 Campus Info Foreign Minister meets UMP campus community
Foreign Minister Dato’ Saifuddin Abdullah attended a gathering with some 1,000 people at University Malaysia Pahang (UMP) that was held at Astaka Hall, UMP Gambang Campus on October 22, 2018. Also present were UMP Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Sri Dr. Daing Nasir Ibrahim and the university’s management team. It was held in conjunction with the International Food Festival organised by the international students and UMP International Office. An array of sumptuous delicacies and dishes were displayed such as Algerian Baklava, Griwesh, Gribiya, Black and White Cake, Choco-vany, Vegetarian Pulao and Mutton Masala (Bangladesh), Dumpling (China), Vegetarian Biryani, Kholapuri Chicken and Chicken Soup (India), Chicken Karachi, Chicken Pulawo, Naan, Salad (Pakistan), Kebab and Mandy Khabsah (Yaman). Professor Dato’ Sri Dr. Daing Nasir said it was the Indera Mahkota MP first visit to the university as a Foreign Minister and it gave the opportunity for the campus community to be up close with him. “UMP has some 1,000 international students from 30 countries such as Yemen, Bangladesh, Iraq, Libya, Pakistan, Indonesia, Sudan and Tunisia in both its campuses - Gambang and Pekan. “The festival showcases the diversity in food and cultures from all the countries. It also promotes the internationalisation agenda in which UMP community got the chance to experience cross-culture, enrich their learning and promote integration among the different races,” he added. He said participation from community outside of UMP was also set to provide opportunities for them to experience different cultures and for them to be able to interact more closely with others. “This would indirectly geared towards racial harmony and enhance unity in diversity,” he added. He also said the international ambiance exuded provided interesting experience for local and international students. Dato’ Saifuddin, in his speech, presented the Portfolio of Foreign Ministry, comprising Malaysia’s bilateral and political ties with other countries, based on geographical, geo-political, geo-economical and geo-diplomatic factors. Academic and International UMP Board of Director’s Chairman presented with Honorary Degree in Education Management from USM
Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) Board of Director’s Chairman, Dato’ Sri Ibrahim Ahmad was presented with an Honorary Degree in Education Management by Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) during its 56th convocation ceremony. USM Chancellor, His Royal Highness Raja Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Ibni Al-Marhum Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail conferred the degree to Dato’ Sri Ibrahim, formerly the Director General of Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) during the first session of the convocation held on October 23, 2018. Dato’ Sri Ibrahim is almost synonymous with MARA. Under his leadership, the agency became the lead-agency in exploring, expanding and developing of comprehensive human capital in various strategic fields, whether the current ones or in new areas.
He has vast working experience which spanned for 38 years including leading MARA for seven years (2010-2017) and turning the agency into a prominent human capital development institute. He has made great contribution in the world of education that included implementing the International General Certificate of Secondary School (IGCSE) programme in MARA Science Lower Colleges (MRSM).
For institutes of higher learning, Dato’ Sri Ibrahim pushed for the establishment of USM-KLE medical campus in Belgaum, India and eventually, sent MARA students to pursue their medical studies there. Dato’ Sri Ibrahim has also significantly helped to set up USM Student Entrepreneurship Development Programme that included the construction of an entrepreneurship centre building near Tuanku Syed Putra Hall, aimed at producing graduates with entrepreneurial attributes. This was in line with the move to meet the aspirations of HEBAT (Holistic, Entrepreneurial, Balanced, Articulate and Thinking).
There were many momentous achievements in Dato’ Sri Ibrahim’s illustrious life. He was made the Adjunct Professor by Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) on August 2018, received the Honorary Doctorate from Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) in 2017, was the Adjunct Professor by Universiti Malaya (UM) in 2016 and presented with the Honorary Doctorate from UNITAR International University in 2014. He was also UniKL Pro-Chancellor from 2011 until 2017 and a member in the board of directors of Johor Corporation and Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE). UMP Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Sri Dr. Daing Nasir Ibrahim said he hoped that the award and recognition given to Dato’ Sri Ahmad would further encourage him to continue enhance the country’s education sector as well as contribute to UMP’s excellence. Professor Dato’ Sri Dr. Daing Nasir and several of UMP’s senior management officials were present at USM convocation. He added that UMP would carry on to be exceptional in line with the university’s aspiration of becoming a world-class institute of higher learning, one that was based on competitive technology and engineering expertise. “This puts the university on the right track on being the leading technology university by 2020,” he said. Collaborations UMP offers Mandarin course for industry workers
Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Steel Alliance (M) Sdn. Bhd. (ASSB) and ATOZ Solution Sdn. Bhd. in a move to brush up Mandarin among the industry workers. The collaboration was also set to benefit the university students on getting placement for industrial training as well as career opportunities. UMP was represented by its Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Sri Dr. Daing Nasir Ibrahim while ASSB by its Deputy Project Commander, Hu Jiu Lin and ATOZ Solution by its Operations Manager, Mohamad Fauzi Mohd Jaya. It was held at the Banquet Hall, Tun Abdul Razak Chancellery Building in UMP Pekan Campus. Professor Dato’ Sri Dr. Daing Nasir said as a leading technology university, UMP had always worked on upgrading its cooperation with the industries. He also said UMP had achieved a series of accolades – it obtained five-star ratings in all the achievement standard assessment including the Malaysia Research Assessment (MyRA), University and College University Assessment System, (SETARA), Ministry of Higher Education Data Collection Assessment (MyMOHES) and Financial Management Excellence Award based on Accountability Index. “UMP was in fact had been recognised as the fastest growing technical university and was placed 188th in the QS Asian University ranking that was announced recently,” he added. Professor Dato’ Sri Dr. Daing Nasir said he was confident that the Mandarin Language Cultural Centre (MLCC) was capable of handling the programme catered for the industrial workers of an industry that would be operating at the Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park (MCKIP). He hoped that the strategic cooperation with Alliance Steel would bring more benefits in terms of more research works, industrial training programme and job opportunities. Hu Jiu Lin also said the cooperation between the industry and university was a meaningful one, more so that UMP had been recognised as among the best especially in mechanical engineering, adding, it would fit the needs of the company’s iron and steel-related operations. He added that the objective of the programme was to enhance the employees’ communication skill and encouraged them to master the language so they could further improve their capabilities and share their expertise in the field. MLCC Director, Yong Ying Mei said Mandarin was no longer limited to daily conversation but had also included the glossary of the iron and steel industry. “As such, UMP trainers will come up with a Mandarin book for industrial use to help staff master the language more effectively, and we are roping in ATOZ Sdn. Bhd. for this project,” Yong said. Sports and Recreational Alex Tiong named UMP Sportsman of the Year
Alex Tiong Sie Hung, an undergraduate at Faculty of Civil Engineering & Earth Resources (FKASA) was named Sportsman of the Year by Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) following his triumphant feats including gold medals won in the swimming event of SUKIPT and MASUM 2018. Alex made a good haul of medals in the two competitions – Institutes of Higher Learning Sports Tournament (SUKIPT) and Malaysia University Sports Council Tournament (MASUM). Alex received the award during UMP Sports Appreciation Ceremony held at Sri Manja Boutique, in Indera Mahkota, Kuantan on October 25, 2018. He took home a whopping RM12,800 in incentive cash, a trophy and certificate of appreciation. Alex expressed his gratitude to UMP for the recognition and that the success had spurred him to do better. He is now making preparations to represent the country at the Asean University Game (AUG) in Myanmar this December.
The Sportswoman of the Year was presented to Nurul Hani Shafiza Hassan from Faculty of Industrial Science and Technology (FSTI). Nurul Hani Shafiza is an archer and had won medals at SUKIPT and MASUM. She took home a trophy, incentive cash and certificate of appreciation. She was also the Sportswoman of the Year for 2016. The Most Promising Sportsman award was won by Muhammad Hafizudin Mohd Nasri (lawn bowling) while Most Promising Sportswoman was Nur Nadhirah Ab Rasul (petanque).
Prizes were presented by UMP Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni), Professor Dato’ Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin. Also present were UMP Chief Operating Officer, Abd Hamid Majid, Dean of Student Development Ts. Dr. Mohamad Mat Nor and UMP Sports and Culture Centre Director, Abd. Rahman Haji Safie. In his speech, Professor Dato’ Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin congratulated all the 35 athletes who had shined and made UMP and the country proud with their achievements. “The university’s management has carried out various programme in their efforts to produce credible and competent undergraduates. “I am confident that UMP athletes will continue to succeed in the sports arena, be it locally or internationally. “The athletes have the potentials to boost their image and stimulate their active minds which will help enhance their skills in making good decisions,” he said. He hoped that the recognition given would serve as a source of inspiration as well as sweet memories for them. Student Activities 45 FKASA students turned nature lovers
By: EMMA MELATI BURHANUDDIN, FKASA Forty-five students from Faculty of Civil Engineering & Earth Resources (FKASA) including foreign students joined forces in a noble act to conserve the environment by planting 500 mangrove tree saplings and cleaning up the shoreline of Chendor beach in Kuantan here on October 27, 2018. According to FKASA Dean, Dr. Mohamad Idris Ali, everyone was responsible in protecting the environment but there were some who were simply selfish and cared less about the nature. “They litter everywhere including the river and sea, causing pollution. There are a lot of pollutants including chemical substance and as such, this programme aims at creating awareness among the students on the importance of protecting the coastline,” he said. He added that it was an eye-opener for the students and the right thing to do so they could get better understanding on the importance to safeguard the environment and increase awareness on the dangers of polluted beaches. “Apart from planting trees, we also help to clean up the area as plastics, drinking straws, bottles and other types of garbage pose dangers to the marine life especially the turtles as these reptiles may think that the plastics are jelly fish which is their food,” he said. He also said he was satisfied with the commitment showed by the volunteers. Also present at the event were Deputy Dean (Academic and Student Affairs,) Noram Irwan Ramli and Programme Director, Dr. Doh Shu Ing. They then began to clean up the beach area and walked some 10km along the beach and the amount of garbage collected were stuffed inside at least 30 bags. They also released 20 baby turtles or hatchlings to the sea. Turtles are becoming extinct and the number of landings made in the country’s coastal line has declined. Student Activities Nature trip for international students spurred interest in environment protection
By: NORASHIKIN SULAIMAN, INTERNATIONAL OFFICE Thirty Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) international students took time off to be volunteers in a community programme involving environment protection activities at the popular Cherating beach belt in Kuantan recently. The students were from Bangladesh, China, Egypt, India, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Somalia and Yemen. The programme, ‘Love the Nature’, was organised by UMP International Office that was held on October 27, 2018. They went on a cruise along the Cherating River to enjoy the scenic landscape of mangrove and the creatures that lived in the area. After soaking in the tranquillity experience of the 45-minute cruise that was managed by Hafiz’s Cherating Activities, the students proceeded to Kuala Sungai Cherating and took part in the planting of mangrove tree saplings. International Office Director, Dr. Nik Aloesnita Nik Mohd. Alwi said the programme gave the students the opportunity to enjoy and appreciate nature and at the same time, help to conserve the environment by planting 50 tree saplings “They were given briefing on the function and importance of the trees. The protruding roots allow sediment to accumulate. Mangrove also protects the shoreline from erosion and is a natural guard against strong wind.
“They were also taken to the Turtle Sanctuary Centre at Chendor beach. They learned about the many species available in Malaysia and the need to protect the turtles from extinction,” she said. She added that the activity was organised at Rimbun Dahan by Pak Su Cherating, a non-governmental organisation that was actively involved in turtle conservation programmes in Pahang. As part of the efforts to create awareness on protecting the turtles and the habitat, the students got to release 30 baby turtles or hatchlings to the sea. One of the participants, Abdelrahman Elsaid who is from Egypt, said although the weather was hot, he was very happy to be part of the programme and that it was his first time participating in such an activity. He said he was proud to have done his bit to conserve the environment by planting the mangrove tree saplings. “We also got to see the fireflies along the Cherating River which was a beautiful sight, which surely was a memorable one, something good to bring home after I have completed my studies,” he said.          |
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