UTM 7th University Presidents Forum:
“Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Nation Building”
May 13 (Wed), Johor Bahru
In the face of global competition, universities are adapting to the challenges in innovative and impactful ways to make a difference. Sustainable innovation and entrepreneurial mindsets are called for towards creating a versatile and dynamic human capital able to adapt to rapid challenges. These are the ways forward for the universities, based on the discussions and conversations among more than 74 international participants from 38 universities, involving 13 countries to UTM’s 7th University Presidents Forum (UPF), held today in UTM Johor Bahru Campus. Of these, a total of 28 are Vice-Chancellors/ Presidents / Rectors of the respective universities, while 14 others are Deputy Vice-Chancellors / Vice Presidents. This is a high-profile program, by far the largest of its scale, that will further enhance UTM’s visibility as a global university in line with UTM Global Plan 2020.
UTM’s University Presidents Forum (UPF) serves as a platform for university leaders to identify common issues and opportunities for research universities that would further strengthen the roles and relevance of universities. The leaders present their diverse views, insights and experience on global education and research. The movement of people, goods and technologies led to the introduction of new ideas, customs and values hence enhancing the need to understand the dynamics of local context, governance and culture. Responding to these challenges, the thematic for the 7th UPF is “Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Nation Building”.
The keynote speakers are
Prof. Dr. Caroline McMillen, from the University of Newcastle, Australia who will talk on building partnership between Universities, Government, Industry and Communities;
Prof. Dr. Caroline F. Benton from the University of Tsukuba, Japan on creating flexible Education-Research Structure for the future society;
Prof. Ji-Beom Yoo from Sungkyunkwan University, South Korea on Academia-Industry Collaboration in Knowledge Creation and Innovation; and
Prof. Dr. Michael Adebola Adewumi from Pennsylvania State University, USA on Research & Development as Drivers of Sustainable Economic Development.
The forum also witnessed the MoU signing session between UTM and seven international institutions including Sheffield Hallam University, United Kingdom, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Nigeria, Majlis Pendidikan Tinggi Muhammadiyah, Indonesia, Yamaguchi University, Japan, HITEC University Taxila, Pakistan, Singapore-ETH Centre, Singapore and Universitas Islam Negeri Walisongo Semarang, Indonesia; and four Malaysian institutions including Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHO), Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM), Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP), and Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM).
A panel discussion session on “Strengthening ASEAN University Networking”, chaired by the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, UTM, Prof. Dr. Mohd Ismail Bin Abd Aziz, was also held. The panel members include Prof. Ir. Dr. Joni Hermana from the Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember from Indonesia, Prof. Peter Edwards from Singapore-ETH Centre; and
Prof. Dr. Sukarno Dilausan Tanggol from the Mindanao State University–Illigan Institute of Technology. Philippines. Mr. Kamarul Bahrin Bin Haron from Astro Awani was invited as the moderator of the panel session. Participants of the forum will deliberate on issues affecting respective higher education institutions within the theme of the forum.
The forum is a showcase of the university’s commitment in forging greater partnerships with its international counterparts.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ir. Dr Wahid Omar concurred that UTM will leverage on multilateral partnership framework with organizations to promote Innovation and Entrepreneurship as key drivers for Nation Building. He hoped the forum marks the start of greater interactions between UTM and its partners, in particular participating institutions of the forum.