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Heriot-Watt University Malaysia proudly bestowed Honorary Degrees upon three outstanding Malaysian leaders at its recent Graduation ceremony, acknowledging their significant contributions to society.
Among the recipients, Datuk Nora Abd Manaf, Group Chief Human Capital Officer of Maybank, was awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of the University. Dzameer Dzulkifli, Co-Founder of Teach For Malaysia, received the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Engineering, and Datuk Dr Hamzah Kassim, former Chairperson of Heriot-Watt University Malaysia’s Board of Directors, was granted the Honorary Degree of Doctor of the University.
The prestigious Honorary Degrees were conferred by Professor Mark Biggs, Provost, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University, during the Graduation ceremony held at the Marriott Putrajaya Hotel as part of the Summer graduation programme for 2023 last Monday, 10 July 2023.
Professor Mushtak Al-Atabi, Provost and Chief Executive Officer of Heriot-Watt University Malaysia, expressed his appreciation for the graduates' accomplishments, stating, “Graduation is a significant milestone in our academic calendar, providing an opportunity to recognise and applaud your achievements. As you embark on the next chapter of your lives, we recognise the critical need for effective leadership and collaborative efforts to address the challenges of our world. Heriot-Watt University Malaysia is at the forefront of purpose-driven education, committed to nurturing purposeful leaders who are equipped to make a positive impact on the world. Your achievements serve as a testament to this commitment, and I am confident that we can rely on each of you to play your part. Congratulations on this remarkable accomplishment; you have made us all incredibly proud!”
In her acceptance speech, Datuk (Dr) Nora Abd Manaf expressed her gratitude:
My deepest gratitude to Heriot-Watt University Malaysia for this conferment of Honorary Degree Doctor of the University upon me. I am deeply honoured. I thank the Principal, Provost, and Senate of the University for inviting me here and for bestowing on me this honour and therefore giving me this opportunity to continue my association and contribution to the university and community reach. I would also like to congratulate the new graduates of HWUM and your parents. It is such an honour to not only humbly accept the conferment but also being given this platform to speak
(Dr) Dzameer Dzulkifli, in his acceptance speech, emphasised the importance of continuous learning, stating, “As an engineer, what helped me was the ability to learn, unlearn and relearn continuously. You need to learn from your weaknesses, and you need to find what works and needed change. In every pursuit, you need to remind yourself of your purpose repeatedly. Thank you very much for this opportunity to be here. It is truly an honour to be given this Honorary Degree of Doctor of Engineering, this is an achievement of a lifetime, so I would like to thank Heriot-Watt University Malaysia very much. To all the graduates, congratulations! I am so proud of you – all of your hard work has finally paid off and you have succeeded, but you still have a long way to go, this is your new beginning."
During his acceptance speech, Datuk Dr Hamzah Kassim conveyed his gratitude and humility, stating, “I stand before you with profound gratitude and humility as I accept the Honorary Degree, Doctor of University. I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to the University for bestowing this prestigious honour upon me. It feels so privileged to be associated with such an institution with a rich heritage of 200 years and a renowned reputation in education and research. Today, we are not only celebrating your achievements but also the endless potential that each of you represents as you enter this new era – the age of disruptions. It is essential that we reflect on the evolving landscape we face and the strategies we must explore to take on the challenges. The disruption brought on by AI opens doors to new industries, new roles, and ways of working. Embrace these opportunities with optimism. Seek out emerging fields, explore entrepreneurial ventures, and be open to non-conventional opportunities. In this era of disruptions, the ability to be resilient and seize every opportunity will be a crucial asset.”
The HWUM Summer graduation ceremony honoured over 340 graduates from the School of Social Sciences (SoSS); School of Mathematical & Computer Sciences (MACS); School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure & Society (EGIS); and School of Engineering & Physical Sciences (EPS). Notably, 34% of its undergraduate students graduated with first-class honours and distinction, while 73% graduated with first-class honours, second upper class, and distinction. Additionally, 35% of its postgraduate students achieved distinction and merit.