SERDANG, 20 DECEMBER 2024 – The Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), in collaboration with the Physics Students' Club (KMF), held the 2024 Physics Department Student Excellence Appreciation Ceremony (MAKeF) at the Science Lecture Hall, Faculty of Science. The primary aim of this event was to celebrate and recognise students who have excelled academically and in extracurricular activities, while also inspiring and motivating other students in the Department of Physics to strive for excellence.

Speech by the Head of the Physics Department, Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Mustafa Awang Kechik

A total of 16 awards were presented during MAKeF 2024, including the Anugerah Kecemerlangan Akademik, Anugerah Quantum Leap, Anugerah Khas Ketua Jabatan, Anugerah Penerbitan Makalah Jurnal Siswazah, Anugerah Sains & Teknologi Keadaan Pepejal Malaysia (MASS), Anugerah Inspirasi Akademik Abdul Halim Shaari, Anugerah Bitara Instrumentasi, Anugerah Bitara Jirim, Anugerah Bitara Kuantum, Anugerah Keusahawanan Dr. Gadget UPM, Anugerah Aspirasi Kepimpinan, Anugerah Aspirasi Kokurikulum, Anugerah Aspirasi STEM, Anugerah Akademik Unggul Zainal Abidin Talib, Anugerah Adisiswa Fizik and Anugerah Ikon Terbilang Sidek Ab Aziz. In total, 103 awardees were celebrated this year. Additionally, two new awards were announced for MAKeF 2025: the Anugerah Bitara Optik dan Anugerah Bitara Sinaran, which will recognise exceptional achievements in optical and radiation physics.

Speech by the Deputy Dean of Academics and Student Affairs, Associate Professor Dr. Siti Hasana Sapar

The Deputy Dean of Academics and Student Affairs, Faculty of Science, Associate Professor Dr. Siti Hasana Sapar, was delighted to attend and enliven the event. She expressed her appreciation to the Department of Physics for organising such a prestigious event, highlighting its significance in honouring the department's outstanding students. Similarly, the Head of the Physics Department, Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Mustafa Awang Kechik, congratulated all the award recipients for their exceptional achievements and expressed hope that their success would inspire other students to strive for excellence and contribute significantly to the advancement of knowledge.

 The winners together with the sponsors of MAKeF 2024

The sponsors of MAKeF 2024 also graced the event, celebrating the award recipients and supporting the Physics Department community. These sponsors, many of whom were former lecturers of the department, played a crucial role in the event's success by providing various incentives. The main sponsor, Dr. Gadget UPM, is an enterprise founded by alumni of the Physics Department. Their contributions not only ensured the event's success but also strengthened ties between alumni, faculty, and current students.

The Director of MAKeF 2024, Suhaili binti Md Zahar, a third-year Bachelor of Science (Physics with Education) (Honours) student, expressed that the celebrated successes were not merely individual efforts but also the result of prayers, encouragement, and extraordinary support from various parties. The advisory committee, led by Dr. Muhammad Khairul Adib Bin Muhammad Yusof, also played a pivotal role in the event's success.

The presentation of the Anugerah Ikon Terbilang Sidek Ab Aziz to Ahmad Danish Iskandar Bin Mohd Fadzil, who also won two other prestigious awards at MAKeF 2024

The highlight of the ceremony was the prestigious Sidek Ab Aziz Distinguished Icon Award, the highest accolade of MAKeF, won by Ahmad Danish Iskandar Bin Mohd Fadzil, a third-year Bachelor of Science (Physics) (Honours) student. The recipient of the UPM Putra Icon Award 2024, Ahmad Danish Iskandar, described his achievement as unexpected, having also won the same award in MAKeF 2023. Adding to his accolades, he received the STEM Aspiration Award and the Young Category Adisiswa Physics Award. He shared his experiences and advice on balancing academic excellence with extracurricular activities. Additionally, he was awarded a three-day, two-night stay at Denai Desa, sponsored by Dr. Hj. Sidek Hj. Ab Aziz, a co-sponsor of MAKeF 2024.

Prepared by: Fatnin Ishami Othman and Alia Batriesya Zayanun

Date of Input: 03/01/2025 | Updated: 03/01/2025 | harithdaniel