DMNC July 2015 (in conjunction with Eid Celebration)

May the peace be upon you; salam ilmu keikhlasan kecemerlangan UniMAP

My brothers and sisters who are blessed by Allah Aza wajalla all,

As we are fast approaching the Shawwal celebration 1436H, let us be grateful towards the Almighty for this chance to celebrate Eid in peace and harmony.

The Eid celebration symbolizes as our victory against enemies including those within ourselves such as lust. We fight to refrain from hunger and thirst and also to devote ourselves in religious acts to God in order to be a better servant.

Despite the excitement we will be in, let us not get carried away with the celebration. Prior to your departure, please ensure the security and safety of your residential homes and that your vehicles are in good condition. Inform your neighbours of your absence and also report to the nearest police station in order to alert those on patrolling duty in your area.

When driving, drive with extra caution. Always be alert and patient in any situation encountered while driving. Please think of those who are waiting for you at home. Let us ensure that our return is greeted with joy, not tears. As the saying goes, “Sesal kemudian tiada gunanya” (regretting later is useless).

As we are waiting in excitement for the arrival of Shawwal, let us not forget those who are in need of help and support (asnaf) in order to be able to join in the Eid celebration. Therefore, let us carry out our responsibilities in paying the tithe this coming Eid.

Therefore as the Vice Chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP),  I, Datuk Prof. Dr. Kamarudin Hussin and all, would like to take this opportunity to wish you a Happy Hari Raya, Maaf Zahir dan Batin to all brothers and sisters.

Biar Hati Sejernih Air

Jangan Pula Dipenuhi Lumpur

Kalau Salah Belum Berakhir

Moga Diampun Dengan Rasa Syukur

Jika Budi Dipenuhi Ikhlas

Jangan Ia Disulam Tuba

Jika Ada Salah Belum Dibalas

Pohon Keampunan Di Hari Raya

Biar Amarah Disunting Senyum

Ibarat Pekerti Disulam Kasih

Pinta Dihalal Makan Dan Minum

Moga Rezeki Tidak Tersisih

Sekali lagi, pesanan saya…,

‘Jadikan Syawal ini, Syawal yang dinanti, bukanlah Syawal yang ditangisi’

“Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Maaf Zahir dan Batin”.

Assalamualaikum W.B.T Alhamdulillah, thanks to the Almighty for still giving the opportunity for me to cite some words for our self-reflection this time.

Let us recite a prayer to the fighters who were killed defending the sovereignty of Malaysia in Lahad Datu, Sabah. Hopefully, our armed forces there are safe and the crisis will be resolved quickly without further bloodshed.

I feel very grateful to the Almighty for the Opening Ceremony of UniMAP main campus by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato 'Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak, which was held with great success. Thank you to all UniMAP staff that was supportive and cooperative before, during and after the ceremony. I was informed that nearly 20,000 people attended the opening ceremony. The figure is a historical record for UniMAP. During the meeting with the Prime Minister, I have been informed of the provisions of 18 million to UniMAP and NCIA for Harumanis project to enable the fruit can be enjoyed throughout the year. Prime Minister also demonstrates a commitment when I was informed about the effort to realize the establishment of MBOT (Malaysia Board of Technologists) placed under MOSTI. Thank God, I was told yesterday that MBOT was approved by Cabinet – definitely it was a follow up support from YAB PM. Most encouraging - YAB PM said that UniMAP help boost development in various aspects in Perlis and relates us as the heart of the country's development. I am very grateful of the statement. In fact, he mentioned that ‘Although Perlis does not own a Five Star Hotel yet, but it owns a Five Star University. Congratulations to all the UniMAP staff.

I want to share another good news - the recent achievement of UniMAP. In CITRA Innovation Dinner organized by the Ministry of Higher Education held on March 5TH at the Marriot Hotel Putrajaya, three UniMAP research products won an appreciation award for our contribution in the success of the Tertiary Level Innovative Human Capital Development Blueprint (PTPMIIPT) led by the Ministry of Higher Education.

Congratulations to Prof. Dr. Ismail Daut for Photovoltaic Power inverter products without transformer; Mohd Mustafa Al Bakri Abdullah for Geopolimer product Eco-Friendly Cement and Concrete and Assoc. Dr. Syed Alwee Aljunid for products Optical CDMA System using Random Diagonal Code. This shows in consciously or subconsciously, our research findings are recognized as contributing to the development of innovative human capital. Therefore, to all researchers, continue producing research products useful to society and the use of creative and innovative thinking to make improvements to the lives of the entire community. God’s willing, if we are sincere in what we do without saving a certain agenda, it will lead to success.

In this month, we will hold an annual event that is Seri Gemilang Award Ceremony (ASG), which aims to recognize staffs who demonstrate excellence in various fields. Therefore, I would like to congratulate staffs that were selected, and to those were not selected, do not lose hope. Continue to increase the excellence and contribution in advancing UniMAP, insyaa Allah your sincere work will be rewarded with goodness and effort that has been made will be paid off.

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 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.