By : Siti Nur`Ain Feisal

Editor : Nik Hafzaini Nik Hassan

SHAH ALAM –   YAB Dato’ Seri Amiruddin Shari, Menteri Besar of Selangor, UPM alumnus class of 2002 generously sponsored RM15,000.00 worth of scholarship to a diploma student, as well as to denote giving back to alma mater tradition.   

Nur Fakhirah Zulfikar Ali, taking Diploma in Animal Health and Husbandry at UPM Bintulu, is among the fortunate students who received a scholarship from the Menteri Besar of Selangor. The handover ceremony took place at the Menteri Besar Office yesterday afternoon.       

Aside from Nur Fakhirah, three other students from Bintulu campus received a one-off contribution of RM1,000.00 from the Menteri Besar as well. They were Muhammad Khairin Danish Mohd Khairani, Nur Aziera Asri Diploma in Food Estate Management, and Nur Zahirah Mohd Najmudin, Diploma in Agribusiness.

Speaking at the scholarship handover ceremony, YAB Dato’ Seri, hoped the scholarship provided would ease the family burden and thus assist students especially those from the B40 families in continuing their studies towards success.

“It is part of our responsibility as alumni to give back to alma mater by providing relief to UPM students in need to achieve success. This is in line with the triumph demonstrated by UPM which is now from time to time soaring upwards upon ranked as the best university not only in Malaysia but internationally.

Success is proven when UPM is ranked by QS World University Rankings 2022 143^rd best in the world and second-best in Malaysia. With the core of agricultural studies, UPM today is seen as a conducive university not only in agriculture but in other areas of discipline according to the current demands.   

UPM is fortunately privileged that His Royal Highness, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj Ibni Almarhum Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Alhaj, as UPM Chancellor pays his concern with the need to improve the quality of education, especially in Selangor. His Royal Highness always reminded UPM alumni, which to date amounted to almost 300,000 to give back to alma mater in any means to develop the quality of education which in return will produce the finest and most competitive students for the country’s development.    

What is expected from this scholarship is to lift the students’ spirit to achieve success and subsequently they will become alumni who contribute back to alma mater,” he said.

Meanwhile, according to the Director of Alumni Relations Centre, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arba’ie Sujud, the contributions of alumni to alma mater have immensely changed the higher education scenario. The solidarity of alumni involvement in accomplishing the university’s vision and mission of producing high-quality and competent students.  

“Alumni who contribute back to alma mater have certainly responded to the call made by UPM Vice-Chancellor, YH. Prof. Dato’ Dr. Mohd Roslan Sulaiman in the Vice-Chancellor Narrative 2022 ‘to engage alumni for university sustainability’. With the slogan ‘Daripada Alumni kepada UPM’ has injected alumni solidarity into various needs and programmes organised by the university. The togetherness of alumni shown today will set an example for the students to continue with the tradition upon their graduation soon. Therefore, the continuation to give back to alma mater will not discontinue upon receiving their scrolls on graduation day. The continuity of the ties is expected to jointly develop beloved alma mater,” he concluded.       

Date of Input: 17/05/2022 | Updated: 22/06/2022 | suziana.wil