Hard work paid off for UMPSA international graduates from 14 countries

GAMBANG, 21 October 2023 – 81 international graduates from 14 countries celebrated their success in completing their studies in the 18th Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) Convocation Ceremony held on 21st to 24th November 2023 in UMPSA Gambang Campus. 
   
30 of them were Doctorate (PhD) graduates, 18 were Masters graduates and 33 were bachelors programmes graduates from various faculties and centres in UMPSA.   

Abdirahim Ali Hassan, 27 from Somaliland (Somalia), a graduate from the Faculty of Computing said that he could study well in a conducive and comfortable environment in UMPSA.    

“The choice I made to further studies in UMPSA was right and timely as my friends and I could commence our studies in the all-new faculty building in Pekan campus,” he narrated. 

Throughout the 21 years of the establishment of UMPSA, the amount of international students studying here has been increasing proving that it remains a chosen destination to further studies by them.  

Abdullah Ahmed Mohammed Lahmdi, 23, a Yemeni graduate from the Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology added that he had gained memorable experiences throughout his studies in UMPSA though he faced with minor language barrier in communicating with the local students.    

“Generally, the lecturers here in UMPSA were very helpful and they provided constant guidance in the process to comprehend the course topics and contents.”   

“God willing, I’m also interested to further my studies to a higher level in UMPSA soon,” he added.   

Various facilities available in UMPSA proven to be among the attractions for the international students to complete their tertiary studies here.  

The serene atmosphere and the green vegetation dotting the campus landscapes provide an ideal space for them to study and mingle with the local students.  

The excellence of UMPSA as a technology based university offers more opportunities for the students to learn and use various latest technological applications while studying in this country.         

Abdalmuizz Nasreldin Eltayeb Abdalla, 23, a Sudanese graduate, also from the Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology shared that he had gained some unique experiences visiting various new places and making friends with different backgrounds while studying in UMPSA.    

“University is not just a place to gain knowledge but it also functions to build our characters as well as to explore more opportunities in personality development.”   
  
“Students should enjoy their campus life well as part of the learning process and self-improvement,” he opined.  

The presence of the UMPSA Chancellor His Royal Highness Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah Ini Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah, the current Malaysian king who presented the scroll to graduates in the first session, and the proclamation of His Royal Highness Regent of Pahang, Crown Prince Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Ibni Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah as the Pro-Cancellor of UMPSA imbue joy and honour to this occasion.    

This has become more significant for the international graduates to receive their scroll inscribed on it with the name of the Chancellor of UMPSA who is also the current Ruler of Malaysia. 
 
The rebranding of Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) to Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) renders this convocation ceremony its uniqueness that would leave a long-lasting impact to them about their alma mater in Malaysia.    

Memory creates experience, experience creates endurance.
 
It is our sincerest hope that all the UMPSA international graduates possess endurance in facing the challenges of the global labour market.   

Congratulations and good luck in your future endeavour. 

By: Khairul Amri Abdul Aziz and Jamilah Bebe Mohamad, Centre for Modern Languages