4,490 to graduate from UMS in upcoming convocation
KOTA KINABALU: More than a hundred walked down the streets from Kota Kinabalu Community Hall towards the City Hall building during Universiti Malaysia Sabah’s (UMS) 8th “Town and Gown” parade here, yesterday.
UMS vice chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Mohd Harun Abdullah led the 0.8 km walk along with officials from City Hall, the chairman and members of the university board, key officers, members of the senate, around 30 from uniformed bodies and 67 students.
These students, representing around a total of 4,490 from 65 UMS academic programs that stem from 10 faculties and three research centres as well as 14 study centres, will graduate in this year’s upcoming convocation.
They will join some 47,000 who are already in the list of the university’s alumni.
“The convocation is the most anticipated day by all graduates who have successfully completed their three, four and five-year long studies at our beloved UMS,” said Muliana Tahir, the students’ representative and a soon-tobe alumni of the university’s psychology department.
“As a representative of my fellow graduates, I could not start to describe the feeling of joy felt by each one of us.
“The campus life, waiting for the bus, school lectures, staying up late to complete assignments, examinations and sitting in the hall during lecture are some of our unforgettable memories, here.
“We will not forget those who have imparted their knowledge and helped form us till we have reach the success that we have reaped today,” said Muliana, during the ceremony after the parade.
“However, this does not mean our journey will end or our learning process will cease from the point of graduation.
“Instead, it will mark the starting point for us to continue to strive and struggle for the development of ourselves, the community and the country,” she added.
Earlier on in the ceremony, Dr Harun said: “Today, we often hear about the issues of unemployment among graduates. Is it true that the country’s job opportunities have increasingly decreased?
Or have we been producing an excess of graduates? Or do the graduates today lack the skills that would attract prospective employers?
“No matter what it is, the choice is in your hands. Do we just succumb to a situation without a fight?” asked Dr Harun.
“Vast opportunities are out there besides working a salaried job in the private or government institutions. But it is up to us to determine our own future,” reminded Dr Harun.
The 67 representatives of the programs also received the Key to the City from Kota Kinabalu City Mayor Datuk Abidin Madingkir.
“The key that you are honoured with is not just any key but a symbol of acknowledgment that you are citizens of Kota Kinabalu City. It is also a recognition that you are among the educated and professional generation who will become leaders in the future,” said Abidin.
“I believe, around three years in this institution had exposed you to the different dimensions of life. Make use of the bittersweet and the ups and downs experienced here as a capital for your future journey,” advised Abidin.
“I hope you will come back to Kota Kinabalu after returning to your respective hometown in the future,” said the mayor to the future graduates who hail from states encompassing the whole nation.