Kuala Lumpur, 14 March 2022 - Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) today signed a Co-operation Agreement with Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP), marking the start of a partnership to jointly develop the Hajj e-Learning system.

This collaboration will see them work hand in hand, combining the expertise from a leading local university, UTP and TH with its experience in hajj management at the global level.

TH Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dato 'Sri Amrin Awaluddin said the Hajj e-Learning system is a platform that aims to help prospective pilgrims to learn and to broaden their knowledge on Hajj more effectively and easily, at anytime and anywhere.

"At the same time, the platform will assist religious teachers who are also the Homeland Hajj Trainers (PEKTA) as well as the Hajj staff to strengthen their knowledge on Hajj management and Hajj related matter," he added.

“TH remains fully committed in fulfilling its mandate to improve the services provided to facilitate Malaysian Muslims to perform their Hajj. This Hajj e-Learning project involves an allocation of RM2 million in total and it is one of the indirect costs borne by TH apart from direct costs such as the Hajj financial assistance which reaches RM 300 million every year, "explained Dato 'Sri Amrin.

Additionally, the Hajj e-Learning project is part of TH's strategic plan initiative, HIJRAH24, to further boost Hajj guidance via online platforms and to meet the customers’ satisfaction, which is in line with the Hajj Management Blueprint (2021-2025).

Meanwhile, UTP Vice Chancellor , Professor Ts. Dr Mohamed Ibrahim Abdul Mutalib said UTP has been actively involved in various e-learning initiatives by combining an accurate pedagody with the appropriate technology as well as micro-learning content to ensure an optimal learning experience for the targeted users.

“Through this collaboration between TH and UTP, it can further encourage the development of products or softwares to strengthen the technology commercialisation which is in line with UTP's vision to be a leader in technology education and a center of excellence for creativity and innovation. As an MSC -status university, we also aim to be a partner as well as the technology and digital solutions provider for the industry through our expertise, experience and research facilities that meet the industry needs and standards,” he said.

With this collaboration, TH staff would have the opportunity to pursue postgraduate studies at UTP in order for TH workforce to thrive in a sustainable manner through the sharing of skills and knowledge with UTP faculty members.

“UTP focuses on addressing the challenges of global megatrends through its six research institutions, themed on smart living and energy sustainability. By aligning its areas of focus and issues in the industry together with its parent company, PETRONAS, it enables UTP to be at the forefront as a relevant institution towards sustainable global excellence, ”explained Professor Mohamed Ibrahim.

At the beginning of 2020, TH has also implemented an online Hajj guidance platform when the world was hit by the COVID19 pandemic. In December last year, TH has launched the e-TAIB application (Talian Ibadah- call centre) to facilitate the pilgrims who have any questions about hajj implementation and the journey of pilgrimage while in the Holy Land via live chat with religious teachers.

The e-learning agreement was signed by TH Executive Director of Hajj, Dato' Sri Syed Saleh Syed Abdul Rahman while UTP was represented by Prof. Ir Dr Mohd Shahir Liew, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Commercialization.

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TH AND UTP IN PARTNERSHIP TO ESTABLISH HAJJ E-LEARNING PLATFORM.PDF