FORMER Kuala Lumpur mayor now PETRONAS property adviser, Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif, was deeply moved to receive an Honorary Doctorate in Urban and Regional Planning from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) for her domestic and global contributions.
“It is for everyone who has been part of my journey from Kuala Pilah to Penang, New York to Geneva, and back to Kuala Lumpur.
“This is not about making myself an example, but about encouraging perseverance among new graduates as they chart their path,” she told reporters after receiving her scroll from USM chancellor, the Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail, during USM’s 63rd convocation ceremony.
She said the world was undergoing significant transformation.
As Malaysia moved toward an increasingly urban and dynamic future, trust, integrity and courage must guide the nation’s direction, Bernama reported her saying.
“Today, the public does not want slogans. They want honesty, integrity and actions that bring real change.”
USM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Rahman Mohamed said Maimunah has elevated Malaysia’s standing on the global stage and the recognition reflected the values of humanity, sustainability and leadership she had championed.
Maimunah was the first Asian woman appointed as a United Nations assistant secretary-general and served as executive director of the Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) where she led sustainable urban operations in 93 countries.
This year’s convocation saw 9,347 graduates receiving their scrolls comprising 865 PhD recipients, 3,501 Master’s graduates, 4,934 Bachelor’s graduates and 47 Diploma in Nursing graduates.
