IPGM GOLD AWARD WINNER ASIF AIMS TO PRODUCE HOLISTIC STUDENTS

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 7 (Bernama) -- Muhammad Asif Mohd Fahmi, the recipient of the Gold Award at the 14th Convocation of the Education Ministry's Institute of Teacher Education (IPGM) this year, intends to produce more students who not only excel academically but also physically, spiritually and emotionally.

Speaking to the media after today's convocation ceremony, the 23-year-old hopes to educate a balanced and quality generation of students through a diversified approach to ensure they grow as individuals holistically.

Having excelled in sports (football), uniformed unit and leadership, he was chosen to further his studies at the Temenggong Ibrahim Campus (KTI) IPG in Johor Bahru in Physical Education.

Although chosen to go to the KTI IPG via the "Special Lane for Sports”, he also excelled academically and was named the Best Student of the Physical Education Option for 2020 and also earned the Director's Award every semester.

His leadership quality led to him being chosen as the head of the KTI IPG Student Representative Committee for the 2022/2023 session and as the Top 7 of the IPGM Committee heads for the 2022/2023 session.

Reflecting on his success, Muhammad Asif, who is now attached to Sekolah Kebangsaan Menjelara, Kepong, shared that his secret in managing his time and commitment to leadership, sports and education is to draw up his daily schedule in advance.

"Each day, I will prepare my schedule for the next day. I'll be busy with training at the IPGM Campus in the morning, football training in the evening and academic assignments at night,” he said.

He also shared about the sacrifices he had to make, such as cutting short his holidays to focus on his campus assignments.

"While my friends would return home for two weeks, I would only go back for a week to spend time with my family. The other week will be spent on campus to complete my academic commitments,” he said.

He also admitted to being under pressure, especially when he held the post of campus head the first time, but the support of his family and the realisation of his responsibility as a teacher helped him to soldier on.

"Alhamdulillah, I am thankful because my mother and father always give me moral support,” said Muhammad Asif, who is now ready to produce students who not only excel in studies but are also active in co-curricular activities.

Meanwhile, the recipient of the Special Co-Curricular Award, 23-year-old Jasmine Tay Jing Xuan was also proud and grateful for the award.

"All the efforts I put in over the last five years have borne fruit. I am thankful to the Malaysian government, Education Ministry, IPGM and also IPGMKTI,” she said.

Jasmine, who is based at a school in Pontian, Johor, hopes to introduce wushu at the school as it's a sport she has been interested in since young.

The Negeri Sembilan-born Jasmine began representing the state in wushu in 2012 and even made her international debut for Malaysia at the age of 13.

Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, who officiated the ceremony today, said about 6,000 IPGM graduates have received placements as teachers nationwide before the IPG Convocation Ceremony on Sept 30.

"This is one of the successes of the MADANI Government in ensuring earlier job opportunities for graduates. In fact, these new teachers have also received their first salary,” she said.

She added that the IPG graduates have already started their duties as teachers in primary and secondary schools.

Their placement was done fairly to meet the needs of teachers nationwide, in line with the government's commitment to providing quality education to all students, she said.

She added that some of the graduates have also completed their Postgraduate Diploma Programme in Education (PDPP) for teaching at the secondary school level.

"This shows the government's efforts to have high-quality teachers at educational institutions to ensure student excellence nationwide,” she said.

The five-day 14th Ministry of Education IPG Convocation Ceremony, which began on Sunday (Nov 3), involves 6,382 graduates who have completed their studies and teacher training at 28 IPG campuses and English Teaching Centres.  

-- BERNAMA