Campus Info

Sultan Ahmad Shah’s demise a huge loss to UMP

The recent passing of His Royal Highness Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Abu Bakar Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mu’adzam Shah on May 22, 2019, was overwhelmingly felt by all across the State of Pahang Darul Makmur, especially by those at Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP). 

According to the university’s Vice-Chancellor cum Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Professor Ir Dr. Wan Azhar Wan Yusoff, the late Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah was a ruler, builder and engineer, embodied into one, who brought invaluable development and progress to the State of Pahang Darul Makmur.

“Various educational development projects were carried out during his reign at the State, including UMP’s permanent campus in Kuala Pahang, Pekan - now accredited as an iconic world class technological university, whose foundation was laid on November 2, 2002,” said the CEO.

The late Sultan continued to make further significant contributions to the progress of UMP, and was conferred the Honorary Degree, Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering at the university’s Commemorative and 4th Convocation a decade ago in 2009.

In his honor, UMP has subsequently published a coffee table autobiography called 'The Ruler, The Builder, The Engineer', for his civil engineering feats and leadership in bringing about modernization and prosperity for the benefits of the people of Pahang Darul Makmur.

On behalf of all at the university, Professor Ir. Dr. Wan Azhar expressed and extended his heartfelt condolences to Pahang’s royalties on the passing of their beloved Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah. 

“Everyone at UMP is saddened by his sudden passing and feels an overwhelming loss by the void left behind the late Sultan,” he said. 

MyGift

A Wonderful Ramadan at UMP with RM130,000 contribution by Etiqa

Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) received a sum of RM130,000 from Etiqa, the insurance and takaful business of Maybank, which would bring joys and cheers to many of the undergraduates and the needy in the holy month of Ramadan.

The amount also involved allocations to be utilised for other community programmes such as aids for the asnaf group and the ‘Back-to-School’ programme that was scheduled at the end of the year.

Etiqa Family Takaful Berhad and Etiqa General Takaful Berhad Chairman, Dato’ Majid Mohamad, who is also UMP Board of Director member, presented the contribution to UMP Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ir. Dr. Wan Azhar Wan Yusoff during the ‘Indahnya Ramadan bersama Etiqa’ that was held at UMP Mosque, Gambang Campus on May 25, 2019.

Also present was UMP Board of Directors’ Chairman, Dato’ Sri Ibrahim Ahmad.

Thirty undergraduates received financial aids that would be used to cover their educational expenses while 20 families under the asnaf group who lived in Kuantan received hampers comprising daily essential needs.

Some 1,000 students also joined the breaking of fast at the event. 

According to Professor Dr. Wan Azhar, UMP believed that more undergraduates could be helped if the university had more financial capacity.

“As such, UMP hopes that more donors would come forward and contribute to this noble and worthy cause, especially the private companies.

“We also deeply appreciate the contributions made by Etiqa and many thanks to UMP Board of Directors’ who continues to support the management in making the endowment ecosystem a dynamic one,” he said.

With such commitment, he was confident that UMP and Etiqa would continue to work together for the purpose of strengthening the development of nation culture and the community through charity works carried out from time to time.

Since 2011 until 2018, Etiqa has made various contributions that totalled to RM530,000.

The establishment of UMP as a public university is not only tasked to look after the welfare of its staff and students but also that of the community living around its campus.

Campus Info

UMP Alumni shared joy of happiness with orphans and the asnaf in shopping for the Eid Mubarak

Their faces lit with joy and happiness upon having the chance to choose their own clothes for the coming Aidilfitri celebration.

They were 110 children aged between five and 17 who were orphans and from the asnaf group who were brought to shop at the Pasar Raya Hari-Hari under the ‘Ziarah Prihatin Aidilfitri Projek Baju Raya.’

The event, held in Kuantan on May 25, 2019, was organised by the Graduate Alumni Association, Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP), together with Ikram Foundation (I-Bantu), Member of Parliament for Kuantan Office, Ikram Muda Pahang, Gema Pahang and Alumni Communication Unit., Student Affairs and Alumni Department.

Also present were Member of Parliament for Kuantan, Fuziah Salleh, who is also Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs & Alumni), Professor Dato’ Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin and UMP Alumni Deputy President, Mohd. Najib Razali. 

The programme started at 9 am, involving 50 volunteers comprising alumni, staff and UMP students as well as representatives from several Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).

According to Professor Dato’ Dr. Yuserrie, the programme was aimed at helping the local community and to encourage volunteerism among alumni and students.

He also said activities such as this would help cheer up the children and make Ramadan a more meaningful experience for them.

“They get to enjoy the celebration of Aidilfitri which will be soon. We hope that they will celebrate the festive season in merriment as they too deserve to be happy.

“That is why we try our best to entertain them with this shopping spree,” he said.

He also expressed his gratitude to the many individuals and NGOs who had chipped in to make the project a success.

He added that there were several other activities that had been planned for the children including the ‘Back-to-School’ project where they would receive new school uniforms and other necessities scheduled at the end of the year.

Academic & International

3MT Competition attracts PhD students to showcase their research

The Institute of Postgraduate Studies (IPS) at Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) recently conducted its annual Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition at the Tun Fatimah Hall of the university’s Gambang Campus on April 30, 2019.

Currently in its sixth-year running, since it was first hosted in 2014, the 2019 version saw three categories being contested – namely, Engineering, Science & Technology and Social Science. 
 
This year also witnessed new contest runs and prizes being introduced – with the three categories held concurrently for the qualifying round, and the best two from each category selected to compete in the final.
 
In the qualifying round, each category winner will receive RM200 cash and a certificate, while their runners-up will take home RM100 cash and a certificate each.

Meanwhile, in the final round, top seed will bag RM500 cash, while second and third placings will get RM300 and RM200 cash, respectively. 

All three will take home a plaque and a certificate each.

Judges for the qualifying round comprised deputy deans from the eight faculties at UMP, including Centre for Modern Languages & Human Sciences (CMLHS).

Meanwhile, for the final round, four honorable judges were selected from different fields of study, including one industry expert. 

They were IPS Dean, Professor Dato’ Dr. Hasnah Harun; IPS Deputy Dean, Professor Datin Dr. Mimi Sakinah Abdul Munaim; CMLHS Lecturer, Dr. Chiam Kee Swan; and an industry expert with over two decades of experience, Mohd Ghazali Maarof.

Dr. Chiam also doubles as UMP coach for the national level competition, while Mohd Ghazali is also a lecturer and Acting Chief of Technical at the Faculty of Industrial Management (FIM). 

The overall winners at UMP’s 3MT Competition 2019 will be assessed and coached to represent the university at the national level competition, scheduled to be held at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) on June 25, 2019.

Campus Info

UMP acknowledged the sacrifices of its security personnel

Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP)’s Registrar Department distributed 29 biscuit packs to its security personnel who would be working during the Aidilfitri celebration as a mark of appreciation to the sacrifice they had to make during the festive season.

The goodies were presented by UMP Pro-Registrar, Abd. Rahman Haji Safie at Tun Abdul Razak Chancellery, UMP Pekan Campus on May 24, 2019.

Also present at the event were Head of Security Division, Ahmad Fauzi Ahmad Bakri and Manager of Management Services Division, Registrar Department, Hajah Sabarehan Haji Ismail. 

Abd Rahman said this was an annual tradition and that it was a show of appreciation for their commitment to work and safeguard the university’s two campuses in Kuantan and Pekan during the festive celebration.

“At the time when UMP staff are spending their long holidays, the security personnel remain committed in carrying out their duties safeguarding the campuses and we shall not forget their contribution.

“UMP has always put emphasis on the welfare and wellbeing of its staff,” he said.

Security personnel Nurzatul Syida Zahari said, it was a meaningful gesture on the part of UMP and she was grateful for the concern showed to them.

She added that working during the festive season was already something that she got used to and that it was a heavy responsibility which must be carried out accordingly.

Campus Info

PIMPIN organised Amazing al-Quran Seminar

Islamic Centre & Human Development (PIMPIN), Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) organised the Amazing al-Quran seminar which was held in conjunction with the Nuzul al-Quran Day at Tun Fatimah Hall, UMP Gambang Campus on April 15, 2019.

Programme Director, Amira Abdullah said the aim was to enlighten participants about the benefits one gained from reading the al-Quran which could serve as soup for the soul, providing soothe and calmness to the soul.

"They also got to learn the verses that showed the best way to build a happy family.

“A total of 61 participants took part in the four-hour seminar, consisting of staff and students.

“There were two slots with the first titled, ‘Menikmati Keagungan al-Quran Dalam Jiwa’ (Revelling in the Grandeur of al-Quran in One’s Spiritual Element), delivered by invited speaker Dr. Abdul Latif.

“The second slot was titled, ‘al-Quran Penawar Keluarga Bahagia’ (al-Quran, the Remedy for a Happy Family) which was presented by Dr. Mansor Sulaiman,” she said.

Also present at the programme was PIMPIN Director, Dr. Mahyuddin Ismail.

Dr. Abdul Latif is a lecturer at Faculty of Wahyu Knowledge and Human Sciences at International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). He is an expert in Islamic and Western Psychology and in Islamic Thoughts.

In his talk, Dr. Abdul Latif said al-Quran served to create awareness to mankind, to motivate and remind mankind about heaven and hell.

“It was also a source for treating and healing of diseases,” he added.

Meanwhile, Dr. Mansor is a lecturer at Centre for Modern Languages & Human Sciences (CMLHS) and is an expert in History and Islamic Civilisation and Syariah.

He spoke on the guidance stated in the al-Quran that would help towards having a happy family – that was to have faith and be pious, have good moral character, performed a lot of zikir and to have a healthy conscience and a healthy body.

UMP also organised 14 programmes throughout the Ramadan Festival in its Kuantan Campus and Pekan Campus, with the support from Pahang Islamic and Malay Custom Council (MUIP) and the Office of the Vice-Chancellor’s MyGift Unit.

Student Activities

UMP and UMK undergraduates infusing interest in STREAM among pupils

A total of 40 undergraduates from Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) and Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) joined forces to carry out a programme, ‘Life and Journey@Pengkalan Chepa’, aimed at creating interest on science and technology among pupils at Sekolah Kebangsaan Pengkalan Chepa in Kota Bharu, Kelantan.

The programme which was held on April 28, 2019 was also aimed at motivating the pupils to improve their academic performance.

It was organised by UMP Student Representative Council (MPP), with the support of UMK Student Volunteer Community (KOSUM) and UMP’s Kelab Wataniah.

The collaboration forged between the two universities allowed for further enhancement of networking and cooperation as well as reinforcing the culture to invent and learn more about science and technology.

The programme involved 80 pupils from the school.

According to Programme Director and UMP MPP’s Exco for Volunteerism and Community Service, Ezwan Shah Nordin, the undergraduates also got to learn about emergency care and treatment through courses held with the government agencies.

“The opportunity to establish a collaboration such as this is expected to benefit undergraduates from both universities while activities carried out together with the pupils highlight the elements in science, technology, religion, engineering, art and mathematics (STREAM),” he said.

As for Muhammad Qayyim Mohd Awie, UMP Kelab Wataniah President and an undergraduate with Faculty of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering (FKMP), he said the collaboration gave the opportunity for the university students to build up their leadership and social service skills.

Faculty of Industrial Sciences & Technology (FSTI) undergraduate Pushparani A/P Chadayam said, she hoped that the programme would help enhance the good ties developed among the university students and that it was a good platform for them to exchange ideas and views.

“However, what made it more interesting was to be able to meet the pupils and enlighten them about the universities,” she added.