ALOR GAJAH
fhatihah@nstp.com.my
UNIVERSITI Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) is employing a real-world approach to producing versatile and holistic graduates, in line with the needs of the highly industrialised sectors in the impending Fourth Industrial Revolution.
At the helm of this challenge is the Student Affairs Office which is tasked with providing support to spark the enthusiasm and spirit among students through the provision of five-star facilities, professional management and first-class education.
As the first public technical university, UTeM envisions to produce multitalented technical professionals with impeccable moral values through innovative teaching and learning, research and technical scholarship.
The university’s Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Development and Facility Management) , who is also performing the functions of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs), Prof Dr Ridzuan Nordin said continuous efforts to enhance graduate employability and superior attributes are implemented through several programmes based on the First Leap (Lonjakan Pertama) canvassed in the Higher Education Student Development Plan (PPM-PT).
Based on this plan, structured programmes are held occasionally to equip graduates with technopreneurial skills, holistic attributes and exemplary personality. To this date, some 250 graduates have succeeded as entrepreneurs providing job opportunities not only to the alumni, but also to the local communities.
As building a culture of integrity in society necessarily begins with the education of young people, students are assisted in matters related to legal aspects, legitimacy, effectiveness and efficiency in programme management.
“This is imperative so as to ensure that programmes implemented are not only effective but also ethical and cost effective,” he said when met at his office. He reiterated that this approach is capable of producing technorats with integrity, thus ensuring competitiveness for the nation.
To spur more entrepreneurship activities, the university has prepared 15 open spaces for business activities of which 12 are in ‘Sasana Niaga’, a building specifically constructed for students.
“A special programme beginning this year will see an opening of up to 300 students benefitting from part-time employment opportunities at 10 cafeterias whereby on a monthly basis 30 students will be employed by each cafeteria.”
“It is UTeM’s intention to allow students to experience working in the real-world, with job scopes that are more challenging, besides educating and preparing them to manage their future finances,” he said, adding that the practice of students working part-time on campus has long been adopted in the west.
Ridzuan also said UTeM’s Student Affairs welfare unit provides assistance for students who are not eligible to receive the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loan.
Therefore, students have been encouraged to grab the opportunity to work in the cafeteria not only as a means of additional source of finance but is also as a means of enhancing their self-confidence and motivating them to succeed in respective fields.
“UTeM also places emphasis on national identity, which is among the main features of the programme. This is done by conducting periodic programmes with government agencies such as the Election Commission (EC).
“Clubs and associations are also given an operation grant to ease their efforts,” he added.
Prof Ridzuan said the students are fortunate as they not only receive assistance under the programme (communication, self-esteem and consultancy) but are also provided with comfortable accommodation as well as other facilities such as a recreation and sports centre.
“The university is fully committed to the developments of IR4.0 and will maximise the use of latest technologies, tracking devices and data analysis.
“Hence, students should be more independent and they should discard their ‘wait and see’ attitude in order to think more maturely and seize the advantage this programme has to offer — therefore becoming a strategic partner of the Student Affairs Office,” he said.