By Shafie Umardi@Kamarol Bahrin & Muhammad Hisyamuddin Sazali, Centre for Student Development and Empowerment

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) recently hosted a special summit aimed at empowering the next generation of national leaders, in line with the aspirations of the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE).

iFUTURE@UMT 2025, themed “Innovating Leadership: Empowering Youth for a Digital Future,” brought together hundreds of students from various local institutions, including Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK), Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), and the Institute of Teacher Education, Dato’ Razali Ismail Campus.

Notably, this year’s edition, held at Dewan Sultan Mizan, UMT, also welcomed participation from international students representing countries such as India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan, Nigeria, Iran, and Jordan, adding a cross-cultural dimension to discussions and networking collaborations.

A key highlight was the dialogue session featuring esteemed national figure Dato’ Dr. Hj Roslan Hussin, Director General of the Malaysian Nationhood Academy. The session provided a critical platform to discuss the role of youth in the digital leadership ecosystem and the nation’s future.

UMT Vice-Chancellor Professor Ir. Ts. Dr. Mohd Zamri Ibrahim congratulated the organising committee, especially the UMT Student Representative Council (MPP) led by Muhammad Aqasha Mukris bin Zainuri, for the success of this high-impact initiative.

“This achievement is highly significant in advancing the Student Empowerment Agenda at UMT. It is more than just a programme; it marks a major leap towards producing globally competitive graduates with cross-cultural experiences and international leadership readiness,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Chief Student Secretariat Qistina Wafiyyah Shahrul Nizam emphasised the programme’s major impact in shaping student leadership character and innovative thinking in the digital age.

The event also marked a historic moment with the pre-launch of the UMT Student Icon Awards (AIS) 2025, the university’s highest recognition platform for excellence in leadership, innovation, volunteerism, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and intellectual pursuits.

AIS 2025 comes with a new, more exclusive format aligned with the MOHE’s Tokoh Siswa Awards, and introduces new categories, opening up more opportunities for outstanding students to be recognised. Winners will receive certificates of appreciation, a special trophy, and a gold bar as a symbol of the highest honour bestowed on UMT students.

With strong support from the Ministry of Higher Education and the Malaysian Nationhood Academy, alongside the commitment of the entire university community, iFUTURE@UMT 2025 has proven that today’s students are not only ready but are fully capable of leading the future at a global level.