ADDRESS BY YANG BERBAHAGIA TAN SRI DATO DR. LIN SEE YAN PRO-CHANCELLOR OF UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE 58TH CONVOCATION CEREMONY UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA (Session III)
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SALUTATION
Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Dr. Salleh Bin Mohd. Nor, Pro Chancellor and Yang Berbahagia Puan Seri, Yang Berbahagia Prof. Datuk Ir. Dr. Wahid Bin Omar, Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and Wife. Senate Members, Senior Officials, Distinguished Guests, Parents, and Graduates. I bid a warm welcome to everyone! WWW.UTM.MY
HEARTIEST CONGRATULATIONS
First and foremost, I would like to congratulate all graduating students. Your hardwork and dedication have resulted in your distinct achievements. I believe your parents are proud of you and the success you have achieved. I welcome all of you to the global community of learned men and women.
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CONGRATULATORY REMARKS
Congratulations to Emeritus Professor Takeshi Matsuura, for being conferred an Honorary Doctoral Degree and also to the recipients of Emeritus Professor, Dr. Mohd Amin Bin Alias, and Dr. Md Nor Bin Musa.
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SHARING SENTIMENTS
Ladies and gentlemen, seeing the excited and cheerful faces of the young people here, I am pleased to share my sentiments on this momentus occasion. Allow me to share my sentiments in English.
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COMPETITIVE JOB MARKET
As I see it, economic conditions are not quite what they seem. For many of you, jobs will not be easy to come by. And, where available, they are keenly competed for. Past graduates have expressed uneasiness about the job market. I am not surprised. The market they now know offers less of a choice than grab-what-you-can-get! Today, the job situation remains uncertain. In its recent Annual Report, Bank Negara talks about youth unemployment. More importantly, about graduate unemployment. Six points are worth noting: WWW.UTM.MY
COMPETITIVE JOB MARKET
Youth unemployment (for those between 18-24 years old) stands at 10.7% last year, 3½ times the national average. That’s unusually high. Youth represents 60% of the total unemployed, despite making up only 1/3 of the labour force.
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COMPETITIVE JOB MARKET
Graduate unemployment accounts for nearly one-quarter of total unemployed youth. For those with a degree, the rate of unemployment is much higher at 15.3%; that’s also much higher than those unemployed with less education, at 10%. That’s not good.
More than one-half of newly working graduates earn less than RM2,000 a month. WWW.UTM.MY
COMPETITIVE JOB MARKET
Among the unemployed graduates, those with a bachelor degree has a rate that’s nearly 28%. Those with science degrees or with degrees in literature and social science experienced unemployment of between 2728%. Whereas even for those with technical and IT qualifications, the rate still stands at 23%; and Much of these reflect market mismatches, arising from both limited highskilled job creation and inadequate supply of industry-ready graduates. WWW.UTM.MY
COMPETITIVE JOB MARKET
These are serious observations by any standard. Still, it’s a fact of life which we all need to deal with it.
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TURN A CRISIS INTO AN OPPORTUNITY
And so my dear friends: Looking at the situation more positively, they do open-up for you an invitation to turn a crisis into an opportunity. Yes, the future do offer new choices for you. After all, I am told you should have received an education that: cultivates habits of mind, an analytic spirit, a capacity to judge and at least, ask the right questions that will enable you to adapt to any new circumstance, or take on any vocational direction.
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THREE NATIONAL PRIORITIES
As I see it, embedded in the new economics are 3 national priorities: namely, education; health & the life sciences; and energy & environment. Indeed, now more than ever, you have to jump the learning curve after seeing a few generations having lost their way. To do more, we’ll need a pair of fresh eyes as we face significant areas of concern that affect our daily lives. They arise from: prospects for the re-emergence of confidence in our politics and politicians; new life arising from stem cell research, and the many challenges posed by climate change. WWW.UTM.MY
THREE NATIONAL PRIORITIES
These 3 key pillars cross the boundaries of the natural sciences, engineering, social sciences and the humanities. It’s not uncommon, for example, for biological discovery and technological developments to be stymied, without a proper understanding of political science, anthropology or religion. Above all, the challenges posed by these 3 important areas connect us to the underlying problems of the real world. I am afraid it’s now your job to engage them after graduation. WWW.UTM.MY
BE THE ARCHITECTS OF CHANGE
At this time of Trump disruption amid volatility and much uncertainty, I expect you to be the architects of change, not its victims. As you leave this great university, I hope you will pause to remember what defines you. And how you have come through. Hopefully, stronger & wiser, more resilient, more adaptable, and better prepared to lead fulfilling lives. As I end, I am reminded of the wisdom of the great philosopher Kung-Fu-Tzi, or Confucius – who left this advice. WWW.UTM.MY
THINGS WHICH A NEW GRADUATE SHOULD BE MINDFUL “There are ten things which a new graduate should be mindful: to see clearly when using the eyes; to hear distinctly when using the ears; to be gracious in expression; to be respectful in demeanour; to be sincere in speech; to be serious in the execution of duties; to seek advice when in doubt; to consider the consequences when angry; to think of what is right & just, when faced with advantage or gain; and to be ethical and act with utmost integrity when dealing with others.” WWW.UTM.MY
THINGS WHICH A NEW GRADUATE SHOULD BE MINDFUL
In my public and private life, I have insisted on these ten things for myself. And now, as you graduate to begin anew, I wish them for you.
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LOOK FORWARD
With the success achieved, you have in fact prepared yourself to serve the community and the nation. I believe that with the right attitude, undivided commitment and dedication, as well as creative and positive outlook, you will be able to advance further. As you look forward, my young friends, may your journey through life prove for you a joyous and worthwhile experience. I wish you God-speed. Thank you‌.. WWW.UTM.MY