KOTA KINABALU: The second convocation of the University College Sabah Foundation (UCSF) was held recently at Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC).
The ceremony was attended by almost 2000 attendees and 566 students completed their studies for this convocation, although only 459 graduates reported attending the convocation ceremony.
Of the 566 graduates, 247 completed their bachelor’s degree program, 316 completed their diploma studies and 3 completed their foundation certificate programme.
In his speech, the Vice Chancellor of UCSF, Dr Rafiq Idris, congratulated all the graduates and their parents. He also shared the history of the UCSF establishment which was in operation for more than 8 years.
“Looking back at the history of the founding of this college university, we can see that it was inspired or kindled by the Father of Sabah Independence, Tun Datu Mustapha bin Datu Harun, as early as the 1960s.”
“At the time, the late Tun Datu Mustapha declared his desire to build a university college in Sabah through a foundation that would be established, the Sabah Foundation (Yayasan Sabah). After 40 years of Yayasan Sabah’s foundation establishment, UCSF as established and registered in 2014.”
The VC also conveyed his wish that UCSF graduates will continue to contribute to the university, society, country, and humanity in general.
“As UCSF graduates, you can play a variety of roles in the national development process.’
He also expressed his wish and hopes for the university. He proposed for gradual expansion of the university to the east coast based on demand.
In addition, he requested special allocation for a research grant, consultancy project, pilot project for botanic batik production, and other operational needs. Moreover, he explained that UCSF has yet to have an academic chair.
To build a research culture and stimulate research on Sabah development, he proposed to establish Kursi Akademik Kajian Pembangunan Sabah UCSF.
The convocation was attended by the Chancellor of UCSF, YAB DSP Haji Hajiji Bin Haji Noor and the Pro- Chancellor, Dato Sri Haji Gulamhaidar Khan Bahadar.
DSP Haji Hajiji in his speech mentioned that the state government supports the development of its one and only university college. In his speech, in response to the proposal highlighted by the VC,
the Chief Minister mentioned that he agreed with the expansion of UCSF on the east coast by stages through the establishment of a mini campus.
He also announced the RM5 million allocation for UCSF as requested and another RM5 million for the establishment of the academic chair for the Sabah development study.
In reaction to the announcement made after the convocation, the VC thanked the Chief Minister of Sabah and the state government for their continuous support.
“This will enable the university to strengthen its research capacity and play an important role by undertaking strategic research on development which is beneficial for the state of Sabah,” he said.-pr/BNN
