Kuala lumpur: Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP): has, for the first time, been entrusted with hosting the Royal Commissioning Ceremony for new cadet officers of the Public University Reserve Officers Training Unit (PALAPES) here today.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, UniMAP vice-chancellor Datuk Prof Dr Zaliman Sauli stated that nearly 2,000 cadet officers from 20 public universities would be commissioned at the ceremony. The event is expected to draw nearly 4,000 attendees, including military officers and personnel.
Zaliman emphasized that hosting the 44th ceremony is not only a significant honour for UniMAP but also marks a historic milestone as the university celebrates its Silver Jubilee this year. He remarked that the event is part of UniMAP's journey over the past 25 years, aligning with PALAPES' mission of building character and creating a legacy for the nation.
He noted that hosting the ceremony was a major responsibility for UniMAP, especially in managing preparations related to venue, infrastructure, logistics, security, and protocol. He highlighted that UniMAP upgraded an area within the university to create a spacious Dataran Padang Kawad, completed in just four months, ready for training from August 25.
Zaliman mentioned that the ceremony would be officiated by the Raja Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail, and attended by the Raja Puan Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Dr Hajah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil. He urged PALAPES cadet officers to view their roles broadly, considering technological advances such as AI, and cyber threats.
He outlined the importance of cadet officers having a strong understanding of security and national strategic interests, staying updated on technological developments, and having the resilience and decision-making skills to handle uncertain situations. Zaliman stressed that technological advancement must be paired with strong values, ethics, and a sense of responsibility, aligning with the Malaysian Higher Education Blueprint.
He discussed the learning outcomes set for UniMAP's co-curricular programs, focusing on effective communication, leadership, teamwork, and decision-making skills. Assessment is crucial to ensure that students demonstrate the desired attributes through observable behaviors and achievements.
Zaliman stressed the significance of professionalism beyond knowledge, emphasizing discipline and its impact on character development. He highlighted the importance of punctuality, appearance, task execution, and instruction respect for shaping character.