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UMP E-Newsletter

Human Resource

Empowering competency-based talent management in Malaysia’s public universities: A strategic partnership between AKEPT and UMP

VOL. 14 JAN 2019

By: SITI SAKINAH MOHTAR, REGISTRY

Higher Education Leadership Academy (AKEPT) organised a series of programme on Competency-Based Talent Management (CBTM) called Talent Management for Excellence Series or TaME in 2018.

It held its fourth series of the programme, ‘International Immersive Learning Lab on Competency-Based Talent Management (CBTM) for University Leaders’, in Gold Coast, Australia from December 3-6, 2018.

The last three series were held in Kuala Terengganu, Kota Kinabalu and Nilai.     

Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) was the co-organiser of the event. It was also the first university to implement CBTM in a holistic way.

VOL. 14 JAN 2019

The objective of the programme was to enhance the understanding, knowledge and skills on implementing CBTM in an organisation and in the process, the strategic partnership developed between AKEPT-UMP was expected to further enhance and strengthen the CBTM cause carried out in public universities. 

UMP has now aligned the key performance index (KPI) of all staff to its strategic planning and a structured human capital development will be specifically designed for each position. This will provide the foundation for staff to meet their respective KPIs and eventually, fulfil the organisation’s mission and vision. 

The development plan designed for each employee is the result of the competency assessment and what has been described is the result of instituting Pay for Performance (P4P) in UMP since 2016.

The two main agendas in the development of P4P is to obtain the best outcomes from the human capital resource and to have that kind of achievement accomplished on a daily basis. 

VOL. 14 JAN 2019

P4P has been developed with four components:

  1. Part A (KPI) that measures the return on investment made;
  2. Part B (Personal Development) that weighs ones’ development;
  3. Part C (Citizenship Behaviour) that holds the four core values which are must-haves for each UMP staff member. The values are Integrity, Accountability, Teamwork and Innovativeness; and
  4. Part D (Developing Others) that encourages everyone to help and encourage others to become better.

AKEPT Director, Datuk Professor Dr. Rohana Yusof, in her speech, lauded the participants on their commitment to the programme since the commencement of the first series. 
She hoped that the knowledge and experience gained would be useful and could be utilised in their respective organisations.

She added that it would not only help strengthen management and governance in the organisation but would also lead to modifications in implementing CBTM.
Among the guests present at the event were UMP Registrar, Abd Hamid Majid and Special Project Officer of Malaysian Institute of Management (MIM), Shanti Subramanian.

VOL. 14 JAN 2019

CBTM is Malaysia’s higher learning strategic agenda focusing on the transformation of human resource management through competency instruments. 

The development of knowledge and skills capabilities among human resource managers and leaders are considered as an enabler to mobilise this agenda implemented in the county’s public universities.

It is also in line with Malaysia Education Blueprint 2015-2025 (Higher Education) for Shift 2: Talent Excellence.

A total of 57 participants from various public universities and different portfolios comprising chief operating officers, directors, managers and talent management executives attended the programme.

The programme consisted of 21 credit hours learning lab packed with lectures, case study analysis and interactive discussions as well as designing a competency framework.

The facilitators were CBTM experts and among them were McCue Consulting Pty Ltd Director, Kay McCue, School of Business and Tourism, Southern Cross University Lecturer, Dr. Silvia Nelson and JMJ Associates Part-Time Consultant, Professor Dr James Carlopio.

On December 6, 2018, the participants visited the Southern Cross University where CBTM was implemented.

They attended a few sessions on academic competency with Professor Robin Stonecash who was the Dean of Business and Head of School and on leadership competency with the HR Director, Sharon Farquhar and her team members, Renea Duignan and Trina Gray.

The participants were also presented with certificates upon completion of the sessions and they listened to the closing speech by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Tyrone Carlin.

The completion of the whole programme marked a new chapter for the participants who were now responsible in drafting a framework that would pave the way for the implementation of CBTM in their respective organisations.

The TaME programme will continue to be carried out from time to time in 2019 as the objective is to ensure that CBTM is effectively implemented in public universities.


Human Resource

UMP feted staff who completed their studies and the university’s retirees

VOL. 14 JAN 2019

Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) feted 28 staff and fellows who had completed their PhD studies in 2018 as well as staff who had retired in an event held at Tun Abdul Razak Chancellery Banquet Hall in UMP Pekan Campus on December 19, 2018.

The event was part of the initiative and commitment by the management to consistently reach out and interact with employees and retirees in a more familial setting.

It was a mark of appreciation and gratitude from UMP staff to the retirees for their services, dedication and sacrifice that had contributed towards UMP’s excellence.

UMP Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Sri Dr. Daing Nasir also congratulated staff and fellows who had completed their studies within the stipulated time and hoped that they would continue to carry out their duties and contribute towards the university’s excellence.

“The number of lecturers with PhD degrees in UMP has reached 69.9% and this achievement will certainly give an impact on the university’s agenda on excellence as well as fulfil its objective on Academic Excellence in its Strategic Plan 2016-2020.

“UMP also introduced UMP Alumni Corporate Card to the retirees that allowed them access to services and facilities offered in the library, security division, the health centre, sports and cultural centre and several of UMP responsibility centres,” he said.

It would bring about a sense of belonging and for them to feel that they would always be part of the university, he added.

Also present at the event were Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & International), Professor Ir. Dr. Wan Azhar Wan Yusoff, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation), Professor Dato’ Dr. Mashitah Mohd Yusoff, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs & Alumni), Professor Dato’ Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin and Chief Operation Officer/Registar Abd. Hamid Majid. 


Research and Innovation

Special GRIT chair for Muhammad Amirul

VOL. 14 JAN 2019

Eight-year old Muhammad Amirul Fikri Mohamad Fazir’s face lit up with joy upon receiving a specially-designed chair called GRIT Chair that was made by a group of Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) students and lecturers from Faculty of Mechanical Engineering.

Amirul, a Year Two pupil at Sekolah Kebangsaan Indera Shahbandar Pekan, has Achondroplasia - bone growth disorder that causes disproportionate dwarfism.

His father, Mohammad Fazir Osman said he was very pleased and grateful to UMP and the school for creating the chair suitable for his son’s condition.

“The chair will provide some comfort to Amirul when in class. I really appreciate the support and help given to Amirul. The teachers have been very helpful too.

“Prior to this, the teachers had to modify the table for Amirul’s use but it is lower than the rest of the tables in the class,” he added.

VOL. 14 JAN 2019

By using GRIT Chair, Amirul could now sit comfortably and use the same tables like his classmates, he said, adding, the chair had a foot rest.

Also present at the event were programme Head and Advisor, Dr. Daing Mohamad Nafiz Daing Idris, Dr. Saiful Anwar Che Ghani, Muhammad Hadi Hassan, the school’s Senior Assistant Teacher (Administration), Nor Yanti Mohd Radzuan and the special education class teacher.

Dr. Daing Mohamad Nafiz said the idea for the chair came about following discussion between the university and school on finding ways to help Amirul who was facing difficulties using the table and chair provided by the school.

He said in two months, the GRIT Chair was completed by four students - Muhammad Syakir Mohd Isa, Nur Syafiq Azman, Muhammad Isyraf Hadi Mohamad Rozulan and Muhammad Syazwan Sahimi.

“The chair was designed by using wood and stainless steel.  It uses a simple mechanical concept, the jackscrew to adjust the height of the sea, depending on the user. The design also took into consideration the aspects of safety and mishap.

VOL. 14 JAN 2019

“We believe the chair can be used by Amirul until he is 12 and probably beyond that age,” he added.

Dr. Daing Mohamad Nafiz lauded the efforts taken by the students who made the chair and hope that students pursuing engineering courses were inspired to think about ways to make contributions to the community.

Nor Yanti also said she was pleased with the cooperation forged with UMP and hoped that more cooperation would be carried out that would benefit the students.
 


Academic and International

English workshop benefits DLP students

VOL. 14 JAN 2019

By: HAJAH NOOR AZLINDA ZAINAL ABIDIN, CENTRE FOR MODERN LANGUAGES & HUMAN SCIENCES

The Centre for Modern Languages & Human Sciences (CMLHS), together with Department of Academic and International conducted the Dual Language Programme (DLP) enrichment workshop for 43 secondary school students on January 2, 2019.

It was aimed at providing exposure to the students to master the subjects of mathematics and science in English.

The students were from two excellence cluster schools (SKK) - Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Seri Pekan and Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Ahmad.

According to CMLHS language teacher and mentor for SMK Seri Pekan, Hajah Noor Azlinda Zainal Abidin, the students took part in various activities that helped to instil confidence and create awareness on the importance of English language in the subject of Science.

“It helped in making them to be more determined and motivated in improving themselves and master the language.

VOL. 14 JAN 2019

“Every student was assigned to work in a group, required to complete a report and make a presentation using the Pecha Kucha style, which was more interesting and interactive,” she added.

The programme also involved 10 UMP students acting as facilitators and Puan Aisyah Hanum, from the Department of English Language, CMLHS.

School teacher Aishah Hanum Abu Bakar said the opportunity to be in UMP campus made the students very interested in their studies, motivating them to excel in their academics so they could also study in the ivory towers.

“They got to use other facilities including the English language laboratory which is an amazing facility that helps to provide the setting to enhance their proficiency in the language,” she said.

She also said the students visited UMP Central Lab and witnessed how an experiment was conducted using sophisticated equipment with the staff explaining the procedures in English.

For 2019, more programmes are being planned that will bring about better benefits to students and teachers and this will help foster stronger collaboration between UMP and the cluster schools.