UNIVERSITI Malaysia Terengganu welcomes the move made by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) to call off its proposed merger with Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA).
In expressing her gratitude for the decision, UMT vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Dr. Nor Aieni Mokhtar thanked the Higher Education Minister for taking into consideration the views of various parties in making this important decision.
"UMT is pleased and relieved to receive this news as we have been facing several uncertainties for the 2020/2021 roadmap as well as the devastating conditions caused by the Covid-19 outbreak," she said in a statement to the Press.
The university has undergone various stages of branding and establishment evolutions since 1979, she continued.
"UMT has gained many victories in bridging our gap with the research universities. The achievements made throughout the university's development period cannot simply be eliminated, and this includes academic achievements, student co-curriculars, research quality and international recognition.
"UMT is recognised as a Higher Education Institution in Science and Technology with a research thrust in marine science. We have become a reference point through our Institute of Oceanography and Environment (INOS) which is a Higher Institution Center of Excellence (HICOE), the Tropical Aquatic Institute (Aquatrop), Institute Marine Biotechnology (IMB) and the university's maritime field which also contributes to the development of the national maritime industry.
"Our 30,000 strong alumni serve as the UMT ambassadors to the world. UMT has produced successful alumni who have contributed to the nation and made Malaysia proud on the global stage.
"The UMT community and alumni would like to express their gratitude for the continued welfare and employment opportunities, including the non-permanent staff who will dedicate their service to our beloved university," said Nor Aieni.
The proposed merger of UMT and UniSZA was first announced following a Cabinet meeting on Sept 4 last year. It has since garnered backlash from several quarters.
The Higher Education Ministry announced the termination of the plans in a media statement released on May 22.
According to the Higher Education minister Datuk Dr Noraini Ahmad, the decision was made by the cabinet after taking into account several factors and current challenges.
Among them were significant focus differences, issues in coordination of existing academic faculties and research institutions, and the readiness of both universities' communities in forming a unique identity for the new joint university.
"The ministry takes the views of every university member seriously in implementing this merger and has explored the implications should the merger go ahead, especially on student development for both universities.
"The merger of UMT and UniSZA will also undermine the achievements made in creating identities and expanding the focus of their respective endeavors at the international level.
"It is also expected to incur a high cost. Therefore, the merger will not be pursued by the government," she said.
