KPU graduates awarded ‘President’s Outstanding Graduate Award’
King Lee and Oliver Cook took home the annual award recognizing exceptional academic achievements and contributions
King Lee, one of the winners of the President's Outstanding Graduate Award. (Submitted)
Two Kwantlen Polytechnic University graduates received the “President’s Outstanding Graduate Award,” worth $500. The award is given annually to graduates who have demonstrated academic excellence and made significant contributions to KPU and the greater community.
Each year, the award is given to a degree and diploma program graduate. This year King Lee, a general business studies diploma alum, and Oliver Cook, a bachelor of horticulture science graduate, accepted the award at the KPU convocation ceremonies on Feb. 27.
Both recipients have demonstrated their commitment to serving the community throughout their time at KPU and have gone above and beyond in the spirit of building community and helping others, according to KPU’s press release.
Lee came to KPU when he was new to Canada, having moved here with his wife and two children from Hong Kong.
Prior to moving, Lee was a teacher and later became an established change management professional boasting a decade long career. He holds an MBA and an MSc in information systems management from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
Lee enrolled at KPU to understand the business environment in Canada. His love for teaching continued on, as he used his background to become a peer tutor in economics and accounting, helping over 80 students during his time at KPU. His academic excellence and commitment to helping his peers gained Lee recognition with the award.
“I really feel grateful, thankful. Sometimes we work hard, not necessarily being recognized, this time, I’m lucky,” Lee says. “I do not see that it is any glamorous achievement, but just what I should do to help the people around me.”
Lee’s advice to students is to get involved with clubs and talk to classmates and peers to understand their motivation and perspective, not just academically but also in life. He also suggests people shouldn’t shy away from getting help from instructors who have good insights and can provide motivation with their studies.
His favourite thing about attending KPU is one that many students can relate to.
“Lining up for Tim Hortons with classmates and discussing our problems together. I think we [as] international students here face a lot of adaptation in our personal life, as well as our studies. We share our issues and support each other. I’ve valued this very much,” Lee says.
Lee is working towards getting his Canadian permanent residency and hopes for a future career in human resources, specializing in learning and development within corporations, which he did for 10 years in Hong Kong.
Cook came to KPU in 2018 with inspiration to study the natural world from his upbringing on the Sunshine Coast. During his time at KPU, he was an active volunteer community member participating in conservation efforts, events, and environmental awareness with many local organizations.
“It’s an opportunity to work on something bigger than yourself,” Cook said in a press release. “It keeps you pushing your boundaries, applying your knowledge and learning.”
Cook is aiming for a future career in landscape designing specializing in “sustainable development projects to create resilient, healthy and biodiverse-rich communities.”
