Academic and International

MTUN Academic Colloquium on Higher Value TVET

By: NUR SA'ADATUL AFZAN JUSOH, CORPORATE COMMUNICATION DIVISION

Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) recently organised the Malaysia Technical University Network (MTUN) Academic Colloquium as part of the efforts to further enrich the eco-system of Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET).

It was also in line with the Higher TVET agenda currently being mobilised in the country.

Acknowledgement by Ministry of Education on the fact that TVET was important and relevant allowed MTUN to plan various Higher TVET agendas that included the launching of Bachelor’s degree in Technology (B.Tech) on June 25, 2019.

The programme provides access for graduates to play their part in mobilising the country’s economy.

On the colloquium, it attracted 60 participants from UMP, Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) and Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM). It was held at Tun Fatimah Hall, UMP Gambang Campus on August 14, 2019.

The two-day colloquium discussed about TVET graduates’ direction, mobility and cooperation programme among MTUN, networking between the industries and MTUN, promotional activities to attract students to the programme and skills of lecturers and engineering trainers in the fields of engineering technology and TVET.

Also present at the colloquium were UMP Engineering Technology College, Senior Dean, Professor Abdullah Ibrahim, UTHM Engineering Technology Faculty Dean, Associate Professor Ts. Haji Amran Mohd Zaid and Programme Director, Dr. Azrina Abd Aziz from UMP Engineering Technology College.

In his speech, UMP Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ir. Dr. Wan Azhar Wan Yusoff said MTUN was responsible in ensuring the task given by the ministry and government was translated into the best action possible, through the implementation of strategies and initiatives that benefitted all parties with vested interests, stakeholders and targeted groups.

“In our efforts to strengthen the Higher TVET initiative, my view is that more engagements need to be done in order to gain more recognition and exposure for the programme, increase student intake and enhance public understanding.

“This is important in helping the government to position TVET in the right perspective and context as the catalyst of the country’s development,” he said during the official opening of the colloquium.

He also delivered a keynote address titled, ‘Foresight of Engineering Technologist’.

He added that the synergy of the four MTUN universities in the context of Higher TVET was very important at a time when the government was in the midst of finalising the 12th Malaysian Plan.

“In fact, MTUN’s role in the context of Higher TVET is indeed relevant in leading Malaysia towards greater growth in economy, migrating from labour-intensive economy to a more futuristic economy based on technology, automation and intellect economy (K-economy).

“This is in line with the government’s move to achieve sustainable development by the year 2030,” he added

Another speaker at the colloquium, Associate Professor Ir. Adnan Zulkiple who presented a paper titled, ‘Pathway of Engineering Technologist and Engineering Technician’, explained the difference in the route of career between an engineering technologist and an engineering technician.

He added that both branches of the engineering field had been accepted by the Malaysia Board of Engineers.

He also said under the MTUN Bachelor’s Degree programme, universities would produce graduates who were competent in theory and practical aspects as well as skills.

Academic & International

Good Governance & Integrity in the Digital Industrial Revolution Era

In the efforts to enhance knowledge and boost the effectiveness of good governance and integrity in the era of Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0), the Faculty of Industry Management’s (FIM) Governance & Integrity Centre (FGIC) at Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) recently collaborated with the State of Pahang Foundation (YP) to organize the FGIC 2019 annual conference at the Main Hall of YP Complex in Tanjung Lumpur, Kuantan.

Running for two days, from August 19 to 20, 2019, the FGIC 2019 annual conference also received the support of related federal government agency, Integrity Institute of Malaysia (IIM). 

Themed ‘Good Governance & Integrity in the Digital Industrial Revolution Era’, this second FGIC annual conference was held to discuss the pivotal role that good governance and integrity play in the digital era, as well as the necessary measures to undertake to overcome ensuing challenges in the said period.

The FGIC second annual conference saw local and international academicians, government agencies and industry sectors coming together – namely member countries from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) like Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines and Vietnam; representatives from other Asian countries, like South Korea and Pakistan; as well as from the Middle East (also referred to as West Asia), like Oman and United Arab Emirates; and two member countries from the European Union, United Kingdom and Hungary – to table 82 working papers on the themed subject matters.

Present to officiate the two-day FGIC annual conference on behalf of the State Chief Minister, Dato’ Sri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, was Chairman of the Pahang State Committee on Basic Infrastructure, Public Delivery System & Innovation, Dato’ Sri Norolazali Sulaiman.

Accompanying Dato’ Sri Norolazali at the launch on the first day of the conference were the university’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dato’ Sri Ibrahim Ahmad; UMP Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ir. Dr. Wan Azhar Wan Yusoff; YP Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dato’ Mahmud Mohd Nawawi; and IIM Acting CEO, Nor’afiza Saim.

In his officiating address, Dato’ Sri Norolazali congratulated FGIC, saying the latter’s annual conference offers the right platform for participants to share their experience and expertise in the fields of governance and integrity in the face of current digital revolution.

“Even the theme for this year’s annual conference is perfectly selected and timely. It calls for organizations to take stock and rethink their strategies, and come up with better solutions to improve productivity, while simultaneously, maintaining quality and customer satisfaction on the services delivered via digital technology,” he emphasized.

On that note, the Chairman said the State Committee takes pride in the implementation of ‘MyGovernment’ portal – an online system which supports the utilization of one networking platform to link all the government’s electronic applications with its various agencies’ internal applications via the Intranet and the Internet. 

Meanwhile, UMP Vice-Chancellor expressed his gratitude to the State Foundation, and hoped that future UMP-YP collaborations will continue to prove fruitful in the fields of academic and human capital development within Pahang.

“The collaboration with the Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption Centre (GIACC) has given the university an avenue to explore opportunities of conducting programmes on raising awareness of good governance and integrity, through various initiatives,” said Professor Ir. Dr. Wan Azhar.

During the official launch of FGIC 2019 annual conference, the Vice-Chancellor handed over a UMP-YP collaborative research report entitled “FGIC Corruption Barometer: A Case of East Coast Region” to Dato’ Sri Norolazali, who represented Pahang Chief Minister. 

“The objective of the research was to assess the corruption perception within the states in the East Coast of the peninsular, namely Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan. We hope the research report will help the state governments direct their focus on areas of how to raise awareness and curb corruption within the three states,” Professor Ir. Dr. Wan Azhar highlighted. 

Throughout the two-day FGIC second annual conference, participants were opportune to attend several forums, including:  

1. ‘Challenges and Impacts of Governance and Integrity in facing Digital Industrial Revolution’

• Moderated by UMP Registrar cum Chief Operation Officer (COO), Professor Dr. Mohd Ridzuan Darun. 
• With a line-up of panelists from GIACC, Deputy Director Datuk Dr. Anis Yusal Yusoff; Bosch Rexroth Malaysia, CEO Michel Gunawan; and Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), Head of Strategy & Research Raja Segaran. 
• The forum discussed issues and encounters faced by both public and private sectors in meeting the demands of Digital Industry Revolution, and their readiness to take on current challenges.

2. ‘Inculcating Good Governance and Integrity in Education towards Digital Industrial Revolution’

• Moderated by UMP Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs & Alumni), Professor Dato’ Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin. 
• With a line-up of panelists from UMP FIM, Lecturer Professor Dato’ Sri Ts. Dr. Daing Nasir Ibrahim; Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ts., Dr., Noor Azizi Ismail; Sunway University Business School, Lecturer Professor Dr. Susela Devi K Suppiah; and Human Government Institute Inc., CEO, Professor Dr. Arfah Salleh.
• The forum discussed how tertiary education plays a pivotal role in fulfilling the human capital required in meeting the demands of IR4.0. The panelists also shared their real-life experience in taking on current challenges.

3. ‘Innovative Initiative towards Managing Governance and Integrity: The Way Forward’

• Moderated by UMP Board Chairman, Dato’ Sri Ibrahim Ahmad.
• With a line-up of panelists from IIM, Acting CEO Nor’afiza, who is also the Director of Audit Governance Sector in the country’s Department of Audit; and Asia-Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (APU), Associate Professor Dr. Husin Jazri, who also acts as the Director of Information Safety & Security.

Academic & International

STEM Carnival brings out creative inventions among school students

Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP), in collaboration with the Pahang State Department of Education, recently organized a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and Green Technology Carnival at the former’s Astaka Hall, UMP Gambang Campus on August 7, 2019.

The carnival saw about 2,000 primary and secondary school students from around the state participating in 15 programmes – among which were STEM Invention & Innovation Contest; STEM Digital Video Contest; Water Rocket Contest; Remote-controlled Airplanes Contest; Biomass Innovation Contest; and Greenhouse Architecture Contest.

The carnival was officially launched by UMP Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs & Alumni), Professor Dato’ Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin. 

Also present at the launch were Director of Industry & Community Network Centre (ICoN), Associate Professor Ir. Dr. Nurul Hazlina Noordin; and Head of Management from the Pahang State Department of Education, Abdul Rahim Muhammad Yunus. 

In his welcoming speech, Professor Dato’ Dr. Yuserrie expressed his gratitude to the Pahang State Department of Education for the latter’s confidence in UMP to collaborate as its strategic partner for the State’s STEM and Green Technology Carnival this year.

According to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, the carnival is an excellent initiative to cultivate the students’ interest in STEM and develop their potential, as well as to enhance their competitive trait. 

“UMP is consistently committed to support the national agenda of the Ministry of Education, including reinforcing the component of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics under Malaysia Educational Development Plan 2013-2025,” exclaimed Professor Dato’ Dr. Yuserrie.

He stressed that UMP is consistently in search of opportunities to conduct STEM-related workshops and/or programmes at selected schools, or even at the university itself, to attract and actively engage primary and secondary school students on STEM subject matters.

One instance, and to his pleasant surprise, this year’s STEM and Green Technology Carnival saw participation of students from among all ages, to even as young as a six year-old.

Professor Dato’ Dr. Yuserrie emphazised this goes to show that programmes associated with STEM education have proven to be successful in reaching out to the target groups, especially when conducted creatively and interactively.

He hoped the university, specifically ICoN, and the State Department of Education, will sustain this noble effort and work together on identifying new measures and intervention courses which they can collectively carry out in the face of future challenges.

Campus Info

UMP campus community got together to perform the ‘korban’

By: SITI NURAZWIN ZULKIFLI, CORPORATE COMMUNICATION DIVISION

Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) campus community organised the religious ritual of sacrifice or ‘korban’ of six cows in conjunction with the Hari Raya Aidiladha celebration organised by the Islamic Centre and Human Development (PIMPIN) on August 14, 2019.

The programme attracted 42 donors comprising staff and members of the public. It started with the slaughtering of the cows at 9am and ended around noon at both of its campuses in Pekan and Gambang.

It also helped to forge better and closer ties among the staff of various departments

Ustaz Shahrul Nizam Md Ahir led the programme at UMP Pekan Mosque while Ustaz Md. Abdu Sahak led the programme at UMP Gambang Campus. 

They were assisted by 80 volunteers who helped in the slaughtering, cutting and distributing of the meat.

They also helped to cook rice and prepared delicious daging masak kersik and salad.
 
According to Ustaz Md. Abdu, ‘korban’ was something that the religion placed great emphasis on as part of the rituals to be closer to Allah SWT.

It began on the first day of Aidiladha which fell on the 10th of Zulhijah and the three tasyrik days – 11th, 12th and 13th of Zulhijah, he said and added that the ritual touched on the concept of sacrifice and sharing of sustenance.

 
“UMP also offers staff who wish to perform the korban through monthly salary deduction from as low as RM20 ad this will facilitate them to do the korban next year,” he added.

Also present at the programme was UMP Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ir. Dr. Wan Azhar Wan Yusof who mingled with the volunteers and distributed the meats to the staff and some of the local people.