UUM ONLINE: Kuala Lumpur - Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) through its School of Business Management (SBM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Malaysian Civil Defence Department (APM) to set up the Centre of Excellence for the Management of Strategic Civil Defence, yesterday.

The establishment of the CoE would allow UUM to offer Executive Diploma in the Management of Strategic Civil Defence to members of the Malaysian Civil Defence Department.

In addition, this collaboration would also create a platform for research, training and consultation in the field of civil defence.

The MoU was signed by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dato' Seri Dr. Mohamed Mustafa Ishak on behalf of UUM while the Director General of APM, Mej. Jen. (R) Dato' KPj. (PA) Azmy Yahya represented APM, present to witness the historic event were Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Dato' Seri Dr. Shahidan Kassim and UUM COB Assistant Vice-Chancellor cum Dean of SBM, Prof. Dr. Haim Hilman Abdullah at the Parliament.

Dato' Seri Dr. Shahidan said the memorandum signed by UUM and APM would indirectly enable both sides to generate more ideas and coordinate activities in strengthening the aspect of disaster management.

"As we all know, UUM is one of the best public Institution of Higher Learning in the country that has produced many graduates and through this collaboration, APM and UUM can explore more in-depth aspects of consultancy, training, research and training that will benefit both parties.

"This MoU will also open-up opportunities for members of APM to pursue higher education through the Executive Diploma in the Management of Strategic Civil Defence offered by UUM to APM," he said.

He explained that it would transform and assist eligible APM members to improve their standard of living in the future as well as improve the quality of service rendered by members of APM   to the community.

Also present at the signing of the MoU ceremony was Deputy Higher Education Minister, YB Dato' Dr. Mary Yap Kain Ching.