UMP, TDA seal MoU on the seabed
UNIVERSITI Malaysia Pahang (UMP) and the Tioman Development Authority (TDA) made history when for the first time they held a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Signing Ceremony on the seabed, Tumok Island, Tioman, Pahang.
This collaboration will benefit both parties in efforts to develop the organization, especially in matters related to research, development and programs with the community in Tioman.
The ceremony saw the General Manager of the Tioman Development Board, Datuk Idros Yahya and the Manager of Management Services, Nor Zaihan Othman complete the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UMP Vice Chancellor, Prof Datuk Ts Dr Yuserrie Zainuddin.
The program was also attended by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Student and Alumni Affairs), Prof Ts Dr Mohd Rusllim Mohamed; Assistant Vice-Chancellor of UMP’s Industry and Community Collaboration Division, Associate Prof Ir Dr Nurul Hazlina Noordin; Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering Technology (FTKMA), Prof Dr Mahadzir Ishak@Muhammad; and Senior Manager of the Vice Chancellor’s Office, Abd Rahman Haji Safie.
Professor Datuk Ts Dr Yuserrie said, this collaboration involves academic activities such as industrial training opportunities for students and training at diving centers or agencies under TDA.
“In addition, UMP is also responsible for realizing the available scientists and knowledge and expertise available at UMP, especially in development and research to be shared with the community in Tioman.
“We will apply the understanding and continue the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) agenda which is the essence of development in UMP and will lead to Tioman,” he said.
He further explained that UMP is now aiming to reduce carbon in the campus.
“Various initiatives that have been planned such as creating green areas through tree planting activities and Sustainable Forests that were created for the purpose of comfort, so far the green area at UMP has reached 27 percent meeting the SDG Green Campus criteria.
“Until now, more than 200 MoUs have been signed both domestically and abroad, but the MoU this time is very unique because it was carried out on the seabed.
Datuk Idros Yahya in the meantime expressed his happiness and MoU this time and it is very meaningful to be able to hold this program for the first time on the seabed of Pulau Tioman.
He said, through this collaboration, TDA offers this place to join UMP in empowering in the field of development and technology.
“In Tioman there are 22 islands that need to be protected as a tourism product. There are many things that can be studied and researched for its development.
“While in terms of promotion, we can see that Tioman is an international tourist destination and also an attraction for international producers to hold film recordings and serial programs,” he said.
He said, through this collaboration as well, he expects UMP’s expertise in the development of Tioman.
“In addition, it is hoped that UMP will make Pulau Tioman a location to participate in training activities or through extracurricular activities for students.
“In fact, our side also very much welcomes UMP to make Pulau Tioman as a destination for student mobility programs or international students can benefit all parties,” he said.
At the same time, a UMP travel program was held with the Tioman community, which was attended by two staff and five UMP students.
For FTKMA lecturer and Program Director, Ts Dr Siti Rabiatul Aisha Idris, this program not only caters to the community but also looks at the location of artificial tukun placements on the seabed and plans programs and identifies strategic locations for outdoor activities to attract tourists to Tioman.
In the meantime, UMP also has a Diving Center located at Akademi Adab in UMP Pekan which can be used for water-based training such as diving, rescue activities in and on the surface of the water as well as activities in the form of water confidence .
source – Astro Awani
