By Wan Ab Hafiz Wan Ibrahim, Vice-Chancellor’s Office

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) recently held the 2025 Vice-Chancellor’s Address, delivered by Prof. Ir. Ts. Mohd Zamri Ibrahim, the Vice-Chancellor. With the theme “Strengthening Unity Towards Becoming a Leading Marine University,” the event on 6 March brought together more than 1,500 members of the UMT community, comprising academic staff, management personnel, and student representatives.

In his speech, Prof. Zamri outlined the university’s aspirations and strategic initiatives for the year 2025 and beyond. He emphasised the need to position UMT among the world’s top 100 universities, particularly in the fields of marine and aquatic studies, which are UMT’s niche areas.

Strategies to Drive Excellence
 Professor Zamri, who was appointed as Vice-Chancellor on 1 August 2024, shared 48 key strategies to be implemented throughout 2025. Among the main areas of focus announced are:

• The introduction of 13 new undergraduate academic programmes centred on marine and aquatic resources within the next two years.
• The development and offering of 14 master’s programmes through Open and Distance Learning (ODL).
• A target to increase student enrolment by 30% by the year 2030, with the aim to reach a capacity of 15,000 students, and a particular emphasis on local and international postgraduate student enrolment.

Focus on New Campus Development

In line with plans to increase student capacity and academic programmes, UMT will also focus on the physical development of a new campus at UMT Bukit Kor. The development of the campus, covering an area of 600 acres, will be carried out with the concept of a sustainable campus, complete with teaching, learning, and student accommodation facilities for the Faculty of Computer Science and Mathematics, Faculty of Agrotechnology and Food Science, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, and the STEM Foundation Centre. This phase of development is expected to serve as a catalyst for the strategic growth of UMT as the leading marine and aquatic education hub in the region.

Unity as the Pillar of Success

In his speech, Prof. Zamri also said unity is a key prerequisite for the success of any organization. He urged the entire university community, whether academic staff, professional groups, or support personnel, to work together in realising the university’s vision.

“Feel and embrace the spirit of togetherness as we chart our direction, manage our plans, and coordinate our actions,” Prof. Zamri said. “Let us work together hand in hand, as expressed in these Malay proverbs: Bagai aur dengan tebing (Like the bamboo and the riverbank); Ibarat telur sesangkak, pecah sebiji, pecah semua (Like eggs in a basket—if one breaks, all are affected); Yang berat sama dipikul, yang ringan sama dijinjing (Sharing both the burdens and the lighter loads alike).”

The event not only served as a platform for conveying aspirations but also for uniting everyone in the goal of making UMT a leading university that is well respected on the international stage..