STATEMENT BY THE RT HON PRIME MINISTER
MR AMBROSE MANDVULO DLAMINI
AT THE 5TH GRADUATION CEREMONY AT THE LIMKOKWING UNIVERSITY OF CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY
AT MAVUSO TRADE AND EXHIBITION CENTRE, MANZINI
FRIDAY 09 NOVEMBER 2016
Your Royal Highnesses
Chiefs
Deputy Prime Minister
Honourable Ministers
Emeritus Dr Lim Kok Wing, Founder and President of Limkokwing University of Creative Technology
Senior vice presidents Dato Gail Phuong, Dato Raja Aznil Hisham and Maizura Mahathir
Acting Campus Director
Regional Administrator
Senior Government officials
His Worship the Mayor of Manzini
Campus Staff
Graduands and parents
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
Today I am honoured and privileged to be part of this noble undertaking, the fifth convocation ceremony of the Limkokwing University of Creative Technology in the Kingdom of Eswatini.
It is always a memorable occasion when one wears with pride the gown of academic excellence and achievement. I am happy to share this special day with all of you.
Since our independence in 1968, the Kingdom of Eswatini has deliberately positioned education at the top of our national priorities, cognisant of the positive link between human resource development and economic progress. Several scholars have rightfully noted that education is the best legacy a nation can leave for its citizens. It is the foundation of any sustainable national development programme.
The tertiary sector is an important element to the entire education system of any country. The skills imparted at this level, and their relevance to the needs of a country, have a bearing on the productivity and dynamism of a nation. It is therefore commendable that the Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, since its inception in the Kingdom of Eswatini in 2011, has produced graduates with qualifications and skills that were, more often, acquired from tertiary institutions across our borders.
Graduates of this University are among those at the forefront of pioneering new technologies and problem-solving skills vital in capacitating a developing nation.
The University’s distinctive creativity oriented ethos and student empowering learning philosophy befit the goals of a Nation working towards economic transformation in line with the Kingdom’s Vision of 2022.
What is more commendable is that besides teaching practical, yet rare skills, the University has ventured into developing entrepreneurial exploration for its students. I have been informed that this year, 708 students are graduating in their various Associate degrees, bringing into the country’s industry a fresh and outward looking mind-set that promotes entrepreneurship.
Government is faced with a serious challenge of lack of employment, mostly affecting the youth. It for this reason that the teaching of entrepreneurship at all levels of schooling remains critical. Entrepreneurs do not just offer employment prospects but provide an opportunity for the harnessing and promotion of innovation and creativity, which are key components to providing solutions to challenges facing a nation or any organisation.
Recently, His Majesty’s Government revived the Youth Fund whose main objective is to provide the necessary start-up capital for the youth to venture into enterprise. May I encourage the graduands here today to make use of this facility to start sustainable businesses, and not only achieve a personal milestone, but play a positive impact in the development of the Eswatini economy.
To this end, I wish to recognise the positive influence of the founder of this prestigious University, Dr Tan Sri Limkokwing. His selfless contribution to a vibrant and skill based education system across many States has helped produce creative thinkers that are changing the face of technology and innovation. It is not surprising that Dr Limkokwing continues to be conferred with many awards of excellence across the globe.
Today you are once again witnessing a glowing evidence of your vision for our great Kingdom through 708 proud and happy faces.
To the graduands, may I on behalf of His Majesty’s Government congratulate you for reaching this far in your journey to self-improvement. Understandably, it was not just a walk in the park, you went through many sleepless nights and made worthwhile sacrifices. This though is just the beginning. Continuous improvement is the only way in which you will be able to impact society positively.
I encourage you to continue believing in your dreams and growing your skillsets to remain competitive and relevant in the world of industry. The country is ready and receptive to utilising your technological and creative skills for economic development.
These are interesting times in the development of our country, a time that offers graduates the opportunity to showcase their capabilities by excelling within industry and business through exploring available opportunities.
Go out and make a difference.
Thank you. May God bless us all.