KUALA LUMPUR: The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah was declared chancellor of Widad University College during the varsity's inaugural proclamation ceremony at Istana Negara.
Widad Business Group's group executive chairman Tan Sri Muhammad Ikmal Opat Abdullah read out the declaration at the beginning of the proclamation ceremony, presided over by the King, his consort Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tuanku Hajah Haminah, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, as well as Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mary Yap Kain Ching, among others.
In accepting the appointment, the King said he placed importance on developing the sustainability of the country's higher education sector locally and internationally.
"I am happy to announce that I accept my appointment as Widad University College chancellor, as I am determined and place importance on the viability of the country's higher education sector, so it can be sustained internationally," he said in his royal address.
Ikmal, in his speech, said the university will be under the best leadership as Tuanku Abdul Halim is a prominent scholar and has vast experience under his belt to steer them to greater heights.
"May your guidance and blessings help the graduates from this university college to be more recognised in their chosen fields."
He added that the university college, formerly known as University College Shah Putra, will focus on producing well-rounded students and graduates with knowledge and skills enshrined in the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2015 – 2025. This, he said, was to better prepare them in facing millennial challenges ahead.