App to help new UKM students
UNIVERSITI Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) is the first public university to introduce the use of smart mobile app Mesra@UKM for its new students’ registration for the 2018/2019 Academic Session next month.
The app will provide information related to the orientation week schedule, locations and route maps around the university for the new students.
In addition, UKM also introduced seven nonacademic domains for students to choose from based on their interests. They are innovation, culture, leadership, volunteerism, sustainability, sports and entrepreneurship.
Students can choose the preferred domain and get information on related activities and events.
It is estimated that about 4,000 new students will register at the university on Sept 1.
The application, developed by the university’s Faculty of Technology and Information Science students, is available at the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
UKM vice-chancellor Professor Tan Sri Dr Noor Azlan Ghazali said beginning September this year, students were no longer bound by rules and schedules and were free to participate in activities of their choice throughout the orientation week. He said this latest development was a major change that would not only drive students towards using the latest technology relevant in today’s life, but also break the tradition during the university’s orientation week.
He said for the first time, new students were given a task to upload a video of themselves with an alumni. Once they accepted their offer letter, they will have to find one alumni, get in touch with him or her, and take picture and upload it to the link given to them.
“This app is also a platform for students to upload their own video link of the interview with a UKM alumni in addition to loading video and pictures of the orientation week. In line with the Industrial Revolution 4.0, students should also regard this as an early practice for their future
Students could also check the bus schedule to each college or faculty via the app, which make it easier for students to plan their movements.
The concept of mentor-mentee among new students and lecturers is also a highlight. It allows new students to communicate with lecturers before lecture begins to make it easier for students to adapt themselves to the atmosphere and surroundings of the campus and to provide exposure on the academic aspects that new students will face.
“I hope that new students take the opportunity to shine during the orientation period. Organised programmes are also expected to meet and fulfil the university’s image so that each student has a ‘red umbrella’ and continues to excel in their studies,” said Noor Azlan.
The red umbrella, he added, is a concept that reflects on students who are not only good in studies and co-curricular activities, but they also possess additional soft skills.
Beginning September this year, students are no longer bound by rules and schedules and are free to participate in activities they love throughout the orientation week.