The UMPSA Kembaran Prihatin Programme reaches out to the wider higher education community

TUARAN, 3 March 2024 - The Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) Kembara Prihatin Programme, involving 55 student volunteers and 15 staff, with almost 30 activities carried out since 27 February, succeeded in bringing the community closer to the university and benefiting the community in Sabah.

The Kembara Prihatin programme was held in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations (UN) in various aspects of human life and the environment by 2030.

These goals include achieving zero poverty, zero hunger, improved education, hygiene and health, as well as climate action.

According to UMPSA Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato' Ts. Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin, through the programme, the university can also utilize its expertise by transferring technology to the community.

"Through focused clusters such as technology, community service, education, spirituality, sustainability, and aid, this programme has a significant impact on the lives of local residents.

"UMPSA, as one of the universities of technology in the Malaysian Technical Universities Network (MTUN), also shares expertise in innovative pineapple mushroom technology projects and shares the use of prebiotic fertilizers for more sustainable agricultural practices," he said.

He added that UMPSA was also involved in installing solar panels in three areas, benefiting the community.

"Through the Education Programme, which is a primary aspect, students from Sekolah Kebangsaan Pekan Tuaran benefited from the Inspire Motivation programme, Street Science and STEM activities, as well as school aid donated by sponsors.

"The university intends to expand access to higher education in Sabah, which will have a positive impact on human development and community empowerment.

"In fact, UMPSA is also committed to expanding access to TVET programme offerings by establishing several coastal campuses to provide opportunities for students to continue their studies in TVET to the optimum level," he said.

This initiative is in line with the call from the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) for MTUN to expand the TVET programme to the states in Borneo and to realize MTUN's direction of Advanced TVET 2030, which has been developed by all universities under MTUN.

Professor Dato' Ts. Dr. Yuserrie appreciates the cooperation of strategic partners who made the programme a success, namely the Sabah State Government, Tuaran Youth Town Club, Yayasan Prihatin Nasional, Raudhah Rizq, Samaiden, Dana Kita, UMPSA Holdings, UMPSA Advanced, Muslim Care Global, Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park, Mr. Solar, and YADIM.

He mentioned that through their support and contributions, the university can expand the scope of the programme, improve the quality of assistance provided to the community, and have a greater impact on the community.

The programme also involved the UMPSA Foundation Squad and students from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Kota Kinabalu Polytechnic, and Sabah Foundation College of Technology (KTYS), who had the opportunity to stay with their respective adoptive families to strengthen relationships with the residents of Kampung Batangan, Kiwatu, Roun, Serusup, Selupoh, Dunang Baru, and Labuaya.

Present to inaugurate the programme was the Chief Political Secretary to the Chief Minister as the official representative of His Excellency the Chief Minister of Sabah, Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor, accompanied by Datuk Abdul Kassim Razali, Chairman of Tuaran Youth Town Club and Political Secretary to the Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, Datuk Tah Nia Haji Jaman, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Yayasan Sabah College of Technology, Associate Professor Dr. Rahman Noordin, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Student and Alumni Affairs at UMS, Dullah Muluk, Director of Kota Kinabalu Polytechnic, Dato' Haji Mohd Aizuddin Mohd Ghazali, and Member of the Board of Trustees of Yayasan UMPSA, Farrah Ain Madzlan.

By: Mimi Rabita Haji Abd Wahit, Centre for Corporate Communications

Translation by: Aminatul Nor Mohamed Said, UMPSA Career Centre (UMPSACC)