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Community programme helps develop quality students

Community programme helps develop quality students

Tuesday, 27/06/2023

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Universities are important institutions that are responsible for producing graduates that are excellent and physically and spiritually balanced.

In line with the government’s aspiration, the educational mission has been set to be “Upholding a quality education system that develops individuals to their full potential and fulfils the aspirations of the nation.” This can be achieved by developing a quality, world-class educational system that can enhance individuals’ full potential and thereby fulfil the country’s needs.

Various challenges will be faced in the process of achieving the educational strategies. Support and encouragement are needed from all fronts, including the leaders and the community. One of the main challenges the country has to overcome at present is to build a Malaysian society that is knowledgeable to face global competition and technological advancement, as well as caring towards the environment.

Therefore, it is important to effectively build a generation that is skilful and excellent in various fields and competitive so that the country’s aspiration of becoming a developed country on its own terms can be achieved. This is possible when society is filled with first-class minds that are produced through quality education.

As a public university that focuses on the aspect of environmental conservation, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) always implements initiatives that help produce students who are excellent and close to the community.  

“Students need to be exposed to community-based programmes. These build students’ personalities and instil a responsible attitude towards society, and these will be beneficial for them after their graduation,” said project leader Dr Siti Aisyah Saat, who is also a lecturer at the Faculty of Business, Economy, and Social Development (FPEPS), UMT.

The programme known as Environmental Awareness with Community Programme managed to draw the interest of 120 UMT students who became volunteers and carried out the environmental awareness campaign among Teluk Ketapang community in Kuala Nerus.

According to Dr Siti Aisyah, lecturers need to play a role in helping improve students’ capabilities and instilling in them a first-class mind that is equipped with soft skills and superior personalities so that they can face future challenges.

“We want students that society can accept and appreciate everyone in the community. In addition, students are agents that disseminate environmental conservation campaigns in hope that society becomes more aware of the effects of negligence of their responsibility.”

A host of activities were also held during the programme, such as recyclable item collection, electronic and electrical item collection (e-waste), used cooking oil collection, and a briefing on environmental issues.

“Efforts to properly mould people are not easy and the results are not immediate. A long time is needed, and the process must be planned collectively. This generation is the one that will go out to society, become skilled workers, and subsequently contribute towards the country’s progress,” she said.

UMT, first established as Fisheries Centre in 1979 and has gone through a series of evolutions, has made a name for itself at various levels through academic achievements, research and innovation, and student development.

Among the university’s achievements and recognitions are favourable rankings in Times Higher Education (World University Rankings), Times Higher Education (Impact Rankings), Times Higher Education (World University Rankings by Subject), QS World University Rankings, QS University Rankings (Asia), UI GreenMetric, MyMoheS, Malaysia Research Assessment (MyRA), and SETARA.

 

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Corporate Communications Office

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu