The country needs graduates who understand the meaning of unity and tolerance and not take to the streets to voice their opinions and dissatisfaction, said the Prime Minister's wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.

She said that is why knowledge is very important because and it is the factor that sets apart graduate who are more rational in their decision-making.

"Our young people such as the graduates before me (PICOMS graduates) are a very important group who in future will become the movers of all government efforts.

"As such, the factor of knowledge differentiates us. Without knowledge, a person may lose his sense of fairness and rationality," she said.

Rosmah was speaking at the 3rd convocation of Pusrawi International College of Medical Sciences (PICOMS) at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) here today.

In this regard, Rosmah said only with knowledge, could the country produce capable youths to lead and make Malaysia a respected country.

Therefore, she told PICOMS to provide the path for students and graduates not only to nurture their young minds but also to instil in them noble values to produce future generations of high morality and strong personality.

"This is because as the country heads towards becoming a developed nation, human capital and self-potential development will feature prominently in the nation's progress.

"As such, the 1Malaysia generation must have a vision, be competitive and bold, hardworking, creative, honourable and strive to realise their potential and expand one's capability," she said.

Meanwhile, she said the establishment of more institutions of higher learning will create more competition.

In this regard, she told PICOMS to raise its productivity to leapfrog PICOMS to a higher level in line with its aspiration to make the institution as a university college by early next year.

Earlier, Rosmah presented diplomas to 300 PICOMS graduates in various fields including the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) Premier Gold award to Medical Science diploma graduate Nina Shahira Abdul Halim.

Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom and PICOMS chairman, Datuk Mahamad Zubir Sheikh Saad.

A total of 1,029 graduates received their diploma scrolls in various fields including Medical Sciences, Nursing Science, Pharmacy and Environmental Health at the ceremony.