3,807 GRADUATES RECEIVE SCROLLS AT UMS 27TH CONVOCATION CEREMONY

KOTA KINABALU, Nov 28 (Bernama) -- Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) commenced its 27th Convocation Ceremony today, celebrating 3,807 graduates and their remarkable achievements over a three-day event.

UMS vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kasim Mansor said that of the total, 3,098 received Bachelor’s degrees, 295 Master’s degrees, 193 Doctor of Philosophy degrees, 172 Postgraduate Diplomas, and 49 Diplomas.

He said that this year’s convocation ceremony also honoured 288 first-class graduates, 125 international graduates, 77 from the B40 group, 10 persons with disabilities, and one posthumous recipient.

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“One of the most notable milestones is the awarding of UMS’s first Aegrotat Degree, highlighting the university’s commitment to academic equality and recognising students who, despite extraordinary health challenges, have maintained satisfactory academic performance.

“The ceremony underscores that UMS not only produces quality graduates but also remains a comprehensive institution grounded in inclusive values, Borneo’s cultural diversity, and a balance between academic excellence and humanity. This is the true essence of ‘UMS: The Brain of Borneo’,” he told Bernama.

On UMS’ plans for 2026, Kasim said the university was embarking on a strategic growth phase, with various initiatives such as the introduction of Bachelor of Science programmes in Architecture, Material Surveying, Dietetics, and Medicine and Health.

He said the new programmes were part of key strategies to meet the demand for skilled local workers, support Sabah’s rapid development, and provide students in the state with opportunities to pursue these fields without having to study in the Peninsula or overseas.

“When UMS was first established, it had only four faculties, which were previously called the School of Technology, School of Commerce and Economics, School of Social Sciences, and School of Psychology. It now has 13 faculties and an Academy of Arts and Creative Technology.

“With the introduction of several new programmes, UMS is certainly growing and is set to undergo many changes in the future.

“The addition of these new programmes is not only intended to meet industry needs but also aligns with efforts to make UMS a comprehensive university,” he said.

Kasim said that UMS also planned to establish new campuses outside Kota Kinabalu, including in Tawau, Semporna, Kudat, and interior areas such as Keningau, as part of an initiative to attract more young Sabahans to pursue higher education.

He said that the strategy was expected to support local economic development while also enabling UMS students to gain learning experiences within local ecosystems, such as agriculture in Keningau and ecotourism in Semporna.

“If UMS sets up a campus in the interior, it has the potential to serve as a satellite town, attracting economic growth to the area,” he said.

Commenting on UMS's role in supporting Sabah's economic development, Kasim said the university serves as a strategic partner to the Sabah government in developing a skilled workforce and knowledge-based economic policies.

He said this included research in the blue economy, tourism, smart agriculture, and renewable technology, aimed at generating data and insights for state policy-making.

Kasim said that UMS not only produces graduates but also nurtures thinkers and researchers who play a key role in building a stronger and more prosperous future for Sabah.

--BERNAMA