By Saiful Bahri Kamaruddin
Pix Centre For Corporate Communications  

BANGI, Oct 31, 2015 – A total of 5,897 graduates were to receive their scrolls at the 43rd convocation of The National University of  Malaysia (UKM) for four days starting today, bringing to 176,009 graduates produced in the 45 years since its establishment.

Those graduating consists of 483 doctorates, 2,379 master’s degrees, 2,950 bachelor’s degrees, and 85 graduates with diplomas, said UKM Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Noor Azlan Ghazali  at the first session of the 43rd convocation here today.

Prof. Noor Azlan said UKM still managed to produce many graduates wuth PhDs in various fields.

“We are confident that the many members of the alumni have established an extensive network and contributed, not only to the country but to the world at large,” he said.

However, UKM continues to pay attention to new graduates through the UKM Career programme.

“UKM Career is playing a leading role in the concept of ‘train and place’ – that is they were given training in soft skills and professional certification. UKM Career  collaborates with Talent Malaysia for students to interact directly with the industry through Industry Engagement Zone (IND-E-ZONE).

“Lastly, UKM Career will organise a virtual career fair in January 2016, namely a virtual career day allowing students and graduates to interact and be interviewed by industry online. Information about video resumes  and’ virtual career fairs are distributed to all graduates at this convocation,” he explained.

The Graduation ceremony was officiated by the UKM Chancellor, the  Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus, Tuanku Muhriz Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir.

At this convocation, UKM awarded an Honorary Doctorate to four prominent figures who have made significant contributions to the development of their respective fields and the title of Professor Emeritus and former Emerita to five former academic staff who have contributed significantly to the progress of UKM and the country.

In the first session, former Vice-Chancellor Prof Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Sharifah Hapsah Syed Hasan Shahabudin was awarded the title of Professor Emerita.

“She is a former Vice-Chancellor, and the first woman to hold the post at   UKM and was instrumental in promoting UKM as a leading national university,” said Prof Noor Azlan.

Meanwhile, Tan Sri Datuk (Dr) Hj Mustapha Kamal Haji Abu Bakar was  awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration.

“He is well-known and a well-respected corporate leader in business and real estate,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, the Royal Education Award was conferred on Faculty of Law student Lilian Lee and Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities student  Noviatin Binti Syarifuddin.

Nur Yasmin Khairani Binti Zakaria of the Faculty of Education was bestowed the Tun Abdul Razak while Lily Koh of the Faculty of Engineering and Built environment received the Vice-Chancellor’s award.