Academic and International

Malay Language enhancement carnival benefitted UMP foreign students

Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP)’s Centre for Modern Languages & Human Sciences (CMLHS) organised the Enhancement of Malay Language Carnival and Community Service involving 35 of its foreign undergraduates who were from Yemen, Egypt, Iraq, Syria and Sudan, and 444 students from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Seri Bera.

The event, which was held on April 23, 2019, saw the participants taking part in cross-cultural programmes of the Malay language and culture and that of the international cultures.

According to Programme Director, Juwairiah Osman, who is from the Foreign Language Department of CMLHS, the foreign students were from UMP Gambang Campus who took the UHF1161: Malay for Beginners and UHF2161: Malay for Intermediate courses.

She added that among the activities that were carried out were teaching the school students techniques on how to answer the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM)’s bahasa Melayu paper, presenting motivational and career talks and showcasing the ‘Jom Masuk UMP’ exhibition.

“There are other exhibitions that showcased how the Malay language has innovatively progressed internationally as well as exhibitions that display the cultures of Yemen, Egypt, Syria, Sudan, Somalia and China,” she added.

She also said that the programme had made good impacts in generating the interest in the language and the interest to master the language and that it managed UMP to establish good ties with the community especially schools.

Juwairiah said the carnival’s committee consisted of language teachers from the Department of Foreign Language while the facilitators were UMP students taking the soft skill subject and those from UMP Orator Club.

UMP student Ahmed Adel Shahnan, who is from Yemen, said he was glad to be able to participate in the programme and learn about the school system in Malaysia.
Ahmed Adel Shanan, an undergraduate at Faculty of Computer Systems & Software Engineering (FSKKP), said he was thrilled to be able to communicate with the school students.

Another participant Ammar Abdullah Manea Alkhawlani, also from Yemen, said he could now converse in Malay.

“Normally, I would communicate with my Malay, Chinese and Indian friends in campus. I am fortunate to get the opportunity to meet teachers and students from the school. The experience was surely wonderful,” he added.

In UMP, students can learn the Malay language, share new experience and tell stories about the specialities of Malaysia, the state of Pahang, the university and the fun of communicating in Malay.

In a move to make foreign students understand the language better, UMP carried out various programmes such as the ‘It’s Fun to Speak in Malay’ programme where participants would take part in dramas, poem reading and public speaking.

Some of them had participated in the Prime Minister Cup International Malay Speaking Competition that was held annually since 2006.

Campus Info

UMP Family Day strengthens bond among campus residents

Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) recently held its Family Day gathering, dubbed 1Family, at the University Sports Complex of its Gambang Campus on April 27, 2019.

Based on the filial themes of happiness, care and mutual respect, the family day saw 1,000 people, comprising UMP staff and their family members, participating according to the colors of their fraternity houses – red, yellow, blue, green and white.

This family day gathering was a joint effort by several associations at the university – namely those for administrative officers (PPTI), academic staff (PAKAD), support staff (KESUMP), women (Matahari) as well as the Registrar Department. 

Over 20 sporting events were held, among which were aerobics, tug of war and musical chair. The Red team was crowned the overall champion.
   
Gracing the family day were UMP Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Sri Dr. Daing Nasir Ibrahim, and his wife, Datin Sri Fazia Ali, as well as Pro-Registrar, Abd Rahman Haji Safie.
 
According to Professor Dato’ Sri Dr. Daing Nasir, the first family day was a successful gathering, and he was impressed with the presence and participation of the university staff and their family members. 

“The activities held at this family day gathering can help strengthen the bond among campus residents, allowing them to get to know each other better. In fact, such a day can be an excellent platform for the welfare and well-being of all at UMP,” stressed the Vice-Chancellor.
 
“Moreover, with such themes selected for this first family day, the gathering can help acculturate traits of care, warmth, affiliation and teamwork, and eventually build a stronger love for the university,” he added.
 
Meanwhile, the organizing chairman, Mohd Raizalhilmy Mohd Rais, extended his token of appreciation to all in attendance, saying they have collectively made the event a successful one. 

“We are proud of the commitment showed by the committee members and volunteers, especially in planning and carrying out exciting activities for the staff and their families,” said Mohd Raizalhilmy, who hoped more of similar events can be conducted in the future. 

Among the interesting activities seen at the family day were several contests, namely colouring for the children; “Go Green”-themed best dress and healthy food preparation for the adults.

There were also food stalls offering the likes of ice-cream, cendol and keropok lekor for free to everyone who came for the event.

MyGift

Agrobank contributes pocket money to 35 selected undergraduates

A total of 35 Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) students received assistances included pocket money totalling RM17,500 under the UMP MyGift programme called ‘Pocket Money Initiative’ that was aimed to lessen their financial burden.

The money was from tithes provided by Agrobank which also contributed takaful aids amounting to RM385,000 that served as Personal and Accident Protection Scheme to the students who were from the B40 family background.

Pahang Agrobank Director, Safaruddin Samsuddin presented the aids to UMP Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Sri. Dr. Daing Nasir Ibrahim at the Banquet Hall, Tun Abdul Razak Chancellery in Pekan UMP on April 29, 2019.

Also present at the event were Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs & Alumni), Professor Dato’ Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & International), Professor Ir. Dr. Wan Azhar Wan Yusoff and Islamic Centre & Human Development (PIMPIN) Director, Dr. Mahyuddin Ismail.

Professor Dato’ Sri. Dr. Daing Nasir said he was grateful that the initiatives taken had managed to help students who were in need.

“We hope that the contributions given will help to sustain their expenses and ease their burden throughout their studying years here in UMP,” he added.

He also said the management of UMP had always been committed in making the university more socially visible through its technology expertise medium and volunteer movement.

“As such, in order to make its university-community agenda a success within the framework of UMP Strategic Plan 2016-2020, UMP always welcomes any plan by any department or agency that is interested to form a collaboration in various forms of common interest,” he said.

He also said UMP hoped to see more support in its efforts to boost charitable deeds through education and endowment by way of UMP MyGift Fund.

Other projects that would be implemented to support this move included Food for All, Gerobok Rezeki (Cupboard of Provisions), #BPACare, UMP Campus Pantry and MyCafe-Community.    

Professor Dato' Sri Dr. Daing Nasir also presented RM140,000 of public donations, collected through the UMP MyGift Fund, to PIMPIN to be utilised for iftar in the month of Ramadan.

UMP would also organise Ramadan Festival and among the activities to be carried out were Tazkirah Ramadan Short Video Competition, terawih prayers with invited guest imam, Iftar Jamaie and cooking of bubur lambuk at Kuala Pahang RTC and UMP Gambang Campus.

Other events included strategic collaboration with Etiqa and Isuzu in the Indahnya Ramadan programme as well as programmes involving orphans and those in the asnaf group.

Campus Info

UMP bonds with Media in friendly bowling competition

Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) recently held a friendly bowling tournament with members of the Press, extending the university’s appreciation for the latter’s efforts in providing ample media exposure about UMP over the years.

Conducted for the seventh year running, the UMP-Media 2019 Bowling Friendly programme was held at the Megamall shopping complex in Kuantan on May 2, 2019, with more than 100 participants, comprising UMP management staff, media practitioners and external government agencies.

The annual tourney was officiated by UMP Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Sri Dr. Daing Nasir Ibrahim, who was accompanied by Pro-Registrar, Abd Rahman Haji Safie, and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Technology, Professor Dato’ Dr. Zularisam Ab Wahid.

Also present at the event were President of Pahang Media Club, Dato’ Nik Naizi Husin and Press Secretary to the Pahang Chief Minister, Dato’ Abdul Wahab Mohamad Ali.

Over 10 media agencies participated, among whom were Pahang bureau chiefs of Bernama, Nor Shamsiah Mohamed; of Astro, Mohana Zalani Md Atan; of RTM, Mohd Jasmi Faisal Muda; and of Utusan, Mohd Shariza Abdullah.

According to Professor Dato’ Sri Dr. Daing Nasir, such event was held to show the university’s appreciation of the Media for the latter’s vital role in disseminating the right information about the university to the public at large.

“Aside from being a sporting event to promote a healthy lifestyle, this tournament is also a platform for us to continue networking with the Media.
 
“The activity is one of many initiatives undertaken by the university to build and maintain rapport with members of the Press, who have worked hard to disseminate the latest news and information to all parties concerned,” he added, saying that through such exposure, the public at large has now recognized UMP as a five-star tertiary education provider, which produces competitive engineers and technologists.

Professor Dato’ Sri Dr. Daing Nasir, who wished everyone in attendance a belated Labor Day greeting, said he hoped the bowling friendly will continue to cement cordial working relationships between the two.
 
He also took the opportunity to share the progress of UMP MyGift programme, which has garnered support from external bodies, as UMP pools in endowment and fund to facilitate the university’s ever increasing activities, in the efforts to inculcate a culture of love for knowledge.

Among the other activities lined up at the university for the fasting month of Ramadan are Ramadan Festival, to be organized by Islamic Centre & Human Development (PIMPIN), and a strategic collaboration with Etiqa Insurance and Isuzu Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. on ‘Indahnya Ramadan’ programme.

PIMPIN will help coordinate a short video contest, mass Iftar and Terawih congregation with invited Imam at UMP Mosque in Gambang, and a traditional Lambuk porridge preparation at the Kuala Pahang Rural Transformation Centre. 

Academic and International

FIM Learning Factory: New member of the IALF

FIM Learning Factory, an initiative by the Faculty of Industrial Management (FIM) of Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP), recently marked another milestone – being accepted as the new member, and the first from Asia, of the International Association of Learning Factories (IALF).

The prestigious recognition was held during the IALF’s annual general meeting (AGM) at the Braunschweig University of Technology in Germany on March 26, 2019. 

Representing UMP Learning Factory at the AGM were Dean of FIM, Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Ridzuan Darun (who is also UMP’s new Registrar and Chief Operating Officer), and Head of Technical and lecturer, Mohd Ghazali Maarof.

IALF was originally a European Learning Factory (ELF), established in 2011 and was later revamped and renamed in 2017. Its members constitute a circle of research institutions in Germany, Austria, Croatia, Greece and South Africa. 

IALF was founded with the aim to collaborate on achieving teaching excellence in the fields of manufacturing engineering and technology. 

In the last few years, there has been a growing interest in Learning Factory worldwide, particularly within the academic institutions, as well as in research companies and consulting services.

The Learning Factory is a learning environment concept where a real industrial site is created to allow both students and researchers to experience a real-world exposure of the production process. It emphasized on the experimental and problem-based learning, which allows for an interactive involvement of the participants.

Meanwhile, the establishment of Learning Factory at UMP in 2016 has become part and parcel of the FIM curriculum beginning in October 2017. 

The objectives were to provide a complete industrial site within a campus environment with real manufacturing processes experience, and to assimilate the elements of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

Through such establishment, FIM hopes to prepare undergraduates with the experience of working in a real factory, after which the former can adapt to with confidence and ease. By participating in the activities of a Learning Factory, students can also enhance their technical and soft skills. 

Campus Info

More than 100 collection of books belonging to Allahyarham Prof. Dato’ Dr. Ishak Ismail donated to UMP Library

Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) community especially students at Faculty of Industrial Management (FIM) now have the opportunity to access to books and journals on management, finance, governance practices, integrity and ethics that belonged to one of their prominent academicians, Allahyarham Professor Dato’ Dr. Ishak Ismail who passed away on April 4, 2019.

More than 100 books belonging to him that have been donated to UMP Library in Gambang Campus and Pekan Campus which can be referred to for the purpose of learning.

The books were given away by his widow, Professor Dato’ Dr. Hasnah Haron, who is also Institute of Graduate Studies Dean, to acting Chief Librarian, Dzull Zabarrod Ahmad on April 25, 2019.

Also present were Chief Operating Officer and Registrar of UMP, Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Ridzuan Darun and Pro-Registrar, Abd. Rahman Haji Safie.
 
Allahyarham Professor Dato’ Dr. Ishak had made huge contribution to UMP with the establishment of the FIM Governance and Integrity Centre (FGIC) in 2016, which was a result of strategic partnership fostered with Pahang Foundation.

According to Professor Dato’ Dr. Hasnah, the books and journals were mainly on his late husband’s research works on various issues such as ‘Keberkesanan Sistem Parol Jabatan Penjara’ (Effectiveness of Parole System at the Prison Department), ‘Corporate Integrity System in Government Agency’, a study on small businesses in Japan, a study on the anti-bribery management system, a study on performance by selected corporate foundations and factors that impacted study loan repayments by borrowers of Pahang Foundation.

“Others included works on basic operations management, consumer behavior, basic and practices in management as well as thesis and research works of masters’ and doctorate degree students. 

“There were also an article on ‘Internal Audit Capability Model’ published in New Zealand that was picked and included in the ‘Internal Audit Capability Maturity Model’ printed by the Institute Internal Auditors, USA,” she said. 

As for Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Ridzuan, he said this was a very significant contribution especially for the faculty and would greatly benefit the students.

Dzull Zabarrod also expressed his appreciation on the contribution made and that the books and publications of the late academician would make good reference sources on a variety of issues.

“We highly appreciate the services of the late academician who had contributed a lot of books to the library for the last few years,” he added.