It is a great pleasure for me to address you on the occasion of UMST Ninth Graduation Ceremony scheduled for 17th December, 2009.

In common with previous practice, the official ceremony starts at 7:00 pm and is confined to 2009 graduates and their invited five guests. However, every effort is being made to make the rest of this year's ceremony, which lasts for five days, a glamorous occasion for a wider audience where students, parents, graduates, families, alumni, alumnae colleagues and friends, meet at UMST's green environment to enjoy our rich programme. The festivities include: academic, cultural, sporting and entertainment events. Not least, the colourful programme also includes a talk from Sami Elhaj, arguably the world's most famous detainee, describing his long ordeal at Guantanamo Bay detention camp.

I would like seize this opportunity to convey my heartiest congratulations to each and every one of the class of 2009, who have done so much to advance the frontiers of knowledge and invigorate the academic and social life in our University.

I trust that all of you share with me that graduates armed with a UMST education are well prepared to become visionary leaders capable of changing Sudan for the better. However, I would like to remind our graduating sons and daughters that the one who graduates today and stops learning tomorrow is uneducated the day after! They should also recall that it is their attitude, not just their aptitude that determines their ultimate altitude! Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world!

May Allah give you all very good lives.

Dr. Mekki El Shibly
Principal
UMST