‘Education a lifelong process for all’

Dr M: Developing new knowledge is key to progress

SERDANG: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad says education is a lifelong process and the people should never stop educating themselves.

The Prime Minister said if Malaysia wanted to progress and become a fully-developed country, the people must be fully educated.

He said education in the present age was not only about learning history or literature, but more about new sciences that were revolutionising industry.

“Even business is now affected by new technologies. So it is important for Malaysian youth to be trained.

“Please do not stop learning, education is a lifetime job because what I knew when I graduated in 1954 is no longer relevant today.

“We always want to move forward, and to move forward we need to develop new knowledge,” he said at Perdana University's third convocation ceremony here yesterday.

The PM also urged the young to learn about what was happening in the country, including in the politi- cal arena.

“It is not necessary for you to be totally involved in politics, but you should know what is happening in the country and at the very least, you should vote during elections,” he added.

Dr Mahathir, who is the founding Chancellor of Perdana University, was conferred the Honorary Doctor of Philosophy Degree for Global Peace and National Reconciliation, while his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali was conferred the Honorary Doctor of Philosophy Degree for Women and Community Development.

This was the first time that Perdana University was conferring the honorary degrees, which were the highest awards given by the university.

This year, 82 graduates received their undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Medicine, Occupational Therapy and Bioinformatics, while 26 others received their certificates in Foundation in Science.