TWO CML TEAMS SHINE AT CITREX 2025 UMPSA

GAMBANG, 19 June 2025 – Two research teams from the Centre for Modern Languages (CML), Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), shone at the 15th Creation, Innovation, Technology & Research Exposition (CITREx) 2025, held at the UMPSA Sports Complex Hall, securing a gold and a silver medal. 

The Department of Research and Innovation (JPI) organised the competition under the theme “Innovation Driving Future Sustainability”, aimed to cultivate a spirit of creativity and research among participants while promoting impactful, forward-thinking solutions that address real-world challenges. 

The first team, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hafizoah Kassim, together with Dr. Fatimah Ali, Dr. Nor Yazi Khamis, Nur syafawati Sabuan, and Rosjuliana Hidayu Rosli, won a silver medal for their project entitled PLAY. PRINT. PACK: The 3P Framework Unpacked. The project focused on enhancing the English language proficiency of the Orang Asli young learners via experiential learning and outdoor learning approaches, emphasising the significance of SDG4 and SDG13. 

Meanwhile, a CML senior language teacher, Mohd Shafeirul Zaman Abd Majid, teamed up with researchers from the Faculty of Industrial Sciences and Technology (FSTI), including ChM. Dr. Wan Norfazilah Wan Ismail, ChM. Dr. Siti Umairah Mokhtar, and Dr. Shariza Jamek, achieved remarkable success by winning a gold medal, along with the FSTI Excellent Innovation Award and the Premier Award for Commercial Potential.  

Their project, entitled LabQuest: Discovering Lab Quality Through Gameplay, introduced an innovative board game method to enhance students’ understanding of quality laboratory management, aligned with SDG4. 

These achievements not only reflect CML’s capacity to cross disciplinary boundaries between language and science but also highlight how innovative pedagogical approaches can significantly impact learning outcomes and possess commercial viability. 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hafizoah Kassim, on behalf of the CML Management team, congratulated all CML researchers for their efforts and accomplishments. The achievements have been an immense pride. According to her “These are not just accolades, but affirmations of our commitment to innovation-driven education.” 

The participation and success of both teams demonstrate that innovation transcends academic disciplines, whether in language education or scientific training. A willingness to explore new teaching methods, combined with creativity and collaboration, have proven to be the key to this outstanding achievement. 

These efforts serve as a model for fostering a culture of research and innovation at UMPSA, particularly CML, in alignment with the university’s aspirations toward global excellence. 

Prepared by: Rosnani Ismail & Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hafizoah Kassim