Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was among the graduands today at Universiti Putra Malaysia’s (UPM) 32nd convocation. He received a PhD in Communication, making him Malaysia’s first cabinet minister to complete a doctorate while in service.
Ahmad Zahid said his seven-year effort to complete his thesis while carrying out his government duties proved the perception of some quarters that a post-graduate qualification for people like him could be bought from the local universities was wrong.
“I had to rush here and there to complete my assignments which had deadlines, and sometimes I had to make changes when my research presentation was rejected by the evaluation panel. But that did not stop me from completing my doctorate,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid said UPM was not a university that printed and sold degrees, and that regardless of status, the students were required to be committed and produce the best or high-quality scholastic work.
At today’s convocation, UPM also conferred on Asean Secretary-General Dr Surin Pitsuwan an honorary PhD in Economics which was presented to him by UPM chancellor, Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.
The Chancellor’s Gold Award went to Aini Marina Ma’rof who graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Education, the Royal Education Award for Bumiputeras to Faizura Rohaizad (Guidance and Counselling) and for non-Bumiputeras, to Yap Wing Fen who obtained a Science degree.
The Alumni Gold Award was won by Business Administration graduand Lee In Thing, Pak Rashid Foundation Gold Award by A’fifah Abdul Razak (Agriculture Science) and the Syed Kechik Award by Ahmad Zamri Alimin (Human Resource Development).
During the five-day convocation starting today, 7,846 graduands receive their diplomas and degrees.
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