UMP Prihatin closes tie with Sungai Koyan community

PAHANG,  24 August 2022 – Three days in Felda Sungai Koyan, Jerantut, provided sweet memories for 30 Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) students who participated in Kembara UMP Prihatin with the Sungai Koyan Community recently.

This Keluarga Malaysia-based programme involved communities of all ages.

Among the activities carried out were the foster programme, cooking bubur lambuk, religious talks, people’s feast, Street Science exhibition and donation to 35 zakat beneficiaries (asnaf) families and single mothers around Sungai Koyan.

According to the Senior Manager of the Office of the UMP Vice-Chancellor and the Programme Director, Abd. Rahman Haji Safie, this programme reflects the concern of UMP associates and RTM in supporting communities around Pahang.

“This programme not only fulfils the role of the university in community activities but above all provides exposure for students to face the real situation in society.

“As one of the technological universities in Pahang, UMP also shares its expertise.

“It is in line with the university’s interest to bring the university closer to the community and the slogan ‘Technology for Society’ so that the existence of UMP is felt and the expertise benefits the locals,” he said.

He added, the programme involved installing solar lights in Dewan Terbuka Laman Sejahtera, Sungai Koyan.

“This interest is in line with UMP’s goal of sustainable development or Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), which is a global agenda,” he said.

UMP also makes volunteer activities an important agenda of the university in bringing out competent students and caring UMP associates.

It is an initiative of the UMP Community Service Project - Lighting Up The Community, which is part of activities in conjunction with UMP’s 20th Anniversary Celebration.

He also thanked all who made this programme a success, especially the collaboration partners, Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) and the Sungai Koyan community, for their excellent cooperation throughout this programme.

Also taking place was the handover of solar lights delivered by the Senior Electrical Engineer cum Energy Manager, Centre for Property Management and Development (PPPH), Ts. Mohd Nurulakla Mohd Azlan to Menteri Besar Pahang, Yang Amat Berhormat Dato’ Sri Haji Wan Rosdi Wan Ismail.

According to the Chairman of JKKK Sungai Koyan, Nordin Ismai, 45, he was moved by the presence of all parties to come to Sungai Koyan as the destination for this programme.

“As we know, the country has been hit by the COVID-19 pandemic for over two years, but this time the presence of all parties brings happiness to the community here.

“The joy in their faces is obvious when they are presented with various interesting programmes.

“In addition, this programme can improve the economy for traders around Sungai Koyan.

“I would also like to thank UMP and RTM and all those involved in making this programme a success,” he said.

One of the students, Bayu Hanafi Norhazilan, 18, who is a UMP Diploma of Computer Science student, did not expect to be able to participate in the Kembara UMP Prihatin programme as he only joined UMP as a student for two weeks. 

“I learned many things during the programme, especially the experience of living with a foster family, Nordin Abdul Rahman and Normah Teh, who treated me like their own child.

“This relationship will surely last and will be remembered forever,” he said.

By: Nor Salwana Mohammad Idris, Corporate Communications Division, Chancellery Department 

Translation by: Dr. Rozaimi Abu Samah, Engineering College/Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology