Bulletin

Institute for Social Transformation and Regional Development (TRANSFORM), Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) has organized an Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Social Science Workshop on 9 May 2024 at the TRANSFORM Meeting Room, Block B1, UTHM.

This workshop aims to inform all TRANSFORM UTHM Staff and Research Fellows about the concept of implementing AI and Social Science to improve the skills provided with current needs to ensure that each staff is always at an excellent level of competence. As well as making all Staff and Research Fellows at TRANSFORM proficient in the use of AI technology and applied in their daily tasks according to current needs.

This workshop was presented by Mr. Abdul Halim bin Omar, Lecturer in the Department of Information Technology, Diploma Studies Centre, UTHM. A total of six (6) participants participated in this workshop, namely the Director of TRANSFORM, Deputy Director of TRANSFORM, three (3) TRANSFORM Research Fellows and a TRANSFORM Administrative Assistant.

The Institute of Social Transformation and Regional Development (TRANSFORM), Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) conducted an interview with the Top Management in conjunction with the Coffee Table Book Publication of Kumpulan Prasarana Rakyat Johor Sdn. Bhd. (KPRJ) on 28 May 2024 at KPRJ, Iskandar Puteri, Johor.

Among the Top Management of KPRJ interviewed were the Chief Executive Officer of KPRJ, namely Dato' Lukman bin Abu Bakar, the Chief Operating Officer of KPRJ, namely Encik Zainal Abidin bin Zakaria, the Chief Financial Officer of KPRJ, namely Encik Khairudin bin Hasan and the Head of the Strategic Planning Sector of KPRJ, namely Tn. Hj. Mohd Shahrin bin Dato' Haji Rahmat.

This interview was led by the Director of TRANSFORM, namely Dr. Zahrul akmal bin Damin and assisted by three (3) TRANSFORM Research Fellows, namely Dr. Shahidah binti Hamzah, Dr. Norizan binti Rameli and Dr. Mimi Nahariah Azwani binti Mohamed.

On 7 April 2024, TRANSFORM UTHM successfully obtained a grant worth RM38,280.00 (RM: Thirty-Eight Thousand Two Hundred and Eighty Only) in the publication of the KPRJ Coffee Table Book to record the success story of KPRJ in conjunction with its 30th anniversary to be launched in 2025.

Institute for Social Transformation and Regional Development (TRANSFORM), Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) has organized a Micro-Credential Development Workshop for UTHM TRANSFORM Staff and Research Fellows on 6 June 2024 at the TRANSFORM Meeting Room, Block B1, UTHM. This workshop aims to inform UTHM TRANSFORM Staff and Research Fellows involved about Micro-Credential Development to improve skills and ensure that each staff is always at an excellent level of competence. As well as making all participants skilled and able to become experts in a field through the Micro-Credential program.

The Institute for Social Transformation and Regional Development (TRANSFORM), Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) organized a Sharing Session on "Food Security: Challenges & Collaborative Solutions" on 11 July 2024. This sharing session was conducted online via the Microsoft Teams platform and was delivered by Dr. Zahrul Akmal bin Damin, Director of TRANSFORM UTHM. A total of 63 participants were present to make this sharing session a success. Hopefully, this sharing can provide benefits and goodness for all participants.

The Institute of Social Transformation and Regional Development (TRANSFORM), Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) has organized a Website Building Workshop and Training on 29 July 2024 at the TRANSFORM Meeting Room, Block B1, UTHM.

This workshop aims to inform and provide exposure to staff at TRANSFORM UTHM about building more efficient websites. As well as to discuss and strengthen the TRANSFORM website based on the guidelines set by the university.

This workshop was delivered by Mr. Saiful Zaree bin Johar, Senior Assistant Information Technology Officer (TBK), Digitization Technology Division, Information Technology Center. This workshop also involved the Director of TRANSFORM, a Research Fellow, an Administrative Assistant and an industrial training student at TRANSFORM.

The Institute of Social Transformation and Regional Development (TRANSFORM), Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia has participated in a meeting with the Higher Education Service Board (LLDIKTI) Region X in Jambi, Indonesia.

According to the Deputy Director of TRANSFORM, Dr. Hjh. Fauziah Ani, the main purpose of this meeting is to discuss joint research collaboration, organizing seminars and promoting postgraduate studies at UTHM.

Also present were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Zaky Noh, Dean of the UTHM Graduate Studies Center and Dr. Shahidah Hamzah, a TRANSFORM UTHM Research Fellow.

TRANSFORM UTHM held a discussion at SK Peserai to discuss possible collaborations.

This discussion was attended by TRANSFORM Research Fellow Dr. Mimi Nahariah Azwani binti Mohamed. Also participating in this discussion were the Headmaster of SK Peserai, Mr. Mohd Nazri bin Samad, the English HiP Coordinator, Mrs. Nurul Syazwani, and the Literacy and English Language KP Program Coordinator, Mrs. Mudlifah.

TRANSFORM UTHM held a Cooperation Visit to the Southern Region Training and Development Center (PLPP), Department of Agriculture Malaysia on 5 September 2024.

This presence was welcomed by the Director of the Southern Region PLPP, Mrs. Juliawaty Sulaiman. The purpose of this visit was to explore the potential for cooperation with PLPP. Several initial agreements were reached by both parties.

The Institute of Social Transformation and Regional Development (TRANSFORM), Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia held a discussion with the Village Community Head Dato’ Ibrahim Majid regarding the Sejati Madani Grant. The discussion found that an initial agreement had been reached but it had to be postponed due to issues faced by the community.

The Leadership and Competence Centre in collaboration with the Institute for Social Transformation and Regional Development (TRANSFORM), Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) has organised a Social and Economic Impact Study Course.

The course, which was held at the Registrar's Office, involved 26 people consisting of Research Fellows, Associate Research Fellows and several lecturers from the Faculty.

This course was delivered by Prof. Dr. Zulkefly bin Abdul Karim, the Leader of the Social and Economic Transformation Research Cluster - IDEA Centre, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).

The purpose of this course was to delve into the models, focus, elements and measurements for social and economic impact studies. In addition, the speaker also presented the latest research opportunities through grants offered by the government.

The Institute of Social Transformation and Regional Development (TRANSFORM), Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia has conducted a study on Political Perception and Voting Patterns in DUN N.29 Mahkota.

A total of 5 researchers and 7 enumerators were involved in this field study. The findings of this study were presented before Prof. Dato’ Vice Chancellor on 18 September 2024 (Wednesday) and the Honorable Minister of KPT on 19 September 2024 (Thursday).

This visit was led by the Director of TRANSFORM, UTHM, Dr. Zahrul Akmal bin Damin and welcomed by the Director of InsPeK, UMK, Prof. Dr. Wan Ahmad Amir Zal bin Wan Ismail.

The purpose of this Benchmarking Visit is to make continuous improvements in learning and adapting best practices in the field of research and consultation to the staff at TRANSFORM.

In addition, the delegation also visited the InsPeK, UMK project sites, namely the chicken breeding in Bachok, the soft fish enterprise in Pasir Puteh and the bekok fish enterprise in Tumpat.

An autoreview was held at the Pagoh Higher Education Hub Joint Library from 10.30 am to 1.00 pm. It involved an autoreview of the work written by Dr. Zahrul Akmal bin Damin on the book titled Upholding Sovereignty with Peace: Biography of SM (B) Hj. Damin bin Hadis.

Dr. Zahrul Akmal bin Damin, Director of the Institute for Social Transformation and Regional Development (TRANSFORM), Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, acted as the moderator while Hj. Damin, his father, acted as a member of the invited panel.

The book review was heard by UTHM students, Pagoh Vocational College (KV) students and Pagoh National Youth Higher Skills Institute (IKTBN) students. It is a collaboration between the Tunku Tun Aminah Library (PTTA), TRANSFORM and the Centre for General and Co-Curricular Studies (PPUK).

The Institute for Social Transformation and Regional Development (TRANSFORM), Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia held a discussion with STKIP Al-Azhar Diniyyah Jambi, Indonesia on 23 October 2024 online. This discussion aimed to discuss potential collaborations that could be carried out and was led by TRANSFORM Research Fellow Dr. Mimi Nahariah Azwani binti Mohamed.

The vacancy for the position of Deputy Director of TRANSFORM has been filled by the incumbent, Associate Professor Dr. Fadillah binti Ismail, for a period effective from 1 December 2024 to 31 December 2026. The presentation of the appointment letter was presented by YBhg. Prof. Ts. Dr. Rabiah binti Ahmad, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) and accompanied by Dr. Zahrul Akmal bin Damin, Director of TRANSFORM.