SUMT signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Terengganu Strategic and Integrity Institute (TSIS) yesterday during a brief meeting at the Vice Chancellor’s office for the purpose of carrying out a study on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic towards the socioeconomic condition in Terengganu.

UMT will be receiving a research grant totalling RM23,530 to facilitate the impact study.

UMT Vice Chancellor Professor Nor Aieni Mokhtar said that the study aims to assess the impact of COVID-19 towards the socioeconomic condition in Terengganu, especially during the Movement Control Order period. The study will involve more than 800 communities around Terengganu.

The MOA was signed by Professor Nor Aieni on behalf of UMT and  TSIS Chief Executive Officer Dr Haji Wan Mat Sulaiman on behalf of TSIS. YB Ust. Mohd Nor Hamzah, Human Development, Dakwah, and Information Committee Chairman cum TSIS Chairman, was present to witness the ceremony.

Professor Nor Aieni said that this partnership will benefit the state government, and the outcome of the study will be part of UMT’s contribution to the local communities.

“I also hope that this agreement will pave the way for more opportunities for collaborations between UMT and TSIS and improved synergy between the university and the state government,” she said.

The COVID-19 pandemic, which started in January, has changed the world. Some countries were forced to declare a complete lockdown. The world’s “enemy” has led the Malaysian government to enforce the Movement Control Order (MCO) on 18 March. Consequently, the Malaysian economy has been negatively affected as several sectors in all the states including Terengganu have not been able to open for business. The MCO has been extended until 9 June. By then, the government will take the current situation into consideration and decide the next plan of action.   

Published by:

Corporate Communication Centre
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu