Datuk Zainal Bids Farewell To Students With Parting Advice

Tronoh, 29^th October – After 7 ½ years at the helm of the university’s administration, it was time for outgoing Vice Chancellor Datuk Dr Zainal Abidin Hj Kasim to make his last live address to students of UTP. Datuk Zainal Abidin was invited to share his experiences while on his long road to success at an event entitled “The Leadership Journey – My Experience”, held at Undercroft recently. Entry to the sharing session, a joint initiative by Rakan Masjid and MPPUTP, was open to all.

The VC cut a figure of humility and calmness as he made his unceremonious entry to Seminar room 7, going straight for the microphone, evidently not expecting any formalities to be observed on his account. The casually dressed VC began his speech by providing some background information on his education and also his career at Petronas, a company he has been attached to for 36 years. The audience, comprising students from all faculties and academic years, were constantly in stitches listening to the VC’s amusing anecdotes and impromptu humour. For many of those in attendance, this was a comedic side to the VC that they had never witnessed before. For S.Kesavarthiny (PE, 1^st Sem), the experience altered her view of the VC entirely. “I’ve always thought of him as a serious and quiet man. He’s actually a really funny guy! He gives very practical advice too!” said Kesavarthiny, who has been a student here since September.

As he went along, Datuk Zainal offered more details of his personal life, including photographs of his childhood and schooling years at Malay College Kuala Kangsar, of which Datuk Zainal is a proud alumnus. At this point he expressed his unhappiness with the severe lack of racial integration he observes here on campus, something that was never a problem during his time as a student. The VC also talked about the sacrifices he has made to arrive at where he is today, including having to spend a year away from his wife soon after marriage to complete his Masters. Datuk Dr Zainal is now a PhD holder, having completed his doctorate in Paris. Other topics touched on by the VC were how to deal with failure and on being a good leader. According to Datuk Dr Zainal, “The essence of good leadership is one’s character” and “It is not what you say, but what people hear that matters”.

After he was done, Datuk Dr Zainal began to take questions from the audience. When asked what his aspirations were for the future of the university, he humorously commented, “There are too many black-haired people here. I want to see more blondes!” to which he received an exuberant reaction from the crowd.  He went on to clarify that he meant that he hopes the university will one day begin to attract students from developed nations and Western countries as well. During the Q&A session, some senior students took the opportunity to express their long-standing admiration for Datuk Zainal and their regret at his retirement.

The event drew to a close with a short video montage prepared by Rakan Masjid, preceded by a gift-giving ceremony in which various organisations and clubs presented their tokens of appreciation to Datuk Zainal. 

By Marc Raphael, PE