SUSS Convocation 2024: Applied Education a Key Refrain as SUSS Celebrates its Largest Graduating Cohort
- Over 3,200 students graduated in SUSS’ first convocation held outside its campus, celebrating their achievements and expressing gratitude to friends and family.
- Reflecting the recurring emphasis on applied education, SUSS introduced a first-of-its-kind undergraduate pathway for aspiring pilots, developed with the Singapore Flying College.
Singapore, 8 October 2024 - The Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) celebrates the Class of 2024, its largest graduating cohort to date, as graduates mark a new milestone in their lives. The two-day convocation is held externally for the first time at the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre, a sign of the university’s continuous growth in size and impact.
Today’s opening ceremony was presided over by Mdm Halimah Yacob, Chancellor of SUSS and former President of the Republic of Singapore. Guest-of-Honour, Mr Chan Chun Sing, Minister for Education, also announced the new Integrated Pathway Programme (IPP), enabling aspiring pilots to concurrently attain a bachelor’s degree and qualify for a commercial pilot licence.
This industry-first programme, developed in partnership with the Singapore Flying College (SFC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Singapore Airlines (SIA), exemplifies the university’s focus on applied education by providing students with direct pathways to successful careers in aviation.
This year’s cohort comprises over 3,200 graduates—a 9 per cent increase from 2023—with degrees conferred across six ceremonies from 8 to 9 October.
This includes 32 graduates from the first public intake of the Bachelor of Public Safety and Security programme (out of 59 PSS graduates), following in the footsteps of the 23 graduates from MHA who graduated a year earlier in 2023 upon completing the programme within 3 years.
Convocation 2024 also welcomed the inaugural cohort of four diverse master’s programmes: Master of Built Environment; Master of Digital Marketing; Master of Psychology; and Master in Boundary-Crossing Learning and Leadership. This reflects the breadth of learning pathways and opportunities available at the university.
Bridging the gap between theory and industry needs
At the 2024 National Day Rally, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong underlined the significance of applied degrees offered by Autonomous Universities like SUSS, describing them as pathways that are “more closely linked to industry, with hands-on learning and more work-study programmes.”
During his address, SUSS president Professor Tan Tai Yong celebrated the achievements of the Class of 2024 and their meaningful journeys. He highlighted the university’s commitment to distinguishing itself by equipping graduates for real-world success. As a “university poised for transformation”, SUSS is dedicated to designing a curriculum centred on “real-world applications, effectively bridging the gap between theory and industry needs.”
Professor Tan emphasised that SUSS’ impact extends “well beyond the classroom, actively shaping the community through purposeful continuous learning, applied research and impactful partnerships.” The university collaborates with a wide range of organisations to tackle pressing societal issues. Examples highlighted by the SUSS president include the partnership with Allkin Singapore to enhance capacity building among social work practitioners, and the Age+ Living Lab with SG Assist, which helps seniors, caregivers, and the public explore assistive products to support ageing in place.
Even as SUSS expands, it remains committed to being a university that inspires learning for life and impacts lives. Professor Tan expressed his hope that the Class of 2024 will always view SUSS as a place for guidance and continuous learning, whether they return to further their studies, take new courses, or reconnect with peers. “Our doors are always open,” he assured them. “Go forth to dream boldly, dare to take risks and do so with determination,” he added, expressing confidence in their future success.
Gratitude – a central theme for SUSS Convocation 2024
In line with SUSS’ dedication to inspiring and impacting lives, gratitude was spotlighted as a key theme at the convocation, underscoring the importance of recognising those who supported the graduates and instilling values they will carry as they make their own contributions to society.
To honour this spirit, SUSS set up a Gratitude Wall at the venue, allowing graduates to leave messages of appreciation for family, friends, colleagues, and mentors who played an instrumental role in their journeys. This initiative provides a meaningful way for them to publicly acknowledge their support network.
Graduates also received a commemorative figurine crafted by local toymaker Kenneth Tan. An ex-naval diver who faced mobility challenges later in life, Kenneth transformed his experiences into intricate works of art. Dressed in SUSS graduation robes, the figurine symbolises resilience and determination, serving as a reminder for graduates to persevere through adversity as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.
SUSS Convocation 2024 by the numbers:
- Bachelor’s degree graduates: 2,877
- Postgraduate degree graduates: 378
- Master’s degree graduates: 344, including these pioneer cohorts:
- 20 graduates from the Master of Built Environment
- 12 graduates from the Master of Digital Marketing
- 6 graduates from the Master of Psychology
- 3 graduates from the Master in Boundary-Crossing Learning and Leadership
- Doctorate degree graduates: 5
- 4 Doctor of Business Administration graduates
- 1 Doctor of Philosophy (Gerontology) graduate
- Juris Doctor graduates: 29
- Executive Management Programme certificate recipients: 11