Page 19 - E-BOOK PULSE@FASS ISU NO.01/2023

UM Surveillance Audit 2 BY SIRIM QAS Int.

Sdn. Bhd.

In a quest for transparency and accountability, Universiti By Mdm Wan Nooraini Ab. Hamid
Malaya underwent a comprehensive audit process to any irregularities, and promote a culture of integrity among
assess its financial practices, governance, and overall all its stakeholders, including students, staff, alumni, and
operational efficiency. This Surveillance Audit 2 for the even the broader community.
Quality Management System (QMS) MS ISO 9001:2015 by
SIRIM QAS Int. Sdn. Bhd. was held on 27 February until 03 Overall, the panel of auditors were very much content with
March 2023 to ensure the compliance and effectiveness of the implementation of QMS at FASS where neither Non-
the implementation of the QMS MS ISO. Conformity (NCR) nor Opportunities for Improvement (OFI)
were to be found. This audit is believed not only to
Recognizing the importance of maintaining a high enhance the Faculty’s reputation but also to strengthen its
standard of integrity, the Faculty's administration was position as a leading institution dedicated to academic
elated to have been selected among the 8 Centres of excellence and responsible stewardship of humanities and
Responsibility (PTj) and 18 other non-academic Centres. social sciences. Through the valuable insights gained from
Auditors sampled various scopes and categories this audit, FASS is poised to further enhance its operations
encompassing a wide range of areas including design and and provide an exceptional educational experience for its
development of existing and new academic programmes, students.
research management and monitoring, and student
services. The panel of auditors also had a chance to visit
the surroundings and facilities related to the teaching and
learning activities.

The Faculty looked at this audit process as open
communication and disclosure, where the Faculty took this
opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to
upholding the highest standards in all areas of operations.
The audit aimed to identify areas for improvement, detect

Ponggal is a Hindu harvest festival celebrated by Tamil Pongal celebration
people in India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, and other
places where Tamils live. Ponggal, also referred to as Thai By Dr Nithiya Guna Saigaran
Pongal, is celebrated for three days. Three types of Pongal success and fortune. All shouted “Ponggalo Ponggal”
are Suriya Pongal, Mattu Pongal, and Kaanum Pongal. The happily. The event was honoured by the attendance of the
Pongal festival begins on Bhogi, which is the last day of Dean Datuk Prof Danny Wong Tze Ken, Associate Prof Dr
the Tamil month of Marghali. On this day, people get rid of Firuza Begham Mustafa and a few other representatives
old possessions and celebrate new ones. People will clean from the Dean's Office. The guests were entertained with
and decorate their houses to give a festive look to their traditional dances and cultural events such as Uriyadi,
homes and family. cane eating, Bharathanatyam and song singing. After a
delectable vegetarian meal, the ponggal celebration came
This year, the Indian Studies Department hosted a lavish to a close at 12:30pm.
Ponggal celebration on 17 January 2023, from 8.30 am to
12.30pm, for the entire FASS community, including faculty
members, staff, and students. It's a wonderful chance for
everyone in the faculty to get together and observe the
event in the old-fashioned manner. Three Ponggal pots,
which are embellished with flowers and sugarcane, is the
focal point of the event.

The ceremony of cooking Ponggal then starts after the
Ponggal pot is set on gas stoves. A sweet dish called
ponggal is created with rice, cashew nuts, ghee, milk,
jaggery, and cardamom. It is prepared in the Ponggal pot
to the point of overflowing, which is viewed as a symbol of
18 | Pulse@FASS