12 international students excited to join UMPSA, International Mentor Programme guides new students

PEKAN, 14 October 2025 – The International Student Mentor Programme, in which each new student is paired with a local student or an experienced international student as a mentoring partner, received praise from international students who recently registered.

An international student, Zakaria Hassan Adow from Kenya, pursuing his studies at the Faculty of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technology (FTKEE), said that this initiative would help new students adapt more quickly and easily to the university environment.

“The Meet & Greet programme is also very interesting and beneficial as it helps new international students get to know one another and better understand the university environment,” he said.

This programme serves as an interactive platform that allows international students to connect, share experiences, and get to know university management more closely.

He is among the new students from five countries, 12 from Yemen, two from China, one from Kenya, one from Somalia, and one from Indonesia, who have just registered for the 2025/2026 academic session.

According to him, the university should also provide special transportation facilities to the health screening clinic, and he also shared several opinions and suggestions for improvement based on his experience as a new international student.

“Among them are more responsive communication regarding hostel booking and improvement in the cafeteria menu variety so that it is more diverse and culturally friendly,” he said.

Meanwhile, a student from the Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology (FTKKP) from Somalia, Yusuf Mukhtar, expressed his excitement over the warm treatment and support from the staff, and he found the organisation of the Meet & Greet Programme very helpful, especially since this was a new experience for them.

“I really appreciate the hospitality and support from the UMPSA community.

“The atmosphere here is very positive and encouraging for new students,” he said, adding that he did not expect to meet the UMPSA Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr. Yatimah Alias, during the Meet & Greet for International Students programme held recently at UMPSA Pekan.

Meanwhile, Professor Dr. Yatimah expressed her joy at UMPSA's selection as their study destination and hoped they would adapt well and succeed in their respective fields.

“Welcome to UMPSA, and thank you for choosing this university as your study destination.

“I hope that all international students will gain meaningful knowledge and experience throughout their time here,” she said.

Also present were Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International Affairs), Professor Dato’ Ir. Ts. Dr. Ahmad Ziad Sulaiman, and Director of the Senate Centre, Nor Ashikin Sulaiman.

The event, organised by the Student Affairs and Alumni Department (JHEPA) through the Student Services Centre, aimed to welcome new international students and introduce the university's services and facilities.

Students were briefed on matters related to welfare, health, facilities, finance, and academics by representatives of the respective responsibility centres (PTJ), including Medical Officer of the University Health Centre (PKU), Dr. Norhilda Abdul Karim, and Administrative Officer of the Student Services Centre, JHEPA, Nur Luqman Hakim Zaidi.

Interestingly, the students also had the opportunity to participate in an interactive Kahoot! activity about Pahang and Malaysia, followed by outdoor activities such as kayaking and casual recreation at the A.D.A.B Academy UMPSA in the afternoon to strengthen relationships and build camaraderie among participants.

By: Nur Hartini Mohd Hatta, Centre for Corporate Communications

Translation by: Dr. Rozaimi Abu Samah, UMPSA Press