 MyGift Up close & personal: Humanizing technology with Pahang Natives
By: MOHD FERDAUS MUSA, CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION Some 35 undergraduates and scholarship recipients from UniversitI Malaysia Pahang (UMP) participated in an eye-opening programme of a Village Tour to the natives at Pos Menson in Cameron Highlands, Pahang, on March 23, 2019. Themed 'Humanizing Technology', the programme was coordinated by the Pahang Islamic Religion and Malay Tradition Council (MUIP), in collaboration with the state’s Pilgrimage Board (Tabung Haji) and Natives Development Department (JKOA); together with UMP’s Department of Student Affairs & Alumni and the Vice-Chancellor’s Office. The Village Tour provided the undergraduates with the opportunity to mingle with the students at Sekolah Kebangsaan Menson as well as the natives at Kampung Leryar. Some 20 modules and experiments were presented to about 170 students – mainly of the Semai natives at the said school – to inculcate their interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). In addition, UMP donated 13 previously-owned bicyles for these students to use at the boarding school, as well as signages for every house in Kampung Leryar.
According to Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs & Alumni), Professor Dato’ Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin – who was also present during the tour – UMP is always open to the idea of exploring potential strategic collaborations through the sharing of scientific and technical expertise, be it academically, or via similar Corporate Social Innovation programmes. “It certainly gives the university great pride in seeing such special programmes being carried out by our outstanding undergraduates, who have secured their scholarships from UMP, and now dubbed the UMP Scholars. “Through these social engagement initiatives, these students have helped boost the general public’s awareness, especially those in Pahang Darul Makmur, of the existence of UMP, and how they can benefit from the latter’s presence,” Professor Dato’ Dr. Yuserrie emphasized. He expressed his hopes that such programmes would have significant impact on the communities at Pos Menson, and bring about a new perspective of the natives among the participating undergraduates. Meanwhile, Village Tour Programme Director, Ee Hui En, from the Faculty of Engineering Technology (FTeK), said she felt fortunate for the opportunity to experience mingling with the Semai natives up close and personal. “This is my first time participating in programmes involving natives, and am thankful to UMP and fellow undergraduates for making this Village Tour a reality,” she added. As a volunteer, Hui En and fellow UMP Scholars had made the efforts to repair the bicycles left behind by former UMP students – those have completed their degrees and moved on – and refurbished these bicycles to almost brand new conditions, before donating them to Sekolah Kebangsaan Menson. In conjunction with the Village Tour, a solar project presentation ceremony to the Pos Menson village head, Kapas Panching, was also held. Completely developed by the undergraduates and collaborating staff, the solar project was UMP and MUIP’s collective contribution to the prayer hall of Kampung Leryar, via the university’s MyGift programme. Both UMP and MUIP hoped that such project will help the community save on electricity bills whilst promoting the former’s Green Initiatives campaign. MUIP also donated food hampers. To celebrate programme accomplishment, the entourage held a Cultural Night with performances by the UMP Scholars and Pos Menson natives at the boarding school’s hall. Some 500 people attended the event, which also saw community service and mural painting, among other activities. Also present were Tabung Haji Kuala Lipis Manager, Haji Sirajuddin Lebai Ghazali and MUIP officer in Cameron Highlands, Hazwan Hafiz Abdul Jalil. Academic & International Hassan Al Faiz Mohamed awarded Mercedes-Benz scholarship
Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) undergraduate from the Faculty of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering (FKMP), Hassan Al Faiz Mohamed Ahmed Hafez – who is undergoing the dual-degree programme coordinated by UMP and HsKA University of Applied Sciences of Germany, for a Bachelor’s Degree (Honors) in Automotive Engineering – lucked out when he was selected to be the recipient of the Mercedes-Benz (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (MBM) scholarship for the duration of his baccalaureate. According to the Industry & Community Network Department (ICoN), only 11 out of the 21 applicants were shortlisted for the final assessment by MBM, and Hassan Al Faiz Mohamed won the hearts of the selection committee.
Hassan Al Faiz Mohamed, 21, said he did not expect to win the scholarship, but nevertheless, was thankful to MBM for the opportunity and honour. “I will definitely undertake to do my very best and study hard,” he said jubilantly. At a presentation ceremony held at the MBM’s production plant in Pekan on March 13, 2019, Hassan Al Faiz Mohamed signed the scholarship acceptance agreement with MBM Deputy Vice-President, Patrick Baur, and the company’s Human Resources General Manager, Norlida Sharif, in the presence of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & International), Professor Ir. Dr. Wan Azhar Wan Yusoff.
Also present at the signing ceremony were the Dean of FKMP, Professor Dr. Rizalman Mamat, and the faculty’s lecturer, Dr. Mohd Hasnun Arif Hassan. “Mercedes-Benz (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. is proud to award this prestigious scholarship to Hassan Al Faiz Mohamed. He is our second recipient from UMP, after Usamah Shamsudin, who graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree (Honors) in Mechatronics in 2017,” said Baur. Meanwhile, Professor Ir. Dr. Wan Azhar, said the university wished to extend its heartfelt gratitude to MBM for the latter’s due recognition of UMP’s undergraduates, as well as for the continuous collaborations with the university in the fields of research, technical support, academic and human capital developments via the industry scholarships offering to the undergraduates of the dual-degree programme. Strategic Networking ICoN explores strategic networking for industry-community benefits
By: SITI NURFARMY IBRAHIM, CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION Acting as the liaison between academicians and the industries and communities, Industry & Community Network Department (ICoN) at UniversitI Malaysia Pahang (UMP) has, this week, expanded its strategic networking to include a number of agencies in Sabah on March 19, 2019. Through this strategic networking exploration, ICoN is seen capable of strengthening the collaboration process with and between the industries and communities, in a more effective and directed roles, paralleled to the Industry Revolution 4.0. “UMP has been selected to be a member of the Malaysian chapter of OISCA, and on that note, this collaboration will produce a variety of benefits, including skills-building programmes in agriculture, forestry and researches in the related fields,” said Professor Dr Jamil. “Furthermore, the earlier collaboration and sharing of experience with Petrosains Sabah has helped boost the challenging implementation of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) programmes in the rural areas of the State,” he added. Professor Dr. Jamil also highlighted that ICoN has conducted a field trip to UniversitI Malaysia Sabah (UMS) to collaborate with the latter’s Centre Industry Community Network (CICN) on best practices in the management of industry-community networking. During the field trip, ICoN and CICN jointly held a team-building programme to inculcate and instill a culture team-work among staff by understanding the different personalities that make up the departments, with a variety of activities like water confident and fear factor, among others. Research and Innovation Extreme heat: El-Nino wreaking havoc
Of late, the environmental condition in the country has become worrisome as a result of the prevailing extreme high temperature, during a season of dry weather when the count of average monthly rainfall has dipped below the normal level. The Air Quality Index in a number of districts, like Rompin, Balok, Shah Alam, Putrajaya, Bukit Rambai and Malacca City, has risen to the levels of 'Orange: Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups'. According to a Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) lecturer from the Faculty of Civil Engineering & Earth Resources (FKASA), Dr. Nadrah Aqilah Tukimat, the extreme heat issue in Malaysia is nothing new, but a regular occurrence towards the end of the annual Northeast Monsoon season, falling during the months of February and March.
Notwithstanding, she said the recent drastic increase in temperature up to 38 degrees Celcius and for a prolonged period is rather worrisome. She further questioned whether this could have been the aftermath of the extreme El-Nino weather pattern of 2015-2016. “If we refer to the trends recorded and compiled under the Oceanic Nino Index (ONI) from 1950 to 2019, there were three occurrences of extreme El-Nino – namely, from 1982 to 1983 (+2.2); 1997 to 1998 (+2.4); and 2015 to 2016 (+2.6) – with a marked pattern of a repeat cycle between 10 and 15 years,” Dr. Nadrah highlighted during an interview aired on UMP TV. She stressed that the surface temperature in the Pacific Ocean during an El-Nino weather pattern has also shown a dramatic increase over the years, and if nothing is done, future El-Nino could be more extreme and would cause adverse effects than the one recorded for 2015-2016.
She further explained that, for every extreme El-Nino weather pattern, it will be trailed by two consecutive formation of La-Nina; after which, a series of two moderate El-Nino cycles will follow suit – four years after the first extreme El-Nino. “The NINO 3.4 record showed that high temperature weather condition had actually begun to form back in June 2018, and perpetuated for more than six months to March 2019, with readings of below +1.2 (moderate),” she said. “Nevertheless, the expected parallel increase in surface temperature in the Pacific Ocean (SST) was not consistent, and in fact, had bucked the trend by weakening up to March 2019. Last month, we saw the formation of cold temperature weather pattern on the east side of the Pacific Ocean, and if this persists, it can actually balance out the high surface temperature in the said ocean,” she added. Dr. Nadrah further explained that the transition of monsoon seasons beginning in April will see a downfall in high temperature weather pattern. “The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is anticipating the probability of another extreme El-Nino to fall by 60 percent, causing a weak El-Nino to form, instead,” she said. The frequency in El-Nino formation, she added, could also and probably be associated with the increase in global high temperature (GAT) and the presence of greenhouse effects – which, accordingly, would stimulate the increase in surface temperature in the Pacific Ocean and accelerate the subsequent formation of El-Nino.
She highlighted that NOAA has confirmed a 25 percent increase in the level of carbon dioxide, as a result of human-driven pollution, which has caused an even more extreme El-Nino weather pattern in 2016. Using the SDSM-AR5 statistical methodology research, studies conducted by Dr. Nadrah predicted that the volatile weather patterns could have an adverse effect on water resources for the long term, while the increase in maximum temperature in areas of Kuantan and Temerloh may touch 35 degrees Celcius with a probability of SPI reading falling to -2.2 (extreme dry) in the coming years. “This high temperature weather pattern, occurring from February to July also brings low quantity of rainfall, sometimes below 100mm/month in certain months. This kind of data input is important in monitoring the sustainability of water resources for the long run. “On that note, she advised higher water consumption during heaty seasons and avoid unnecessary exposure to the extreme weather conditions. “We can’t prevent a natural disaster, but we can prevent a disaster within the disaster,” Dr Nadrah exclaimed at the conclusion of the interview. Campus Info UMP Library implements Waste4Fine to promote payment mode of fines with plastic drinking bottles
By: WAN NURULHUDA WAN ZAKARIA, UMP LIBRARY In support of the on-going UI Greenmetric Programme, Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) Library has embarked on a payment mode of fines dubbed Waste4Fine – via plastic drinking bottles and cans – and has implemented it beginning March 13, 2019. According to Acting Head of Library, Dzull Zabarrod Ahmad, the main objective of Waste4Fine is to inculcate greater awareness on the importance of recycling, and that students who face financial constraints can actually opt to pay their fines with the Waste4Fine alternative. “By turning in 1-liter plastic drinking bottles, students will earn a 10 sen discount on their Library fines, while similar bottles with more than 1-liter capacity will earn them 20 sen discounts,” he said, explaining the mechanics of such payment mode. “Students can also pay their fines in full with these plastic drinking bottles,” he added, saying that such payment alternative is, however, available only on Wednesdays during the library’s operational hours.
“To promote and encourage all at UMP to participate in Waste4Fine, the library plans to have an official launch of the programme on April 17, 2019, at the Pekan Campus Library,” she said. Wan Nurulhuda highlighted such programme is inherent to the recent launch of “Let’s Break Up with Single-Use Plastic” campaign, where students and faculty members alike are encouraged to reduce the usage of plastics. “The campaign is an initiative by UMP Sustainability Committee, which falls under the purview of the Waste Management Cluster, to inculcate greater awareness on the need to reduce and eventually, abandon single-use plastics on university ground,” she added. In this regard, several programmes have been and will continue to be implemented by the Occupational Safety & Health Management Office (OSHMO) to create a greater awareness of this Green Policy initiative in a sustainable manner. Among them is 'MYTAPAU', wherein UMP residents are given incentives if they bring along their own containers to pack the take-away food.          |
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