We take pride in being a leading university in marine, maritime, and sustainability education, but our goal goes beyond just rankings—we want to make a real difference. This is not a small responsibility. UMT’s presence should be felt in nation-building, in shaping the next generation of talent, and in producing research that truly matters, both for Malaysia and the world. However, we need to embrace these challenges by making significant changes to our yearly plan and approach.

Strengthening Our University’s Visibility

My responsibilities under the office of Pro-Vice Chancellor (Strategy, Performance, and Corporate) are to elevate our global standing, enhance visibility, modernize student recruitment to attract more students to our niche programmes, expand our influence, and establish our university as a leading institution in marine, maritime, and sustainability education.

For 2025 we have designed a new approach to building a fresh and dynamic image that enhances our university’s visibility and attracts more students to join us. A strong reputation not only increases recognition but also builds trust and confidence among prospective students and their families. One of our key advantages is our high employability rate, proving that our graduates are well-prepared for the job market, particularly in our niche programmes. By showcasing our strengths, success stories, and career opportunities, we aim to inspire more students to see our university as the right place to shape their future. To achieve this target, we are implementing three key approaches:

1. Strengthening our digital presence through enhanced marketing, social media, and strategic branding
2. Optimizing our website to create a seamless experience for prospective students, researchers, and partners
3. Expanding our reach through monthly e-newsletters—engaging, contemporary publications designed to connect with a broader audience

Strategic Plan for Growth and Impact

UMT’s university rankings have been making impressive progress over the past years. Based on 2025 ranking reports, UMT is among the top 200 in the QS Asia University Rankings. We have six subjects listed in THE Subject Ranking, and we are proud to have two new entries, which are IT & Computer Science and Economics, featured in both THE and QS Subject Rankings.

While these metrics affirm our trajectory, I want to emphasize that UMT’s commitment always extends beyond rankings. We constantly focus on enhancing academic reputation and research quality, fostering international collaborations, and strengthening industry partnerships that prepare graduates for meaningful careers.

UMT recently made an important strategic move. Last September, we established the Blue Economy Advancement Centre (UMT BEACON). UMT aims to make an impact and stay true to its core values. By positioning ourselves as a leader in the Blue Economy and sustainability-focused research and education, we hope to align with Malaysia’s long-term vision for a sustainable future.

Through cutting-edge research, industry collaborations, and academic excellence, our plan is not only to elevate our university’s standing but also to contribute to national and global efforts in addressing the challenges of climate change and ocean resource management. We are always committed to ensuring that UMT’s effort remain constructive and fulfil future aspirations. It is about shaping the future of education, research, and policy for a more sustainable world. And UMT will always be a part of it.