SIBU: The Sarawak Head of State and Chancellor of the University of Technology Sarawak (UTS), Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, officiated UTS’ 10th Convocation Ceremony, calling on the Class of 2025 to pair knowledge with integrity and seize opportunities in Sarawak’s green and digital future.
The ceremony, held at the Dewan Canselor Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud here, began with the Chancellor’s Procession and a formal declaration of the 10th Convocation by Tun Wan Junaidi as a symbolic opening of the event today.
In his convocation address, Wan Junaidi reminded graduates that their achievement comes with a larger duty.
“Graduates, today you will receive your scroll. But with it comes something even greater: responsibility. The power and the duty to shape the future,” he said, stressing that the convocation is “not an end, it is a beginning”.
He highlighted key projects, outlining Sarawak’s 2030 vision.
“The new Kuching International Airport, regional cargo ports in Tanjung Embang, smart public transport, improved road networks, high-tech agriculture, data centres, a smart grid and major clean-energy ventures such as an integrated hydrogen plant, green hydrogen exports and methanol production.
“You must own, champion, and be part of Sarawak’s transformation journey,” he told the graduates.
In a world marked by uncertainty and rapid technological change, he urged graduates to look beyond job titles.
“Seek purpose. Find your ‘why’. When you align your knowledge with the nation’s vision, you will not only succeed but you will matter,” he said.
He also reaffirmed Sarawak’s constitutional position and the importance of unity in defending its rights, including those under the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
“We must never allow our aspirations to be mocked. United, we must support every endeavour to reclaim our rightful heritage.
“With the knowledge nurtured here, UTS shall one day stand shoulder to shoulder with MIT, Stanford, Oxford, and Cambridge,” he expressed.
Wan Junaidi took a firm stand on ethics, stressing that integrity is essential, that knowledge and success built without it are dangerous and fragile, urging graduates never to let corruption stain their achievements.
“Knowledge without integrity is dangerous. Success built on dishonesty is fragile and will collapse.
“Never allow corruption to stain your achievements. History shows us that great civilisations have fallen because of corruption, ” he said.
Additionally, Wan Junaidi said Sarawak created the Ombudsman Department to fight corruption, stressing every citizen must uphold integrity and strong character always.
“This is why the Government of Sarawak has established the Ombudsman Department, to uproot corruption and to preserve clean, dynamic governance, ” he added.
“But the fight against corruption is not the Government’s alone, it is a duty for every citizen. Especially you, the graduates. Integrity is your shield.”
