Tag: Malaysia

The School of Biology, UiTM Cawangan Negeri Sembilan, has successfully organized the 2nd International Virtual Undergraduate Symposium (IVUS 2.0), with a larger number of international participants. The success of IVUS 1.0 in January 2021 has attracted 29 international presenters not only from our neighbouring country, Indonesia but also Thailand and Yemen.

The IVUS 2.0 focuses on the “Power of Scientific Research” theme in the hope to inject (impart?) interest and attract young undergraduates to continue pursuing their studies in the science field despite the unstable education system impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The IVUS 2.0 was not only a platform for 66 young undergraduate students from the School of Biology, UiTM Cawangan Negeri Sembilan, Kampus Kuala Pilah (UiTMCNS), and international participants to gain experience presenting their research in front of viewers, but they were also fortunate to learn from the plenary session given by the Rector of UiTMCNS, Prof Dr Yamin Yasin, and the Director of The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio, on the impact of Covid-19 faced by institutional operations.

The panel speakers shared their views and strategies in handling their research work despite the gruesome pandemic as they believed conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth.

The School of Biology UiTMCNS Kampus Kuala Pilah was honored to receive participation form from Indonesian academic institutions namely Universitas Andalas Padang, University of Bengkulu, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Universitas Maritim Haji Ali and Polytechnic of ATI Padang.

The participation from the University of Maejo, Thailand and Hadramout University, Yemen exceeded our expectations, as we had not anticipated such recognition for this event.

Through IVUS2.0, not only the students were able to disseminate their research findings, but they also learn about current issues of faunal conservation and Covid-19 testing in Malaysia through a sharing session led by representatives from the Forest Research Institution Malaysia (FRIM) Kepong and the National Public Health Laboratory.

To add to the excitement, students were also given the opportunity to showcase their talents.

The UiTMCNS Deputy Rector of Academic Affairs, Dr Noorlis Ahmad has perceived that the IVUS 2.0 was a successful and comprehensive learning platform for students and the rest of the participants in general.

Faculty of Business and Management (FBM), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) held the Innovative Escape International Virtual Exhibition 2021.

The exhibition was aimed at providing participating education institutions with an alternative to traditional learning models and promote international academic exchanges in higher education by allowing students to participate in a virtual exhibition.

The program was led by Dr Nor Lelawati Binti Jamaludin from the International Business and Management Studies Department, FBM and jointly organized by the Department of Industrial Design, Faculty of Art and Design, UiTM under the supervisions of Puan Siti Salwa Isa and Encik Abu bin Ali. The program is under the patronage of Professor Dr Noryati Ahmad, Dean of the Faculty of Business and Management, UiTM.

Apart from the two faculties from UiTM, the exhibition also involved collaborators from the Student Development Center, UPM; Universitas Islam Riau, Indonesia; Queensland University of Technology, Australia; Hitra Leirskole, Norway; and Uzbekistan Youth Associations, Uzbekistan.

Students from the participating institutions were given a chance to showcase their project in the exhibition and this exchange is governed by the principle of collaboration and reciprocity that does not involve any cost to the participating students.

The current semester’s collaboration project seeks to further explore the concepts and factors towards improving accessibility, economic opportunities and viability of isolated places in rural Areas aligned with the relevant Global Goals for Sustainable Development; “Transforming our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” agenda.

The project compels students to explore current issues on how to improve accessibility, economic opportunities and viability of isolated places in rural areas in their respective countries. They are required to study significant problems arising in the related areas by exploring key features of sustainable development that successively follows through the selected process model to improve efficiency and solutions delivery.

For this project, students are expected to consider how their creative and innovative ideas integrate the fundamental principles of sustainable design goals and anticipate the needs of tomorrow’s society by involving existing/related international organizations. The students will need to develop innovative designs and ideas with the organization and bring fresh imaginative solutions for society.

To broaden access and visibility, the project utilises social media platforms to engage with the society and target audiences. An Instagram page known as @innovativeescape was used as the main platform for the virtual exhibition. Students work and solutions are posted and all collaborators and the public can view the innovative solutions provided by the students.

This virtual exhibition is aligned with UiTM’s aim, which is to achieve globally renowned university status. The exhibition contributes to the current need for creating an academic ecosystem that responds to the changing higher education scenario.

This collaboration model nurtures closer ties between participating faculties and universities and deepens the understanding and collaboration of parties involved towards achieving the same goals. Under this strategic partnership and the advent of this program, the exchange of ideas and the development of quality and practical solutions applicable to societies are made possible.

It contributes to the creation of a truly effective and quality partnership that will thrive within an ecosystem of mutual understanding and respect. Thus, the spotlighted program is a good measure to move the FBM and Faculty of Art and Design, as well as UiTM forward and make it more visible.

Three students’ associations from University Teknologi MARA Malaysia took the initiative to deliberate on them openly in a webinar titled Surviving the New Norm: International Student Edition.

The students’ associations were from the Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Study (BacAS & BASc) and the Students College Representatives of Negeri Sembilan from the Seremban campus. The panellists and audience were from Malaysia, Bosnia, Albania, Indonesia and the United States of America.

The “Surviving the New Norm: International Student Edition” webinar was held on 18 June 2021 via the YouTube Live platform. The program started at 8.30 pm with the Dean of the Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Study, UiTM, Prof Madya Dr Abdul Jalil bin Mohamed Ali’s welcoming speech. It was followed by a panel sharing session on the challenges and responses to changes in their lives as students affected by Covid-19.

The panel members consisted of nine (9) students from diverse backgrounds and countries. From Malaysia were UiTM students Amirul Syafiq Bin Aizzuddean and Afdlin Mikhail Bin Mohd Sofian, and Ramadhan Alfaini from the Management and Science University, Malaysia.

Emina Lagumdzija represented the International University of Sarajevo, Bosnia; meanwhile, Ana Limani, Alert Lulo and Edona Zeneli were from the Metropolitan University of Tirana, Albania. Two more students, Mahesa Saravanan from Western Michigan University and Zul Amin bin Zulkipli from the Krannert School of Management, Purdue University, are currently studying in the United States of America.

The webinar highlighted the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on students in different countries. Both panellists and the audience benefitted from the participants’ input, experience, and advice during the webinar. Surprisingly, many of us took similar means to deal with the tribulations in life brought by Covid-19.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was recently inked between Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia and LSPR Communication and Business Institute (LSPR), Indonesia.

The MoU was initiated by the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies (FCMS), UiTM and was signed at an event hosted by LSPR. The ceremony took place virtually on Friday 23 July 2021 at 2:00 pm in Jakarta, 3:00 pm, Malaysian time via Zoom.

The agreement will allow both institutions to focus on academic research collaboration, organise joint activities and programs, exchange academic information, and offer student and staff exchange programs. The MoU is also a way forward for UiTM and LSPR to share each other’s expertise in the field of communication and media studies.

The signatories to the MoU were the Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Assoc. Prof. Dr Massila Hamzah, and LSPR’s Rector, Dr Andre Ikhsano. Witnessing the virtual ceremony were UiTM’s Director of UiTM Global, Dr Hajah Zainab Hj Mohd Noor, LSPR’s Vice-Rector 1, Dr Janette Pinariya, and Dean of Faculty Communication, Mikhael Yulius Cobis. Also present at the event were distinguished guests from UiTM and LSPR.

In her keynote address, LSPR’s Vice-Rector 1, Dr Janette Pinariya, expressed, “With the MoU, we hope to be able to develop more especially through the agreement with Universiti Teknologi MARA. This collaboration is very important for us, especially to realise the spirit of education in the world. We are committed to working better and more closely towards common goals that pursuit the comprehensive education and the ability of the international opportunities and the research programs will ensure graduates will become successful in their respective careers.”

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Dr Massila Hamzah said on the partnership, “Having LSPR onboard for today’s MoU is a monumental effort that could witness a stronger collaborative initiative between these two entities moving forward.

“We acknowledge LSPR Communication and Business Institute, Jakarta as the leading communication school in Indonesia with a reputation as an outstanding academic institution in communication.”

“Today will mark yet another milestone for us all, where we will be reviving this strategic relationship which avows that of academic, curricular as well as strengthening network linkages between us.  Today’s signing carves another chapter on UiTM’s globalisation efforts in establishing relations with international partners. The purpose of this MoU is to acknowledge a formal, ongoing, strategic, long-term relationship between both institutions respectively,” she added.

Furthermore, this agreement is in line with UiTM’s 2025 Strategic Plan. It encourages internationalisation via staff and student mobility programmes such as summer programmes and sabbaticals; collaborative network involving academic programmes, research, and consultancy activities through an increase in international academic staff.

Clinical ethics is a relatively new field in the Malaysian healthcare setting. While there are currently limited established clinical ethics services in Malaysia, ethically challenging cases have been brought to the forefront by the COVID-19 pandemic, and new services are expanding rapidly to meet these needs.

UiTM’s Hospital Clinical Ethics Consultation Service (CECS), run by the Medical Ethics & Law (MEL) Department of the UiTM Faculty of Medicine,  was established in January 2020. To remain current in managing clinical ethics cases during the pandemic and as part of their clinical ethics training, the CECS participated in the UK Clinical Ethics Network (UKCEN) 19^th Annual Conference, which was held virtually on 18 June 2021.

The theme of this year’s conference was “Ethical Expertise in the NHS” and featured a half-day pre-conference workshop on Disagreement in Healthcare Ethics. The conference featured renowned speakers such as Dave Archard, Joshua Hordern and Daniel Sokol. The focus was to explore the idea of ethical expertise applicable to the UK National Health Service (NHS) comprising training, equal access and how such services could be improved. Parallel sessions were also held to explore ethical expertise inside the clinical ethics committees as well as education and ethical expertise.

Additionally, a team of final year students from the faculty, led by Muhammad Shahril Mohd Taufik and supervised by the Coordinator of CECS, Dr Mark Tan Kiak Min, also presented a poster titled “Collusion in an Asian Healthcare Setting: Ethical Lie or Unethical Love?” at the conference. The other contributing members were Nur Saradilla Othman, Nurul Husna Ramli and Muhammad Shafiq Nazri. Together with other poster presenters from the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge and the University of Leeds in the UK, the team had a good experience discussing their work with an international audience and learning about the role of Clinical Ethics in the NHS.

Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Cawangan Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, and academic partners The University of Queensland (Australia), Universitas Brawijaya (Indonesia), University of Nottingham (UK) and Queensland Health (Australia), successfully conducted an Inaugural Symposium of Research and Innovation for
Food (SoRIF) virtually from 23rd to 24th of June 2021.

The symposium provided a platform for sharing the latest food science and technology discoveries, and UiTM was honoured with the involvement of its international counterparts in the event.

The event attracted more than 270 local and international participants from diverse backgrounds, namely academic staff from various educational institutions, government agencies personnel, food industry players, and undergraduate and secondary school students.

The symposium is a step towards innovative assessment for the Department of Food Science and Technology (UiTM Cawangan Negeri Sembilan) students’ final year project presentation.

With the collaboration of members of a Special Interest Group, Alliance of Research and Innovation for Food (ARIF) and the undergraduate members of the Bachelor of Science and Technology Association (B-FoST), students gain a meaningful experiential learning experience and a deeper understanding of the integration of theory with practice. This type of international outreach collaborative work has undoubtedly advanced the undergraduate students’ digital, leadership and communication skills, which are essential elements to enhancing graduate employability.

This webinar also achieved one of its main objectives.  As highlighted by Prof. Dr Yamin Yasin, the Rector of UiTM Cawangan Negeri Sembilan who officiated the grand virtual Closing Ceremony of SoRIF 2021, “From the knowledge sharing by our international academic partners, I am glad that SoRIF 2021 has met its objective to strengthen international collaboration between students, lecturers and experts in food science and technology.”

As mentioned by the Patron of SoRIF, Dr Noorlis Ahmad, “This virtual Inaugural SoRIF that has been held for two (2) days via Webex, is the platform that nurtures the
students’ academic development, soft skills and leadership.”

The program also received praise from the Director of SoRIF, Dr Siti Azima Abdul Muttalib, who stated, “Organising a successful virtual program which is jointly organised with the undergraduate students that attract international audiences, is just like seeing the light in the darkness of Covid-19. Unbelievable, the adoption of digital skills in knowledge sharing and international collaboration is beyond the limitation of our old norm.”

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned from this program, it’s that it helped me face my mistake & failure and own up to them in a positive light. It helped me believe that I can excel and improve in my next attempt,” said Miss Nurul Izzati Medihi in her reflection on the effectiveness of the program. Nurul Izzati is one of the five students awarded as the Best Presenter in SoRIF 2021.

The Program of Msc of Heritage and Conservation Management, Faculty of Architecture, Planning and Surveying (FSPU), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) has organized the Heritage Webinar Series 2, which was held on 30th June 2021 via Webex platform.

The main objective of this program is to initiate the relationship and collaboration between UiTM and the University of Hyogo as well as to share expertise’ knowledge and experience, namely in Heritage and Conservation Management field in Malaysia and Japan. Therefore, Professor Dr Yushi Utaka from the School of Human Science and Environment, University of Hyogo was invited as a speaker for this webinar to deliver a lecture entitled ’The World Heritage in Japan and Hiroshima Peace Memorial; Transforming Legacy, Memories and Landscape’.

The webinar has been participated by 90 practitioners, lecturers, officers, administrative staff and students from AP777, FSPU, other faculties and campuses of UiTM, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK), Kolej Universiti Islam Pahang (KUIPSAS), Universiti Sultan Azlan Shah (USAS), UOW Malaysia KDU Penang University College, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Universiti Malaya, National Heritage Department, Selayang Municipal Council and Jabatan Muzium Sarawak.

Professor Dr Yushi Utaka delivered a very informative lecture, which provided a lot of new knowledge on the Hiroshima Atomic Bomb’s history, background and issues on its protection from the post-war era until today. This lecture has also exposed Malaysian practitioners, academic and administrative staff and students on the management and implementation of the protection of the World Heritage Site in Japan, mainly at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial.

To study the impact of Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) on the surrounding localities and population, a 20-year study was conducted to evaluate its significance as a university since its declared change of status in 1999.

“It is a worthwhile return of investment for the community’s development and sustainability. The past (legacy of our forefathers) is the key to the future. Education empowers the community” says, Professor Ts. Dr. Roziah Mohd Janor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & International) / Acting Vice-Chancellor, who is also the Co-lead Researcher, in her preamble.

Dato’ Prof. Dr. Rahmat Mohamad who the current Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Industry, Community and Alumni Network) and the Co-lead Researcher of the project added, “ It is undeniable that the original policy and goals of  UiTM’s establishment are still relevant in today’s context, as they have proven successful in balancing equity distribution for the Bumiputeras as well as improving their position in the country”.

He added, “UiTM has also had a positive impact in increasing socio-economic development, education and unity of races in Malaysia.”

Perspective outlines 10 vital facts comprising the study of land and its physical development, the increase in land value, graduate and alumni mobility, community feedback, and graduate employability.  To date, students’ enrolment has reached 189,008 and a recorded 890,334 have graduated with an employability rate ranging between 82 per cent to 83 per cent.

This 20-year UiTM impact study is a follow-up of a similar 2007-2008 study that focused on the economic impact of UiTM on the communities surrounding UiTM campuses. Both study summaries reveal the major impact that UiTM has had on the regeneration of socio-economic development of the surrounding communities.

It is hoped that these two consecutive 20-year studies are proof that UiTM should forge ahead in strengthening the education of the Malays and the Bumiputera through continuous engagement with the community and industry in its goals and efforts to advance national education development.

In line with the direction of universities to actively move to achieve sustainability missions, Universiti Teknologi MARA Perak Branch organized a virtual convention known as Low Carbon Campus Convention (LCCC) 2021 for five days from 15th to 19th March 2021. The program was organized by the Green Campus Committee led by Sr. Dr Nur Azfahani Ahmad. It was programmed to visible UiTM Perak Branch has mobilized various green practices and initiatives for the campus residents.

The program successfully gathered about 1,386 participants from various local and international universities and industries from the public and private sectors. The convention included multi-series programs such as a terrarium workshop, green-safe cities seminar, and green talk series comprising 12 speakers from Malaysia, Indonesia, and Germany.

The green talk series discussed ideas, knowledge, and the country’s experience related to green practices, green procurement, green building design, agricultural efforts, and recycling practices (3R). One of the talk series highlights was a session by the famous Malaysian fashion designer Mr. Hatta Dolmat who shared his aspirations in addressing sustainable fashion using recycled products.

Another attention-grabbing session was from Ar. Shyuan Kuee, an award-winning architect from the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM), shared her experience handling international and local projects on green building design. The convention was also attended by researchers and postgraduate students from Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Nigeria.

Up to this date, the UiTM Perak’s Green Campus committee has launched various green programs, including solar panels and rainwater harvest installation to schools and mosques, energy efficiency projects, recycle campaign, green talk series, and community seminars on green education.

The LCCC program has benefited the academics and staff of various universities and hopefully inspire more green project initiatives to lower carbon emissions within universities. It has also successfully formed a research nexus and collaborations between academia, industries, and communities to enhance green technology and green practices.