Kuala
Lumpur, 10 May 2026 –
HELP University celebrated its 36th Convocation ceremony at the Shangri-La
Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, marking an important milestone for graduands, families,
educators, and the wider HELP community.
Held
in conjunction with HELP University’s 40th anniversary celebrations, the
convocation reflected four decades of educational transformation, lifelong
learning, and the University’s continued commitment to empowering individuals
through education.
A
Celebration of Achievement and Transformation
The
ceremony brought together graduands from diverse academic disciplines and
backgrounds, including working professionals, adult learners, postgraduate
students, international graduands, and first-generation university graduates.
For
many graduands, the occasion represented years of perseverance, personal
growth, and ambition. The ceremony also highlighted the evolving nature of
higher education, where learning increasingly extends beyond traditional
pathways and age boundaries.
The
convocation reflected HELP University’s continued commitment to accessible and
inclusive education through pathways such as APEL.Q, which recognises
experiential learning and enables adult learners and working professionals to
pursue higher education later in life.
Forty
Years of Purpose-Driven Education
As
HELP University marks its 40th anniversary, the milestone represents more than
the passage of time. It reflects four decades of building opportunities,
nurturing talent, and transforming lives through education.
Founded
in 1986 by Professor Datuk Dr Paul Chan and Datin Chan-Low Kam Yoke, HELP
University began with a vision of making quality education accessible while
shaping individuals who would contribute meaningfully to society.
Over
the years, the institution has evolved from a pioneering educational initiative
into a globally connected university recognised for academic excellence,
industry relevance, graduate employability, and transformative learning
experiences.
Today,
HELP University’s alumni community spans industries, professions,
entrepreneurial ventures, public service, and leadership positions both in
Malaysia and internationally. Across four decades, the University has remained
guided by its enduring mission of helping people succeed in life and live lives
of significance.
Reflecting
on the future of education, Professor Datuk Dr Paul Chan emphasised the
importance of rethinking how learning is approached in an increasingly complex
and rapidly evolving world.
“The
future will demand reinvention. Learning must become lifelong, flexible,
experiential, interdisciplinary, and deeply connected to real-world challenges.
This
is why HELP pioneered APEL.Q, recognising experiential learning and enabling
working adults to continue their educational journey. This is why we aspire to
become not merely a university, but an ecosystem of humane innovation and
lifelong transformation,” he said.
The
ceremony also reflected the growing importance of lifelong learning, with many
graduands pursuing education not only for professional advancement, but also
for personal growth, reinvention, and contribution to society.
Lifelong
Learning Beyond Conventional Pathways
Among
the graduands was Dato’ Kamarul A Muhamed, a globally recognised technology
entrepreneur and leader in drone technology, artificial intelligence, and
digital transformation, who pursued his Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
through HELP University’s APEL.Q pathway.
Under
his leadership as Founder and Group CEO, Aerodyne Group has grown into one of
the world’s leading drone-based enterprise solutions companies, operating
across multiple countries and industries including infrastructure, agriculture,
energy, and public services.
Reflecting
on his educational journey, Dato’ Kamarul shared that his decision to pursue
the DBA was rooted in lifelong learning and the desire to bridge practical
experience with academic knowledge.
“Pursuing
my DBA through the APEL.Q pathway at HELP University was a deliberate choice
grounded in lifelong learning and real-world experience.
As
an entrepreneur leading a global technology company, much of my learning came
from building businesses, managing crises, innovation, and global expansion.
APEL.Q recognises that experience also carries academic value.
What
attracted me to HELP was its openness, flexibility, and strong academic
culture. The university created a pathway for experienced professionals to
contribute practical insights back into academia without compromising rigor.
For
me, the DBA was never about a title, but about translating years of
entrepreneurial lessons into knowledge that can benefit future leaders and the
broader ecosystem,” he said.
The
graduating cohort also included distinguished professionals and leaders from
various sectors who pursued their Doctor of Business Administration studies at
HELP University, including Datuk Kenny Liew Hock Nean, Executive Vice Chairman
of Topvision Eye Specialist Centre, and Syed Kamal Muzaffa, Director of the
Sustainability Division at the Malaysian Investment Development Authority
(MIDA).
Also
among the graduands was Datuk Izani Wan Ishak, former Senior Assistant Director
of MACC and the first graduate of the APEL.Q Master of Science in Economic
Crime Management programme.
The
graduating cohort also included Datuk Wira Dr. Calvin Khiu, a well-known
Malaysian entrepreneur, speaker, and investor, recognised as the founder of MK
Curtain Berhad and OE EduGroup, who completed his Doctor of Business
Administration (DBA) through the APEL.Q pathway at HELP University.
Reflecting
on the role of education and entrepreneurship, Datuk Wira Dr. Calvin Khiu said:
“I
have always believed that the value of an entrepreneur is not just about
generating profit, but about creating opportunities and making an impact on
more people.
I
hope to nurture more new-generation entrepreneurs with responsibility,
leadership, and an international outlook. Because true success is not about how
far one person can go alone, but about how many people can be brought along to
grow together.”
Their
presence reflected the growing importance of lifelong learning among
experienced professionals and industry leaders seeking to deepen their
expertise, contribute to knowledge creation, and navigate increasingly complex
global and technological landscapes.
Meanwhile,
Professor Dr Andy Liew Teik Kooi encouraged graduands to move forward with
courage, resilience, and adaptability amid rapid technological and societal
change.
“Education
is not just about what you know. It is about what you now believe is possible,”
he said.
Looking
Towards the Future
The
ceremony also recognised the important role played by parents, families,
lecturers, mentors, and supporters who contributed to each graduand’s
educational journey.
As
HELP University celebrates its fourth decade, the institution continues to
strengthen its role as a future-focused university committed to shaping
graduates who are not only professionally capable, but also guided by
integrity, resilience, empathy, and a sense of responsibility towards society.
More
than a celebration of academic achievement, the 36th Convocation ceremony
reflects HELP University’s continuing belief in the transformative power of
education across generations.
This press release has also been published on VRITIMES
