| A MESSAGE FROM THE VICE-CHANCELLOR | 
| | Assalamualaikum and Greetings, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia has recently hosted two important events namely the Global University Presidents Forum for Research and Academic Programmes held on 26th and 27th March in conjunction with the 42nd Convocation Ceremony of the university. It had been a rewarding and fruitful two-day discussion and deliberation on pertinent issues of concern related to higher education as we embark on an increasingly challenging and competitive global environment. Most importantly, the forum has triggered initiatives and resolutions as well as implementation mechanisms for closer research collaboration and academic exchange programmes towards a more effective and purposeful academic, social and cultural engagement among participating universities. | I would also like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere gratitude and appreciation to all participating university presidents, deputy presidents and representatives from more than 21 universities including Imperial College of London, Technical University of Denmark, University of Newcastle, U. K., Monash University, National University of Singapore and Universitas Indonesia, to name a few. Thank you for your invaluable contribution and active participation in making the forum a success. The 42nd Convocation Ceremony also witnessed the conferment of graduates at all levels from diverse areas of specialization and expertise. Congratulations to all graduates for your hard-earned effort, as well as parents, guardians and family members for your continuous support and prayers that have contributed to their success and achievement. The convocation ceremony also witnessed a new facelift in terms of its implementation, where the Johor Malay Culture and Tradition was adopted as its theme. This is the university’s effort towards creating greater awareness among the university community, especially the younger generation on the importance of preserving our culture and heritage so that they remain intact and stand tall in the face of modernisation and globalization. In conjunction with the convocation, we are also deeply honoured to confer the Honorary Doctor of Engineering to Prof. Mogens Henze from Denmark Technical University who is a renowned expert in environmental management, water and wastewater technologies, including modeling as well as problems on waste management, and sustainable sanitation. For his outstanding contribution and continuous collaboration with the UTM academic staff since 1999 in various initiatives such as joint research in sustainable water technology, joint publications and various projects, Prof. Henze has definitely played a significant role in positioning UTM as one of the global players in academia. This is important as UTM embarks on its Transformation Plan to elevate the academic excellence of the university and position itself internationally as a reputable institution in terms of its knowledge culture, intellectual ecosystem and image building. UTM will continue to strengthen its internationalisation efforts by establishing networking and cooperation with renowned universities, increasing the international student intake, facilitating student exchange programmes, encouraging academic staff of the university to do post-doctoral research in renowned universities and increasing the number of international staff to improve the percentage of staff with PhD in UTM. In addition, one of the main components of the UTM Transformation Plan is the emphasis on research and postgraduate studies. As such, an increased number of postgraduate students is one of the top agenda of the university, and with a more vibrant and thriving research culture among academics to indulge in cutting-edge research, efforts towards increased publication and citation will be enhanced. Thank you. "A GOOD TEACHER EDUCATES, A GREAT TEACHER INSPIRES" | Prof. Dato' Ir. Dr. Zaini bin Ujang
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 Assalamualaikum and Warm Greetings to Everyone, How swiftly time flies, and in our endless strive towards transforming the university into a reputable higher learning institution, we have come to yet another year of continuous struggle for excellence. I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone Happy Greetings for another year of Good Wishes and Continuous Success! We have seen UTM elevated to greater heights the past year with a resounding improvement in the World University Rankings. UTM also continues to gain recognition at the national level with two outstanding UTM academics becoming recipients of the prestigious Merdeka Awards. For the second time, UTM was awarded the National Intellectual Property Award for organization category, not to mention the various accolades won by UTM staff and students in various competitions at national and international levels. We have also seen the university staff and students transformed into a more dynamic intellectual community through various initiatives and reforms, aiming towards creating a more vibrant academic culture at the university. Although we might not have achieved everything we aimed for, we can see marked improvements in our transformation efforts with increased awareness and participation in intellectual indulgence and scholarly pursuits, especially in dire areas such as publication and citation. Thank you for your commitment, dedication, concerted efforts and positive response towards realising the strategies and initiatives of the UTM Transformation Plan. In the present world climate marked by unprecedented global competition and challenges resulting from the current economic turmoil, UTM needs to adapt to new global realities. In addition, Malaysia’s transformation into an Innovation-led Economy calls for UTM to move in tandem with the government’s aspiration. True to its tagline ‘Inspiring Creative and Innovative Minds’ UTM aspires to drive innovation as a process at the university and make innovation an integral part of the university culture. UTM is thus committed to creating an innovation and creative culture in all dimensions across all the key activities of the University in teaching, learning, research and services. Indeed, there is a strong potential in each of us that has yet to be tapped and harnessed. We each have a role to play in our own little and significant ways in our drive towards becoming a reputable innovation-led institution. While remaining grounded with our values and virtues, we should forge ahead as a team in our accelerated drive to propel UTM to greater heights. Once again, Best Wishes for a Great Year Ahead. Vice Chancellor Zaini Ujang |
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