Sultan: Build students with character

KUALA LUMPUR: Universities must take responsibility for building the character of their students by moulding them holistically instead of just producing a large number of graduates, says the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah.

“Individuals who are untrustworthy will bring harm to the people, religion, country and civilisation, ” he said in his speech at the 59th convocation ceremony at Universiti Malaya here yesterday.

Sultan Nazrin, who is UM Chancellor, said a university degree represented one’s outer clothing, serving as identification of a graduate’s level and field of knowledge acquired.

“But what cannot be cast aside, and indeed is becoming increasingly important, is the successful inculcation of good values within each graduate to ensure that he or she possesses inner strength and is able to appreciate ethics, morals, accountability and integrity when facing life’s challenges, ” said Sultan Nazrin.

Citing a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission data that between 2014 and June this year, 53.4% of the 4,860 people arrested for corruption were aged 40 and below, he said although a university’s image was enhanced by the number of its graduates and their achievement, it could also suffer negative consequences if many of its graduates were charged with various crimes or served time in prison.

Sultan Nazrin advised graduates at the convocation to complete the success they had achieved in their studies with good values so that they could continue upholding their dignity and the good names of their families.

Yesterday’s convocation saw 6,562 graduates receiving postgraduate and undergraduate degrees as well as diplomas. — Bernama