Ghadah Mohammed Salem Azan graduated with first-class honours in the BSc (Hons) in Culinary Management and was crowned one of the valedictorians of the July 2022 Sunway University Convocation. Ghadah shared that the programme focused on different aspects that are crucial to the hospitality industry. The support system developed by the School has sharpened and shaped the personalities of the students to become resilient and they developed leadership and team-oriented skills that prepared them for real-life experiences.

Ghadah mentioned, “The culinary subject was Basic Kitchen Operations taught by Chef Chong Wei Tzeh. We were exposed to the organisation of the kitchen, usage of utensils and equipment and practice of safety precautions. The Intermediate Culinary Operations subject provided us with knowledge and skills in all aspects of food production. The Advanced Culinary Techniques was one of my favourite subjects as Chef Soon Pau Voon inspired students to be creative and provided us with the space to learn by experimenting.” 

Being a culinary student does not necessarily mean that interest towards certain culinary areas is innate. Ghadah specifically highlighted “Baking is a therapy for me. However, I only managed to find this to be an act of joy after taking advanced pastry classes with Prof Chef Patrick Siau.” She added that these classes have changed her point of view about baking, and later developed a specific interest in this field. 

Assoc Prof Dr Daniel Chong Ka Leong is one of the best educators she has encountered at Sunway University. He taught the Food and Beverage Management subject, where he uses spectacular delivery methods to enable effective learning. During the pandemic, Ghadah also had the opportunity to work with him via the Sunway University Student Council (SUSC), where he was the lecturer advisor for the student council. Ghadah was working alongside the Director of Academic Affairs at SUSC and thanked him for his support which continues until today.

Sunway University is truly the “most happening campus”. Throughout the three-year degree, Ghadah’s experience as a student also went beyond classroom activities. She said, “I expanded my learning horizons by getting out of my comfort zone. Some of the additional roles that I have taken up were: becoming a student representative; joining TEDx Sunway as a member, and participating in the SUSC elections and becoming the Academic Affairs Director 2020/2021.” These were indeed memorable experiences as Ghadah had the opportunity to interact with students from different backgrounds, deliver their voices, and leave a profound impact as a student leader. 

Ghadah mentioned that she initially had the impression that being enrolled in a University would mean that grades are the only priority. However, little did she know that varsity life at Sunway University had a lot more to offer – one of it is lifelong friends. She mentioned, “Despite that, I am in Saudi Arabia, I still keep in touch with three of my close friends whom I met at the University i.e. Amirah who is in Canada, Zarifah in Malaysia, and Ramisa Maliyat - soon-to-be relocated to the UK.” A network of social support is important to stay motivated and happy.

During the lockdown, Ghadah did not procrastinate but began to develop her own online bakery business where she would sell her signature cookies. The temporary entrepreneurial venture was a success but was halted as she had to return to Malaysia to continue her final two semesters. Realising that she needed to gain more industry exposure post-graduation, Ghadah took up the role of a pastry chef at Meraki artisans, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and is on her way to becoming a head chef. During her free time, she also freelances as a menu developer. 

On a final note, Ghadah’s message to the next generation of Sunwayians is “Don’t let your fears prevent you from seizing the opportunities to attain new experiences. Sunway is a conducive place for individuals to learn and grow, sharpen skills, and expand one’s social networks.