UMS holds Town and Gown parade for grads
Kota Kinabalu: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) held its 7th Town and Gown parade for graduates here in conjunction with its 15th convocation which will be from Nov 23 to 25.
The parade which started at the Community Hall and ended at the City Hall compound was participated by the chairman and members of the board directors, main officers, members of the senate, various uniformed groups and 66 graduates each representing their study programmes.
According to the Vice Chancellor Professor Datuk Dr. Mohd Harun Abdullah, the parade was an annual ceremony symbolising the success of the graduates’ journey through the world of education besides upholding the roles of unity, education and sense of belonging for the prosperity of the community, generation and nation.
“The ceremony is not aimed for fun, to show off or to waste our time, instead it brings deeper messages and for the unity between both the university and the community and prosperity of future generations,” he added.
“I am attracted to what the Vice Chancellor said in his speech that the Town and Gown parade reflects on the high civilisation of our race,” said Mayor Datuk Abidin Madingkir in his speech, stating his agreement on the ceremony having its own advantages especially in strengthening ties, reflecting the love of the graduates towards the city, the development of the academic sector and unity between the public and UMS.
He said that the parade is an important event to both the university and the community and believed that it would enlighten the atmosphere of the city as people who witnessed the parade would be overjoyed with the success of the graduates.
“We should be proud of the graduates in their academic outfits during the parade as it is part of their actions to be accepted into the community,” he said, adding that the activity will be able to contribute to the elements of creative variations especially in the tourism sector, education and unity.
Later, in his speech, Madingkir thanked UMS for taking part in the Litter Free Campaign organised by City Hall.
“The Permai Residential College of UMS had been recognised as the Litter Free Residential College in year 2010 and I hope that the recognition will be given to the campus and all residential colleges,” he said, adding that the involvement and support given by the UMS and public will be able to help City Hall to reach out to its vision in turning it into a Nature Resort City through sustainable development by year 2020.
Earlier, he also congratulated the university as an Eco-Campus in their effort towards their effort in conserving the environment through the My Tree Programme.
“The initiatives of planting thousands of trees and to increase fresh green vegetation will raise awareness among the community towards the importance of preserving and conserving our environment besides being a role model towards the community outside the campus,” he said.
Source: Daily Express
