Forty Years of Transforming Lives: HELP University Celebrates Its 36th Convocation Ceremony

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.