ADDRESS BY THE HONOURABLE TAN SRI DR. SALLEH BIN MOHD NOR PRO-CHANCELLOR OF UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA
IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE 62nd CONVOCATION CEREMONY UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA
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بسم هللا الرحمن الرحيم السالم عليكم ورحمة هللا وبركاته Salam Sejahtera
الحمد هلل رب العالمين الصالة والسالم على اشرف االنبياء والمرسلين وعلى آله وصحبه أجمعين
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SALUTATION
The Honourable Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Datin Paduka Siti Sadiah Binti Sheikh Bakir, Pro- Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, The Honourable Prof. Datuk Ir. Dr. Wahid Bin Omar, Vice-chancellor Of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. Senate Members, Senior Officers, guests of honor, parents and our graduates. www.utm.my
HEARTFELT APPRECIATION
First of all, let us pray and express our gratitude to Allah S.W.T. for blessing us, because with His grace and mercy, we are gathered today at the 62nd UTM convocation.
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HEARTFELT APPRECIATION
This exceptional and glorious ceremony is meaningful and of utmost important to the graduates and their parents. As, this convocation is reflective of the ultimate recognition by the university towards its graduates who have completed their studies.
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CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE GRADUATES
Ladies and Gentlemen, Well done and congratulations to all the graduates who have achieved success in their pursuit of knowledge studying in UTM. Congratulations to the parents and family members whom I believe, have sacrificed a lot to ensure the success of all these graduates. www.utm.my
CONGRATULATORY REMARKS
Not to forget, well done and congratulations to the university community who have carried out various innovative and strategic high impact initiatives, which have been proven to assist these graduates in their development and advancement whilst studying in the university. www.utm.my
CONGRATULATORY REMARKS
I would like to say congratulations to these UTM Alumni who have been awarded the title of Professor Emeritus: (i) (ii) (iii)
Ir. (Engineer) Dr. Mohd. Azraai bin Kassim Dato’ Dr. Abd. Majid bin A.Kadir Dr. Noor Sharipah binti Sultan Sidi
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CONGRATULATORY REMARKS
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Mr. Muhammad Syafik Rahmat, a student from the School of Computing, Engineering Faculty who has been awarded The National Graduate Award 2018, the highest graduate award.
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ICON OF STUDENT LEADERSHIP
The success of Mr. Muhammad Syafik Rahmat has made him the icon of student leadership, which has led to UTM being a reference for the success of undergraduates’ development programs through the Holistic Students Development Programme.
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DRIVING HIGHER EDUCATION FOCUSING ON HUMANITY
His success and yours, today is evidence of the initiatives of Driving Higher Education focusing on Humanity as the theme for the strategic leadership programme of the university as well as being the basis to establish the Development of University Undergraduates.
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TOP 100 IN TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION IMPACT RANKINGS FOR 3 CATEGORIES
UTM’s success is seen through its accomplishments such as being placed in the top 100 in Times Higher Education Impact Rankings for 3 categories: Sustainable Development Goals (SDG); Quality Education, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure and Responsible Consumption and Production. Once again Congratulations UTM.
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FREE PLASTIC POLICY IN UTM
I would also like to congratulate the university for its commitment in ensuring sustainability of the environment in UTM. The implementation and enforcement of Free Plastic Policy in UTM beginning 2019 was introduced in stages in UTM campus and this shows that the university is committed and consistent in its effort to provide a sustainable environment that is conducive. www.utm.my
MOVING FORWARD
Ladies and Gentlemen, I believe after this success, ladies and gentlemen, you must be excited to join the workforce and be one of the young professionals.
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THE IMPORTANCE OF SOFT SKILLS
Thus, I would like to advise you, ladies and gentlemen, work hard, be patient, and honest in executing your duties. I would like to emphasize that during your studies in UTM, you have not only acquired academic skills, but beyond it. Remember, the soft skills embedded in your education should be put into practice.
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BE COMPETITIVE AND EXCELLENT
I would like to remind you, that as a graduate, this is the point in your life that you have to be competitive and excellent, which is aligned with the National Education Philosophy.
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STAY POSITIVE
In the meantime, graduates who are experiencing difficulties and challenges to get the job of their dreams are advised to stay positive because job opportunities for Science and Technology graduates would be opening once the government transformation initiatives are executed.
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THE UNIQUENESS OF UTM GRADUATES
Moreover, as graduates of UTM, you are unique and special in your own way. You have inherited UTM’s genes and DNA. Remember, difficulties that you are facing are part of the maturity process of your thinking.
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THE ECONOMIC CHALLENGES
The economic condition in our country is very challenging. For example, the living cost is increasing including inflation. Unemployment among graduates has increased more than 25% from the national unemployment. More than 50% of the graduates receive less than RM 2,000 per month. This is one of the challenges, that you, ladies and gentlemen will face. www.utm.my
BE POSITIVE AND INNOVATIVE
However, as a UTM graduate, which is one of the best universities in Malaysia, I am confident that you will be able to face life challenges. However, ladies and gentlemen, you need to innovate, be positive and innovative.
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INNOVATIVE THINKING
GRAB is an example of innovative thinking. Use technology that you have learned and innovate. Nanotechnology, Block chain, Artificial Intelligence and Bitcoin could be used for commercialization.
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TECHNOLOGY ABUSEMENT
One of the advancements and most used technology is the Internet. Besides its usefulness, many have abused its use such as spreading bad things and news on the internet. I implore you, ladies and gentlemen to be cautious and careful using modern technology such as put to good use the internet. Do not ever misuse the technology. www.utm.my
BE ENTREPRENEURIAL AND CREATE JOBS
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is time that graduates should not be solely dependent on the government for jobs. However, jobs in the private sector are also scarce due to the current economic slowdown. Thus, ladies and gentlemen, you should be entrepreneurial and create jobs based on your skills and knowledge. www.utm.my
BE ENTREPRENEURIAL
Being entrepreneurial is important and one should not be embarrassed to start at the beginning, dirty our hands and be humble enough to do work that is not glamorous. With this kind of behavior, I am sure you will learn about life realistically in a world that is full of challenges.
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BE ENTREPRENEURIAL
Be Entrepreneurial! Entrepreneurship is defined as a new business activity with risks involved, inclusive of financial but with the hope of getting good returns. Ladies and Gentlemen, do not be afraid to take risks.
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SERVICE INDUSTRY
Another type of industry, which in my opinion will be important and has the potential to expand is the service industry. The service industry is a business that offers services required by consumers. Examples of a dynamic business are GRAB Food, Grab Delivery, Happy Fresh, etc. Maybe, you should be thinking of new services to offer to the community. www.utm.my
SERVICE INDUSTRY
Once upon a time, whenever we go the District Offices, we can see people with typewriters, on the sidewalk of government buildings helping people who do not know how to write by typing official letters meant for the government offices for them. Today, there is no such service but, ladies and gentlemen, you should be thinking of something similar using modern technology to address modern problems faced by today’s modern society. www.utm.my
HEARTBREAKING INCIDENTS
Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to recap 2 incidents that happened recently. The first one in New Zealand where 50 Moslems were killed in cold blood while they were performing the Friday prayers at a mosque. The other one in Sri Lanka where 300 were killed by terrorists.
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HEARTBREAKING INCIDENTS
Even though these two incidents are not related but they remind us of a disturbing phenomenon. In New Zealand, a gunman shot Moslems in the mosque and in Sri Lanka, terrorists killed people who were celebrating Easter in churches. I believe these incidents happened due to lack of respect and tolerance for people of different religions. www.utm.my
RESPECT EACH OTHER
We, Malaysians comprised of different races and religions, need to respect each other’s belief regardless of skin colour, religion and race. Remember, 13th May 1969 incident, a racial riot which happened in Kuala Lumpur. We must pray that such a riot will not and should never happen again in our country.
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RESPECT EACH OTHER
To ensure that we remain harmonious, we should be friends with people from other races, religions and skin colours. Respecting others is easy to practice because if we respect others, I believe others will respect us too. www.utm.my
RESPECT EACH OTHER
Practising racial segregation as I have seen is not healthy, I appeal to all of you, ladies and gentlemen, please do not practice racial segregation once you leave UTM to make your mark in the world. I believe, being committed, dedicated, and having a creative and positive vision, ladies and gentlemen, you will go far. www.utm.my
CLOSING I would like to conclude my speech by expressing ‘Well Done’ and my highest congratulations once again to all the graduates who are now officially Alumni of UTM. Good Luck and May God Bless You All
With that, Wabillahi taufik warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
walhidayah
wassalamu’alaikum www.utm.my