KUALA TERENGGANU, 8 January 2026 – Four Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) students have been selected to participate in the Global Student Leadership Summit (GSLS) 2026, further strengthening the university’s global engagement. The event is held for six days beginning 8 January at the University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.

The participation of UMT students in this prestigious international conference reflects the university’s commitment to producing globally competitive graduates, particularly in presenting ideas, sharing perspectives, and building cross-cultural leadership networks with participants from various countries.

One of the participants, Qistina Wafiyyah Shahrul Nizam from UMT’s Faculty of Computer Science and Mathematics, said that the opportunity to join GSLS 2026 will be a meaningful experience that will open up learning opportunities beyond the classroom.

“This participation will allow me to present ideas and perspectives related to Modelling Campus-Wide Cashless Saturation to Foster Student Autonomy and Digital Financial Literacy in a global context, while also gaining an understanding of future leadership challenges from an international perspective. It will also test my self-confidence and ability to work in teams with diverse backgrounds,” she said.

The involvement of UMT students in GSLS 2026 aligns with the university’s aspiration to produce holistic graduates who not only excel academically but are also capable of contributing valuable ideas in addressing global issues and sustainable development.

Meanwhile, UMT Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni), Professor Dr. Mohd Izani Mohd Zain, said that student participation in international-level programmes is essential for building global networks and opening opportunities for academic collaboration, student exchange, and the implementation of joint projects in the future.

“UMT consistently supports student involvement in international programmes because these experiences beyond the classroom are able to shape students who are more confident, independent, and globally minded. Students also serve as small ambassadors of the country, bringing a positive image of the university to the world,” he said.

With the theme “Nurturing Future Global Leader,” GSLS 2026 focuses on six main pillars: Climate Action and Sustainability; Youth Empowerment and Civic Engagement; Global Health and Well-being; Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies for Social Impact; Lifelong Learning and Future Skills; and the Digital Economy and Youth Entrepreneurship.

Published by:

Corporate Communications Office

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu