For the 1,241 new graduates who walked through the hallowed halls of the ICC in Berakas, it was an auspicious occasion indeed when each and every one of them received their scrolls from His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam during the 21st Convocation ceremony that was held yesterday.

The monarch, who is also the Chancellor of UBD, entered the International Convention Centre, resplendent in the navy blue and gold academic robes of office, accompanied by the Minister of Education, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Lela Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Abd Rahman bin Dato Setia Hj Mohamed Taib and the Vice Chancellor of UBD, Dr Hj Zulkarnain Hj Hanafi.

Other Cabinet Ministers, foreign envoys, senior deans and faculty staff of UBD, as well as the proud gleaming faces etched on the faces of friends and families of all the academic recipients bore witness to yesterday's convocation.

As the royal guest of honour and other distinguished guests took to their seats, it marked the commencement of the ceremony with the recital of a verse from the al-Quran. In his welcoming address, the VC Dr Hj Zulkarnain highlighted the achievements made since the previous convocation 12 months ago and also spoke about the university's future plans.

His Majesty, in his titah, expressed his pleasure in the increase of qualified academic holders but underscored the maintenance of quality and not just quantity, which would prove to be of real tangible benefit for the further development of the country's human resources and for the progress of the nation at large.

Out of yesterday's total of 1,241 academic recipients, 89 were for Master Degree holders whilst 431 received their post-graduate diplomas. - Borneo Bulletin (1st November 2009)