A New Chapter After 20 Years at UTM CDex

Hello everyone,
It’s been a while since I last updated this blog, but here I am again with a fresh episode on people.utm.my. I don’t want to drag old stories too much, but ever since I moved to UTM’s Corporate Communication Centre, life has been a little busier at the new office. After serving 20 years in one department — UTM CDex — this move feels like stepping into a whole new scenario.

First of all, I owe a big thank you to the Director of CDex for acknowledging my long service and allowing this temporary transfer, even if it’s just for a year.

After 20 Years, Finally a Change

Alhamdulillah, I honestly still can’t believe it. After writing twice to the Director of CDex, my request was finally approved. My official post is tied to CDex, so previously, my applications to move elsewhere didn’t work out. This time though, it was accepted. Even though I know my new department has more work and faster deadlines, I accepted it with an open heart.

New Office, Familiar Faces

At the Corporate Communication Centre, I’m now placed under the Photo/Video, Creative Media & Branding Section. I’m surrounded by a team of photographers who serve UTM in almost every event. These guys don’t exactly have a “9-to-5” job — if there’s a weekend event, they’re there. If there’s a big university function, they’re on the ground making sure everything is covered.

Compared to CDex, the nature of “busy” here feels different. At CDex, I was deep into editing MOOC, Micro-credentials, and Virtual Lab content — semester-long courses shot in front of the camera, followed by long editing sessions. Here, the adrenaline is more event-based.

Staying Back Late (Sorry Kids!)

In the first two weeks, I often ended up staying late at the office. My kids had to wait longer at KeedsFlix transit, and sometimes my wife had to step in to fetch them while I wrapped things up. Jobs started coming in almost the moment I stepped into the new office. On top of that, there was a HIR video that needed to be done quickly.

And when the Vice Chancellor attends outside events, our photo/video team has to be there too. Luckily, there’s one staff member here who can really deliver work fast — seriously efficient! If he’s reading this, I hope he’s laughing right now. Haha!

Well, I guess this is a new start for me after 20 years of hammering in the world of Teaching & Learning video production. For the time being, all those projects such as MOOCs, Micro Credential, virtual lab had dissapeared in my mind for at least a year. I have my own reasons to move to another department. But in general, after 20 years of doing the same job, the time has finally come to my own realization that I need something different to feel excite and awaken myself again, so it could spark my interest again as Producer in a University.

Hope to see you again soon.
Jeffri Rahman
Producer | Editor | Blogger