Collaboration

Volkswagen and UMP form partnership to strengthen ties between automotive and TVET

Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) and Volkswagen Group Malaysia (VGM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking a significant milestone in strategic initiatives between the world’s biggest automotive brand and one of Malaysia’s leading technical universities.
 
The agreement was signed by UMP’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor, Dato’ Sri Dr. Daing Nasir Ibrahim and VGM’s Pekan Plant Manager, Danny Auerswald in a ceremony held at UMP’s Pekan campus on April 30, 2019.

Also present at the event were Deputy Dean Associate Professor of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Manufacturing (FKMP), Dr. Nik Mohd Zuki Nik Mohamed and Pekan Volkswagen Head of Pilot Hall, Nor Hayati Othman.
 
This partnership aims to boost advancement in the fields of education, research and technology, especially in autotronics, and produce a highly-skilled workforce in the country, with a focus on students mainly from electronic and programming streams.

This collaboration will see both parties working closely together as a platform to connect the automotive industry to academic developments and researches. 

It will also pave the way for various programmes such as exchange of staff, academic material as well as exploring the possibilities to  further advance the technical, engineering and vocational education (TVET).
 
VGM will be sharing its expertise, resources and knowledge on German engineering and its technologies that are well-known worldwide. 

As part of the agreement, Volkswagen Pekan Plant will be offering UMP students internship placements as well as access to the plant to broaden their practical understanding of what is learnt in the classroom. There will also be workshops on new technology and research findings.
 
VGM’s Danny Auerswald said that a collaboration such as this provides many benefits to both parties. 

“We are very pleased to partner with UMP and we are looking forward to working closely with the students in recognising their talents and hard work. 

“Talent cultivation is something that is actively practiced at Volkswagen AG, and it is great that we are able to be working with local students for this. 

“We are confident that the students at UMP will have plenty to learn and benefit from this collaboration,“ he said. 
 
In his speech, Professor Dato’ Sri Dr Daing Nasir said UMP was listed in the rating of the QS World University by Subject Ranking 2019 for its Mechanical, Aeronautical, Manufacturing, Chemical Engineering and Technology programmes. 

“These achievements simply highlighted UMP’s excellence in teaching and learning in various technical and technology aspects,“ he added.
 
On the MoU, Professor Dato’ Sri Dr. Daing Nasir said this partnership would help establish a sustainable collaboration with VGM in the areas of vocational automotive engineering.

“This would help facilite UMP students when seeking industrial training or job placements.
 
“UMP offers world-class engineering programmes, the dual-degree programme and the dual-masters’ degree programme, with Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences (HsKA) and Reutlingen University (RU),“ he said. 
 
Volkswagen’s Pekan plant currently assembles four models sold in Malaysia - the Polo, Vento, Passat, and Tiguan. These four models make up the line-up of Volkswagen cars available in Malaysia, alongside the Golf family and the Beetle.  

Students’ Activities

Jalan Yang Kalsom musical entertains theatre-goers

By: NOOR AFIZA MOHD ASMI, CENTER FOR SPORTS & CULTURE 

Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP), in collaboration with the state’s Department of Broadcasting, Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) Pahang, recently presented a solid musical performance on 'Jalan Yang Kalsom: Sebuah Muzikal' (JYKSM) on April 14, 2019 – which revolves around the lives of multi-racial residents at Jalan Yang Kalsom in Ipoh, Perak, circa 1970s.

The performance saw 60 production crew from the Senandika Theatre Group and Kencana Pawana Dance Troupe of UMP Arts & Culture Secretariat, put up an interesting and entertaining show on the harmonious atmosphere of a multi-racial society in the 1970s, and how such ambience can be a present-day example and guideline to all.

According to Production Advisor, Noor Afiza Mohd Asmi, the original script was written by Syafiq Ziazan, and was edited into a musical performance by Theatre Director, Rizal Ali, who is a junior (Year 3 undergraduate) at the Faculty of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering (FKMP).

“All the actors, dancers and even coordinators behind the curtain were UMP undergraduates, while Pahang FM disc jockeys (DJs) Izzul, Ain, Hanum and Fatin shouldered the master of ceremony and background voice-over tasks,” said Noor Afiza, adding that RTM Producer, Mohd Sharfaril Izwan Md Nor Shahar, was also on hand to ensure the successful production of JYKSM.

As for the musical arrangements throughout the show, they were jointly performed by UMP Culture Division (PSK) and RTM Pahang Combo, headed by the latter’s Music Director, Anuar Chacho. The staging of JYKSM saw successful rendering of two new songs called 'Sendiri' and 'Rasa', as well as an Original Sound Track (OST). 

Noor Afiza remarked that all the participating undergraduates showed high-level of commitment, having to practise and rehearse for almost five months – in terms of editing the original theatric scripts into a musical performance, role-plays of characters, preparation of props and selections of wardrobe, among others.

“Actors also took on a challenging task in their selected characters and nurturing their roles, as well as ensuring that all songs are played appropriately according to the story line.

“On this note, we truly appreciate the support from UMP residents and the commitment displayed by several other departments, especially Center for Sports & Culture, Department of Student Affairs & Alumni, Vice-Chancellor’s Office, Department of Facilities Development & Management, Centre of Information Technology & Communications, Security Division and Bursary,” she emphasized.

According to Aznorizamin Ismail, who presently shoulder the responsibilities of the Director of Center for Sports & Culture, he was impressed with the talents and capabilities of the undergraduates to put up a two-hour performance, especially when none came from neither acting nor theatre background.

“They are undergraduates pursuing studies in engineering and technology, and yet, they can also stage an impactful performance and deliver effective stage management,” he said. 

Over 500 people attended the musical performance – including students from Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Mahkota Kuantan. The collection of entrance fees is charitably contributed to Casa Harapan Women & Children Nursing Centre.

Also present were Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs & Alumni), Professor Dato’ Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin; Pro-Registrar, Abd Rahman Safie; RTM Pahang Deputy Director, Rida Suziwati Muda; and RTM Head of Channel, Jaya Brabu Balasubramaniam.  

One of the theatre-goers, Al-Zahari Awang Samah, who is also an activist from Anggun Performing Arts in Temerloh, commended that UMP staged an impactful performance, with strong acting, interesting props and a story line that matches well with the songs. 'As a theatre-goer, I was satisfyingly entertained'.

Knowledge Management

Sharing@BookCafe: 10 minutes spared to inculcate reading habits

By: NOORUL FARINA ARIFIN, UMP LIBRARY

In the continuous efforts to inculcate reading habit among campus residents at University Malaysia Pahang (UMP), UMP Library recently held a ‘Jom Baca Bersama Untuk 10 Minit’ programme under its Sharing@BookCafe activities.

The programme was conducted in conjunction with the celebration of the World Book & Copyrights Day held simultaneously across the country on April 23, 2019. It was also a respond to the call by and objective of the Ministry of Education (MoE) to inculcate similar reading habit among the general public.

During the programme, which began at 11am, Deputy Head of Librarian, Siti Aishah Ghani, took the opportunity to share reviews on books of financial and investment topics. 

According to Siti Aishah, who also manages http://blog.ump.edu.my/ at UMP, she would read at least three books on a particular subject matter she wishes to review before blogging on it. 
 
“To inculcate reading habit, we need to carry at least one book wherever we go, so that we can utilize any waiting time with reading the book, and not let time waste away,” she highlighted.

“As a display of the university’s commitment to the importance of reading throughout our lifetime, the Library will continue to hold similar activities for campus residents and the surrounding communities,” Siti Aishah remarked. 

During the programme, five books were reviewed – among which were ‘Revolusi Wang” by Alwi Adam; ‘Ibu Bapa Bijak, Anak Mewah’ by Azizi Ali and Zaid Mohamad; ‘Panduan Pelaburan Unit Amanah’ by Razali Razman; ‘Panduan Lengkap: Pelaburan Saham’ by Nor Akmar; and ‘How You Can Get from Rich Swing Trading’ by Azizi Ali and Bill Wermine.

According to Siti Aishah, ‘Revolusi Wang’ is a simple financial management book for school students to read and comprehend, while the ‘Ibu Bapa Bijak, Anak Mewah’ touches on tips and strategies on how parents can educate their children to be both smart and responsible in financial management.

She said the book on ‘Panduan Pelaburan Unit Amanah’ explains the fundamentals of unit trust investment as well as the fund options available in the Malaysian market. Potential unit trust investors are encouraged to read the book before making any investment.

Meanwhile, the reviews on ‘Panduan Lengkap: Pelaburan Saham’ and ‘How You Can Get from Rich Swing Trading’ revealed that the books are recommended for readers who are looking for guidelines before delving into capital market investment. They are also recommended as knowledge enhancement on the subject matter.

According to Siti Aishah, based on her personal experience, potential investors should avoid indulging in stocks investment using the fund they have already set aside for other financial commitments, like monthly instalments for housing and hire-purchase loans, as such investment carry a heavy burden of financial risks.

Student Activities

‘Spreading The Love’ with children of Permata Al-Insyirah in Sungai Isap

By: SITI NURFARMY IBRAHIM, CORPORATE COMMUNICATION DIVISION 

A total of 19 Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) students took part in a programme called, ‘Spread the Love’ with orphans and children of Permata Al-Insyirah Orphanage in Sungai Isap, Kuantan that was held on April 13, 2019.

The programme was organised under the UQP 2071 co-curriculum subject (Section 1G of Event Management).

The objective was to motivate the children to be diligent in their studies as some of them would be sitting for the public examinations, Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) and Pentaksiran Tingkatan 3 (PT3) this year.

Programme Director, Muhammad Shafiq Alamin Shafia’l said they were very excited to be given the opportunity to manage the programme with the children, helping them to gain confidence in getting good results and eventually, pursuing their studies in institutes of higher learning.

“The programme helps to instil the spirit of volunteerism among the university students as well as foster closer ties among the children at the orphanage,” he said.

Event management coach and Industry & Community Network Department (ICoN) Manager, Mohd Raizalhilmy Mohd Rais said the students would be evaluated from various aspects including on knowledge, innovation and creativity in solving problems and in applying all that they had learned in an actual situation.

“This course provides exposure and experience and thus, teach the students how to manage events especially if it involves external parties.

“It also helps to lift the spirit of the children at the orphanage and inject something different in their daily lives,” he said.

Students’ Activities

STARS Project lends exposure to campus life

By: NUR SA’ADATUL AFZAN JUSOH, VICE-CHANCELLOR’S OFFICE

The three-way collaborative effort between Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) and selected schools and industries – dubbed Projek Kilauan Mutiara STARS, or loosely translated as the Sparkling Pearl Project (STARS) – has given the opportunities to selected secondary school students to experience life as an undergraduate on campus.

Jointly conducted by UMP InSmartive Club and BP Petronas Acetyls Sdn. Bhd. (BPPA), in collaboration with the Department of Student Affairs & Alumni (JHEPA), the project was held at the university’s Pekan campus on April 20, 2019. 

The three-day programme saw 30 undergraduate facilitators from UMP InSmartive Club share their on-campus life experience with 51 secondary school students, comprising Forms 1 to 5, from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Dato’ Engku Bijaya Sura (SMKDEBS) from Dungun, Terengganu. 

Among the many programmes in which both facilitators and students actively participated were campus tours to the university’s library, Global Classroom as well as to the laboratories at the Faculty of Electrical & Electronics Engineering (FKEE) and the Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (FKMP).   

“The implementation of all modules and activities lined up during the three-day programme, underpinned the three main objectives we set out to achieve under this STARS Project – namely, exposure to campus life, road-mapping of academic, career and life, and the enhancement of teamwork among the participants – all of which were carried out in a university life ambience,” remarked Project Manager Muhamad Aiman Suhaizi, who is also a freshman at the Faculty of Engineering Technology (FTeK).

One particular programme that truly intrigued the participants was the 'Hi Professor!' slot, where the Deputy Dean of Academic & Student Affair of FKEE, Associate Professor Dr. Hamdan Daniyal, shared his life-long experience on academic and career accomplishments. 

During such slot, the Deputy Dean also emphasized the importance of having good command of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects among the secondary school students.

Meanwhile, BPPA Manager of Human Resources & Administration, Shamsul Raji Jaafar – who was present at the closing ceremony held at the Banquet Hall, Tun Abdul Razak Chancellery at UMP Pekan Campus – highlighted that all of the 51 secondary school students came from the B40 family group, as beneficiaries of the many corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives conducted by BPPA in the Dungun district. 

During the closing ceremony, Muhammad Haikal Danial Mahadi, 13, and Nurfaizah Insyirah Mohamad Faizol, 13, both in Form 1 at SMKDEBS were selected as the Best Participants of the STARS project.

Also present were SMKDEBS Senior Assistant of Administration, Che Mohd Yusri Che Hashim; UMP InSmartive Club Advisor (who is also the Head of Research at the Vice-Chancellor’s Office), Wan Nazrul Helmy Wan Mohd Zain; and InSmartive Club President, Muhammad Aizat Azed.

Moving forward, UMP InSmartive Club, BPPA and SMKDEBS have collectively agreed to coordinate a follow-up programme – one workshop on the technics to tackle the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination papers on May 3 till 4 at the university’s Pekan Campus – in collaboration with the district’s Council of Counseling Teachers.