Cyberjaya University College of Medical Sciences was proud to award Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz with an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Administration at its’ Cyberjaya Campus.
The special Convocation Ceremony to award Tan Sri Rafidah for her contributions to Malaysia in areas of international platform, women’s welfare, development of women issues, industrialization policies and more.
During her tenure as the Minister of International Trade and Industry, she contributed significantly to the development of the country’s economy. With her sound knowledge of economic matters, she worked tirelessly to position and promote Malaysia as the most favoured destination for foreign direct investment.
Many multinational brands such as Intel, Panasonic, Samsung to name a few have set up manufacturing and research and development facilities in Malaysia. Being the 20th largest trading nation in the world, Malaysia is also the world’s largest exporter of the semiconductor.
YBhg. Tan Sri Dato’ Dr R. Palan, Pro-Chancellor of Cyberjaya University College of Medical Sciences said, “Malaysia’s standing today as a stable, industrious nation is in no small part to the contributions of Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz who helped shape policies that the nation continues to benefit from. Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz’s contributions are not just limited to Malaysia, but rather she has been a true voice for the developing nations across the globe as she championed balanced trade practices in several international platforms.”
Tan Sri Rafidah was born in Selama, Perak in 1943 and obtained her BA in Economics and Masters in Economics from the University of Malaya. She taught at the Faculty of Economics until she began her career as a politician with her appointment as Senator in 1974. Confident, dynamic and passionate, she is well known for her quick, direct and articulate responses. She is Malaysia’s longest serving Minister of International Trade and Industry, has been in the position for 21 years from 1987 – 2008.
Her expertise, visionary outlook and confidence has been a source of inspiration to many entrepreneurs and Malaysians. She has been a constant pillar in developing and creating brand for the nation. She continues to have her finger on the pulse of international trade and investments as patron of the Malaysia-Europe Forum. She is currently appointed as the Chairman of AirAsia X. Tan Sri Rafidah is Patron to several NGO’s and Renewable Energy Adviser to the Sarawak Corridor (RECODA).
In her acceptance speech, Tan Sri Rafidah shared how education has several functions that include social integration, social and cultural innovation and how it drives socialization. These are qualitative aspects in education that all education providers must think about from the lowest to the highest level.
“Education must be a key driver towards national unity and integration through that social cultural innovation so that when we have that attribute via integration, this nation of ours can have the necessary resilience to overcome any social and economy stresses,” she added.
CUCMS is delighted for having the opportunity to confer Tan Sri Rafidah with the Honorary Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). She has been aspirational to many and we hope to produce young graduates with such spirit and leadership skills. Cyberjaya University College has been growing over the years since its inception in 2005. The university is committed to providing the best tertiary education to Malaysians with an international quality.
