SC and IAP Meeting 2025: Strengthening Curriculum for Industry Relevance
The Centre for Mathematical Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), successfully conducted its Study Committee (SC) and Industry Advisory Panel (IAP) meetings at the AC Hotel by Marriott Kuantan on August 1 - 2, 2025. The primary objective of the meetings was to ensure that all academic programme under PSM maintain high educational standards while remaining aligned with current developments and future industry demands.
The programmes reviewed during the session included the Bachelor of Applied Science in Data Analytics with Honours, Master of Science (Industrial Mathematics) by Mixed Mode, and the Master and Doctor of Philosophy by Research. The meeting also served as a platform to gather feedback on a newly developed programme, the Master of Science in Analytical Computation by Open and Distance Learning (ODL).
The session began with an opening address by the Director of the Centre for Academic Innovation and Competitiveness, Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Hasnun Arif bin Hassan, followed by an introduction of the faculty delivered by the Dean of PSM, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Sham Mohamed. In attendance were six SC panels: Prof. Dr. Yap Bee Wah (UNITAR), Prof. Ts. Dr. Muhammad Hisyam Lee (UTM), Prof. Ts. Dr. Muhammad Zaini Ahmad (UNIMAP), Prof. Madya Dr. Mohd Hilmi bin Hasan (UTP), and Ts. Dr. Nurul Farahain Mohammad (Insulet Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.). Additionally, Dr. Zulisman bin Maksom (UTeM), an expert in ODL, joined on the second day to provide valuable input for the newly developed programme.
Five distinguished industry representatives also participated as IAP panels: Mohd Izhar Firdaus Ismail (Abyres Enterprise Technologies Sdn. Bhd.), Nadzri Haji Yusof (Prasarana Malaysia Berhad), Wan Zarazillah Wan Abu Bakar (Companies Commission of Malaysia), Muhammad Syukri Dollah (Bina Darulaman Berhad), and Ts. Syahrizal Bin Salleh (Cuatro Al Solution Sdn. Bhd.).
The meetings served as a vital platform to evaluate and strengthen the curriculum, obtain constructive feedback, and recommend strategies for the continuous enhancement of PSM programmes. The active collaboration between academic experts and industry leaders reaffirmed PSM’s commitment to producing graduates who are academically excellent, industry-ready, and well-equipped to thrive in an ever-evolving professional landscape.
Author: Dr. Norhafizah binti Md Sarif