Collaborations

Tripartite collaboration hopes to boost TVET education and human capital development in the East Coast

Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) has recently partnered with the Asia Centre of Excellence for Smart Technologies (ACES) to cooperate and collaborate on activities in connection with accelerating the adoption of related smart technologies and digital initiatives of the fourth industrial revolution (now popularly referred to as Industry Revolution 4.0, or IR4.0) – especially where it concerns human capital development in the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) of Malaysia, and in Southeast Asia, generally.

Based at the Cybercentre in Pahang Technology Park (PTP), ACES is an initiative between ECER Development Council (ECERDC) and Germany’s TUM International GmbH – a networking of government agencies, industry players and academic institutions – to boost technical and vocational education and training (TVET), as well as to enhance smart technology skills, training and consultancy, specifically in the digitalization and automation processes under IR4.0. 

TUM International is essentially the subsidiary of Technical University of Munich (TUM), Germany’s top-ranking university based on the 'QS World University Ranking' and one of the best universities in Europe. 

It is well regarded as a leading provider for the development, coordination and operation of integrated science and industry clusters as well as technology transfer and talent management programmes with international partners from research, politics and industry.

Leveraging TUM International’s experience and expertise, ECERDC will be collaborating to provide technical blueprints and roadmap, trainings, certifications, as well as advisory and consulting works for the introduction and upscaling of technology in various fields within the private and public sector for IR4.0, as well as other innovative and smart technologies.

The tripartite collaboration, sealed vide a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Germany on October 17, 2019, saw UMP Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ir. Dr. Wan Azhar Wan Yusoff signed on behalf of the university, whilst Chief Executive Officers (CEO) Baidzawi Che Mat and Daniel Gottschald represented ECERDC and TUM International, respectively. 

Present to witness the MoU was Malaysia Minister of Education, Dr. Maszlee Malik, who was on official working visit to Germany. 

“This tripartite collaboration will definitely benefit UMP, through sharing of expertise in order  for us to meet future industry demands, including several soon-to-be-implemented projects, especially ones related to products commercialization, Executive 4.0 Programme and TVET,” remarked Professor Ir. Dr. Wan Azhar.  

In conjunction with the visit to and signing ceremony in Germany, UMP’s delegation also took the opportunity to enhance its bilateral academic programme cooperation with two other tertiary institutions there, namely Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences (HsKA) and The Knowledge Foundation@Reutlingen University (KFRU). 

The delegation met up with the Dean of Faculty of Mechanical & Mechatronics Engineering at HsKA, Professor Dr. Robert Weis; and Professor Ing Dr. Daniel Palm, who lectures on Logistics and Supply Chain Management at ESB Business School at KFRU.

The bilateral academic programme cooperation is part and parcel of the present dual degree programme offered at UMP – Bachelor’s in Automotive and Mechatronics Engineering, which will be expanded to include new programmes and other topical subjects in the automotive engineering field.

UMP strongly believes this bilateral academic programme cooperation will greatly benefit the country, as the university endeavours to introduce German’s engineering education module known as Fachhochschule – which focuses on and specifies in topical subjects – to its engineering teaching and learning system.

The effectiveness of this engineering education module has resulted in Germany producing competent engineers. 

This module is seen as the best model for us to spearhead, being one of the four public institutions of higher learning in the Malaysia Technical University Network (MTUN) – an umbrella network comprising UMP, Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) and Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM).”

Academic and International

Synergy between UMP and MRSM have positive impact on intellectual and potential development of students

By: MOHAMMAD HAKIMI KAMARUDIN, CORPORATE COMMUNICATION DIVISION

Understanding the need to nurture students’ potential in view of the current reality and future challenges, Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) opens its doors to having cooperation to develop students’ capabilities such as the one formed with MARA Junior Science College (MRSM) that also aimed at boosting their academic growth.

According to UMP Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ir. Dr. Wan Azhar Wan Yusoff, the university’s display of openness was a display of its competence and that as an ivory tower, it played a role as an institution that was people-oriented.

“As such, it was able to provide positive impact to the intellectual development of students in MRSM,” he added.

“The increasing number of MRSM across the country in the aspect of educational diversity has further broadened the access to study at secondary level for local children with potentials. They can do so, seamlessly and excellently.

“UMP will be delighted if MRSM can help realise UMP’s aspiration of being a Community University and form a synergistic relationship,” he said at the launching of MRSM 10th Graduation Ceremony at Serai Utama Hall, MRSM Tun Abdul Razak in Pekan on October 26, 2019.

As for MRSM Tun Abdul Razak Principal Nik Jasmi Nik Yaacob, he said he was satisfied with the achievement of its 108 students that included 29 obtaining First Class, 48 with Second Upper Class and 31 with Second Lower Class.

He also hoped that the enthusiasm that the students had showed all this while would continue and that they would carry on to work hard and diligently for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination.

The public examination starts on November 5.

At the ceremony, Nurul Adlina Shamsul Kamal was named as the Outstanding Student 2019. She also received the Outstanding Academic Award with Irfan Rosli also named as the recipient for the same award.

Muhammad Afiq Danial Izi Arman and Puteri Irdina Sofea Jazlan Arif each received the Most Outstanding Personality Award.

Also present at the event were MARA Pahang Director, Raja Sarimah Raja Jamaluddin and the school’s PTA President, Mohammad Ismail.

Campus Info

UMP holds ‘Jalinan Kasih Bersama Komuniti’ for Balok’s Rohingyas

Concerned about the plight of displaced fellow Muslims of Rohingya ethnic from Myanmar, Universiti Malaysia Pahang’s (UMP) Association of Professional & Administrative Officers (PPTI) recently conducted a community programme called ‘Jalinan Kasih Bersama Komuniti’, in collaboration with a number of the university’s strategic partners.

Akin to a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity to bridge public institutions of higher learning with their surrounding communities, the ‘Jalinan Kasih Bersama Komuniti’ programme saw PPTI embracing and opening its doors to the Rohingya community residing at a refugee settlement in Balok, Kuantan. 

Held on October 13, 2019, the community programme was both an eye-opener and opportunity for about 300 Rohingya men, women and children, who learnt new skills and got reacquainted with the formal education system. 

Several activities were specifically designed for Balok’s Rohingya community – among them were English Language class; reading, writing and computing (3M) class; and basic household skills classes, like cooking, sewing, personal grooming and make-up; as well as hydroponic planting. 

The community programme was also part and parcel of UMP’s and its collaborative partners’ initiatives and efforts to boost the surrounding community’s well-being, especially to cater to those in dire need. Donations to the needy was the final curtain for the programme.

Among the strategic partners participating with UMP Co-curriculum Management Council in the latest ‘Jalinan Kasih Bersama Komuniti’ programme were Islamic Medical Association of Malaysia Response & Relief Team (IMARET), The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), Dentistry for the Needy, KEMAS, Giat MARA, Sekolah Kebangsaan Balok, Kelab Penyayang volunteers and the undergraduate brigade.

The one-day community programme was officiated by Indera Mahkota’s Member of Parliament (MP), Dato’ Saifuddin Abdullah, who is also Malaysia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. 

Among those present at the official launch of ‘Jalinan Kasih Bersama Komuniti’ were Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs & Alumni), Professor Dato’ Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin; Deputy Director of Pahang State Education Department (Learning Sector), Abdul Rahim Mohd Yunos; Head of Education Department for Kuantan District, Miftah Surif and President of the Rohingya Society in Malaysia (RSM), Faisal Islam Muhamad Kassim. 

In his official address, Dato’ Saifudding expressed his appreciation to the commitment exemplified by UMP and the initiative by its strategic partners, as well as to every individual involved, especially the volunteers and UMP students, in organizing such a noble community programme for the displaced Rohingyas.

“Malaysia has actually started receiving the exodus of the Rohingya community since 1998, but am not too sure when they started a settlement in Kuantan,” said the Minister, who came accompanied by his wife, Datin Norlin Shamsul Bahari.

“As we are all aware, the Rohingyas had to flee their country to escape being victimized of unimaginable violence and so-called ethnic cleansing. To date, several local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have come forward to assist this community in their basic living needs and education.”

According to Dato’ Saifuddin, the Government hopes and continues to encourage more NGOs to get involved in lending a helping to this displaced community

“The Government is in the midst of getting international sponsors to pool adequate fund to help the Rohingyas, especially where it concerns their children’s formal education.

“The questions that would soon beg some answers are, what is the direction and where would these Rohingya children go when they excel in their studies? 

“On this note, the Government is analyzing the issue, and is presently getting the Rohingyas to adopt part of the country’s education curriculum,” he remarked.

The Indera Mahkota MP also called on Malaysians to be open-minded to the increasing presence of the Rohingyas and to lend the latter a helping hand.

Meanwhile, Programme Director of the ‘Jalinan Kasih Bersama Komuniti’ and President of PPTI, Mohd Raizalhilmy Mohd Rais, said the community programme is part and parcel of the Assocciation’s social responsibility, in areas of education and experience acquisition, to its surrounding communities.