CHARTING NEW HORIZONS: UMPSA KIK 2025 TAKES FLIGHT!

PEKAN, 16 until 17 JANUARY 2025 – The Innovative & Creative Group (KIK) is making a strong comeback! On 16-17 January 2025, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) launched its first KIK workshop of the year at the Training Hall, Registrar's Office, DiTec Building, Pekan campus. 

Organised by the Centre for Strategic and Quality Management (PPSK), the two-day event, Bengkel Pembangunan Kumpulan Inovatif & Kreatif (KIK) Horizon Baharu UMPSA 2025, marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter for KIK and set a dynamic tone for the year ahead. 

With a steadfast commitment to advancing the national agenda, the workshop brought together KIK teams from various UMPSA departments, all eager to embrace fresh ideas and drive innovation.  

Designed to equip participants with the skills to identify and address workplace challenges effectively, the UMPSA KIK workshop aligned with Malaysia’s vision of a high-performing public sector and supported UMPSA’s strategic goals of fostering innovation and quality improvements in education and administration. 

KIK, introduced in the 1990s as part of Malaysia’s Civil Service reform agenda, promotes innovation by transforming ideas into impactful solutions. Over time, it has evolved under the National Blue Ocean Strategy (NBOS) to further modernising and transforming Malaysia. 

The workshop commenced with an inspiring introductory session by Associate Professor Ir. Dr. Norazwina Zainol, Director of the Quality Assurance Division, PPSK. Her presentation set a positive tone, inspiring participants to pursue institutional excellence and foster continuous improvement throughout UMPSA. 

The highlight was a series of sessions led by esteemed guest speaker Al-Bakri Mohamad@Ahmad>, a senior lecturer from UiTM Seremban. Renowned for his KIK expertise, he shared insights, including tips on securing funding for innovation projects. His sessions covered "Cultivating a New Horizon for KIK," "Introduction to Design Thinking," and "Documentation Preparation for KIK Projects."

The Centre for Modern Languages’ Sujana Kirana KIK Project team, including Sarah Zulkiple, Marziah Ramli, and Zatul Amrah Muhammad Nazri, also participated, gaining practical knowledge to enhance their projects. 

This initiative by PPSK exemplifies UMPSA’s commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and creativity, contributing to Malaysia’s aspiration for a high-performing, innovation-driven public sector. UMPSA’s vision of becoming a smart and green campus aligns with global best practices, supporting Malaysia’s socio-economic growth. 

UMPSA’s KIK teams have also demonstrated their capabilities on the national stage. In 2022, UMPSA’s KIK team received the Gold Award at the 16th KIK Convention for Universiti Awam for their innovative "FLOORSYS" system—a project designed by the Faculty of Civil Engineering Technology (FTKA) that streamlines lab reservation processes.  

As the event concluded, participants left with a renewed commitment to apply their newfound skills, contributing to impactful projects that produce solutions that enhance institutional performance and support national development goals. 

Good luck to all UMPSA KIK teams for 2025! See you in October! 

Prepared by: Marziah Ramli, Sarah Zulkiple & Dr. Wan Jumani Fauzi.