UiTM Global News Vol. 5

UiTM Global News // INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS Dato’ Yusof started showing interest in international Tupac Amaru or the Shining Path; and lastly Switzerland, affairs when he was a child. During his school days, a safe country where the standard of living was high and he was exposed to foreign media, courtesy of living in bilateral relations with Malaysia were good. Johor, and this piqued his curiosity. In his teens he went to Singapore, and the big cosmopolitan city whet his He concluded his lecture by expressing his gratitude for appetite about the world. Spurred and inspired by his being able to be a diplomat and experience many things diplomat uncle and brother who served overseas, he through his career such as the art, culture, and history began carving his own journey as a diplomat. of the countries he travelled to. He also gave a word of advice to the young people who have a keen interest to After attending a one-year Diplomacy and Foreign join the Foreign Service. Critical thinking, leadership skills, Relations Programme at Oxford University, he returned to decision-making skills, problem-solving skills, teamwork, Malaysia with not only a personal education in classical and collaboration are some of the essential skills and music but with a budding career in Foreign Service. Dato’ abilities needed for a 21st century diplomat. Yusof served 34 years from 1975 to 2010 which includes a three-year contract after his compulsory retirement. Dato’ Mohd Yusof also donated his international art book He served abroad in six countries, in addition to a couple collection totaling more than one hundred, catalogues, of short assignments in the United States, and spent 22 and posters to UiTM which will be displayed at the Faculty years abroad in total. of Art & Design gallery, Galeri Seni Tunku Nur Zahirah (GESTURZ) Shah Alam and a gallery in UiTM Puncak He related his experiences of being in the six countries Alam. It is hoped that these contributions will be put to he was posted: Hanoi, a newly liberated country starting good use by the staff and students of UiTM. from scratch; Rome which is a popular destination for Malaysians; Poland, which experienced the fall of the Iron Curtain and Communism; Australia, a calm posting despite slight hiccups in relations between governments; Peru, where security was tight due to the recent fall of UGN Vol.5/December 2020 | 51

UiTM Global News // INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS UiTM Smart SCAN HERE Partnership with the Embassy of the https://www.youtube. People’s Republic of com/watch?v=11SbSyN- China in Malaysia wB7w&feature=youtu. be&fbclid=IwAR1_u78eq- O8BjvgNDIzfBzULxVgG- NNH7j_LroGQRMVaBe- mYDvd_d3jeOy3Q 52 | UGN Vol.5/December 2020

UiTM Global News // INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS O n 28 September 2020, a presentation ceremony, Art Theatre to the DATC stage, also showcased UiTM’s as a token of appreciation by Universiti Teknologi Chamber Choir, Traditional Malay Drumming and MARA (UiTM) UiTM to the Embassy of the People’s Traditional Contemporary Malay Gamelan group, and was Republic of China in Malaysia, was held at the OIA the highlight of the year. During this event, His Excellency Seminar Hall in Shah Alam. The main aim of the event Bai Tian, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary was to thank the Embassy for the Smart Classroom of the People’s Republic of China in Malaysia pledged the and Smart Meeting Room equipment presented by the donation to UiTM. Embassy in 2019 during the China Cultural Day event. The Minister at the Embassy of the People’s Republic The donation from the Embassy was apt and timely in of China in Malaysia, The Honourable Mr. Tang Rui this challenging time in world history as Online Distance represented the ambassador at the ceremony. Also Learning (ODL) has become the ‘new normal’. The present at the event were Emeritus Professor Datuk cooperation between China and UiTM is at an all-time Ir. Dr. Mohd Azraai Kassim, Vice Chancellor of UiTM, high. This donation could be used to connect higher delegates from the Embassy, UiTM management team, education institutions in China and UiTM to work on representatives from Huawei (Malaysia), representatives various collaborations in research and innovation, staff from Digital China Technology (Malaysia), and UiTM staff. and student exchange, mobility programmes, and other relevant initiatives to cement the network between UiTM It was in December 2019 that a memorable event took and China. place during which the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China and UiTM celebrated the 45th anniversary of This mutual understanding and cooperation between diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia. It the Embassy and UiTM could benefit both nations. The culminated in the spectacular China Cultural Day held ceremony illustrated the already flourishing friendly on 17 December 2019 at the Dewan Agung Tuanku relations between the two countries in their efforts to Canselor (DATC), UiTM. This marked a closer tie between achieve common goals through mutually beneficial the embassy and UiTM. The event, which brought activities. professional Xinjiang Song and Dance Ensemble of UGN Vol.5/December 2020 | 53

UiTM Global News // INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS T he Office of International Affairs (OIA) successfully issues, which is establishing the New Public Diplomacy organised The Ambassadorial Lecture by the (NPD) which include promoting Colombian music, Ambassador of Colombia to Malaysia, His cinema, multidisciplinary, visual arts, performing arts Excellency Mauricio Gonzalez Lopez on 27th October and gastronomy at universities and research centres in 2020. It was beamed through the online platform of Cisco other countries. The Embassy of Colombia also provides Webex and OIA Facebook Live. Six hundred and forty-five grants on research, interpretation, and performance of staff and students participated in the event. Colombian and Latin American Music for String Quartet. The lecture entitled \"Colombia and Malaysia: Relations In future, the embassy plans to hold more academic and Potentialities\" introduced Colombia to UiTM staff and activities with the university including establishing students. H.E. focussed on the geography, government cooperation on the football activities at UiTM, and system, biodiversity, foreign policy, the Pacific Alliance organising Coffee Day and Music Festival with UiTM. The between Latin America, South Asian and Southeast Asian lecture attracted a lot of interest among UiTM students to countries, the economic profile and current issues faced learn more about the Latin American country, especially by Colombia in its foreign policy, and strategies Colombia on education, research and job opportunities in Colombia. has adopted to face current pandemic. At the end of his Olé! lecture, His Excellency shared the strategy to solve these 54 | UGN Vol.5/December 2020

UiTM Global News // INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS A Colombian novelist, short-story writer, screenwriter and journalist known affectionately as Gabo or Gabito throughout Latin America. Also a Nobel Prize winner for Literature whose “One Hundred Years of Solitude” made him the Giant of the 20th century Literature. A master of the literary genre known as Magical Realism, where storms rage for years, flowers gift from the skies, tyrants survive for centuries, priest levitate and corpses fail to decompose. And more plausibly, lovers rekindle their passion after a half-century apart. He died in 2014, at the age of 87 in Mexico City. ~source: www.nytimes.com No. Title Author ISBN No. 1. El coronel no tiene quien le escriba Gabriel García Márquez 978-958-8894-11-9 2. Del amor y otros demonios Gabriel García Márquez 978-958-8894-05-8 3. Cien años de soledad Gabriel García Márquez 978-958-58637-4-3 4. El amor en los tiempos del cólera Gabriel García Márquez 978-958-8894-09-6 5. Todos los cuentos Gabriel García Márquez 978-958-639-741-4 SCAN HERE https://www.facebook. com/389848521116481/ videos/ 988318274967828/ UGN Vol.5/December 2020 | 55

UiTM Global News // INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS T he Colombian Film Festival and Donation Ceremony organised by the Office of International Affairs (OIA) Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Shah Alam on 18 December was graciously attended by the honourable His Excellency (H.E), Mauricio Gonzalez Lopez, Ambassador of the Embassy of Colombia in Malaysia, Prof. Dr. Roziah Mohd Janor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor UiTM and Dr. Hajah Zainab Haji Mohd Noor, Director of OIA. Amongst the invited guests were representatives from the Embassy of Colombia, Assistant Head of the Tun Abdul Razak Library (PTAR) 1, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Music, Head of Galeri Seni Tunku Nur Zahirah (GESTURZ) and OIA organising committee. 56 | UGN Vol.5/December 2020

UiTM Global News // INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS This event was successfully held despite the current pandemict . A standard operating procedure (SOP) for health screening was implemented to ensure the safety of all guests that attended the event. H.E Mauricio Gonzalez Lopez kindly laid out the generous Colombian values through his gifts of Colombian literature and art to UiTM. The Ambassador presented 11 novels by the Colombian Nobel Prize winning author, Gabriel Garcίa Márquez to Tun Abdul Razak Library (PTAR) 1. In addition, H.E’s penchant for education was evident in the presentation of a mock cheque for RM6,000 worth of research grants to the Faculty of Music. An exquisite piece of artwork on “Celebrating Women in Malaysia” was offered in Galeri Seni Tunku Nur Zahirah (GESTURZ) to be showcased for a month to mark the early partnership between the Embassy and Gesturz. H.E’s generosity to UiTM community is extremely welcome. Students and staff alike will gain from this networking between UiTM and the Embassy of Colombia in Malaysia. A relevant and impactful event such as this can further increase UiTM's visibility on the world stage. UGN Vol.5/December 2020 | 57

UiTM Global News // FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS Faculty of Business and MEETING THE T he Covid-19 virus has caused turmoil in most parts of the world and it has required us to drastically adapt and adjust to new realities. Higher education is no exception. Universities are driven to embrace the digital world and propel online education as a new way of learning. For the Faculty of Business and Management (FBM), being the largest academic faculty of Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) with about 34,300 active full-time students all over Malaysia and 6,300 undergraduate students in Puncak Alam campus alone, students have had to wave goodbye to the conventional, face-to-face learning and embrace a new way of learning. Though faced with the difficulty of having to adjust to this new norm, FBM has made the necessary efforts to ensure its academic members adapt to virtual classes and work environment by equipping them with technological knowledge and literacy through the programmes managed by FBM’s ODL T & L team. This enables the faculty to uphold its objective to equip the students with the knowledge and nurture their talents. FBM also ensures the quality of its academic programmes (Diploma, Degree, Master, and Ph.D.) through obtaining accreditation from local and international accreditation bodies such as Chartered Management Institute (CMI). Besides ensuring quality teaching and learning activities, research and other collaborative events with local and international partners are still taking place irrespective of the hurdles faced. Virtual discussions with counterparts have led to the signing of a number of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for future research collaborations, as well as students and staff exchange activities. Among the collaboration formed are with the Universitas Negeri Surabaya and Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia. The alliances promote research collaboration via matching grants from both universities. 58 | UGN Vol.5/December 2020

UiTM Global News // FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS Management: NEW NORM HEAD-ON A Collective Accreditation 2 020 – what a year it is! There are a lot Ý Accreditation by Finance Accreditation Agency (FAA) of things that make 2020 a most remarkable year for FBM. The undivided commitment and Very recently, FBM received yet another international efforts shown by its committees have made it possible accreditation from the Asia Pacific Institute for for FBM to obtain several local and international Events Management (APIEM) for a Bachelor of Event accreditations. In January 2020, FBM and Chartered Management (Hons) programme and has been appointed Management Institute (CMI), United Kingdom, signed as the International Centre of Excellence for its event a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) on a professional management provision. FBM, UiTM is the first faculty in accreditation by CMI for the Masters in Human Resource Asia to develop a Bachelor of Event Management (Hons) Management (MHRM) programme. MHRM which was programme and currently has the largest faculty in Asia first offered by FBM in 2017, is one of its ‘youngest’ offering event management programme. postgraduate programmes. FBM is indeed proud to have an international accreditation by CMI, which is Ý FBM team with Professor David Hind, President of the Asia Pacific the world’s leading professional body in management Institute for Events Management and leadership. Students enrolled in MHRM beginning September 2019 will not only receive a scroll from UiTM upon graduation but also a CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership. It is also a double celebration for UiTM since FBM is a recognised Study Centre by CMI in conducting CMI programmes. Further, the Department of Economics and Finance Studies (DoEFS) recently notched an accreditation recognition from Malaysia’s Finance Accreditation Agency (FAA). The recognition was accorded to the BBA (Hons) Business Economics, BBA (Hons) Finance, BBA (Hons) Islamic Banking, and BBA (Hons) Insurance. The FAA accreditation recognises that the design, development, and delivery of the learning in the four academic programmes successfully meet the high standards of FAA Learning Requirements and are in compliance with the FAA Quality Framework for accredited academic programmes in Malaysia. This accreditation accentuates the significance of the programmes in the financial market and the service industry. The four academic programmes in DoEFS are exclusively designed to meet the nation’s objectives of preparing qualified graduates for the economics and finance industry. The new curriculum of the four programmes reflects business analytics and digital inclusion in the global financial landscape with the emphasis towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) #4 on educational quality to produce graduates with contemporary industrial qualities and conscience. This accreditation will increase the DoEFS graduates’ competitive edge in the employment market. UGN Vol.5/December 2020 | 59

UiTM Global News // FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS These accreditations signify that quality is at the heart of FBM. It gives recognition to the university and assurance to the students, parents, public, and other stakeholders as to the quality of the academic programmes offered by FBM. With an emphasis on quality, FBM continues to meet the national aspiration of producing highly qualified graduates to fulfill the increasing demand for experts in the various business sectors, both locally and globally. Ý Collaboration meeting with Faculty of Economics from Universitas Negeri Surabaya (UNESA) Covid-19 Fails to Stop Research T he Covid-19 pandemic may have halted many Apart from the collaborations made with various activities globally but it has not stopped FBM from universities, Associate Professor Dr. Norlida Jaafar and engaging with its international research partners her team secured an ERASMUS research grant worth from Indonesia. Two memorandums of agreement (MoA) RM374,141 for three (3) years starting from 2019 to are due to be signed soon for research matching grant conduct research entitled Malaysia Sustainable University schemes worth MYR40,000. The research collaboration Campus Network (MySun). This research indicates the is between FBM, the Faculty of Economics and Business commitment of the faculty. Education (FPEB) of Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI), and the Faculty of Economics from Universitas Negeri Surabaya (UNESA). These trans-boundary research collaborations aim to publish impactful articles in reputable journals in the areas of finance, Islamic finance, entrepreneurship, operations management, human resource, and marketing. Virtually, several faculty members have been invited to be guest speakers and visiting professors by the strategic partners in Indonesia, such as Universitas Diponegoro, Universitas Brawijaya, UPI, and UNESA. Topics presented include Research Method: Statistical Analysis Technique by Prof Dr. Noryati Ahmad, Dr. Azilah Anis on Operations Management Strategy in Global Business Environment and Human Capital Building During the Covid-19 Pandemic by Dr. Mohamad Sukor Jaafar. The duo from FBM, Dr. Nor Farradila Abdul Aziz, and Dr. Amirul Afif Muhamat were invited to teach the Financial Management course to the undergraduate students of UPI. 60 | UGN Vol.5/December 2020

UiTM Global News // FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS I n the quest to acquire knowledge, students are virtual exchanges allowed educators to change the way encouraged to venture to other places instead people envision a traditional classroom. UiTM’s Open of being confined to one place. As such, FBM is Distance Learning (ODL) approach made education committed to establishing students’ mobility programmes more accessible and “the doors to seeking knowledge” for its students and those abroad. Aligned with UiTM’s are opened wider. FBM is offering the opportunity for internationalisation agenda, the Exchange Programme@ students from across the globe to study online at FBM. FBM provides an opportunity for its students and those from around the world to experience FBM’s innovative The number of foreign students at FBM has doubled from curriculum as well as provide a platform for them to previous semesters as this online mobility programme explore the new and exciting cultures of this multiracial is more affordable with no cost incurred for travel, country. By joining the Exchange Programme@FBM, accommodation, and meals. In the October 2020 - students can academically and socially enrich their February 2021 semester, 31 foreign students have joined university experience. Academically, they experienced the FBM’s mobility programme from various countries learning from FBM’s lecturers and interacting with their such as China, Indonesia, and Germany. Besides, FBM Malaysian classmates and were able to enjoy and adapt also offered its students the chance to participate in the to the Malaysian culture. This exchange programme global virtual classrooms where FBM’s students from a activates global thinking and develops cross-cultural diverse range of disciplines engaged online in classes at competencies among the students. This may enhance the other universities from other countries. students’ characters and make them more employable. The Exchange Programme @ FBM also allows students to The recent globally connected classes held were the establish intercultural skills to become better members of SuraBali Immersion Programme organised by Universitas society as they learned to be more tolerant, cooperative, Airlangga Indonesia and the Summer Course by Institute and understanding to others of a different culture. Pertanian Bogor Indonesia. The students gained so much experience throughout the programme such as learn new When the world came to a halt at the end of 2019 due culture and new language. Apart from that they also met to the Covid-19 virus, students’ mobility programmes new friends from all around the world. were curtailed as physical movement became restricted. However, this pandemic has not subdued the burning passion of students to widen their academic horizons. In the March-August 2020 semester, 6 international students from the Universiti of Merdeka Malang, Indonesia, Universiti Pendidikan Indonesia, Bandung, and Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences Germany took part in FBM’s mobility exchange programme. The students spent their entire semester at FBM and experienced life in Malaysia. As the Covid-19 crisis still lingers and movement is ÝStudents' Exchange Programme (March-August 2020) restricted, FBM offered a mobility programme to the international students via an online platform. The UGN Vol.5/December 2020 | 61

UiTM Global News // FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS ÝVirtual students exchange (October 2020 – February 2021) Without having to be in Malaysia, foreign students still have the opportunity to attend classes and complete the programme with experienced lecturers as well as be able to take home credit units for each course registered. Similarly, FBM’s students were also able to experience learning outside of Malaysia. The pandemic has certainly made the year 2020 a very challenging one. Instead of worrying about the challenges, FBM, UiTM has managed to bring together the capability, intelligence, creativity, and commitment of its staff to create the best value for its students and other stakeholders. FBM meets the uncertainties head-on and this has led to several transformations. In 2020, FBM has ensured that its programmes are well-accredited, continues to engage in research collaborations with its foreign counterparts, and reached out to international students and its students through its student mobility programmes. In essence, no matter what the future holds, FBM will weather the challenges and continue to uphold the promises made to its stakeholders. 62 | UGN Vol.5/December 2020

Office of MOU/MOA/LOI International 2020 Affairs (OIA) MOU:266 MOA:64 MOU/MOA:23 44 Countries 20 Countries 11 Countries 260 Universities 55 Universities 23 Universities 1. Australia (10) 25. Myanmar (1) 1. Afghanistan (1) 1. Australia (1) 2. Austria (1) 26. New Zealand (1) 2. Australia (2) 2. Brunei (1) 3. Bangladesh (3) 27. Pakistan (1) 3. Belgium (1) 3. China (1) 4. Belgium (1) 28. Philippines (4) 4. Brunei (1) 4. Germany (1) 5. Bulgaria (1) 29. Republic Czech (1) 5. China (1) 5. Indonesia (12) 6. Brunei (4) 30. Republic of Maldives (3) 6. Estonia (1) 6. Japan (2) 7. Bosnia (3) 31. Republic of 7. Germany (4) 7. Korea (1) 8 Cambodia (1) 8. India (1) 8. Turkey (1) 9. Canada (1) Uzbekistan (7) 9. Indonesia (21) 9. Thailand (1) 10. China (15) 32. Portugal (1) 10. Iran (1) 10. United Kingdom (1) 11. Denmark (1) 33. Russia (2) 11. Japan (8) 11. United States of America (1) 12. Egypt (2) 34. Slovak Republic (1) 12. Korea (2) 13. Germany (6) 35. Spain (2) 13. Spain (1) 14. India (13) 36. South Africa (1) 14. South Africa (1) 15. Indonesia (86) 37. Taiwan (3) 15. Switzerland (1) 16. Iran (1) 38. Thailand (21) 16. Thailand (5) 17. Iraq (1) 39. Turkey (4) 17. Turkey (6) 18. Italy (1) 40. United Arab 18. The Netherlands (1) 19. Japan (18) 19. United Kingdom (4) 20. Jordan (1) Emirates (2) 20. United States of America (1) UiTM Global News // FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS21. Korea (12)41. United Kingdom (15)LOI:6 22. Laos (1) 42. United Republic of UGN Vol.5/December 2020 | 6323. Mauritius (1) 4 Country 24. Morocco (1) Tanzania (2) 6 Universities 43. United States 1. Indonesia (3) 3. Korea (1) of America (6) 44. Vietnam (3) 2. Iraq (1) 4. Nigeria (1) TOTAL:336 Data as of 29 December 2020

UiTM Global News // CAMPUS HIGHLIGHTS DENGKIL Getting an Education Despite The Pandemic T he spread of the coronavirus that has now evolved into a worldwide pandemic came as a shock to all of We continued having ODL classes on campus. Thankfully, us. No one envisioned our long-awaited 2020 to spiral my internet connection was good as I lived on the highest into such despair. As a result of the pandemic, the mode of floor. Most of my classmates weren’t as lucky and had to instruction changed to Online Distance Learning (ODL). All resort to going to the library or going to other people’s rooms class activities have been held online via apps like Google in search of a better internet connection. Connectivity is a big Meet, Skype, and Zoom. This alternative to the traditional challenge in online distance learning, as not every student will face-to-face classes brings a new experience to getting an have a good connection. ODL does have its perks, though. education and, along with it, new challenges to 21st-century Thanks to online learning being normalised, it has become learners. easier to have replacement classes and group discussions as these activities can simply be held online at any time. This Fresh out of secondary school, I had to quickly get used to gives not only the students but also the lecturers flexibility to not only learning virtually but also learning as a university arrange their schedule. You wouldn’t get this type of flexibility student. In the university, one is no longer spoon-fed by with physical classes. their lecturers. The shift from traditional face-to-face classes to virtual ones also took some getting used to. I now have Soon, it was time for our midterm tests. The tests were a bigger responsibility in ensuring that I make the most held online through platforms such as Google Classroom out of my education, as online learning has made it easier and Schoology. It felt strange to me at first, answering tests for students to lose focus and skip classes. I have had to online. I had to quickly understand how each platform worked constantly push myself and hold myself accountable. Online in order to avoid complications. Thankfully, the university had learning, surprisingly, has made me more disciplined than assigned us practice tests for certain subjects prior to the before. exam. These practice tests helped me familiarise myself with the format of the tests and the platforms used. After about a month of having ODL at home, UiTM Not long after midterms, we received the news that those of announced that foundation students (except for those us in Puncak Alam will be moved to UiTM Dengkil. By then, in Science Foundation) would move to the Puncak Alam I’ve already grown to love UiTM Puncak Alam. However, I was campus. The Science Foundation students were to be still excited to finally be in Dengkil. After this move, I had to staying at the Dengkil campus as they would be using the start all over again and get used to my new surroundings. labs at the campus. Being a TESL Foundation student One thing didn’t change though, students were still expected meant that I was going to stay in Puncak Alam. At first, I was to comply with social distancing measures. At that time, I disappointed that I wouldn’t be staying in UiTM Dengkil as I realised how I’ve started to become familiar with this ‘new had heard amazing things about the said campus from its normal’. alumni. However, the Puncak Alam campus exceeded my initial expectations. Students had to follow social distancing Never in a million years would I have expected my university on campus as a preventative measure against the spread of experience to be like this, where I’ll be learning virtually. the coronavirus. That included wearing masks and keeping However, I believe that every cloud has a silver lining. Online a safe distance from others. We weren’t even allowed to sit distance learning has pushed me to become a university next to each other at the cafeteria and library. It was a grim student who is disciplined and resourceful. It has also made reminder of the extent of this pandemic. me independent and taught me to rely on myself. I hope things will return to normal soon ~By: Raudatul Aini Mohd Heikel 64 | UGN Vol.5/December 2020

UiTM Global News // CAMPUS HIGHLIGHTS SHAH ALAM FSR Committed to Academic and Research Activities Despite the Pandemic T he Faculty of Sports Science and Recreation (FSR) Excellence in Research Australia (ERA), Google Scholar, at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) has been active MyJurnal and MyCite. throughout the pandemic. UiTM together with the International Martial Arts & Combat Sports Scientific FSR also organised a virtual Memorandum of Agreement Society (IMACSSS) and the Seni Gayung Fatani Malaysia (MoA) signing ceremony between UiTM and the Association organised the 9th IMACSSS Conference International College of Management, Sydney (ICMS) on and the 2nd Global Scientific Martial Arts and Cultural 10 November 2020 with the purpose of establishing a Congress (GSMACC) 2020 in Putrajaya, Malaysia from 10 programme articulation between both institutions. to 12 October 2020. The MOA was signed by Emeritus Professor Datuk Ir. Dr. The virtual conference covered subjects such as sports Mohd Azraai Kassim, Vice Chancellor of UiTM and Mr. sciences, social sciences, humanities, governance, Rowan Courtney-O’Connor, President and CEO of ICMS. innovations, inventions, culture and tourism related Witnessing the MoA signing were Associate Professor Dr to combat sports and martial arts. Participants of the Mohad Anizu Mohd Nor, the Dean of FSR and Miss Jackie joint conference were treated to a unique experience as Chang, Manager of International Development Team, various martial arts and combat sports virtual workshops ICMS. and performances were included in the programme in addition to the scientific presentations by more than 80 Under the three-year MoA, students will be able to enroll in international and local speakers. recognised courses at UiTM and those who have met the required conditions and standards that were set out will Although travel restrictions were enforced in many parts be given entry to appropriate courses conducted by ICMS, of the world, 40 participating countries were able to join with exemptions granted. This collaborative partnership the conference as all the sessions and related events created new opportunities for UiTM students and served were streamed online. Conference participants were able as a stepping-stone for those who are interested to to submit papers that were peer-reviewed and published further their studies in ICMS. in the Malaysian Journal of Sport Science and Recreation (MJSSR; ISSN: 1823-3198) among others. MJSSR Apart from the agreement, other collaborative (http://mjssr.com/) is a free-to-publish, open-access, arrangements such as subject(s) equivalency between international refereed journal that publishes biannually FSR, UiTM, and ICMS Bachelor of Sports Management as and it is the official academic publication of FSR. The well as mobility programmes for students and lecturers journal invites articles for submission and is indexed in were briefly discussed. A group photography session ended the ceremony~ Source: qswownews UGN Vol.5/December 2020 | 65

UiTM Global News // CAMPUS HIGHLIGHTS SHAH ALAM UiTM Collaborated on Energy Efficiency Technology Research T he Faculty of Electrical Engineering (FEE) and Solar buildings namely power losses, excessive incoming power, Research Institute (SRI), Universiti Teknologi MARA total harmonic distortion (THD) and violation of lagging (UiTM), Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia had pursued a power factor (p.f.) limit. It was proven in the early stage of research collaboration with Malaysia Department of Public simulation studies that the enhanced Volt-Var optimisation Works or Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR), Malaysia on energy technique improved the energy efficiency by 14%-24% in efficiency technology for large-scale buildings. Through several large-scale buildings. Several findings have been a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA), the collaborative successfully published in Sustainability journal with the Web research team led by Assoc. Prof. Dr Muhammad Murtadha of Science (WOS) impact factor of 2.576, and the published Othman, Director of Solar Research Institute (SRI), embarked manuscript is entitled \"Significant Implication of Optimal on a four-year research journey comprising two innovative Capacitor Placement and Sizing for a Sustainable Electrical research projects, which were conducted between 2012 to Operation in a Building\". In addition, the research project 2020. entitled ‘Enhanced Volt-Var OptimisWWWation via Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Energy Efficiency Improvement in a Large- The first research project was funded by the Malaysia Scale Building’ won Gold Award during the International Electricity Supply Industries Trust Account (MESITA) Automation and Control Enhancing Innovation Competition under the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water (ACEiC) 2019 in October 2019 at Universiti Tenaga Nasional (KeTTHA). The main objectives were to enhance the energy (UNITEN), Malaysia. An article of the win was submitted to efficiency of buildings and create awareness among QS WOWNEWS. It was recently selected as the winner of consumers on the importance of saving energy. The research QS WOWNEWS Awards under the category of ‘Top Articles’, utilised artificial intelligence (AI) technology in determining which was announced during QS APPLE 2020. the optimal location and size of capacitors for energy saving as well as voltage reduction. An energy saving module The research project has great commercialisation potential prototype was installed at a selected large-scale building and contributes towards the advancement in electrical and showed a reduction in electrical energy consumption engineering technology particularly in energy efficiency. as well as enhanced energy efficiency. It won a national- The use of AI technology provides an added value for the level JKR Innovation Award in 2011 and the research was invention as well as being in line with Malaysia’s policy on documented in a published book entitled ‘Kecekapan Tenaga: Industrial Revolution 4 (IR4.0). It is a low-cost investment Kajian dan Penyelidikan di Bangunan Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah with short duration for the return of investment (ROI), and Berkonsepkan Artificial Intelligence’. The research project cost-effective due to low service and maintenance cost. It is also received certification from the International Performance also a safe, reliable and energy efficiency electrical system Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP), which operation that not only provides energy saving by 20% confirmed its energy saving potentials. Subsequently, but most importantly provide benefits to society and the the invention was registered with the Intellectual Property environment. Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO). Following the success of the first research project, an improvement on the design and function was carried out with financial support from the Centre of Excellence for Engineering and Technology (CREaTE) under JKR. Through AI, the project investigated a new approach involving the implementation of optimal placement and sizing of capacitors and voltage regulators (OPS-CVR) technology for energy efficiency improvement covering the overall electrical system of a large-scale building. With the novel solution, energy efficiency problems such as overheating of electrical conductors, malfunction of electrical equipment, and increasing electrical bill can be avoided. This was done by addressing issues that can be detrimental to the safety of 66 | UGN Vol.5/December 2020

HOSTED BY : INITIATED BY : Cawangan Negeri Sembilan UiTM Global News // CAMPUS HIGHLIGHTS UiTM N.SEMBILAN Youth Virtual YVSUOIRMTUUMTAHITL2020 Summit 2020 i LIBRARY “ SCIENCE ENTRE PRENUR “ SHIP IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO INFORMATION T aking up the challenge of internationalisation, the 26 OPEN TO SECONDARY 27 OPEN TO UNIVERSITY Student Representative Council (SRC) of UiTM Negeri SCHOOL STUDENTS STUDENTS IN THE Sembilan held its first international online conference SEPT IN MALAYSIA SEPT ASEAN REGION with the theme “International Quest for Information”. The collaborative Youth Virtual Summit (YVS) programme was 8.30 AM - 4.40 PM 10.00 AM - 7.00 PM an international academic seminar in accordance with this year's International Day for Universal Access to Knowledge. THE PROGRAM WILL BE CONDUCTED VIA The event allowed all participating students to cooperate and build ties between ASEAN youths. MICROSOFT TEAMS IN COOPERATION: youthvirtualsummit.com SUPPORTED BY: In an attempt to fully utilise technology and respect the SoPs, Marching together with the goals of expanding youth the programme was held online to safeguard the health and awareness and practical skills in information management well-being of its participants and members. With online and entrepreneurship, the Youth Virtual Summit 2020 learning being the norm for many students in the ASEAN Organising Team put together a format that incorporated community today, the Student’s Council together with Office keynote speeches, sessions that allowed for global of International Affairs (OIA) at Universiti Teknologi MARA interaction, as well as a range of networking opportunities (UiTM) Shah Alam and the Malaysian Academy of SME & and new business opportunities. Entrepreneurship Development (MASMED) co-organised the programme to redefine youth leadership in the areas of The Student Council and its collaborative partners entrepreneurship and library science using Microsoft Teams, provided an incentive for the students to participate in the Discussions and presentations were held at the comfort of entrepreneurship session to create a business model canvas the participants’ own home! and a business proposal for a competition for a chance to win a prize that will help the winners kick-start their business The summit was attended by Malaysia’s secondary school venture. and ASEAN university students who were interested in the talk on Entrepreneurship and Library Science delivered Support from the Ministries of Higher Education and Youth by eight speakers. It brought forth ASEAN youths who and Sports had a positive effect on the participants. It are skilled not only in entrepreneurship but are also alert helped student participants to be resilient and creative in an to current information management issues. The module, increasingly demanding world. The two-day virtual session customised to each slot, provided participants with useful allowed interactions with young people across the ASEAN knowledge that covered entrepreneurship and business community. This difficult time has generated new academic proposals on the subject of Information Management and possibilities both now and in future. redefines the role of Librarians in future. UGN Vol.5/December 2020 | 67

UiTM PAHANG UiTM Global News // CAMPUS HIGHLIGHTS UiTM Pahang Helps in Biodiversity Conservation at the Melaka Butterfly & Reptile Sanctuary Due to the challenges caused by the COVID-19 Social Responsibility (USR) project and has turned it into pandemic, the Melaka Butterfly & Reptile Sanctuary a volunteer programme for members and students of the (MBRS) in Melaka, Malaysia was affected to the School of Science, UiTM Pahang Branch. As Bachelor extent that the organisation had to make an agonizing of Biology (Hons) students had undergone a series of decision of euthanising the butterfly larvae in their industrial training at the organisation, he found it as a sanctuary. Besides, they had to resort to offering their good collaboration. precious farm-bred butterfly chrysalis for sale to the public to stay afloat. This caught the attention of Dr. To begin with, the members and students of the School of Muzamil Mustaffa, Head of School of Science, Universiti Science donated RM 1560 to help MBRS in the butterfly Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Pahang Branch, who seized the and reptilian conservation programmes. With this little opportunity to help out MBRS. help, they put their very much hope that biodiversity conservation would be sustained in the future. Also, Mr. Mr. Gerard Wong, MBRS’s Managing Director stated the Gerard reimbursed RM1000 to UiTM Pahang Branch for strategies that can help overcome the challenges. These education purposes. are raising funds/pure donation, adoption of butterfly chrysalis, and Giant Tree Nymph conservation project According to Dr. Muzamil, this collaboration can carry out called “Angular Child”. joint research, conservation promotion, industry outreach programmes, student development programmes and This is a long-term project where the release of butterflies continue the student internship programmes for industrial will be carried out in future. Sponsors will also be invited training at MBRS in future. ~Source: qswownews together during the release process. Interestingly, Dr. Muzamil decided to adopt this project as a University 68 | UGN Vol.5/December 2020

UiTM Global News // CAMPUS HIGHLIGHTS UiTM SABAH UiTM Sabah Seized The Day ! O n 21 December, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Sabah successfully signed four Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with three universities from the Philippines and one from Indonesia. The event was conducted virtually in light of COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the globe. Hence, the virtual event which was made possible via technology. This virtual signing ceremony was attended by representatives from the Philippines, Engineer Ranie B. Canlas, Vice President of Research, Extension and Training (Don Honorio Ventura State University), Dr. Richard G. Daenos, Representative and Officer (City College of Angeles), Prof Michael G. Meneses, Assistant Vice President (City College of Angeles) and Dr. Joycelyn S. Dayrit, Secretary and Representative (Pampanga Research Educators’ Organization). Meanwhile, new partner from Indonesia was represented by Dr. Hendrati Dwi Mulyaningsih, Founder and Chairman (Research Synergy Foundation). Witnesses to this historical and auspicious event were Assoc. Prof. Datuk Dr. Abdul Kadir Rosline (Rector, UiTM Sabah) and Dr. Hajah Zainab Haji Mohd Noor, Director, Office of International Affairs (OIA). According to the UiTM Vice Chancellor, Emeritus Professor Datuk Ir. Dr. Mohd Azraai Kassim, these MoUs will open doors to more diverse experiences and exciting ideas among the three countries through research and innovation grounded in fulfilling the needs of not only local employers and industries, but beyond the ASEAN shores. UGN Vol.5/December 2020 | 69

UiTM Global News // VIRTUAL GLOBAL EXPERIENCE OWL’S IN T wo UiTM students, Mr. Mohamad Amir Malik Bin (VIRTUAL) Mohamad Sobri from the Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Ms. Effa Rozaeliyana Binti FLIGHT Mohammad from the Faculty of Mass Communication Studies joined 38 students from all over the world in a student forum session called the Owl’s in (Virtual) Flight Video Series. The Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU), an affiliate of UiTM in the Better Futures Consortium alliance, organised the programme to create connections between students and opened up opportunities for them to share experiences, shed light on the challenges they experienced and the ways in which they have managed their lives during the quarantine brought on by the global pandemic. The programme began on the 8th of June and ended on the 2nd of September 2020. The ‘Owl’ in the programme title is the mascot of SCSU. These students were from various cities in the world such as Las Palmas, Chile; Liverpool, England; Nice, France; Milan, Italy; Tokyo, Japan; Stuttgart, Germany; Yerevan, Armenia to Cape Town, South Africa. Almost all nationalities were represented in the forum. Through this programme, both Amir and Effa learned to communicate at an international level and experienced the different cultures described by every member of the meeting. They learned that everyone was facing difficult times being in quarantine, but everyone had unique ways to manage and cope. A few took up new hobbies such as reading bibliographies of famous people, cooking, and playing the piano, while others strengthened their bond with their families. The programme was interesting and beneficial to the students. Most of them still remain connected with one another even after the programme had ended. Ý Effa was relating her stories to her friends from German, USA, Chile and China while Amir and his international friends from USA, UK, Italy and India. 70 | Vol.5/December 2020

T he pandemic has caused many universities to The success of the local VAF2020 programme prompted look at ways to connect with each other. At the OIA to continue the forum by inviting student participants international level, many webinars and zoom from all UiTM partner universities in the AIMS consortium. meetings involving academics to share thoughts on Seven universities namely Dongguk University matters pertaining to COVID-19 and its impact and next (Geongnam Campus), Korea, Nong Lam University, steps have been organised. However, engagement with Vietnam, Mae Fah Luang University, Thailand, University students seemed confined to teaching and learning. of Tsukuba, Japan, Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Indonesia, In the midst of all this, students seem to be left out of Prince Songkhla University (Phuket Campus), Thailand the international connection as they are unable to go and Universitas Sriwijaya, Indonesia sent their student anywhere because international borders are closed. ambassadors to join the forum. Fourteen students were involved including two from UiTM. During the month long With the objective to connect the students and to nurture weekly-scheduled meetings, the student ambassadors them as global citizens, the Office of International Affairs shared their experiences and thoughts on how they, their (OIA) has taken the initiative to host a forum for the universities and their countries managed the pandemic. students to talk about their experiences under during During the forum sessions, they did not only talk about the Movement Control Order (MCO). The forum entitled the pandemic but also on their respective cultures. Virtual Asean International Mobility for Students (AIMS) Forum (VAF2020): Let’s Connect! took off on the 26th Based on the feedback, participants were satisfied that of June 2020 and ended on 27th July 2020. Sixteen the programme provided them with a platform that not students from eight Malaysian member universities of only connected them with fellow students from different AIMS participated in a weekly-scheduled meeting for countries, but also helped them to improve their social a month. During the forum sessions, students shared and communication skills. They also expressed their their experiences and thoughts with each other while in interest in joining similar programmes in future. Both the quarantine. At the closure of the programme, students Malaysian and the international students still continue to expressed their heartfelt gratitude to be involved in the communicate with each other via the social media. OIA is programme. In their feedback, they hoped for more similar happy to connect them even during the pandemic. programmes to be conducted in the future. UGN Vol.5/December | 71

UiTM Global News // VIRTUAL GLOBAL EXPERIENCE U niversiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) play active On the SDGs theme, 10 UiTM students from the roles in all its university partnership programmes engineering faculties participated in the OGC activity especially within the global university alliances hosted by UTM. Other universities that joined the SDGs including the Asia Technical University Network (ATU- OGC include ASOIU, Abdullah Gul University (AGU), Turkey Net) activities. ATU-Net secretariat Universiti Teknologi and UTB. It was a 2-day 4-hour event filled with lectures to Malaysia is currently organising online global classroom expose students to the various aspects of SDGs. At the (OGC) activities with five major themes of Culture and end of the 2-day sessions, the students presented their Communication, Pandemic & Engineering, Innovation projects based on given topics. The students enjoyed and Technology, Entrepreneur and the Sustainable the OGC tremendously as they were able to meet fellow Development Goals (SDGs). UiTM chose to be involved students from different universities at an international in three out of the five themes, which are the Pandemic & level. Engineering, Entrepreneur as well as the SDGs. In December, UiTM will host yet another OGC under the UiTM is currently championing student forum activities theme ‘Entrepreneur’. This is another 2-day OGC event in Malaysia. Under the ATU-Net OGC activities, UiTM where participants will be exposed to the preparation of organised a Virtual ATU-Net Students’ Forum on COVID-19 a business model canvas. Despite the pandemic, UiTM is in collaboration with four other universities which are active in its internationalisation activities and embraces Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), Indonesia, Universiti the new normal in moving forward. Teknologi Brunei (UTB), Daffodil International University (DIU), Bangladesh, Universiti Malaysia Terenganu (UMT) and Azerbaijan State Oil Industry University (ASOIU), Azerbaijan. This programme was designed to enable students from the participating universities to connect with one another through a forum in which they discuss the current pandemic issues related to themselves, the people and policy and the future. Forty students engaged virtually for four weeks in discussions and at the end of the forum, they presented their group projects, related to the pandemic issues specifically on the new norms, information and education. 72 | Vol.5/December 2020

UiTM Global News // VIRTUAL GLOBAL EXPERIENCE L uminaire programme was hosted and organised by Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR). UiTM and other universities under ATU-Net took part in the programme as co-organisers. The programme was conducted over a period of 2 weeks beginning from 4 - 11 December. Sixty students from 16 Asian universities from 7 countries participated in the programme. The programme included two plenary sessions, virtual visits around Surabaya, seminars, projects and presentations. For the project work, the students shared ideas to come up with digital campaign on issues of education among the underprivileged students and mental health awareness among teenagers in Indonesia. The Head of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Unit, Dr. Mohd Salleh Daim shared his experience as a leader for SDG activities at UiTM during the plenary session. UiTM was grateful and thankful to UNAIR for inviting Dr. Salleh as a plenary speaker. UiTM is happy to contribute to programmes that help develop human skills and experience such as that organised by UNAIR. UiTM is also proud of Mr. Muhammad Danial Bin Muhamed Farook who was named as the best presenter. Well done!! UGN Vol.5/December | 73

UiTM Global News // VIRTUAL GLOBAL EXPERIENCE O n the 25th November 2020 the Relations and The forum ended with some words of encouragement International Affairs Department of Student from the panelists. They called on all students to be Representative Council (SRC) UiTM Shah Alam responsible and always believe in themselves. It is collaborated with the Office of International Affairs (OIA) important to remember that everyone is facing hard UiTM Shah Alam to a forum. This forum specifically times, but in all this tribulation, one must always support combined all the student leaders from the IMT-GT each other and grab every opportunity to grow both universities, which was from Malaysia, Indonesia and academically and personally. Communication might be Thailand. a problem sometimes but it cannot be an excuse for complacency. The panelists were Mr. Farid Syafiq Sharifuddin Shah Amran, SRC, UiTM, Mr. Muhammad Zhafran, the Director of Marketing and Sponsorship, Asean Youth Advocates Network-Indonesia from Universitas Syiah Kuala, Kota Banda Aceh, Indonesia, Miss Fatin Hulu, Former TSU English Club President of Thaksin University, Thailand. The moderator was Miss Athirah Sidik, SRC of UiTM. The theme for the forum was to listen to the voices of student leaders on COVID-19. Dr. Hajah Zainab Haji Mohd Noor, Director of OIA gave her welcoming remarks by thanking the panelists and all participants for joining in the forum. The panelists shared their experiences during the Movement Control Order (MCO) due to the pandemic especially on how they learned to adapt to the new norm and their to handle students’ issues. For Zhafran, even during the pandemic, he continued to do what he loves - volunteering. Most importantly, he said, one must always adhere to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in order to stay safe. Fatin Hulu added that during MCO people have a lot of time for themselves and they should take this as an opportunity to learn new things and create new hobby. For her, this is a great time to discover herself and to reflect on her vision and mission in life. The student leaders also took some initiatives to help students in need. Farid, the SRC of UiTM Shah Alam, helped by distributing laptops to students who could not afford one donated by Tan Sri Ibrahim Abu Shah, a former Vice Chancellor of UiTM. 74 | Vol.5/December 2020

UiTM Global News // VIRTUAL GLOBAL EXPERIENCE M arsa Abroad, INTEX.CO and the Office of them to create a venture which addresses social or International Affairs (OIA), Universiti Teknologi environmental problems. Participants were provided MARA (UiTM) recently co-organised a Change with online reading materials and videos, participated in Maker Online Winter Camp. This “1 student 1 passport” forum discussions and were involved in pitching sessions. programme was held from 14th-18th December 2020 Participants also had access to the academicians, senior at 5:00 – 7:00PM, Malaysia time and 12:00– 2:00PM trainers, and Turkey National Entrepreneurs. (Istanbul-Doha time). Zoom virtual platform was used to connect the 40 students from UiTM and Qatar University. This programme trained participants to develop OIA selected 20 student leaders from the Student entrepreneurship skills by providing business ideas, Representative Council and Faculty Student Secretariat innovative training methods and information on funding from different faculties and campuses across Malaysia sources in entrepreneurship. It introduced them to to enrol in this camp. 20 other participants were student leading figures in the business world, and provided leaders in Qatar University representing 14 countries: opportunities for them to be involved in entrepreneurship Yemen, Egypt, Qatar, Pakistan, Liberia, Bangladesh, India, and develop business networking skills. The module Sudan, United States, Iraq, Iran, Canada and India. included topics on designing a business venture, becoming change agents, learning maps, personal SWOT The camp was led by Dr. Selma Haghamed, the founder analysis, dream map, introduction to global issues, and Managing Director of Marsa Abroad for Experiential SDGs and 21st-Century skills, idea creation, creation of Learning, a Qatar-based company and Dr. Pinar Elbasan, mission, vision, and value statements, design thinking the camp co-organiser working with the European Union approach, and fundamentals of leadership in the social Exchange Program-Erasmus+Institutional Coordinator at entrepreneurship world. Istanbul Aydin University, Turkey. He is also the General Coordinator at EURAS-Eurasian Universities Union and This flagship programme and international co- the EURIE-Eurasia Higher Education Summit. Dr. Zeynep partnerships with Marsa Abroad and INTEX.CO strengthen Tugce Ciftcibasi Guc, a lecturer from Abdullah Gül the partnership between Malaysia, Qatar and Turkey. It University as well as a social entrepreneur and trainer at allowed the students to interact at the global level. It is the European level was the facilitator of the camp. hoped that this kind of activity will lead to many more partnership programmes in other areas as well. This programme was designed to teach young people to be change agents. It is an experiential hands-on introductory programme for aspiring social entrepreneurs. Students learned how to create societal impact through social entrepreneurship which is defined as a discovery and sustainable exploitation of opportunities to create social changes. Through this course, students were exposed to the fundamentals of leadership which taught ÝPhoto of participants in one of dail session ÝPadlet Platform for all program materials and in Zoom Platform Projects presented during final pitching session UGN Vol.5/December | 75

UiTM Global News // VIRTUAL GLOBAL EXPERIENCE ASEAN University Student Leadership Conference (AUSLC) 2020 The First Virtual International Conference organised by Universiti Teknologi MARA Residential College S hah Alam, November 11, 2020 - When the world was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, students had trouble conducting international level programme. However, Kolej Perindu of UiTM Shah Alam came up with a programme for students to stay connected and exchange thoughts and opinions with students from ASEAN countries. The Conference with the theme \"Defining the Roles of Students Leadership in Facing Pandemic Covid-19\" was organised by the Representative Committee of Kolej Perindu, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) from 28th September until 1st October 2020. It was an online conference that brought together 315 participants from 6 ASEAN countries namely Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Philippines, and Brunei. The conference held for 4 consecutive days received 5,864 views on Kolej Perindu’s official social media page in Facebook and YouTube Channel. This conference organisers collaborated with 28 ASEAN national universities, with support from the Office of International Affairs of UiTM and the UiTM Shah Alam Principals’ Council. The virtual closing ceremony was held on the 28th November 2020 by the Honourable Minister of Higher Education, Datuk Seri Dr. Noraini Ahmad. The Minister thanked the participants for their involvement in the conference. The proceedings of AUSLC2020 will be published in 2021. 76 | Vol.5/December 2020

UiTM Global News // VIRTUAL GLOBAL EXPERIENCE UGLAM @UPI International Student Buddies Virtual Summit 2020 T he International Student Buddies Virtual Summit 2020, with the theme \"Future of Student Buddy Programmes\" was organised by Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia on 14-15 December. It brought together 120 International Student Buddies. Malaysia was represented by buddies from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). Indonesia was represented by Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI), Universitas Ahmad Dahlan Indonesia (UADI), Telkom University (TU) and Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK). Filipino buddies were from University of the Immaculate Conception and Philippines Normal University. There were also buddies from the National Quemoy University, Taiwan. The Student Buddy Programmes was an initiative for student buddies to engage with international students. The main agenda of the summit was to discuss issues related to strengthening the skills of student buddies and to ascertain the impact of the student buddies' programme. It enabled buddies to learn from other cultures and make new friends, as well as enhance cooperation and generate mutual understanding among countries. The key discussion was on functions and roles of possible for buddies to collaborate and establish new buddies in respective universities as well as ways to friendship. Participants were able to exchange views, manage successful student ambassador programmes. reflections and knowledge on how to be good student Perspectives and experiences of international students buddies to strengthen the academic community whilst were also discussed. Mohammad Amirul Shafiq Mohd assisting new international students to survive and thrive Aznan, who led 2 UiTM Global Ambassador (UGLAM) in their new academic and cultural environment. members explained the UGLAM system to the buddies. The concept of a one-semester probation period imposed UGN Vol.5/December | 77 on new buddies recruited by Amirul was well received by other buddies as this system ensures a system of quality buddies. Nominating a student partner for every international student was another initiative supported by others. Programmes like Travelogue of Nature, Culture and Heritage (TRANCH) and 'Back to Kampung' at UiTM were viewed as effective ways to promote local culture to international students. At the end of the summit, buddies unanimously agreed to organise similar events at their respective universities in order for new international students to experience campus life abroad. This illustrates the camaraderie between the buddies. A programme like this made it

UiTM Global News // GLOBAL ALUMNI Abdullah Haron - UiTM's Global Graduate @ the International Monetary Fund in Washington DC A bdullah, a UiTM-OU MBA graduate, is currently a With a BSLAS from UIUC followed by working experience Senior Financial Sector Expert at the Technical at the BNM, Abdulah then pursued his MBA at the UiTM- Assistance Strategy Division, Monetary and Ohio University (Shah Alam campus). While he was Capital Market Department of the International Monetary well-versed in demonstrated financial and technical Fund (IMF). He works extensively with central banks know-how, he realised that he needed to equip himself and supervisory authorities in the Middle East and with managerial skills in order to move up to the corporate North African region, coordinating technical assistance ladder. He turned down a BNM’s scholarship to study on monetary and financial sector, and participating in overseas and instead applied for a MARA loan because he the Financial Sector Assessment Program, Article IV wanted to be close with the Malaysian financial markets. surveillance and technical assistance missions on topics related to Islamic finance. He was also responsible for While studying, he received an offer to work as a Risk developing a board paper which provides a proposal Manager. After completing his MBA, he joined the banking to incorporate the IFSB‘s Core Principles for Islamic sector, namely, AMMB, ABN AMRO, Standard Chartered Finance Regulations (Banking Segment) and Assessment Bank and Maybank. What set him apart was his financial Methodology, which is now used by the IMF to assess the programming capabilities – a path more often than compliance of banking regulatory and supervisory regime not led to breakthrough achievements and propelled globally. the financial institutions to forecast the trading losses with certain degree of confidence level. Abdullah’s work Abdullah participates in a number of working groups in provided him with extensive exposure and experience in various international standard setting organisations. He risk management and he developed a broad mindset as a is currently a member of the IFSB Working Group on result of working in the banking sector. Impact and Consistency Assessment Program, Revised Capital Adequacy Standard and Core Principles for Islamic He was tapped to develop the first IFSB standard on risk Finance Regulation (Islamic Capital Market Segment). management for Islamic banking industry globally, and He was in the Basel Consultative Group, BCBS Revised eventually promoted to the Assistant Secretary General at Core Principle Working Group, and the Islamic Deposit the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB) to oversee the Insurance Working Group of the International Association entire development of international standards on Islamic of Deposit Insurers. He participated in the IFSB task force finance. He co-authored book, “Ethics in Islamic Finance” on issues in prudential Takaful regulation and supervision (2013), authored “Regulatory Framework for Sukuk”, and chaired the project on the IFSB compilation guide Growth and Opportunities in the Sukuk Market, edited on prudential database of Islamic financial services by Sohail Jaffer (2011), co-authored “Risk Management institutions. in Takaful”, Takaful (Islamic Insurance): Concepts and Regulatory Issues, edited by RA Abdel Karim and S. Archer Growing up, Abdullah felt accustomed to living and V. Nienhaus (2009) and co-authored “Inherent Risk: independently. Abdullah, who is from Kuching Sarawak, Credit and Market Risks and Operational Risk Exposures lived with his grandparents. He completed his lower of Islamic Banks”, Islamic Finance: The Regulatory secondary boarding school from SMK Sheikh Haji Challenge, edited by RA Abdel Karim and S. Archer (2007). Othman Abdul Wahab before he was offered to complete his higher secondary school at Kolej Islam Kelang (now He then worked at the Central Bank of the United Arab known as Kolej Islam Sultan Alam Shah). Despite not Emirates (CBUAE) where his main responsibilities include, taking additional mathematics he was fascinated with setting up the Higher Sharī’ah Authority, performing an forecasting, risk and rewards, and when he was offered ongoing and systematic review of the institutions offering a JPA scholarship, he pursued undergraduate study Islamic financial services in the country. in Actuarial Science in the US. He first studied at the College of Insurance New York before transferring to Abdullah currently lives in Washington DC. In his personal the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, one of the time, Abdullah enjoys traveling, reading financial news, universities awarded as the Center of Actuarial Excellence trading in the stock markets, and sharing his knowledge by the Society of Actuaries. and experience at the universities. When not on a mission, he participates in community activities under the He began his career at the Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) patronage of the Malaysian Embassy in DC. Abdullah can in the Insurance Regulation Department, helping the BNM be contacted at his email [email protected] and to monitor and assess the regulatory requirements and LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/abdullahharon. performance of selected insurance companies. He was among the pioneering staff that contributed to the development of actuarial function in the BNM. 78 | UGN Vol.5/December 2020

UiTM Global News // GLOBAL ALUMNI Abdullah M r. Abdullah Noori has been working in the field of Noori, education for the past 15 years and specialises in Teaching English as a Second/Foreign Language making (TESL/TEFL). He has worked as programme coordinator, UiTM proud instructor, language specialist, consultant, and researcher with various national and international organisations in Afghanistan. at Kabul Currently, he is working as an Assistant Professor at the English University, Department, Faculty of Languages and Literature of Kabul Afghanistan University. Abdullah was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, and received his high school diploma from the Abozer Ghafari High School, Kabul. After graduating high school, he passed the university entrance exam (Kankor) and was admitted to the English Department, Faculty of Languages and Literature, Kabul University. He completed his BA in English Language and Literature in 2011. He majored in English as he is a passionate reader and writer. Abdullah also believes that because English language is a tool of communication, it can be valuable anywhere. Abdullah continued his graduate studies in Education, Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) in UiTM Selangor, Shah Alam. He pursued his studies in UiTM by winning a competitive scholarship sponsored by the Higher Education Development Program (HEDP), a project funded by the World Bank, and graduated with a Master’s Degree in Education (TESL) in 2018. After graduating, he returned to Afghanistan and has continued to serve at Kabul University. He describes his success in his studies in UiTM because of its quality education, flexible and effective way of teaching, well-qualified professors who encourage students to think in a creative and analytical manner, friendly and helpful staff, and above all because UiTM is a comprehensive university that is committed to conducting research as a key part of its mission. Abdullah explains that he owes his practical research skills to UiTM, and ever since he first enrolled in UiTM, he has published around 10 research articles, all in high impact journals in the field of Education. Currently he is advising undergraduate students at Kabul University in writing their final research paper (monograph), the last prerequisite undergraduate students need to fulfill to complete their studies. Abdullah is also working as volunteer with the English Language Teachers’ Association for Afghans (ELTAA) as journal coordinator and conference coordinator. He is in charge of organising and delivering conferences to English teachers at schools around Afghanistan to help them improve their teaching of the English language. His hobbies include playing sports, especially boxing and football, reading, being with his friends, and watching TV. Abdullah has applied to the UiTM Endowment Fund for international students and hopes to pursue his doctoral degree with the Faculty of Education, UiTM. Abdullah can be contacted at his email [email protected] or phone +93773448807. UGN Vol.5/December 2020 | 79

UiTM Global News // VIRTUAL STUDENT EXCHANGE Office of International Affairs (OIA) STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAMME 2020 Further info to be contacted - email: [email protected] https://oia.uitm.edu.my Office of International Affairs oia.uitm - Universiti Teknologi MARA 80 | UGN Vol.5/December 2020

UiTM Global News // VIRTUAL STUDENT EXCHANGE Selamat Datang DayVIRTUAL INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION Platform OCTOBER 2020 INTAKE • Monday | 12 October 2020 • 3:00pm - 5:00pm • Zoom Platform I nternational Student Orientation Day is organised by Meanwhile, 105 students postgraduate students from the Office of International Affairs (OIA) at the beginning Afghanistan (1), Bangladesh (1), China (PRC) (88), India of every semester. However due to the pandemic, (1), Indonesia (5), Iran (1), Jordan (1), Maldives (1), International Student Orientation Day for semester Nigeria (4), Pakistan (1) and Turki (1) have enrolled in 2020/2021-1 was held virtually. This Virtual International the postgraduate studies at 18 faculties which includes, Student Orientation Day was successfully held on 12 Accountancy (6), Art and Design (22), Administrative October 2020 from 3.00 PM to 5.00 PM (Malaysia time) Science and Policy Studies (1), Architecture, Planning & via Zoom Platform. The 3 hour-programme was attended Surveying (3), Akademi Pengajian Bahasa (6), Applied by 128 participants which consist of OIA Staff, Faculty Sciences (1), Plantation and Agrotechnology (3), Business Deans, OIA Liaison Officers, UiTM Exchange Students, Management (12), Mathematics and Computer Sciences UiTM International Postgraduate Students as well as (7), Civil Engineering (1), Education (11), Electrical UiTM Global Ambassadors (UGLAM). Engineering (3), Film, Theatre and Animation (3), Hotel and Tourism Management (6), Health Sciences (1), The aim of this programme was to welcome newly Information Management (4), Music (10) and Sports registered international students for exchange Science & Recreation (5). programmes (undergraduate) and postgraduate studies at UiTM. The new students were briefed on important Programme materials such as slides presentations, matters whilst studying in UiTM. The briefing session student’s handbook, recorded video were disseminated included important matters on international student’s to all newly registered international students via email for registration and procedures. The programme also include their reference. briefing on the Postgraduate Studies in UiTM – Academic & Referral Scheme under Institutes of Graduate Studies (IPSis) UiTM. Other matters such as Academic and regulations under Academic Affairs Division (BHEA), UiTM and the procedure to access to materials in UiTM library, Perpustakaan Tun Abdul Razak (PTAR), International Student Activities and UiTM Global Ambassadors were also given. In total there are 74 undergraduate students from Indonesia (60), Korea (5), Japan (1), China (2), Uzbekistan (1) and Germany (5) who have registered for the exchange programmes at 12 different faculties includes, Academy of Language Studies (5), Arshad Ayub Graduate Business School (5), Accountancy (1), Film, Theatre and Animation (1), Business Management (23), Health Sciences (4), Hotel and Tourism Management (5), Information Management (7), Chemical Engineering (13), Architecture, Planning & Surveying (7), Mathematics and Computer Sciences (1) and Faculty of Mass Communication and Media Studies (2). UGN Vol.5/December 2020 | 81

UiTM Global News // VIRTUAL SUMMER PROGRAMME Office of International Affairs (OIA) Welcome to VIRTUAL SUMMER PROGRAMMES @UiTM MALAYSIA Enrol•Explore•Enjoy https://oia.uitm.edu.my Office of International Affairs oia.uitm - Universiti Teknologi MARA 82 | UGN Vol.5/December 2020

UiTM Global News // VIRTUAL SUMMER PROGRAMME UiTM @ Spanish Language Summer School QR CODE https://www.youtube.com/ results?search_query=Clau- sora+summer+school+span- ish+at+uis+2020 T his year UiTM took the bold step of sponsoring twenty-five selected students to travel virtually to Universidad Industrial de Santander (UIS) Colombia to learn some basic Spanish language. These were among more than ninety students who were attracted by OIA’s advertised caption of ‘Do you want to learn Spanish this summer?’ The students were from various UiTM branches all over Malaysia, enrolled either in a diploma or a bachelor’s degree programme. The programme was UIS’s first virtual summer programme offered worldwide consisting of two modules of conversational Spanish language. The students were sponsored via UiTM’s Student Mobility Fund at a cost of USD100/module. To earn a certificate, each student had to attend a 2-hour online course daily, adding up to a total of 20-hour class per module. Professor Alvaro Andrez Mendez taught the students the Spanish language daily while the students received personal tutoring from seven Spanish Language student volunteers from UIS. The one- month daily classes from 15th August to 7th September was a great experience for everyone involved as recorded in the final session by UIS at the online graduation ceremony. The students themselves expressed their utmost gratitude to OIA and UiTM for giving them the chance to earn two valuable certificates during the semester break which could be added to their growing academic portfolio. UGN Vol.5/December 2020 | 83

UiTM Global News // VIRTUAL SUMMER PROGRAMME UiTM Students@Samara National Research University, Russia QR CODE https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=fDaeDRrNV74&fea- ture=youtu.be T he question ‘Do you want to learn the Russian At the end of the 12-day class, the students presented Language and Culture this summer?’ attracted more their projects about their hometown in exchange for the than a hundred UiTM students’ attention in less than Russian culture they learned from the Russians. They 24 hours after OIA posted it on the Instagram. Universiti spoke some Russian Language to introduce themselves Teknologi MARA (UiTM) sponsored twenty-five students which impressed the Russian instructors tremendously. to take up virtual classes during the semester break. This time, the students were invited by the Samara National The programme has helped students to develop different Research University in Russia to join their Online Summer perspectives about Russia and its people. They hope to be Schools programme. The students were from both the able to visit Samara one day and experience real-life what diploma and bachelor degree programmes from all UiTM they experienced virtually in the programme. branches in Malaysia. The 12-day comprehensive programme that commenced from 14th-26th September 2020, covered both the language and culture modules. The programme was a challenge to the students, as they had to spend 2 hours every day learning the language and another 2 hours, the culture module. The students however reported that they had a great time learning the foreign language especially the Russian Cyrillic alphabets. ‘It was tough but it was fun!’ exclaimed Aliya Narissa Rosmayudi from the Faculty of Accountancy. In the culture module, the Russian tutors brought the students to visit all the interesting places at Samara city virtually. This included a visit to the Space Museum where they learned the history of aerospace technology in Russia. The tutor also taught the students how to prepare a few famous Russian dishes through practical video sessions. 84 | UGN Vol.5/December 2020

UiTM Global News // INTERNATIONALISATION@HOME MERDEKA@OIA I n commemorating the 63rd anniversary of Malaysia’s OIA competition. The competition consisted of two independence on August 31, 1957, the Office of categories: a video recording on international students’ International Affairs (OIA) hosted a small celebration learning experience at UiTM and a short essay entitled, at its office on 30th August, 2020. However, due to the ‘What Merdeka Means to Me’. OIA received twelve essays COVID-19 pandemic, and to abide by the restriction on and four video entries. large gatherings, only a limited number of guests were invited. Hence, 12 OIA staff with 20 international students Announcement of the winners were disclosed at a Meet celebrated the event joyously. & Greet session, an online meeting between OIA and the international students. The Best Video Recording went Everyone donned their traditional costumes and waved to Ms Felshi Sheeba, a PhD student from the Faculty of the Jalur Gemilang whilst singing the song Tanggal 31 Computer Science and Mathematics from India while Ms. Merdeka guided by a video. A short video documentary Nurul Faadhilah Elman Astadipura, a master’s student showing the memorable event of Malaysia’s first Prime from the Academy of Language Studies, Indonesia, won Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman shouting out ‘Merdeka’ at the Best Essay competition. Winners received certificates the Merdeka Stadium Kuala Lumpur back in 1957 was as well as monetary rewards from OIA. also screened to show the international students how our independence day was first celebrated. Students expressed their gratitude and satisfaction to OIA for always considering their well being and for including In order to make the event a memorable one especially them in OIA’s activities. They looked forward to engaging for the international students, OIA organised a Merdeka@ in more activities organised by OIA, UiTM. UGN Vol.5/December 2020 | 85

UPCOMING UiTM Global News 1JANUARY EVJAEN-APNR 2T021S 86 | UGN Vol.5/December 2020 Ambassadorial Lecture - Ambassador Uzbekistan International Partner Lecture Series - National Iinstitute Technology, Japan International Partner Lecture Series - Prof Kyung Wok Seo (Vice President, KIEAE), Korea Football Culture @UiTM with Embassy of Colombia Virtual Student Leaders Forum: IMT-GT & UNINET 2OIA Roadshow Malaysia-France University Centre (MFUC) FEBRUARY Ambassadorial Lecture - Ambassador Russia International Partner Lecture Series - Airlangga University, Indonesia 3International Partner Lecture Series - Prof. Mitani (NIT UBE), Japan Virtual University Student Leaders Forum: IMT-GT & UNINET MARCH Ambassadorial Lecture - German Ambassador International Partner Lecture Series - Industrial University of Santander (UIS), 4Colombia Virtual Student Leaders Forum: IMT-GT & UNINET APRIL Ambassadorial Lecture - US Ambassador International Partner Lecture Series - Ohio University, US Virtual Student Leaders Forum: IMT-GT & UNINET

UiTM Global News HAPPY NEW YEAR 2021 Have a new year filled with health and happiness UGN Vol.5/December 2020 | 87