Kuala Nerus – Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) held its 18^th Convocation Ceremony (First Series) in a hybrid manner yesterday, with physical participation involving only a small number of people. This was done in observance of the standard operating procedure (SOP) set by the National Security Council and additional SOP enforced by the state government intended to prevent the spread of the currently ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

The event was carried out in a ceremonious manner at Sultan Mizan Hall. Sultanah of Terengganu Sultanah Nur Zahirah, who is also UMT Chancellor, extended her blessing through her speech delivered virtually.

Sultanah Nur Zahirah in her speech urged all graduands to equip themselves with knowledge, skills, and physical preparedness that will improve the employability and also to take up the challenge of venturing into entrepreneurship.

The Sultanah also congratulated all UMT staff and members of the Student Representative Council for having performed their duties excellently during the Covid-19 pandemic that has struck the nation.

According to UMT Vice Chancellor Prof. Dato’ Dr Nor Aieni Mokhtar, this year the number of graduands being conferred was 2878, of which 115 were conferred diploma, 2559 bachelor’s degree, 152 master’s degree, and 52 doctorate degree.

A total of 12 award recipients were presented with the Royal Education Award, the Chancellor’s Gold Medal Award, the Pro Chancellor’s Award, the Chairman of the Board of Director’s Award, and the Vice Chancellor’s Award.

Honorary Degree of Doctor of Technology was awarded to First Admiral Dato ‘ Ir. Dr. Haji Ahmad Murad bin Haji Omar (Retired), and Professor Emeritus status was awarded to Prof. Ir Dr Ahmad Jusoh.

UMT plans to invite all graduands and their parents to its 18^th Convocation Ceremony (Second Series) that will be held physically in June this year, realizing that a convocation is a meaningful event to them. The event will be held following the new norm, with full observance of the SOP, and will be subject to the latest situation on the Covid-19 pandemic.

UMT Vice Chancellor Prof. Dato’ Dr Nor Aieni Mokhtar in her speech expressed her gratefulness that UMT was able to hold the convocation ceremony for the graduands who have successfully completed their studies amid the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Seen in a positive light, the pandemic was the catalyst that has helped expedite the occurrence of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR4.0) whereby digitalization is the norm rather than the exception, Prof. Nor Aieni said. In the context of education, it means virtual teaching and learning via online platforms.

In response to the pandemic, UMT shifted to online teaching and learning as early as March last year. During the first six weeks of its implementation, 4356 classes had been conducted online, she said.

In her speech she also stressed on the need for UMT to pay more attention towards strengthening the agenda of UMT internationalisation, in the context of expanding international networking through research activities, teaching and learning, and cross cultural programmes.

UMT strives to meet its KPIs each year as it moves towards achieving its vision of being a marine-focused university that is respected nationally and globally.

One of UMT’s proudest achievement was moving up from 243^rd place in 2019 to 195^th in 2020 in the latest Asian QS Ranking. The jump to 50 spots up served as a proof that UMT always focuses on quality in its academic and administrative system.   

UMT also made history when it was awarded for the first time the certification for ISO/IEC 27001:2013 Information and Security Management System (ISMS) under the scope Undergraduate Academic Management that covers student registration management, and management and maintenance of registration information at Data Centre.

UMT became the first public university to be given accreditation of ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management System). The achievement has been acknowledged by Malaysia Book of Records.

UMT’s visibility at the global level has increased through participation at the international level by the Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries (AKUATROP) where it became the host for the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change 2020.

Within three days prior to the convocation ceremony, the graduands were required to take a swab test, fully sponsored by UMT. They were also required to undergo screening and monitoring for a continuous 10 days to ensure they were healthy and not symptomatic. They were required to wear face masks at all times during the event, including when receiving their awards on stage.

UMT Pro-Chancellor Tan Sri Samsudin Osman presented the awards on behalf of Chancellor Sultanah Nur Zahirah.

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Corporate Communication Office
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu