KUCHING: Success is not measured by a degree but measured by how knowledge, experience and leadership are shared to uplift an entire community.
Serembu assemblyman, Dato Miro Simuh said, as the Bidayuh community produces more professionals across diverse industries, the next challenge is no longer earning qualifications, but ensuring graduates remain connected to their roots while using their expertise to strengthen the community.
In this context he called on more graduates to come forward and be part of that mission.
Speaking at the Bidayuh Graduate Association (BGA) Award & Charity Gala Dinner 2026, he commended the remarkable progress made by the Bidayuh community, which now boasts professionals serving as doctors, engineers, lawyers, teachers, entrepreneurs, researchers, civil servants and leaders in various sectors.
However, he stressed that future success would depend not only on academic excellence but also on resilience, adaptability, innovation and leadership as graduates navigate rapid changes driven by digital transformation, artificial intelligence, automation and an increasingly competitive global economy.
He also urged young Bidayuh professionals not to lose touch with their cultural identity as more graduates pursue careers in major cities and overseas.
“Success should never come at the expense of forgetting who we are and where we come from,” he said at the event held at the Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) Hall here, yesterday.
He also said BGA should evolve beyond being an annual gathering of graduates and instead become a movement that connects experienced professionals with younger graduates while creating meaningful opportunities to serve the wider community.
He encouraged every Bidayuh graduate, particularly fresh graduates, to become active members, saying membership represents a commitment to contributing knowledge, skills and experience for the collective advancement of the Bidayuh community.
Miro also envisioned a future where BGA members collectively organise career guidance programmes, scholarship initiatives, rural education projects, digital literacy training, health awareness campaigns and entrepreneurship development for Bidayuh communities throughout Sarawak.
“The future of BGA depends on the active participation of its members. We need more young leaders to step forward with fresh ideas and new energy.
“We need experienced professionals to share their wisdom. We need every member to believe that collective success is greater than individual achievement,” he said.
He also called on graduates to preserve the Bidayuh language, culture and traditions, describing them as essential elements of the community’s identity that must continue to thrive alongside professional success.
During the prestigious gala, DBNA president Datuk Ik Pahon Joyik was awarded for Outstanding Bidayuh Leadership, while Excellence Awards in business, professional and entertainment categories went to Little Fairy Cafe, SIES Engineers Sdn Bhd, and to Dewi Liana Seriestha, respectively.
Also present at the event were BGA president Prof Dr Andrew Henry Right, DBNA’s former adviser Datuk Amar Michael Manyin and Redeems president, Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie.
