By Syarifah Noormaisarah Tuan Besar, International Centre
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) has taken another significant step forward in strengthening its internationalisation agenda with the official launch of a new strategic initiative recently.
The initiative, called UMT Global Connect, features a more coordinated approach to UMT’s international engagements, covering academic and research collaboration, international mobility, networking, funding opportunities, and alumni engagement. These will be catered through a range of carefully planned programmes and specific platforms.
UMT Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Suriyani Muhammad said that these strategies are designed to expand international networks, strengthen global collaboration, and create greater opportunities for the university community and its strategic partners.
“By bringing together academic networking, international cooperation, mobility opportunities, funding support and alumni engagement, UMT Global Connect provides a broader framework for strengthening the university’s international presence,” she said.
Among the strategic components under UMT Global Connect is the UMT Global Academic Network (U-GAN), a strategic platform aimed at establishing and strengthening a global academic network involving international partner universities, academics, researchers and global alumni.
U-GAN serves as a platform for connecting international expertise with UMT’s academic community to support academic excellence, research development and broader international engagement. Through the network, UMT can strengthen connections with experts and institutions worldwide while creating opportunities for knowledge exchange and collaborative initiatives.
Another component is the Cooperation Initiative Grant (APAC), which supports the development of international cooperation with partners across the Asia-Pacific region. The initiative provides opportunities for UMT academics to develop and strengthen collaborations with institutions in the region through strategic activities and joint initiatives.
The Malaysia International Enrichment Matching Fund (MIEMF) further supports UMT’s internationalisation efforts by providing opportunities for academic and student mobility as well as collaborative activities with international partner institutions. Such initiatives allow members of the UMT community to gain international exposure while strengthening institutional relationships through academic exchange, knowledge sharing and joint activities.
UMT Global Connect also includes the establishment of alumni chapters in different countries to strengthen the university’s international alumni network. These chapters can serve as important links between UMT and its alumni overseas while creating opportunities to develop connections with institutions, organisations and communities in their respective countries.
As part of the Global Connect ecosystem, there will be a dedicated publication called UMT International Insight that showcases the university’s international achievements, global partnerships, academic and research collaborations, mobility initiatives and stories from its international community.
“We need to ensure that every internationalisation initiative undertaken carries strategic value and delivers a clear impact on the University’s development,” Professor Suriyani said in her address during the launch of UMT Global Connect on 18 August. “I want UMT Global Connect to become one of the catalysts that helps UMT move from visibility to recognition, and from recognition to global impact.”
