Research and Innovation

UMP’s World-Class Researchers

Wins attained by Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) researchers and academicians at various international platforms shows that the university indeed has world-class scholars.

As the pride of the university, they were feted and celebrated at a special event organised to mark their achievements.

A total of 160 researchers and academicians were presented with awards and prizes at the Anugerah Cendekia Bitara (ACB) that was held at Zenith Hotel, Kuantan on April 12, 2019.

They were recipients for various categories including 130 under the journal publication, 13 for product, 10 for patent, two for international grant and one each for the book, quality and creativity categories.

ACB also featured the University Academic Award (AAU) for UMP academicians who displayed credibility and distinction in the field of teaching and learning.

Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dato’ Sri Ibrahim Ahmad said he was really proud with their achievements.

However, he also reminded them to be more prepared to face the challenges in the university as it moved forward towards a sustainable eco-system for research and innovation.

“By changing the paradigm and thinking framework in research, development and commercialisation activities, the university can create value for money in the context of financial sustainability.

“Apart from this, UMP also put emphasis on not only return on investment (ROI) by way of research findings that bring profits but also that with value of utility which benefits the community in the long run,” he said.

He also viewed that over the years, the ‘lab to market’ paradigm had been curbing the ability of many universities in finding commercial markets for the research products they produced.

“However, if this paradigm is changed to ‘market to lab’, the university will not only gain commercial benefits from the market share already owned by private partner or the industry but will also allow universities to play a role in expanding the potentials of its partners especially the small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

“Also, in view of the need to establish a collaboration on ‘lab to market’ with a win-win situation, there is a need for a re-orientation of UMP’s innovative capability towards applied research projects as compared to fundamental research,” he added.

Dato’ Sri Ibrahim said this in his speech at the ACB dinner.

Also present were UMP Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Sri Dr. Daing Nasir Ibrahim, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation), Professor Ts. Dr. Kamal Zuhaili Zamli, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & International), Professor Ir. Dr. Wan Azhar Wan Yusoff, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs & Alumni), Professor Dato’ Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin and Registrar/Chief Operating Officer, Associate Professor Dr. Ridzuan Darun.

Professor Dato’ Sri Dr. Daing Nasir also said the highest nomination recorded was in the journal category with 484 or 93 percent of the ACB’s total nominations. 

“What is more remarkable is that the Faculty of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering (FKMP) is at its very best as 49 of its lecturers are recipients under the journal publication category.

“The expression ‘S.T.A.R.S - Glimpses of Glory’, which is the theme for this year, reflects the success of UMP, like a star shining brightly with glory, with each alphabet of S.T.A.R.S. representing the essence of the university’s five core values – strong relationship with the Creator, firm in defending principles that have been collectively agreed upon, creative in making wise decisions, perseverance in facing challenges and proactive in taking action.

“UMP also emerged as a five-star university, positioned at 188 among universities in Asia - as ranked by the QS rating for the year 2019. It is also committed in green innovative campaign which led to the university listed fifth in the UI Green Metric rating.

“The list of achievements continued with the university producing the highest patents in green technology among non-research universities,” he said.

He also said as of 2018, a total of 579 intellectual properties produced from the numerous scientific and technological research activities and creativity had been filed by UMP, in a move to protect its intellectual properties.

He added that there were 75 new intellectual properties that had obtained legal protections covering patents, utility innovation, copyrights and trademarks.

At the same event, Dr. Azwin Arif Abdul Rahim from Centre for Modern Languages & Human Sciences (CMLHS) was named recipient for the University Academic Award for Teaching (Social Science Category), while Dr. Lee Chia Kuang, a lecturer with the Faculty of Industrial Management was presented with the Most Promising Academician Award.

Other ACB recipients were Associate Professor Ir. Dr. Mohd Fairusham Ghazali and Associate Professor Dr. Wan Azmi Wan Hamzah who were presented with the best journal publication and research product and Associate Professor Dr. Muzamir Hasan and Associate Professor Dr. Saiful Nizam Tajuddin for the international grant category.

MyGift

MyCafe – UMP community provides free food for students

By: NOR SALWANA MOHD IDRIS, CORPORATE COMMUNICATION DIVISION

Nine food operators around Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) campus took part in the MyGift Initiative through the UMP MyCafe-Community programme that provided free food to students facing financial difficulties and the needy ones.

The Friends of Community group included Restoran Tunas Budi Sdn. Bhd, Restoran Mak Andak, Warung Cili Padi Serandu, Restoran Mak Ct, Warung Mazarah Abdul Manaf, Madi Uya Enterprise, Kedai Mokna and Warung Rahmat DK.

Certificates of appreciation and food coupons were presented by UMP Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Sri Dr. Daing Nasir Ibrahim at UMP Banquet Hall, Pekan Campus on April 11, 2019. 

Also present were Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs & Alumni), Professor Dato’ Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation), Professor Ts. Dr. Kamal Zuhairi Zamli and Pro-Registrar, Abd Rahman Haji Safie.

In his speech, Professor Dato’ Sri Dr. Daing Nasir expressed his gratitude to the food operators for supporting the initiative.

“The programme is an initiative under the university’s MyGift that encourages the public to donate for a good cause.

“The MyCafe programme involves food operators operating nearby the university campus who have agreed to provide assistance to UMP students especially those living out of campus and those facing financial difficulties.

“The university does not have a limit on the volume of the contributions and that it is up to the food operators to make their contribution. Selected students will be given free food at the designated eateries,” he said.

He hoped that the programme would bring mutual benefits for both the food operators and students.

He believed it would give the students some perspective in life when they graduated and for them to always be grateful and prayed for more sustenance be given to the food operators.
 

He added that the initiative had been extended to UMP Gambang Campus and was confident that more food operators in the Gambang area would come forward to participate in the programme.

One of the food operators, Noresah Kamal, 56, or also known as Mak Andak, said she was proud to be part of the programme, adding she had been operating her business for 11 years in Kampung Marhum.

UMP staff and students were among her customers and it was only right to help students who were in need, said Mak Andak who was no stranger to UMP as she had taken part in a series of ‘Kongsi Rezeki’ programmes organised by the university.

Mak Andak said throughout the years in running her business, she knew some students who were cash-strapped.

“I see them like my own children and I hope that my small contribution will help ease their burden,” she added.

One of the students selected for the free food programme was Aslyana Rahman, 22, from Faculty of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering who was overwhelmed and thankful to be chosen for the initiative.

She thanked the university and the food operators who showed compassion towards students who were in need and these good deeds would be something she would always remember.

Info Campus

UMP Campus Pantry – free food hub for students

By: NOR SALWANA MOHD IDRIS, CORPORATE COMMUNICATION DIVISION

In line with the aspiration of The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) in implementing the Food Bank Malaysia programme in public universities, Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) raised to the occasion by having its own UMP Campus Pantry, offering food and other basic necessities to students.

The programme was established on April 16, 2019.

Department of Student Affairs and Alumni, General Manager (JHEPA), Haryani Abdullah said students could get the items from UMP Campus Pantry located in Gambang campus with plans to set up another one in its Pekan Campus.

“The food pantry is managed by volunteers from the Student Representative Council (MPP) and UMP Caring Club. They will make an inventory of the items and display the items at the allocated space.

“In order to ensure a systematic way of distributing the items, UMP has a record of the food or other items received and distributed. Details of the students who received the items are also recorded.

“A special portal on UMP Campus Pantry has also been developed where visitors can obtain information about the programme as well as to facilitate those who wish to make contributions, be it in cash or kind.

According to Mohamad Hanif Fitri Nordin, an executive member for welfare and out campus student service (Gambang), they were touched by the efforts taken by the university in helping them to manage the food pantry programme.

He hoped that it would be fully utilised by students especially the needy ones so as to help ease their burden and lessen their expenses.

UMP Caring Club President Mohammad Aiman Mohd Amran said as volunteers, university students could play a role in helping the university to get funding.

He hoped that the programme would help instil the culture of contributing or donating among UMP community and society.

UMP Campus Pantry operates from 9 am until noon and from 2 pm until 4.30 pm on Monday until Friday.

Student Activities

ERAS volunteers joined forces with the local community and an NGO in an environment protection programme

By: SITI NURFARMY IBRAHIM, CORPORATE COMMUNICATION DIVISION 

A total of 80 people consisting of staff from Earth Resources & Sustainability Centre (ERAS), Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) students, Sekolah Kebangsaan Bukit Setongkol pupils and members of the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) took part in a community innovative service programme that was held at a turtle hatchery centre, Rimbun Dahan Turtle Hatchery, in Chendor here on April 10, 2019.

According to ERAS Director, Associate Professor Dr. Muzamir Hassan, the programme could serve as an environment conservation and preservation service platform with volunteers taking time off from their daily routine and help to take care of the environment by planting mangrove saplings in the swamp area near the Chendor beach.

“They had the opportunity to their bit to protect the environment by planting mangrove saplings and they were assisted by MNS members.

“They got good exposure and knowledge on matters involving the environment and the need to protect the natural setting. The beach needs to be clean from plastic waste and other polluted materials that can have adverse effects on the hatchery.

“The programme is also seen as a way to rebrand ERAS and UMP among the community and for ERAS be appreciated as an environment-friendly entity, supporting the causes towards greening the earth.

“This programme is actually a continuation from a public lecture delivered by Dr. Maketab Mohamed titled ‘Role of The Academia in Environmental Conservation & Advocacy’ on January 22.

“We were able to develop good ties with MNS and work together towards a common goal of protecting and preserving the environment,” he added.

 The volunteers also got the opportunity to release 40 turtle hatchlings from the hatchery to the sea.

Sports and Recreational

Stiff competition for 52 teams vying to be the best in the game of handball organised by UMP

By: SITI NURFARMY IBRAHIM, CORPORATE COMMUNICATION DIVISION

Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) organised its Fourth UMP Handball East Coast Championship that reflected its forte in coordinating the tournament held since 2016.

This year’s game was organised by UMP Handball Club and UMP Sports Centre with the support of Department of Student Affairs and Alumni (JHEPA). It was held on April 14, 2019.

A total of 52 teams throughout Malaysia comprising 32 men’s team and 20 women’s team participated in the tournament which was indorsed by the Malaysia Handball Federation with referees from IHF and MAHF invited.

It was officially opened by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs & Alumni), Professor Dato’ Ts. Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin.

Also present were Aznorizamin Ismail who is carrying out the duties of the Sports and Cultural Centre Director, Azizuddin Osman who represented referees from Malaysia Handball Federation, UMP Handball Advisor, Nur Adam Maximillian and Tournament Director, Mumtazah Annura Hassan. 

Professor Dato’ Ts. Dr. Yuserrie also watched the opening match between the host team, UMP (Elgineers) playing against Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP).

Mumtazah said this time around, the tournament received recognition from the MAHF as it met various standards required such as the courts and referees.

“It is also seen as a platform that is moving towards being a high-impact tournament especially in the east coast. It provides the exposure and experience for players while preparing for the Malaysia University Sport Council Championship (MASUM) or the Institutes of Higher Learning Sports Championship (SUKIPT),” said Mumtazah.

Jerantut Handball team manager and national handball coach Shamshul Nizam Mohd Ali said this year’s tournament seemed more prestigious and fit to be given five stars as the host was able to provide suitable location, capable technical crew and referees.

JJ Boys Professional Club emerged as the champion for the men’s category, after defeating the Harun Boys Club with the third place, Jerantut Handball team.

The women’s category was won by Perak Handball team who was the SUKMA 2018 champion. They beat the Selangor (RGHC) team while third place went to Turtle Fighters (Terengganu).

The tournament’s top scorer was Muhammad Fazrin Jamaluddin from the JJ Boys team with 46 while the women’s top scorer was Nur Amira Wahida Wahid from UMP (Elgineers) with 28.

Winners took home medals and cash money with the prizes presented by Professor Dato’ Ts. Dr. Yuserrie.