KUALA KEDAH, 4 July 2025: Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) continues to champion community development through a holistic approach that integrates academic, social and human values. This commitment is exemplified by the launch of the Kampung Angkat MADANI (MADANI Adopted Village) initiative in Kampung Tengah, Kuala Kedah.
The launching ceremony, held at the Kampung Tengah Community Hall, was officiated by Dato’ Abdul Muthalib Harun, a member of the UUM Holdings Board of Directors.
Also in attendance were the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dato’ Dr Mohd Foad Sakdan and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni), Prof. Dr Ahmad Martadha Mohamed, and other senior university officials.
In his address, Dato’ Abdul Muthalib expressed deep appreciation for the selection of Kampung Tengah, situated within the Kuala Kedah parliamentary constituency and under the Kubang Rotan State Legislative Assembly (DUN), as UUM’s adopted village under the MADANI initiative.
He acknowledged the university’s effort in choosing Kampung Tengah as the site for the implementation of various community development activities.
“The Kampung Tengah Hall, which previously served as the Office of the Penghulu Mukim Kuala Kedah, has undergone enhancement with the support from the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) under the Prime Minister’s Department.
“This is the blessing of development that we are witnessing today. Kuala Kedah is making strides, and UUM is playing an active role through various initiatives that uplift the community in Kampung Tengah,” he said.
He also shared that at the start of the project implementation, UUM received an allocation of RM1 million from the Malaysian Ministry of Finance (MOF) to support essential development and social programmes under the initiative.
He expressed confidence in the project’s potential to improve the overall quality of life of the local community through a structured and inclusive development plan.
Meanwhile, Dr. Mohd Foad said, the implementation of the MADANI Adopted Village Project represents a continuation of the initiatives outlined in the 2025 Budget. It also reflects the Prime Minister’s commitment to expanding this programme into its second year of operation.
According to him, the RM1 million allocation received would fund several key initiatives namely the upgrading and renovation of the Kampung Tengah Community Hall, a Free Tuition Guidance Programme, a Correctional Programme, a Health Programme, a Football Clinic and the awarding of Football Referee Certificates.
“The implementation of this programme goes beyond just infrastructure development, it also aims to foster relationships, facilitate knowledge transfer, and cultivate a spirit of cooperation between university staff and the local community,” he said.
The launch ceremony also featured symbolic handovers of several community-focused projects under the Kampung Angkat MADANI initiative. Among them, the POTENSI 25 Programme by the School of Education (SoE), benefitting srudents of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Sri Pantai and SMK Laksamana; the PRINTIS Programme, by the School of Applied Psychology, Policy and Social Work (SAPSP), which engaged community members of the Kuala Kedah community; as well as the Football Refereeing Clinic and Certificate led by the UUM Sports Centre for SMK Sri Pantai students and Kampung Tengah youth.
Additionally, a Health Programme by the University Health and Wellbeing Centre (PKKU) provided mobility support in the form of a wheelchair to Mdm. Maimunah Yahya, a family representative. A Leadership Course Module, presented by Dr. Mazli Mutazam, was also handed over to the Chairman of the Kampung Tengah Federal Village Development and Security Committee (JPKKP).
To further support the community, Prof. Dr Ahmad Martadha presented rice aid to 50 selected families in Kuala Kedah to ease their daily living expenses.
Later in the day, Minister of Higher Education, Dato’ Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, graced the event and officiated the inauguration of UUM’s Kampung Angkat MADANI with a plaque signing ceremony in front of the Kampung Tengah Community Hall. He then participated in the Ziarah Kasih programme, engaging directly with residents and expressing his solidarity with the local community.
Also present were UUM Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International), Prof. Dr Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Prof. Dr Ram Al Jaffri Saad.
