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DMNC May 2015

DMNC MAY 2015

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh (’May the peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be with you’) and greetings of UniMAP knowledge, sincerity and excellence.

Praise be to Allah S.W.T. for the consent of giving me this opportunity to share snippets of story and experience in this May issue, with the UniMAP family.

As all of you might be aware, the month of May is very special. It is the month of several celebrated days, rejoiced in honor of important individuals in our lives. Therefore, I would like to use this opportunity to wish ‘Happy Labour Day’, ‘Happy Mother’s Day’, ‘Happy Nurse’s Day’ and ‘Happy Teacher’s Day’

On this occasion, I would also like to congratulate six UniMAP professors for their appointment as Visiting Professor at the University of Indonesia Ubudiyah (UUI), in order to facilitate the development of academic, research and the quality of the lecturers at the university.

The six professors aforementioned are Prof Dr. Harshita Aini Haroon, Datuk Wira Prof Dr Salleh Haji Din, Prof Madya Dr Che Mohd Ghazali Ruzaidy, Assoc Prof Dr Rizalafendi Che Ismail, Associate Prof Dr Huzili final Mat Hussin and Mazmin Mat Akhir who were all appointed for their expertise in the areas of English Language, Economics, Science, Technology, and Social Science Library Infrastructure.

May all of those selected will carry out the task entrusted to them as best to their abilities; God willing.

We are hopeful to receive a visit in the middle of the month from the Honourable Dato’ Seri Haji Idris Jusoh, Minister of Education II to launch the Industry – Academia Collaboration (CoE UniMAP Healthcare Cluster and Innovation Centre) at the Engineering Centre, Pauh Putra Main Campus.

This program involves cooperation existed between the industry and the academia in hopes for further implementation of conducted research by both parties. I hope that UniMAP will give its best commitment throughout his stay here. Together we protect UniMAP’s name and deliver the best quality hospitality to our guest; God willing.

That is all for now, I end my column with Wabillahi Taufik Walhidayah Wassalammualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.

 

DMNC November 2014

From the Vice Chancellor's Desk (November 2014)

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh and Salam Ilmu, Keikhlasan, Kecemerlangan UniMAP.

Alhamdulillah, I am thankful to the Almighty because with His consent I am given the opportunity to share my writings with the UniMAP community for this November's edition.

2014 is about to come to a conclusion and I am pleased with UniMAP's many achievements throughout the year. A few weeks ago we were awarded The Golden European Award for Quality & Commercial Prestige for 2014 for quality and commercialisation aspects which was given by Otherways Management & Consulting - France (OMAC).

Meanwhile, our researchers gained prominence when they won prizes at the British Invention Show (BIS) 2014 and the International Trade Fair, Ideas, Inventions & New Products (IENA 2014) exhibitions.

UniMAP is also proud of the accomplishments of Dr. Noorhafiza Muhamad for being awarded the L'Oréal-UNESCO Women in Science Malaysia Fellowship. This achievement has been won by UniMAP four consecutive times since 2011 by Dr. Ong Hui Lin, then followed Dr Hakimah Othman and Dr Ruslinda A. Rahim.

Another sweet success that we have achieved is for the research product “ZCC-OCDMA Code for Symmetric Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) In Access Network” that was chosen to represent Malaysia at the 2014 MSC Malaysia Asia Pacific ICT Alliance (APICTA) Awards in November.

A great thanks to YAB Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak and Yang Berhormat Menteri Pendidikan II Dato’ Seri Idris Jusoh for their congratulatory words on UniMAP's success in BIS 2014 at their Twitter page.

These successes show that we are on an avenue where our researches are productive and locally and internationally acclaimed. However, it is disappointing to learn that recently a news report in a major newspaper had disputed the direction of our R&D which appeared to not be financially rewarding. It is obvious the writer of the report failed to fathom the research philosophy which we bear, where the tradition of knowledge supersedes financial rewards.

Commercialisation is just one of the component in research, and our primary ambition is to form a university that teaches students to be humans who would be able to drive the economic development of the country.

University researchers are not merely scientists who concentrate their full attention on generating profit from the commercialisation of their researches. The more important matter is to give birth to a generation which is knowledgeable.

Another component which exists in R&D but is not easily valued by society is technology and knowledge transfer, as well as consultancy.

In fact UniMAP has generated more than RM5.5 million from consultancy which involves the process of technology transfer between the university and Small Medium Industries (SME).

I hope that the UniMAP community especially researchers will not be discouraged by the news report but allow it to fuel our spirit for us to create newer products that would benefit society.

As we already know, UniMAP is not only focusing on the fields of research and academic. Recently, the UniMAP football team has succeeded winning two championship titles for the Tuanku Syed Putra Foundation Cup and the Tuanku Syed Putra Cup. Furthermore, international students won the second place during the 2nd Maal Hijrah Arabic Debate Championship which was held at Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIAM) and won the category for Best Traditional Dance during 1 World Culture at Nilai University, Negeri Sembilan recently.

Before bringing my words to a close, I would like to remind the UniMAP community not to be content with our accomplishments. We still have a long way to go and we have to strive together to further develop the UniMAP that we love. Insyaa Allah, the future will bring even more successes if this spirit endures for years to come.

Sekian,

Wassalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Taala Wabarakatuh.

DMNC February 2015

FEBRUARY 2015

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh dan Salam Satu Malaysia

Salam Ilmu, Keikhlasan, Kecemerlangan UniMAP

Alhamdulillah, I am grateful to the almighty Allah S.W.T that with His consent, we have entered the month of February. Time flies quickly and on the 10th of this month I will be 60 years of age. I have been with UniMAP for 13 years. Although I have reached mandatory retirement, I am thankful to have been entrusted by the Ministry of Education Malaysia to lead UniMAP for another year.

I have had so many memories with the UniMAP community being the Vice Chancellor here. I would like to greatly thank all of the UniMAP community that have been by my side working hard night and day without weariness to uplift the name of our beloved University. InsyaAllah in the period of a year which I am given, I will strive to ensure all the planning that we made will be achieved.

Recently, our heads of department and I travelled to Universiti Ubudiyah, Aceh to run the UniMAP strategic planning workshop for the coming years. This workshop is part of a series of discussions that was held in the last several months whereby new goals are identified to act as our guide for this year as well as the upcoming years. Besides this, the workshop provided a chance for UniMAP's heads of department to interact with Ubudiyah lecturers to identify collaboration opportunities to be explored as well as to behold the fortitude of our brothers and sisters who have been hard at work to rebuild their lives after stricken by the earthquake and tsunami disaster a decade ago. I am certain a lot of lessons have been learnt here as a result of our meeting. I hope the lessons would be benefited by all participants.

Before ending my scribblings, I would like to wish the Chinese members of our UniMAP community a Happy Chinese New Year. I would like to advise that in our excitement in celebrating this Chinese New Year, do not forget about safety while being on the road. Remember that loved ones are waiting for us at home.

May the Year of the Goat Give Us All a Thousand Meanings

"Gong Xi Fa Cai "

Wabillahi Taufik Walhidayah Wassalammualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.

DMNC August 2014

HAPPY 57th INDEPENDENCE DAY

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh and Salam Ilmu, Keikhlasan, Kecemerlangan UniMAP.
Alhamdulillah, all praise to the Almighty because we are still given the opportunity to meet in the September edition of From the Vice Chancellor's Desk column. Although we are already in the month of September, the spirit of independence is still felt. It is still not too late for me to wish everyone Happy 57th Independence Day, with the theme for this year, “Malaysia, Di Sini Lahirnya Sebuah Cinta”, taken from the lyrics of the song "Warisan", sung by Sudirman Haji Arshad.

For me, Malaysia is the place where love blossoms. Love for the country creates spiritual relationships among us. Regardless of race, religion and skin color, although not knowing each other - in the name of Malaysia, we are united and willing to risk our lives to ensure the well-being of this country, named Malaysia. The existence of this particular love enables us to live in peace and prosperity. Alhamdulillah. Hopefully with this 57th Independence Celebration, Malaysians are more mature in understanding and being tolerant to one another, thus maintaining peace for generations to come.

At the same time, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the new intake of Degree students for the Academic Calendar of 2014/2015 that have registered on the 1st of September 2014. The top management of UniMAP and I are very glad to accept all of you here.. Once registered at UniMAP, you are all a part of the University's large family. Pursuing your studies in a university is actually not an easy mission. Your parents are placing high hopes that this can be a point where you will embrace change, and shape glorious future in contributing to the development of not only to yourself, but to your family, race, religion and country.

I hope that you will take full advantage of all the opportunities given and use all the facilities provided by the University to the fullest. Focus on your study and fulfill the high hopes of your parents and country..

To all UniMAP educators, I want to stress that we need to embed sincerity in carrying our duties and responsibilities. Initiate everything with the right intention. Indeed, our task is a responsibility entrusted by Allah SWT. Hopefully what we have performed will be blessed by Him.
Until we meet again, Wabillahittaufiq Walhidayah, Wassalamualaikum Wabarakatuh.

DMNC Jun 2013

In the last few weeks, there have been a tremendous number of achievements that UniMAP can be proud of. Just last month, the Engineering Accreditation Council (EAC) came to audit some of our academic programmes. During the exit meeting, the EAC representative announced that he found UniMAP to be, indeed, worthy to be called a 5-star university. (Incidentally, that was indeed what was expressed by the Prime Minister when he visited UniMAP some time back, in response to our performance in various Ministry-run ranking/rating exercises). The EAC recognises the excellent teaching, learning, and recreational facilities on offer here. Apart from the EAC, our visibility in research is enhanced with the success we achieved in the International Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibition 2013 (ITEX’13) – where we acquired 32 gold, 26 silver, and one bronze. In addition, our researchers attained the Patron Award, the 2013 Asia Cup, and Taiwan’s TAITRA Award. Alongside ITEX, we also participated in the Asian Young Inventors for Young Inventors (AYIE 2013), where we obtained 10 gold medals, and on top of that, our young scientists were awarded ‘Best Green Invention Award 2013’ from the Malaysian Invention and Design Society (MINDS), and a special award from the Russian House for International Scientific and Technology Cooperation.

As if this is not enough, UniMAP now ranks at number 242 in Asia in the most recent QS World University Ranking. This is an improvement of at least 42% from our position last year.

The icing on the cake is the recognition of the world to UniMAP in the form of the Golden Award for Quality & Business Prestige, handed to me a few days ago in Rome, Italy. The award is presented to organisations that have achieved prestige, innovation, quality commitment, and excellence. Each nominated organisation was assessed via a voting process carried out by mail, internet (Macro poll) or within awarded companies based on some stipulated criteria. In addition, the voting process was complemented by information gathered though consultation of media (press, radio and television), consultancy companies, advertising agencies, trade and fair exhibit, chamber of commerce, embassies, etc. I am very happy that the Prime Minister has conveyed his congratulation wishes to us via Twitter some days back.   Academic and research aside, in the ongoing 6th Malaysia Statutory Bodies Association Sports Championship (SUKANUN VIII) which is carried out right here in Kangar, and of which UniMAP is host, we have now achieved three gold medals and one silver. This, alongside many other sports events that we have done quite well in, shows that it is not only academic and research matters that we focus our attention to. 

The fact that we also did very well in our recent ISO 9000 re-audit exercise proves to show that our administration processes are in place, all ready to support all  academic, research, and other endeavours that we carry out on a daily basis.

Against this very impressive scenario, I would like to thank and congratulate each and every one of the UniMAP community. Without your hard work, persistence and support, this success will not be ours.

Having said that, I would like to also remind you to not rest on your laurels. We still have a long, long way to go, so please keep working as hard as you can. Insyaa Allah, we will do very well in the years to come.

DMNC April 2013

Assalamualaikum warah matullah, greetings,salam One Malaysia, UniMAP in our heart 

Alhamdulillah, we have recently been informed of the dissolution of Parliament to make way for the preparations for the 13th general election (GE-13).

Therefore, I would like to allocate the entire DMNC this time to convey my intention regarding the preparation that all UniMAP citizens should do to face the general election.

As I mentioned in this column before, more recently, the university seems to be a field of partisan politics which has never happened in our country. Especially when a fuss about gathering 'Bersih' then, showing news highlights for contentious disputes have been triggered by a variety of media, particularly the print and electronic media.

Now, with the forthcoming general election, I call upon every UniMAP citizen to ensure that no amount of political activity conducted in our campus. I have already set up several teams who work closely in obeserving the activities taking place in the university area. If I find some of unhealthy elements going on here, then I will not hesitate to take appropriate action. As mentioned in the Act, civil servants are not allowed to do political activities. However, the flexibility were given to students, but it is only allowed OUTSIDE the campus.

Should I remind that our job is very serious. Be it staff or students, we are the people who inhabit the world of education, where we fought desperately searching for the truth through knowledge. With the knowledge gained, we are responsible to use it to build a better future for the nation, country,and home land.

While at a young age, I went through a period in which the peace that we have right now is not there. During the May 13, I have seen with my own eyes how bloodshed happened , that had sacrifice so many innocent lives. Some victims of May 13 was comprised of members of my family and friends. After finding out how difficult it was living in desperation and fear as at that time, I was determined to do everything I can to ensure a similar incident does not happen again.

Unfortunately many young people today do not know and do not understand the value of peaceful environment we achieved . They are not grateful. Instead, guided by emotion, they were swayed by suggestions of the stakeholders served. They do not realize that they actually ridden by people who are irresponsible, with an intention to create chaos in this blessed land.

I urge all UniMAP citizens to think maturely, as how the scholars think, before making a decision in favor of those who are not trustworthy.

It is appropriate to remind that the vision and mission of higher education institutions is to produce human capital that contributes to the development of the country. From there on, student must focus on education and staff provides the best ambiance to develop the students intellectual mind. Partisan politics can wait a few more years. As long as in the university, students’ task is to learn. Should be in politics, education would be abandoned, and the ideals for graduation most likely need to be removed so easily. Look at the politics of their academic performance - on average they have lower grades, which suggests that political activities are doing such a distraction to learning.

The goal of the university set up must be maintained, which is to produce graduates with higher order thinking skills, acting based on facts and have high personal values. Action will be taken against students or staff who pollute your mind and try to drag university’s name to the brink of abject. This is because the university’s task is very heavy- in nation building through the creation of intellectual capital. Therefore, we do not have time to entertain dirty politics masterminded by the irresponsible parties.

Malaysia’s future is in our hands, where we will cast our votes will determine whether the country remains peaceful as it is now, or fall into the trap of chaos. When chaos happened, it will be too difficult to get out of such shackles.

Use a sensible and mature mind when assessing the promises voiced. If we promised things that we ourselves feel unreasonable, it is likely that it is unreasonable and, if it is still be implemented, will bring the country into a crisis atmosphere. When that happened, we have to 'beg' from the rich countries, particularly in the West, which is loaded with the necessary conditions to be obeyed before they (the rich countries) help us. Is that the future we want for our grandchildren?

Use rational and intellectual mind in reaching a responsible conclusion.

Together we serve our country.

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