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.