JOHOR BAHRU, 31 January 2015 – A total of 120 Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) senior administrators participated in the 2015 University Management Group (UMG) retreat session which was held at the Johor Bahru campus.
The 2-day programme featured the theme “Know & Love Our Campus” which is based on UTM eco-tourism.
Programme Coordinator Amirul Shahrin Amir said that the main objective of the programme was to instill a strong UTM DNA appreciation within each participant as well as to act as a catalyst in creating ukhwah among participants.
“The programme was run using UTM’s own expertise,  operated entirely by the Registrar’s Office in collaboration with the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development) and UTM Sporst Innovation Technology Centre (SITC).
“We used the ‘Explore Race’ concept with participants having to go through six check points with each requiring them to complete specific task given,” Amirul Shahrin said.
“Check-points were set up at the UTM Equine Park, Tasik Ilmu, Gardens, Observatory Post, Recreational forest, Driving Range and Sports Complex,” he added.
The 2015 retreat session was also infused with spiritual elements  in which participants were required to participate in qiyamulail, preforming the subuh prayer in a congregation (jemaah) and attending a takzirah session which commenced at 4.00 am at Dewan Sri Perdana, Kolej Perdana.
Participants include the Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Faculty Deans, Research Deans, Directors of PTJs, Residential College Principals, and Senior Administrators.