Universiti Malaysia Terengganu’s Chancellor Her Royal Highness (HRH) Sultanah Nur Zahirah and His Royal Highness (HRH) Sultan of Terengganu Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin today deigned to officiate the ‘UMT – Two Decades of Exploring the Oceans’ book launching.

The Sultanah and Sultan were welcomed by State Secretary Datuk Tengku Farok Hussin Tengku Abdul Jalil and UMT Vice Chancellor Prof. Datuk Dr. Mazlan Abd Ghaffar.

HRH also consented to visit the UMT History Book Exhibition during the Evening Meal Ceremony at the Convention Centre, Islamic Civilization Park, today held in conjunction with the 21st UMT Convocation Ceremony.

The exhibition carrying the theme ‘Two Decades of Exploring the Oceans’ is held to share information regarding the history of the establishment of UMT, which started with the setting up of the Fisheries and Marine Science Centre in 1979 and later in 2007 became the university it is known today.

The exhibition relays a brief story about the writing of the UMT History Book that has six chapters covering the early history, the development of academic programmes, the research programme, knowledge sharing segment, renowned UMT alumni, and the achievement and uniqueness of the university after 20 years of existence that has enabled it to be competitive and at par with other renowned public universities in Malaysia, said Prof. Mazlan, who came up with the idea of writing the book.

The book was able to be produced with support from Sultanah Nur Zahirah Library, Alumni Centre, Corporate Communications Office, Research Management Centre, Vice Chancellor’s Office, and Registrar’s Office.

Also on display is the Fisheries and Marine Science Centre’s officiating plaque that was signed by the then Sultan of Terengganu His Royal Highness Al-Marhum Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah Ibni Al-Marhum Ismail Nasiruddin Shah on 18 March 1981.

At the same event, UMT Student Zakat Fund received zakat money totaling RM2,020,586.41. Among the contributors were Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad, Lembaga Tabung Haji, AmBank Islamic Berhad (AMBANK), Bank Kerjasama Rakyat Malaysia Berhad, Akademi Kepimpinan Pendidikan Tinggi (AKEPT), and Ministry of Higher Education .

The contributions are in the form of zakat fund, educational aids, and project grants, which are aimed at supporting the educational and developmental needs of the asnaf at UMT. This year the total fund increased 84 percent.

According to Prof. Mazlan various efforts have been taken by UMT every year to increase the money in the Student Zakat Fund to ensure the financial wellbeing of the students, especially from the asnaf category.

He added that RM1.3 million zakat fund has been allocated to 2,318 UMT students this year to cover the cost of living, tuition fees, purchase of laptops, and as advances to new students.

A total of 2,388 UMT graduands comprising 196 postgraduate graduands and 2,192 undergraduate graduands were honoured during the convocation ceremony that ran for six sessions from 22 to 24 October.

Published by:

Corporate Communications Office

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu

21 October 2023 (Saturday)