By, Nor Asfarina Syakirin
GOMBAK, 8 December 2024: In the seventh session of the 40th IIUM Convocation Ceremony at IIUM Gombak on 19 November 2024, valedictorian, Ammar Bin BadrulHisham from Kulliyyah of Engineering (KOE) delivered a heartwarming and inspiring Valedictory speech. “Mumtaz for Ummah,” he highlighted in his speech as one of the inspiring motivational phrases from his mother to not only work hard for the sake of money or career but excel for the ummah, nation, and religion.
He began his speech by expressing his gratitude towards his parents. He highlighted that his parents are his source of inspiration to strive in his study. Ammar also sent his gratitude to his beloved lecturers and fellow friends.
Sharing his struggles during his study period, he mentioned, he was chugging Red Bull and coffee to finish his Final Year Project, before taking his quiz in the morning and meeting assignment deadlines in the evening. “I have been there, I have done that,” he said. He emphasised that everyone had been on different paths but together they had celebrated their hard work and effort at the convocation.
He also added that the convocation is not the end but it is just the beginning of a journey.
At the end of his speech, he asked, “Are we leading the way today? The bitter truth is no, we are not, at least not yet.” He also called out his fellow graduates to be determined in order to make change and to share the proud ambition towards sustainable peace and ethics based on the values of Islam.
“We will lead the way,” he said with determination.***
