MORE than a year ago, Datuk Clement Hii was pleasantly surprised when visitors from his alma mater, the University of Wolverhampton, United Kingdom, called on him at his office in Kuala Lumpur, to tell him that they had followed his business forays in the corporate world. 

This was followed by another surprise when the university later wrote to inform him that its board of governors had decided to confer him an honorary doctorate of laws (Honorary LL.D) for his contributions towards private higher education in Malaysia. 

For Hii, the award was most meaningful as according to him, the university was “largely responsible” for opening vast opportunities to him. 

Hii was already a working adult when he enrolled for a law degree programme at a small institute in Jalan Batu Lintang, Kuching. 

After obtaining his LLB three years later, he took over the institute which later became part of the SEGi Group of Colleges. 

Hii is now a strong advocate of lifelong learning. “If you think you are not making any headway in your career and your life, it makes sense to upgrade yourself academically. An academic qualification will open doors,” he said. 

Hii was also conferred an honorary doctorate in business administration from UK’s University of Sunderlandlast year.