UNIVERSITY IS NOT JUST AN INSTITUTION, BUT A COMMUNITY THAT SUPPORTS ONE ANOTHER - VICE CHANCELLOR

NIBONG TEBAL, 4 March 2026 - The Iftar Ceremony with the Vice Chancellor of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) 2026 at the Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Engineering Campus was held in a harmonious and cordial atmosphere at Anjung Insani, the campus Islamic Centre, here today.

USM Vice Chancellor, Professor Dato' Seri Ir. Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed, in his speech said that Ramadan provides an opportunity for the university community to slow down and reassess their priorities in daily life.

According to him, amid academic and administrative demands, Ramadan serves as a reminder that a university is not merely an institution of knowledge, but a community that depends on and supports one another.

He also emphasised that while academic excellence and global competitiveness are fundamental responsibilities of the university, the true strength of an institution lies in the values it upholds collectively.

“Reputation is built through achievements, while trust is earned through integrity and responsibility towards the community,” he said.

In line with this spirit, he was informed that throughout Ramadan, the campus Ramadan Activities Committee had distributed 120 Insani Ramadan Contribution Kits to contract cleaning staff.

“This is a gesture of appreciation for their role in ensuring that the campus remains in the best condition for us to work and learn,” the Vice Chancellor added.

He further reaffirmed the university’s commitment to continuously enhancing facilities and providing comfortable and inclusive infrastructure for the campus community. Among the initiatives is the development of Anjung Insani at the Islamic Centre, which he also officiated during the ceremony.

“This facility serves as a new shared space at the Islamic Centre for the benefit of the Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Engineering Campus community, and it is hoped that it will become a conducive platform for interaction while strengthening ties among us,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Director of the Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Engineering Campus, Professor Ir. Dr. Mariatti Jaafar @ Mustapha, informed that various programmes had been organised throughout Ramadan by the Islamic Centre in collaboration with the campus Ramadan Activities Committee.

“Among the programmes held were short religious talks, iftar gatherings, contributions to those in need, congregational prayers, tarawih prayers, as well as qiamullail during the last 10 nights of Ramadan,” she said.

She explained that although the campus is currently observing the semester break and academic activities are not running as usual, the spirit of Ramadan continues to enliven the campus through programmes that bring the community together.

“The participation of academic staff, administrative staff, support staff and students in each programme has been very encouraging, regardless of race or religion,” she added.

Text: Siti Faizah Abd Halim/Photo: Muhammad Taufik Abdul Rahman