Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) is set to enter a new chapter in its leadership with the appointment of Prof. Dr Suriyani Muhamad as its new Vice-Chancellor, effective 28 September 2026.
Previously serving as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International), Prof. Dr Suriyani has been entrusted with leading UMT in sustaining the university’s pursuit of excellence while strengthening its academic, research, internationalisation and institutional strategic development agendas.
With extensive experience in academia and university management, coupled with expertise in economics, she is expected to bring a broad leadership perspective to strengthening UMT’s position as a university specialising in marine and aquatic resources, as well as advancing its role in leading the nation’s Blue Economy agenda.
Prof. Dr Suriyani previously served as Dean of UMT’s Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Development before being appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International) in January 2025.
During her tenure in the role, she focused on strengthening the university’s academic ecosystem, including developing academic programmes that respond to current changes, industry needs and developments in the job market.
Internationalisation was also among her key priorities, particularly through the expansion of mobility programmes that provide UMT students with opportunities to gain global academic experience, develop cross-cultural understanding and build networks with international institutions and communities.
Prof. Dr Suriyani said UMT will continue to build on its core strengths while advancing strategic academic areas with strong growth potential.
“UMT has established clear strengths and a distinct identity in marine and aquatic resources,” she said. “These strengths must continue to be developed, while we also focus on sub-niches and strategic academic fields with significant potential, relevance to national needs and appeal to students.”
“Our priority is to ensure that UMT’s academic strengths continue to evolve dynamically and respond to changes in the higher education landscape, industry developments and the country’s future needs”
She added that one of the strategic developments currently receiving attention is the finalisation of the Teaching Shipyard, which will strengthen the teaching and learning ecosystem in maritime fields while supporting efforts to develop talent and expertise for the nation’s marine sector.
In addition to enhancing graduate quality, UMT’s new leadership will also prioritise high-impact research that can generate added value for the university, industry, society and the nation.
Strategic collaborations with industry, government agencies, and international partners will continue to expand to ensure that UMT’s expertise, research and innovations can be applied more effectively to address real-world challenges and contribute to economic development and societal well-being.
This approach aligns with UMT’s aspiration to strengthen its position as a university specialising in marine and aquatic resources while playing a more significant role in advancing the nation’s Blue Economy.
by Engku Nurul Aima Tengku Amri
Corporate Communications Office
