M-Umrah for the world

M-Umrah FOR THE WORLD ... Khaled shows M-Umrah application created by USM researcher, Assoc. Prof. Muhammad Rafie Hj. Mohd Arshad

 

KUALA LUMPUR, May 8, 2012 - After witnessing the promising performance of the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in various fields under the framework of the Accelerated Program for Excellence, USM is urged to focus on driving the cross-field research.

Higher Education Minister, Dato 'Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the effort necessary to be implemented by institutions of higher learning (IPT) in order to find a balance point between disciplines of science, technology and humanity in an integrated manner.

He said the country need to produce the best brains who are versatile and able to understand the importance of knowledge, apart from playing the role in contributing solution ideas to the current issues and challenges.

"Institution of higher education in this country should find a way to combine various disciplines of interest to produce students who not only proficient in their knowledge, but know how to apply their knowledge," he said.

He was speaking at a press conference after launching Selected Initiatives Book of APEX Univserity and M-Umrah: Umrah Guide Mobile Application developed by USM researchers for global users.

The launching ceremony was also held in conjunction with Partnership Seminar for Selected Initiatives Book of USM APEX organized by USM in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE).

He added that Malaysia today is not only moving in its comfortable zone, instead also covering the range of human capital that are capable to compete globally.

"The ministry is confident and believe in the ability of USM to achieve the country's objective and mission to strengthen the concept of liberal education and multi-discipline, also hoping that the effort started by the APEX program will also be shared with all.'' he said.

Commenting on the innovative M-Umrah, Mohamed Khaled said, it shows that technology is no exception in university efforts to help the pilgrims who perform the Hajj and Umrah to do their worships better and more systematic.

He said this is the  first innovations introduced in this country which are creative and unique. The effort of the USM researchers will give an invaluable benefit to the global community.

"We have seen the mobile application in the Quran with the translation, but for Hajj and Umrah, this will become the first to be fitted with detailed information at our fingertips," he said.

Meanwhile, USM Vice-Chancellor, Assoc. Dato 'Omar Osman, said M-Umrah will be improved and translated into several other languages ​​which will be used by pilgrims around the world, including English, Urdu and others.

"It was developed solely by USM researchers and it becomes one of our initiatives in empowering Hajj and Umrah pilgrims through the concept of knowledge transfer," he said.

M-Umrah also provides an opportunity for Umrah pilgrims to know their steps to perform the rituals gradually and orderly, from the first step to the Holy Land until the completion of their worship.

It is also capable to give directions to the congregation if lost through the application of Global Positioning System (GPS) developed in the system.

 

Source:
http://www.usm.my/index.php/ms/arkib-berita/9765-usm-disaran-pacu-penyelidikan-rentas-bidang.html

http://www.usm.my/index.php/ms/arkib-berita/9775-menteri-pengajian-tinggi-lancar-m-umrah.html