‘IIUM students must use opportunities to acquire knowledge’ – PM

By, Muhammad Adam Haqimi

Gombak, 15 April 2025: The Prime Minister (PM) of Malaysia, YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim
delivered an engaging speech in an International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM)
event that is Meet Anwar @ IIUM: A Special Homecoming on 11 April 2025 at IIUM Gombak
Campus.

Several honourable guests also attended the event, including President of IIUM, Tan Sri Samsudin Osman; Deputy Minister of High Education Malaysia, YB Datuk Ts. Mustapha Sakmud and Chief Minister of Selangor, YAB Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.

The event began with a welcome address from the distinguished Rector of IIUM, Prof. Emeritus Datuk Dr. Osman Bakar, who welcomed YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim to the university. “After long absence from the university campus, his visit to the campus today may be describe as the real homecoming,” the Rector remarked.

After welcoming YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar, the Rector recalled his contributions to IIUM. He was associated with the founding and development of the university in the first 15 years of its existence. He was the President of IIUM for 10 years. He was contributed much to the progress of IIUM especially during the period when he served the cabinet as the Minister of Education, Minister of Finance as well as the Prime Minister. Additionally, he advocated the establishment of an Islamic institution in Malaysia long before IIUM was created.

The event proceeded with the handover of a generous donation to the Abdul Hamid Abu
Sulayman International Student Fund as a testament to the enduring commitment to support
the international students and to strengthen the legacy of knowledge compassion and leadership
at IIUM.

After the donation was handed over, the event moved on to a speech session by YAB Dato’ Seri
Anwar Ibrahim. At the start of his address, he remarked, “It is a rare privilege to return here. I
genuinely feel at home.” He then proceeded to discuss the importance of knowledge
assimilation. He emphasized that we should consistently reflect on our purpose here and
question whether we are truly absorbing knowledge. The Prime Minister stated that the
educational challenge lies in ensuring that students not only receive information and knowledge
but also grasp what is right and wrong. Furthermore, he stressed that students must take
advantage of the opportunities to gain knowledge. “There is no benefit in having a university
if you do not fully utilize its facilities,” the Prime Minister asserted.

Additionally, YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim illustrated his point by sharing his own experience
to demonstrate how he effectively seized his chance to gain knowledge, “I had a unique
advantage that many of you may not experience, which is that I spent 10 years in prison, and I
made the most of that privilege by dedicating myself to reading extensively.”

YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar expressed his gratitude to the former Rector, the late Prof. Emeritus Dato’Abdul Hamid Abu Sulayman, for his vision of making this university as a centre of excellence. As articulated by
the former Rector, the curriculum, mission, and outcomes of graduates from an Islamic university should demonstrate distinct differences. Graduates should be more knowledgeable, articulate, tolerant, and wise.

YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar concluded his speech with some words of wisdom, “As you graduate, keep in mind that you should strive for excellence in all your endeavours and carry on the mission of peace, justice, and human dignity.”

The event proceeded with a dialogue session featuring YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar and the IIUM community. Seven members from the IIUM community were given the chance to pose questions to the Prime Minister. The event concluded with a photography session, after which the audience exited the hall. ***