The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dato' Dr Ahmad Bashawir Abdul Ghani said the COVID-19 pandemic that emerged last year changed the life and socio-economic landscape of the world's population and indirectly affected UUM as well.

According to him, in an effort to confront the challenges that come with the pandemic, UUM had implemented various initiatives including organising and adjusting the implementation of online Teaching and Learning (TnL) or remote learning; mobilizing resources to ensure the welfare and safety of students, especially those on campus remain protected; the formation of a group of UUM front line personnel who play a central role in monitoring and curbing the pandemic along with campus denizens and working closely with the National Security Council (NSC), Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) and Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) in various aspects especially involving matters concerning students and staff of UUM.

"I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Allah the Most Glorified because even though we are faced with the difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic, UUM has remained strong and has successfully tackled the challenges in its stride while being able to achieve many achievements.

"Apart from the successes attained by students and UUM's ascent in the world and Asia rankings, this university has also produced many graduates and now UUM has almost 150 thousand alumni from within and outside the country since its first UUM Convocation held in 1988. It is time for UUM alumni to return and contribute to their beloved alma," he said at the Surah Yasin recitation and tahlil ceremony in conjunction with the 37th Anniversary of UUM Foundation Day held live via UUM official Facebook and Webex.

According to the Vice-Chancellor the denizens of UUM had proven their support and commitment as all the efforts rendered were in line with the motto of the University - Knowledge, Virtue Service. Without the full cooperation from all parties, it would be impossible for UUM to achieve all the excellence and success it has today.

In addition, he also expressed his fervent hope that with the Phase 3 of UUM Strategic Plan (2021-2025) well on its way, UUM will succeed in ascending the QS World University Rankings (QSWUR), Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings and UI GreenMetric. 

"I also hope that OYAGSB succeeds in becoming the Top Business School after successfully acquiring the AACSB and AMBA, next EQUIS which will ultimately make UUM Kuala Lumpur Campus, the Crown Jewel of UUM as well as realize Tuanku Chancellor's aspiration of setting up the UUM Academy for Science, Technology and Mathematics (STEM) Studies.

"Indeed, all these successes are the result of the commitment of all parties, therefore I would like to thank the Chairman and Members of the UUM Board of Directors, stakeholders and all campus denizens who have worked together to bring the University's agenda to fruition," he said.

Happy Celebrating the 37th. Anniversary of UUM Foundation Day.