Farah and parents graduate

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Farah Liyana Mokhtar and her parents Dr Mokhtar Ibrahim and Dr Hamidah Alus at Universti Malaysia Pahang yesterday.

KUANTAN: It was a family affair at Universiti Malaysia Pahang's (UMP) sixth convocation here yesterday when 24-year-old Farah Liyana Mokhtar and her parents -- Dr Mokhtar Ibrahim, 57, and Dr Hamidah Alus, 54, -- went on stage to collect their diplomas.

Farah graduated with a degree in Chemical Engineering and Gas Technology while both her parents were awarded the Executive Diploma in Project Management.

To make it more memorable, Hamidah who is a manager at an ice hydrotherapy treatment centre here, scored a cumulative grade-point average of 3.98.

The mother of five said she and her husband had become the role models for the family and it has helped to motivate their children to do well in their studies.

She added that her children were very supportive although the couple had to attend classes every day.

Datuk Wira Jamaludin Abdul Rahim and his two sons -- Muhamad Faizal Jamal, 34, and Muhamad Iqbal Jamal, 25, -- also made history when they collected their scrolls.

The trio from Ipoh, Perak, had been keeping their weekends occupied by attending the Executive Diploma in Project Management classes since January last year.

They received their scrolls from UMP Chancellor Tengku Mahkota of Pahang Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah at the convocation yesterday.

Jamaludin, 65, is the Perak Malaysian Malay Contractors Association president while his eldest son Faizal is the managing director of a construction firm in Ipoh.

Iqbal is an executive director of a hotel in Ipoh.

Jamaludin, a father of seven, said it had not been easy for them as they had to sacrifice their usual weekend family outings to attend classes and group discussions in Ipoh.

Jamaluddin, who holds a master's in Political Science from Medan Islamic University, said he had never regretted his move and described it as timely.

He admitted that it was initially tough as he had to study with younger students and answer lengthy questions but it got easier because of his work experience.

He said being in the same classroom as his sons was an advantage as they would often engage in group discussions and exchange notes.

Tengku Abdullah reminded the graduates that academic qualifications alone would not guarantee them jobs especially in a highly-competitive and globalised environment.

He said it was important for them to have an edge by standing out in terms of talent, attitude and personality to face the ever-challenging job market.

A total of 1,290 graduates received their scrolls during the convocation.