UTP Convocation 2017

Sunday, 15 October 2017
Chancellor Hall, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Tronoh, Perak

Bismillahirrahmannirahim,

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

Salam Sejahtera dan Salam 1Malaysia,

Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin,
Pro Canselor, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS,

Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Raiha Azni Abdul Rahman,
Pengerusi Lembaga Pengarah, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS,

Yang Berbahagia Datuk Ir Dr Abdul Rahim Haji Hashim,
Naib Canselor, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS,

Ahli-ahli Lembaga Pengarah UTP,
Wakil-wakil Universiti,
Rakan-rakan Industri,
Ahli-ahli Senat,
Ahli-ahli Jawatankuasa Pengurusan Universiti,
Dif-dif Kehormat,
Wargakerja Universiti,
Dan yang diraikan, para Graduan UTP serta ibubapa dan keluarga yang dikasihi sekalian.

Alhamdulillah, marilah kita memanjatkan kesyukuran ke hadrat Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala kerana di atas limpah kurnia serta izinNya jua, kita dapat bersama-sama hadir di Majlis Konvokesyen Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS kali ke – 17 pada hari ini. Tahniah kepada semua para graduan yang menerima ijazah masing-masing pada hari ini. Hari yang tentunya amat bermakna dalam hidup anda.

2. Hari ini anda semua akan memulakan fasa baru dalam kehidupan. Setelah bertahun-tahun bertungkus lumus menimba ilmu, kini seorang graduan. Dari salah sebuah universiti terbaik di Malaysia. Sudah pasti, segala kenangan pahit manis yang dilalui sebagai seorang pelajar di kampus ini telah menjadikan anda lebih bersedia untuk menempuhi kehidupan yang lebih mencabar.

3. Harapan kami untuk setiap graduan UTP amatlah tinggi. Harapan agar setiap graduan UTP menggalas tanggungjawab untuk meneruskan legasi yang gemilang, dan menjadi kebanggaan kepada keluarga, UTP dan negara yang kita cintai. Sesungguhnya, erti sebenar sebuah kehidupan hanya akan dicapai dengan memberi lebih dari apa yang diterima.

CHARTING YOUR CAREER

Graduating Class, Ladies and Gentlemen,

4. Fifteen days ago, Sunday, 1 October was the final edition of the Malaysian Formula 1 Grand Prix held at the Sepang International Circuit. Although that was the ultimate race day, the buildup and excitement could be felt days, and even weeks before the race. The spectators were eager, excitedly cheering for their favourite team. But the drivers were focused on only one thing – winning the race. Ultimately, Max Verstappen who turned 20 the day before, from the Red Bull team won the title. He, like all the other drivers, went through a series of practice and qualifying sessions prior to the final race.

5. Until the race was over, Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, Bottas, Vettel and the others, were not sure at what position each of them would be at the finish line, or even if one could finish the race at all. But all of them focused and persevered.

6. This F1 metaphor holds true and applies to our lives. With the right attitude and focus, we too, can attain success.

7. Most of you graduating today, are in your mid-twenties. You would be working for the next thirty to forty years of your life. It may sound very long to you now, but believe me – it is short; and will disappear without you even noticing it. So, my advice to you is take charge and plan your career carefully.

8. Developing your career is like running a 42-kilometre marathon, not a 100-metre sprint. There are 3 things that you need to remember.

9. First, it is important to have a long-term outlook. In a marathon, your ultimate goal is to complete. So, in your career, determine what your ultimate goal is. Second: pace the journey comfortably. If you sprint too early in a marathon, you might not be able to complete. In your career, pace yourself and grow naturally. Third: be open to adjustments from the many lessons that you will learn along your journey. In a marathon, you would need to adjust your pace according to your surrounding. Similarly, in your career, be adaptable and adjust to the dynamics accordingly. The steps you take today, and in the near future will chart the direction and the pace of that journey.

THE IMPORTANCE OF VALUES AND CHARACTER

Graduating Class, Ladies and Gentlemen,

10. As Malaysia gears itself towards being a high income and fully developed nation status, we must not forget that the fundamental to our success is through the building of sound character in our citizens. Character, is a project with no end. But character is the engine that defines it all. Where there is strength in character, you will have integrity, accountability, responsibility. Where there is soundness in character you will see truth and humility.

11. A society that predicates its success on character development will see sustainable success. It won’t be led by the impermanent illusion of position, money, fame and status. Those are fickle and elusive. What always stays behind with us is our core, our character. A life based on the pursuit of good character brings about true purpose and meaning in all that we do in our lives, from the seemingly minuscule to the most significant.

12. So graduates, my advice is: always remember and practise the positive values that you have been inculcated with at this University. Integrity and accountability are key. These two elements should be the fundamental belief that guide your actions. You must always remember that. In the work place there will be many choices, to do what is right, and doing what is wrong. Remember that we are accountable for our actions. As ambassadors of UTP, you carry with you our name and our reputation. Make us proud. Make your family proud. Make the country proud.

ALWAYS GIVE YOUR BEST

Graduating Class, Ladies and Gentlemen,

13. I would like to relate to you a short story. Some of you may have heard or read this before. It is about an excellent construction worker who was a role model for others. He has had enough with work and wanted to retire. He told his employer of his plans, and his employer asked him for a favour. The favour was that before he retires, he has to build just one last house. The worker reluctantly agreed, and, he built the house half-heartedly. His workmanship was substandard. He even used inferior materials and did not pay attention to quality. His aim was to get the job over and done with.

14. The worker eventually completed the job but was he in for a surprise when he handed over the keys to his employer! The house he built, was actually for him! It was a gift from his employer after being such an excellent employee.

15. There is one important lesson I want you to remember. In whatever you do in life, in whichever step you take along the way, in any decision you make – you must always give your best. It is an amanah, a responsibility that is entrusted on you. Be the best person that you could be. Make every single day in your life count. You have years ahead of you!

16. Our life journey will be full of challenges. Take these challenges and persevere. Pursue your dreams. Whatever your career choice may be. UTP has equipped you with the necessary skills and knowledge. You have an obligation to push yourselves forward. To give nothing less than your best. In whatever you do.

17. In this context do not wait until you become the CEO to behave like the CEO. I believe if you have the mindset of a CEO from day one of joining the Company you will, Insya Allah, be CEO.

Graduating Class,

18. Having said all those, let me also say this. Indeed I would fail my responsibility and my own amanah if I do not remind you all of this. As you strive towards the goals in your life, it is important for you to always remember the people who enabled you to be where you are today. To be who you are today. Your parents. Guardians. Family. Teachers. UTP. Your Sponsors. Always remember where you come from. Your roots! As I now remind you, I am reminding myself to always remember Cherok Paloh, the place I came from. And the people who made me. I remember the Government which gave me the scholarship since I was 10 to enable me, a kampong boy from Cherok Paloh to now become the Chairman of PETRONAS and Pro Chancellor of this University. You must remember your own Cherok Paloh!

Ladies and Gentlemen,

19. As always, my deepest appreciation to my colleagues at UTP for their commitment and dedication to see through the growth of our graduating students throughout their time here. We have come a long way, and as UTP celebrates our 20th anniversary this year, we are proud to say that we have made significant achievement. Locally and globally. Though this may be construed as self-glorification, I salute UTP for the achievements of the past, and continuous improvements in the future, Insya Allah.

20. Before I end, let me go back to F1. Our Team, Mercedes AMG PETRONAS, champion for the last 3 years is on 540 points, 145 points clear of Ferrari in second place. Lewis Hamilton, our driver is 59 points ahead of Ferrari’s Vettel with 4 races to go. For most of us, we must pace our marathon. However, World Champions like Hamilton, Schumacher, Vettel: they “sprint the marathon”.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

21. Let me end by congratulating the graduates once again. We are indeed very proud of you. Your future is in your hands. You may not want to sprint the marathon. But as graduates of UTP and the PETRONAS family, you must commit to excellence! All the very best.

Wabillahi taufik wal-hidayah, Wassalamu’alaikum, Warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.