Page 124 - VC Message
P. 124

Leading with Purpose
                                      Messages of the Vice Chancellor     OP ED & RENCANA MEDIA




            development policies are crafted to   that will see both the physical and spiritual   Universiti Malaya top flagbearer of
            empower the dreams and opportunities of   growth and development, in getting all   Malaysia’s academic excellence
            all Malaysians through eventual economic   Malaysians on board in rising up to the   In Malaysia,  Universiti  Malaya  remains
            focus areas and transitions that are in   challenges of tomorrow and in ensuring   the nation’s top flagbearer in carrying the
            accordance to technological, geopolitical   that no one is left behind in the progressive   honour of national pride and being the
            and economic changes and demands.  trajectory.
                                                                               cornerstone  of  the  country’s academic
                                             From  humble  beginnings,  Malaysia  excellence.
                                             has diversified its economy, harnessed
            The Madani concept                                                 This clarion call of duty and pride have
                                             its natural resources and achieved
            This is also reflected in the Madani   remarkable milestones and, today, stands   been the epitome of the core vision of the
                                                                               university in being the ultimate national
            concept, where the next transition for   tall  as  a sovereign nation,  a  testament   hope and symbol of academic eminence
            the country is reflected in a wholesome,   to visionary leadership and unwavering
            holistic and inclusive approach where no   determination in pursuit of prosperity.  and  in  further  amplifying  our  standing  in
                                                                               the world.
            one is left behind, and where progressive
            growth and development are balanced with   Growing middle power in geopolitical,   With  great  conviction  pillared  on  a
                                             economic domains
            the equal emphasis on values, principles,                          mission-led and purpose-driven mantra,
            ethics and spiritual developments.  Hence, Malaysia  is on the right  track in   the university seeks to change the world
                                             its socio-economic transition to position   and  humanity  for  the  better  in  the  quest
            Growing the economic pie requires future-
            driven and comprehensive economic   itself  as  the next  major  regional and   for glory and a new hope for mankind, with
                                             global power in solidifying its presence
                                                                               our tagline:  Home of the Bright, Land of
            planning and implementation that will
            ensure both economic and domestic and   as a growing middle power in both the   the Brave.
            external security and stability in facing   geopolitical and economic domains.  We remain at an exciting yet challenging
            current and future realities.    What is politically right cannot be morally   crossroads, and it will require all of us as
                                             wrong and what is morally right cannot   Malaysians to play our roles in steering
            Malaysia’s growth has been facilitated by
            economic policies that are both pragmatic,   be politically wrong. With practices   our  great  nation  forward  with  fervour,
                                             and policies that are just, equitable and
                                                                               patriotism and love.
            inclusive and forward-looking.
                                             holistic, and based on the elements of
            Malaysia has not only diversified  and   upholding good governance and social   With great sincerity and unwavering intent,
                                                                               Universiti Malaya will continue to support
            transformed its fundamental economic   equilibrium and justice for all, the will,
            pillars, but has also galvanised its existing   rights and welfare of the people will be   and forge new pathways for the country’s
                                                                               future development and advancement in
            strengths and taken the necessary reform   further protected and upheld. This will   all relevant fields, fostering a new era of
   116      measures to stand up to current demands   ultimately pave the way for a new era of   hope and progress for our great nation
            and challenges, while remaining wary of
                                             greater  conscience,  fostering  a  spirit  of
            the risks of stagnation.         humanity that transcends racial, religious,   and the new generations.
                                             cultural, gender and social status barriers,   For all the differing debates and narratives,
            We have shifted our economy away
            from an agriculture and commodities-led   discrimination and differences.  Malaysia remains a nation that is well-
                                                                               aligned with the global and civilisational
            economic growth to one that is primarily   The  direction  the  future  holds  for  the   agenda of a future-driven growth outline,
            based on the manufacturing and services   world and its inhabitants has been and
            sectors since our independence.  will always be shaped by the collective will   with a well-laid track of fixing gaps and
                                                                               identifying the right future demands and
            In a World Bank report, Malaysia stood out   and strength of the people with the vision   growth indicators.
            as  a  highly  open  economy,  consistently   for the greater good, with alliances forged,
            maintaining  a  trade-to-GDP  ratio  friendships built, values shared, causes   The future of the country and the prospects
                                                                               of the new generations lie in our current
            exceeding 130 per cent since 2010, and   connected and the future envisioned.  unyielding Malaysian spirit of continuous
            this has played a vital role in maintaining   Institutionalised framework of governance
            a consistently low unemployment rate   that is pillared on collective will and voices   improvement and our inclusive efforts
                                                                               of each of us in preserving the flame of
            and elevating income growth, where   of the people shapes the future of the
            roughly 40 per cent of jobs in Malaysia are   sustainability of resources, climate and   unity, harmony, stability and growth in
                                                                               the true Malaysian spirit of Muhibbah and
            associated with exports.         development index.
                                                                               inclusivity.
            Malaysia embarked on an economic-  National  resilience,  cohesion  and  -- BERNAMA
            diversification  journey  since the  1970s,   sustainability remain the core pillar of a
            and this process continues until now, with   country’s survival and existence. In an age   Professor Dato’ Seri Ir Dr Noor Azuan Abu
            a different economic focus to diversify its   of digital and technological transformation   Osman is the Vice Chancellor of Universiti
            economy in the 1970s.            with  the  onslaught  of  the  effects  of   Malaya  &  Fellow,  Academy  of  Sciences
                                             globalisation, the cohesion and infusion   Malaysia
            In addressing the demands of the
            future in key critical economic reforms,   of shared understanding and coming   (The  views  expressed  in  this  article  are
            manufacturing and high-impact sectors   together of the global community have   those of the author(s) and do not reflect
            driven by high-end technological and   never been stronger for centuries past.  the official policy or position of BERNAMA)
            digital drive remain pivotal, but a holistic,   A rising tide lifts all boats and with closer
            just,  sustainable  and equitable  societal   collaboration and understanding among
            and humanistic growth remains equally   the different parties and stakeholders,
            pertinent.                       the higher education community and the
            This  is  where  the  Madani  progressive   general society will stand to benefit with an
            development  mantra comes  into  the   impactful effect on the global community
            picture in addressing the whole spectrum   as a whole, cutting across creed, gender,
            of inclusive and comprehensive growth   nationality, religions and other affiliations.
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