 Strategic Collaboration UMP & IPB sign MoU on blockchain technology to develop digitally smarter & greener port
Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) and the Bintulu Port Authority (IPB) recently sealed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on research and development in the field of blockchain technology, to boost efficiency in converting the latter into a digitally smarter and greener port. The collaboration is also seen as the university’s efforts to improve competitiveness in holistic digitalization, in tandem with the Industrial Revolution 4.0; as well as the port’s initiative to leverage smart technology to meet demands in operation and commercial security. UMP Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Sri Dr. Daing Nasir Ibrahim inked the dotted line for the university whilst IPB was represented by its General Manager, Zulkurnain Ayub.
Also present at the signing ceremony held during the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA 2019) in Langkawi, Kedah, on March 28, 2019, were UMP Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation), Professor Dato’ Dr Mashitah Mohd Yusoff, UMP Chief Information Officer and Director of IBM Centre of Excellence, Dr. Mohamed Ariff Ameedeen, and IPB Head of Legal Department, Norkartiny Nawawi. According to Professor Dato’ Sri Dr. Daing Nasir, leveraging its expertise in blockchain technology – with information technology provided by its IBM Centre of Excellence and supply chain technology by its Faculty of Industrial Management (FIM) – the university now gets to play a bigger role in the transfer of expertise, and boosting of research and development. “This opportunity to collaborate with IPB involves research and development, sharing of facilities, data, knowledge and skills, as well as other resources for mutual long-term benefits,” said the Vice-Chancellor. UMP is the first public institution of higher learning in the country to implement blockchain technology application in authenticating its scroll, fondly called UMP Valid8. New Appointment Professor Ts. Dr. Kamal appointed as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation)
Faculty of Computer Systems & Software Engineering (FSKKP) Dean, Professor Ts. Dr. Kamal Zuhairi Zamli has been appointed as Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP)’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation) for three years effective from March 15, 2019 by the Ministry of Education. Professor Ts. Dr.Kamal, 50, who is from Pahang, has an extensive years of experience as a lecturer. He earned a degree in Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, USA, a master’s degree in Software Engineering from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and a doctorate degree in Software Engineering from University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom in 2003. Professor Ts. Dr. Kamal, formerly with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and worked at its Centre of Electrical and Electronic Studies, has an extensive years of experience as a lecturer. He joined UMP in 2012. He was the Dean for Research and Innovation from 2013-2015 and Dean for FSKKP since 2016. UMP Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Sri Dr. Daing Nasir Ibrahim congratulated Professor Ts. Dr. Kamal on his appointment and hoped that he would lead the university’s research and innovation and contribute towards its excellence. “It is hoped that UMP will continue to chart great successes as a leading technology university in the fields of engineering and technology, not only in Malaysia but also globally,” he said. He added that UMP would continue to explore new ideas to further enrich the fields of education, research and provide world-class service in a more innovative engineering and technology ecosystem that would bring greater good to people in the country. Strategic Collaboration UMP & Alcon Johor to jointly develop high-technology contact lenses
Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) recently sealed a corporate agreement with CIBA Vision Johor Sdn. Bhd. or popularly known as Alcon Johor, to collaborate on research and development activities, internship placements, and students and staff exchange programmes. The corporate agreement will also see opportunities in industrial training involving UMP students and academic staff, and enhancement in sharing of skills and expertise between the two parties in research and development, with focus on identifying laser machining potentials in fabricating contact lenses mould, as compared to conventional machining. Held at the Alcon headquarters in Tanjung Pelepas Port, Johor Bahru, on March 26, 2019, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Industry & Community Network), Professor Dr. Jamil Ismail, signed the corporate agreement on behalf of UMP, while Alcon Johor was represented by its General Manager, Dr James Jeyadeva Govindasamy. Also present at the signing ceremony were Director of Industrial Relations Division at the Ministry of Education (MoE), Professor Dr. Arham Abdullah; Director of Industry & Community Network Department (ICoN) at UMP, Associate Professor Ir. Dr. Nurul Hazlina Nordin; and Head of Human Resources at Alcon Johor, Tan Bee Hong. According to Professor Dr Jamil, the corporate agreement will set a new benchmark in the university-industry relations with a multinational company, under the scope of producing high-technology contact lenses. “The two parties to the corporate agreement have agreed to work together on research and human capital developments for the next three years, part of which will entail industrial training for our students and exploring of other potential collaborations,” he emphasized. Also held concurrently with the signing ceremony was an education exhibition – where opportunities were given to the university staff to enhance their career and skills in their fields of expertise. At the said exhibition, UMP lecturer from the Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Dr. Siti Rabiatul Aisha Idris, successfully completed her industry-related programme, under the mentoring supervision of Alcon Johor General Manager, Dr James. Dubbed the CEO@Faculty, or AIExChange, the programme was conducted by the MoE at Alcon Johor for a six-month duration. Over 285 million people worldwide suffer from vision problems, like cataract, glaucoma and, retinal and refractive damages. Many more are still waiting for life-changing solutions to their eyesight healthcare. Campus Info UMP nurtures the culture of entrepreneurship among staff and students
By: SITI NURFARMY IBRAHIM, CORPORATE COMMUNICATION DIVISION The Centre of Entrepreneurship (MyPACE) and Faculty of Industrial Management (FIM) organised a workshop - UMP Entrepreneur Incubator and Ecosystem Development Programme - which was held in Kemaman, Terengganu on April 1, 2019. It was part of the efforts taken to realise the Institutes of Higher Learning Entrepreneurial Action Plan 2016-2020 that aimed at generating human capital through entrepreneurial activities. The workshop was attended by UMP staff and the objective was to provide exposure and to learn about efficient planning and implementation on creating a conducive and sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem. According to Chief Operation Officer and FIM Dean, Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Ridzuan Darun, the teaching staff were shown business applications that had been implemented by other countries. “They also got to experience the practical aspect of the incubator technique. “The workshop is seen as a medium that can open up opportunities for the teaching staff as well as university students to enhance their understanding and business skill and to benefit from the knowledge gained.
“This, when handled and managed efficiently, can help towards the development of the country’s economy. “At the same time, the aspect of entrepreneurship was also seen as fulfilling some of the objectives outlined in the university’s main agenda and was in line with the message contained in the Vice-Chancellor’s Speech 2019 – ‘Celebrating Success, Engaging Industry and Enriching Entrepreneurship’,” he added. The speaker invited for the workshop was Director of Incubator, School of Business and Management, Bandung Technology Institute, Indonesia’s Dr. Dina Dellyana, a renowned speaker in the field of ‘Model Innovation, SME Development, Business Incubator and Social Media and e-Commerce for SMEs. In her presentation, Dr. Dina suggested that acculturation of entrepreneurship should be executed through seminars, exhibitions, competitions and conferences which would enhance public awareness on the matter and help instil interest among students. “It is also equally important to have a strong support system at the start-up stage, obtain knowledge and take the initiative to foster good ties with investors. “In fact, participants get to learn how to execute an idea right up to making it a successful project or product, and learn the means to form a sound management team. By having an application system, it can help monitor one’s progress,” said Dr. Dina. Also present at the workshop were UMP Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Sri Dr. Daing Nasir Ibrahim, UMP Holdings Chief Executive Officer, Tuan Syed Mohamad Hamzah Al-Junid Syed Abdul Rahman, MyPACE Director, Abdul Syukor Abd. Razak and Centre of Information Technology and Communication Director, Dr. Mohamed Ariff Ameeden. Some 1,000 undergraduates who took the UGE2002 Technopreneurship course also benefitted from the entrepreneurial programme that was held both at UMP campuses. Sports and Recreational Orienteering Certification Course Provided Exposure to Water Sports Enthusiasts in the country
By: SITI NURFARMY IBRAHIM, CORPORATE COMMUNICATION DIVISION The programme was held at the Sports Complex hall in the university’s Gambang Campus on March 26, 2019. It attracted 30 participants, both within UMP and outside of UMP.According to Mohd Aznorizamin Ismail, who’s performing the duties as the Sports and Culture Centre Director, the programme was a platform to expose the university’s community about orienteering sports which had been gaining popularity among the country’s water sports enthusiasts.
“The programme helps to create awareness about orienteering sports activities among the students as well as provide the opportunity for those wanting to obtain the Level One Certification from MEOSC and IQF.“Participants are taught about the theory and practical aspects of the sports and get to experience the actual thrills of the sports. “This programme is in line with the Sports and Cultural Centre’s strategic plan to produce sports champions among the university students. It will give added values to the students when they graduated because they will have extra skills and experience in a specific area, and certifications from a national body,’’ he said. He hoped that more programmes such as this would be organised in the future as part of the efforts taken to discover young talents and to further elevate the country’s water sports at the global arena. Sports and Recreational FKASA-Civer Dragon: Champion of Netball, FSKKP-Arctic Fox: Champion of Futsal UMP Super 5
By: SITI NURFARMY IBRAHIM, CORPORATE COMMUNICATION DIVISION FKASA-Civer Dragon emerged as the champion for Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) Netball League with FKKSA-Humble Bee taking the second spot and FKM-Mecha Rhino at third place. As for the UMP Super 5 Futsal League women’s category, FSKKP-Arctic Fox won first place in the game’s first edition while FKEE-Dino Thunder was the first runner up, beating FIM-Bengal who had to settle for third place. Competition was stiff for the men’s category in the futsal game but FKEE-Dino Thunder boomed their way to first place, defending the title they won last year. FTEK-Bison and International-Lions won second and third place, respectively. Netball and futsal were two of the three games played at the UMP Sixth Internal Sports League organised by the Sports and Cultural Centre, together with the Student Sports Council (MSP). The other game was football. It was held at the Sports Complex Hall, Gambang Campus on March 29, 2019.
The tournament was a platform to produce talented athletes. According to the Tournament’s Director, Haizad Hashim, event such as this could help promote sports among students and encourage them to get involve in sporting activities. “Students will be more active, healthy, vibrant, dynamic, competent and competitive. They also got to foster good ties and build up friendship and team spirit. “These activities could help instil a sense of identity in them, too. “There were three games – football, netball and futsal and we received participations from all faculties in the university. For the first time, we received participations from the international students who went by the name of International-Lions,” he said. The tournament was officially opened by Mohd Aznorizamin Ismail, who’s performing the duties as the Sports and Culture Centre Director. Also present were Chairman of the Internal Sports League, Nur Adam Maximillian and Student Representative Council (MPP) Sports Exco Member and UMP Sports Council President, Alex Tiong Sie Hung. As for the UMP Football Super League, it is already entering into its second week and the winner will be known after the finals, scheduled on April 17 at UMP Gambang Campus Mini Stadium.          |
