KUANTAN: The 19th Convocation Ceremony of Universiti Islam Pahang Sultan Ahmad Shah (UnIPSAS), scheduled to take place here on Monday (Dec 20), has been postponed after floods hit the university on Saturday night.

       Vice-chancellor Associate Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Zawavi Zainal Abidin said 465 graduands were due to receive their scrolls at the ceremony, to be graced by Pahang Regent Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.

       According to Mohd Zawavi, 50% of the preparations for the ceremony were completed when heavy rain caused floodwater to rise rapidly in the campus area from 8.20pm Saturday (Dec 18), prompting several employees to rush out and move their vehicles to higher ground.

       "We have no choice but to postpone the ceremony and we are not sure when the situation will improve as several places have been paralysed after water rose up to chest level in some low-lying areas,” he said on Sunday (Dec 19).

       Mohd Zawavi said the matter has been brought to the attention of Tengku Hassanal as the chancellor, and he ordered the postponement for safety considerations.

       "Students have also been notified through the university's social media platforms.

       "I hope they will remain patient though I know they are excited to receive their scrolls in their robes on this big day," he added.

       Mohd Zawavi said the floods this time were worse than in 2013 because back then, some areas in the university were unaffected and the water level did not rise as swiftly as it did on Saturday.

       Following the floods, 12 members of the staff whose homes were inundated had to move into the campus hostel's second floor while some helped to move equipment in the Student Affairs Office to higher ground.

       Mohd Zawavi added that students facing difficulties because of the floods could contact the university through its disaster committee for assistance. – Bernama