Page 187 - VC Message

Home of the Bright. Land of the Brave

Di Sini Bermulanya Pintar, Tanah Tumpahnya Berani

innovation and entrepreneurship on campus. By “industrialising” the university,
we aim to be an engine of development, supplying talent and technology for the
nation.
77. Our strong performance in indicators like the International Research Network,
inbound student exchange, and global academic reputation in the QS rankings
attests to the efforts of internationalisation.
78. But beyond rankings, internationalisation is about broadening our impact: we want
UM’s research to benefit not only Malaysia but also the world and civilizations at
large.
79. This global outlook drives us to participate in international initiatives.
80. UM invests heavily in programs that serve the community, addressing urban
poverty and rural education. Our approach is holistic, meaning we try to address
community needs from multiple angles – economic, educational, health, and
environmental – recognizing their interconnection.
81. These three principles of industrialisation, internationalisation, and community
engagement reinforce each other as well. By engaging with industry, we produce
graduates who are more globally competitive, aiding internationalisation. By being
international, we bring in ideas and standards that can help our local communities
even more.
82. We enshrine this in our mission through knowledge that is value-driven and
graduates who are mission-led with strong values.All these efforts underscore
that UM’s strategy is not just rhetoric – it is being translated into real-world impact
day by day.
83. Our holistic approach – combining world-class academia with conscience and
action – is our blueprint to remain at the forefront of solving national, regional, and 179
global challenges.
84. As the “Home of the Bright, Land of the Brave,” we aspire to nurture bright minds
and brave hearts that will shape a more sustainable, equitable, and peaceful
future.

Ladies and gentlemen,

85. As I conclude, I return to the central idea of reimagining higher education for a
geopolitical, digital, and sustainable era. The world around us is changing rapidly.
86. And through it all, we must uphold the moral compass that keeps us oriented
toward improving human lives and preserving our planet.
87. Reimagining higher education is, fundamentally, about rethinking our value to
society. It calls on us to ask: What more can we do, and how can we do it better,
for the communities we serve?
88. The trends of today present not only challenges but also immense opportunities.
89. I urge all of us – educators, policymakers, students, and stakeholders – to embrace
a bold vision of the university as a driver of change. Let us foster institutions that
are deeply integrated with their communities and yet globally networked, fiercely
excellent in scholarship and yet warmly human in spirit.
90. The knowledge we cultivate should not be kept, it should be out solving poverty,
curing diseases, negotiating peace, and saving species. This is both the idealism
and realism required by our times.
91. Let us also remember that universities have endured for centuries because they
adapt and uphold eternal values simultaneously. During the industrial revolution,
universities fuelled progress.