Mohalenyane Phakela
LIMKOKWING University of Creative Technology (LUCT) on Thursday conferred degrees and associate degrees to 727 students during a colourful ceremony held at Lehakoe Recreational and Cultural Centre.
Held under the theme ‘The Future Is Now in Your Hands’, LUCT’s fifth graduation ceremony was a carnival affair with song and dance the order of the day.
Among the dignitaries in attendance was Queen ‘Masenate Mohato Seeiso, Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili, Deputy Prime Minister Mothetjoa Metsing, Speaker of the National Assembly Ntlhoi Motsamai, Education and Training Minister Mahali Phamotse and the institution’s founder Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Paduka Limkokwing.
The students graduated in the faculties of business, tourism management, journalism, information technology and design. Learners took three years to complete their associate degree studies and four years for honours degrees.
The university also awarded 51 graduands for their outstanding performance and excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities. Twenty-two of them received the Tan Sri Dato’ Paduka Dr Limkokwing Industry Award for Excellence, six were presented with the Tan Sri Dato’ Paduka Dr Limkokwing Award for Creativity and Innovation and 16 received the Tan Sri Dato’ Paduka Dr Limkokwing Award for Leadership.
Outstanding degree graduates were also awarded scholarships to pursue master’s degrees at LUCT’s Malaysia campus, while associate degree graduates will study for their honours degrees at the Maseru campus.
Honours Degree graduate in Broadcasting and Journalism Tšeliso Mojela, who is physically challenged, also received a special achievement award.
In her address, Dr Limkokwing urged the graduates to strive to contribute towards the development of the country’s economy.
“I am here to tell you how proud I am of what you have achieved. At this young age, you have already acquired more skills and knowledge than most people in this world,” said Dr Limkokwing.
“You must be forever grateful to your parents and guardians for the sacrifices they made to ensure you succeed. You must also be thankful to your government for the support they have given to ensure you have what it takes to build a successful career.
“The Class of 2015, may your every dream come true. May your futures be filled with the most inspiring success stories and may this journey you started with us take you to the most exhilarating places in the world, and to the top of your worlds.”
Dr Phamotse echoed similar sentiments in her keynote address by urging the graduates to establish their own companies for the benefit of the economy. She also urged them to pay back the stipends they received from government to ensure other tertiary students also fulfil their dreams.
“The future of this country looks bright with these graduates since they have vowed to boost the private sector and, in turn, benefit the economy,” said Dr Phamotse.
“I urge you, the Class of 2015, to make wise choices in your lives and become the best group to emerge from Limkokwing University. The government offered you a stepping stone towards realising your dreams so you are expected to refund them so that we can help those coming after you.”
Speaking on behalf of the Class of 2015, Mr Mojela said the road to their graduation was not easy but had been made bearable by the support from LUCT.
“It is truly a great privilege and honour for me to stand before you on behalf of my fellow graduates,” he said.
“When I joined Limkokwing University in 2009, I was a young man full of vitality, a livewire to say the least. However, during my journey as a student, health challenges got in the way and I eventually became wheelchair-bound. It happened so unexpectedly and so suddenly that I was taken aback, broken and felt like my life had been cut short.
“Just when I was about to give up, the unthinkable happened. The management of Limkokwing University supported me and went as far as ensuring that I was sent to Bloemfontein for medical attention.
“I became hopeful because they treated me as a normal person. I therefore, managed to get reintegrated with my colleagues and returned to my old self, save for my mobility challenges. However, I will never be defined by my circumstances.”
Mr Mojela said given his humble background and being raised in a single parent family, he never thought he would be able to fulfil his dreams.
“Dr Limkokwing will never know how this bursary has changed my life. Today I am an honours degree graduate in Broadcasting and Journalism and I have a job here at Limkokwing,” said Mr Mojela, who was also awarded an all-expenses-paid master’s degree scholarship at LUCT’s Botswana campus.
“Nothing will stand in the way of my success and I can only express my gratitude by giving back to the university what I have learned.”
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