Ukm To Honour Over 7,000 Graduates At 51st Convocation

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 24 (Bernama) -- A total of 7,255 graduates will receive their diplomas and degrees at the 51st Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) convocation ceremony from tomorrow (Nov 25) to Nov 30 at the university's Dewan Canselor Tun Abdul Razak, in Bangi, Selangor.

UKM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Ekhwan Toriman said all recipients are from various levels of study, namely the doctor of philosophy degree (PhD), master's degree, bachelor's degree and postgraduate diploma.

He said the Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, as the UKM Chancellor, will open the first day of the convocation ceremony.

"With the holding of this convocation ceremony, the cumulative number of UKM graduates until 2023 will be 229,452," he said in a statement today.

According to him, Tuanku Muhriz will also appoint two UKM pro-chancellors, in addition to awarding an honorary PhD to World Economic Forum president Borge Brende and the title of Professor Emeritus to eight UKM academic figures.

“His Highness will also award two recipients, the Royal Education Award along with six other recipients of the university's main awards," he said.

Meanwhile, Mohd Ekhwan said 86.3 per cent of the UKM 2022 graduates have been employed, thus showing an increase of 6.3 per cent compared to 80 per cent the previous year.

He said from this number, 23.2 per cent were recorded to have received salaries of RM5,000 and above.

According to him, this increase shows UKM's commitment in moulding graduates for the future and those who are able to compete with the latest technological challenges and developments.

"Academic qualifications are the first step for graduates to enter the working world, however, graduates also need to consider soft skills in addition to building a wider social network.

"Skills such as leadership, entrepreneurship as well as teamwork obtained from extracurricular activities can prepare graduates to face new challenges," he said.

Mohd Ekhwan also said in conjunction with the convocation, the UKM Convocation Carnival which is to be run entirely by UKM students will be held at Dataran Panggung Seni from today until next Thursday.

"The organisation of the Convocation Carnival is an initiative of the Student Empowerment agenda where autonomous power is given to students to manage this activity," he added.

The seven-day carnival will be enlivened with a variety of interesting activities including TikTok competitions, performances, cultural and spiritual programmes.

-- BERNAMA