JOHOR BAHRU, Nov 14 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) celebrated academic brilliance and postgraduate excellence at the prestigious UTM Best Postgraduate Student Award Ceremony, held in conjunction with the university’s 69th Convocation Ceremony.
Hosted at the elegant Pulai Springs Resort, the event honoured the remarkable accomplishments of 236 outstanding postgraduates, each representing resilience, innovation, and the spirit of scholarly excellence.
In his address, the Acting Dean of the School of Graduate Studies (SPS), Prof. Dr. Ts. Mohd Hafiz Dzarfan Othman, reminded graduates that UTM will always remain their home. He emphasised that wherever they go, they will continue to carry the UTM spirit and are entrusted with giving back to the community. He praised the graduates for bringing pride and honour to the university, expressing his hopes that their futures would be filled with success and meaningful achievements. He concluded by thanking and congratulating all award recipients.
Among the celebrated scholars was Dr. Muhammad Nur Azam Ghazali, who reflected on his academic journey with deep appreciation. He credited his mentors, family, and peers for shaping his personal and scholarly growth. He encouraged fellow graduates to lead with empathy, persevere through adversity, and use knowledge to uplift others as they embark on new chapters of service and contribution.
Another award recipient, Dr. Rendy Muhamad Iqbal, shared a story that resonated with many. Having grown up in a small town marked by a difficult history, he described education as his pathway to hope and change. He expressed profound gratitude for the recognition, describing the award as the result of perseverance, hard work, and the unwavering prayers of his family.
Dr. Siti Nor Hawanis Husain expressed sincere appreciation for the honour. She shared that the achievement felt surreal, made possible through the continuous guidance of her supervisors and the steadfast support of her husband and family, who stood by her throughout her PhD journey.
Dr. Norfarhana Abdul Samad also expressed her gratitude, describing the award as a meaningful acknowledgment of the support she received from family, supervisors, and friends. She hopes the recognition will inspire her to continue contributing positively to the community and her field.
For Dr Izzat Naim Shamsul Kahar, the award stands as a testament to collective effort. He dedicated the achievement to his supervisors, research colleagues, and especially his family, whose encouragement, love, and prayers eased every challenge during his postgraduate studies.
Beyond the accolades, the ceremony served as a heartfelt reunion, a space where graduates reconnected with supervisors, peers, and loved ones who had supported their journey. The evening was filled with joy, gratitude, and shared pride as each awardee celebrated a significant milestone in their academic pursuit.
The ceremony concluded with resounding congratulations, marking another proud chapter in UTM’s mission to cultivate world-class researchers, innovators, and leaders.
