SINTOK, 5 August 2025: The Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), Prof. Dato’ Dr Mohd Foad Sakdan has called on the UUM campus denizens to embrace occupational safety and health (OSH) practices as a shared responsibility.
According to him, UUM has consistently sought to integrate OSH management values into its daily operations, strategic planning and risk management efforts.
“The university’s commitment to OSH is not seasonal – it is a continuous effort involving every level of the organisation. We want all members of the UUM denizen, including academic staff, administrative staff, as well as students, to understand that occupational safety and health is a collective responsibility,” he said.
He said this at the Opening Ceremony of the Kedah State-Level Occupational Safety and Health Week, which was officiated by the Director of the Kedah State Occupational Safety and Health Department (JKKP), Tuan Haji Abdul Aziz Salim.
Prof. Dato’ Dr Mohd Foad also extended his appreciation to the UUM Risk Management Division and university staff for their role in securing two OSH awards in 2024. These accolades include the National Occupational Safety and Health Award (OSH Award 2023) in the Higher Education Institution category and the Public Sector Chief Executive Officer (CEO) category.
Meanwhile, Mr. Abdul Aziz expressed his gratitude to UUM for its strong support in advancing the national OSH agenda, particularly in initiatives aimed at educating future generations on the importance of cultivating a safe and healthy work culture.
“This year’s OSH Week, aptly themed ‘Revolutionising Occupational Safety and Health: The Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Digitalisation in the Workplace’, is both timely and visionary. It urges us to explore how emerging technologies such as AI and digitalisation can enhance the development of safer, more efficient and sustainable working environments,” he said.
He added that the role of technology extends beyond merely reducing the incidence of accidents and occupational diseases, but it also has the potential to foster a more intelligent and responsive work ecosystem.
“Malaysia’s ambition to establish itself as an AI-driven nation by 2030, as outlined in the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), further reinforces the nation’s commitment to advancing OSH,” he said.
The ceremony also featured the Occupational Safety and Health Integrity Pledge led by Mr. Akmal Ahlami Md Rozai in the presence of the Vice-Chancellor of UUM.
In addition, the event marked the launch of the ‘Telaah: Budaya Ilmu’ programme at the university level, along with a book review session titled, Prospect of Electoral Reform in Malaysia, presented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International), Prof. Dr Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani.
Prof. Dr Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani, who is the principal author of the book, emphasised that such scholarly works provide the general public a chance to comprehend the political system, both in Malaysia and globally.
Also present at the ceremony were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Prof. Dr Ram Al Jaffri Saad; the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni), Prof. Dr Ahmad Martadha Mohammed; members of the University Management Committee (JPU); and the Kedah DOKKP delegation.
