Up close & personal: Humanizing technology with Pahang Natives

By: MOHD FERDAUS MUSA, CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION

Some 35 undergraduates and scholarship recipients from University Malaysia Pahang (UMP) participated in an eye-opening programme of a Village Tour to the natives at Pos Menson in Cameron Highlands, Pahang, on March 23, 2019.

Themed “Humanizing Technology”, the programme was coordinated by the Pahang Islamic Religion and Malay Tradition Council (MUIP), in collaboration with the state’s Pilgrimage Board (Tabung Haji) and Natives Development Department (JKOA); together with UMP’s Department of Student Affairs & Alumni and the Vice-Chancellor’s Office. 

The Village Tour provided the undergraduates with the opportunity to mingle with the students at Sekolah Kebangsaan Menson as well as the natives at Kampung Leryar. 

Some 20 modules and experiments were presented to about 170 students – mainly of the Semai natives at the said school – to inculcate their interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). 

In addition, UMP donated 13 previously-owned bicyles for these students to use at the boarding school, as well as signages for every house in Kampung Leryar.

According to Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs & Alumni), Professor Dato’ Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin – who was also present during the tour – UMP is always open to the idea of exploring  potential strategic collaborations through the sharing of scientific and technical expertise, be it academically, or via similar Corporate Social Innovation programmes.

“It certainly gives the university great pride in seeing such special programmes being carried out by our outstanding undergraduates, who have secured their scholarships from UMP, and now dubbed the UMP Scholars.

“Through these social engagement initiatives, these students have helped boost the general public’s awareness, especially those in Pahang Darul Makmur, of the existence of UMP, and how they can benefit from the latter’s presence,” Professor Dato’ Dr. Yuserrie emphasized.

He expressed his hopes that such programmes would have significant impact on the communities at Pos Menson, and bring about a new perspective of the natives among the participating undergraduates.

Meanwhile, Village Tour Programme Director, Ee Hui En, from the Faculty of Engineering Technology (FTeK), said she felt fortunate for the opportunity to experience mingling with the Semai natives up close and personal.

“This is my first time participating in programmes involving natives, and am thankful to UMP and fellow undergraduates for making this Village Tour a reality,” she added.

As a volunteer, Hui En and fellow UMP Scholars had made the efforts to repair the bicyles left behind by former UMP students – those have completed their degrees and moved on – and refurbished these bicyles to almost brand new conditions, before donating them to Sekolah Kebangsaan Menson.

In conjunction with the Village Tour, a solar project presentation ceremony to the Pos Menson village head, Kapas Panching, was also held.

Completely developed by the undergraduates and collaborating staff, the solar project was UMP and MUIP’s collective contribution to the prayer hall of Kampung Leryar, via the university’s MyGift programme.

Both UMP and MUIP hoped that such project will help the community save on electricity bills whilst promoting the former’s Green Initiatives campaign. MUIP also donated food hampers. 

To celebrate programme accomplishment, the entourage held a Cultural Night with performances by the UMP Scholars and Pos Menson natives at the boarding school’s hall. 

Some 500 people attended the event, which also saw community service and mural painting, among other activities. Also present were Tabung Haji Kuala Lipis Manager, Haji Sirajuddin Lebai Ghazali and MUIP officer in Cameron Highlands, Hazwan Hafiz Abdul Jalil.