UMPSA Gemilang. Cipta. Cinta. Citra. Sejarah Tercipta

3 January 2024

♪ Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah
Taman Ilmuan Berkeunggulan
Menjana Insan Yang Cemerlang
Bagi Agama Bangsa dan Negara ♪

(Extracted from 1st paragraph of Lagu Rasmi Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah: Maju Gemilang)

The song still easily plays in my head even after years I graduated. It has been a journey. A great one, I would say. I remember the first time I set foot on campus: I felt excited, nervous, and eager to start my campus life. Of course, there were good and bad moments. To see the rebranding from Kolej Universiti Kejuruteraan dan Teknologi Malaysia (KUKTEM) to Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) and eventually to Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) and climbing those rankings, between local universities and worldwide, it reminds me the people behind the scene who drove the event to occur. Everyone played their best roles to make it happen: all levels of staff, such as administrations, academicians, technicians, students and even the maintenance team.

UMPSA has undergone development and improvement. As a student, I experienced continuous improvement in many aspects, including upgraded internet speed, laboratory facilities, and the shift towards a paper-free environment. New online platforms were introduced for obtaining lecture notes and submitting assignments. Customer service, such as the e-Library, saw periodic updates, such as the booking system for borrowing books, extending book loan durations, reserving discussion rooms, and accessing digital books. The platforms are very useful. It saves time and energy. The challenge that students need to face is the busy traffic of the said websites/portals, as it affects time management with classes to attend, meetings to conduct and others. There is a saying: struggles are for a better tomorrow, and they will ease gradually with the system's improvement from time to time. I believe they are much better now.

♪ UMPSA Menjulang Nama
Wadah Pendidikan Bangsa
UMPSA Megah dan Bangga
Lahirkan Cendekiawan Mulia ♪
(Extracted from Lagu Rasmi Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah: Maju Gemilang)

UMPSA has given birth to scholars throughout the years. It is known for its encouragement towards its students to be creative and innovative with technologies. Until now, we still hear and see articles regarding the new technologies and findings the UMPians made. We can see how UMPSA drives its students to create (Cipta) by innovating, which later may open many other doors, like new investments and new job opportunities. The creation also sparks students’ love (Cinta) to show more of themselves while carrying the institution’s name on their back and trying to captivate locals or even on the global stage. Histories are made by introducing new technologies and findings that would benefit the community and country.

Local academic institutions take an important note on creating a good relationship with the community. So does UMPSA, by creating events for UMPians to interact. Even if the event only involves a small group of the community, such as an event with school students, it will later draw the attention of a bigger group of the community to get to know the institution better, which later will make people fall in love with the institution. To show a good image is a must for the institution to captivate the community. The good image (Citra) will be the factor for people to root for UMPSA in many other upcoming community programmes.

Whether it is individual or institution, all will result in a contribution towards the community. That’s how UMPSA plays its role as an academic institution by providing academics to its students, providing job opportunities and contributing to the community. We cannot deny the effort of people leading to these achievements. Unity and integrity in oneself are vital in making sure the mission to excel in providing community-driven education, research and high-level technology services through a social entrepreneurship ecosystem and the vision to be a distinguished Technological University become a reality.

It has been years since I graduated from UMPSA. I had never imagined I would be graduating twice there. I am a proud UMPian!

Nurhidayah Binti Md Yunus