KUANTAN, Muhammad Ambri Mohd Sha’ari, 24, has proven that those following vocational courses could also succeed in academic subjects.
The former vocational college student will receive the Royal Education Award (Pingat Jaya Cemerlang) at the Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) 18th convocation here today.
"I am very proud now, because people always think that our (vocational certificates) don’t have any value," he told a press conference to introduce the award recipients in conjunction with the convocation by UMPSA vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Yuserrie Zainuddin here yesterday .
The Faculty of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering Technology student, who received the dean's award for each semester with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.94 is a former student of Datuk Seri Mohd Zin Vocational College, Melaka.
"Just enjoy what we learn and do what we are interested in, and I also practise four principles - effort, prayers, ‘tawakal’ and ‘reda’ (acceptance).
"Apart from that, my active involvement in volunteer activities also helped polish my leadership and management talents," said the eldest son of a welder Mohd Sha'ari Muharam, 56, and Rozita Abdul Rahman, 54, an assistant architect.
The native of Batu Berendam, Melaka will receive the award and Bachelor of Technology in Automotive with honors from Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.
His Majesty, who is also UMPSA chancellor, is scheduled to present the degrees and excellence awards to 79 recipients at the first session of the convocation today.
Commenting further, Muhammad Ambri who is currently working as an executive trainer at Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd said he wanted to become an educator one day.
“I want to find work experience first, and will continue my studies at the master's degree level, and maybe a doctorate after that," he said.
Meanwhile, Yuserrie said 4,854 graduates will receive their bachelor's degrees and diplomas at the convocation today, tomorrow and on Tuesday (Oct 24).
He also said that since 2006, UMPSA, formerly known as UMP, has produced a total of 39,664 graduates in various fields with graduate employability exceeding 96 per cent (98.6 per cent).
"About 26 to 30 per cent of our graduates have received premium salaries of more than RM4,000 per month," he added.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency