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By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Aug 8: A remarkable 1,009 graduates from diverse academic and skills programmes received their hard-earned accolades during the 25th Sarawak Skills and i-CATS University College Convocation ceremony held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) today.
The ceremony was graced with the presence of the Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Among these were 483 recipients of the Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM), 149 recipients of the Malaysian Skills Diploma (DKM), and 32 recipients of the Malaysian Skills Diploma in Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL).
Academic accomplishments were also acknowledged, with 59 degree programme graduates in fields like Software Engineering and Business Administration, 206 diploma programme graduates, and 13 graduates from the Certificate in Electrical and Electronic Engineering programme.
Notably, 67 graduates from 2020, who navigated the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, also joined in the commemoration.
Sarawak Skills chairman, who is also i-CATS University College pro-chancellor II, Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Husain, emphasised the pivotal role played by educational institutions under their aegis nurturing human capital.
“This is crucial for driving Sarawak’s economic transformation towards Industry Revolution 4.0 as well as digitalisation and the new economy as outlined in Post-Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
“Sarawak Skills feels privileged to have the strong support from the State and Federal governments, along with members of Sarawak Skills, in the pursuit of generating graduates who will contribute to the development of Sarawak,” he said at the ceremony.
A noteworthy aspect of the event was the conferring of the Industry Award upon 35 graduates from Sarawak Skills and i-CATS.
Furthermore, the spotlight shone on two graduates from i-CAT University College, with Jacky Jong Jun Min (Diploma in Software Engineering) and Amily Albert (Diploma in Culinary Arts) being lauded for their achievements with the Chancellor’s Award in the Technical and Non-Technical categories, respectively.
Adding to this, the Pro Chancellor’s Award was presented to Sam Liu Wen Kai (Diploma in Software Engineering) in the Technical Category, and Ghazali Othman (Diploma in Hotel Management) in the Non-Technical Category.
Turning to Sarawak Skills, Muhd Afikri Rosdi, who completed the DKM in Electronic Product Development, was honoured with the Sarawak Skills Chairman Award.
Alexandria Francis Gindi (SKM in Oil Palm Plantation Operation and Supervision) was the recipient of the Sarawak Skills TVET Award for the SKM Category, while Paul Lam Ho Chiang (DKM in Industrial Automation Engineering Systems Support) was bestowed with the Sarawak Skills TVET Award for the DKM Category.
“I hope that the industry’s recognition of outstanding students would serve as an enduring source of motivation, inspiring even more students to pursue excellence in their endeavours,” Abdul Aziz added.
Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn, Deputy Minister of Education and Innovation Datuk Dr Annuar Rapee, Deputy Minister of Talent Development Datuk Francis Harden Hollis, i-CATS University College vice chancellor Prof Dr Shahren Ahmad Zaidi Adruce and Petronas Sarawak general manager Zulaihi Mohd Mantali were among those present. — DayakDaily
