TROY -- Troy University will award degrees to 54 students from five Asian countries at its first commencement ceremony for the University’s Malaysia teaching site on Saturday, May 19.

Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor of Troy University, is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the first commencement ceremony. TROY began offering degree programs in Malacca, Malaysia in 2003 in partnership with Putra International College. The first class is composed of students from Malaysia, China, Indonesia, Korea and Vietnam, according to Dr. Phil Lyon, Director of International Programs for University College, the division that operates all Troy University teaching sites outside Alabama.

Dr. Lyon said 53 of the graduates will receive a bachelor’s degree in business administration and one student will receive an associate’s degree in business administration. He said several members of this graduating class participate in a “two plus two” program between Troy University and Qingdao University of Science and Technology in the People’s Republic of China. The students spend the first two years at their home university in China and then come to TROY’s campus in Malaysia to complete their degree programs.

Several dignitaries will attend the commencement ceremony, including Tang Chai Yoong, president of Putra International College, who visited Troy last week to receive the honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Troy University. Others special guests include Dr. Ma Lian Xiang, president of Qingdao University of Science and Technology; and Datuk Ong Tee Keat, deputy minister of the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education.

Troy University operates four campuses in Alabama in Troy, Dothan, Montgomery and Phenix City and more than 60 campuses outside Alabama in 16 other U.S. states, one U.S. territory and 12 nations. Troy University’s campuses outside Alabama do not receive state appropriations.

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Note to editors/producers: Pronunciation guide is as follows:

Malacca (Ma-lock-uh)

Putra (Poo-trah)

Qindao (Chin-Tau)

Ma Lian Xiang (Mah Lee-un Shong)

Datuk (Dah-took)