By: Azman Zakaria
Photo by: Creative Media Section and Corporate Visibility
SERDANG, March 22: Under time constraints for political duties, Sarawak Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Dr. Ripin Lamat, has successfully completed his studies and received the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at the Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) 45th Convocation Ceremony today.
Dr. Ripin, 51, who is also the Lambir State Assemblyman, said he almost gave up on continuing his studies in year three (2019) due to fatigue, but he bounced back after receiving great motivation and encouragement from the chief supervisor and colleagues.
"Political work does not have a fixed time, so I have to manage time well. I made a schedule of five days for politics and two days for studies.
“Political work is very challenging; the schedule is tight. It is tiring because at the same time, I have to study. Alhamdulillah, I made it” he said.
He said when the Sarawak state government distributed aid in June 2021 to the people affected by the Movement Control Order (MCO), at the same time, he also had to go through the viva.
“Despite the need to study, the responsibilities borne as a politician must be executed as best as possible. The community expectations towards us are high," he said.
Dr. Ripin, who hails from Kampung Kepayang Tiris, Miri, Sarawak, said before the implementation of MCO by the government in March 2020, he used to board the plane two or three times a month to UPM for matters related to his studies.
He said he took advantage of the MCO period for almost two years by focusing on his studies because, at that time, there was a lack of political programmes as face-to-face interaction was not allowed.
"The classes at that time were also conducted online," said Dr. Ripin while expressing his gratitude and acknowledgements to UPM, as well as the community around his place who cooperated with him during his PhD research.
Dr Ripin said coming from a farming family, both of his parents were strong motivators in his studies.
He hoped everyone, especially the younger generation, would develop a diligent attitude in seeking knowledge.
"The foundation of success is through knowledge, and to change towards better lives, it must also be from knowledge," he said. - UPM
