BANGI, 8 September 2021 – Deputy Minister of Higher Education, The Honorable Senator Dato ‘Dr. Ahmad Masrizal Muhammad paid an official visit to Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) since assuming the post of Deputy Minister of Higher Education on 27 August recently. His visit with Datuk Rosli Yaakub, Deputy Secretary General (Management and Development) of the Ministry of Higher Education and Dato ‘Prof. Dr. Husaini Omar Director General of Higher Education was welcomed by the Vice Chancellor of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Prof. Dato ’Ts. Dr. Mohd Ekhwan Hj. Toriman with other UKM top management.
In his welcome speech, Prof. Dato ’Ts. Dr. Mohd Ekhwan expressed his appreciation and thanks to Senator Dato ‘Dr. Ahmad Masrizal for his willingness to spend time visiting UKM. He was also given a briefing and information on the university and the latest developments regarding the activities that are and will be implemented by UKM to the Honorable Deputy Minister of Higher Education. At the same time, the Director of Student Affairs of UKM, Prof. Prof. Dr. Roslee Rajikan also gave a briefing on UKM’s preparation and readiness to accept students at the UKM campus for the 2021/2022 academic session starting this October.
Among the essence that is emphasized is that UKM is always vigilant and concerned about the safety of students in a pandemic situation, as well as demanding each of them to abide by the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) set by the government in particular and the university in general. The Deputy Minister’s visit was carried out in compliance with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) set by the government.
Apart from that, YB Senator Dr Ahmad Masrizal also stressed that the MOHE under the leadership of YB Minister, Dato Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad is very concerned about the importance of universities increasing efforts to focus on becoming graduates. For him, the element is an important precondition that will be able to form a nation-state that has a great character standing with the character of other nations in the world. He also stressed on the importance of the University increasing digitalization capabilities on campus in line with the era of Industry 4.0 (IR 4.0) which emphasizes elements such as Internet of Things (IOT), Cyber Physics System (CPS), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and others- other related.
Therefore, for YB Senator Dato Dr Ahmad Masrizal, digitization in the country’s higher education ecosystem will definitely be able to be a major platform in the coming years. Therefore, academic interventions must be done by every University in the country, whether in IPTA or IPTS so that it is in line with the requirements of IR 4.0. In this regard, he has high confidence in the ability of the University management to ensure that this agenda can be achieved in the best way. It’s time to think creatively and implement big changes. If we unite to achieve this objective, the country will not only recover from this pandemic but make a digital leap for future generations.
The importance of digital education in the currents of the Industrial Revolution 4.0 helps to increase preparedness through the exposure of realities and practicalities to the future leaders of the country in various sectors and industries. MOHE will fully support all these efforts. UKM expresses its highest appreciation for the suggestions and concerns of the Honorable Deputy Minister in ensuring that UKM continues to face the challenges of higher education in this pandemic era for UKM to continue to play a role as a home university that makes a meaningful contribution to the development of society and the country.
