UUM IS LISTED ON THE EPF WEBSITE
UUM ONLINE: Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) has added another feather to its cap by being listed on the website of the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) for E-Disbursement of Education.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr Mohd Foad Sakdan said UUM is among the institutions of higher learning that offer the E-Withdrawal of Education option to make it easier for its contributors to withdraw EPF Account 2 savings to pay for their own or their children's tuition fees.
According to him, the e-disbursement of the Education EPF aligns with the Minister of Higher Education’s aspiration for complete digitalization across all aspects, including management, education, learning, and services.
He said that by the start of February 2024, a total of 1,400 applications had been processed by UUM and EPF. UUM takes pride in its approach to engaging with stakeholders, including students and their guardians.
"This is the result of U-Assist's commitment and strong collaboration with the UUM Bursary and the EPF. It was successfully initiated on 10 October last year," he said at the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between the EPF and UUM.
The event witnessed the Vice-Chancellor of UUM signing the MoU with the Head of the Product Management and Marketing Division at EPF, Mr. Mohd Rodzi Abu Bakar at the Visitors’ Lounge, Thursday afternoon.
Dr. Mohd Foad said that the inked MoU signifies an important accomplishment in enhancing the connection between industry and academia.
According to him, it is a crucial objective in the National Higher Education Strategic Plan and a significant Key Performance Indicator (KPI) in Core 3 of the University Strategic Plan, overseen by the Centre for University-Industry Collaboration (CUIC).
He said the MoU involves the commitment of both parties to establish a symbiotic relationship that will benefit the industry, academics, staff, and students.
"Through this collaboration, we will also create positive implications that will benefit both parties, including knowledge transfer, talent development, partnerships to drive economic growth and foster innovation in commercialising research results, developing new products and services, and contributing to job creation.
"I believe that this ongoing cooperation should continue in the future so that contributions from the organisation can be diversified for greater and significant impact and benefits for students and the local community," he said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Mohd Rodzi expressed gratitude to UUM for its willingness to collaborate with the EPF in signing the MoU.
According to him, it is common knowledge that industry and universities have divergent notions and ideas.
He said that strategic negotiations can be conducted meticulously to ensure that both parties can mutually benefit.
"I would like to convey my deepest appreciation and gratitude to UUM for this strategic partnership and sincerely hope that the cooperation between the EPF and UUM will remain strong and persistent," he said.
Also in attendance at the event were, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni), Prof. Dr Ahmad Martadha Mohamed, who is also performing the duties of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & International); Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Prof. Dr Russayani Ismail and Head of the Partnership & Strategic Alliance Section at EPF, Mdm. Khadijah Yusof and university officials.