SHAH ALAM: Institut Teknologi MARA (ITM) and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) alumni still have the responsibility to help the new Bumiputera generation to forge success.
UiTM pro chancellor Tan Sri Dr Arshad Ayub said since UiTM was established with the name Dewan Latehan Rida and ITM, it has given birth to many professionals who are successful in their respective fields.
"I hope the effort of educating sons of the nation will be continued by today's generation as I feel that the struggle has just begun.
"Education is crucial. If we do not upgrade the field of education for our nation, nobody will do it for us.
"Therefore, I hope today's generation will contribute and continue my effort to enhance the field of education so that our nation will be globally respected," he said at the gathering of 'Keluarga ITM/UiTM Ayahanda Arshad Ayub' at Intekma Resort and Convention Centre organised by UiTM Alumni Association (PAUITM) here, last night.
Arshad, whose 85th birthday was on Nov 15, was celebrated by some 100 former ITM students and lecturers including UiTM vice chancellor Prof Tan Sri Dr Sahol Hamid Abu Bakar; PAUITM chairman Datuk Zaini Hassan; former Universiti Malaya vice chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Hashim Yaacob and Media Prima Berhad Television Networks Deputy Group Managing Editor, News and Current Affairs.
Arshad reminisced that ITM's management decision to open campuses in rural areas during the early years of its establishment was heavily criticised and viewed cynically by many people.
However, the detracting voices died down after the successful opening of ITM campuses in Dungun, Terengganu; Arau, Perlis and Sabah.