PUTRAJAYA: The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah was proclaimed as Chancellor of the National Defence University (UPNM).
-Advertisement-
The instrument of appointment was presented to His Majesty by Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu at the university’s 10th convocation ceremony at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre.
Also present was Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah.
Expressing his appreciation, Sultan Abdullah said the appointment would give him the opportunity to serve and share his thoughts on education for sustainability in relation to security and defence issues.
Sultan Abdullah said to become the premier defence university in the region, it was only appropriate for the field of defence to be the main agenda for UPNM studies, in line with the university’s objective to become a centre of excellence in defence technology, military affairs and security studies.
Sultan Abdullah said it was important for UPNM to move in tandem with changing global security dimensions and strategic environment, as the world’s political, economic and strategic landscapes were constantly changing.
-Advertisement-
As such, he said, the university’s programme should be expanded to include studies in digital defence and defence automation as well as cyberphysical systems.
The King also said that UPNM should be able to produce future leaders who were dedicated in serving to achieve the country’s strategic interests, which had been among the aspirations of the university’s founders.
Sultan Abdullah also hoped that the Education Ministry, Defence Ministry, the Malaysian Armed Forces and defence industry partners would continue to contribute to UPNM to enable its survival to remain a key contributor to the nation’s prosperity and sovereignty.
At the ceremony, Sultan Abdullah conferred an Honorary Doctorate of Strategic Studies and International Relations on Jen (R) Tan Sri Yaakob Mohd Zin and an Honorary Doctorate in Resource Management on Jen (R) Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Abdul Hamid.
Former Armed Forces chief Admiral (R) Tan Sri Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor, who has been appointed UPNM pro-chancellor, also received his appointment letter at the event which saw 969 graduates receiving their scrolls. — Bernama