Page 106 - VC Message

Leading with Purpose
Messages of the Vice Chancellor MESSAGES OF THE VICE CHANCELLOR

21 Message from the Vice Chancellor
MESSAGE NO.

Dear Campus Community,

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim
13 DECEMBER 2025 Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh and Salam Sejahtera

1. As we near the end of the year, it is imperative to amplify our reflection, readiness
and cohesive capacity in both increasing our resilience and in redoubling our
efforts for next year.
2. There have been major events in the final quarter of the year that have elevated
“ This is the time concluded 65 UM Convocation Ceremony. While they are energy sapping and
our prestige, profile and presence, from the International Week to the recently
th
tedious, they perfectly symbolise our shared strength and collective framework
to stamp our
mark and always of coming together for unity and togetherness transcending the boundaries of
departments and centres.
think far and 3. They also enhance our presence and recognition at the national and global level,
way ahead of and this would not have been possible without the dedication,perseverance and
our geographical grit of all of us, and I hence would like to express our utmost appreciation.
comfort and 4. Notwithstanding this, our work and resolve remain far from fulfilled, especially
our normative when we face the tide of rapid changes and unpredictable uncertainties that
complacency. will pose systemic and structural challenges to us in all fronts, from finance to
Our research relevance and reliability of our academic offerings and the impact of our research.
98 strength, focus, 5. Rising geopolitical uncertainties and tensions, growing economic headwinds and
and direction ever persisting socio-economic difficulties, health and development disparity,
must reflect that. recent climate induced natural disasters throughout the world including our
This is the most nation, and other communal challenges not only provide present and future risks
crucial element for us, but these also serve as the needed push for our academic and research
that still needs our community to continue producing the world class breakthroughs in providing
solutions to these national, regional and global challenges that affect everyday
comprehensive people and the governments and humanity as a whole.
touch and
amplification of 6. No longer is the time where we in UM will be entrapped by conventional ways of
doing things, outdated norms and archaic modes and models of thinking, belief
efforts to ensure systems and culture that are fast to be satisfied by mere normal standards or
our research performance indicators.
focus does not run 7. All these belong to the past. As challenges abound, so are our resolve and
astray or being led determination to be ahead of the curve, to have the anticipatory foresight and
by the notion of self-motivation and self-responsibility to fulfill our greatest honour carrying the
nonchalance or a nation’s oldest and best flagbearer of leading and defending the nation’s bastion
headless chicken of survival and interests.
just doing enough 8. No other institutions are like us, and there never will be. Once we are ingrained in
to fulfill research the DNA of Universiti Malaya and being part of the UM Family, it is by default and
KPIs. by self-responsibility to have the duty bound intent and actions to fulfill the honour
and to do our part for the nation, the people and the world.
9. There is no other option, and this is the deal that has been assigned to us both
“
by default and by honour. People look up to us for moral authority. People look
up to us for voices of reason and moderation, of faith and justice, and of intellect
and hope.
10. This is no time for decent or average performances or thinking. When the stakes
are high (which we are facing now), the responses and collective will must not be
lower or be on par, they have to go beyond the normative curve.