By : Siti Nur`Ain Feisal

Editor : Nik Hafzaini Nik Hassan

SERDANG – The tradition of giving was nourished at Universiti Putra Malaysia by its alumni. The Department of Professional Development and Continuing Education (JPPPL) Alumni Chapter has continued the tradition of giving and a culture of bonding.  

JPPPL Alumni Chapter was previously known as HRD Alumni Chapter which has been established in 2019. However, prior to discussion and collaboration with Alumni Relations Centre, an entity that caters to the needs of its alumni, through MEKAR 9.0 programme led to the change of the chapter’s name and was officiated by Prof. Dr. Ismi Arif Ismail, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International) UPM.

Through MEKAR 9.0 alumni reunion, has agreed to re-establish the role of the chapter to work hand in hand with Alumni Relations Centre in assisting students in contributing laptops which is the most crucial learning aid in this post-pandemic era.

Regarding the initiative, under 1 Alumni 1 Sumbangan Ringgit, JPPPL Alumni Chapter raised funds which led to the handover of three laptops for the asnaf students and B40 families from the Bachelor of Science Human Resource Development. 

The handover ceremony which took place at Alumni Town Hall, Alumni Relations Centre on 28 June 2022 witnessed the solidarity of giving back to alma mater, proving that the engagement of alumni for university sustainability is the best aspiration to assist students and the university.    

Also present at the ceremony, was Prof. Dr. Ismi Arif Ismail, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Soaib Asimirin, Dean Faculty of Educational Studies, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arba’ie Sujud, Director Alumni Relations Centre, and, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nor Wahiza Abdul What, Head Department of Professional Development and Continuing Education.

According to Prof. Dr. Ismi Arif who is also an alumnus of the JPPPL Alumni Chapter, expressed his gratitude to all the chapter’s members who have played their role and taken responsibility as UPM alumni to this beloved alma mater.

“On the sense of togetherness shown by alumni, challenges are tolerable if they played their role hand in hand. It was less than a month JPPPL Alumni Chapter managed to raise funds in contributing devices to students in need. Prior to this, three students were selected to receive the contribution.     

Surely this will be exemplary to these students. They too will become alumni and it is hoped that in return they will assist their juniors. Let this tradition always live and become an unbroken cycle which in return our beloved alma mater will soar upwards to be a leading university locally and globally.

Even the alumni from the world’s leading universities, this is what they exercise. They returned to alma mater as alumni continuing university’s triumph,” he commented.   

According to Alumni Relations Centre Director, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arba’ie Sujud, the slogan Daripada Alumni Kepada UPM is increasingly cultivated with the recognition of alumni that their responsibilities and togetherness in realising the university’s vision and mission.     

“In the Vice Chancellor’s Narrative 2022, the 11^th aspiration “to engage alumni for university sustainability” has shown its gains. To date, many students have benefited from alumni contributions in terms of devices and scholarships.

Alumni Relations Centre will continue providing the path and platform to UPM alumni to give back to alma mater. The contribution platforms provided are in terms of expertise, knowledge, ideas, scholarships, devices and so on.” He said.

The device recipients were grateful to JPPPL Alumni Chapter and UPM alumni entirely.

As for Muhammad Faiz Abdul Ghafar, a second-year student, this is a dream come true. For a while, he had to rely on a phone screen to complete tasks or lend from a friend, but today he is grateful that the contribution from alumni has made it easier for him to complete his studies and pursue success. This gratefulness same goes to Nur Nabilah Zarifah Zakaria and Nurfadzlin Razman.

Date of Input: 30/06/2022 | Updated: 02/08/2022 | suziana.wil