Address by Pro-Chancellor on UTM 61st Convocation

ADDRESS BY THE HONOURABLE TAN SRI DR. SALLEH BIN MOHD NOR PRO-CHANCELLOR OF UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE 61th CONVOCATION CEREMONY UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA

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SALUTATION

The Honourable Prof. Datuk Ir. Dr. Wahid Bin Omar, Vice-Chancellor Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.

Senate Members, Senior Officers, Guests of Honour, parents and graduating students.

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CONGRATULATIONS TO UTM GRADUATES

First and foremost, I would like to express our gratitude to Alllah S.W.T , with his mercy and grace, we are gathered here today on this meaningful and magnificent day that is the 61st Univeristi Teknologi Malaysia Convocation Ceremony. This ceremony is significant and extremely meaningful for the graduates and their parents. The Convocation ceremony is the University’s acknowledgement of graduates who have successfully completed their studies.

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HEARTIEST CONGRATULATIONS

Thus, I would like to congratulate all the graduates who have successfully completed their pursuit for knowledge at UTM. Congratulations should be conveyed to parents and family members who have sacrificed time, effort and money to ensure the success of these graduates.

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Not to forget, well done and congratulations to the university community who have put in a lot of innovative, strategic and constructive effort that have proven to help develop and advance the graduates during their studies in the university.

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Ladies and gentlemen, your success today is the manifestation of the theme “Excellent University, Generating Universal Prosperity� that has been translated into successful accomplishments whereby UTM achieved 47th place in the QS Asia University Rankings 2019 and 53rd place in the QS Engineering & Technology 2019. Once again, let us congratulate UTM. WWW.UTM.MY

I would also like to express my deepest congratulations to the University that has its own DNA which is the core to its success for the various initiatives. For example, the monthly Car Free Day and replanting effort all over the campus. UTM also forbids the use of polystyrene and single use plastic on-campus and alternatives are provided. This is significant to have a conducive campus environment.

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I would like to convey my congratulations to the honorary degree recipient: YBhg. Tan Sri Dato' Mohd. Ramli bin Kushairi As well as the UTM alumni who have contributed so much, Emeritus Professor Ir. Ishak bin Abd. Rahman, Emeritus Professor Sr. Dr. Ayob bin Sharif; dan Emeritus Professor Ir. Dr. S. Kannan A/L Krishna WWW.UTM.MY

Ladies and Gentlemen, I believe , after this success, you will be excited to place yourself in the workforce as a young professional in the field of science and technology.

In relation to that. I would like to advise the new graduates to work hard, be patient, be truthful and honest in your respective professions.

I would to emphasize that your education in UTM is beyond the requirements of academics. Thus the softskills that you have been exposed should be practiced in real life. This will make you, a holistic UTM graduate.

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I would like to remind you that as a graduate, this is the point in your life whereby you will have to be competitive and excellent until the end of your life as highlighted in the National Education Philosophy.

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On the other hand, graduates who are experiencing difficulties in getting their dream job should be patient and always be positive and constructive. This is because opportunities in science and technology has been facilitated by various government initiatives. Furthermore, UTM graduates have their own unique capabilities. You are UTM’s heir and have UTM’s DNA. Remember, the challenges are parts of the maturity thinking process for you, ladies and gentlemen.

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The economy of the country is very challenging. For example, cost of living and inflation have risen. Unemployment among graduates has risen more than 25% from the country’s total unemployment . More than 50% of these graduates receive less than RM 2000.00 per month. This will be one of the challenges that young graduates will face.

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However, as a UTM graduate, one of the best universities in Malaysia, I believe you will be able to face the challenge but you will need to innovate and stay positive and be innovative. Even though the innovation is small but it has the potential to bring in lucrative returns!

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Science and technology has developed and expanded since the 4th Industrial Revolution. This smooth development in the fields of biotecchnology, nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, robotics, internet of things, blockchain, remote sensing and other technologies have provided opportunities for graduates to be innovative. It can and should be further developed as the basics for job employment.

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Please remember that you have been trained in UTM , a premier technological university in Malaysia. Use the knowledge and education as the basics for you to generate income. Sharing of knowledge and effort with your colleagues besides doing small businesses should be your initial steps. Do not be ashamed or embarrassed. Work hard and have the initiative - the service industry is waiting for your involvement.

Be Entrepreneurial!

Share with your colleagues and start a business.

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Ladies and Gentlemen, Please allow me to continue my speech in English There are two words that I would like you to remove from your dictionary. That is “I can’t”. There was a Youtube video of a lady who was involved in a car accident at 10 years old and lived a life in a wheel chair. But she persevered and pageants, gained a degree in engineering and a Doctorate honours in law.

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She is an actor and a dancer. She refused to believe in “I can’t”.

She volunteered in numerous organizations and moved to India to work in slums and dedicated her life to helping others.

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Thomas Edison failed 900 times before he invented the light bulb, Mother Teresa in India and so did Martin Luther Jr in USA, Michael Jordon, the basketball wizard of USA faces numerous challenges was rejected from his high school basketball team and Oprah Winfrey was told she would never have a career in television dan banyak contoh lain didunia dimana keadaan yang sangat mencabar yang diatasi sebab mereka percaya diri sendiri. So do not ever say “I can’t”.

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I believe, having positive, commitment, dedication and creative vision, ladies and gentlemen, you will go far.

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Distinguished guests, I would like end my speech by saying Well Done and congratulations once again to all the graduates who will now officially be the Alumni of UTM Good Luck dan May God Bless You All To end this speech, Wabillahi taufik walhidayah wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh WWW.UTM.MY