NIBONG TEBAL, 18 April 2015 - “We aspire to produce balanced and holistic graduates in various fields, with high-level thinking skills and being competitive globally while still upholding the tenets of Rukun Negara.”

This was stated by Education Minister II, Dato’ Seri Idris Jusoh in his speech, in conjunction with Majlis Anugerah Tokoh Siswa 2014 (ATS 2014) at the Dewan Utama, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Nibong Tebal, here yesterday night.

“Programmes on leadership and entrepreneurship organised by the students have proven to be effective in developing their knowledge and skills on thinking, language, leadership, ethics and spirituality while raising the level of integration and national unity amongst them,” he said on the organisation of ATS 2014 in its second year.

“Therefore, this award would serve to realise the development of balanced and holistic graduates of good character and knowledge, with all-round growth in their intellectual, spiritual, emotional and physical attributes; to be wholesome individuals and agents of change in society, nationally and globally,” added Idris, who presented three major awards, those being the Leadership Award, Volunteerism Award and also Minister of Education Award.

ATS 2014 gives forth awards which would acknowledge and encourage the university students who have persevered towards becoming holistic and competent model citizens, along the lines of the current economics and development trends.

There were 19 coveted awards presented, of which nine for the Leadership category, seven for the Volunteerism category, one for Student Leadership, one for Student Volunteerism and the main award (Minister of Education Award 2014) as well as special acknowledgements from the Director-General of Higher Education to the eight recipients, to coincide with the first thrust of the Malaysian Education Development Plan (PPPM-PT), Ministry of Education (MoE).

Idris also emphasised that, ‘balanced’ students are those who not only have high Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA/PNGK), but also possess high soft skills standards.

“We now have icons from the industry, from among the corporate figures and CEOs who would conduct coaching sessions, along with other professional icons.

“We would put more focus on the students as well as the lecturers. University governance too would be reorganised towards having sustainable finances and optimising the use of technology.”

The transformation process would come into effect in all universities. Our level of higher education has in fact, moved far ahead; therefore why choose higher education overseas when the rankings of our local universities have advanced a lot compared to past years,” said Idris further.

He added, the selection of outstanding students today reflects the aspiration of the Ministry for the students to continue being icons and sources of inspiration to students at all levels, from the schools to the universities.

Idris also voiced out the hope that, with this high recognition given, students would continue to race and grab such opportunities while fully utilising their time at the university to make use of various platforms in achieving the best and contributing proactively to society, as that is how society would assess the worthiness of the graduates from the national higher education institutions.

Meanwhile, the USM Vice-Chancellor Professor Dato’ Dr. Omar Osman, in his opening speech also stressed that, the One Malaysia aspiration is a great challenge to the students of the higher educational institutions, particularly in promoting a sense of togetherness.

“We need to continuously provide added values to the activities, in relation to racial and national unity in Malaysia especially.”

“This ceremony marks the recognition and acknowledgement of the talents and their efforts in the various leadership and volunteerism programmes in contributing to the university specifically, and to the nation at large,” said Omar.

Omar also was pleased when USM was entrusted with the responsibility to be the organisers of ATS 2014 this time.

ATS 2014 too created its own history when Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) walked away with seven awards out of the 19 contested.

When asked to comment on the major win, the Vice-Chancellor of UniSZA Professor Datuk Dr. Yahaya Ibrahim disclosed that, he was proud of the fact that the students were not only high-achievers in academics, they also excelled in co-curricular activities.

“Thank God for making this is a successful night for UniSZA, as a proof of all the hard work done by the students together with the Students’ Affairs Division.”

“UniSZA constantly supports students’ activities while emphasising the inculcation of soft skills as well as academic excellence; I therefore would like to give my utmost thanks to all who have made tonight’s event a success,” he said.

Others who were present include the Chairman of USM Board of Governors, Tan Sri Datuk Dr. Zulkefli A. Hassan; Director-General for Higher Education, Department of Higher Education, Dato’ Professor Dr. Asma Ismail; and key university officials. - Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin/Text: Nor Rafizah Md. Zain & Siti Naquiah binti Abdillah/Photos: Mohd Fairus Md. Isa