UMP creating excellence together with the industry to empower entrepreneurial activity

In facing the year 2019, Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) will continue to create excellence and dynamism in fulfilling its vision on becoming the leading technology university.

That was the gist of the Annual Speech for 2019 by UMP Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Sri Dr. Daing Nasir Ibrahim.

More than 5,000 people consisting UMP community turned up to listen to his speech, themed - ‘Celebrating The Success, Engaging The Industry, Nurturing Entrepreneurship’ which was held at UMP Sports Complex, Gambang Campus on February 19, 2019.

Also present were Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation), Professor Dato’ Dr. Mashitah Mohd Yusoff,  Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & International), Professor Dr. Wan Azhar Wan Mohd Yusof, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs & Alumni), Professor Dato’ Dr. Yuserrie  Zainuddin and Industry Network Alumni Platform (INAP) Action Council Chairman, Amir Ashraf Hamzah.

In celebrating success, Professor Dato’ Sri Dr. Daing Nasir said the finest example was when UMP became the first university among the technical universities (MTUN) to be ranked as 188th best in Asia by QS University Ranking Asia: 2019 and for getting the five-star rating for Teaching and Learning in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Stars Rating 2018.

“The QS also listed the Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering in UMP in the 251-300 best group in the world.

“We have also scored five stars in all aspects of rating including the Malaysia Research Assessment (MyRA), Rating System for Malaysian Higher Education (SETARA), Ministry of Education Data Collection System (MyMohes) and Financial Management Excellence based on the National Audit Department Accountability Index” he said.

He added that exchange of knowledge, research development, consultation activities, training and commercialisation would be the main agenda in efforts taken to meet UMP’s industrial needs.

“UMP will also make use of the Industry Network Alumni Platform (INAP) that serves as an important platform which spells high commitment and signifies continuous effort of the university in strengthening networking between the industry and alumni.

“INAP is an initiative that is collectively mooted by the Department of Industrial and Community Networking, UMP Alumni Association and Department of Student Affairs and Alumni. It is a platform for the university’s alumni working in the public and private sector to build networking, to interact and contribute based on their professional capacity, be it as executives, technocrats, entrepreneurs, academicians and others.

“In another move to enrich the entrepreneurship field, UMP will focus on the small and medium industry (SMI), to start a unique techno-entrepreneurial programme and to develop the International Incubator Network,” he said.

In responding to the government’s call to strengthen the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Professor Dato’ Sri Dr. Daing Nasir said UMP would be offering six new programme in engineering-related Bachelor of Technology, targeting graduates of vocational colleges, polytechnics and skill training institutes.

“The programme would commence this year,” he added.

In line with its theme on generating glory, UMP would continue to focus on its five strategic leaps - Academic Excellence, Financial Sustainability, Excellence in Research and Innovation, Brand Excellence and Sustainability in Socio-Economic and Environment.

The university also launched UMP Green Policy and ‘Let’s Break Up with Single Use Plastic’ campaign which aimed at reducing the usage of plastic among university campus community.

The focus was on waste management which was one of the aspects in environmental health, with emphasis given on these six principles – Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rot and Re-Think.

Various programme were organised by UMP’s Occupational Safety and Health Management Office (OSHMO) that aimed at fulfilling the agenda on sustainable management to enhance awareness on the initiative.

UMP would also strive to build up the education sector, conduct world-class researches and offer services in a more creative and innovative eco-system based on the five leaps outlined, those related to chemical engineering, automotive engineering, industrial biotechnology, applied chemistry and manufacturing engineering that would benefit the people.