Academic and International

UMP jumped to 188th spot in Asia’s Best Universities Ranking

By: HAZLINA FAIZAL, COPORATE & QUALITY AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
 
Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) created a historical and impressive record for achieving its best ranking in the QS University Ranking Asia for 2019 with its 188th spot from the previous position of 251-300.

It was even more gratifying as the ranking attained not long after UMP was awarded with the five-star rating by Quacquarelli Symonds on July 17, 2018.

In fact, UMP has recorded many outstanding accomplishments throughout the year as it had also obtained five stars in all achievement ratings including the Malaysia Research Assessment (MyRA), University and College University Rating System (SETARA), Ministry of Higher Education Data Collection Rating (MyMohes) and National Audit Department Accountability-based Financial Management Excellence Award.

Following the result of QS Asian University Rankings 2019 that was announced recently, UMP was the first university among the technical universities (MTUN) that made the list of being among the best in Asia.

This achievement was based on 11 assessment criteria including academic reputation, employer’s reputation, ratio between faculty and students, the number of citations for publication, the number of scientific publications per faculty, international research networking, international academic staff, international students, student exchange to other countries and international student exchange into the country.

UMP also recorded positive development in two main criteria – academic reputation and employer’s reputation which showed that the university’s foundation and direction were becoming more formidable and established.

According to UMP Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Sri Ts. Dr. Daing Nasir Ibrahim, the rating was a benchmarking instrument that allowed UMP to study and make improvements in its achievement from various perspectives.

He said being among the relatively younger universities in Malaysia, it had been a challenge especially in establishing research collaborations with prominent industries, academicians and universities.

“However, UMP has been able to be competitive and position itself as among the best universities in Asia following continuing efforts taken that are in line with UMP Strategic Plan 2016-2020.

“In line with its theme, ‘Generating Excellence’, UMP will continue to focus into five strategic course of actions – Academic Excellence, Financial Sustainability, Excellence in Research and Innovation, Excellence in Branding and Sustainability in Socio-economy and Environment.

“UMP would continue to empower the fields of education, research and world-class service in a more creative and innovative engineering and technology eco-system that would benefit the people in the country,” he added.

Collaborations

UMP and Asahitechno Co. Ltd to develop Super Well Point technology to mitigate flood

By: MOHD IRWAN MUSA and AHMAD AMIRUL FAIZ AHMAD TAJUDIN of ERAS

Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) had formed a collaboration with Asahitechno Co. Ltd. of Japan to develop Super Well Point technology that would be applied in ground improvement method and ground water level reduction to mitigate flood in the state.

UMP and Asahitechno Co. Ltd. signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to pave the way for research work on the matter to be carried out.

UMP was represented by its Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Sri Ts. Dr. Daing Nasir Ibrahim while Asahitechno by its President Shigeyoshi Takahashi.

It was held at Tun Abdul Razak Chancellery Banquet Hall in Pekan on October 17, 2018. Professor Dato’ Sri Ts. Dr. Daing Nasir said Pahang was often exposed to the northeast monsoon that occurred at the end of year annually.

“A collective effort such as this may not have materialised without the support of various parties such as the technical and financial support of those with interests in the project.

“UMP is committed in conducting high-impact research involving strategic cooperation with government agency, university, research institute and industry, in line with UMP 2016-2020 Strategic Plan with its theme, ‘Communitising Technology’,” he said.

The Earth Resource Sustainability Centre (ERAS) would also carry out research with Asahitechno Co. Ltd, Yamaguchi University, Pahang Economy Planning Unit Division and Pahang Irrigation and Drainage Department (DID) to help alleviate flood problems faced by the locals.

UMP was also awarded with an international grant worth RM130,000 by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to conduct a research titled, ‘Feasibility Survey for Utilising Super Well Point Method for Soft Ground Improvement & Flood Prevention, Malaysia’.

The research would be led by ERAS Director, Associate Professor Dr. Muzamir Hasan. Also present at the event were DID Director, Ir. Jamil Shaari, Professor Emeritus Dr. Masayuki Hyodo from Yamaguchi University in Japan, Kuantan Port Authority Senior Manager (Operation and Supervision) Dato’ Asmawi Nordin and UMP Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation), Professor Dato’ Dr. Mashitah Mohd Yusoff.

Collaborations

UMP going greener MoU with Greentech Malaysia

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) and Malaysian Green Technology Corporation (GreenTech Malaysia) was inked currently, to collaborate and promote effort in research cooperation in the development of green technology policy, management and the industry 4.0.
 
Sustainable development and reducing carbon footprint are important to the world and also the Malaysian government as one of its critical agenda where Green Technology Master Plan 2017-2030 was developed to achieve these objectives. 

This strategic collaboration between UMP and GreenTech Malaysia will officialise and strengthen this commitment while broadening the research areas in green technology and also to enhance the capability of eco-product research for commercialization.
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“UMP is very much committed towards strengthening its research capacity through constructive and impactful collaborations with credible strategic partners amongst government agencies, universities, research institutions and companies, both locally and globally. 

“Such collaborations are not only vital for UMP’s strategic positioning as a 5-star rated university, but also significant in accomplishing the University’s mission to become a constructive partner for socio-economic development through research activities which are impactful and beneficial for the society.” Professor Dato’ Dr. Mashitah Mohd Yussof said during the signing ceremony on October 18, 2018 at Kuala Lumpur. 
 
“That commitment is reflected on UMP’s 2016-2020 Strategic Plan which places particular emphasis on what we describe as the “Communitising Technology” agenda, a social obligation that is borne by all UMPians, both staff and students across all faculties, departments and research centres,” she said, adding that the UMP and GreenTech Malaysia are very enthusiastic about this collaboration and are hopeful that the upcoming projects and activities to be successfully executed.
 
Representing the university was its Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation), Professor Dato’ Dr. Mashitah Mohd Yussof while Chief Executive Officer of GreenTech Malaysia, Dr. Mohd Azman Zainul Abidin signed on behalf of the organization. 

Also present was Dean of Faculty of Industrial Management, UMP, Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Ridzuan Darun. 

Research and Innovation

Pisoptera Termite Bait Product going global

By: FIKRI ABDUL GANI, UMP ECOPEST SDN. BHD.

UMP Ecopest Sdn. Bhd. a subsidiary of Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP), is surely making its international presence felt with its pre-marketing campaign carried out on the estates of India’s biggest producer of agarwood oil, Ajmal Perfumes.

The company was all set to use its environment friendly product, Pisoptera termite bait, on an acre of land belonging to Ajmal Perfumes as a testing site to treat the area which had been 99% affected by termites.

Pisoptera termite bait product is made from palm oil empty fruit bunch.

UMP Ecopest Managing Director, Syukor Abd.Razak said termites were bad for the growth of agarwood trees, resulting in the decline of quality in its production.

“Pisoptera product is made from pam oil empty fruit bunch that are scoured and dried before they are dissolved in Archive 18.3 that contains the active ingredient of Imidachloprid.

“UMP Ecopest gives a two-year guarantee and during that duration, there will be follow-up treatments carried out every six months,” said Syukor who is also the product’s lead researcher.

The first follow-up treatment will be conducted in February 2019. Syukor also said if Ajmal Perfumes was satisfied with the services provided by UMP Ecopest, they would allocate more of its areas which had been affected by termites to be treated with the Pisoptera product.

He hoped that the project would serve its purpose and help solve termite-related problems and in the process, boost up Pisoptera products in the international market.

UMP Ecopest General Manager, Fikri Abdul Gani was also among the members of delegation who left for Assam for a discussion with Ajmal Perfumes.