Tag: UiTM

Fostering interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) among high school students is crucial for preparing the next generation of innovators and problem solvers. In recent time, it has been observed that more students are less interested in STEM subjects due to the perception that these subjects are too difficult.

The percentage of students taking the science stream had declined from year to year whereas STEM education is very important to prepare and help developing country, such as Malaysia to navigate the fourth industrial revolution (IR 4.0). This problem can be seen deteriorating in most schools, especially among high school students and has created concern among school teachers. One of the schools that was affected by this percentage drop is Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Bahau (a high school in Negeri Sembilan). To overcome this problem, the principal and the teachers have taken the initiative to organize a science and mathematics exhibition in conjunction with STEM month which held for two weeks starting from 4th until 15th September 2023.

The main objective of this program is to instill interest in STEM and give opportunities to the students to admire the subjects of STEM. More than 800 participants comprising students, counsellors, teachers, staffs and representatives from the other educational institution took part in the exhibition. The Faculty of Applied Sciences UiTM Negeri Sembilan Campus is honored to receive an invitation from SMK Bahau to hold a STEM exhibition. A group of lecturers and laboratory assistants from the Departments of Biology, Physics, Food Technology, Textile Technology and Mathematics were involved with the exhibition, each setting up a booth aligned with their respective fields.

During this exhibition, the students gained so much knowledge and were given the opportunity to explore the experiments and games prepared by each booth, leaving them inspired and eager to delve deeper into the world of science and technology. The exhibition has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from both students and their teachers. Initiatives like this offer students engaging, hands-on learning experiences, making STEM activities enjoyable and captivating, ultimately enabling students to go beyond mere rote learning. It is hoped that more programs outside the school in collaboration with UiTM can be continued, especially for rural students who lack in terms of laboratory facilities and expertise.

Cultivating global citizenship among students is an important effort that needs to be emphasized in order to produce a knowledgeable, responsible, and caring generation. These young people are valuable instruments and assets of the university that will shape the futureof the country and make a constructive contribution to the world. Based on these aspirations, UiTM Negeri Sembilan Branch is making strides through the Kuala Pilah Campus Chemistryand Environmental Studies by organizing the 6.0 series Global Outreach Program (GOP 6.0).

This program was attended by more than 80 students and lecturers from four international universities namely Telkom University, Universitas Negeri Malang, Universitas Islamic Indonesia and Universitas Maritim Raja Ali Haji who have camped for 5 days from 21 – 25 August 2023 located at UiTM Kuala Pilah Campus. Various activities have been designed with a focus on the scientific and personal development of the students with the theme of ‘Collaboration for Future Empowerment Education’. The students were found to be able to interact very well through the activities of Malaysia-Indonesia Colloquium, Presentation by Special Interest Group, Bilateral Discussion, Traditional Sports, 3 Minutes Research Presentation, Cultural Activities (theatre and dance performances) and International Community Service Program 2023 (ICSP ’23).

Sharing experiences and knowledge obtained from each university is one aspect of fostering a global work culture. Through this GOP 6.0., Malaysia-Indonesia Colloquium was organized with presentation sessions by guest speakers from all universities. Among the topics reviewed are Oil Esters as Potential Emollient for Cosmeceutical Applications, Shaping Future: Biomedical and Healthcare Technologies, Application of Green Chemistry Principle in Organic Synthesis and Statistic and Forecasting in Chemistry: Unlocking Pattern and Prediction.

In addition to scientific knowledge, the application of socio-cultural experience has also been taught through traditional sports activities, theatre performances and dance. The students were very committed and appreciated the experiences of socio-cultural sharing when a series of theatre performed by representatives of each university was shown at the closing session of the GOP 6.0 program. In addition, the attitude of belonging and respect for fellow human beings is also applied to students through traditional sports activities.

The direction towards a more balanced global needs to be applied in the soul of every student. These students need to understand the aspects of empathy, respect and always be grateful. Through International Community Service 2023 organized by the Center for Chemistry and Environmental Studies together with the Faculty of Management and Business, UiTM Kuala Pilah Campus, a community program was successfully held together with CMH Specialist Hospital located at the Royal Gallery Tuanku Jaafar Seremban. Throughout the program, various activities were carried out such as free health screenings, health talks and information related to nutrition. Continuing the agenda of this program, UiTM Negeri Sembilan Branch and international university partners have distributed several wheelchairs to be used at CMH Specialist Hospital.

Finally, the GOP 6.0 program aims to achieve UiTM’s aspirations as a Globally Renown University by 2025 by fostering cultural awareness and understanding among students in addition to encouraging students to explore and learn about the diversity of cultures, traditions and languages. Next, produce students who think globally by appreciating the richness of human diversity. It is hoped that programs like this can be continued in the future.

In the 18th LAWASIA International Moot Competition (National Rounds), which took place from 18 to 20 August 2023, students from the Faculty of Law Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTMLaw) demonstrated their prowess in advocacy by securing victory. The competition was organised by the LAWASIA International Moot Secretariat and the Bar Council of Malaysia. The event was hosted at the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) in Kuala Lumpur.

Representing UiTMLaw, two teams were selected and trained for the competition. The first team comprised Nur Sakina Huda Jazman Azi, Nur Atiqah Azrein, and Nurul Athirah Hairol Nizal. The second team included Izzati Syahirah Zainudin, Fatihah Soraya Sofian, and Iman Nabeeha Ahmad Sabri.

Emerging victorious, team one progressed to the final round and secured the championship title by prevailing over their counterparts from the Faculty of Law at the University of Malaya. The moot competition faithfully replicated an arbitration proceeding, during which participants meticulously researched intricate legal matters, scrutinised pertinent legal provisions, and articulated persuasive arguments to support their assigned cases.

The moot problem presented in the 18th LAWASIA International Moot Competition (National Rounds) revolved around legal quandaries between two fictional nations, including applying AI to arbitrate a legal dispute, countering terrorism and the right to privacy. An application for a comprehensive hearing was submitted to the Arbitral Panel, forming the crux of the competition. The competition’s overarching objective was aimed at nurturing the upcoming generation of legal practitioners and advocates, honing their aptitude and skills to navigate intricate legal dilemmas. Students enrolled in legal studies are poised to amass enriching experiences, contributing to the augmentation of their self-assurance, advocacy acumen, and compositional finesse.

Esteemed faculty trainers, Professor Dr. Irwin Ooi Ui Joo and Dr. Ummi Hani’ Maso’od believe that these aspiring legal minds will be equipped to cultivate the essential proficiencies and expertise requisite for prominence within the legal sphere. This dual enrichment extends to their scholarly proficiency, further enhancing their academic mastery.

The global education system has started to realize the importance of early industrial exposure to university students even before their compulsory industrial internship that they will be undergoing in their final semester. This is to support the learning objective as the theories and practical skills that they acquired in the classroom are mainly to prepare them for jobs in the future.

Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia, has been encouraging lecturers to involve industrial experts in their teaching settings to expose the students not just to the theoretical syllabus but also to give a glimpse of the application of the theories in the industries. This is to expose the students to the importance of the theories learned in the classroom to be applied when they are out in the field in the future. This can also encourage the students to shape their future planning on which field to work in. In realizing this objective, an initiative by the lecturers of the General Virology course (UiTM Kuala Pilah Campus) has initiated collaborative teaching with experts from the industries to share their expert views on some parts of the syllabus.

The lecturers of the General Virology course, Dr. Muhammad Aidil Ibrahim, Dr. Suwaibah Mohamed, Dr. Mu’adz Ahmad Mazian, and Dr. Nurul Hidayah Adenan have taken the initiative to organize two virtual sharing sessions with the clinical experts to enhance the student learning experience and understanding of one particular chapter in the syllabus that describes viral diseases in humans.

The first sharing session was with Dr. Rahimah Iberahim, a specialist from Hospital Rembau, Malaysia, to expose the students to the current situation of viral diseases. Dr. Rahimah explained from a clinical view the existing diseases that are occurring due to viruses. Students were also enlightened about how the human body responds to viral diseases through a course of immunological scenarios. At the end of the session, it is obvious that the students were really keen to know more with a lot of questions asked during the Q&A session. Most questions asked were on the future prospect of treating HIV amongst humans as this virus is the most known harmful pathogen that has yet to be eradicated globally.

Another part of the syllabus was addressed by another expert, Dr Haniif Ahmad Mazian who is a clinical lecturer from the Department of Surgical, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Malaysia. With his expert background, Dr Haniif enlightened the students with an overview of cancer-causing pathogens including viruses. This session also sparked interest amongst the students as the Q&A session was filled with many educational discussions primarily on cancer early detection and effective prevention.

Through these effective sessions, students were able to see beyond the syllabus and oversee how the knowledge can be applied in the industry. The collaborative teaching initiative has given the students the opportunity to explore the industrial experts’ perspectives on the theories they have learned in the classroom. With this, students are able to view beyond the textbook and have a glimpse into the application of the knowledge gained to the current situation that is happening in the world. Students can value the knowledge gained as they started to see that the theories are not just information that they should merely understand or memorize, but there is a wide field of industries where the knowledge can be applied and can be a very valuable contribution to society.

On 4th April 2023, 21 Master of Public Health (MPH) postgraduate students from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Medical Faculty had the privilege of visiting the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) Malaysia, located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.

As prospective public health physicians, it was a good opportunity to understand the role of UNHCR in dealing with the forgotten and forsaken health issues among migrant populations and their health-related challenges. Yet, our host, Mr. Jason Yeo, the assistant public health officer at UNHCR, posed a poignant question that would linger in our minds long after the visit ended.

“Imagine a scenario where your loved one falls ill, and you spend your last RM50 on a Grab car to rush them to a healthcare facility. However, upon arrival, you are told that treatment cannot be given for various reasons. How would you feel?” Mr. Jason proceeded to present a summary of health issues faced by the refugees, highlighting the stark differences between undocumented immigrants and refugees – undocumented immigrants still have the protection of their home countries and can return home, whereas refugees have no such privilege and cannot return home or risk persecution if they do.

He then shared staggering statistics with us, including the fact that there are approximately 100 million refugees worldwide and that Malaysia alone is housing 184,699 refugees and asylum seekers. Malaysia currently hosts refugees from over 60 countries, with the vast majority hailing from Myanmar. Unfortunately, more than a quarter of the refugees are children and people with medical needs. Malaysia has no refugee camps; hence, their presence can sometimes go unnoticed. Most reside in the slums or low-cost flats in metropolitan regions, with the highest concentrations in Kuala Lumpur and Penang.

Despite the availability of healthcare facilities, affordability remains a significant barrier to healthcare among refugees and asylum seekers in this country. The cost of living, along with the absence of prospects for official employment and lack of educational opportunities, exacerbate the difficulty in obtaining healthcare. It is evident that these displaced individuals were vulnerable to a wide range of health issues, many of which stem from urban poverty, including malnutrition, infectious diseases, and non-communicable diseases like hypertension, diabetes, and mental illnesses. Refugees in Malaysia have demonstrated remarkable resourcefulness by establishing their own support systems.

This includes helping one another to sustain their families, yet many still struggle to get needed services despite the initiatives and discounted healthcare fees. It is imperative that we address the root causes of these challenges, such as restricted employment and education opportunities to improve refugee health and well-being. Employment and education are important determinants of health, but refugees can neither work nor go to school legally.

A reliable income would improve their chances of getting proper healthcare. Education is key to securing employment to earn a living, allowing them to live healthier, consume better food and receive better quality healthcare. As we reflect on the situation of refugees in Malaysia, we must consider how we can best support them. This includes finding ways to enhance access to healthcare while also addressing the underlying social determinants of health that impact the lives of refugees. Through collaborative efforts, we can work towards creating a more equitable and just society for all.

Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia is set on its path to be a globally renowned university by 2025 or known as GRU 2025 in its blueprint. Due to this, various international initiatives have been planned and executed by the university toward achieving this overriding goal. One of the projects undertaken under this mission takes place in the actual classroom setting involving the teaching and learning process. This venture is named Global Learning and is placed under the Centre for Innovative Delivery and Learning Development (CIDL), UiTM. Its main focus is to bring international connection and live interaction directly to the classroom. This undertaking aspires to deliver world class education and at the same time, benefit students so that they can be competent graduates globally. With the acceleration in online learning and virtual meetings, Global Learning is even more relevant because UiTM students can now have international speakers in their classroom without having to leave their space.

Realising the benefit of such an innovation, UiTM Kedah Branch, Malaysia, via one of its English language classrooms, has successfully conducted a Global Learning session for its students. The English language subject is ELC650 or known in full as English for Professional Interaction, is offered to the degree students of various disciplines. This subject exposes a variety of workplace communication issues to the students and deal with a wide range of topics such as how to behave professionally, how to write emails and how to conduct formal group discussions. For the planned Global Learning session, 34 students from the classes of KAM2285C and KAM2285D who are pursuing their Bachelor of Administrative Science took part. The session took place on 3 January 2023, Tuesday, from 6.00 pm to 8.00 pm. The invited speaker was Mr. Abdul Bari Khan, is a senior lecturer at the Institute of Southern Punjab, Multan, Pakistan. The topics covered by Mr. Abdul Bari Khan were Consideration for Professional Interaction, Professional Etiquette, Politeness & Concept of Face. The session was conducted using Webex. The organising team for this session includes Syazliyati Ibrahim as the group leader, Rafidah Amat as the moderator, Dr. Nursyazwanie Mansor, Nur Hidyati Zolhani and Nurazila Abdul Aziz as the committee members.

All in all, the students gave positive feedback and managed to garner valuable insights from the invited speaker. The experiences shared by the speaker who hails from Pakistan have been able to expose the students to different perspectives on workplace issues and allow them to compare their future workplace scenarios with the ones in Pakistan.

On 18 March 2023, UiTM Perak Branch, Malaysia, under the Green Campus Committee and Green Safe Cities (GreSAFE) Research Group, collaborated with the housing community of Puncak Iskandar, Perak, and the local council of Perak Tengah, Malaysia in disseminating the solar lighting technology towards enhancing the safety level of the neighborhood. Under the initiation and support of the UiTM Perak technical team, Assoc. Prof. Sr Dr. Nur Azfahani Ahmad addressed that this program is sequential knowledge and technology transfer program using a community-based approach.

This program has successfully gathered 30 academic and supporting staff of the UiTM Perak Branch, 15 staff from the local council, and more than 50 community members in the installation process of 12 units of solar lighting system in the housing surroundings, the amenities, and playgrounds. The municipal councilor, Mr. Syukri Azaari, highlights that this program helps to strengthen the safety, security, well-being, and inclusivity of the community toward crime prevention. It aligns with the Malaysian Twelfth Plan (2021-2025) and United Nation Sustainable Development Goals No 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and No 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by synchronizing the plan of Malaysian Science, Technology, Innovation, and Economic (MySTIE), specifically Smart Cities and Transportation. The community leader, Dr. Norhazlan Haron has supported the program and agreed that the people’s quality and welfare are improved with the aid of green energy. It significantly strengthens the country’s prosperity by enhancing the excellence of academia through green technology applications.

At current, UiTM Perak Branch under the Green Campus initiative and Green Safe Cities Research Group are actively conducting various activities focusing on resilient and safe communities in Malaysia. It includes activities on crime prevention through environmental design, green environment of safe cities, and resilient cities with green management.

It was a life-changing experience for three students from the Faculty of Business and Management (FBM), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Malaysia, Puncak Alam campus, when they were given the opportunity to participate in the Asian International Mobility for Students (AIMS) programme at Kangwon National University (KNU), Chuncheon, Republic of South Korea during the spring semester of February 2022. AIMS is SEAMEO RIHED’s  (Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Centre specialising in higher education and development) flagship regional initiative to support student mobility and improve cooperation among Asian nations in higher education.

During the 5-months exchange program, the three FBM’s students, Siti Sarah, Muhammad Naqib and Dina Hanani attended various credit transfer classes under the department of international trade at KNU. Classes were taught entirely in English or in a dual language, Korean and English by the professors at KNU. At KNU, they were also given a chance to learn the Korean language to help them better adapt to their surroundings.

To further enhance their sense of university life at KNU and learn more about the language and culture of South Korea, the FBM’s students were paired with KNU’s students through the buddy program. They also visited places in South Korea such as Busan and Seoul, giving them the opportunity to learn beyond the classroom’s walls. For Siti Sarah, she found this program to be an experience that completely changed her life. While, Muhammad Naqib said, “this program was exciting and full of adventure as there were abundance of new things and knowledge to be explored”. Dina Hanani claimed, “the program was wonderful, beyond her expectations and had pushed students to be adventurous and go out of their comfort zone”.

Basically, this exchange program had provided the Malaysian students the educational experience that brings together local and foreign students to form networks and learn more about Korean history, culture, and business. Not only that, one of them was even awarded a scholarship by KNU. This once in a lifetime opportunity enabled the students to gain knowledge and experience that make them more grounded and probably could contribute to UiTM and the nation.

For the program’s video, go to https://youtu.be/FLZmV2KtMtE