KUANTAN: Ranked top among the Malaysian Technical University Network and in the 601-800 range in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) will continue to thrive in research and innovation, and offer world-class academic programmes.
UMPSA, which marked its 21st anniversary in February this year, will continue to utilise the latest technologies and venture into new technology explorations, focus on efficient financial management and administration, and internationalisation to boost the university's academic reputation on the international stage.
The university will focus on providing community-driven education, research and high-level technology services through the social entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Its Pekan and Gambang campuses have successfully produced 39,664 alumni who have significantly contributed their energy and expertise to society and towards national development, while the employability rate of its graduates reached 98.67 per cent last year, one of the highest in the country.
UMPSA vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Ts Dr Yuserrie Zainuddin said the university's collaboration with the industry as a synergistic partner will further empower technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in steering Malaysia towards a technology and innovation-based high-income country.
INTERNATIONAL AND DUAL-DEGREES
Yuserrie said UMPSA has succeeded in strengthening the good ties spanning over 13 years with German educational institution Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences.
"The academic partnership has developed the German Engineering Education Model (hochschule) in the country's technical education system. A dual-degree programme in the fields of mechatronics, automotive and electrical engineering was introduced to produce more competent graduates who are able to contribute significantly to the country. The Business Engineering programme was established with our new partner from the Mannheim University of Applied Sciences.
Besides Germany and Kazakhstan, the dual-degree programmes have been expanded to China, involving Beijing Jiaotong University. The Faculty of Computing and the Faculty of Civil Engineering Technology at institutions in South Korea will be soon involved in other new programmes with UMPSA
"UMPSA is recognised internationally for offering training certificate development and dual-degree academic programmes in the field of rail transport.
This is the result of good ties between UMPSA, Beijing Jiatong University, Malaysia Railway Link and China Communication Construction Company," he said.
EXPANSION AND COLLABORATIONS
Meanwhile, Yuserrie said there are proposals to open a Graduate School of Business (GSB) and offer more open and distance learning courses, such as Online Micro-Credentials and Open Distance Learning (ODL).
"UMPSA has strengthened its cooperation with Kumpulan Yayasan Sabah and Kolej Teknologi Yayasan Sabah (KTYS) in the field of education sponsorship and student recruitment. The recent memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed is following the long-term cooperation between all three parties.
"Collaborating with YS will provide the opportunity for more eligible students from Sabah to study at UMPSA, thus allowing them to be part of the Germany and China dual-degree programmes," he said.
He emphasised that UMPSA is always committed to the field of research while maintaining the quality of its achievements through the cooperation with various industry sectors.
"UMPSA's collaborations include with the State Secretary's office (SUK) Pahang Barat Plus and Pahang Skills in developing the Malaysia Mineral Academy Pahang (AMMP) in Lipis. AMMP will be a learning centre to offer education and training programmes as well as technical services catering to the mineral industry.
"The collaboration between the Pahang government and UMPSA will be further strengthened with the university prepared to share and contribute its staff and researchers' expertise according to the state government's focus areas. This synergy is not only beyond the perspective of talent, human resources and finance but also involves the transfer of expertise, research, knowledge sharing and consolidation of best practices," he said.
SOURCE OF REFERENCE
Yuserrie said based on the expertise available, UMPSA always focuses on ensuring that it is the reference point or first referred when providing solutions to issues related to innovation and technology in line with UMPSA's slogan "Technology For Society".
"The university will continuously support the government's agenda in ensuring the country remains competitive to face Industrial Revolution 4.0, changes in the job market due to the use of Artificial Intelligence, automation, and the development of digital technology.
"Cooperation with Pahang government agencies is also UMPSA's main focus to ensure that the results can be enjoyed by all levels of society, including focusing on providing talent, research, innovation and knowledge sharing by UMPSA to the community as well as internationalisation in the academic field.
"UMPSA has implemented various initiatives to improve the quality of the environment including activities to conserve resources by targeting a sustainable campus approach and specific initiatives designed to produce a conducive green ecosystem," he said.