In line with the slogan ‘University for the Community’, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) had come together with the community through its People Friendly Programme and Nipah Crab Seed Release (Program Mesra Rakyat dan Pelepasan Benih Ketam Nipah) with the Sedili Community. The programme was done by the Minister of Higher Education, Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin at Legaran Nelayan Sedili Kecil, Kota Tinggi, Johor.
This programme was held in accordance with the recommendations of the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) where every research carried out by the university needs to be translated and presented to stakeholders including students, the society and industry. Following the Semarak Komuniti Kota Tinggi programme held last May which received a positive reaction from the community, UMT continued the momentum through this programme by releasing about 10,000 Nipah Crab seeds in the Sungai Sedili Kecil area.
This programme has the potential to create an impact by increasing the catch for local fishermen as well as helping to increase the Nipah Crab population in Sedili Kecil in line with the desire to make the crab population sustainable in the future.
The role of higher education institutions continue to expand not only in localities nearby, but by putting aspects of suitability and local needs in line with the potential of the areas involved as per the recommendation of Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled for the KPT to emphasise the elements of the Madani economy which includes the 4Ps namely Talent Preparation, Research & Innovation, Knowledge Transfer and Internationalisation to empower Malaysian higher education.
This programme organised with KPT, UMT and the community is an element of Social Responsibility where the principle of social responsibility requires higher education institutions to acknowledge their role in promoting social well-being. This can be achieved through programmes and events that focus on community empowerment, research relevant to social issues, and collaboration with other sectors to create a positive impact.
According to UMT’s Vice Chancellor Professor Dato’ Dr. Mazlan bin Abd Ghaffar, UMT always emphasises the three (3) main roles of the university, namely the generation of latest knowledge through impactful research, the dissemination of new knowledge especially through quality academic programmes to students as well as the transfer of research-based knowledge, especially in efforts to present solutions facing the community as well as aspects of upgrading the local community.
He added that this effort by UMT can indirectly help raise awareness in addition to being able to generate income for fishing community in Sedili Kecil and the surrounding area in addition to placing a high commitment to transform the lives of the fishermen through research activities and knowledge-based transfer programmes that have an impact as a contribution to socioeconomic development, especially to fishing groups and subsequently the sustainability of the fishing industry in the Sedili area.
