Kuala Nerus, 22 July 2024 – Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) has received 416 new students for the 2024/2025 session.

A total of 337 of these students will be undergoing the STEM Foundation programme while 79 will be studying for the Diploma in Fisheries programme.

UMT Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic and International) Prof. Ts. Dr. Mohd Zamri Ibrahim, currently performing the function of UMT Vice Chancellor, in his speech said students need to be fully committed in their studies as a way of repaying what their parents have done for them and so that they will be able to contribute to the country later.

“Society looks up to you because you belong to the educated class. Society expects you to become the next leaders, economic pioneers, knowledge and technology creators, unity and change agents, and valuable human capital for the country’s development.

“Therefore, your duty is to fulfil their hopes to the best of your ability, to extend your services for the sake of the religion, race, and nation,” said Prof. Zamri in his speech during the Student Oath Taking Ceremony involving new students for the 2024/2025 session at Tengku Muhammad Ismail Sports Complex, UMT.

Among the new students who have registering for the 2024/2025 session was an Orang Asli, who was offered to further his study at UMT.

Mohd Irwanshah Zainal, 17, was grateful when he received the offer to further his study at UMT for the coming session.

“Being an Orang Asli, I feel so proud, and I wish to prove that Orang Asli can be successful just like the other races in this country. I hope to become an inspiration to other students in my community for them to keep on trying to achieve their dreams.

“Thank you UMT for giving me the opportunity to study here, and I will make full use of this opportunity, God Willing,” said the student who hails from Pontian, Johor.

Irwanshah is one of the three Orang Asli who have successfully competed against thousands of SPM leavers for the opportunity to further the study at UMT in different academic programmes.

Meanwhile, Jazlina Faizah Jamaludin, 20, said she gained a sweet experience when she became one of the facilitators during the orientation programme for the new students.

“I learned how to manage a team, instil teamwork spirit, and interact with one another.

“This experience cannot be obtained in class. It has helped me to improve my soft skills and further build my confidence when dealing with people because I had to interact with the new students’ parents,” she said.

UMT was first established as the Fisheries and Marine Science Centre in 1979 to provide higher education and conduct research in the fields of fisheries, marine science, and natural resources. Since then, UMT has grown significantly and offered various programmes in the fields of science, technology, engineering, management, and oceanography.

The university has garnered several achievements nationally and internationally, such as QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, for its research in the fields of marine, fisheries, management, and environmental conservation.

Original article in Malay by:

Amirul Salam Hasan

Corporate Communications Office

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu

English translation by:

Corporate Communications Office

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu