By Saiful Bahri Kamaruddin
Pix Abd Ra’ai Osman

BANGI, 10 Mar 2016 -UKM students are not only driven to excel in their studies, but are encouraged to pursue their interests.

This was conveyed by National University of Malaysia (UKM) Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Noor Azlan Ghazali in a speech to welcome some 1,100 newly enrolled graduate students, in UKM today.

“When you are in UKM you have to reinvent yourself and stand out,” he said, brandishing a red umbrella.

He said that the red umbrella symbolizes the yearning to be distinctive and expressed hope that UKM students would be above the norm.

He also advised students to cultivate smart partnerships at home and abroad as they are unofficial envoys for the country.

Also present at the gathering were Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Alumni and International Affairs) Prof Dato’ Ir Dr Riza Atiq Abdullah O.K. Rahmat and UKM  Graduate Centre Director Prof Dr Andanastuti Muchtar.