JOHOR BAHRU, 3 September 2015 – Students of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) are reminded to always maintain decorum and professionalism when using social networking in order not to disrupt social order and human relations.
Responsible use of social networking also enables students to stay focused on their roles as tertiary level students, thereby maintaining excellent productivity as students in higher education institutions.
UTM Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ir. Dr. Wahid Omar said this in his speech at the welcoming session of new undergraduate students for the 2015/2016 Academic Session, held at Dewan Sultan Iskandar, Johor Bahru campus.
“Excessive use of social media will reduce the productivity of a person as much as 70 percent,”  he said.
Students also need to avoid abuse of social media activity that will eventually tear the nation.
“A lot of sensitive issues have been manipulated extensively on social media with the aim of provoking public sentiment,” he said.
However Prof. Wahid did not rule out the advantages brought by social media compared.
“Students can use social media to communicate with their friends and lecturers for the purpose of academic discussion.
“Much can be used through this technology depending on the extent to which we use it wisely, “he said.
A total of 2,458 students were present at the event that was also attended by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni), Prof. Dr. Ismail Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Prof. Dr. Ahmad Fauzi Ismail and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International), Prof. Dr. Rose Alinda Alias.