The top graduates (from left) Bong, Nur Amira and Zulhilmi pose with their awards.
KUCHING: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak’s (Unimas) 18th Convocation yesterday saw three top graduates being awarded the Royal Education Awards (Excellent Achievement Medal) and the Chancellor Award.
A local from Siburan, Bong Kee Kai (Biotechnology Resources), and Mohamad Zulhilmy Abd Manan (Human Resource Development) from Taiping, Perak, received the Royal Education Awards.
Zulhilmi shared his secret that assessing one’s own strengths and weaknesses was the key to achieving goals and reach success.
“For me, it is important to recognise my own flaws and strengths and knowing how to present it to my advantage in order to achieve success,” he said after the ceremony held at Unimas’ DeTAR Putra Hall in Kota Samarahan here.
The 22-year-old is currently working at the Prime Minister’s Department as a special officer to Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin under the Graduates to Parliament Programme.
“Don’t see a weakness as an obstacle but opportunity,” said Zulhilmy who aspires to be no less than the prime minister of Malaysia.
Bong, who was overjoyed to receive the award, shared that he has set his target for the award from Day One.
“I think a successful person is hardworking and will grasp any opportunity present to him,” he said.
The 23-year-old who is doing part-time jobs, added that he will be continuing his studies to complete the master’s degree.
Chancellor Award recipient Nur Amira Yasmin Mohd Yusof said she put great effort into her studies to achieve excellent results for every semester. The 22-year-old Science and Aquatic Resource Management graduate from Muar Johor is currently a graduate research assistant in University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).
“My interests are in meteorology and oceanography, so I am hoping to explore more about a balanced environment,” she said.
Another highlight at the convocation were husband and wife teams graduating together.
Among the couples were Saifulbahri Abdul Rahman and Adawati Suhaili who both graduated with Science degree in Science Education.
“Despite all the difficulties, I think tolerance is the key that has allowed us to complete our degree course,” Saifulbahri said.
“Time management and sharing responsibilities are also important for us to focus on our studies and spend quality time with families and our two kids,” Adawati added.
A total of 257 graduates received their scrolls on the first day of the convocation ceremony.
The 18th Convocation, to be held over three days starting yesterday, will involve 3,240 graduates who have completed their courses in various levels including doctorate, post-graduate and under-graduate.
Graduates and guests stand at attention for the ‘Negaraku’.