Around Campus Info

Regent of Pahang officiates Jom Masuk IPT Zone 2 Pahang

Translation by: DR. ROZAIMI ABU SAMAH, FACULTY OF CHEMICAL AND PROCESS ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

His Royal Highness the Regent of Pahang Tengku Mahkota Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Ibni Sultan Abdullah Al-Mustafa Ri’ayatuddin Billah Shah recently graced and officiated the Jom Masuk IPT Zone 2 Pahang organised by the Department of Higher Education (JPT), Ministry of Education Malaysia that saw Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) as the host at the Sports Complex, UMP Gambang on 22 February 2020.

The event provides a platform for secondary school students, diploma holders or its equivalent, parents, teachers and local communities to gain information to enrol in higher education in various local institutions.

He said that future students should seize the opportunities that are available to choose a programme that suits their interest and job market.

“When the opportunity of higher education is obtained, strive hard for success to make your family proud.

“Avoid the 3k syndrome: kuliah (lecture), kafeteria (cafeteria) and katil (bed). Academic excellence is no longer a guarantee for securing a job in the future.

“Therefore, all students must look for opportunities, improve personal and soft skills such as leadership, public speaking, creative and critical thinking, as well as build self-confidence, for those qualities are essential in the workforce later,” he said.

Meanwhile, the UMP Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ir. Dr. Wan Azhar Wan Yusoff remarked that the opportunities are made available to students and school-leavers to make informed decisions about the choice of suitable programme and university to pursue study and realise their career in the future.

“Following the primary objective of this event as a medium to connect the higher education sector with the community, this event gathers more than 100 exhibitors from various higher education institutions and providers to benefit more than 25,000 students, school-leavers, teachers, parents and the public,” he said.

In this event, students and parents have the opportunity to meet directly with representatives from universities and colleges to get information about further studies, existing education funding, policies and procedures for online admission application and its requirements.

Meanwhile, the Director of Student Admission Division (IPTA) JPT, Wahi Nordin, said that Jom Masuk IPT was introduced in 2004 and it is the signature programme of the ministry. 

Last year, more than 199,000 applications for public universities and public skills training institutions (ILKA) were received, and 138,000 candidates were offered to study in public universities, polytechnics, community colleges and ILKA for SPM holders.

“This year, we organise this event in eight zones, and this is Zone 2. We expect more applications after this because it is estimated around 20,000 to 25,000 visitors in each event,” he said after the event.

He suggested that all candidates browse the portal upu.moe.gov.my before applying via UPUOnline so that they know the programmes offered by 20 public universities, matriculation colleges, Institutes of Teacher Education (IPG), polytechnics, community colleges and four ILKAs.

In addition to educational and sponsorship exhibition, also held was the science and technology demonstrations including Lego Mindstorm Robot, Augmented Reality (AI) Educational Book, Social Robot (Facial Emotion Recognition) dan Kit STEM Bot.

Also attended were the Pahang Menteri Besar, Dato’ Sri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, UMP Pro-Chancellor, Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Abi Musa Asa’ari Mohamed Nor, the Chairman of the UMP Board of Directors, Dato’ Sri Ibrahim Ahmad, Deputy Director-General, Professor Dr. Cairul Iqbal Mohd Amin and the Chairman of Jom Masuk IPT Zone 2, Professor Ts. Dr. Mohd. Rosli Hainin.

As one of the universities in the Malaysian Technological University Network (MTUN), this event also provided the opportunity for parents and students to learn about higher level technical and vocational education and training (TVET) that offers employment in the market of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR4.0) era.

Starting the 2020/2021 academic session, UMP offers six diploma programmes and 36 undergraduate programmes including Bachelor of Technology programmes that prepare competent and proficient students in technical areas to meet the industrial needs.

MyGift

UMP Foundation Excellence Incentive (Platinum) for excellent students

By: NUR SA’ADATUL AFZAN JUSOH, OFFICE OF THE VICE-CHANCELLOR 
Translation by : DR. ROZAIMI ABU SAMAH, FACULTY OF CHEMICAL AND PROCESS ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

Nurnajjah Ashuha Adipso, the final year student from the Faculty of Industrial Sciences and Technology (FSTI), Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP), did not expect to be among the 30 students to receive the UMP Foundation Excellence Incentive (Platinum) worth RM500 for her excellent result this semester.

She told that the incentive provides assistance, especially for the beginning of a new semester.

“It gives me the boost to maintain the excellence and strive to get better results until graduation,” she said during the event of Award Ceremony of UMP Foundation Excellence Incentive (Platinum) at the Banquet Hall, Chancellery, UMP Gambang on 22 February 2020.

Similarly, Yeoh Yuan Xin from the College of Engineering was delighted and did not expect to receive the incentive from the UMP Foundation.

“The incentive shows that UMP is concerned in the welfare of the recipients, and I appreciate this effort.

“I hope to continue to achieve excellent results in academic and co-curricular activities during my study here in UMP,” he said.

They were among the 250 beneficiaries of the UMP Foundation education incentive since its introduction in 2016.

This year, UMP foundation introduced the UMP Foundation Excellence Incentive (Platinum) for those who achieve outstanding results with a 3.50 CGPA and above for each semester.

The Chairman of the UMP Board of Directors, Dato’ Sri Ibrahim Ahmad presented the incentives. 

Also attended was the UMP Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ir. Dr. Wan Azhar Wan Yusoff, the members of the UMP Board of Directors (LPU) including Datuk Aishah Shaikh Ahmad, Shaiful Suliman, Dato’ Sri Md. Sharif Shamsuddin and Associate Professor Dr. Wan Zuhainis Saad accompanied by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs & Alumni), Professor Dato’ Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin.

According to Dato’ Sri Ibrahim, based on the data projected until 2025, it is expected that 70% of UMP students come from the B40 family background.

“This Excellence Incentive (Platinum) is an initiative under UMP Foundation to boost students to maintain academic excellence until graduation.

“The selected students are those who received the initial education assistance from UMP Foundation before,” he said.

He also presented zakat to 30 recipients from Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) to ease the financial burden in the course of learning in UMP.

UMP Foundation, in collaboration with the Student Affairs and Alumni Department (JHEPA) always care for the students’ affairs through scholarships, zakat and subsistence, Campus Pantry initiative and educational assistance for new students.

UMP Foundation also raises funds from companies, institutions and the public for the benefit of UMP students as well as finances educational and communal activities and provides additional learning facilities.

UMP also actively conducts an endowment campaign Jom Berwakaf Bersama to collect fund for Wakaf Kolej Kediaman Mawaddah UMP (residential college).

The donations can be made via the mobile app SnapNPay, FPX portal or salary deduction for UMP staff. 

Please go to mygift.ump.edu.my for more information.

Research and Innovation

UMP bags 10 medals and The Best Award for Consumer Electronics

By: DINA DIYANA RASTAM TAN, RESEARCH AND INNOVATION DEPARTMENT
Translation by: DR. ROZAIMI ABU SAMAH, FACULTY OF CHEMICAL AND PROCESS ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

A highly efficient light-emitting diode (LED) system known as MP-Rediac LED Stick was awarded a gold medal and special award “The Best Award for Consumer Electronics” in the Malaysia Technology Expo (MTE) 2020 which was held for three days from 20 February 2020 in the Putra World Trade Center (PWTC), Kuala Lumpur.

This product was invented by Ts. Ikram Mohd Rashid from the Faculty of Electrical & Electronic Engineering Technology together with Hisaji Noda with a unique feature where it does not produce heat at high temperature and does not require heat sink compared to the existing products.

“The efficiency of the LED UMP Rediac system is high at 157 lm/W. This LED system can be applied not only to LED products but also in garden lights, floodlights, street lights and other LED applications.

“This product can also solve the problems faced by night market traders, travellers, mechanics and users to obtain a light source at night.

“This product is mobile and does not require a power supply from the utility,” he said.

The other three gold medals were won by Dr. Chin Siew Choo from the Faculty of Civil Engineering Technology with a project entitled OHE-CRETE: Sustainable Building Materials, Ts. Dr. Waheb Abdul Jabbar Shaif Abdullah from the Faculty of Electrical & Electronic Engineering Technology (Project: NB-IoT-FMWS) and Nor Azhar Ahmad from the Faculty of Computing (Project: HeDoo Space, Teach & Learn - An Environmental IoT Analysis Modules & Generic Circuit Board).

Meanwhile, UMP bagged six silver medals through Associate Professor Dr. Agus Geter Edy Sutjipto (Faculty of Industrial Sciences & Technology, Development of Inert Ceramic for Industrial Application), Dr. Mohd Shaiful Zaidi Mat Desa (Faculty of Chemical & Process Engineering Technology, Development of Improved Durability and Low-Cost Solid Ankle-Cushion Heel [SACH] Prosthetic Foot), Dr. Nadzirah Mohd Mokhtar (Faculty of Civil Engineering Technology, MD Solution: MD Compact Unit for Industrial Wastewater Treatment), Associate Professor Dr. Noraziah Ahmad (Faculty of Computing, Efficient Distributed Database Replication Systems for Online Selling Website), Dr. Wan Isni Sofiah Wan Din (Faculty of Computing, Enhancement of Single Path to Multipath Clustering in Wireless Sensor Network for Energy Conservation) and Dr. Ahmad Firdaus Zainal Abidin (Faculty of Computing, Rex-Chain: Root Exploit Detection and Blockchain).

Also present visiting the exhibition was the Chairman of the UMP Board of Directors, Dato’ Sri Ibrahim Ahmad, accompanied by the Dean of Research, Professor Dr. Md. Mustafizur Rahman and the Manager of the Research and Innovation Department, Hazmin Aris.

According to Dato’ Sri Ibrahim, this exhibition is a platform for researchers to showcase their invention to the public and industries.

“UMP is blessed with young and motivated researchers in inventing research products and innovation.

“The university has been playing a vital role in formulating strategies and executing initiatives to boost the research and innovation performance in UMP via research grants at the university, national, industrial and international levels,” he said.

The participation and success obtained by UMP is a positive sign and a proud moment when the research products and invention are recognised. 

The participation also opens collaboration opportunities with the industries including small and medium enterprises (SME) or any relevant parties which ultimately benefits the public, in parallel with the UMP tagline, Communitising Technology.

Campus Info

Consumer Advocacy Program gives exposure to B40 Group

By: SITI NURFARMY IBRAHIM, PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT, OFFICE OF THE VICE- CHANCELLOR 
Translation by: AMINATUL NOR MOHAMED SAID, FACULTY OF COMPUTING

The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) and the Malaysian Consumer and Family Economics Association (MACFEA) in collaboration with Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) had organized a Consumer Advocacy Program involving participation from the Institute of Higher Education (IPT) and local communities in the ongoing program at the Library Auditorium, UMP Gambang Campus on February 20, 2020.

The program aimed at consumers within the B40 family was held to provide exposure and awareness on initiatives being implemented by the KPDNHEP, especially the Food Bank Program and Online Cheating.

The program will also assist B40s and recipients of Life Assistance (BSH) in addressing this growing cost of living.

The Dean of Student Services, Student Affairs & Alumni Department (JHEPA), Associate Professor. Dr. Mansor Sulaiman was present to officiate the program.

Also present was the Director of the Centre of Industry & Community Network (ICoN), Associate Professor. Dr. Nurul Hazlina Noordin, KPDNHEP Enforcement Officer, Wan Isa Wan Harun and Dr. Irwan Syah Mohd Yusoff representing MACFEA.

According to Associate Professor Dr. Mansor, organizing the program is seen as a positive effort in ensuring that the knowledge conveyed through lectures can be used effectively to address relevant issues while also providing awareness in pursuing life in a safe, secure, prosperous and harmonious environment.

“We hope this exposure will help the B40s to be a smart user who can afford to be self-sufficient and not add to their economic burden as it is easily influenced by the content of ads displayed on social media.”

“In addition, government initiatives through the Food Bank Program are seen to reduce the cost of living of the people and the surplus of food received will go to the target groups and registered charity houses.”

"It is understood that 186,354 heads of households are below the poverty line nationwide," he said.

Through this Campus Pantry 1,400 B40 students received benefits involving 8,500 food units distributed through sponsorship partners.

Among the sponsors are Tunas Manja Group, 99 Speedmart Sdn. Bhd., Adabi Kuantan Distribution Sdn. Bhd., Palm Oil Enterprise, Hock Ho Hiap Kee Oil Mill Sdn. Bhd., Nurfirman Sdn. Bhd., Nirvana Group, Gardenia Bakeries (KL) Sdn. Bhd., Legacy of Z Sufi Marketing and Gean Ming Company Sdn. Bhd.

In the meantime, various efforts have been made by the authorities to curb such crimes including increasing law enforcement, operations, arrests and prosecution of those involved in fraudulent activities.

Also present was the presentation of prizes for the Creative Video Competition in conjunction with this Consumer Advocacy Program.

With the Food Bank Theme, Wong Shu Jie was crowned the winner of a RM500 cash prize.

Meanwhile Noor Maizatul Masliza Norman and Nurain Solehah Mohd Zulkifli won second place with a cash prize of RM400.00.

Third place with Beware of Online Cheating Theme was won by Nor Najiatul Munirah Mazlan and Nur Alia Mohd Jamil.