
A Malaysian Graduate Delivering His Speech in Malay and Banjarese
BANJARBARU – In the 78th Bachelor’s and 48th Postgraduate Graduation Ceremony, a Malaysian graduate had the opportunity to deliver his speech. He is Mohd Quizier Bin Ahmad, a graduate of the Quran and Tafsir Studies Program and the Chairman of the National Association of Malaysian-Indonesian Students.
He delivered his speech during the second session of the graduation at the Multipurpose Hall of Campus 2 in Banjarbaru on Saturday, November 25, 2023.
He first came to Indonesia, specifically South Kalimantan Province in 2019. Quizier acknowledged facing numerous challenges while pursuing education abroad.
“I learned how to be independent and how to survive. Initially, it was quite difficult due to language barriers,” he expressed.
After several years being in Banjarmasin, he has become fluent in Banjarese, adapted to local cuisine and the unpredictable weather conditions.
“My hope for the future is to see more foreign students studying at UIN,” he stated.
The Rector, Prof. Dr. H. Mujiburrahman, M.A., commended the address from the Malaysian graduate, especially citing a profound advice from Imam Shafi’i emphasizing the importance of traveling for knowledge-seeking. “There is no place for those with intelligence and manners to relax. Therefore, leave your home, become a stranger elsewhere,” explained the Rector in his address.
Drawing from this advice, the Rector emphasized the importance of hard work, including the pursuit of knowledge. The rector, who was the graduate of Utrecht University in the Netherland, asserted “The sweetness and pleasure of life lie in hard work”.
Currently, there are 53 foreign students studying at UIN Antasari, including those from Sarawak, Peninsular Malaysia, and Thailand.
UIN Antasari guides them with the vision of “Excellence and Morality” through systematic programs.
The graduation ceremony witnessed the graduation of 829 graduates in accordance with the 59th Anniversary celebration of UIN Antasari. The event featured various activities, including the presentation of awards to individuals who contributed to the establishment of Campus 2. A noteworthy performance was given by Noor Arella Oktavianty, a graduate of the Faculty of Islamic Economics and Business, majoring in Sharia Banking. She was a recipient of the third-best award in Arabic Public Speaking at the national level in the 2022 BSI Olympia event. Arella was also the Runner Up 1 of Putri Hijab Central Kalimantan in 2021. She presented a song entitled “Satu-Satu,” popularized by Idgitaf.
(Fur/Ali/Nan)