JOHOR BAHRU, 16 October 2016 – Student of the final year of the Bachelor of Science in Biology, Faculty of Biosciences and Medical Engineering (FBME) Noor Hanis Mohd Noor made history by becoming the first woman elected President of the Student Representative Council (MPM) Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM).
She received a letter of appointment as President for 2016/2017 session submitted by the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Datuk Ir Dr Wahid Omar in the Senate Hall today.
This election saw MPM leadership dominated by women with the General Secretary held by Umairah Muhamad Nur, Nur Salsabilla Aziz as Treasurer and Work-Secretary by Azzyati Awanis Mohamad Khairuddin. However, Mohd. Fitri Abd. Manaf was elected as the deputy president.
Noor Hanis, 22, from Tanah Merah, Kelantan had served as Departmental Executive Committee (EXCO) of the 2014/15 and 2015/16 sessions as Deputy President.
Noor Hanis who was met after the submission of MPM 2016/2017 session letters of appointment said that her election as the first female president to lead the university’s student leadership proved that the student community now have changed and matured.
“This proves that the student community is now more open and do not look upon gender differences in the selection of the important positions.
“If a woman is able to bring something as worthwhile as a man then why not give her a chance to be a leader,” she said.
Commenting on her plans after elected as president, Noor Hanis said there are two important things to emphasise which were the issues of entrepreneurship and also the Community Service Responsibility (CSR).
Noor Hanis said that there is still a lack of interest among UTM students towards CSR activities and entrepreneurial skills as these skills were needed to establish quality human capital.
“Both of these aspects can make a better graduate as it can be made to hone the leadership and management talent in them.
“I see this value is important because a student does not always insist to stay in campus forever as he or she will return back to the community to work and live. Should they not know to carry themselves for certain he or she would be facing problems later in their working world,” she said.
Also attending the ceremony was the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs and Alumni (HEMA), Prof. Datuk Dr Mohd Ismail Abd Aziz, senior officials and HEMA collage principals.