Campus Info

Minister of Youth and Sports met some 1,500 university students and representatives from youth and sports associations in a town hall meeting in UMP

More than 1,500 undergraduates and representatives from youth and sports associations turned up at Astaka Hall in Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) Gambang Campus for a town hall meeting with Minister of Youth and Sports Yang Berhormat Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman that was held on February 18, 2019.

The undergraduates were mainly from institutes of higher learning in Pahang such as Widad University College, Pahang Sultan Ahmad Shah Islamic University College (KUIPSAS), Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Polytechnic (POLISAS), Pahang Skills Development Centre (PSDC), International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), University College of Yayasan Pahang (UCYP) and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM).

Also present at the event were UMP Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Sri Dr. Daing Nasir Ibrahim, National Sports Council Director General, Dato’ Ahmad Shapawi Ismail and Pahang Youth and Sports Director, Shansuhaimi Basir.

In his speech, Professor Dato’ Sri Dr. Daing Nasir welcomed the minister to share his aspiration and to listen to the voices of the young generation comprising the undergraduates, an event that was held for the first time in UMP.

“This meeting is also set to strengthen the leadership in student and youth as well as in the development of sports in the country. The approach taken by all parties in shaping the identity of youth is very important for they are the beneficiary of the future,” he said.

For this programme, Pahang Youth Council President, Wan Emril Nizam Wan Embong acted as the moderator.

Syed Saddiq spent more than two hours in explaining matters relating to government policies and answering questions posed by the audience.

Discussions also centred on views and suggestions on ways to address issues relating to sports development, youth leadership, unemployment and rising of living standards which had burdened the young generation.

Syed Saddiq also said that there were job opportunities in other countries for the young generation following a collaboration forged with the French government.

“Experience working abroad could be used when they returned home where they could help in the country’s development,” he added.

Campus Info

UMP creating excellence together with the industry to empower entrepreneurial activity

In facing the year 2019, Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) will continue to create excellence and dynamism in fulfilling its vision on becoming the leading technology university.

That was the gist of the Annual Speech for 2019 by UMP Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Sri Dr. Daing Nasir Ibrahim.

More than 5,000 people consisting UMP community turned up to listen to his speech, themed - ‘Celebrating The Success, Engaging The Industry, Nurturing Entrepreneurship’ which was held at UMP Sports Complex, Gambang Campus on February 19, 2019.

Also present were Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation), Professor Dato’ Dr. Mashitah Mohd Yusoff, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & International), Professor Dr. Wan Azhar Wan Mohd Yusof, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs & Alumni), Professor Dato’ Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin and Industry Network Alumni Platform (INAP) Action Council Chairman, Amir Ashraf Hamzah.

In celebrating success, Professor Dato’ Sri Dr. Daing Nasir said the finest example was when UMP became the first university among the technical universities (MTUN) to be ranked as 188th best in Asia by QS University Ranking Asia: 2019 and for getting the five-star rating for Teaching and Learning in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Stars Rating 2018.

“The QS also listed the Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering in UMP in the 251-300 best group in the world.

“We have also scored five stars in all aspects of rating including the Malaysia Research Assessment (MyRA), Rating System for Malaysian Higher Education (SETARA), Ministry of Education Data Collection System (MyMohes) and Financial Management Excellence based on the National Audit Department Accountability Index” he said.

He added that exchange of knowledge, research development, consultation activities, training and commercialisation would be the main agenda in efforts taken to meet UMP’s industrial needs.

“UMP will also make use of the Industry Network Alumni Platform (INAP) that serves as an important platform which spells high commitment and signifies continuous effort of the university in strengthening networking between the industry and alumni.

“INAP is an initiative that is collectively mooted by the Department of Industrial and Community Networking, UMP Alumni Association and Department of Student Affairs and Alumni. It is a platform for the university’s alumni working in the public and private sector to build networking, to interact and contribute based on their professional capacity, be it as executives, technocrats, entrepreneurs, academicians and others.

“In another move to enrich the entrepreneurship field, UMP will focus on the small and medium industry (SMI), to start a unique techno-entrepreneurial programme and to develop the International Incubator Network,” he said.

In responding to the government’s call to strengthen the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Professor Dato’ Sri Dr. Daing Nasir said UMP would be offering six new programme in engineering-related Bachelor of Technology, targeting graduates of vocational colleges, polytechnics and skill training institutes.

“The programme would commence this year,” he added.

In line with its theme on generating glory, UMP would continue to focus on its five strategic leaps - Academic Excellence, Financial Sustainability, Excellence in Research and Innovation, Brand Excellence and Sustainability in Socio-Economic and Environment.

The university also launched UMP Green Policy and ‘Let’s Break Up with Single Use Plastic’ campaign which aimed at reducing the usage of plastic among university campus community.

The focus was on waste management which was one of the aspects in environmental health, with emphasis given on these six principles – Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rot and Re-Think.

Various programme were organised by UMP’s Occupational Safety and Health Management Office (OSHMO) that aimed at fulfilling the agenda on sustainable management to enhance awareness on the initiative.

UMP would also strive to build up the education sector, conduct world-class researches and offer services in a more creative and innovative eco-system based on the five leaps outlined, those related to chemical engineering, automotive engineering, industrial biotechnology, applied chemistry and manufacturing engineering that would benefit the people.  

Research and Innovation

CITREX 2019 promotes innovative culture among young researchers

The Creation, Innovation, Technology and Research Exposition (CITREX) 2019 has entered into its ninth edition with Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) seen as a platform that promotes and nurtures innovative culture among researchers, be it the academic staff or students.

The competition involved three of its research partners from the technical university networking (MTUN) - Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) and Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM).  

It was held on February 13 and 14 at UMP Sports Complex, Gambang Campus and this year, the competition attracted 407 entries which was an increase of 20% as compared to 355 in 2018. It also introduced a new category this year – the secondary school category.

The initiative was part of the efforts taken that supported UMP’s initiative to communitise technology through STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) programme.

According to UMP Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Sri Dr. Daing Nasir Ibrahim, a total of 203 entries were from staff, 13 from the technical university network (MTUN), 173 from UMP students and 18 from secondary schools comprising excellence cluster schools, residential schools, technical schools and MARA Junior Science College (MRSM).

“School students are also invited to take part in other competitions such as the National STEM Colloquium, Pahang Hackathon and Pahang Fox Hunting to be held middle of the year in UMP,” he said, adding, more opportunities were available in the International Festival of Innovation on Green Technology (iFINOG) scheduled on April 19-21.

Professor Dato’ Sri Dr. Daing Nasir also presented prizes to the winners of CITREX 2019. Also present at the event were Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation), Professor Dato’ Dr. Mashitah Mohd Yusoff and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & International), Professor Dr. Wan Azhar Wan Yusoff.

Among the winners were UMP student Nurul Jannah Baharuddin and team of researchers comprising Puteri Nur Najihah, Faris ‘Imadi Shamsul, Muhammad Zulhilmi Shamsul Amran, Edward Ang Sheng Hui and Dr. Muchamaf Oktaviadri who won a gold medal and Best Research (Student Category) for their project titled, ‘Seal Strength Tester Machine (SSTM)’. The project involved a testing mechanism that would automatically check a package for any leakage.

UMP lecturer Nor Azhar Ahmad from Faculty of Computer Systems & Software Engineering (FSKKP) also won a gold medal and Best Research (Staff Category) for creating ‘Hee Doo - Sensing Made Easy’ which was an air quality detector using a device that was cheaper and more accurate as compared to other products in the market.

It was interesting to note that the research was able to analyse air quality and make recommendations on making improvements through an application.

The team members were Dr. Rahmah Mokhtar, Fauziah Zainuddin, Roslina Abd Hamid, Amirul Husni Abdul Ghaffar, Khairul Adlan Ismail, Lai Mom Cin, Chia Zhen Hon and Nazira Azman.
 

Research and Innovation 

Two UMP researchers invented LED lights that could last longer

Two Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) researchers, Hisaji Noda and Muhammad Ikram Mohd Rashid, from Faculty of Electrical & Electronics Engineering (FKEE) had successfully created high efficiency Light Emitting Diode (LED) system called ‘UMP USB LED Stick’.

They started the research project in 2010.

Project leader, Hisaji Noda, who is from Fukuoka, Japan, said the idea came about after observing existing LED system available in the market that often had life span and heat issues.

“Due to high heat released, the system cannot last long. However, UMP USB LED Stick can last up to 16 hours and will not heat up as compared to products available in the market. The heat factor can cause lights to break down easily.

“There are a lot of LED lights in the market but mostly will heat up easily and can last between three to five hours only,” he said, adding, UMP USB LED was designed in such a way that it was easy to carry and use.

He also said one only needed to plug the product to a power bank to activate the LED light system.

“This product is able to solve problems often face by night market sellers, travellers, mechanics and consumers looking for light sources at night. It is easy to carry around and does not need power from a utility source.

“For future plans, the LED system developed will be marketed in various forms such as street light, house light, decorative light and spot light,” he added.

Mohammad Ikram said the project was funded by Malaysia Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) grant and developed with the cooperation of MHK Technologies Sdn. Bhd.

He added that the company had plans to market the products, with a price tag of RM250 per set that contained two units of LED Stick and a power bank.

“This product had received recognition, locally and abroad, through various invention competitions such as the Creation, Innovation, Technology and Research Exposition (CITREX) 2010, International Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibition (ITEX 2015) and Seoul International Invention Fair (SIIF 2011).

“The light system is now being used in Pekan Campus and is found to last until now although tests were conducted several years ago,” he added.

He hoped that the LED system developed could help solve problems involving light sources at areas where there was no source of electricity.