Academic and International

UMP suspends T&L until 14 April

Translation by: DR. ROZAIMI ABU SAMAH, FACULTY OF CHEMICAL AND PROCESS ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

Following the extension of the Movement Control Order (MCO) across the country and the order to close all institutions of higher learning, Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) has postponed all service operations and no Teaching and Learning (T&L) activities including online are allowed during the MCO from 18 March until 14 April 2020.

The decision also referred to the proposal of the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) in the management of academic programmes in every institution in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak.

According to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International), Professor Ts. Dr. Mohd Rosli Hainin, the decision was made considering most of the students are now with their respective families at their hometowns and in the interest of their safety and wellbeing.

“The nearly 4-week MCO period to curb the Covid-19 outbreak certainly affects the academic calendar at all institutions including UMP.

“Therefore, the university will be making amendments to the academic calendar for Semester II of 2019/2020 Session which will be presented at the next university’s senate meeting.

“In facing of the situation, the university is ready to activate the online T&L mode (e-Learning), and the Centre of Instructional Resources and e-Learning (CIReL) had organised a series of online training sessions for its academic staff,” he said.

He said the training covers a variety of platforms, applications, T&L methods and online assessment that suit the programmes enrolled by students.

“Each faculty has prepared material for online T&L activities by adopting appropriate strategies to continue the classes.

“The UMP’s Learning Management System (LMS) or KALAM has been tested since early February to check for internet access during peak hours when most students access KALAM simultaneously.

“To date, 65 percent of the courses offered by UMP has reached blended learning status that includes the online T&L sessions.

“Apart from being experienced with this system, students are IT savvy and can adapt the use of educational technology for their T&L activities,” he said.

A recent survey to gather feedback from the students revealed that more than 80 percent are ready with e-Learning and the remaining almost 20 percent are not prepared as they live in areas with a poor internet connection.

Lecturers are given the options to conduct synchronous or asynchronous T&L sessions or specific task-based T&L sessions.

He also advised the students to take the opportunity during the MCO period to study after going through the 5-week lectures and interact with lecturers and friends to strengthen their understanding.

The university also ensures the safety and welfare of more than 800 students who stay on campus, including providing food, hygiene kits, and monitoring their wellbeing as well as maintaining the social distance to avoid gathering.

For the staff, he advised them to remain steadfast in working from home, apart from standing by to carry out duties to preserve the academic quality toward the university excellence.

Academic and International

CIReL offers trainings on online teaching and learning

Translation by: DR. ROZAIMI ABU SAMAH, FACULTY OF CHEMICAL AND PROCESS ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

The Centre of Instructional Resources and e-Learning (CIReL) in collaboration with Human Resource Development Division of Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) organised training programmes on e-learning called Online Education Training. The objective of the programme was to provide better online teaching and learning platform among the lecturers.

According to the Director of CIReL, Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Adzhar Kamaludin, the centre held the programmes virtually via Zoom, handled by the respective experts in each field.

“Lecturers need to opt for virtual learning as an alternative to the face-to-face learning mode, even if it is challenging.

“This virtual learning method attracts students to engage, in line with the current development of educational technology.

“Even with the restriction during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period, it is not an excuse for us not to do any beneficial activities, especially among the UMP associates,” he said.

He added, “With the current advances in educational technology, more opportunities and approaches can be explored in terms of teaching and learning, and this is the most suitable moment for the UMP associates to opt for online teaching and learning methods.”

He also urged the UMP associates to grab the opportunity of this e-learning approach.

Seven lecturers involved in conducting the training, namely, Ts. Aziman Abdullah, Ts. Dr. Awanis Rosli and Dr. Mohd Zamri Osman from the Faculty of Computing, Dr. Azwin Arif Abdul Rahim and Muhammad Shafeirul Zaman Abdul Majid from the Centre for Modern Languages, Dr. Muhammad Azrin Ahmad from the Centre for Mathematical Sciences, and Dr. Gan Leong Ming from the Faculty of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering Technology (FTKMA).

Two courses are also open to the public, which are Conducting Teaching and Learning: iPad and Loom and Microsoft Stream (Interactive Video).

Meanwhile, Airin Abdul Ghani from the Faculty of Industrial Management said that she attended two training sessions, and she acknowledged that the training help in e-learning.

Through the training, she could explore new knowledge, including those with multimedia features such as audio and video.

“Numerous innovations in education potentially drive and spur creative thinking,” she said.

The two-day training saw more than 500 participants engaged in several sessions.

Early registration can be made through https://forms.gle/sBoscWGZh3eQm7Lq5.

Around Campus Info

Students remain on campus during MCO

By: MOHAMAD HAKIMI KAMARUDIN, OFFICE OF THE VICE-CHANCELLOR
Translation by: DR. ROZAIMI ABU SAMAH, FACULTY OF CHEMICAL AND PROCESS ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

The Movement Control Order (MCO) until 14 April 2020 certainly provides the experience that will be remembered for the students of Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP), especially those who remain on the campus.

The directive does not deter the students to find alternatives to pass the time despite being able to return to home town and have to stay in the campus.
 
According to the third year student from the Faculty of Industrial Management, Risman Kusaini, many students love to exercise but they cannot perform daily activities or routines during the MCO.

“However, that does not deter them from continuing to engage in healthy activities and care for their wellbeing.

“To maintain healthy and active, they can still do minimum activities through exercise, stretching or physical activities such as push ups and ab lounge that work multiple muscles without special equipment, and can help to improve blood circulation and strengthen muscles.
 
“These activities do not involve contact and can be done privately and anywhere,” he said.

This period also gives them chances to complete assignments and clean rooms.

He added, “Apart from studying, much time is used to surf the internet, watch movies and play online games without having to meet them in person.”
 
This Sabah-born lad decided to stay on the campus, for he understands the concerns over the Covid-19 outbreak.

He is also grateful to UMP for being responsible for ensuring the welfares of the students in UMP Pekan and UMP Gambang Campus.
 
“Daily necessities such as food, medicine, and toiletries are available and sufficient.

“My family do not worry about my situation here because UMP provides the assistance needed.

“I am deeply indebted to the UMP staff who always give the best support to us,” he said.

In the effort of raising awareness among the UMP associates and the local community about Covid-19 and the importance of self hygiene such as washing hands, UMP also organised short video, photo, and poster competitions.

Students are advised to obey the directive by the National Security Council and the rules and regulations of the university to guarantee their safety and health are in good condition.