75 Sekolah Seni Malaysia Kuching graduands receive their scrolls

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WE DID IT!: Graduates of Sekolah Seni Malaysia Kuching celebrating after successfully completing their studies even though they have to share premises with their host SMK Tun Abang Haji Openg. l Stories and pictures on Page 7. — Photo by Jeffrey Mostapa.

KUCHING: Sekolah Seni Malaysia Kuching produced 75 graduates this year and saw Sharmira Delilah Budit named as its 2012 Student Icon.

The 75 students completed their studies either in Music, Theatre or Dance and Visual Arts (including fine arts, visual communication and designs subjects).

Despite having to share premises with their host SMK Tun Abang Haji Openg since its establishment in 2007, yesterday’s convocation marked another successful graduation ceremony for the school.

PROUD MOMENT: Fatimah (second right) presents the Icon Student award to Sharmira as Sluhi (left) and Mohamed Yamin look on.

Minister of Welfare, Women and Family Development Datuk Fatimah Abdullah officiated at the convocation.

Among those present were Sekolah Seni Malaysia Kuching principal Sluhi Lamat and Education Ministry deputy director (Arts and Co-Curriculum) Mohamed Yamin Mohamed Yusof.

In line with the convocation theme of ‘Pewaris Budaya Bangsa’ (cultural inheritance), Fatimah, in her speech, highlighted the importance for those in the education and arts sector to strengthen their role to help promote the local cultures to the world.

She urged all those involved in education and arts to give the major towns in the state a cultural heritage which could boost the tourism industry here.

In addition, she said in light of the rapid economic development in the state, the cultural scene should be kept relevant and robust in this modern dynamic environment.

WE GRADUATED: A section of the75 students showing their graduation certificates. — Photo by Jeffrey Mostapa.

“Despite constantly facing outside influences especially in science and technology, let me remind you that as educators of students in the arts field, we must be able to better prepare the students. The local natives’ culture and arts for example, are vibrant and rich – not only on the outside, but also in spirit and soul. The strength in these century old cultures in our community should become the backbone for the character growth of our people as this would strengthen the development of a nation,” she stated.

Fatimah pointed out that apart from preserving a culture for instance in itsbeautiful art and design works, innovation and change were also important to ensure the survival of a culture.