UMPSA announces winner of Writing Contest for 21st Anniversary

PEKAN, 18 December 2023 - Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) announced three winners and two consolation prizes for the 2023 Article/Scientific/Commentary Writing Competition organised by the Centre for Corporate Communications (PKK) recently, in conjunction with 21 Years of UMPSA.

A lecturer from the Centre for Human Sciences (PSK), Dr.  Hasnah Hussiin was named the first place winner through her article titled ‘Terpahat Dalam Kenangan: UMPSA Menangani COVID-19 (2020-2021)’.

The prize was presented by the UMPSA Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Ts.  Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin at the Tun Abdul Razak Chancellery, UMPSA Pekan.

Also present were the Chief Operating Officer/Registrar of UMPSA, Dato’ Saiful Bahri Ahmad Bakarim and the Director of the Centre for Corporate Communications, Mimi Rabita Abdul Wahit.

Dr. Hasnah Hussiin was surprised and did not expect her article to attract the jury’s attention, thus being awarded champion.

She received RM500 cash along with a certificate of acknowledgement.

She wrote about the precious history of the country being hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and how university residents went through the most difficult moments in managing life with new norms and thoughts.

“The question is, how do educational institutions throughout the country manage their operations during this pandemic era?

“UMPSA also has its own way of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said, sharing about her writing.

She said that she actually likes writing and sharing with the public about the establishment of UMPSA during the past 21 years.

“As one of the senior staff, I witnessed the university’s development with my own two eyes.

“UMPSA would not have reached the level we are currently at if not with the commitment of all parties.

“Anyway, thank you to the management for appreciating the writing of UMPSA residents,” she said.

The second place was won by a library staff member with the article titled ‘Perpustakaan UMPSA: Menelusuri Evolusi 21 Tahun UMPSA’.

This article is a joint effort of three co-authors, librarians Noorul Farina Arifin, Rohaida Mohamad Idaris and Amelia Hasan.

They took home RM300 cash and a certificate of acknowledgement.

The third place was won by a student from the Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology, Gunavaathy d/o Saravanan who received RM200 cash and a certificate of participation with the title ‘UMPSA Excellence: Bridging Time With The Spirit Of Create.Love.Image’.

The fourth and fifth places were won by language teachers at the Centre for Modern Languages (PBM), Jamilah Bebe Mohamad with the article titled ‘UMPSA Melakar Citra Universiti Gemilang’ and Amy Zulaikha Mohd Ali with the article titled ‘UMPSA: A Legacy Of Excellence and A Vision For The Future’.

Each received RM100 cash and a certificate of acknowledgement.

Professor Dato’ Ts. Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin congratulated all the winners and hoped that this event could inspire UMPSA residents to produce creative writing about research or universities.

“Writing skills need to be constantly polished so that the writing can be a good medium for readers.

“As a university that is a place of knowledge, writing is crucial in building credibility, integrity and accountability among writers,” he said.

By: Nor Salwana Mohammad Idris, Centre for Corporate Communications
Translation by: Dr.  Rozaimi  Abu  Samah, Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology