Minister Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry delivers Powerful Speech and Confers son at 40th IIUM Convocation

By, Daniya Afroz

GOMBAK, 18 November 2024: In the third session of the 40th IIUM Convocation at IIUM Gombak on 17 November, the Malaysian Minister of Higher Education, Senator Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry Abd Kadir reflected on the importance of resilience, unity, and academic excellence in his inspiring speech to graduands.

“This is a celebration of love, collaborative success, and unwavering commitment,” said Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry in his opening speech. Speaking with pride, he described the occasion as both personally and academically historic, as he conferred a degree in Laws upon his youngest son, Mukhlis Zambry, at the 40th IIUM Convocation. As a testament to the university’s significant influence on his family, Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry who was the IIUM’s first batch of 1983, disclosed that all five of his children, as well as his son-in-law are all proud IIUM graduates.

The minister praised the IIUM as a recognized institution on the global academic landscape, symbolizing, “The consciousness of the Ummah and a mission to bring positivity to the world.” He urged graduates to preserve the IIUM’s greatest legacy of the Islamization of knowledge and underlined the university’s role in fostering diversity, harmony, and intellectual development. Quoting Prof. Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas, he reminded the audience, “The purpose of seeking knowledge in Islam is to produce a good man, not merely a good citizen.”

Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry also outlined five main takeaways for the class of 2024:

1. Take pride in IIUM’s Legacy: The importance of the IIUM as a beacon of the Islamization of knowledge was emphasized to the graduates. He encouraged them to proudly and responsibly carry the university’s legacy.

2. Integrate the spirit of excellence: The IIUM, the second-best Islamic university in the world, prepares its students to lead and navigate a complicated society by instilling in them both ethical ideals and academic excellence.

3. Build unity not disunity. Stressing that diversity is a strength, Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr.  Zambry called upon all graduates to build unity and rally behind the leadership of the new rector to advance the IIUM’s mission.

4. Build a Madani Nation: Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr.  Zambry underlined aligning the IIUM’s mission with the national objectives of social justice, inclusion, and the development of a peaceful society, echoing Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s vision of Malaysia Madani.

5. Be the agents of change and torch bearers of peace: Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr.  Zambry condemned the atrocities carried out by the Zionist regime while addressing the current war in Gaza. With the words, “Be the light in the darkness, bringing hope to a world in need of healing and reconciliation,” he urged IIUM alumni to become agents of change and peace advocates.

Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry concluded by encouraging all graduates to leave the university with the knowledge and virtues, to maintain the duty of contributing to the society and to uplift the values of justice and compassion. “Let us work to make the IIUM a beacon of hope and excellence,” he urged.***