Campus Info

UMP being ranked as best  global universities for Engineering and Chemistry

UMP once again has been recognized internationally after being listed in the Best Global Universities Subject Rankings for two subjects: Engineering and Chemistry. The ranking, published by U.S. News on 21st Oct 2019, is to provide insight into how universities compare globally. The subject rankings are powered by Clarivate Analytics InCites, in which a total of 10,100 universities from 87 different countries are ranked in 28 subjects.

For Engineering subject, UMP is ranked at 271th place globally, and at 7th among universities in Malaysia. Proudly, this position places UMP as the top engineering university among Malaysia Technical University Network (MTUN).

For Chemistry subject, UMP is ranked #741 globally and it is also 8th among universities in Malaysia.

U.S. News adopts a robust methodology for Best Global Universities Subject Rankings, which covers Reputation Indicators, Bibliometric Indicators and Science Excellence Indicators. UMP achievement signifies that its researches in both Engineering and Chemistry are impactful and well recognized in the world. Congratulations.

Campus Info

UMP Food Bank – aids for undergraduates

Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP)’s Food Bank for Undergraduate initiative, aimed at helping to ease the cost of living incurred by students in campus as well as those outside of the campus had been well-received.

The initiative was carried out by volunteers using the Food Pantry concept.

It was officially launched by Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, in conjunction with a dialogue session held with the minister at Astaka Hall, UMP Gambang Campus on October 16, 2019.

Also present at the launching were the ministry’s Deputy Secretary General, Datuk Rostam Affendi Dato’ Salleh, UMP Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni), Professor Dato’ Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin, UMP Board of Directors’ member, Professor Dato’ Dr. Rosli Mohd. Yunus and Food Bank Malaysia Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Abd. Wahab Long.

The programme was launched in 17 public universities and UMP was the 18th university to have a Food Bank.

To date, a total of 6,570 students from the public universities have benefitted from the programme including 1,400 in UMP.

Among the sponsors that contributed to the programme were Tunas Manja Group, 99 Speedmart Sdn. Bhd., Adabi Kuantan Distribution Sdn. Bhd., Palma Unggul Enterprise, Hock Ho Hiap Kee Oil Mill Sdn. Bhd., Nurfirman Sdn. Bhd., Nirwana Group,  Gardenia Bakeries (KL) Sdn. Bhd., Legasi Z Sufi Marketing and Syarikat Gean Ming Sdn. Bhd.

In his speech, Datuk Seri Saifuddin said the ministry, through the foundation, had taken steps to connect the industries, such as supermarket owners, food manufacturers, restaurants and hotels, with universities in channelling food aids.

He also said the running of the food bank initiative was based on a concept ‘From the Undergraduate to the Undergraduate’.

“We welcome university students to participate in the initiative especially student bodies, so we can together help those who are in need,” he added.

Professor Dato’ Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin also said the university had developed UMP Campus Pantry Portal, which was entirely done by the students themselves, so those interested could get the latest information about the programme.

“It will also facilitate the public or alumni to make contributions, in cash or food.

“To date, a total of 1,400 students under the B40 category have benefitted from the Campus Pantry aimed at helping to reduce their cost of living, especially so towards the end of the semester.

“Since its inception, various activities have been organised to fill UMP Campus Pantry such as a charity sale where new clothes as well as second hand clothes which are still in good condition are sold with the lowest price fixed at RM1.

“All the proceeds were channelled to the Campus Pantry,” he added.

“Another means of filling the coffers was by encouraging staff to make salary deduction as an incentive of contribution to MyGift fund or UMP Foundation,” he said.

UMP had also implemented several of its own meal programmes such as the ‘Food for All’ where free meals were provided at the mosque from Monday to Friday (morning) and every Monday and Thursday for breaking of fast (iftar jamaie) at UMP Mosque and the ‘Projek Kongsi Rezeki’ (Sharing of Sustenance) where students could get their lunches at RM1.

The ministry and foundation welcomed participation from various parties for the programme in a move to reduce surplus of food and to help the needy.

They also believed that volunteerism could be instilled through this programme and hoped that the initiative could be extended to 123 other locations including private institutes of higher learning, university colleges, teachers’ training colleges and polytechnics.

Academic and International

Malaysia–China Cultural Arts Festival showcases the cultural heritage of the two countries

By: SITI NURFARMY IBRAHIM, CORPORATE COMMUNICATION DIVISION.
Translation by: DR. ROZAIMI ABU SAMAH, FACULTY OF CHEMICAL AND PROCESS ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY  

The organizing of the Malaysia–China 2019 Cultural Arts Festival held in conjunction with the launch of the Confucius Institute (CI) UMP is not only seen to enhance Mandarin language skills and provide cultural exchange but also to strengthen good relations between the two countries and collaboration between UMP and its strategic partner, Hebei University, China. 

Held at the UMP Astaka Hall, Gambang Campus on 12 October 2019, the festival successfully featured a cornucopia of Chinese cultural heritage and performances including calligraphy arts, painting, lion dance and martial arts such as tai chi and wushu, as well as forum, as a cultural sharing medium that reflects the diversity of proud customs and cultures. 

The festival was officiated by the Dean of Student Services, Student Affairs and Alumni Department, Dr. Mansor Sulaiman. 

Also present were the Deputy Director of the International Cooperation & Exchange Office, Hebei University, Associate Professor Liang Wei Ge, the Director of the Centre for Sports & Culture, Professor Dato’ Ts. Dr Rosli Abu Bakar, the General Manager of the Academic & International Affairs Department, Abd Hamid Majid, the Director of CI UMP, Yong Ying Mei and the Director of the Confucius Institute China, Professor Guo Fuliang.

According to Dr. Mansor, the uniqueness of the plural society in Malaysia has attracted tourists to come to this country to experience the diversity of the ethnics’ heritage.

“In this regard, the students on campus must foster unity and inter-racial relationship in all activities. 

“The Shared Prosperity Vision under the Malaysian government today is a handy reference for us to learn to appreciate the diversity that exists as a foundation to strengthen the nation,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Malaysia–China cultural forum was panelled by Dr. Fan Yuguang of Hebei University and Dr. Ahmad Rahman Hamzah of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), and moderated by Mohd Zaki Ahmad.

There was also a cultural exhibition featuring the use of chopsticks, Chinese knots and traditional Malaysian games, as well as various cultural performances involving students from both universities.

Campus Info

UMPH pledges highest integrity & corruption-free business practice

UMP Holdings Sdn. Bhd. (UMPH) – the business arm of Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) – recently had its over 300 staff, of various groups and levels of employment, signed an undertaking and pledged their commitment to combat corruption, abuse of power and intra-organization embezzlement.

At a ceremony held at the UMPH Complex at UMP’s Gambang Campus on October 2, 2019, the pledge was cast in the presence of UMPH Chairman, Dato’ Sri Mohd Hilmey Mohd Taib; UMPH Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ir Syed Mohamad Hamzah Al-Junid Syed Abdul Rahman; UMP Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs & Alumni), Professor Dato’ Ts Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin; and Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) Pahang State Deputy Director of Prevention, Sheikh Hamadi Sheikh Abdul Hamid.

According to UMPH, the commitment and pledge are hoped to reinforce the virtues upheld by the business entity to carry out its mandate and duties to the highest integrity – simultaneously extolling a strong message to the surrounding communities that all responsibilities would be diligently executed, with trust and without prejudice, including combatting corruption.
 
Ir. Syed Mohamad Hamzah Al-Junid emphasized that as an organization that practices the highest integrity, UMPH will not condone any form of corruption, whether directly or indirectly, in its dealings and procedures, including those involved in procurement, licensing, customer service and collaboration with other interested parties. 

“Each and every one of us has to ensure full compliance of the written Code of Ethics, in order to develop and create a positive and conducive work culture within our organization,” stressed the CEO.

“We will also closely cooperate with the MACC to upgrade the reporting and whistleblowing avenues that can be safely accessed by our workforce and other related parties – to channel any discovery and instance of corrupt practice – with confidence and without fear or pressure,” he added.  

Ir. Syed Mohamad Hamzah Al-Junid called upon everyone present at the ceremony to inculcate a high-integrity work culture and corporate value as the heart and pulse of UMPH activities.

This form of work culture, the CEO explained, has to be visually seen and witnessed in every UMPH staff’s action and practice – for instance, via exemplary leadership roles, personal appearance, interpersonal interactions, and most importantly, attitude towards carrying out their work responsibilities.

UMP was among the earliest agencies in Pahang to commit its corrupt-free pledge when the university’s line-up of management, including high-ranking officers, deans, directors and heads of department, undertook the oath two years ago on October 25, 2017.  

Academic and International

Let’s Vocab @ STEM helps enhance pupils’ command of English vocabulary 

By: SITI SARAH SUKOR, GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT FOR FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH GRANT CHEME (FRGS) PROJECT ID RDU190188 

The Centre for Modern Languages & Human Science (CMLHS) at Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) recently coordinated a field trip for 100 primary school pupils from around Pekan to the university to participate in a programme called “Let’s Vocab @ STEM”.

Organized in collaboration with the Industry & Community Network Centre (ICON), the Centre held the half-day programme at its premise on August 29, 2019.

In preparation for the programme, the Centre for Modern Languages (CML) Director, Associate Professor Dr. Zuraina Ali, collaborated with CML members Rosnani Ismail, Nurul Nadia Muhammad and Nabila Abdul Malek, to produce a learning module on how to assist the primary schoolers enhance their English vocabulary in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subject matters.

“The half-day program aimed to assist the Primary Year 4 pupils in enhancing their English vocabulary in STEM. Various fun activities to learn the target vocabulary size were packed into the learning module,” said Associate Professor Dr. Zuraina. 

“The learning module consisted of vocabulary games, such as puzzle, word maze, word search and pictorials, which has proved beneficial in enhancing the pupils’ command of vocabulary,” she highlighted, adding that the survey conducted at the end of the programme showed that 'Let’s Vocab @ STEM' was an engaging, interesting and fun-filled in-class activities. 

CML believes, as young learners of English, vocabulary expansion is a crucial component of the prerequisite four skills of learning English – listening, speaking, reading and writing. 

“By conducting a programme like 'Let’s Vocab @ STEM', the young learners stand to gain confidence in learning English, especially vocabulary of STEM, allowing them to comprehend  learning techniques presented in the module,’ she said.

Alumni Tracks

With a postponed success, Amir Ashraf rose to the title of Entrepreneur

Translation by: DR. ROZAIMI ABU SAMAH, FACULTY OF CHEMICAL AND PROCESS ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY  

As the saying goes, 'Where there’s a will, there’s a way'. It is a fitting analogy to the Managing Director of Profix Engineering Sdn. Bhd., Amir Ashraf Hamzah, 35, who continued to struggle in the business and managed to position himself in line with successful entrepreneurs.

Beginning with painful experiences, the young man from Kampung Tok Hakim Padang Midin, Terengganu has persevered despite being once faced with a situation where he ran out of money to buy milk for his children. 

He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronics from Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) in 2007 and he has always been ambitious to start his own business from a young age.

Today, his dreams come true thanks to the efforts and prayers of his parents, family and the support from the people around him.

The son of Haji Hamzah Othman and Hajah Hasmah Mohamad has chosen the business in engineering and construction to try new and challenging things.

He initially encountered great objection from the people around him when he chose to venture into business.

“Most people consider this business to be high risk, but I take it as a challenge.

“To be honest, initially, my interest was not in engineering. But that changed when I fell in love with the field while working as an engineer at several companies in Kuala Lumpur.

“This five-year work experience has given me the courage to establish a construction company in 2011 under the name Profix Engineering Sdn. Bhd. At that time, that Myvi car was my first office,” said Amir Ashraf.

However, he said the founding of the company was not as good as the drama we saw on television.
“I was a novice in the business world. However, the sky is not always blue, my business was in trouble and I was overwhelmed with debt and losing my business partners.

“At that moment, I felt that the world was against me, but the advice and encouragement from my parents guided me.

“It is still fresh in my memory that my mother told me not to give up and continue because no one failed in business; it is only a postponed success. Her words further strengthen my spirit to go back to the drawing board,” he said.

He also advised, “Do not be afraid to start something, because when fear takes control, we will not dare to take the step.

At the same time, we also need to surround ourselves with positive people because the positive aura will drive us to succeed.”

Amir Ashraf acknowledged that this business has many challenges as we are vulnerable to trials and difficulties.

“However, if we see this problem as a problem, we will not go anywhere, and it will continue to be a problem.

“Therefore, we need to take it as a challenge and consider it an opportunity that we need to overcome,” he said.

He shared his valuable experience in the motivational talks he delivered.

Depending solely on one’s experience as an engineer is not enough to build a company.

He also shared his success tips for starting an engineering and construction company.

“Not only we need passion and knowledge, but we also need the experience of managing a company. The combination of these three requisites can create a great company. 

“During my high school years, after my Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM), I studied at the Johor Matriculation College and later pursued my study in UMP in electrical engineering,” he said.

Married to Syarifah Mahfudzah Syed Mafdzot, 34, they are blessed with three children – Ainul Syuhada, 6, Ainul Raudhah, 4, and Amir Ar-Rayyan, 3.

Currently, Profix Engineering Sdn. Bhd. has 12 staff comprising engineers, project supervisors and administrative staff located in Seri Kembangan, Selangor.

In addition to being the Managing Director of Profix Engineering Sdn. Bhd., he is currently the Chairman of the UMP Industry Network Alumni Platform (INAP), the Industrial Advisor to the Politeknik Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin (PSMZA) Dungun, Terengganu and Contractors & Consultant Gas Panel for the National Palace, One Bangsar Bangsar Condominium and Sri Bangsar Condominium.