Owned by organizations or individuals, a library’s main function is to keep various materials, books, or media for reference.

With the advancement of technology over the years, the resource centre needs to adapt to current changes to remain relevant. It needs to incorporate the latest technological tools in its facilities so as to improve the accesibility of information.

The Malaysian government has expressed its commitment to upgrade the libraries at universities in the country so that they can provide the best services to the students.

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) has been awarded an allocation of RM82 million in the 11^th Malaysia Plan (RMK—11). From the amount, RM10 million has been set aside for UMT IR 4.0 Infrastructure and Infostructure Facilities.

In line with UMT’s establishment as a university focussing on marine science and aquatic resources, its library, Sultanah Nur Zahirah Library, or PSNZ, has also received an allocation totalling RM3 million under the element of UMT ICT 4.0 Higher Education Teaching and Learning/UMT Marine’s 4.0.

UMT PSNZ management has been implementing various innovations in an effort to provide the best services to customers, majority of which are students and researchers.

UMT Head Librarian Abu Hasan Ghazali said the management has conducted several phases of facility upgrading.

“PSNZ is always on the look out for improving the quality of informaion delivery and management, including using Industrial Revolution 4.0 based technology, which is inline with UMT’s strategic plans.

“The approved project involves two phases and is divided according to three main categories, which are software, equipment/machine, and platform/space modificiation. Phase 1 was fully completed in 2022 after postponement due to the nation-wide Movement Control Order and the subsequent project readjustment in light of the increased cost of raw materials and services. At present, Phase 2 is ongoing, with the expected date of full completion in 2024.

He said among the items to be upgraded throught the project are Recording Studio, 24-Hour Reading Space, Digital Archive, UM Repository System (which keeps theses, project reports, UMT publications), Self-service delivery machine/Bookdrop, Video wall/Digital Signage, Aduino & raspebrry kit, Smart TV, and Google Home.

“We also developed a special application that helps customers to book rooms, search, and borrow materials from the library through the use of a smartphone.

In addition, the library has set up PSNZ Corporate Corner as part of an effort to entice corporations to help develop PSNZ.

“PSNZ Corporate Corner is one of the initiatives by the management to establish a collaboration with corporations to improve the collection, services, and facilities at the library for the benefit of the users. For this purpose, the management has been in contact with Etiqa General Takaful Berhad and Bank Rakyat Foundation.

Etiqa, in collaboration with Zakat Academy (AZKA-PPZ), has set up at the library the AZKA Corner, which houses reading materials on zakat, wakaf, Islamic finances, involving RM14,980 fund that came from zakat allocation from zakat payment made by Etiqa to the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) Zakat Collection Centre.  

In addition, Etiqa also donated RM65,000 to poor schools, which are also UMT’s foster schools, as part of its zakat payment. The money will be used to purchase new equipment and furniture for the schools’ resource centres, which are managed by PSNZ.

Rozily Jaafar, Etiqa East Coast Region acting CEO, said, “It is an honour for us being able to take part in this noble effort by UMT. Our contribution is one of our efforts to help with the development of human capital, for our next generation’s brighter future. It is hoped that the facilities will be made use of to the maximum.”

“The project, which is under the corporate social responsibility programm, with the slogan “Etiqa Cares”, is another proof of Etiqa’s commitment to helping the society improve its social, economic, and life quality. It is line with our vision of making the world a better place,” he said.

The establishment of digital SIR (Serambi Ilmu Rakyat) Corner – Bank Rakyat Foundation serves as the first positive sign of the strategic partnership between PSNZ and Bank Rakyat Foundation to improve the quality of services. The foundation allocated RM15,000 for setting up the corner, which offers access to digital reading materials.

The foundation will also sponsor the annual subscription fees, which total RM350,000, for the reading materials so that students will always have access to information needed for completing theses and assignments.

UMT Vice Chancellor Prof. Dato’ Dr. Mazlan Abd Ghaffar said that the digital library service innovation is in line with the current trend in the society of using electronic devices such as smartphones to obtain reference materials.

“The university management is always taking into consideration aspects of improvement that can be implemented for the library, especially regarding the use of the latest technology such as the smartphones, enhancement of digital contents, and the library infrastructure that is conducive. A university library is a place that keeps and disseminates the knowledge of the institution,” he said.

Published by:

Corporate Communications Office
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu

01 March 2023