UUM ONLINE: UUM academic staff should utilize the free time throughout the Movement Control Order (MCO) wisely by boosting academic writing and high impact research activities.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Prof. Dr. Ayoib Che Ahmad said the MCO period afforded lecturers with the best time to write and put forth the results of their unpublished studies.

According to him, scholarly material such as the earlier thesis can be reorganised for book publication and so on.

"In addition, the government has announced that research activities related to Covid-19 are considered 'essential', thus lecturers should use this opportunity to conduct research or scholarly writing.

"In fact, UUM is also offering MYR100,000 in funding for research purposes to resolve issues concerning  the after effects of Covid-19, besides the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) has also offered research opportunities with a minimum of MYR20,000 for research that can help the government resolve problems related with the after effects of the outbreak ," he said.

Earlier, he visited the venue where the personal protective equipment (PPE) and hand sanitizers were produced by the Innovation and Commercialisation Centre (ICC) in collaboration with the School of Creative Industry Management and Performing Arts (SCIMPA), Co-Curriculum Centre and FInDER , STML.

Prof. Dr. Ayoib said the project managed by the centres of authority (PTJ) was very virtuous and relevant as it fulfilled the university's desire to engage itself with the community, while the involvement of students in the spirit of volunteerism was also excellent in preparing them when they complete their studies.

According to him, the project will continue despite the lifting of the MCO and the university will work with the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital and the Kedah State Health Office to be the provider of PPE in the future.

He also expressed his appreciation for earnest efforts made by the staff and students of the university and hoped that the projects which were underway would be continued, in addition to becoming a knowledge repository  UUM could also contribute its energy and efforts to the community in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.