Magical moment for Potter fan

Valedictory victory: Raden¿s family came all the way from Batam in Indonesia to see him graduate as valedictorian of his class.

THE skies turned grey and the rain came down but this did not dampen the spirits of the UCSI University students who attended their convocation ceremony recently.

The 2,900 freshly capped graduates came out in full force with their friends and families to receive their scrolls and celebrate their milestone achievement.

For valedictorian Raden Muhammad Fajjar, the day was extra special as his mother, father and sister came from Batam, Indonesia, to see him graduate and deliver his valedictory speech.

The mass communication graduate told his fellow students to always continue to improve themselves and to be grateful.

As part of his studies, Fajjar underwent a six-month internship which he said was his favourite part of the degree programme.

“I was attached to a broadcasting company back in Indonesia where I worked for four months as a TV broadcaster and two months as an interpreter.

“It was really good to get that industry experience.”

When asked what he would miss most about university, Fajjar said it would be his lecturers and friends.

“I had such amazing lecturers here. I came into lectures with an empty head and I walked out of them with a head full of questions.

“Studying at UCSI also gave me the precious opportunity to mix with people from all over the world. Some of my closest friends are from Africa, China and the Middle East,” he said.

The 20-year-old has secured a job as an education consultant in Peru, where he said the communication skills he acquired from his degree will come in handy.

He will begin his tenure there in November but ultimately, his greatest goal is to be a diplomat.

“Down the line, I will probably pursue a Masters in international relations. But to be a diplomat, you also need to know a few languages. So I’m hoping to pick up Spanish while I am in Peru.”

Fajjar added that he learnt English by listening to songs by British artists like Adele and Jessie J, and by watching the Harry Potter movies.

“My favourite movie is the fifth one (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix) and my favourite character is Hermione Granger.”

No doubt the cleverest witch of Hogwarts would be proud of Fajjar’s achievement as valedictorian of his class.

The university’s 26th convocation ceremony was also the first that was attended by recently appointed vice-chancellor and president Prof Datuk Dr Khalid Yusoff, who told graduates to go beyond, be profound and make a difference.

“Excel in whatever it is you enjoy doing and transform yourself into what you want to become sooner rather than later,” he said.