UMP, Yasa seal strategic collaboration in education, research and community programmes

KUANTAN, 20 January 2022 – The strategic collaboration between Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) and Yayasan Al-Sultan Abdullah (YASA) will benefit the areas of education, research and the community among students in Pahang.

YASA is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Pahang that will offer opportunities for students especially from the underprivileged community, indigenous people and mualaf (Muslim converts) in Pahang to join education and career development programmes.

The ceremony saw the exchange of memorandum of understanding (MoU) between UMP, represented by Professor Dato’ Ts. Dr. Yusserie Zainuddin who performs the functions of UMP Vice-Chancellor, and YASA, represented by General Manager, Dato’ Haji Abdul Munir Abdul Basit.

Gracing the ceremony was the Regent of Pahang, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah in conjunction with the Book Launch Ceremony, Aspirasi Menara Gading, Closing Ceremony of YASA and U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur programme, Access Leadership, and MoU Exchange between UMP and YASA in Zenith Hotel, Kuantan. 

According to Professor Dato’ Ts. Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin, the expertise and facilities in UMP provide a special intake channel for the students of Akademi Menara Gading (AGM) to pursue various educational programmes in UMP.

“In terms of research, this collaboration involves research and publication in the education development of the underprivileged community, rural, indigenous people and mualaf.

“This collaboration is establishing Vision of Future Innovator programme with Centre for Diploma and Foundation, UMP and Future Innovator Programme, which is a short-term programme involving 30 students from the groups of zakat beneficiaries (asnaf), indigenous people and mualaf, including form 1 till form 5 students.

“Meanwhile, Future Innovator School is a long-term programme that will also involve form 1 till form students,” he said.

This collaboration also involves the organisation of Community Collaboration Programme with the College of Management and Humanities, UMP.

Among the programmes executed were the education and training programme for children of mualaf and indigenous people and programme with the rural community.

Meanwhile, according to Dato’ Haji Abdul Munir, YASA is ready to provide data for students involved in the programmes organised by UMP.

They will also provide opportunities for UMP students to undergo industrial training at Akademi YASA-MUIP and other premises under YASA’s responsibility.

In this programme, RM20,000 was contributed by UMP Advanced to YASA, handed over by the Chairman of the UMP Advanced Board of Directors cum the member of UMP BOD, Datuk Mohd. Sharil Abdullah.

Also present in the ceremony were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & International), Professor Ts. Dr. Mohd. Rosli Hainin, Manager of Akademik Menara Gading (AGM), Professor Dato’ Dr. Abdul Razaq Ahmad and Chief Executive Officer of UMP Advanced, Associate Professor Dr. Mohd. Rusllim Mohamed.

AGM is a programme organised by YASA or previously known as Yayasan Istana Abdul Aziz that was established in 1996 with His Royal Highness the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Her Royal Highness the Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tunku Hajjah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah as the patrons.

By: Mimi Rabita Abdul Wahit, Corporate Communications Unit, The Office of The Vice-Chancellor
Translation by: Dr. Rozaimi Abu Samah, Engineering College/Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology