BY RASHEEQA BAHIDA and NEVILLE TIMOTHY SANDERS
KOTA SAMARAHAN: A total of 1,048 graduates are receiving their scrolls at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Sarawak’s 102nd Convocation at Dewan Jubli here.
UiTM’s Pro-Chancellor, Datuk Prof. Emeritus Dr Hassan Said, who officiated the event today, said the achievement reflected the university’s commitment to nurturing graduates who are competent, competitive and globally relevant.
“Today we witness the conferment of degrees and diplomas to 264 graduates from the Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies, the Faculty of Sports and Recreation, and the Academy of Contemporary Islamic Studies in this first session,” he said.
He congratulated the graduates as well as their parents, families, lecturers and administrators for their support in shaping outstanding individuals.
Hassan also reminded graduates that the convocation marked only the beginning of a larger and more challenging journey.
“The world today demands not only academic excellence but also integrity, resilience and leadership. Carry the name of UiTM with pride and gratitude,” he added.
At the same ceremony, UiTM Sarawak formalised collaborations with the Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC), Natpro Biotech Sdn Bhd, and SPL Food Industries Sdn Bhd.
Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed by UiTM Sarawak’s Rector, Prof. Dr Firdaus Abdullah, and witnessed by Hassan.
“These initiatives not only contribute to the state’s development priorities but also align with UiTM 2030’s aspiration to be globally recognised while remaining locally rooted,” he said.
The partnership with STIDC focuses on sustainability research, particularly the potential of carbon trading within Sarawak’s bamboo plantation industry.
Meanwhile, collaboration with Natpro Biotech, a Sarawak Bumiputera-owned company, will drive joint research into sustainable bioprocessing technologies while opening new opportunities for industrial training and research placements for UiTM students and staff.
Equally significant is the MoU with SPL Food Industries, which emphasises research and product development for Sarawak’s heritage product, gula apong, including efforts to secure Geographical Indication (GI) recognition.
In addition, UiTM Sarawak launched two landmark publications, The Research and Publication Directory 2015-2025 and The Innovation and Intellectual Property (IP) Directory 2015-2025, to showcase a decade of scholarly and innovative output.
Firdaus said that the directories record research projects, grants, publications in high-impact journals, as well as award-winning innovations and intellectual property generated by UiTM Sarawak researchers.
“This Directory of Research and Publication 2015-2025 celebrates the dedication, innovation and scholarly contributions of our staff over the past decade.
“It is not only a record of achievements but also a source of inspiration for future collaboration, cross-disciplinary exploration and impactful research aligned with national and global agendas,” he said.
The launch included demonstrations of the directories’ functionalities, highlighting their role in advancing research collaboration, knowledge sharing and innovation commercialisation.
