ARAU, Sept 12 (Bernama) -- 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.
UniMAP vice-chancellor Datuk Prof Dr Zaliman Sauli said nearly 2,000 cadet officers from 20 public universities would be commissioned at the ceremony, which is expected to be attended by nearly 4,000 people, including military officers and personnel.
He said hosting the 44th ceremony was not only a great honour for UniMAP but also a historic milestone as the university celebrates its Silver Jubilee this year.
“I see the hosting of this commissioning ceremony as part of UniMAP’s Silver Jubilee journey. Over the past 25 years, we have been building an institution, while PALAPES is about building character. Both are about creating a legacy and shaping the nation’s future,” he told reporters here.
Zaliman said hosting the ceremony was a major responsibility for UniMAP, particularly in ensuring that all preparations, from the venue and infrastructure to logistics, security and protocol, were properly planned and executed.
“UniMAP has been around for 25 years, but we did not have a proper parade ground before this. So, we upgraded an area within the university to create a spacious Dataran Padang Kawad. We completed the work in just four months, and it was ready for training from Aug 25,” he said.
Zaliman said 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.
Meanwhile, Zaliman said PALAPES cadet officers should look at their roles from a wider perspective, particularly in view of rapid advances in technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), as well as cyber threats, misinformation and disruptions to digital systems.
He said cadet officers must have a strong understanding of security and the nation’s strategic interests, while keeping abreast of technological developments and emerging threats, and possessing the resilience and decision-making skills needed to deal with uncertain situations.
“Threats to a nation today are becoming increasingly complex and are not always physically visible. I believe that, with their university experience and the skills they have gained through this training, they have the critical thinking skills needed to help counter these threats,” he said.
Zaliman said technological advancement must go hand in hand with strong values, as those using technology needed to uphold ethics and a sense of responsibility.
He said this was in line with the Malaysian Higher Education Blueprint (RPTM 2026-2035), which emphasises AI and technology as enablers while placing human values, ethics and integrity at the heart of national talent development.
Meanwhile, Zaliman said the learning outcomes set for UniMAP’s co-curricular programmes encompassed effective communication, leadership and teamwork skills, as well as the ability to evaluate information and make sound decisions.
He said assessment was important to ensure that the desired attributes could be demonstrated through observable behaviours and achievements.
“In co-curricular activities, we are not just looking at attendance. We want to see personal growth, whether students become more disciplined, learn to work as a team, take on leadership roles and make sound decisions,” he said.
Zaliman said this was particularly important for prospective young officers, as professionalism was measured not only by knowledge but also by their attitude and behaviour.
“To me, discipline is about small things that can make a big difference. Being punctual, maintaining a neat appearance, carrying out tasks and respecting instructions may seem simple, but practising them consistently helps shape character,” he said.
-- BERNAMA