the university not with a piece of paper, but with the actual realisation of passion and purpose. Third, we honour resilience and determination, essential qualities that empower our students to conquer challenges and achieve their goals in work and life,” elaborated Professor Tan.
As a university that has the capacity to innovate, meet societal needs and create opportunities, SUSS can be a unique “disruptor”. Professor Tan said, “We will not stand still but will strive to break new frontiers to deliver on our role as a university that inspires learning for life to impact lives and to redefine the meaning of education and success.”
He lauded the achievements of the Class of 2023, which included many part-time programme students who had to balance work, family and studies as they pursued their university education. "Your journey as lifelong learners continues, and I welcome you to return to learn with us anytime.”
SUSS Convocation 2023 by the numbers
This year’s convocation is the seventh since SUSS was accorded the status of an Autonomous University.
- 2,989 graduates in total
- 2,758 Bachelor’s Degree graduates (2,005 under part-time programmes)
- 10 Executive Management Programme Certificate recipients
- 10 graduates under the Master of Education in Early Childhood Education jointly offered with Beijing Normal University
- 204 Master’s Degree graduates
- 7 Doctorate Degree graduates