‘Prihatin’ Expedition Programme by UMP Foundation Engages the Pekan Community

PEKAN, 18 June 2023 - The ‘Prihatin’ Expedition@Masjid at-Taqwa programme organized by the University Malaysia Pahang (UMP) Foundation marks the beginning of several ‘Prihatin’ (concerned) Expedition UMP 21 programmes that will be conducted in selected locations, including Pahang, Johor, Sabah, Thailand, and Indonesia, to gain experience and provide assistance to the communities.

In the recent programme, 46 UMP students had the opportunity to stay with their respective foster parents to strengthen their relationships and expose them to serving rural communities.

According to Datin Nur Sharmila Shaheen, a Trustee of the UMP Foundation who participated in the programme, the involvement of students in this expedition program helps provide assistance to the local community while also disseminating information and promoting the university's branding.

"It is also in line with our intention to bring the university closer to the community and embody the slogan 'Technology for the Society' so that the presence of UMP can be felt and the benefits of expertise can be enjoyed by the local residents," she said.

Furthermore, this program supports UMP's efforts to prioritize volunteer activities in developing skilled students and concerned UMP members.

During the programme, students and the local community participated in various activities, including cooking courses, decoration courses, free oil change and haircut services, as well as health check-ups.

The programme also featured sports events, children's colouring activities, cooking meat porridge, and the distribution of contributions from the UMP Foundation to needy families.

The program was inaugurated by Member of the State Assembly (DUN) for Peramu Jaya, Datuk Mohd Nizar Najib, and Chairman of the Masjid at-Taqwa Pekan Committee, Dato' Sri Wan Haji Abdul Wahid Wan Hassan.

Also present were the Chief Executive Officer of the UMP Foundation, Mohd Jamil Mohd Ja'afar, and Program Manager, Nurizzaty Arifin.

Meanwhile, Ali Badaruddin Othman, 81, the Treasurer of Masjid at-Taqwa, who hails from Kampung Dato’ Shahbandar Pekan, expressed gratitude for the opportunity given to his family to host four UMP foster students during this expedition.

"They are Ahmad Aiman Afiq Mohd Khairul, Bayu Hanafi Norhazilan, Hanif Masuot, and Muhammad Zarif Zakwan Jazam.

"For me, this programme benefits the students by strengthening familial bonds that are expected to continue even after their studies," he said.

The programme received support from Adabi Consumer Industries Sdn. Bhd. (Adabi), Pekan Community College, Giat MARA Pekan, BS Freshmart Peramu, Satok Bridge Digital Sdn. Bhd., Hardex Corporation Sdn. Bhd., the Pharmacy Unit of the Pekan District Office, and departmental support within the university.

The expedition programme is scheduled to continue in Kota Tinggi, Semporna, Cameron Highlands, and Sungai Koyan.

By: Nur Ainaa Adhreena Muhammad Shukri, Corporate Communications Division, Chancellery Department

Translation by: Aminatul Nor Mohamed Said, UMP Career Centre (UMPCC)