HANDOVER OF NEW, MORE CONDUCIVE CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITY CENTRE

UUM ONLINE: The newly constructed Co-Curricular Activity Centre will bring about significant advantages for both students and staff at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), while also aligning with the Ministry of Higher Education's goal of producing exceptional and well-rounded students.

According to Prof. Dr Mohd Fo'ad Sakdan, the Vice-Chancellor of UUM, the government consistently undertakes initiatives to ensure that the education sector's services and facilities are of high standards. As such, the provision of physical infrastructure is considered a key priority.

“UUM has been granted a budget of RM9 million for the purpose of constructing a Co-Curricular Activity Centre Building Project. UUM is grateful for the acquisition of this new facility.

"UUM has high level of regard for the technical expertise of the Public Works Department (JKR) Team, starting from the design team, the on-site supervisory team and the entire project team," he said during the handover ceremony of the UUM Co-Curriculum Activity Centre Construction Project, which took place in the lobby of the said building.

The Vice-Chancellor also conveyed his profound gratitude to both the Headquarters and the Kubang Pasu District JKR, who acted as the implementing agency for this project, as well as the contractor - Innokoperat Sdn. Bhd., all Nominated Sub-Contractors (NSC), and the UUM Development and Maintenance Department for their contributions in ensuring the successful completion of this project.

“I fervently hope that the completion of the aforementioned building, students, teaching staff, and the administration of the Co-Curricular Activity Centre and UUM denizens in general will be afforded with favourable and conducive environment that will cater to the demands of their respective tasks and responsibilities,” he said.

The Co-Curricular Activity Centre is a student activity centre that provides comprehensive student development programmes, as well as sharpening and self-skilling opportunities. The university's desire to create a well-rounded and all-encompassing educational experience is bolstered by the extracurricular programme, which helps students become more mature by developing aspects of leadership and talent, putting an emphasis on discipline and organisation, and cultivating the spirit of cooperation and racial unity.

In the meantime, the District Engineer of the JKR Kubang Pasu District, Ir. Ahmad Shahril Azli Idris, stated that the JKR, in its capacity as the implementing agency, is doing everything in its power to ensure that the appointed contractor successfully completes the project.

"Even though there were many challenges to overcome during the course of the implementation of the project, with the help of productive collaboration from all parties involved, the project is finally completed," he stated.

He explained that the project was carried out in accordance with a conventional internal contract, and that JKR was responsible for providing all architectural, structural, mechanical, and electrical design services.

"This project costs approximately RM8.6 million, and the construction period was originally scheduled to begin on 1 August 2019, and end on 10 February 2021. However, as a result of the country being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Movement Control Order, the construction period had to be extended until the current completion date of 14 March 2023.

"Congratulations to the main contractor as well as the NSC contractor who both gave their utmost commitment to the project and continued working on it until the work was completed. Although we are aware that there will be an increase in the cost of materials during this construction, it is hoped that the variation of price adjustment that will be set by the government will be able to lessen the burden of losses that will be caused by the increase in the cost of construction materials," he said.

This building is equipped with a dance studio, a music studio, and a lecture room in addition to various other spaces such as discussion room, meeting room, rest space, and more comfortable office spaces. Elevator facilities are also included in this building to make it easier for students from the disabled group to move around the building.