Thames Valley University (TVU) held its Malaysian Graduation Ceremony 2007 at the JW Marriot Hotel, Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, 21 April 2007 with more than 600 people attended the ceremony. Presentation of awards was made to diplomates from the London College of Music (LCM) Examinations and to graduands who have completed their degrees both in Malaysia and London. Among the distinguished guests at the ceremony were Tan Sri Dato' Dr. Lim Kok Wing; Datuk Dr. Paddy Bowie, Redzuawan bin Ismail (Chef Wan), Iskandar Mirza Ismail, TVU's Vice Chancellor - Professor Geoff Crispin, TVU Governor - Tina Tietjen and Fellow of the London College of Music, Elaine Kang. The event commenced with a welcome message by Andrew Ward, Director of Corporate Development, Thames Valley University followed by an address by Tina Tietjen, Governor - Thames Valley University. During her speech Tina Tietjen congratulated the Diplomats and Graduates and praised the support and encouragement given by parents and families. She went on to talk about how qualifications would not only help financially but that learning was about many different things including building confidence, getting to know potential and allowing people to take tighter control of their lives. Two musical presentations were performed during the ceremony. First on the cello by Regina Ginny Yan who holds a Licentiate Diploma of the London College of Music (LLCM), and the second on the piano by Mervyn Lee who holds a Licentiate Diploma of the London College of Music (Recital) and at his age of 8 years old, he is one of the youngest to achieve the Licentiate level. Professor Geoff Crispin, Vice-Chancellor, Thames Valley University presented degree scrolls to Graduates who have completed their degrees in Malaysia and London, and Dr Andrew McBirnie, Chief Examiner of the London College of Music Examinations, presented Music Diplomats with their scrolls. Thames Valley University honours Tan Sri Dato' Dr Lim Kok Wing Tan Sri Dato' Dr Lim Kok Wing, President, Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, was conferred with the award of Honorary Professorship of Thames Valley University. Citation on Tan Sri was delivered by Datuk Dr Paddy Bowie and the award was presented by the University's Vice Chancellor, Professor Geoff Crispin. During the citation, Datuk Dr Paddy Bowie said, "Coming from the other side of the world Tan Sri Professor Lim Kok Wing is giving the lead in education to transformational leadership. He more than qualifies for our original specification of a dangerous man - with vision he makes come true - both a new Vision and a Global Vision. Today we have a very tangible token of the latter - in that a United Kingdom University seeks to recognise and do honour to their Malaysian educational colleague." During his acceptance speech, Tan Sri emphasized that the society must empower an eco-system in education that is driven by the motivation to learn and a passion for accomplishment. The learning system therefore must be one that is inspiring and not stifling. He added "We must develop a culture in our education systems that recognize and celebrate creativity, and embrace a culture that promotes innovative thinking. Rules and regulations that force students on not making mistakes will lead to conformity and blind compliance. Rules and regulations created to impose a one-size-fits-all control structure will hamper efforts of universities to become imaginative and rob them of their ability to become competitive. Rules and regulations that do not promote innovation should be changed or dropped altogether. To be sure, innovation can only take place where there is encouragement for new ideas." TVU conferred honorary awards on people who have achieved distinction in the fields of learning, the arts, public life, community service and/or have made a distinctive contribution to the university. At the ceremony, honorary awards were also conferred on the following people: Honorary Fellow, Thames Valley University - Redzuawan Bin Ismail (Chef Wan), Chef and Television Personality and International Malaysian Food Ambassador. Honorary Fellow of the London College of Music at Thames Valley University - Iskandar Bin Ismail, Music Director, Conductor, Composer and Record Producer. Full tuition fee scholarship To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Malaysian independence and working closely with the British High Commission and British Council as part of 'Malaysia and the UK Forward Together', the university announced that it will award a full tuition fee scholarship to an outstanding Malaysian candidate to study for either MA Video Production with Film Studies or MA Audio Technology. Graduation Programme Book Platform Party Grand Procession Platform Party Platform Party Musical Presentation by Ms. Regina Ginny Yan Musical Presentation by Mr. Mervynn Lee Cheng Hui Dr Andrew McBirnie and diplomate Ms. Elaine Kang - Honorary Fellow of the London College of Music Professor Geoff Crispin & Mr. Redzuawan bin Ismail (Chef Wan) Professor John Howard & Mr. Iskandar Ismail Professor Geoff Crispin & YBhg Tan Sri Dato' Dr. Lim Kok Wing Platform Party Leaves LCM Diplomates LCM Diplomates From left - Professor John Howard , LCM Diplomate, Dr. William Alexander & Mr. Stuart Cobertt Professor Geoff Crispin & Ms. Tina Tietjen with diplomates from Sri Lanka