UUM and Malaysian Armed Forces Advance Community Economic Empowerment Through Civil Economy Programme
SINTOK, 15 April 2026: In a concerted effort to strengthen the community economy resilience, Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), in collaboration with the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM), has taken a proactive and strategic step through the implementation of projects under the Civil Economy Programme, supported by a grant allocation of RM570,000.
UUM Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr Ahmad Martadha Mohamed, said the ATM Camp Community Project, implemented under the Madani Economy Programme, represents a strategic collaboration initiative between the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) and the Ministry of Defence (KEMENTAH).
According to him, the initiative underscores the role of universities not merely as centres of knowledge, but as agents of transformation that contribute directly to societal development, particularly in supporting the Armed Forces Family Welfare Body (Bakat).
“This year, UUM has been appointed by the Ministry of Defence to implement four out of 52 projects at four ATM camps. These projects comprise the Kelulut Honey Project valued at RM140,000 at Bukit Kayu Hitam Camp; the Vegetable Fertigation Project worth RM330,000 at Sungai Petani Camp and Pengkalan Hulu Camp; and the Talapia Aquaponics and Retort Products Project amounting to RM100,000 at the Royal Malaysian Navy (MLN) Lumut Camp.
“This strategic partnership is highly significant in ensuring that the knowledge generated within the university can be translated into tangible benefits for the community, particularly ATM personnel, by enabling them to generate income and improve the socio-economic well-being of the communities at selected ATM Camps. This is the true manifestation of ‘Knowledge, Virtue, Service,” he said at the Grant Handover Ceremony and Launch of the ATM Camp Community Project 2025 Implementation, held at EDC-UUM, today.
Meanwhile, the Commanding Officer of the West Fleet Supply Depot, TLDM Lumut Base, Captain Syanaz Ibrahim, described the programme as a historic step in bridging the gap between academic research and field implementation.
“This programme opens up meaningful opportunities for ATM personnel to enhance their skills, generate additional income, and strengthen family wellbeing, in line with the nation’s aspirations for holistic human capital development,” he said.
Among the main projects implemented include the Talapia Aquaponics and Retort Products Entrepreneurship Project, which is seen as having the potential to generate sustainable income for the local community.
In the same development, the Director of the University-Industry Cooperation Centre, Prof. Dr Chandrakantan Subramaniam, described the implementation of the project as a powerful symbol of trust, synergy, and shared commitment among the various stakeholders involved in advancing inclusive community development.
According to him, the programme, which also involves several public universities, is expected to generate lasting and far-reaching impact, not only on ATM personnel, but also for the broader community through a collaborative and sustainable implementation model.
“The implementation of this initiative thus reflects the Government’s determination to ensure that the outcomes of research within higher education institutions do not remain confined to the ivory towers, but are instead translated into meaningful and direct benefits for the wellbeing of the people,” he said.
The ceremony also featured a symbolic handover of the projects, followed by the presentation of souvenirs to the chief researchers and representatives of the participating ATM camps.
Also present were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Prof. Dr. Ram Al Jaffri Saad, as well as senior officers from the Malaysia Armed Forces.
