SINGAPORE - Seven in 10 students from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) have secured jobs ahead of their graduation this week, according to a survey done in early July.
In the preliminary survey of over 5,000 graduates this year, about 70 per cent said that they had found jobs, less than three months after leaving school.
This is slightly higher than last year, when over 65 per cent of students from the class of 2014 found jobs before graduation.
A total of 8,639 students will graduate from NTU this year, in 18 convocation ceremonies that started on Monday.
In his convocation address on Monday, NTU president Bertil Andersson said to the class of 2015: "Today may be your last day as students at NTU. But in your hearts, NTU will always be a part of you.
"As you move on in your personal and professional lives, I hope you will continue to stay connected and involved with your alma mater and its future developments."
Prof Andersson also highlighted three major events that NTU will be organising in the coming months. One is the student-run NTU Fest in August to reach out to the public, and another is the annual alumni homecoming in October. This will see about 600 former students recognised for their contributions to nation-building as well as pioneers who had served in NTU.
The third event is in November, when the university will host the Nobel Prize Series Singapore, where nobel laureates and education leaders will congregate to discuss the future of learning.
Presiding over the first convocation ceremony on Monday morning was President Tony Tan Keng Yam, who is Chancellor of NTU. Education Minister Heng Swee Keat also attended the ceremony.
About 280 students received their degrees. Among them was valedictorian Seow Yi Cheng, who graduated with a double degree in accountancy and business.
Mr Seow, who started work at audit firm KPMG Singapore in January this year, received two Lee Kuan Yew Gold Medals for his outstanding performance in both degree programmes.
"The school provided many opportunities to help me learn about the working environment," said Mr Seow, citing his 10-week internship as a highlight during his university education.
"We may not get it right the first time, every time, but our experiences in school have given us the tenacity to keep trying," he said.
