Gear Up! UMP-MARA IPT student preparation programme

PAYA BESAR, 1 June 2022 – A total of 70 Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) leavers from the B40 group were excited to experience valuable experiences with life on campus through the Get Ready For University Programme Gear-UP! UMP-MARA which lasted for three days from 29 May to 1 June 2022.

The ceremony was officiated by the Director of MARA Pahang State, Haji Soffian Haji Mustafa in a programme at the Astaka Hall, UMP Gambang Campus.

In his speech, he said that this programme aimed to expose participants to the university environment before they soon set foot at the university.

“The selected participants are SPM leavers from B40 group waiting for the university admission offer.

“We would like to thank UMP for this collaboration in providing interesting modules for the participants here in UMP.

“Communication skills are very important for each individual especially in mastering English language skills,” he said, who also presented participation certificates for participants.

He also hoped that all participants could benefit from this programme to step into university and employment.

He also advised students not to forget to re-contribute to the country when they have succeeded one day, especially in paying back MARA education funding to help the next generation.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs & Alumni), Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Mohd Rusllim Mohamed also thanked MARA for this trust.

He expected more opportunities for collaboration in future programmes.

In addition, this event was one of the university’s contributions to helping SPM leavers choose programmes that are appropriate to the qualifications and interests of students.

Also present were Deputy Director 2, Division of Education Organisation MARA, Hasnim Hashim, Senior Manager of Academic & International Affairs Department, Hazmin Aris and Director of Centre for Marketing and Academic Intake cum the Director of Gear-UP MARA-UMP Programme, Zainal Haji Bahari.

A total of eight modules were provided to participants covering thinking methods, self-confidence, direction, public speaking, communication ethics and others.

In addition, participants were brought to see UMP facilities such as library and laboratories.

One of the participants, Putri Qarisha Alesya Abdullah, 18, from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Pulau Tawar expressed her pleasure when she was selected to participate in this programme and said UMP was the main choice for continuing her study in computing.

Meanwhile, Muhamad Luqman Hakim bin Ahmad Nordin, 18, from MRSM Kuala Terengganu said, in addition to his experience on campus, he had the opportunity to obtain information on MARA funding to continue study local and abroad.

While Mohd Nor Haikal Hadenan, 18, from Bera felt that this programme could increase participants’ self-confidence to talk to friends from other schools, especially MRSM students.

Muhammad Nur Ikhwan Baharuddin from MRSM Tun Ghafar Baba also enjoyed participating in the programme and having the opportunity to share experiences with ‘brothers and sisters’ from UMP and new friends that share dreams of continuing their studies at the university to pursue their ambitions.

By: Nor Salwana Mohammad Idris, Corporate Communications Unit, The Office of The Vice-Chancellor
Translation by: Dr. Rozaimi Abu Samah, Engineering College/Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology