BATU PAHAT: The festivities leading up to Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia's (UTHM) Convocation, kicked off with the ‘Town and Gown’ procession involving 1,000 university students and staff walking the streets of Batu Pahat dressed in traditional attire and varsity wear.
This tradition, conducted for the ninth time by UTHM, is inspired by similar processions in other university towns such Princeton in New Jersey, United States and University St Andrews in Fife, Scotland.
A total of 26 contingents took part in the procession on Saturday night.
UTHM vice chancellor Professor Dr Wahid Razzaly said the procession was held to inform the people of the district about the university's 17th Convocation Ceremony from Oct 14-16.
Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, who is UTHM chancellor, will conduct the first session of the convocation ceremony on Oct 14.
“This procession is something known as a Communiversity Celebration. It is time-honoured tradition in many renowned foreign varsities such as Princeton University, Charles Sturt University (New South Wales), University of St Andrews and University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
“In Peninsular Malaysia, UTHM is the first higher learning institute to conduct this procession,” said Wahid.
The procession is among various side events in the run up to the convocation. The other major event was a Charity Fun Run in collaboration with the Tunku Laksamana Johor Cancer Foundation on Oct 6.
Wahid said 4,272 graduates will receive their scrolls during the UTHM convocation ceremony starting Oct 14. Of that total, 81 people will receive their doctorates, masters' degree (341), bachelors' degree (3,260) and diploma (590).
“During the ceremony, we will also present a number of awards to students who have excelled in their studies, including the Royal Award, Chancellor's Award, Sultan Ibrahim Award and Tan Sri Datuk Paduka Aishah Ghani Award.
“We will also present an honorary doctorate in electrical engineering to Dr Mazlan Abbas, an expert in the field of Internet of Things (IoT), in recognition of his contribution to the field of higher education, industry, community and leadership in technology and innovation,” said Wahid.
Besides Sultan Ibrahim, Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, the university's Pro Chancellor I, is expected to hand out scrolls in the third session of the ceremony on Oct 15.
Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa, who is UTHM Pro Chancellor II will also be present to hand out scrolls in a separate session.