Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan

At Your ServiceIn the final analysis, it is your day-to-day decisions that will reveal your true selfand potentials to the world. It is this Self that will beckon opportunities and opendoors. It is this Self that will attract sustainable success and senior investments oftrust by many in you. It is this strength in character that will stay long after you aregone. The work and deeds that you leave behind will speak louder than your ownvoices. That is what our places of education must imbue and instil in our youngand youth. Individuals with the strength in character of doing the right thing!Heartbeat of nation’s futureYouth are the heartbeat of Malaysia’s future. As its heartbeat, you must eachbuild and focus on good character building. Higher learning institutions mustconcentrate, motivate and reward good character building in all their curriculums.A character that will have you excel as individuals in your studies, excel in being agood child and a parent in time to your own children, a character that contributesto the building of our nation, its society and its future. A character that will bravetimes and situations because the core is founded with strength and substance ofknowledge! No matter the teachers who have stood to inspire you or the leaderswho have influenced your ideas and views of life, the responsibility of your liveslies with you.Governments can set standards of achievements, society can offer moral supportin your quest of knowledge and lecturers can demand excellence through teachingsand assessments of you.But even with the most devoted parents, themost dedicated government policies and actions,the most encouraging educators and the bestuniversities - none matters if you don’t decide thefundamental questions for yourselves - the life youwish to lead, the character you wish to carry andthe responsibilities you want to fulfill as individualsgiven the blessings to experience this life.The responsibility of your life starts with you. What you make of your educationtoday will decide the future of this country. As inconsequential as you may think it164