UMP VC announces 8 commitments to sustain UMP excellence

PEKAN, 23 February 2023 - The Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP), Professor Dato’ Ts. Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin announced eight commitments to sustain excellence in academic quality, research development and services so that UMP continues to be recognised internationally.

The first commitment is Driving TVET Education, second Student Empowerment, third Boosting Academic Excellence and fourth Impactful Research, Prospering the Community.

While the fifth commitment is Talent Development Agenda, sixth Financial Sustainability, seventh Ecosystem Sustainability and eighth Developing Inclusive Ecosystem.

According to Professor Dato’ Ts. Dr. Yuserrie, who delivered the 2023 UMP Vice-Chancellor’s Mandate at the UMP Pekan Multipurpose Hall, to continue the excellence sustainability to drive TVET Education, UMP as a university in the Malaysian Technical University Network (MTUN) would implement 60 per cent TVET-based programmes and 40 per cent engineering-based programmes by 2025 through three initiatives.

“First, academic programmes revision to align with the needs of TVET-based programnes.

“Second, creating more new academic programmes based on TVET and third, developing new assessment mechanisms to measure the implementation of academic programmes based on TVET.

“UMP also always keeps the quality of its academic programmes to ensure that its graduates are equipped with technical know-how or relevant technical knowledge and can meet the needs of the country’s main industrial sectors so that the country’s economy remains competitive globally,” he said.

He added that UMP would continue to strive to improve the capacity of TVET institutions and systems to remain competitive and meet the market’s needs.

“The support from MOHE and various agencies in implementing an accreditation system that is harmonised with quality assurance allows the mobility of students in TVET institutions including MTUN to succeed.

“In addition, UMP will improve the quality and delivery of TVET programmes to improve graduate employability through an industry-leading approach to lead curriculum development, eliminate overlap of programmes and resources, increase cost-effectiveness and expand TVET funding to increase enrolment.

“The UMP student empowerment agenda through the Student Affairs and Alumni Department (JHEPA) will concentrate on five focuses related to realising digital natives, student unions, student businesses, student maturity and humanising people,” he said.

Therefore, he further explained in an effort to ensure that the focus on student empowerment could be realised, the university would implement A.D.A.B. image and identity-building initiatives and empowerment of the student development ecosystem as well as campus life experiences.

Also given attention is to realise the function of student unions, new models of student business and UMP microfinance schemes, creating student apprenticeship schemes, and promoting Gap Year among students.
He also focused on initiatives to develop a sustainable Talent Development Model for academics and administrators (professional and support staff).

According to him, the talent development based on the National Top Talent Model would focus on planning to replace the university’s main management and upskilling UMP administrators according to the mould and culture based on the university’s core values.

“To ensure the financial sustainability of the university, there are two main initiatives, namely the establishment of kursi and strengthening of endowment funds contributed by donors to support various university programmes and initiatives such as research, financial aid programmes, academic development and others.

Meanwhile, UMP has succeeded in producing 38,462 alumni who have contributed their knowledge and expertise to the community and national development.

Meanwhile, UMP graduate employability increased to 98.67 per cent for 2022, which is the highest so far.

For Professor Dato’ Ts. Dr. Yuserrie, UMP needs to play a more effective role in helping improve people’s well-being in line with its tagline ‘Technology for Society’.

“Therefore, research at UMP must be based on the potential of offering technology-based problem solutions to the community.

Also held was the Sanjungan Budi Ceremony to recognise contributions and celebrate 68 UMP staff who achieved 20 years of service at the university.

Meanwhile, concerned about the fate of earthquake victims in Turkiye and Syria, UMP also launched the UMP Humanitarian Fund for Turkiye and Syria.

Also held was the launch of the UMP Sustainability Initiative for healthy lifestyle practices and sustainable culture on campus to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles.

Presented at the ceremony were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Professor Ts. Dr. Also present were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs & Alumni), who performs the functions of the UMP Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International), Professor Ts. Dr. Mohd Rusllim Mohamed, Registrar/Chief Operating Officer, Saiful Bahri Ahmad Bakarim and the university management team.

By: Mimi Rabita Abdul Wahit, Corporate Communications Division, Chancellery Department

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