SIBU: The University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) is always committed to nurturing academic excellence, not only to equip students for today’s challenges but also to make them globally recognised citizens who are valued for their contributions worldwide.
Its Vice Chancellor Datuk Dr Khairuddin Abdul Hamid said that academic excellence, at its core, is the pursuit of knowledge with passion, commitment and integrity.
“It is not just about achieving high grades but about fostering a deep understanding of the world around us, developing critical thinking skills, and making meaningful contributions to society.
“Excellence without recognition can be isolated, while recognition without true excellence lacks credibility.
“Therefore, academic excellence and global recognition are not mutually exclusive. Instead, they complement each other,” he said at the university’s 9th Convocation ceremony here Saturday (Dec 14).
He said that global recognition means that UTS’ ideas, innovations, and discoveries are appreciated and respected across cultures and countries.
“The global recognition could provide UTS with opportunities to establish international collaborations, partnerships, and broader platforms to achieve academic excellence,” he added.
He said that in August this year, UTS was recognised and awarded the Best University in Malaysia for TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) Education for Advanced Skills Training.
He described this as a national award recognising UTS’ leadership in higher technical and vocational education.
“This is evidence of our commitment, since the establishment of the Centre for Skills and TVET (COST) at UCTS in 2020, to ensure that while our graduates are academically equipped, they leave our campus industry-ready,” he said.
Meanwhile, at the ceremony, Khairuddin said a total of 351 graduates would receive their scrolls during the two-day (Dec 14-15) convocation ceremony.
The first day of the convocation ceremony was officiated by the newly appointed UTS Chancellor, Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
Also present were Wan Junaidi’s wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi and Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation, and Talent Development Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee.
