“What the FLICK?” UTM Removes Facebook Post With Controversial Logo, Cites PTPTN As Designer

When you’re a large corporation or organisation such as a premier public university, every move you make is scrutinised. 

Recently, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) took down a Facebook post after a problematic logo went viral for its resemblance to a curse word. 

The logo is read as “FLICK” and is apparently the short form of “Financial Literacy and Career Development”, a program held by the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) in collaboration with the university’s Deputy Vice Chancellor’s Department (Student Affairs).

PTPTN designed the logo

Following the removal of the Facebook post, UTM issued an official statement claiming that the suggestive logo is PTPTN’s official program logo.

“UTM has received complaints regarding the design of the official logo of the Financial Literacy and Career Development Program organised by the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) in collaboration with UTM’s Deputy Vice Chancellor’s Department (Student Affairs), that went viral on social media on December 30, 2022.”

Closing ceremony of flick

 

“Be informed that the viral logo design is the official logo of the program by PTPTN.”

Program background

According to the statement, the two-day program was PTPTN’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) event held to support the marketability of graduates. 

“It aims to provide exposure to final year students who are PTPTN borrowers about financial literacy and market opportunities after graduation.”

Do you think the logo was obviously problematic and someone was being cheeky with it? Or was it a purely careless mistake?

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