USM PENANG, 26 March 2022 – Yang di-Pertua Negeri Melaka, Tun Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam will be conferred an honorary degree in conjunction with Universiti Sains Malaysia's (USM) 59th convocation ceremony.

Mohd Ali will receive the Honorary Doctor of Development Economics (Hon. D. Dev. Econs) from USM Chancellor Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Ibni Al-Marhum Tuanku Syed Putra Jamaluallail, who is also the Raja of Perlis, during the first session of the convocation ceremony at Istana Arau in Perlis on 29 March.

USM Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Dr. Faisal Rafiq Mahamd Adikan said the honorary degree was in appreciation of Mohd Ali's contributions in the field of economics which gained recognition in and outside the country.

"Tun is USM's leading alumni (Alumni Terbilang) well known for his personality and contributed vastly in the aspect of knowledge development and expertise.

"USM is extremely proud that Tun is the first USM alumni which had brought fame to the university following his appointment as the 7th Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Melaka, the highest level in the state.

"He had also brought fame to the university by spearheading the country in various levels, both in the government and politics, when he was the 9th Melaka Chief Minister then," he added.

Meanwhile, Session two to 12 of the convocation ceremony will be held at USM's Dewan Tuanku Syed Putra (DTSP) from 21 May to 31 May 2022.

They will be presided by USM’s three Pro-Chancellors Tan Sri Dr. Zulkefli A. Hassan, Tan Sri Mustafa Mansur and Tan Sri Dr. M. Jegathesan.

The 59th convocation ceremony will also see some 6,706 graduates receiving various degrees including doctorates in philosophy (Ph.D) and master's degree (2,231 recipients), bachelor's degree (4,425 recipients) and nursing diploma (50 recipients).

Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin had also consented to attending the Majlis Anugerah Sanggar Sanjung 2020 on 28 March at the Mess Pegawai Kanan Polis Diraja Malaysia, Kangar, Perlis.

Anugerah Sanggar Sanjung or Hall of Fame that was first introduced in 2001, is the university's prestigious event held annually to celebrate its researchers, educators and administrators for their excellent achievements and outstanding contributions to the university, nation and at the international level, in various fields such as research, publications, personality, quality, creativity, teaching, administration, industry and community engagement.

Text: Tan Ewe Hoe