Empowering TVET education – UMP’s main agenda

As a public university and a member of the Malaysia Technical University Network (MTUN), Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) will continue to boost and strengthen the transformation agenda in the country’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in a move to turn Malaysia into a developed, high-income nation by 2050.
UMP’s Board of Directors’ Chairman, Dato’ Sri Ibrahim Ahmad said TVET would produce a home-grown workforce needed by the industry and country to cater to the challenges expected in the Industrial Revolution 4.0.

“By utilising the expertise of the university, the level of industrial competency and productivity can be enhanced in resolving industrial problems and in facing technical challenges.

“On this matter, UMP needs to form sound collaborations with related agencies that can help create more job opportunities and produce competent graduates,” he said during the ‘Coffee Talk with UMP Chairman’ at UMP Library Auditorium at the university’s Pekan Campus on June 14, 2019.

Also present were UMP Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ir. Dr. Wan Azhar Wan Yusoff and members of UMP Board of Directors’ - Haji Ahmad Zakie Haji Ahmad Shariff, Dato’ Mohd Zafir Ibrahim Nor, Shaiful Suliman and Mohd Fuad Kamal Ariffin.

Other guests included Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation), Professor Dr. Kamal Zuhairi Zamli, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs & Alumni), Professor Dato’ Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin and Registrar/Chief Operating Officer, Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Ridzuan Darun.

Some 300 of UMP staff turned up for the programme comprising the university’s management as well as Administrative and Professional Officers Association (PPTI) and UMP Supporting Staff Association President (KESUMP) members.

Dato’ Sri Ibrahim said in making an organisation an outstanding one, it required workers who enjoyed working.

“Every task or responsibility assigned to a worker must be based on one’s capability and talent,” he added.

He also advised UMP’s staff to carry out their duties based on trust, integrity and responsibility.

“The workforce is a valuable asset to the university. By creating a scholarship programme, this will give them the opportunity to continue their studies, develop their talents and undergo leadership training locally and abroad,” he said.

He also emphasised on the aspect of performance, work procedures and governance, apart from several other aspects in managing a university such as customer management, staff management, risk management, procurement and asset.

Industry & Community Network Department (ICoN) Manager and Administrative and Professional Officers Association (PPTI) President, Mohd Raizalhilmy Mohd Rais said he was thrilled with the experience of having to be able to share the aspirations of UMP Board of Directors’ Chairman.

He said the Chairman spoke about UMP’s direction in driving the university to be an exceptional institute of the future. 

He also thanked the university for their attentiveness in organising training programmes aimed at enhancing staff credibility.

UMP Supporting Staff Association President (KESUMP), Abd. Latip Haji Deris praised the organiser for holding the programme which was the first ever held, a platform that involved the university’s top management.

He added that it was the way forward by the top management in playing its role and sharing their views to continue make UMP an excellent entity and for the university be a referral feature by others.

Academic Staff Association Deputy President (PAKAD), Ahmad Johari Mohamad said the involvement of the university’s Board of Directors’ in the programme gave a clearer picture on a lot of things such as the university’s Core Values – sustaining strong relations with the Creator, firmly upholding principles that had been collectively agreed upon, being creative in making wise decision, tenacious when facing challenges and pro-active in measures taken – which were ethics in having excellent work culture practices.