Kuala Nerus, 18 February 2024 – “Five main focuses need to be achieved during 2024, namely preparing of the best talents for the country, strengthening of research and innovation ecosystem, implementation of new approach of knowledge transfer and sharing programmes, internationalisation of higher education, and reinforcement of enabler ecosystem,” said Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) Vice Chancellor Prof. Dato’ Dr. Mazlan Abd Ghaffar during the 2024 Vice Chancellor’s Mandate event at Sultan Mizan Hall, UMT, today.

He said any new programme to be offered needs to highlight UMT’s main uniqueness.

“It is important that these five main focuses are understood by UMT community as strategic measures to solidify UMT’s role as a public university as it faces the current challenges of the globalisation of higher education.

“As UMT fulfils its responsibility to help the communities and the country, UMT community needs to focus on UMT’s niche area of marine science and aquatic resources when implementing activities and programmes.”

He said several centres have been set up in an effort to strengthen the synergy and strategies to position UMT as a centre of reference that assists local government bodies and agencies abroad.

“In the context of research, UMT will develop Marine Portal Database to serve as a centre of reference concerning marine science to assist the country and international bodies. The database will be initiated by the Institute of Oceanography and Environment (INOS).”

“As for the internationalisation agenda, academic programmes will be widened in scope through the offering of dual degree programmes, where Peninsula College will act as a feeder for dual degree programmes between UMT and Plymouth University. The collaboration will mark another history in academic internationalisation programme, in addition to the offering of quality academic programmes through open and distance learning (ODL). The programmes are parked under a new centre, UMT Life.”

In addition, he said UMT will also establish UMT Community Activity Centre (PAKU) in an effort to boost knowledge transfer projects, and it will be supported by Blue Economy Advancement Centre (UMT-BEACON), also a new centre, that will act as the facilitator and the main driver of knowledge transfer programmes. Suitable projects will be offered to the communities, in line with the Ministry of Higher Education’s University of Society aspiration.

Although the world is experiencing all sorts of crises including economic uncertainties, Dr Mazlan said UMT has outlined several measures in securing a special fund to position the university as the country’s R&D activity centre.

“Even though UMT is affected by the financial constraints, research must be given a priority. Therefore, UMT remains committed to providing support and encouragement to its researchers of all ages especially the young researchers by allocating RM2.5 million as Special Internal Grant Fund for Research and Innovation.”

Prof. Dato’ Dr. Mazlan said quality graduates produced by UMT are the main factors that will contribute to a dynamic generation that will lead the country in the digital era.

“UMT is an institution that builds the future generations, so it will emphasize on its responsibility to develop and enhance the graduates. This is in line with the National Education Philosophy that aspires to produce a generation of students that are future-ready and future-proof and possess the ability to stand the challenges of globalization and are willing to help the country achieve harmony and prosperity,” he said.

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Universiti Malaysia Terengganu