The IMU University proudly celebrates the graduation of 400 students in the healthcare profession. This event marks a significant milestone, reflecting our commitment to embody ethics and professionalism, lead with a service mindset, and strive for a better world.
In her address, Academician Prof Emerita Datuk Dr Asma Ismail, FASc, Vice-Chancellor of IMU University emphasised the importance of these core values, urging graduates to apply their skills and knowledge to make meaningful contributions to society. As they step into their professional roles, they are encouraged to uphold these principles, ensuring a positive impact on the healthcare landscape and beyond.
Address by Vice-Chancellor of IMU University
IMU UNIVERSITY CONVOCATION NOVEMBER 2024
SPEECH BY ACADEMICIAN PROFESSOR EMERITA DATUK DR ASMA ISMAIL
VICE-CHANCELLOR, IMU UNIVERSITY
9 November 2024 | Mei Ling Young Auditorium, Bukit Jalil Campus
Welcome to the November Convocation of 2024. We are proud to see our graduands here today, on the cusp of the next phase in your lives. This ceremony is dedicated to celebrating your achievements and acknowledging your hard work. To all graduands seated before me, congratulations. Your dedication to your studies have brought you to this pivotal moment.
To the families, friends, and the university’s faculty who have supported them through their studies, we also humbly acknowledge your contributions – big and small – towards their successes. To all the graduands, as a mark of gratitude and love for your family and loved ones that have given their support and encouragement to you, please give them a round of applause.
The world we operate in has changed. As we gain the ability to unravel the complexities of the world, we have also deepened our understanding of the intricate relationships between humankind, the earth we live in and the living creatures and organisms we share it with.
This interrelationship has shifted the way we think of health. Today, instead of focussing on human health in silo, we need to focus on our health as part of a bigger picture. This starts with changing the way we teach and educate our learners. We can no longer train the next generation to think in linear terms, but rather we need to inculcate in them systems thinking – to look at diseases and treatments and the health challenges facing communities as part of a bigger ecosystem.
I am proud to say that at the IMU University, our curricula has been designed to expand the minds of our students to see beyond their specialities and areas. The university is also widening our offerings to encompass a wider base of health-focussed professions. This year, we welcomed the first cohorts of three of our new programmes, namely the Foundation in Arts, as well as the Business Administration with Healthcare Management Degree and the Bio-veterinary Science Degree.
These variety of programmes have enabled us to open more pathways to those seeking careers in the healthcare sector, making health education more accessible to those of non-science backgrounds. We also hope that this will be a foundation for our medical, business, social science and veterinary students to form cross-specialty synergies at the university and that these bonds will continue as they progress in their respective futures.
As the next generation of leaders, I encourage you to strive for a more sustainable way of life. This journey requires us to collaborate in addressing the intertwined challenges of human health, environmental integrity, and animal well-being. While a spirit of enterprise will help us achieve our individual goals, it is through teamwork that we can make a lasting, meaningful impact.
In all we do, a humanity-centered approach is essential. Whether you’re involved in medical or healthcare services, traditional medicine, analytics, or management, our focus should always be on connecting with patients and communities. We need to understand the heart of their challenges and create solutions that are practical and impactful.
Above all, remember that being a good human is the foundation of true leadership. Let your ethics and values guide you from within, so that in any situation, you’ll do what is right—not merely what is expected.
There is no doubt in my mind that you are ready to navigate the unknown and complex challenges of the future. Use the skills, knowledge and networks that you have gained here to advocate for a future that you can be proud of.
As I stand here giving a speech that no one will remember, I can assure you that you will remember everything about IMU, the friends that you have made, the games you played, the concerts and events that you took part or organised, the emotional ups and downs, in fact the whole ambiance of is special and a memory keeper to you about your days at IMU. Remember that wherever you will be, You are IMU and IMU is you. So please go out there into the real world, embrace it, serve it, be an agent for positive change and make us proud.
Once again, congratulations to the class of 2024.
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